[1993-01-24-AJW] Kyoko Inoue vs Takako Inoue

[PeteF3]

A far better structured match than you'd assume it to be, almost Kobashi-esque in how Kyoko is dominant until two big bumps on the floor changes the momentum around. Probably Takako's best singles match to this point, probably within Kyoko's top handful too, and very good.

 

[PeteF3]

 

Kyoko Inoue vs. Takako Inoue - 01/24
A far better structured match than you'd assume it to be, almost Kobashi-esque in how Kyoko is dominant until two big bumps on the floor changes the momentum around. Probably Takako's best singles match to this point, probably within Kyoko's top handful too, and very good.

Re-watched this earlier today and I fully agree, my rundown

They do some fast paced highspots to early on, lots of arm drags and lucha style stuff, then Kyoko gains controll and goes into her usual array of wear down holds, dominating for a while. A little pedestrian but good stuff. Match goes to another lvl once Takako comes back and goes into submission queen mode, Kyoko makes her fight for every little hold early on which is a nice touch but Tak perseveres and goes to town on her leg. This is a strategy that has always been something Takako is good at, something that she can dominate with, something that gives her a fighting chance. Following her journey in 92 against bigger name opponents she always failed when she deviated from this, always failed when she tried to act tough, always got her ass kicked when she tried to stand toe to toe with an Aja or Bull or Hokuto. Here, the same thing looks to happen but Takako has other plans. Tak abandons the leg work and starts booting Kyoko upside the head, not enough to hurt, more in an insulting cocky way. Kyoko looks at her like "are you kidding me?" and elbows her in the face in retaliation, Tak fires back but it gets her nowhear and Kyoko regains the advantage for a bit. Awesome moment as Kyoko goes for her running back elbow and Tak catches her mid run and seamlessly rolls into a leg bad. Again though, Takako has something she needs to prove and she turns things back into a brawl again and the match goes outside. Takako surprisingly wins this encounter being really agressive and hitting Kyoko with her shoulder drop suplex on the floor. Nice bit of applause for Takako from the crowd in apreciation as if to say "holy shit we didn't exspect that, awesome, fuck her up". Of course, the Kyoko clap clap clap chants start soon enough as well so they're still with her. With a little help from a slow ass counting ref Kyoko milks the 20 count for all it's worth really putting over the pain. After getting back in Tak gets in another shoulder drop suplex, a top rope arm drag and a top rope superplex all for 2 counts. Kyoko counters Tak coming off the ropes with a powerslam to turn the tide and then signals for the Niagra Driver and I have never ever ever seen someone convery the look of desperation, the look of "please god let me end this" like Kyoko is here. Having taken so much damage Kyoko strugles to lift Tak and drops her on the 1st attempt, the 2nd attempt Tak escapes and they battle over a backslide which Kyoko wins. Still fighting out of desperation Kyoko gets in the airplane spin power bomb and Tak kicks out at fucking 1 with her near last bit of energy. The ref begins a standing 10 count which allows Kyoko to regain her composure and now starts looking less desperate and more like "come on bitch, i'll show you". Tak uses her very very last bit of energy to make it up by 9 and is met with a simple but stiff slap from Kyoko to knock her out and get pined to end things. Post match barely celebrates and doesn't check on her opponent either, she just walks away stoicly, she won but only just barely. Takako died a warrior's death and proved her point, proved she can hang with the big dogs afterall, proved she won't be a pushover any longer. I remember 1st watching this years ago and thinking it was a real good match but nothing special, re-watching it now, knowing more of the backstory I apreciated it a lot more. The finishing sequence is up thear with Aja/Bull as one of my fave endings to a match ever and overall this is an awesome match, great blend of story & pure workrate action. Def Takako's best ever at this stage.

 

[garretta]

YouTube this, please!

[Zenjo]

Things were surprisingly restrained in the first half. Takako then destroyed her namesake with some vicious moves on the outside. Kyoko barely survived this onslaught. At this stage it looked set for my Top 100, but it flattered to deceive. The closing stages petered out as Kyoko ended up going over convincingly. I think she was testing Takako's resilience at the end or something.

[Alex]

This match was very good.  Kyoko dominates most of the match except for small sections where Takako gets some offense in, but Takako's offense on the floor gave her more credibility in getting a possible upset.  Kyoko sold those moves like death.  The gap between count of 18 and 19 was pretty long though.  Takako got some more big near falls in the ending stretch, but Kyoko regained her composure and won convincingly.