KANA & Kenichi Yamamoto vs. Syuri & Daisuke Ikeda (Kana Pro 17-06-2012)

In the first version of this match I watched, a weird little clipped version which minimized Kenichi Yamamoto's presence in the match, this seemed very much to be a situation in which Yamamoto was a sort of fourth wheel to the tricycle of KANA, Syuri, and Daisuke.

Then, I went to the KanaChanTV youtube channel, where I discovered a 30 minute version of this match. But it seems like the full version of this match is actually even longer, and I would recommend watching the full version of the match, because it's really good.

Early on, the fight starts between Kana and Syuri, but all of the wrestlers get some time in there against each other, and arguably the stars of the show end up being Kana and Daisuke. Syuri absolutely nails Kana with some great shots and submissions, and in answer Yamamoto stretches the fuck out of Syuri, who tags in Daisuke...until Yamamoto gets him to tag her back in, when things get more competitive between the two of them.

The women in this match wrestled with a particular sense of urgency and malice, two things which I really like to see. That's not to say the men are working entirely without these things, but Kana and Syuri make this whole thing really work. Work is definitely the right word for it, since it takes a lot of effort to wear down the opposition and beat the shit out of these men.

Of course, Yamamoto and Ikeda are absolute joys to watch, and their stretch rules. But their time doesn't include Syuri delivering a sick german suplex to Yamamoto, nor does it include Kana blasting Ikeda in the liver and skull repeatedly. Don't get me wrong, the moments between Kana and Syuri also justify watching this match entirely on their own, but their exchanges don't include Yamamoto annihilating Syuri with a catch suplex, nor do they include Ikeda finally getting fed up with the onslaught of Kana and dropping her.

I guess what I'm saying is every match-up works about as well as you could imagine in this match. The drama gets incredible. Although the Suzuki matches are more well-known, there's no doubt to me that this match is significantly better (largely due to Suzuki's limitations as a performer). This is a great match from four really great, historic wrestlers.

VERDICT: IT'S REALLY FUCKING COOL

also apparently, according to kanachantv youtube channel, this is supposed to be, like...a KO only match, so all the submissions seem to function mostly to make the opponent vulnerable..