The Puroresu Thread

Jaysin · March 2, 2015

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="30254" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>[RJPW News] Real Japan announced an interesting singles match as the First Generation Tiger Mask takes on All Japan’s former yokozuna Akebono. This match has more history than people may realize as Akebono is technically an apprenctice of Tiger Mask’s dating back to his time in MMA. Akebono learned how to properly execute strikes from the veteran martial arts teacher. According to officials Tiger Mask is aiming to go back to the time where he fought Genichiro Tenryu, a former sumo wrestler himself, as he showcases the true blending of strong style. This will mark the first time that Akebono has compete in Real Japan. First Generation Tiger Mask Real Japan Pro-Wrestling, 3/20/2015 [Fri] 18:30 @ Korakuen Hall in Tokyo (-) Main Event Single Match: First Generation Tiger Mask vs. Akebono [AJPW] Also announced to be competing… Tatsumi Fujinami [DRADITION] Minoru Suzuki [Pancrase MISSION] Super Tiger Super Rider Great Tiger Alexander Otsuka [AODC] Taka Kunou [Team Ota Akira] Ultimo Dragon [Toryumon MEXICO] Masao Orihara [Mobius] Kazuhiko Ogasawara [PRO-KARATE] Black Tiger [FREE] Mitsuo Momota [Riki Enterprise] Wakashoyo [Yamaishi] Gran Hamada [FREE] Hikaru Sato [Pancrase MISSION] Heddi French Hayato Mashita [RJPW] Chikara [Riki Enterprise]</div></blockquote> I didn't even know Real Japan Pro Wrestling was still going on, but I just saw this. Interesting main event.

Tigerkinney · March 10, 2015

Tigerkinney's opinions on New Japan Cup First Round

* Spoilers Ahead- Skip over this post if you do not to know the results*

1. Ryusuke Taguchi, Tiger Mask, Mascara Dorada & Sho Tanaka bt Jushin Thunder Liger, KUSHIDA, Jay White & Yohei Komatsu in 8:02

This Junior Division 8 man tag opener was one of those matches where everyone showcases a snippet of what they bring to the table and ultimately ends up blending together into a forgettable blur. Taguchi's stupid bum based flurry aside, nothing was 'offensive', it was just the definition of 'meh' **

2. NJC Round 1: Yujiro Takahashi bt YOSHI-HASHI in 7:56

Mao accompanied Yujiro to the ring in a sexy nurse's outfit and then proceeded to do a semi strip tease- as expected it was all down hill from there, as the match everyone expected to be the worst first round match delivered to lowly expectations. YOSHI-HASHI has shown some improvement over the past year but he's still one of the weakest talents on the New Japan roster and Yujiro is never going to be anything more than mediocre as an in-ring performer.

In the match's defense it wasn't so bad to be considered terrible but it certainly wasn't what you could consider good either. **

3. NJC Round 1: Togi Makabe bt Tomoaki Honma in 10:10

Honma's matches are always entertaining, as he's great at channelling that fiery underdog aura and getting the crowd into his matches. That being said I think he's a getting to be a bit 'overhyped' by some sections of the IWC. Whilst Honma's Kokeshi (falling headbutt) based offense is his unique selling point, it's also the very thing that stops him from stepping up from being a semi comedic jobber. To his credit he keeps coming up with unique ways that he can shoe-horn the Kokeshi into his matches but even then the formula is starting to become a little bit stale. ***

4. NJC Round 1: Katsuyori Shibata bt Satoshi Kojima in 8:53

A pretty good hard hitting 'sprint' which is the least that you would expect out of these two, but given the sub ten minute running time it never had the chance to develop into anything more. ***

5. NJC Round 1: Hirooki Goto bt Yuji Nagata in 11:24

The string of 'good' matches continues- a solid back and forth (though Nagata probably had the lions share of the offense) between two slightly under-rated talents among some of the NJPW fanbase. *** 1/2

6. Shinsuke Nakamura, Tomohiro Ishii & Kazushi Sakuraba bt Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Manabu Nakanishi & Captain New Japan

A complete mismatch on paper as the CHAOS side features two belt holders (one who is considered to be one of the three current 'aces' of New Japan, the other a cult fan favourite) and a strongly protected former MMA legend, whilst their opponents feature two respected but broken down veterans and a man whose entire existence is to be a pathetic failure of a wrestler. To it's credit though the outcome was never in doubt, the match still managed to be fairly entertaining. In the end this was midcard filler, but as midcard filler goes it did it's job reasonably well. ** 1/2

7. NJC Round 1: Kota Ibushi bt Doc Gallows in 8:49

Still not sold on Gallows, especially in singles competition and I feel his prescence in the NJC was a bit of a waste, but much to Kota Ibushi's credit the match ended up being a decent formula big man vs little man match. Though I'm far from a Gallows fan, as the monster gaijin heel, he rightly got the bulk of the offense with the story ultimately being that the nimbler Ibushi was able to out maneuver the big man and pick up the victory with a flash pin. ** 1/2

