[1982-01-15-AJPW] Stan Hansen vs Ashura Hara

[Wahoos Leg]

Hansen's first match since jumping to All Japan from New Japan at the end of 1981 has a real buzz around it. The crowd is eager to see Hansen and to see the lariat, simmering in anticipation on every whip into the ropes. Hansen wins a match with a 45-minute time limit in less than three, sending an immediate statement to everyone in his new home promotion. Hara does his part, treating Hansen’s lariat like death itself to make this debut as noteworthy as possible. 

The goal here is to establish Hansen immediately as a force to be reckoned with in All Japan, and they overachieve in meeting that objective. It’s a historic match for both Hansen and the history of wrestling, especially in Japan.

Read my full review of the match, as part of my 365 Wrestling project.