[2023-06-25-Michinoku Pro-Jinsei Shinzaki Debut 30th Anniversary] Jinsei Shinzaki vs MUSASHI

[Ma Stump Puller]

Really didn't need to be a almost 30 minute match but hell this is probably Shinzaki's last proper singles match (unless he pulls a Muto and starts winning titles at 60) so you might as well. The guy is in great shape and unlike Great Sasuke he hasn't broken himself down nearly as much to the degree where this would've been painful to watch. As you would think, this did slog on a fair bit at the beginning; lots of slow holds, trading hammerlocks, etc. It made sense to the logic of what they were trying to showcase here, however: MSUASHI is Michinoku Pro, or at least their last truly loyal trainee that hasn't bounced like Kenoh or the like. He's trying to establish that he's the guy now while Shinzaki is having to pull every trick possible to convince otherwise, so the feeling out at least has something to it before just that. When it got going though this was pretty amazing. Shinzaki is 56 years old and he's doing transitions and sequences that you'd be hard-pressed to see from someone half his age, moving with some incredible speed and slickness. Sure, there's definitely points where things really slow in favour of rest holds, however like I said these at least have a narrative purpose so it wasn't as offensive as it could have been.

Both guys take nasty bumps on the hard floor outside but MUS comes though with a cool Frankensteiner counter to the powerbomb. We also get a good continuation of that theme as MUS goes for a top rope version before getting countered back into a powerbomb in response. Shinzaki tries for a proper one while on the mat but gets consistently countered, even taking a big bump off onto the apron. MUS lands a good senton over the ropes to capitalise and we get a pretty long dub spot as they tease a double count-out 70s style. Shinzaki gets his ass beat for the last few minutes as he's simply outclassed by his younger opponent, though he's still able to get occasional pockets of resistance. MUS looked good as he pushed for some smooth offence while getting over the urgency to finish things as soon as possible as to not give his opponent a chance.

Gassed Shinzaki still throwing himself around barely was a great visual, as was MUS going full fighting spirit and kicking out of a good few powerbombs. Shin nailing a Spanish Fly from the top rope for the finish was CRAZY stuff, again this guy is 56 years old and doing stuff like this just off the cuff. Him winning over the younger guy might give some bad vibes but I digged it, MUS kicked out of basically everything so Shinzaki had to go crazy-mode to put him down proper. It's definitely not perfect, for a celebration of one of Michinoku Pro's founding fathers it did the job for what it was supposed to be and showcased his incredible longevity as a performer. Well done action for what it was supposed to be going for.