Johnny Ace vs. Toshiaki Kawada
Akira Taue vs. Kenta Kobashi
Giant Baba, Stan Hansen, and Takao Omori vs. Steve Williams, Dan Kroffat, and The Eagle
Jun Akiyama vs. Toshiaki Kawada
Giant Baba, Stan Hansen, and Takao Omori vs. Steve Williams, Johnny Ace, and The Eagle
Jun Akiyama vs. Steve Williams
Kenta Kobashi vs. Stan Hansen
Giant Baba, Mitsuharu Misawa, and Kikuchi vs. Toshiaki Kawada, Akira Taue, and Masa Fuchi
Jun Akiyama vs. Kenta Kobashi
Akira Taue vs. Stan Hansen
Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Toshiaki Kawada
Giant Baba, Masa Fuchi, and Takao Omori vs. Kenta Kobashi, Jun Akiyama, and Tamon Honda
Johnny Smith vs. Mitsuharu Misawa
Stan Hansen vs. Steve Williams
Akira Taue vs. Toshiaki Kawada
Dan Kroffat, Doug Furnas, and Johnny Smith vs. Mitsuharu Misawa, Jun Akiyama, and Tsuyoshi Kikuchi
Giant Baba, Stan Hansen, and Takao Omori vs. Toshiaki Kawada, Akira Taue, and Masa Fuchi
Kenta Kobashi vs. Steve Williams

** Highlights are shown of the matches from the tournament not on the tape **

I have no idea why the matches are not in the same order during the early part of the tape as they were during the tournament, but the last three days of the tournament are shown in the correct order.

Johnny Ace vs. Toshiaki Kawada  (3/27/94)
Tie-up to start, side headlock by Ace, eventually Kawada Irish whips out of it, but Ace shoulder tackles him down.  Ace goes off the ropes, but Kawada hits him with a spinning heel kick and Ace goes flying out of the ring.  Kawada quickly follows him out and Irish whips him into the steel guard rail.  Again Kawada Irish whips him, but this time Ace fires back with a clothesline.  Back in the ring, stomps by Ace, and he tosses Kawada into the corner.  Ace chops Kawada down to the mat and chokes him with his foot.  In the middle of the ring now, Ace applies a reverse chinlock.  Kawada struggles to his feet, but Ace takes him back down.  Clubs by Ace and a series of kicks to the head of Kawada.  Unphased, Kawada kicks Ace in the back of the leg and clips him down.  Stiff knees by Kawada in the corner follows as Kawada continues working on the leg.  Kawada applies a leg submission, but Ace makes it to the bottom rope.  Elbows to the back by Kawada followed by a kick to the head and chops in the corner.  Ace fights back though with forearm shots and knocks down Kawada with a spinning elbow.  Kawada trips Ace as he approaches him and applies another leg submission.  Ace makes it to the ropes much quicker this time and Kawada breaks the hold.  Kicks to the thigh by Kawada and he continues pummeling him in the corner.  Scoop slam by Kawada and he drops the knee on Ace.  Cover, but a two count.  Kawada applies a side headlock, but Ace slams him down with a back suplex.  Dropkick by Ace to the still-downed Kawada, and Kawada rolls out of the ring.  Ace follows him out and goes for a suplex, Kawada blocks it, so Ace hits a DDT instead.  Still outside, Ace chops Kawada against the guardrail and slaps him around.  Finally Ace gets back into the ring as he gets the gaijin heat.  Kawada eventually gets back into the ring, and Ace hits him with a clothesline and a DDT off the top turnbuckle.  Cover, but Kawada kicks out.  Scoop slam by Ace, he drops a quick elbow, cover, but another two count.  Ace goes for a suplex, Kawada blocks it, Kawada goes for a kick, but Ace catches his foot and clotheslines him.  Ace ascends the top turnbuckle and hits a spinning elbow.  Cover, but it only gets two.  Spinning kick by Kawada, he goes for a back suplex, but Ace blocks it.  Ace then goes for his Ace Crusher, but Kawada counters it with the Stretch Plum.  Ace struggles and somehow makes it to the ropes.  Chops by Kawada in the corner, Irish whip, reversed, but Kawada gets his foot up when Ace charges and scoop slams him to the mat.  Kawada goes up top, but Ace is up in time and hits an Ace Crusher from the top turnbuckle.  Cover, but Kawada manages to kick out at two.  Ace goes to the top rope now, but Kawada is up.  Ace fights him off though, hops off the turnbuckle, and hits a modified pump handle slam.  Cover, but again Kawada kicks out.  Having not learned his lesson, Ace goes to the top turnbuckle, but when he jumps off all he gets is an elbow to the face.  Cover by Kawada, but only a two count.  Kawada kicks Ace in the face, goes for a powerbomb, but he gets back bodydropped.  Kick by Kawada, but Ace powerslams him for another two count.  The two exchange blows, which Kawada of course wins without much trouble.  Kawada goes for the Stretch Plum, but Ace elbows him hard in the face.  Undeterred, Kawada goes for it again, but Ace manages to get out of it.  A third time Kawada goes for it, but Ace tosses Kawada to the mat.  Kawada is up quickly though, kicks Ace in the back of the leg, and nails the powerbomb.  Cover, but Ace barely kicks out.  Enzigieri by Kawada, he applies the Stretch Plum, and this time Ace has no choice but to tap.  Your winner:  Kawada

Post match:  After recovering, they shake hands.  How nice.

Match Thoughts:  In case the name "Johnny Ace" sounds familiar, he is currently in WWE as one of the most powerful people backstage and also popularized the Ace Crusher, which is also known as the Stone Cold Stunner.  For being only a week into the tournament, this match definitely had a "big match" feel to it, with Kawada kicking out of the Ace Crusher and Ace kicking out of the powerbomb which has put away wrestlers much better then himself.  I was not expecting much, and was pleasantly surprised.  Along with Hansen and Williams, Ace was one of the top All Japan gaijins (foreign workers) and went toe to toe with Kawada for a full 15 minutes.  Very good match with solid work from both men.  Score:  6.4

