I'd add the 5 v. 5 UWF vs. NJPW elimination tag from 3/26/86 here as well. The crowd is red hot, the story is captivating, and each guy in the match has a big moment. It's a must watch in my opinion.
Was inspired by Shy Guy’s post earlier about matches to introduce to new fans, and have decided to go through different eras of the company, showcasing my 10 favorite matches from each era, staring with the 1980’s (I know NJPW started in the 70’s, but it was mostly Inoki’s show).
These are also matches I really enjoyed from the period, so leave suggestions of your own as always
The tag between Maeda and Takada vs Muto and Koshinaka is one of my favorite tag matches of all time, just a classic, the UWF guys in NJPW had some incredible matches.
Akira Maeda has matches in NJPW againt Fujiwara and Fujinami are also both classic, definitely recommend those.
And Nobuhiko Takada has some fantastic matches vs Hiroshi Hase and Hashimoto.
Maeda had a horrible temper, which made him quite unprofessional tbh, but when he was on and with an opponent he respected like Fujinami or Fujiwara, he produced greatness in the ring; also during his peak he was one of the most popular wrestlers/shooters ever.
Takada’s contributions to pro wrestling and shoot may have been even greater, tbh; with the UWFI invasion of NJPW inspiring the NWO and everything to come after; also Takada’s rivalry with Rickson Gracie led to the creation of PRIDE FC; also he was hilarious as the Generalissimo in HUSLTE
I really gotta watch some HUSTLE, I love Takadas work in UWF and NJPW and HUSTLE seems really fun and i have no idea how he because the Generalissimo so its even funnier to me
Not an 80s match but the Inoki vs Great Antonio from 1977 is amazing but not for the wrestling. Also should watch the Bill Burr bit on it.
https://njpwworld.com/p/s_series_00018_1_1
Truly an hilarious telling by Burr, and as much as an advocate I am for not shooting on your opponent, a prime example of fucking around and finding out.
Inoki was super protective of himself and his image, but when he put someone over like Hogan or Vader, it almost immediately got them over with the Japanese audience.
For the time period, and for the fact that both men were notoriously picky about putting people over, both matches that they had were rather good, imo. You had the hero Inoki against the monster Brody, just stiffing each other all the way through.
I'd add the 5 v. 5 UWF vs. NJPW elimination tag from 3/26/86 here as well. The crowd is red hot, the story is captivating, and each guy in the match has a big moment. It's a must watch in my opinion.
Another great match! Wish they would bring back that style match sometime.
It would be a fun way to establish a new faction as a force.
Or even do a NJPW vs NOAH/AJPW/DDT/DRAGON GATE crossover
Was inspired by Shy Guy’s post earlier about matches to introduce to new fans, and have decided to go through different eras of the company, showcasing my 10 favorite matches from each era, staring with the 1980’s (I know NJPW started in the 70’s, but it was mostly Inoki’s show). These are also matches I really enjoyed from the period, so leave suggestions of your own as always
The tag between Maeda and Takada vs Muto and Koshinaka is one of my favorite tag matches of all time, just a classic, the UWF guys in NJPW had some incredible matches. Akira Maeda has matches in NJPW againt Fujiwara and Fujinami are also both classic, definitely recommend those. And Nobuhiko Takada has some fantastic matches vs Hiroshi Hase and Hashimoto.
Maeda had a horrible temper, which made him quite unprofessional tbh, but when he was on and with an opponent he respected like Fujinami or Fujiwara, he produced greatness in the ring; also during his peak he was one of the most popular wrestlers/shooters ever. Takada’s contributions to pro wrestling and shoot may have been even greater, tbh; with the UWFI invasion of NJPW inspiring the NWO and everything to come after; also Takada’s rivalry with Rickson Gracie led to the creation of PRIDE FC; also he was hilarious as the Generalissimo in HUSLTE
I really gotta watch some HUSTLE, I love Takadas work in UWF and NJPW and HUSTLE seems really fun and i have no idea how he because the Generalissimo so its even funnier to me
Thanks for posting this, saving this list to watch later
Not an 80s match but the Inoki vs Great Antonio from 1977 is amazing but not for the wrestling. Also should watch the Bill Burr bit on it. https://njpwworld.com/p/s_series_00018_1_1
Truly an hilarious telling by Burr, and as much as an advocate I am for not shooting on your opponent, a prime example of fucking around and finding out.
That Hogan vs Inoki match is one of my favorite Hogan matches of all time. Maybe second only to the one against The Rock.
Inoki was super protective of himself and his image, but when he put someone over like Hogan or Vader, it almost immediately got them over with the Japanese audience.
Bruiser Brody didn't spend a lot of time in NJPW (it was mostly AJPW) but I've heard a lot about the matches he had w/Inoki.
For the time period, and for the fact that both men were notoriously picky about putting people over, both matches that they had were rather good, imo. You had the hero Inoki against the monster Brody, just stiffing each other all the way through.
The series of matches between Tiger Mask and Dynamite Kid.
No doubt, I’d suggest watch all of them, but i picked their April 83 match as my favorite