Katsuyori Shibata vs. Tomohiro Ishii

[10.0] "Here's something to think about. The vast majority of wrestlers never have a match this good. This might be the fourth best match just between these two guys. That's how good they are. Shibata and Ishii have incredible chemistry with one another. They probably crammed about 25 minutes of wrestling into the 17 minutes they got, yet it never seemed like spamming moves. Outstanding performance by both men."

[9.0] "Wrestling soul mates these two are. Everytime they meet in the ring magic happens. Just absolutely amazing match."

[7.0] "Entertaining but absurd match with stiff strikes, kicks and lots of no selling. It's a car crash of a match that you can't look away from no matter how dumb it gets and headbutts were one of those dumb moments. There's no need to give yourself CTE in fake fighting."

[8.0] "One of the best quick paced fights i have ever seen between two guys with a legendary series of fights. Certified 8.5/10 Bamba Banger (TM)"

[10.0] "i love you Ishii , but man , shibata you always will be my goat god thank you for these man you did good this time and, thank you to both of you"

[10.0] "Easily one of my favourite matches i've watched from a big NJPW PPV, without a doubt. This was 17 minutes of pure brutality and the textbook definition of 'Strong Style Wrestling', It was just Shibata and Ishii absolutely raw-dogging it and fighting like gladiators, just punch after punch, chop after chop, kick after kick.. Shibata no-selling Ishii's moves was cool, not even flinching when Ishiii delivered a kick to his back. It was just a superb match that i would recommend to anyone and everyone that wants to start watching NJPW."

[9.0] "A bit worse from their previous meetings, but nothing that you can look and say "yeah this is bad". Shibata vs Ishii is one of the most famous classics in pro wrestling, and they deserve to be highly regarded as they are currently. I can literaly write a love letter to Katsuyori Shibata and how he inspirate me to become a better person everyday facing any obstacle everyday, but nobody will read this shit, not even him lol."

[9.0] "This match was an amazing match that gets overlooked heavily by the later matches. The slap and kick fighting throughout the first half was incredible, and then the grappling right after was also really fun. Both these guys should've won the Heavyweight title but they're both still two of the greatest of all time. Amazing match-up."

[9.0] "This match is mostly an extension to their G1 match and I think that match was perfect. Ishii and Shibata are some of my favorites from this era and it is a delight to see them wrestle against each other. The strikes have so much behind them and look haunting. The simplicity of them just clobbering each other makes this so amazing and special to me. (****.75)"

[9.0] "Definitely trying to be the sequel to their classic G1 Climax match, pretty much the same thing but with a more dramatic big fight feel. The Tokyo Dome is a great place to let Shibata kick the shit out of someone because some of them were so loud they could probably be heard by the people sitting in the furthest back rows of the stadium."

[10.0] "Another match between these two that I just absolutely loved. I think overall I preferred the shorter bout these two had at G1 Climax 23 thanks to the breakneck pace both men were doing, but this had some more to it in terms of wrestling storytelling that made me like it a lot as well. Though the headbutts were hard for me to watch (especially given what would happen to Shibata later on.)"

"This is the match that got me hooked on New Japan Pro Wrestling and, to a larger extent, Pro Wrestling as a whole. Stuff as all hell, believable, full of passion. Still a favourite."

[7.0] "I really wanted to score this more than 7, I honestly did. However, there was simply too much of the Ishii match traits that I have come to dislike. Massive amounts of no selling, numerous exchanges where the wrestlers take it in turns to strike each other and the same for our fine stiff striking moves over and over again. Credit to Shibsta who tried to bring a different match out of him nd the match certainly was a good watch and full of drama but from me Im afraid a 7 is my limit."

[9.0] "[4.5*] An amazing showcase of hard hitting style, both trading blows since the start, everything looked very real thanks to both wrestlers incredible selling"

[10.0] "[*****] Not as good as their 2013 G1 match but still utterly fantastic stuff. Still as fuck love some classic puro. Those headbutts were fucking sickening"

[7.0] "Good match length, first NJPW event I've noted. Good exchanges, a good technical level, but for me it lacked that something to put more than 7. It lacked good spots, that grain of madness that I think I'll find in the 2 matches to follow. There's nothing more to say about this match."

