Post by Shatter Machine on Jul 21, 2016 7:01:53 GMT -5
So I got my hands on this massive 14-disc Essential Kawada-Misawa set. Guess I'll have stuff to watch for awhile...
DISC 1: “The Prologue”
1. 1988 RWTL: Stan Hansen & Terry Gordy vs. Toshiaki Kawada & Genichiro Tenryu (12/16/88 ) – This match will be foreshadowing for latter on. Here Kawada is the youngster, out of his league, latter this role will fall to Kobashi and then Akiyama. Watch as they destroy Kawada’s knee. Remember that for the 12/93 tag match, the 6/3/94 match, and many more...
2. Triple Crown: Jumbo Tsuruta vs. Genichiro Tenryu (06/05/89) - This match is an interesting harbinger of things to come. It is the longest Triple Crown match up to this point, and serves almost as the bridge between 1980’s AJPW style, and the style Misawa and Co. would use in the 90’s. Meltzer gave it *****, and it’s easily one of the best matches of the 80’s.
3. Tiger Mask II (Misawa) & Toshiaki Kawada vs. Yatsu and Fuyuki (05/14/90) – Tiger Mask II gets brutalized by Yatsu and Fuyuki, and as a result unmasks as Misawa, and kicks some ass.
4. Jumbo Tsuruta vs. Mitsuharu Misawa (06/08/90) – Misawa upsets Jumbo, in by FAR the biggest win of his career up to this point. One of the greatest matches you'll ever see.
DISC 2: “Partners”
5. Jumbo Tsuruta & Akira Taue & Masanobu Fuchi vs. Mitsuharu Misawa & Toshiaki Kawada & Kenta Kobashi (10/19/90) – One of the best Misawa & Co. vs. Jumbo & Co. six man’s.
6. Jumbo Tsuruta & Akira Taue & Masa Fuchi vs. Mitsuharu Misawa & Toshiaki Kawada & Kenta Kobashi (04/20/91) – Another amazing six man tag. Probably the most famous of the six man tags from this time. Hell, I could probably fill 10 discs of just Misawa & co. vs. Jumbo & co. six man tag’s and they’d all rule.
7. World Tag Titles: Mitsuharu Misawa & Toshiaki Kawada vs. © Terry Gordy & Steve Williams (07/24/91) – Misawa and Kawada upset the champs and win the tag team titles for the first time.
DISC 3: “The Triple Crown”
8. Triple Crown: © Jumbo Tsuruta vs. Toshiaki Kawada (10/24/91) – Misawa’s beaten Jumbo, now Kawada gives it a try. Everyone knows he really has no chance, but he gives it a hell of an effort. Awesome match.
9. Triple Crown: Mitsuharu Misawa vs. © Stan Hansen (8/22/92) – Misawa wins the Triple Crown from Stan Hansen, beginning his two year Triple Crown reign.
10. Triple Crown: Toshiaki Kawada vs. © Mitsuharu Misawa (10/21/92) – Misawa makes his first Triple Crown defense against his partner.
Disc 4: “Different Paths”
11. World Tag Titles: © Mitsuharu Misawa & Toshiaki Kawada vs. Terry Gordy & Steve Williams (01/30/93) – Misawa and Kawada lose the tag titles to Gordy and Williams. This would be the last time they would hold the tag titles and one of their last matches as a team.
12. Champions Carnival 1993: Toshiaki Kawada vs. Mitsuharu Misawa (03/27/93) – A match from the 1993 Champion Carnival. The animosity is not their yet, more of a contest between former partners.
13. Champions Carnival 1993: Toshiaki Kawada vs. Akira Taue (04/13/93) – Former rivals Taue and Kawada show each other mutual respect after going to a draw, foreshadowing their eventual teaming up.
DISC 5: “New Beginings”
14. World Tag Team Titles: Toshiaki Kawada & Akira Taue vs. © Terry Gordy & Steve Williams (05/26/93) – Kawada and Taue team up and win back the Tag Titles that Kawada and Misawa lost to Gordy and Williams.
15. World Tag Team Title: Mitsuharu Misawa & Kenta Kobashi vs. © Toshiaki Kawada & Akira Taue (06/01/93) – The first meeting of these teams, a combination that would become legendary.
16. Misawa/Kobashi/Akiyama vs. Kawada/Taue/Ogawa (07/02/93) – Probably the best six man tag you’ll ever see. Everyone plays their roles perfectly, and the crowd goes crazy for the Misawa/Kawada exchanges.
