10 Introductory Matches To The Unrivalled Art Of Japanese Wrestling

3. Shinya Hashimoto Vs. Genichiro Tenryu - NJPW G1 Climax 01/08/1998

The heavyweights of the New Japan scene of the nineties aren't afforded the proper respect, having been outshone critically by their successors and their junior heavyweight and All Japan peers.

This match, a strike-heavy spiritual predecessor of Shibata Vs. Ishii, is evidence that they should not be consigned to the dustbin of Puro history. Benefitting greatly from the single-elimination format of that year's G1 Climax tournament, this mad, urgent and brutal sprint is one of the stiffest in Puro's vaunted annals.

It is so predicated on Strong Style, and establishing the two legends as equals, that it takes five minutes for the first impact move to be deployed. Hashimoto plants Tenryu with a DDT, which in the context of the match is an almost jarring transgression of the unspoken oath both men take at the onset - which a grounded Tenryu rebuts with a kick to Hashimoto's head.

The two men somehow manage to reach a higher gear - despite barely giving the audience time to react in the first seven minutes.

In the closing stretch, they unleash their impact and diving move arsenals to scintillating effect. Hashimoto wins a breathless encounter by striking Tenryu with a DDT in an expert callback to the tactic which turned the tide.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!