El Generico vs. Konosuke Takeshita

[7.0] "Takeshita is already showing potential in this debut match and he gets over in defeat as a true young underdog."

[7.0] "It's not often someone shows their potential from the very first time they have stepped into a ring, but Takeshita manages to do that here. Generico is a perfect opponent for a first match too, as he was consistently a fantastic wrestler through the 2010's and to current day as Sami Zayn."

[7.0] "That is crazy to see Takeshita, the alpha, in his first match. Feels very much like an exhibition and that fits the story very well. Not as fast or fluid s one might be used to from these 2. Veteran vs newcomer perfected. 7.5 really solid just not as comfortable as they would later be."

[7.0] "It still blows my mind seeing Konosuke Takeshita here at just 16 years old, making his Budokan debut. He looked so young and insanely skinny, basically skin and bone, yet you could already see flashes of the wrestler he'd become. El Generico, aka Sami Zayne, was the perfect opponent, generous in giving the kid moments to shine while still keeping the pace lively. The chops left Takeshita's chest looking like raw meat, but he kept fighting through, even hitting some slick counters and a big dive that showed his natural athleticism. The Michinoku Driver bump was scary. It wasn't long, but as a debut, it did exactly what it needed to."

[9.0] "Going through some random old stuff here and there and came across this match - don't watch a great deal of japanese wrestling but this match was a load of fun and seeing Zayn here so close to his WWE run was incredible too. Also, Takeshita's chest man, guy looks like he was getting slapped with sandpaper"

"(****.25) Absolute slapper oh my GOD. Take's chest looks like a burn victim, nonstop action but the Michinoku driver had me concerned. Takeshita's DDT work is second to none, even his debut match, and it's cool to see Generico here just a few months away from joining WWE."

[7.0] "The 17 year old Rookie making his debut in Budokan Hall, awesome. They definitely had plans for Takeshita to become the ace, to take over from HARASHIMA. Him against El Generico is the perfect match for him because Generico is so great, he could get a good match out of anyone in his prime. And for a match to showcase both Takeshita and Generico, this was done really well. There were a few notes that they needed to hit and it was done well, such as the arm wringer/ kip-up/arm-drag opening exchange. Takeshita shows off some nice skills but Generico uses his quick, fast movements sto win the exchange. Generico hits some chops and they bring out a nasty bruise on Takeshitas chest. I guess that was bound to happen when you have a small body with not much muscle. Takeshita makes use of his frame though. He hit an awesome dive over the top rope and he set Generico up with a jumping cutter via a quick roll out of the corner. Takeshita bumped and sold throughout the match. He landed nastily on his neck after a scary Michinoku Driver from Generico. And he takes the BRAINBUSTAAAAH like a champ. Good debut match from the lad. ***1/2"

[8.0] "Exactly as good of a match as you'd hope for from a company's anointed one who's being given everything you could ask for, including a gem of a performance from El Generico. Takeshita holds up his end of the bargain admirably and bumps like his future depends on it. Quick and easy watch."

[8.0] "A pretty short but great debut match for Takeshita, Generico as always is awesome. Takeshita is introduced well, and puts up a good contest against Generico; unfortunately he comes up short."

[8.0] "Relatively short but great match. You can see the potential in a much younger (and scrawnier) Takeshita, and El Generico is fantastic as always."

[8.0] "Such an important match in the history of DDT the debut of there new ace and a match that would shape they way he wrestles even to this day a great debut with one the best in the business in El generico"

[8.0] "Even before this match started I knew it would be great. El Generico impressed me many times before and Konosuke Takeshita was a new rising star with lots of potential. It was a great match indeed. Lots of flips, extraordinary moves and intense combinations."