[2005-11-05-NOAH] Genichiro Tenryu vs Mitsuharu Misawa

[Superstar Sleeze]

Genichiro Tenryu vs Mitsuharu Misawa - NOAH 11/5/05

Talk about a dream match ten years too late. I hate to use the word to describe this, but when Tenryu fell backwards on his ass on the Powerbomb attempt I chocked it up to bad luck, but then the next suplex you could just tell something was wrong. The old gunslinger had fired his last rounds. Misawa honestly did not look much better. Matches like this with big names on a high-profile show that no one talk about can lead to hidden treasure or great disappointments. This was definitely the latter. 

Tenryu gets a cheeky back heel trip to embarrass Misawa on the first rope break. Misawa spooks Tenryu with an elbow. We are all even on the humiliation scale. Tenryu goads Misawa into a left-handed handshake. Tenryu hits a very soft, gentle Kappou Kick which Misawa sells like Kobashi had just chopped him in the neck. Tenryu attacks the neck. Suplex on the ramp. General neck attacks. Tenryu wakes me, the crowd and Misawa up with a PUNT to the face and you can see the imprint of Tenryu's bootlaces on Misawa's face! Nasty! Best part of the match. Misawa ROCKS him with Elbows and Elbow Suicida. Misawa gets his receipt with a wicked kick to Tenryu's face. It becomes Misawa's elbows versus Tenryu's chops and punches. Tenryu is totally fine when he throws the Superplex and his trademark reverse top rope elbow. Something weird happens on his powerbomb and suplex/brainbuster. Misawa ends up taking us home with his trademark Elbows, a Tiger Driver and a Blow Away Elbow. I wonder if he took us home early. There are some good individual spots, there are times when it drags and times when it is sad. It is borderline ***, but I dont think I can give it that.