AJPW '93 - King's Road Global

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]

Results – Full Show:

---

Show Recap:


0. Dark Match: Haruka Eigen & Isamu Teranishi vs. Jun Izumida & Masayoshi Motegi
In the pre-show, two of AJPW’s veterans faced two of AJPW’s young rookies. The younger talent had some breaks, but ultimately Eigen pinned Motegi with a Cradle Pin.
Result: Haruka Eigen over Masayoshi Motegi --- Pinfall --- 6:51


Real World Tag League Showcase 8-Man Tag Team Match
1. Al Perez & Giant Warrior and Billy Black & Joel Deaton [Perez & Warrior and Wild Bunch] vs. Bobby Fulton & Tommy Rogers and Chris Youngblood & Mark Youngblood [The Fantastics and The Youngbloods]
In the opener, four teams that will be competing in the Real World Tag League were in action. The bout was good and the fan favorite team of The Fantastics and The Youngbloods managed to win the match, much thanks to Fulton and Rogers who were in a different level. Rogers pinned Warrior after a Rocket Launcher.
Result: Tommy Rogers over Giant Warrior --- Pinfall --- 10:53


2. Big Titan & Jackie Fulton & Johnny Smith & Kazuo Yamazaki vs. Eddie Gilbert & Giant Kimala & Haku & Yoshinari Ogawa
The first match involving the Inter-Nations Cup competitors also had some heat between the non-tournament competitors, as Yamazaki and Ogawa had some beef between them. Gilbert and Smith also had their issues. Those little squabbles were the highlights of the match, as well as Haku’s dominating performance, which convinced a part of the audience.
In the end, Eddie Gilbert debuted what we can only assume is his new finishing move, as he hit the Hotshot DDT (Rope Hung DDT) on his British rival to win the match.
Result: Eddie Gilbert over Johnny Smith --- Pinfall --- 13:16


3. Akira Taue & Jumbo Tsuruta & Masanobu Fuchi [Tsuruta-gun] vs. Mighty Inoue & Mitsuo Momota & Rusher Kimura
A trio of undercard veterans faced… a duo of uppercard veterans and one of the wrestlers with the most potential on the roster. Of course, everyone predicted a Tsuruta-gun win, and they were right.
Akira Taue dominated the match whenever he was in action, but it was the leader, Jumbo Tsuruta, to get the win, after a Backdrop Driver on Rusher Kimura.
Result: Jumbo Tsuruta over Rusher Kimura --- Pinfall --- 10:27

»» After the bell, Jumbo Tsuruta grabbed a microphone and, like a prophet, warned the Hiroshima crowd that Tsuruta-gun is still strong and will be stronger by the end of 1992. The group leader then hyped the participation in both upcoming leagues: the Junior Crown League, in which Masanobu Fuchi and Yoshinari Ogawa will take part; and the Real World Tag League, where Tsuruta himself will team up with Akira Taue.


AJPW World Jr. Heavyweight Championship – V3
4. Naoki Sano © vs. Dean Malenko
After two World Jr. Heavyweight title challenges (vs. his brother Joe and Fuchi), Malenko was confident that third time was the charm. And Sano was aware that ‘The Man of 1.000 Holds’ represents danger.
A nice, old-school, technical and methodical affair from bell to bell, the fans in Hiroshima saw a MOTN contender in the first half of the show. Malenko took the match to the ground whenever he could to try to capitalize on his submission specials, but Sano even embraced it sometimes, as he did prior with Fuchi and Ogawa. Sano is a daring champion, after all.
Plus, the champion has some other resources, being able to dive with ease to the ringside as well, and his Suplexes? Devastating. But by the middle of the match, Sano was feeling the effects of Malenko’s submissions. He wasn’t so agile anymore, and an Achilles Lock that stretched for almost a minute felt agonizing. Sano would reach the ropes, though.
The best was saved for the end. The two traded shots before Naoki Sano was able to fight his own legs and knocked Dean with an Enzuigiri. He then went for a High-Speed Roundhouse Kick, but Malenko caught his leg and got up quickly, applying the Texas Cloverleaf for the first time. After a few seconds, Sano rolled, breaking the hold, and got on his feet, hitting another Enzuigiri and following up with a Tiger Suplex. Then… Sole Kick! 1…2…3! Sano retained in similar fashion to how he did it at Summer Stardom.
Result: Naoki Sano over Dean Malenko --- Pinfall --- Still champion! --- 18:48

