Akira Francesco vs. SUGI

[8.0] "Probably the best junior heavyweight match in All Japan in the 2020s, it was really enjoyable and I can see why New Japan hired Akira Francesco was hired and SUGI was a great part of the match, I would recommend this heavily and this was my MOTN."

"Moves upon moves upon moves, back-and-forth, almost everything worked outside a tide-changing reverse Frankensteiner. Over time I expect Akira's technique (ie Sling-Blade) to match the fire he is determined to flash. Likewise, I liked 'Vivien Desloges''s' analysis of Akira's pro-wrestling. Yet as Akira generously gave SUGI another shot at beating him, it's only fair for that same invitation be given to Akira. Here's to a third-match for all-the-marbles. 3 1/4, 6.73 rating is fair & I don't want to lower it."

[8.0] "Good match, Akira shows that he is the future of the Juniors of AJPW and SUGI was also incredible, the AJPW Juniors is the surprise of the year"

[7.0] "A match that started at 100 miles per hours and it will remain so until the bell rings. SUGI has learned from his previous defeat and now knows how to dispose of Francesco. The youth of the champion is noticed quite quickly, he flies everywhere and does not pay attention where and how to make his opponent bend. The last minutes totally embarked the crowd in a sprint in which Francesco misses a landing of a Poison Rana, fortunately without getting injured and from which SUGI plants him a Shooting Star Press to cut his wings in his first defense."

[6.0] "Surprisingly, this match turned out to be one of the best in All Japan. I liked Sugi in this match, he worked well, had beautiful moves. The match itself is without much history, I would call it a good spotfest, but I would also like to scold Akira. I don't like the direction he is going. It feels like he's trying to follow Will Ospreay. it does not feel something of its own. In addition, they clearly went overboard with the reverse frankensteiner, they used it too many times. Sugi victory also shows how bad things are in All Japan light heavyweight division. I don't know why bookers hate this division, but there are two permanent wrestlers and a freelance champion, lol. ***1/2"

[7.0] "The match is more than satisfactory, nothing incredible but of course good. Unfortunatelly the little Akira is not champion anymore."

[7.0] "Akira was an underdog here even though he was the champion, SUGI, as per usual, was trying to look cool and was doing his cool moves and it really worked here - even though Akira lost, he got over in defeat, which is the most important thing here. Who knows (and who cares really) what's next for SUGI, but I wouldn't be surprised if Akira will beat him like six months from now, I'm sure he's gonna continue improving and he's gonna be a better and more mature wrestler then. He did a very good job carrying himself as a young champion - you could sense that he felt a lot of responsibility to deliver here and he did. ***œ"

[7.0] "A really good match here, SUGI and Francesco have great chemistry. The story with SUGI kicking ouf of everything was very good, and Francesco's reactions invested me a lot. His Top Rope Spanish Fly was great, his Running Double Knee Strike too. Seeing SUGI winning disappointed me, but atleast Francesco had some big moments this year. ***3/4"