Revolution Calling: Jumbo Tsuruta, Mitsuharu Misawa, Toshiaki Kawada

Hey yo Gypsy Queens and Stud Muffins Du Jour,

In the 1980s, All Japan drew around the babyface acts of Jumbo Tsuruta, Genichiro Tenryu, and the Funks (the only gaijin act at the time to be a babyface draw in All Japan and you thought America was xenophobic) against gaijin talent usually the NWA or AWA World Heavyweight Champions or Stan Muthafuckin Hansen. This changed in the mid-80s when Riki Choshu invaded the promotion and the NWA and AWA collapsed. All Japan could not longer rely on a steady stream of gaijin talent and Choshu proved native vs native could draw. So Baba (promoter of All Japan) decided to pit his top two native stars against each other: Jumbo Tsuruta and Genichiro Tenryu.

Assuring me positive views

Beats Up Young Punks For A Living

Jumbo was Tenryu’s senior and the bigger star of All Japan thus cast as the ace of the promotion and the man who forged the Triple Crown out of the NWA International Title, NWA United National Title and the PWF Title when Tsuruta beat Stan Hansen. Tenryu and his stable (Toshiaki Kawada was in this stable) attempted to lead an insurgency against the establishment centered around Jumbo Tsuruta. Tenryu finally usurped Jumbo on June 5, 1989 in what is considered one of the best matches of the 80s. His success would be short-lived as he would leave to create his own promotion in 1990 and drop the titles back to Jumbo in April. Seeing the void with Tenryu’s departure, Baba realized he had to push a new native star: Mitsuharu Misawa.

Around this time, Tiger Mask II (a member of Jumbo’s stable) in an attempt to make a name for himself joined himself with Toshiaki Kawada and Kenta Kobashi to lead a New Generation Army against Jumbo and the veterans. This was no longer Jumbo facing off against a contemporary but another a whole new, younger generation of stars. In May of 1990, Kawada unmasked Tiger Mask II to be Mitsuharu Misawa and it was set for All Japan’s next trip to Budokan that Jumbo would defend the titles against Misawa. However, three days before this match Jumbo lost the belts to Terry Gordy thus rendering the Misawa match a non-title affair. Regardless, the match would go down as one of the most important matches in the history of pro wrestling.

Jumbo Tsuruta vs Mitsuharu Misawa

June 8, 1990 Budokan Hall

My birthday, I officially turned one year old on this day. Weird to think I was celebrating my first birthday and unbeknownst to me all the way in Japan one of the most important matches in history was about to unfold.

The match is designed to make the young, tenacious upstart Mitsuharu Misawa a star, plain and simple. He is basically a completely new wrestler due to his unmasking and thus they wanted Misawa to have a big impact on his first show at the Budokan. Tsuruta was more than up to the task as the grizzled veteran, who treats Misawa as a human who treat a gnat only for him to gain more and more respect for him as the match progressed. The audience sees the world much through the eyes of Jumbo the more he takes Misawa seriously the more they take him seriously. Even before the match, there were loud chants of “Mi-saw-a”, but I do not know how many believed he actually had a chance in the match against the established Jumbo Tsuruta as he was not treated as a main event level talent until the past month. Going into the match, you feel Jumbo is trying to humiliate Misawa not by toying with him, but instead beating him within five minutes by going for all his big offense early. This is a tactic I have not seen utilized in the WWE. Most times they were do the heel gets cocky and toys with his opponent. The heel instead trying to put away the face early and often and face evading the heel would actually be much more effective in getting the face over.

 The first quarter or so of the match establishes Misawa as a force to be reckoned with as he uses his quickness and his knowledge of Jumbo’s tendencies (the high-knee and counter-weighting the back body driver) to evade him and connect with aerial offense. The climax of this early shine is Misawa’s now classic head-and-shoulders fake flip over the ropes into a dropkick here (eventually be an elbow, a little difference in proto-Misawa) and his plancha onto Jumbo.

The match feels almost to reset after this early flurry. Jumbo knows it will be tougher than he thought at the outset; Misawa has gained confidence; the audience believes they are watching a star be born. Jumbo looking to stymie Misawa goes back to what he knows: a Jumbo Tsuruta (an All-Japan?) staple: the surfboard spot, which is preferred way to do a test of strength in All Japan. Much to his chagrin, Misawa wins and then promptly mule kicks him before Tsuruta re-establishes control. Jumbo cant catch a break!

