[1990-08-31-AJPW-Summer Action Series II] Jumbo Tsuruta vs Kenta Kobashi

[Loss]

Talk about it here.

[Loss]

Is this Kobashi's first real standout match as a singles star? This match is a great case for Jumbo as a guy who understood his role. He really did a lot to put Kobashi over as someone who would one day be able to hang at the top. However, that day wouldn't be today. He got a few gutsy kickouts and close nearfalls on Jumbo without being excessive, and he had a more competitive match with Jumbo than was probably expected at this point in time. A cool addition to the sea change that was part of Misawa's rise to the top.

[PeteF3]

From his early-'80s ascension onward Jumbo was one of the very best "top guy vs. lower guy" workers of all-time. This week was definitely a coming-out party for Kobashi.

[soup23]

Jumbo's "you little motherfucker" look when Kobashi slaps his hand shows how this match would go. A perfect match of giving enough but not too much to someone of Kobashi's stature. Kobashi showed a lot of fire for me and looked really polished. Great match.

[Kevin Ridge]

Kobashi liked doing that rolling heel kick. Don’t remember him doing it much 92 and after. Jumbo with the flyiing knee off the top rope. Lower ranked guys versus Jumbo can be good matches. Kobashi was hanging with Jumbo most of the match.

[garretta]

Jumbo gets the win, but this was Kenta's match. He knew he'd have trouble fighting Jumbo straight up, so he spent the first half of the match wearing him out with side headlocks and front facelocks, then stood toe-to-toe when the time was right. Unfortunately for him, Jumbo still had enough left to put him away, but it took more than anyone ever thought possible.

 

Continued selling isn't as big a deal to me as it is to some of you, but extra credit to Jumbo for selling the side headlock/front facelock combo throughout the bout. He was still shaking his head and pulling at his ear after he got the win, trying to clear his head after the punishment Kenta had put on him. Clearly, he thought a lot of Kenta's potential to go out of his way to sell like that. A run of nearfalls is one thing, some selling right after a hold is applied is another, but this kind of selling is only done by those who truly think that their opponents are worth the rub.

[drew wardlaw]

Very solid match. The dynamic of the match, and the whole feud, is perfect for me, and Jumbo plays his role so well here. Kobashi looked very good, maybe the best he's looked so far? I don't want to take anything away from Kobashi because he was great here, but Jumbo really impressed me, perfect amounts of give and take here.

[Jetlag]

Jumbo takes on Kobashi one week before his big rematch against the Man in Green. I dunno, Kobashi keeping Jumbo at bay with very basic moves was fine, but the match didn't have a ton of fire and they kind of lost me in the second half. Jumbo was really generous, almost too generous, as I was wondering why he doesn't just chuck Kobashi around a little. He does that some, but Kobashi just gets in pretty much aaaall his moves against Jumbo (maybe lacking 2 DDTs and a cradle) and then Jumbo just beats him. Could have used a little more valiant fighting, really.

[dawho5]

I think Kobashi got a lot of respect from both Jumbo and Hansen for going balls to the wall 100% of the time. They both tend to give him way more than he should get when they get the chance.

[Superstar Sleeze]

Jumbo Tsuruta vs Kenta Kobashi - AJPW 8/31/90

 

One day before, the much anticipated rematch between Jumbo and Misawa, Jumbo takes on Misawa's young, plucky ally, Kenta Kobashi. Great young rookie vs cranky veteran as everyone would expect with two of the five best workers of all time. Kobashi slaps Jumbo's hand away on the opening handshake and people complain about Millennials.

 

Jumbo immediately knees him in the face. This match is all about the poise of Kobashi. There are many wrestlers who would wilt under the violent offensive of Jumbo and pressure of facing the Ace. Kobashi regroups on the outside and gets a side headlock. After Jumbo gets out of that and rips his head off with lariat, big boot and piledriver and such. Kobashi still hangs in there and whips him in the railing. He starts just diving out to the outside repeatedly in an all out assault using his body. Jumbo hurts his knee on catching Kobashi. This gives Kobashi an opportunity and a chance to work some holds and really have a control segment against the Ace. It is doubly impressive because he took some serious offense just before this and showed great poise. Jumbo gets out of all the leg work with an enziguiri. He does not sell it well after that. He does much better at selling Kobashi's head shots. Here Jumbo gets a butterfly suplex, but loses control to a bulldog and then a MOONSAULT! 1-2-NO! Kickout! Kobashi gets another nearfall with a German suplex! Impressive! After that Jumbo beats the shit outta him but needs a knee, powerbomb and after that kick out just elbows the fuck outta Kobashi before the back drop driver puts him away.

 

Great showing by Kobashi not just showing he could work holds and big spots (moonsault, German suplex), but that he could do it even after taking offense from Jumbo and showing the typical Kobashi fire. Jumbo was great on offense bringing that crankiness especially late with those elbows. Jumbo's selling makes this is the lesser of the two big Kobashi singles matech (the other being the one with Hansen). ***1/4

[superkix]

Kobashi is the mosquito that keeps abuzzin' and daddy Jumbo is just trying to swat him down but he's having trouble keeping him down. Kobashi gets in a lot of offense, including the moonsault press, and even shows a little 'tude when he's working Jumbo on the mat, paintbrushing him with a few slaps. Jumbo's pretty generous here but after Kobashi survives a couple of big knees and a powerbomb, Jumbo's finally had it and lays into him with some elbows before putting him down for good with the backdrop. I would've liked to have seen a more grumpy Jumbo here but it was solid enough match heading into his much bigger rematch with Misawa.