ALL IN 2018: Star Ratings For All 9 Major Matches

2. Kazuchika Okada Vs. Marty Scurll

Hangman Page Stars II
FiteTV

This was a belated triumph that probably went a bit too long, but boasted the best finishing sequence of the night.

Writing subjectively for a moment, I entered the match indifferent towards Marty Scurll, and unable to buy into him as a credible threat to Kazuchika Okada. This informed the story, which saw Okada out-strength Scurll time and time again. This theme was dragged out during the middle stretch, as Scurll and Okada hit the same narrative beats to the detriment of the match, its heat, and the truncated main event.

After that finishing sequence, I left the match something of a convert. Nothing about the frantic chicken wing attempts felt contrived, which is a testament to his ring awareness and storytelling ability and Okada's inch-perfect selling. Okada's fading glassy-eyed facials and last-millisecond kick outs put Scurll over big in defeat. Scurll projected himself not only as a man with NJPW heavyweight credentials, but on the level of Okada's closest challenges to his legendary fourth reign with the IWGP Heavyweight Title.

The "2-0-5" finger gesture into the finger snap spot was wonderful, as was the high gimmickry of the umbrella pop-up - just two moments of lovely character work in a match that enhanced Scurll's reputation massively.

Star Rating: ****1/4

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!