[2016-11-03-Ice Ribbon] Tsukasa Fujimoto vs Tsukushi

[donsem43]

Ever since she regained the ICE Infinity title back in July from Risa Sera, Fujimoto had been running through the Ice Ribbon roster. While Tsukushi is only 19, she has over 6 years experience and isn't that far off from being a player at the top of the promotion. The match gets off to a slow methodical start as they work strike exchanges in between the two of them applying submissions. In fact, they rely a bit too much on strike exchanges as transitions in the early going. The match really picks up around the halfway point and is just fantastic the rest of the way. There are so many fun sequences that they work while still managing to tie them together and not let the match get too spotty. This goes to a draw which results in the title being vacated. ****

[Makai Club #1]

I thought this was pretty excellent. Loved the striking in the first half of the match, looked stiff enough and it was pretty entertaining to watch. That and some lovely mat work with some nice counters and tight looking holds. Then they kicked it up a notch and had a mad finishing stretch w/ tons of nifty sequences and big moves thrown together. The nearfalls were well done and I thought they both worked well and had a great showing. ****1/2