You're Out Of Your Element, Robby

Tsuyoshi Kikuchi (c) VS Rob Van Dam - AJPW Junior Heavyweight Championship 10/12/1996

JJZ: Baby cakes. We've probably seen this before. We may have already reviewed this before but I don't care and just wanted to watch this. When I saw it pop up I was like oh hell yeah. Let's go. RVD does all the things people love about him in this one and none of the shit that might annoy you. He showcased his ridiculous acrobatics and mixed in some pretty stiff moves. Kikuchi is incredible. He is AJPW's version of Mikey Whipwreck. He puts his own little touches on the most basic moves while hitting shit that makes me say Jesus Christ! Hope you like this as much as me baby.

CJD: I have 100% never seen this before! Was Kikuchi the secret GOAT RVD opponent?? What great chemistry between these two. I loved the subtle comedy, the way Kikuchi would slow it down, and really built to the shock and awe of Van Dam's big spots. And RVD was dialed in for this era, vibrating at just the right frequency for this golden opportunity. 90s AJPW junior heavyweight matches in full are such a god damn treat. I feel like every VHS we got back then we were lucky if we got more than a few minutes of clips. And there's still a Kikuchi white whale match for me from back then that I've only seen clipped, so let's go hunting!