[2004-01-04-NJPW-Wrestling World 2004] Osamu Nishimura vs Minoru Suzuki

[donsem43]

This is a fun matchup even though it's rather obvious from the start that it would be better off in a smaller setting than the Tokyo Dome. Suzuki pretty much dominates the matchup from the early going as he has a creative shoot-style counter to all of Nishimura's old-school spots. Eventually catching Nishimura in a cross-armbreaker then focusing his attack on the arm. Just when it looks like Nishimura has no answer for Suzuki's attack he gets a backslide out of nowhere for the win. This was fun but it comes off as a teaser to watch this to could do if you gave them 20+ mins at Korakuen.

[superkix]

A short and sweet little contest with Suzuki hyper vigilant with his armwork, snatching it at any given opportunity. Loved his armbar counter to Nishimura's patented headstand escape attempt and again when Osamu tries for the figure-four leglock. He delivers the Gotch-style piledriver but opts for the submission attempt instead with a reverse armbar. Nishimura tries for a backslide but Suzuki again counters with the cross armbreaker, scouting pretty much all of Nishimura's spots. But the second time's the charm and Nishimura's able to pin him down with the backslide. Suzuki at his sub-10 minute best.

[ohtani's jacket]

This was a badass little contest. I would have preferred a more even contest, but Suzuki looked awesome.