[1998-08-08-NJPW-G1 Climax] Tatsumi Fujinami vs Masahiro Chono

[Jetlag]

So people are saying that Fujinami in the 90s was past it and his title in reign in 1998 was a lowlight. And judging by this match -- they are WRONG. Fujinami says DAMN you ALL - and drags Chono kicking and screaming into a bonafide MUGA epic like it's 1978/2006. Exciting opening establishes the story of the match immediately. Then you get Fujinami working really stiff - slapping the dogshit out of Chono and busting out the Thesz back elbow. Chono can barely do a thing on the mat but, Fujinami carries him no problem. Not only do you get fun maestro-ish touches from Fujinami, but also really excellent psychology, as you had Chono trying to work Fujinami's match, a great sequence centered around a lowblow, which Fujinami probably saw Negro Casas do in 1981 at Toreo, Fujinami teasing the STF, great leg attack stuff etc. Last couple minutes probably would've been better if Chono gave a shit about selling his leg. Ah, what the hell - this is still about the best match involving 1998 Chono I can imagine.