10 Classic Matches Bettered By Spiritual Sequels
5. Masato Tanaka Vs. Mike Awesome - ECW Heat Wave 1998
Bettered by: Tomohiro Ishii Vs. Katsuyori Shibata - NJPW G-1 Climax 23
The Tanaka Vs. Awesome matches were spellbinding, even if they were exhibitions in anti-psychology. Neither man held an advantage for long, or made any noticeable attempt at a strategy. Not doing much to actively fend off one another's brain-rattling offensive repertoires, the two men suffered considerably for their art.
Their spiritual successors - Tomohiro Ishii and Katsuyori Shibata, the two stiffest workers within the ranks of New Japan Pro Wrestling's seminal decade, began this ***** contest by charging at each other like they wanted to end it in seconds. Much like Awesome and Tanaka, they thoroughly de-emphasised the importance of defensive tactics. Unlike them, however, they incorporate this into the narrative of the bout to create a genre unto itself, one which was predicated upon and positively revelled in its lack of selling. Both men politely took turns to receive one another's brutal offence, practically begging for more, in a stoic but harebrained p*ssing contest.
Somehow, despite their being no steel chairs in sight, this match is even more likely to make you splutter and cringe at the sheer physicality on display.