Puroresu Central

The First Super J Cup

The Event: NJPW Super J Cup First Stage

The Date: April 16th, 1994

Attendance: 11,500 (sold out)

This event was a great moment in the history of wrestling. For this one tournament, all the best lightweights from around the world came together to put on the best international show of the year, and possibly the decade. Different promotions worked together in order to make the show a spectacular performance. Jushin Thunder Liger from New Japan booked the event. Here are the participants:

Dean Malenko: Malenko was wrestling in independents during this time period, and spent a lot of time in Japan. Considered one of the best technical wrestlers in the world.

Gedo: Gedo was a representative from the WAR promotion in Japan.

Shinjiro Otani: Otani was a part of New Japan, and was very young when the tournament took place.

Super Delfin: Super Delfin was a representative from the Michinoku Pro promotion in Japan.

Black Tiger: Black Tiger is Eddy Guerrero under a mask. Currently a wrestler in WWE, Guerrero is considered one of the best pound for pound wrestlers in the world.

Taka Michinoku: Taka Michinoku was a representative from the Michinoku Pro Promotion in Japan, and was very early in his career when the tournament took place.

El Samurai: El Samurai was a talented wrestler that wrestled mostly in Mexico and Japan.

Masayoshi Motegi: Motegi was the representative from the Wrestle Dream Factory promotion.

Negro Casas: Negro Casas wrestled mostly in Mexico, and came to Japan for the tournament.

Ricky Fuji: Ricky Fuji was a representative from the WAR promotion in Japan.

Jushin Thunder Liger: Liger was part of New Japan, and the booker for the tournament. Liger was in his prime in 1994, and considered one of the best lightweights in the world.

Hayabusa: Hayabusa was a representative from the WAR promotion. Hayabusa was unfortunately paralyzed a few years ago performing a Lionsault.
Wild Pegasus: Pegasus is Chris Benoit. Like Guerrero, he is considered one of the best technical wrestlers in the world.

Great Sasuke: Great Sasuke was a representative from the Michinoku Pro Promotion in Japan, and is considered one of the best Japanese lightweights of the 1990s.

Those are the participants in the matches, and now onto the matches themselves.

Dean Malenko vs. Gedo

Match begins with a handshake, and a quick dropkick by Malenko. Gedo opens up a can of haul ass, to regain his composure. Returning to the right, Gedo puts Malenko in an arm bar, but Malenko flips out of it and applies an ankle lock. Gedo reverses the ankle lock to an armbar, which Malenko eventually rolls out of. They take turns flipping each other back and forth by the arm, before Malenko takes down Gedo with a head scissors. Standoff, crowd cheers. Gedo applies a leg lock, which is quickly changed by Malenko to an arm bar in his favor. Gedo rolls out, and applies chops to Malenko's back and chest. Malenko doesn't appreciate it, and returns with punches to the face, before putting Gedo in a headlock. Gedo fights out of it with a scratch to the eyes, and headbutts Malenko repeatedly. Malenko responds by ramming Gedo into the turnbuckle, followed by a suplex. Malenko then applies a head scissors, which Gedo quickly reverses into a unique submission move. Malenko reaches the ropes, and the two trade punches until a double shoulder charge leaves them both laying. Stomp to the gut by Malenko, attempted piledriver, but reversed by Gedo. Gedo then goes to the top rope, but misses the flying headbutt. Clothesline by Malenko, two count. Gedo throws Malenko into the corner, Malenko jumps over the ropes, onto the top rope, and hits a flying crossbody on the confused Gedo. Two Count. Up again, Gedo reverses an irish whip, ducks his head for the toss, but gets kicked in the face for the trouble. Malenko runs into the ropes, charges Gedo, but gets powerslammed by Gedo. Gedo covers, referee counts to three, match over. Your winner: Gedo

Match Thoughts: I was hoping that Malenko would win, but Gedo was a young star at the time that needed the push. My main complaint is the ending, it came out of no where. Malenko seemed to be still at near full strength, and a powerslam isn't an acceptable finishing move unless you are Ron Simmons. But it wasn't a bad opener, you can't have your best match first, or else the rest is just a disappointment. Score: 5.7

