Supersonic prepares for Final Battle 2005
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2014 11:03 pm
Sure, KENTA and Marufuji (particularly the former) can get over with their styles upon first viewings, but why not see why their ROH debuts were so highly anticipated nearly a decade ago?
Takaiwa vs. Marufuji - December 9, 2001
Really good match and storytelling, although not structured to be truly great to me. I assume this title change was Marufuji's coming out party, and I loved the very beginning of the match, with Marufuji's superkick and immediate collapsing of the damage reminding me of Shawn Michaels. Takaiwa tried to make an example out of the younger challenger throughout the match, having the match done with but choosing to continue dishing punishment. That would be his downfall, as throughout the rest of the match Marufuji would not be denied and earned the Jr. Championship to a wonderful reaction. ***3/4
KENTA vs. Kanemaru - May 26, 2002
Another really good match, and I assume this was KENTA's breakout singles match. He really dug down deep just two years into his career, showing some tremendous hope spots, including the stupid release German suplex AND release Tiger suplex on Kanemaru. But the punishment that Kanemaru provided, much of it on the back after scoop-slamming his greener opponent from the walkway apron to the padded floor, all of the damage inflicted leading to him capturing the vacant Jr. Championship. Takashi Sugiura shows up to talk shit and gets in a brawl with Kanemaru, and I'm sure at some point I'll get around to that. ***3/4
KENTA & Kobashi vs. Suzuki & Misawa - September 1, 2002
Another good tag match here, although I can't help but cringe seeing that Misawa took TWO sleeper suplexes from Kobashi in this one. I loved Misawa shrugging off the majority of KENTA's offense, having learned to absorb the blows through his superior length of the time in the business. But KENTA's quickness would prove to be the difference-maker in the psychology of the match, as he kept Misawa at bay while Kobashi went to work on Suzuki, who took an ass-kicking in this one. Really good stuff that also protected Misawa with a GHC Title shot for him on the horizon. ***1/2
Kanemaru & Hashi vs. KENTA & Marufuji - March 1, 2003
Splendid tag match here, with one of the hottest opening sequences I've ever seen. But unlike Low Ki vs. Amazing Red in ROH (which was still good just not the OMG spectacle so many recall it to be), the rest of the match was great and truly fitting. In what had to be an idea based off of the apron DDT from the Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit match just several weeks earlier, Hashi managed to land an inverted apron DDT on KENTA, and Kanemaru followed it up working on the neck. Also in the match were tremendous alpha male striking sequences, with KENTA of course being the natural standout due to his kickboxing background. In a repeat of their singles match for the vacant Jr. Title the year before, KENTA also took the scoop-slam from the walkway apron to the padded floor from Kanemaru. And the finishing sequence is truly breathtaking too, ending with Marufuji getting a beautifully modified La Magistral cradle for the pin! Excellent match. ****1/4
Akiyama & Saito vs. Morishima & Marufuji - April 5, 2003
Good tag match that got incredibly hot at the end, but didn't find the first 2/3 all that engaging. Saito had some work done on his knees which never seemed to pay off. I loved Akiyama hitting the Exploder on Marufuji at the beginning, wanting to put this match away immediately. I also loved Akiyama getting irritated at Marufuji throughout the match, I wonder if there's a backstory that someone more familiar with NOAH could catch me up with.
There were some dramatic near countouts that stood out. Another standout was Akiyama being taken out of the equation for a few minutes (I'd have rated this higher if he had been taken out completely to really sell it) when Marufuji, with Morishima's assitance, gave him a Shiranui on the floor. I did find myself rooting for the challengers to win the tag belts when Marufuji got some last-ditch rollup pin efforts on Saito near the end, but once Saito hit the Steiner Screwdriver and Akiyama had Morishima prevented from another save, I knew it was over. ***1/2
KENTA & Suzuki vs. Sugiura & Kanemaru - April 13, 2003
Really good tag with KENTA coming in with a bandaged right shoulder. The psychology on the shoulder was great, becoming an engaging enough plot in the match that the crowd became genuinely invested in it. Really good elevation of KENTA's stock in this one, as he put in a great performance, having to dig down deep to compensate for his injury. ***3/4
KENTA, Susuzki, & Marufuji vs. Marvin, Liger, & Murahama - June 29, 2003
Tremendous trios action here. Suzuki and Marvin provided the spectacular high spots. Liger and Marufuji got testy with each other during and after the match, with Liger being a fantastic grump. KENTA and Murahama had some tremendous strike and kick exchanges. Fantastic finishing stretch. No complaints here. ****
KENTA & Marufuji vs. Liger & Murahama - July 16, 2003
It is really a shame that during this time we didn't get KENTA & Marufuji vs. Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin, as they were really the two best teams in their respective companies that could spectacularly pace a match.
Liger continued to be an asshole in this one, particularly to Marufuji. I wonder why vets like Liger and Jun Akiyama would get so annoyed with the former GHC Jr. title holder, but it definitely was engaging. The control segments were fucking splendid, transitions in momentum all making sense and happening fluidly, the ring getting cut in half on numerous occasions, and of course several saves being made.
KENTA and Murahama also had more great strike exchange displays, including early in the match when the latter caught the former's leg during an attempted kick, then quickly grabbed his head, and delivered a modified Fisherman's suplex. That spot makes me disappointed that we'll likely never get to see KENTA collide with Paul London and AJ Styles, as I'd absolutely love to see how they would counter KENTA's offense while also getting under his skin. Later in the match, after several minutes of KENTA playing the Ricky Morton role in the match, he used the one chance he had to gain momentum when Murahama went to run the ropes to get additional firepower, with KENTA delivering a roundhouse and opening up his window for a hot tag.
The finishing sequence was perfectly executed, with the younger Murahama taking too much top-notch offense from KENTA & Marufuji, including a knee strike while being hoisted in the air. Liger made the save for that, using up what little had remaining in the tank during this grueling classic, and KENTA slid him out of the ring. Once Marufuji hit the shooting star press, it was over.
This is an instant classic that stands the test of time, and was simply better than anything that the teams of Haas & Benjamin, Los Guerreros, America's Most Wanted, and Elix Skipper & Christopher Daniels put together in 2003. A genuine MOTYC that stands as one of the all-time classics in NOAH history, and kicking off the era of the GHC Jr. Tag Titles in the most appropriate fashion possible. ****3/4
KENTA & Marufuji vs. Hashi & Kanemaru - September 12, 2003
Didn't like this one as much as the tourney final, but objectively speaking, this was top-notch stuff again. Calling back to previous matches? Check. Selling hate and limb work? Check. Building to a hot finishing stretch that has the crowd in an absolute frenzy? Check. Mixing in spectacular spots to go with the phenomenal tag psychology, to give this match its genuine peaks and valleys? Check. The Jr. Tag Titles certainly started off similarly to the WWE SmackDown!-exclusive Tag Titles the year before, but in this case, even better. ****1/2
KENTA & Marufuji vs. Marvin & Guerrera - November 1, 2003
Sadly, this was not to be the greatest match of the day, as there was a singles match in New Jersey that quite easily surpassed this. And while I find it a bit overrated, it's still really good. Something seemed off about mixing KENTA in with the lucha background guys this early into his career.
