[2002-05-03-ZERO1] Tatsuhito Takaiwa vs Wataru Sakata

[Jetlag]

Sakata had the vibe of someone who was just getting the hang of how to pro wrestle here, but after a somewhat tentative opening this turned into a shockingly good match. Takaiwa has been efficient against shooters and this was no exception. Sakata had it all over Takaiwa here, basically making him his punching bag, working submission counters and throwing him around with massive suplexes. Takaiwas only chance was to crowbar Sakata into oblivion. Muscling Sakata into the Death Valley Bomb may have been Takaiwas finest moment ever here. We get lots of brutal lariats (obviously), but Takaiwa really earns his salt eating one nasty kick from Sakata after another, getting double stomped and almost submitted a couple times. Awesome jaw breaking finish.

[ohtani's jacket]

This was a good match. There's no way I'm watching a Zero-1 match unless Jetlag recommends it first, even though they were probably producing the closest thing to the style of Japanese wrestling I prefer. Sakata looked raw here, but he's an interesting guy to follow in 2002. Cool finish. 

[Calvin]

Building a match around Takaiwa having nothing resembling a defense and relying on his brutish strength to get him out of vulnerable positions against a technically precise fighter was a brilliant premise.

***1/2