Masashi Takeda vs. Takashi Sasaki

[8.0] "This was a deathmatch epic, full of gnarly bumps, broken light tubes and other weapons that were used very well to escalate tension and drama about the outcome. Until the end I thought that Takeda will make a comeback, but it just didn't happen - Sasaki (who was really great here) was one step ahead when it mattered the most. ***3/4"

[7.0] "The match begins with some chain wrestling before quickly escalating into chaos, as both men smash light tubes over each other's heads and repeatedly whip one another into the tubes strapped to the ropes. Sasaki gains the upper hand by scoop slamming Takeda onto a bundle of tubes, but Takeda turns the tide by reversing an Irish whip, sending Sasaki crashing through a barbed wire board. Takeda then lays the board across Sasaki and stomps on it, before slamming him onto more tubes and dropping a leg onto the barbed wire from the second rope. Takeda introduces kenzans, scattering them around the ring, but Sasaki suplexes Takeda onto them. Sasaki follows by booting multiple tubes into Takeda's chest and back, then sets up a ladder covered in tubes. Takeda counters a powerbomb attempt and slams Sasaki onto the light tube ladder. He continues the assault by smashing a running dropkick into a barbed wire board resting against Sasaki in the corner, then plants Sasaki with an overhead slam from the top rope onto a tower of tubes. The two trade stiff German suplexes and kicks until both are laid out. Back on their feet, they exchange forearms until Sasaki drills Takeda with a DDT. Sasaki then introduces the ring steps, crushing Takeda with a standing senton onto them. Takeda rallies, hitting an overhead slam onto the steps before delivering a German suplex onto a pile of kenzans with one sticking gruesomely into the back of Sasaki's head for a brutal visual. Takeda follows with another suplex, but Sasaki kicks out. They continue with headbutts before Sasaki plants Takeda with a nasty slam onto the steps. He pushes on with a powerbomb and piledriver for another near fall, then finally seals the win with a Michinoku Driver onto the ladder for the 3 count. Overall, this was a brutal, hard-hitting deathmatch filled with stiff strikes, punishing slams, and brutal visuals. Both men absorbed incredible punishment. That said, more psychology and near falls would have elevated the drama, and both men have delivered better matches in the past. Still, this is worth a watch for the sheer brutality."

[9.0] "Superb tournament finals. This was another show that Takeda was ready to be a main event guy; it might not have happened until years later but I'm glad it finally did. Sasaki puts on his last truly great performance in BJW here. I like the mileage they get out of all the weapons, and while this isn't a super grisly deathmatch some of the spots are truly wild, like the suplex on kenzans that ends with one embedded in the back of Sasaki's head."

[9.0] "An incredible match, an incredible final, no complaints. The two wrestlers are monstrous. Sasaki who shows that he is a great wrestler while highlighting Takeda. And Takeda who remains strong after the match even though he lost. ****"