[2017-02-27-NJPW/ROH-Honor Rising: Night Two] Punisher Martinez vs Hirooki Goto

[bradhindsight]

This was an interesting spot for Martinez - he probably had the most to prove after the cards came out. And honestly, he did really well here - exceeded my expectations. Goto worked most of this match fighting from underneath and honestly didn't get a lot of offense in outside a neckbreaker and the big forearm exchange. The match kept building on Punisher's escalated offense; Goto slips to the outside to avoid a top rope move and Martinez dives over the ropes (6'6" dude) near the turnbuckle in a big spot. They reverse around each other as Punisher tries for his choke slam and finally Goto hits his finish off a slick counter and that is it. Really a plucky one-move-does-it win for Goto and credit his selling (as much as one sells in a NEVER title match) for creating a good atmosphere here. ***1/4

[soup23]

I can't believe my eyes but I thought this was a really good match. Simple structure and not much in the way of psychology or limb selling but a good hoss match that exemplified the strengths of Martinez better than any match prior. Martinez will probably always be limited as it isn't like he is really new to wrestling but he built up to his hope spots here and that dive that got Korakuen rocking was great. I like seeing Goto as the ultimate gatekeeper being more established than the guy that can never win the big one. ***1/2