Revisiting WON’s 2012 Match of the Year between Hiroshi Tanahashi defending his IWGP Heavyweight Title against challenger and Puro legend Minoru Suzuk, New Japan Pro Wrestling 40th Anniversary event, 2012. Catch Wrestling U Patrons have access to the entire gif archive downloadable here.
The great Minoru Suzuki prepares to challenge the Ace of NJPW. pic.twitter.com/XmibgJGLgK
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Tanahashi escapes out of the Hammerlock with a Front Scissors Trip – a reverse version of the Drop Toe Hold – before tying Suzuki up with a Double Leg Hold or Japanese Figure Four.
This sequence was a favourite of Antonio Inoki, he does it to Jack Brisco in 1971. pic.twitter.com/ZXe7W4T5E2
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Suzuki looks for a classic standing Top Wrist Lock counter to the Side Headhold, but the younger and stronger Tanahashi overpowers him. pic.twitter.com/8IzvAzMnig
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More work from the Double Knucklelock, Suzuki scores a nice armdrag to go behind and a brief waistlock before looking to crossface Tanahashi. pic.twitter.com/HRX9wkn4eK
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Suzuki backs Tanahashi into the ropes again, but has an Irish Whip before being wrestled into a standing Cobra Twist (Abdominal Stretch).
Note Suzuki doesn't just let Tanahashi smoothly into the hold, they make it look like it's contested first with Suzuki working to block. pic.twitter.com/ZNK4EJYrrD
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Tanahashi just made Suzuki angry and the match quickly breaks down into a brawl. This is another staple of classic NJPW matches with Antonio Inoki, and I can't help but feel this was a nod to him because of the 40th Anniversary factor. pic.twitter.com/IAxWxPcz3a
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The match is descending into chaos as Suzuki matches have a want to do, with the ogre of Puroresu using the barricade to assist a variation of a sitting reverse armlock.
Sidenote: Tanahashi went into this match with his left arm taped up due to 'injury'. pic.twitter.com/ovoDRyMoNs
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Suzuki living his character, mean mugging the referee before swiftly kicking Tanahashi in his injured left arm. pic.twitter.com/ZnSQTXyrQ0
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The momentum has clearly swung in favour of Tanahashi as he's now able to counter Suzuki with his athletic offense – something Suzuki was able to side step earlier, but now can not because of his bad leg. pic.twitter.com/YZenluEASF
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Tanahashi throws Suzuki off of him with a Flying Mare; Suzuki counters Tanahashi charging at him with a Flying Armbar. pic.twitter.com/thEzMF2i9a
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Tanahashi looks to put Suzuki away with his High Fly Flow finisher – his version of an arching Frog Splash.
Suzuki however gets his knees up to block – but at what cost to his injured leg? pic.twitter.com/XxOE3zg1QQ
— Catch Wrestling U (@CatchWrestling) July 6, 2019
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This was a good match that was quite the mixed bag of style and content. There were nods to classic Antonio Inoki era NJPW which I loved, there were some shoot style nods to Suzuki’s past and there was generally great story telling. However the American Wrasslin’ elements were often quite jarring and illusion breaking – anyone that is more savvy when it comes to legitimate submission holds know they are not something that can be merely ‘toughed out’. The point of a submission after all is either a snapped bone or ligament, or in the case of chokes and strangles unconsciousness.Submitting is conceding defeat before that can happen.
Still there is plenty here to enjoy and study from.
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