[7.0] "Extremely stiff. Those headbutts were ridiculous, you could literally hear the thud of each one. More of a brawl than a match. It's solid. It's not boring. Huge issues with the lack of of selling. It was a little bit frustruating to watch. The shots each took were hard hitting making it an slightly above average viewing experience."

[7.0] "I'm almost annoyed at myself for not liking this as much as I wanted to. I love stiff strikes, I love intensity, but I also love wrestling moves, and you could literally count all of the wrestling moves that occurred throughout the match on only one hand. I guess this style just isn't for me, or maybe I'm just tired, who the hell knows, honestly."

[6.0] "Not as good as their 2013 match to be honest. Its really missing that chaotic heart stopping feel that the match has. Feels like more focused on taking the pace slow and building it up, but to be honest I prefer their 2013 match more. Is more of a decent match that personally is not for me."

[10.0] "This is my favorite match ever I know there are more acclaimed matches between the two of them and they're good but this one is still my favorite it's the match I've probably rewatched the most I just love it how gruesome and stiff they both are I love it"

[9.0] "Much better than the other match I saw these two compete in. Their 2013 highly acclaimed match. This one went a bit longer and had a bit more selling and overall drama compared to the 2013 match. 4.25/5"

[10.0] "Most people would say that it's not the best match of the event, but it's my personal favorite. Just two men beating the snot out of each other with stiff hits and crazy exchanges. A true "who's tougher? " type of match that is hype all the way through."

[8.0] "[4.25*] I loved this match from the first minute, it was a hard-hitting and stiff duel between two spectacular wrestlers. The way they challenged each other at the beginning of the match to see who had the hardest kick was incredible. Shibata's brutality was incredible, his kicks and punches and Ishii's great selling job turned this into a real battle. The ending was exciting and dramatic with each one trying to finish the match and escape the other's finisher, the only thing I didn't like about the match was the excess of No-selling, it's an interesting way to build a match but the excess here devalued the blow from each other."

[10.0] "The match was frantic from the start, with very brutal moments from both sides. Shibata has a fantastic moveset, making him one of the most versatile fighters out there. Ishii is also amazing, and both have sensational selling skills."

[7.0] "Match opens with a silly-looking frantic slap exchange, but settles down into a more traditional forearm exchange that then turns into an exchange of kicking each other in the back. This goes on for awhile, with the guys gradually selling the effects as more strikes are exchanged. If you like this type of one-ups-manship match, this has some hard hitting content, but there are certainly better of this ilk."

"This match was a beautiful display of what two men can two when they let loose and beat the living hell out of each other. They started by going blow for blow and eventually transitioned into an awesome kick-to-the-back sequence that had the crowd screaming. They slowed down but kept the brutality as it continued, near the conclusion the two trade headbutts and then headbutt at the same time making sickening thuds that made me wince each time. This is strong style damn near it's best."

[9.0] "Like all of their matches this has a fast start with both men trading blows immediately once the bell gets rang. I usually hate that you hit me, and then I hit you, but those two kicking each other in the back as hard as they possibly could back-and-forth was pretty cool. I loved both men trying to constantly one up each other in this match, which led to "no selling" from both men, but you could see after they both had hit each other with German's, then quickly hit a strike. However they would both quickly fall down to the mat after trying to one up each other. The ending to this match is great, but Jesus Christ those headbutts are hard to watch knowing what we know about CTE, and concussions. ****3/4"

[8.0] "Another awesome match between these two, what else is new. While I felt they could have mixed things up a bit more, as they were taking some sequences from the other matches without any changes (we could have done without the sit-down spot this time around), those last 5 minutes are extraordinary. I have never seen such a sickening exchange of headbutts, ever. Not everything comes off perfectly, and I still wouldn't put this on the level of their first two encounters, but an excellent match all the same. (4.25*)"

[7.0] "Their G1 23 match is way better. I haven't even got anything bad to say about this match, I just felt that it didn't really go anywhere. I like the fighting spirit sequences, still not a fan of shoot headbutts though"

[10.0] "Love me some Shibata. Shibata and Ishii are the perfect match for the most intense and heavy hitting pro wrestling. Must watch!"

