New Japan 1997 Super Junior Tournament Final: El Samurai vs Koji Kanemoto 6/5/97
This match was a shining example of the greatness of the New Japan junior division and perhaps the best final in Super Junior tournament history. Both men had one of their best nights. Kanemoto kicked Samurai as television footage began. Kanemoto's kicks were stiff as usual. Samurai fought back and dropkicked an upside down Kanemoto in the corner. Kanemoto surprised Samurai with an ankle lock and gave hin several stiff kicks. Samurai gave Kanemoto some stiff kicks of his own. Kanemoto hit a fluid belly to belly suplex and applied a leglock on Samurai. Samurai lariated Kanemoto, knocking him for a loop in the process. Samurai suplexed Kanemoto over the top rope to the floor and hit a tope suicida. Kanemoto hit a belly to belly suplex in the ring and immediately reapplied a leglock on Samurai. Kanemoto locked on a figure four leglock at the 15 minute mark. He again nailed Samurai with several stiff kicks and continued to focus on Samurai's injured leg. Kanemoto missed a corkscrew senton. Samurai gave Kanemoto a pair of DDTs and a diving headbutt for a near fall. Kanemoto fought back with a great spinning kick. He hit a corkscrew senton and partially ripped Samurai's mask open. Kanemoto gave Samurai a frankentoyota but met Samurai's knees on a moonsault attempt. Samurai powerbombed Kanemoto twice and applied a cross armbreaker. Kanemoto gave Samurai a top rope powerslam and a moonsault. He gained a near fall on Samurai with a tiger suplex. Samurai hit his top rope inverted DDT and then gave Kanemoto two standard inverted DDT's for the pinfall and tournament championship at 23:51. The execution of the big moves was as flawless as you will ever see although the selling and near falls held this back a bit from being five stars. ****3/4