WWF International Heavyweight Title Match: Tatsumi Fujinami (c) vs. Riki Choshu - NJPW Big Fight Series II 1983 - Day 3 03/04/1983
I’ve watched this match three times now. The first time I loved it, the second time was a way more average experience and for the third time, I loved it again. Wrestling is weird. This was an outstanding match with some great grappling that was filled with hate, frustration and skill. And the finishing third with Choshu using the Sasori-Gatame to totally wear Fujinami down to his very core before getting the tight victory. Great storytelling and you’d expect from these two. ****1/2
IWGP Heavyweight Title IWGP League 1983 Final Match (Vacant): Hulk Hogan vs. Antonio Inoki - NJPW IWGP Championship League 1983 - Day 28 02/06/1983
This was an absolute classic that’s worth reading praise from all corners. It’s mostly built around grappling and holds which may turn people off as Hogan “can’t wrestle, right?????”. Yeah, that’s total bull because he does great and holds up every bit of the match as Inoki does. Both are mega stars and the crowd is absolutely rabid for both. Of course, Inoki had the edge in those reactions. The grappling was done perfectly. Inoki is the skilled one whereas Hogan is the strong one and that’s how they are matched. One wrong move from Hogan can have Inoki locking on the Manji Gatame in a split second and he’s wise to it and defends those attempts expertly well. And the finish with Hogan knocking Inoki to the floor with two big Axe Bombers with Inoki desperately trying to continue on but the ref having to call it was just great. And Hogan’s reaction was super cool. ****1/2
WWF Junior Heavyweight Title Match: Tiger Mask (c) vs. Isamu Teranishi - NJPW Summer Fight Series 1983 - Day 33 04/08/1983
Interesting Junior match. Tiger Mask was on the receiving end of offence from Teranishi for most of the match so it wasn’t the flashy, intensely paced match that you usually get from him. Instead this was Teranishi grinding Tiger Mask down with holds. TM held his own in that regard but he was on the defensive and had to rely on the odd openings that Teranishi would give him. Loved the swanky kick combos he’d throw and his timing on the dropkick counters was great. A bit dry to be anything great but for 14 minutes, you can’t go wrong. ***1/2
Antonio Inoki vs. Yoshiaki Yatsu - NJPW Toukon Series 1983 - Day 24 03/11/1983
Man, Inoki was up for this. Short 8 minutes but it’s a total fight with Inoki up for throwing big punches and kicks with Yatsu bailing out of it, in favour of his wrestling skills. Inoki overwhelmed Yatsu but not without a fight. Yatsu just seems to hang out with a deep choke before Inoki hits an enziguri, wins and taunts Riki Choshu on the outside. Awesome theatre. ***1/4
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