[9.0] "Sometimes I can deal with headbutts and others, when the noise is so viscerally loud like here, I just can't. This match is amazing, absolutely, but damn it those headbutts. ****1/4"

[9.0] "As stiff as stiff can get. Just pure war between two of the most hardest hitting men you'll ever see. Seeing a match like this, it's not hard to see why Shibata had to retire so quickly before the right time. The strikes, the headbutts, it's scary how he didn't even care about receiving those shots unprotected. [****1/2]"

[9.0] "I am not sure that two wrestlers have ever put each other through hell quite like Katsuyori Shibata and Tomohiro Ishii. Their first encounter was a clash for the ages, but it was only the beginning of the brutality. And that made Wrestle Kingdom the only event that could possibly host their most important encounter yet. This was nothing more than a game of one-upmanship, which is exactly what we all expected it to be at this stage of their legendary rivalry. And yet, it exceeds all expectations. This was a fight in its ugliest and most uncomfortable form, in that it felt as though it should not be condoned. The two most proud fighters in professional wrestling sought not only to beat their opponent to a bloody pulp, but to embarrass them in the process. This created genuinely iconic moments and a ferocious exchange of strike after strike after strike. And neither man could stand by the halfway point. That all led to the headbutts that I only wish I could forget. Absolute chaos and carnage in a wrestling ring. A legendary encounter. A lesson in realism. 4. 75 stars, 9. 5 out of 10."

[9.0] "From the moment the gong sounded they jumped on each other with forearm kicks. Shibata and Ishii tested their endurance with kicks and chops, and then competed in Suplexes. By far my favorite moment of the match was the series of headbutts, where you could hear the heads of the two collide. Shibata won after executing his finisher, the Penalty Kick and thus adding his first NJPW title to his record."

[9.0] "A lot of the brawling beef type wrestling can get old with all the overdone strike exchanges and no selling, but Ishii and Shibata always knew how to do this type of mach perfectly, without any of it wearing thin, love watching these two wrestle ****1/2."

[10.0] "This match was amazing! I somehow never got around until watching this and am so glad I did! Brilliant matchup! *****"

[9.0] "Take the horrific stiff shoot headbutts out of the match and it is near perfect. Lots of fun seeing them take each other's hardest shots and going back for more."

[9.0] "The match for the Baddest Motherfucker title in New Japan. Oh God, when I understood that at WK 10 there was this match in program I thought that I would see a match hard hitting like none other and in fact it was. We have two of the hardest and stiffest workers in the world at that time, facing one against the other inside the Dome. This match was brutal and Physical like none other you might see, and matches like this in the full "Strong Style" enviroment and style inspired the rise of a new phylosophy and way to protract a Wrestling Match. In fact British Wrestling like Progress Wrestling in its "Strong Style" Fashion or NXT or NXT UK has been influenced by this style of Wrestling that Shibata, Ishi or others displayed in the course of their years for the Never Openweight Championship. This match have a series of blows and Strong Sequences like few others you will see inside a wrestling ring. The two delivered to eachother vicious penality kicks in the beginning, challenging eachother to which one was the most resiliant of the two, then we have amazing lariats that gave to one another only a one count in pure Fighting Spirit or insane headbutts that I don't know how they can take it, and then the big finish when Shibata delivered and incredible Penality Kick on Ishi's chest to win the match. What was good about this match was the stiffness and physicality about it, what was "bad" was that in some points it was a little repetitive and that in the final moments, after delivering a vicious Drop Kick, Shibata seemed to forgot about pinning Ishi for the one count to create the exchange "one count, one count" and that took something away from the "fluidity" of the sequence. Anyway, congratulations to one another for what they delivered inside of that ring and for what they putted their body thought for execute such a display of "Strong Style" that the Lion Mark is famous for. Rating:9-"