Akira Taue vs. Kenta Kobashi  (3/24/94)
Tie-up to start, but the two break away cleanly.  Another tie-up, Kobashi pushes Taue into the ropes, but Taue attacks him with chops and slaps.  Irish whip by Taue, but Kobashi avoids the boot.  Kobashi kicks Taue, but Taue doesn't sell it.  Which is good, since it missed.  Tie-up, side headlock by Kobashi, Taue tries to Irish whip out of it, but Kobashi won't let go.  Taue goes for a back suplex, but Kobashi reverses it with a snapmare and holds onto the headlock down on the mat.  Eventually Taue gets to his feet, tries another back suplex, but again Kobashi takes him down to the mat and holds on to the headlock.  Back on their feet, Taue tries to muscle out of the side headlock, but Kobashi proves to be too strong.  Finally, Taue punches his way out of it.  Kobashi runs off the ropes, and the two collide in the middle of the ring with neither one budging.  Kobashi goes off the ropes again, and this time Taue kicks him in the head.  Not quite knocked out yet, Kobashi goes off the ropes a third time, but he misses a shoulder strike and goes flopping to the mat.  Taue quickly dropkicks Kobashi out of the ring and follows him out (!!!) with a running tope.  Taue tosses Kobashi onto the guard rail twice before rolling Kobashi back into the ring.  Scoop slam by Taue and he guillotines Kobashi over the top rope.  Cover by Taue, but he only gets a two count.  Taue cranks Kobashi's neck, but Kobashi makes it to the bottom rope.  Taue picks Kobashi up again and this time drops him into the top turnbuckle.  Cobra Clutch by Taue is applied, but he releases the hold so he can choke Kobashi with his foot.  Taue gives Kobashi a DDT, cover, but it only gets two.  Revived, Kobashi floors Taue with a series of chops to the head and neck.  A pair of chops to the back of the head by Kobashi follow, and then he gives Taue a stalled vertical suplex.  Back up, Kobashi knocks down Taue again with more chops.  Leg drop, cover, but it is only a two count.  Kobashi tries chopping Taue again, Taue fights back, but no one out-chops Kobashi and Taue goes down against the ropes.  Irish whip by Kobashi and he hits a flying shoulderblock.  Taue rolls to the outside and Kobashi Irish whips him into the guardrail.  Kobashi then removes the mat outside and DDTs Taue on the concrete.  Kobashi gets back in the ring to rest for a moment while Taue struggles to his feet on the outside.  Tired of waiting, Kobashi brings Taue back in with a suplex over the top rope.  Cover, but a two count.  Another DDT by Kobashi followed by another.  Cover, but Taue kicks out at two.  Kobashi goes for a third DDT, but this time Taue tosses him down before he can get the move off.  Irish whip by Kobashi, clothesline in the corner, he goes for a DDT from the top turnbuckle, but Taue tosses him down once more.  Clothesline by Taue, cover, but he only gets a two count.  Taue slowly picks Kobashi up, delivers his Dynamic Suplex (over-head butterfly suplex), another cover, but again Kobashi kicks out.  The abdominal stretch is applied by Taue, but Kobashi gets out of it and rolls out of the ring.  Taue follows him to the outside and Irish whips him into the guardrail.  Now it is Taue that removes part of the mat and gives Kobashi a piledriver on the exposed floor.  Taue Irish whips Kobashi into the guardrail once more before re-entering the ring.  Kobashi tries to get back in, but as soon as he reaches the apron he is dropkicked back out to the floor by Taue.  Finally Taue allows Kobashi back in as he slams him into the turnbuckle.  Irish whip by Taue, reversed, and Kobashi hits a flying knee to the face.  Another knee to the face by Kobashi and he kicks Taue in the head.  Scoop slam by Kobashi, he goes up to the top turnbuckle and delivers a flying shoulder tackle.  Cover, but Taue kicks out at two.  Kobashi applies the abdominal stretch, but Taue muscles out of it.  Kobashi gets up quickly though and kicks Taue back down.  Back suplex by Kobashi, cover, but it only gets a two count.  A Boston crab is applied by Kobashi, but Taue makes it to the bottom rope.  Kicks by Kobashi to the downed Taue, but Taue gets angry and gives Kobashi an enzigieri.  Kicks to the head by Taue, Kobashi gets up, but Taue elbows him back down.  Another forearm shot by Taue and he gives Kobashi rapid chops to the neck in the corner.  Irish whip by Taue, but Kobashi gets his foot up (twice) and dropkicks Taue to the mat.  Chops in the corner by Kobashi, but Taue retorts with chops of his own and tosses Kobashi down.  Kobashi gets up quickly however looking not at all pleased and fires in with more chops.  Again, Taue returns fire and knocks Kobashi down to the mat.  Kobashi charges back, Taue goes for a Nodowa Otoshi (chokeslam), but Kobashi gets out of it.  Kobashi goes for a suplex, but Taue elbows Kobashi and goes for an atomic drop.  The atomic drop does not phase Kobashi however, he goes off the ropes, but Taue applies a sleeper hold.  The small but vocal crowd gets behind Kobashi, as he gets back to his feet.  Kobashi goes off the ropes, goes for a back suplex, but Taue reverses it and plants him into the mat.  Cover, but Kobashi kicks out.  Taue goes for a powerbomb and nails it, cover, but somehow Kobashi kicks out at two.  Kobashi struggles to his feet and tries to fight back, but gets a Nodowa Otoshi for his trouble.  Cover, but it is barely a two count.  Taue goes for his Ore Ga Taue, but Kobashi grabs the ropes.  Taue attempts another Nodowa Otoshi, but Kobashi reverses it with a side Russian leg sweep.  Both wrestlers struggle to their feet, Taue misses a clothesline, and Kobashi sneaks in a German suplex for a two count.  Kobashi goes for a powerbomb, but when he can't get Taue up he dropkicks him in the knee instead.  He goes for the powerbomb again, gets back body dropped, but he rolls through it and hits the powerbomb for a two count.  On their feet again, Kobashi scoop slams Taue and nails his moonsault.  Cover, but Taue barely manages to kick out.  Crowd is stunned.  Kobashi goes for a vertical suplex, can't get it, takes Taue to the mat, but Taue clubs him in the back of the head.  Announcer says something that makes the crowd rumble, so it must be close to 30 minutes.  Lariat by Kobashi, cover, but it only gets two.  Kobashi goes up to the top turnbuckle, but Taue avoids the missile dropkick.  Cover by Taue, but he only gets a two count.  Taue picks up Kobashi quickly and guillotines him over the top rope.  Cover, but a two count.  Both wrestlers get up, Irish whip by Taue from the corner, but Kobashi avoids the charge and gets a roll-up for two.  Lariat by Taue, cover, but Kobashi kicks out.  Taue picks up Kobashi as if to do a back suplex, but instead just heaves him in the air and watches him crash to the mat.  Cover, but a two count.  Back suplex by Taue, cover, but another two count.  Lariat by Taue, he goes for a Nodowa Otoshi, but as he is doing so the bell rings.  Result:  Draw.  Each wrestler gets one point.

Post match:  Taue continues wrestling until ring attendants pry him off Kobashi.  After resting for a minute they shake hands.

Match Thoughts:  Where to begin with a 30 minute match.  For starters, the (!!!) was because watching a 6'4", 275 lb. wrestler run across the ring and dive between the ropes was surprising.  The match started slow and they had a few mis-communications that slowed down the match further.  But the last ten minutes were hot and about as entertaining an ending for a match as one could hope for.  The crowd as well (in typical Japanese fashion) was hot by the end of the match.  I tend to always enjoy the series where the wrestlers take turns not selling for each other as long as it is not over-done in any given match.  A very good match that would have been a classic if the first 10 minutes or so had been more fluid.  Score:  7.8

