[2017-03-12-NJPW-New Japan Cup] Katsuyori Shibata vs Minoru Suzuki

[ShittyLittleBoots]

Two of my favorite current Japanese wrestlers going at it. There was no way I wasn't gonna love this. They started it off with some slick submissions, just trying to stretch each other out, wear each other down. Then it transitioned into them just beating the shit out of each other, which is exactly what you would expect from these two, the baddest dudes around. Excellent match. ****1/2

[bradhindsight]

I almost wonder if there was too much build to this eventual match in the sense that Suzuki's has attacked Shibata with the chair around the neck a number of times, and they've traded a gazillion forearms already. They certainly brought it again here, even dialing it up a notch near the middle/end when they were really laying it in. Shibata is a pretty good seller, although that is out the window for both guys by the end. No pointed limb work here, both guys just tried to wear the other down until Shibata hit some suplexes late. good finish also. ***3/4

[superkix]

This was a solid but disappointing match. It was there, it happened, but that's about it. The exchanges often felt forced and what it lacked was a greater sense of chaos and animosity. I liked the idea of Suzuki utilizing the sleeper hold over Shibata and forcing Shibata to find another route to defeat him, which I thought played out well with the finish. Maybe we'll get a G1 rematch later in the year.