Kazuchika Okada vs. Minoru Suzuki

[7.0] "This was a condensed version of the usual formula between Suzuki and Okada, who always have great matches together. At only 14 minutes they didn't put on a classic but still had a good match. Suzuki was the star here with his lovely work on top. He beat Okada on the mat and worked over his arm. Okada does an okay job selling it, but dropped it during the strike exchanges. Suzuki's loud forearms and kicks were a joy to watch as always. I enjoyed Okada's comeback and the finish because it protected both guys and it's not time for Okada to bring back the Rainmaker. I wish they had a better match but this was still very good. ***3/4"

[8.0] "A very entretaining match, short but with so much intensiti. Very good strikes of the two and the magnific psicology of Suzuki mada this match an entretaining one. 4*"

[6.0] "A good grappling slug-fest like you'd expect from these two. Okada had his technical working boots on and Suzuki was out to look like the MMA killer we know he can be. The ending was rather abrupt, though, and felt like a bit of a botch considering how sudden and underwhelming it came off, and I can't help taking it down a peg for that. Still a perfectly watchable match, but when these two have done more and better, it's hard to recommend it too strongly."

[7.0] "This clocks in at under 15-minutes, which is pretty incredible considering it's these two. They've always had an interesting chemistry with each other, and they had a very enjoyable, good "mini" version of their usual here. MiSu dominated most of the thing & he was pretty compelling with it; good work on Okada's arm, some nice n' tight submissions, and of course those always-brutal looking & sounding forearm shots rule. I enjoyed the finish as well since it was so surprising & different + it completed the narrative of Okada barely surviving Minoru's brutal onslaught on him. Good match."

[6.0] "Sadly, the only non-great match between Okada and Suzuki to date. These two always have Match of the Year Contenders against each other, but this was okay. It was good, but it could and should have been so much better if Gedo wasn't so adamant about continuing this awful Okada story that many people seem to not care about. ***"

[7.0] "This started off slow with Minoru dissecting Okada and going for the arm. Suzuki doesn't disappoint as he tears through Okada. Very slow and methodical pacing. Okada is really gunning for the Money clip although most people including myself hate it. We caught a glimpse of the Rainmaker Okada but the match ended really out of nowhere as Okada sits on Suzuki, hooks the legs and gets the 123. Just like most of his match this G1, it ended before it got really going. ***1/2"

[7.0] "Okada got taught that relying on The Money Clip can get him in some serious trouble, as Suzuki effortlessly countered it time and time again. However, Okada is resourceful, and a flash pin was enough for him to win again Suzuki yet again."

[6.0] "Wow, I didn't expected that finish at all! I was expecting this to be a way more better match, but it was okay the way it was, you know? This obviously could be way better, but this match has its good points, like the arm offense by MiSu and the selling by Okada, also, the Money Clip provided some good sequences and counters too. It wasn't the good match like they're used to do, but it was nice to watch and I enjoyed it. ***1/2"

[7.0] "Maybe this Climax is a low profile one for Okada, but this match is quite good. The start and the finish expecially is a good one to continue the story of this tournament for Kazuchika."

[7.0] "Disappointing match considering how good of a match these two can have. Still a solid outing by these two but was dragged down by the surprise roll-up ending which is the laziest cop-out of a finish imaginable. It did nothing for either guy, and it needed a clean finish. Either Suzuki needed to tap out to the Money Clip to give the move more credibility, or have Okada use the Rainmaker- though I know it's not time to bring it back yet. Or even still have Okada lose and be closer to realizing he needs to bring back the Rainmaker."

[8.0] "They? ve had better matches together, but this was still pretty good. The story with Okada continues with him resorting to his flash pin of death to best Suzuki. Really good strike exchange and Suzuki working over a body part is always good times."

[9.0] "Great match from start to finish. Suzuki did locked kazuchika up very well with the sleeper, a condensed version of their Royal Quest match but it was fun to watch."

[9.0] "Very different match from the ones these guys have had in the past and this is not a critique. While I loves the title bouts in the previous years, I felt the story here was pretty interesting ? Okada still not using the Rainmaker, but also not winning with the Money Clip."

[8.0] "Loved the mat wrestling start to this match and the strike battle between these two is always enjoyable but the flash finish hurt it slightly but not to the same effect as the main. Would be higher if they went another 5 minutes."

[8.0] "A condensed version of their usual winning formula (Suzuki stretches Okada on the mat and beats him up on the feet while Okada gets brief spurts of offense). Suzuki working over the arm was a nice wrinkle and Okada sold it well. I liked the flash ending even if the match would have benefitted from just a few more minutes. Overall, very good stuff."

[8.0] "A very enjoyable grappling-heavy match with some nice back and forth. Suzuki was in control quite firmly so I can excuse the somewhat anticlimactic ending, even if it was a bit disappointing."

[9.0] "This match was really wonderful! A total opposite of their classic Royal Quest match which was the pinnacle of slow burn storytelling, this was just a carnage brawl with electrifying submissions, a brilliant Rainmaker tease and a wonderfully satisfying finish. Okada has been killing it as always."