DISC 6: “Enemies”
17. Triple Crown: Toshiaki Kawada vs. © Mitsuharu Misawa (07/29/93) – They finally bring the HATE here. Their first singles match with full on animosity.
18. 1993 RWTL: Akira Taue & Toshiaki Kawada vs. Kenta Kobashi & Mitsuharu Misawa (12/03/93) – Best match of the feud up to this point. Remember the 1988 RWTL match here; unlike five years ago, when Kawada’s injured knee stopped him from being able to save Tenryu, this time his knee stops him from tagging Taue in. One of the best tag matches you’ll ever see.
19. Toshiaki Kawada vs. Mitsuharu Misawa (4/11/94) – This match would have been part of the actual Champion’s Carnival but Misawa was injured... so they still had the match but its non-tourney.
DISC 7: “The Greatest Battle”
20. Champions Carnival 1994 Finals: Toshiaki Kawada vs. Steve Williams (04/16/94) – Kawada wins the 94 carnival and earns another shot at Misawa’s titles. Interesting note here: Kawada beats Williams, the man who would go on to end Misawa’s TC title reign in October. Great match too.
21. World Tag Team Title: Akira Taue & Toshiaki Kawada vs. © Kenta Kobashi & Mitsuharu Misawa (05/21/94) – Kawada’s a real prick here, booting Misawa off the apron repeatedly. Just a great vicious tag match, the final 20 min are especially awesome. This match sort of sets the template for the epic tags to come.
22. Triple Crown: Toshiaki Kawada vs. © Mitsuharu Misawa (06/03/94) – Pure Art. One of the best matches you’ll ever see. You can FEEL Kawada’s determination. Watch Misawa go for the knee, watch Kawada bust Misawa’s eardrum. Best singles match of the feud, some say all time.
DISC 8: “A Singles Title”
23. Triple Crown: Toshiaki Kawada vs. © Steve Williams (10/22/94) – Kawada FINALLY wins the Triple Crown. From the man who beat Misawa no less...
24. Champions Carnival 95: Toshiaki Kawada vs. Mitsuharu Misawa (04/06/95) – Kawada literally breaks Misawa’ face (orbital bone) 30 seconds in... And then they go for another 29:30. That’s dedication. Fun match too.
DISC 9: “The Epic Tag”
25. World Tag Team Title: Akira Taue & Toshiaki Kawada vs. © Kenta Kobashi & Mitsuharu Misawa (06/09/95) – In my opinion the best men’s tag match of all time, with a finish that was literally years in the making. Epic storytelling that will likely never be equaled. You need to see the back-story for it to truly work it’s magic. The very definition of a must see match, with some of the greatest selling/visuals/storytelling in a wrestling match that has ever been filmed.
26. Triple Crown: Toshiaki Kawada vs. © Mitsuharu Misawa (07/24/95) – Misawa looks to avenge his first pin fall loss to Kawada. Great, great fast paced match. This one doesn’t get enough love.
DISC 10: “60 Minute Classic”
27. World Tag Titles: © Akira Taue & Toshiaki Kawada vs. Kenta Kobashi & Mitsuharu Misawa (10/15/95) – Probably the best 60 min tag match you’ll ever see. Much better than their 1/24/95 60 min draw. I wanted to pick one of the two 60 min draws for this set, I picked this one. You’ll thank me if you’ve never seen it.
DISC 11: “2 Pinfalls”
28. 1996 RWTL Final: Jun Akiyama & Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Akira Taue & Toshiaki Kawada (12/06/96) – If 6/9/95 is the best men’s tag of all time, this is a close second. Kawada once again pins Misawa. A true classic all around.
29. Champions Carnival 1997: Toshiaki Kawada vs. Mitsuharu Misawa (04/02/97) – Fun match. Continuing their series of 30 min draws in the carny.
30. Champions Carnival 1997 Finals: Toshiaki Kawada vs. Mitsuharu Misawa (04/19/97) – Kawada pins Misawa for the first time in singles competition... In less than 7 minutes...
DISC 12: “The War Continues”
31. Champions Carnival 1997 Finals: Toshiaki Kawada vs. Kenta Kobashi (04/19/97) – ...and then pins Kobashi on the same night, winning him the 97 Carnival and earning him another shot at Misawa’s titles.
