This was the opening match to Summerslam 1995. Hakushi is a character that's stuck with me from seeing him on an old VHS tape as a child, so it's good to review this match. The opening video package goes through Diesel defending his WWF Championship against Mabel in tonight's main event, along with Bret Hart taking on Isaac Yankem DDS (the future Kane) as revenge from Jerry “The King” Lawler for the “Kiss My Foot” match back at King of the Ring. Finally, it focuses on the Wrestlemania X ladder rematch for the Intercontinental championship.Vince McMahon officially welcomes us from the Iglu in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with Jerry “The King” Lawler. Lawler thinks King Mabel will be champion tonight. Vince takes us to Dean Douglas (more commonly known as Shane Douglas) and he's gonna be doing something related to Summer School.
1-2-3 Kid enters first and considering this is the man that had the term “X-Pac heat” coined after him, at this point in his career he's very popular. Hakushi enters to a stunned silence as we see Barry Horowitz roll him up for a win thanks to Skip (Chris Candido) Hakushi has all the Japanese characters “tattooed” all over him and McMahon calls both guys unique individuals. I've heard good things about this match and actually own it on the WWE: Best of High Fliers collection, but don't think I've sat through it properly yet. Hakushi is still preparing in the middle of the ring as the bell goes to start the match. That's just plain rude.
HAKUSHI VS. 1-2-3 KID
WWF Summerslam (27th August 1995)
McMahon calls this match unpredictable but says if he had to pick a favourite he'd choose Hakushi. They circle slowly to start, 1-2-3 Kid swings a kick but Hakushi weaves out of the way. They go for a collar-eblow tie up to start and Kid gets a headlock. He transitions into a hammerlock as McMahon mentions both men have martial arts experience. Hakushi counters the hammerlock to one of his own and switches back to the headlock. 1-2-3 Kid escapes with a top wristlock but Hakushi brings him down by his hair. Kid kips up and uses the top rope to backflip out and arm drags Hakushi across the ring. Kid kips up again as Hakushi gets to his feet and we have a stand off! Even Lawler admits it was “pretty” impressive. A collar-elbow tie up leads to a headlock for Hakushi. 1-2-3 Kid sends him off the ropes but gets knocked down with a shoulder tackle. Hakushi jumps over, Kid leapfrogs and sends Hakushi down with a hip toss. Hakushi kicks Kid away and both men kip up this time as the fans make the most of the decent matches tonight.
McMahon talks about 1-2-3 Kid's tag team success as he gets a headlock, Hakushi pushes him off the ropes but gets knocked down. Kid goes over, then Hakushi leap frogs, Hakushi rolls under a spinning kick and they stare each other out again. 1-2-3 Kid goes to lock up but Hakushi jabs him in the throat. Hakushi hits Kid with more strikes in the corner before sending him across the ring. Hakushi lifts 1-2-3 Kid up for a powerbomb but Kid escapes with an arm drag, 1-2-3 Kid ducks a chop but gets caught in a sloppy tilt-a-whirl slam. Hakushi stomps on Kid and hits him with another strike to the back of the neck. 1-2-3 Kid sent hard across the ring and Hakushi follows hitting him with a sick cartwheel back elbow. Hakushi stomps at Kid some more in the corner before choking him with his boot. Hakushi gets a run up for a Bronco Buster and soaks in the crowd on the turnbuckle. Giving 1-2-3 Kid crucial time to catch his breath.
Hakushi chips away at 1-2-3 Kid with kicks to the back of his knees and another across his shoulders knocking him down. One final kick hits 1-2-3 Kid flush on the back of the head. Hakushi scoop slams Kid and hits a Vader bomb but can only get a nearfall. 1-2-3 Kid gets to his feet seemingly getting a second wind. Hakushi puts a stop to that, snapmaring Kid down and applying a trapezius hold. Kid tries to keep moving though, getting back to his feet and elbowing at Hakushi. Hakushi strikes Kid down before he can get momentum going. Hakushi sends 1-2-3 Kid off the ropes and launches him in the air with a back body drop. Hakushi hits a spin kick on 1-2-3 Kid sending him out of the ring through the ropes. 1-2-3 Kid gets back to his feet on the outside and Hakushi cartwheels across the ring and CLEARS the top rope for a moonsault! MODERN DAY KAMIKAZE MOTHERFUCKER!!!!
Both men are down on the outside from the affects of that move, and we get a double feature just as they start moving, cheers directors! Hakushi throws Kid in the ring and climbs to the top rope. Hakushi knocks Kid down with a flying shoulder tackle from the top, getting a nearfall. Hakushi slams Kid and climbs up again, amazing balance on the top rope, but that doesn't stop him missing a big splash as Kid rolls out of the way. 1-2-3 Kid blocks a right hand and hits one of his own as they get to their feet. The same happens again and Hakushi reverses an irish whip, he sends Kid into the air but Kid hits a dropkick! Hakushi goes out to the floor but Kid follows with a triangle springboard crossbody! 1-2-3 Kid sends Hakushi back into the ring and follows with a slingshot leg drop. 1-2-3 kid covers for 1-2-2.9 close but no cigar. 1-2-3 Kid keeps the pressure up scoop slamming Hakushi and hitting a splash off the top rope, but still can't put him away. 1-2-3 Kid calls for a spinning heel kick but Hakushi catches him and slams him down! 1, 2, 3.
WINNER: HAKUSHI
I have heard nothing but good things about this match, and it certainly was excellent. The moves were innovative for 1995, both guys had exciting characters and were able to build this short match at a pace where it got to where it should be in the time they had. I don't like the sudden finishes. Just personal preference but everything else in the match was amazing.– Rating WORK RATE: 3.5/5 PERSONAL ENJOYMENT: 3.25/5 OVERALL 6.75: /10
Moving from Clique to DX, my next match will be the WWF Tag Team Championships match with The Smoking Gunns defending against the Godwinns, The BodyDonnas and The New Rockers.
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