Kota Ibushi vs. YOSHI-HASHI
Kota Ibushi defeated YOSHI-HASHI in a fantastic 22:23 back and forth effort with a solid backbone throughout. Going in, HASHI was standing in Ibushi’s shadow from a technical standpoint and the pair did a stunning job of building a believable story where HASHI would do anything in his power to overcome the odds. Chain wrestling was the order of the day here, as both competitors constantly attempted to one-up the other with the highlight of the near nine minute exchange being Ibushi countering a sunset flip into a blindingly good running knee which stirred the crowd.
Finding their way to the apron, an Ibushi apron suplex found only a reversal – thank god he found more rope than skirt or it could have been a nasty moment – before the twosome took the fight into the crowd where a resilient Kota struck with a snap hurricanrana to regain control of the match. In a spot reminiscent of Hangman Page’s stunt at ROH Mayhem in Manhattan, Ibushi took to the skies with a crisp moonsault from the balcony before the action returned to the ring for an incredible Canadian Destroyer and German suplex as HASHI built his totally believable story of the durable underdog. Thanks to the outcome of Elgin vs Ishii two nights prior and the offence Ibushi gave his colleague, it was plausible he may succeed.
A stiff lariat followed the halt of karma, then a superb running powerbomb, and an ultra tense butterfly lock which many believed would provide the second shock result of the tournament. That never happened. The relentless action hit a hundred miles per hour in the home straight. Ibushi escaped the butterfly, immobilized a second karma, failed with his initial kamigoye but connected with a second for the victory as everyone in the arena picked up their jaws from the floor.
Surpassing Elgin vs Ishii, this was the best match of the competition thus far and Ibushi even made HASHI shine in a way very few have done before. Thanks to superior selling and first rate storytelling, this was a rare case where a loss actually benefited the smaller star. YOSHI-HASHI and New Japan would be wise to build on this performance, because at 35 years old and in a company littered with world class talent; this will surely be his last shot at superstardom.
6 years ago by Wrestle Talk
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