[2005-04-03-NOAH-Encountering Navigation] Mitsuharu Misawa & Takashi Suguira & Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs Kenta Kobashi & KENTA & Ricky Marvin

[Loss]

Talk about it here.

[dawho5]

This match is all about KENTA vs. Suguira. Suguira is okay in this, but he still seems really, really limited. Marvin and Kanemaru are perfect opponents because they like to jump and flip and do all kinds of intricate shit. That's not saying it's anything good but they match anyway. And Misawa vs. Kobashi has gotten pretty damn tired, especially with Kobashi in 100% SPIRIT mode and lazy Misawa. There's some fun interaction between Misawa/Kobashi and the youngsters, but this won't be getting a vote.

[Graham Crackers]

This is probably my favorite NOAH junior tag that doesn't involve invaders from New Japan. The fact that it's actually a six man tag with two big name heavyweights there to keep everybody in check says a lot about why I don't love more of those matches. I like this a lot more than dawho5 but that doesn't surprise me in any way.

[Vinnie B]

This wasn't as pimped as other matches I've watched so far, but it seemed like a interesting mix of wrestlers and NOAH is one of my favourite promotions, so gave it a watch. I'm really glad I did. It's fun watching the juniors as they are like satellites working around the big planets (Kobashi and Misawa) and taking the fight to them. Ricky Marvin getting beaten up and the breakdown into a brawl in the middle were fun. Yes, they probably shouldn't be using a Tiger Driver and Dragon Suplex to go into the finishing run, and the final sequence was way convoluted, plus the chop vs. elbow thing looked a bit tired. I don't think any of it matters, because the whole match, especially the finish was A.) exciting to watch and B.) had a ton of cool spots.

 

Totally unexpected, but out of all the matches I've watched from 2005 so far, this has been the one that made me feel like I was 13 again. I'd never seen this match, and wasn't actually 13 for another year, but I absolutely loved the NOAH juniors and found the NOAH six-mans a lot of fun in general. It's weird what can spark your sense of nostalgia sometimes, but I loved the match and I'll remember to pay closer attention to NOAH shows from now on. **** 1/4

[G. Badger]

I'm with Vinnie B on this match. I thought the exchanges were really good, the outcome was in doubt since you had different levelled wrestlers, etc. Korakuern hall brings out the magic in these 6 man matches. Loved this one. Great stuff.