Shinjiro Otani vs. Super Delfin

Match begins with a quick takedown from Otani, and he starts to work on Super Delfin's left knee. Several twists, kicks, and cranks later, Delfin finally gets upright. After an irish whip by Otani, then a leapfrog by Otani, Delfin nails the dropkick, followed by an attempted tilt-a-whirl slam. Otani blocks it though, and delivers a stiff kick to the upper torso, followed by a spinning heel kick. Delfin has had enough, and rolls out of the ring to rest. Otani invites Delfin back into the ring, and he eventually accepts. Otani celebrates his return by continuing to work on Delfin's left knee. A few minutes after several different leg submission holds and kicks to the knee, Delfin regains the advantage, and hits a side suplex. Covers, two count. Delfin then hits a stalled brain buster, but once again Otani kicks out of the count. Delfin tries for another one, but Otani flips over, and dropkicks Delfin out of the ring. This time, Otani does not let Delfin rest, and hits a flying cross body off the top rope to the floor. Otani brings Delfin back inside the ring with him, and hits a springboard dropkick. Pin attempt, kick out at two. Otani then goes back to work on the leg, with multiple submission holds applied. Delfin manages to reach the ropes, and gets to his feet. Irish whip by Otani to the corner, Otani charges, but Delfin kicks him in the face. Delfin hops up on the top turnbuckle, Otani charges again, and Delfin smacks him in the face. Delfin then hit the tornado DDT off the top turnbuckle, applies a fancy cover, and gets the three count. Your winner: Super Delfin

Match Thoughts: A good match, which a great balance of technical mat moves and high flying moves. The high flying moves mean so much more when they are at the climatic points of the match, then when high flying moves are a constant fixture. Otani was intense throughout the match, adding to the atmosphere. Delfin played the part of wounded baby face quite well, although towards the end of the match he did seem to forget about his injured leg. Still, a high quality first round matchup. Score: 6.9

Black Tiger vs. Taka Michinoku

Match starts with a tie-up, Black Tiger hits the arm drag, face squish, then a scoop suplex and his patented over the top rope twisting splash. Black Tiger then hits a powerbomb, pin attempt, two count. Black Tiger irish whips Taka, and hits him with a spinning elbow smash. The pace slows down a bit, as Black Tiger using the abdominal stretch on Taka. Taka escapes, and Black Tiger hits a few elbows and uppercuts before applying the single leg Boston crab. Taka reaches the rope, irish whip, and a double shoulder take down follows. Taka finally gets the advantage, hitting a forearm smash, but Black Tiger returns with a clothesline. Black Tiger irish whips Taka, but Take jumps onto the top rope, and flips over Black Tiger, landing on his feet facing Black Tiger. Taka then performs a flying head scissors takedown, and Black Tiger rolls out of the ring. Taka is proud of himself, and does another flip off the top rope back into the ring, and salutes the crowd. Black Tiger finally returns to the ring, and slams Taka into the turnbuckle, followed by an irish whip and splash into the corner. Another irish whip into the corner, but Taka jumps onto the turnbuckle, and flips over Black Tiger, landing on his feet. Taka tosses Black Tiger over his back, and dropkicks him out of the ring. Black Tiger attempts to regain his breath, but Taka performs a springboard attack off the top rope to the floor. Taka gets back in the ring first, followed by Black Tiger. Taka nails a German suplex pin on Black Tiger, but Black Tiger kicks out at 2. Irish whip by Black Tiger, powerslam pin by Black Tiger, but Taka breaks out at 2. Black Tiger hits the scoop power slam, ascends the top rope, and hits the frog splash. Taka kicks out of the pin though, and Taka manages to reverse an attempted slam into a sunset flip. Black Tiger kicks out at 2, and Take hits a powerbomb pin, but Black Tiger kicks out. Frustrated, Taka hits a moonsault off the top, another pin attempt, another kick out. Taka attempts a second moonsault, but Black Tiger gets his knees up, and Black Tiger nails Taka with a brainbuster. Cocky pin, Taka breaks out. Black Tiger positions Taka near the turnbuckle, and hits the swinging tornado DDT for the win. Your winner: Black Tiger

Match Thoughts: While I am a big fan of Eddy Guerrero, I wasn't impressed with this match. For starters, there were three powerbomb pins in this match, which is too many, since it is not either one of their finishers. A pair should have a larger variety of moves in their arsenal. Secondly, Taka was sloppy at times, with a poor looking clothesline at one point, and nearly not getting Black Tiger over with the head scissors. Taka is an exciting wrestler to watch, and does have skills when it comes to high flying moves, but I thought these two could have done more. There was no real flow, with Taka only hitting certain "spots." It did have some positive parts though, and wasn't a complete waste. Guerrero is always fun to watch, and he provided some bright spots in the match. Score: 5.3

