Much like the first match, this bout features a fair amount of both wrestling and stiff chops and kicks. But in my view, tt is not as good a contest as their previous match, two days earlier. Certainly the ending makes it a historically significant contest, but all in all, it will pale in comparison to some of the later matches to come in the Triple Crown series, which rank in my view as the greatest matches of all time.
That is not to say this match is not good. One thing you notice quickly is that the ring is mic'ed very well so that every chop is heard clearly and loudly. The two were only going 18 minutes, so for that time they gave it everything they had. They hit each other hard and give us a stiff and fun match, even if somewhat lacks drama. Eventually, the two battle outside the ring where Hansen is able to bloody Tsuruta with hard elbows to the head. Following a chair shot, they are back in the ring where Hansen signals for the Lariat and the crows pops loudly to the gesture.
An interesting aside, Hansen noted in his autobiography that whenever he hit the lariat, he always ensured that was the finish of the match. His move is obviously over and the crows knows when he hits it, that is it. He hasn't "prostituted" his move to generate false finishes. So when he signals for the lariat, something not done in the first two matches of the series, the crowd pops huge thinking they finally get their payoff!
Well, he misses the lariat, bounces off the ropes, and Jumbo quickly roles him up for the win. The crowd gets their champion, but it was so quick and unexpected, that it really fails to draw much of a reaction. The crowd is in shock and Hansen quickly recovers and the post match may be better than any of the match itself with Hansen dropping elbows on Jumbo and beating up the All Japan staff that tries to come to the aid of Tsuruta.
So the three titles are now unified into the Triple Crown, setting the stage for the greatest series of wrestling matches in history!
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