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[1987-07-23-AJPW] Stan Hansen & Ted DiBiase vs Genichiro Tenryu & Ashura Hara


JKWebb

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I dig the chop exchange of Hansen and Tenryu this stars off with. DiBiase starts this with his ribs taped. DiBiase does an excellent job selling rib damage throughout this match. I think Ted's selling really drives the first half of the match, and I'd consider this a pretty memorable performance from him. I would say if your DiBiase fan (like me) and haven't seen this (like I hadn't), you would want to check this out. He might be a factor of the match too short of time for this to be considered a great moment, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Hansen does a good job carrying things once Ted is out of the picture. Hansen has some nice selling of fatigue and taking damage in his own right here. Neat finish.

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  • 3 months later...

The body of the match lacked the focus for this to reach greatness, but it's definitely good enough to seek out if you dig this type of match. After the initial Tenryu-Hansen face off and big chop battle there isn't much memorable for a while-the action is good, there's some nice hoss potatoing, but it doesn't go further than that. Dibiase feels like a total utility player, just filling the role of Hansen's partner, which makes the finish that much more fitting, as Hansen is isolated and just nuked by Tenryu and Hara, and you see some signs of what would come from Tenryu later in his career when he hits a beautiful running head stomp. Hansen taking advantage off the chaos and managing to Lariat Tenryu who had just run over Dibiase felt like he'd barely escaped defeat, so it's understandable they wanted him to get some heat back, but it looked quite silly to have Tenryu and Hara running away from him just because he had a broom now. Oh well. ***1/4

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  • 9 months later...

PWF title is on the line. Very evenly fought match between the top 2 teams in AJPW. This looked like a real competition for the title and gave those titles real importance. Tenryu was really brutal with his head kicks. I know that may seem wrong but, hey it's true! Classic Hansen freakout after the bell too. Highly recommend this whole thing!

 

***1/4 seems low to me

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  • GSR changed the title to [1987-07-23-AJPW] Stan Hansen & Ted DiBiase vs Genichiro Tenryu & Ashura Hara
  • 2 years later...

PWF World Tag Team Champions Stan Hansen & Ted DiBiase vs Genichiro Tenryu & Ashura Hara - AJPW 7/23/87

If not the last, probably one of the last Japanese matches Ted would have until he returned in 1993. I thought this was a major step up from the Jumbo & Tiger Mask match from a couple weeks prior. 

Hansen & Tenryu start off hot with the chops blazing. Hansen seems very worried about DiBiase's health as he has his ribs taped. Hansen ends up being the first one worked over as his leg becomes a target. You got to watch how Hansen works these leg holds, he is always struggling against them, looking to grab any body part of his opponent and try to disrupt the hold. This is great shit and why he is an all-timer. He needs just lays there and take it. He is a very active participant even when the hold is applied to him. DiBiase is bailing him out of some tight jams. Hansen pitches Tenryu out after Tenryu almost had him in the figure-4. DiBiase slams Tenryu into the table. DiBiase tags in and nails a suplex. He looks poised to press the advantage but then they start in on the ribs. I really thought this ribs selling by DiBiase was incredible and some of the best of his career. It really took the match to the next level for me. Tenryu and Hara were merciless. Tenryu misses his patented reverse top rope elbow drop. Here comes HANSEN! He is in full Bull In the China Shop mode! Action spills to the outside. He is stealing chairs from fans and just waylaying Tenryu and Hara. Tenryu tabletops Hansen. SPIKE PILEDRIVER ON THE FLOOR! Hansen is bleeding! DiBiase gets whipped into the railing, ribs-first, and we never see or hear from him again! Hansen is a on his own and getting his ass whupped. The climax is a Tenryu Enziguiri/Hara Backdrop Driver that looks straight out of 90s All Japan. There was a wicked double enziguiri by these two before that. It was a great bomb-throwing finish. Hansen has to kick out because DiBiase isnt there to save. Action spills to the outside. Hara has Hansen restrained. Tenryu winds up, charges and NAILS HARA WITH THE LARIAT! HANSEN BULLDOZES TENRYU! It is a double countout. Everything from DiBiase selling the ribs, to Hansen bleeding on the floor and the big finish run is excellent. ****

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