Otsuka vs Matsunaga (BattlArts - 11/9/1999)

Is there a link to this?

I just watched this. I'll come back later with more complete thoughts, but for now... holy fucking shit

Best tope con hilo ever

So I wanted to watch this again before I said too much. I can get very much wrapped up in hype sometimes. I love wrestling and I want to love good wrestling. On first watch this was a lock on the list and was going to wind up high. On second watch it is still a lock on the list, but may end up near the middle or back half. In reality, it lived up to everything I thought it was the first time.

So, even outside of blood this match has two things going for it I very much love in my wrestling on the whole. 1) It is a masterful clash of styles match up. I really appreciate when differing aspects of wrestling can be brought together and it not feel convoluted or forced. 2) It is just wonderful physical story telling. Physical storytelling goes by a lot of names and I think different people mean different things when they talk about this general aspect of wrestling, but I have taken to this term recently because I think of it as just the way a story is told purely through the actions and nonverbals. That has to do with psychology but isn't exactly psychology. It narrows "storytelling" a bit... you get the idea. This is particularly important to me because I like watching wrestling from places where I do not understand the language used to call the action AND because I like to be able to watch a match in a vacuum and get something out of it sometimes. This is a really solid story told completely through the action. It is clear and compelling and envelopes you. You don't need any background to "get" this and I appreciate that.

A few general points.

- My dad always told me not to start fights and avoid them when possible, even if you think you can win because you shouldn't use violence unless you need to AND you never know what someone is capable of or willing to do in a fight. This is the wrestling match version of that fight. It starts under the guise that Osuka is physically dominant and should take it... but you never know what someone is capable of and willing to do. Matsunaga is capable of and willing to do... A LOT. There is just a wonderful balance between two different worlds of badassery coming together in a fight here.
- That tope was one of the best. It reminded me on first watch of the Taker tope at mania against hbk where he dove his brain into the floor. Except here Otsuka goes head down early in the dive and then just floats for a split second into Matsunaga... hard.
- I loved Matsunaga's entrance because it set the stage for everything.
- There are so many elements o things I love in this match, but I have no clue what to call it and I think that is overall a good thing.
- This is probably a solid 4.25-4.5 Star match before final sequence and that speaks to the story being told hitting its crescendo at the right time. The headbutts to the sharpshooter is one of the best runs to the finish I can think of, just brimming with emotion and investment.
- Finally, wonderful selling and emoting from Otsuka here. It really carries the day in a lot of ways. His facial expressions and body language just do soooooo much this match. It is wonderful.

Look at this god damned hero blessing this board with links tonight.

Really recommend everyone who hasn't check this out.

Hey y’all. Anybody got a fresh link for this bad boy ?