8. NJC Round 1: Tetsuya Naito bt Karl Anderson in 12:10

This ended up being the match of the night, it didn't quite have enough to move into MOTYC territory but once Naito got a foothold in the match, this ended up being a fun back and forth affair. Naito's actually been a consistently good performer over the past year, responding well to his failed main event push with strong in-ring performances even if the booking hasn't reflected that, whilst Karl Anderson was able to remind everyone, that though he's not an 'elite' talent that if you put in the ring with other good wrestlers, he's a good singles wrestler and not a just a tag specialist. ****

9. NJC Round 1: Toru Yano bt Hiroshi Tanahashi in 2:47

And here we come to the huge upset of the first round of the New Japan Cup, as iconic Tanahashi ends up falling to defeat to Toru Yano in under three minutes!

At the end of the day this was a 'banana peel' loss, that played to the strengths of Yano's gimmick as a sneaky heel (though these days he's more a sneaky loveable rogue that still uses heel tactics). As expected though this had plenty of people whining about Tanahashi being jobbed to Yano in a match that basically consisted of 'BS shenanigans' and denied us a showdown between Tanahashi and Ibushi in the next round.

At the end of the day New Japan were never going to waste the first ever Tanahashi/Ibushi singles showdown in Korakuen Hall and those who whine about Yano, probably need to lighten up and not take wrestling so seriously- especially as Yano is booked in New Japan as someone who occasionally causes upsets and not as someone they seriously push as a main eventer.

Pretty much impossible to give the match a star rating, as it wasn't a great match from a work rate perspective but it served it's purpose in delivering a shock upset that ended up being entertaining for what it was and if you properly think about it makes sense from a long term booking perspective, instead of crying over the better wrestler not going through. N/R

10. NJC Round 1: Bad Luck Fale bt Kazuchika Okada in 16:34

As New Japan main event's go, this probably has to rank amongst the weakest, with Okada not quite being able to get as much out of the lumbering monster heel that is Fale, as his Chaos comrade Shinsuke Nakamura managed to, during Swagsuke's feud with the Bullet Club enforcer over the IC belt during last year.

That being said the match wasn't terrible, it was just 'average'....I'm firmly in the middle when it comes to Fale- in the fact that I don't think he's as terrible as a lot of people make him out to be, but he certainly has a long way to go before he's someone I can fully get behind as someone deserving of a prominent push.

Though I wanted Okada to win here, to end the feud and move on to other things, I'm not completely shocked nor terribly disappointed that Fale ended up winning here. Though I think he's a little bit overpushed right now, I understand that Gedo and Jado are trying to build him up to fulfill the role vacated by Giant Bernard a few years back, as the resident monster heel that basically serves the purpose of being an uppercard roadblock, rather than being a fully fledged main eventer. ** 1/2

Overall: Though the show lacked a truly special match (though Anderson vs Naito is worth seeking out, if you're going to cherry pick something from the show) the first round of the NJC ended being a solid show from top to bottom, even if the semi main event ended up being more of an angle than a match and the main event itself was (perhaps unsurprisingly) disappointing by New Japan standards.

The Final Countdown · March 10, 2015

I liked the second to last match of the first round purely because it caught me completely off-guard. I also think it made sense for the reasons you stated, Tiger.

Wrestling Century · March 11, 2015

It's amusing, but it baffles me why Naito continues to get so much stick from Osaka in particular.

I searched that up when I watched this match, and apparently before Naito got injured a while back and he was being given his big push for the IWGP Heavyweight Title he cut a promo to the Osaka fans, and the gist of the promo was him basically saying he was going to be champion by the next time NJPW held a show in Osaka or they could boo him. So to rib him, the Osaka fans now always boo him since he didn't win the title.

Tigerkinney · March 11, 2015

Tigerkinney's opinions on New Japan Cup Quarter Finals (Korakuen Hall)

* Spoilers Ahead- Skip over this post if you do not want to know the results*

1. YOSHI-HASHI bt Jay White in 7:07

Not a bad opener here, as gaijin young boy Jay White manages to pull a better match out of YOSHI-HASHI than 10 year veteran Yujiro Takahashi from the first round event. White's far from the finished article but he shows a lot of promise. ** 1/2

2. Satoshi Kojima, Manabu Nakanishi, Mascara Dorada, Tiger Mask & Ryusuke Taguchi bt Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Tomoaki Honma, Captain New Japan, Jushin Thunder Liger & KUSHIDA in 10:54

The match itself was one of those fun but forgettable multi-man tags, where they've ultimately packed in too many people to showcase their stuff in too little time. Still as undercard filler goes, it wasn't a chore to sit through. One observation I do have from the match is that there was a bit where Taguchi mockingly did the Kokeshi on Honma and I thought that's the direction they need to go with him- 'Veteran douchebag heel' for the Junior Division. Lately he's gradually transitioned from bland serious babyface to someone who's trying too hard to be goofy. ** 1/2

Post match Kojima and Tenzan had a war of words, that soon escalated into a pull apart brawl- adding heat to their up-coming NWA World Title match against each other. Tenzan even clocked his long term tag partner with the belt during the melee- is this the start of a Tenzan heel turn or just Tenzan acting like a dick in the heat of the moment?

