When did forearming each other in the head become da new “superkick”?

[John Reena]

I watched NJPW last Friday on AXS....n tha forearm shyt took up half the damn match

nikkaz spamming that shyt like super kicks

 

[The Prince of All Saiyans]

around the time HBK started doing it to the undertaker at their 2nd WM match

 

[Berniewood Hogan]

IT'S ACTUALLY AN INVERTED AXE BOMBER, BROTHER!

 

[Beautiful Bobby Eatin]

For as long as ive been watching puro breh. Thats an old standoff trope in japanese matches.

 

[THE 101]

Just finished watching Ishii and Elgin from the NJ Cup....this is the kinda match where that shyt works best. Just two animals knocking eachothers head off.

That splash mountain though

 

[NYChase718]

For as long as ive been watching puro breh. Thats an old standoff trope in japanese matches.

Yeah this isnt new

 

[jadillac]

Because dudes dont know how to throw working punches very well anymore .

Its basically the standard in every womens match

 

[Groupie For Groupies]

Orton and Edge were doing that shyt in 2004.

 

[StatUS]

Closed fists are illegal

 

[Jmare007]

Since at least the 1980's

 

[Vinny Lupton]

I don't understand why they stand there and let someone else forearm them in the face. A flurry is one thing, but they were doing like one a minute in that Ishii and Elgin match. I like them both but yeah that shyts dumb

 

[FromStLouis]

Closed fists are illegal

Roman's going to hit at least 10 Superman Punches come Wrestlemania.



Sometimes I wish they'd make closed fists illegal but how is that not a slippery slope for all striking moves?



The ref has been completely removed from matches, there's barely anything to enforce.

 

[Dog Based Gremlin]

Because dudes dont know how to throw working punches very well anymore .

Its basically the standard in every womens match

you aint never lie

Sasha's the queen of this.

 

[jadillac]

you aint never lie

Sasha's the queen of this.

I dont think Trish ever threw a punch

 

[Jmare007]

I don't understand why they stand there and let someone else forearm them in the face. A flurry is one thing, but they were doing like one a minute in that Ishii and Elgin match. I like them both but yeah that shyts dumb

It's a style thing, a strike exchange in puro is meant to show how much punishment the wrestlers are willing to take (and give) to show their opponent they have a bigger "fighting spirit". As with a lot of stuff in wrestling, it's something that only makes sense in the context of the style, if you can't get around it you'll probably never fully enjoy Japanese wrestling The point of two wrestlers just standing in the ring hitting each other is not winning the match or gain a clear advantage at that moment, but it's more of a contest that reveals how much of a "real competitor" each wrestler is in that match.