AJPW October Giant Series 1996
Triple Crown Title Match: Kenta Kobashi (c) vs. Toshiaki Kawada - AJPW October Giant Series 1996 - Day 12 - 18/10/1996
One thing I liked about the match is that there is not much difference between this match and their usual match despite the length. There are no lengthy stall spots or some change in style for no obvious reason. There were a lot of ideas in their hands and it all played out in a pretty smooth manner. Even the slower parts of the match had some great wrestling, with Kawada being able to make his stretch plum and cross arm breaker into credible finishes for the match. There were plenty of great bomb fest sequences throughout the match, way more in the first half than you'd expect in a match as physically demanding as this. I think some of the fighting spirit spots were well implemented and added to the drama of the match, making the selling much more effective. They complimented the match in ways that Kobashi was most excellent in. The stretch before the closing bell was terrific - Budokan was bouncing and the commentary was going nuts. Great broadway. ****1/4
AJPW Real World Tag League 1996
Real World Tag League 1996 Match: Johnny Ace & Steve Williams vs. Jun Akiyama & Mitsuharu Misawa - AJPW Real World Tag League 1996 - Day 1 - 16/11/1996
This was yet another very good tag team match between this pairing. While none of them are classics, they are all great or bordering on so. Akiyama is the clear weak link of the match so Misawa is working twice as hard to even up the odds, saving Akiyama while driving the match for his side. Johnny Ace stepped up again in this setting, once again showing that he does belong in the ring with these three. Some parts drag as it's a 30 minute draw but the good bits are very good. ***3/4
Real World Tag League 1996 Match: Akira Taue & Toshiaki Kawada vs. Johnny Ace & Steve Williams - AJPW Real World Tag League 1996 - Day 6 - 22/11/1996
I liked how different this was to the 30 minute draw between Ace/Williams and Misawa/Akiyama. The focus was on Ace and Williams attacking the knee of Kawada, which allowed the Holy Demon Army to work more face than they have for a while. Kawada, especially. The brisk pace was nice as well which made this an easy to watch despite a smaller setting. Ace and Williams were rock solid in their performance despite the losing side.. ***1/2
Real World Tag League 1996 Match: Kenta Kobashi & The Patriot vs. Jun Akiyama & Mitsuharu Misawa - AJPW Real World Tag League 1996 - Day 6 - 22/11/1996
The closing stretch was pretty nuts. The crowd was very heated with the Patriot trying to fend off Akiyama and Misawa attacking him like sharks. Plus Kobashi and Misawa had some hot exchanges, recovering from some tepid ones early in the match. The match had a slow, bland start but it ended well. Well enough for Dave Meltzer to give the high ratings for it (Not 5 high but high). ***1/2
Real World Tag League 1996 Match: Akira Taue & Toshiaki Kawada vs. Jun Akiyama & Mitsuharu Misawa - AJPW Real World Tag League 1996 - Day 11 - 29/11/1996
This was an awesome dress rehearsal for the tournament finals. It's hard to say this was all bombs given the style but they trimmed all fat that could've been had and went for a stripped down version of the match. Kawada kinda ate shit in the match taking the fall and losing most of the exchanges to Misawa but he still found a way to show off his talent in his selling and how he responded to the situation within the match. Some of the best moments of the match were Misawa’s counters. I think Misawa tends to be the 4th best man in these big tag matches but he showed up tonight in a very creative way. ****
Real World Tag League 1996 Final Match: Akira Taue & Toshiaki Kawada vs. Jun Akiyama & Mitsuharu Misawa - AJPW Real World Tag League 1996 - Day 16 - 06/12/1996
