[2019-01-29-NJPW-Road to New Beginning] Hiroshi Tanahashi vs KUSHIDA

[paul sosnowski]

This is Kushida's final match in NJPW, and it is non-title.   Talk about it here

[SmartMark15]

A little too heavy on the matwork for my personal taste but that was probably to be expected given the face vs face dynamic these two had going for them. The matwork was good though and the limb psychology did remain throughout the match and even played into the finish. A few miscues when they started trading the bigger blows meant that the pacing was a little thrown off. Some fun moments in there though.

***3/4

[superkix]

This ruled. Good dueling limbwork which escalated throughout the course of the match and culminated in the finish, Tanahashi getting heat from the fans, KUSHIDA's "fuck you" slap, the cloverleaf teases, KUSHIDA's hope spots. A simple formula done well, lean and concise, not bloated like NJPW main events tend to be. KUSHIDA will be missed more than any of the Elite dorks. Great match. 

[ShittyLittleBoots]

KUSHIDA's selling was pretty awful. It's a shame, because other than that, this was super compelling. Loved all the matwork, the dueling limb work, Tana heeling it up a little & KUSHIDA answering to that by slapping the taste out of his mouth + the atmosphere was great throughout & they also played up the Jr. vs. Heavy dynamic real great with KUSHIDA not being able to put on a show on the mat as well as he usually does, because of the size difference. Some more leg selling by him & this could've and probably would've been a MOTYC. ***3/4

[Tenese Sarwieh]

Really did enjoy the simplicity if this match. You knew Tanahashi would work the leg and Kushia working on the arm. Everything gelled perfectly and built to the finish at a nice pace, great stuff.

[Boss Rock]

I was surprised this was such a mat-based and submission-heavy match, but they did a really good job with it. The limb work was well-done and the story of Tanahashi challenging KUSHIDA with slaps served as great preludes to KUSHIDA's comebacks. The finish (not the result) was a bit surprising but still worked. A fitting farewell to one of the best and most consistent wrestlers in NJPW.

****