[7.0] "Plugging Ashino into the puro epic formula was certainly a choice because it was heavily reliant on T-Hawk making things intresting. For the most part, T-Hawk does a good job by using his striking, while they wait for the suplexes and toe holds from Ashino. The submission finish didn't fit the match imo, but despite the flaws, I think this one was pretty solid, boosted by it being the final to the carnival. 3.5 Stars."
[9.0] "Fantastic match in the moment and during every rewatch. Two guys who started in a similar spot and took their routes, with Ashino taking AJPW. They play into it with T-hawk being stronger than Ashino in the early match and riles up the crowd. Ashino kicking out of the night ride was the moment where the fans just bit on everything. The post-match promo with Nagata, and Ashino's inspirational story about being a small CC winner in the land of the giants made sure everyone knew Ashino was an AJPW top guy now (if they didn't think that before). This match + post match was a perfect package."
[9.0] "Modern AJPW is not always my cup of tea but I liked this one quiet a bit actually. Ashino is all right but to me the star of this was T-Hawk, I'm really glad the way he is continuing to break out in various places. I hope we continue to see great things from this guy, that's for sure."
[9.0] "I don't watch too much AJPW. But from the little I have seen Ashino I know he is good. But I didn't know how good T-Hawk was. Ashino looks like he is ready to be at the top of the promotion and T-Hawk is to. Hopefully Ashino returns soon and rightfully challenges whoever for the Triple Crown Belt and faces Yuji Nagata."
[8.0] "Good match. Ashino wrestling injured as long as he did was wild, he had to be running on adrenaline there. You honestly can't tell he is injured, both work the finish seemingly without issue."
[9.0] "To fully understand this match, you should watch their WRESTLE-1 match four years ago (an incredible match by the way). In this match, Shotaro Ashino needs to win the Champion Carnival to challenge Yuji Nagata and finally win the Triple Crown he's chasing since years to finally climb at the top of the promotion. Ashino faces someone who is familiar with, GLEAT's T-Hawk who has beaten him for the WRESTLE-1 Championship in 2019 but also last year's edition of the Champion Carnival. Ashino starts the match well, he works T-Hawk's left leg with some painful moves and submission that are really well sold very well before T-Hawk reversing the favor by sending Ashino outside the ring. T-Hawk's control segments are superb, he's really confident, perharps too much and it costs him the advantage. Ashino's comebacks are amazing, you can see how this match means to him with his attitude, he even attempts a rare Moonsault that miss given he took too much time. Amazing finishing stretch, they couldn't have done a better one, T-Hawk hits his Night Ride ended by a 2 count from Ashino and then, T-Hawk attempts to hit his Knee Strike, four years before he won with the same combo (Night Ride ended by a nearfall and then he hits the Knee for the win) but this time, Ashino avoids it and lock his Ankle Lock perfectly locked which forces T-Hawk to give up. Amazing ending and match. This is unfortunate that Ashino is injured but when he will comeback, he will win! ****1/2"
[9.0] "Yup this was an awesome way to end the show. This match had really good pacing and built well to the finish. I loved the hard hitting hitting chops and near falls. That's how you send a crowd home happy folks 9/10"
[9.0] "Awesome hard-hitting final between T-Hawk and Ashino right here which was everything it was supposed to be and even better if you ask me, I definitely didn't expect something of such quality despite it being a T-Hawk match, simply because I didn't know Ashino at all and I loved what I saw from him here, I'm already looking forward to watching his future matches after he wins this Champion Carnival. He and T-Hawk gave us a long, exhausting but fantastic showdown that's everything I want to see from a final in this kind of setting, the suspense was there and the action was phenomenal. A blast to watch."
[8.0] "The ending sequence was amazing, Ashino battling through T-Hawk's offence; and then T-Hawk's selling of the submission finisher. I'd have rated it higher but I thought the opening parts were a bit slow. Ashino's match against Nagata will surely be a banger."
[9.0] "A hard hitting and exciting match. The crowd also stays hyped the entire time despite a long and so-so card. Ashino getting the push is a nice moment and T-Hawk was his usual consistent self."
[8.0] "This was one of those matches that while very good, somehow manages not to hit that elite level. It has a lot going for it. I didn't feel like it went almost 27 minutes and T-Hawk played a great heel. Perhaps Ashino should have gotten more offense in. That being said, this had tons of heat and the crowd was genuinely thrilled for Ashino to get his first truly big moment in All Japan."
[8.0] "This started a bit slow and was slightly a bit too heavy on T-Hawk control segments, but once this really got going this was intense, incredibly well worked, and was a fitting Champion Carnival final. A great mix of power moves between both guys."
[8.0] "If you never watched Ashino and T-Hawk's feud from Wrestle-1, this is about as close to revisiting it as you can get. The passion, hard-hitting moves and over-the-top wrestling made for an exciting end to the Champion Carnival. I think Shotaro Ashino is definitely a guy All Japan can get behind, and I can't wait for the Triple Crown match against Yuji Nagata on the 29th."
[8.0] "Really good final, my favourite match of the tournament. They rekindled their old rivalry from Wrestle-1 and went at each other hard over the top tournament in All Japan. The counter wrestling from Ashino was excellent, tons of great power moves and a whole lot of passion in the match. **** 1/4"
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