El Samurai vs. Masayoshi Motegi

Match starts with a takedown and irish whip by Masayoshi Motegi, El Samurai goes to the outside. Masayoshi Motegi follows with a dive through the second and top rope, and goes back into the ring. Masayoshi Motegi attempts what would have been a flip off the top turnbuckle, but he slips and falls back into the ring. El Samurai quickly gets back into the ring, and a tie-up ensues. Arm bar by El Samurai, which then turns into a variation of the STF. Masayoshi Motegi fights his way up, and the two trade punches. El Samurai piledrives Masayoshi Motegi, and covers for a two count. El Samurai drops a bow, another cover, and another kickout at 2. El Samurai applies a boston crab, but Masayoshi Motegi muscles his way out of it for a pin attempt. Both back up, tie-up, headlock by Masayoshi Motegi, switched to a head scissors by El Samurai. Piledriver by El Samurai, cover, Masayoshi Motegi kicks out at 2. The two tussle toe to toe, with El Samurai getting the better of it and hitting an over the head reverse DDT. Irish whip by El Samurai, sloppy dropkick by Masayoshi Motegi, seems like spot was re-done, with Masayoshi Motegi dodging the dropkick this time. Dropkick by Masayoshi Motegi, placing El Samurai against the ropes. Masayoshi Motegi charges, but El Samurai lowers his shoulder and flips Masayoshi Motegi over the top rope. With Masayoshi Motegi on the outside, El Samurai performs a dive through the top and middle rope onto Masayoshi Motegi. Back in the ring, El Samurai hits a dropkick off the top rope, two count. El Samurai attempts a hurricanrana, Masayoshi Motegi catches him, and powerbombs El Samurai. Cover, 2 count. Surfboard applied by Masayoshi Motegi, El Samurai rolls out of it. Irish whip, failed attempt by Masayoshi Motegi for a flying head scissors. Two german suplexes by Masayoshi Motegi, third reversed by El Samurai for a two count. Irish whip by Masayoshi Motegi, El Samurai slides through his legs and hits a suplex for a two count. El Samurai hits a powerbomb pin for the win, and mercifully this match is over. Winner: El Samurai

Match Thoughts: This match made the last one look like Angle/Benoit. I have the utmost respect for Japanese wrestling, but these two didn't click in any way. I spotted four different spots that were botched, which is inexcusable. Perhaps it was the first time they had met, which would explain the lack of timing in places, but the sloppiness isn't acceptable to me, in a card of this quality. Score: 3.2

Negro Casas vs. Ricky Fuji

Match starts with a dropkick by Casas, then the two take to the mat. Headlock by Casas, reversed to a head scissors by Fuji. Casas gets out of it, and applies a variation of the STF. Fuji slithers to the ropes, breaking the count. Both men up, and another headscissors, by Casas this time. Fuji escapes, and applies a headlock to Casas. Casas switches it to a headscissors, Fuji gets out of it, both men up, and Casas begins chopping down Fuji. Leg sweep by Fuji, and Fuji begins to work on the left leg. Scoop slam by Casas, irish whip, and a dropkick by Casas. Fuji rolls out of the ring, and Casas follows with a springboard leap over the top rope (and nearly missing). Casas back in the ring first, irish whip by Fuji, followed by a backbreaker. Fuji nails a strike off the top rope, cover, two count. Snap Suplex by Fuji, another two count. Second attempt by Fuji at a suplex fails when Casas flips behind him, and rolls up Fuji for the two count. Casas performs a back splash off the second rope, cover, two count. Wrestlers both up, Fuji hits Casas with a clothesline. After a few stiff kicks, Fuji hits Casas with a sit-down powerbomb for the three count. Winner: Ricky Fuji

Match Thoughts: Not a bad match, but nothing outstanding either. Wrestlers clicked pretty well, but I have the same complain that I have had before, which is that the same move was repeated a lot (headscissors in this case). I guess since they didn't have a lot of practice together and multiple matches to prepare for that was necessary, but in a seven minute match it is noticeable. Still not a bad match though, and the flow was better then the last few matches were. Score: 5.6

