AJPW New Year Giant Series 1998
AJPW World Tag Team Title Match: Johnny Ace & Kenta Kobashi (c) vs. Akira Taue & Toshiaki Kawada - AJPW New Year Giant Series 1998 - Day 14 - 25/01/1998
Quite long, and not that interesting, although there was some good wrestling in the match. Ace had some neat spots, for example, and the main story with Kobashi’s leg being worked over was an interesting premise. However, the match lacked that profound statement. It was too long for not much exciting action. It took its time, naturally with the style, but had a little long to go before it truly was ready. ***1/4
Triple Crown Title Match: Mitsuharu Misawa (c) vs. Jun Akiyama - AJPW New Year Giant Series 1998 - Day 15 - 26/01/1998
This was a terrific performance by Akiyama who brought something different to the table here. An extra burst of energy, which the (sometimes) tepid crowd latched on to, in closing stretches particularly. His exploders can get repetitive at times but I think that they did the trick in the match, provided some great nearfalls and was well blended with Akiayama’s other offence as well. I thought Akiyama felt very complete in his performance and looked on the cusp of being champion. He would still have 4 years to wait, however. Likewise, I thought Misawa put in a good shift. Not as good as Akiyama. I think he won a little too easily but I think he also made Akiyama look good with his selling. I didn’t mind that he was the one to slow down the match either as he’s the veteran. Plus his face locks can be punishing. I think it was a great title match. One of the better 1 v1 Akiyama matches of his career at this point. And it goes without saying that this was an improvement on the previous title match between the two. ****
AJPW Excite Series 1998
Jun Akiyama & Kenta Kobashi vs. Masahito Kakihara & Yoshihiro Takayama - AJPW Excite Series 1998 - Day 10 - 28/02/1998
Pretty cool match. Takayama and Kakihara have fully fitted into All Japan by now, although they still retained some differences in their style which allows a cool contrast between the two teams. There is some good grappling, some good striking. It’s a well rounded match, even if it never gets to a great level. Good match. ***1/4
AJPW World Tag Team Title Match: Holy Demon Army (Akira Taue & Toshiaki Kawada) (c) vs. Gary Albright & Steve Williams - AJPW Excite Series 1998 - Day 10 - 28/02/1998
Another good, not great match. But these two teams are fun enough and rarely can do wrong. It was short and compact, and entertaining above all else. Good match. ***1/2
Triple Crown Title Match: Mitsuharu Misawa (c) vs. Johnny Ace - AJPW Excite Series 1998 - Day 10 - 28/02/1998
It’s hard to rate this fairly because the clip I saw cut about 13 minutes out of it and likely cut any sort of downtime. And it was so well edited that you wouldn’t know until the match time was revealed until the end. As it seemed, it was a breakneck, fast paced match with constant big spots, counter sequences, just great wrestling in general. But we know how these things go, and there are peaks and valleys. Hard to rate but it was an enjoyable match. ***1/2
AJPW Champion Carnival 1998
Champion Carnival 1998 First Round Match: Jun Akiyama vs Toshiaki Kawada - AJPW Champion Carnival 1998 - Day 4 - 26/03/1998
A strong tournament match at a house show level. While it wasn’t perfect, feeling a tad too long, it helped Akiyama become a fan favourite over Kawada, in the moment at least. Akiyama is growing and improving and is able to follow Kawada’s led very well, proving that he belongs at the top just as much as the rest. Worth seeking out if you are a completionist. ***1/2
Champion Carnival 1998 First Round Match: Mitsuharu Misawa vs Toshiaki Kawada - AJPW Champion Carnival 1998 - Day 7 - 29/03/1998
An obvious 30 minute draw in the making. It is, however, Kawada vs Misawa so there is always quality to be seen between the two. The opening stages provided a solid technical battle which transitioned into spots on the floor, perhaps too many for my liking before going back in the ring to finish it off with an almighty battle. I'd be lying if I was to say this was a must see episode in this historic feud, but this was a good match that sets the groundwork for their Tokyo Dome match. ***1/2
Champion Carnival 1998 First Round Match: Kenta Kobashi vs. Jun Akiyama - AJPW Champion Carnival 1998 - Day 14 - 11/04/1998
Maybe a little long, but that’s purely a pacing issue and a slight one at that. There was excellent wrestling from start to finish. Jun Akiyama stepped up greatly against Kobashi, using his technique as a way to match Kobashi’s strength. Akiyama early on established the leg as his target, which persisted throughout as a get out factor whenever Kobashi troubled him too greatly. And Kobashi did some great work early in the match when targeting the nose of Akiyama. This was otherwise a standard styled bout between the two, building the high impact moves, smart cut offs and reversal moments and kick outs, of course. It’s a really solidly built match for a 30 minute match. It just felt a little long at points. ****
Champion Carnival 1998 Final Match: Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Jun Akiyama - AJPW Champion Carnival 1998 - Day 20 - 18/04/1998
A rematch between the two, but most importantly a HUGE match from Akiyama. Perhaps even bigger than the Triple Crown Title matches against Misawa because of what it signifies. Akiyama is no longer the hot rookie staying with the top guys, he is one of them. And while All Japan didn’t pull the trigger here, the spot is a huge plus for him. And I think he’s excellent here too. I didn’t care for the rush opening sequence as it wasn’t believable that the match would end there, but the rest was splendid. I think Misawa did a great effort to put Akiyama over as a threat while putting in each effort himself to perform to the standards he can. Some of the sequences he put together at the end were great. And they nailed the finish of course. Great match. ****
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