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3. Keiji Mutoh vs. Big Van Vader
The good news about this match is that there still exists some footage of it. The bad news is that it’s from a fan camera, so the image quality might not be the best. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that this match is simply awesome (especially with Vader’s elaborate entrance, which makes him look like an actual monster).
Vader looks as destructive as always, using his superior strength and size advantage to decimate Mutoh at every opportunity. But Mutoh refuses to give up and keeps fighting desperately to find a way to win. That gutsy determination is the main reason why this match is so good.
The storytelling is so well-executed that you can understand the story being told without having to know anything about either wrestler. Vader is excellent here and Mutoh absolutely shines as a babyface in peril having to climb a mountain (both metaphorical and literal) just to survive. If you ever wanted to see a perfect way of booking a ‘big man vs. small man’ match, this is it.
