[1989-07-13-NJPW] Naoki Sano vs Jushin Liger

[Jetlag]

Their first match. Kind of an introduction of the style they came up with, meaning they hit aaaaaall their death moves, reckless dives in rapid succession. Starts out with some fast matwork and hints at aggression including Liger pummeling Sano on the ground, but quickly turns into a pure move exhibition. They would go on to have better and more intelligent matches in the future, but there's still plenty of death and drama to be seen here.

[Superstar Sleeze]

IWGP Jr Heavyweight Champion Jushin Liger vs Naoki Sano - NJPW 7/13/89

 

Incredibly fun, insane 13 minute sprint. Great way to wake up on vacation. I thought Liger felt very inspired by the Stampede boys like Dynamite, Bret and Davey Boy. Like a ramped up version of those Harts/Bulldogs matches with more insane offense and a lot more urgency. The opening matwork is tight but definitely a lot quicker than Fujinami's from early 80s. Liger was just so offensive minded in this match. It was a full court press. However he would get sometimes on the mat. After the tilt a whirl backbreaker he opened an unholy can of whoop ass on Sano. Look how much he relied on Irish whip to create movement doesn't feel like early 80s Mew Japan. Even though he is hitting spots in rapid fire succession there is so much urgency you can help but feel infected with energy. The duplex to the floor was insane and then somersault splash off top to floor like shut the front door!

 

Nice countout tease! Liger can't get powerbomb but almost caught in a pibfall see trying to make something nothing almost gets him. Loved Sano's transition to offense with Liger catching his foot and clobbering him with a kick to head. Liger did great job with disoriented selling. Sano then presses advantage with dropkick to head. After taking an asswhupping a head shot is what he needed. Sano has insane offense on outside too and great German for nearfalls.

 

Wild Japanese women in front row >>> stoic yakuza.

 

Loved the symmetry of FINISH run. That double dropkick was best ever Sano really destroyed Liger. Lots of hitting moves at same time. Super bank suplex that knocks both for a loop. Great finish!

 

Sets up rematch well. Interesting finish being so even leading to double knockout. Insane high end offense mixed with good transition and tons of urgency means damn great time watching wrestling! ****

[superkix]

This was a super duper juniors exhibition, with lots of slick back-and-forth mat-tastics and a bubbling aggression that didn't quite pop. Instead, they unload almost all of their offense and it's pretty great. Liger drops a boss diving elbow, suplexes Sano from inside the ring and drops him to the ground, and then follows that up with a big somersault senton from the top rope to the floor. Not to be outdone, Sano rallies back with lots of kick variations and he goes up top and uh, maybe slips or maybe kicks Liger on the floor. Some of Sano's stuff isn't quite as squeaky clean as in later matches but he's trying everything, hitting a German suplex hold and a dope arm trap suplex floatover for a two count. They both collapse on the top rope backdrop attempt and the match ends on a double KO. Weird finish but it works and sets up the subsequent rematch.

[ClassicsPuro1983]

Jushin Liger vs. Naoki Sano '13.07.1989
Jushin Liger & Naoki Sano kicked off their legendary feud with this futuristic aerial war for the IWGP jr. heavyweight championship. The match was way ahead of its time for highspots, athleticism, and daring. Despite the overall pace and their more flashy offensive maneuvers, Liger and Sano given an appropriate amount of credence and a good level of urgency. Their chemistry was awesome and anything that didn't hit perfectly added to the recklessness factor. The finish of the match is a double knockout finish after 13 minutes. The finish is disappointment but the match is still a classic. (****1/2)