NJPW 4/13/08: NJPW v.s Zero1-Max, World Heavyweight Title Match- Masato Tanaka (c) v.s Koji Kanemoto ****1/2
This match was just awesome from the opening bell as each were trying to prove to the other that their promotion was superior. It started out with Kanemoto just kicking the shit Tanaka at every chance he could possibly get. They preceded to go outside the ring and brawl in the crowd where Tanaka could gain control in his own environment only to be bested by Kanemoto at this.
They got back to the ring and Kanemoto just started kicking the shit Tanaka again. Tanaka had comeback bursts every now that each lasting a little longer than the last, but only to be floored back to the mat by Kanemoto.
Tanaka has had enough of this and sets up a table on the outside to put Kanemoto through, but this backfires as well and he gets sent through it himself.
As they get back in the ring Kanemoto and Tanaka trade high impact moves. Kanemoto comes out on top in most cases. At one point he rolls right into an ankle lock looking to capture the victory, but it just isn't enough as Tanaka gets to the ropes. After more high impact moves are delivered by both parties Kanemoto locks in the ankle lock AGAIN this time surely for the win, right? NO! Even I thought Tanaka was going to tap out and I knew the results before hand. It was just freakin' epic!
Then after all this these two men get up and precede to thrown forarms at eachother. Tanaka comes out on the winning end, but not quite so fast a spinning back fist and of course a kick by Kanemoto send Tanaka back into the ropes who comes roaring back with a forarm to finally put Kanemoto away... However it's still not enough to end this match. They get back and Kanemoto is still fighting, but after another knockdown Tanaka comes flying at Kanemoto with another forarm. Tanaka makes the cover! NO! Kanemoto is able to kickout! What?! Tanaka flies against the ropes one more time with another forarm and this time it's over.
Thats what a call a damn match.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrPaiMei
ZERO-ONE World Championship - Masato Tanaka vs. Koji Kanemoto
This is my new MOTY, it's fucking incredible. Another stage in the Z1 vs. NJPW war, Tanaka, after successfully defending against Nakanishi in Z1, travels to NJPW to defend, in a rocking Korakuen Hall, against Koji Kanemoto. And it's blowaway stuff. They have a huge brawl all across the building, which is awesome in the scenic Korakuen Hall. From then on they just rail the hell outta each other, going blow for blow and not letting up. All in front of a packed, pumped crowd. The match ends with a great fucking sequence, hella heated. My #1 match of the year thus far, EVERYONE WATCH~! ****1/2
ZERO-ONE World Championship - Masato Tanaka vs. Koji Kanemoto 4/13/08 - **** 1/2
Felt the need to bump both these posts because frankly I just watched this match and was completely blown away.
They brought real heat to there Z-1/NJPW Interpromotional Fued. As stated a great brawl with a great finish sequence, especially Kanemoto locking in the Ankle Lock really made me think he had that one in the bag, and watching Tanaka forearm the shit out of Kanemoto was pretty epic. Haven't seen much in the way of matches this year but right now this is easily my MOTY.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dele
Instead of being a good guy or a bad guy, just be the man
in my opinion the HBK vs. Flair Match was Match of the year so far. not because of the 5 star mat wrestling that wasn't there, but because of the sheer emotion from Flair, Michaels, The Announcers and the Crowd. what the end of the match signified.
Holy shit, Strong's chest bleeding was crazy. I was wincing for damn near every chop. I loved how they just said fuck it and knocked out the ref at the same time lol and went ahead kicking each other's asses. Btw, does this even count as a match seeing as the bell never actually rang???
BxB Hulk/Shingo vs. El Generico/Steen ****
Started off kind of average but really started to pick up towards the end. Great showing by all 4 men.
Nigel McGuiness vs. Austin Aries ****1/4
Didn't enjoy it as much as the Rising above match but still great stuff. Hot crowd helped as they were numerous duel chants throughout.
CIMA, Dragon Kid and Ryo Saito vs. Masato Yoshino, Naruki Doi and Genki Horiguchi ****1/2
Damn this was fucking entertaining. Incredibly awesome fast paced action. If you blink you'll miss something special.