Kazuyuki Fujita vs Shuhei Taniguchi
Big lads big ladding is one of the most awesome forms of wrestling and this is what it was. Very quick lovely 7 minute sprint. Fujita was the monster outsider and Taniguchi was the NOAH guy with the crowd firmly behind him. Starts with a short staredown b/w both men(!!!!) Nice little story told here with Tani trying to beat Fujita at his own game with a flurry of offense from the get go which really pops the crowd and they get behind him even more cheering him on. Shuhei, however gets overzealous as he tries to get into a strike exchange with Fujita and that is the beginning of the end. Really simple but effective narrative. A shoot headbutt busts open his head and after that it's just a bombfest with him actually Tani getting in a great hope spot with a nearfall after two frog splashes. Him no selling a death valley driver with blood pouring down his face makes for a fantastic visual. After that he tries to have a striking contest with Fujita again but two slaps by Fujita and Tani is out of it. Beast bomb, 3 punts and a sleeper end it. One thing that really stands out from Tani's performance is the completely stoic look on his face throughout. With Kobashi, his trainer on commentary, him trying to just show that he feels none of it really adds to the match. He dominates the offense for the most part but Fujita could just take him down with a strike or two established the clear underdog story for Tani even though he himself is a big lad. Fujita's MMA background will always add to the believability of everything he does. A few weeks ago he faced he had a 30 minute draw with Tanaka which was loved by many but I wasn't a fan of it because I just feel he's the best at THESE type of sprinty matches. Or just do what him and Go did. Anyways, this never wastes the viewer's time and is a definite recommended watch.