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Post by elliott on Dec 19, 2017 1:15:19 GMT -5
Low-Ki vs Bryan Danielson (Special Guest Ref Ricky Steamboat - ECWA - 7/21/2001)
Classic match that holds up to this day that always stood out as my favorite of their series. This has all the amazing mat work and submissions mixed with brutally stiff strikes that defined their matches. The timing of the low dropkick on Ki's arm as he does a cartwheel stands out in my mind as one of my favorite spots ever. Steamboat as the ref is spectacular. This was groundbreaking shit at the time and I'm so glad it holds up as a classic match 16 years later(!!!).
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Post by Cap on Jan 3, 2018 16:59:43 GMT -5
Second
This might be my second favorite match between the two. I am not sure it will make my list, but it deserves a revisit for me. Honestly, i think their rivalry is one of the top rivalries in all of wrestling to me. It was just so far ahead of its time and holds up so much better than much of what would come after it. This match is a bit under the radar, but I do think the timing and execution are pretty spot on.
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Post by El Mckell on Jan 13, 2018 7:27:28 GMT -5
Not as great as the match from the second ROH show but still stupidly good. Low Ki hits the loudest chop I can ever remember hearing in this match. I love that Danielson dropkicks Ki's arm on that handspring so much. The only things i didn't like were Low Ki hitting a kick to the head and going for a cover which leads to a two count 3 consecutive times and Ricky Steamboat's sneakers
Thirded. ****1/2
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Post by superstarsleeze on Feb 19, 2019 11:35:26 GMT -5
I agree that this is not as good as the ROH match, but it is still 100% worth seeing. Elliot nails the stand out spot where Danielson dropkicks Ki's arm during a cartwheel. It is amazing how good these two were already at this point. I feel like the style peaked almost immediately. Ki, Danielson, AJ and Joe were already have amazing matches by 2002 that I think they tried top themselves but ended up hurting more than helping come around 2006 or so. Early 00s US Indy wrestling is really great stuff.
Low-Ki vs Bryan Danielson - ECWA 7/21/01 SGR: Ricky Steamboat
Low-Ki had to be the first superstar of 2000s Indies boom. He is very over in every match. This was a very popular match in the early 2000s and along with Low-Ki vs AJ Styles the biggest feud of the indies. Danielson is playing the heel. Steamboat seems pretty into the match throughout. These two are just so explosive. Some great chain wrestling and kicks thrown. I love their dueling bridges spot, really good stuff. Ki throws some ferocious kicks that really tag Bryan in the head.
It really gets good when Danielson dropkicks Ki's arm just as he is doing a back handspring. Great spot and great writhing by Ki! Danielson goes right to work on the injured arm. You know Bryan is all tight holds and some innovative ways to dish out pain. Bryan shows great urgency always staying on Ki and Ki is very good at selling the arm. You know when you have Steamboat wincing in pain, that there are some ferocious chops being thrown. Ki gets a lucha armdrag hope spots but Bryan pops up and kicks the arm. Great heat segment. I loved Bryan's snap fireman's carry in response to Low-Ki firing up in in a chop battle. Bryan wants the cross-armbreaker, but settles for a short arm scissors (love that move). Low Ki kicks him in the head from his back showing great flexibility. On the second one, he gets him pretty good and even the camera guy oohs at that. Bryan goes for the Cobra Clutch and Ki fights out. He finally evens the playing field with a Tidal Wave. Steamboat pops for it and the crowd chants "Low Ki!". Really well-timed spot. Low-Ki is still selling the bad arm as he hits a forearm and realizes he needs to use his feet. Explosive Kappo Kick in the corner. Bryan grabs a cobra clutch on the apron and Ki bucks him off the apron in a crazy spot. Low Ki gets his Dragon Clutch on the top rope and bends back into a Tree of Woe, but he loses control of Bryans head. They go into a strike exchange, but it is better than your typical New Japan one because they are reacting and trying to find new angles. Poor transition into that strike exchange. Bryan finally blasts through Ki's defense with a Roaring elbow. They headbutt each other from their knees as if they are rams battering each other. Ki hits the Ki Krusher '99 for two, but cant capitalize because of his bad arm. This is the first big nearfall and it is well-timed. Couple good blocks as Ki cant hit another Ki Krusher, Bryan cant hit the Dragon Suplex and Ki misses a flying Karate Kick. This last one affords Bryan the opportunity to hit a German and roll into a Dragon Suplex for two. Bryan wants his super back suplex, but Ki bucks him off and hits a Phoenix Splash for two. I like how missed moves are setting up the nearfalls. Low Ki pays tribute to Masa Chono from 1991 and just starts Yakuza Kicking Bryan in the face repeatedly only getting two. As he signals for the "FINISH HIM" Kick, Bryan wrangles him down in Cattle Mutilation and Low Ki passes out from the pain.
I dont know about that finish. I mean Bryan worked over the arm, but I didnt think he really destroyed the arm and I thought Low-Ki passed out way too quickly. Then again, I dont really want to languish in that hold either. It was just a weird hold to pass out to. Weird finish aside, I really enjoyed this. It is very explosive and exciting. Bryan's heat segment is great and Low-Ki sells well and peppers in enough hope spots. Tidal Wave was the perfect tide-turning move. They lost me from the apron spot through the strike exchange. I thought the transitions were not as tight. The finish sequence was awesome. The nearfalls felt big and were set up really well. To me this is the first truly great Indy match. ****1/4
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