Brian Kendrick vs KUSHIDA from NJPW 2011

Recap from Lee Goodfellow:

KUSHIDA runs at Kendrick with a knee to get the early advantage. He maintains this with various kicks, slaps, forerarms, and irish whips, including a whip into the barricade. Kendrick turns things around by halting an attempt at top rope move, then lands a superplex for a two count. He keeps KUSHIDA grounded, stretching and striking him. He gets another two count. Kendrick begins working on the right arm. He lands a suplex for two then goes back to the arm. KUSHIDA makes a comeback with a dropkick.

They trade forearms and kicks, with KUSHIDA coming out on top, but Kendrick counters the springboard attack and gets back to work on the arm. KUSHIDA makes it to the ropes, then rolls Kendrick up for a two count, but Kendrick is back in control after a kick to the head. Kendrick attempts some sort of arm drag from the top rope, but KUSHIDA throws him off, then nails a diving chop. A flurry of KUSHIDA offence (concluding in a standing moonsault) leads to a two count. Kendrick dodges a kick and rolls him up for two. Catches him with another roll up for two again. Yet another dodge and roll up, this time with his feet on the ropes, again for two. Kendrick lands a superkick, then goes for Sliced Bread, but KUSHIDA evades and Kendrick flies back to the mat alone. Some running and dodging leads to Kendrick landing a diving DDT. He misses a frog splash, then gets kicked in the face. KUSHIDA covers him for two. Kendrick escapes from a full nelson attempt, only to receive a crazy backflip kick. A backbreaker followed by a diving moonsault gets KUSHIDA the three count!

Pretty standard NJPW junior match, with young KUSHIDA bringing the excitement with his energetic offence. Seeing Kendrick in Japan is interesting. He played his part well, but KUSHIDA was certainly the one who shone the most. Good stuff.
Match rating: ***

Thoughts from TJ Hawke:

I thought this match was OK.  They worked hard, but I just never really got engaged with what they were doing.  I like Spanky when he is being a little more goofy and a little less serious.  If you haven’t seen Spanky outside of the WWE or TNA though, it’s worth a watch.

Match Rating: **3/4