Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Koji Kanemoto
I thought this was a super match. It was typical in structure, a lot of technical wrestling before it moves on to a spot heavy match. But there was quality to their work: Kanemoto working on the leg of Liger. And when they moved to the closing stretch, there was some excellent sequences and false finishes. I think in their primes, they can have this match in their sleep and it still be quality. ***3/4
J-Crown Title Match: El Samurai (c) vs. Shinjiro Otani
Compared to the prior match, this felt more rough and scrappy. It seems to me that these two are more willing to let loose and shoot big and fail, Otani particularly. Although he rarely fails. And I’ll admit, a large part of the match’s drama is Otani fighting for the J-Crown title once again. There is no one in 1997 more rootable and charismatic as an underdog than him. The way he sells is just enough melodramatic for maximised drama. El Samurai is a good counterpart. Far more cold and mechanical, but that’s why he works for the heel role. He isn’t fancy in that regard. And it made Otani winning so much sweeter. ****
Tatsumi Fujinami vs. Riki Choshu
Fun, compact match. They kept it simple, relying on the basic moves they’ve perfected and uses for decades. Very few things went wrong, and while a cobra clutch went awry, it was in the heat of battle and didn’t detract at all. This was a good hurrah for this feud. Fujinami submits Choshu in 7 minutes. ***
IWGP Tag Team Title Match: Bull Powers (Manabu Nakanishi & Satoshi Kojima) (c) vs. Kazuo Yamazaki & Kensuke Sasaki
Strong tag team match. No fluff, just action from the four. Nakanishi was clearly trying to present himself as an equal to Sasaki, before Sasaki goes on to win the title later in the month but it didn’t really look convincing. Nakanishi is fine but clumsy. It really just makes Sasaki look so much better in comparison. Kojima and Yamazaki was very reliable in these matches. They can carry their end of the match just fine. Not much to say as a play by play. It was just spot heavy action with slight emphasis on making Sasaki look great. Good tag team match. ***1/2
Different Style Fight (Special Referee: Antonio Inoki): Great Muta vs. Naoya Ogawa
A match that would be vilified today. It was weirdly pragmatic, but ultimately restricted. Ogawa shined against Hashimoto but felt like a side show against Muto. The crowd remained heavily invested in this considering its was mostly chokes and the off judo throw. Inoki being the ref felt like a wasted moment. Forgot he was apart of this. **
IWGP Heavyweight Title Match: Shinya Hashimoto (c) vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan
Lacklustre in comparison to their G1 match. That’s not lacking in effort however. Hashimoto put in an inspired Hashimoto performance, but Tenzan’s limitations did stand out here and it lacked the drama and dynamism of the aforementioned match. It was stiff and had interesting moments, but little hook overall. And the after match is confusing. Chono seems to challenge Hashimoto to a match and the crowd is HOT for it, but it doesn’t happen. Instead Chono challenges Sasaki and doesn’t win, which given the year Chono and the NWO are having seems like a grave mistake. But I'm getting ahead of myself. ***
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