In the non-Bryan Danielson division, Kento Miyahara may be my favourite wrestler of 2023 thus far. Here he’s at the Tokyo Dome, entering a cross-promotional all-star bout just days after losing his title to Yuji Nagata. He’s alongside Yuma Aoyagi and Suwama on this occasion, with the former set to add another hit to his own emerging catalogue. Suwama is an All Japan mainstay, winning the Triple Crown Title eight times over his almost twenty year career.
Opposite them is Kongo, led by Kenoh and his always intriguing dynamic alongside Nakajima. They’re joined by stablemate Manabu Soya, their own squad’s powerhouse. On line-up alone, this is a neat matchup but assisted by the Dome atmosphere, it’s especially dynamic. Best of all, the impressive crowd is onboard from the outset too, seemingly perceiving this multi-man tag as significant. From what I understand, there’s some history between Nakajima and Miyahara too, which appears to have captured the imagination.
Speaking of such, they get this one underway, sharing a tense feeling out process that’s truly rich with caution. After an initial stalemate, Nakajima is content to bail though, resulting in Aoyagi and Soya meeting in centre ring. Things soon break down, with Kongo forcing a fight on the floor as Nakajima refocuses on Miyahara, the pair trading bombs at ringside. After that chaotic outburst, we return to Aoyagi and Soya wrestling for control in centre ring, with the latter soon introducing some devastating chops.
Aoyagi responds though, rocking Soya with forearms and even evoking some Muto with the Dragon Screw, earning fleeting jeers with a mocking taunt. Maintaining some extended control, Suwama soon arrives, whacking Soya to the mat before being floored by a leaping lariat. Suddenly, we’re back to square one, as Miyahara and Nakajima meet in the middle. That prior feeling out process is a mere memory now, with the pair picking up from their ringside brawl just moments prior.
The work in this exchange is extraordinary, a remarkable blend of blinding speed and thudding power. After that hesitant start, the pace is now electric, with Nakajima playing a Muto hit of his own, landing a gorgeous handspring elbow. He and Kenoh then isolate Miyahara, unleashing a salvo of strikes until All Japan’s ace rebounds in explosive fashion. They eventually reach a double down, setting the stage for Aoyagi vs. Kenoh, sprinting towards each other with strikes.
Kenoh is unable to dispatch Suwama from the apron though, almost being knocked cold for his troubles. Soya gets the job done anyway, leaving Kenoh to flurry on Aoyagi in unusually clunky fashion. Things then explode once again, with everyone returning to the ring for an exchange that leaves all six floored. Aoyagi and Kenoh then pick up where they left off, sharing a few loose moments before the latter erases those minor missteps with a spectacular closing combination, scoring the win.
This was an absolute blast, giving just enough of the multiple dynamics available without leaving anyone behind. Everyone rose to the occasion here, maximising their skill-set in a virtually perfect six-man tag for this spot on the super-show. I will say though, regardless of likelihood, I’m going to need that Nakajima – Miyahara singles match. Am aware of their prior battles and may even seek them out but it’s been over a decade and as this match showcased, they may be currently unmatched in terms of sheer offensive dynamism.
Again though, I enjoyed everyone here, with AJPW getting a nice spotlight opposite some of NOAH’s heaviest hitters. Kongo is such an awesome act, a standout in just about any scenario or setting.
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