[2000-10-15-Osaka Pro] Naohiro Hoshikawa vs Super Delphin

[soup23]

I have no idea how Osaka Pro doesn’t get talked up more. Like DDT in current day, they have a wide variety of styles and great characters that make sense logically within their own universe. This started off hot with Hoshikawa shaking hands and then kicking Delphin. Delphin comes back with bombs of his own and then starts working over the leg. The leg work is spot on with Delphin even using a calf slicer. Probably the only thing that prevents this match from being a complete MOTYC is the lack of call backs to the leg in the last third of the match. That being said, the sequences from when Hoshikawa locks the crab to the end of the match is amazing. They go through a ton of nearfalls and sequences that were logical ends to the match and nothing feels overblown. Hoshikawa securing the win felt like a big moment and cemented himself as a big name within Osaka Pro. Osaka Pro making a strong case for being a top 3 promotion worldwide in 2000. ****1/4 (8.6)

[Edwin]

Hoshikawa trying to take advantage by attacking Delfin early and hopefully catching him by surprise was the perfect start to this. Its shows the quick sign of desperation from the lower ranked Hoshikawa against the higher ranked opponent. Delfin also attacking the knee early on was logical as he was trying to ground Hoshikawa and take away his kicks which are one of his mostly frequently used weapons. Unfortunately Delfin didn't focus and work on these more. Loved the counter to the Delfin Special where Hoshikawa just puts Delfin from underneath.That finishing stretch was great and really gave this match the big match feel.

 

****

[superkix]

Apart from a couple of nitpicky things here and there, this was very good. I really liked the explosiveness of the opening, with Hoshikawa trying to catch the veteran off-guard and eventually controlling with his kicks and arm submissions. A good chunk of the match is devoted to Delphin working the leg, which, in and of itself, is fine. Delphin seemingly had an answer to each of Hoshikawa's escape attempts, squashing any momentum he'd start to build. Hoshikawa's selling could have been better but it worked and I liked how the big dive played into the story, having taken so much out of Hoshikawa that Delphin's able to go back to attacking the leg. Then when Delphin is sure he's got it in the bag with the Delphin Clutch, Hoshikawa pops him in the face with a kick. All that prior legwork disappears at that point as the match settles into a long finishing stretch. The crowd was jazzed, the nearfalls were fun, and there was some cool offense spots, like Delphin's shotei>tiger suplex hold combo. Hoshikawa picking up the decisive win gave it that big match feel.

[ohtani's jacket]

Oh man, another outstanding match from Osaka Pro. Was there at better wrestler in Japan in 2000 than Super Delfin? The way he used his in-ring smarts and wrestling ability to counter the bigger, stronger Hoshikawa was amazing to watch. Hes been an excellent performer throughout the year. This probably went on for too long and had a few too many nearfalla but there were at least three of them that I bit on and the crowd was hot throughout. I dont know who that female fan was of Hoshi (one of gordis friends perhaps?) but she was losing her shit. Im surprised she didnt pass out when he won.

 

These guys proofed that its possible to have an epic in a tiny arena of the intensity is there and the crowd are up for it. The other thing that makes it special is that you know they couldnt sustain this promotional run so every bit of greatness they squeeze from it is a thing to be treasured. It definitely ranks up there now with my love of mid-90s JWP and other small promotions. And Delfin is now a worker I consider on a whole different level from how I viewed him previously. So far its been Shocker and Delfin who have risen the most in my eyes during this project.