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Post by elliott on Dec 18, 2017 21:56:34 GMT -5
Shinya Hashimoto vs Genichiro Tenryu (NJPW G1 Climax - 8/1/1998)
Because I nominated Regal vs Finlay, I've got to nominate this. I don't think it is their best match, and it seems like most people these days don't. But it was certainly pimped as their best match for years and it is definitely a great match. Two of the most charismatic dudes of all time kicking and chopping the fuck out of each other. This is awesome. Probably won't make my list, but something I'll think about for sure because I love these two guys.
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Post by bossrock on Apr 16, 2018 9:27:27 GMT -5
Second.
I love this match and while I don't think I've seen all of their matches together, this is my favorite so far. My favorite version of either guy is the one who will beat the shit out of their opponent relentlessly and, well, that's basically what this was. Tenryu is the grizzled, grumpy veteran who's too old for this shit and Hashimoto is the firey, relentless babyface who won't give up an inch. Tenryu plays a subtle yet great heel throwing closed-fist punches to get the better of Hashimoto during the exchanges. However, he can't help but find himself drawn into these crazy firefights with Hashimoto and that ultimately becomes his undoing.
Very good chance this makes my list and is just an incredibly violent spectacle. At the very least, a MOTYC for 1998.
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Post by microstatistics on May 2, 2018 1:02:35 GMT -5
Third. My PWO review from a couple of years ago
"Maybe the best pure slugfest ever. But the real greatness resides in their amazing selling of the pain and damage and in them genuinely trying pound the other into oblivion, instead of it being a pointless pissing match."
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Post by superstarsleeze on Jul 29, 2018 12:13:49 GMT -5
To me their 93/94 series is where it is at, but as a reprise five years this is still excellent hard hitting action.
Shinya Hashimoto vs Genichiro Tenryu - NJPW G1 Climax 98 Quarterfinals
For my money the 93/94 series between these is the best thing NJPW heavies put on in the 90s. We revisit the series in 98 with the return of Tenryu to the promotion. Is WAR dead?
Feels like Valentine vs Garvin, two stand up, hard noses ornery muthafuckas going blow for blow. Thought the selling is what really made this feel big. Tenryu's calm contempt vs the fiery rage of Hashimoto. Tenryu punching Hashimoto in the face anytime he was trouble was great. Really works because how sparse closed fists are in puroresu. I thought they did go back to strike exchange too often and after while it felt like the match just was not progressing. Tenryu's kappa kick changed that. Is taking a Tenryu Powerbomb the scariest thing ever? I'm surprise he did not Ganso Bomb Hashimoto. For some reason Tenryu goes up top, Hash hits a spin wheel kick as he dives. Seems weird for Tenryu to do that. Hashimoto unloads with kicks and DDTs to win.
Definitely in the vain of a Greg Valentine Match intense, simple and hard hitting. Felt bigger due to the personalities involved. Selling was really good. The basic finish stretch was refreshing after watching so much AJPW. Lack of progression in first ten minutes hurt it. It is Hash vs Tenryu, it is gonna be WAR! ****1/4
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Post by kas on Oct 21, 2021 4:18:19 GMT -5
God this match rules so much. Just chops, kicks, and punches and it never gets boring for a even a second.
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Post by elliott on Jun 2, 2023 16:26:03 GMT -5
Feels like this should be more beloved here. Cap have you seen this match? How is it not your favorite?
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Post by silverwidow on Jun 2, 2023 17:04:55 GMT -5
I'm voting for 2/94 only, but can't blame anyone who votes for multiple iterations of this match.
