[2002-01-06-ZERO-ONE-Vast Energy] Tsuyoshi Kikuchi vs Naohiro Hoshikawa

[Kronos]

After a couple of high risk moves that end up outside the ring, they settle into an extended sequence where Kikuchi sits on the mat like Baby Huey. Hashikawa throws kick after kick, which K completely no-sells with a "ho hum bored now" look on his face. It goes from awesome to amusing to when-will-this-end. Then you come back full circle and start to wonder if Hashikawa can actually come up with a strike that will work. Sadly, nothing comes of it. Eventually, Kikuchi gets bored and stands up. He no-sells a few more strikes, and then they move into a plodding your turn-my turn rest of the match.

 

I found most of this one to be a bit of a snoozer. The out-of-nowhere kimura submission that ends the match is pretty great, though.

[Calvin]

Kikuchi's act is amusing for a spell, as he no sells practically everything and comedically overacts when he decides to sell, and Hoshikawa has to escalate almost to shoot-levels of violence in order to get him to react, but it's mostly empty calorie exchanges that lead nowhere despite the stiffness and tension. 

**1/2