05/18/2001 Pro Wrestling NOAH: GHC Title Match: Mitsuharu Misawa (C) def. Akira Taue in 14:12. I recently reviewed the tournament finals that crowned Misawa the first champion, and figured I’d run through the title’s second bout. Who has to be begged to watch Taue vs. Misawa? It took one minute for Taue to drop Misawa on his head on a German and three to give him a nodowa on top of a fucking table from the ramp, so we’re off to the races. Taue continued to dominate, save for some well-placed hope spots for Misawa. Misawa started making his comeback in the six-to seven-minute mark. They did one of those great spots where Taue kept going for a nodowa from the apron to the floor, but Misaawa kept blocking it. I always loved that shit. When Taue hit a Ruby Frosion, and Misawa just kicked out, the crowd went apeshit. From that point on, the crowd was on a different level, living and dying on nearfalls on both sides. It ended with a second emerald frosion on Taue. Yes, this was short, but it was also faster-paced than their usual, and Misawa fighting from underneath is always a great story. Taue is one of those guys that’s becoming underrated as time passes.. ****1/4