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Post by elliott on Dec 10, 2017 0:39:53 GMT -5
Shinya Hashimoto vs Keiji Muto (NJPW G1 Climax - 8/15/1995)
Awesome match. Not quite the best match either guy had, but damn close. This is kind of you typical big New Japan match of the era with slow building mat work before the match just explodes in pace and drama. But it is one of the best examples of that kind of match. I'm not sure that it will make my list, but it definitely deserves a nomination and consideration.
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Post by Cap on Dec 10, 2017 8:55:38 GMT -5
Second
I sort of just cosign everything Elliott said on this. I tend to really value matches that are sort of shining examples of a style and this really is something that fits that bill. I'll consider it, but its on the outside looking in to start.
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Post by El Mckell on Jan 17, 2018 16:28:21 GMT -5
I've never enjoyed a Hashimoto match as much as I enjoyed this. A match that slowly builds into something incredibly dramatic. Everything from the moment Shinya hits that DDT until the finish is just awesome.
Thirded ****1/2
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Post by maddog1981 on Jan 17, 2018 17:46:26 GMT -5
This might be the best New Japan heavyweight match of the 1990s. I haven't seen it in a long time but this blew me away the first time I saw it. Top flight performances for both guys. 1995 was really a good year for Mutoh.
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Post by superstarsleeze on Jul 29, 2018 18:20:02 GMT -5
I remember searching for this on Google on years and when I finally saw it I kinda disappointed. Great second half. Thought first half dragged and too many Mutoh-isms to be considered. I may watch this again.
Shinya Hashimoto vs Keiji Mutoh - NJPW G-1 Climax '95
I periodically search for this match because of the glowing reviews on here and finally saw it up. The opening ground-based work was very effective and told a logical story.The stretch run was very dramatic and led to an exhilarating climax. Overall, I did think the match was uneven and disjointed. Mutoh is someone who always runs hot and cold with me. I thought he gave a very cold performance. He was motivated and executing fine. His selling was just not there for me. He was not in pain nor was he fighting through pain. His register was weird and his fire ups did not feel organic. I thought Hashimoto was his usual rockstar self. They basically switched gears half way through the match so I will not belabor the opening work even though it was fantastic. I really liked how Hashimoto grabbed Mutoh's foot on a kick to the head and had him ready for the anklelock, but Mutoh got the ropes. So Hashimoto puts his hands up to draw Mutoh's attention away from the leg, but his eyes told the story that he wanted the leg, Mutoh read that situation was able to catch the kick and turn it into a dragon leg screw. Awesome! Hashimoto eventually powdered and on his return tries to kick Mutoh's arm off, but Mutoh smartly kept going back to the leg. I really liked the double limb psychology, but they dropped it. If you go JIP about halfway in this match you never know about the double limb psychology and on top of that the transition was just Hashimoto deciding I am just going to chop Mutoh really hard. I am not too pissed because Hasimoto is a great asskicker. The second half of the match is a great escalating bombfest. Hashimoto ramps up to the Brainbuster, but Mutoh gets a crossarmbreaker. Mutoh hits his series of moves to get to the moonsault, but Hashimoto moves, he lands on his feet, but Hash sweeps the leg. Now Hash really kicks some ass, nearly takes his head off with a kick, HUGE DDT that bsust him open. He wants the brainbuster, but Mutoh starts wriggling and they are both jarred. In a strange move, Hash goes for the top rope splash and misses. Then Mutoh misses the moonsault. It is tit for tat. They are both down. You can really feel the drama. Whoever hits the next move wins basically. They are both on their feet. Hash moves forward and Mutoh hits a snap, flash Frankensteiner! That made me pop! Lightning moonsault! Kick out. Races back up and another snap moonsault to win the G-1 Climax. Match layout was not perfect, I did not love Mutoh's selling and there was some laying around in holds. That run up to the finish was picture perfect. It is a flawed match, but still a very entertaining one. ****1/4
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