[2015-12-19-Battle Arts Academy] Yuki Ishikawa vs Freedom Wallace

[GOTNW]

Man-Yuki Ishikawa rules at pro wrestling so much. I've seen a fair bit of videos of Yoshiaki Fujiwara stretching folks, I imagine if I were to execute them without much training they would look like Wallace's did here. He also did a lot of kicking and stomping that was more similar to ATtitude Era stuff I loathe than the Battlarts matches I love. Ishikawa was just so amazing though, he did some wristlock takedown that was just breathtaking, on the ground his transitions were just.......indescribably beautiful and he executes every single thing with such intentsity it's a joy to watch. Loved how he kicked Wallace to break his grip in the Armbar and the vicious knees on the ground he did. Great performance by Ishikawa and another carry job in his bag. ***1/2

[KB8]

Ishikawa looked like he hadn't missed a beat here. He never went full Battlarts with the striking, but there were a few shots straight out of 1998 -- the punches to the ribs, the slaps across the ears and face. His matwork was as strong as it ever was. Wallace was fine enough in being led, but it's the little parts like Ishikawa hooking a leg with his feet so Wallace couldn't roll out of a kimura that stick with you. Some of Wallace's striking was indeed pretty light, but the threw one fucker of a forearm from the mount and I thought he generally held up most of his end. This was an Ishikawa show, though, and a fun way to check him out in something that was a little less of a slaughterhouse than the Battlarts fare for which we know and love him.