Emi Sakura &「Kotori」vs. Masako Takanashi & Riho (DDT, 8/7/2015)

DDT - Beer Garden Fight 2015 - Shuten-doji Day (8/7/2015) 

Emi Sakura &「Kotori」vs. Masako Takanashi & Riho

This was spectacular, it doesn't last long, but it's action-packed to a hot crowd. Riho and "Kotori" were doing magical things, Masa was in his gyaru gimmick, but he wrestled it straight. "Kotori" was so seamless with her high-flying, what an amazing performance from her. Great match from start to finish.

****1/4

Masa Takanashi vs. Yuji Hino (DDT, 5/4/2012)

DDT - Max Bump 2012 (5/4/2012)

KO-D Openweight Championship: Masa Takanashi (c) vs. Yuji Hino

Masa cheats his way to a victory by pretending that he was attacked by Hino with the belt, but the GM restarts the match. Now Hino is ultra pissed, his groans and facial expressions putting him over as this no-nonsense monster. Masa finds sneaky little ways to mount offense and targets the leg, and Hino punishes him with sheer brute strength. Great clash of power and technique.

**** 

KUDO vs. Masa Takanashi (DDT, 11/6/2011)

DDT - Osaka Bay Blues Special 2011 (11/6/2011)

KO-D Openweight Championship: KUDO (c) vs. Masa Takanashi

Masa's aiming for the leg in this match, a game plan that got him far in his first Openweight challenge against Daisuke Sekimoto. This match ruled, loved the slap exchange and KUDO's Palo special between the ropes (into a rolling German suplex) was awesome.

***1/4

Daisuke Sekimoto vs. Masa Takanashi (DDT, 4/4/2010)

DDT (4/4/2010)

KO-D Openweight Championship: Daisuke Sekimoto (c) vs. Masa Takanashi

This was a star-making performance for Masa Takanashi at the time, critically acclaimed by Japanese smarks. I don't rate it quite as high as I did when I first watched it, but I still found enjoyment in it. The underdog performance from Masa was spectacular -- DDT is the best when it comes to unproven talent stepping their game up and delivering when they're given an opportunity.

***1/2

Masa Takanashi vs. Yasu Urano (DDT, 8/8/2008)

DDT - Belt HunterxHunter Production Beer Garden Pro Wrestling (8/8/2008)

Masa Takanashi vs. Yasu Urano

This match-up is the main event and its duration is just short of 30-minutes, I didn't know what to expect, but it was a solid match. The bulk of this match is a grueling workover by Yasu on Masa's neck, and I felt the move progression was well done. Masa's dramatic bumping added a lot. His selling of the neck could have been stronger, but the crowd was going wild when he made his comeback, it was an enthralling finish.

***

「Kotori」, Antonio Honda & SAKI vs. Masa Takanashi, MIZUKI & Riho (Gatoh Move, 7/19/2015)

Gatoh Move - Japan Tour・176 (7/19/2015)

「Kotori」, Antonio Honda & SAKI vs. Masa Takanashi, MIZUKI & Riho

I didn't find Antonio Honda's comedy funny here... I don't find him funny a lot of the time, actually. This was solid. There's a couple of moments where the spots look telegraphed/contrived, especially the ending where "Kotori" blatantly positions herself for Riho's diving stomp. Still a fine match, regardless.

**3/4

Gatoh Move - Japan Tour・210 (1/31/2016)

2. DJ Nira vs. MIZUKI

There's clever limbwork and submissions with comedy bits spliced in. Nira employing the use of an electric fan to work over MIZUKI's hand was great.

***3/4

3. Antonio Honda, Riho & Sayaka Obihiro vs. Emi Sakura, 「Kotori」& Masa Takanashi

Another really fun GM trios. Not much to say about this one except that it was thoroughly enjoyable.

****