Go Shiozak(c) vs Akebono
I think this match does a good job of showing exactly why I like Akebono in AJPW so much and why I like Go nowadays and it's almost the same reason but from different styles of wrestling. Both men show throughout this match that, 'Fuck you, I'm wrestling my way and it's better than your way.' The thing about Akebono in AJPW is that Akebono wrestles like a hoss from the 80s and even the 70s. He wrestles like the guys he grew up watching. He'll adapt and can work with younger guys working a fast paced style, but he's not going fast. He just proves he doesn't need to by firing back just as hard with his slower, heavier offence. Akebono's not moving, YOU move. And it's the same with Shiozaki. Shiozaki sees this much larger opponent, but he wrestles him like he'd wrestle any other. If he's got to hit two lariats to put him down on the ground? Fine. But he's still hitting all his Kobashi spots no matter who his opponent is. Akebono's giant level selling is another thing I enjoy. It's hard to keep a balance. A big guy like that with such a presence should never be selling everything like a junior would, but you don't want to go into that cartoonish realm of Kane or Big Show or some of the other bigger guys out there that can take 8 lariats to wobble. Akebono will wobble after one, Akebono will no sell one, or whatever he decides to do. Hit him with another? He'll go down. It makes for great storytelling in a match because it proves he's able to be hurt, but he's going to be a fucking challenge. Akebono had to hit his super finisher on Go too. It's not a classic, but it's a really great blending of styles match and has some awesome in-ring storytelling. I regret that I wasn't able to see it without know the winner beforehand.
There's two other great looking matches on the card I'll hopefully have time to check out later (Miyahara vs Aoki and Suzuki vs Ishii)
I think this match does a good job of showing exactly why I like Akebono in AJPW so much and why I like Go nowadays and it's almost the same reason but from different styles of wrestling. Both men show throughout this match that, 'Fuck you, I'm wrestling my way and it's better than your way.' The thing about Akebono in AJPW is that Akebono wrestles like a hoss from the 80s and even the 70s. He wrestles like the guys he grew up watching. He'll adapt and can work with younger guys working a fast paced style, but he's not going fast. He just proves he doesn't need to by firing back just as hard with his slower, heavier offence. Akebono's not moving, YOU move. And it's the same with Shiozaki. Shiozaki sees this much larger opponent, but he wrestles him like he'd wrestle any other. If he's got to hit two lariats to put him down on the ground? Fine. But he's still hitting all his Kobashi spots no matter who his opponent is. Akebono's giant level selling is another thing I enjoy. It's hard to keep a balance. A big guy like that with such a presence should never be selling everything like a junior would, but you don't want to go into that cartoonish realm of Kane or Big Show or some of the other bigger guys out there that can take 8 lariats to wobble. Akebono will wobble after one, Akebono will no sell one, or whatever he decides to do. Hit him with another? He'll go down. It makes for great storytelling in a match because it proves he's able to be hurt, but he's going to be a fucking challenge. Akebono had to hit his super finisher on Go too. It's not a classic, but it's a really great blending of styles match and has some awesome in-ring storytelling. I regret that I wasn't able to see it without know the winner beforehand.
There's two other great looking matches on the card I'll hopefully have time to check out later (Miyahara vs Aoki and Suzuki vs Ishii)
