[2000-10-21-AJPW-October Giant Series] Genichiro Tenryu vs Stan Hansen

[soup23]

The next to last match of Stan’s career and the last singles match. So long cowboy. Tenryu knows Stan is limited so he takes initiative in killing himself with two early topes to kickstart the match. It is a nice contrast watching this behind the MAW match as the raw potential was there in that match but the timing is much more on point here. Just look at the way Hansen blocks a chop and delivers one of his own halfway through this match. That only comes with a lot of seasoning. The middle slugfest here really feels like Stan making one last stand. His nose is busted open and every body part hurts but he isn’t going down without a fight. Tenryu keeps looking for a lariat and Stan works the arm. Stan hits a lariat of his own but the combination of him being beat down with the ref also taking a tumble allows him to not make a pin. Tenryu is able to hit the fallaway elbow to essentially end Stan’s career. The finish came sudden but I loved the old man fight before it. ***1/2 (7.2)

[Tim Evans]

Stan doesn't even attempt to catch Tenyru during his second dive.  For this being Stan's last singles match, it wasn't too bad. Stan gave it his all and even hit a lariat but it just wasn't enough to beat Tenyru. That finish was awkward but was kinda refreshing.

[Superstar Sleeze]

Genichiro Tenryu vs Stan Hansen - AJPW 10/21/00

Stan’s penultimate match and last singles match comes in the Semifinals of the Truple Crown Tournament. Kawada will have beaten Koshinaka, interesting choice for a semifinalist the next night. Hansen’s last match would be at the Budokan later this month in a 6-man. 
 

This has the feeling of one last shootout in the OK Corral putting two old gunslingers. I love the start of the match with Tenryu diving onto Stan Hansen as he is making his entrance with reckless abandon it is totally unexpected and popped me huge. I had to rewind for that. It was so nice he had to do it twice. Hansen mounts a comeback with the bull rope yanking Tenryu into hard metal objects at ringside. From there it is just gritty, no frills old man fight. The visual of Stan nosed busted throwing hands like his life depended on it was awesome. It felt like Man vs Self. His mind wanted to destroyed Tenryu but his body wouldn’t let him. His body just was not cooperating. Tenryu was just brutalizing him with every chop, punch and kick, lots of enziguiris to the kidneys. Hansen bowls him over with one last bum rush. He targets the arm and yanks him outside but Tenryu comes back with that kick to the kidneys. The Tenryu straight rights as Hansen is laying in the Ring and Tenryu is standing on the floor are BRUTAL! Tenryu dives on top of him with a reverse elbow from the top rope but it more like he is crushing with all his body weight. This is classic old man wrestling. It about weight and inertia using the hard parts of the body. Ugly but effective. Tenryu misses the second. LARIAT~! THE COLLISION IS SO EXPLOSIVE THE REF IS BLOWN AWAY WITHOUT PHYSICAL CONTACT! LOL! This protects Hansen one last time. Tenryu sends Hansen to ride off into the sunset with one last Top Rope Reverse Elbow. 
 

God Bless Them! One last shootout at the OK Corral and it doesn’t disappoint! *** 3/4