»» After the match, Naoki Sano received his belt from the official. But before he celebrated his hard-fought victory, he looked at Dean Malenko who just got back on his feet. Before Sano could extend his hand to his defeated challenger, Malenko did it himself. Sano accepted and Malenko lifter the champion’s hand for an applause from the crown. The gaijin then told Sano he’d be back for another challenge in no time. The champion celebrated afterwards.


5. Dos Caras & Johnny Ace & Kenta Kobashi & Ultimo Dragon vs. Nikita Koloff & Stan Hansen & The Gladiator & The Great Sasuke
Four more Inter-Nations Cup competitors in another multi-man tag match. The crowd, of course, was more invested in this one, as Kenta Kobashi and Stan Hansen were featured. However, the two didn’t got much time in action, but when they did, they were valuable to their teams.
Then, the rest of the lot were also big names riding waves of momentum and Dos Caras and Nikita Koloff were seen as interesting attractions. The match also saw some weird clashes that were very well received, as Koloff and Ultimo Dragon worked in-ring at the same time, as well as Kobashi and The Gladiator.
In the end, the Mexican multi-champion, Dos Caras conquered the win over The Great Sasuke with a powerful Sitout Powerbomb.
Result: Dos Caras over The Great Sasuke --- Pinfall --- 16:35


Texas Death Match
6. Terry Funk vs. Toshiaki Kawada
Funk carried his cowbell to the ring one more time and he was ready to use it before the bell sounded, as he was sour after being pinned by Kawada last week. But ‘Dangerous K’ didn’t allow it, instead hitting Funk with a vicious kick. The bell sounded and Kawada pinned Funk straight ahead. 1…2…3! But ‘The Funker’ got up at the count of five. Although the fiery start was enough to warn him.
The match featured no weapons… at all… as Funk was never able to use the cowbell or any other. Kawada pulled an absolute dominating performance making Funk bleed from his brow after a Shoot Kick. Then he pinned Funk once again with a Gamengiri at the 6-minute mark. Funk got up at seven.
Then, the match got heated, as the veteran gaijin was able to get some momentum. He went for a Texas Piledriver near the 11th minute, but Kawada avoided it, instead hitting another Gamengiri. 1…2...3! When the ref got to nine, Funk got up again.
But he was on his last legs, and has soon as he got up, he was hit with an Arched Big Boot. A Dangerous Kick followed. And, for good measure, a Folding Powerbomb. 1…2…3. The referee counted to ten and after getting his hand lifted, Kawada simply left the ring while a bloodied Funk got to his feet.
Result: Toshiaki Kawada over Terry Funk --- Pinfall + Ten Count --- 11:38


AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship – V4
7. Steve Williams & Terry Gordy [Miracle Violence Connection] © vs. Dan Kroffat & Doug Furnas [Can-Am Express]
The history began in January, as the Tag Team Championships were unified and the then-All Asia Tag Team Champions, Can-Am Express, lost to M.V.C., who are still the Unified World Tag Team Title holders after eight months. Terry Gordy got progressively more aggressive and so, what could be seen as a natural rematch, is now a very heated clash.
In the early goings, one understood that in order for the champions to win and keep their belts, they would have to match an outstanding will that was displayed by the challengers, who wanted to get their comeuppance. And to do so, both Gordy and ‘Dr. Death’ turned into beasts, manhandling the challengers in the first half of the match, with Gordy, particularly, being very vicious to Furnas’ back after hurting him badly a week earlier. A Powerbomb to Furnas led the fans to think that was it… but Furnas resiliently kicked out at 2.9.
Then, by the middle stage of the bout, Gordy got desperate and once again, Steve Williams (of all people) had to try to calm him down. It barely worked, and some mistakes were crucial for Can-Am Express to get back into the match, using some great double teams to overpower the champions at times. In particular, a Double Backdrop Driver, taken from the champions’ arsenal got them on their heels, but Williams was able to kick out of Kroffat’s pin attempt.
In the end, the match had turned into a fight, with all four men in the ring at the same time, and the crowd was electring, pulling for the underdogs. But in a fight, the bigger men usually prevail, specially if one of them is injured. And so, Furnas was easily thrown out of the ring after Terry’s Lariat. And he had to stay there, laid out, while Williams and Gordy manhandled the Canadian member of the team.
After a while, M.V.C. looked to finish the match… and in a way that would send a message not only to the challengers, but also to Legion of Doom, as Williams had Kroffat on his shoulders while the massive Gordy climbed the top rope. But! Furnas was moving! And as quickly as he could, he shook the ropes, causing Gordy to fall groin-first on the turnbuckle. Kroffat saved himself as well, then Dropkicking ‘Dr. Death’ out of the ring and tagging Furnas in.
Kroffat then dove on top of Williams as the crowd was on their feet. Furnas climbed the turnbuckle where Gordy was sat on… Super Frankensteiner! A huge one! 1…2…3!!! Can-Am Express are champions!
Result: Doug Furnas over Terry Gordy --- Pinfall --- New champions! --- 19:51

»» After the match, Can-Am Express celebrated effusively. At the same time, Steve Williams pulled Terry Gordy out of the ring, but when ‘Bam Bam’ got up, he had other plans that to leave quietly. He tried to get back in the ring to attack the new champions, however, Williams prevented that, pulling him.
The two had somewhat of a skirmish, slapping and pushing each other briefly before ‘Dr. Death’ told his partner to focus on winning the Real World Tag League and getting their belts back. Successfully, as Dan Kroffat and Doug Furnas were able to celebrate, and they will head to the league as champions.


AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship – V1
8. Mitsuharu Misawa © vs. Atsushi Onita
Onita was the first to enter the ring, looking bad ass as usual, bandaged forehead and forearm after successfully defending the FMW Brass Knuckles Championship vs. Matsuhiro Matsunaga the day prior.
Then, the champion entered and the match started in the presence of an electric crowd after a handshake. From the beginning, the bout was treated as a once in a lifetime occasion, as Onita definitely had something to prove a long time after being a staple in the AJPW junior heavyweight division. A different version of Onita now threatened Misawa, the young up-and-coming champion that had the chance Onita did not, due to multiple injuries.
The truth is Mitsuharu Misawa was the odds-on favorite, and it became clear that Onita would have a hard time fighting him after his extreme battle with Matsunaga the night before. In some minutes, the bandage of his forehead was off and the challenger was bleeding. And so, the champion began dominating, putting Onita’s resilience to test in the first two thirds of the match. ‘Mr. FMW’ survived a Brainbuster and a Diving Crossbody, but when Misawa managed to connect with a Rolling Elbow, the crowd stood up. 1…2… but he’s Atsushi Onita after all. He kicked up on the verge of three.
And when he got back up to his feet, the champion didn’t expect his fiery comeback, as he absorbed Misawa’s forearms and hit some of his own before hitting a Bridging German Suplex. 1…2… but no. However, Misawa needed a breather… and he was met with a Suicide Dive in no time. The match was heated at this point.
Back in the ring, the two became more aggressive, with open-handed slaps being thrown. Once again, Onita got the best of it, surprising Misawa with a Backslide, but Misawa rapidly kicked out. Back on his feet, he got hold of Onita’s wrist: Tiger Suplex ’84! He didn’t release it and lift the challenger: another Rolling Elbow! 1…2… but no!!! However, at this point, it was clear that Misawa had the match in his pocket as we approached the 20-minute mark.
Another strike exchange, but there was no way Onita could’ve won that one, so Misawa prepared a Tiger Driver. Onita used his last momentum to counter it and set up a Flowing DDT… but to no avail, as Misawa powered out and hit a Double Underhook Suplex. And then: Tiger Driver ’91. 1…2…3! The battle was over.
Result: Mitsuharu Misawa over Atsushi Onita --- Pinfall --- Still champion! --- 21:52

