[1992-10-23-WAR] Genichiro Tenryu & Koti Kitahara vs Shiro Koshinaka & Kengo Kimura

[PeteF3]

Talk about it here.

[garretta]

YouTube this, please!

[Zenjo]

Ditch has this. The start of an interpromotional WAR and man were the fans scorchio. Wild scenes that have to be seen to be believed. Most of the bout was brawling style with both of the home fighters busted open. There was also fighting between the seconds on the floor which enhanced the chaotic nature. Kitahara was lowest ranked so the NJ boys whipped his tail. Kimura became relevant for the first time in years in this feud. He was a semi big name in the 80's before his career had drifted away. The biggest focus, and indeed most of the moves were between Tenryu and Kosh. They established a strong rivalry as GenTen downed his adversary to score the first blow for his promotion. I wouldn't even say that this was a style of wrestling I'm all that fond of normally, but this was an example of how best to do it.

[NintendoLogic]

As far as I'm concerned, this is the crown jewel of the NJPW/WAR feud. Both members of Team WAR bleed. Chairs and tables are used as weapons. Guys in martial arts uniforms brawl with the wrestlers and each other. The fans pelt the ring with garbage. Tenryu picks a fight with Masa Saito on commentary. At no point is there even a hint of sportsmanship or fair play. To top it all off, Tenryu beats Koshinaka with a powerbomb and keeps powerbombing him after the match until Saito runs in to break it up. This is everything an interpromotional match should be. Hell, this is everything pro wrestling should be. You need to go out of your way to watch this if you haven't already seen it.

[Grimmas]

Kimura & Koshinaka are billed as the "Anti-Players Association" and this is near the beginning of the NJPW vs WAR feud and the crowd is INTO IT!

The NJPW folks cheat like moffos, taking every shortcut they can. They make Tenryu & Kitahara bleed and are constantly in advantage with double teams and heel work. This all makes the crowd wilder. The whole match feels chaotic and is exactly what you want from a promotional war. The visuals of Tenryu giving the NJPW team looks when they would cheat were pure art. The comeback and build to the finish by Tenryu with some of the kickouts was lovely madness! A great must watch brawl!

9/10