Young Lion Cup 1985 Final Match: Keiichi Yamada vs. Shunji Kosugi
A pre-mask Liger and the obscure Kosungi having 21 minutes to let loose, showcasing all of their training and skills is quite a viewing experience. And with Tatsumi Fujinami as referee too. Liger showed in his 90s run that he was a technical wrestler above all else, but this was another level to that. He’s practically the complete wrestler already at this stage. Kosugi shows some promise and doesn’t fall behind skill wise but lacks that finesse compared to Liger. Regardless of all that, the efforts are high and the crowd thrives on that energy, cheering for both men (mostly Liger), rewarding their efforts. Kosugi wins the match with a roll up to close this exciting bout. ***1/2
Tatsumi Fujinami vs. Super Strong Machine
A quality match. Fujinami and SSM work a great clinic built around wrestling, ramping up the drama through very clever transitions and momentum switches throughout. KY Wakamatsu played some part in the match, including the finish where he threw powder at Fujinami, who ducked, causing it to hit SSM and cost him the match as a result. SSM went nuts afterwards, slapping Wakamatsu and chasing him to the back. The crowd responds greatly to that and chants “Hirata”, which is SSM’s real name. Great angle. Very American but it works. It’s just another example of something perceived as American done elsewhere. Even in the King of Sports. ****
Bruiser Brody vs. Antonio Inoki
A genuine dream match of epic proportions. An imperfect match was the result but it was so engrossing that I couldn’t help but think of it as nothing but great. Inoki truly showed himself to be the master, putting on an incredible underdog performance with his selling, ability to rally the crowd and work with Brody, who can be goofy and lumbering instead of the scary beast he can be. Inoki’s arm was the main focus of the first part of the match and then the match moved onto Brody’s knee and everything else in between was a cagey affair with Brody trying to overwhelm Inoki, as Inoki tries to figure him out. They tease double count outs throughout, finally paying off with one in the finish, Brody blades his knee, Inoki kicks out of a knee drop, Brody kicks out of a backdrop and Inoki chases Brody to the back to close the whole saga. Insane. ****1/4
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