[2006-03-22-Big Mouth Loud] Minoru Suzuki vs Yoshiaki Fujiwara

I love the way these two play off each other, Suzuki did a great job of selling the threat of Fujiwara's submissions early on, all the matwork was snug, they constantly kept things moving and would use their joints to maintain control of their opponent or transition. A direct comfortation sheds an interesting light on how oddly different yet similar their characters are, the biggest difference probably being that one is tehnically a heel and another face. I love the way Suzuki avoided Fujiwara's headbutts after Fujiwara rocked him with a big one and how he checked the ringpost after Fujiwara smashed his head into it. Suzuki will do stuf like taunt his opponents when they're hitting him in the corner or when they lock him in a hold, that does faze a lot of wrestlers but Fujiwara reacts by just punching him in the face and hyperextending Suzuki's limbs. Finishing run is just an unreal thunderstorm of insane counters and armbar teases with a wicked finish. ****