Katsuyori Shibata vs. Kazushi Sakuraba (NJPW - 07/05/2015)
May 16, 2021 19:28:10 GMT -5
Post by makaiclub on May 16, 2021 19:28:10 GMT -5
Katsuyori Shibata vs. Kazushi Sakuraba - NJPW Dominion 7.5 In Osaka-Jo Hall - 05/07/2015
You never quite know what you’re going to get with Sakuraba. But he was immense in this match. And I mean him, not him working on Shibata. Sakuraba’s wiseness allowed him to lock in some great submissions that were perfectly buyable as flash finishers. Sakuraba would cling onto Shibata’s back and lock in a double arm wringer - in which meant Shibata had to use his teeth to grab the ropes - and then later lock in a neck crank in desperation and had Shibata in trouble again. The best submission of the match was Sakuraba locking in an arm triangle but altering it in a way that put his foot up against Shiata’s windpipe. A dirty hold but the crowd went nuts when the camera did a close up on it. Shibata had to deal with that innate skill of his partner that doesn’t go away with age, unlike speed and other physical attributes, and had to rely on his striking and grit to see him to the end where he laid Sakuraba out with a PK. Great, great match. ****1/4
You never quite know what you’re going to get with Sakuraba. But he was immense in this match. And I mean him, not him working on Shibata. Sakuraba’s wiseness allowed him to lock in some great submissions that were perfectly buyable as flash finishers. Sakuraba would cling onto Shibata’s back and lock in a double arm wringer - in which meant Shibata had to use his teeth to grab the ropes - and then later lock in a neck crank in desperation and had Shibata in trouble again. The best submission of the match was Sakuraba locking in an arm triangle but altering it in a way that put his foot up against Shiata’s windpipe. A dirty hold but the crowd went nuts when the camera did a close up on it. Shibata had to deal with that innate skill of his partner that doesn’t go away with age, unlike speed and other physical attributes, and had to rely on his striking and grit to see him to the end where he laid Sakuraba out with a PK. Great, great match. ****1/4
