Friday, 4 November 2022

Ed's Kings Road Journey - Part 3: Hansen wins the gold in early 1992


Jumbo, Fuchi and Ogawa Vs Misawa, Kobashi and Kawada 10/1/92 - BABY OGAWA, I had no idea he shows up so early in AJPW. This wasn't a match Steve recommended to me, but I wanted to check it out to see Ogawa and my interest in seeing a different opponent added into this feud. Good match.

Misawa Vs Fuchi 21/1/92 - This is on the undercard of the Jumbo/Kawada show and is a little gem of a match. Before this project I had previously thought of myself as someone that didn't like Misawa and found him hard to root for because he was more stoic than Kobashi, but this project has changed my mind on this. I now think of Misawa as a GOAT tier seller and I think it suits him that he does do OTT facial expressions, a grimace across his face is enough for me to know he's in pain but about to unleash an elbow in return. In this match, Fuchi has control for at least the first half of the match, working over Misawa's left leg and Misawa does so well for the rest of the contest hobbling around and building sympathy for his comeback. And how about a word for Fuchi, he's great in this and does the little things so well - he has to destroy Misawa's leg to stand any sort of chance of going one on one with him and it's a strategy that works for a while. He doesn't just sit in the sleeper hold finish, and he doesn't just wave his hands in the air rapidly showing his struggle before slumping to sleep, this fucker tries to fight out of it first with some eye racks and some hair pulls. I so rarely see wrestlers do this when it's the most logical thing you'd do rather than sit and have your fate sealed. Misawa holds strong though for the submission. I was on the fence on whether I needed to see this, but glad I took the punt.

Jumbo Vs Kawada 21/1/92
- I preferred their 1991 match, but that doesn't mean this isn't very good either. Jumbo gives Kawada a lot and perhaps his role in Kawada's rise in the company (TC challenger to Misawa by the end of the year) isn't given anywhere near the same praise as his credit for establishing Misawa as a main player.

Jumbo, Taue and Fuchi Vs Misawa, Kobashi and Kawada 24/1/92 - Another great 6 man between these two teams, and also water is wet. This goes long, but Misawa's incredible sell job and face in peril sequence holds interest.

Jumbo Vs Hansen 28/1/92 - Hansen wins the Triple Crown title from Jumbo. This was alright, but weaker than their match in 1991 I enjoyed a lot. I'm realising now that working over Hansen's left arm was a common theme in his big singles matches.  With both men staggering about at the end of the match, Hansen absorbs a running Jumbo knee and fires off a desperation lariat to win the belts.

Kawada and Kikuchi Vs Can Ams, 22/2/92 - I have seen THE can ams match before that's coming up in a few months, but it was fun to see them in another match for a change and after watching a good 20 matches from this era, I think I needed the shake up of new wrestlers for these guys to interact with. Super good match and a breeze at 15 minutes. This is the best Kikuchi has looked so far

Jumbo Vs Kobashi 27/2/92 – I thought this was pretty disappointing given the names on show here.  Just never grabbed me.  

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