In a moment to prove Misawa has a big set of hairy balls, Misawa slaps Tsuruta off a rope break twice and the crowd loves it. Jumbo says you don’t do that shit to me and obliterates him with his trademark high-knee and grabs the abdominal stretch. Misawa reverses that and does a proper abdominal stretch. GORILLA WOULD BE SO PROUD! Jumbo is still not taking Misawa fully seriously as he attempts to whip Misawa off the ropes and pick him up and drop him twice and the second time Misawa counters with a dropkick. Misawa tries really hard to finally hit a frogsplash and when he does he only gets a 2 in it is the type of anti-climax within a wrestling match that really builds tension. With Misawa having shot his load, Jumbo takes advantage of his indecision to hotshot Misawa in a great moment because the hotshot is usually the move that turns the tide against Jumbo.

Now the Jumbo control segment is in full swing: piledriver, Thesz Press, dropkick, big boot, a flying knee, and a powerbomb all with near-falls after each one as Jumbo is just pouring it on. Misawa is able to negotiate a backslide and then hit a wicked elbow as both men fall to the mat in a great moment. Misawa does another aerial sequence with a baseball slide setting up a cross body block from the top onto the floor. Misawa is wrestling much more like Tiger Mask here than the Misawa we know and love and it is really cool to watch. Misawa hits a wicked spinkick (I am not a fan of Misawa’s kicks but this one was good) to set up another frogsplash, but eats the knees as he went to the well once too often.

Jumbo goes for his trademark Boston Crab and follows it up with a pair of wicked lariats. You get the feeling Jumbo is now a bit worried that he might not win this thing and he is really putting some extra mustard on his moves. He goes for his kill: Backdrop Driver, but Misawa climbs the turnbuckles to partially block it. Misawa connects with a  bridging German suplex, but that does not put him away and attempts for his kill: Tiger Driver attempt, BUT Jumbo back body drops him out of that. Jumbo obliterates him with a high-knee and then crushes him with an elbow when Misawa tries a springboard back elbow. The ending feels like Misawa is in full desperation mode and Jumbo is in control with stiff shots. Then Jumbo goes for a high-risk putaway as he epically misses a dropkick into the ropes. With both weary, Misawa drops down his back on a suplex attempts and tries a Backdrop Driver, but Jumbo counterweights him and at 2 Misawa reverses the cover and WINS!!!! HOLY SHIT!!! MISAWA WON!!!

This is such an excellent first of a series match because it is both satisfying as a match unto itself, but you want to see the next one. Misawa was the definitive winner both in the kayfabe sense and in the eyes of the fans, but he did not vault over Jumbo he just proved he was on his level. In the beginning, Misawa comes off as an offensive dynamo, but after he prematurely climaxes with a frogsplash that does not get a win, he shows off his resiliency and selling skills as he eats all of Jumbo’s big offense. So in the course of the match, the fans know Misawa has fighting spirit and the offense to compete with the big dog. The finish is worked beautifully with both men countering one another finishers. You get a real sense of parity, but in a good way and it just so happens that Misawa falls on top on the last counter. However, it deftly constructed not to feel like a fluke because of how much offense Misawa got and how he was portrayed as Jumbo’s peer through the match. It just felt that both men had expended so much energy in this war of attrition that fatigue was the factor that led to Jumbo’s demise.

This leads to great questions for a rematch: Has Misawa surpassed Jumbo? I think to answer that question Misawa will have to dominate Jumbo, which you never get the feel of here. Misawa is working up to Jumbo, but not looking down on him. Can Misawa withstand a Jumbo killshot? Remember we never saw Misawa take the Backdrop Driver. So the rematch was set for All Japan’s return to Budokan on Septmeber 1, 1990 with number one contendership to Stan Hansen’s Triple Crown at stake. 

