AJPW '93 - King's Road Global

Gotcha. Yes, that is why I asked the questions as a few New Japan dome shows have definitely drawn more than 42000 fans in the past. There was always a bit of dispute between the official record and what New Japan declared (like 'Mania 3), but they surely drew 50.000+ a bunch of times during the 90s

Championships and holders:
AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship: Stan Hansen
AJPW Unified Tag Team Championship: Steve Williams & Terry Gordy [Miracle Violence Connection]
AJPW World Jr. Heavyweight Championship: Naoki Sano
AWWA Global Open Championship: Terry Gordy [AJPW]

Results – Full Show:

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Show Recap – Part 2:

AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship – V3
7. Steve Williams & Terry Gordy [Miracle Violence Connection] © vs. Kenta Kobashi & Toshiaki Kawada [Super Generation Army]
The heat was real between both teams and the champions were still really sour about losing in singles action to their respective challengers at Champion Carnival three months before. Intense is the right word to describe the feeling in the Tokyo Dome when the bell rang.
The bout started slowly, but the hits were always hard, and the crowd cringed after some kicks by Kawada or forearms by Gordy. Kobashi’s chops had some effect on ‘Dr. Death’, but the latter’s throws were equally if not more harmful.
None of the duos are a full time tag team, but they worked together brilliantly in some instances. A Brainbuster by Kobashi after a stiff kick by Kawada led to a pin that almost cost M.V.C. their belts, but ultimately, Williams raised his hand at 2.8 or so. Moments later, the champions were close to put Kawada away after a combination of Gordy’s Lariat and Williams’ German Suplex, but Kawada put his leg on the lower rope.
Nearing the end, all four men were feeling the effects of a grueling match and Kobashi’s nose was bleeding from a huge Big Boot from his nemesis Gordy. After some chaos, order was more or less restored as Kobashi and Williams were the legal men in the ring.
But that didn’t last long, as after a Scoop Powerslam by ‘Dr. Death’, Kawada thought about entering the ring to break a pin attempt. He didn’t, as Kobashi kicked out, but that was enough for Gordy to run across the ring and knock Kawada off the apron. Both then traded shots at ringside while Williams and Kobashi did the same in the ring. After successfully hitting a DDT, Gordy sent Kawada flying over the rail with a Lariat.
Kobashi tried to exit the ring to confront Gordy, but he was pulled by Williams, who then connected with a Short Arm Clothesline to Kobashi’s back of the head. Williams then called Gordy and both men hit a gnarly-looking Double Backdrop Driver. 1…2…3! Kobashi wouldn’t get from that.
Result: Steve Williams over Kenta Kobashi --- Pinfall --- Still champions! --- 22 min.

»» After beating fierce competition, Miracle Violence Connection are still the Unified World Tag Team Champions, but… they have challengers already. Six months after losing their belts, Can-Am Express came to the ring during Williams and Gordy’s celebration to ask for a long awaited rematch.
They butted heads with the larger champions but ultimately got what they wanted. The champions pushed Kroffat and Furnas and raised their title belts high while nodding positively.

8. Akira Taue & Jumbo Tsuruta [Tsuruta-gun] vs. Hulk Hogan & Johnny Ace
Months ago it was thought to be impossible to see Hulk Hogan in the ring of AJPW. However, ‘The Hulkster’ stood up for Johnny Ace when the fellow gaijin needed a partner to battle the Heavyweight duo of Tsuruta-gun. And after a long entrance donning a “Hulkamania Japan” tank top, he reached the ring for the special tag team match.
During the earlier part of the match, Hogan played more or less the role of Ace’s mentor, cheering him when he had the control. After five minutes, Hogan entered the match for a massive pop and he quickly made an impact, shaking Taue before Taue could gain his composure back and, seemingly, have Hogan on his heels.
After Ace tagged back in, we only saw Hogan in action in the final four minutes. First against Jumbo Tsuruta in what was a huge clash! Another big pop happened when Hogan kicked out of the High Angle Belly-to-Back Suplex. He then had his big trademark comeback, but Akira Taue tagged in, ultimately, to take the fall: Big Boot and… Johnny Ace surprised Jumbo Tsuruta with an Ace Crusher after the former (?) ace tried to stop Hogan. Then, Hogan pumped the crowd for the big finale: Atomic Leg Drop! 1…2…3!
Result: Hulk Hogan over Akira Taue --- Pinfall --- 16 min.

»» While Hulk Hogan and Johnny Ace celebrated, the ‘Real American’ (probably Japan’s favorite American during that moment) noticed Akira Taue and Jumbo Tsuruta getting back up. Understanding that neither man was planning an attack, Hogan offered his hand to both Taue and Tsuruta.
Jumbo Tsuruta looked Hogan in the eyes, but ended up turning his back on him. Akira Taue stared for a bit more, but ended up following his leader. Hogan and Ace then continued their celebration before leaving the set.

AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship – V3
9. Stan Hansen © vs. Mitsuharu Misawa
Mitsuharu Misawa may have not win the Champion Carnival. The champion did it, instead. However, no one doubts that he was better prepared than ever to fight fot the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship.
In fact, even though both men started the match clearly cautious, Stan Hansen knew that he should try to end the bout sooner rather than later, or else he could fall victim of Misawa like he did in their block match. That concern only grew with time, as Hansen began feeling the effects of Misawa’s offense, so he tried to surprise him and get the win. After 10 minutes, he locked the Brazos Valley Backbreaker. And when Misawa got to the ropes, he pulled him back and Powerbombed him as hard as he could. 1…2… but Misawa wouldn’t give up his dreams that easily.
Minutes later, the match was more intense and the champion’s strategy was still the same. At the 14-minute mark, Hansen once again tried to hit one of his favorite moves: the Texas Piledriver. But Misawa blocked it and after some forearms went for a Dragon Suplex, but Hansen didn’t lift his feet from the mat, instead turning, pushing Misawa away and hitting a Lariat. Is that it? 1…2… but once again, Misawa powers out.
The following phase of the match saw the challenger regain his composure and understanding that he must change something in his gameplan, so he started getting stiffer and hitting more kicks, taking a page from his friend Toshiaki Kawada. Then, he surprised Hansen with a Tiger Suplex ’85. 1…2… but Hansen kicked out and rolled out to ringside. Rather than letting the champion take a breather for long, Misawa surprised him with a big Elbow Suicida. And the match was on fire as the fans cheered for him.
The ending stage was as dramatic as possible. The two men were visibly battered, and they were beating each other up badly in a strike exchange. Hansen came out on top of the exchange and ran to the ropes, looking to end the match. But Misawa did the exact same, and both connected with Lariats! Both fell to the ground, but Hansen eventually pinned Misawa after 20 seconds of pain. 1…2… and once again, at 2.9, Misawa kicked out. But he surely wasted his last kick-out.
After a while, the two men got up to their feet butting heads at the same time. Another strike exchange and, this time, Stan Hansen challenged Mitsuharu Misawa for another Lariat clash… Misawa accepted, but he smartly ducked and rolled to clutch Hanse by his back: German Suplex! But he didn’t release the champion, and pulled him up to his feet: Tiger Dr… but Hansen powered out and hit a Back Body Drop. Desperately, as soon as Misawa got to his feet, he went for the Western Lariat once again! But Misawa caught him with a Drop Kick! And then: Tiger Driver! 1…2… but Hansen kicks out this time!
Immediately, Misawa pulled Hansen back to his feet: Tiger Driver! Again! But Misawa thought it wasn’t enough: Tiger Driver ’91!!! 1…2…3!!! Mitsuharu Misawa finally wins the three straps!
Result: Mitsuharu Misawa over Stan Hansen --- Pinfall --- New champion! --- 24 min.

»» After an excruciating match, the whole Tokyo Dome was applauding Mitsuharu Misawa on their feet. The new Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion was as emotional as ever as he was joined by Johnny Ace, Kenta Kobashi, Toshiaki Kawada and even Tsuyoshi Kikuchi, still donning a neck brace.
The new champion proceeded to thank the AJPW fans, the ones who are close to him and, of course, his mentors and trainers, mentioning all of them, including Giant Baba. The moment was a genuine feel-good moment and Mitsuharu Misawa surely deserved to end the first ever Summer Stardom show like that.

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Prediction Contest - Results:
1. marc91 - 6/9
- Purotastic - 6/9
3. Asaemon - 4/9

Great show! Really enjoyed both parts! Keep up the great work!

Championships and holders:
» AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship: Mitsuharu Misawa
» AJPW Unified Tag Team Championship: Steve Williams & Terry Gordy [Miracle Violence Connection]
» AJPW World Jr. Heavyweight Championship: Naoki Sano
» AWWA Global Open Championship: Terry Gordy [AJPW]

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AJPW Recap from the Road:

»» All Japan Pro Wrestling is now a “Big” promotion again, according to the official Ryland Scale. After a fall in size earlier in the beginning of the year and a cooling down period, AJPW seems to be back on track and aiming to battle NJPW.
This comes at a time when AJPW’s deal with GAORA TV officially expired. However, GAORA hasn’t been broadcasting any AJPW show recently, as the promotion’s events and highlights can be seen exclusively in Nippon TV and Youtoo America.

»» Aja Kong, one of the main names in Joshi and an important part of All Japan Women’s Pro Wrestling (AJW) and Japan Women’s Pro Wrestling Project (JWP) is the latest Japanese wrestler to get a severe injury. In a JWP show (July 21st), Kong had a semi-severed spinal column and will miss more than a year.

»» Okayama, Chugoku, was the city that hosted one of the best shows of the year so far, as on July 25th NJPW held Summer Struggle, a major event headlined by a successful IWGP Heavyweight Championship defense by Masahiro Chono, who faced Keiji Mutoh.
Also in the show, Arn Anderson successfully retained the NWA World’s Heavyweight Championship vs. Antonio Inoki and Jushin Thunder Liger defeated El Samurai in a show-stealing bout.

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