Misawa/Kobashi Vs Kawada/Taue 6/9/95
Posted by Justin Baisden on 06.09.1995
The best tag match ever!
I was sitting back watching the 01/04/1993 Tokyo Dome show and to say that it was hurting my feelings would be a gross understatement. I stopped the tape and thought to myself, what’s a really good tape in my collection? I initially went for Misawa vs Kawada from 06/03/1994 but realized I already reviewed that match. As such, I took the next best thing, that being the "greatest tag team match in history." Now of course everyone can argue that "this match" or "that match" is better and have a perfectly good reason or set of reasons as to why they hold that belief. However, I believe I can make the assumption that this tag match is generally considered the best of its kind and after watching this match again, I am in agreement. With that in mind, I give you my review of Misawa/Kobashi vs Kawada/Taue for the Double Tag Titles dated 6/9/95.
BACKGROUND
I’ll pick up the background from the aftermath of Misawa vs Kawada 6/3/94. If you need a refresher, read my review and then come back to this one. Otherwise, it breaks down like this:
Toshiaki Kawada was unsuccessful in his attempt to win the Triple Crown from Mitsuharu Misawa in the main event of the Super Power Series 1994. Two months later, Steve Williams defeated Mitsuharu Misawa at the end of the Summer Action Series on 07/28/1994 for the Triple Crown. It ended the longest reign in Triple Crown history at just under two years. Toshiaki Kawada faced off against Steve Williams at the end of the October Giant Series on 10/22/1994 and was successful in winning the Triple Crown. It was his first Triple Crown victory.
Kawada would make only one successful title defense. He faced off against Kenta Kobashi 01/15/1995. The match went to a sixty-minute draw and I consider it to be the best sixty-minute singles draw that I have ever seen. Misawa/Kobashi vs Taue/Kawada from 10/15/1995 if my favourite sixty-minute tag team draw if you were wondering. Kawada would go on to defend the Triple Crown against Stan Hansen at 03/04/1995 and lose the title. Misawa would defeat on Hansen on 05/29/1995 for his second title reign. Just on a trivial note, Misawa defeated Hansen for his first Triple Crown win on 08/22/1992.
Akira Taue was also making a name for himself at this point in time. He had a stellar performance at the Champions Carnival 1995 (best AJPW tape set, no doubt in my mind) but would lose to Mitsuharu Misawa in the finals. The match was truly stellar and went around forty-five minutes in length. It’s another one that’s worth going after given you have the time and money.
As for the tag team titles; Stan Hansen and Ted Dibiase vacated the titles as per tradition for the Real World Tag League. Misawa and Kobashi won the belts back on 12/03/1993 by virtue of having the most points. Though many believe it to be the finals of the tournament, the match between Misawa/Kobashi and Kawada/Taue was not the final. However, it was the best match of the tournament and my pick for 1993 Match Of The Year. Kawada and Taue would challenge for the titles on 05/21/1994 but fell short. Misawa and Kobashi vacated the titles for the 1994 Real World Tag League and again won the tournament. Kawada and Taue would try once again for the titles on 01/24/1995 but again didn’t get it done. Kobashi and Misawa would successfully defend against Johnny Ace and Steve Williams on 03/04/1995 and hold onto those belts coming into this match.
ATMOSPHERE
Unlike 06/03/1994, I didn’t get the impression that the crowd was more in favour of one person over another. I felt in Misawa vs Kawada, the crowd was decidedly behind Dangerous K right from the get go. This time around, it was more of a split crowd. You could tell they supported both teams on a more equal plane. One thing that had not changed from the big singles match, this crowd was reared to go and give their all in making this match just as memorable, if not more so than 06/03/1994. It should be noted as this match begins that Kobashi has a heavily taped up left leg.
SETTING THE TONE
Taue and Kobashi start out exchanging chops. Kobashi applies a wristlock and Taue puts an end to it with one kick to the left quadricep. It wasn’t meant to hurt Kobashi as much as it was to let him know that he and Kawada see the weakness and are more than willing to exploit it. Kawada gets a tag and Kobashi goes for an Irish whip. Kawada adjusts his weight just a little and drills the unsuspecting Misawa with a running high kick, sending Misawa crashing into the rail. The move came totally out of left field but sent a message to the champions. The look on Kawada’s face is priceless as he has a true look of disgust for the bitter rival. Misawa gets the tag and brings the pain with his elbow smashes. They do a counter sequence to show just how well they know each other and then Misawa goes for a roundhouse kick but that’s ducked and Kawada surprises everyone by hitting a running high kick on Kobashi. The look on Kobashi’s face was something to remember as he looks like a kid that’s just had his lunch money taken from him. He wants to do something about it, but all he can do is stand there pouting with his lip hanging out. The challengers do a great job of letting the champions know that they have their number. A simple kick to the thigh shows the chink in the armor. The two running high kicks show Kawada could care less about his opponents. Respect is thrown out the window. This won’t be a match; this will be a war.
