Naoya Ogawa vs. Shinya Hashimoto

[8.0] "Little weaker than the previous match but man that final minute really moved me. The emotion I felt, I wanted to run through a brick wall seeing Hashimoto make the come back and knockout Ogawa. An interesting watch and thenpacing of the match will be devicive for some but thenfinish is spectacular. ***3/4"

[9.0] "After their previous match was a pleasant surprise, I'm fascinated by the rematch. Ogawa earned an IWGP Heavyweight Title match following his win. Apparently Ogawa had a knee injury following an intense training session, so that's gonna be Hashimoto's target. Leg sweeps, constantly pushing for movement and submissions will be key. Hashimoto pushes for that but Ogawa is too skilled for close contact grappling. Ogawa is able to trip Hashimoto and locks in a double wrist lock which puts Hashimoto in danger. The crowd sensed it as well as their pitch raised. The crowd really bites on Ogawa's moves. Every trip feels big, every submission attempt feels dangerous but Hashimoto is able to escape and apply his own which feels equally as big. It's a match that truly feels like it could end any time. The drama gets ramped up when Ogawa applies a rear naked choke and Hashimoto just reaches the ropes. Ogawa pisses Hashimoto off by holding on too long, and he throws one big leg sweep. Hashimoto then knocks Ogawa flat out with a kick to the face! What a finish. Hashimoto regains the honour of New Japan. Electric match. For the first two matches, Ogawa proved to be quite capable of a quality main event. Although he's got Hashimoto, the best dance partner you can have. ****1/4"

[7.0] "Why the hell does this have such a low rating on here. I'm gonna be honest (haven't watched their other matches yet) but I enjoyed this more than the first one. I think it was the anticipation now that the title was on the line. There seemed to be a little bit more psychology going on in this one with Ogawa and Hashimoto selling so so well. I loved the finish and the crowd was totally wrapped up in it. Maybe I'm biased because I'm finding out I love shoot-style, but this doesn't deserve a sub-6 rating as of this comment. Come on folks, we can do better."

[8.0] "WOW! I am still smiling after that finish. This match closely followed the structure of their first encounter. This time Ogawa did try to throw some strikes, but they were quite shoddy and Hash appropriately didn't sell them. They kept the intensity and realism from the first match but turned it up a level. Hashimoto's offence was pure brutality, but Ogawa was constantly a threat and always looked capable of submitting Hashimoto again. What really brings this up a level from the first match is the finish - even though I loved that finish too, this is even better. They had a great call-back to their first match, where Ogawa hits another brutal STO and goes for the rear naked choke but this time Hashimoto gets his foot on the ropes. The referee goes to break the hold but Ogawa, who has been completely straight-laced up until this point, doesn't let go of the choke and garners a sea of boos. Fantastic stuff, Ogawa's desperation to win is understandable but you could say this is the first seed planted in terms of the asshole he would go onto become. Anyway, directly after this Hash catches him with a sweep kick while his back is turned, before taking him off his feet with a monstrous kick to the leg. Even better, he catches Ogawa on the ground with a devastating and clearly audible punt to the head which knocks him clean out. Someone from UFO, I assume Sayama, threw in the towel for him and Hash has done it! Awesome match. (4*)"

[7.0] "This was not the best match in the series but it doesn't deserve the low ratings it has on this site."

[3.0] "They wanted to match the style of MMA - like combat sport. It turned out not very good and boring. Only the locks and slapping the whole match. But the audience reacted very well."