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Post by mrjmml on Jun 21, 2023 15:30:42 GMT -5
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Post by KB8 on Jul 27, 2023 17:40:58 GMT -5
Fuck all the way off. Not re-watching this is right up there with not telling my high school PE teacher that I would walk through the fires or hell and back to take her hand in marriage as the biggest regret of my long and foolish life. After the first minute I thought to myself "that was the best opening minute to a match in history" and then a minute later I thought "that was the best opening two minutes to a match in wrestling history" and then I said it again at the three-minute mark and then they stopped whomping the living shit out of each other dead on five minutes and basically it was the greatest five-minute opening of any match ever committed to tape. This is honestly just perfect pro wrestling to me. I would not have changed a single thing about those fist five minutes. Micro says it up the page and I fully agree with his point about it maybe being the best slugfest in wrestling history, although I can happily go a step further drop the "maybe" altogether. Seriously, how fucking good is the selling in this? How can anybody watch these two work an extended strike exchange and then go watch any of this modern chest-puffed horse shit and tell me the latter is any good? Tenryu is approaching 50 here and looks it, the way he just slumps in the ropes after Hashimoto tries to hacksaw his clavicle in two, wondering why he's still putting himself through this. There was one incredible bit early on where Tenryu dropped Hash for the first time and he staggered back like he was having a stroke, Hashimoto rolling onto his front and staring up at him with a face like righteous thunder. The dynamic of this matchup is always brilliant because you'll have Tenryu being a grade A prick and blatantly punching Hashimoto in the face - these were possibly the best punches of his career btw and think of the SCOPE of that statement - while Hashimoto will wrestle to his code no matter what, no matter how often he's prodded. There are of course times where he loses his cool, for even the most composed among us will be pushed to the brink by Tenryu. When that happens his temper doesn't just flare, it fully erupts, but he never does anything below the belt. I think the one time it truly got the better of him he chucked the referee away from trying to restrain him, and after that I'm pretty sure Tenryu only used the distraction to punch him in the face again. The way they sell the cumulative damage, the way they introduce the DDT and powerbomb, it's pretty much perfect pacing. Then Tenryu jumps off the top rope for a shoulder tackle and Hashimoto spin kicks him dead in the face and I fell out the bed. Ms Wilson is happily married to her wife of seven years now so that ship has evidently sailed, but I'll tell you one thing for free - nothing can stop me from having this high as a kite in 2025.
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Post by elliott on Jul 27, 2023 19:16:08 GMT -5
Fuck all the way off. Not re-watching this is right up there with not telling my high school PE teacher that I would walk through the fires or hell and back to take her hand in marriage as the biggest regret of my long and foolish life. After the first minute I thought to myself "that was the best opening minute to a match in history" and then a minute later I thought "that was the best opening two minutes to a match in wrestling history" and then I said it again at the three-minute mark and then they stopped whomping the living shit out of each other dead on five minutes and basically it was the greatest five-minute opening of any match ever committed to tape. This is honestly just perfect pro wrestling to me. I would not have changed a single thing about those fist five minutes. Micro says it up the page and I fully agree with his point about it maybe being the best slugfest in wrestling history, although I can happily go a step further drop the "maybe" altogether. Seriously, how fucking good is the selling in this? How can anybody watch these two work an extended strike exchange and then go watch any of this modern chest-puffed horse shit and tell me the latter is any good? Tenryu is approaching 50 here and looks it, the way he just slumps in the ropes after Hashimoto tries to hacksaw his clavicle in two, wondering why he's still putting himself through this. There was one incredible bit early on where Tenryu dropped Hash for the first time and he staggered back like he was having a stroke, Hashimoto rolling onto his front and staring up at him with a face like righteous thunder. The dynamic of this matchup is always brilliant because you'll have Tenryu being a grade A prick and blatantly punching Hashimoto in the face - these were possibly the best punches of his career btw and think of the SCOPE of that statement - while Hashimoto will wrestle to his code no matter what, no matter how often he's prodded. There are of course times where he loses his cool, for even the most composed among us will be pushed to the brink by Tenryu. When that happens his temper doesn't just flare, it fully erupts, but he never does anything below the belt. I think the one time it truly got the better of him he chucked the referee away from trying to restrain him, and after that I'm pretty sure Tenryu only used the distraction to punch him in the face again. The way they sell the cumulative damage, the way they introduce the DDT and powerbomb, it's pretty much perfect pacing. Then Tenryu jumps off the top rope for a shoulder tackle and Hashimoto spin kicks him dead in the face and I fell out the bed. Ms Wilson is happily married to her wife of seven years now so that ship has evidently sailed, but I'll tell you one thing for free - nothing can stop me from having this high as a kite in 2025. This is really true. I rewatched this cautiously because the fighting spirit bullshit is really not my thing at all but this really transcends that. No strike exchange could come close to approaching the ones here. |
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