This had a hot beginning, in what seemed to be sparked by some pre-match microphone work from the lucha challengers. Marufuji's high-flying style seemed to fit in quite well with Marvin and Guerrera. In fact, this match featured the greatest counter to the Shiranui I've ever seen, as Guerrera dead-weighed himself with Marufuji elevated in the air and dropped him with a Michinoku Driver near the end of the match.
With that kind of spot, the match obviously had a hot finish too, but with Guerrera's different background and likely his notorious attitude being a part of the match, the middle couldn't measure up to the other acclaimed KENTA & Marufuji tags of 2003. ***3/4
Sugiura vs. KENTA - November 30, 2003
Another very good match that never truly hit that emotional peak. Seeing Sugiura's offense on KENTA really makes me wish we'd get to see KENTA work with Kurt Angle in the near future, although I'm not holding my breath on that one. Tremendously paced contest with both guys just throwing bombs on each other, and I look forward to seeing KENTA progress as a singles wrestler. ***1/2
KENTA & Marufuji vs. Samurai & Inoue - January 10, 2004
Turns out NOAH did indeed have the best match of the day over ROH. This was the typical great puro match in which the first 2/3 or so it looks like it'll be peak with being very good, but the heat got tremendous in the last third of the match. There was a segment between Inoue and Marufuji, in which Marufuji did a super-hurricanrana followed by missile dropkick, that look a bit choreographed and business-exposing. At that point i also asked myself this - why the fuck did these two men, both with somewhat long hair, no upper body tattoos, cruiserweight style bodies, wear loose white pants? Made it difficult to differentiate.
KENTA was on fire in this one, getting the chance to do some Ricky Morton work when the challengers went to work on his neck, which started after a piledriver. The challengers were pretty vicious. In the last segment of the match, when Marufuji was playing the Morton, KENTA was tremendous with the hot tag. My favorite moment of the match was KENTA ducking Inoue and Marufuji delivering a superkick that would make Shawn Michaels proud. The remaining 2-3 minutes were fantastic stuff. Great tag match. ****
KENTA & Marufuji vs. Suzuki & Ogawa - April 13, 2004
Another excellent tag here, great layout. The challengers spent a significant portion of the match working Marufuji's knee, including a nice figure four leglock submission tease. KENTA was once again excellent in the hot tag portion. No complaints here. ****
Misawa & Ogawa vs. KENTA & Marufuji - April 25, 2004
Great tag match. The defending GHC Tag Champs did a great job in cutting the ring in half on the challengers, making the Jr. Tag Champs realize that they must ultimately be big fish in a small pond for the NOAH hierarchy. But this was no burial. KENTA & Marufufi came into this match with something to prove. My only complain was the obviously broken-down Misawa botching some shit, much worse than anything that gets nit-picked in a John Cena match. ****
KENTA & Marufuji vs. Marvin & Susuzki – June 1, 2004
Excellent tag match that built incredible heat. Shit-tons of near-falls that had the crowd rocking, and this is something I highly recommend for anyone that enjoyed the near-falls in the Nigel McGuinness vs. Tyler Black match ROH hosted in 2008. Whoever laid out this match did an incredible job, as almost everything was on point and KENTA had much better chemistry with Suzuki instead of Juventud Guerrero seven months earlier.
This also called back to that very same Guerrera match. Marufuji pulled out the Flux Capacitor for a near-fall. Marvin hit a springboard hurricanrana on a crotched Marfuuji. KENTA was set up for the 619 and ducked, maneuvering himself to the bottom rope. Seven months earlier, Marvin pulled out an extra 619 attempt on KENTA on that bottom rope, but this time KENTA sniffed it out and ducked that one too.
Just an overall spectacular match, and one that anybody that enjoyed Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin’s first WWE run together should check out. Splendid tag team wrestling. ****1/4
KENTA & Marufuji vs. KaShin & Sugiura - July 10, 2004
Fun but too much KaShin bullshit silliness to be anything special. Nice finishing stretch. ***1/2
Kanemaru vs. Low Ki - September 10, 2004
Yep, why not see Ki's first GHC Jr. Title shot to go with this Final Battle 2005 preparation?
Damn good match, arguably great. Ki worked on Kanemaru's arm, and it seemed Kanemaru wasn't completely familiar with his opponent on this night. Every time Kanemaru stalled, Ki would have an answer. My favorite of those spots was Kanemaru jumping from the top rope and Ki landing a rolling kick perfectly on Kanemaru's already damaged arm. Tremendous psychology.
Another great moment was Ki teasing to drop Kanemaru with a Ki Crusher on the entrance apron, then RUNNING with a 200+ pound man across that entrance apron and tossing Kanemaru into the ring Death Valley Driver style. Keep in mind that Ki pulled off this feat about 15 minutes into this match. An incredible athlete. He also got over huge with the NOAH crowd when he pulled out the Phoenix Splash and Tidal Crush, but in the end he could not measure up to the more successful Kanemaru's multiple brainbusters. ****
Marufuji & KENTA vs. SUWA & Marvin - October 24, 2004
After watching this classic, and getting to see the conniving greatness that was SUWA, I'm saddened we never got to see him lock it up with Ric Flair and Eddie Guerrero. He was an absolutely masterful jabroni in this one, the Kevin Steen (another guy who I wish had been booked against SUWA) of his team, with Marvin somewhat playing the El Generico-esque good cop. In particular, I loved the channeling of the Dudleyz with the blatant lowblow spot in the first act of the match on KENTA, this one though being a simple stop instead of headbutt from SUWA and minus the crowd-teasing of course.
KENTA was tremendous once again in getting his hope transitions in for a hot tag, capitalizing on the challengers the second he got that chance. He had some fantastic exchanges with SUWA, and I could see he really landed those kicks; there was no slapping of the thigh for the audio effect. Marufuji was great again in his chemistry with Marvin, the two of them having some dazzling flashy transitions. Marvin near the end of the match also laid in a gorgeous Shiranui on Marufuji, showing that he had learned from all those previous title shots and put in the work to utilized the arsenal of his greatest opponents.
