A Modest Response

Archive

Last week, Hayden Munro’s Apology of Joe vs. Kobashi was posted. Ari of 411 thought that it should be acknowledged that the post formerly sparked a huge discussion on the ROH board between Hayden and 411’s Mike Campbell. Check it out: http://www.rohwrestling.com/messageboard/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=30519. This week, since last drew such great discussion, we have the Top 10 Japanese Wrestlers in ROH.

News of Honor

The Trios Tournament Teams are all announced:

1. Sweet and Sour Inc of Chris Hero, Bobby Dempsey and Tank Tolland
2. The Briscoes and a Mystery Partner
3. The No Remorse Corps of Roderick Strong, Davey Richards and Rocky Romero
4. The Vulture Squad of Jack Evans, Ruckus, and Jigsaw
5. The Hangmen 3 of Adam Pearce, BJ Whitmer, and Brent Albright
6. The Age of the Fall of Jimmy Jacobs, Tyler Black and Necro Butcher

Everyone seems to be taking it for granted that the Age of the Fall will win, so look for a surprise victory by the Hangmen or the NRC. More to come in the previews, the Friday before the show.

Roderick Strong is demanding more respect for the FIP Title

This looks like it’s leading to a Nigel vs. Roderick program. If their Death Before Dishonor IV match is any indication, that should be great.

11/30 in Dayton will be stacked with Aries vs. Strong and Danielson vs. Necro Butcher

So much for the no title match being a drawback idea, huh?

Seth Skyfire will make his ROH debut in Dayton

I’d love to learn more about him, so if you know anything, please send it here.

This Week on Pulse Wrestling

Ollie Sutherland us coming along really well in terms of both his style and content. You need to check out his PWG Dynamite Duumvirate Tag Team Tournament Night 1 review and especially his Notes on Storytelling. Check Upon Further Review in this very column for more from Ollie with his Claudio Castagnoli vs. Takeshi Morishima review.

Live in Osaka by Vinny Truncellito. Read it; he’s a new ROH fan and the review is great.

A Man Up Preview and Welcome to ROH Preview are in the link.

The Top 100 Continues

New Japan vs. TNA part 1 via Phil Clark. For Puro heads, I want to weigh in on the Goto vs. Tanahashi match that’s getting serious MOTY consideration: Goto uses running strikes, so Tanahashi takes out the knee. Goto continues running strikes, even mixing in kicks with his hurt leg. They then forget the knee and beat the shit out of each other for a bit, Goto again with running strikes, and Tanahashi again comes at the knee to control. Eventually Tanahashi starts to lose when Goto uses punches and head drops, which works, except the knee is again ignored. Then Tanahashi counters, fine, he’s established as the better technical wrestler by far by now, and locks in another cloverleaf for the tap after the long ignored knee work. What the hell, this isn’t in the same league as Tanahashi vs. Nagata from earlier this year.

Vinny did me a favor and covered ECW. Thanks Vin! Because I’m an overachiever (pfft, right), also, thanks to Ivan who did the quick coverage! If you have a chance to check out Punk vs. Noble from this show, do so. Best TV Match in a good while.

Thanks to Justin Aultman for sending in a FIP 11/9 Review

Kirschner brings the goods with PWG results.

Mark Allen covers a lot of years with his Bret vs. Michaels article.

Look Here for interviews with Claudio Castagnoli and Alex Shelley.

Scott Keith reviews the history of TNA Volume 1.

The Top Ten Japanese Wrestlers in ROH
ROH has had the best use of Japanese talent in America, possibly ever. Let’s take a look at the Top 10 Talent in terms of match quality and legacy.

10. Naruki Doi – Naruki Doi is a competitor in the Dragon Gate promotion where he has been ascending the ranks and is considered a potential ace. Like most Dragon Gate wrestlers, he’s built his reputation around speed and big moves.

Major Appearances:

1. Dragon Gate Challenge: Naruki Doi, CIMA, and Masato Yoshino vs. Austin Aries, Roderick Strong and Jack Evans **** ½ – This highlighted the innovative, fast paced style Dragon Gate offers, while showing off what these guys are capable of. The match is also almost completely forgotten often due to #2 and #3.

