I've heard multiple references over the past year to KENTA having heat with New Japan, but could never find out why that was so. Google doesn't know the difference between "KENTA" and "Kenta (Kobashi)," so that made searching a futile endeavor. Today was the day that I got my answer. This may not be the only time KENTA has done something to piss people off, but it is the crux of the matter. I have no real opinion of him one way or the other. I generally like his matches but don't go out of my way to see them, absent special circumstances. So here we go:
Nagata's starting off against Akiyama. I've never been a big Nagata fan either, but this is from a few years past and against some quality opponents. Nagata and Akiyama are trading wrist locks and waist locks to start, drop down to the mat, and separate. They lock up again but Akiyama forearms Nagata. The two start to trade forearms back and forth. That evolves into trading boots to the face, then jumping knees.
KENTA and Taguchi tag in. KENTA slaps Taguchi hard and holy shit is he stiffing him. KENTA is drilling Taguchi with forearms and slaps. Taguchi returns fire but is obviously still working while KENTA takes it to another level. KENTA snaps a hard low kick in too before they start to grapple. KENTA leans Taguchi up against the corners and tries to slap him again, but Taguchi ducks under it and escapes.
Taguchi brings KENTA into his corner and Nagata tags in. Taguchi throws in one more hard slap for good measure. Nagata starts with a hard kick to KENTA's chest. KENTA slaps him a few times and tries to stiff Nagata, but the old pro is having none of it. He headbutts KENTA and wrestles him into the ropes. If KENTA is going to be stiff then Nagata is going to teach him a lesson. Akiyama is standing on his side awkwardly. KENTA and Nagata stare each other down and exchange words. KENTA is bleeding above the eye, probably from Nagata's headbutt. Akiyama has to step in the ring, but is is no big hurry to rush to KENTA's aid.
Taguchi tags back in and the two shoulder KENTA down after a double Irish whip. I have to wonder if KENTA learned his lesson for the match. Akiyama tags in and dumps Taguchi outside. They start brawling down the aisle and around the ring.
We get Nagata against KENTA again. KENTA and Nagata are wrestling once more and the ref separates them. We're back to Nagata vs. Akiyama for a bit, then Taguchi's in. Taguchi tries to stand tall with Akiyama, but the much bigger man eats his chops and forearms without flinching. One forearm sends Taguchi reeling.
We get Taguchi vs. KENTA for another major confrontation. KENTA is stiffing him about as bad as before. Taguchi, to his credit, looks like he's trying to be professional. KENTA's cut is nasty. It swipes a sharp path across his brow, above his right eye. It's a cut that a doctor would be checking on in boxing or MMA, but hopefully there won't be any more of that tonight.
KENTA tries a go to sleep but Taguchi lands on his feet. Taguchi ducks under a clothesline from KENTA, has both of his arms, and hits a straight jacket German suplex for a two count. Nagata's back in and KENTA strikes at him hard again. Nagata takes the hits and stands there. He's not going to let this little kid show him up. Akiyama and Nagata will be in the ring together a moment later. Their forearm exchanges are much less brutal. Akiyama hits an exploder, but it's not enough to end the match. A second exploder can't even keep Nagata down, but the crowd pops big for a standing guillotine. Taguchi has to dropkick Akiyama to make the save and Nagata pounces, slapping on a trademark armlock until KENTA makes the save.
KENTA really wants to go at Nagata, slapping him hard a bunch of times. Nagata lays him out with a kick to the chest. The wrestlers are cycling in and out at a rapid pace now. Taguchi's fisherman suplex is only good for two on Akiyama. The four continue to come in and out. An Akiyama exploder on Taguchi gets a near fall thanks to a Nagata save. Akiyama has Taguchi on his feet again and hits a wrist-clutch exploder for the pin while KENTA distracts Nagata outside. The two are sizing each other up outside even after the match. KENTA is pointing to the cut on his head and sticking his finger in Nagata's face. A group of people have to get between them before it gets worse.
Match rating: ***3/4. A very solid match. Well-paced and well-executed, but the real story here was KENTA starting something and Nagata really making him pay for it. It's hard to factor that into a rating. On the one hand, it adds a lot of emotion (real emotion, at that). On the other, it's uncomfortable to watch someone act like how KENTA did. I'll put my qualms aside though and give this one some snowflakes.
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