The match in question is a bout between Mitsuharu Misawa and Toshiaki Kawada on June 3rd, 1994. It is generally considered the greatest singles match ever, although I am a slightly dissenting opinion on that (which I will get into later)

Without much further ado, let the crazed ranting begin!

6.3.94 by Simon MacKaye

The match is legendary for several reasons.

(i) The work is the usual AJ greatness, although arguably even better.

(ii) The psychology is off the friggin' page.

(iii) There is historic significance.

The Misawa-Kawada feud parallels the Jumbo-Tenryu on many levels. Just like Jumbo & Tenryu, Misawa and Kawada were successful tag teams partners... with one man (Jumbo, Misawa) clearly the number one man on the team. Eventually the seconds (Tenryu, Kawada) "outgrew" their roles as number twos, as they proved they were number ones of their own. Eventually, the teams split up, and naturally a rivalry developed. In each case, the number one also held the Triple Crown. The number two eventually challenged for the TC (although Kawada did so *before* he split up with Misawa).

Tenryu challenged Jumbo for the TC, and was not successful either time. On his third try, he finally broke through. Kawada challenged Misawa for the TC in 1992 and 1993, and was turned back both times. 6/3/94 was his third shot. Would Kawada's third time be the charm, just as Tenryu's was? Also, and this may be coincidence, but the match was two days shy of being *exactly* five years to the day from Tenryu's big win. In addition, Kawada was just coming off having won the Champion Carnival, which made him look like an even stronger contender than normal. Adding to that, Misawa suffered a neck injury (I believe against Doug Furnas) in the Carny. Kawada coming off the Carny win... Misawa coming out of the Carny with an injury... the outcome of the match is highly in doubt.

***This whole section right here... this is the back-story. This creates the environment that the match takes place in. I think this is very important in the scheme of things and can push a match from great to GREAT! I would analogize this to the rhythm section/backgrounds during a solo. They create the environment for the soloist to work in. And with a great rhythm section, as with a historic match, a solo can be turned from great to GREAT! ***

Then there is the match itself. The work was its usual greatness... probably even moreso than usual. They really beat the hell out of each other. The drama and heat were at the highest level. Kawada works over the injured neck very effectively. And there were a couple of particular spots were just phenomenal. One was Kawada's incredibly dramatic near fall off the second power bomb. This was choice, because Tenryu won the 6/5/89 match with two power bombs. Kawada really struggled, and eventually hit the third power bomb, which was the same number of PBs he used to beat Doc in the Carny Final a couple of months before. These near falls were hella dramatic. JDW had often mentioned that you could see a fan dancing a jig in the aisle after Misawa kicks out. I cannot recall that off hand (Matt erm Editor's note: There was a fan that was jumping up and down after that near fall), but he's got a better memory than me so take his word for it :-).

***This ties into the earlier part. You could just have 3 powerbombs and they would be cool and all, but they would be just 3 powerbombs. By having a great environment, the 3 powerbombs turn from powerbombs to match ending moves. Ever listen to a single instrument play? It does not always sound that good. Even if you were to take the greatest solo you have ever heard and get rid of the background, it would not sound as good. This historic stuff that Simon talks about, the 5 years almost to the day, the number 2 challenging number 1, the Carny win for Kawada with 2 powerbombs, these are creating the foundation of the match. The match can build without it, but it can build even more with it. And that is what psychology is in a way. Building blocks that help create the match. You can see the effect that the history had on the fans. Remember that fan that jumped up and down after the near fall? He might not have been so happy had those powerbombs been in isolation. And that really is what I, and probably any other wrestling fan, want... to be happy. ***

After just taking an absolutely brutal beating, The Man mounts his comeback. After the two had thrown positively everything at each other, Misawa breaks out the one move that never failed... the lethal Tiger Driver '91. Misawa only used the move when the stakes were at the highest. In fact, I do not think he had used the move for a couple of years. He finally hit it, and that was that.

***His comeback builds the tension in the match. Kawada is beating up on Misawa and people (well, probably not Kawada fans) are getting worried that he could lose. Lose the match, lose the TC, lose like Tsuruta before him did. Each near fall is a slight release of the tension. As if to say "for now he has not lost, but Kawada is still on the attack." As I mentioned last time, sometimes it is better to raise the tension, release some, and then raise it some more in a zig zag line. Finally, Misawa starts to make the superMARK comeback as he is wont to do and the tension keeps rising. He has the momentum on his side, but nothing he does seems to work in getting a W. His trusty forearm cannot get the three. He is getting frustrated and his fans are getting worried. How will he win? Oh yes, the Tiger Driver '91, the epitome of credible moves. Only brought out when the tension is so grand that such a career-altering move is warranted. ***

It is freakin' phenomenal, but it is hard to fully appreciate unless you have seen (or at least are familiar with) 6/5/89 and (to a lesser extent) the1994 Champion Carnival (particularly 4/16/94).

***Now, to move off subject a bit, this is the problem I have with the Misawa Kawada feud over the Misawa Kobashi feud. To fully understand the MM TK feud you have to know a lot more of the backstory. Much of their psychology is out-of-ring psychology. To fully understand this match you had to know about a feud/match that took place 5 years before it and the end of the Champion Carnival that same year. Moreover, you have to know that Misawa and Kawada were once tag team partners that had grown apart. These are not even prior Misawa Kawada matches that they are working off of, which of course makes it so good, yet confusing to follow sometimes. Of course, if you purchase a compilation tape and this happens to be on it, you will not understand it (as was my case). However, the Misawa Kobashi feud tends to put more in-ring psychology. They also do work off their prior matches. 1/20/97 (which I actually have yet to see) segues to 10/31/98, which segues to 6/11/99. In 10/31/98, Misawa wins with a set of three forearms (the greatest ever, IMO). In 6/11/99 Kobashi frantically attacks Misawa's arm does (like Hase would do about a year later) with arm breakers and that submission hold that Kendo Ka Shin does (give or take 100 pounds) to try to neutralize that attack (plus get him to submit but we knew THAT was not going to happen). In 10/31/98, Misawa Tiger Drivers Kobashi from the apron to the floor. In 6/11/99, Misawa attempts such a maneuver again, but Kobashi blocks it. Even within the specific match, there is choice psychology. There is the series of powerbombs in 10/31/98 where Kobashi continually tries to powerbomb Misawa and they have counters upon counters upon counters upon counters. In 6/11/99, Kobashi Irish whips Misawa to the guardrail on the outside. Later in the match, this exchange on the outside takes place:

Kobashi tries to Half Nelson German Suplex Misawa. Misawa blocks it by keeping his weight down, so Kobashi lets go and Irish Whips him into the guard rail. Misawa stops himself with his foot and turns around ready to plant Kobashi with a massive forearm shot. Kobashi puts up his arms to block the forearm and, in the process, pushes Misawa to the side. Kobashi slides behind Misawa, clamps on the afore mentioned suplex, and smashes poor little M into the mat.

All the moves are crisp and the timing is impeccable. As plainly seen, you do not need a knowledge of a match 5 years before to enjoy that turn of events. The Misawa Kobashi feud is a lot simpler to understand and enjoy. Perhaps the Misawa Kawada feud is more subtle, more high brow, more upper class. ***

Either way, I know that my column was shorter this week, but I hope that this was able to help explain any worries away. Misawa wins and there is much psychology, which is like the rhythm section, the foundation of the match.

Anyway, if you have any comments, concerns, questions, or criticisms, or just wanna chat about how the As really can stand toe to toe with the D-Backs, then please, by all means, email me at talboito@uclink4.berkeley.edu.