[2018-02-03-HoG-Beware the Fury] Amazing Red vs Low Ki

[Phil Schneider]

I have made an argument that this could be the greatest juniors feud in wrestling history, so it is pretty awesome to see these guys face off fifteen years later. This is worked very differently then their matches in the early 2000s, here Ki is working straight vicious heel, and is this is more like a Tenryu match then Rey Jr. vs. Psicosis. Ki seems to be trying really new things in his big singles matches, the awesome Callihan match had all of the crazy spots around Sami's broken jaw, and this match had a crazy kung-fu battle on a stage. The didn't open with the Wushu, they built to this really cool showdown on a stage which not only had their cool martial arts feints and counters, but also had Ki and Red having a weapons battle with a pair of sticks and a chair. I did think the Ki beatdown went a little long, and the ref stuff seemed a bit unnecessary (although Ki punching the chair into the ref's head was awesome), but this was a nifty spectacle and both guys are still really great.

[Bix]

SLL and I went to this show and this match was a blast. Glad the stage stuff came off well on video, which I wasn't sure it would. My thoughts pretty much echo yours: The beatdown dragged on too long, but the actual ref bump was fantastic and I loved the whole thing. Amazura being packed with fans clearly there to see that match made for a great atmosphere, too.

 

Would love for you to check out more House of Glory, feels like the type of thing you'd enjoy. Especially once the whole show goes up, this was one of the more fun top to bottom shows I've been to in NYC in a while.

[Edwin]

I didn't dig this as much as you all. I thought the ref. chair spot was poorly executed and predictable as the ref. was just standing there with the chair waiting for something to happen with it. Also, the Kung Fu bit on the stage, namely the bit with the Bo Staff and chair wasn't my type of thing. If you dig that, then you have to check out his No Holds Barred match with MVP at the last MLW event as they did the exact same sequence, but with MVP using a kendo stick instead of a chair. That second ref. that came out was pretty bad too, namely when he first counted for Red. The crowd brawling, the bump onto the ramp and off the ramp, Ki's double stomps and Red pulling Ki off the top rope by the tie were pretty cool stuff, but aside from that, I wasn't a fan of this.

[Wahoos Leg]

I respect the effort and I'm a fan of both guys but this match was not for me. The martial arts battle on the stage felt like an attempt to recapture or re-create the opening of their ROH match from 2002 and it just fell flat. Low Ki's control segment felt endless. Kudos to the ref laying there motionless after getting dropped in the early going and I liked the finishing stretch but overall this missed the mark for me.

Check out my full review, as part of the 365 Wrestling project.