Antonio Inoki vs. Dick Murdoch

[8.0] "Antonio Inoki vs Dick Murdoch September 1st 1987-Dick Murdoch is such a great wrestler (heinous human being), he has the first truly great performance for this iteration of the IWGP Heavy, his selling is superb and with Inoki's consistent performances and the realness of the rope spot and somewhat fakeout at the end this is easily the best IWGP Title Match to this point for me. (Rating:78)"

[7.0] "My favorite of inoki's first reign defenses. Murdoch put on a great brawl to oppose Inoki's more technical approach."

[4.0] "I know this was the early days of the IWGP world title and even the best belts and champions have their off matches but this one was really not very good. Slow, plodding, abrupt ending. Not a fun watch."

[6.0] "This was working it's way to being a classic match but it's clique and abrupt ending really took it down a notch."

[8.0] "Really good ol'school match. Inoki & Murdoch both got some stiff offense in on each other. Murdoch's nose was busted 1/4 way through the match. Came in around 15+ minutes but seemed longer. They both worked legs, Inoki with the jump kicks & Murdoch with the elbow drops etc. Murdoch to me was always underrated with his elbow drops & force he used with his body doing them. The finish was the old "thought I pinned him" for Dirty Dick, before walking into an enziguri by Inoki. Good stuff."

[5.0] "Really didn't like this match, it's also very difficult to find. I went out of my way to find it and I found it pretty underwhelming. Murdoch kinda sucks? And Inoki is alright, but he's not gonna carry this guy to anything worth checking out. 2. 75 stars"