2018 Ongoing MOTY List: Ikeda vs. Keisuke Goto

147. Daisuke Ikeda vs. Keisuke Goto GPS Growth5 12/18/18

PAS: This is Ikeda against a young kid, and while that isn't what it would have been 10 years earlier, it is still going to be violent kicks to the ribs, punches to the jaw and gross headbutts. Goto has a nice second rope senton, but otherwise was pretty much there to be beaten violently. There is a great moment where Ikeda has a tight purpling rear naked choke with this sick grin on his face, looking like he is right where he needs to be. What a beautiful psycho. 

ER: This is a pretty baseline Ikeda beating, but those are the best, and it's always fun to see what his punching bags to do fight back. Goto really bends Ikeda's left calf over his knee, forcing it down at the ankle, and some of his elbow smashes actually pack more wallop than Ikeda's. This starts out actually competitive, and that changes complete when Ikeda stops Goto's assault by jamming his thumb up Goto's ass. I cannot think of a bigger insult to injury than Ikeda doing an Oil Check before delivering an asskicking. If I'm going to get kicked in the cheek several times, please just kick me in the face. Ikeda does some big body kicks, a hard headbutt, and a mean front kick to Goto's nose and mouth. Where guys like Finlay would stomp on your hands if you were to slow to get to your feet, Ikeda just kicks you in the ribs and face alternately until you make it back up. I liked Goto's running senton, and his middle rope senton wasn't pulled at all, but I would happily take both of those sentons rather than take Ikeda's vertical suplex, his sick high tilt sheer drop back suplex, and that collarbone crushing lariat. We can all identify with the man in the crowd who starts loudly laughing after that lariat. All Ikeda fans are That Man. 

2018 MOTY MASTER LIST