FREEDOMS & Daichi vs Nakanoue

FREEDOMS/Jun Kasai Produce Tokyo Deathmatch Carnival 2020 Vol. 1 28/07/2020

Fluorescent Light Tubes & Stimulation Weapons Deathmatch: Jun Kasai vs. Toshiyuki Sakuda

This went exactly like you’d expect with these two at the helm. Both indulge in their masochist ways with skewers in the cheeks, light tubes being smashed, by themselves, over their own heads, etc - you know, the usual. Sakuda was the underdog coming into the match but he was able to get some effective hope spots in. The springboard senton onto Kasai with the light tubes on top caused a real good nearfall. Kasai eventually put Sakuda away but it was a valiant effort. ***1/2

King Of FREEDOM World Title Glass Board & Fluorescent Light Tubes & Alpha Deathmatch: Toru Sugiura (c) vs. Masashi Takeda

A ton of deathmatches have a penchant for gore but not really violence. Obviously the wrestling is violent and messy but the tension isn’t exactly that, I’d say. A ton of it is friendly wrestling which is ironic given the deathmatch elements. This felt a little more heated and rampant than usual. It’s a shame that Takeda couldn’t continue due to a deep cut on his back/side because this was gearing up to be an insane match. But what we got for the 12 minutes was super good. Sugiura whacking the chairs onto a prone Takeda was sickening. And the cannonball splash through the glass plate was just insane. The striking unlike the Jack/Masaoka match was more stiff and skillful. They were able to flow in a bicycle knee into a rolling elbow spot perfectly with standard weapon usage. ***3/4

BJW 24/07/2020

BJW Strong World Heavyweight Title Match: Daichi Hashimoto (c) vs. Yasufumi Nakanoue

When the pairing is right, it’s right. Daichi Hashimoto is #1 for most improved and this is another example of his growth from the year before. They take elements from their last matches, like the stiff strike exchanges but add in some brilliant leg work by Nakanoue. He slams Daichi’s knee into the apron and then proceeds to spend the match kicking and pounding the whole match. Nakanoue utilizes his size perfectly to make his submissions more painful and awkward to be in. Daichi’s selling was really good but it came out in his strategy as well. The only way he could win is through his kicks. He was done otherwise so he adapted to the match really well. Nakanaoue building up a big head of steam, ready to take Daichi’s head clean off, only for Daichi to stick a high head kick was an awesome spot. Building the tension to a big high to turn the match in favour for the champion. Just a brilliant spot in a great match. ****