Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

[7.0] "After a pretty lacking Tokyo Dome match a couple months prior, a smaller Korakuen affair with the story centred around Tanahashi unsurprisingly does the trick much better. Tana is an infinitely more interesting wrestler than Nakamura at this point in time (and any point in time really) and the opening segment of this match is all about him being overconfident and a bit of a shithead taunting to the crowd, slapping Nakamura and thinking he's the shit and Nakamura one-upping. He's almost entirely heel stooging, including turning his back to Nakamura and paying for it, escaping over the top rope on a headlock and being dragged back in and having to rollout and only getting the legwork going after catching Nakamura in the ropes. Nakamura still isn't great at selling the leg but waaaay better at it than last time and Tana stays on it much more to warrant it too. It also helps that having 4 matches before this gives these two a few spots to go back to and create drama out of like Nakamura attempting the avalanche Landslide a little too early and Tana escaping to hit a powerbomb that set up a winning stretch for him previously. The crowd turn to Tana's side which is pretty funny but is still mostly too cocky and Nakamura attempts the armbar a couple times with some great counters into it, even better urgency from Tana and he can't fight it anymore and taps. Shame to see Tana lose after being the way more interesting guy the whole match but thankfully history changes this."

[10.0] "This year on this day, this amazing match took place between Hiroshi Tanahashi and Shinsuke Nakamura. This match was very different from the typical NJPW matches, which is why it was so interesting. Tanahashi worked Nakamura's legs along the length of the match, and Nakamura also did a great job of selling his legs. Nakamura also worked Tanahashi's head, and the match revolved around their comeback, and the momentum of the match changed from moment to moment."

[8.0] "There was a super hot crowd, two fantastic performers, and plenty of time in the main event. If you add all that up, you're going to get a great match, and this is no exception. It was maybe not their best or most consequential match, but it was still very good. Tanahashi gets to be the aggressor in this one which is always a nice change of pace. Nakamura battles from behind very well. A tremendous finishing sequence is the highlight of this one. 4.25 stars."

[7.0] "The crowd is red hot for this match but watching it in 2024 I'm not sure why. Maybe you had to be there and watch the build and character development in real time. Tana's moveset leaves a lot to be desired and Nak's isn't that much more expansive but they put on a good match with a particularly great final 60-90 seconds."

[9.0] "What an even better match than their Wrestle Kingdom one a couple months prior. This was a very well done, well worked match in a hot Korakuen Hall crowd and that makes it even better I reckon. Nakamura had some splendid selling this match which made me very, very happy. The ending sequence is stellar but they could have gone on with it a bit longer, I reckon.****1/4"

[8.0] "Tanahashi absolutely eats at Nakamuras leg in this match viciously, in which Nakamura sells very well and even has to change up his style from being more strike oriented, to being more submission oriented. This built up to the final sequence very well, with them having a natural story to play off of, which leads to some really awesome moments between them.****1/4"

[9.0] "A fantastic match here between Shinsuke Nakamura and Hiroshi Tanahashi. This was an improvement over their Wrestle Kingdom match from the same year (and I really loved that match a lot too). Was so, so close to giving this a 10/10. The final couple of minutes are just straight up incredible. The final sequence was maybe a bit too short though, and maybe they could've gone into that 3rd gear a bit earlier. Not that I mind sudden finishes like that. Maybe it just ended a little bit TOO suddenly. Great selling of the left knee by Shinsuke Nakamura."

[5.0] "I didn't like this match, honestly I don't know why the rating is so high. Shinsuke has better matches even in WWE."

[8.0] "Pretty good match, though I did not think it was an all timer. Nak fires off some nice kicks so Tana works over his leg pretty effectively, and Nak changes strategy to look for the submission instead. Well worked and hot crowd, it didn't reach the top level for me but it was very good even so."

[9.0] "Tanahashi works on top for most of this, viciously going after going Nakamura's left leg, who does a good job selling the damage. Nakamur'as comebacks were all well-timed and spirited. The submission sequences towards the end were done really well, and the finishing stretch is great, with a nice sense of struggle. Easily the best match they'd had up til this point. (****1/4)"

[10.0] "4. 75 Stars - I only started watching NJPW in 2015 so its nice to go back and see where these 2 mega stars evolve from. The crowd are molten hot for Tanahashi here and I wish Nakamura could put this effort in nowadays. Great technical chain wrestling to start and tanahashi going to town on the legs. The finishing sequence was out of this world and i bought into nearly every fall and submission at the end fucking ruled. Sign of great things to come in the future and just slightly below G1 final in 2015 but still should definitely go out of your way to watch this"

[9.0] "I gave this match **** 1/4 - **** 1/2. One of the best matches between these two from this time period, and a sign of what things were about to become like"