[2004-01-18-AJPW] Toshiaki Kawada vs. Genichiro Tenryu

[Jetlag]

Most overlooked match between two big names in japanese wrestling history? I never even knew this one happened. It was a pretty fun match, altough far in the shadow of their 2000 encounter. You get those two smacking and punching eachother a lot, so that is really fun of course, and also some of Crazy Tenryu with him throwing chairs and making use of the Spider Suplex etc. Unfortunately Lazy Kawada was in effect here with him ignoring some fun legwork Tenryu was doing and no selling his way back on offense later, he also seemed to have a lot of light on his enzuigiris. On the other hand, him coughing after getting chopped in the throat was a nice touch. Perfectly good match otherwise.

[ohtani's jacket]

I liked this better than any other Kawada match from the 2000s aside from the original Tenryu match from 2000 and the Muto matches. Not because it was a great Kawada performance (personally I don't think he was a great worker in the 2000s), but because Tenryu is a natural opponent for him. I'd gladly watch this matchup any day of the week. It suffers a bit in comparison to the tear Kobashi was on (I can't seem to separate the two in my mind), but as a New Year's match it's more than decent. 

[Superstar Sleeze]

All Japan Triple Crown Champion Toshiaki Kawada vs Genichiro Tenryu - AJPW 1/18/04

I am surprised this match is so overlooked. You can chalk it up to post-split All Japan put they pulled in 10k+ at the Budokan for Kawada’s title defenses against Frye and Hashimoto. It feels like after the Hashimoto match that the gap between All Japan the big two of New Japan and NOAH widens to the point of no return but they were still doing healthy numbers at this point. This match features Two of the Big Three of Post-Split All Japan (Muto being the other of course). Their 2000 Triple Crown decision match is considered the classic but man I loved This one a whole lot. I need to rewatch that 2000 match because I think I am going crazy high on this. 
 

I don’t know if it is because I haven’t seen a match worked like this in a while but fucking loved this. It was like a 90s All Japan match but with a ton of hate. They waste no time getting right to it. On a rope break lights Kawada up with a chop and it is off to the races. Tenryu being the fucking prick that he is starts chopping high to the throat so Kawada responds with a fully loaded potato and trying to kick his idol’s head off with some absolutely savage kicks. Nobody sells having their bell ring better than Tenryu (maybe Brock). They fight over a suplex on the apron after a Tenryu powder when that doesn’t go Kawada’s way, he rears back and blasts Tenryu with another kick to the head. The last focus of Kawada just blasting Tenryu in the head with kicks was awesome. Tenryu starts throwing chairs in the Ring out frustration. 
 

I loved the transition. Kawada comes charging in for another head rocking kick but Tenryu swings around with an Enziguri to send the champion reeling. Tenryu rattles off three big bombs: Spider German, Mack Truck Lariat and a Powerbomb. Then there’s a cool wrinkle we get some inverted psychology. Normally you do Limb work to set up the bombs bur after his bombs dont get the job done, rather than panicking Tenryu reasserts control with some wicked awesome leg work on Kawada. Appreciated the Mutoh style dragon leg screws, he sure wrestled him enough over the last two years. Loved Kawada fighting off his back so Tenryu just lets him get up so he can light up with chops and potatoes. Kawada’s comeback is full of piss & vinegar. This isn’t like today strike exchanges, the is feels like a fight and they driving demolish the other. Kawada looks like he has Tenryu reeling but runs into a Brick Wall Lariat. He powders. In the spot of the match, Tenryu whips a chair at a young boy trying to help Kawada. Tenryu lariat and Brainbuster only get two. Powerbomb nothing doing. Kawada rolls through a DDT AND KICKS TENRYUS HEAD OFF! Jumping High Kick! DANGEROUS BACK DROP DRIVER! 1-2-No! I thought that should have been the finish. We get the Stretch Plum. Kawada rifling Tenryu with kicks. Tenryu showing dogged old man ornery resistance bur Kawada just keeps blasting him in the head and Brainbuster wins it. 
 

God Bless Tenryu for taking head kick after head kick. I loved that constant focus of Kawada’s offensive strategy to just kick Tenryu’s head off. There was a real piss & vinegar to this match. Both men were energized. The last 5 minutes were electric. Loved Tenryu’s control segment. Transitions were tight. This one never let up from jump. Loved it **** 1/2