Before the multiple Triple Crown reigns and the reign of leadership in All Japan, Mitsuharu Misawa was the second generation of Tiger Mask, and was still developing into the icon he would become. For almost one and a half years, Tiger Mask took part in a trial series against All Japan stars, but also American superstars like Ric Flair and Ted DiBiase. Although he lost one more than he won, all of his losses were to established, respected names.
Tiger Mask (Misawa) 7 Match Trial Series (10/20/86 to 3/9/88)
1. (10/20/86 @ Okazaki City Gymnasium) Yoshiaki Yatsu beat Tiger Mask (14:06) with a powerslam.
2. (2/3/87 @ Yubari City Gymnasium) Tiger Mask beat Frankie Lancaster (8:21) with a German suplex hold.
3. (3/9/87 @ Takasaki City Gymnasium) Ric Flair beat Tiger Mask (13:53) with a throat drop on the ropes.
4. (4/16/87 @ Kumamoto City Gymnasium) Tiger Mask beat Ashura Hara (14:37) by DQ.
5. (6/1/87 @ Ishikawa Industrial Exhibition Hall #1) Genichiro Tenryu beat Tiger Mask (11:33) with a powerbomb.
6. (7/19/87 @ Tokyo Korakuen Hall) Tiger Mask beat Ted DiBiase (9:18) with a German suplex hold.
7. (3/9/88 @ Yokohama Bunka Gymnasium) Jumbo Tsuruta beat Tiger Mask (14:38) with a backdrop suplex.