[2005-06-05-NOAH-Navigation With Breeze] KENTA & Naomichi Marufuji vs Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Takashi Suguira

[Loss]

Talk about it here.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMxgLPPJakI&feature=youtu.be

[supersonic]

KENTA & Marufuji vs. Kanemaru & Sugiura - June 5, 2005

This isn't quite up to par with the finals of the GHC Jr. Tag Titles tournament, but to say that isn't an actual criticism. This was not only a historic match, but fantastically paced one to boot, with just some minor questionable selling to take it from MOTYC (which this is) into all-time tippy-top classic.

As I mentioned, the pacing in this was just off-the-charts insane. While KENTA unloaded Basaike knees aplenty to hold on to the Jr. Tag straps, Sugiura consantly found ways to deliver Angle slams. But no matter how many times Sugiura would execute that, the champs would find enough adrenaline to kick out or be there to make the save for one another.

Also in this match that stood out to me was Marufuji selling a tornado DDT hope spot from Kanemaru like he had been studying some Rob Van Dam matches, a tremendous moment that allowed Kanemaru to get a hot tag. Another moment was KENTA giving Sugiura a Yakuka kick, with Marufuji using that momentum to give him a sunset powerbomb on the floor. Later, KENTA would apply a powerbomb using the momentum of a Shiranui.

To say that the drama built and built in this classic would be an understatement. I think that despite the numerous MOTYCs in which KENTA & Marufuji had found way to hold onto their straps for dear life, the crowd could sense something magical just like Kenta Kobashi vs. Takeshi Rikio a few months earlier. When Kanemaru found a way to keep Marufuji outside the ring, allowing Sugiura to hit a super Angle slam on KENTA, the historic reign came to an end to crowd's mighty approval.

While not the box-office draw of Kobashi's GHC Heavyweight Championship reign, to me the reign of KENTA & Marufuji as the GHC Jr. Tag Champs, being the very first tandem to hold those titles, was just as important. Match quality wise, both reigns are obviously comparable. But like Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards years later, having these two green young men booked together not only did an amazing job of hiding their weaknesses, but in showcasing their incredible athleticism, high-flying, and striking abilities. I don't think it's any coincidence that Gabe Sapolsky the following year made sure that every championship in ROH would be booked with such strength and prestige simultaneously.

“You do what you can for as long as you can, and when you finally can't, you do the next best thing. You back up but you don't give up.” - General Chuck Yeager

****1/2

[G. Badger]

The close of this match was fantastic. It brought the intensity of the bout to the forefront. Unfortunately, the middle of the match lacked this genuine feel of hate. The beginning was good but, as the body of the bout wore on, I felt they were going thru their plan too clearly, if that makes sense. It was more of a scripted expected hate. For instance, KENTA front kicking guys off the apron...seems hateful...except he tends to do it every match...

 

That being said this was a sound Noah Jr's. Tag match from 2005. The work was clean and the pace was up from bell to bell. It was probably too hurried a pace and thus lacked the aforementioned hate in exchange for move innovation or the infamous "getting my shit in." I blame Marufuji & KENTA for this. Kanemaru & Suguira were keeping things grounded so to speak...only really turning the complex high spots on at the end.

 

All in all, it was a highly recommended match, maybe at or possibly above the **** range with the finish really pushing it through to that level. So, maybe it's a great match depending on your familiarity or expectations..

[ShittyLittleBoots]

Just a really hot tag banger to end the great reign of KENTAFuji. The drama built & built - it was off the charts by the end. Great stuff. ****