[2011-04-09-AJPW Champion Carnival] Masakatsu Funaki vs Takao Omori

[Ma Stump Puller]

Not shockingly, this kicked ass for what was trying to do. Funaki dominates at the start with some nifty mat-work. Omori isn't much of a grappler so he has to mostly use his strength to power though but that obviously doesn't work as Funaki pulls guard and wangles his way into stuff: there's a great bit where he goes from being in full guard and somehow manages to use the leverage from hooking Omori's arms to then pull him down and into a cross armbreaker out of what was seemingly a safe position. Omori's best shot is to shove his foot into his face and try to escape, which works if only because Funaki gets pissed and starts throwing hard slaps. Omori hits harder, Funaki is more measured, finding ways to get around the striking with submission counters and whatnot so it's not just mindless striking exchanges for once. We also get to see some pretty out there spots with Funaki actually doing dives to the outside. They tease a apron spot as Funaki throws more kicks and Omori tries to set up his Guillotine Driver for big cheers, Funaki flips over his back and tries for a sunset-powerbomb until they end up both going to the outside and Omori landing his Axe Bomber lariat out of the blue.

He follows up with two pretty brutal Dragon Suplexes for a near fall in a good sequence. Funaki eventually recovers, landing some more strikes and a random top rope crossbody for his own. Omori takes over again with even more wacky bombs; despite Funaki's best efforts he's not getting anywhere, with Omori even landing another Axe Bomber. The finish was pretty dynamic and fitting given what the two were working with: Omori tries to set up another Bomber, but Funaki is able to dodge and go for a convincingly sound roundhouse to the head out of the blue which ends the match in a flash KO victory. This was pretty solid, and I actually liked that they showcased Omori as not being the underdog yet again (which let's just face it, a lot of his big mainline matches end up being, poor lad just can't help it) instead being confidently ahead with his range of big bombs and stiff strikes outclassing the less seasoned opponent. Funaki despite pulling out the wacky flips and spots couldn't get the job done, forcing him to instead rely on his shoot-style counters to get him the win. Never got particularly "great" for a Carny showing, still fairly solid for a Omori showing post-NOAH and especially so knowing these two will have a drastically less impressive title match next year.