Shinya Hashimoto vs. Riki Choshu (NJPW 1/4/2001)

This might be their most violent match. Calling this an all-out war would be an understatement. The start was absolutely amazing. Hash just STARES while making 0 psychical contact and the Dome just explodes at that. Hash himself then explodes on Choshu and starts the beatdown. They do some awesome violent exchanges. Hash beats on Choshu with ungodly stiff kicks throughout the match. Choshu does this variation of Hash's kesagiri where he throws his palm straight at the head, and it's just pure violence stuff. The backdrop transition was excellent and Hash sold like it busted his head. Also excellent was Choshu trying to take the behemoth, Hash, down only to get kicked to hell in the arm and chest. Each shot they threw was violent and rugged, and it's the most hateful bout of theirs. I interpreted the story as both just wailing each other to death, not even trying to win at any time. Their shots get progressively weaker over the course of the bout as they sell exhaustion from the beatdowns, selling like they are getting shot. One of the final exchanges was both of them throwing everything they had, just reckless chops with none of them connecting where they should but with the force and intensity to make it look like they're trying to kill each other. Hash throwing a kick at Choshu before collapsing was another great moment. There were many exchanges in the match, such as the big chop ones, where it felt like it could have been stopped for excessive violence. I liked the finish as both guys, after already mincing each other, were still trying not to win but to kill even after they were shot. They were struggling to stand but still throwing shots. So, it was stopped for excessive brutality. Hash did a great job putting over the frustration while selling the effects, like having a red body and barely being able to stand. Also, the throat punches and huge chops were all brutal. Great facial expressions, epic crowd, insane stiffness, urgency: Just everything right with wrestling in my book. Great match ****1/2