Keep in mind, I will no doubt post separate blogs delving into every aspect of this at later times, but for now, I'm going to be as brief as I can be, for the sake of talking about this one match.
IWGP HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP:
KEIJI MUTOH (c) vs HIROSHI TANAHASHI
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom III, 01/04/2009
To set up the what, who, and why, we have to set up the where and the when. The 'where'? The Tokyo Dome. The 'when'? January 4th. Why, you're now allowed to ask, is supposed to mean anything? Well, allow to educate you to the best of my ability.
In layman's terms, every year since 1992, New Japan Pro Wrestling has run their equivalent to WrestleMania on January 4th. Its arguably viewed as the biggest show held all year, and has traditionally seen Japan's biggest matches happen at this event. It also has seen pivotal moments in Puroresu history take place here, as it has been the site for many "first-ever" inter-promotion events with the likes of All Japan Pro Wrestling, Pro Wrestling NOAH, ZERO-1, former wrestling promotion WCW, and soon-to-be-former wrestling promotion TNA (I kid... maybe. I'm not sure, actually. Come back and read this in three years and let me know if it was a joke.)
This match just so happens to be the main event at this card in 2009, and is for one of the most prestigious championships in all of pro wrestling, much less Japan, the IWGP Heavyweight Title. The top NJPW title, and along with the AJPW Triple Crown and maybe the GHC Heavyweight Title (PW NOAH), make up the top Heavyweight championships in the Far East. Past IWGP Champions include Antonio Inoki, Vader, Masahiro Chono, and Brock Lesnar.
The challenger is Hiroshi Tanahashi. A lot can be said about this guy, and most of it will be positive. A great technical wrestler with that blend of brutal striking and an aerial attacks that's needed for the main event. How this wrestler has progressed since his first IWGP title win in 2006 to his latest matches with the likes of Hirooki Goto is just amazing. Quite the image change as well, from clean cut baby face to confident baby face with an Emo-Mullet. But an Emo-Mullet that works. Going into this match, Hiroshi had already won the IWGP title on a few occasions, but either injury or regime changes prevented his reigns from really taking off. All the while, he was evolving in and out of the ring, gaining a more original persona that connected with Puroresu's fan base. The time was right, and it was now or never for Tanahashi, as he would be stood against the measuring stick of modern Puroresu.
That stick's name is Keiji Mutoh, and he enters the Tokyo Dome on January 4, 2009 as the IWGP Heavyweight Champion. Mutoh, better known to American fans as The Great Muta, or even better known to WCW fans as the guy who kicked Sting's head so hard it landed in a Church of Latter Day Saints. Mutoh's career really has no parallel for me to present you, he's done that much that uniquely. The closest, and perhaps broadest statement I could give you, with all due respect, is that Keiji Mutoh is like Japan's equivalent of The Undertaker. Not only in character, both being hard-hitting, technically capable competitors who happen to have super powers, but in terms of respect and regard, in relation to the fans and fellow wrestlers. Like his counter-part from Death Valley, Mutoh has re-invented himself several times, some by choice, others forced by injury, but every time he steps in the ring it's a lesson of some kind. He displays such a unique, rare psychology that you get lost in just watch Mutoh toy not only with Tanahashi, but the referee and the photographers at ringside. He is one of those wrestlers that carries himself like a champion, title belt or not.
A huge part of the story line and build up for this match was Hiroshi Tanahashi's respect/idolization of Keiji Mutoh. The opening video emphasizes this, showing how the two had similar rises to the top, similar size fan base, etc. The match proper really plays on this, as a frequent spot seems to be Mutoh hitting one of his standard moves only for Tanahashi to no-sell it and drop Keiji with one of his own. It makes for an interesting cat-and-mouse scenario, where the roles keep switching.
If they write a text book on this stuff, this match deserves a mention under limb psychology. How both wrestlers choose to work the leg in this match is more of an analogy for the mind-set and offensive styles of both wrestlers. Tanahashi attacks quickly and often, all of his attacks laced with a building aggression. Keiji Mutoh slows it down, choosing his spots and then wrecking Hiroshi's knee. The match serves itself well, building anticipation until it inevitably comes down to two warriors, dropping bombs on each other to see who survives.
All in all, a great match and either a fantastic way introduce you all these elements, or it's a nice reminder that a giant belt with a spinning "W" isn't the only important championship in wrestling.
Enjoy.
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