[7.0] "[4.0*] Hiroshi Hase is known for being a far above average technical wrestler, he is incredible with his impeccable submissions. Hase punished Akiyama the entire match and I loved Akiyama's counter when he did an AMAZING Exploder sequence. The ending could be more exciting, but I understand why the ending is dominant for Akiyama."
[8.0] "Basically an inter-promotional match done well with the mix of newcomer vs the veteran. Both akiyama and hase shines really well in this match with an interesting chain wrestling and as the match was about to become stale, both stole the show with the exploder-suplex spots, getting a loud response from the fans in the dome. Great match"
[9.0] "Watched this match on YouTube and its absolutely fantastic. Great chain wrestling and matwork to start then the rest of the match was a brutal trade of both men's biggest shots. The trading Uranage/Exploder no sell exchange was insane and Akiyama kicking out of Hase's best shots left me on the edge of my seat. And the finish with Akiyama busting out the Exploder '98 was a fantastic end to a fantastic, underrated match. Great stuff!"
[8.0] "8.5 outta 10. This match was so damn good. Hase and Akiyama two guys who are to damn technical for their respective companies cross paths, dream match! The matwork was excellent with shows how much more superior Hase really was. Akiyama though got in some great sneaky submission counters on a few occasions. Not to big in these terminology's but for this review I'd use it; "Kings Road" vs "Strong Style" which style is proven strongest. Hase used his big moves the Uranage and Northern Light Suplex which did not get him the victory! Why ? Because Akiyama taunted earned a finisher meter and the flash went from Red to Yellow, SUPER FINISHER! EXPLODER '98. Hase simply ran outta to many bullets, his old tricks and moves deem useless in the realm of all Japan. How far are you willing to go to evolve a move you've always used and make it even stronger than before ! Akiyama proved just that."
[6.0] "This was a psychologically-sound match, with some nice technical wrestling at the start. I would have liked to have seen Hase been given more on the finish, as the decisiveness of it greatly reduced the sense of drama and excitement."
[5.0] "I actually thought the opening mat exchanges were the highlight of this match. Akiyama lost his calling as a shootstyle grappler, and it's really nice to see an All Japan match open with guys working leg rides and fighting over single legs and the crowd reacting to the small victories in all that. But after that... man, fuck this match. Anytime someone he gets hit he starts no selling while continueing to block incoming hits with his face. Some long and meaningless legwork ensues, three dozen suplexes are thrown... fuck that suplex exchange. With a VENGEANCE! Man, I hate wrestling."
[8.0] "Absolut das Top-Match, das man auf dieser großen Bühne erwartet hat, toller Match Aufbau, harte Slaps, glaubwürdige Submissions-Struggles, erschütternde Impact Moves und ein tolles Publikum, toll."
