[2001-07-20-NJPW-Dome Quake] Masahiro Chono vs Keiji Mutoh

[Superstar Sleeze]

Masahiro Chono vs Keiji Mutoh - NJPW DOME QUAKE 7/20/01

DOME QUAKE~! What a great name For a show. This is at the Sapporo Dome. Mutoh made his return to New Japan at 1/4 Tokyo Dome show. He has formed a counter group called BATT and the 2001 Mutoh resurgence is well underway with classics against Kawada and Tenryu already under his belt. He is the Triple Crown champion but this is non-title. Chono & Team 2000 was pushed pretty hard the year prior but with Fujita’s super push, who is defending against BATT’s Don Frye on this card, Chono & Team 2000 have been in tags against BATT the last couple major shows. Mutoh lost both his matches to Chono last year, can he win this one as Triple Crown champion. 
 

I thought this was every bit as good as the 1/4/00 and surprised it doesn’t get a little more ply but I can understand Chono/Mutoh fatigue. This is the type of match that is critical for Mutoh’s 2001 campaign to be considered an all-timer. We know he has the classics but does he have the great matches to flesh out the resume. 
 

Mutoh comes out of the gates hot with dropkicks to the knee. I love the high energy start. Chono tries withstand the onslaught throwing some kicks. Mutoh’s even goes for Chono’s patented STF to show Mutoh has come to play. Chono wisely slows down the match with a standing double wrist lock but Mutoh keeps coming now with dropkicks to the chest. They struggle over a suplex on the apron and I love how Mutoh just dumps him chest first on the top rope. This begins abdomen work. Shoulder tackles in the corner. Abdominal stretches. All the cutoffs are abdomen focused. I loved these type of matches they are taking what the match gives them and using it rather than shoehorning their spots in there. Chono gets a reverse atomic drop and they play King of the Mountain with Chono kicking Mutoh off the spring with a series of Yakuza Kicks. CHONO SUICIDA~! Didnt see that coming. That was wild! Mutoh goes for a Frankensteiner…POWERBOMB~! Absolutely sick Powerbomb. Now Chono goes for the Butterfly Lock / Iron Cross. Again taking what the match gives you. 
 

Mutoh goes for more Dragon Leg Screws and Chono is battling back with the Butterfly Lock. Mutoh’s Dragon Leg Screw off the top with Figure-4 gives him the definitive advantage. BICYCLE KICK! SHINING WIZARD! Team 2000 distraction. He WHIFFS on the Second Shining Wizard. STF WITH CHOKE WINS FOR CHONO!

Really enjoyed this from bell to bell…hot start…abdomen psychology…great Chono control segment…hot finish run what is not to love? 2001 Mutoh Rules! Finally onto the Triple Crown Defense! ****