[8.0] "This starts off wonderfully with a gripping roman knuckle lock exchange. Akiyama seemed pissed and went at Tenzan again, who stayed strong in the earlier parts of the match. Akiyama takes over the match on the ramp and begins his domination of the crowd favourite. The match progressed into a pretty great match that both heats up Akiyama even more to the fans and sets up the eventual finals between the two. ****"
[7.0] "This was a battle of almost-contemporaries. Akiyama's a couple years older, entered pro-wrestling w/ a greater pedigree, and was a fomer GHC champion still being groomed, at this point, for NOAH's top spot. Tenzan debuted earlier, and despite getting an early break in Ookami Gundan, had not yet reached IWGP status. Both men are in the prime w/ Tenzan looking particularly well-built despite my foreknowledge that severe back injuries would begin to plague his workrate, and even out-of-ring health, starting in the latter parts of '04. HT physically mandhandles Aki early and Jun takes-up the LZ in delaying his return to the ring. When he does return it's Mongolian chops, etc. aplenty. Aki reverses the tide w/ kicks to the gut but Tenzan no-sells that soft knee Aki delivers onto his stranded buckled opponent, and delivers a nice reverse spinning kick. The action spills out to the long entrance ramp where Aki blocks a HT suplex attempt into a DDT leaving the homecrew's man on the outside to be counted out. Of course he's back at 19. Aki gets a couple of 2 counts from hard knees, and the like, but 75 seconds later Tenzan's back up after hitting Aki w/ a hard off-the-ropes cl. Aki prevents a NE top-headbutt, or sth like that, reversing the tide w/ a second-rope superplex. Flying fist from top SW by Aki gets a two. Front-face lock hold that lasts 30 secs before HT gets to the ropes. Vicious Aki high knee as Tenzan is using the ropes to stay standed. Wrist-clutch gets 2 1/2. Tenzan blocks a second and ends up reversing the tide w/ an 'Alpamare Waterslide. ' 2 1/2. Buffalo sleeper, Aki at the ropes 20 seconds later. HT top NE diving headbutt. No cover, HT top-rope NW diving headbutt. 2 1/2. Tombstone Driver attempt spoiled but he does connect w/ his 'Judo-throw' of sorts. Top NE moonsault misses and Aki's back to the front-face lock, 2 1/2. Urinage exploder & a Urinage wrist-clutch gets the pin for Jun. Good match and the NOAH flag waves in Kobe."
[7.0] "Tenzan has got bigger and stronger, however he is facing a huge NOAH name whom can be more that he can handle still at that point. This does not prevent him from putting a fight and trying to take down Akiyama at all costs; meanwhile Jun'offensive and counters look darn heavy to bear. Such as for the other gem of the event (Nagata vs. Yoshie), good crowd, solid convinction and intensity. ***1/4"
[8.0] "Die Ansetzung hat mich, wie ich zugeben muss, auf dem Papier nicht unbedingt gereizt und der Kampf ging auch in meinen Augen nicht so gut los, aber dann wurde es noch richtig stark und das tolle Publikum wertete das Match zusätzlich auf. Tenzan zeigte sich nach nach seiner "Trainingsexkursion" wrestlerisch, optisch und körperlich durchaus etwas gewandelt und will das entsprechend im Ring durch Taten untermauern. Jun Akiyama ist eine Klasse für sich, hatte das Publikum an diesem Abend natürlich gegen sich und zeigt sich von seiner besten Seite. Ein toller Main Event zum G1 Climax-Start."