Jushin Liger vs. Hayabusa

Match starts quickly, with a dropkick by Hayabusa. Liger rolls out of the ring, and is hit with a plancha by Hayabusa over the top rope. Hayabusa finally takes off his robe as Liger rolls back into the ring, and thumps Liger with a dropkick off the top rope to the head. Cover, for a two count. Hayabusa is psyched, crowd is excited. Match slows down to a normal speed at this point, as Hayabusa puts Liger in a variety of unique submission moves. Scoop slam by Hayabusa, followed by a leg drop. Hayabusa tries for the cover, gets a two count. Submission move by Hayabusa, but Liger gets out of trouble with a dropkick to Hayabusa's left knee. Liger irish whips Hayabusa, and nails the dropkick to the knee again. Figure four applied by Liger, until Hayabusa finally reaches the ropes. Vicious face slaps by Liger, Hayabusa goes down. Liger picks Hayabusa up, powerbombs him, and covers him for a two count. Leg submission applied by Liger, until he gets tired of doing the move and irish whips him into the ropes. Liger clotheslines Hayabusa, and then goes back to the figure four. Both wrestlers up, but Hayabusa is quickly back down with a back suplex by Liger. Liger ponders what to do next, then decides to irish whip him into the corner, and perform his patented Liger Kick. Hayabusa fights to his feet, and is sat on the turnbuckle by Liger. Liger joins him, and hits the superplex off the top turnbuckle. Cover, two count. Stiff kick to the face by Liger, followed by a chop to the chest. Irish whip by Liger into the corner, but Hayabusa flips out of it, landing behind Liger. Liger misses the clothesline, and gets hit in the chest with a spinning kick. Hayabusa in control now, as he nails the dropkick, and covers for the two count. Hayabusa picks Liger up, irish whip, and lands the spinning heel kick. Standing senton splash, cover, and a two count. Hayabusa on the top rope, performs a spinning heel kick to the finally standing Liger, tries for the cover, gets another two count. Scoop slam by Hayabusa, Hayabusa climbs the top rope and hits the moonsault. Another cover, another two count. Hayabusa ascends the ropes again, and almost nails the hurricanrana. Attempts for the pin anyway, another two count. Hayabusa up first, picks up Liger, and hits the back breaker. Hayabusa to the top rope again, attempts the shooting star press, but over-shoots his target. Liger up, powerbombs Hayabusa, but Hayabusa kicks out at two. Liger puts Hayabusa onto the top turnbuckle, but Hayabusa knocks Liger down. Liger gets back up, Hayabusa attempts a hurricanrana, but Liger catches him and delivers a rough powerbomb. Liger picks up Hayabusa, fisherman suplex for the victory. Winner: Jushin Thunder Liger

Match Thoughts: It seems like things are just starting to heat up in the tournament. Liger did a great job carrying the match. At the time, Hayabusa was a new, inexperienced wrestler, and Liger did a great job in not letting that show too much. Liger was excellent as always, and Hayabusa hit most of his high spots. An exciting match to end the first round. Score: 7.4

Super Delfin vs. Gedo

Match begins with an arm drag takedown by Delfin, Gedo escapes it, so Delfin applies a leg submission hold. Once again, Gedo breaks out, and applies the exact same leg submission hold Delfin had just put on him. Headlock by Delfin, followed by the trading of chops to the chest. Delfin goes down, but recovers enough to give Gedo a low blow. Chokehold applied by Delfin, but Gedo gets of if it. Irish whip by Gedo, which eventually ends in Delfin performing a headscissors take down on Gedo. Stiff dropkick by Delfin, Gedo rolls out of the ring. Gedo returns, and gets punched and kicked repeatedly. Gedo replies with an atomic drop, followed by a takedown and a kick to the back of the head. After another kick to the head, Gedo applies a stretching submission hold. Delfin escapes the hold, and runs Gedo into the turnbuckle. Suplex by Delfin followed by a cover, two count. The exchanging of chops again, which Delfin gets the better of when he dropkicks Gedo. Gedo rolls out of the ring, and Delfin ascends the top rope. Unlike dolphins, Delfins can fly, as he nails the tope from the top rope to the floor. Back in the ring, Gedo reverses an irish whip, and hits a kick and a clothesline. Gedo tries for a slam, but Delfin reverses it into a pinning situation, two count. Gedo hits a powerslam off the ropes, another cover, and another two count. Gedo performs a scoop slam, then a moonsault off the second turnbuckle. Irish whip by Gedo, Delfin reverses it for a pin, two count. Back suplex pin attempt for Delfin for the two count. Delfin goes to the top turnbuckle and hits the elbow (ala Macho Man) for the two count. Delfin on the top rope, Gedo charges, and Delfin hits the Tornado DDT. Delfin goes for the pin, Gedo reverses, and picks up the pinfall victory. Winner: Gedo

Match Thoughts: Nothing really wrong with this match, it was fundamentally sound. I was surprised to see Gedo go over though, since I think Delfin is the more talented wrestler. Gedo isn't bad here, he just doesn't do anything that makes him stand out. Overall, not a bad beginning to the second round. Things are going to pick up real soon though, as Benoit and Sasuke enter the mix. Score: 5.3

