8 Essential Tajiri Matches

8. Vs. Shinjiro Otani - NJPW Wrestling Word 4.1.97

Before making his way to Mexico and then ECW, Yoshihiro Tajiri was a young boy for several promotions before he found himself working for a small Japanese independent promotion called Big Japan Pro Wrestling, who were famed for their so-called 'death matches'.

Despite being relatively inexperienced, Tajiri impressed the mighty New Japan Pro Wrestling enough to give him a chance.

Not just any old 'chance', but a match against one of their most established Junior Heavyweights, loveable pr*ck Shinjiro Otani, in the freakin' Tokyo Dome, of all places. The young-looking Tajiri managed to p*ss off the grumpy Otani before the two had even locked up by offering his hand and then rescinding it as Otani went to shake it. What a fantastic man.

The story of the match was very much the young buck (no, not those ones) being taken lightly by the more experienced veteran, only to surprise him with his immeasurable fighting spirit and total lack of fear. He was totally trying to make a name for himself here, at the expense of Otani, and started the match by dominating with kicks and submission holds.

Eventually, Otani regained his composure and trapped Tajiri in an ankle lock, dragging him around the ring at will. Continuing to teach the rookie a lesson, Otani gave him a face wash in the corner, but the plucky youngster came back with some slaps and a palm strike, followed by a lovely bridging dragon suplex and an asai moonsault, drawing a reaction from the Tokyo Dome crowd.

Otani inevitably cuts him off and lands a powerbomb, allowing Tajiri one more moment of hope before finishing him off for good with a springboard spinning wheel kick. Tajiri didn't win, no, but he made a lasting impression on the fans and NJPW officials, who brought him back in the spring for the Best of the Super Juniors tournament, where he'd meet Otani once again.

A breakthrough performance.