1. New Japan Cup – Round 2: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Ryusuke Taguchi
Great stuff between two New Japan System guys who don’t normally wrestle each other but are so easily able to lock up and put together a heck of a match that exudes good old-fashioned credibility. Even stuff like them running the ropes together was fun to watch – it feels so natural, as if the fact that yes, this guy bouncing off the ropes and the other guy dropping down to the mat and this guy jumping over him and bouncing off the ropes which leads into some kind of collision feels like some actual contest of speed and precision.
There were also a lot of little fun additions to what was a pretty traditional New Japan match, highlighted by Tanahashi’s choice of selling Taguchi’s ass attack as if Misawa just threw an elbow, trying to endure the pain but ultimately falling. I also liked Taguchi kipping up for a comeback, doing his over-the-top Kinshasa setup, and then… delivering the weakest ass looking Kinshasa there ever was. They actually managed a few solid near falls for Taguchi too, and Tanahashi winning with a Dragon Suplex hold was a nice bonus. Loved it. ***3/4
2. New Japan Cup – Round 2: Kota Ibushi vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
I keep thinking these guys are going to have a classic and then they don’t, but at the same time after a few matches together they have left me with the impression that a classic remains possible. Regardless, you’re still watching two of the most interesting wrestlers going doing their thing. ZSJ is bending limbs in unimaginable ways, while Ibushi is doing jumping hurricanranas like they take no effort whatsoever. They built up some serious drama towards the end, with each guy selling that they needed this win and were willing to throw some bombs to get it. Well, Zack’s bombs are kind of just stretching a body part until it seems like the bone attached to it might break, but that’s still a bomb. Actually, I’m sure Zack is against the bomb terminology. So I am sorry for that. Ibushi’s disappointed tap out was amazing. ***3/4
