[2016-09-14-WWE-Cruiserweight Classic] Kota Ibushi vs T.J. Perkins

[GOTNW]

Early on Perkins avoided Ibushi's kicks by checking them, countering them with a Dragon Screw and so on, did a lot of matwork, really leaving an impression he had come prepared to face Ibushi, as in Ibushi's last two matches were him just surviving insane bomb throwing. But with them showcasing Ibushi as the favourite to win the tournament, it'd only make sense that it almost didn't matter if Perkins did all that and went to the trouble of cutting off Ibushi's dive, Ibushi was gonna get it in anyway. Whereas that dive cut-off felt like a big- elaborate counter-move from Perkins Ibushi doing something like staying on the apron and hitting a Springboard Dropkick after Perkins had tried to set-up a dive with his rope trick looked like it just naturally came to him. The context really makes the finishing stretch work-it would seem bloated and cliche that was how they'd worked every match. But even in the last two big Ibushi matches the big nearfalls were based on novelty and them doing a good job of setting them up and not so much, well, *really* buying into that they were going to end the match. And that was the case here. It didn't matter how the Sitout Last Ride was used in the rest of Ibushi's career, in this tournament it was a killshot, and this match was the pay-off that they could have and did afford due to the uniqueness of the tournament. And for Perkins to beat Ibushi at his own game it would take a bunch of bombs of his own, and hitting his biggest bomb over and over again and modifying it and boy did they ever accomplish everything this match could've and should've been. ****

[Superstar Sleeze]

Kota Ibushi vs TJ Perkins - WWE CWC SEMIFINALS 9/14/16

When I watched TJP in Korakeun Hall in 2024 dude was wicked over especially with the ladies. This match was definitely the high water mark of his career. I remember him debuting on RAW shortly after this and he was DOA. But no one can take this match from him I thought he wrestled the match of his life. 
 

The match ran through TJP and his counter offense. Ibushi was this offensive machine. Emphasis on machine. TJP was the human element the under dog story. The counter wrestler whose strategy was part takin a lickin but keep on tickin and part surprise offense. Ibushi wrestled perfectly as this offensive juggernaut who could kick TJP head in, take to the skies with aerial assault and THROW TJP DOWN! BUT TJP kept finding those counters.

Loved the early wrestling. Good chaining. They establish TJP checking the lethal kicks and TJP looking knee bar. I like that the first kick came in a cross cross scramble. Just as Ibushi looks like he is going to pour it on with a moonsault he gets kicked in the ass. Ibushi comes roaring back but then we get Dragon Leg Screw on a kick catch but which works on multiple levels because TJP’s move of choice is the knee bar. Ibushi uses a dropkick to set up for his big dive. From there Ibushi rifles TJP with kicks. TJP starts a comeback but a Pele starts the finish run. Ibushi tries a Powerbomb but countered into a DDT. Another Pele Kick this time countered into a KNEEBAR! That high spot popped me! Ibushi stands up through it and wrangles him into a strike exchange. POWERBOMB! 1-2-NO! I love the timing! Ibushi is the favorite wrestles as the favorite. That kneebar rang the alarm bells in Ibushi’s head! Time to stop fucking around and hit the damn Powerbomb only for a kick out! Love the psychology! What is the only way for Ibushi to one up the Powerbomb take to the air with a Phoenix Splash! Crash & Burn! Didnt love the crazy piledriver by Ibushi so soon after that. Crazy head kick by Ibushi! Powerbomb but reversed into knee bar with the a face lock for the SHOCK tap out! Ten years later still feels like a surprise upset!

I knew TJP wins the Tourney but I thought this was the final. He beats Metallik in the Final. Still even though I knew he won it still felt surprising! Ibushi was presented as a real offensive juggernaut a real monster to overcome. When fighting a monster, you need to overcome a lot of pain & suffering and have a smart counter strategy and TJP had both. I didn’t love the head kick being no sold to get into knee bar. I think there was a better way to transition there. Great character work by both and a great story, makes this an easy thumbs up, excellent match **** 1/4