Giant Baba, Stan Hansen, and Takao Omori vs. Steve Williams, Dan Kroffat, and The Eagle
Odd mixture here.  Omori and Eagle start things off.  Tie-up, waistlock by Eagle, reversed, Eagle takes Omori down with a leg submission, but Omori quickly makes it to the ropes.  Wrestling sequence follows, with neither man getting the upper hand.  Side headlock by Omori, Eagle Irish whips out of it, but Omori shoulder tackles him down.  The two get tangled in the ropes, and they give a clean break.  Chops by Eagle, Irish whip, reversed, and Omori hits a dropkick.  Hansen is tagged in and he shoulderblocks Eagle down.  Hansen then takes Eagle over to Baba so Baba can give him a chop.  Eagle manages to tag in Williams however, Irish whip by Hansen, reversed, and a dropkick by Williams.  This doesn't knock down Hansen, so Williams shoulderblocks him into the corner.  Hansen regains control however, hits some chops, but Williams fires back with a clothesline.  Kick to the head by Williams and he tags in Kroffat.  Irish whip by Kroffat, he goes for a monkey flip, but Hansen tosses him into the corner.  Baba is tagged in and chops down Kroffat.  Waistlock by Kroffat, but Baba reverses it into an armbar.  Baba gets a wristlock takedown, but Kroffat makes it to the ropes.  Baba tags Omori back in, side headlock applied by Omori, Kroffat Irish whips out of it, and the two collide with neither budging.  Kroffat gives Omori a slap and finally manages to knock him down with a shoulderblock.  Kroffat tags in Williams who kicks Omori down and tosses him into the corner.  Into the opposite corner goes Omori, Irish whip, but Williams misses the splash.  Omori tags in Hansen, who gives Williams a powerslam.  Cover, but only a two count.  Hansen quickly applies a bearhug, but Williams punches out of it.  Baba is tagged in and he hits Williams against the ropes.  Irish whip by Baba and he hits the big boot to the chest.  Baba picks Williams up, but Williams manages to push him against the ropes and get the tag to Eagle.  Williams and Eagle double team Baba for a moment, Eagle goes for a wristlock, but Baba reverses it.  Leg takedown by Baba into a submission, but Eagle makes it to the ropes.  Baba tags in Omori, who clubs on Eagle's back.  Irish whip by Omori and he gets a swinging neckbreaker.  Hansen is tagged back in, double Irish whip, and a double elbow to the face.  Hansen throws Eagle to the outside, throws him on the table, and then allows Omori to clothesline him.  Back in the ring, Hansen applies a reverse chinlock before tagging in Omori.  Omori comes off the top with a double ax handle and scoop slams Eagle down.  Omori tags in Baba who hits a neckbreaker on Eagle.  Cover, but Eagle gets his foot on the ropes.  Chop to the head by Baba followed by a DDT.  Cover, but Williams breaks it up.  Baba tags in Hansen, Irish whip, and a back bodydrop by Hansen.  Hansen next nails a powerbomb, cover, but Kroffat breaks up the count.  Hansen tags in Omori and they give Eagle a double suplex.  Cover, but Eagle kicks out at two.  Side headlock is applied by Omori, but Eagle back suplexes out of it and tags in Williams.  Williams chops away on Omori, Irish whip, and hits a shoulder tackle before running over and hitting Hansen just for fun.  Irish whip by Williams, Omori ducks the clothesline, but Williams gets him anyway with a press slam into a powerslam.  Cover, but it only gets two.  Williams tosses Omori to the outside, where Dan Kroffat hits him before throwing him back into the ring.  Scoop slam by Williams, he tags in Kroffat, and Kroffat comes off the top with a splash.  Cover, but only a two count.  Irish whip by Kroffat and he clotheslines Omori down.  Eagle is tagged in, Irish whip, and he hits a spinning heel kick.  Cover, but Hansen breaks it up.  Another cover, but this time Omori kicks out on his own.  Abdominal stretch by Eagle, but Baba calmly enters the ring and chops Eagle to break the hold.  Eagle tags in Williams before Omori can make a tag and Williams clubs Omori in the back.  Vertical suplex by Williams, cover, but it gets only two.  Kroffat is tagged in, Irish whip from the corner, and he hits a savate kick.  Scoop slam by Kroffat in front of his corner, cover, but another two count.  Kroffat applies a side headlock, but Hansen runs over and breaks it up.  Kroffat tags in Eagle, and Eagle hits a backbreaker.  Eagle goes for a suplex, but Omori reverses it and tags in Baba of all people.  Irish whip by Baba and he hits the boot to the chest.  Side Russian leg sweep by Baba, cover, but Eagle kicks out.  Baba applies the abdominal stretch, but Kroffat breaks it up.  Baba goes to hit Kroffat with the boot, he avoids it, so Baba chops him down instead.  By now Eagle has recovered and he dropkicks Baba down in his corner (first time Baba has been knocked down).  Eagle tags in Williams who goes for the Oklahoma Stampede powerslam, but he can't get Baba over.  This allows Baba to tag in Hansen, who chops Williams against the ropes.  Irish whip, but Williams ducks the clothesline and powerslams Hansen.  Irish whip by Williams and he hits a splash in the corner.  Williams goes for a back suplex, but Baba hits him which allows Hansen to get a DDT.  Hansen tags in Omori, who comes off the top with a dropkick.  Irish whip by Omori follows, reversed, and Williams hits a powerslam.  Cover, but it only gets two.  Williams tags in Kroffat, who comes off the top turnbuckle with a clothesline.  Cover, but Omori kicks out.  Kroffat then hits Omori with a spinning heel kick, cover, but again Omori kicks out.  Kroffat goes for a double armed powerbomb, but Hansen hits him in the back, which allows Omori to sneak off a back bodydrop.  German suplex by Omori, but Kroffat breaks out of it.  Omori tags in Hansen, he goes for a powerbomb, but Williams comes in.  This brings in Baba, and with Hansen they knock down Williams.  Meanwhile, Omori can be seen knocking Eagle out of the ring.  Omori and Eagle fight on the outside while in the ring Baba hits a boot to the face of Kroffat.  Hansen hits Kroffat with the lariat, and this one is over.  Your winners:  Giant Baba, Stan Hansen, and Takao Omori

Match Thoughts:  It took me eight years, but I finally found out that The Eagle is currently wrestling as George Hines in All Japan.  Kroffat is better known as being part of the Can Am Express with Doug Furnas, and Omori has been wrestling in NOAH recently and has won the GHC Tag Team Championship.  I shudder to think I have to watch more Giant Baba on this tape.  I have the utmost respect for what he did for puroresu, but at the time of this event he was 56 years old, and no one ever accused him of being a "good" worker in the first place.  Each time he was in, his opponents had to treat him with kid gloves and his offense was very weak.  Of course the crowd ate up everything he did, and him being included in the match was not with the intention of Baba putting on a wrestling clinic, so I won't hold it against him.  I won't say the above again (since I hate repeating myself), but it is applicable for all matches with Giant Baba on this tape.  As for the match, well it is hard to have a good 3 vs. 3 match, for it is virtually impossible to get a rhythm going or any flow with different people constantly being tagged in and out.  The action was good when it was Hansen/Williams or Omori/Williams, but in general the offense consisted mostly of punches and scoop slams.  So while it wasn't horrendous, it certainly wasn't anything special.  Score:  3.8

Jun Akiyama vs. Toshiaki Kawada (4/1/94)
Tie-up to start, Irish whip by Akiyama, but Kawada shoulderblocks him down.  Another tie-up, side headlock by Kawada is applied, Akiyama Irish whips out of it, dropdown, and Akiyama hits a dropkick.  Kawada rolls out to the outside, but Akiyama follows him out with a tope.  Irish whip by Akiyama into the guardrail and he tosses Kawada back into the ring.  Akiyama kicks on Kawada's back, but Kawada fires back with kicks to the leg.  Scoop slam by Kawada and he kicks him again.  Akiyama fires back with forearm shots, but Kawada scoop slams him and kicks him in the head.  Clothesline by Kawada and he puts Akiyama in a modified single leg Boston crab.  Akiyama manages to get his foot on the bottom rope, so Kawada breaks the hold to toss Akiyama from the ring.  Kawada goes out as well and chops Akiyama on the outside.  Irish whip by Kawada, but Akiyama rebounds with a clothesline.  Stomps by Akiyama on a downed Kawada and he tosses him back into the ring.  Cover, but it only gets a two count.  Akiyama applies a reverse chinlock and releases it to kick Kawada in the back.  Cover, but Kawada kicks out.  Another reverse chinlock is applied by Akiyama and he stomps on Kawada again.  Akiyama goes for a scoop slam, Kawada elbows out of it, so Akiyama dropkicks Kawada down.  Cover, but another two count.  Chop by Akiyama, but Kawada floors him with a forearm shot.  Kawada chops Akiyama against the ropes, Irish whip, and Kawada gives Akiyama a side kick.  Cover, but it only gets two.  The abdominal stretch is applied by Kawada as he pushes Akiyama all the way down to the mat.  Cover by Kawada, but Akiyama kicks out at two.  Scoop slam by Kawada, and he hits the knee drop from the second turnbuckle.  Cover, but another two count.  Akiyama tries to fight back, but he just gets a boot to the face for his troubles.  Kick in the corner by Kawada, Irish whip, reversed, Kawada gets his boot up when Akiyama charges, but Akiyama comes back with a high knee to the face of Kawada.  Scoop slam by Akiyama, he goes to the top rope and hits a missile dropkick.  Akiyama goes for a German suplex, but Kawada gets out of it and kicks Akiyama in the head.  Kawada goes for another kick, but Akiyama blocks it and clotheslines him down.  Northern Light suplex hold by Akiyama, but it only gets two.  Akiyama hits a dropkick to Kawada's knee, scoop slam, he goes up top, but Kawada kicks him in the chest when he jumps down.  Cover, but Akiyama kicks out.  Kawada goes for his powerbomb, but Akiyama gets out of it and hits an exploder suplex.  Cover, but Kawada kicks out at two.  Irish whip by Akiyama, but Kawada slams on the breaks and kicks Akiyama in the head.  Clothesline by Kawada, cover, but it only gets a two count.  Kawada goes for a powerbomb again, hits it this time, and he gets the three count.  Your winner:  Toshiaki Kawada

Match Thoughts:  Solid match, but the worst tournament match on the tape thus far.  Akiyama is currently one of the top guys at NOAH, and Kawada of course is currently the Triple Crown champion.  This match had a lot of odd rest holds from Akiyama, putting on a reverse chinlock and then releasing it himself.  Not a normal wrestling tactic.  Ending seemed quick, I was expecting a few more minutes from the way the match was going.  No real complaints, just below the quality I was expecting.  Score:  5.5

