What is arguably the greatest shoot style match with a wrestling flair of all-time happened ten years ago. Happy birthday to Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kazushi Sakuraba at Wrestle Kingdom 7, an overlooked classic

4 comments

1. [**Intro**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZIB9Pbp5hU)

   [**VTR**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJ52yZLw7uo)

   [**Match**](https://njpwworld.com/p/s_series_00203_1_10)

   In addition, here is a [**write-up**](https://www.reddit.com/r/njpw/comments/sxp2oi/20_for_10_my_top_twenty_new_japan_matches_of_the/?sort=old) I posted a few months ago

2. Pro wrestlers in shoot style can work. Shoot style workers in pro wrestling definitely work. But you have to decide what style you want to do. I don’t think these two every really decided. The match came off clunky and disjointed. It sounds harsh, but this is a great match.

   The problem lies in between this is awkward, tentative faux-MMA. The beginning like 4 minutes is as awkward as you will see on a big stage. Until, Nakamura slapped Sakuraba it was pretty boring. Even later on, why is Nakamura reversing in such a way that Sakuraba can get a full mount and transition easily into a side mount? The finish is Nakamura is too long to be kept in a cross armbreaker (he pops up a little too easily) and knees Sakuraba in the head. He hits the Boma-Ye to take this one home even though in true shoot-stylist fashion kicks out right after three!

3. This was my introduction to Nakamura

4. Sakuraba is the best!

   Good stuff!!!