THE FIRST VOLLEY
Kobashi gets the tag and fires off a few chops on Taue. Kobashi hits his trademark delayed vertical suplex for a two count. Tag to Misawa who hits a roundhouse kick, which sends Taue to the outside. Misawa follows up with a very nice elbow suicida. Back in the ring and the champs hit a double vertical suplex for a two count. I think the champs really put forth the characteristics of the face wrestlers. I find in so many matches in Puro, the line between whom is the face and hell is very blurred, sometimes to the point of being indistinguishable. The moveset employed worked perfectly to put over their face characteristics. There was nothing dirty. Just good wrestling in various suplexes, submissions and one solid flying maneuver. Kobashi goes for a flying shoulderblock but Taue moves out of the way and gets the tag to Dangerous K.
A VALIANT EFFORT AND A MAN BROKEN
Kawada goes right to work on Kobashi’s left leg. The heavy bandage was just screaming "please destroy me." He hits a few kicks and Kobashi crumbles to pieces. Kawada fires off a huge jumping knee drop on the leg and Kobashi is in a whole world of trouble. Kawada slaps on a high angled half crab and tags to Taue. Dynamic T continues the assault with a Sasurigatame. He takes it much higher, putting more pressure on the contorted legs, rather than sitting back to emphasize an attack on the lower back. Great leg work from the challengers. Taue gets the tag and goes for the knee breaker but Kobashi escapes and makes the tag. Salvation is reached but the price was high. Kobashi’s leg would prove a crucial factor in this match as it progressed.
Misawa fires off a few elbow smashes on Taue. An Irish whip is reversed but Misawa holds onto the ropes and clocks the unsuspecting Kawada with an elbow smash. That was a nice little bit of payback for the cheap shot at the start of the match. It also furthers emphasizes the fact that Kawada’s initial "sneak attack" wasn’t just for the sake of it. It played a role later, which the crowd ate up with a big spoon. Misawa goes back to work on Taue, slapping on a Boston crab. Kawada calmly walks into the ring and kicks Misawa straight in the mouth. Kawada looked almost emotionless with the delivery. It was like trying to point out that Misawa wasn’t even worthy of Kawada running in and attacking him. He just walked in, and laid in one shot straight to the mouth.
Kawada gets the tag and lays in lots of kicks to the face and then a brutal running high kick to the face. Now an onslaught of kicks and knees rain down upon Misawa’s face as he sits hapless in the corner. Finally Misawa starts to block the shots and comes back with elbow strikes. Taue tries to make the save but Misawa takes him out. However, it does give Kawada enough time to hit another running high kick. Kobashi tries to make the save but Taue dropkicks him in the leg. Just like that, Kobashi is taken out of the match as he sells the leg like it’s the end of his world. Taue continues the assault as he stands on Kobashi’s leg. Kawada goes back to work on Misawa but he won’t have any of it. He unleashes a flurry of elbow smashes much akin to how Kawada had attacked him with kicks in the corner. Taue tries to make the save but Misawa meets him with elbows. Taue manages to duck one of the strikes and hits the Nodowa Otoshi onto Kobashi’s leg. This is some of the best leg work I have ever seen. Kawada continues to bring the pain with a second rope jumping knee drop onto the leg. You can’t help but feel a strong sense of sympathy for Kobashi as he lays screaming on the mat, a man broken.
AN ONSLAUGHT UNLEASHED
Irish whip and Kawada hits Misawa with a roundhouse kick for 2 and ½. Kawada continues to destroy Misawa’s face as he grinds his elbow into the face. He follows that up with a brutal jumping knee drop to the face. This wasn’t a HHH or Ric Flair knee drop. That one hit right on the money. Tag to Taue and he hotshots Misawa onto the top turnbuckle followed up with a Coconut Crush for 2 and ½. The attacks on Kobashi’s leg and Misawa’s face have come with an almost sickening precision. The camera gets a look at Kobashi who is still writhing in pain on the floor. Kobashi’s sell job in this match was exemplary, that’s for sure. More heel tactics as Kawada simply stands on Misawa’s face. He makes the tag to Taue who hits a lariat for 2 and ½. Kobashi makes a valiant effort to at least climb to the apron but Kawada just kicks him in the face, sending him back to the floor. The crowd sends out a chorus of boos towards the man they cheered only a few minutes earlier. Another tag and Kawada sets up for the powerbomb but Kobashi again tries to make the save. Taue throws him out and hits a knee crusher ON THE RAILING! If you’re a Kobashi fan watching this match, I’m forced to wonder how you’re not moved to tears seeing this man take a beating of this magnitude. Meanwhile, Kawada hits the powerbomb for 2 and ¾. Kawada slaps on the stretch plum but Kobashi again risks his leg to make the save. He gets Kawada to break the hold and then they go back and forth with chops until they do a double clothesline spot. The chants ring out from Nippon Budoken; MI SA WA, MI SA WA, MI SA WA! Finally Misawa makes the tag to Kobashi.
