JKWebb Posted January 10, 2017 Report Share Posted January 10, 2017 Hansen hits the ring first, and while Tenryu is making his entrance, Hansen charges him and busts him open. This feels epic right out of the gate. Once the bell rings, Hansen continues the intense beatdown of Tenryu. Tenryu is bleeding like crazy, and Hansen works over the cut. Tenryu tries to bounce back, but he's not stopping the Hansen train. This was great. This feud has definitely turned into to one of my top favorites from AJ 80s. Watching the gushing Tenryu fight from underneath really brought the drama to the match for me. By the time he's getting his offense in, Hansen has thrown everything at him, and Hansen is fighting exhaustion. He finally gets in a lariat that knocks Tenryu out into the crowd. Another ****1/2 match from these guys. Both of their last two matches (referencing this match and 3/27/88), I would've liked even more had I felt a better connection to the finishes. I still absolutely loved them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
...TG Posted January 20, 2017 Report Share Posted January 20, 2017 This was remarkable - the first ten minutes or so was just destruction by Hansen. Tenryu's comeback was stirring, but this was as one-sided as I've seen a big match. Agreed that this feud has been great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superstar Sleeze Posted August 31, 2021 Report Share Posted August 31, 2021 PWF & United National Champion Genichiro Tenryu vs Stan Hansen - AJPW 7/27/88 Hansen vs Tenryu definitely blows Hansen vs Jumbo out of the water. I know that 90s All Japan will always be more famous than 80s All Japan but the Hansen vs Tenryu feud needs to be in the discussion as an all time great pairing. I knew I loved them but when I went back and checked out my March 27th review, I forgot how much. This match is not quite on that level, but is another classic in the series. It is the tale of two equally great matches. Hansen attacks the Double Champion in the aisleway and draws blood. I always love a red hot start to a match. Tenryu taps a gusher. Hansen beat him with one of his two belts. Hansen is laying the badmouth and once Tenryu enters the ring. Hansen is all over him. Cowboy kicks, jumping elbows, vicious back elbows that cause Tenryu to fall ass first through the ropes, punches, knees. Tenryu gets a smattering of hope spots, but they are fleeting. The best is a lariat and Hansen's response is to just lunge and bowl him over. More on this in a second. The climatic sequence to this first half is an exposed knee drop which gets two and then Hansen beats Tenryu on the powder specifically knocking off the apron and causing him to take a gnarly bump and Hansen is ready for his killshot the Lariat, but but Tenryu at the last second gets a toe kick to the midsection. GAME CHANGER~! This leads to the second half which is sublime. Hansen is all-time great reactive wrestler. I love how reacts to different situations so organically. I love his combination of selling the ribs and just lashing out in pain as he tries to protect himself. Tenryu who is wearing the Crimson Mask knows his only hope is to be laser-focused on the ribs if I remember correctly...this is common trope in 80s Hansen is that his ribs/midsection/abdomen is vulnerable, his soft underbelly if you will. Tenryu goes for his kill the Reverse Top Rope Elbow misses. Hansen ducks on the Enziguiri! HANSEN ENGAGES TORPEDO MODE! I love Hansen torpedoing opponents. He knocks Tenryu out of the ring. Chair shot! Blasts him with a bottle of something! Just like that Hansen is back working the cut. Tenryu rattles off a string of Enziguiris! High drama! God I wish his powerbomb was better, but we love Tenryu for who he is not who we want him to be. Hansen flails and wriggles free from a second powerbomb attempt. Tenryu is looking to climb the top rope and HANSEN CHARGES LARIAOTOTOTOTOTOTOTOO! TENRYU GOES FUCKING FLYING INTO THE CROWD! Countout victory and in All Japan the PWF & United National Titles both change hands on a countout so Hansen is the new Double Champion! Terrific match! Hot angle to start, awesome killer beatdown from Hansen, I usually dont love grinding Hansen but this was pretty good especially the apron bump, but the best was when Stan started selling, that wounded bear selling where he is even dangerous in pain, Tenryu was laser-focused on the ribs, the brawl on the outside and then Tenryu just throwing head shots looking for a Home Run Kill Shot to KO the Grizzly only for the Grizzly to knock him out of the park literally into the stands! ****1/2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.