TNT vs. Super Black Ninja (6/25/88)

[El Boricua]

TNT vs. Super Black Ninja (6/25/88)

[elliott]

Slow start with both guys feeling each other out, locking up, not doing anything. Back and forth arm wringrs leads to some sweet chops from TNT and another back and forth hip toss segment leads to Muta bailing out. This goes to commercial with the match at really a stalemate thus far. Muta is on top when we come back and immediately gets TNT in a sleeper. TNT is great selling the sleeper stumbling around and slowly going out before coming too and making a terrific comeback. Really odd looking spot where TNT charges full speed at Muta after whipping him in the corner and Muta looks like he’s supposed to come out of the corner with a lariat only he doesn’t do it fast enough and it just looks awkward. They go right to the finish with Muta missing a moonsault, TNT blasting him with a superkick for the win and Muta literally beating TNT to his feet after the 3. This was forgettable.

[dawho5]

First things first, this looked nothing like Muta. The mannerisms looked half-assed too. So I am judging this match based on a not-really-Muta scale. Good enough from both, but they were keeping it slow and deliberate to disguise the obvious. TNT's 360 roundhouse kick somehow doesn't end up knocking not-Muta down long enough to cover, why? TNT selling during his comeback is actually really, really good. He's been taking lessons from Invader 1. They really went all-oout to make this "Muta" believable, moonsault and all, but I just don't buy it. Decent enough match for what it really is.