AJPW '93 - King's Road Global

AJPW’s Complete Results – Puro Series B2 – Feb. 10th 1992:

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AJPW’s Complete Results – Global Open Special #2 – Feb. 14th 1992:


Marquee Match:

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AWWA Global Open Championship – V2
Akira Taue © [AJPW] vs. Rick Martel [WWF]
Some fans probably remember a mid-80s Martel tenure in AJPW, which included an amazing title vs. title match with Ric Flair in another interpromotional bout (NWA vs. AWA). ‘The Model’ had never faced Taue, though. And both took each other to the limit, as Martel’s technique clashed in a beautiful way with Taue’s stronger style.
Twice, Martel had the champion locked in a Quebec Crab, but that was not enough, as Taue managed to drag his big body towards the rope on both occasions. In the end, the Tsuruta-gun member shoved Martel in mid-air during a Diving Crossbody attempt and then hit a Nodowa Otoshi to retain the belt successfully.
Result: Akira Taue over Rick Martel --- Still champion! --- 17 min.

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AJPW’s Complete Results – Triple Crown Special #1 – Feb. 21st 1992:


Marquee Match:

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AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship – V1
Stan Hansen © vs. Mitsuharu Misawa
A battle of respect, that’s for sure. However, it was seen as a generation clash between the veteran World Champion and the hungry younger crown jewel. And the two had an incredible match.
The two started strong, but Misawa had a bit more fire from the early-on, with bigger stamina and powerful combos after the first few sequences. The challenger also used aerial tactics from time to time. But Hansen’s brute force was hard to deal with and hard to avoid, and Misawa got shaken for the first time after a big Powerbomb less than halfway through.
The champion controlled for a bit, then. At the 14th minute mark, he tried to hit the Western Lariat, but Misawa didn’t allow it, instead surprising Hansen with a Tiger Suplex that almost gave him his first Triple Crown. It didn’t, at first. And it didn’t, at second, when he applied the ’84 variation.
Near the end, both men seemed battered, but not broken. Specially the younger Misawa, who hit a Diving Crossbody and prepared to hit the Rolling Elbow! But Hansen blocked it, connecting with the first Western Lariat of the match! «Not enough», he thought, lifting Misawa up for a Texas Piledriver. And then… another Western Lariat. 1…2…3! Misawa is denied of the Triple Crown Heavyweight Champions once again, as the older generation rises supreme.
Result: Stan Hansen over Mitsuharu Misawa --- Still champion! --- 22 min.

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AJPW Recap from the Road:
The build-up to Stan Hansen vs. Mitsuharu Misawa was as respectful as possible. Although there was some tension every time the two met, making it seem like a generational conflict. At Global Open Special #2, before their clash, Hansen pinned Kenta Kobashi and after the match lift the belt to the challenger’s face to let him know that he hasn’t been champion yet. That prompted Misawa to shove Hansen, who laughed it off.
At Triple Crown Special #1, after their amazing battle, Stan Hansen said he’s sure Mitsuharu Misawa will be champion one day, but that won’t happen on his watch. The two stared closely at each other and Misawa left the ring. Hansen then said he plans to win Champion Carnival as the reigning champion.

The World Junior Heavyweight Championship match build hasn’t been so respectful, as Tsuruta-gun keep solidifying themselves as somewhat of a jerk group. Kazuo Yamazaki pinned Yoshinari Ogawa, but the #2 Jr. Heavyweight of the stable seemed more offended when the contender pinned the champion Masanobu Fuchi at Global Open Special #2. Ogawa tried to attack Yamazaki, who kicked him – literally – out of the ring. One thing is certain: Kazuo Yamazaki is riding a wave of momentum prior to his championship bout.

Akira Taue met his latest AWWA Global Open Championship opponent at Puro Series B2, after… a loss. Rick Martel simply appeared in front of the champion as he was leaving the ring area. Looking as confident as he always is, Martel challenged. He didn’t win four days later, but the match was very good.
Now, Akira Taue faces his biggest challenge yet. During Triple Crown Special #1, his next opponent was announced: none other that WWF Intercontinental Champion Bret “The Hitman” Hart.

A minor feud has been growing in the Junior Heavyweight Division, as The Great Sasuke and Ultimo Dragon have been clashing since Sasuke cost their team the match at New Year’s Clash. They didn’t team up any other time, and during Puro Series B2, Naoki Sano had to stop a confrontation between both men after their match. The two were in opposite sides at Triple Crown Special #1 too, and Sasuke taunted Ultimo after winning the match for his team.

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Can't wait for the full blocks to be revealed!

The 1991 and 1992 editions were two-blocked, but before and after that there were two. In a model where you want to give the winner of CC a title shot, a two-blocked league is better, as it protects the champion and may create both Champion Carnival and championship defenses in the Road To Summer Stardom. Like what we see from NJPW in the Road to Tokyo Dome.

I have never really liked booking Japanese companies because I always end up getting destroyed by the schedule.
I look forward to seeing the talent that will appear in the blocks!