#147: Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Steve Williams, AJPW Summer Action Series (7/28/1994).
This is for Misawa's Triple Crown Championship.
Misawa is just under two months removed from his legendary title defense against Toshiaki Kawada, and here he faces a completely different animal in the athletic big man from Oklahoma.
The bell rings, and the crowd is hot for Misawa right away. Williams looks like a tank ready to be let loose. Williams forces Misawa to the corner first, and we get a clean break. They lock up, and Williams takes control of the back. Misawa with a front face lock, and Williams escapes with a drop toe hold. Both men circle one another, waiting for the first opening. Williams slaps Misawa, and the champion responds with some of his own. Williams nods his head in approval.
They lock up again, and Misawa takes the side headlock. Williams strikes the midsection, and Misawa gives him a few forearms. Cork screw clothesline by Misawa, followed by a sleeper hold attempt that Williams powers out of. Misawa goes back to it again, and Williams escapes again. But Misawa is tenacious, and this time he grapevines his legs around the midsection. Williams is able to get his leg on the bottom rope to break the hold.
Misawa applies a front face lock, and Williams counters with a bear hug. He forces Misawa to the turnbuckle and breaks the hold. Big clubbing blow to the spine of Misawa, and Williams follows with a face lock of his own. He transitions to take control of the back, and Misawa gets a rope break. Nice axe handle by Williams. Misawa forearms him away, and we get another stalemate. They slap each other, then Misawa attempts a headlock. Williams shoulders Misawa in the ribs.
Nice running dropkick by Williams in the corner, and that gets him a 2 count. Power slam by Williams, followed by a diving elbow drop get a nearfall. He kicks Misawa’s back, and you can hear the thud in Budokan. He pulls Misawa’s arms behind his back, until Misawa flips out of it and kicks Williams in the chest. Misawa elbows the back of William’s head, and then goes for a crossbody, but Williams catches him and slams him to the mat for a nearfall.
Williams hooks the arms again, and Misawa gets to the ropes. Williams wraps his legs around the midsection, and then stomps on his back. Nice chop against the ropes from Williams, and Misawa counters with forearms to the face. Running dropkick by Misawa, and another that sends Williams to the floor. Misawa connects with a Tope to the floor, taking Williams out. Back in the ring, Misawa hits a diving shoulder tackle, and that gets him a 2 count.
Misawa goes for the Tiger Driver, and Williams escapes it. He hits an awesome looking Spinebuster that gets him a nearfall. The crowd is firmly behind Misawa. Williams with a belly to belly suplex, and Misawa kicks out. Williams tosses Misawa to the floor, and then picks him up to send him back first into the ring post. He follows that with a powerslam to the floor. In the ring, Williams gets a nearfall. He hooks the leg briefly for a Half Crab, but Misawa wisely goes straight to the ropes.
Williams with some elbows to the back, and then he sends Misawa to the turnbuckle. He throws him back first into it repeatedly. Irish whip by Williams, and then he grabs Misawa and slams him into the turnbuckles. Beautiful scoop slam by Williams, and Misawa kicks out again. Boston Crab submission next, as Williams continues his assault of Misawa’s back. He gets to the ropes, but Williams holds on for a few extra seconds, and the crowd doesn’t like that.
Williams goes to press slam Misawa into the turnbuckle, but Misawa lands on his feet and forearms Williams. Williams irish whips him into the opposing corner, and splashes him, Sting style. He locks on a bear hug next. Misawa elbows his way free, and hits several uppercuts and kicks to the face. Williams catches one, and throws Misawa backwards. Nice jabs, and one big strike that deck Misawa. Williams taunts for the crowd next. Misawa blocks a clothesline, but can’t block one to the back of the head. Misawa goes to the floor. Williams meets him there with a Tope of his own! Back in the ring, Williams dives off the top rope with a shoulder tackle, and he follows with a gut wrench power bomb that gets a close nearfall! Misawa blocks a back suplex and turns it into a Side Russian Leg Sweep. Williams is still up first, and goes for it again. Misawa rolls him through, and applies a neck crank. Williams gets to the ropes.
More forearms from Misawa, and a Discus Forearm next. He makes the cover, but Williams kicks out. Misawa attempts the Tiger Driver, and he hits it! He covers, but Williams kicks out! Misawa scales the top rope, and hits a Frog Splash! Williams is able to kick out of that as well. Misawa goes back to the top, and hits another Frog Splash, and again, it isn’t enough to put the challenger away. Misawa goes for the Tiger Driver, but Williams flips him out of it. He hits a Saito Suplex out of nowhere, and Misawa rolls to the floor!
Williams retrieves Misawa and brings him to the ring. He covers, and Misawa is able to kick out. Williams unloads with hard shots to the back, and Misawa responds with two forearms to the jaw. Williams connects with another Saito Suplex. Misawa is up and forearms him, but walks into a running Powerslam that gets a razor thin 2 count. The crowd explodes in elation. Another forearm by Misawa, and another Saito Suplex by Williams that nearly drops Misawa on his head! Williams makes the cover, and he gets the 3 to win the Triple Crown!
This was a really good bout and a nice clash of styles. Misawa was more technical and mechanical, while Williams brought a different sense of athleticism and tank-style to this that even the Emerald Warrior couldn't overcome it on this night. It seemed like no matter what Misawa threw at Williams, the Oklahoma native wouldn't stay down. He was quite literally a freight train on this night, and this train wouldn't derail.