[1995-02-04-NJPW] Shinya Hashimoto vs Hiroyoshi Tenzan

[Calvin]

This is for Hashimoto's IWGP Heavyweight Championship.

Tenzan is fresh off of some foreign excursion, and management is high on him, so he gets a title shot -- the first big match of his career. This actually isn't dissimilar to the Hashimoto vs. Sasaki match that happened last month at the big Tokyo Dome show in the sense that it's Hashimoto doing his best to make the up-and-comer look as good as possible before putting him down. I thought this was *only* fine, but Tenzan isn't really my cup of tea, so I'm biased.

**1/2

[Superstar Sleeze]

IWGP Heavweight Champion Shinya Hashimoto vs Hiroyoshi Tenzan - NJPW 2/4/95

Woke up in the middle of night in the Azores. Wife is sleeping so I figured a 1995 IWGP Title Defense would be good.

I am surprised how much Tenzan got in his first IWGP Title Challenge. This is presented as the first time heel challenger which gives it a distinctly different vibe than usual young lion challengers. I believe we are four months out from ChoTen starting. 
 

My usual Tenzan talking points hold. He is like the best Nasty Boy possible. Just a total goon. He just doesn’t have main character energy. He is a second banana enforcer, someone you beat on the way to the final boss, a roughneck in the heel stable. As Chono’s junior in a yakuza like stable is a perfect use of him.

So I was surprised how much Tenzan got in this match against Hashimoto the Destroyer. He bullies Hashimoto and withstands some of Hashimoto’s best shots and come back for more. Hashimoto tried to slow down Tenzan early with some basic holds to contain the piss & vinegar. Tenzan baited him into a strike exchange. Hashimoto unloaded but Tenzan came roaring back with his standard Mongolian Chop. Tenzan in true Tenzan form kept going for the eyes which really put over his heel nature. Hashimoto missed the big rainbow spin kick but Tenzan hit it in turn. WOW! Tenzan really controlled the bulk of the match. Hashimoto let you know he was alive but this was Tenzan clubbering show. Hashimoto gets a quick uppercut thrust and SWEEPS THE LEG~! Electric! Elbow drops including a top rope one and DDT. Hash looks ready to clean up. It felt like at this point Tenzan proved he could take a lock-in’ and keep on tickin ’ and he could clobber but he didn’t have that second gear. Well he found it. Hashimoto on a charge gets scooped into a Samoan Drop. Wicked Tenryu Powerbomb nearly kills Hash. Top Rope Diving Headbutt & Moonsault. Ok this Tenzan kid has bombs too. He goes for another Samoan but Hashimoto shifts his weight and squishes him. Hashimoto bloody nose. Wipes Him Out with Rainbow Spinning Heel Kick. Brainbuster 1-2-3!

Surprisingly compelling Hashimoto The Destroyer Title Defense against a Heel Young Lion. I enjoyed Tenzan here more than I thought. Tenzan here was basically fully formed. I wonder if that’s the issue. For your first title challenge wrestling as the best possible mid level goon is a great place to start. He just never evolved. *** 1/2