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Post by Cap on Aug 4, 2020 16:23:49 GMT -5
I am going to direct nominate a few 2020 matches, just to fill out the section a bit.
This is - at this point - my favorite match of the year and it isn't super close to me. I sort of think they did Ibushi dirty this year. I get that wrestlekingdom was the payoff to a super long build for Naito and all that, but it sort of feels like they missed the mark a touch on this. Not that fans weren't into it... but Naito's beaten down. This is not the best physical version of Naito. I watched the ENTIRE G1 last year (never again) and to me, the momentum and energy were really behind Ibushi. i was deflated by the mini tournament because it signposted the night two main event too clearly and took a little of the magic out of this. Then the match happened and like all good wrestling I got completely lost in this. They continued to build the scary/psychopath Ibushi in this. He completely loses his mind in spots and dominates. Its a terrifying version of Ibushi that makes me want to see more. The execution top to bottom was incredible as well. They built a match that made me legit bit on at least one near fall late. Everything here is just pitch perfect for what they had. I honestly think if they hadn't made this as part of a mini tournament and really hung the idea that it was Ibushi's time over the match, combined with that extra layer to his character and work would, this could have found itself in 5 star, potential list-maker. That speaks to the energy and feeling that they had going into this, the chemistry the two had on this night, and the ripeness of that Ibushi-is-crazy thread.
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Post by kas on Aug 4, 2020 17:47:07 GMT -5
Man, I can't believe I forgot to nominate this before I turned in my ballot. This is incredible and would likely have ended up in my top 20. Everything they do is compelling from the slow first half where Okada is actively trying to bring out Ibushi's psycho side, to the usual bombastic second half which is elevated by some truly phenomenal character work by both men.
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Post by Cap on Aug 4, 2020 18:17:18 GMT -5
Top 20... wow. High marks. I think I was talking myself into this having a real shot at my list as I was writing. The list of things I want to watch in the next couple weeks or so is getting far too long as is, but I hope to give it a go.
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Post by Cap on Aug 12, 2020 16:54:09 GMT -5
Gave this a second look... just to make sure recently From my rewatch project on 8/8/2020 Kota Ibushi vs Kazuchika Okdada (IWGP HW Title – 1/4/2020) Current Rank: Unranked Trending: Even I am hesitant to put really fresh matches on this list because I think you need a little time before you can really tell how great something is. Even still, I had two 2018 matches on my last list (and this one), so I wanted to at least give my running MOTY for 2020 a shot. It lived up to being the 2020 MOTY, but I think it remains comfortably off my list. This is a really great Okada title match, but it isn’t an Okada title match that either integrates Okada’s tropes in an expressly positive way or circumvents them. Rather, it allows them to remain… unmoving. The first part of the match was well executed and built to the latter half of the match well, but parts of it lost my attention just enough to keep it out of that elite range. It was never a complete check out (not close), but it was… well… an Okada match. I loved Okada trying to coax the monster out of Ibushi a lot and thought it made for a compelling story thread. Ibushi’s offense in those moments was probably the best thing about the match. Some really visceral and powerful offense. Even still and even being the top match of the year so far (I think…) this falls a good bit short of GME list for me personally. Link to full post: gweproject.freeforums.net/post/8278 |
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Post by makaiclub on Aug 18, 2020 16:13:29 GMT -5
Ohh first post. I tend to not really know where to rank modern matches like this because I like to reflect on matches and where they hold up but I have a feeling this will be the exception. I think this belongs in the top tier of matches. Easily my MOTY for 2020 and it might be one of my favourite matches of the 21st Century too. I'll have to work out an intial top 100 but I think it'll be in my top 20. We'll see. I love this that much.
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Post by bossrock on Aug 18, 2020 16:34:58 GMT -5
I'll have to re-watch this as Okada-Naito has been my pick for MOTY and a match that will most likely make my ballot. I recall the first half was a bit too much of the deliberate, Okada pace but the second half really kicked into high gear.
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Post by elliott on Oct 19, 2023 21:42:55 GMT -5
I dont' get the Okada appeal at all. He's so boring. Sorry.
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