2. Supercard of Honor: Naruki Doi, CIMA, and Masato Yoshino vs. Dragon Kid, Genki Horiguchi, and Ryo Saito ***** – One of the very few ***** matches around and one of the best matches in company history, this match raised the action to unbelievable levels and is pure must see.

3. Better than our Best: Naruki Doi and CIMA vs. The ROH Tag Champions Austin Aries and Roderick Strong **** ½ – This was arguably the best tag match in ROH history to that point and helped legitimize Aries and Strong’s legendary run.

4. Fifth Year Festival: Liverpool: Naruki Doi and Shingo vs. The ROH Tag Champions The Briscoes **** ½ – This match was hugely important in that it made Doi a champion in ROH, always a big deal, while causing one of the most story driven matches in the Briscoes’ ridiculously impressive run this year.

5. Fifth Year Festival: Finale: ROH Tag Team Champions Naruki Doi and Shingo vs. Roderick Strong and Davey Richards **** – Showing their versatility, Shingo and Doi went from a classic with mega faces to a great match with newly turned heels. They did a great job elevating the titles’ prestige and making them seem coveted, while making Strong and Davey even more hated.

Lasting Legacy – Doi’s legacy in ROH is mostly in the amazing matches he has put on in the company. He’s in two of the very best tag matches ever in ROH and the two best 6-man tags, while becoming one of the few foreigners to hold ROH gold.

9. Shingo – Shingo is a Dragon Gate performer who in 2004 became the first graduate of their dojo. Since then he’s learned an amazing amount in a short time and is even a faction leader in that promotion. Shingo focuses on power moves with high impact. He was sent to ROH for most of 2006 and much of 2007 to learn and improve his craft, which he did, quite impressively, with his standout matches coming far more frequently towards the end of his ROH run.

1. International Incident: Shingo and CIMA vs. ROH Tag Champions Chris Daniels and Matt Sydal **** – Shingo spent a lot of his time in ROH chasing after the tag titles. This was a very good match, with his mentor CIMA where they played against the mentor to pupil relationship of their opponents. The majority of the show is weak, but this match is still quite impressive.

2. Fifth Year Festival: Liverpool: Naruki Doi and Shingo vs. The ROH Tag Champions The Briscoes **** ½ – When Shingo and Doi challenged for the tag titles, no one gave them much of a chance, but in this match Shingo showed he was tougher and a better power man than the Briscoes could handle, winning the tag belts near the culmination of his ROH run, putting on a classic in the process.

3. Fifth Year Festival: Finale: ROH Tag Team Champions Naruki Doi and Shingo vs. Roderick Strong and Davey Richards **** – Showing their versatility, Shingo and Doi went from a classic with mega faces to a great match with newly turned heels. They did a great job elevating the titles’ prestige and making them seem coveted, while making Strong and Davey even more hated.

4. Supercard of Honor 2: CIMA, Shingo and Susumu Yokosuka vs. Dragon Kid, Ryo Saito, and Masaato Mochizuki **** ¼ – After tearing the house down at the first Supercard of Honor, the Dragon Gate stars were invited back for a second match, which, while not as impressive as the first, was still excellent. This time, unlike the year prior, Shingo got to show his growth by being included in the big contest.

5. Good Times, Great Memories: Shingo vs. ROH World Champion Takeshi Morishima **** ¼ – On Shingo’s last night in the company he got a big “thank you” in the form of a title shot against the monster that is Takeshi Morishima. The match was a great example of two big guys beating the hell out of each other and using fighting spirit to try and show each other up, so if you like that, be sure to check it out.

6. Live in Osaka: Shingo and Susumu Yokosuka vs. ROH Tag Champions the Briscoes **** ¼ – When ROH went to Japan, Shingo took the opportunity to try and win back the tag gold. In this match, he again gets one of the best Briscoe story driven matches and again shows he completely has the Deleware brothers’ number. The Briscoes escape with the belts, but not before Shingo put on another excellent match with them.

Lasting Legacy> – Shingo marks the first time a Japanese promotion had sent a young gun to ROH in order to get them to improve. Shingo improved exponentially to a faction leader when he returned to Dragon Gate, so the attempt proved successful. Shingo was also in a major interpromotional match, as a Dragon Gate star, he faced NOAH’s Morishima for the title.

