This review was commissioned by AJ over on my Ko-fi account.
Holding this match in a boxing-style ring with the four ropes and everything should give you a feel of the tone they’re going for here. It leans shooty, and that’s clearly by design especially when Lenne Hardt’s out there singing her heart out to introduce our participants to the ring. But there feels like an innately pro wrestling-loving vibe to this whole thing, even on the stylistic front. Rules-wise too, it’s important to note that there’s no point system here, it’s just straight up pinfalls, submissions, or knockouts (as far as I’m aware at least).
Much of this match gets wrestled down on the mat, and that’s where it feels closest to shoot style. But it’s also active in the way only the really best shoot style is, where so much of the drama is the work just to get into the hold, and then the joy of the struggle to get out. Notable too is just how well Barnett brings the most possible drama out of familiar shoot style tropes with just how dogged and aggressive he can be here. In the early goings, for example, he’s going after Hideki’s leg so doggedly that it doesn’t even feel cliched or like a rest point when he finds himself into a leg bar attempt.
A lot of that credit goes to Hideki himself as well, for being so dynamic on the defense. Commentary makes a note of how even with pinfalls being legal in this bout, it’s an added struggle to get even attempt of a pin on because of how active both men are about keeping their shoulders off the mat and working against holds. I think that’s a pretty great touch that also helps demarcate sections of this match into a clear three-act structure.
Hideki has an offensive strategy here too. It’s pretty clear early on that while he isn’t drowning on the mat, Barnett has a fairly clear advantage and maintains control for most of their skirmishes. Hideki aims for a more strike-based offense here, using it to try and fluster Barnett in holds, and creating distance on their feet for him to be able to get some good shots in. There’s an especially beautiful dropkick he nails while Barnett’s caught in the corner that almost feels like it might shift the tides in his favor.
Hideki’s taking on more pro wrestling-style striking and maneuvers make a real smooth transition to the final portion of the match where Barnett’s raw power combined with more pro-style offense really starts to take control. From a shoot style ground battle, Barnett taps into some 90s Japanese heavyweight style with these real big, killer bombs that get fantastic nearfalls. In this instance, the introduction of the pro-style moves works especially well because each one now feels like a potential killer due to how mat-based the match had been prior. With that much gravity behind each move, they have something of an extended finishing run here (relatively speaking at least) with Barnett trying to finally put the man down. It helps too that the climactic Northern Lights Driver looks gruesome enough to end something so competitive.
It’s so rare to bridge two styles as seamlessly as Barnett and Suzuki did here. But in doing so, they prove what always rings true in the heart: pro wrestling is the strongest.
Rating: ****1/4
