Tatsumi Fujinami vs. Akira Maeda (NJPW, 6/12/86)

Awesome, awesome match -- one of my personal favorites -- and almost an all-time classic but with an unfortunately shitty finish due to the circumstances. This match sees Tatsumi Fujinami, the trusty hometown ace, taking on the UWF’s top striker in Akira Maeda in his best performances to date (that date being 1986). Like any good ace, Fujinami tends to blow off a lot of offense but here, he really sells the injured leg and Maeda’s kicks as dangerous weapons. Maeda continues to target the leg, although he keeps going back to the arm despite the easy target -- I guess as a way to neutralize Fujinami's dragon suplex or jujigatame? On top of that, Maeda himself keeps teasing the dragon suplex. They trade suplexes, Fujinami with a German and Maeda with his capture, before Fujinami slaps on the sasori-gatame, inducing the fans to collectively shit their pants. What a reaction! Then Maeda clips him with a rolling kick and when Fujinami touches his forehead and sees the blood on his fingers, he collapses. Maeda tries to finish him off with the dragon suplex hold and there's really terrific shock and relief from the crowd at the nearfall. The finish, as forewarned, wasn't good, as Fujinami hits a counter dropkick and it's enough for a double count out. It seems like an audible was called after Fujinami got busted open from Maeda's kick. Oh well, oh well -- still, an incredible match.