Akira Hokuto vs. Manami Toyota for the All Pacific Championship, from the AJW event held on January 11, 1991

This felt like from another dimension: Hokuto, a natural heel, has hideous tights and is working babyface, while Toyota, a natural babyface, is in a singlet (she’s known for her signature leotard) and is working heel. They hadn’t found their characters yet, in other words, but they were already talented enough to find a way to convey a compelling and comprehensible sports story, of Toyota attacking Hokuto’s weak arm out of fear of what Hokuto could do. It’s a bit short on cool moves and they nearly botch a superplex, but I can see how this could get MOTY votes.

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