1998 G-1 Climax Tournament Quarterfinal Match: Shinya Hashimoto vs Genichiro Tenryu 8/1/98
A very simple match with virtually no intricate sequences, but this was one of the stiffest matches you will ever see. The match was really dramatic simply because of how hard the two punched, chopped and kicked each other. Hashimoto's selling was phenominal and made the match even more dramatic. Hashimoto slid and swept Tenryu's legs out from under him at the start. He gave him some kicks but Tenryu punched him. Hashimoto then traded brutal chops with Tenryu for two minutes until finally Hashimoto got the better of Tenryu. Tenryu punched Hashimoto and gave him more chops but Hashimoto stunned him with a chop to the neck. Tenryu nailed Hashimoto with an enzuguiri. The two traded chops again and Hashimoto then gave Tenryu a perfect spin kick for a near fall. Hashimoto and Tenryu continued to chop each other raw. Hashimoto briefly appled a cross armbreaker submission on Tenryu. Tenryu laid in a barrage of chops and got the better of Hashimoto. Hashimoto made a comeback but was cut off. Tenryu gave Hashimoto another enzuguiri. Hashimoto made a coneback with a series of brutal chops to Tenryu's neck and gave him a DDT. The two traded more chops and then Tenryu gave Hashimoto a koppo kick. Tenryu gave Hashimoto an enzuguiri and then a powerbomb for a near fall. Tenryu also hit a top rope elbow for a near fall. After more chops, Tenryu came off the top rope but was met with a Hashimoto spin kick. Hashimoto gave Tenryu a series of brutal kicks and a second rope DDT for a near fall. After another exchange of blows between the two, Hashimoto kicked Tenryu and gave him a DDT for the pin at 13:13. Fans were going nuts for both, especially Hashimoto. Great drama resulting from a simple but effective storyline. ****3/4