Giant Baba, Stan Hansen, and Takao Omori vs. Steve Williams, Johnny Ace, and The Eagle
Omori and Eagle start things off.  Tie-up, Omori gets Eagle into the ropes and gives a clean break.  Wristlock by Eagle, reversed by Omori, but Eagle rolls through and gets a hiptoss takedown.  Tie-up, waistlock by Eagle, reversed, Eagle reverses that into a wristlock, Omori Irish whips out of it, but gets shoulderblocked down.  Eagle picks up Omori, side headlock, Irish whip by Omori, and another hiptoss.  Omori shoulderblocks Eagle down, but Eagle is up again quickly.  Tie-up into Omori's corner, allowing Omori to tag in Hansen.  Intimidated, Eagle tags in Williams.  Williams assaults Hansen in the corner, but Hansen gets the upper hand with a few forearm shots.  Kick to the back by Hansen and he applies a reverse chinlock.  Hansen tags in Baba who applies an armbar, but Williams gets to the ropes.  Chops by Baba, Irish whip, and a boot to the face.  Baba tags in Omori, wristlock, but Williams forearms him in the face.  Williams tries a takedown, but Omori reverses it into a wristlock and pounds on Williams in the corner.  Irish whip by Omori, but Williams fires back with a shoulderblock.  Ace is tagged in and he tosses Omori into the turnbuckle.  Chops by Ace, Irish whip, and a running clothesline.  Another Irish whip by Ace but this time when he charges, Omori steps out of the way, and Ace goes sailing out of the ring.  Hansen runs over and slams Ace into the guardrail.  Chair shot by Hansen to the arm of Ace and he throws Ace back in.  Arm submission by Omori is applied, and Baba comes in to stomp on Ace's hand.  Arm bar by Baba and he steps on Ace's arm.  Omori is tagged in, Ace tries fighting out of the corner, but it doesn't work as Omori continues kicking him while Hansen holds him.  Arm bar by Omori and he tags in Hansen.  Now an arm submission by Hansen, but Williams and Eagle come in to break it up.  Dropkick by Ace, but before he can reach the corner he gets put back in the arm submission.  Hansen tags in Omori, who comes off the top and strikes Ace's arm.  Forearms by Ace gives him a brief upperhand, but Omori regains control and twists his arm against the ropes.  Finally Ace gets down Omori with a scoop slam and he tags in Williams.  Clothesline by Williams on Omori and a vertical suplex.  Hansen comes in, and Williams knocks down him as well.  Irish whip by Hansen on Omori, but Omori avoids the shouldertackle and tags in Baba.  Chops to the head by Baba, but Williams scoop slams him.  Cover, but Omori breaks it up.  Forearm shot for Omori, and a clothesline for Baba for another two count.  Williams and Hansen trade punches in the corner, which allows Baba to come up from behind and get a school boy for two.  Baba tags in Omori, who promptly gets head butted by Williams.  Williams tags in Eagle, who hits a heel kick on Omori.  Eagle slaps on the Boston Crab, but releases it and throws Omori from the ring.  On the outside, Williams hits a hard clothesline on Omori and slides him back into the ring.  Cover by Eagle, but it only gets two.  Powerbomb by Eagle, but another two count.  Ace is tagged in, Irish whip, and he hits a spinning elbow.  Elbow drops by Ace, he goes for a suplex, but Omori reverses it.  Omori tags in Hansen (well he missed the tag, but Hansen came in anyway), and Hansen shoulderblocks Ace down.  Scoop slam by Hansen and he drops an elbow.  Irish whip by Hansen, but Ace hits him with a clothesline.  Ace tags in Williams, who splashes Hansen in the corner.  Cover, but Hansen kicks out.  Irish whip by Williams into the corner, but Hansen rebounds with a shoulderblock.  Hansen tags in Omori, who hits a missile dropkick from the top.  Cover, but a two count.  Irish whip by Omori, reversed, and Williams delivers a gorilla press slam.  Eagle is tagged in, Irish whip, and he nails the dropkick.  Cover, but Omori kicks out.  German suplex by Eagle, but Hansen breaks it up.  Eagle goes for another German suplex, but Omori reverses it and hits a German suplex of his own for a two count.  Omori tags in Baba, Irish whip, and he knees Eagle in the stomach.  Russian leg sweep by Baba, cover, but Ace breaks it up.  Omori comes in to take care of Ace as Baba tags in Hansen.  Hansen goes for a powerbomb, but Williams runs in and hits him before he gets a chance to do the move.  Baba re-enters the ring, double Irish whip on Williams, and a double boot to the face.  Big boot to the face by Baba on the returning Eagle, Lariat by Hansen, and he gets the three count.  Your winners:  Giant Baba, Stan Hansen, and Takao Omori

Match Thoughts:  Besides the identical ending, this match was better then the last tag team match we saw thirty minutes ago.  Course, now that I see I get to watch Williams vs. Hansen later on the tape, I can't wait until I actually get to it.  Ace is better then Kroffat, so except for the inclusion of Baba (sorry Baba fans), the match had a lot of hard hitting action.  Again, it is hard to get much going with people tagging in and out constantly, but it wasn't an utter waste of time.  Score:  5.3

Jun Akiyama vs. Steve Williams (4/10/94)
Match starts with a tie-up, takedown by Williams, but Akiyama makes it back to his feet.  Tie-up again, waistlock by Williams, reversed into a wristlock by Akiyama into a side headlock, but Williams pushes him against the ropes and he gives a clean break.  Tie-up once more, Akiyama goes for a single leg takedown, but Williams grabs the top rope.  Takedown by Williams, as the two grapple for position on the mat, but neither can get the upper hand.  Single leg takedown by Akiyama follows, but Williams tosses Akiyama to the mat.  Both men back on their feet as they go into a Test of Strength.  Williams wins it with a takedown, side headlock is applied, Akiyama Irish whips out of it, but Williams knocks him down with a shoulderblock.  Chops by Williams in the corner, Irish whip, but Williams misses the splash and Akiyama nails a release German suplex.  Cover, but it only gets two.  Kick to the back of the head by Akiyama, Irish whip, and he hits a high knee to the face.  Cover, but Williams kicks out.  Akiyama kicks Williams in the back, but it only angers Williams.   Irish whip by Akiyama, and he dropkicks Williams from the ring.  Akiyama attempts a tope, but Williams steps out of the way.  Club to the back by Williams and he slams Akiyama into the ring post before tossing him back into the ring.  Williams stomps on Akiyama's back and applies a reverse chinlock.  Releasing the hold, Williams rams Akiyama into one turnbuckle and then another.  Chops by Williams in the corner, he disrespectfully slaps Akiyama, which fires Akiyama up.  Forearm shots by Akiyama, Irish whip, and a dropkick in the corner.  Akiyama kicks on Williams in the corner, Irish whip, and Williams hits the big splash.  With Akiyama standing in the corner, Williams goes to the top turnbuckle and drives Akiyama's head into the mat with his knee. Williams goes for his backdrop driver, but Akiyama quickly grabs the top rope.  Scoop slam by Williams, he goes to the top turnbuckle, but Akiyama catches him with a dropkick when he jumps down.  Punches by Akiyama in the corner, Irish whip, and he hits a running forearm splash.  Northern Light suplex hold by Akiyama, but it only gets two.  Irish whip by Akiyama, and an armdrag/powerslam gets a two count.  Akiyama goes up top, but Williams catches him when he comes off.  Williams goes for the Oklahoma Stampede, but Akiyama slides down his back and forearms him in the back of the head.  Akiyama goes for a German suplex but Williams elbows him off and hits a powerslam.  Cover, but it only gets two.  Williams goes for the Dr. Bomb, but Akiyama reverses it.  Akiyama goes for a quick punch, but Williams catches his arm and takes him down.  Williams then nails his backdrop driver and gets the three count.  Your winner:  Steve Williams

Match Thoughts:  I am a huge fan of Williams during his run in All Japan in the early to mid 90s.  He was physical, but also had the ability to take it to the mat.  It is hard to imagine a more complete wrestler.  The match started slow, but heated up by the end.  Akiyama more then held his own against Williams, and it was a more competitive match then I originally thought it would be.  Solid match.  Score:  6.7

