[7.0] "As crowd-pleasing dream matches go, this one manages to be fun, but fairly low-key. There are some cool moments where Taue & Kobashi work really well together, and Hansen & Misawa look out for each other, but the finish is the kind of conservative decision that kept the other three pillars from achieving Misawa status when they were eventually elevated ***3/4"
[9.0] "The combinations for each team were pretty unique and make this stand out. Misawa and Hansen even break out some double team moves. Little highlights for me were Hansen hitting a suicide dive out of nowhere and running in to protect Misawa when Taue and Kobashi were lining up a lariat. ****1/2"
[7.0] "Despite the very unique booking of this match (with long-time rivals now partners and vice versa), we sadly didn't get many 'epic' exchanges here to match that creativity. The exchanges and spots were all good, but nothing especially great. Hansen's pissed-off ruthlessness was fun as always, as was Taue's bullying work. Seeing Kobashi and Misawa face off was very cool due to knowing what sort of GOAT matches they'd have in the next 10 years, with their interactions here acting as basic but still very good teases of what sort of world-class stuff they were capable of producing together. I also enjoyed how they constantly countered each other's signature moves due to knowing each other so well from teaming together over the years. Kobashi getting to try finally step out of Misawa's shadow with this chance to finally beat him was quite engaging and thus made it very easy to sympathise with his struggle (since who knew when he'd next get a chance to dethrone the ace'), though this storyline naturally didn't get as much focus due to having to allow equal ring time for Taue and Hansen as well. Taue and Kobashi were especially cool to see teaming together considering they'd been on opposing sides for so many years across so many matches, so seeing them have to work their offence together was very interesting. Hansen and Misawa likewise had some nice tag offence, which was very weird but cool to see after them having been rivals for so long. The tag offence of both teams definitely could have been emphasised more, but this match struck me more as being done for novelty rather than strictly for storyline purposes, so I understand why we didn't get an 'epic' based off these unusual pairings. ***1/4"
[10.0] "Loved this, the unique team combinations really gave a different flavor to this and I had a blast watching it. Hansen tossing Misawa down on opponents was something to see. Hard hitting and great as you'd expect, and Hansen doing a tope, good lord!"
[8.0] "The seemingly random pairing of Misawa and Hansen for the Dream Match turned out really well. Hansen even sacrifices himself to save Misawa at points which was a level of respect I didn't expect to see. Some slow moments about a third of the way in but the second half is really action-packed and a well-told story."
[7.0] "Interesting match. The commentator seemed to mention that this was a dream match and while the wrestlers have faced each other many times but not really with these pairings. Kobashi and Taue together is one thing but Misawa and Hansen teaming is another. And we got our first real taste of Kobashi and Misawa being potential rivals. The crowd really sensed that when Misawa first stepped in the ring to face Kobashi. The best parts of the match though were Taue and Kobashi's teamwork. I thought they gelled together really well and complemented each other offensively. The Backdrop/chokeslam combo was great. The match ultimately wasn't excellent and seemed to trot along without that great energy you'd expect from the four. It's a well worked match without being anything great. ***1/2"
[9.0] "Eine merkwürdige Kombination. Trotz allem arbeiten Kobashi und Taue zusammen wie eine gut geölte Maschine. Das Match ist gewohnt gut und wird zum Ende hin absolut genial. Am Ende sind alle ziemlich angeschlagen, und der Lariat mit dem Hansen Taue niederstreckt scheint schon fast eine Verzweiflungstat zu sein. Es langt trotzdem zum Sieg. **** 1/4"
