[1977-01-07-NJPW] Antonio Inoki vs Stan Hansen

[El McKell]

This is Stan Hansen's debut in New Japan, and the dyed hair and goatee is not his best look. This is a pretty clear dynamic of Inoki using speed and skills vs Hansen using power and cheating. They both do a good job getting their personalities across here and the action isn't slow or anything. Hansen flying into the air and out of the ring on a kick to the gut was probably a bit much (he doesn't make it work like Sgt. Slaughter might be able to). The finish is bullshit DQ when Ueda & Tiger Jeet Singh interfere. I thought the post match was strong, Inoki refuses  to accept the win and then cuts a promo on Ueda, who comes back out as the credits are rolling, is stopped from getting in the ring by red shirts and throws a chair into the ring **3/4