The Wrestling (Hub)Bard 4.19.08: Puro Adrenaline

Posted by Aaron Hubbard on 04.19.2008

Inspired by a comment left on my first column, I take a leap into Puro and review the greatest tag team match ever. Plus a rant on valuing other's opinions, and I let THE PEOPLE play a role in the content of this column!

The Wrestling Bard returns from a distant land bearing new tales of this pseudo-sport that I have dedicated countless hours I've my life to studying, enjoying, and sharing. As some of you may recall, I said that an issue with a comment left on my first column by Matt . Well, here is that comment that he left, regarding my praise of Flair vs. Steamboat, and my response.

"…and wouldn't complain if someone said it was the best match ever, period."
No. Just no. Watch some puro.

Well…I suppose I have been corrected. Obviously, the opinion of a columnist on one of the most highly regarded wrestling sites on the whole web has no worth. You are all free to go home. I shall bask in the glory of this man who is obviously MUCH wiser than me. After all, why would I ever want to watch puro? Surely I'm an ethnocentric wrestling fan that has never delved outside his comfort zone of American "sports entertainment". Everybody please give Matt a round of applause as he takes my place as a columnist. Hope you enjoy reading about how great Mitsuharu Misawa's elbow strikes are. Let's hear the clapping!

*clapclapclapclap…clapclap…clap……clap….clap*

Oh…was I the only one clapping? I'll stop.

Okay, I'm sure somebody is going to complain in the comments about how I'm being a smart-aleck who is abusing a reader. Let me say this…I appreciate Matt's opinion. I'm sure that he loves all his Kobashi vs. Misawa and Liger vs. Sasuke matches every bit as much as I love my Flair vs. Steamboat and Benoit vs. Angle matches. He is every bit as entitled to his opinion as I am to mine. I just do not appreciate him not appreciating my opinion at all. He shut me down as if my opinion is worthless, and I take offense to that. If I happen to offend him because I address my grievances for everyone to read, so be it.

What bothers me is that he and I don't have opposing opinions. If he would have read it closer, he would have seen that I did NOT say that Flair vs. Steamboat was THE greatest match ever. Personally, I don't feel qualified to give out that honor. I said it was the best American match ever. Surely the fact that I clarified that it was American would suggest I have a broader range of material that I have viewed? Just maybe I might have watched some puro in my 15+ years of interest-borderline-obsession with this business?

A Rant on Valuing Other's Opinions

Or perhaps he's taking issue with the fact that I wouldn't complain if someone thought it was the best match ever. Well, UNLIKE him…I value other people's opinions. I know that there are MANY different wrestling fans, and they are all unique and have a different view on things. There are marks that say Andre vs. Hogan is the greatest match ever. There are fans of scientific wrestling that say that Angle vs. Benoit is the best match ever. There are fans of violence that will say the greatest match ever was Undertaker vs. Mankind in their epic Hell in a Cell match. There are die-hard fans of every wrestler that will say that the best match that their particular favorite ever had is the best ever. I'm guilty of that. My favorite match involves my favorite wrestler, Eddie Guerrero. Was Eddie the best worker ever? No. In fact, he has only been in ONE match that I have rated *****. That match is his match with Rey Mysterio at Halloween Havoc 1997, and is my favorite match of all time. Is it the BEST match ever? Far from it. But because it's the best work of my favorite…it's my favorite.

The point I am trying to make is that we are all different and all of our opinions are equally valid. Wrestling is ENTERTAINMENT. It's about finding what entertains US. That's why the value of a smart mark's opinion and that of a regular mark both play a role in what ends up on our product. Surely, if only one of those opinions really mattered, all matches would be ***** classics and all follow the PERFECT formula, because there's "a way to do this and it's the only way to do this and if you don't do it this way then you just don't matter". That's really mature sounding, isn't it?

Okay, so back to my main point…if someone thinks that Flair and Steamboat's classic match is the greatest match ever…I'm not going to argue. It's good enough to be in contention for that honor. I won't pick a greatest match ever, because I feel that to do so would be to assume a high and mighty position on things that I have neither the authority nor the desire to do. But Flair and Steamboat is on a short list of matches that can vie for that honor. In no particular order…here are the ten matches I consider to be in contention for "Best Match Ever".