The finishing stretch in this was phenomenal too, ending with KENTA laying in the G2S on Marvin, who took a spectacular bump to put it over and give this match the exclamation mark it deserved. I hope a decade later though that the bump was worth it for him though. SUWA, still the absolute jabroni he was during his career, attempted to ambush the successful champs post-match. ****1/2
Marufuji vs. KENTA - November 13, 2004
Very good singles match here. They did a great job of countering each other left and right. Such examples include KENTA hitting basaiku knees out of nowhere and even with limited space, KENTA countering an attempted Shiranui by turning it into a successful piledriver, and then countering another attempted Shiranui into a successful G2S. The only issue was both mean being so sweaty and/or gassed that they fell over about 20 minutes in, killing the drama for a good finish. ***3/4
Marufuji vs. Shiozaki - November 21, 2004
Good match here to elevate the green Shiozaki's stock. In the first act of the match I was having flashbacks to Ric Flair vs. Ricky Steamboat and Samoa Joe vs. CM Punk, because Shiozaki just kept holding on with that headlock, constantly gripping Marufuji with it. Marufuji once again pulled out the stupid running sunset powerbomb onto the floor spot which I'm sure has shortened his career and anyone else's that has taken it from him. Overall good stuff though. ***1/2
KENTA, Low Ki, & Marvin vs. Kanemaru, SUWA, & Sugiura - March 5, 2005
Good trios action. Ki and SUWA had a phenomenal early exchange, reminding me that I wish we had gotten them in singles in an ROH ring. SUWA was again a tremendous jabroni, having his partners set Marvin up for the D'Von Dudley diving headbutt lowblow. Kanemaru also was vicious to Marvin, scoop-slamming him onto the apron, and Marvin did a great job moments later selling that when trying to get a rush of adrenaline during their strike exchange segment. Later, when Sugiura would try to make an example of Marvin, KENTA came darting in with some rapid brutality, knocking him the fuck out. But once SUWA hit the shotgun dropkick and falling Pedigree on Marvin, I knew that was it.
Post-match, SUWA ambushes KENTA, with Kanemaru and Ki backing up their respective teammates. KENTA and SUWA have a tremendous little brawl going to the back on the entrance apron. ***1/4
KENTA vs. SUWA - April 24, 2005
No star rating for this one, but it didn't matter. Those who are optimistic about KENTA being able to pull off a TV style match, watch this one. Tremendous little storytelling firecracker, and fuck it's a shame SUWA ain't still going, but I don't blame him. I am DEFINITELY looking forward to the acclaimed rematch.
KENTA & Marufuji vs. KUDO & Ibushi - May 7, 2005
Really good tag. Match starts with a KENTA and KUDO slap exchance that the former quickly wins, then they have a vicious strike exchange that ends up a stalemate. Ibushi also hit a running over-the-top corkscrew in which one of his knees landed on the top of the steel guardrail. He later takes a piledriver from Marufuji on the entrance apron, gets a flash of adrenaline to go after Marufuji, but then immediately shows that flash was very minimal when KENTA needs to give him a quick stomp to put him down again.
Later, KUDO impressively caught KENTA off-guard when he countered an attempted lariat, back-flipping around KENTA's right arm, and turning that into a backslide pin. But the GHC Jr. Tag champs were too much of a juggernaut, with Marufuji taking KUDO out of the equation later, and Ibushi going down to two Basaiku knees from KENTA, the first while being on Marufuji's shoulders. ***1/2
KENTA & Marufuji vs. Kendrick & Hayashi - May 7, 2005
Another very good tag, only negated by Marufuji's lackluster selling when Kendrick hit a Hayashi-assisted Shiranui on him. SELL YOUR OWN ESTABLISHED FUCKING FINISHER. The work done on KENTA" left arm early also was never paid off in any fashion whatsoever.
The Jr. Tag Champs spent about half the match working on Kendrick and beating him down. Once Hayashi got the hot tag, although there were never any teases to truly build that up, the crowd got hot. He had a phenomenal strike exchange with KENTA too. But once KENTA took him out and Marufuji got the roll-up on Kendrick, there was no way of a thrown-together tag team stopping the juggernaut. And as it turns out, Kendrick's greatest match of his entire career was not in Japan, but in New Jersey against Bryan Danielson. ***3/4
KENTA & Marufuji vs. Fujita & Hidaka - May 7, 2005
As I suspected, hot tag segments were preserved for this Differ Cup Final rather than being blown on the earlier matches. The result is a great match, although not a tippy-top all-time classic that I'm sure many deem this to be. Of note is that Fujita & Hidaka have some NWA or Zero-1 Tag belts with them, but I'm not sure which tag championship specifically.
In this one, KENTA got his left leg worked on early, but enough damage wasn't done to matter. But the Zero-1 team would much later go back to that left leg, yet KENTA didn't sell it in the very finish, which to me is what took this from being at the very tippy-top as mentioned earlier. However, what I loved is that the finishing several minutes were absolutely incredible, creating a formula that so many teams in ROH and PWG have copied largely to lesser match quality results.
Also fond to me was the GHC Jr. Tag Champs becoming the default heels when KENTA did the boot scrapes on Fujita, which the crowd jeered as that had been an established signature spot for Fujita. I'll definitely keep an eye on that for KENTA's matches involving Samoa Joe when I catch up to those. There was also another moment when Marufuji delivered a subtle (but to the detail-oriented blatant) eyepoke. When the hot tag was achieved for the Zero-1 team to go into the third and final act, the crowd went absolutely apeshit, as there were also old-school segments of the referee not allowing them to help each other.
Hidaka did everything he could to keep Marufuji at bay while Fujita had some jaw-dropping attempts to put KENTA away, including a leg-whip on the left leg from the top rope, followed by the Boneyard, and then attempting another Boneyard submission moments later when the opportunity came. But KENTA wouldn't submit, finding ways to reach the ropes, and Marufuji was able to break up a pinfall attempt after a successful Michinoku Driver. After multiple Busaiku knees though, it was inevitable that NOAH's team would win this instant classic. ****1/4
KENTA & Marufuji vs. Kanemaru & Sugiura - June 5, 2005
This isn't quite up to par with the finals of the GHC Jr. Tag Titles tournament, but to say that isn't an actual criticism. This was not only a historic match, but fantastically paced one to boot, with just some minor questionable selling to take it from MOTYC (which this is) into all-time tippy-top classic.
As I mentioned, the pacing in this was just off-the-charts insane. While KENTA unloaded Basaike knees aplenty to hold on to the Jr. Tag straps, Sugiura consantly found ways to deliver Angle slams. But no matter how many times Sugiura would execute that, the champs would find enough adrenaline to kick out or be there to make the save for one another.