8. The Great Muta – Keiji Mutoh, a.k.a. the Great Muta, was sent to America in the late 1980s where he worked for WCW and put on classic matches in a style never yet seen in the states. After developing as a worker and gaining a loyal following, he returned to New Japan to become one of their Three Musketeers, their top three wrestlers during the 1990s. Come the 2000s he had moved to All Japan and as a tag champion decided to come to America in ROH for one match.

Notable Appearance

1. Final Battle 03: All Japan Tag Champions: The Great Muta and Arashi vs. Chris Daniels and Dan Maff *** ½ – This match wasn’t great, but Muta proved to be a great draw. Check out legacy for just how great.

Lasting Legacy – Muta’s legacy is in his drawing power and placing importance on ROH. His presence allowed ROH to move to the Pennsylvania National Guard Armory, where they still currently run. He also increased ROH’s prestige by defending the All Japan Tag Titles in America against two ROH wrestlers.

7. Naomichi Marufuji – Naomichi Marufuji is a major contender for the next ace of NOAH and that is a huge testament to his skill in the wrestling ring. Formerly one of the best junior heavyweights in the world, he gained enough weight to compete for the GHC Title and actually won the belt. Since, he’s become one half of the tag champions and is a huge part of NOAH’s future, as well as a semi-regular ROH competitor.

Notable Appearances

1. Marufuji vs. ROH World Champion Bryan Danielson **** – Marufuji’s first ROH appearance was a title shot. The match was not anything fancy, but served as a perfect primer for what Dragon’s run was to become, doubtlessly no accident this occurred against a wrestler of Morishima’s skill.

2. Glory by Honor V Night 1: Marufuji and KENTA vs. The Briscoe Brothers **** – The Briscoes had been giving KENTA trouble, so he called in former partner and then GHC Champion Marufuji to help him. Unfortunately, the match was hampered by the fact it was in a tent, but it was still a hard hitting, memorable affair and Marufuji helped KENTA gain his revenge on Jay and Mark.

3. Glory by Honor V Night 2: GHC Champions Naomichi Marufuji defends vs. Nigel McGuinness **** ¼ – Nigel got a shot at one of the most prestigious belts in the world in a ROH ring, during Marufuji’s first defense. The two professionals did not fail to deliver an excellent match.

4. Respect is Earned: Naomichi Marufuji vs. Rocky Romero **** – Marufuji took a mid-card filler match with the mildly over Romero and delivered a great match, putting the less talented Romero on his back.

5. United We Stand: Marufuji and Morishima vs. Danielson and McGuinness **** ¼ – Look at the names in this dream tag match. Need I really say more?

6. Live in Tokyo: Marufji and the Briscoes vs. Ricky Marvin, Matt Sydal and Atsushi Aoki **** – When ROH came to Japan, Marufuji was their to answer the call. He showed that he’s not only great at heavyweight style matches now, but could still keep up and be awesome with fast paced juniors.

7. Live in Osaka: Bryan Danielson, Marufuji and CIMA vs. Rocky Romero, Roderick Strong and Masaaki Mochizuki **** ¼ – The Aces of ROH, Dragon Gate, and NOAH matched up to take out the disrespectful NRC who never really stood a prayer against talent like that which was assembled against them.

8. Glory by Honor VI Night 1: Mitsuharu Misawa & KENTA vs. Takeshi Morishima & Naomichi Marufuji **** – When Misawa came to America the spotlight was on, but for this show at least, it was Marufuji who shone, stealing the show with character and flashiness in a very good match.

9. Glory by Honor VI Night 2: Marufuji vs. Claudio Castagnoli **** – Claudio is one of the fastest rising stars in the business and he got to match up against one of the best wrestlers in the world. Marufuji gave him plenty and basically made Claudio by giving him the victory in this huge match up.

Lasting Legacy – Marufuji has a legacy of great matches, but will mostly remain known for being the first man to defend the GHC Title on American soil and thus far the only to defend against a Gaijin on American soil. Marufuji also will, with a proper push, be known as the man who made Claudio a star.

6. CIMA – CIMA is the ace of Dragon Gate and arguably the best junior in the world. He’s the company’s main man and has come over to America for quite a few classics with ROH’s finest.

