Posted July 24, 20178 yr comment_5808472 Fantastic encounter - a resourceful Tanahashi working around a hurt arm and playing the smaller guy in a big-man/little-man match. I can't imagine a more entertaining Fale match, he works the arm and looks like a monster, but Tanahashi works in just enough counters to escape and then hits a great HFF to the outside and then the snap slingblade to get the count-out win. ***3/4
July 25, 20178 yr Author comment_5808522 From Ioan's review at PTBN Tanahashi immediately went for a victory roll, getting a two-count, then used an eye poke(!) to gain an advantage. Fale swatted him away, and Tanahashi’s several dropkicks only rattled the big man, before a small package got another two-count. Fale then drew Tanahashi into an armbreaker over top-rope and continued to work the right arm(!) by twice ramming it into the guardrail. Back in, he stepped on the arm and used Vader-like forearms in the corner, but Tanahashi ducked a clothesline and landed a German suplex! An attempted slam was countered by Fale, and although he missed the follow-up splash, he reversed a sunset flip for a two-count. The splash connected second time round, earning two, but the Grenade was countered to a spinning neckbreaker. Tanahashi awkwardly skinned the cat (due to his arm), and Fale capitalised with a spear. Bad Luck Fall… countered to a Sling Blade! With Fale outside, Tanahashi scaled to the top-rope and connected with a High Fly Flow crossbody to the floor! As they got onto the apron, Tanahashi nailed a Sling Blade, sending Fale back to the floor, and the 20-count gave Tanahashi the win! Fale working a body part? Truly these are the end times. This was another good match, among the most enjoyable of their encounters, with a different and unusual dynamic helping give a tried-and-tested formula some new life. Really liked the finish too. ***1/2
July 25, 20178 yr comment_5808548 This told a very simple story but was effective. Fale beats Tana’s ass and his arm for 10 minutes and Tana has to find ways to be resourceful and take out the big giant. It is the most simplistic of storyline devices but Tanahashi is always someone that has been able to work so well in accentuating the strengths of Fale. The finish here was really clever and not utilized enough given the amount of countout teases that happen in NJ. ***1/4
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