KUSHIDA vs. Hiromu Takahashi / Kamaitachi for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, from New Japan Sakura Genesis 2017

It’s such simple booking that I’m amazed this isn’t done more often. Both operate with what is advertised as “high risk” offense, and yet so many of their matches see them suffer menial consequences for running the table. Here (slight spoilers but come on, the match is five years old), one goes for their high-risk offense, it fails, and they’re done in less than two minutes. It is wholly consistent within its own narrative, it could never be considered boring, and it freshens up a rematch because damn, they might pull this again. Great business and great theater all around.

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