Notable Appearances

1. Dragon Gate Invasion: CIMA vs. AJ Styles – CIMA’s first ROH match was an absolute dream match as he headlined the ROH vs. Dragon Gate themed show. The match isn’t as good as it could be, but it’s still great to see two premier fliers in the ring together.

2. Dragon Gate Challenge: Naruki Doi, CIMA, and Masato Yoshino vs. Austin Aries, Roderick Strong and Jack Evans **** ½ – CIMA again returned to lead Dragon Gate against ROH, this time delivering a classic match, almost inarguably Generation Next’s best as a unit.

3. Supercard of Honor: Naruki Doi, CIMA, and Masato Yoshino vs. Dragon Kid, Genki Horiguchi, and Ryo Saito ***** – After battling ROH, the Dragon Gate guys battles each other to show just what they could do. One of the very few ***** matches around and one of the best matches in company history, this match raised the action to unbelievable levels and is pure must see.

4. Better than our Best: Naruki Doi and CIMA vs. The ROH Tag Champions Austin Aries and Roderick Strong – CIMA’s first straight tag match in ROH proved to be quite memorable; perhaps the best tag match in ROH to that point.

5. International Incident: Shingo and CIMA vs. ROH Tag Champions Chris Daniels and Matt Sydal **** – CIMA continued to battle for the tag belts, this time with his student, against Chris Daniels and his student. This match completely saves the DVD.

6. All Star Extravaganza 3: CIMA, Dragon Kid, Susumu Yokosuka and Ryo Saito vs. Austin Aries, Claudio Castagnoli, Delirious, and Rocky Romero **** – CIMA continually brings it to ROH and comes up ahead in these interpromotional battles. This was no exception as Team Dragon Gate took on Team ROH in a memorable match.

7. Supercard of Honor 2: CIMA, Shingo and Susumu Yokosuka vs. Dragon Kid, Ryo Saito, and Masaato Mochizuki **** ¼ – And the Dragon Gate guys, again, a night later, showed how special they could be working with each other and that the ROH guys were simply not quite up to par in their style.

8. Live in Osaka: Bryan Danielson, Marufuji and CIMA vs. Rocky Romero, Roderick Strong and Masaaki Mochizuki **** ¼ – When ROH went to Japan, the ace of Dragon Gate showed up and worked with ROH for the first time, taking out disrespectful upstarts.

Lasting Legacy – CIMA spearheaded the involvement of Dragon Gate in ROH, one of the most popular attractions ROH has to offer, particularly the now annual Dragon Gate 6 Man at Wrestlemania weekend. With many great matches, CIMA represented his company against ROH representatives officially far more than any other foreigner.

5. Jushin Lyger – Jushin Lyger is, quite simply, the best junior heavyweight Japan, and probably the world, has ever seen. Through the 1990s, in New Japan, he put on consistently awesome matches. He’s also got quite an American following due to being in WCW a bit in the 1990s, notably against Brian Pillman and Rey Misterio.

Notable Appearances

1. Weekend of Thunder Night 1: Jushin Lyger vs. Bran Danielson *** ¾ – A good match, but not a great one. Lyger was the legend and Danielson the upstart attempting to make his name by defeating one of the best ever.

2. Weekend of Thunder Night 2: Jushin Lyger and Samoa Joe vs. Bryan Danielson and Low Ki **** ¼ – These guys are all special workers, with Danielson and Ki trying their best to show up the legendary Lyger and the champion, Samoa Joe. Joe and Lyger meshed will in their defense of their respective legacies.

Lasting Legacy – Lyger joined ROH at a time of growth and with his matches added an air of legitimacy to the company that still had the Feinstein debacle in clear site. Lyger was also, besides #1 and #3 on this list, easily the most hyped and anticipated man to visit America.

4. KENTA

Notable Appearances

1. Final Battle 2005: GHC Junior Title: KENTA vs. Low Ki **** ¾ – KENTA debuted in ROH in a hard hitting contest that left everyone’s jaw on the floor. It’s a shame it was on the last show of the year or this classic would have received serious Match of the Year consideration. This is two juniors destroying each other.

