[2000-08-13-Osaka Pro] Naohiro Hoshikawa vs Takehiro Murahama

[soup23]

I am running out of superlatives to spout out at Murahama matches but he is a bonafide #1 contender as my WOTY and this was another example why. The trial series has shown some growth but setbacks for Murahama. This match exemplified that and much like the match these two had in March, it is all action and carries a tremendous pace. The dramatic submissions in the home stretch were excellent and showed a great sense of struggle with the way the camera films so closely in Osaka Pro. Hoshikawa felt a little winded on his finale kick combo but he does crack Murahama with an excellent final blow that feels believable as a knockout shot. Murahama ends the trial series on an 0-3 skid and still has some development to do. **** (8)

[Jetlag]

Murahama with two big matches in two days. This was a good BattlARTSariffic match; maybe I'm oversaturated, but I didn't like this as much as the Yakushuji match from the day before. They start with some 5$ shootstyle matwork and essentially continue in the style of having a nearfall ladden indy match with shootstyle moves. Some brutal kicks, obligatory suplexes and no selling. I liked it and Hoshikawa's enzuigiri is one of the most disgusting spots I've ever seen but I probably won't remember much about it soon.

[Edwin]

I personally didn't think to highly of the Murahama matches with Togo or Yakushiji and I believe Hoshikawa has been his best opponent with Delfin being #2 and Buffalo #3. This wasn't on par with their 2 previous singles matches as it felt more of an exhibition than anything else, but I still think this was pretty good and prefer it to the Togo and Yakushiji matches. I thought the rear naked choke provided a good sense of drama going forward in the second half though. That top rope enzuigiri from Hoshikawa was brutal. Good stuff.

 

***

[AstroBoy]

This didn't disappoint at all following their awesome match earlier in the year. To get my small nitpick out of the way, I just don't appreciate the way that Murahama approaches selling in these matches. By and large I find myself wishing he would play up damage a bit more, pace himself a bit more, while still appreciating the pace he brings to these matches. I liked the way Hoshikawa sold damage and fatigue more than Murahama here. But that's just the nitpick I have.

 

I'd rather focus on the fantastic pace, the great strike exchanges, the grappling control of Hoshikawa, and the sense of urgency from both guys. It really came across like a legit fight between two guys desperate to win. For any faults of his, Murahama is an electric force on offense and there are some breathtaking moments here including an exchange that ends with Hoshikawa dumping Murahama on his head with a german suplex. The end stretch of Hoshikawa landing fatigued desperation kicks worked so well and the final enziguiri from the top looked especially nasty.

 

****

[ohtani's jacket]

Murahama has been the biggest discovery of 2000 for me and I agree with the WOTY talk. This was a great match. It continues to surprise me that the best shoot-style matches, or hybrid shoot-style matches, in 2000 are in Osaka Pro-Wrestling. This got a bit silly toward the end but for the most part was an absolute treat.

[superkix]

I liked this more than the Yakushuji match but it doesn't quite hit the highs of the first two Hoshikawa match-ups or the Delphin match. For the most part, I enjoyed them scrambling around the mat, trying to find some leverage. I really liked Murahama's counter to the capture suplex and him maintaining control of the arm after Hoshikawa tries to powerbomb out of the triangle. They throw some great suplexes and land a few dirty head kicks, all of which are sold rather sparingly. Love babyfaced Matsui's concern while Hoshikawa struggles in the sleeper hold. The finishing stretch is kind of a mess but the desperation by Murahama to pick up the win was a fun thread to follow.