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Post by elliott on Dec 7, 2017 20:48:35 GMT -5
Shinya Hashimoto vs Nobuhiko Takada (NJPW - 04/29/1996)
The blow off of the NJPW vs UWFi feud. This is a perfect Dome Show Main Event. The atmosphere is absolutely electric with this enormous crowd just coming unglued for everything these guys do. The Hashimoto leg sweep counter to a Takada high kick is one of the memorable spots for me in all of 90s Japanese Wrestling. I've always loved this and it has a good shot of making my list.
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Post by microstatistics on Jan 6, 2018 22:32:16 GMT -5
The perfect ace defending his promotion's name vs. the foreign invader match in front of an incredibly hot crowd. Infinitely more epic than the vast majority of main events that are 3-4 times its length. Top 50 contender and maybe my highest ranked Hashimoto match.
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Post by brockobama on Jan 28, 2018 15:34:02 GMT -5
I couldn't leave this off my list with good conscience. This match gets something of a bad rap even among people who should know better, but what this match may lack in sheer balls-to-the-wall action it makes up for in spades with drama and excitement. And shit, the action rules too, being just sparse enough and just uncooperative enough to keep you on your toes. This project would be a sham if this didn't make it through the nomination phase.
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Post by joeg on Feb 7, 2018 18:15:03 GMT -5
Put me down as a YES. This is probably going to make my list. The culmination of one of my favorite feuds and probably the biggest drawing match of the 90s. On top of that its probably the perfect big show Dome/Stadium style match.
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Post by superstarsleeze on Feb 3, 2019 20:40:05 GMT -5
HUGE MATCH! Shinya Hashimoto The Destroyer, Defender of New Japan Realm against the greatest of all invasion attempts in the Tokyo Dome against UWFi Ace and current IWGP Champion Nobuhiko Takada. Everything feels huge. Takada is a great pro wrestler no matter what anyone says. His kick combinations and little heel touches help, but this is Hashimoto in all his Reigning Glory. On top of being an awesome match, highly influential in both Japan and America as this made Bischoff see $$$ with the NWO.
IWGP Heavyweight Shinya Hashimoto vs Nobuhiko Takada - NJPW 4/29/96
The only thing greater than the Right Hand of God is the RIGHT HAND OF HASHIMOTO! Incredible Dome match with insane heat! Nobuhiko Takada is a genius for a dude who cant fight a lick he made the entire world believe that he is the greatest fighter. He had the successful UWFi, three Dome matches in the 90s and then a big feud with Tenryu after this and then started PRIDE & Hustle. He may be the greatest worker of all time in the truest sense of the word meaning he made people believe the unbelievable.
Takada gives a very selfless performance here for Hashimoto. He does not just lose clean as a sheet in the middle of the ring via submission. He sold every Hashimoto kick like it was death and he had fear in his eyes. That first kick to his leg look how nervous he looks and then how Hashimoto is staring a hole right through him. Hashimoto gives one of his greatest performances ever as Hashimoto The Destroyer just stuffing everything and mercilessly brutalizing the leader of the UWFi leader. Is there anybody you would want defending your territory against invaders? I dont think this is quite as good as Hashimoto vs Tenryu matches, but this is great. You do need to create drama so when it comes time for Takada to get offense it feels electric. My favorite moment besides the finish might be Takada rifling Hashimoto's left leg with kicks and then hitting this tremendous kick combination to the head that fells Hashimoto to the mat. The crowd went crazy. Takada went for the cross armbreaker but Hashimoto scrambled for the ropes. Hashimoto destroying the legs comes back later and boy does Takada sell his ass for it. Credit to Takada for not letting his shooter badass character get in the way of looking vulnerable. Hashimoto applies a figure-4 and the heat is off the charts. The one problem with focusing on Takada's legs is that is the source of his offense so he blows it off to hit his trademark kicks and a backdrop driver, but againt cant finish the mighty Hashimoto who powers out of a Boston Crab. On the next standup is when the Right Hand of Hashimoto sends the crowd into a frenzy. The ref tries to back him off but he runs through and hits a big meaty elbow drop while Takada is under the ropes. I love the big fight feel! Takada tries to kick his way out of trouble...he is landing some big shots...he is rocking the head...he pushes Hashimoto off to create distance for a full extension...Takada throws HASHIMOTO SWEEPS THE LEG! OH MY FUCKING GOD! I LOST MY MIND!
The rest of the match becomes about Hashimoto trying to hit the Brainbuster and Takada desperately trying to avoid it. Takada's last gasp is a Fujiwara armbar, but Hashimoto makes the ropes and Takada reapplies it in the ropes to Booos. Great heeling there. Hashimoto caves in the solarplexus with a massive kick. Takada is still avoiding his death sentence. Hashimoto rips him down with a DDT. BRAINBUSTER! Headscissors/armbreaker finishes him with a submission.
All will bow down to Hashimoto The Destroyer! Perfect Dome match for these two, the Takada knockdown of Hashimoto feels huge then Hashimoto's offense feels like the coolest most badass thing ever. This match also gets a boost for being a really damn great blowoff match to a hot angle and being really influential in not just Japanese wrestling, but in American wrestling as the NWO was born from this match. ****1/2
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Post by makaiclub on Jul 20, 2023 9:17:17 GMT -5
A huge match. One of the biggest of the decade and it may just be one of the best matches of all time on top of it. Rarely do those coincide and this is one of them. Nobuhiko Takada beat Keiji Mutoh for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on January 4th. UWFi lost the feud dramatically with only Takada keeping their heads held high with this title reign and it was time for New Japan to regain their belt. Interpromotional warfare had been New Japan’s strong suit and it never felt so palpable as here. The atmosphere is electric. The match had a big match feel. It’s a great clash of styles that are merged to create a fantastic match. The match started out with Hashimoto out strengthening Takada, forcing him to the ground via a roman knuckle lock before proceeding leg kick Takada, which hurt Takada badly. I loved the actual sell by Takada too; the way he sold being hurt was very subtle, letting the pain sink in a gradual and realistic way. Takada tries to shake it off but the pain gets too great and he shows his hand. Then everyone knew it was hurt, including Hashimoto who followed up with more kicks, and the crowd went crazy for it. Takada showed his dangerous side too, flooring Hashimoto with great kicks to the stomach and head, adding more spice to the match outside of Takada having a submission advantage. And that led to one of the greatest counters later in the match where Takada was setting up for another headkick combination only for Hashimoto to sweep the leg. That was nothing but amazing. And most importantly, it felt real. It didn’t come across like an obvious spot in the match. It came across like a true fight, which is where the match excels. Hashimoto’s DDT is put over as dangerous throughout the match with Takada trying to avoid it at all costs despite Hashimoto’s several attempts. Only when Takada is hit with a few knees to the chest is Hashimoto able to hit a snap DDT that couldn’t be hit any second longer. And from there it was all over. A brainbuster follows and Hashimoto taps Takada out with a triangle choke, to prove a point to regain the IWGP Heavyweight title. A masterclass in how to build drama in a realistic way that doesn’t rely on a million near falls or big high spots. Tease and tease and tease before one big payoff is all you need. 12 minutes this was too. Just terrific *****
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