The atmosphere alone makes this match pretty incredible, with the outdoor setting, the downpour of rain, the kids in their slickers. The match itself is good -- nowhere near last year's G1 match -- but the way they adapt to the rainy environment is great. Suzuki of course spends much of the match working over Okada's arm. Suzuki's facials are terrific as always and Okada's selling is good for the most part -- I really liked him collapsing into the ropes on the octopus hold. Okada hits a couple of Rainmakers, Suzuki lets loose with the slaps and body shots. I liked Okada using the Gotch-style tombstone after Suzuki struggles to hit his and then the final octopus hold with Suzuki slipping but still holding on before the time expires.

 

 

Damn this match has a cool atmosphere w/ it happening outdoors & the rain pouring down relentlessly. Most of the match goes to Suzuki, who is pretty much always a joy to watch work on top, and this time he didn't work the leg of Okada for him to no sell it, so Okada's selling was just fine throughout. As were his comebacks. It's certainly not the epic they had at G1 27, but it's a really good match w/ a very unique setting, to say the least. ***3/4