Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kazushi Sakuraba (NJPW - 1/4/2013)

Second. This was my 2013 match of the year (along with Park vs Wagner). This match had a real shoot type feeling to it, in part because Nakamura got knocked silly with that knee strike from Sakuraba. Shooter vs Wrestler at the Dome is one of my favorite matches and this will be one of 3 or 4 of those on my list.

Polarizing match. That I remember more of being awkward and clunky. Though at the time of the review (mid-2016), I did give it a strong rating. I did praise the counter-wrestling and I do like defensive. Something that based off my review is low-down on my rewatch priority list.

IWGP Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura vs Kazushi Sakuraba - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom VII



Pro wrestlers in shoot style can work. Shoot style workers in pro wrestling definitely work. But you have to decide what style you want to do. I don't think these two every really decided. The match came off clunky and disjointed. It sounds harsh, but this is a great match. On paper, Nakamura is the best pro wrestler for this match with legitimate MMA credentials and his gimmick is that he is essentially the best wrestler in terms of striking & submission talent on the roster. He is finally facing someone who is his superior in submission grappling, but he still holds an advantage in length & striking. It is interesting because watching the Tanahashi matches the key to Nakamura's strategy is counterwrestling. Here, he is getting out-counterwrestled throughout the match. He goes for his knee in the corner and Sakuraba moves and grabs a rear naked choke. He goes for a takedown and eats a knee. He gets caught in a Kimura. The way he combts this is using his length to get out of holds and then bombarding Sakuraba with a big knee to the head. This narrative is a great story. The problem lies in between this is awkward, tentative faux-MMA. The beginning like 4 minutes is as awkward as you will see on a big stage. Until, Nakamura slapped Sakuraba it was pretty boring. Even later on, why is Nakamura reversing in such a way that Sakuraba can get a full mount and transition easily into a side mount? The finish is Nakamura is too long to be kept in a cross armbreaker (he pops up a little too easily) and knees Sakuraba in the head. He hits the Boma-Ye to take this one home even though in true shoot-stylist fashion kicks out right after three!

Too much awkwardness to rate this too, too high. But the story was interesting enough for me to consider this as a great match. Definitely unique and I can see why it is polarizing. ****

10 years already? Fuck I feel old. This was a throwback to another time in New Japan. It holds up very well for me because it felt fresh in 2013 and still does now. A lot of what made this era of NJPW so fun has been done to death, whereas this type of short intense match with Saku's submissions positioned as insta-kill finishers really hasn't.