Kazusada Higuchi vs. MAO – D-Oh Grand Prix (Block B)
A match with a lot of wild ideas, most of them coming from the Super Delfin enthusiast MAO. If this youngster often stands right on the line between cringe and clever, he was firmly in clever territory for this one. Using weirdo/probably made-up fight stances to bait Higuchi into slick takedowns and getting a crooked headscissors over as a new death move – the new MMA MAO (MMAO?) approach was as exciting as it was unexpected. Meanwhile, Higuchi was there to ground the match in big dude vs. little dude logic, popping me multiple times by cutting off palm strikes with his unbreakable head. The blend of styles was super refreshing and more than piqued my interest for MAO’s tournament run. ***1/2
HARASHIMA vs. Chris Brookes – D-Oh Grand Prix (Block B)
Although these guys probably have a better match in them, I dug how the various set pieces came together here. All the disparate sections (long matwork opening, Brookes leg work, HARA being annoyed by the bad leg during his comebacks) clicked together magically during that gnarly strike exchange that re-opened HARASHIMA’s chest (shoutout to Higuchi and his very large hands). Brookes going back to the leg injury to survive the Sheemster’s striking superiority was an inspired bit of storytelling and set up his eventual upset win in smart fashion. ***1/4
The Bodyguard vs. Naomi Yoshimura – D-Oh Grand Prix (Block A)
The lack of Bodyguard Karaoke entrance was appalling and the wrestling wasn’t a whole lot better. As much as I enjoy Bodyguard as a character/recording artist, there’s a clear limit to what he can do in the ring. Some of the generic hoss fighting worked just fine, but the bigger moments were all fumbled by poor Bodyguard’s complete incapacity to take a bump. Felt terrible for Yoshimura who had to eat the pin off that shit-looking head kick finish. **1/4
Jun Akiyama vs. Yuji Hino – D-Oh Grand Prix (Block A)
Tremendous match between two pros who know how to get it done in a wrestling ring. They borrowed heavily from the Akiyama/Higuchi KO-D title defense from March, Uncle Jun staying on the arm like a shark to cut down Hino’s monster chops. Akiyama’s viciousness brought new life to some of Hino’s more tired tropes, the highlight being a tricky Fujiwara armbar counter to the big man’s usual Fuck You Senton. Both guys supplied physicality in spades, which helped Hino’s eventual comeback feel both organic and earned. As wise as Akiyama’s strategy was, Hino still had enough bombs in his back pocket to shift the balance in his favor. Love a match that hits hard and just makes sense, two staples of Big Match Akiyama wrasslin’. ***3/4
