Pro Wrestling Chronicle

When I was a teen I feared Dr. Death. Not the old man who assisted suicides, but Steve Williams. I’d seen him here and there in start-ups like UWF in the early 90s, or during some of his WCW short runs. I had no idea why such a bassass wasn’t wrestling “more”. Kinda the way I felt about that disgusting, tobacco chewing guy that was only in WCW for a moment and seemed to think it was real: Stan Hanson. I had no idea Hanson or Williams were in Japan, until a few years later when I happened to notice the rankings in Bill Apter’s PWI.

When I finally got a tape marked “Japanese Super Tape” as a throw in when buying about three years of ECW TV in November 1997, I was shocked and fascinated to see Dr. Death on there. The match that captured me was the 6.3.94 Misawa vs Kawada, but the 1994 Champion’s Carnival Final was also on there, and I became convinced that Doc was the baddest man on earth. Oddly enough a friend I would make almost a decade later, our own Gene Boyer, has that same compilation on VHS. When we shared our memories of that tape and All Japan, he said the match that got him was the third All Japan match on the tape: Kobashi vs Doc from 1993.

So after a conversation with Gene last night I decided to take the recommendation and see the match. I haven’t watched it in probably eight or nine years. I have alot more background on these matches now, and some context, but maybe worst of all is that I’ve seen SO much more wrestling. In the late 90s All Japan captured me like ECW had done or World Class before that. Where was this from? Who were these guys? It had a mythic epic feel, not to mention it was so much different and unique when compared to the American product I’d been watching.

Kobashi had faced Doc before and gotten some good offense, but it was mostly when he was still low on the pecking order. Doc was a top foreigner for All Japan going back to 1990, and this match was for a Triple Crown Title shot. Kobashi was on fire as a singles star, and this was a big match for him. He was only a month removed from his famous match with Stan Hanson. Doc had had (I believe) two TC shots before and failed. This match had some significance going in.

Kenta Kobashi vs Steve Williams

I love how hot these crowds were right from the beginning. Really helps with the viewing. Right away these guys have an intense lock up and keep it going all around the ring. As a fan this matches me 10x more into a match from the beginning. They’re also working tight and snug from the start, and while some viewers are negative about that stiffer shoot action, I love it.

Doc gets smashed for the opening eight minutes. Kobashi really softens him up, and it’s a cool story because the hope spots here are Doc taking shots and selling damage, but taking them in a way as to say “you can’t put me down. I’m getting stronger and madder now.” It’s also a good twist as copared to alot of All Japan big match layouts of the time. Kobashi just goes in there, goes head to head, and pretty much controls the first ten minutes. Very little submission work or trading and missing, then stares. The chops exchanged in this match are also ridiculous. Flair and Steamboat would be calling off or crying from this stuff.

Doc finally stares down the chops and press slams Kobashi out of the ring. He does some good back work outside and we get to here Joe Higuchi (ref) yell, ” No more outside!” The awesome thing about Doc is he’s a power guy who just happens to be an awesome and agile wrestler, so he’s got alot more to work with. We also see a vicious Dragon suplex. Kobashi’s hope spots completely draw the crowd, and me 15 years later, into his comebacks. Also notice a great tease Doc giving him a backdrop driver and Kobashi grabbing the ropes in fear.

Random observation: Doc out of the corner does perfect stiff chops with BOTH hands. Rare you see such a thing, and it’s a talent I applaud him for.

A cool thing about All Japan are the great “John Wayne showdown” spots that probably tie into the idea of fighting spirit and never giving up, even in loss. Kobashi and Doc have several, including one that pits them in a slapping contest.

We move to the back and forth stuff outside. Big moves here are a DDT from Kobashi, and Doc’s desperation powerslam on the floor. Doc teases the back drop driver again.

“Kobashi” chant from the crowd. He grabs a sleeper on Doc that is way more over, animated, and effective then all but two or three during this decade in North America. Submissions were way ahead of the curve in Japan, but than, so was wrestling as a whole style-wise. Kobashi with a second rope suplex and then a pin gets two. DDT and another two. Before each the big foreigner tried a comeback but couldn’t close the deal. Good drama.

Kobashi drops several great leg drop and a belly-to-back suplex. Fans are popping big for the false finishes, and it’s fun ny to see them rooting on the guy in control. It’s usually whoever is selling at the moment, but Kobashi is over as heel and Doc is the ugly American. Kobashi to the top and they pop immediately recognizing the moonsault. He hits, but only a two count!

Two more leg drops, and he’s going up again. Doc get the knees up. Looked great. Doc football shoulder blocks. Kobashi reversal for a pin. Lariat by Kobashi only gets a two. We’re twenty five minutes in and this place is about to exploding thinking Kobashi is moments away from his first major shot at the GHC title.

Doc comeback! He hits the Oklahoma Stampede for a two count. Lariat by Doc for a two count. Back and forth now. Doc rushes, Kobashi tries to throw on a desperation sleeper, but Doc runs around it and Back drop Driver! Just killed Kobashi. 1-2-and kick out! He goes for another, Kobashi struggles, but he’s dumped on his head. Amazing visual as Kobashi flops around like a fish trying to regain his balance and coherence. He struggles across the ring to the ropes, but he can’t pull himself up. Doc stalks him. Back Drop Driver for a third time gets the pin for Doc. Doc wins.

My god that was a great match. Just so well built, perfect timing and they finished without going past what the fan’s peak pops would be. 4 1/2 stars and a happy me. Go steal five of these from any friend you have who watches puro. If you’re a teenage fan as I was a decade back when I discovered matches like this you owe it to yourself to just buy a $3 disk from an online distributor of this or the Misawa vs Kawada match. Then leave comments here thanking me:)