Kenta Kobashi vs. Stan Hansen (4/10/94)
Tie-up to start, Kobashi gets Hansen into the corner, Hansen gets out of it and pushes Kobashi into the ropes and he gives a clean break.  Tie-up again, side headlock by Kobashi, Hansen pushes Kobashi into the corner and again gives a clean break.  Another tie-up, arm wrench by Hansen into a standing key lock, but Kobashi gets Hansen into the ropes.  They tie-up again, side headlock by Kobashi, Irish whip by Hansen, but Kobashi holds onto it and gets Hansen to his knees.  Hansen struggles to his feet, Irish whip, and the two collide with neither man budging.  Kobashi hits a quick kick, sending Hansen to the mat.  Kobashi picks up Hansen, but Hansen fires back with a forearm shot.  Hansen kicks Kobashi in the head while he is in the mat and goes to slam him into the turnbuckle, but Kobashi reverses it and then hits a savate kick.  Hansen rolls out of the ring, Kobashi tries to Irish whip him, but Hansen reverses it and Kobashi goes into the steel.  Chops by Hansen on the outside and he tosses Kobashi back in the ring.  Kobashi hits a series of chops, but Hansen doesn't go down and chops Kobashi to the mat.  The two men struggle on the mat, but Kobashi goes off the ropes and kicks Hansen in the head.  Hansen blocks a Kobashi chop and clubs him in the back of the head.  Camel clutch by Hansen, and he elbows Kobashi in the back of the head.  Hansen goes to the second rope and hits a double ax handle down on Kobashi.  Cover, but it only gets a two count.  Reverse chinlock by Hansen, Kobashi struggles to his feet and gets Hansen in the corner, and he hits his rapid fire chops.  Irish whip, and Kobashi hits a running shoulderblock.  Snapmare by Kobashi and he applies a reverse chinlock.  Hansen manages to reach the ropes, and Kobashi kicks him in the back.  Hansen tries to fight back, but he gets kicked in the head.  Back to their feet, Kobashi gets Hansen against the ropes, but Hansen picks Kobashi up and tosses him over the top rope to the floor as if he were a doll.  Hansen joins him outside and throws him into the guardrail.  Hansen charges, but Kobashi gets his foot up and kicks Hansen in the face.  To the other side of the guardrail now, Kobashi goes and gets Hansen and tosses him into the ring post.  Back in the ring, Kobashi hits Hansen with mounted slaps to the face.  Hansen fires back with headbutts and returns the favor by slapping Kobashi repeatedly.  After hitting a knee drop, Hansen picks up Kobashi, but Kobashi knocks him down with a back kick to the stomach.  Leg drop by Kobashi, and he hits another one.  Cover, but it only gets two.  Kobashi sits Hansen up and chops him in the neck before applying a reverse chinlock.  Kobashi releases the hold and hits another leg drop, but Hansen bounces to his feet and shoulderblocks Kobashi down.  Back to their feet, Kobashi hits Hansen with an enzigieri.  Kobashi then drapes Hansen over the second rope and hits a leg drop from the apron.  Back in the ring, Kobashi stomps Hansen in the back and hits another chop.  Hansen absorbs the blows though and elbows Kobashi hard in the mouth.  Hansen kicks Kobashi in the back, and Kobashi rolls out of the ring.  Not done with him, Hansen drags Kobashi up to the apron and continues hitting strikes.  With Kobashi still on the other side of the ropes, Hansen rams his head into the turnbuckle, and Kobashi falls to the outside.  Hansen goes to get a chair, and whacks Kobashi in the back with it.  He then grabs a table and hits Kobashi with it before propping it in the corner.  After Irish whipping Kobashi into the table, Hansen kicks him right in the chest.  Hansen gets back in the ring, grabs the table, and throws it down on Kobashi, who is still on the outside.  Going back out, Hansen removes the protective mats, ignoring the referee.  Hansen goes for a powerbomb on the outside and nails it, as the crowd screams at the hated foreigner.  After going in the ring to break the count, Hansen goes back outside, but the referee tells him to get back in the ring.  Tired of waiting, Hansen comes back out to get Kobashi, but again the referee sends him back in.  Finally Kobashi starts to get to his feet, as Hansen goes out to the apron.  Hansen goes for a shoulderblock from the apron, but Kobashi moves out of the way and slowly crawls back into the ring.  Kobashi actually goes back out to get Hansen (even though he can hardly walk), but the referee manages to convince him to go back in.  Hansen slowly gets to his feet and wonders around the ring to catch his breath.  Kobashi grabs Hansen from inside the ring and drags him up to the apron.  After hitting repeated shots to Hansen's injured ribs, Kobashi suplexes him back into the ring.  Kobashi goes up top and goes for a body press, but Hansen rolls out of the way.  Hansen is up first, and he gives Kobashi a headbutt.  They struggle, Hansen goes for a suplex, but Kobashi punches him in the ribs and hits a suplex of his own.  Cover, but Hansen kicks out.  Another kick to the ribs by Kobashi and he gets Hansen into the corner.  Irish whip, and Kobashi hits a chop to the chest followed by a lariat.  Cover by Kobashi, but Hansen barely kicks out.  Back to their feet, Kobashi pushes Hansen into the corner and hits a series of shoulderblocks.  Running knee strike by Kobashi and he nails a DDT.  Cover, again it gets two.  Kobashi applies a reverse chinlock, but Hansen quickly gets out of it.  Kobashi regains the advantage though and applies the Boston crab.  Hansen eventually makes it to the ropes and Kobashi releases the hold.  More shots to the ribs by Kobashi, and he dropkicks Hansen into the corner.  Irish whip by Kobashi, reversed, and Hansen hits a backdrop suplex.  Slow cover by Hansen, and it gets a two count.  Hansen picks up Kobashi and goes for the lariat, Kobashi ducks it, but Hansen hits another backdrop suplex.  Cover by Hansen, but again it gets two.  Again Hansen picks up Kobashi and he goes for a powerbomb, but Kobashi fights it off and hits a back bodydrop.  Unphased, Hansen gets back up quickly and hits a running forearm for a two count.  Hansen goes to go up the turnbuckle, but Kobashi rolls too far away and Hansen gets back in the ring.  Elbow drop by Hansen and this time he nails the powerbomb.  Cover, but Kobashi somehow manages to barely kick out.  Hansen goes to the top turnbuckle, but Kobashi gets his knees up when Hansen jumps down.  Kobashi slowly crawls to Hansen, as time is close to expiring.  Kobashi goes for an Irish whip, but instead Hansen lariats him hard in the face.  Unfortunately for Hansen, he is too hurt to make the cover to Kobashi, and both men slowly struggle to their feet.  Hansen (clutching his ribs) is up first, but Kobashi hits a running forearm to his ribs.  Shoulderblocks by Kobashi and he hits a scoop slam.  Up top goes Kobashi, moonsault, cover, but to the crowd's amazement Hansen kicks out.  Kobashi goes back up top again, another moonsault, cover, and this time he gets the three count.  Your winner:  Kenta Kobashi

Match Thoughts:  The match started slow, but the smart ring pyschology used really brought the match back.  Hansen's selling of the injured ribs is so simple and logical, and yet it is so rarely seen in today's wrestling.  Kobashi played his part well also, as every time he got in trouble he would just give Hansen a shot in the ribs, knocking him over.  The turning point was Hansen getting kneed in the ribs when he jumps off the top turnbuckle, and the ending comes not with a lariat, but with a moonsault... which has Kobashi land on the ribs of Hansen.  Like I said, it is so simple, but so rarely done.  Besides that, it was a very hard hitting match, and the powerbomb on the outside is a good example as to why Kobashi is broken today.  A solid display by both men.  Score:  7.1

