Match(s) of the year.

[Guest The Son of Sting]

I have yet to watch Akiyama/Nagata G1 semi and the G1 final and a couple of others.My mind is drawing a blank this is all that comes to mind at the moment.

 

Tenzan vs Akiyama - G1 Group match

 

Tanahashi vs Akiyama - G1 Group match

 

Takayama, Fujita, Sapp, Suzuki, Nakamura vs Tenzan, Nagata, Nakanishi, Tanahashi, Sakaguchi (Elimination match)

 

Misawa vs. Kobashi 3/1/03

[Guest ligerbomb03]

Worst Match of the Year

 

Keiji Mutoh & Goldberg vs. Kronik

 

Absolutely horrendous, to put it mildly

 

 

Best Match of the Year

 

Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Kenta Kobashi 3-1-03

[Guest Black Tiger]

Yuji Nagata vs Akira Taue (6/6/03 ****1/2) blazing heat, great moveset and some killer selling.

 

The GHC Tag Title match from the same show is pimped to hell, but it's not as good as it's made out to be. That match is a big step up for Saito and Honda and IMO THAT is the main reason why it gets so much praise. Very good match though. ****

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

Yuji Nagata vs Akira Taue (6/6/03 ****1/2) blazing heat, great moveset and some killer selling.

 

The GHC Tag Title match from the same show is pimped to hell, but it's not as good as it's made out to be. That match is a big step up for Saito and Honda and IMO THAT is the main reason why it gets so much praise. Very good match though. ****

Damn, I don't know how I missed this one. I HAVE to see this one.

 

But as far as the rest of the year that I would have to say:

 

Misawa vs. Kobashi (3-1-03)

 

Tenzan vs. Akiyama (G1 group)

[Guest ligerbomb03]

http://www.puroresupower.com

 

Check this website and place your votes for several different categories in the world of Puroresu. I have already submitted mine

[Guest The Son of Sting]

Just watched the G1 final, awsome match.Has anyone seen Nakanishi/Nagata 60 min draw and Kobashi/Nagata? Im going to watch them next.

[Guest Shuriken]

Here's my list of Japanese MOTYCs for this year (so far)...

 

1- Naomichi Marufuji & KENTA vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Makoto Hashi (GHC Jr Tag-Team Titles - NOAH 9/12/03)

2- Naomichi Marufuji & KENTA vs. Jushin Thunder Liger & Takehiro Murahama (GHC Jr Tag-Team Titles - NOAH 7/16/03)

3- Shinjiro Ohtani vs. Satoshi Kojima (Fire Festival - ZERO-ONE 8/1/03)

4- Koji Kanemoto vs. AKIRA (IWGP Jr Heavyweight Title - NJPW 3/23/03)

5- Kenta Kobashi & Tamon Honda vs. Jun Akiyama & Akitoshi Saito (GHC Tag-Team Titles - NOAH 6/6/03)

 

Honorable mentions: Kojima/Tanaka (Z1 7/31), Kanemoto/Kakihara (NJ 6/11), Nagata/Yasuda (NJ 4/23), Nagata/Nakanishi (NJ 3/9) CIMA/Genki (Tory 4/22), Do FIXER/M2K (Tory 6/29), Misawa/Kobashi (3/1/03) and Differ Cup Semi-finals (NOAH 2/9).

 

I still gotta see: Toryumon 12-man tag (August), Akiyama/Tenzan (G1 Finals), Kobashi/Nagata (9/12), Kobashi/Honda (4/13) and Hidaka/Fujita (MPro 11/2).

[Guest Steviec2k3]

There are a lot of choices this year. Personally, I'd pick the following...

 

- Kenta Kobashi vs. Yuji Nagata

- CIMA vs. Genki Horiguchi (4/22, Yoyogi National Stadium)

- Masaaki Mochizuki, Dragon Kid & Kenichiro Arai vs. Genki Horiguchi, Susumu Yokosuka & Ryo Saito

- New Japan vs. Inoki 5 vs. 5 Match (10/13, Tokyo Dome)

 

I've heard a lot about Tenzan vs. Akiyama from the G1 finals, which I haven't seen yet. I'll probably check it out later tonight, and see what all the fuss is all about.

[Guest RickyChosyu]

Haven't seen anything from Japan this year, but Dragon/London was my favorite match I've seen from the last couple of years. It reminded me quite a bit of the classic 2/3 falls seventies matches I've been watching in that they used the first two falls (as well as their previous match) to establish certain moves as potential finishers and then pulled it all together in the final fall. They also used a simple hold (the headlock) as the foundation for the match, showing that London had to rely on the hold to stay ahead of Dragon, which immediately set up the story for the entire match. Dragon played up his willingness to take short cuts by pouncing on London's injurred knee, with choice selling from London, which further layed out the story for the match.

 

I don't think I've seen this level of understanding for simple dynamics in wrestling for quite a while. It's made me want to hunt down more work from these two and more ROH in general.

