Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 18: Tiger Mask vs. Dynamite Kid (4/23/81)

Hell yes! Tiger Mask makes his first appearance on the set. I totally respect TM detractors (and Dynamite negaters too), as there are some valid points, but I simply mark out big time for this match up. It’s fun. Hopefully that feeling is validated in the work.

The first minute has such an energy that I find a breath of fresh air to this set. It’s true that TM is flashy, but can be sloppy and/or miss moves. Very true. But his escapes and movements are entertaining. His underdog persona is more apparent than Fujinami. His speed is beyond anything seen on the set, and it’s used as an asset. His selling, long term, isn’t great, and the structure of the matches can be picked apart, but that said I’ve sat through some really sound mat-based stuff that ended up with me feeling bored. Dynamite is a good foil, and being willing to bump for the smaller TM, is an asset to the match.

All that said, you get alot in this match. You get holds and reversals. You get an up and down rollercoaster feel. You get stiff action and acrobatics. Dynamite plays a trashy heel willing to go for the mask and try to tear it off. I can’t help but like this match, and therefore end up on the other end of criticism (I’m willing to take for my tastes).

On the down side you do get spottiness and misses moves. To that I say: This is the start of innovation. They are figuring it out as they go, and their style was influential of many wrestlers and promotions I liked. It’s ten minutes of interesting stuff, and it has faults, so I’m not going to have it high overall, but it has validity to me, if that makes any sense. 2 ¾ and 3/10.