Jumbo decking Misawa in mid-air with an elbow as he tries a springboard back elbow 

Jumbo Tsuruta vs Mitsuharu Misawa

Number One Contender to All Japan Triple Crown 

September 1, 1990

The first portion of the match is wrestled much more tentatively as both men better understand each other. Jumbo seems to target Misawa’s mid-section and is looking to set himself up rather than commit himself to the kill early only to have Misawa sting him with counters. They work the same perfunctory surfboard spot. Misawa delivers some big elbows that inspire some “Mi-saw-a” chants only for Jumbo to cut him off with a big boot. Jumbo runs through his ground offense: Boston Crab and abdominal stretch in hopes of grounding the quicker Misawa. It seems Jumbo has learned that in the last match he had played right into Misawa’s hands and is wrestling a much smarter match by taking his time and letting things develop.

The Misawa elbows are established moreso in this match as Misawa’s sort of cure-all to any of his problems. Misawa much like Jumbo is using them to set up a ground based attack. Jumbo says “Enough of that shit” and rolls him with a couple big elbows. Jumbo is running through his offense, but Misawa makes sure to time his hope spots well to keep the crowd guessing. They even play on the finish to the last match with Misawa counterweighting a Backdrop Driver only for Jumbo to roll over this time and almost capture the victory. This sequence had more heat than normal due to the inter-match storytelling, very smart.

Jumbo wins a strike exchange with some vicious open hand slaps over Misawa’s elbows and Misawa powders for an artificial timeout. On the outside, Jumbo goes so far as to hit Misawa with a chair, which illustrates not just the resiliency of Misawa, but also the lengths Jumbo needs to and is willing to go to defeat Misawa. Misawa, ever the fighter, returns the favor with even more elbows. Having Jumbo staggered delivers a diving elbow from the top and then a plancha onto the floor. Misawa’s rope-a-dope tactics seemingly paid off as he is absolute control of Jumbo for the first time in either of their matches. He dominates Jumbo in the corner with elbows in a way that neither man has ever had the advantage over the other in either match.

Jumbo, ever the veteran, busts out some desperation headbutts and a dropkick to create some breathing room for himself as things look bleak. Misawa is able to perform a hurricanrana out of a powerbomb and then execute a bridging German suplex and it seems that Misawa will be taking the mantle of Ace from Jumbo. Jumbo blocks the Tiger Driver and off a fucked up exchange of what appeared to be a victory roll, Jumbo obliterates Misawa with two high-knees. This sets up a superplex into the Backdrop Driver and the commentator absolutely loses his shit when Misawa kicks out along with the crowd. Does Jumbo have what it takes? What more does he have to do? Has Misawa surpassed him? Misawa with elbows, but Jumbo wont be denied as he hits a LARIATOOOOOOOO and now a second Backdrop Driver to finally beat Misawa.

Jumbo proved in this match that Misawa does not have his number and that he too can take a lickin and keep on tickin. In addition, Jumbo still has the bigger bomb so to speak in the form of the Backdrop Driver, while Misawa has the set-up shot with his vaunted elbows.  Misawa proved that the victory was not a fluke and the actually had Jumbo dominated in the corner, but could not put together a winning combination. Misawa needs to a bomb to his amazing flurry of elbows because he feels like he is one move away.

Everyone always says that 6/8/90 is first among equals of these two matches, but I think that 6/8/90 is distinctly better (pretty much the difference between a 5 star match and 4.5 star match, not too much better, but still noticeable). I feel like they sort of went through the motions at the beginning and almost squandered it before Jumbo went on offense. Plus, I liked the story of the first one better, which something they could never re-capture and it has such a great finish. Still an incredible match and I am really splitting hairs here, but I definitely like 6/8/90 better.  

Jumbo Tsuruta would go to win the Triple Crown from Stan Hansen in January of 1991 holding it into the October anniversary show. Jumbo continued his feud with Misawa and Co. At the show, Jumbo would be taking on Misawa’s right-hand man: Toshiaki Kawada in a title match.

All this man on man action: I need a Boob Break. Ok back to elbows!

All Japan Triple Crown Champion Jumbo Tsuruta vs Toshiaki Kawada

October 24, 1991

The thing I was really looking out for here is what Kawada is going to bring to the table that is different than Misawa because clearly the match will have a similar theme to the Misawa matches (young upstart vs grizzled veteran), but since I consider Kawada elite I believe he should be able to put his stamp on this match. By the same token, would Jumbo be willing to adjust for Kawada or would he pull a Flair and just fit Kawada into the formula.