32. Triple Crown: Toshiaki Kawada vs. © Mitsuharu Misawa (06/06/97) – Kawada tries to give Misawa brain damage by dropping him on his head more times than you can count. Awesome match. Some hate the head dropping; I love the viciousness of Kawada in this match. Oh the head dropping...
33. Champions Carnival 1998: Toshiaki Kawada vs. Mitsuharu Misawa (03/29/98 ) – Another 30 min draw. This was needed to set up the “no time limit” stipulation for their upcoming dome match.
DISC 13: “Victory at Last”
34. Triple Crown: Toshiaki Kawada vs. © Mitsuharu Misawa (05/01/98 ) – In front of a crowd of 58,300 at the Tokyo Dome, six years after their first Triple Crown match, five years since they were partners, and three years since getting his first pin over Misawa, Kawada FINALLY pins Misawa for the Triple Crown on the biggest stage possible.
35. Triple Crown: Toshiaki Kawada vs. © Mitsuharu Misawa (01/22/99) – Kawada breaks his arm mere minutes into this match, that doesn’t stop him from pinning Misawa again, and hitting the infamous Ganso bomb in the process. Brutal match.
36. Triple Crown: Toshiaki Kawada vs. © Mitsuharu Misawa (07/23/99) – Misawa faces Kawada in the final Triple Crown match they will ever have. This match works as a highlight reel for their feud, featuring most of their signature spots, like Kawada kicking the crap out of Misawa in the corner, Misawa standing up after Kawada's shin kicks, a tease of the Ganso bomb, and the Tiger Driver '91.
DISC: 14 “Aftermath”
37. Champions Carnival 2000: Toshiaki Kawada vs. Mitsuharu Misawa (03/31/00) – Kawada and Misawa meet for the final time in the champion’s carnival. This will be the last match they will ever have against each other in an All Japan ring. Misawa wins, with the first Emerald Frosion he ever hit on Kawada.
38. Toshiaki Kawada vs. Mitsuharu Misawa (NOAH, 07/18/05) – In front of a huge Tokyo Dome crowd, at NOAH’s biggest show ever, and more than 12 years after their rivalry started, Misawa faces Kawada in what will most likely be the final chapter of their feud. Whether the right man won in the end, that’s for you, the viewer, to decide...
DISC 1: “The Prologue”
1. 1988 RWTL: Stan Hansen & Terry Gordy vs. Toshiaki Kawada & Genichiro Tenryu (12/16/88 ) – This match will be foreshadowing for latter on. Here Kawada is the youngster, out of his league, latter this role will fall to Kobashi and then Akiyama. Watch as they destroy Kawada’s knee. Remember that for the 12/93 tag match, the 6/3/94 match, and many more...
2. Triple Crown: Jumbo Tsuruta vs. Genichiro Tenryu (06/05/89) - This match is an interesting harbinger of things to come. It is the longest Triple Crown match up to this point, and serves almost as the bridge between 1980’s AJPW style, and the style Misawa and Co. would use in the 90’s. Meltzer gave it *****, and it’s easily one of the best matches of the 80’s.
3. Tiger Mask II (Misawa) & Toshiaki Kawada vs. Yatsu and Fuyuki (05/14/90) – Tiger Mask II gets brutalized by Yatsu and Fuyuki, and as a result unmasks as Misawa, and kicks some ass.
4. Jumbo Tsuruta vs. Mitsuharu Misawa (06/08/90) – Misawa upsets Jumbo, in by FAR the biggest win of his career up to this point. One of the greatest matches you'll ever see.
DISC 2: “Partners”
5. Jumbo Tsuruta & Akira Taue & Masanobu Fuchi vs. Mitsuharu Misawa & Toshiaki Kawada & Kenta Kobashi (10/19/90) – One of the best Misawa & Co. vs. Jumbo & Co. six man’s.
6. Jumbo Tsuruta & Akira Taue & Masa Fuchi vs. Mitsuharu Misawa & Toshiaki Kawada & Kenta Kobashi (04/20/91) – Another amazing six man tag. Probably the most famous of the six man tags from this time. Hell, I could probably fill 10 discs of just Misawa & co. vs. Jumbo & co. six man tag’s and they’d all rule.
7. World Tag Titles: Mitsuharu Misawa & Toshiaki Kawada vs. © Terry Gordy & Steve Williams (07/24/91) – Misawa and Kawada upset the champs and win the tag team titles for the first time.
