KENTA at his prime was a different kind of SAVAGE!

8 comments

1. Part of me wonders of his possible career trajectory if he was still healthier and had he not had the 3 different injuries in the US working for WWE. If he had made the jump to NJPW when he left NOAH instead of going stateside when he could still go like he did here, could he have been an IWGP champion? Would they have even pushed him to that level because he was an outside guy?

2. I’m not sure if I should actually like this, since it’s almost stupidly brutal, but then I again I miss a bit of this in New Japan today. Those stiff kicks probably hurt more than high flying moves do, but seem to be less risky, as long as they don’t hit the head (as seen here several times).

3. My hot take. I’ve never liked the guys like Kenta, or Low Ki, guys that have this hard hitting style. Like buddy, go be a real fighter then. You’re not that tough. It’s easy to knock the fuck out of someone when they’re not putting their hands up or trying to stop you.

4. That Falcon Arrow to the floor is wild!

5. I’m glad he’s not just stiffing the shit out of people any more, but man, todays KENTA does kind of feel like PG KENTA comparatively.

6. Still in his prime smh, I hope he took over BC instead of David tbh

7. How highly regarded was Kenta back then?? I have seen a lot of Kenta matches since I started watching New Japan like 3 years ago and it’s rare they’re even slightly memorable.. honestly the Eddie Kingston match last week is probably my favourite I’ve seen

8. And this is why Punk has been ducking him for 15 years.