• Ric Flair vs. Ricky Steamboat, Wrestle War 1989: For reasons previously noted in my first column.
• Eddy Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio, Halloween Havoc 1997: It's my favorite match ever. It's also pretty much flawless.
• Mitsuharu Misawa & Kenta Kobashi vs. Toshiaki Kawada & Akira Taue, 6-9-1995: The best tag match ever, period, no ifs ands or buts.
• Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart, Wrestlemania 13: For a combination of hard work, perfect booking and the best finish to a match ever.
• Triple H vs. Cactus Jack, Royal Rumble 2000: For being the best of the hardcore style of wrestling. It showed that when you mix brutality with hard work and storytelling, hardcore wrestling can be a viable art-form.
• Chris Benoit vs. Kurt Angle, Royal Rumble 2003: For being the best showcase of technical wrestling ever seen in a ring.
• Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Kenta Kobashi, NOAH 3-1-2003: For just being an EPIC match with Kobashi winning the title that he shouldn't have been able to win…I LOVE this match.
• The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels, Badd Blood 1997: Just one of the best worked matches ever that still holds up today as an all time classic.
• Samoa Joe vs. CM Punk, Joe vs. Punk II: The best hour-long draw ever, and the definitive ROH wrestling match.
• Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Toshiaki Kawada, 6-3-1994: Probably the most epic match to ever take place in wrestling, with the most exciting finishing stretch that I have ever seen.

You'll notice that of those ten matches , THREE are Puro matches featuring Mitsuharu Misawa.

All Japan Pro Wrestling in the 1990's was the Greatest Place Ever. $

Here's the REAL deal. I love puro. I was told about a great tag team match with four guys from All Japan Pro Wrestling several years ago. I looked them up on YouTube, found a twenty-seven minute match and gave it *****. I had entered a new world.

My interest in puro grew greatly after seeing Samoa Joe vs. Kenta Kobashi. I loved the match so much that I decided to watch as much puro as I could. I used Daze Meltzer's Wikipedia page to look up all the All Japan and NOAH matches given the full five stars and have tried my hardest to find them. The process has been very rewarding.

There are four guys in Puro that I am particularly fond of watching: Misawa, Kawada, Taue, and Kobashi. These are the guys that participated in the tag team matches, and they are amazing. For those not familiar with them, let me give you a sampling of them.

Mitsuharu Misawa: Misawa is pretty much the king of All Japan. Imagine the talent of Shawn Michaels mixed with the booking of The Undertaker. He started out as the second incarnation of Tiger Mask but would drop that in order to break into his own. Through a long feud with Jumbo Tsuruta, he was able to become the heir to the All Japan throne and would dominate the 1990's, putting on countless matches. Trademarks of his are his high flying, athletic style, his brutal elbow strikes, his Superman-like resilience, and his array of vicious finishers, many of which he innovated, like the Tiger Driver and the Emerald Frosion. His rivalries with Kawada and Kobashi are the stuff of legend.

Toshiaki Kawada: The master of kicks. Kawada was once Misawa's partner but as they both become singles stars they become enemies. Their rivalry is perhaps the best one in wrestling history, all based on Kawada trying to beat the unstoppable juggernaut Misawa. Known as "Dangerous K" because of his violent style, Kawada's trademarks are his many vicious kicks, his in-ring intensity, both with his offence and his emotions, and his brutal finishers that include the brainbuster DDT, gamengiri, and wildfire powerbomb. While Kawada has heel tendencies, he is respected and revered for his talent.

Akira Taue: Taue is the big man of the group. A former sumo wrestler, Taue isn't the most athletic guy. He can't do moonsault or perform endless chain wrestling. However, he makes up for it by working hard and being a master of psychology. He is also one of the few true "heels" in All Japan, which rarely relies on the heel-face dynamic. Signatures are his power moves, cheating, and his chokeslam finisher. He compliments Kawada wonderfully as the two are a fantastic tag team.

