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Post by elliott on Dec 7, 2017 0:37:19 GMT -5
Keiji Muto vs Masa Chono (G1 Climax Final - NJPW - 8/11/91)
I think this holds up as an all time classic match and one of the best "title match" style matches in Japanese Wrestling. I actually think it has become underrated over the years as most folks have soured on these two wrestlers. But this was an absolutely fantastic match that really puts the exclamation point on one of the greatest tournaments ever. I'll have this higher than quite a few of the big 90s AJPW matches. I hope people will rewatch this instead of skipping over it because they saw it 15 years ago and don't like these guys anymore.
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Post by childs on Jan 12, 2018 11:55:27 GMT -5
I'm not a huge fan of either guy, but this was just perfect . Here's my review from 2013:
Yeah, they did a masterful job of building these guys up as the two rising stars you wanted to see in the final. It's hard to watch this and not make comparisons to the All-Japan peer group. It would take another year for the All-Japan guys to hit this level in a singles match that didn't involve Hansen or Jumbo. But this was the best Chono or Muto ever got. They delivered a ton of action without blowing past the moments that called for selling or kicking out of finishers. I loved the spot where Chono rose to counter Muto's moonsault only for Muto to vault over the counter and retain the advantage. I also liked that Chono, after pulling out so many matches with the STF, had to dig deeper in his bag to win this one. They deserved every bit of applause the crowd poured on them.
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Post by elliott on Jul 18, 2018 2:52:56 GMT -5
Bumping this because it seems to be getting overlooked. One of the great matches of the 90s. Considering the nomination only has one reply this has to be the most underrated match of the project thus far. www.dailymotion.com/video/x26dq8d |
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Post by Cap on Jul 19, 2018 15:55:41 GMT -5
Third... great match. I assumed this was nominated already I think. I'll say more about it after I watch it again.
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Post by tetsujin on Jul 19, 2018 18:01:54 GMT -5
My 1991 MOTY and yeah, at the same level as some many AJPW classic big matches. The escalation of the violence is perfectly structured, the transitions are trully remarkable, both guys showed tons of personality and arsenal, and the suspense was there because they capitalized on every single mistake the rival does. **** 1/2 and I have pretty sure it's going to be on my list, it's about where it's going to land. Top 25? We'll see... I'll write more as the project advances and some other people talk about this masterpiece.
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Post by superstarsleeze on Feb 11, 2019 10:20:59 GMT -5
The match is all about escalation. I think they do a great job sort of sneakily creating a great match. It is about halfway through when you realize you are watching a classic. It feels natural & organic.
Masahiro Chono vs Keiji Mutoh - NJPW G-1 Climax Finals 8/11/91
It is funny, I was watching this match and thinking to myself why did I like this so much a couple years ago and then it kicked me in the teeth. This match is all about build & escalation.
First 20 Minutes: The opening matwork was perfectly solid NWA Championship style chain wrestling, but it did eventually become more important as time progressed. Chono took an early lead with a short arm scissors that made Mutoh powder. Mutoh had to go after the left arm which had a bandage around the left bicep. Mutoh did not press this instead he hit his power elbow drop for the first high spot. He could not complete his back handspring elbow and as he ricocheted off the turnbuckles, he was met with a back drop driver. Good spot that reset the match. Big strike exchange. You dont think of these two as preeminent strikers, but this came off well. Mutoh goes for the leg to set up his deathlock spot, which seems weird with the arm injury but Mutoh loves his deathlock spot. The match gets really good once Mutoh busts out Cattle Mutilation. Mutoh was bridging for whole minutes in both the deathlock and cattle mutilation, which is INSANE! Mutoh was in amazing shape. Mutoh goes for the cross-armbreaker on the bad arm. Chono boot rakes the eyes. Now it is on! Chono goes for the Yakuza kicks to the head and kicks him straight off the apron as Mutoh was trying to powder. This time Chono presses his advantage with not one, but two dives. I love this mentality. Chono was losing his grip on the match. Mutoh was dominating him on the mat and could have won the match with the cross-armbreaker. So Chono has that go for broke mentality and wants to dig himself out of a hole. He goes too far though as he hits two piledrivers, but instead of covering he goes for the STF and Mutoh scrambles out of the ring. Chono looks to put a nail in the coffin with the piledriver on the floor, but Mutoh backdrops out. It is Mutoh dragging him over into the stands that hits the piledriver on the exposed concrete. High risk leads to mistakes and now Mutoh is in control of the match. Great transition, Mutoh hits a missile dropkick in the ring and goes for the cover. Mutoh hits two more suplexes and gets a nearfall after each. Mutoh is thinking about winning. Was the opening matwork a little tedious and lacking struggle, yes, but it was NOT perfunctory. It did matter. Mutoh had to go to the arm, but he abandoned that strategy and paid for it. Then he went back to the arm and it freaked Chono out. This triggered the bombfest. Strong transitions right now and everything matters. I am really interested to see the back end.
Last Portion: Mutoh sold really well here. Great sells of the missed moonsaults and especially the first STF. Where we left off Mutoh was in total control, the Dragon Suplex is too close to the ropes. Mutoh calls for the finish and wants the moonsault, but Chono moves causing Mutoh to crash & burn. Chono wastes no time...Yakuza Kick...STF!!! Mutoh makes the ropes and he sold this really well. Chono is now in the driver's seat. Suplexes and an Octopus Stretch as he is trying to pour it on. This is commonly reviewed as something that is done in the style 90s All Japan and nothing rings more true than Mutoh winning suplex struggle to transition back to his offense. Mutoh tries his own Octopus Stretch. Mutoh leapfrogs over Chono's counterdropkick, but they both dropkick each other on Mutoh's springboard dropkick. Chono looks for the STF, but cant apply it fully before Mutoh makes the ropes. I love that drama was in the application of the hold rather than in the hold. They do a very All Japan spot of Chono kicking Mutoh who ricochets off the ropes with a flying forearm. Mutoh hits his backbreaker...MOONSAULT...EATS KNEE! Epic sell by Mutoh, great job! Chono powerbombs him for the win!
I loved the finish...Mutoh goes for his finish...is injured...then Chono hits his for the win. Efficient and powerful. I love how every transition meant something and they did a great job building this organically from matwork to bombs to the big bombs (STF, Moonsault). I think whats keeping this from ***** is the lack of struggle, some segments were just let me hit my moves, but there was still great drama down the stretch. Chono's best match by a wide margin. I think Mutoh had better matches against Tenryu. Hashimoto vs Tenryu is better in regards to New Japan heavyweights, but this is definitely still one of the best and a real feather in the cap of both men. The future seemed very bright for New Japan in 1991. ****3/4
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