NWA Championship: Ricky Steamboat (c) vs. Tiger Mask II

From 1989, Ricky Stamboat defends his NWA title against Tiger Mask II (Mitsuharu Misawa). Not a bad match--well worked, good heat, disapointing finish. Worth a look to see Misawa in his early days getting a lookin.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Mitsuharu
• Misawa
• Ricky
• Steamboat
• NWA
• NOAH
• AJPW

[matt4lyfe]

Exactly! Why does someone have to have good mic skills to hold a world title? Besides, Benoit held that title for a good 5 months. That's actually pretty long considering how title changes usually are in WWE nowadays.

[azarazar007]

That's exactly what's wrong with American Pro Wrestling. No only you have to be a good wrestler, but you must be a clown also. Japanese Pro Wrestling is not like that and that's why I LOVE IT!

[HymieItsu]

I don't care for Steamboat that much, but it was still a darn good match.

[Bravesrtops]

@TheLuscious Not being a dick but different time period, different breed of wrestling fan, and the wrestling style has changed dramatically. I'm sure this will garner me a lot of heat, but i don't think the matches stand the test of time, especially after repeated viewing.

[Bravesrtops]

@RobbDoggg69 . . . because he was the NWA champion.

[Bravesrtops]

@21richkid Morrison would just be horrible in Japan. He is one of the worst strikers i've ever seen and that seems to be a big thing in Japanese wrestling, the strong strikes. He also does not work a ground game or anything like that. He does do nice spots, but i think Japan is the very last place that Morrison could go and get over. I would bank on it.

[Bravesrtops]

I love that you say this, as Misawa is wearing a furry mask in the ring. So who's the clown? Spare me the mask argument, I get it but it is sports entertainment that sells not wrestling.

[mkl62]

Ricky Steamboat was the NWA World's Heavyweight Champion for 2 and a half months in 1989.

[Ryvander]

@BrAmuck yeah but only as Kobashi is now...if it'd happened in past, Kobashi would have to refine his skill soo much that this match wouldn't make sense, excluding in promoting Japanese wrestling. Anyway, we had Mutoh- Hogan.

[21richkid]

Talk about talent exchange match? Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Shelton Benjamin, Toru Yano vs Kane, or Kenji Mutoh vs John Morrison. Those matches would be great, but Vince McMahon won't let WWE and NJPW work an agreement.

[raymondcesar1]

great match