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

Haven't seen anything from Japan this year, but Dragon/London was my favorite match I've seen from the last couple of years. It reminded me quite a bit of the classic 2/3 falls seventies matches I've been watching in that they used the first two falls (as well as their previous match) to establish certain moves as potential finishers and then pulled it all together in the final fall. They also used a simple hold (the headlock) as the foundation for the match, showing that London had to rely on the hold to stay ahead of Dragon, which immediately set up the story for the entire match. Dragon played up his willingness to take short cuts by pouncing on London's injurred knee, with choice selling from London, which further layed out the story for the match.

 

I don't think I've seen this level of understanding for simple dynamics in wrestling for quite a while. It's made me want to hunt down more work from these two and more ROH in general.

Don't get me wrong, I liked the match. The psychology in this match is FAR from superior though. They do a lot of selling that makes no sense and you said it perfectly about SIMPLE dynamics. I agree they were very SIMPLE, as this match is good but doesn't compare to some of the above mentioned.

[Guest Black Tiger]

2- Naomichi Marufuji & KENTA vs. Jushin Thunder Liger & Takehiro Murahama (GHC Jr Tag-Team Titles - NOAH 7/16/03)

I've got this one on the way, I don't think I'm going to see anything better than Taue vs Nagata, unless it's this match.

 

4- Koji Kanemoto vs. AKIRA (IWGP Jr Heavyweight Title - NJPW 3/23/03)

 

Being the Kanemoto mark that I am, I'm dying to see this one, I don't want to have to sit through the Nagata vs Nakanishi 60 minute draw though, so I'm waiting for it to show up either on a comp or I'll just have it tacked on to something I get from Lynch.

 

 

5- Kenta Kobashi & Tamon Honda vs. Jun Akiyama & Akitoshi Saito (GHC Tag-Team Titles - NOAH 6/6/03)

 

Good match, but way overrated. Honda and Saito both looked good and all, but IMO that's the main reason why it got so much attention, rather than its acutal quality as a wrestling match.

 

Misawa/Kobashi (3/1/03)

 

Odds are this is going to win MOTY from places like WON and Puroresu Power. I haven't seen it, but its not a high priority for me anyways.

[Tim Cooke 0]

"Don't get me wrong, I liked the match. The psychology in this match is FAR from superior though. They do a lot of selling that makes no sense and you said it perfectly about SIMPLE dynamics. I agree they were very SIMPLE, as this match is good but doesn't compare to some of the above mentioned."

 

Compared to what?

 

3/1/03 Misawa vs. Kobashi - a mess. Kind of fun to watch one time to see the insane highspots that only braindead Kobashi would take (TS off the ramp) but then the total disregard of selling makes me want to punch myself in the face.

 

3/23/03 Kanemoto vs. Akira - they thought they would sell like death for parts, then not doing anything resembling selling the next minute. Way overhyped and no where near 1/21/96 Sammy/Otani which some people have claimed it to be like.

 

4/13/03 NOAH - have the top 2 matches coming soon.

 

6/6/03 NOAH - see above

 

7/16/03 Liger/Murahama vs. KENTA/Marifuji - good tag match, better than 9/12 imo but still a step down from London/Danielson.

 

7/23/03 Toryumon 3 way 6 man - for a spotfest with stories, feuds, and work rate all combined, it is up there as far as they types of matches go.

 

8/17/03 Akiyama vs. Tenzan - good match. Sad thing is, Akiyama looked like a WORLD CLASS VETERAN when compared to New Japan's new "ace." Good stuff but 4/12 London/Danielson had a lot better ideas in selling and overall match layout. Props to Akiyama though, he looked like he finally had a purpose.

 

8/30/03 Toryumon 4 way 6 man - see 7/23 match, but add more praise.

 

I'll be happy to go over specifics of 4/12 if needed.

 

If selling and psychology bothers you for 4/12, then Misawa/Kobashi, Kobashi/Nagata, and all the Juniors matches should as well, since they have all the usual flaws and more.

 

Tim

[Guest JebusNassedar]

Is it just me, or is NO ONE mentioning Kawada/Ohtani? I mean, it has it all. Ohtani being a prick, Kawada being all "I dont have to sell your dropkick", plus good psychology, sensical working, and Kawada tying up Misawa for Triple Crown reigns. I mean, aside from the stupid Gladiator thing, it was a great showing for both of them. Ohtani FINALLY got the rubbing he deserves, losing end of the match or not.

[Guest Black Tiger]

Is it just me, or is NO ONE mentioning Kawada/Ohtani? I mean, it has it all. Ohtani being a prick, Kawada being all "I dont have to sell your dropkick", plus good psychology, sensical working, and Kawada tying up Misawa for Triple Crown reigns. I mean, aside from the stupid Gladiator thing, it was a great showing for both of them. Ohtani FINALLY got the rubbing he deserves, losing end of the match or not.

Kawada vs Ohtani hasn't been mentioned because it's not a worthy contender for MOTY. Other than Ohtani's dropkick, Kawada also opted to not sell any of Ohtani's leg work, and then even used the same leg to kick left and right at Ohtani afterwards. Ohtani vs Kojima in the semi finals was much better and that's only a very slight MOTYC.

