[2000-12-23-NOAH] Mitsuharu Misawa vs Vader

[Superstar Sleeze]

Mitsuharu Misawa vs Vader - NOAH 12/23/00

I am shocked I have never seen this before. Two of my favorites trading bombs right up my alley. This was at the tail end of Vader’s main event run, he gets one crack at Akiyama’s GHC Title next year and that’s it. I really enjoy these two at the Dome show in May 1999. This is a fun bout. It is a total heavyweight spot fest but it is all high spots I like it. 
 

They immediately stand & bang. Vader is popping Misawa with elbows but Misawa is hitting through. So Vader THROWS Misawa with a GNARLY Misawa. Knowing what happens to Misawa that was dark. Vader Body Attacks and Splashes. Absolutely sick release Powerbomb he sends him flying. Vader misses a charge. Here comes the Elbows. As is customary, Vader lets himself get thrown. Elbow Suicida! They want to add a little psychology to this match where Misawa attacks the arm using a pair of cross armbreakers but Misawa is NOT Takada. The takedowns and applications look weak and weird and it is just bad. Vader THROWS his ass down with a Tejana Bomb and a Chokeslam. God Bless Vader. Vaderbomb BUT the bad Arm. VADERSAULT FROM THE SECOND ROPE! Which arguably seems harder than the top rope. You have way less time to make the rotation. He really had to snap it off. Misawa gets up hits a bunch of elbows. Blow away Elbow seals the deal. It is super fun. Vader’s offense looked great. Misawa kind of phoned this one in. The Elbows were sick but that’s all he felt like doing. I still really enjoyed it. *** 3/4