With the GWE Project (vote here: https://forums.prowrestlingonly.com/topic/58373-voting-has-now-begun/) looming, I'm doing a mini project for it. It sounds exactly what it is. A brief snapshot of a wrestler in a moment in time, where I try to put their work in a broad context as well as the specific context of the match itself. Starting with: Yuji Nagata
IWGP Heavyweight Title Match: Yuji Nagata (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi - NJPW Explosion '07 - 08/10/2007
A near outstanding match. I watched this for the purpose of watching Yuji Nagata for GWE. We all pretty much know where Hiroshi Tanahashi lies, but Nagata may be taken for granted and he shouldn’t. And his performance in this match proves why. It is funny to call this an aging veteran's performance as he would work at a great level for another 10 years, but this was pretty much that. He had layers to him where he could be as rough and violent with Tanahashi as he wanted, while still managing to come across as vulnerable, which was added to by Tanahashi’s early targeting of the leg. The leg work was classic cause and effect. Nagata was simply schooling Tanahashi, both on the mat and in the stand-up, before it came into play and gave Tanahashi the eventual platform for his win, even if the work itself wasn’t continuous. Nagata was excellent in the stretch where it was clear that Tanahashi was getting the better of his, but Nagata wouldn’t stop fighting. He was challenging every move Tanahashi threw at him, no matter how much pain was in. It was the most compelling part of the match, and seeing his own fanclub, by ring side, holding up signs in reverence was the perfect cherry on top for the performance. Tanahashi was really good in this too. A little rough in the transitions and wasn’t as fluid as he would become but he delivered on his end. He actually reminded me of Ryohei Oiwa. Maybe that’s the mix of the hair and trunks (!), but there were a few moves such as the splash on the leg that Oiwa does on the regular. But in terms of how he worked with Nagata, it was a good contrast of styles - Nagata brought the stiff strikes and snug submission holds, while Tanahashi brought his dynamic high spots, including the multiple use of the high fly flows. So yes, this was a great match. Well worth seeking out. ****1/2
As far as how this goes for GWE - this is a pro in his case. It’s only one match, but it is slap bang in the middle of his prime and old man phase. It’s where he has fully matured as a wrestler and he had an excellent well rounded performance, where everything he did was excellent, while also making Tanahashi look like a king in an era where he wasn’t the most consistent. If I had to place him, it'd be a top 50 ranking. An excellent place due to his consistency, longevity and overall quality as a wrestler that remained from a young lion to an eventual “New Japan Dad”.
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