Wild Pegasus vs. Black Tiger

The match begins with a tie-up, which Black Tiger gets the advantage of at first. Pegasus spins out with a cartwheel, applies a leg hold, which is immediately reversed by Pegasus. Black Tiger turns the tide, however, and is soon wrenching Pegasus's leg. Black Tiger gets up again, kicks Pegasus's leg, stomps him in the head, and then gives Pegasus a scoop slam. Black Tiger then gives Pegasus a over the top rope twisting splash, followed by a double stomp to the stomach. Black Tiger picks Pegasus up, and delivers a back suplex. Going back to the mat, Black Tiger slaps a headscissors on Pegasus. Black Tiger gets back up, kicks Pegasus, and delivers an irish whip to Pegasus. Black Tiger lays down for Pegasus to jump over, but Pegasus trips and lands hard to the mat. Black Tiger decides to capitalize with a suplex, however Pegasus reverses it into an over the shoulder face smash. In control now, Pegasus throws Black Tiger into the ropes, and delivers a vicious clothesline. Pegasus picks up Black Tiger, and attempts a suplex over the top rope to the floor. Black Tiger reverses that however, and Pegasus responds by throwing Black Tiger into the air and watching him fall to the mat. Pegasus picks up Black Tiger, chops him, and throws him onto the ropes. Black Tiger falls back in, and Pegasus delivers a german suplex pin for the two count. Pegasus picks Black Tiger up, and slams Black Tiger down for the powerbomb pin, but only got a two count. Back up, Pegasus gives Black Tiger a snap suplex, but again only gets a two count. To the mat, Pegasus puts Black Tiger into a head scissors. Black Tiger gets to the ropes, so Pegasus picks him up and tries an irish whip, but Black Tiger reverses it into a pinning situation. After the two count, another irish whip, and Black Tiger hits Pegasus with a headscissors/hurricanrana for the two count. Black Tiger applies the camel clutch on Pegasus, but he manages to get out of it. Black Tiger responds with a fall away slam, but misses the dropkick off the top rope. Pegasus in control now, hits the back suplex. Pegasus attempts to pin, but Black Tiger bridges out. On their feet again, Black Tiger grabs Pegasus by the arm, jumps up on the top rope, and performs a hurricanrana for the two count. Still in control, Black Tiger places Pegasus on the top turnbuckle, and hits another hurricanrana, but again for the two count. Black Tiger does a suplex on Pegasus, then goes to attempt the tornado DDT, but Pegasus tosses him away. Now, Pegasus places Black Tiger on the top rope, but Black Tiger knocks Pegasus away. Just as Black Tiger dives from the top rope, Pegasus catches him in mid-air with the arm drag, and gets the three count. Your winner: Wild Pegasus

Match Thoughts: My only complaint is that the match didn't go longer, but in a tournament setting, that wasn't really a surprise. These two work great together, and it was a smooth match from start to finish. It was a unique finish, but since other finishers so far in this tournament have included two by the same move, and one by a powerslam, I am not complaining. Score: 7.9

El Samurai vs. Great Sasuke

Match starts with a standoff, until Sasuke gets El Samurai off his feet and begins to work on the left leg. El Samurai manages to escape, and wrenches an arm bar on Sasuke, which Sasuke quickly reverses into a chin lock takedown. Sasuke goes back to work on the left leg of El Samurai, until El Samurai reverses it again into an arm bar. Pin attempt by El Samurai, two count, and both men are back up. Dropkick to the leg by El Samurai, followed by kicks to the left leg. El Samurai continues to work on the left leg of Sasuke with elbow shots, until locking in a submission maneuver. El Samurai releases the hold, and attacks the left leg of Sasuke again. Sasuke escapes to the outside of the right, before returning and getting scooped slammed by El Samurai. Submission hold by El Samurai to the right leg of Sasuke, until he reaches the ropes. Sasuke again bails to the outside area, and upon his return to the ring is met with blows to the back and a back suplex. Pin attempt, two count. Russian leg sweep by El Samurai, into a unique submission move. Sasuke rolls out of it, and so El Samurai continues his attack with chops to the face. Irish whip by El Samurai, but Sasuke meets him with a cartwheel back elbow, which sends El Samurai flying to the outside of the ring. Sasuke follows, with a beautiful cartwheel back flip over the top rope (called a Space Flying Tiger Drop), onto El Samurai. Both men back into the ring, as Sasuke nails the spinning heel kick on El Samurai. Irish whip by Sasuke, El Samurai leap frogs over, and hits Sasuke with a running lariat. Taking over, El Samurai hits Sasuke with a dropkick, sending Sasuke to the floor. El Samurai bounces off the far ropes, and nails Sasuke with a somersault tope. Back in the ring again, El Samurai gives Sasuke an irish whip, and catches him on the rebound with german suplex pin, for the two count. Perturbed, El Samurai scoop slams Sasuke, jumps to the top turnbuckle, and lands the flying headbutt onto Sasuke. Another cover, another two count. El Samurai slowly drags Sasuke up, attempts the powerbomb, but Sasuke reverses it into a hurricanrana pin for a two count. Sasuke ascends the top turnbuckle, but El Samurai catches him from behind. Always the craft one, Sasuke reverses whatever El Samurai's intentions were into a sunset flip pin attempt for the two count. Coming off the ropes, Sasuke misses the flying heel kick, and El Samurai responds with a vicious powerbomb for the two count. Crowd is pumped up at this point. El Samurai attempts for the hurricanrana pin attempt, but Sasuke rolls through, and gets the pin himself for the three count. Your winner: The Great Sasuke

