A TRIBUTE TO DR. DEATH

On October 15th, 2004. One of the all time greats in Pro Wrestling, called it quits. After twenty years, Steve “Dr. Death” Williams is having his retirement ceremony. 2004 hasn’t been very kind to Williams, he’s been battling throat cancer, and had to have his voice box removed. Most fans probably know Dr. Death from his days in WCW, as a member of the Varsity Club, and his team with Terry Gordy in 1992. Or his brief tenure in the WWF in the infamous Brawl For All, and his ridiculous karate gimmick. However, Dr. Death spent a good part of his career wrestling in Japan, for All Japan Pro Wrestling, and was at one point, the top ranked foreign wrestler. Williams’ AJPW career was mostly as a tag team wrestler, holding the tag titles with Terry Gordy, Johnny Ace, Gary Albright, and Vader. However, he also had quite a singles career and this review is going to show five of his best and most famous singles matches during his tenure with All Japan. I usually prefer to review whole shows or commercial tapes, but I’ll make an exception for one of my all time favorites.

STEVE WILLIAMS vs TOSHIAKI KAWADA (Champion Carnival Finals - 4/16/94)

Any puro geek could tell you that this took place the same night as New Japan’s Super J-Cup tournament. The winner here gets the next shot at Mitsuharu Misawa’s Triple Crown, and both of them have had past opportunities and failed. I have to confess, I first saw this match about two years ago, and didn’t like it in the least. I just didn’t understand the big fuss over it. Fortunately, the last two years have been very kind to me in terms of distinguishing greatness from mediocrity. Unlike most of Kawada’s opponents, he can’t go in with the usual kick the hell out of them, and then finish them off really quick strategy. This time around he’s in there with somebody who can out match him as far as power, as well as dangerous offense. The story of this match is Kawada on defense. The Backdrop Driver, is the end, period. Much like Stan Hansen’s lariat, once Doc connects, the match is going to be over, and also like the Western Lariat, he doesn’t hesitate before he dishes out the move.

Kawada knows that he can’t match Doc at power yet. He’ll only be able to use any sort of power offense if he can wear the big man down. Kawada surprises Williams in the opening minutes, Doc tried for the Backdrop Driver way too early, and Kawada was able to block it and then stun Williams with a backdrop of his own. One might think that it would give Kawada some sort of psychological advantage, but it was mostly luck and all it really did was anger Doc. Kawada uses a very methodical offensive strategy here. He uses his kicks, and strikes when he can fit them in, because he knows that if he tries to rush with them, like he would if he was in there with just about anybody else, then he’d be finished in a heartbeat. Being Kawada, his strikes are still every effective. The first running kick is more than enough to knock down Williams, and when Williams is vulnerable, Kawada attacks with the Stretch Plum. He knows that it won’t be able to get the job done, but it will help out in wearing down Williams. Williams tries the Backdrop again, and Kawada is still able to counter, but this time he opts for the Soccer kicks, and they have no effect whatsoever on Williams. Kawada may have a sound strategy for the match, but if he can’t make it work, he has to be able to survive Dr. Death.

The Backdrop Driver may not be applicable yet, but the spine buster does a nice job of wearing down Kawada. Williams knows that he can overpower Kawada and uses it to his advantage using his strength to make even simple moves like the bodyslam, be that much more effective for him. The third time for the Backdrop Driver, happens to be the charm for him, but Kawada smartly rolls to the floor. Williams was too worn down to take advantage, because even though he’s a smaller guy, Kawada can kick with the best of them. It’s a bit odd that Williams didn’t try for the Backdrop right after he brought Kawada back into the ring, because it would have probably done the job for him, but he opts for the Doctor Bomb and Oklahoma Stampede instead, they’ve done the trick in the past, but with the Backdrop Driver being the big killer, it seemed more logical if Williams went for it while he was still stunned from the first one he took. The final stretch of the match is where it really shines. Kawada using the kick to block the football tackle, is the perfect set up for the jumping head kick. The tackle is another Williams staple that has helped him with his successful tag team career in All Japan. Kawada’s powerbomb attempts, and failures are great, because even at the point of Williams being all but dead, Kawada still can’t finish him off with his big finisher. Finally Kawada must use all his strength and its really a crap shoot. Williams already survived three of these suckers and kept on going. If this one doesn’t do it for him, then Kawada is going home, because he won’t have anything left. Of course it works. Kawada won the tournament, and then went on to challenge on 6/3/94 and lose for the 3rd time to Misawa. Two years did a world of wonder for my thoughts on this match. Definitely a classic, and an easy pick for a match to show exactly why All Japan from this time was the best promotion in the world. ****1/2.

STEVE WILLIAMS vs MITSUHARU MISAWA © (TRIPLE CROWN - 7/28/94)

Kawada blew his title shot the month before, so now its Williams’ turn to go for the gold. Now if you were expecting a classic of the caliber of Kawada vs Williams or Misawa vs Kawada then you’d walk away feeling disappointed. But if your just looking for a very good match, then this match delivers that in spades. The key with Misawa is that his offense is based around the elbow smashes and his various moves beginning with the word “tiger”, and Williams is smart enough to realize that it you take that from the equation, then all you have in an average wrestler in green tights.