2. Chi-Town Struggle: KENTA vs. Austin Aries **** – KENTA, after his first huge match, failed to impress in match quality (though he still got big victories) until he walked in the ring with the former ROH champion. A great match later and KENTA was someone everyone was drooling to see again.

3. Time to Man Up: Briscoes vs. KENTA and Davey Richards **** ¼ – KENTA decided to take Davey Richards under his wing and mentor the young man. KENTA had issues with the Briscoes from a beat down after the Aries match, so they went at it in a very hard hitting contest, won by the Briscoes, who pinned Davey.

4. Fight of the Century: KENTA vs. Davey Richards **** ¼ – Davey requested a shot and KENTA and then the two nearly stole the show from an hour draw between Danielson and Samoa Joe. The match featured similar styles, with a young gun taking on his mentor being the main story.

5. Glory by Honor V Night 1: Marufuji and KENTA vs. The Briscoe Brothers **** – KENTA and Marufuji went to war with the Briscoes in a tent so that KENTA could avenge his loss to them with Davey Richards.

6. Glory by Honor V Night 2: ROH Champion Bryan Danielson vs. KENTA ***** – My favorite ROH match ever. KENTA had pinned Danielson twice before and had the champ’s number. The champion was also injured, giving KENTA a further advantage, but while Danielson’s body was hurt, his mind was still on point.

7. Honor Reclaims Boston: ROH Tag Champions Aries and Strong defend vs. KENTA and Davey Richards **** – KENTA again teamed with his American protégé, this time to battle two men he had defeated individually. As a unit they proved too much in one of ROH’s surprise shows of 2006.

8. The Bitter End: KENTA vs. Matt Sydal **** – KENTA’s last American match of 2006 saw one of the best underdog stories in ROH that completely stole what was an otherwise weak show.

9. Respect is Earned: Danielson and Morishima vs. KENTA and Nigel McGuinness **** ¼ – At ROH’s first Pay Per View, KENTA was in the main event where he battled perhaps his top American and Japanese rival in a hard hitting affair that was probably the largest American audience to ever see him.

10. Driven: KENTA vs. Bryan Danielson **** ¾ – Another instant classic with Danielson as KENTA has learned a lot from their previous encounter.

11. Glory by Honor VI Night 1: Mitsuharu Misawa & KENTA vs. Takeshi Morishima & Naomichi Marufuji **** – The NOAH guys show their chops and Misawa makes his American debut.

12. Glory by Honor VI Night 2: KENTA vs. GHC Champion Mitsuarhu Misawa **** ½ – KENTA and Misawa tear the house down in NYC in a short list Match of the Year Contender, important not only for the GHC defense and Misawa’s only American singles match, but for how great Misawa allowed a junior to look in there with him.

Lasting Legacy – KENTA has numerous legacies in ROH. He’s the first NOAH wrestler to defend a GHC title on U.S. soil and the first to get an extended stay. He’ll also remain remembered for his awesome build and matches with Bryan Danielson and for the match that never was with Samoa Joe. He’s Misawa’s opponent for the GHC Title in ROH, as well. With all that, what KENTA will still probably be most known for is that he stole almost every single ROH show he was on, delivering truly special matches along the way.

3. Mitsuharu Misawa – Misawa might be the best wrestler ever bar none. He’s the ace of All Japan’s completely classic 1990s run and was in more ***** matches than nearly anyone else. When he came to America earlier this month (11/07), naturally, even though he’s well past his prime, it was a huge deal. The closest comparison is 1999 Ric Flair.

1. Glory by Honor VI Night 1: Mitsuharu Misawa & KENTA vs. Takeshi Morishima & Naomichi Marufuji **** – Misawa comes to America and has a great part one, leaving the fans salivating for more with the biggest audience ever for a Philadelphia ROH show.

2. Glory by Honor VI Night 2: KENTA vs. GHC Champion Mitsuarhu Misawa **** ½ – And then Misawa helped sell out the Manhattan Center and gave ROH a classic match, perhaps one of his last, against KENTA, a junior he could have simply destroyed.

Lasting Legacy – At a time when more eyes are drawn to ROH than ever due to the move to PPV, Misawa brings a huge credibility. It’s always amazing how many on the IWC have seen little to no ROH. A guy like Misawa demands attention, respect and sells DVDs.

