[4.0] "The key match was naturally the tournament crowning the new champion after Brock Lesnar had been stripped on the IWGP Title. Hiroshi Tanahashi -vs- Giant Bernard - (IWGP Title Tournament - Final) [** 3/4] I really like this match on many levels. The story was solid with Tyson Tomko being there trying to stop the NJPW hope before being forced backstage by the referee. Tanahashi had most of the odds against him as Bernard is bigger and more powerful then him, but Tanahashi's speciality is slipping out of moves and that came in handy here. Bernard did get in the big gaijin moves like the F-5, neck-hanging tree bomb and a corner splash, but Tanahashi kept kicking out. Bernard kept trying to get in the Bernard Driver over and over, but Tanahashi in his slippery ways kept getting out of the hold again and again. Another thing that happend again and again was Tana's Sling Blade. Some of which Bernard no-sold and some of that was just plain missed including a crutial one at the end where Tanahshi tried one from the top, which was probable meant to be the finish and ruined the climax a bit before Tanahashi for the win following up with a regular one to get the big win. I kind of got a retro feel out of this match like it was from a different era like the early-80's for some reason. And I think I liked this one a little bit better then their June 18 match, but like with that match the messed up Sling Blades ruined a otherwise strong match. Nonetheless the Tanahashi era has started."