According to theditch.biz, this is the final match of a 4-man #1 Contender's round robin tournament. Kobashi needs a win. but Taue needs only not to lose. You can tell Kobashi really wants this win, he's on fire from the opening exchanges and is risking it all. His aggression grants him the upper hand for the majority of this match, but gets overzealous and Taue turns the tides with some big impact moves like a Nodowa Otoshi to the ringside floor very early on and a Back Body Drop on the bare concrete (yikes!). Kobashi displays great fire and fighting spirit to comeback from all the punishment he endures, the match ends with him on top. Sadly, the 30-minute time limit expires and the match is declared a draw. Slightly disappointing finish, I was sooo rooting for Kobashi the entire match! I get it, they're building towards a bigger win down the line to be more satisfying.

This is overall a great match, the storytelling aspect of Kobashi being desperate to win is crucial to enjoy this fully. The action is non-stop with only a few places to rest and relax. Fast pace, big impact moves, storyline drama, this match has it all but a satisfying finish. The crowd is crazy hot from the beginning and when the final bell rings you can hear a very audible sigh of relief; they have been on the edge of their seats for 30 minutes straight. My favourite spot of the night is a Taue Bicycle Kick that honestly could not look wonkier and funnier. He spent most of this match selling, reigning it back in for the purposes of the story. This match is all about Kobashi, and he delivered a star-making performance. This is what Kobashi is all about, the young fiery underdog taking risks and never giving up in the face of adversity. While I liked Kobashi before this, I now love him. Go watch this now!!!! It is great.