Kenta Kobashi: You may have heard of this guy. My personal favorite of the group, Kobashi is one of the finest professional wrestlers ever. He personifies fighting spirit; he never gives up and always gives it his all. He's a complete class act. Although he has broken out on his own as the superhuman top babyface in NOAH, I first got to know him as the underdog to compliment Misawa's juggernaut. They are a great babyface team that is easy to get behind. Kobashi's signature offense includes his stiff chops, numerous stretches, several head-drop style suplexes, and the ability to fly high with a moonsault. Sometimes called "the perfect wrestler" Kobashi is a great mix of strength, heart, agility, charisma, and skill. He is a great seller and has great facial expressions.

Continuing in the Tradition…

Okay, this column is starting to get a bit long, so I guess I should cut to my match review. What? You didn't think I was done reviewing matches did you? I love that part of my job. This week I review the classic tag team match I mentioned earlier.

Mitsuharu Misawa and Kenta Kobashi © vs. Akira Taue and Toshiaki Kawada, AJPW June 9, 1995

This match is for the All Japan Unified World Tag Team Championship. Quite the mouthful, eh? All four men get streamer treatment from the appreciative crowd. Kobashi and Taue start this out. They trade chops early, and Taue SELLS the chops. Taue hits a big boot but Kobashi dodges a second one. Kobashi's left leg is heavily taped. They fight over an arm wringer and Taue kicks at the leg, so Kobashi punishes him with chops, but Taue hits a facebuster and tags out to Kawada. Kawada gets a huge pop. Kobashi chops at Kawada but Kawada no sells them, then turns around and returns the chops. Kobashi Irish Whips Kawada but Kawada hits a big boot to Misawa on the apron in a huge cheap shot. Kobashi scolds his unsportsmanlike conduct and tags out to Misawa. They trade chops and elbows and block each other's signature strikes until Kawada kicks KOBASHI off of the apron. All four men come in the ring for a staredown. The look of indignation on Kobashi's face is priceless, but the referee gets Kawada and Taue out, but Kawada tags out to Taue. He's getting inside his opponents' heads brilliantly. Taue works over Misawa but Misawa KILLS him with an elbow.

Misawa tags out and Kobashi hits a flying shoulder tackle for 1. He works a chinlock and then they trade chops and Kobashi hits a big boot this time. Kobashi tag out to Misawa who hits a few kicks and an elbow drop for 2. He tags out and hits a parting elbow shot. Kobashi hits a stall suplex for 2 and follows up with an abdominal stretch. He tags out to Misawa and eats a spin kick and goes to the floor. Misawa fakes a dive and Kawada tries to come in but eats an elbow. Kobashi took out Taue with a shoulder block from the apron. ELBOW SUICIDA to Taue from Misawa. Misawa tags out and Kobashi and Misawa hit a double suplex for 2. Kobashi misses a top rope shoulder block and Taue tags out to Kawada. Kawada works over the taped leg with kicks. They trade big boots but Kobashi falls down. Kawada hits a knee drop on the taping. He works the leg and tags in to Taue, who applies a Sharpshooter. Kawada back in and he keeps working the leg. They trade chops but then Kawada MURDERS Kobashi's leg with kicks. Back to Taue and Kobashi avoids a shinbreaker and tags Misawa back in. LOTS of elbows for Taue and Misawa even cheap-shots Kawada as a receipt.

Misawa puts Taue in a Boston Crab and Kawada comes in and takes his head off with a roundhouse kick. Misawa goes to the floor and Taue throws him in and tags out. Kawada hits his short kicks, CORNER YAKUZA KICK! KNEES AND KICKS! Kawada shoves the referee. Misawa blocks the kicks and ELBOWS! And some for Taue! Kobashi comes in and chops at Kawada but Taue dropkicks his leg. Misawa no-sells Kawada's short kicks, ELBOWS! The fact that I mark out for his most basic move is a good thing. Taue shoves Misawa out of the way and attacks Kobashi's knee. Misawa fights Taue, CHOKESLAM BY TAUE AND MISAWA LANDS ON KOBASHI'S LEG! SECOND ROPE KNEE DROP TO THE LEG BY KAWADA! Oh, Kobashi is SO screwed!