3. Hiroshi Tanahashi & Yohei Komatsu bt Yuji Nagata & Sho Tanaka in 12:10

More of this for Komatsu and Tanaka please! The moments where the fiery young lions were taking it to the two veterans in this match were absolute gold. Great fun all round, as this offered up 'undercard filler' that offered up some really dynamic and feisty wrestling and also felt fresh. *** 1/2

4. 'Chaos': Shinsuke Nakamura, Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii & Kazushi Sakuraba bt 'Bullet Club': Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, Tama Tonga & Cody Hall in 11:22.

Lets be honest here the result was never going to be in doubt with this one, as the CHAOS quartet was pretty close to being their strongest line up, whilst the Bullet Club team featured someone who rivals Captain New Japan for jobbing expertise over the past year in Tama Tonga and a newcomer announced as the Bullet Club's 'young boy' in Cody Hall.

Despite that this ended up being a surprisingly entertaining 8 man tag, and provided a pretty decent showcase for Hall, even if he did inevitably end up being the one to take the fall (inside Tama Tonga is now rejoicing that he's no longer the guaranteed fall taker for Bullet Club!) The upside for Hall is that he shows a surprising amount of agility for someone his size and his Discus Lariat looked really good, the downside is that he's still obviously really green and pretty awkard in the ring. ** 1/2

5. NJC Cup 1/4 Final: Togi Makabe bt Yujiro Takahashi in 10:13

Once again the most worthwhile thing in a Yujiro match was the entrance of his valet Mao. At first the PVC jumpsuit she was wearing seemed 'conservative' until she turned around and showed that a sizeable amount of material was cutaway from the region of her derriere. Of course the 'pervy' New Japan cameraman took great delight in zooming in on the fact.

As for the match itself, it was better than Yujiro vs YOSHI-HASHI but that was to be expected. It got considerably better once it made it past Yujiro's 'generic WWE wrestler' inspired heat segment, and the finishing portion of the match actually ended up being pretty good. Thankfully Makabe went over, saving us from Yujiro bringing down the quality of one of the semi-finals. ** 1/2

6. NJC Cup 1/4 Final: Kota Ibushi bt Toru Yano in 2:44

Tanahashi was on commentary for this one, and he brilliantly sold his indignance at losing to Yano in the first round, as his conqueror made it to the ring. Just as with the Tanahashi/Yano match this was simply too short to know what kind of rating to put on it, but it brilliantly played off that match with Yano rapidly going through his box of tricks to try and pick up another quickfire banana peel win but the plan ultimately backfiring with Ibushi finding a way to score a flash pin of his own. N/R (But as sub 3 minute matches goes this was four star entertainment)

7. NJC Cup 1/4 Final: Tetsuya Naito bt Bad Luck Fale in 12:51

The match was a bit awkard in places, but I felt that Naito got a better match out Fale here, than Okada in the first round. The main thing that this match had going for it, was the fact that they told a logical story here, as Naito went of the tried and tested formula of trying to take the big man off his vertical base. In the end it looked as though Fale was going to be too strong for Naito, but 'the Stardust Genius' was able to counter the Bad Luck Fall into a hurracanrana pin.

Even though I'm not as 'down' on Fale as some people, I can't say that I'm not disappointed he's not in the quarter finals- especially as it gives us Ibushi vs Naito as one of the semi finals which could potentially be great (provided it's get enough time to shine). ***

8. NJC Cup 1/4 Final: Hirooki Goto bt Katsuyori Shibata in 17:18

And so we come to the latest installment of this rivalry between these two best friends. In all honesty this was a fun and hard hitting match, as you would expect from these two but their last few efforts have lacked the legit heat they had against one another in their earlier bouts with Shibata playing the obvious heel (as Goto struggled to get the better of his University pal). Ultimately these two are never going to have bad matches with each other but it's time to lock this match up away for a couple of years, so that it feels fresh again. *** 1/2

Overall: Just like the first round show, there wasn't anything here that is 'must see' but on the other hand there wasn't anything bad either, and overall this ended up being an 'easy show to watch'.

The two semi-finals bring us Ibushi vs Naito and Makabe vs Goto. Two match up's that feel relatively fresh (especially Ibushi vs Naito), and in the end it's resulted in an unpredictable New Japan Cup.

Personally I would like to see Ibushi win the cup, but I don't have a major problem with any of the other three winning. Then again I probably would let out a groan if Makabe wins the cup and then challenges Ishii for the NEVER belt, as that's a match-up they can just book regardless of whether Makabe win the cup or not.

Jaysin · March 16, 2015

New Japan Cup spoiler below...

