Yuki Ueno vs. Yusuke Okada (DDT 1/23/21)

This one’s not all that complicated. First time match between these two that has big bumps and stiff strikes. Okada takes a back bump off the apron to the floor about five minutes in and you can draw a direct line from that moment straight to the finish. It’s a real simple kind of match in that sense. Ueno shows off a different side of his game by working in control for the most part here, really going after Okada’s back with some decent focus. It’s never malicious or cruel in any way but Okada puts over the damage well. There’s moments of sloppiness and sometimes the strikes aren’t as crisp as I’d like but they keep things pretty tight and don’t wear out their welcome. Just a great, really solid match. Hard to ask for much more.