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WRESTLER OF THE DAY (Series 2) - TOSHIAKI KAWADA


RIPPA

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Not to mention that he's the MVP of said greatest match ever wrestled. 

 

Can't say enough about the guy. He shares a lot of traits with Hokuto. Never backs down, throws really stiff, awesome strikes (awesome because I didn't have to take them), incredibly smart, magnificent selling... Speaking of, his off balanced sell jobs, particularly those where he falls on his ass, are the best. 

 

His matches with Hansen were overshadowed by the '93 Kobashi match, which is fair as that match is unbelievable, but are classics in their own right. While Misawa did the whole clinical, calm ace act perfectly, Kawada's impassioned, frustrated Salieri routine was way more fun to watch and said more about life in general. Watching those two wrestle Hansen is a treat because you see both of their strengths shine and the differences in their personalities.

 

Perhaps the best ever at telling stories in the ring without ever needing to say a word.

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http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2xgo6a_toshiaki-kawada-vs-kensuke-sasaki-njpw_sport

 

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6tstq_njpw-toshiaki-kawada-vs-kensuke-sas_sport

 

Dunno if those are the same matches, just the the second cut down, if so tell me. They did two, I know. 

 

Kawada showing New Japan what was up is so fucking awesome. 

 

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x28m6xa_shinya-hashimoto-vs-toshiaki-kawada-ajpw-2-22-04_sport

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Okay, now we get weird. This exists and I had no idea. 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5FKwgqDMmw

 

And this...

 

 

I mean, I knew that existed, that he sang in HUSTLE, but I've never seen it. The great thing is right after he finishes his face goes right back into grumpy mode. It might have affected his singing but he should have sang without the teeth in. 

 

Now I'm thinking, what was that match I posted awhile ago in the MISC. thread where it was just Kawada beating the shit out of some dude in eight minutes after the guy tries to no-sell him? I can't remember the other dude, think he was a shoot-style indie wrestler. This was right at the end of All Japan pre-NOAH.

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As a HUGE All-Japan mark, it would be easy for me to go on and on about Dangerous K.

 

AJPW in the 90's was something you may never see again. Arguably the three best wrestlers in the world (definitely three of the top 10 in the world) all hitting their primes at the same time in the same promotion. Misawa, Kobashi, and Kawada were world class workers with Kawada being the best of the 3. His offense, his selling, the subtle story telling notes he could hit without saying anything. An unreal talent who worked in some of the most physically taxing matches in the history of the business we love.

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