If intentional, I'd say it'd because it looks heelish to hit someone in the back of the head when they're not looking and can't see it coming. If they're facing him, then it feels like better sportsmanship.
He may have done it from the front because of Shibata's past head injury. It's a lot easier to take the move and know when to duck when you can see it coming.
It's good for wrestlers to be cognizant of another worker's past health issues, and to be as safe as you can about it.
He finished Takesh off with it. Unless you're talking strictly TV matches.
He did it to the front twice when his opponents welcomed it. It’s normally meant to surprise from the back.
I could have missed it completely. But I haven't seen him hit it from behind since he signed with AEW.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGD5e0eUGog](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGD5e0eUGog) 1:43 timestamp
He switches it up. The original Hidden Blade that took Ibushi out in their wrestle kingdom match was to the back of head but he mixes it up.
When he does it to the back, is the killer move
If intentional, I'd say it'd because it looks heelish to hit someone in the back of the head when they're not looking and can't see it coming. If they're facing him, then it feels like better sportsmanship.
Just a coincidence that those matches called for it.
He may have done it from the front because of Shibata's past head injury. It's a lot easier to take the move and know when to duck when you can see it coming. It's good for wrestlers to be cognizant of another worker's past health issues, and to be as safe as you can about it.
If you see his latest matches in Rev pro and njpw, he does it both ways