DDT King of DDT 2021 First Round

DDT King of DDT 2021 First RoundDDT King of DDT 2021 First Round

By GARZA
From June 10, 2021
Discussion

King of DDT 2021 First Round Match
Makoto Oishi vs HARASHIMA - 7/10


This was a submission match 100%, Oishi is one of the most technically proficient wrestlers in DDT, but HARASHIMA is the ace and he can go toe to toe with anyone on any style, and it showed. Oishi kept going for the Fujiyama kneelock, but HARASHIMA kept escaping one way or another, and in the last escape, he caught Oishi with a surprise Somata that did enough damage to barely get the 3 count, but a 3 count nonetheless. Good opener, just shorter than I would had hoped.

King of DDT 2021 First Round Match
Yuji Hino vs Yukio Sakaguchi - 7.5/10


This was a fun pair up, I don't remember if I've seen it before myself. It's a big powerhouse vs a small striker. It was one of those that as long as Sakaguchi could keep striking and not get caught by Hino, he had the upper hand, but as soon as Hino would get a hold of him, he'd punish him.

There was a cool thing with Sakaguchi kicking Hino's leg, and since Hino can't kick, he started chopping Sakaguchi's leg. We did eventually get a proper chop vs kick exchange that was great. The true story of the match eventually became one that saw Sakaguchi go for for a choke over and over, but Hino always escaped, even one were he was unconscious for a couple of seconds, but had his hand locked on the rope, but meanwhile, Hino kept catching Sakaguchi with big lariats until one was enough for Hino to follow with a FuckingBOMB and win.

It's gonna be HARASHIMA vs Hino in the next round. I hate seeing Sakaguchi lose, but HARA vs Hino is a more interesting outcome right now.

King of DDT 2021 First Round Match
MAO vs Soma Takao - 6.5/10


This was really good, just somewhat slower paced than I would had expected, mostly because Soma was in control of the pace for a big chunk of the match. MAO eventually made a comeback and after some back and forward, the match ended with them on the top rope fighting and MAO hitting an Avalanche MIchinoku Driver II for the win.

King of DDT 2021 First Round Match
Akito vs Konosuke Takeshita - 7/10


This was heavily based on submission work and mat wrestling, it's not surprising for Akito, but I guess it felt different for Take, who has been getting in the ring with guys like Hino and Endo for the last month or two. Match was back and forward, both when it was on the mat with chain wrestling, but also towards the end, where Akito tried to find shortcuts to take down Takeshita, like shoving him to the ring post, taking out the corner pads, and such; whereas Takeshita went for big power moves, he kept dropping Akito with Germans until he had the opening to lock in an arm triangle choke hold for the submission win.

MAO vs Takeshita on the next round. Battle of the 37KAMIINA besties.

King of DDT 2021 First Round Match
Yuki Ueno vs Daisuke Sasaki (w/Mad Paulie) - Dud


Sasaki jumped Ueno to start the match, he went for quick pins and an early attempt at the crossface, but Ueno dodged until Paulie distracted the referee allowing Sasaki to low blow Ueno and get the roll up. This lasted about 2 minutes and while I don't like it, it may had been the best way to defeat a champion.

If Akiyama wins, Sasaki would be going against both champions of the promotion. I called it on CyberFight Festival, they're building Sasaki's crossface to face Akiyama for the title at one point.

King of DDT 2021 First Round Match
Shunma Katsumata vs Jun Akiyama - 6.5/10


I was really curious why this match was booked here, Katsu had a pin over Akiyama from the Ultimate Tag League, so I kinda expected they would build to a title match, potentially with Lego. Instead, we got technically a short version of what that title match should be, with Akiyama beating the shit out of Katsu, who wouldn't give up. After Akiyama wouldn't be able to finish him, Katsu would start a comeback, use some gimmicks, and then Akiyama would kill him and win.

This match had a couple of spots with Lego, so maaaaybbee it could eventually go to an actual Lego Deathmatch, especially because after the match Akiyama attacked Katsu on the Legos. The one issue is that Akiyama just won his pin back, so he technically doesn't owe anything to Katsu.

I do see potential with what these two could do, because as wacky as it can be, Katsumata's offense could take down Akiyama.

It's gonna be Akiyama vs Sasaki, don't be surprised if Sasaki defeats Akiyama one way or another.

King of DDT 2021 First Round Match
Naomi Yoshimura vs Kazusada Higuchi - 8/10


This was awesome, a total Sumo vs Judo hoss fight. Just a LOT of chops and shoulder tackles and tosses and that stuff. Higuchi won with a huge Brainclaw Slam. There wasn't much to talk about, it's just a great match.

King of DDT 2021 First Round Match
Tetsuya Endo vs Chris Brookes - 8.5/10


Match of the night, I didn't keep time for this shows, but this match felt like it was given double the time to every other match on the show. This was all action from the get go, Brookes jumped Endo with a shotgun dropkick and they never slowed down. Both guys were out there diving, going for top rope moves, for the first time in a long time, I thought Brookes belonged in the main event. At the end, Endo won with an Endo in the Sky.

It will be Endo vs Higuchi!

Post-match - Endo cut a promo putting over Brookes. Endo said that he lost the title on February and ever since, he hasn't been close to the top, but he will win King of DDT, main event Peter Pan, and win the championship back.

OVERALL THOUGHTS


Good easy watch. This show with 8 matches only went about 2 hours, with most matches being around 10 minutes. I was happy with how the tournament paired up the first round, we didn't get many matches were two top contenders faced off and we had to see one of them get eliminated. Second round should be a great show.

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