Giant Baba, Mitsuharu Misawa, and Kikuchi vs. Toshiaki Kawada, Akira Taue, and Masa Fuchi
Giant Baba and Taue start things off.  Tie-up, Taue gets Giant Baba into the ropes and he chops Giant Baba in the chest before backing off.  Tie-up again, chop by Taue, but Giant Baba shows that it didn't hurt.  Tie-up a third time, Giant Baba gets Taue into the ropes and chops him in the chest.  Irish whip by Giant Baba, but Taue avoids the big boot and clotheslines Giant Baba down.  Taue goes for a suplex, but Giant Baba elbows out of it and hits a side Russian leg sweep.  After tossing Taue from the ring, Giant Baba tags in Kikuchi, who immediately hits a pescado down onto Taue.  Kikuchi rolls Taue back in the ring and kicks him repeatedly in the chest.  Arm takedown by Kikuchi, as he wrenches on Taue's arm.  Snap suplex by Kikuchi, cover, but Taue kicks out.  Another arm wrench by Kikuchi, but Taue tosses him to the mat.  Taue tags in Fuchi, who clubs Kikuchi in the back.  Fuchi throws Kikuchi into the turnbuckle, but Kikuchi isn't effected by it.  Tie-up, but they break with neither man getting an advantage.  Kikuchi tags in Misawa, so Fuchi tags in Kawada.  Tie-up, Misawa gets Kawada into the ropes and gives a clean break before elbowing him in the face.  The two exchange strikes, but Kawada nails a back kick to the face of Misawa.  Kawada picks Misawa up and throws him into the turnbuckle.  Kicks by Kawada to the face of Misawa, Irish whip, and in what I believe was a miscommunication, Kawada clotheslines Misawa right in the neck.  Knee to the back by Kawada and he applies a crab, but he is too close to the ropes.  Kawada tags in Taue, double Irish whip, and they hit a double shoulderblock.  Cover, but it gets a two count.  Taue easily picks up Misawa and drops him in the turnbuckle.  DDT by Taue, cover, but again it gets two.  Taue goes to throw Misawa in the corner, but he lands on his feet and hits a forearm to Taue's face.  Misawa tags in Kikuchi, double suplex, cover, but it only gets two.  Kikuchi hits a dropkick, another cover, but again it only gets two.  Side slam by Kikuchi, cover, but Taue won't stay down.  Kikuchi tags in Giant Baba, tie-up, Giant Baba gets Taue into the corner and kicks him in the midsection.  Chop to the head by Giant Baba, but Taue fires back with his own chop.  Scoop slam by Taue on Giant Baba (a real move on Giant Baba!!), cover, but Giant Baba kicks out.  Taue tags in Fuchi, who gives Giant Baba a chop in the chest.  Waistlock by Fuchi and he goes for a suplex, but Giant Baba reverses it into an armbreaker.  Back to their feet, chop by Fuchi, but Giant Baba maintains the arm submission.  Armdrag takedown by Giant Baba and he tags in Misawa.  Misawa goes back to the arm, Irish whip, and he dropkicks Fuchi out of the ring.  Misawa charges the ropes, but only does his fake over the top rope dive before rebounding himself back in the ring and kicking Fuchi through the ropes.  Taue throws Fuchi back in before he is counted out, and Misawa uppercuts him to the mat.  Misawa tags in Kikuchi, who clubs Fuchi in the back.  Running forearm shot by Kikuchi, cover, but it gets two.  Fuchi manages to tag in Kawada, and he trades blows with Kikuchi.  Boot to the head by Kawada, and a second one knocks Kikuchi down.  Scoop slam by Kawada and he kicks Kikuchi hard in the back.  Cover, but it only gets a two count.  Kawada applies a single leg crab, but Misawa comes in the ring and Kawada breaks the hold.  Kawada tags in Taue, and Taue guillotines Kikuchi over the top rope.  Lariat by Taue, cover, but Kikuchi kicks out.  Another lariat by Taue, cover, but again Kikuchi kicks out.  Taue tags in Fuchi, who clubs Kikuchi in the back.  Kick to the face by Fuchi and he throws Kikuchi out of the ring.  Taue greets him on the outside and throws him through a table.  Damn.  Taue then kindly slams Kikuchi back in the ring, and Fuchi hits him with more strikes.  Hanging Kikuchi over the top rope, Fuchi does a variety of illegal chokes to Kikuchi.  Cover by Fuchi, but it only gets a two count.  Fuchi tags in Kawada, who pulls Kikuchi out of the ring and scoop slams him all the way down to the floor.  Kawada tosses Kikuchi back in, cover, but Kikuchi kicks out.  Chops by Kawada, cover, but it again only gets two.  Kawada tags Taue back in, Irish whip by Taue, and he applies the abdominal stretch.  Misawa breaks up the hold, Taue picks up Kikuchi up and flings him to the mat.  Cover, but it only gets a two count.  Taue tags in Fuchi, cover by Fuchi, but he can't get the pin either.  Punch to the head by Fuchi, but Kikuchi fires back with his own punch.  Fuchi still gets up first though and he punches Kikuchi in the head.  Scoop slam attempt by Fuchi, but it is reversed and Kikuchi tags in Giant Baba.  Giant Baba tosses Fuchi twice to the mat, Irish whip, and he hits the big boot.  Abdominal stretch by Giant Baba, but Taue breaks up the hold.  Giant Baba hits a clothesline on Taue, Kawada comes in, Irish whip by Kawada on Giant Baba, reversed, and Giant Baba knees Kawada in the stomach.  Giant Baba tags in Misawa, Irish whip by Misawa and he hits a spinning elbow.  Misawa goes for the stretch plum, but Taue breaks it up.  Taue is immediately disposed of by Misawa, Misawa goes for the Tiger Driver, but Kawada backdrops out of it.  Big boot to the face by Kawada and he tags in Taue. Irish whip by Taue, he hits the big boot, but Misawa nails him with the Tiger Driver.  Cover, but Fuchi breaks it up.  Misawa tags in Kikuchi, who comes off the top rope with a missile dropkick.  Cover, but Taue kicks out.  Irish whip by Kikuchi, and he hits a heel kick.  He goes off the ropes again, but he is met by a big boot.  Another big boot by Taue and he drops Kikuchi over the top rope.  Taue tags in Fuchi, who hits a quick backdrop suplex.  Another backdrop suplex by Taue, cover, but it gets two.  Irish whip by Fuchi, reversed, and Kikuchi hits a leg lariat.  Fisherman's suplex by Kikuchi, but it only gets a two count.  A waistlock by Fuchi is applied, and they go into a pinning sequence with neither man picking up the fall.  Enzigieri by Fuchi, he goes for a backdrop suplex, but Fuchi lands on his feet.  Misawa runs in to forearm Fuchi, Kikuchi hits a German suplex, but Fuchi manages to kick out.  Another German suplex by Kikuchi, and this time he picks up the three count.  Your winners:  Giant Baba, Mitsuharu Misawa, and Tsuyoshi Kikuchi

Match Thoughts:  Either these six man tags are getting better, or my expectations are getting lower.  Probably the former, since we had some great workers in his match.  Anytime Misawa and Kawada tie up it is going to be good, and Taue/Kikuchi looked solid as well.  Fuchi was Fuchi and Baba was Baba, but they were not in the ring very much.  Kikuchi played a good hero in peril, and the match was actually pretty entertaining.  Score:  5.6