There are two running themes throughout this match that differentiate it from the Misawa matches. The match almost has a Jumbo cosplay feel with Kawada performing the same moves as Jumbo as to prove anything Jumbo could do, Kawada could do better ( ab stretch (2x, I love the second time as a rebound move off the rail), half crab, knee lifts to head, sleeper ). Secondly, Kawada establishes a tenacious side-headlock early and goes back to striking the left side of Jumbo’s face whenever he is in trouble. That is the bit of traditional All Japan psychology I felt was missing in the Misawa matches. Kawada, instead of using high-flying moves like Misawa, is going to attempt to grind it out against the bigger Jumbo and earn his respect and hopefully a victory that way.

Kawada is able to withstand some high-knees to his first big spot about half through a back elbow from the top for a 2 count (one of his mentor’s, Genichiro Tenyru’s, favorite moves). They do the famous Misawa/Jumbo finishing sequence, which was still over with crowd even though it was a year and a half later. The finish sequence is Jumbo attempting to wrangle Kawada into the Backdrop Driver and Kawada doing his damnest to avoid it by cutting off Jumbo with stiff shots to the face. Kawada gets a big pop for kicking out of the first Backdrop Driver and with a well-timed kick to the head it seems like he may have a shot. Except Jumbo wins a lariat battle and hits a finishing combo of Thesz Press, dropkick and Backdrop Driver.

The match is very much different in that Kawada never seems to pose a serious threat to Jumbo Tsuruta. It is much like an underdog that is always hanging around in a game. You never feel like the favorite has let the game out of control, but you know the underdog still has a puncher’s chance. The problem is Kawada had no knockout blow and when it came to crunch time Jumbo still had the big bomb in his arsenal. This match definitely established Kawada as Misawa’s junior, but established Kawada as a gritty, tenacious warrior with fighting spirit (he did kick out of a Backdrop Driver). So even though Kawada never posed a serious threat to Jumbo, you did not feel like he was out of his league you just felt as if he was a year or two away from being big-time player (like lets say the Thunder this past year). The Misawa matches are much better, but they are supposed to be better. This match also suffered from the cosplay as occasionally Kawada would lose focus and do abdominal stretches and half-crabs when it is not warranted. This match is very good for what it is and a very good introduction to Kawada. I need to get this in here somewhere but some of the best selling I have seen happened in this match with great work from Jumbo selling the left side of his head (how many wrestlers actually sell a side-headlock) and Kawada per usual being the master of the loopy, fatigued sell.

In 1992, the New Generation finally climbed the mountain top as Misawa became Triple Crown champion by defeating Stan Hansen. Unfortunately, Jumbo Tsuruta was diagnosed with Hepatitis B in 1992 and would be forced to fade away from the All Japan eventually passing away in 2000. This left the New Generation army to transition into the Four Corners of Heaven, but Kawada would not yet leave Misawa side. Once again during All Japan’s anniversary month (October), Kawada would challenge for the Triple Crown, but this time against his friend and leader, Mitsuharu Misawa.

From their 2005 match, 13 years of fighting, cant we all just get along?

All Japan Triple Crown Champion Mitsuharu Misawa vs Toshiaki Kawada

October 21, 1992 20^th Anniversary Show Budokan Hall

I will be covering every available match between these matches whilst chronicling the story of All Japan because how integral their story is to understanding All Japan. This match unlike the other matches will be presented as a match where a young Ace is trying to establish a firm grasp on his throne against another claimant (rather than a generational storyline).

Weird note, in what I believe was Andre The Giant’s last match was actually the match before this match on the night. He teamed with the ailing Jumbo Tsuruta, Terry Gordy against Giant Baba, Stan Hansen and Dory Funk Jr. I think I need to check that match out just out of curiosity. For those curious about Kenta Kobashi (noticeable by his absence in this blog), he was on the losing side of his match with The Patriot against Dr. Death and Danny Spivey.

Kawada strikes first and violently with a Backdrop Driver within the first 30 seconds as if to say “I am not fucking around. For the next 30 minutes or so, we aren’t friends, bitch. I am coming for your title and am going to do anything to get it.” Misawa is rolling his neck all like “Ok, punk bitch, if that’s how you want to play…” and the commentator is all like “DANGEROUSSSSSSSS” and Ernie Anastos was all like “Keep Fucking That Chicken”. Kawada seems to designate the arm as his point of attack. He cheapshots Misawa off a rope break and MISAWA IS PISSED~! He unloads with elbows on Kawada’s face.