Also in this match that stood out to me was Marufuji selling a tornado DDT hope spot from Kanemaru like he had been studying some Rob Van Dam matches, a tremendous moment that allowed Kanemaru to get a hot tag. Another moment was KENTA giving Sugiura a Yakuka kick, with Marufuji using that momentum to give him a sunset powerbomb on the floor. Later, KENTA would apply a powerbomb using the momentum of a Shiranui.
To say that the drama built and built in this classic would be an understatement. I think that despite the numerous MOTYCs in which KENTA & Marufuji had found way to hold onto their straps for dear life, the crowd could sense something magical just like Kenta Kobashi vs. Takeshi Rikio a few months earlier. When Kanemaru found a way to keep Marufuji outside the ring, allowing Sugiura to hit a super Angle slam on KENTA, the historic reign came to an end to crowd's mighty approval.
While not the box-office draw of Kobashi's GHC Heavyweight Championship reign, to me the reign of KENTA & Marufuji as the GHC Jr. Tag Champs, being the very first tandem to hold those titles, was just as important. Match quality wise, both reigns are obviously comparable. But like Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards years later, having these two green young men booked together not only did an amazing job of hiding their weaknesses, but in showcasing their incredible athleticism, high-flying, and striking abilities. I don't think it's any coincidence that Gabe Sapolsky the following year made sure that every championship in ROH would be booked with such strength and prestige simultaneously.
“You do what you can for as long as you can, and when you finally can't, you do the next best thing. You back up but you don't give up.” - General Chuck Yeager
****1/2
Kanemaru vs. KENTA - July 18, 2005
The match starts off with a vicious striking exchange segment that leaves both men wincing. KENTA is able to get an advantage, perhaps a foreshadowing of arguably the greatest match of his entire career, when Kanemaru feels pain in his left arm. KENTA was on that shit like white on rice, not just with his usual kicks, but showing off the submission holds for any morons that claim he's one-dimensional.
Kanemaru is able to get some advantage when he hurts KENTA's neck and goes to work on that, but despite some selling issues of his arm down the home stretch, he just simply isn't able to do enough damage to KENTA, who is obviously still bitter about their historic tag match the night before. After two Basiukee kneeds, KENTA earns the GHC Jr. Title to begin the next stellar chapter of his career. Some better selling from Kanemaru would have made this match something truly special, rather than just a great match on a stacked show in front of an incredible Tokyo Dome audience. ****
Suzuki & Marufuji vs. Akiyama & Hashi - July 18, 2005
Another splendid tag match, with Hashi coming into this one having his head bandaged. Why a heavyweight like him agreed to take a Marufuji's sunset flip powerbomb onto the floor, I'll never know. Suzuki of course was usual his cunty self going after Hashi's head and removing the bandage. I also enjoyed the seemingly continual subplot of Akiyama being irritated with Marufuji's existence - I wonder if that ever pays off with a particular match. But Hashi was the weakness of his team, not being able to kick out of a Shiranui after all the damage to his head and neck. ****
KENTA vs. SUWA - September 18, 2005
SUWA grabs the GHC Championship script from Joe Higuchi prior to the match and tears it up, stunning the crowd and pissing KENTA off. They brawl for a minute before the match is thrown out after SUWA uses a ringbell. The match is allowed to continue, with KENTA running to beat the shit out of SUWA at the stage curtain, and dragging the challenger back to ringside, throwing him over the top rope into the ring.
For about 15 minutes, SUWA was the jabroni of all cunts. Getting in Higuchi's face. Blatant low blows, including one in front of the referee. Fucking with dojo students at ringside. Using wrist-tape to choke KENTA out of the referee's view. Taking a turnbuckle pad off and throwing it in Higuchi's direction. But KENTA, through sheer determination, hatred, anger, and crowd support, was able to stay alive, even shrugging off the effects of a shotgun dropkick about 15 minutes into this storytelling greatness, preventing what appeared to be a package piledriver attempt and lifting SUWA for a beautiful G2S.
If this was meant to be the final rung of the ladder in terms of making KENTA one of the premier babyfaces in the company, mission accomplished. ****
Suzuki & Marufuji vs. Akiyama & Koshinaka - November 5, 2005
This felt like a very good Raw tag. Suzuki and Koshinaka had a great slap exchange that anyone who has a taste for the likes of Sheamus or Fit Finlay should see. Akiyama seemed a bit bitter going up against the team that beat him and Hashi at the huge Destiny PPV, so of course he was great. At one point he was able to isolate Marufuji, dropping him multiple times on the entrance apron while Koshinaka somehow kept Suzuki in the ring.
Marufuji had a great burst near the end on Akiyama, but couldn't put down the legend with a Shiranui. However, Marufuji's stock was elevated when he kicked out of a wrist-clutch exploder, requiring a second one to take him down for the count. Post-match, Suzuki warms my heart just like SUWA by being a jabroni to the winners. ***1/2
Yone & Morishima vs. KENTA & Shibata - November 5, 2005
First time I've seen Shibata, looked pretty good here despite being green, I'd like to see him against his Caucasian mirror image Kyle O'Reilly. Looking forward to seeing more of him. The match took forever to get hot, becoming great in the last 2-3 minutes. The work was smart, but there were never any moments of building to hot tags, it was just good but nothing special until Morishima and KENTA exchanged finishers while their partners would break it up. Had the hot finish been several minutes rather than just a few, I'd have been happy to say this was great. ***3/4
There is no doubt that there was some quality professional wrestling presented on November 5, 2005.
KENTA & Shibata vs. Shiozaki & Misawa - December 4, 2005
Really good tag here, with Misawa showing the real-life fighter Shibata what it means to be snug in the ring. Misawa got grumpy and snug again when KENTA gave him boot scrapes later in the match. And later on, I was definitely impressed with the junior team knocking Misawa off the apron twice just by using the firepower behind their running Yakuza kicks. That's how you elevate newbies and mid-carders without doing the job to them.
Shiozaki was of course great in being a punching and kicking bag for KENTA and Shibata, continuing to pay his dues as his stock slowly elevated in NOAH. But once Misawa was taken out by electric chair clothesline, Shiozaki didn't stick a chance against Shibata and his MMA/kickboxing background, getting knocked out by a kick that rocked his jaw. ***3/4
And this finally concludes my KENTA/Marufuji project to familiarize myself with them prior to their ROH debuts. I will continue to watch their good NOAH shit though as they worked as semi-regulars for ROH, and I've got quite the enjoyable task on hand, as not only will I be reviewing the show that includes their ROH debuts, but an important PWG show from the same weekend with a landmark feud-ending match for independent wrestling, plus the week before that what many consider the greatest match in TNA history.
