Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Naomichi Marufuji

[5.0] "More in the NJPW/NOAH crossover with two young guys, one that would go on to become much better and the other much worse. Loose thread of strength and mat work against speed and high-flying that they mostly stick to, few awkward moments of random gut kicking and not great pacing with them still being young and going 20 minutes. Definitely feels like two guys from different promotions that aren't familiar with each other and therefore don't work the cleanest match but it's never bad and the big stuff works. Tana goes too ambitious for a second rope powerslam and flubs it and ends it with his suplex combo, shame as they were heating up till that point."

[7.0] "[3, 5 Stars] 2 of the sport's greatest legends competing as rookies is special and fun to watch. (***, 5)"

[8.0] "A cool battle between two guys who were gonna revolutionize Japanese wrestling in the following years. We can clearly see the early signs of genius in Marufuji and Tanahashi already looks like a star here."