They do a surfboard spot, man All Japan just dug that with Kawada winning with the mule kick. Misawa targets Kawada’s lower back with some submission moves like a Liontamer and a camel clutch. Kawada regains control with a short spinning heel kick. For those who have never seen a spinning heel kick from Kawada do yourself a favor and seek that shit out. It is so explosive and always comes off as a great sudden momentum swing. Kawada wants to give Misawa a taste of his own medicine applies a Scorpion Deathlock (such a better name than Sharpshooter) and then a Bow & Arrow move. Whenever things get out of hand, Kawada goes back to that short spinning heel kick to set up his offense and it seems like Misawa has not answer for Kawada’s tenacious facelock. Even Misawa’s elbows are not creating sustained offense as Kawada uses his kicks to unleash his first powerbomb, which gets the first big pop of the match.

Kawada applies his preferred submission move: the stretch plum as time went on the stretch plum would be seen as a formality in their matches and not elicit a crowd reaction. However, here it is still very much over and the announcer treats it as a big deal. Kawada seems flusters that he can string together a winning combination when Misawa delivers a HUGE German suplex for a 2 count in Misawa’s first big hope spot. Misawa hits a Tiger Driver, but still only get two. Then he applies a facelock that commentator loses his shit over. It is funny listening to the Japanese commentary because 90% of the time it is in Japanese and I just kind of tune it out. Then all of sudden this guy will be screaming in your ear “FACELOCK! FAAAAACELLOOOOOOOOCCCCKKKKKK!!!” It always makes my chuckle.

Here comes Misawa as he connects with the frogsplash and Kawada powders. You definitely get the feeling the end is near for Kawada and that he missed his opportunity to put his stable-mate away. Misawa flies outside the ring with a diving elbow onto Kawada showing him that he can run, but he cant hide from Misawa’s elbows. Kawada answers the call with a German suplex of his own and then a Dragon Suplex, but still cant hold him down. Misawa elbows him in the back of the head and hits him with a  Tiger Driver and Tiger Suplex and now he cant hold him down. There is an excellent moment where Kawada cant stand and keeps falling down on his ass so he just starts kicking Misawa in the head from the ground. Kawada is so bitchin. Another Tiger Suplex finally does the trick and Misawa wins.

This was a good first installment in the feud that would define All Japan as the greatest in ring promotion in the world throughout the 90s. Once again, you get the feeling Kawada is on the cusp of greatness, but still is not fully extending his opponent. Kawada is in control of most of the match and comes off as a star, but besides the powerbomb never really had any credible nearfall attempts. Even towards the end when he was coming on strong, you could just feel that Misawa was not going to be denied tonight and had delivered too much punishment to Kawada for him to be able to hold him down. The match also set up the split between the two very well. You definitely get the feeling that Kawada wants to step out of Misawa’s shadow and openly disrespects him with cheapshots. As the matches progressed, Kawada would grow even more sadistic as he attempted not only to beat Misawa, but punish him. Kawada’s selling at the end was simply sublime as he struggled to get to his feet only to resort to kicking Misawa from the ground. Misawa for his part timed his hope spots well and sold Kawada’s offense well. Misawa had just won the titles in May and it was important to establish him as the ace of the promotion. This match proved he was the undisputed number one native in the promotion and it was important that crowd credibly believed in him as the standard bearer of All Japan. This match accomplished that. This match lacked drama I would say, if I had to point to one thing holding this match back. Misawa had not perfected his extended comeback and Kawada was not yet the surly bastard to really challenge Misawa. Instead, it feels like a proto-Misawa vs proto-Kawada, which is still better than 90% of all matches ever, but the problem is their name carries such weight you cant help compare it to other matches of the era. It is a great match, but it is not all-time All Japan classic like the Jumbo/Misawa series. However, give it time, as Misawa/Kawada would surpass the Jumbo/Misawa series in quality.

Since the 15^th anniversary of the Montreal Screwjob was this past weekend, I have some late 1997 WWF on the docket. Plus I want to do a big write-up on 1993 All Japan, which is when Stan Hansen (one of my all-time favorites) just tears the house down throughout the year.