[2022-07-03-DDT-King of DDT Final Round] Kazusada Higuchi vs Naomi Yoshimura

[corwo]

Immediately, this feels like a huge deal, as we'll be crowning a first-time KO-D Openweight champion. The opening lock-up was intense, giving the match a feeling of weight and importance. Yoshimura dominated the early portion with stiff body slams and deafening chops. Yoshimura upped his intensity, clubbing the chest and not allowing Higuchi any time to breathe. I like how Yoshimura controlled the pace, continuing the neck work that Akiyama started in the semi-finals. Yoshimura hit some nasty elbows to the side of the neck, but Higuchi fired back with a lariat.

Higuchi fired back with a chop and a pair of power slams. The struggle over the Brain Claw Slam was delightful and made Yoshimura feel like a convincing obstacle for Higuchi to topple. When Higuchi finally hit a Brainbuster, the crowd erupted in applause. Yoshimura's been learning from HARASHIMA's teachings as he countered a top-rope Brain Claw Slam by elbowing Higuchi in the neck. When Higuchi popped up from Yoshimura's stalling superplex, it felt defiant. He wasn't going to give some kid the satisfaction of having one-upped him in one of the biggest matches of his career. 

The chop exchange that followed felt like an escalation of the action, which is no small feat when you consider how often they feel like checking an item off a checklist. Higuchi got the better of a lariat-off and hit the Doctor Bomb for a nearfall, but Yoshimura's gameplan was near-perfect, and he got caught with a Harai Goshi. Yoshimura gave Higuchi a taste of his own medicine, kicking out at one from a lariat. Higuchi finally hit the Brain Claw Slam, but it wasn't enough. In a last-gasp effort Yoshimura went for another Harai Goshi, but it was blocked, and Higuchi landed one more Brain Claw Slam. Realizing he'd finally reached the top of the mountain, Higuchi made the cover and had the widest grin on his face when the referee's hand hit the mat for the three count.

Fantastic heavyweight clash and one of this year's greatest triumphs in wrestling. As great as the match was, the post-match may be even better. Since Higuchi wrapped the belt around Akiyama's waist a little over a year ago, Jun returned the favor. Sanshiro Takagi then brought out a flag adorned with the DDT logo, stating that he was entrusting it to Higuchi as a symbol of DDT's strength. Takagi then gave Higuchi his blessing to lead the company. Higuchi has long been the workhorse of the promotion, delivering in every situation for years on end. 2022 wasn't a stellar year for DDT until the tournament began, so this was a much-needed win for Higuchi fans worldwide. Long live the new King of DDT.