Match Thoughts: Another excellent match. Even at the beginning of his career, Sasuke could really go, and El Samurai held up his part quite well. The end of this match was probably my favorite so far, and this match got more time then most the others have. Both wrestlers seemed to forget about the injuries to their legs the second half of the match, but one can't be too critical. Score: 8.2

Jushin Liger vs. Ricky Fuji

Tie-up to start, as Liger and Fuji trade wrist locks. Fuji begins to work on the arm of Liger, but Liger flips out of it, and does an arm bar of his own. Fuji reverses it, Liger reverses his reverse, and both men are on their feet again. Test of strength begins, with Liger getting the upper hand, until Fuji reverses it into a pinning predicament, two count. Back up, Liger applies a headlock. Irish whip out of the head lock by Fuji, and Fuji catches Liger with a dropkick. Liger rolls out to the floor, and Fuji follows with a pescado over the top rope. Fuji then delivers a not too vicious looking powerbomb on the floor (he must not have studied Vader too much), and returns to the ring. Back in the ring, Fuji irish whips Liger and hits a spinning elbow to the face. Liger down, Fuji ascends the top rope. Liger gets back up though, and punches Fuji as he is coming down, changing the momentum in the match. Running bulldog on Fuji, then Liger throws Fuji to the outside. Scoop slam, then Liger goes back up to the top turnbuckle and hits the double stomp to the stomach of Fuji (not sure how this didn't hurt Fuji). Liger Kick by Liger, cover, but only a two count. Liger drags Fuji back up, and nails the powerbomb. Cocky pin attempt, two count. Release german suplex by Liger, another two count. Liger then irish whips Fuji into the corner, and follows him with a dropkick to the head. Liger places Fuji on the top rope, climbs up himself, but Fuji lands on top of Liger on the attempted superplex for the two count. Now, Fuji puts Liger on the top rope, and drop kicks him off the top to the floor. As Liger stands, Fuji hits the baseball slide, sending Liger even farther out. Back in the ring again, Fuji hits the back suplex, but only gets a two count out of it. Fuji places Liger back on the top rope again, but this time Liger knocks Fuji back into the ring, and gets a hurricanrana pin off the top rope for the win. Your winner: Jushin Thunder Liger

Match Thoughts: Perhaps the most hard hitting match so far on the tournament, Liger took it to Fuji, while still allowing Fuji to get his spots in. Not a lot of flow, but Liger was impressive, and it was a fun match to watch. Shorter then the last two matches, but considering the participants, that makes sense. Score: 6.5

Wild Pegasus vs. Gedo

Headlock and shoulder knockdown by Gedo to start, but after an irish whip/leapfrog/kip up combination, both men are on their feet again, glaring at each other. Hard slap by Pegasus, weak hit by Gedo follows, with a tough clothesline from Pegasus to finally down Gedo. Legdrop by Pegasus from the second rope, cover, but only a two count. Hard chops by Pegasus in the corner, but Gedo avoids the dropkick, and locks in a submission hold. Gedo drags Pegasus up, and hits a sloppy piledriver for a two count. Headlock by Gedo, followed by the popular rake to the face. Stiff kick by Gedo to Pegasus's back, but finally Pegasus is back up, and the two exchange chops. Pegasus gets the upper hand, but Gedo dropkicks him to the floor. Gedo quickly jumps to the top rope, and nails the somersault tope to the outside floor. Both men back in the ring, Gedo hits the powerslam, but unlike before only gets a two count. Northern lights suplex by Gedo gets another two count. Clothesline by Gedo knocks Pegasus back down, and Gedo goes to the top rope, but misses the flying headbutt (fell short). Pegasus attempts a back suplex, but Gedo reverses it for a two count pin. Back in control, Pegasus hits the powerbomb pin, but only for a two count. Pegasus lays out Gedo with another powerbomb, hits the diving headbutt from the top rope, and gets the pinfall victory. Your winner: Wild Pegasus

