Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 8: Antonio Inoki vs. Stan Hansen (5/9/80)

Inoki won the belt last time, beating Hansen cleanly, but the monster didn’t stay down long. Here’s their third match on the first disk, with another on the way.

Inoki has is serious game face on. Hansen has Freddie Blassie in his corner. Advantage Hansen. Hansen definitely does do the little things well, lie being bother by the fan chants BELIEVABLY, a hard lock up, and a forearm miss and reaction. Inoki’s offense doesn’t do it for me most of the time. It’s Hansen who has to carry me to emotional involvement. Inoki’s arm breaker on the lariat arm is a nice touch, and he stays on it with a rather weak rest hold. Eventually he moves to something a bit more legit. So far I’m liking the psychology, but lacking a bit in my praise of the execution of moves. I just think the rest holds are often dull and uninspired as they seem to move from one thing to the next. Man, that sounded so much worse then I feel about his match.

Inoki schools Hansen with kicks to the back of the head and such for a bit, but the bruiser keeps coming back. Hansen focuses on the knee, but Inoki selling isn’t there for me. It’s visible at times, I see it, and I feel nothing. Hansen’s come back (including a chase) is tough guy stuff I like. He murders the knee and hits some actual wrestling move (pile driver included). Hansen hits a Harley Race high knee, but misses the splash. Hansen comes back with a lariat, then takes it to the floor. This reminds me of a prior match they had. Inoki gets to beat up Hansen. At least Hansen sells well, complete with expressions. He hits the lariat out on the floor too. Hansen is bleeding. This has definitely gotten better. Brainbuster, but Inoki’s foot reaches the ropes. Hansen then tosses the ref, I guess because he’s supposed to be crazy. He beats all of the green boys assigned to Inoki’s corner, and they pull Inoki away at sixteen minutes in. If there isn’t a comeback I’m going to feel like this was a waste. Nope. That’s it. Some good stuff by Hansen, but I was bored half the time. I just don’t revere the aura of these men like other fans do. They’re just people doing stuff to a non-finish to me. 3 and 6/10.