[2018-04-21-AJPW-Champion Carnival] Zeus vs Jun Akiyama

[Boss Rock]

Great match and possibly the best of the tournament thus far. Zeus was eager to earn Jun's respect but the grizzled veteran wouldn't let him earn it the easy way in a test of strength. Zeus gets incensed and absolutely annihilates him with chops and whips into the guardrail on the outside. This essentially became a war of attrition as the stronger, younger Zeus tried to overwhelm Jun with chops as the older, wiser veteran took everything and tried to dish out even more with repeated knees. Though not a brawl, this really felt like a knock-down, drag-out FIGHT with both guys just throwing everything into their strikes.

 

A bombfest of the highest order and continued proof that not only is Zeus one of the best in All Japan, but that Jun is still capable of some tremendous performances. ****1/4

[SmartMark15]

Okay, wow. That was awesome. A bombfest yes but an incredibly fun one with some added nuance from the legendary Akiyama. Him showing vulnerability at just the right time by selling Zeus' chops is the stuff of true masters. I fell for way more of those false finishes than I expected to and the match just continued but not in a dragging way.

 

****1/2

[ShittyLittleBoots]

Starts off in very intense fashion w/ them starting to exchange brutal strikes right away - eventually Zeus gets the upperhand & he has a pretty damn good control segment going for a while. Akiyama comes back though & starts doing what Akiyama does - he goes after the neck of Zeus. Zeus is very explosive with all of his offense, but uncle Jun wasn't gonna have it easy on him this night, as he kept on finding openings to go & attack that neck. Really good match. ***3/4