Masato Tanaka vs. Tetsuya Endo

[7.0] "There is a clear disparity here between the match's peaks and everything surrounding them. On paper, many of the ingredients are present: solid opening mat work, effective table spots, focused leg damage for Endo to sell, and a decisive finishing stretch. In isolation, those moments work. The issue is the connective tissue, which never fully coheres into a compelling whole. The match runs longer than it needs to, and while the high points land, large portions in between struggle to maintain engagement. Where the match succeeds, it succeeds emphatically. Endo's selling will inevitably divide opinion, but his exaggerated limb psychology gives the match much of its identity. His expressiveness elevates individual moments, most notably a handspring crumble spot that plays directly into the leg work and rewards close attention. That same attention to detail enhances the visual spectacle of Endo countering Tanaka's table splash by getting his knees up; a spot made stronger by the implied self-sacrifice rather than flash alone. Ultimately, this sits just shy of true greatness. It is absolutely worth seeing, particularly for fans already invested in Endo's work, but it lacks the consistency and flow to invite revisitation. A strong collection of moments rather than a fully realized match. ***1/2"

[8.0] "I think the only problem I have with the match was there was no audience because of Covid. It started slow and became action packed toward the end. This is the first time I ever saw a single match from Tetsuya Endo and man he is athletic. That dive out of the ring looked amazing. Also Masato Tanaka wrestling that good at his age is insane. That spot where Tanaka sets up the table and dives onto Endo but Tetsuya Endo guards by lifting his knees was interesting decision because Tetsuya Endo still got hurt but also Tanka did too so I guess it was a double edge sword move. I think the match itself is a 9 but no audience drops it down to a 8 because I believe the audience breaks or makes a match with a few exceptions."

[5.0] "Bit of a weird match, Endo takes a table bump off the top to the floor which leads to leg work oddly. The leg stuff gets sold here and there and the second table bump with Endo getting his knees up was also weird but pretty unique. Woulda been nice if that had a more direct effect on Tanaka's ribs to set up the Shooting Star finish though. Endo does no-sell the leg for the final bit of the match and hits two Shooting Star's without much difficulty. Some nice ideas in there though - **3/4"

[9.0] "An incredible match and both deserve much praise for working such a fantastic match in an empty arena. Held during the worst part of the early stages of the pandemic, this was a awesome main event to DDT's two day event."

[6.0] "There was a lot of good here but then a whole lot more nothing around it. In parts, it looks decent enough. The opening mat work looked good, you got your big table spots, there's some leg work for Endo to sell his ass off, you get another fantastic table spot, and then a finishing run. But the connective tissue in between all the good just didn't quite click for me. This didn't need to be as long as it was and even though I did generally enjoy most of the highs, I didn't find myself nearly as invested for everything else."

[9.0] "I wasn't sure what to expect from this but I thought the end result was pretty great. Tanaka is a marvel, in some ways he seems as great as he ever was, very hard hitting and compelling wrestler. His work on Endo's leg was very good, and Endo, who I don't know very well, sold it very well, working through the pain until he could mount an impressive comeback. Table spot was very cool as well."

[8.0] "This is a really solid and well-worked match - but there's no denying it - the lack of any kind of live audience sucks something out of it. Watching this when we're starting to get real live crowds back, I wasn't sure I'd be able to get into it, but after about the first ten minutes or so, I was fully invested. The only reason I can't go up to a '9' is because there's no audience, but it's at least a high '8' even as it is. The kind of match with no wasted motion. I feel bad for not rating it a '9' but it is what it is. Credit to both guys for telling a compelling story even with no audience."

[10.0] "MOTYC & Instant Classic in my opinion - Tetsuya Endo is truly the future while Masato Tanaka proved he can still go at the highest level. Endo's selling in this match was incredible and some of the best I've seen all year. The shot at the start was impressive, the limb work amazing, the comeback brought me right up and the ending was emotional."

[10.0] "Possibly the best match in Tanaka's reign, with a really good pace, awesome in-ring content and a magnificent ending."

[10.0] "MOTY For DDT, Great Story About The Endo With His Struggling For Win And Prove To Take And Harashima That His The Real ACE, Great Storytelling And Tanaka Is A Legend"

[10.0] "That match was incredible, it is in my top 10 of the year. One of the bests matches in the history of DDT. Endo's selling is simply incredible, some spots from him and from Tanaka ( who is incredible even at 47 years old ) made me jump off my chair. Fabulous storytelling. I am still shocked by that insanity. *****1/4"

[10.0] "The perfect match to show to people that only think DDT does comedy , hard hitting and great chemistry between them and a fantastic finish"

[8.0] "Intense match-up with hard-hitting action. Tanaka? s working of Endo? s legs and Endo? s selling of it was amazing. I popped when Endo attempted a handspring and failed because of the pain in his legs. Tanaka has been having a great year and Endo rises up to his challenge to give us a great match."

[10.0] "Fantastic match, I'd recommend it to any fan of Japanese pro wrestling to make sure they see this match."

[9.0] "Man, that match needed a crowd, it would be crazy seeing everyone hyped up and screaming a lot during this match. The leg work by Masato Tanaka was excellent, along with Tetsuya Endo's selling. That Handspring Kick that went wrong was a proof that his selling was just above great. Also, is very beautiful to see Endo resisting Tanaka's offense and winning at the end with two Shooting Star Press, it was so well built that makes you happy. That was simply great. ****1/2"

[10.0] "Masato Tanaka is the f*cking man! What a great match and Tetsuya Endo held his own too. Lots of heavy impact, high flying and hard strikes. Endo would not give it up but Tanaka would not stop the pain. 10/10"

[10.0] "Tanaka had been darn near unbeatable since coming into DDT, and put Endo through the ringer here, damaging his knee, only for Endo to withstand the pain and find a way to defeat an icon. A shame this couldn't have happened in front of fans, but they did hint at a rematch once crowds return."