[Guest RickyChosyu]

>Don't get me wrong, I liked the match. The psychology in this match is FAR from superior though. They do a lot of selling that makes no sense and you said it perfectly about SIMPLE dynamics.

 

Care to provide examples? I watched it a month ago to see if it was as good as I remember it being, and it held up. I can't see how selling could be an issue, since it's the only match I've seen this year (having not seen any Puroresu, mind you) where the leg injury was sold consistently through out the match.

 

>I agree they were very SIMPLE, as this match is good but doesn't compare to some of the above mentioned.

 

Somehow I doubt that, considering the picks I've seen. I am willing to give matches a chance, though, provided people are willing to sell them to me.

[Michrome 0]

4/12 absolutely blows away 3/1. Where, may I ask, is the psychology not *perfect*? London's selling of the leg put's Steamboat's selling to shame, the story is incredibly deep, they build off of prior matches, and every big move in the match is built to. This match was perfect.

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

4/12 absolutely blows away 3/1. Where, may I ask, is the psychology not *perfect*? London's selling of the leg put's Steamboat's selling to shame, the story is incredibly deep, they build off of prior matches, and every big move in the match is built to. This match was perfect. I also would bet that if London/Dragon would ever meet in the same scenario(if London would ever leave the WWE), then you would see a better and totally different match. These guys will truely be great, they just need some more seasoning(which they are getting more and more of).

The selling was not perfect. Considering after Dragon was working London's knee for most of the third fall to see him hit a power bomb and also the SSP, makes the selling quite unperfect. Also don't compare Steamboat and London's selling, as much as I like London he just doesn't compare. The story was not as deep as the 3/1 Kobashi/Misawa. I agree that the 3-1 and 4-12 have to have totally different psychology(because of the historical difference of Misawa/Kobashi, and the fact that 4-12 was 2/3 falls), but I thought that 3-1 was better. But it's alright to dissagree, I wasn't arguing that.

[Coffin Surfer 0]

The selling was not perfect. Considering after Dragon was working London's knee for most of the third fall to see him hit a power bomb and also the SSP, makes the selling quite unperfect. Also don't compare Steamboat and London's selling, as much as I like London he just doesn't compare. The story was not as deep as the 3/1 Kobashi/Misawa. I agree that the 3-1 and 4-12 have to have totally different psychology(because of the historical difference of Misawa/Kobashi, and the fact that 4-12 was 2/3 falls), but I thought that 3-1 was better. But it's alright to dissagree, I wasn't arguing that.

There is no such thing as perfect selling, except maybe Kawada at 12/3/93.

 

Though London's selling of the leg was perfectly accepetable in the match. He only hit the Powerbomb after AD climbed on his shoulders in the corner, and London barely took a few steps to bring him out with the Powerbomb.

 

London didn't even use his leg when he was climbing to do the SSP. For a brief second, he quickly balanced himself, leaped up and hit the move. In order to beat Dragon, he had to take the ultimate risk, and hit the SSP even if was to do more damage to his knee. If Dragon would have kicked out, he would have been fucked, but that's the risk he had to take. Very good storytelling.

 

London's solid selling>Steamboat's cheesy overdramatic selling.

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

There is no such thing as perfect selling, except maybe Kawada at 12/3/93.

 

Though London's selling of the leg was perfectly accepetable in the match. He only hit the Powerbomb after AD climbed on his shoulders in the corner, and London barely took a few steps to bring him out with the Powerbomb.

 

London didn't even use his leg when he was climbing to do the SSP. For a brief second, he quickly balanced himself, leaped up and hit the move. In order to beat Dragon, he had to take the ultimate risk, and hit the SSP even if was to do more damage to his knee. If Dragon would have kicked out, he would have been fucked, but that's the risk he had to take. Very good storytelling.

 

London's solid selling>Steamboat's cheesy overdramatic selling.

This I totally agree with, as if there was perfect selling then it probably would be this match.

 

It was acceptable, in that I agree as I was proving why it wasn't "perfect".

 

I also agree that there was solid storytelling.

 

I also always enjoyed his selling although cheesy, it was more necessary for that kind of selling in the 80's comared to now. But everyone deserves to have their own opinion.

 

Nice discussion here guys.........

[Guest RickyChosyu]

The problem with bringing up selling problems in Dragon/London, as Tim pointed out earlier, is that you then have to apply those standards to every other match that took place this year. From what I've heard about the matches everyone is pimping as "better than 4/12" they don't hold up nearly as well.

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

The problem with bringing up selling problems in Dragon/London, as Tim pointed out earlier, is that you then have to apply those standards to every other match that took place this year. From what I've heard about the matches everyone is pimping as "better than 4/12"they don't hold up nearly as well.

Well, that's why this is a discussion. Different people have different opinion, that's what make's this board fun. But everybody has different standards and there are things people like and hate that I disagree with, and I am sure you do too. But having a good discussion piece is the most important thing.

[Internet Warfare 0]

Are there any good-great DDT matches that were this year?