[2000-09-17-GAEA] Meiko Satomura vs Devil Masami

[soup23]

Two days after their battle, these two ladies are back and this is a straight sprint from the gate with a 10 minute time limit. Devil is much more vicious in the early going as a showing that she does take Meiko as a threat. Meiko baseball slides to the floor and invite Devil. This was mind games as she rolls back in frustrating Devil who just glares menacingly onward. Devil’s character work here is spot on as the viewer can totally gauge her level of disgust and budding frustration. Meiko uncorks a beautiful kick right as Devil turns around on the apron. That almost gains her the KO victory but wily Devil still has an ace up her sleeve playing possum. Meiko is able to shrug off the powerbomb and climbs to the top but Devil punches her right in the mouth and then gives her a superplex for a two count. This is wonderful storytelling and the perfect way to build off of a match from the previous days. Meiko hits a DVD and tries the triangle choke but Devil is able to fight through. Both women are gassed and Devil applies a choke in an act of desperation. Meiko kicks and punches free but Devil slaps herself as a wake up call and then is able to gain a school boy victory to win. This won’t show up on my top 100 matches list at year end but it was pretty fantastic and a resume builder for both women as top 100 workers worldwide in 2000. Seven pretty awesome minutes. ***3/4 (7.6)

[ohtani's jacket]

This was a sprinted bout. It was a bit shallow with the no-selling and the repeated DVDVRs but you expect that sort of thing from Super Heel. Devil was always good at working against smaller or younger girls and that shone through here even this late in her career. Meiko didn't really bring her A game but it was still a quick seven minutes and a fun watch.