Togi Makabe vs Yuji Nagata - NJPW 35th Anniversary Tour ~ Circuit 2007 New Japan Soul ~ Day One 06/07/2007

One of a kind brawl that not a ton of wrestlers is a traditional (non extreme/Deathmatch/Ultra Violent) promotion can do. Nagata's cut is disgustingly gross, which is only made worse when Makabe gets busted open. But there is more to the match than the aesthetics of the match. Makabe going on the offence, taking Nagata, dominating and unloading with everything he's got all around Korakuen Hall. Then he brings out the scissors, causing the cut and chokes him with the chain. That's just masterful work - tons of aggression and malice, everything a heel brawler should show in his wrestling. Nagata's selling was fantastic but him being able to push through his limits as a straight forward guy to get his own bad and more, is great storytelling. Him slapping the blood away from Makabe's face, causing blood to go on the camera's, all over the ring and onto some of the wrestlers from GBH. The knee strikes to Makabe's skull. The big suplexes. Just a tremendous onslaught. Makabe even after all that fighting to stay alive was chilling and made for a fantastic finishing stretch and climax to an already wild ride. ****1/2