»» After the bell, Mitsuharu Misawa tried to help Atsushi Onita to his feet, but the ever-proud fallen challenger refused it. Instead, he got to his feet by himself and asked for a microphone. Before talking, he shook the champion’s hand. Then, he told the crowd he plans to come back to AJPW for some more fights one day. After an applause, he left the ring.
The mic was now in Misawa’s hands, and, of course, the champion paid respect to Onita, stating that the match was one of his toughest yet. Then, Misawa said he looks forward to meet his next challenger. However, it is now time for him to focus on the Real World Tag League, as he’ll team up with Johnny Ace. While he mentioned the league, Misawa also congratulated Can-Am Express for being the new Unified World Tag Team Champions. The show – arguably the best of AJPW in 1992 so far – ended in that classy way.

---

Prediction Contest - Results:
1. Frank Reed - 6/8
- marc91 - 6/8
3. johnnyboombatz - 5/8
- Asaemon - 5/8
- Purotastic - 5/8

(Mistakenly, I wrote "Stan Hansen" instead of "Mitsuharu Misawa" in the full card post, meaning all of you predicted Stan Hansen to retain the belts. I apologize, I meant Misawa and so did you!)

Wow The Funker losing his specialty match type was a shocker!!!

Championships and holders:
AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship: Mitsuharu Misawa
AJPW Unified Tag Team Championship: Dan Kroffat and Doug Furnas [Can-Am Express]
AJPW World Jr. Heavyweight Championship: Naoki Sano
AWWA Global Open Championship: Terry Gordy [AJPW]

Results – Full Show:

---

Show Recap:


0. Dark Match: Minoru Tanaka vs. Satoru Asako
AJPW’s two Junior Heavyweight rookies battled it out before the show. It wasn’t a great match, and Asako, the Tsuruta-gun protégé, won after the Super Asako Driver
Result: Satoru Asako over Minoru Tanaka --- Pinfall --- 7:10


Inter-Nations Cup 1st Round
1. Kenta Kobashi [Japan] vs. Nikita Koloff [Russia]
The opener proved to be somewhat of an early show stealer, as no one expected the Kobashi-Koloff match-up to be that good. The match started with a handshake and Koloff actually respected Kobashi throughout the contest. However, that didn’t mean that he would be any different of the mean dominating brute he was known to be in the National Wrestling Alliance years prior.
It took a while for the Japanese fan-favorite to get some control of the match, after being locked in a particularly hurtful Bear Hug. But he managed to avoid the Russian Sickle Lariat, in one particular occasion countering it with his own Burning Lariat, that he hit twice to knock Nikita down for a two-count.
In the end, however, Nikita couldn’t kick-out of a Vertical Drop Brainbuster, so Kobashi advanced to the semis.
Result: Kenta Kobashi over Nikita Koloff --- Pinfall --- 13:06


Inter-Nations Cup 1st Round
2. Giant Kimala [Botswana] vs. Haku [Tonga]
Two big savage hosses collided in the first round of the tournament in a wild brawl that spilled out of the ring in its first few moments. After that, inside the ropes, it was a battle of pure force and stiffness and Haku proved to be the toughest, finishing Kimala with a Savate Kick to advance.
Result: Haku over Giant Kimala --- Pinfall --- 8:27


