[2016-08-10-NJPW] Tomoaki Honma vs Michael Elgin

[GOTNW]

This match was almost like a mini-game for Honma-he'd try a move, get overwhelmed by Elgin's power, persevere and eventually succeed, then go for another move and get cut off by Elgin's power again. Every time Honma would execute a move he would earn a trophy or an accomplishment. In the end, because he was more concerned with earning the platinum trophy than beating the game, he lost. Best moments in the match came from Honma firing himself up and his theatrical selling in the finish. The turnbuckle Powerbomb no-sell spot worked because Elgin's Powerbomb actually looks good and dangerous and has credibility unlike Rollins'. Honma managing to take Elgin down with shoulder locks is the kind of spot that doesn't really make sense, but it's pro wrestling and a G1 house show main event so whatever. Finishing stretch became overreliant on nearfalls. Match would have been better and more compact if they'd done less of them and made the good ones matter more. ***-***1/4