8 Major Talking Points From NJPW Dominion In Osaka
5. Hiromu Takahashi’s Style Continues To Prove Divisive
The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title match between Hiromu Takahashi and KUSHIDA was another superb entry into an overflowing canon of brilliance. You could genuinely believe that the two men loathed one another as they exchanged rapid fire forearm blows in the early going.
Takahashi continued to position himself as the most dangerous wrestler on the modern scene. KUSHIDA attempted to stave off the assault. His counter of the sunset flip powerbomb into an armbar was beautiful. It wasn’t enough; the remainder of the narrative centred around Takahashi trying to inflict brain damage with full force kicks to the head, a particularly vicious sunset flip powerbomb, and one vile potato shot to the temple.
The drama of his matches cannot be denied. Whether that style is sustainable is another matter altogether.
We also learned that Gedo’s patented slow-burn booking style can try the patience of some fans. KUSHIDA’s shock two minute loss at Sakura Genesis all but telegraphed his Best Of The Super Juniors tournament win and this redemptive recapture of the title he lost in January.
Whether the contrivance was to blame, or KUSHIDA himself, isn’t clear. What is is that, as sensational as New Japan is from top to bottom these days, not everything translates. Babyface KUSHIDA was booed out of the building at times.