Yoshitatsu vs. Kuma Arashi – Champion Carnival (Block B)
Some people invest themselves in the AEW vs. WWE war. Others make New Japan podcasts. I am here to push the Yoshitatsu Is Good Actually discourse to the forefront of the Internet Wrestling Community. And this tournament is making my life a lot easier, since OUDOU STRONG STYLE legend Yoshitatsu is now 2 for 2 when it comes to Good Wrestling Matches.
It sure didn’t hurt to be across the ring from Kuma – the beloved bear enthusiast having a pretty solid tournament himself. Food for thought: Kuma’s Vertical suplex looks more impactful than most people’s finishers. Both worked hard and made everything count. Two pros. Two bros. ***1/4
Shotaro Ashino vs. T-Hawk – Champion Carnival (Block A)
WRESTLE-1 perverts all across the world still cherish the memory of the absolute scorcher these two had back in 2019. This didn’t have the main event slot or Epic Papa Roach Montage ™, but they still managed to steal the show. Off the charts intensity for all pulse-pounding 12 minutes – Ashino and T-Money clearly relishing the opportunity to beat the fuck out of each other one more time.
Ashino’s thick-headed bravado was just the spark needed to turn T-Hawk into a complete monster. The chops landed in the top echelon of the Go Shiozaki Scale and Ashino was practically begging for more (until T-Hawk went full Tenryu on his jaw). They really had the optimal Champ Carnival midcard match – compact, stiff as shit and left you wanting more. ***3/4
Suwama vs. Takuya Nomura – Champion Carnival (Block B)
The Nomura Carnival run is the gift that keeps on giving. This kid had the balls to challenge actual amaresu terror Suwama to a mat wrestling showdown and shit just escalated from there. There’s this recurrent theme in Nomura matches – the sense that someone’s about to work themselves into a shoot. Clearly, some Maeda tapes were watched.
That kind of looming dread reaches a new level when you’re in the ring with the Wamster and the big dude starts throwing full force slaps and lariats. Long story short, I feared for Nomura’s life for most of this. You can’t ask for a lot more from a wrestling match. ***1/2
Jake Lee vs. Shuji Ishikawa – Champion Carnival (Block A)
The Dark Gentleman Jake Lee was feeling himself here. Showing off with the BJJ mat opening and then casually shifting between Arm Work Jake Lee and Anime Villain Jake Lee. It seems I’m the Internet’s only supporter of current Heel Jake Lee and for my money, he’s not missing much.
His most glaring flaw at this point is the late-match pacing. The dude slows things down exactly when you want him to pick up the pace. He really is the Anti-Kento in that regard. Thankfully, Big Shuj was there to liven up those ending stretch dynamics. The big dawg is having a hell of a Carnival so far – loved the spot where he just unloaded on Jake while his leg got caught in the ropes. Solid wrestling was solid. ***1/2
