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HYPER VISUAL FIGHTING TOURNAMENT
ZION '98 Ikkaisen Reggie Bennett (17-1-3) vs. Mariko Yoshida (18-1-3) |
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This was a big match, as the one loss each that both of these women had came in the ARS tournament. Yoshida's loss was to Reggie, so she was looking to even the score here. It was a really good match, the best in the tournament, due to Yoshida. Reggie deserves a lot of credit for improving her matwork a great deal. I mean, the matwork in their 5/5 match can't hold a candle to this technically, and thus wasn't as interesting to watch. This was actually technically better than a lot of worked RINGS matches, which really says something, but they mixed in a lot of pro style spots so it wasn't meant to be believable. "I've been incredibly impressed by the way Reggie has adapted so well to the ARSION style, given her age and weight (and now that she had lost 75 pounds for the shoot, you really have to admire that she's put a great deal of effort into ARSION). I was really surprised by her mat work. It was very slick at times. In particular, Reggie did a leg sweep and a roll over, which was incredible for a woman her size. Her interview prior to the match where she mentions how she and Yoshida train together probably reveals why Reggie has done so well in that regard," wrote Keith. The match built well. The first 5:30 was mat wrestling, with both women being even. Considering Reggie was involved, it was almost amazing how well they chained the submissions together. Reggie tried her global bomb, but Yoshida avoided it. Reggie went back to the mat then tried another global bomb, but Yoshida turned it into a version of the sleeper. Reggie had Yoshida in the Reggie rack (Argentine backbreaker), but Yoshida used a counter with more holes than swiss cheese to turn it into a sleeper. However, Reggie turned this into a powerbomb for a near fall. Reggie took over, which lead to her KO'ing Yoshida with her global bomb. Instead of going for the pin, Reggie wasted time climbing to the top rope, which allowed Yoshida to avoid her diving body press. They exchanged submissions until Yoshida won with a version of the jujigatame. "The finishing sequence should've had a little more heat to it. Reggie had locked on her 'big moves' like the global bomb, Reggie Rack, and even her reverse full nelson that she beat Aja with. The problem was that the crowd, for whatever reason, 'didn't remember' those finishers, so it wasn't as hot as it should've been," wrote Keith. Jerome: The Yoshida show begins! Seeing this match, it's a shame that Reggie is not around ARSION anymore. The matwork was strong and very smooth, with both women countering each others. They built the match until Reggie finally hit her big moves but failed to put Yoshida away. The final exchange is back on the mat (who are we kidding, it's Yoshida here:)) and Yoshida avenges her loss at ARS by making Reggie submit. I loved this match, and I would go so far to say it was the best of the night. Special thanks to: Jerome Denis & Keith Watanabe - Manami Toyota Rules! 10:49
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