Williams starts out by doing something that he hasn’t done in quite a while, used his amateur experience to keep the champion on the ground. Everyone is used to the bad ass Dr. Death, who throws everyone around like ragdolls and then signs their death warrant with the Backdrop Driver. However, this time around, Williams hooks Misawa’s arms and forces him to the mat. He’s not doing it to wear him down, but to frustrate him, what can Misawa do from this position? He certainly can’t lose, because Doc isn’t using a lot of torque to stretch him, but he can’t do anything to get advantage either. Williams takes advantage of the elbow reliance, when Misawa first tries the Rolling Elbow, its still very early in the match, and the Rolling Elbow, is usually the second to last nail in the coffin for the unlucky victims. But Williams sees it coming and ducks it, before he plants the champion with a spine buster. Misawa is able to avenge that particular embarrassment by escaping the Military Press slam, and rocking Williams back with a big elbow to the jaw. Aside from that bit of revenge though, its Misawa doing, what he really does best. Taking punishment and despite being the champion, looking like the underdog, through his selling and facials. Misawa only hits two of his main moves, in the whole match. He connects a Tiger driver, which was expected, but it almost never puts anyone of note away, but it did manage to put Williams into perfect position for the frog splash, which wins matches for him, even less than the Tiger driver does.

Misawa’s selling in the match hits its highest and lowest points, at the connection of the Backdrop Driver. Unlike Kawada, Misawa doesn’t roll outside for protection and to buy time. He stands up and looks completely out of it, before falling to the floor, where his eyes are closed and he’s out of it. The stand up and falling bit, was his last bit of energy and the only way he could save himself. Unfortunately, after that kind of performance, there is really nowhere to go but down, and when Williams brings him back in, he has to get back on his feet and keep fighting. Williams shows a big of over-reliance on the Backdrop, trying it a little too soon and Misawa using a great counter, in the push off the ropes. Williams doesn’t risk further discrediting of the move, and goes to the Doctor Bomb and Oklahoma Stampede. Misawa won’t stay down though, he’s held these three titles for nearly two years. Vanquished Williams once before, took care of Stan Hansen, three times, and put his arch rival Kawada away on three separate occasions. If he’s going to let them go, then Williams will have to kill him for them. Williams is more than happy to oblige him, and in the center of the ring, with nothing to save him, the Backdrop Driver ends the title reign at twenty three months. Williams had a simple plan, and it payed off. He put Misawa in an uncomfortable position, and took advantage of Misawa’s distraction and it won him the match. ***3/4.

STEVE WILLIAMS © vs KENTA KOBASHI (TRIPLE CROWN - 9/3/94)

This is Kobashi’s first opportunity to get the Triple Crown, and unlike a lot of title challengers today, it seems to be overdue for him. The inherent problem with this match is that as the champion, Williams needs give Kobashi several chances to look like he can actually put him away, which works against Williams power wrestler offense. Kobashi on the other hand uses mostly junior heavyweight style moves, which won’t be very effective against Doc. So right off the bat, there are problems with the focus of the match. Kobashi’s chosen method is similar to Kawada’s in the counter attack mode, but Kobashi doesn’t have the same type of offense that Kawada possess. They run through some rest holds and then let each other hit some moves, but they never pick it up at all, and go back to the rest holds instead of trying to build something.

After Kobashi hits the neckbreaker drop, things start to pick up, but they opt to go into trading moves and heating up the crowd for near falls, rather than finding much to build upon. Kobashi’s counter of the Oklahoma Stampede really got the crowd going. Towards the end, Kobashi starts to go after Williams’ knee to set up the moonsault, which would have been a great way to go about having Kobashi weaken Doc up so he could potentially pick up the win. Kobashi’s method of blocking the Backdrop Driver with elbows, seems a big out of place, more what you’d expect Misawa to do. I wasn’t too thrilled that Kobashi kicked out of it, although the follow up shot in the corner, was a nice way for Doc to say “You survived that? Try this one”. The final Backdrop Driver, with the bridge is the best way to finish it off, a little bit of an ode to Jumbo Tsuruta, who used a Bridging Backdrop for years, and it wasn’t until after he went inactive, did Williams start using the Backdrop. It was a good match, with bits and pieces of greatness thrown in. The match could have been a bit shorter with what they were going for. ***1/2.