Takaiwa vs. Marufuji - December 9, 2001
Really good match and storytelling, although not structured to be truly great to me. I assume this title change was Marufuji's coming out party, and I loved the very beginning of the match, with Marufuji's superkick and immediate collapsing of the damage reminding me of Shawn Michaels. Takaiwa tried to make an example out of the younger challenger throughout the match, having the match done with but choosing to continue dishing punishment. That would be his downfall, as throughout the rest of the match Marufuji would not be denied and earned the Jr. Championship to a wonderful reaction. ***3/4
KENTA vs. Kanemaru - May 26, 2002
Another really good match, and I assume this was KENTA's breakout singles match. He really dug down deep just two years into his career, showing some tremendous hope spots, including the stupid release German suplex AND release Tiger suplex on Kanemaru. But the punishment that Kanemaru provided, much of it on the back after scoop-slamming his greener opponent from the walkway apron to the padded floor, all of the damage inflicted leading to him capturing the vacant Jr. Championship. Takashi Sugiura shows up to talk shit and gets in a brawl with Kanemaru, and I'm sure at some point I'll get around to that. ***3/4
KENTA & Kobashi vs. Suzuki & Misawa - September 1, 2002
Another good tag match here, although I can't help but cringe seeing that Misawa took TWO sleeper suplexes from Kobashi in this one. I loved Misawa shrugging off the majority of KENTA's offense, having learned to absorb the blows through his superior length of the time in the business. But KENTA's quickness would prove to be the difference-maker in the psychology of the match, as he kept Misawa at bay while Kobashi went to work on Suzuki, who took an ass-kicking in this one. Really good stuff that also protected Misawa with a GHC Title shot for him on the horizon. ***1/2
Kanemaru & Hashi vs. KENTA & Marufuji - March 1, 2003
Splendid tag match here, with one of the hottest opening sequences I've ever seen. But unlike Low Ki vs. Amazing Red in ROH (which was still good just not the OMG spectacle so many recall it to be), the rest of the match was great and truly fitting. In what had to be an idea based off of the apron DDT from the Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit match just several weeks earlier, Hashi managed to land an inverted apron DDT on KENTA, and Kanemaru followed it up working on the neck. Also in the match were tremendous alpha male striking sequences, with KENTA of course being the natural standout due to his kickboxing background. In a repeat of their singles match for the vacant Jr. Title the year before, KENTA also took the scoop-slam from the walkway apron to the padded floor from Kanemaru. And the finishing sequence is truly breathtaking too, ending with Marufuji getting a beautifully modified La Magistral cradle for the pin! Excellent match. ****1/4
Akiyama & Saito vs. Morishima & Marufuji - April 5, 2003
Good tag match that got incredibly hot at the end, but didn't find the first 2/3 all that engaging. Saito had some work done on his knees which never seemed to pay off. I loved Akiyama hitting the Exploder on Marufuji at the beginning, wanting to put this match away immediately. I also loved Akiyama getting irritated at Marufuji throughout the match, I wonder if there's a backstory that someone more familiar with NOAH could catch me up with.
There were some dramatic near countouts that stood out. Another standout was Akiyama being taken out of the equation for a few minutes (I'd have rated this higher if he had been taken out completely to really sell it) when Marufuji, with Morishima's assitance, gave him a Shiranui on the floor. I did find myself rooting for the challengers to win the tag belts when Marufuji got some last-ditch rollup pin efforts on Saito near the end, but once Saito hit the Steiner Screwdriver and Akiyama had Morishima prevented from another save, I knew it was over. ***1/2
KENTA & Suzuki vs. Sugiura & Kanemaru - April 13, 2003
Really good tag with KENTA coming in with a bandaged right shoulder. The psychology on the shoulder was great, becoming an engaging enough plot in the match that the crowd became genuinely invested in it. Really good elevation of KENTA's stock in this one, as he put in a great performance, having to dig down deep to compensate for his injury. ***3/4
KENTA, Susuzki, & Marufuji vs. Marvin, Liger, & Murahama - June 29, 2003
Tremendous trios action here. Suzuki and Marvin provided the spectacular high spots. Liger and Marufuji got testy with each other during and after the match, with Liger being a fantastic grump. KENTA and Murahama had some tremendous strike and kick exchanges. Fantastic finishing stretch. No complaints here. ****
KENTA & Marufuji vs. Liger & Murahama - July 16, 2003
It is really a shame that during this time we didn't get KENTA & Marufuji vs. Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin, as they were really the two best teams in their respective companies that could spectacularly pace a match.
Liger continued to be an asshole in this one, particularly to Marufuji. I wonder why vets like Liger and Jun Akiyama would get so annoyed with the former GHC Jr. title holder, but it definitely was engaging. The control segments were fucking splendid, transitions in momentum all making sense and happening fluidly, the ring getting cut in half on numerous occasions, and of course several saves being made.
KENTA and Murahama also had more great strike exchange displays, including early in the match when the latter caught the former's leg during an attempted kick, then quickly grabbed his head, and delivered a modified Fisherman's suplex. That spot makes me disappointed that we'll likely never get to see KENTA collide with Paul London and AJ Styles, as I'd absolutely love to see how they would counter KENTA's offense while also getting under his skin. Later in the match, after several minutes of KENTA playing the Ricky Morton role in the match, he used the one chance he had to gain momentum when Murahama went to run the ropes to get additional firepower, with KENTA delivering a roundhouse and opening up his window for a hot tag.
The finishing sequence was perfectly executed, with the younger Murahama taking too much top-notch offense from KENTA & Marufuji, including a knee strike while being hoisted in the air. Liger made the save for that, using up what little had remaining in the tank during this grueling classic, and KENTA slid him out of the ring. Once Marufuji hit the shooting star press, it was over.
This is an instant classic that stands the test of time, and was simply better than anything that the teams of Haas & Benjamin, Los Guerreros, America's Most Wanted, and Elix Skipper & Christopher Daniels put together in 2003. A genuine MOTYC that stands as one of the all-time classics in NOAH history, and kicking off the era of the GHC Jr. Tag Titles in the most appropriate fashion possible. ****3/4
KENTA & Marufuji vs. Hashi & Kanemaru - September 12, 2003
Didn't like this one as much as the tourney final, but objectively speaking, this was top-notch stuff again. Calling back to previous matches? Check. Selling hate and limb work? Check. Building to a hot finishing stretch that has the crowd in an absolute frenzy? Check. Mixing in spectacular spots to go with the phenomenal tag psychology, to give this match its genuine peaks and valleys? Check. The Jr. Tag Titles certainly started off similarly to the WWE SmackDown!-exclusive Tag Titles the year before, but in this case, even better. ****1/2
KENTA & Marufuji vs. Marvin & Guerrera - November 1, 2003
Sadly, this was not to be the greatest match of the day, as there was a singles match in New Jersey that quite easily surpassed this. And while I find it a bit overrated, it's still really good. Something seemed off about mixing KENTA in with the lucha background guys this early into his career.
