What are Mei Suruga (Gatoh Move)'s best matches?
These are my personal favorites.
I tried my best to provide a short context for each match before explaining what I enjoyed about them.
(Please note that some text may be borrowed or paraphrased from previous reviews)
Mei Suruga vs. Emi Sakura (Gatoh Move, 10.7.18 Ichigaya) Rating ★ 4.5
This match took place a day after the retirement of Aoi Kizuki, a senior who Mei Suruga admired and inherited her entrance gear from. Mei had pinned Aoi in Aoi's last appearance in Gatoh Move before retiring and seemed to have momentum on her side. Looking at the feedback to this match on SNS, it is safe to argue this was a breakthrough performance for Mei Suruga. Mei showed a level of form previously unseen.
Mei Suruga vs. Emi Sakura (Gatoh Move, 5.6.19 Ichigaya) Rating ★ 4.5
This was a semi-final match in a tournament to decide the next challenger for Riho’s Super Asia Championship. Under normal circumstances, this may have been a clear win for the veteran Emi Sakura, but her ailing back started to flare up which perhaps evened the playing field. This was worked in a sprint-style, with Mei taking advantage of the injury and Emi trying to get the win as quickly as possible.
Mei Suruga & Mei Hoshizuki vs. Hiroyo Matsumoto & Yoshiko (SEAdLINNNG, 10.6.19 Shinjuku) Rating ★ 4
This match was for Hiroyo Matsumoto & Yoshiko's Beyond the Sea Tag Team Championship. Mei Suruga & Mei Hoshizuki, whose tag team is called "MeiMei", are regulars in SEAdLINNNG’s high speed division, where the matches are fought under special rules and are usually comic relief. This was the first time the team had wrestled outside of the division. In a spectacular match with innovative offense and defense, MeiMei brought their “high speed” against Hiroyo & Yoshiko’s “strength”.
Mei Suruga vs. Emi Sakura (Gatoh Move, 10.31.19 Shinkiba) Rating ★ 4.5
This match was for Emi Sakura’s 3CW Women's Championship. This was the first time these two had faced in a traditional ring since Mei Suruga's debut in May 2018. They brought the Ichigaya-style to the squared circle with unique ground and counter techniques. Mei showed her impressive dexterity as she found unique situations to apply her signature moves and fluidly executed them, and rare brutality when she targetted Emi’s injured back with double foot stomps.
Mei Suruga vs. SAKI (ChocoPro, 8.21.20 Ichigaya) Rating ★ 4.25
After their first match ended in a 20-minute timeout draw, a rematch with a 30-minute time limit was set up. They worked at a higher rate and showed a stronger desire to win this time around, so the prospect of a finish was high. Mei showed her ability to carry a match with her character work and distinct charm. And SAKI, an underrated but skilled and clever veteran with good size, was the perfect opponent for Mei to work off of.
Mei Suruga vs. Yuna Mizumori (ChocoPro, 9.20.20 Ichigaya) Rating ★ 4.25
Winning 6 out of the 7 singles matches they had against each other before this match, Yuna Mizumori is one of Mei’s strongest opponents. But Mei seemed more determined than ever to get a big win over her rival. Both wrestlers worked perfectly according to their weight, with Mei using her guile and agility against Yuna’s size and power.
Mei Suruga & Yuna Mizumori vs. Emi Sakura & Riho (ChocoPro, 9.27.20 Ichigaya) Rating ★ 4.5
This match was billed as a “ChocoPro vs. AEW” cross-promotional match. Mei’s senpai Riho appeared in Ichigaya for the first time in a long time. This was a parade of diverse and creative offense and defense, with the tension building to a tremendous finale.
Mei Suruga vs. Ryo Mizunami (ChocoPro, 10.4.20 Ichigaya) Rating ★ 4
This was a falls count anywhere match, with the stipulation applying to any surface, including walls and objects. Mei’s creative genius shined in this match as she made use of various items in the environment in ways both comical and violent.
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