Jun Akiyama vs. Kenta Kobashi (4/11/94)
They look so young.  Tie-up, Kobashi gets Akiyama in to the corner and he gives a clean break.  Tie-up again, side headlock by Akiyama, Kobashi Irish whips out of it and shoulderblocks Akiyama to the mat.  A third tie-up, side headlock takedown by Kobashi, reversed into a headscissors by Akiyama, back into a side headlock by Kobashi, but Akiyama re-applies the headscissors.  Kobashi quickly gets out of it, back to their feet, and they have a Test of Strength.  Kobashi gets Akiyama down to one knee, but Akiyama dropkicks Kobashi.  The circle each other again, tie-up, Kobashi gets Akiyama into the ropes and chops him in the chest.  Irish whip, and Kobashi hits a jumping shoulderblock.  Vertical suplex by Kobashi, cover, but it only gets two.  Kobashi applies a reverse chinlock, Akiyama struggles to his feet, but Kobashi hits him in the back.  Akiyama fires back with chops, and the two exchange strikes.  Kobashi gets the advantage with a kick to the head and chops to the chest, but Akiyama bounces off the ropes and hits a forearm to the face.  Kobashi dares Akiyama to try it again, he does, but this time Kobashi chops him to the mat.  Again Kobashi challenges Akiyama, Irish whip by Kobashi, reversed, and Akiyama hits an armdrag takedown.  Akiyama dropkicks Kobashi out of the ring, fakes a pescado, and hits a diving forearm off the apron to the floor.  After tossing Akiyama back in the ring, leg drop by Akiyama, cover, but Kobashi kicks out.  Akiyama picks Kobashi up, Irish whip, and he hits a jumping knee strike.  Cover, but again it gets two.  Kicks by Akiyama to the downed Kobashi and he hits another leg drop.  Cover, but it gets a two count.  Akiyama applies a reverse chinlock, but Kobashi fights out of it.  Scoop slam by Kobashi, he goes off the ropes and hits a leg drop.  Cover, but it only gets a two count.  Kobashi slaps on a reverse chinlock and hits rapid fire chops in the corner.  Akiyama returns with his own chops though, Irish whip by Akiyama from the corner and he hits a running forearm smash.  Cover, but it only gets a two.  DDT by Akiyama, cover, but again it gets two.  Elbow to the back of the head by Akiyama, but Kobashi catches his kick attempt and hits a lariat.  Back up, Kobashi applies the cobra twist, but Akiyama manages to get to the bottom rope.  Chop by Kobashi, he goes for a vertical suplex, Akiyama goes behind his back, they trade boots to the face, and Akiyama finally gets Kobashi down with a clothesline.  Akiyama picks up Kobashi and goes for an exploder, but Kobashi gets out of it.  Kick by Kobashi, but he misses a lariat and Akiyama nails the exploder.  Cover by Akiyama, but somehow Kobashi kicks out.  Akiyama picks Kobashi up and goes for the Northern Lights suplex, Kobashi blocks it, so Akiyama dropkicks him to the corner.  Irish whip by Akiyama, he hits a running forearm strike and goes for the Northern Lights suplex again, again Kobashi blocks it, but Akiyama hits an enzigieri.  From the corner, Irish whip by Akiyama, reversed, reversed again, and Akiyama elbows Kobashi in the back of the head.  Finally Akiyama nails the Northern Lights suplex, but it only gets a two count.  Akiyama is up first and forearms Kobashi back to the mat.  German suplex by Akiyama, but it gets another two count.  Akiyama picks up Kobashi and goes for another German suplex, Kobashi elbows out of it, Akiyama then goes for another Northern Lights suplex, but Kobashi reverses it with a DDT.  Kobashi gets Akiyama to his feet, Akiyama punches Kobashi into the corner, but Kobashi gets his foot up when Akiyama charges him and kills Akiyama with a lariat.  Jumping leg drop by Kobashi just as Akiyama was getting up, cover, bit it only gets two.  Kobashi then nails a wrist-clutch sit-down powerbomb, cover, but again Akiyama kicks out.  Kobashi goes for another powerbomb, but he can't get Akiyama over and Akiyama sits on him for a two count.  Both men slowly get up and they clothesline each other down.  Kobashi gets up first, he nails the Jack Knife powerbomb with a bridge, but again it gets two.  Kobashi picks up Akiyama, chops him in the neck and hits a rolling back chop.  Again Akiyama is dragged to his feet, scoop slam by Kobashi, he goes up top and nails the moonsault.  Cover, and this one is over.  Your winner:  Kenta Kobashi

Match Thoughts:  A solid match, although I was surprised to see Akiyama controlling much of the action since he wasn't as established a star as Kobashi was during this time period.  I thought some of the moves were repeated a lot for a shorter match (such as the four leg drops), but there was still a lot of smart wrestling.  It was well done how it took Akiyama three tries to finally get the Northern Lights suplex, but then when he went for it later Kobashi was able to reverse it.  The same move really shouldn't work twice in the same match, for in theory your opponent should know what is coming.  Both men took their hard shots and even though Akiyama lost, he didn't come out looking any weaker, which is always the goal.  Score:  6.5

Akira Taue vs. Stan Hansen (4/11/94)
They circle each other to start and both wrestlers go for kicks.  Taue gets Hansen into the corner and they exchange clubbing blows.  Hansen gets the better of it for a moment by raking Taue in the eyes, but Taue comes back with shoulderblocks to the still-injured ribs.  Remember yesterday?  Hansen again pushes Taue off of him, but Taue comes back with more blows.  Forearms to the side by Taue, he goes for a scoop slam, but Hansen fights it off and backs into the corner.  Knees to the ribs by Taue from the corner and this time he gets the scoop slam.  After kicking Hansen while he is down, Hansen tries to fight back, but Taue stays in control.  Scoop slam by Taue, cover, but it gets two.  Taue applies a submission to Hansen's left side, but Hansen kicks Taue in the face to get out o fit.  Back up, Taue throws Hansen side-first into the top rope.  Taue kicks Hansen while he is down, and Hansen rolls to the outside.  Taue joins him, but Hansen throws Taue into the ring post.  Hansen rolls back in, Taue rolls in, but Hansen rolls back out to regain his strength.  Taue comes out, so Hansen goes back in.  Hansen clubs Taue when he enters the ring, but again he is slowed by shots to his ribs.  Kicks to the side by Taue and he hits a DDT.  Cover, but Hansen kicks out.  Taue applies a single-leg crab, but Hansen gets out of it.  After pressing his foot into Hansen's ribs, Taue gets Hansen outside.  Hansen hits a chop, but Taue tosses him side-first into the top of the guardrail.  Hansen slowly gets to his feet, but Taue knees him back down.  Taue applies a single-leg crab on the outside, Hansen hits a punch, but Taue chops him and tosses him back in the ring.  Cover by Taue, but it only gets a two count.  After kicking Hansen in the ribs, Taue picks him up and applies an abdominal stretch.  Hansen eventually flips Taue to get out of it, but Taue hits an enzigieri to Hansen's side.  Cover by Taue, but Hansen has his hand on the bottom rope.  Again, Taue picks up Hansen and throws him side-first into the top rope.  Hansen falls to the outside after the move, and Taue follows him out to throw him back in the ring.  Knee to the ribs by Taue and he presses down on Hansen's injured ribs with his foot.  Taue then picks Hansen up, lays him over the top rope in the corner, and kicks him in the ribs.  Scoop slam by Taue, he goes up top, but Hansen avoids the elbow drop.  Hansen lunges at Taue with a shoulderblock, and Taue falls out of the ring.  Taue tries to get back in, but Hansen clubs him back out and goes to the floor himself.  Hansen smashes Taue over the head with a chair and removes the protective mats.  After taking him to the un-covered area, Hansen nails a DDT.  Hansen knees Taue in the head, he falls over the guardrail, and Hansen chokes him against the steel.  Taue is tossed back in the ring and Hansen drops a forearm on his head.  Cover, but it gets a two count.  Hansen picks up Taue, but Taue quickly kicks Hansen in the ribs.  Hansen still manages to hit an elbow drop, cover, but it only gets a two count.  Kick to the back by Hansen, followed by another one.  Hansen clubs Taue as he tries to get up and he hits a vertical suplex.  Cover, but again he only gets a two count.  Hansen picks up Taue and goes for the powerbomb, Taue tries to fight it off, but Hansen still nails it.  He is too hurt to cover immediately though, and by the time he does, Taue is able to kick out of it.  Hansen calls for the lariat, but Taue catches him with a boot and hits a powerslam.  Cover, but it gets a two count.  Taue goes for the Nodowa Otoshi, Hansen tries to fight it off, but Taue still manages to deliver the move.  Another cover by Taue, but Hansen still kicks out.  Taue pulls Hansen to his feet and goes for I Am Taue!, but Hansen lands on Taue and gets a two count fall.  Hansen hits a flurry of mounted punches and chops him back to the mat.  Stiff forearm to the face by Hansen, cover, but it gets two.  Hansen picks Taue up and goes for the lariat, but Taue ducks it, punches Hansen in the ribs, and nails another Nodowa Otoshi.  Cover, and he gets the three count.  Your winner:  Akira Taue

Post match:  Hansen beats the crap out of Taue and hits him with a lariat. 

Match Thoughts:  Fairly simple and straightforward, with Taue focusing on Hansen's ribs the entire match and allowing him to pick up the win.  Since I don't think that under normal circumstances Taue would pick up a win over Hansen, him attacking the already injured ribs helped legitimize his victory.  Well worked, but nothing mind-blowing.  Score:  6.0

I better explain this next part, since I needed it explained to me.  Early in the tournament, Misawa injured his neck and it was decided that he would forfeit the rest of his matches in the tournament.  But since he was advertised, he still wrestled his regular opponents as if he was still in the tournament.  His opponent just always got the points as if they had won, since Misawa had officially forfeited.  Since obviously he wasn't too injured to wrestler, I am assuming they did this to protect Misawa.  Since he was the champion at the time they did not want him to lose, but they wanted someone else to win the tournament.  It seems to me like a cheap way out, but the Japanese fans didn't seem to mind, so I guess it worked out ok for Baba.  So the next two Misawa matches still took place as planned, but they were officially "forfeits" by Misawa.

Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Toshiaki Kawada
A widely forgotten Misawa/Kawada match, only a few months before they took part in what is considered by some the best single's match of the entire 1990s.  Tie-up, Misawa gets Kawada into the ropes and he gives a clean break.  Another tie-up, waistlock by Kawada, reversed into an armbar by Misawa and he gets Kawada to the mat.  Kawada slowly gets back to his feet, but Misawa maintains the hold.  It doesn't last much longer though, as Kawada clotheslines Misawa down hard.  Cover, but Misawa easily kicks out.  Kicks to the back of the head by Kawada and he applies a reverse chinlock.  Kawada throws Misawa in the corner and hits a series of chops, but Misawa fires back with forearm shots.  Kawada falls out of the ring because of the blows, but manages to get back in before Misawa comes out.  Elbow to the back of the head by Misawa, snapmare, and Misawa applies a reverse chinlock.  Kawada kicks Misawa in the head to get out of the hold and elbows Misawa in his injured neck.  A modified crossface is applied by Kawada, but Misawa makes it to the ropes.  Chop by Kawada against the ropes, Irish whip, reversed, and Misawa dropkicks Kawada right in the face.   Kawada rolls out of the ring, Misawa does a fake dive (landing himself on the apron) and comes off the apron with an attempted elbow smash, but Kawada catches him with a forearm shot.  Kawada rolls Misawa back in the ring and applies a single-leg crab.  Misawa makes it to the ropes, but Kawada elbows him in the back of the head and re-applies the hold.  Misawa makes it to the ropes again, Kawada drops a knee on his back, cover, but it only gets two.  Another kick by Kawada, cover, but again it gets two.  Back up, Irish whip by Kawada and he applies the abdominal stretch.  Misawa flips Kawada to the mat to get out of it, but Kawada quickly comes back with more elbows.  Misawa responds with his elbow smashes, but Kawada pushes Misawa hard back into the corner.  Kawada gives Misawa a stiff kick while he is in the corner, Irish whip, and he nails a back heel kick.  Cover, but it only gets two.  Kawada applies a half camel clutch reverse chinlock, but Misawa makes it to the bottom rope.  Kicks to the back by Kawada, but Misawa calmly gets back to his feet and stares at Kawada.  They exchange strikes, Irish whip by Misawa, and he hits a spinning clothesline.  Cover, but it only gets two.  Back to their feet, kick by Misawa, Irish whip, and he hits a back heel kick of his own.  Misawa goes for a German suplex, but Kawada drops to his feet and kicks him in the head.  Kawada goes off the ropes and goes for a big boot, but Misawa catches his foot.  Misawa tries to strike Kawada with his elbow, but Kawada avoids it, goes off the ropes again, and this time connects with the kick.  Clothesline by Kawada, cover, but Misawa kicks out.  Kawada picks up Misawa and goes for a powerbomb, but Misawa drops to his knees to block it and grabs the ropes.  Rapid kicks to the face by Kawada, he goes for the powerbomb again, but again it is blocked.  Kawada chops Misawa in his injured neck, picks him up, and chops him again.  Kawada hits a vertical suplex, cover, but it gets a two count.  Running boot to the face by Kawada and he follows up with a dropkick.  Misawa rolls out of the ring, but Kawada follows him out and Irish whips him into the guardrail.  Scoop slam by Kawada on the outside, he goes up to the apron, and drops a knee down onto Misawa.  Kawada slides Misawa back in the ring, and now he is able to nail the powerbomb.  Cover, but Misawa barely kicks out.  Kawada goes for a suplex, Misawa won't go over, so Kawada elbows him in the head.  Kawada goes for it again, but this time Misawa elbows him hard in the face and Kawada goes down to the mat.  Both men slowly get up and Kawada boots Misawa in the head.  Scoop slam by Kawada and he kicks Misawa hard in the back.  Kawada applies a modified abdominal stretch, but Misawa flips him over to get out of it and kicks Kawada in the back.  Forearm by Misawa, he goes off the ropes, but he is caught by a vicious gamengiri.  Delayed cover, and Misawa kicks out.  Kawada picks up Misawa and applies a sleeperhold.  Misawa does eventually get to the ropes.  Back in the middle of the ring, Kawada hits a series of chops to Misawa's neck, but keeps picking him back off the mat to continue the assault.  Misawa responds by hitting Kawada with an elbow and the two exchange blows.  Irish whip by Misawa, and he smashes Kawada in the face.  After kicking Kawada out of the ring, Misawa goes off the far ropes and comes flying out with a tope.  Injured neck my ass.  Misawa tosses Kawada in the ring, goes up top and nails a diving elbow smash.  Cover, but Kawada barely kicks out.  Misawa applies a facelock hold, Kawada tries to get to the ropes, but Misawa snapmares him and re-applies the hold.  Finally Kawada does reach the ropes, cover by Misawa, but it only gets a two count.  Back to the facelock hold by Misawa, but again Kawada makes it to the ropes.  Irish whip by Misawa, Kawada tries to hit a back kick, but Misawa catches his leg and throws him to the mat.  Misawa goes for the Tiger Driver, Kawada back bodydrops Misawa to get out of it, Misawa lands on his feet and goes for a Tiger Suplex, but Kawada drives him back into the turnbuckle.  Irish whip by Misawa from the corner, reversed, Misawa rebounds backwards when he reaches the other corner, but Kawada kicks him in the back.  Cover by Kawada, but it only gets a two count.  Kawada slaps on the single-leg crab, but Misawa manages to get to the ropes again.  Kawada drags Misawa to his feet, goes for a powerbomb, but Misawa backdrops Kawada to get out of it.  Kawada goes off the ropes and goes for a gamengiri, but it misses.  Misawa goes for another Tiger Driver, but Kawada fights him off and hits a kick to the face.  Cover, but Misawa kicks out.  Slowly they get back to their feet, and Misawa elbows Kawada in the head.  Kawada rolls out of the ring, but Misawa quickly nails a corkscrew pescado.  Misawa tries to Irish whip Kawada in the guardrail, Kawada reverses it, but Misawa comes roaring back with an elbow smash.  Misawa rolls Kawada back in the ring, goes up top, but Kawada is up in time and joins him.  Superplex by Kawada, cover, but Misawa kicks out after barely a two count.  Clothesline by Kawada, another cover, but another two count.  Kawada kicks Misawa into the corner and goes for a backdrop driver, but Misawa lands on top of him and gets a two count fall.  Elbow by Misawa, but Kawada delivers a gamengiri.  Cover by Kawada, but Misawa kicks out.  Kawada goes for a powerbomb, Misawa gets out of it and goes for a German suplex, but Kawada reverses it into a release German suplex of his own.  Cover, but Kawada still can't get the pinfall victory.  Kawada picks Misawa up off the mat and applies the Stretch Plum.  Kawada releases the hold, cover, but it again it gets two.  Kawada picks up Misawa and applies a cobra twist, but Misawa tosses him down.  Kick to the leg by Kawada, but Misawa returns with an elbow and both men fall to the mat as time is close to expiring.  Kawada is up first, but Misawa knocks him back down with an elbow smash.  Cover, but it gets a two count.  Misawa goes for a Tiger Driver, Kawada tries to fight him off, but Misawa elbows him in the head and nails the move.  Cover, but Kawada barely kicks out.  While both men lay on the mat, the bell rings, and time has expired.  Result:  Draw

Match Thoughts:  Ignoring the silly fact that Misawa was too injured to compete with points but ok enough to have a 30 minute match against his most hated rival, this match was very good and extremely hard hitting.  A good warm-up for their match in a few months, and neither wrestler was able to find that big move to put away their opponent.  While this match didn't feature the typical Misawa/Kawada "big bumps," since it was on the undercard of a regular show that really wasn't surprising.  My only complaint for the match was Kawada seemed to bounce between focusing on Misawa's back and on his neck.  The neck made sense, since it was already injured and one of Kawada's moves is the backdrop driver.  So I don't really understand all the single-leg crabs done by Kawada throughout the match.  Nit-picking aside, and even though it didn't have a "big match" feel and lacked the big bumps you are used to seeing from these two, it was still a very fine wrestling match.  Score:  7.5

More next time, stay tuned.

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