2. Takeshi Morishima – Morishima is likely being groomed to be the new ace of NOAH and was sent to America for a good long run this year, where he increased his credibility and figured out a formula that delivers great matches with almost any opponent.

Notable Appearances

1. Fifth Year Festival: NYC: Morishima vs. Samoa Joe **** ½ – These two had a shoving match 6 months earlier and now Joe, kicking off his farewell tour, would finally get a NOAH wrestler 1 on 1 for the first time since Kobashi. The match would deliver wonderfully and play off Joe vs. Kobashi perfectly.

2. Fifth Year Festival: Philly: ROH World Champion Homicide defends vs. Morishima *** – The match wasn’t great, but the shocking finish makes it belong here, as Morishima became the first foreign ROH champion.

3. Fighting Sprit: ROH Champion Morishima vs. Nigel McGuinness **** ½ – Morishima had a nice run, but it really kicked into high gear when he battled Nigel McGuinness in a near classic.

4. The Battle of St. Paul: ROH Champion Morishima vs. Austin Aries **** – Morishima continued to impress during his run, battling former champion Aries in a match reminiscent of Aries vs. Joe from Final Battle 04.

5. Good Times, Great Memories: ROH Champion Morishima vs. Shingo **** ¼ – A rare interpromotional match between Japanese competitors saw some of the best fighting spirit on U.S. soil as Morishima made Shingo look fantastic.

6. Respect is Earned: Morishima and Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness and KENTA **** ¼ – Morishima, at this point, main eventing ROH’s first PPV wasn’t a surprise, nor was the great match he put out against his top NOAH rival and his top American rival.

7. United We Stand: Morishima and Marufuji vs. Danielson and McGuinness **** ¼ – Dream matches come and go, but this one needs to get more attention. Four of the best collide in a classic.

8. Death before Dishonor V Night 1: ROH Champion Morishima vs. Claudio Castagnoli **** ½ – Morishima elevated Claudio amazingly here and the match was the best of Morishima’s run that far. Fans still complain about the count.

9. Death before Dishonor V Night 2: ROH Champion Morishima vs. Brent Albright **** – Morishima continued elevating new stars, making Albright look like a world beater in defeat.

10. Manhattan Mayhem 2: ROH Champion Morishima vs. Bryan Danielson **** ¾ – My favorite match this year, if not the best. Morishima broke Danielson’s eye.

11. Man Up: ROH Champion Morishima vs. Bryan Danielson **** – And then he beat on the broken eye on his way to another victory.

12. Glory by Honor VI Night 1: Mitsuharu Misawa & KENTA vs. Takeshi Morishima & Naomichi Marufuji – **** – Morishima attempts to show why he’s the future ace of NOAH against the company’s founder and a main rival.

13. Glory by Honor VI Night 2: Morishima vs. Danielson **** ¼ – Danielson needs revenge for Morishima destroying his eye and goes for it in the most brutal way possible.

Lasting Legacy – This will be remembered as when we got to see an ace before his ascent to the top of the card. Morishima is the first foreign wrestler to hold ROH gold and had the most successful long term run of any outside ROH talent. His classics with Danielson will also not be soon forgotten.

1. Kenta Kobashi – Kenta Kobashi is the real NOAH ace. He’s in classics all throughout the 1990s and 2000s with the biggest names in Japan. When he announced he was coming over for two nights only, the anticipation was amazing.

Notable Appearances

1. Joe vs. Kobashi: Kenta Kobashi vs. Samoa Joe ***** – The Best Match in ROH History. For more, please see last week.

2. Unforgettable: Kenta Kobashi and Homicide vs. Samoa Joe and Low Ki **** ¾ – Kobashi wasn’t satisfied with one all time classic in ROH. He battled two ROH Icons as ROH tried to simply put on the best match they could in classic Japanese tag style and put on a truly Unforgettable match.

Lasting Legacy – Not only was he in the best match in ROH history, it’s the best selling DVD in ROH history, as well as the beginning of the NOAH involvement in ROH. Oh and he was the ace and biggest draw in Japan at the time it happened.