Taue did the least in the match and came out looking the smartest and strongest of the match. Apart from losing the odd exchange to Misawa or even Jun Akiyama, he had so much grace and authority over the match with both his wrestling and his character work. It could be considered a criticism that Taue handed Kawada the win, but Taue being the difference in a heavy stalemate between Kawada and Misawa - both who kicked out of each other’s biggest moves multiple times throughout the match - is a plus for me. It also topped off Taue’s outstanding performance. Although my favourite moment of the match was Taue stepping on Misawa’s fragile face after Kawada spent ages hitting it as far as he could. Misawa and Kawada were the main focus points of the match with both guys having substantial moments in control. This had plenty of counters involving Kawada ducking the rolling elbow and turning into the backdrop or Misawa catching Kawada’s more fancy kicks but they did come around a bit too often despite being thoroughly exciting to watch. Kawada just ate Akiyama alive in this match. Just non stop chops and kicks to the chest. Upping the violence every time Akiyama tried to get in the way, eventually folding Akiyama so hard with a German that had Akiyama holding his chest. In addition to Kawada being great, I thought Misawa was as well. Misawa is probably the best wrestler at fighting 2 on 1. There is so much fire and determination he ilictics when the numbers are against him. In addition to that, I thought his teamwork with Akiyama was super good. It felt very cohesive and together which you want from a tag team match. This is my company MOTY for 1996 most definitely but there is something about it that makes me hesitate to put it up there with the Holy Demon Army v Misawa & Kobashi tag matches. If that's it's only criticism (along with the slight repetitive counter wrestling sequences) then it should be high praise. ****1/2
Year End Awards
Match Of The Year: Holy Demon Army vs Jun Akiyama & Mitsuharu Misawa - AJPW 06/12/1996
As stated in my review of the match, this was a great tag team match with performances from all 4 men that maybe earned its reputation, somewhat. It combined a lot of the year's feuds and plot points such as Kawada and Akiyama, Taue v Misawa, Akiyama and Misawa gelling as a unit. Not as quite clear cut as you'd think with Kenta Kobashi vs Stan Hansen being a close second.
Wrestler Of The Year: Akira Taue
And finally, all of the Four Pillars get the award. Initially I was leaning for Kenta Kobashi who had an excellent year himself, having tremendous matches left and right and winning the Triple Crown Title but Akira Taue wouldn't be denied his right. I think most people would say 95 was Taue’s peak but 1996 is it for me. The perfect combination of great matches, great character development (overtaking Kawada in hierarchy in ways) and accomplishments. Taue started the year losing the Tag Team titles to Hansen and Albright but he quickly regained them with Kawada, then going on to beat Dr Death Steve Williams in an excellent Champion Carnival final, making up for losing in the year prior to Misawa. And of course, Taue won the Triple Crown Title against Misawa. The title reign wasn't full of classics but he was a part of a historic moment where Kobashi won the title in front of the Nippon Budokan. And finally, he topped off the year being, in my opinion, the best wrestler in a legendary Real Tag League Tournament Finals, being instrumental for his win. Taue did it all and did it with class.
Feud Of The Year: Holy Demon Army vs Jun Akiyama & Mitsuharu Misawa
I could've just made this Kawada/Akiyama but this was mostly done in tag team form, so I added the partners to the mix which only bolster its case. Akiyama & Misawa vs Ace/Doc has a shout, honestly. They had countless awesome matches that are both famous and slightly under the radar. But I went for this because of the great interweaving of feuds and history, not only having Kawada v Akiyama but having Misawa against Kawada and Taue against Akiyama.
Most Disappointing Match: Toshiaki Kawada vs Akira Taue - AJPW 07/06/1996
The wrestlers involved, the setting in which it took place and how they'll never get a better chance to do it again makes it the MDM.
Top Five Matches:
Akira Taue & Toshiaki Kawada vs. Jun Akiyama & Mitsuharu Misawa - 06/12/1996
Kenta Kobashi vs. Stan Hansen - 05/09/1996
Akira Taue vs. Kenta Kobashi - 24/07/1996
Toshiaki Kawada vs. Kenta Kobashi - 18/10/1996
Akira Taue vs. Steve Williams - 20/04/1996
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