(Side note…All Japan Style makes me mark out a lot…be prepared for lots of caps.)

Now it's a handicap match. CRESCENT KICK to Misawa by Kawada gets 2. His kicks are so brutal. Kawada decides to work over Misawa's face and then tags out to Taue who hits a sick version of snake eyes and a knee smash for 2. Kobashi gets his leg attended to while Kawada keeps working over Misawa's face. Taue hits a short lariat for 2. He lifts Misawa over his shoulder and CHUCKS him for 2. He tags to Kawada who takes a cheap shot at Kobashi. Kawada and Misawa trade elbows, LARIAT by Kawada! That gets 2. Kawada sets up for a powerbomb, but KOBASHI makes the save, but Taue takes him out with a big boot, JACKKNIFE POWERBOMB by Kawada only gets 2. Taue hits a shin breaker on Kobashi ON THE GUARDRAIL. STRETCH PLUM BY KAWADA! Kobashi comes BACK, and shrugs off Taue's kicks, LARIAT! Kobashi starts PUNCHING Kawada, which is a huge deal in All Japan, but he's totally justified since Kawada's been trying to cripple him all match. Elbows by Kawada, DOUBLE LARIAT! That spot is so much better in All Japan where the clothesline is a legit finisher. Misawa and Kawada trade strikes, ENZIGURI by Misawa and he tags in Kobashi!

Kobashi tries to pick Kawada up but he can't even stand after those two shots to the head. Kawada fights through Kobashi's chops and they trade LEG KICKS! This is the most intense stiff kicking ever. Kobashi grabs a kick, KESAGIRI CHOPS (throat chops)! Kobashi cheap shots Taue down to the floor. Kawada kicks at Kobashi from the ground. He tags out to Taue, DROPKICK TO THE KNEE BY KOBASHI! He works the machine gun chops, but Taue hits two huge big boots to put him down. He works over Kobashi with brain chops, FIGHTING SPIRIT by Kobashi and he shoves Taue down and hits a big boot, and hits a Savage Neckbreaker Clothesline for 2. Misawa and Kobashi hit a double team Tiger Bomb for 2 as Kawada makes the save. Kawada kicks at Kobashi but Misawa hits him with elbows and Kawada takes a double reverse elbow. Kobashi hits a slam, but Kawada stops him from trying the Moonsault, GAMENGIRI! Kobashi hits a superkick on Taue and he tags in Misawa. ELBOWS and SPINNING DIVING LARIAT and a STIFF one! They trade reversals, ROARING ELBOW TO TAUE AND ONE FOR KAWADA! TIGER BOMB (or Tiger Driver if you prefer) gets 2 on Taue. I thought that was it the first time I saw this match.

Misawa continues to fight off both men until Kobashi puts Kawada in a sleeper hold. Misawa works his crossface stretch on Taue, but Kawada fights off Kobashi, and Misawa tries to fight both Taue and Kawada, BACKDROP DRIVER BY KAWADA! Taue tries to tag out but Kobashi runs across the ring and headbutts Kawada to the floor. Kobashi tags in, GERMAN SUPLEX on Taue gets 2. Oh, and Kobashi does not bridge because of his leg and just covers normally. Kobashi slams Taue, but Kawada kicks his legs and shoves him off the ropes to prevent the Moonsault a second time. Taue finally tags in and Kawada attacks with short kicks. Kawada tries the Backdrop Driver but Kobashi counters it with a headlock…it's the reverse of the normal reversal. Kobashi rolls through the move for 2. Kobashi prevents a German Suplex and hits a backdrop suplex. They trade strikes from the ground and Kobashi slams Kawada. Taue tries to stop Kobashi from doing the moonsault, so MISAWA comes in and slams Kawada, TIGER BODY PRESS (Frog Splash)! Kobashi fights off Taue, slams Kawada again, tries the moonsault but Kawada is up, SLAM by Misawa and a jumping senton, MOONSAULT BY KOBASHI! 1…2…NO! WHAT?!? How did he kick out of that? (I'm marking out hugely by this point.)