DISC 3: “The Triple Crown”
8. Triple Crown: © Jumbo Tsuruta vs. Toshiaki Kawada (10/24/91) – Misawa’s beaten Jumbo, now Kawada gives it a try. Everyone knows he really has no chance, but he gives it a hell of an effort. Awesome match.
9. Triple Crown: Mitsuharu Misawa vs. © Stan Hansen (8/22/92) – Misawa wins the Triple Crown from Stan Hansen, beginning his two year Triple Crown reign.
10. Triple Crown: Toshiaki Kawada vs. © Mitsuharu Misawa (10/21/92) – Misawa makes his first Triple Crown defense against his partner.
Disc 4: “Different Paths”
11. World Tag Titles: © Mitsuharu Misawa & Toshiaki Kawada vs. Terry Gordy & Steve Williams (01/30/93) – Misawa and Kawada lose the tag titles to Gordy and Williams. This would be the last time they would hold the tag titles and one of their last matches as a team.
12. Champions Carnival 1993: Toshiaki Kawada vs. Mitsuharu Misawa (03/27/93) – A match from the 1993 Champion Carnival. The animosity is not their yet, more of a contest between former partners.
13. Champions Carnival 1993: Toshiaki Kawada vs. Akira Taue (04/13/93) – Former rivals Taue and Kawada show each other mutual respect after going to a draw, foreshadowing their eventual teaming up.
DISC 5: “New Beginings”
14. World Tag Team Titles: Toshiaki Kawada & Akira Taue vs. © Terry Gordy & Steve Williams (05/26/93) – Kawada and Taue team up and win back the Tag Titles that Kawada and Misawa lost to Gordy and Williams.
15. World Tag Team Title: Mitsuharu Misawa & Kenta Kobashi vs. © Toshiaki Kawada & Akira Taue (06/01/93) – The first meeting of these teams, a combination that would become legendary.
16. Misawa/Kobashi/Akiyama vs. Kawada/Taue/Ogawa (07/02/93) – Probably the best six man tag you’ll ever see. Everyone plays their roles perfectly, and the crowd goes crazy for the Misawa/Kawada exchanges.
DISC 6: “Enemies”
17. Triple Crown: Toshiaki Kawada vs. © Mitsuharu Misawa (07/29/93) – They finally bring the HATE here. Their first singles match with full on animosity.
18. 1993 RWTL: Akira Taue & Toshiaki Kawada vs. Kenta Kobashi & Mitsuharu Misawa (12/03/93) – Best match of the feud up to this point. Remember the 1988 RWTL match here; unlike five years ago, when Kawada’s injured knee stopped him from being able to save Tenryu, this time his knee stops him from tagging Taue in. One of the best tag matches you’ll ever see.
19. Toshiaki Kawada vs. Mitsuharu Misawa (4/11/94) – This match would have been part of the actual Champion’s Carnival but Misawa was injured... so they still had the match but its non-tourney.
DISC 7: “The Greatest Battle”
20. Champions Carnival 1994 Finals: Toshiaki Kawada vs. Steve Williams (04/16/94) – Kawada wins the 94 carnival and earns another shot at Misawa’s titles. Interesting note here: Kawada beats Williams, the man who would go on to end Misawa’s TC title reign in October. Great match too.
21. World Tag Team Title: Akira Taue & Toshiaki Kawada vs. © Kenta Kobashi & Mitsuharu Misawa (05/21/94) – Kawada’s a real prick here, booting Misawa off the apron repeatedly. Just a great vicious tag match, the final 20 min are especially awesome. This match sort of sets the template for the epic tags to come.
22. Triple Crown: Toshiaki Kawada vs. © Mitsuharu Misawa (06/03/94) – Pure Art. One of the best matches you’ll ever see. You can FEEL Kawada’s determination. Watch Misawa go for the knee, watch Kawada bust Misawa’s eardrum. Best singles match of the feud, some say all time.
DISC 8: “A Singles Title”
23. Triple Crown: Toshiaki Kawada vs. © Steve Williams (10/22/94) – Kawada FINALLY wins the Triple Crown. From the man who beat Misawa no less...
24. Champions Carnival 95: Toshiaki Kawada vs. Mitsuharu Misawa (04/06/95) – Kawada literally breaks Misawa’ face (orbital bone) 30 seconds in... And then they go for another 29:30. That’s dedication. Fun match too.
