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Post by shodate on Sept 6, 2019 17:59:25 GMT -5
I thought this was a great match and on par with their 11/90 encounter. I dug the early parts. The lockups were simple yet great in that they had a lot of grit, twisting, and struggle. I can watch simple holds with struggle all day. I liked Hash trying to rearrange Choshu's nose with a headlock. Hash trying to start a beatdown only for Choshu to punch him was fun. After a pretty brutal slam, they then traded reckless blows with Hash's big chop looking really violent and him also kneeing Choshu in the face. Hash's actual beatdown didn't reach the level of a signature Hash beatdown, but Choshu going down in pain worked with the old man Choshu on a final run narrative. Choshu firing himself up and targeting the leg was a great spot. I liked the kick vs. stomp thing. Hash struggling and withering in pain in the sasori gatame and his struggle to get out made the match feel epic. Seemed as if Choshu's leg gave out. The match then turned into 12 rounds of boxing. Hash did another beatdown kicking the fuck outta Choshu. Choshu, the old man, trying to bring Hash down with lariats was amazing. Absolutely brutal lariats. Hash sold them excellently with his struggling to not collapse, holding his chest in pain, wobbly legs, etc. Hash countering at the last second with a chop like a boxer on his last legs was great, as was him brutally kicking Choshu down while continuing to sell damage from the lariats. The top rope suplex struggle was epic and violent. Choshu getting desperate and going to the top only to get chopped down was fun. Hash just fucking kicking Choshu in the head was brutal. Great finish with an absolutely fucking gnarly sheerdrop brainbuster killing Choshu for good. The crowd was nuclear, giving the match an epic atmosphere. If this had a more memorable start it would be a classic. ****3/8
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Post by KB8 on Sept 13, 2019 17:43:26 GMT -5
Second
This was the business and a great Dome main event. Man Hashimoto's the best at this kind of match. Choshu as well tbf, and this was probably top 3 for this match-up. They set the tone straight at the bell with the tie-ups. So much struggle and nobody works a collar-and-elbow like Hashimoto. And the build over simple moves, the way it escalates while maintaining that struggle; I could see someone thinking it dragged a bit in the first half, because it's a decent bit longer than their usual match together, but I'm fine with them taking their time over everything. Choshu kicking Hashimoto's leg out to set up the sharpshooter felt like the moment where you knew they were starting to go for the kill, then Choshu went to the lariat and Choshu trying to lariat Hashimoto's sternum to bits is never not awesome. I loved his progressive sell of his own lariat arm as Hash continued weathering the storm. Weathering the storm is pretty much a theme the rest of the way, much like it usually is between them. Can Choshu put Hash away with the lariats? Can Hash withstand them long enough to spot an opening? Can Choshu get past Hash trying to chop his arm off at the shoulder? The two superplexes felt huge and the fight over the brainbuster/DDT even more so. I think there's something to be said for Choshu maybe getting in a lariat or five more than he should've given where both guys were at this stage in their careers, but there's something about Hashimoto absorbing Choshu lariats that just feels right. Maybe it's an honour thing. Maybe I'm just a sucker for it. Either way this was badass and the kind of New Japan main event build I much prefer to something like Mutoh/Chono or whatever we get today.
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Post by superstarsleeze on Oct 2, 2019 9:27:09 GMT -5
Third. I prefer the '96 CHOOOOOOSHUUUUUUUUUUU match, but this is still great. It is pretty spectacular anytime these two bulls lock up!
IWGP Heavyweight Champion Shinya Hashimoto vs Riki Choshu - NJPW 1/4/97
Coming off the Cinderella victory in the '96 G-1 Climax where Choshu beat Hashimoto epic fashion, Choshu now challenges for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship one last time on the grandest stage of them all, 1/4, Tokyo Dome. It is Hashimoto vs Choshu. Intense. Gritty. Epic. Lock-ups that make you believe. Tests of strength until the very end when Hashimoto hoists Choshu up one last time to come crashing down with the Brainbuster. Everything is earned. Choshu is throwing punches and Hashimoto is exploding out of the corner with overhand chops and kicks. This is where New Japan's house style of minimal bumping works well. Just taking a knee to your opponent's offense means so much, Hashimoto on one knee in the corner taking that abuse is great. Hashimoto then has Choshu in the corner is working him over with kicks. Stepping on his throat. You would expect some remorse for someone who was probably a hero or a mentor to Hashimoto. Hashimoto is the heir to Choshu. There is no remorse. There is no "Sorry, I love you." It is nasty and he has no problem putting down the Old Man. But Choshu has fight left in him and starts in on the knee. Hashimoto sells so well. The Scorpion Deathlock. I hate that Choshu just lets go but I get that's just a hold to him, but I don't love it. Mack Truck Lariats. Hashimoto sells these so well. But this time Hashimoto's overhand chop leads to more damage as he kicks Choshu nearly straight off. Choshu is able to snap off a superplex, but it is too little too late. He goes up top and Hashimoto meets him there and superplexes him. Choshu survives two DDTs, but the Brainbuster which Choshu fights as hard as he can but eventually he has to submit to Hashimoto and Father Time and go up and then comes crashing down. I love that Choshu lifts his legs to kick out, but they just fall down with no power left.
Great match. Doesn't hit highs of the G-1 Climax because Hashimoto does not kick Choshu's ass quite as hard in this match so it doesn't set you up for that big rah-rah-sis-boom-bah comeback from Choshu. I didn't like Hashimoto pop up no sell and then superplex on Choshu either, but there is so much to love in his match. So focus on the positives. It is a great Grizzled Veteran has one last match in him and gives it all he got and comes up short. Hashimoto shows no remorse and goddamn he has to earn this win as Choshu does not go down without a fight. Epic main event fitting of the Tokyo Dome. ****
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Post by mvz on Oct 16, 2021 6:09:29 GMT -5
Another big dramatic match with stiff lariats and strong selling. When Choshu kicked out of the first ddt before the one count it got a pop out of me. Great matchup.
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Post by elliott on Sept 16, 2023 12:14:41 GMT -5
Awesome big heavyweight slugfest. These guys always crush it together.
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Post by makaiclub on Feb 26, 2024 5:56:38 GMT -5
This isn’t a match where you can get by explaining it via its moves. It’s minimalist in that sense. Moves are repeated, and often, but it constantly feels like its progressing and moving forward to an amazing climax which it does. A wonderful match to main event an average Dome show with varying quality. ****1/4
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