I could kiss him 🥰

Dick Togo (c) vs. Kota Ibushi (DDT Judgement 2011)

Real graps, sister.

When pro wrestling finds itself at its best, there's nothing like it. The same can be said about DDT Pro Wrestling as a whole. Such a divisive company is not to everyone's taste, but when you can get something that all people can enjoy equally, you start to think there's something more than just greatness hidden in these matches you can occasionally find looking at the resume of such a prestigious belt as the KO-D Openweight Championship. Maybe there's something else than just good matches and a happy vibe. This match is one of those experiences that changes your perception of a wrestling company as a whole, and I'm sure it changed mine when I first watched this.

Re-watching this match felt like going back to being a little girl, not because this match awakened something inside of me, but because I remembered I was naive and foolish. I didn't know about this match and neither did I know about the quality DDT can achieve when put to test. Such as his match against HARASHIMA, Dick Togo excels in his performance, but I want to focus on the other wrestler standing on the other side of the ring.

Contrary to what people think, singles match Kota Ibushi is a mixed bag for me. I'm more into tag wrestler Ibushi because I think he's better at being the one with the hot tag. Some of his matches (especially in modern-day NJPW) have got me to sleep, literally. I couldn't finish watching any Jay White vs. Kota Ibushi 45-minute match because I couldn't believe a wrestler that can be as good as he is in tag competition just plainly sucks at doing something else. I found myself praising singles match Ibushi when he wrestles OUTSIDE of Shin Nihon's formulaic approach to such delicate craft, and of course, the matches that I like the most are the ones that he did in DDT.

I don't know, maybe KO-D Openweight Ibushi feels more like a really great wrestler than IWGP Heavyweight Ibushi because he's not forced to wrestle a long match. This match is incredible not only because Ibushi gets to do some of the best counters I have seen a wrestler do, but also because, unlike his match against HARASHIMA, Togo finds himself in a hurry while wrestling the Golden Star. Ibushi's drive and passion connect with the Korakuen faithful, and his fighting spirit shines through his own pain. People now call Ibushi a god but in this match, he's a mere mortal, but one that has enough heart and determination to keep standing against a wrestler that is putting everyone to notice in DDT, and I think he's better like that.

I'm a sucker for fiery babyfaces, and in this match, Ibushi goes out of his way to evoke such emotions in fans that REALLY want him to win, because he's just that good. Togo is a party pooper, but he's the best party pooper you could think of because not only does he have the experience to back up such a precious piece of his craft, but because he's considerably less handsome than baby boy Ibushi here. The hopes of the girls screaming for Ibushi's name become just shattered illusions when Togo shows them he does not have 15 years of career for nothing.

What I love about this match is that Togo does not feel superior. He upsets Ibushi but he doesn't dominate him at all because he's facing the second-best wrestler in the company. I like how Togo's game plan gets thrown into the trash when he realizes Ibushi is just not going to fall that easily. And Kota here is insane too, because he's willing to do anything to win the KO-D title. Togo knows this and counters Ibushi's counters who then become Ibushi's counters to Togo's offense...if you've seen the match you get what I'm saying.

Anyhow, this match rules and you should definitely watch it.

the cut couldnt have been better

GOAT

Christian's first hiss and scaring someone

Can I request chibi bullet club

Yeah I'm sorry I can't do Chibi style, I tired... ;-;

Fortunately I have Grimlin style!

some problem solving

House of Torture: Cry Me A River (T-Shirt)

Lmao

If you a Bullet Club fan, you a hoe.

Because they are literally sluts for us too 😂