[1995-04-16-NJPW] Keiji Muto vs Hiroyoshi Tenzan

[Calvin]

This hits all the high points of a Muto match and it's a ten minute, high-effort sprint, so no meandering bullshit from him.

***1/2

[Superstar Sleeze]

Keiji Mutoh vs Hiroyoshi Tenzan - NJPW 4/16/95

Keiji Mutoh Offensive Clinic. Four words not usually uttered together. I thought we were going to get mercurial stalling Mutoh but then he rushes at Tenzan and just starts wailing. He hits all his high spots in like 5 exhilarating minutes. Back Handspring Elbow. Backbreaker. Tenzan powders before the moonsault. Back Handspring elbow again. Bulldog. Tenzan pitches a fit and starts throwing chairs. He hits Mutoh with one and who no sells because he WILL NOT BE DENIED! Fist-pumping action! Power driver Elbow! I have watched so much fucking Mutoh this year and loved most of it but would never call him electric. This was electric. He crashes and burns on the springboard dropkick perfect transition to Tenzan heat. I have no idea why Mutoh was so pissed of but I loved it.

Tenzan does his Tenzan thing. Clubbering loved Spin Heel Kick cutoff. Missed the diving Headbutt good transition back to Mutoh. Who now gets the Springboard Dropkick. Moonsault 1-2-NO?!? I was shocked! He wins the IWGP Title in less than a month of Hashimoto.

In the spot of the match Tenzan stuffs a Top Rope Franksteiner with a POWERBOMB that nearly kills Mutoh. He FOLDED HIM IN HALF! Tenzansault in his head! 1-2-3! Massive upset! 

I loved Mutoh vs Tenzan title match a couple months after this. It now makes sense why Tenzan got it because he pinned Mutoh here. Genius booking. A hot sprint. Watch this and then watch title match which to be is a classic, MOTYC, **** 3/4 match, this is *** 3/4