[7.0] "Good deathmatch here with big performances from both wrestlers. Both take several high falls off a huge ladder into a glass covered ring that look crazy. Kamitani does well in a big main event vs Kodaka, who continues to deliver when able to cut loose."
[6.0] "This was a very good death match and a cool fight to watch, I only didn't like how quickly and without build up the finish seemingly came about. 6/10 breads"
[8.0] "Kamitani having a good showing here, I suspect he'll go pretty far in this tournament. In a lot of ways this was a hybrid deathmatch/strong match with the way the strikes were going in the first half. Kodaka may be getting up there in age but he still routinely has such great showings."
[8.0] "After a lightube showdown between the two competitors, the match picks up the pace and we are presented with an intense, old school deathmatch 'bout. Kamitani didn't shy away of using his physical advantage over Kodaka, who tried to outsmart and even outwrestle him as much as he could. After much back and forth, including some great spots from the ladder to the glass on the floor, Kamitani finally overpowered Kodaka, presenting himself as a real threat in the upcoming tournament. Great match, second only to Astronauts vs Strong BJ in the card."
[7.0] "This was a good win for Kamitani, beating Kodaka who is firmly established as one of the top deathmatch wrestlers. They went all out, doing dives off a ladder and covering the ring in glass from the light tubes. ***1/2"
[9.0] "Kodaka going straight to business and taking the advantage really hyped up my expectations for this match. What I love a lot about this match is the story. Isami didn't challenge for BJW title since Fujita's title reign (for almost 2 years), yet when the opportunity arose, he took part in the tournament, hoping that he might have another chance. But the first round already presented him a challenge - much younger, faster, and stronger Hideyoshi Kamitani, who, if he wants to capture Death match title, should defeat one of BJW's biggest deathmatch stars. And this match showed something which make me so upset - Kodaka is really getting old and can't compete in deathmatches on the same level as the bright new stars. Kamitani got so much superior that every attack with objects gets Isami down quickly, while in reverse - not so much. I absolutely love the moment when Isami climbed up the ladder for the second time, but Hideyoshi rose up and Kodaka just got very frustrated. This is truly a symbolic match of my favourite's deathmatch wrestler, in spite of his best efforts to stay on the same level, and sometimes even remembering his past "crazy" moments, there is one undeniable truth: his time has passed. Which is sad, considering Jun Kasai, for example, is still kicking around at 47 years of age. One of the best pure storytelling "defiant veteran" matches of this year. ****1/4"