Upon Further Review

ROH Death Before Dishonor V Night 1: ROH World Title Match: Takeshi Morishima vs Claudio Castagnoli:

Before the handshake, CC gets the fans warmed up with THA HEY WAVE. Boy, the fans are into this, even before it’s started! Shima slaps CC’s outstretched hand, and we’re ready to go. Claudio tries for a shoulder tackle no chance. Shima goes for his own ARM DRAG FROM CLAUDIO! Dropkick! Shima no sells though, and takes CC DOWN with a shoulder block. This is one great start. CC tries to suplex Shima Shima suplexes him. He then destroys CC in the corner with that cartwheel splash. Claudio sprints around Shima BICYCLE KICK! Claudio tires a sunset bomb off the apron Morishima goes to sit on him CC moves! He proceeds to destroy Shima’s neck with uppercuts to the back of the head. he hits an elbow drop on the floor. This has been awesome so far. Back in, Claudio grabs Shima’s legs. He then does the most impossible thing ever, gives MORISHIMA the GIANT SWING!! It gets a 2 count.

Claudio goes for the Ricola bomb, Shima backdrops out of it, Claudio lands on his feet. A big sidewalk slam from Shima ends CC’s momentum. Shima then works over Claudio, hitting his normal power/striking offence. Shima puts on sleepers of sorts, but Claudio still has life in him. Morishima batters him with forearms, but Claudio does not want to stay down. Claudio hits a million uppercuts, as Shima fires back with anything he can. CC hits a dropkick though, sending Shima to the outside. Claudio comes off the ropes MASSIVE TOPE DESTROYS THE F*CKING BARRICADE! That was mental. Back in Claudio hits a top rope elbow drop for a 2 count, as the fans are fully behind him.

He picks up Shima ALPAMARE WATERSLIDE ON THE BIG MAN! 1 2 NO! I’ll never know how Claudio lifted him for that. Shima overpowers Claudio to get back in control, and hits CC with a big top rope dropkick for 2. Shima whips him off, BIG uppercut off the ropes from CC! Claudio hooks the arms RICOLA BO Shima goes all the way over and SITS on Claudio’s chest/neck/head! 1 2 NO! The fans go nuts for the kickout! Shima hits a Snapmare and goes up top. He didn’t weaken Claudio enough though, as Claudio takes him out up top with a massive enziguri! SUPERPLEX TO SHIMA! UPPERCUT off the ropes from Claudio! TORNADO UPPERCUT! Morishima is f*cking dead by now, so Claudio hooks the arms RICOLA BOMB! 1 2 THR NO! The fans literally think it’s 3, but the ref insists it’s 2. F*ck, that was 2 and 999/1000’s if I’ve ever seen it. Morishima hits a big boot for 2. He goes for a lariat GERMAN SUPLEX FROM CLAUDIO! BIG UPPERCUT! 1 2 TH NO! Another really close one. Claudio has pretty much ran out of energy after that. Shima hits a lariat. It gets 2. He picks up CC BACKDROP DRIVER! 1 2 3! Wow. The fans boo, they wanted Claudio to win!

Phenomenal match. The storytelling/psychology was PERFECT. Claudio knew he couldn’t match power with Morishima, so he tried everything else to help him topple him, this included getting the crowd behind him (pre-match), but primarily using his speed to take out Shima. Using the speed worked to get Morishima weak, but Claudio knew it wasn’t powerful enough to actually get the win. So when he had Morishima weak he threw his BOMBS at Shima, ie the Giant Swing and Alpamare Waterslide. Using this worked, as it softened Shima enough for the Ricola Bomb, which nearly got CC the win. By that time (after the Ricola) Claudio was too tired to use his speed, so Morishima countered everything, and it was only a matter of time before Claudio took the Backdrop Driver and was pinned. This story was completely awesome, as it focused on both men’s strengths excellently, and produced an insane amount of crowd heat the whole way through.

The match was never slow, it was always intense and Claudio’s hope spots kept reminding us he was still in it and trying his hardest to come out with the title. Add some of the best selling I’ve seen in a long while, lots of stiffness and some wild nearfalls and you have a match of the year candidate. Definitely one of the best Shima defenses out there. ****1/2.

Glazer is a former senior editor at Pulse Wrestling and editor and reviewer at The Comics Nexus.