AJ Styles vs Kota Ibushi? That match alone makes Invasion Attack a must watch for me. That's going to be nuts. Plus, Trent is teaming with Rocky Romero to face the Young Bucks and it's always a pleasure to watch him work.

soxfan93 · March 16, 2015

Agreed, that title match sounds amazing.

Teh_Showtime · March 16, 2015

That Tanaka/Nagata vs Tanahashi/Komatsu match was so good

Jay White and Cody Hall have both been impressive recently too. They have some damn good young lions

Nathers7 · March 16, 2015

Invasion Attack Spoilers:

1. IWGP Championship – AJ Styles vs Kota Ibushi

2. Kazuchika Okada vs Bad Luck Fale

3. Katsuyori Shibata & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazushi Sakuraba & Toru Yano

4. Tetsuya Naito & Hirooki Goto & Togi Makabe vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI

5. IWGP Tag Team Championship – Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson vs. Michael Bennett & Matt Taven

6. IWGP Jr Championship – Kenny Omega vs. Mascara Dorada

7. IWGP Jr Tag Championship – Beretta & Rocky Romero vs. Nick Jackson & Matt Jackson

8. Tomoaki Honma & Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Tama Tonga & Yujiro Takahashi & Cody Hall

9. Komatsu & Shelley & KUSHIDA & CNJ & Yuji Nagata vs. Sho Tanaka & Taguchi & Tiger Mash & Liger & Nakanishi

Main event should be incredible and Bucks/RPG Vice looks interesting. The rest is pretty meh though. Feel like they could have slotted Ishii/Makabe for the NEVER title in here or even Shibata/Honma.

Tigerkinney · March 16, 2015

I'll have my 'review' of the finals show up in the next couple of days.

As for Invasion Attack, the main event I'm very pleased with but they should have done more with the under card, too much trying to cram everyone on the card for a pay-day.

Tigerkinney · March 17, 2015

Tigerkinney's opinions on New Japan Cup Finals (Hiroshima Sun Plaza)

* Spoilers Ahead- Skip over this post if you do not want to know the results*

1. Mascara Dorada, Tiger Mask IV & Ryusuke Taguchi bt Jushin Thunder Liger, KUSHIDA & Jay White in 10:23

Dorada is now sporting a mask that lets him show off his mane of hair. As for the match itself, it was a fairly decent junior six man, though nothing special and all honesty unless something like a Young Bucks or a Time Splitters is going to be involved in this match, you can see this sort of action executed better over in Dragon Gate.

Also Ryusuke Taguchi's butt based offense is really starting to grind my gears, I appreciate that he's trying to do something to change the perception people may have had of him a bland/generic junior heavyweight guy (the type that Kevin Nash would have coined a 'vanilla midget' ) but I'm not sure that channelling Shiro Koshinaka and basing your moveset around thrusting your backside into people is the way to go. ** 1/2

2. Satoshi Kojima & Yohei Komatsu bt Yuji Nagata & Sho Tanaka in 9:35

This was still good fun when the Young Lions were taking it to opposing veteran but this was several notches below the match where Komatsu tagged with Tanahashi from the quarter finals show. Decent stuff but oddly enough for a match involving young lions (who still have limited young lion movesets and finish every match with a Boston Crab) I was expecting better. Guess it just goes to show the potential Komatsu and Tanaka have already shown, despite still being limited within playing the young lion role.

** 1/2

3. New Japan Cup Semi Final: Hirooki Goto bt Togi Makabe in 8:11

This was one of those matches that got cut off, before it really got going as Goto pinned Makabe with his pinning combination out of nowhere. The action that was there was pretty good but it felt like the second half of a 15 minute match had been left on the cutting room floor. Still it didn't surprise me that one of the semi finals would end up being short-changed and if I was to choose the semi that would get the short end of the stick, Goto vs Makabe was the right decision- given the potential greatness of the other semi. ** 1/2

4. New Japan Cup Semi Final: Kota Ibushi bt Tetsuya Naito in 14:14

This ended up being the match of the night and indeed the best match of the entire New Japan Cup tournament. This was balls to the wall action from start to finish, as Ibushi and Naito literally did everything they could to put the other one away- the escalation of this violence from two supposed pretty boys saw Ibushi counter a role up attempt from Naito into an off the cuff piledriver type thing (the sheer unpredictability of Ibushi is what makes him so exciting to watch as a perfomer), that Naito sold like death. MOTYC? Not quite for me, but it was certainly thrilling stuff and further proof that Ibushi should be considered one of the elite wrestling talents on the planet (and Naito's not half bad either!) **** 1/2

5. Katsuyori Shibata & Tomoaki Honma bt Tama Tonga & Cody Hall in 10:30

What looked like a nothing match on paper (a random pairing of NJPW babyfaces vs the Bullet Club job squad) ended up being the surprise of the night.

