[2000-08-05-NOAH-Departure] Daisuke Ikeda & Masahito Kakihara & Yoshinari Ogawa vs Yoshihiro Takayama & Takao Omori & Satoru Asako

[soup23]

No Fear has changed their look dramatically from All Japan sporting all white gear and blonde highlights. This was a good slugfest style match with Ogawa, Asako and Ikeda all having extended periods of being worked over. Kakihara is such a spunky worker that I appreciate in tags for the way he is able to come in with quick flurries. The Kakihara vs Takayama UWFi memorial slugfest was built up as the big showdown for the match and given a good reaction from the crowd. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention in the intros, Omori was introduced last from his team so coming into NOAH, he is higher on the current pecking order. That will change rapidly. Even in the closing moments of this match, Takayama is given the signature spots and battles with Ikeda and Kakihara. Asako was seen as the weakling overall as he gives a flurry of punches to Kakihara that are shrugged off before Kaki gets the submission win with a cross armbreaker. Good match. *** (6.1)

[AstroBoy]

This was solid if a little bland to me. Like, the word was fine and deliberate but very little stood out. Everyone looked solid and I liked Takayama a lot here. His slugfest with Kakihara was a great exchange. Ogawa is always a useful glue guy in these kinds of matches. Kakihara is positioned strongly getting the submission win here.

 

**3/4

[Makai Club #1]

This was a little too boring and bland for a 23 minute match. Although it did have its highlights with Kakihara having a few sparky moments of offence. Ikeda had a few moments of joy as well - I dug it when he put his foot on Asako (???) and pointed at NO FEAR's corner. **1/2