The following is a report on Pro Wrestling Noah’s fourth match of their first event on DDT Universe on January 30, 2020, following their acquisition by CyberAgent.
RATEL’s member and current International Pro Wrestling (IPW) United Kingdom Junior Heavyweight Champion, and 3x Global Honor Crown (GHC) Junior Heavyweight Champion Daisuke Harada squared off against former GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion and Sugiura-gun member Hajime Ohara in the first semi-final match of the Global Junior League 2020 tournament.
The match was built around Ohara’s devasting focus on Harada’s back, allowing the former to control approximately 65 percent of the contest. The narrative was compelling, the execution was near perfect, and the 15 minute and 45-second length felt just about right.
This type of contest was similar to the mid-1990s and early 2000s Super Junior style associated with New Japan Pro Wrestling’s (NJPW) junior heavyweight division. Harada and Ohara put on the best singles match of the night (by far), with their efforts feeling more of a tournament climax than the final match did in the marquee.
Ohara who shined the most in the match is a wrestler to keep focused on in the near future as he looks to be one of, if not the most complete junior heavyweight on NOAH’s present roster. This was a quality match which any fan of solid psychology should be able to easily digest and enjoy.
The Global Junior League 2020 Finals is available to stream for free on DDT Universe. Click here to watch the event in full.
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