Inter-Nations Cup 1st Round
3. Dos Caras [Mexico] vs. Johnny Smith [United Kingdom]
The longest bout of the first round. Once again, Johnny Smith stepped up and proved to be a wrestler’s wrestler if not more than that. The match was very scientific, melting lucha libre and catch-as-catch-can in a pot originally designed for puroresu. And the Okayama crowd enjoyed it.
Smith brought the Suplexes, Dos Caras brought the submission attempts, even countering the British Bomb into an Arm Drag and consequent Armbar. Smith reached the ropes that time, but ultimately, he couldn’t do anything but tap out to the La Escalera (Ground Octupus Stretch). Dos Caras moved onto the semi finals.
Result: Dos Caras over Johnny Smith --- Submission --- 14:44


Inter-Nations Cup 1st Round
4. Big Titan [Canada] vs. Stan Hansen [U.S.A.]
U.S.A. vs. Canada in the first round and no one in the arena thought the FMW wrestler Big Titan would stand a chance against Stan Hansen. However, Titan tried to stand up for his country and, of course, for himself, the best he could and took Hansen’s hardest shots while delivering some of his own, even managing to almost shock Okayama when he chokeslammed Hansen for a two-count.
In the end, however, the former Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion stood tall after a big Western Lariat and a huge one that followed up.
Result: Stan Hansen over Big Titan --- Pinfall --- 10:30


Junior Crown League Showcase 8-Man Tag Team Match
5. Dean Malenko & Fire Cat & Kazuo Yamazaki & Richard Slinger vs. Negro Casas [UWA] & Perro Aguayo [FREE] & Sabu [FMW] & The Great Sasuke
The Great Sasuke was put with the task of holding together a team with the three invited wrestlers to participate in the Junior Crown League, and with Sabu and Aguayo, the team didn’t lack the craze and roughness that’s not really the staple in the Junior Heavyweight Division.
In all fairness, Aguayo looked awful putting on an abysmal performance… as for the other team, Malenko, even with a day taken away from a great title match, alongside Yamazaki, was the standout.
In the end, Negro Casas pinned Fire Cat after surprising him with his trademark La Casita. The flash pin did it.
Result: Negro Casas over Fire Cat --- Pinfall --- 12:44

»» In the aftermath, however, tension began to arise in the midst of the winning team. The experient Perro Aguayo audibly criticized Sabu for being reckless with some of his dives, which led to both men shoving each other before the rest of the team, along with the rookies (Jun Izumida, Masayoshi Motegi and Minoru Tanaka), could separate the two.


Inter-Nations Cup Semi-Final
6. Haku [Tonga] vs. Kenta Kobashi [Japan]
After beating a hoss, Kobashi had another waiting for him. The savage Haku jumped the fan favorite as soon as the match started, holding him against the ropes and beating him up, getting the crowd to turn on him completely.
That made it better when Kobashi started to be able to fight back with his chops. When Haku locked in the Tongan Death Grip, though, Kobashi looked like he was about to faint. But a huge chop to the neck of Haku made the savage release the hold. And from then on, Kobashi took off.
In the end, it was hard for the Japanese to knock Haku off his feet, but after stunning him, a Moonsault did it. 1…2…3! And Kobashi and Japan are on the finals!
Result: Kenta Kobashi over Haku --- Pinfall --- 12:02