[9.0] "I loved this match at the time, and I still love it today, except now it's jumped up to being my favourite Ishii-vs-Shibata match. It probably helps that this was the first match of theirs I ever saw, so absolutely everything felt fresh. I'd later learn that they had copied quite a few things here from their previous matches, but that doesn't matter, because everything they copied was copied perfectly, and there were enough unique moments to ensure that this match could stand as its own match. I loved the story of both men being so prideful of their skills and fighting spirit that they willingly engaged in a trading battle of stiff strikes. They did a fantastic job both trying to arrogantly pretend that the other's offence was pathetic, and then it was awesome seeing them both slowly succumb to the damage of the strikes, which also made it clear that this match wasn't simply based around 'no-selling'. They just continued to have amazing sequences one after the other, with the power of their strikes never disappointing. There were a few slow parts of the match, but they were always engaging, mostly because this was when both guys would take time to emphasise their fantastic selling, which would remind us just what a hellish battle they were in. Make no mistake -- this was an absolute battle. ****1/2"

[10.0] "I will never get tired of seeing these two guys beating the hell out of each other. Absolutely zero nonsense in the match, just stiff offence and heavy strikes without any sympathy. I love when Shibata loses his mind and tries to kill his opponent. The head colliding moment was so freaking brutal. Absolutely amazing. ****3/4."

[10.0] "First of three amazing matches tonight. This match was fast action from the start with the two sprinting at each other before nailing hard strikes. There are lots of strike exchanges between the two. Shibata shows little respect to Ishii when he just shoves his foot in his face. There was that excellent sequence when each man sat on the mat to willingly take hard kicks to the back. Shibata nailed one super hard kick that left Ishii face down. Shibata willingly took hard chops to the chest over and over and it was great. I love that neither hold back with hits especially Shibata. Shibata did some great boot scrapes to Ishii's face. Ishii took some hits and did the same thing in return by scraping Shibata's face with his boot. Shibata tried a few submissions like the octopus stretch, armbar, and Kimura Lock. I loved how both hit a flurry of attacks but it was all too much and they both fell to the mat. I liked how Ishii hit a top rope dropkick. I loved when the two headbutted each other. The ending was nice when Shibata ended it with a PK."

[9.0] "As hard hitting matches go, albeit sometimes taking it too far, this is one of the best that you'll see."

[9.0] "This match has a special place in my heart for me due to this match being the one which introduced the "New Japan" style to me. Before I knew that people said they hit hard but I never really understood what that meant since I had only really watched WWE up to that point. Dear God these two killed each other though, they were practically made for each other. Only real downside for me were the headbutts, they didn't bring the match down or up but, in hindsight, they're hard to watch is all. Other than that, fantastic NEVER Title match for the Dome, and iirc they topped it a month later, incredible. (****1/2)"

[10.0] "Jesus Christ this was a slowburn war of pain. The Dome crowd was easily split for both men as everyone knew these guys were about to murder eachother, and holy shit did they. As soon as the bell hits these guys go at it in similar fashion to their G1 23 match, and Shibata quickly took control. The rest of the match was just a barrage of stiff strikes, chops, punches, kicks, reversals and anything else that can leave a mark. At one point Shibata seems to start to go for Ishii's arm but that idea is quickly dropped. This match was like a more lengthy version of the G1 23 match, but without the explosiveness and more about the battle between the two. I just hope to god this match didn't take off many years from each guys life, ****3/4."

[9.0] "If you like the stiffest Strong Style this is what you have to watch! Intense, a no-stop fight with emphasis and passion. It reminds me some of my favorite matches in USA territory. Great to see, not perfect but surely entertaining enough to give excitement to viewers. ****1/4"

[10.0] "One of the best matches of the evening. I really like a booking of the match, like the aggressive style and the way it's been filed. Everything was very realistic, this game deserves its evaluation and more. With pleasure watching a match a year ago, and reviewing with the same pleasure. Masterpiece (****3/4)"

[5.0] "Honestly, this match is a great and impressive display of both endurance and striking power. But aside from the nice triangle choke exchange, that's all it was."

[8.0] "Good match. It was a very hard-hitting encounter like I expected. The beginning and end of the match was amazing, but the middle really went a while. I think they also missed out on the corner dropkick. (I know they did it but it wasn't like normal)"

[9.0] "This match completely turned the wrestle kingdom 10 show around into a show of the year contender. This felt like a longer version of their legendary G1 23 match. ****1/2 stars."

[6.0] "This truly does have a great tempo at the start and the opening section of this match really does wow me as one of the best exchanges I have ever see. So check it out for that if nothing else."