[2013-11-09-NJPW] Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Tomohiro Ishii

[Superstar Sleeze]

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Tomohiro Ishii - NJPW 11/9/13

 

There is something very reassuring about Tanahashi matches. So many wrestling fans now will declare "this is wrestling" during these athletic exhibitions when I just feel the moves is all that matters. The wrestlers are invested in the moves and the fans are invested in the moves. The investment more often than not is not about the victory. There is something just so traditional about Tanahashi that I just love. I don't think he knocks it out of the park everytime, but what he gives is a match that is pro wrestling. To me, Tanahashi matches are how I view pro wrestling. It is about build, about consequence and ultimately the victory. What he and Ishii did in a random G1 Climax in 2013 was incredible in this atmosphere in 2013. He got me so invested in who would win. That was through the fundamentals of pro wrestling.

 

So I was excited for this rematch. Without even looking up the results, I was confident Tanahashi would get his win and he did. I thought the match was very good, but not even close to the G-1 Climax match. I think they did not really build upon the first match. I don't think they had to work the match this way, but I think a lot of the reason Tanahashi lost was because he let Ishii wrestle his match. Tanahashi is the antithesis of a Bob Backlund, He doesn't beat you at your own game he forces to play his. That's how you can explain the loss to Ishii he let his pride get the best of him and try to go blow for blow with Ishii and came up short. His game is target the knee. This was the time to execute the Tanahashi formula match. There was times when they looked they would, but they did not. I will never hold it against a match that they did not follow my expectation, I just wanted to put out there.

 

My problem with the match was that the segments felt too abrupt. Going back to what I said earlier, Tanahashi being a pro wrestler that works pro wrestling matches in the traditional actually has transitions in and out of segments. It is not my turn, your turn. I just think there was a lot left unexplored in these segments. Tanahashi still smarting over his loss to Ishii in G1 Climax and losing to Okada the previous month just starts slapping Ishii around showing this cocky douche has learning nothing. Ishii beats the shit out of him. Tanahashi tries the motion tactic, hurling his body at Ishii. That does him some well until Ishii catches him with a German off a reverse crossbody attempt that leaves Tanahashi writhing in pain. Really good selling that I thought was going to lead to the first control segment. I think there was a ton of interesting things they could have done and told a really cool story of Tanahashi having to overcome this. Instead, Tanahashi targets the knee and applies a Texas Cloverleaf. He does sell the neck and they tease another German off a skin the cat. I would have liked it if they went back to the neck. They never did. Instead, Tanahashi pulls a page out of Flair's book and has Ishii dropkick him in the knee and dragon leg screw him. Another interesting story to be told here with Tanahashi losing by his own moves, but there is no leg work after this. Then they do this reset after a Ishii lariat with Tanahashi slapping Ishii. Tanahashi goes back to the knee and again with the Cloverleaf so now it is time for the Tanahashi finish sequence. They repeat the G1 Climax spot with Dragon Sleeper into an elbow with Ishii selling the neck. There is a great part where he is holding onto Tanahashi's foot to prevent him from hitting High Fly Flow. Then tries for Superplex, but Tanahashi hits HFF on a standing Ishii. There was this horrible hit a move, no sell bullshit. No matter how much I like Tanahashi it is 2013 this type of bullshit happens. Ishii does hit his superplex and a lariat, but no win. They trade headbutts and Tanahashi hits a lariat (pretty good one) then Styles Clash (telegraphing AJ's debut seems early) and High Fly Flow.

 

Nothing felt fleshed out or fully explored. Tons of interesting paths, but Tanahashi basically beat Ishii at his game. He did not really do all that much different. It was the headbutts and lariat that set up his win, which is not Tanahashi. It lacked drama down the stretch. Individual segments were great, but didn't come together. Still enjoyable. ***1/2