This had a hot beginning, in what seemed to be sparked by some pre-match microphone work from the lucha challengers. Marufuji's high-flying style seemed to fit in quite well with Marvin and Guerrera. In fact, this match featured the greatest counter to the Shiranui I've ever seen, as Guerrera dead-weighed himself with Marufuji elevated in the air and dropped him with a Michinoku Driver near the end of the match.
With that kind of spot, the match obviously had a hot finish too, but with Guerrera's different background and likely his notorious attitude being a part of the match, the middle couldn't measure up to the other acclaimed KENTA & Marufuji tags of 2003. ***3/4
Sugiura vs. KENTA - November 30, 2003
Another very good match that never truly hit that emotional peak. Seeing Sugiura's offense on KENTA really makes me wish we'd get to see KENTA work with Kurt Angle in the near future, although I'm not holding my breath on that one. Tremendously paced contest with both guys just throwing bombs on each other, and I look forward to seeing KENTA progress as a singles wrestler. ***1/2
KENTA & Marufuji vs. Samurai & Inoue - January 10, 2004
Turns out NOAH did indeed have the best match of the day over ROH. This was the typical great puro match in which the first 2/3 or so it looks like it'll be peak with being very good, but the heat got tremendous in the last third of the match. There was a segment between Inoue and Marufuji, in which Marufuji did a super-hurricanrana followed by missile dropkick, that look a bit choreographed and business-exposing. At that point i also asked myself this - why the fuck did these two men, both with somewhat long hair, no upper body tattoos, cruiserweight style bodies, wear loose white pants? Made it difficult to differentiate.
KENTA was on fire in this one, getting the chance to do some Ricky Morton work when the challengers went to work on his neck, which started after a piledriver. The challengers were pretty vicious. In the last segment of the match, when Marufuji was playing the Morton, KENTA was tremendous with the hot tag. My favorite moment of the match was KENTA ducking Inoue and Marufuji delivering a superkick that would make Shawn Michaels proud. The remaining 2-3 minutes were fantastic stuff. Great tag match. ****
KENTA & Marufuji vs. Suzuki & Ogawa - April 13, 2004
Another excellent tag here, great layout. The challengers spent a significant portion of the match working Marufuji's knee, including a nice figure four leglock submission tease. KENTA was once again excellent in the hot tag portion. No complaints here. ****
Misawa & Ogawa vs. KENTA & Marufuji - April 25, 2004
Great tag match. The defending GHC Tag Champs did a great job in cutting the ring in half on the challengers, making the Jr. Tag Champs realize that they must ultimately be big fish in a small pond for the NOAH hierarchy. But this was no burial. KENTA & Marufufi came into this match with something to prove. My only complain was the obviously broken-down Misawa botching some shit, much worse than anything that gets nit-picked in a John Cena match. ****
KENTA & Marufuji vs. Marvin & Susuzki – June 1, 2004
Excellent tag match that built incredible heat. Shit-tons of near-falls that had the crowd rocking, and this is something I highly recommend for anyone that enjoyed the near-falls in the Nigel McGuinness vs. Tyler Black match ROH hosted in 2008. Whoever laid out this match did an incredible job, as almost everything was on point and KENTA had much better chemistry with Suzuki instead of Juventud Guerrero seven months earlier.
This also called back to that very same Guerrera match. Marufuji pulled out the Flux Capacitor for a near-fall. Marvin hit a springboard hurricanrana on a crotched Marfuuji. KENTA was set up for the 619 and ducked, maneuvering himself to the bottom rope. Seven months earlier, Marvin pulled out an extra 619 attempt on KENTA on that bottom rope, but this time KENTA sniffed it out and ducked that one too.
Just an overall spectacular match, and one that anybody that enjoyed Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin’s first WWE run together should check out. Splendid tag team wrestling. ****1/4
KENTA & Marufuji vs. KaShin & Sugiura - July 10, 2004
Fun but too much KaShin bullshit silliness to be anything special. Nice finishing stretch. ***1/2
Kanemaru vs. Low Ki - September 10, 2004
Yep, why not see Ki's first GHC Jr. Title shot to go with this Final Battle 2005 preparation?
Damn good match, arguably great. Ki worked on Kanemaru's arm, and it seemed Kanemaru wasn't completely familiar with his opponent on this night. Every time Kanemaru stalled, Ki would have an answer. My favorite of those spots was Kanemaru jumping from the top rope and Ki landing a rolling kick perfectly on Kanemaru's already damaged arm. Tremendous psychology.
Another great moment was Ki teasing to drop Kanemaru with a Ki Crusher on the entrance apron, then RUNNING with a 200+ pound man across that entrance apron and tossing Kanemaru into the ring Death Valley Driver style. Keep in mind that Ki pulled off this feat about 15 minutes into this match. An incredible athlete. He also got over huge with the NOAH crowd when he pulled out the Phoenix Splash and Tidal Crush, but in the end he could not measure up to the more successful Kanemaru's multiple brainbusters. ****
Marufuji & KENTA vs. SUWA & Marvin - October 24, 2004
After watching this classic, and getting to see the conniving greatness that was SUWA, I'm saddened we never got to see him lock it up with Ric Flair and Eddie Guerrero. He was an absolutely masterful jabroni in this one, the Kevin Steen (another guy who I wish had been booked against SUWA) of his team, with Marvin somewhat playing the El Generico-esque good cop. In particular, I loved the channeling of the Dudleyz with the blatant lowblow spot in the first act of the match on KENTA, this one though being a simple stop instead of headbutt from SUWA and minus the crowd-teasing of course.
KENTA was tremendous once again in getting his hope transitions in for a hot tag, capitalizing on the challengers the second he got that chance. He had some fantastic exchanges with SUWA, and I could see he really landed those kicks; there was no slapping of the thigh for the audio effect. Marufuji was great again in his chemistry with Marvin, the two of them having some dazzling flashy transitions. Marvin near the end of the match also laid in a gorgeous Shiranui on Marufuji, showing that he had learned from all those previous title shots and put in the work to utilized the arsenal of his greatest opponents.