With what seemed like a guest booking slot from Vince Russo , Shibata and Honma were 'tag partners that don't get along' but on this occassion the dynamic actually worked and added some much needed tension to a match that looked like a walkover on paper. It was genuinely amusing to see Shibata and Honma somehow fumble into a fully functioning tag team and whilst the match had a comedic edge to it, the quality of the in-ring action didn't suffer. *** 1/2

6. Toru Yano & Kazushi Sakuraba bt Hiroshi Tanahashi & Captain New Japan in 11:22

A tag match that looked to a complete waste of Tanahashi's talent on paper, but in the end turned out to be....well, it turned it out to be OK. It wasn't great but given that everyone in the match apart from Tanahashi is hardly what you call a great in-ring performer it was far from terrible. The finish saw Yano score yet another roll-up finish on Tanahashi, who sold the indignance of this outcome by throwing a toddlers temper tantrum post match.

As long as the Tanahashi/Yano program that they obviously have in place now, doesn't drag on for the rest of the year and it's just a brief diversion for a couple of months from the top of the card for Tanahashi then I'm fine with where Jado and Gedo are going with this, but if it does end up dragging on forever like the Yano/Suzuki feud then I'll be joining with the whinger brigade ** 1/2

7. 'Chaos': Shinsuke Nakamura, Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI bt 'Bullet Club': Bad Luck Fale, Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows & Yujiro Takahashi

There were signs here in terms of crowd reaction, that Okada being stuck in a program with Fale (and coming out on the losing end thus far) isn't doing him any favours as the crowd reaction to his entrance was notably more muted this time around.

As for the match itself, it ended up being a notch above many other Bullet Club tags, due to a hot finishing stretch, that saw the crowd end up becoming emotionally invested in Okada's struggle against Fale (I know that sounds contradictory to what I said earlier but once the match got going the crowd got behind Okada again). In the end Okada managed to finally land a Rainmaker and pin the Bullet Club monster (albeit with a great deal of help from his Chaos stable mates).

Okada and Fale meet again in another singles contest at Invasion Attack, where if Jado and Gedo are sensible will conclude this feud with a decisive victory for Okada or they risk devaluing their biggest asset in terms of the future (not just for now) even further. ***

8. New Japan Cup Finals: Kota Ibushi bt Hirooki Goto in 17:31

The general feeling going round about the Finals match, is that it was good but disappointing. I actually really enjoyed it myself, sure it wasn't anywhere near MOTYC levels and it didn't manage to outshine Ibushi's semi final contest with Naito, but it still managed to pull me in and make me believe that either man could end up as the winner at the end of the match. All in all the match probably suffers from fans being somewhat spoiled by the consistently high quality of NJPW and always expecting a home-run in the main event of every show. ****

Post match Kota Ibushi received an ostentatious trophy and a giant cheque for 5 million Yen, before everyone's favourite New Japan announcer Shinpei Nogami asked Kota Ibushi the 5 million yen question- which title would he challenge for?

In the end in a surprise to everyone, Ibushi didn't go after the Intercontinental belt and challenge Nakamura to another match but he was shooting straight for the very top and going after A.J Styles and the IWGP Heavyweight belt.

Absolutely loved this decision- Ibushi going after A.J was completely unexpected and it provides a completely fresh match up (one that if they don't overbook it with BC interfence has the potential to be a MOTYC) at the very top of NJPW. And whilst I appreciate the way NJPW have built all their heavyweight singles belts up strongly, I also like the fact that with this decision they essentially re-establish the IWGP Heavyweight title as the top belt and the prize that everyone in NJPW is ultimately striving for.

Overall: Whilst the New Japan Cup Finals, wasn't a blow away show, there was nothing bad on the show and overall it was an enjoyable event. Ibushi was obviously the star of the show, not just because he was booked to be but because he actually delivered in the ring, whilst Shibata/Honma vs BC jobbers ended up being the midcard surprise of the night.

The Final Countdown · March 17, 2015

Spoilers below, so beware, yo.

Also Ryusuke Taguchi's butt based offense is really starting to grind my gears

THIS. Gah, every time I see it I just want someone to knock him out. It's one thing for a guy like Colt Cabana to do it once a match, but it's basically the only thing Taguchi does now. The one off of the apron was groan-inducing for me.

Mildly surprised that Ibushi didn't choose to take another crack at Nakamura. I think that would have been the logical decision, but I'm not exactly going to complain about Ibushi vs. AJ. That should be all kinds of awesome.

I legit LOL'd when Shibata saved Honma from a pin, only to then stomp him. From what I've seen since diving back into current NJPW, I don't think either of those guys are getting utilized to the degree that their crowd response warrants.

Teh_Showtime · March 17, 2015

Well Honma's gimmick is that he loses every match so cheering him is part of the fun

Shibata is usually protected but rarely given top spots. He had the PPV main event with Nakamura and the feud with Tanahashi last year but he never comes close to the belt.

Mootinie · April 6, 2015

Styles vs. Ibushi kicked ass. I won't spoil it, but DAMN THAT FINISH. Post-match was amazing too.

