I've always enjoyed this match for what it was, but I absolutely agree with you that there is a feeling of "the beginning of the end" for the mystique of Takada (that wouldn't be fully broken down until the PRIDE stuff) and shoot-style in general. Shoot-style was still great after and continues to be great, but there's a certain melancholy about it. Especially if you are a deep fan of the style like I am. Actually, you can probably tell the history of shoot-style through a series of phyrric victories. "One more victory like that and we are done for." - Phyrrus
I've always enjoyed this match for what it was, but I absolutely agree with you that there is a feeling of "the beginning of the end" for the mystique of Takada (that wouldn't be fully broken down until the PRIDE stuff) and shoot-style in general. Shoot-style was still great after and continues to be great, but there's a certain melancholy about it. Especially if you are a deep fan of the style like I am. Actually, you can probably tell the history of shoot-style through a series of phyrric victories. "One more victory like that and we are done for." - Phyrrus
Luckily he gets all of that mystique back in HUSTLE.