The finishing stretch in this was phenomenal too, ending with KENTA laying in the G2S on Marvin, who took a spectacular bump to put it over and give this match the exclamation mark it deserved. I hope a decade later though that the bump was worth it for him though. SUWA, still the absolute jabroni he was during his career, attempted to ambush the successful champs post-match. ****1/2
Marufuji vs. KENTA - November 13, 2004
Very good singles match here. They did a great job of countering each other left and right. Such examples include KENTA hitting basaiku knees out of nowhere and even with limited space, KENTA countering an attempted Shiranui by turning it into a successful piledriver, and then countering another attempted Shiranui into a successful G2S. The only issue was both mean being so sweaty and/or gassed that they fell over about 20 minutes in, killing the drama for a good finish. ***3/4
Marufuji vs. Shiozaki - November 21, 2004
Good match here to elevate the green Shiozaki's stock. In the first act of the match I was having flashbacks to Ric Flair vs. Ricky Steamboat and Samoa Joe vs. CM Punk, because Shiozaki just kept holding on with that headlock, constantly gripping Marufuji with it. Marufuji once again pulled out the stupid running sunset powerbomb onto the floor spot which I'm sure has shortened his career and anyone else's that has taken it from him. Overall good stuff though. ***1/2
KENTA, Low Ki, & Marvin vs. Kanemaru, SUWA, & Sugiura - March 5, 2005
Good trios action. Ki and SUWA had a phenomenal early exchange, reminding me that I wish we had gotten them in singles in an ROH ring. SUWA was again a tremendous jabroni, having his partners set Marvin up for the D'Von Dudley diving headbutt lowblow. Kanemaru also was vicious to Marvin, scoop-slamming him onto the apron, and Marvin did a great job moments later selling that when trying to get a rush of adrenaline during their strike exchange segment. Later, when Sugiura would try to make an example of Marvin, KENTA came darting in with some rapid brutality, knocking him the fuck out. But once SUWA hit the shotgun dropkick and falling Pedigree on Marvin, I knew that was it.
Post-match, SUWA ambushes KENTA, with Kanemaru and Ki backing up their respective teammates. KENTA and SUWA have a tremendous little brawl going to the back on the entrance apron. ***1/4
KENTA vs. SUWA - April 24, 2005
No star rating for this one, but it didn't matter. Those who are optimistic about KENTA being able to pull off a TV style match, watch this one. Tremendous little storytelling firecracker, and fuck it's a shame SUWA ain't still going, but I don't blame him. I am DEFINITELY looking forward to the acclaimed rematch.
KENTA & Marufuji vs. KUDO & Ibushi - May 7, 2005
Really good tag. Match starts with a KENTA and KUDO slap exchance that the former quickly wins, then they have a vicious strike exchange that ends up a stalemate. Ibushi also hit a running over-the-top corkscrew in which one of his knees landed on the top of the steel guardrail. He later takes a piledriver from Marufuji on the entrance apron, gets a flash of adrenaline to go after Marufuji, but then immediately shows that flash was very minimal when KENTA needs to give him a quick stomp to put him down again.
Later, KUDO impressively caught KENTA off-guard when he countered an attempted lariat, back-flipping around KENTA's right arm, and turning that into a backslide pin. But the GHC Jr. Tag champs were too much of a juggernaut, with Marufuji taking KUDO out of the equation later, and Ibushi going down to two Basaiku knees from KENTA, the first while being on Marufuji's shoulders. ***1/2
KENTA & Marufuji vs. Kendrick & Hayashi - May 7, 2005
Another very good tag, only negated by Marufuji's lackluster selling when Kendrick hit a Hayashi-assisted Shiranui on him. SELL YOUR OWN ESTABLISHED FUCKING FINISHER. The work done on KENTA" left arm early also was never paid off in any fashion whatsoever.
The Jr. Tag Champs spent about half the match working on Kendrick and beating him down. Once Hayashi got the hot tag, although there were never any teases to truly build that up, the crowd got hot. He had a phenomenal strike exchange with KENTA too. But once KENTA took him out and Marufuji got the roll-up on Kendrick, there was no way of a thrown-together tag team stopping the juggernaut. And as it turns out, Kendrick's greatest match of his entire career was not in Japan, but in New Jersey against Bryan Danielson. ***3/4
KENTA & Marufuji vs. Fujita & Hidaka - May 7, 2005
As I suspected, hot tag segments were preserved for this Differ Cup Final rather than being blown on the earlier matches. The result is a great match, although not a tippy-top all-time classic that I'm sure many deem this to be. Of note is that Fujita & Hidaka have some NWA or Zero-1 Tag belts with them, but I'm not sure which tag championship specifically.
In this one, KENTA got his left leg worked on early, but enough damage wasn't done to matter. But the Zero-1 team would much later go back to that left leg, yet KENTA didn't sell it in the very finish, which to me is what took this from being at the very tippy-top as mentioned earlier. However, what I loved is that the finishing several minutes were absolutely incredible, creating a formula that so many teams in ROH and PWG have copied largely to lesser match quality results.
Also fond to me was the GHC Jr. Tag Champs becoming the default heels when KENTA did the boot scrapes on Fujita, which the crowd jeered as that had been an established signature spot for Fujita. I'll definitely keep an eye on that for KENTA's matches involving Samoa Joe when I catch up to those. There was also another moment when Marufuji delivered a subtle (but to the detail-oriented blatant) eyepoke. When the hot tag was achieved for the Zero-1 team to go into the third and final act, the crowd went absolutely apeshit, as there were also old-school segments of the referee not allowing them to help each other.
Hidaka did everything he could to keep Marufuji at bay while Fujita had some jaw-dropping attempts to put KENTA away, including a leg-whip on the left leg from the top rope, followed by the Boneyard, and then attempting another Boneyard submission moments later when the opportunity came. But KENTA wouldn't submit, finding ways to reach the ropes, and Marufuji was able to break up a pinfall attempt after a successful Michinoku Driver. After multiple Busaiku knees though, it was inevitable that NOAH's team would win this instant classic. ****1/4
KENTA & Marufuji vs. Kanemaru & Sugiura - June 5, 2005
This isn't quite up to par with the finals of the GHC Jr. Tag Titles tournament, but to say that isn't an actual criticism. This was not only a historic match, but fantastically paced one to boot, with just some minor questionable selling to take it from MOTYC (which this is) into all-time tippy-top classic.
As I mentioned, the pacing in this was just off-the-charts insane. While KENTA unloaded Basaike knees aplenty to hold on to the Jr. Tag straps, Sugiura consantly found ways to deliver Angle slams. But no matter how many times Sugiura would execute that, the champs would find enough adrenaline to kick out or be there to make the save for one another.
