The pairing of Shibata with KENTA works on so many different
levels. It’s a shame we only got three tag matches out of them. When Shibata teamed
with KUSHIDA for a few matches earlier this year, it reminded me of the
Takeover as they complement each other well. But they’re not the same
disrespectful little pricks. Hot opening as Big Taue chicken-steps around the
ring and Shibata tries to bully the vet with elbows and boots. Taue slaps him
silly and gives him a coconut crush to the entertainment of the fans. They eat
up Taue’s dive tease. Shibata really brings out the best in the veterans, which
is probably why his series with the New Japan Dads was so enjoyable to me. He
gives zero fucks. Shiozaki makes for a good whipping boy, especially against a
pissed off Shibata. They have great chemistry together. But when Go and KENTA
are in their, the match cools off a little. It feels like they’re just going
through the motions. KENTA pestering Taue on the apron was awesome though.
Shibata mocks Taue with a couple of coconut crushes over his
knee to Shiozaki and oh boy, Taue is pissed, shaking the ropes. Shibata puts
Taue in the octopus hold and when Go comes in and breaks it up, Shibata
pedigrees him! They try to set Taue up for the Doomsday Device but he chops his
way out. He catches KENTA with a great chokeslam counter to the springboard
before chokeslamming Shibata and hitting a sit-out powerbomb for a huge false
finish. KENTA and Shiozaki bring things to a close, cooling the crowd down
again as they trade two counts off suplex holds. After Shibata takes down Taue
with the sleeper hold > PK combo, they finish off Go with the brutal
springboard Doomsday Device for the win. Probably the best Takeover match of
the three and a hot crowd for the Shibata/Taue exchanges.
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