DISC 9: “The Epic Tag”
25. World Tag Team Title: Akira Taue & Toshiaki Kawada vs. © Kenta Kobashi & Mitsuharu Misawa (06/09/95) – In my opinion the best men’s tag match of all time, with a finish that was literally years in the making. Epic storytelling that will likely never be equaled. You need to see the back-story for it to truly work it’s magic. The very definition of a must see match, with some of the greatest selling/visuals/storytelling in a wrestling match that has ever been filmed.
26. Triple Crown: Toshiaki Kawada vs. © Mitsuharu Misawa (07/24/95) – Misawa looks to avenge his first pin fall loss to Kawada. Great, great fast paced match. This one doesn’t get enough love.
DISC 10: “60 Minute Classic”
27. World Tag Titles: © Akira Taue & Toshiaki Kawada vs. Kenta Kobashi & Mitsuharu Misawa (10/15/95) – Probably the best 60 min tag match you’ll ever see. Much better than their 1/24/95 60 min draw. I wanted to pick one of the two 60 min draws for this set, I picked this one. You’ll thank me if you’ve never seen it.
DISC 11: “2 Pinfalls”
28. 1996 RWTL Final: Jun Akiyama & Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Akira Taue & Toshiaki Kawada (12/06/96) – If 6/9/95 is the best men’s tag of all time, this is a close second. Kawada once again pins Misawa. A true classic all around.
29. Champions Carnival 1997: Toshiaki Kawada vs. Mitsuharu Misawa (04/02/97) – Fun match. Continuing their series of 30 min draws in the carny.
30. Champions Carnival 1997 Finals: Toshiaki Kawada vs. Mitsuharu Misawa (04/19/97) – Kawada pins Misawa for the first time in singles competition... In less than 7 minutes...
DISC 12: “The War Continues”
31. Champions Carnival 1997 Finals: Toshiaki Kawada vs. Kenta Kobashi (04/19/97) – ...and then pins Kobashi on the same night, winning him the 97 Carnival and earning him another shot at Misawa’s titles.
32. Triple Crown: Toshiaki Kawada vs. © Mitsuharu Misawa (06/06/97) – Kawada tries to give Misawa brain damage by dropping him on his head more times than you can count. Awesome match. Some hate the head dropping; I love the viciousness of Kawada in this match. Oh the head dropping...
33. Champions Carnival 1998: Toshiaki Kawada vs. Mitsuharu Misawa (03/29/98 ) – Another 30 min draw. This was needed to set up the “no time limit” stipulation for their upcoming dome match.
DISC 13: “Victory at Last”
34. Triple Crown: Toshiaki Kawada vs. © Mitsuharu Misawa (05/01/98 ) – In front of a crowd of 58,300 at the Tokyo Dome, six years after their first Triple Crown match, five years since they were partners, and three years since getting his first pin over Misawa, Kawada FINALLY pins Misawa for the Triple Crown on the biggest stage possible.
35. Triple Crown: Toshiaki Kawada vs. © Mitsuharu Misawa (01/22/99) – Kawada breaks his arm mere minutes into this match, that doesn’t stop him from pinning Misawa again, and hitting the infamous Ganso bomb in the process. Brutal match.
36. Triple Crown: Toshiaki Kawada vs. © Mitsuharu Misawa (07/23/99) – Misawa faces Kawada in the final Triple Crown match they will ever have. This match works as a highlight reel for their feud, featuring most of their signature spots, like Kawada kicking the crap out of Misawa in the corner, Misawa standing up after Kawada's shin kicks, a tease of the Ganso bomb, and the Tiger Driver '91.
DISC: 14 “Aftermath”
37. Champions Carnival 2000: Toshiaki Kawada vs. Mitsuharu Misawa (03/31/00) – Kawada and Misawa meet for the final time in the champion’s carnival. This will be the last match they will ever have against each other in an All Japan ring. Misawa wins, with the first Emerald Frosion he ever hit on Kawada.
38. Toshiaki Kawada vs. Mitsuharu Misawa (NOAH, 07/18/05) – In front of a huge Tokyo Dome crowd, at NOAH’s biggest show ever, and more than 12 years after their rivalry started, Misawa faces Kawada in what will most likely be the final chapter of their feud. Whether the right man won in the end, that’s for you, the viewer, to decide...
