[2006-12-10-NOAH] Naomichi Marufuji vs Mitsuharu Misawa

[supersonic]

Marufuji vs. Misawa – December 10, 2006

 

This was a total carry-job by Marufuji. He brought forth an energy that Misawa simply didn’t have anymore. In fact, Misawa just looked totally cooked in this match. Even if he was still alive today, I think this would’ve been the perfect time to start winding down or outright retire. He was so lethargic without any of the fire of Kenta Kobashi, who was also broken-down at this point.

 

Marufuji’s work on Misawa’s left leg went nowhere, which really disappointed me. There was simply too much focus done for me to accept it being forgotten, especially for an all-time elite worker like Misawa. There was also almost a business-exposing moment because of Misawa. They had a finisher blocking exchange on the apron that ended with Marufuji countering a Tiger Driver with a hurricanrana to the floor. Marufuji didn’t get enough rotation so his legs never scissored Misawa’s head, but thankfully an arm was still hooked from the Tiger Driver attempt to explain why Misawa sold for Marufuji.

 

That wasn’t the only insipid bump Misawa took. Oh no, he had to take a Shiranui off the entrance apron to the floor for a count-out false finish. This was a missed opportunity to pay off the earlier story and protect Misawa’s body. Why not have a count-out false finish instead due to Marufuji immobilizing Misawa’s left leg? Surely Misawa would know how to sell the struggle of breaking the 20-count on a bad leg.

 

Misawa’s cache was in full effect here, as the crowd was going crazy at the end for him and all the false finishes. The biggest credit is that Marufuji never hit the Shiranui, so therefore it was never fed just to boost Misawa. Having Marufuji kick out of an Island Driver was a good move too, but once a Super version was done, I knew that was it for such a promising title reign only 3 months after it began.

 

Due to Marufuji’s performance and the crowd’s electricity at the end, this is ultimately a good match. As someone whose puro knowledge is from a distance, I’ve concerns though because Misawa looked very uncomfortable. At age 44, he looked 54. This title change comes across as incredibly impatient and short-sighted, going back to the well long since it’s been run dry. It doesn’t seem to serve the best interests of anyone in the long-term.

 

In hindsight, this feels like the first booking domino that ultimately led to NOAH’s decline over the next several years, even more so than Kobashi’s iconic reign being ended by Takeshi Rikio. Rather than invest in Marufuji with the same kind of effort as WWE had done around this time with Randy Orton, NOAH made the decision of being penny smart, dollar dumb. This felt equal to had Sting’s career not ended in his WWE Title match against Seth Rollins, but he had actually dethroned the champion after having a difficult time drawing throughout 2015. Sting winning the WWE Title in 2015 would’ve been a great moment, while ultimately pointless in the long-term picture just like this direction. ***1/2

[MikeCampbell]

I understand that Misawa didn't want to have to be the champion, but basically was forced to take the title here. And, it showed with how little he seemed to care about this match.