Minoru Suzuki is an utter legend in Japan, an impossibly unique, imposing figure with a kind of menace that just can’t be faked. Not to mention an innate gift for striking and coiling around people with the lightning quick suddenness of an honest to God viper. Even at 51 years of age and in spite of the innumerable injuries that have taken a serious toll on his body, he’s a man that no sane person would want to mess with and is still fully capable of putting on fantastical matches.
He’s winding down his career and for good reason, but it was still stark to realize that even two days of Wrestle Kingdom 14, Minoru Suzuki was not going to be involved in a major match. It seemed there was little of significance for him to do.
But that just lulled us all into a false sense of security, the worst thing you can have when Suzuki is around. After Jon Moxley defeated Juice Robinson to retain his IWGP US title, Suzuki made his presence known. He entered the ring and quickly overwhelmed the beleaguered Mox, piledriving him and declaring his intent to challenge for the US title.
You can see an excerpt of my recap of this segment below:
Winner: Jon Moxley
Rad finish, playing off his own trend from last year really well. I was wrong on this one. Cool to see that Mox is sticking around in New Japan though, there’s so much he still hasn’t done.
As he celebrates… Minoru Suzuki’s theme hits! Holy crap! He appears in his track jacket… but slowly strips it off on his way to the ring, he’s in his gear! Steps up to the apron, Mox dares him to enter the ring! Enormous Kaze Ni Nare! They brawl in the ring, Suzuki gets his choke hold in, Cradle Piledriver! Mox is laid out! Suzuki gets on the mic and calls Mox out, he wants a shot at the US title! Mox is dazed, attacking young boys for trying to help him! Slowly rolls from the ring.
