Match of the Week: Masato Tanaka vs Balls Mahoney (ECW Hardcore TV #271)

Match of the Week: Masato Tanaka vs Balls Mahoney (ECW Hardcore TV #271)

1998 is the year then FMW wrestler Masato Tanaka made his US debut in ECW. This is his second appearance in ECW and first at the famed ECW Arena going against Balls Mahoney in front of wild, bloodthirsty crowd.

He made quick impression out wrestling Balls early on then went toe-to-toe in a brawl outside. Once they got back in the ring both had chair battle trading sick chair shots on each other and still got up to roar of ECW crowd. Balls tries go for Nutcracker Suite on to the chairs, but Tanaka turns it to tornado DDT on to the chairs for the win. He won ECW Arena crowd for his skills and toughness.

It's first of many battles these two had. Both teamed up a bit later in the year winning ECW tag team titles from Dudleyz. He returned in another stint ECW in late 1999 holding world heavyweight title. Known for his toughness,Tanaka continue blaze a career in Japan with FMW then Zero 1 and various Japanese feds.

Balls Mahoney stayed with ECW til it closed and worked around northeast including short stint in TNA. Wrestled in WWE with the ill-fated ECW revival brand. He passed away this year.

Catch this match on WWE Network