REDEMPTION
Kobashi and Kawada go back and forth with the chops. Kawada tries to put an end to it with a thunderous kick to the injured leg. Kobashi sucks it up and now fires off some kicks of his own to the leg. This harks all the way back to 1993 Real World Tag League where Kawada took a horrible beating to his leg. Kawada goes for another kick but Kobashi grabs the leg and unloads with the chops. Taue tries to save but takes a forearm shot. It gives Kawada time to fire off another kick to the leg and tag Taue. Kobashi gains a small bit of redemption as he hits Taue with a dropkick to the leg. Kobashi goes for a powerbomb but it’s blocked so Misawa comes in and they hit the double Tiger Driver. Kobashi gives the sign for the Moonsault and the crowd ERUPTS! Kawada manages to cut him off though. Tag to Misawa who hits his trademark twisting clothesline. Misawa hits the Tiger Driver for 2 and 9/10. The heat is really starting to rise from the crowd. Misawa slaps on his trademark crossface headlock but Kawada stops that one with the DANGEROUS BAAAAAAACKDROPPAH! Taue crawls over to make the tag but Kobashi nails Kawada with a shoulderblock. Tag to Kobashi who hits a German suplex for 2 and 9/10. Kobashi again goes for the moonsault but Kawada again stops him with some kicks to the leg. Taue makes the tag and Kawada goes for a lariat only to have it ducked and Kobashi hits a backdrop suplex. He goes for the moonsault but now it’s Taue that stops it. Misawa hits a bodyslam and finally Kobashi hits the Moonsault. 1… 2… 2.999999! Misawa gets the tag and he hits the Tiger Suplex! 1… 2… 2.999999! THIS CROWD IS JACKED!
A SACRIFICE IN VAIN
Misawa manages to hit the Tiger Driver but Taue makes the save and hits the Nodowa Otoshi. He puts Misawa on the top and hits a SUPER NODOWA OTOSHI! Misawa rolls to the apron but Taue meets him and hits a NODOWA OTOSHI FROM THE APRON TO THE FLOOR! Kobashi crawls on his hands and knees and covers Misawa, taking the beating from Taue to save his broken partner. Misawa is totally out of it. He’s rolled back into the ring and Kawada covers for 1… 2… 2.999999! Kawada goes for the powerbomb but again here comes Kobashi. A man basically working with one leg crawls over and holds onto his destroyed partner’s leg to prevent the powerbomb. Of course Taue takes him out with the Nodowa Otoshi and Kawada hits the High Angle Powerbomb but again Misawa kicks out. Kawada lays in more kicks but again Kobashi sacrifices himself to save his partner. I can’t emphasize enough the drama being played out in the final minutes of this match. Kawada and Taue struggle to pull Kobashi away from Misawa. They put him away with a BRUTAL Nodowa – Backdrop combo.
VICTORY
Misawa finally makes it to his feet and fires off his last ditch effort as he nails Taue with the Rolling Elbow. The numbers work against him though as Kawada hits his trademark Gamengiri! 1… 2… 2.99999! Absolutely unbelievable that Misawa continues to kick out. Misawa is working on borrowed time. He inches and crawls to potential salvation in his corner but alas, Kobashi is nowhere to be found. All that’s left is the hope of pulling out something from deep down. Kawada picks up Misawa and hits another DANGEROUS BAAAAAACKDROPPAH! 1…. 2…. 2.999999! UNBELEIVABLE! Kawada hits another Gamengiri and hits one more high angle Powerbomb! 1… 2… Kobashi tries to save but is held down by Taue with Kobashi’s fingers literally inches from saving his partner… 3! The time of the match? I mere forty two minutes in length. Suitable enough to properly convey the epic war that just took place.
FINAL ANALYSIS
This match represents another legendary chapter in the Kawada vs Misawa feud. After all the singles matches, tag matches, and six man tag matches, Kawada finally got the pin on Misawa. Personally, I feel that Kawada should have attained that victory back at 06/03/1994. Of course, the first win had to come sometime and considering how amazing this match was, it was a suitable fit.
The match in itself is something that I have never again seen done as well in a tag team setting. It had absolutely everything going for it. The challengers played their roles to perfection as they unleashed a relentless onslaught on the champions. Kobashi’s leg injury imparted a great sense of sympathy in me as I watched the match. Kawada and Taue absolutely mauled his leg. The sell job was absolutely fantastic. On top of that, yet another story within came through as the man with only one leg to work with, sacrificed his body again and again in order to save his hapless partner. The drama put forth in this match was something I have not, and probably never will see again. It even exceeded 06/03/1994 in that regard. I don’t know if I can accurately put into words how much I enjoyed this match. What I can do is tell you one thing though: if you don’t own this match, see it. Your wrestling viewing will never be complete until you have experienced the physical and dramatic brilliance of Misawa & Kobashi vs Kawada & Taue 06/09/1995.
