IWGP Jr. title: Jushin Liger (champion) vs Shinjiro Otani 3/17/96

A super, nearly flawless match that was a textbook example of the New Japan juniors style. TV footage began about four minutes into the match as Otani held the advantage on the mat. He worked on Liger's left arm for a couple minutes using various submission holds. Liger fought back and dropkicked Otani's left knee, although Liger sold the pain in his arm. The two then traded the advantage with a variety of holds on the mat. Liger hit a koppo kick on Otani and hit a brainbuster about ten minutes into the match. Liger continued to dominate with Otani playing his underdog role well. Otani applied an armlock on Liger's left arm but Liger escaped and hit Otani in the corner with another koppo kick. Liger dropkicked Otani to the floor but Otani sidestepped a pescado. Otani then hit a great springboard plancha on Liger. Otani hit his springboard spin kick (swan dive) on Liger for a near fall as heat picked up. Liger hit a spectacular released German suplex and a koppo kick. Liger gained a near fall with a top rope splash and another more heated near fall with a Liger bomb. Otani countered a second Liger bomb with a huracanrana and hit a spinning savate kick. Otani hit a top rope frankensteiner and a German suplex for a heated near fall. Otani hit his springboard missile dropkick and applied a cross-armbar on Liger as heat reached a fever pitch. Liger surprised Otani with a sleeper and gained a near fall with la magistral. Liger gained another near fall with a fisherman buster. Otani fought back and hit a top rope missile dropkick and two dragon suplexes for a super near fall. Liger blocked another dragon suplex attempt and knocked Otani out with a shoda and scored the pin at 20:27. Exemplary New Japan juniors match with the matwork early and all the big moves and hot near falls in the closing seven minutes. In many ways, this resembled the Otani-Ultimo Dragon classic later in the year, only this was slightly longer. ****3/4

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