Bryan Danielson vs Takeshi Morishima(27/12/2008)
This was a Fight without Honor.
Perhaps the single greatest feud in the history of independent wrestling. Definitely the most heated one that I have seen. Bryan Danielson vs Takeshi Morishima is something that in general isn't really revered by the general wrestling fanbase as much as some of Bryan's other matches like Nigel, Roddy and so on and so forth. But what puts this a tier above all of those for me, is that this is far from just a series of matches and isn't really limited to being just being fought over a championship. This is gritty. Hate filled. Violence like there hasn't been in any other feud in the promotion's history. But most importantly it's so close to my heart is because this feud shows Dragon being what I saw him as growing up. I grew up watching Daniel Bryan in the last decade, quite possibly the greatest underdog in wrestling that I have ever seen at least. And this feud is that rare occasion where Bryan was that guy on the indies. This is the best version of Bryan as that underdog. So more than simply watching this match and this feud as a whole, I live it. I experience it.
Dragon is obsessed with beating Morishima. The monster from Japan that came into his territory and embarassed him and beat the shit out of him multiple times over. I've never seen him this desperate. Not even when challenging for the WWE championship at WrestleMania 30. Right out of the gate, while his theme is still playing, he jumps Morishima from behind and then a springboard plancha over the guardrail and then raises his hand to pose as the crowd screams “IT'S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN”!! Easily the greatest start to a wrestling match that I have ever seen. The crowd is completely behind Dragon cheering him on. He's a dickhead but he's OUR DICKHEAD GODDAMNIT!!! Bryan uses the ring Bell to attack Morishima's eye. He wants revenge and he wants it in every way possible. Morishima detached his retina at Manhattan Mayhem. Bryan's absolutely relentless in trying to control this match. He gets so overzealous that it costs him the advantage that he's gained, while going for the powerbomb off the apron and Morishima just jumps down on him and busts open the laceration over his left eye. Bryan Danielson is bleeding and that is can never not be a good thing. Morishima is such a beast here, he never really gets enough credit for a lot in his career. Much like their entire series he brutalises Dragon's eye which the feud is built on, lariating him off the apron multiple times and trying to choke him with a chain. Bryan's way too determined to just go down though, even hits a tope suicida and shoots over barricade in the process. The blood really stands out to me here more than most matches that I have seen. The visuals that it creates when Bryan's wiping it off his face with the anger and focus in his eyes are amazing. Cattle mutilation doesn't do it. They get into a strike exchange and Dragon loses that too. The heat between the two is absolutely nuts at this point. He even uses the chain and that still doesn't do it. The entire theme of the match rests on Bryan trying his absolute best to keep the advantage but never being able to maintain the momentum because Morishima's just too fucking dominant! Not even tying his hands behind his back with the chain can get him a clear opening to get in his offense. And that's when Bryan goes over the edge and hits the big man with multiple kicks to the groin, elbows to the chest with the chain wrapped around his arm and finally the cattle mutilation does the job. Truly a fight without Honor. This is how you make stipulations matter. After 16 months of being obsessed with his biggest nemesis, Bryan Danielson finally gets his revenge.
One of the most emotionally charged affairs in the history of professional wrestling lead by the man that is hailed by many as the greatest wrestler of all time. Bringing a few tears to my eyes when he wins. Dragon poses for the crowd on the turnbuckle, finally with a smile of relief on his face. I've seen many times by now, the blowoffs to really great feuds not living up to expectations but that was far from the case here. This is so good because this feud exists and because Manhattan Mayhem happened, because Bryan detached his retina. If you stick with him the entire time, Bryan Danielson WILL make it worth your while. Everything that happens, matters. This right here is greatest independent wrestling match ever and a top 5 match of all time and I can confirm that THIS IS FUCKING WRESTLING!!!!
Ratint: *****