This was for Verichev’s WWA Brass Knuckle Heavyweight Title.
Assuming you’ve gone into this having seen their first match (and why wouldn’t you? Wrestling is almost always better in context!), this is essentially just that again, and it’s great for mostly the same reasons. Onita’s energy, the way Verichev carries himself and moves around the ring to casually feel like a gigantic killer, huge bumps, simple backdrop throws that though a combination of said bumps individually and the flow of the match to those points, and a typically dramatic ten count finish.
Granted, there differences.
First, in the fact that this time, like one expects in this sort of a cycle when the leader of the company has his rematch with the monster who previously pummelled him into oblivion, Onita wins and regains his title. It makes this match a little less interesting on a conceptual level, as at least for me, the disruption will always be more engaging than the return to the usual order, even with the sense of triumph that Onita puts behind it.
The other difference is how they get to that point, which is I think what makes sure it’s still interesting.
Rather than something like the Onita/Aoyagi matches over eighteen months earlier, where Onita perseveres at the end in roughly the same match, this is a lot different in terms of what they choose to do. Onita adapts Goto’s plan of rushing at the start into something more sustainable, both making better decisions after that initial shock and also changing his offense a lot, like breaking out an ahead-of-its-time dropkick off the apron. He gets a little lucky too, like when a judo throw takes Verichev over the top and he seems to bang his arm up some on the landing, later giving him openings that nobody else has had against the big man. Not only in the holds he has a chance at, but primarily in giving Verichev moments of pause after his gigantic throws, which allows Onita the chance for the one big match-altering lariat to break the sequence up that he never had in February, and that makes such a difference now.
Are these differences enough?
Sure.
Generally, the match lasts around the same length and has the same feel in terms of mechanics and construction. As a result, these narrative shifts and the change in what they do within the same type of match matter, and make sure this isn’t solely a retread, even if by the nature of what it seeks to do, the ceiling is lower.
Mostly though, I like it for the same reasons I liked the original, and I imagine that a lot of people would as well.
It’s big event wrestling where — although you can trim stuff out that doesn’t matter long term (this is why Goto/Verichev is the best of the bunch) — everything that happens feels like a huge swing, and every part of the match feels more desperate and valuable and important as a result.
Verichev finally gets dropped on his head one time too many by the second or third Thunder Fire Powerbomb, and Onita gets his belt back.
Not one for permanent tape, nor anyone after just the absolute best stuff, but that has never once been the province of this endeavor. For people wanting to find the joy in the regular strength great things, like the other non-all-time Onita vs. Legitimate Fighter matches or all of the other Verichev stuff, it is so so easy to enjoy, and I am valuing that sort of a thing more and more lately.
HANDWERK 