And Okada did the Tombstone on Fale. 230lbs Okada... did a Tombstone on 300+lbs Fale... damn

Tigerkinney · April 6, 2015

Styles vs. Ibushi kicked ass. I won't spoil it, but DAMN THAT FINISH. Post-match was amazing too.

And Okada did the Tombstone on Fale. 230lbs Okada... did a Tombstone on 300+lbs Fale... damn

I'll have my usual review of sorts up later this week, but I'll second the finish to the Styles vs Ibushi match plus the post match being fantastic. Tremendous storytelling all round.

Hashasheen · April 6, 2015

That finish though...

Tigerkinney · April 8, 2015

Tigerkinney's opinions on NJPW Invasion Attack (Ryogoku Kokukigan/Sumo Hall)

* Spoilers Ahead- Skip over this post if you do not to know the results*

1. Yuji Nagata, Captain New Japan, KUSHIDA, Alex Shelley & Yohei Komatsu bt Manabu Nakanishi, Ryusuke Taguchi, Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask IV & Sho Tanaka in 8:14

This was your bog standard try and get everyone on the show, who has nothing else to do opener. As expected the quality of the match, was patchy depending on who was in the ring at the time. The opening exchange between heavyweight vets Nakananishi and Nagata was good fun, but I can really do without Taguchi and his bum offense (Taguchi actually got booed by the crowd for breaking up Nagata's trademark eyes rolled back armbar submission with one of his bum attacks).

Predictably Sho Tanaka ended up taking the fall here, as Alex Shelley picked up the win for his team (something that would become more significant later in the show). ** 1/2

2. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Tomoaki Honma bt Yujiro Takahashi, Tama Tonga & Cody Hall in 9:26

Apart from some Mao based fanservice during Yujiro's entrance, and Tomoaki Honma picking up another multi-man tag win over a Bullet Club lowman, this was a nothing six man tag. It was fine for what it was, but just very forgettable. Cody Hall continues to look like he has lots of potential but still very green at the same time- where does the point come where we stop forgiving Hall for not quite looking like he is ready to belong in an NJPW ring yet? **

3. IWGP Jr Tag: Roppongi Vice (Rocky Romero & Beretta) bt The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson) in 12:33 to become the New Champions.

Trent? Trent Baretta, Baretta, Beretta...what ever he want's to call himself, he has certainly brought some freshness to the Junior tag ranks, by being Rocky Romero's new partner. Romero himself is probably one of the more underrated members of the NJPW roster, whilst there are flashier Juniors out there, he's always been a solid wrestler but he's really found his groove in terms of combining those solid wrestling skills with in-ring charisma.

This ended up being a really good Junior tag match, that was worked at a slightly more deliberate pace than previous Junior tag matches, and saw the Young Bucks continue to put a modern spin on the cocky heel champion routine. Overall the match was a nicely balanced mix between the sort of inventive high octane action you would expect from a Junior Tag and genuinely amusing comedic stuff, as both teams tried to put the other off their game with juvenile taunts. ****

4. IWGP Junior: Kenny Omega bt Mascara Dorada in 12:59 to retain

Omega has thankfully toned down some of his more wacky stuff (no silly arm chainshaw in this match), many put this down to Omega toning down 'The Cleaner' character, but really it was just Kenny Omega adjusting to the fact that he's now in New Japan and not DDT or PWG.

Overall this match was good in parts, they did some impressive stuff but it felt a bit 'spotty'- and most of that was down to Dorada. His stuff is impressive but it's very contrived and though some of his stuff can get you oohing and aahing, he couldn't really pull me emotionally during his Junior title challenge, and in the end this felt like a routine stopgap defence for Omega, before he moves onto a more interesting program. ***

Post match Kenny Omega gets on the mic and say that he's cleaned up the Japanese trash (Taguchi), Mexican trash (Dorada) and now it was time to clean up the worst trash- Motor City Trash- before calling out Alex Shelley as his next challenger. Cue post match staredown- Really looking forward to that, as I've always like Shelley's work and for me he's an upgrade on both Taguchi and Dorada.

5. IWGP Tag: The Kingdom (Mike Bennett & Matt Taven) bt 'Guns & Gallows' (Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows) in 9:41 to become the New Champions.

And so we come to the match that many have stated to be the 'dud' of the night. The match bascially revolved around Maria and Karl Anderson acting like an infatuated schoolboy, that had never seen a beautiful woman before in his life. I'm fine with a bit of comedy in wrestling, it certainly has it's place but it felt out of place here in what's supposed to a serious title match, especially as Anderson's brain moving to his pants ended up costing Guns and Gallows the title.

