I was excited for this. My favorite native against the best Russian guy in a title match. If they'd gone 15, it would've been a slam dunk. At half that, it had me on the fence. Basically, Choshu couldn't handle Hashimikov straight up, so he kept probing for ways to tilt the field. First, he tried leg kicks. Then, he tried to pull him to the outside. But the Russian always found a way to overpower him. Finally, Choshu just kicked him in the crotch, annihilated him with two lariats and took the title. The match had me engaged the whole way, and I liked the story. But at 7:40, I don't think it would do well in the poll. I'd at least like to hear what you all think.

 

Sky Classics 129

I have no problem with these short Hashimikov matches. His style works good in a sprint, as does Choshu's. You have to love Choshu kicking him the nads and drilling him with the lariats. I second the nomination

I love the struggle on the ground early on with Salman tying Choshu up only for Choshu to regroup and tie him up in the Sharpshooter. the ending was also pretty great with the kick to the nuts and the lariat to finish it off. I'll give it a low-level nomination and we'll see if we can fit it on but I won't be upset if it doesn't find its way on either.