[1985-09-11-UWF] Yoshiaki Fujiwara vs Super Tiger

[Microstatistics]

Just a notch below their 1984 matches but still really really good, which tells you about the general quality of the series. It continues the theme of Fujiwara the superior grappler vs. Tiger the superior striker. Snug matwork, good strikes and great selling. Terrific finish as well.

[Jetlag]

This is less experimental and outlandish than their previous matches. At this point they knew how to use the nuances of the style they created to full effect. The wrestling wasn't anything mindblowing or inventive like in the match a little more than a year before this and there were a few parts on the mat that felt like window dressing to the more showy stuff in the match, but the tightness of the fight was great as usual. Sayama altough unmasked looked a little more lunatic than usual with how he was throwing himself at Fujiwara to kick him, and they used the new 10 counts to full effect. One thing that irks me is that the story wasn't as sharp as before. For example, in both the previous matches they tease Fujiwara getting a german suplex, which ST desprately avoids, in this match Fujiwara gets it really easily and Sayama just no sells it to sit on Fujiwara some more. That was something that really irked me along with the matwork being not quite as compelling as before. Still, a really good fight that lays out the blueprint for the style.

[superkix]

The match is reminiscent of their first singles encounter, the emphasis placed on the “pro-wrestling” style rather than the hostility these two displayed throughout their “shoot" style encounters. Regardless, Fujiwara’s no joke here, being much better prepared for Tiger’s kicks and taking him to the ropes quite often. When Tiger’s able to let loose on him, he rocks Fujiwara with his wild kicks and knees, at one point catching him in the front teeth with a spin kick. One of the more disturbing visuals in this series comes when Fujiwara tries to choke Tiger out, cranking his head and neck in an unnaturally acute angle, the guttural hacks of Tiger adding to the realism. When Tiger attempts to finish Fujiwara off with the German suplex hold, Fujiwara’s able to take him down with his own signature armbar, the wakigatame, for the submission.

[Superstar Sleeze]

Super Tiger vs Yoshiaki Fujiwara - UWF 9/11/85

The final match of the final show of the Original UWF features its greatest rivalry: Super Tiger vs Yoshiaki Fujiwara. Sayama is without his mask, which he stopped wearing in February of 1985. I agree with the general consensus that this match is more reminiscent of the first match in that it is more pro-style. Still there are no Irish Whips, moonsaults or Tombstones, but does not feel as shoot-y as the previous matches. It is more of a Greatest Hits sendoff match. Lots of great callbacks. Fujiwara catching Sayama's kicks into a kneebar which was the finish of the May or June match. Then there was Sayama catching Fujiwara with a lightning roundhouse to the midsection and then Sayama following up with a ton of jumping enziguiris. Those head rocking kicks were reminiscent of the December 1984 match. Sayama had more success on the mat here, but it was Fujiwara working his usual magic going for armbars, wristlocks and chokes. There was a very pro style sequence worked around headbutts. Sayama would get another riveting flurry of kicks before the match kicked into the finish run. Fujiwara is trying to wrestle him to the ground for his signature armbar when Sayama hits a mule kick to the head that rocks Fujiwara. Sayama looks for the German to finish but Fujiwara grabs the arm and applies his Fujiwara armbar for the submission victory. I was expecting Sayama to go over in the last show, but great flash submission finish. These two couldnt have a bad match against each other if they tried. ****1/4