Match Thoughts: I didn't particularly enjoy this match. Perhaps Gedo isn't up for having three matches in one night, for many of his moves were sloppy or unconvincing. For some reason, Gedo was on the attack most the match, and Pegasus didn't do much except for the beginning and the end. When Pegasus was in control, though, it was an entertaining match. It isn't much of a surprise after watching this match that Pegasus became regarded as one of the world's best, and Gedo never really made it in America…. although he did make an appearance at WCW Halloween Havoc 1997. Score: 4.2

Jushin Liger vs. Great Sasuke

Face off to begin, tie up, leg submission by Sasuke, reversed into a submission by Liger, wrestlers back up on their feet. Struggle for leverage ensues, until Liger puts Sasuke in a unique submission maneuver. Sasuke reverses into a arm submission, then Liger reverses that into a leg twist. Rolling over, Liger puts on what looks like a reverse surfboard. Not satisfied with that, Liger flips over and applies the traditional surfboard, which he inverts into a different, rather painful looking submission move (if these submission moves have real names, I apologize, but the commentary is in Japanese and I have never seen them before). Irish whip by Liger, and a tilt a whirl backbreaker by Liger for a two count. Back to the mat, as Liger applies the camel clutch on Sasuke. Liger nails a perfect Liger Kick, laying out Sasuke. Back up, Liger gives Sasuke a stiff punch, which floors Sasuke again. Sasuke has spent more time on his back so far then on his feet. Liger drags Sasuke up, and delivers a tombstone piledriver. From there, Liger applies cross-face chickenwing onto Sasuke. Liger releases the hold, and starts to work on Sasuke's left arm with a couple armbreakers and a hammerlock. After releasing the hammerlock, Liger applies an armbar. As Sasuke clutches his elbow, Liger picks him up and delivers a backdrop. Liger to the top rope to attempt a dropkick, but Sasuke catches him with a dropkick of his own, and both men go down. Liger rolls to the outside, and Sasuke follows with a perfect quebrada to the outside. Both men are down, but Sasuke gets up first, and as he sells his arm injury makes his way back in the ring. Liger climbs up on the apron, tie up ensues, and Sasuke rams Liger's head into the turnbuckle, sending Liger back to the floor. Sasuke ascends the top rope, and nails the somersault tope onto Liger. Sasuke gets back into the ring first, and drops a few leg drops onto Liger. Irish whip by Sasuke, followed by a spinning heel kick. Sasuke gets Liger up, and piledrives him back down. Cover for the two count. Up again, Sasuke hits the Razor's Edge better then Scott Hall ever did it, for another two count. Leg drop onto the downed Liger, followed by a tombstone piledriver. Sasuke misses a moonsault off the top rope, rolls back his feet, and gets hit with a clothesline by Liger. Liger picks Sasuke up and nails the Liger Bomb, but only gets a two count. Liger places Sasuke on the top rope and whips off a hurricanrana, but only for a two count. As Liger celebrates, Sasuke goes for a roll-up, but only gets two. Release german suplex by Liger, but a cocky pin only gets him a two count. Fisherman suplex by Liger, but again only a two count. Onto the apron, Liger gives Sasuke a back suplex from the ring, to the floor. Liger then ascends the top rope and hits the tope. Liger is back in the ring looking happy with himself, and gives Sasuke a Liger Kick as Sasuke climbs back on the apron. Sasuke recovers however, and attempts the springboard hurricanrana… but slips on the ropes and falls on his face. Liger mocks Sasuke with applause, and when he faces Sasuke again, Sasuke nails the hurricanrana for the win. Your winner: Great Sasuke

Match Thoughts: Another high quality match in the tournament, and it actually got enough time (almost 20 minutes) for the wrestlers to show off all their abilities. It was a tale of two matches. The first part was submission controlled by Liger, and then switched to high flying and impact moves for the remainder of the match. Sasuke sold his arm injury for about 10-12 minutes, but then stopped. Liger looked awesome here, and didn't miss a beat the entire match. Unfortunately, Sasuke did mess up the ending, but the adlibbed ending was also entertaining. Great match. Score: 8.6

