[2001-10-27-AJPW] Keiji Mutoh vs Masahiro Chono

[EnviousStupid]

My expectations going into this were extremely low, knowing that both are well past their primes and how these two can tend to phone it in, but I completely dug what they were going for here. It's a match that takes into account their physical limitations and builds off of their collective charisma to make all the sparks and quick bursts (particularly from Mutoh) hold much more significance than usual. The matwork and limb targeting early on is kept to a minimum and that's for the best: Mutoh's a great face when his sporadic choices in pacing and offense come off like a necessary reaction to his opponents. Chono can't work like Vader in 1991, but somewhere along the lines of an older Tenryu is possible and that's the feeling I got while watching this. Chono is in control most of the time and is usually able to shut down those moments of hope from the champion and be disrespectful as hell while doing so. It's one of the few times I can recall finishers being blocked instead of just countered or avoided. The match also plays on the more recent parts of their rivalry; Chono had beaten Mutoh earlier in the year as well as the year prior, both times submitting to the STF. They milk that a couple times in the finishing stretch, however it's Chono's insistence of never really trying to win quickly that left the biggest impression. He knows that this matchup has been in his favor these last few years, so he's not rushing to a pin after most of his Yazuka Kicks land their mark. By giving Mutoh enough time to recover, he's quick and still agile enough to perform a flash Frankensteiner to snatch the win. Not a MOTYC, but it's one that I felt strongly enough about to post here.

[Superstar Sleeze]

All Japan Triple Crown Champion Keiji Mutoh vs Masahiro Chono - AJPW 10/27/01

Pretty weird that two of the biggest 90s New Japan stars are headlong All Japan’s Anniversary Budokan show. These two have been having great matches deserve to main event a big show somewhere and if Inoki was not going to give to them might as well do it here. Mutoh is 0-3 versus Chono in past two years with most recent loss just three months prior. Can Mutoh hang onto the Triple Crown?

What a bizarre and I would say bad finish to an otherwise great match. I also disliked the beginning. Chono comes out the gates red hot total full court press. Bang SHINING WIZARD BY CHONO! Awesome! Mutoh powders. Unlike the Tenryu match where that becomes the key plot point it is totally forgotten immediately and they just do standard New Japan chain wrestling sequence. That sucked because they had a real chance to make this match feel different. 
 

Mutoh goes for the STF a couple times. They end up in my least favorite tree hold the bundle of leg locks. Mutoh eventually gets a hold of the leg. It is 2001 Mutoh you know the drill. Dropkicks to the knee, Dragon Leg Screw and the Figure-4. I eat this shit up. Didnt love Chono’s transition a Flatliner, Piledriver and another Flatliner. Wish it was more organic, he does the Butterfly Lock. Mutoh pops off a Dragon Leg Screw on the apron and ROPE-ASSISTED SHINING WIZARD! up until this point it is pretty similar to knee vs neck psychology to their other matches. 
 

Mutoh goes for the Moonsault but Chono is up. He BLOCKS the Shining Wizard. One of the challenges of the Shining Wizard is that it is hard to see when someone blocks it or eats it. He hits his own! STF! Mutoh makes the ropes! Kappou Kick! Mutoh eats canvas on the Moonsault attempt. STF~! They are really building to a the finish. It is getting hot in here. STF WITH CHOKE! How Mutoh lost two of the matches. 
 

Then the match gets weird. Chono blocks all of Mutoh’s Shining Wizards and hits a bunch of his own and a Yakuza Kick. Mutoh keeps kicking out. Mutoh Frankensteiner and he wins?!? WTF?!? 
 

The body of 1/4/00 and 7/20/01 were better but then the run up to the finish was the hottest they have done. Then they just finished with a wet fart. *** 1/2 I guess