Also in this match that stood out to me was Marufuji selling a tornado DDT hope spot from Kanemaru like he had been studying some Rob Van Dam matches, a tremendous moment that allowed Kanemaru to get a hot tag. Another moment was KENTA giving Sugiura a Yakuka kick, with Marufuji using that momentum to give him a sunset powerbomb on the floor. Later, KENTA would apply a powerbomb using the momentum of a Shiranui.
To say that the drama built and built in this classic would be an understatement. I think that despite the numerous MOTYCs in which KENTA & Marufuji had found way to hold onto their straps for dear life, the crowd could sense something magical just like Kenta Kobashi vs. Takeshi Rikio a few months earlier. When Kanemaru found a way to keep Marufuji outside the ring, allowing Sugiura to hit a super Angle slam on KENTA, the historic reign came to an end to crowd's mighty approval.
While not the box-office draw of Kobashi's GHC Heavyweight Championship reign, to me the reign of KENTA & Marufuji as the GHC Jr. Tag Champs, being the very first tandem to hold those titles, was just as important. Match quality wise, both reigns are obviously comparable. But like Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards years later, having these two green young men booked together not only did an amazing job of hiding their weaknesses, but in showcasing their incredible athleticism, high-flying, and striking abilities. I don't think it's any coincidence that Gabe Sapolsky the following year made sure that every championship in ROH would be booked with such strength and prestige simultaneously.
“You do what you can for as long as you can, and when you finally can't, you do the next best thing. You back up but you don't give up.” - General Chuck Yeager
****1/2
Kanemaru vs. KENTA - July 18, 2005
The match starts off with a vicious striking exchange segment that leaves both men wincing. KENTA is able to get an advantage, perhaps a foreshadowing of arguably the greatest match of his entire career, when Kanemaru feels pain in his left arm. KENTA was on that shit like white on rice, not just with his usual kicks, but showing off the submission holds for any morons that claim he's one-dimensional.
Kanemaru is able to get some advantage when he hurts KENTA's neck and goes to work on that, but despite some selling issues of his arm down the home stretch, he just simply isn't able to do enough damage to KENTA, who is obviously still bitter about their historic tag match the night before. After two Basiukee kneeds, KENTA earns the GHC Jr. Title to begin the next stellar chapter of his career. Some better selling from Kanemaru would have made this match something truly special, rather than just a great match on a stacked show in front of an incredible Tokyo Dome audience. ****
Suzuki & Marufuji vs. Akiyama & Hashi - July 18, 2005
Another splendid tag match, with Hashi coming into this one having his head bandaged. Why a heavyweight like him agreed to take a Marufuji's sunset flip powerbomb onto the floor, I'll never know. Suzuki of course was usual his cunty self going after Hashi's head and removing the bandage. I also enjoyed the seemingly continual subplot of Akiyama being irritated with Marufuji's existence - I wonder if that ever pays off with a particular match. But Hashi was the weakness of his team, not being able to kick out of a Shiranui after all the damage to his head and neck. ****
KENTA vs. SUWA - September 18, 2005
SUWA grabs the GHC Championship script from Joe Higuchi prior to the match and tears it up, stunning the crowd and pissing KENTA off. They brawl for a minute before the match is thrown out after SUWA uses a ringbell. The match is allowed to continue, with KENTA running to beat the shit out of SUWA at the stage curtain, and dragging the challenger back to ringside, throwing him over the top rope into the ring.
For about 15 minutes, SUWA was the jabroni of all cunts. Getting in Higuchi's face. Blatant low blows, including one in front of the referee. Fucking with dojo students at ringside. Using wrist-tape to choke KENTA out of the referee's view. Taking a turnbuckle pad off and throwing it in Higuchi's direction. But KENTA, through sheer determination, hatred, anger, and crowd support, was able to stay alive, even shrugging off the effects of a shotgun dropkick about 15 minutes into this storytelling greatness, preventing what appeared to be a package piledriver attempt and lifting SUWA for a beautiful G2S.
If this was meant to be the final rung of the ladder in terms of making KENTA one of the premier babyfaces in the company, mission accomplished. ****
Suzuki & Marufuji vs. Akiyama & Koshinaka - November 5, 2005
This felt like a very good Raw tag. Suzuki and Koshinaka had a great slap exchange that anyone who has a taste for the likes of Sheamus or Fit Finlay should see. Akiyama seemed a bit bitter going up against the team that beat him and Hashi at the huge Destiny PPV, so of course he was great. At one point he was able to isolate Marufuji, dropping him multiple times on the entrance apron while Koshinaka somehow kept Suzuki in the ring.
Marufuji had a great burst near the end on Akiyama, but couldn't put down the legend with a Shiranui. However, Marufuji's stock was elevated when he kicked out of a wrist-clutch exploder, requiring a second one to take him down for the count. Post-match, Suzuki warms my heart just like SUWA by being a jabroni to the winners. ***1/2
Yone & Morishima vs. KENTA & Shibata - November 5, 2005
First time I've seen Shibata, looked pretty good here despite being green, I'd like to see him against his Caucasian mirror image Kyle O'Reilly. Looking forward to seeing more of him. The match took forever to get hot, becoming great in the last 2-3 minutes. The work was smart, but there were never any moments of building to hot tags, it was just good but nothing special until Morishima and KENTA exchanged finishers while their partners would break it up. Had the hot finish been several minutes rather than just a few, I'd have been happy to say this was great. ***3/4
There is no doubt that there was some quality professional wrestling presented on November 5, 2005.
KENTA & Shibata vs. Shiozaki & Misawa - December 4, 2005
Really good tag here, with Misawa showing the real-life fighter Shibata what it means to be snug in the ring. Misawa got grumpy and snug again when KENTA gave him boot scrapes later in the match. And later on, I was definitely impressed with the junior team knocking Misawa off the apron twice just by using the firepower behind their running Yakuza kicks. That's how you elevate newbies and mid-carders without doing the job to them.
Shiozaki was of course great in being a punching and kicking bag for KENTA and Shibata, continuing to pay his dues as his stock slowly elevated in NOAH. But once Misawa was taken out by electric chair clothesline, Shiozaki didn't stick a chance against Shibata and his MMA/kickboxing background, getting knocked out by a kick that rocked his jaw. ***3/4
And this finally concludes my KENTA/Marufuji project to familiarize myself with them prior to their ROH debuts. I will continue to watch their good NOAH shit though as they worked as semi-regulars for ROH, and I've got quite the enjoyable task on hand, as not only will I be reviewing the show that includes their ROH debuts, but an important PWG show from the same weekend with a landmark feud-ending match for independent wrestling, plus the week before that what many consider the greatest match in TNA history.