Inter-Nations Cup Semi-Final
7. Dos Caras [Mexico] vs. Stan Hansen [U.S.A.]
After eliminating the Canadian competition, USA’s Stan Hansen looked to get rid of Mexican legend Dos Caras. And Hansen grinned his teeth after seeing Dos coming to the ring with four title belts (while he had lost his Triple Crown a month ago).
The match was a standout and the match of the night until then, with the rough Texan’s style contrasting well with the Luchador’s technique. And if Hansen excelled in the brawling aspect, Dos used his agility and ground work as advantages.
However, by the middle of the match, the pendulum began to shift Hansen’s way, as Dos Caras got hurt after a Running Shoulder Block sent him from the apron to the floor, bruising his tail bone. Then, Hansen got him back to the ring, working his lower back and legs to hold him down. Dos Caras had his moments afterwards, even trying to lock the La Escalera, but to no avail.
In the end, a Texas Piledriver was used as the set up to the Western Lariat. 1…2…3! And Hansen will meet Kobashi for the AJPW National Openweight Championship in the main event.
Result: Stan Hansen over Dos Caras --- Pinfall --- 15:39


8. Akira Taue & Jumbo Tsuruta & Masanobu Fuchi & Yoshinari Ogawa [Tsuruta-gun] vs. Dan Kroffat & Doug Furnas & Naoki Sano & Ultimo Dragon
The newly crowned AJPW Unified World Tag Team Champions united forces with two of AJPW’s favorite Junior Heavyweights against Tsuruta-gun. And they worked pretty well together. However, it was clear that the heels had a game plan by targeting Doug Furnas from the get-go. The already-hurt member of the Can-Am Express had to endure a big portion of offense throughout the match, spending time between being mauled by Taue or dismantled by the rest of the ‘gun’.
The favorites responded by starting to target… Yoshinari Ogawa, who was keen on provoking them until that point. Ogawa was put to test and the crowd thought Sano’s Sole Kick could finish the match, but he kicked out at 2.7 or so. Then, Tsuruta-gun stormed the ring and the referee struggled to maintain order in the match.
In the end, Furnas thought he had it in him to help his team, so he tagged in and controlled Tsuruta for a bit. It wasn’t more than a false comeback, and Tsuruta knocked him with a Lariat before tagging Taue in for the Ore Ga Taue that finished the match. Kroffat tried to reach for his partner, but to no avail.
Tsuruta-gun being Tsuruta-gun, of course, they had to taunt both Naoki Sano and Can-Am Express, the losing champions of the fallen team. But not even Ultimo Dragon escaped some verbal taunting.
Result: Akira Taue over Doug Furnas --- Pinfall --- 16:16


9. Bobby Fulton & Johnny Ace & Mitsuharu Misawa & Tommy Rogers & Toshiaki Kawada vs. Eddie Gilbert & Steve Williams & Terry Funk & Terry Gordy & The Gladiator
A filler match that could set up some different scenarios for the future, from Mitsuharu Misawa getting to know his next challenger one day after a grueling defense, to The Gladiator suffering his first loss. Then, it was also sure that Terry Funk was desperate to seek revenge after Toshiaki Kawada’s dominating win last night.
The match started out slowly between Eddie Gilbert and Tommy Rogers, but in a matter of eight minutes, everyone had some time in the match, including Funk and Kawada together… which couldn’t have gone in a worse way for Funk, who got beat up badly again. An interesting confrontation also happened between Misawa and Gladiator, with the latter looking impressive against the Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion.
In the later stages, however, M.V.C. and The Fantastics battled against each other, as Fulton and Rogers saw the match as a way to get back into a honorable position of the AJPW ranks. But Fulton was taken out of battle in a couple of minutes when Gordy delivered a vicious Powerbomb to him at ringside, the same thing he did to Furnas weeks ago.
In the end, after some chaotic fighting, Misawa and Williams were left. The crowd was cheering for Misawa, and he was able to scare ‘Dr. Death’ with near-falls, first with a Diving Crossbody, then with a Bridging German Suplex. But Williams knew what a win over Misawa could mean at this point. So he fought the way he never fought before, even telling Gordy to get out of the ring after he hit a cheap shot on Misawa. Then, after some more battle, Misawa wasn’t able to hit the Tiger Driver. Instead, Williams hit him with a Backdrop Driver! 1…2… but no! So, ‘Dr. Death’ picked the champion up for a Doctor Bomb! 1…2…3! The crowd responded in shock. Steve Williams had beaten the Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion, Mitsuharu Misawa.
Result: Steve Williams over Mitsuharu Misawa --- Pinfall --- 20:04