Kobashi tags out and Kawada fights to prevent a Tiger Suplex and Tiger Bomb, GERMAN SUPLEX with a GREAT sell by Kawada. Taue comes in and eats an elbow, TIGER SUPLEX TO KAWADA…FOR 2! Crowd is hanging on every move now and Misawa is FRUSTRATED! Misawa NEVER shows emotion, so this is a big deal. TIGER BOMB TO KAWADA, but Taue breaks it up at 2. CHOKESLAM TO MISAWA! Taue sets Misawa up top, and Kobashi tries to save Misawa but Kawada saves Taue, CHOKESLAM OFF OF THE TOP ROPE BY TAUE! Kawada and Misawa fight, ABESIGIRI (Rolling kick to the face.) by Kawada! Taue pulls Misawa to the apron but Kobashi makes the save, but Kawada goes after his LEG, NORTHERN LARIAT TO MISAWA BY KAWADA…CHOKESLAM TO THE FLOOR BY TAUE! EGADS! Misawa is SCREWED! Crowd is marking out, the announcers are marking out, and I'm marking out! This is the greatest match ever, I swear it.

Kobashi comes to protect his FRIEND, but Taue beats him up. He throws him in the ring for Kawada to cover him but Misawa rolls across the ring and to the other side. Kawada throws him back in but can only get 2 now. Misawa tries to fight a powerbomb and Kobashi comes in and helps hold him down. Taue grabs Kobashi, CHOKESLAM! WILDFIRE POWERBOMB (Powerbomb into a prawn hold) by Kawada, 1…2…Misawa rolls out. Misawa tries to fight Kawada off but he can barely stand. Kawada stomps on Misawa but Kobashi comes in and covers Misawa to protect him. This is the single most HUMAN thing I've ever seen in wrestling. Taue and Kawada beat up Kobashi, but he doesn't even fight because al he cares about is protecting Misawa. Kawada and Taue hit the CHOKESLAM/BACKDROP DRIVER COMBO ON KOBASHI! Taue picks up Misawa, ROARING ELBOW! GAMENGIRI BY KAWADA TO MISAWA! That only gets 2, but it's down to the two rivals cause their partners are DONE. Misawa tries to fight but he has NOTHING behind his elbows, BACKDROP DRIVER! 1…2…NO! GAMENGIRI, AND WILDFIRE POWERBOMB, 1…2…3! Kobashi tried to save Misawa but Taue held him back. Kawada pins his rival finally. I stopped paying attention to the timer...

My Match Analysis: Upon a third viewing, this might replace Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio as my favorite match ever. I could spend HOURS talking about how great this match is. The psychology, the selling, the facial expressions, the storytelling...just amazing. And these guys FOUGHT for the victory as if it was the most important thing they would ever do...I can't even describe the passion these four men have. And Kobashi's selfless desire to protect Misawa like a BROTHER is perhaps the most emotional thing I've ever seen in wrestling. I nearly cried, because that's how friendship is supposed to be. You know what...just go watch the match on YouTube. You won't regret it. Look up these four names and you'll get the match. *****+

Do you SMEEEEEEELLLL what the Bard is cooking?

Okay, lame intro to set up the concept of this tidbit. Although this column is written by me and can be a source of me venting at times, it's for you people. I want it to be entertaining, insightful, funny, thought-provoking…anything that makes you feel like you didn't waste your time reading it. So…I want to hear from The People (Get the joke now?) I want to hear what YOU want to see in this column.

Here's the big three questions.

1. What am I doing well?

2. What could I improve upon?

3. Are the any ideas YOU have that you would like to see in a column?

I hope that all of you voice your opinions. Positive, negative, apathetic, I don't care, any analysis will help me write a better column, one that will help entertain YOU, which is the goal of this column.

Until next week…have a great day people.