[2002-04-01-AJPW] Genichiro Tenryu vs Keiji Mutoh

[Superstar Sleeze]

Genichiro Tenryu vs Keiji Mutoh - AJPW 4/1/02

Just when you think you’ve seen all the Tenryu/Mutoh another one pops up on your radar. I thought this was a killer match not quite as good as the Classic 6/8/01 encounter or the WAR brawl but still an awesome match much better than their AJPW Triple Crown Match just 12 days later. 
 

The 6/8/01 starts off with a bang with the Shining Wizard that puts Tenryu in a deep hole. Here they lock up and Mutoh trips Tenryu on a rope break. Tenryu doesn’t take well to this slight and just starts lighting Mutoh up. Tenryu overcommits and leaves himself vulnerable to the counterattack. Dropkick to the Knee! BANG~! SHINING WIZARD! They got me hook, line and sinker. 
 

Tenryu powders. Mutoh goes for the kill shot a second Shining Wizard BUT WATS THE POST! Holy Shit! I fucking love it! He comes up bleeding so Tenryu pulls the timekeeper table over and blasts Mutoh in the head with it and he is really bleeding now. 
 

Tenryu works the cut and drops him on his head with a brainbuster. How have never seen this match before?!?

Mutoh tries some dropkicks to the knee. Tenryu clobbers with a clothesline and tries to reassert control with a Cravat. I love a Bloody Mutoh just ripping Dragon Leg Screws and throwing Dropkicks to the knee like his life depends on it. Mutoh eats a Potato. Tenryu tries desperately to end the match. Mutoh turns the clock back to the 90s with a back handspring elbow and Backbreaker. He absolutely blasted him with a Shining Wizard in there as well. Can Mutoh get the Moonsault. Nope Powerbomb! Mutoh roars back with a Kappou Kick. Tenryu looks discombobulated. He blocks a Shining Wizard. Lariat and Brainbuster! Tenryu wins!

The major plot points of this match hit so hard and they play off the 6/8/01 match so well. Mutoh is so committed to weakening the knee to set up Shining Wizard and also just rocking the head of Tenryu. Tenryu is the ornery old bastard working the cut, throwing tables and potatoes. Tenryu gets a crucial block and the Brainbuster. Two well-defined characters with key emphatic, consequential turning points that’s great pro wrestling. **** 1/4