Posted August 25, 200817 yr comment_5434194 The more I watch New Japan juniors the more I am convinced that Kobayashi is the best of the batch. Really fun match which starts out with Takada faking a handshake and drilling Kobayashi with a cheapshot at the bell, basic juniors stuff with some nice twist, I loved Kobayashi going for all of the sneaky roll ups when he realizes he can stand and trade with Takada. Dug this a bunch. NJ v. UWF 2 Disc 3
November 17, 200816 yr comment_5435781 Outstanding title showdown. Kobayashi matched up with Takada better than any NJ junior outside of Koshinaka. It's a shame they didn't have more matches. Definite nomination.
May 30, 200916 yr comment_5440067 IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title Tournament – Finals: Kuniaki Kobayashi vs. Nobuhiko Takada (8/20/87) The crowd is mega hot for this of course and these shows were some of the most heated shows of the era in New Japan. I fucking loved the fake handshake into a high kick by Takada at the bell showing he didn’t give a shit and meant business. Kobayashi would try to keep Takada grounded so he couldn’t stand up and strike but as he tried a hiptoss, Kobayashi would eat a stiff slap to the face in a great spot. After this we get some great back-and-forth action with both men looking great as Kobayashi was trying to hit his moves on Takada but Takada would counter into submission attempts. Kobayashi would finally hit his Fisherman’s Suplex hold for a nearfall but Takada would give Kobayashi a taste of his own medicine getting a nearfall on a backslide before just kicking the piss out of Kobayashi leading to some German Suplex attempts but Kobayashi would counter every time and got a schoolboy to win the match. Takada was pissed off saying that he kicked out and immediately walked out. Shiro Koshinaka jumped in the ring after the match and there was a pull-apart. This was a damn good match and a definite nomination.
September 4, 200916 yr comment_5443809 Shit, I hate that they switched camera angles just as Takada was knocking Kobayashi with the high kick. There were some absolutely brutal kicks in this one. The kick right before Kobayashi put Takada in the half crab looked super hurty. Takada was starting to bore me on the amt but thankfully Kobayashi didn't let him stay there too long as he broke out of the armbar only to rub his forearms across Takada's face. Nice. I love that Takada keeps going back to the arm and Kobayashi keeps preventing him from taking control. The last few minutes after Kobayashi got back into the ring were great and this match really delivered. Easy nomination.