It's booking that does no favours to either team, as the new champs look like they basically need Maria's feminine charms to get anywhere and Anderson (who hasn't been booked this way before) looks like a geek. The only real positive point of the match, was Matt Taven putting in a good shift, as the work-rate guy for his team- had he half assed it, then I would have rated this even lower. **

Intermission announced the schedule for this years G-1 , which will be the 25th anniversary edition of the tournament. And it's going to be the longest G-1 yet, with a whopping 19 date schedule, starting in Sapporo on July 20th and ending with a six date stint in Tokyo (3 shows at Korakuen Hall, 3 shows at Sumo Hall) with the finals taking place on August 16th.

My guess is that we won't actually be seeing two 18 man blocks (as that would be insane and would probably only end up with a bunch of injury induced withdrawals) and they are just spreading the tournament out more, with the participants getting more than one rest day.

6. Hirooki Goto, Togi Makabe & Tetsuya Naito bt Shinsuke Nakamura, Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI in 13:49

One of the matches that got criticism for being announced as part of the card, as on paper it looked like the sort of bog standard multi-man tag you could see on any Road to Show, and saw both the Intercontinental and NEVER champions 'wasted' in what looked like filler.

Thing is with these multi-man tags (especially when placed post intermission), the wrestlers involved always step it up to another level on a PPV card, and that was certainly the case here. It wasn't what you would call show stealing stuff but it was certainly a cut above your standard 'Road to' effort. The highlights here were Ishii's and Makabe's intense exchanges that helped to build heat for their inevitable rematch over the NEVER title that Makabe never lost and a hot closing stretch that saw Goto score a big win over Nakamura and cement his challenge for the IC belt. *** 1/2

7. Toru Yano & Kazushi Sakuraba bt Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuyori Shibata in 10:51

Coming into this match, the focus seemed to be more on the feud that had built up between Yano and Tanahashi, following Yano's upset victory over Tanahashi in the New Japan Cup. But by the end it served more as vehicle to sow seeds for a possible feud between former Laughter-7 partners Sakuraba and Shibata who ended up working the bulk of the match, whilst Tanahashi effectively took a night off. Your enjoyment of the match will rest entirely on how much you enjoy Sakuraba's and Shibata's MMA influenced work, and I have to say whilst I wasn't in love with it, I didn't hate it either.

This time last year Sakuraba would have been right up at the top of the list of guys I think New Japan could dispense with, but he's actually winning me over. He's being pushed the right way as a midcard attraction, he can be carried to decent matches given the right opponent and his odd couple tag team with Yano is actually good fun, even if it doesn't exactly produce great matches.

As for Tanahashi, he looks like he will be stuck with Yano for a while- but my guess is that working through injuries has caught up to him and that's why they've stuck him in a low work-rate midcard feud with Yano. It's not as though New Japan haven't anyone else to step up and take Tanahashi's place at the top of the card. ** 1/2

8. Kazuchika Okada bt Bad Luck Fale in 15:59

This thankfully ended up being the feud ender, and set up Okada moving on to other things. Not that this was a bad match, far from it, in fact this is the match where Okada was finally able to do what Nakamura was able to do last year and get a good match out of Bad Luck Fale.

Whilst it still plodded early on, whilst Fale was in control (and almost putting the audience to sleep by working a nerve hold), they ended up working the tried and tested 'David vs Goliath' formula really well with Okada putting Fale over as a monster, whilst also wrestling like a man who just wouldn't give in. Okada summoning up all his might to Tombstone Fale, would have been the highlight of the entire show, had it not been for the jaw-dropping finish to the main event. *** 1/2

9. IWGP Heavyweight: A.J Styles bt Kota Ibushi in 27:01 to retain.

As expected these two put on a really good match, as would have been expected of two wrestlers of their ability. Whilst most of the work was great (the teasing of the Styles Clash throughout, the Pele exchange, Styles release German to Ibushi out on the floor), it did drag a little in the middle whilst Styles looked to work over Ibushi's legs, which wouldn't have been so bad if (as much as I love him as a performer) Ibushi's selling wasn't so spotty. All in all they were heading for a 4 star match that lived up to the minimum of expectations I would have had for this match....And then the finish happened.....

Ibushi had Styles down and went up for the Phoenix Splash, but Kenny Omega (who came out to second Styles) hopped up on the apron, but he looked torn about interfering in a match against his old friend and tag partner in DDT and stepped down from the apron......

But the distraction ended up being enough for Styles to rise back to his feet, catch Ibushi in mid-air whilst doing the Phoenix Splash and immediately transition it into a Styles Clash (I know that probably sounds physically impossible but that's what happened!)

From the subtle storyelling of acknowledging Omega's history with Ibushi in DDT, to the Styles Clash counter to the Phoenix Splash itself, this was once of those finishes that (well for me anyway) ended up putting an extra half star onto the match rating. **** 1/2

Post match Omega continued to look torn about 'helping' AJ to retain the title over Ibushi.....

Then as Styles was about to leave following his post match celebration, Okada came rushing down and then laid Styles out with a vicious Rainmaker, before standing over Styles holding the title.

Again just fantastic storytelling here, as this announced that Okada was back to his old self, whilst also calling back to last years Invasion Attack, where Styles attacked Okada.

