On August 3rd, 2020, I deleted the video “Tanahashi vs. Suzuki | An Anomaly of Modern New Japan” from my YouTube channel as a precaution against copyright strikes. The script as I have it archived is now here below.
In a recent interview with New Japan’s Japanese website, IWGP US Heavyweight Champion Jon Moxley said that his favorite New Japan match came from all the way back in 2012. Beyond the neck dropping of Ibushi-Naito and the hyper athleticism of Okada-Omega, we find an anomaly of a New Japan main event that doesn’t quite fit the mold that most fans might be familiar with. So today, let’s talk about Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Minoru Suzuki.
*title sequence*
The year is 2012, and we’re only eight months removed from the Rainmaker Shock meaning that the modern New Japan main event style predicated on 35+ minute epics, slick finisher counters, and multiple nearfalls had yet to become the defining style of the company. It’s in this time of transition that we’re able to have a match like Tanahashi-Suzuki. So just what makes this match so great?
I. Character Work
A lot of people underestimate the necessity of character and personality in a big time main event even in a more sports-centric wrestling-heavy product like New Japan. The clashing personalities in the ring are what make fans stay around after they’ve been initially dazzled by the spectacular physicality.
The clash here is clear to see. Minoru Suzuki is the rugged, battle hardened veteran of the ring who’s seen it all. An early innovator of MMA, a constant presence on the puroresu scene, he’s here to have a no nonsense fight for the top prize in New Japan. Standing across from him, Hiroshi Tanahashi. The once in a century talent with his dyed hair, a proclivity for rock music, and a deep loving connection with the fans.
Still, in a bout with this match physicality, Suzuki will have the edge, battering Tanahashi the whole time and fighting through whatever Tanahashi throws back at him. Watch Suzuki’s face throughout this whole match. His facial expressions and reactions or some of the best in wrestling history. Subtle yet intense. Some of my favorite moments might be his reaction to being trapped in the figure four, yelling abuse at Tanahashi even as he sells the pain.
Probably the best moment to illustrate this is when Tanahashi is able to trap Suzuki in an Abdominal Stretch and has the audacity to play air guitar against Suzuki’s ribs. As soon as Suzuki escapes, his face is just…yeah, I don’t wanna fork with that guy. He immediately attacks Tanahashi for his arrogance and goes straight for the arm.
II. Dueling Limbwork Done Right
Dueling limbwork isn’t rare to find in modern New Japan main events especially when Tanahashi is involved. A student of Keiji Muto, Tanahashi has basically perfected the concentrated attack on the legs and can typically be relied on to carry off this formula well.
Whereas dueling limbwork is typically a holdover in the first and second acts of a match just used to lead us into the bomb throwing a finishing stretch, the limbwork is the actual entirety of this match. As soon as Suzuki grabs his first draping armbar on the ropes, he is relentless in his pursuit of Tanahashi’s arm. It becomes the crux of his offense throughout the whole match. One gorgeous spot shows him placing Tanahashi in a hold and literally biting at the tape around Tana’s arm. YES.
As mentioned, Tanahashi is now slouch either as he uses his patented Dragon Screw Leg Whips to maximum effect in this match. He’s first comeback against Suzuki with the target dropkicks to the knee is a thing of beauty, a brilliant shifting of energy back in the favor of the beloved Ace. But really, what pushes Tanahashi’s leg work from great to legendary in this match is Suzuki’s selling performance. It’s not just in the way he limps and crumbles (although that truly is some special stuff), but rather in the way he takes the move himself. His bumps on the Dragon Screws aren’t smooth and fast, they’re awkward, crooked. They emphasize how he’s resisting the move which in turn only causes him more damage. It’s absolutely brilliant, and he sells every Dragon Screw in a slightly different way. Brilliant.
III. Not a Nearfall in Sight
The compelling limb psychology in this match provides another side benefit: the lack of nearfalls. And by lack, I do mean, zero. No, count it, there are zero nearfalls in this match, in fact, there are no pinfall attempts at all. Suzuki and Tanahashi structured this match so compellingly around submissions, limb attacks, and standing strike exchanges, that the need to bump for major offensive maneuvers was entirely eliminated.
At the same time, the match loses none of its drama whatsoever. In a deviation from future main events, the submissions…actually get heat! The crowd is desperate for Tanahashi to overcome Suzuki and even make the man tap out. The figure four spot might be one of the hottest New Japan reactions I’ve ever seen. And remember, it’s for a Figure Four in 2012 New Japan. Who wins with a Figure Four anymore?
The first and only pinfall attempt in the whole match is the finish as Tanahashi finally sticks the High Fly Flow to get the three and retain the title. Everyone’s finisher is protected. No drama was sacrificed. A single, decisive pinfall.
IV. Conclusion
This is a special match for me. Probably the second ever New Japan match that I ever loved after Nakamura-Sakuraba. It still stands the test of time seven years later as one of Suzuki and Tanahashi’s best matches. They put in five-star performances to demonstrate what pro wrestling in New Japan could be. It was beloved for it too. Dave Meltzer rated this match five stars and it went on to win the fan vote for the 2012 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Match of the Year. I go all the way with a five star rating for this match. A definite classic, check it out when you get the chance.