STEVE WILLIAMS © vs TOSHIAKI KAWADA (TRIPLE CROWN - 10/24/94)

Kawada beat Williams to win the Champions Carnival, and now as the champion, Williams has a chance to show that he can beat Kawada, one on one. The great thing about this match, is that there is no clear cut obvious prediction for a winner. Kawada won their last singles match, but then Williams beat the guy Kawada never could get past. This starts off in the same manner that Doc’s previous title defense did, but then instead of going to rest holds, Kawada starts working over Williams’ leg. It makes just as much, if not more sense for Kawada to do it, than Kobashi. Kawada has to muster all his strength to do things Williams could do without breaking a sweat. Kawada knows that if he’s going to win this time around, then the same strategy won’t work, so he takes Williams leg out from under him and then wears him down. Williams’ rolling to the floor and yanking off his knee pad, only makes it a little better. Williams’ beat Misawa by taking away most of his offense, so Kawada does the same thing. Williams’ may portray the big unstoppable giant, but when Kawada goes after the leg, he shows that he’s human after all. Williams could have sold a little more before he went back to offense and pulled off the military press slam, because it comes off as he’s totally ignoring it, to be the big tough guy. But it bites him in the ass later on, when the knee gives out. It may have taken time, but Kawada finally got what he was shooting for. Williams tries to work over Kawada with the surfboard, but it never really goes anywhere. Williams tries the Backdrop Driver twice, and never does connect with it, which is a big clue to the ending, because he couldn’t beat Kawada, even when he hit it.

Of course, being Kawada, he sells everything like only he can. He takes the release Tiger suplex and sells it like Misawa sold the Backdrop Driver back in July. He puts so much power behind a right hand, that it doesn’t hurt Doc, but sends Kawada to the mat. A second Tiger suplex leaves Kawada motionless. As hard as it is to believe, Kawada does a few things to drag this match down. Despite his great selling, he’s the first person to connect on a Backdrop, even though Kawada’s the smaller guy. Kawada’s use of the power bomb is less offensive. Doc is bigger and he really puts up a fight, causing Kawada to be barely able to pick him up. The move really comes off looking like hell, so there is really no way that Kawada should get the pin, he’ll have to find another way to get by Doc. Kawada finds that by using Doc’s size to his advantage. No matter how big you are, a shot to the head will hurt, and that’s why Kawada starts in with the jumping head kicks. William’s height only makes it more convenient for Kawada, because he’s clearly out of it, but stays on his feet by rebounding off the ropes. When Kawada connects the final jumping head kick, its pretty clear that its going to be the end. Just like Williams did to Misawa, Kawada found a way to prevent Williams from using his big killer moves and it gives him the prize he’s after. ****. The match could have been just as good as their match six months previous, if they went about ten minutes shorter.

STEVE WILLIAMS vs AKIRA TAUE (Champions Carnival Finals - 4/20/96)

Williams missed most of 1995 due to some legal issues. It’s a good thing too, because if these two went at it in 1994, it wouldn’t have been pretty at all. During 1995, Taue went from horrid in singles, to being the best worker in the promotion. William’s time away from AJPW, leads to a few problems with the match. The most prime one being his treatment of Taue’s NOMDK. The move is about as lethal and deadly as it gets. When Taue connects NOMDK, unless you’ve got a tag partner ready to save you, the match is over. Williams, take the move, and less than two minutes later, transitions himself back over to offense against Taue, and then pulls out his ultra killer, the Backdrop Driver.

Williams’ hiatus isn’t necessarily a bad thing though, the fans are very accustomed to the new Taue, the guy who, at times, outdoes Kawada as the king of face kickery. Now suddenly, here comes Dr. Death, a blast from the past if you will, and he’s taking Taue’s best shots and it seems odd to see somebody who Taue can’t suddenly chop down like a tree. But of course, this is Dr. Death, the guy who ended the Triple Crown reign of the Mighty Misawa. Its not exactly as if Williams is lost out there, I’m sure he actually wrestled during his hiatus, and he already had over ten years under his belt by the time of this match, so there are times when he knows exactly what to do. He knows that Taue can’t take the bumps like Misawa, Kobashi, or even Kawada can, so he tones himself down a bit. He doesn’t do the Backdrop Driver like he did to the other three, dropping them almost completely on their head. He lets Taue take a flat back bump with it. Williams’ also dishes out the release Tiger suplex, allowing Taue to take a Dangerous looking bump, without really risking a lot of damage.

There is a bit of similarity with the Doctor Bomb and the Dynamic Bomb, which is one big reason I think Taue opted against using it to finish off Williams. Taue’s counter of the Doctor Bomb works well enough, Doc is almost always the biggest guy in the match, but Taue isn’t exactly Tsuyoshi Kikuchi, and Doc can’t support his weight. Taue, even returns the favor in letting Doc kick out of the Dynamic Bomb. The jumping Dynamic Kick and Nodowa Otoshi are a perfectly acceptable combination to finish off the big man. Stun him with the head shot, and then drop him hard to finish him off. Taue had bigger things down the road for him, the Triple Crown, and it seems somewhat fitting that Taue earn the shot that won him the gold, by going through the man who ended Misawa’s first reign. It was a bit unfocused, due to Doc’s time away, and his unfamiliarity with Taue’s huge improvement. ***1/2.

Conclusion: Even though he’s not best known for his singles work. Dr. Death was seriously no slouch when it came to one on one competition. Everything here is definitely worth a look. Be it for historical purposes, or just to see the greatness of it. So long Doc, you will be missed.