Loss Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 Talk about it here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loss Posted December 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2011 Hirata looks really good here. I enjoyed the opening matwork with him grinding his knee into Muto's face, and he also has some nice headbutts and kicks. This is built around him pushing Muto further than expected. His nearfalls aren't getting much heat at first, and as the match progresses, the audience is more convinced of his chances, which is always great to see. One of those matches that isn't GREATGREATGREAT, but is exactly as good as it should be considering their card placement at this point in time. Really good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdw Posted December 29, 2011 Report Share Posted December 29, 2011 Yeah... all of that. Enjoyed this match, without pimping it as a MOTYC. Just a good point here where Mutoh is on his career run, and Hirata is a fun addition to the mix rather than just IWGP defenses against the Usual Suspects. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Evans Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 This was good but wasn't special. Kinda felt like a match you would see main eventing Raw at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteF3 Posted November 14, 2014 Report Share Posted November 14, 2014 I don't know what the hell Hirata did to earn a title shot, but it's nice to see some fresh blood in the mix. Hirata slows the match down because kayfabe-wise it's his only chance of keeping up with Mutoh, but he brings the goods when the pace picks up as well. Good matwork building organically to some hot near-falls. Hirata didn't feel like he had a real chance until he hit that power bomb for a 2.9--that got the crowd going and they popped for the tease of him hitting his Devil Windmill suplex. But Mutoh escapes that and soon has an answer for everything else he tries. Not "special," no, but perfectly fun and a good glimpse at a longtime NJPW midcarder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zenjo Posted January 18, 2018 Report Share Posted January 18, 2018 Not the most dynamic of builds, but it was solid enough on the deck. Obviously Super Strong Machine was never going to win, but he gave the champ a decent enough workout. A good example of a World Title 'B' Match. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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