Wild Pegasus vs. Great Sasuke

Match begins with a wristlock by Pegasus, into an armbar. Sasuke reverses the armbar into an armbar of his own, which Pegasus reverses into a headlock. Sasuke cartwheels out, attempted kick by Sasuke, Pegasus catches him, Sasuke flips out again, and takes down Pegasus with a leg sweep, but again both men are up. Wristlock by Pegasus, followed by chops in the corner. Irish whip by Pegasus reversed, sending Pegasus into the corner. Sasuke charges and runs up Pegasus, flipping over to face Pegasus again, flips out of an attempted drop by Pegasus, and kicks Pegasus out of the ring (getting all this?). Pegasus runs to another part of the floor, to stop Sasuke from diving on him. Back in the ring, wristlock by Pegasus, into a headscissors. Sasuke reverses the headscissors into a bow-and-arrow. Sasuke does a snapmare takedown, arm drag, and both men are back on their feet again. Irish whip by Pegasus, Pegasus leapfrogs, Sasuke dives over Pegasus, but Pegasus catches Sasuke with a clothesline. German suplex by Pegasus, for a two count. Irish whip by Pegasus, but Sasuke reverses for a spinning heel kick. Another spinning heel kick by Sasuke, cover for a two count. Leg drop by Sasuke, another two count cover. Armbar by Sasuke, Pegasus escapes. Pegasus attempts a powerbomb, but Sasuke armdrags out of it. Pegasus is up quick, and lays out Sasuke with a clothesline. Pegasus then suplexes Sasuke onto the top rope, and Sasuke falls back into the ring. With Sasuke on the apron on the outside of the ropes, Pegasus delivers a springboard elbow to Sasuke, sending them both to the floor. Pegasus back in the ring first, Sasuke soon follows. Dragon suplex by Pegasus for the two count, followed by a slam and the headbutt off the top rope. Another cover, but another two count. Pegasus delivers a powerbomb, but again only gets a two count. Remembering his Canadian roots, Pegasus slaps the sharpshooter on Sasuke. After releasing the hold, Pegasus hits the tilt a whirl backbreaker onto Sasuke, but only gets another two count. Pegasus tries a dropkick, but Sasuke avoids it. Clothesline by Sasuke, but Pegasus ducks a second attempt and hits the german suplex for a two count. Pegasus attempts another dragon suplex, but Sasuke ducks out of it. Sasuke hits the crossbody off the top, and a stiff kick leaves Pegasus on the outside. Sasuke hits a perfect Space Flying Tiger Drop onto Pegasus, and Sasuke regains control of the match. Back in the ring, a stiff kick by Sasuke levels Pegasus. Sasuke drags Pegasus up, and hits a german suplex for a two count. Up again, Sasuke attempts a perfectplex on Pegasus, but again only gets a two count. A dropkick from the top rope misses, and Sasuke bails to the outer apron. Pegasus attempts a suplex, but Sasuke reverses it, and suplexes Pegasus to the outside floor. Pegasus returns to the ring, but is immediately dropkicked back out. Sasuke goes to the top rope, and nails the missile drop kick to the floor. Pegasus is up first, and the two return to the ring. Kick by Sasuke followed by a scoop slam and a twisting moonsault off the top rope. Pin attempt, but only a two count for Sasuke. Sasuke goes to the top rope again, but Pegasus catches him, and nails a killer gut-wrench suplex from the top rope. Cover by Pegasus, and the three count. Your winner: Wild Pegasus

Match Thoughts: Wow, what a match. This match is widely considered one of the best lightweight matches of all time, and it is understandable as to why. Almost every move was hit to perfection, and they each did all their patented moves with ease. The dropkick to the outside was impressive, as was of course the Space Flying Tiger Drop. Match got the time it needed, almost 20 minutes, and considering it wasn't their first match of the night their intensity was incredible. If I had any complaint it would be that the mat wrestling was insignificant in this match, but the match was an impressive spectacle. Score: 9.3

Final Thoughts:

This is about as perfect as an overall event you will ever see. Course, it is only good if you like the cruiserweight/lightweight style, for that is what all the matches on the card are. No Big Show or Kevin Nash action here. I could sit and watch Liger, Benoit, and Sasuke go at it all day, and they really put on a show here. If you can, I'd suggest going out of your way to see this event, for the last two matches alone make it worth the 15 dollars it might cost.

Highly Recommended

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