Puroresu Show Reviews

Daisuke Ikeda & Muhammed Yone VS Akitoshi Saito & Jun Izumuda
Joined in progress to start of the show. Ikeda and Saito are throwing elbow shots at each other like their going out of style. Fun opener with some comedy spots by Izumuda and a good showing from Yone who many have high hopes for as a breakout star.
Match Rating: **1/2

Masao Inoue & Tamon Honda VS Takuma Sano & Akira Taue
Another fun tag match with some comedy spots by Inoue where he shout “OI!” a lot. Honda even did the ‘pull the straps down’ routine ala Bret Hart, Jerry Lawler, etc. All four worked well and the Honda/Taue face-off (which would be awesome in a singles match) really got the crowd going.
Match Rating: **1/2

Ricky Marvin VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru
This match really surprised me! I’ve heard Marvin was known for blowing his spots, but he really put on a strong showing here. I think he only almost missed one springboard move, but everything else he did was on par with Rey Mystero or Amazing Red! Kanemaru himself is no slouch and is a treat to watch in singles action. Some might complain about Marvin’s lack of psychology and just being a ‘spot’ wrestler, but this match was genuinely entertaining and a good change of pace.
Match Rating: ***1/2

Kotaro Suzuki & Takeshi Rikioh VS Makoto Hashi & Jun Akiyama
Ikeda and Saito threw dozens of elbow shots in the opener, but there were probably a record number of slaps thrown in this one from all four involved! The juniors of each team had something to prove by trying to take down the heavyweights (I’ll let you guess how that ends up). Definitely another great tag match!
Match Rating: ***

GHC Heavyweight Tag Team Championship
KENTA & Naomichi Marufuji VS Yoshinari Ogawa & Mitsuharu Misawa
Misawa had a big target on his head as both GHC Jr tag champs wanted the big win on the big boss of NOAH! This match would definitely have been more enjoyable if Misawa had sold a bit more for the challengers (and the crowd even booed him at one point for it). Still, the challengers showed once again that it's not the size of the dog in the fight, but size of the fight he will bring. Definately a must see match!
Match Rating: ****

GHC Heavyweight Championship
Yoshihiro Takayama VS Kenta Kobashi

All my expectations were met in this match! Takayama again shows why he earned his current spot in the business and I definitely nominate this as a Match Of The Year candidate! The only thing that would have made this match better would be if it went just a little longer than 29minutes, but both men were physically spent by the end of it. I highly recommend this match!
Match Rating: ****1/2

Overall: The first NOAH show of 2004 I watch and it’s a MUST SEE SHOW!!! Everything from start to finish was fun and keeps your attention. You DEFINITELY want this show!

Labels: NOAH