BxB Hulk vs. Masaaki Mochizuki

[10.0] ""When your opponent (BXB) uses a striking style and you (Mochizuki) have that style within you, you know every weakness and the main weapon of BXB from A to Z and attack it. This match was entirely based on the striking style (kicks) and revolved around technical aspects. The legs and arms had to endure a lot of pain. It was a beautiful match. A good match. Both created good combinations of moves. Their combinations were acceptable, the sequences were interesting, and the chemistry between them was really good; I enjoyed it, especially Mochizuki's performance. The only criticism that can be made about this hidden gem relates to the lack of display of pain and strikes. To be more precise, if we consider the psychological factor as 10, they scored an 8." ****.75"

[9.0] "Unlike some lesser Dream Gate PPV matches, it never felt like they were just filling time here. Mochizuki seemed frazzled by Hulks similar style, and the fact that he was hitting harder than usual. The real triumph here isnt the excellent way that Hulk was transitioned into his heel character, or even the stiff action that filled the half-hour, but the realization that Mochizuki was one of the greatest wrestlers on the planet at the top of the decade. This guy did just about everything right, reacting naturally to everything thats thrown at him and doing things that make sense every step of every match. I loved the way hed avoid some of Hulks offense, but only where it made sense. He made both Hulk and himself look like a million bucks, and thats really the big goal at the end of the day."

[9.0] "Lots of submissions and kicks throughout this match between Masaaki Mochizuki and BxB Hulk. Maybe the earlier slower parts of the match went on a bit too long, but when things got good, they were fantastic. The last few minutes were especially insane. Both of these guys really beat the hell out of each other, and even during the slower submission parts I wouldn't say I was bored. Also, this was a new version of BxB Hulk for me. Much more heelish, and with a very different look. I dug it! The crowd was super into this, and the action and storytelling were both top notch. There wasn't much to complain about here, overall."

[8.0] "I dub this 'The Match of 1001 Kicks'. It was a low-key great match, but one that leaves me disappointed by their many missed/unfulfilled opportunities. Hulk's new sadistic heel character was great, with perfect expressions and mannerisms. Mochizuki countered as powerful but respectful champion. Both men are well-known for their tremendous kicks, yet they both have vastly different kick styles, making for an excitingly similar yet still different enough meeting. There was a dual-limbwork story with Mochizuki targeting Hulk's legs and Hulk targeting Mochizuki's arms, and while I enjoyed seeing both use their kicks and some sweet submissions to aid in that targeting, and while both sold very well in real time and in the short term, both sadly completely dropped their limb-selling in the long term, which was a massive missed opportunity. This is obviously a common issue with the DG style, but it will never not annoy me as a logical inconsistency that either breaks kayfabe or makes the aggressor performing the limb-targeting look weak. It was always still exciting and convincing whenever either man returned to targeting the worked-over limb of the other, but it could have been so much better without the almost nonexistent long-term selling. Thankfully, their variety of many kick trades were still delivered with fantastic technique and impact, especially when it came to their creative split-second counters and the way their many kick exchanges just kept going and going, making for the cool story of just whose kicks were more deadly. There was awesome drama as Hulk started getting the better of Mochizuki and keeping him down with all his fantastic kicks and some of his other signature moves, and Mochizuki did a great job selling the legitimate threat of a Hulk win. Mochizuki's superman comeback at the end was quite forced but well executed technique-wise. Hulk looked great in defeat, with Mochizuki looking lucky to have survived the onslaught. If they had gone a few minutes longer with that same pacing at the end then this would have been truly great, and if they actually maintained their limb-selling as well then it could have even been amazing. ***3/4"

[10.0] "This was a stellar match and one of the best Mochizuki performances I've seen. The first thing that came into my mind while watching this match was how awesome Hulk looked in his darker attire. It matched his offense so well. This match has all the stiff kicks and big move exchanges you'd expect but the first half told a duel limb work story and it was amazing while it lasted. Loved those vicious kicks to the leg of Hulk from Mochizuki and all the submissions he did. Hulk also worked the arm of Mochizuki and his work was almost equally vicious. This limb work added so much to the match because of all the creative exchanges and various submissions. They sold well in real-time but once we got to the bomb trading in the second half they focused less on limb selling and more on their various signature moves and kicks. The sequence where Mochizuki dodges all of Hulk's kicks was incredible. Both guys had great timing, chemistry, and pacing to keep the match interesting. There were some believable false finishes and the finish itself was really good. Mochizuki gave an awesome charismatic performance, and Hulk is one of my favorites to watch for his crazy athleticism and fluidity. *****"

[9.0] "So Darkside Hulk has more vicious kicks, does he? Well, it doesn't matter when he is with Mochizuki who more than outmatches him in that regard. Mochizuki is also more experienced and totally uses it effectively, going after the kicks. Letting off brutal kicks to the knee and various submissions. BxB Hulk? s subsequent work on the arm was fine, I just wish it wasn't there because it really didn't lead to anything. But the match really excelled when both guys were attacking each other with their style of kicks. It's not among the most smooth of matches as there were a few rough moments but the sequences are pretty good. Mochizuki had so much charisma in the match that you got so invested in his performance. He was a total badass here. The finishing stretch was awesome. The false finishers were really well done. The timing of the big kicks and the set up was awesome. A tremendous Mochizuki performance with Hulk holding up his end. A flawed match but I think there are enough peaks to justify my high praise of it. ****1/4"

[10.0] "A phenomenal Kobe Fest main event, and arguably one of the best Kobe Fest main events of all time. This match was actually more techincal than I expected with Mochizuki going after Hulk's leg with the latter going after the former's arm. Unfortunately as with DG selling both guys forgot it in the final stretch, but that isn't to say it hindered my enjoyment of the match because I really really did. Just two guys beating the shit out of each other with strike after strike to the chest, legs, arms, and even to the head. There wasn't any big moves either, just a whole lot of strikes and sequences, but both guys are so talented that everything they did was crazy athletic. Mochizuki is living proof that even past 40 years old you can still put on classic after classic, ****3/4."

[9.0] "Mochizuki showed that you can be wrestler of the year even if you at the age of 40+. This match was a MOTYC for and absolutely MOTN. (****1/4)"

[8.0] "the main event of the evening was for the open the dream gate title, this match was as an absolute kick fest as well as a good show of technical ability. not alot of "highspots" in this match but everything else makes up for whatever it lacks"