Hiromu Takahashi vs. Taiji Ishimori (NJPW - 6/4/2018)
Oct 25, 2019 22:47:45 GMT -5
Post by bossrock on Oct 25, 2019 22:47:45 GMT -5
Hiromu Takahashi vs. Taiji Ishimori (NJPW - 6/4/2018)
Considering the 2018 Best of the Super Juniors was miles better than the previous year's, it's only fitting that the finals would not only be a true MOTYC, but a bombfest of epic proportions. The tentative first minute or so really added to the big fight atmosphere: you truly believed these two were the absolute best in the division (aside from then-champion Will Ospreay). Things broke down almost immediately with Taiji and Hiromu brawling into the crowd and we got an awesome shotgun dropkick to Taiji and a scary-looking hurricanrana that sent Hiromu down the stairs. Back in the ring, both guys took turns controlling the pace of the match before everything broke down into absolute chaos. The number of big moves thrown here was truly remarkable but nothing felt cheap or overdone. Even the no-sell reverse rana spot from Hiromu somehow felt more earned than it normally would. With this being a tournament final with a shot at the title on the line, both men's comebacks and ability to dig just a little bit deeper were 100% believable. Another thing I loved about this match was that despite going nearly 35 minutes, no time felt wasted or done just for the sake of doing. The biggest criticism regarding NJPW main events is that the first 10 minutes are usually inconsequential and have no bearing on the finish but that was not the case here. Hiromu and Taiji made the most of everything they were given and knocked it out of the park.
Considering the 2018 Best of the Super Juniors was miles better than the previous year's, it's only fitting that the finals would not only be a true MOTYC, but a bombfest of epic proportions. The tentative first minute or so really added to the big fight atmosphere: you truly believed these two were the absolute best in the division (aside from then-champion Will Ospreay). Things broke down almost immediately with Taiji and Hiromu brawling into the crowd and we got an awesome shotgun dropkick to Taiji and a scary-looking hurricanrana that sent Hiromu down the stairs. Back in the ring, both guys took turns controlling the pace of the match before everything broke down into absolute chaos. The number of big moves thrown here was truly remarkable but nothing felt cheap or overdone. Even the no-sell reverse rana spot from Hiromu somehow felt more earned than it normally would. With this being a tournament final with a shot at the title on the line, both men's comebacks and ability to dig just a little bit deeper were 100% believable. Another thing I loved about this match was that despite going nearly 35 minutes, no time felt wasted or done just for the sake of doing. The biggest criticism regarding NJPW main events is that the first 10 minutes are usually inconsequential and have no bearing on the finish but that was not the case here. Hiromu and Taiji made the most of everything they were given and knocked it out of the park.