»» After the match, Terry Gordy got to the ring and stared at his tag team partner. Steve Williams, dripping sweat from his hair and beard, stared back, knowing Gordy was probably thinking of turning on him after him shoving ‘Bam Bam’ away. Instead, Gordy hugged Williams and lift his arm after his big win. The rest of their team, including beat-up loud-mouthed Eddie Gilbert (who taunted the crowd like he had won the match by himself) and Terry Funk, and, of course, the imposing The Gladiator, then joined them.


AJPW National Openweight Championship / Inter-Nations Cup Final
10. Kenta Kobashi [Japan] vs. Stan Hansen [U.S.A.]
The TENTH and final match of this huge card and a throwback for the final day of the A Block of this year’s Champion Carnival. Would Kenta Kobashi failed to beat the top gaijin of AJPW again? Naturally, the match started slowly, with both men already pretty banged up after two other matches with tough competition.
Then, Stan Hansen started to get progressively stiffer, so Kobashi followed the opponent’s lead and both were not afraid to bruise each other in the battle to gain some momentum. Kobashi won the initial exchange, and the crowd started to believe more in more in their favorite “underdog-no-more”. After a while, Hansen adopted an unusual strategy: attacking Kobashi’s legs, so that he couldn’t hit the Moonsault as easily. And for a while, it gave Hansen the lead, as the opponent’s mobility was in danger. The Brazos Valley Backbreaker really seemed to hurt his back too.
In the second half of the bout, the pace progressed, despite both men’s limitations at that point, as both really wanted to end the match sooner rather than later. For multiple times, Stan Hansen tried to hit a Western Lariat, until he finally connected with one, but it wasn’t a full force one, so it only got to a two-count. The near-fall, if anything, only helped Kobashi absorb some more energy from the crowd. Two minutes later, he managed to hit an impressive Vertical Drop Brainbuster. But Hansen wouldn’t go down that easily and also kicked out.
The forearm exchanges began shortly after and by the 15th minute, Hansen continued to try to hit his finisher, with Kobashi blocking it each time. Then, he released an array of chops to Hansen’s chest and even to his face. Hansen went for a Western Lariat, but Kobashi ducked: Burning Lariat! 1…2… but no! So ‘Orange Crush’ went for another one! 1…2… close but not yet! Kobashi pumped his fists as the crowd cheered heavily, so he climbed the turnbuckle: Moonsault! 1…2…3! Kenta Kobashi is the first-ever AJPW National Openweight Champion!
Result: Kenta Kobashi over Stan Hansen --- Pinfall --- New champion! --- 18:42

»» All looked perfect, as Kenta Kobashi extended his hand to a fallen Stan Hansen and the grumpy gaijin accepted it, acknowledging Kobashi’s superiority in a huge battle. All looked perfect when an emotion Kobashi thanked the crowd for their huge support that led him to win his first-ever singles championship, in the form of this beautiful new belt.
Nothing looked perfect, however, when a man in a track jacket and pants stormed the ring from the crowd, hitting the people’s champion from behind before turning him around to face him for a Water Wheel Drop! Salman Hashimikov, the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion and now a UWF-I wrestler, is in AJPW, for the first time! Then, Hashimikov picks up the AJPW National Openweight Championship, lifting it before letting it fall on Kenta Kobashi’s chest. Will he be the first one to challenge Kobashi?

---

Prediction Contest - Results:
1. Frank Reed - 14/16
- marc91 - 14/16
3. Purotastic - 13/16
4. johnnyboombatz - 12/16
5. Asaemon - 11/16


(Yeah, the Inter-Nations Cup was highly predictable until the finals, right?)