Overall Verdict: Coming into this event, people were moaning about too many tag matches (and they've already started doing the same thing for Dontaku), but once again New Japan end up putting on a really good show. Main event was great, and it was supported by other good stuff, Okada vs Fale ended up being a good match, both of the Junior title matches were good (with the Jr Tag being very good) and the Chaos vs Team Goto six man was a significant step up from your average multi-man tag.

Plus there wasn't actually anything bad on the show, the duo of opening multi-man tags were passable for the early filler that they were and whilst the booking for the IWGP Tag match was questionable, it wasn't a terrible match.

Sure I think they could do even better, and perhaps put one or two more meaningful matches onto every show and not feel the need to try and get everyone on the roster onto every PPV. But the finish to the main event and the post match angle to end the show, went a long way to remind us just how great present day NJPW can be.

Teh_Showtime · April 8, 2015

So G-1 is going to be 19 shows in 4 weeks this year

Utterly insane

Kitarzu · April 11, 2015

Styles to rise back to his feet, catch Ibushi in mid-air whilst doing the Phoenix Splash and immediately transition it into a Styles Clash (I know that probably sounds physically impossible but that's what happened!)

Sometimes a gif is better than words...

Hashasheen · April 11, 2015

I do think New Japan could do with parring down the number of guys on their shows. It's like they feel every PPV is Wrestlemania and people have to perform, even if it's in a tag match. I'd almost rather they kept some people off and had them on the next show, but it's how they go for story development, I guess.

Tigerkinney · May 1, 2015

Tigerkinney's opinions on NJPW Wrestling Hinokuni (Kumamoto Grand Messe)

* Spoilers Ahead- Skip over this post if you do not to know the results*

1. 'CHAOS': Gedo, Beretta & Rocky Romero bt Yohei Komatsu, Sho Tanaka & Jay White in 8:01

Gedo as most people should be aware, is one half of the NJPW booking team, so he was getting to see first hand the progress of the trio of young lions, himself and Roppongi Vice would be up against. Though the trio of young lions have all shown of bags of promise (and especially Komatsu and Tanaka have looked ready to step up from the black trunks, no character stage for about half a year now), people should temper their expectations to expect, amazing stuff from them everytime out. As it was this was a solid opener, and the triple young lion Boston Crab on the veterans spot, was a fun sight to behold. ** 1/2

2. 'Bullet Club': Yujiro Takahashi & Cody Hall bt Satoshi Kojima & Captain New Japan in 8:07

So Yujiro, picked up the win over jobbing specialist Captain New Japan in this not terrible, but pretty forgettable lower card tag match- I guess he has to win sometime, to remain remotely relevant. This was also technically Cody Hall's first win, but he pretty much sold the outcome like he did with his losses- with a lack of emotion/expression. It is of course early days but call it character, call it in-ring charisma, that is one area Hall certainly needs to improve on . **

3. Manabu Nakanishi, KUSHIDA & Ryusuke Taguchi bt Yuji Nagata, Mascara Dorada & Tiger Mask IV in 7:50

Urgh Taguchi and his lame butt offense- I could tolerate him when he was a technically sound but 'vanilla' Junior Heavyweight, but his transition into a try too hard 'comedy' wrestler is getting on my wick. In another inoffensive (when Taguchi wasn't in there) but forgettable lower card filler tag , KUSHIDA pinned Mascara Dorada- which seemed like it was there to plant seeds in the audience minds that the Best of the Super Juniors tournament was coming up soon. **

4. NWA Junior Heavyweight Championship: Steve Anthony bt Jushin Thunder Liger in 12:35 to retain.

So Liger dropped the NWA Junior strap to Anthony on one of his many excursions to America. The match saw Anthony retain the title, via nefarious means after some shenanigans involving a ref bump and interference from his manager Bruce Tharpe (who plays the douchebag heel manager role so well). I wasn't exactly thrilled about the screwy finish here, but I didn't completely hate it either, and if they going to have a finish like that, I would rather it here, with his midcard NWA stuff, than in the main event.

As for the match itself (prior to the screwy finish), it was actually pretty decent- I had never seen Anthony before and I came away mildly impressed- he's not what you call spectacular, but he's very solid and came across much better than Chase Owens. ***

5. NWA World Heavyweight Championship: Hiroyoshi Tenzan bt Big Daddy Yum Yum in 10:57 to retain.

More Bruce Tharpe, and just like the last time we had two NWA Championship matches on the show, he went out back to change his garish jacket and glasses combination. Like the last match he tried to interfere on behalf of his client, but this time failed to influence the outcome of the match and Tenzan was able to retain.

I wasn't expecting this match to be good at all, as the last time Yum Yum came over to NJPW he was pretty terrible, but this ending up being pretty solid, even if the closing stretch was rather anti-climatic. Yum Yum himself, is still a bit awkward but he was much, much better here than he was against Kojima and the BME style moonsault he pulled out during the match was pretty impressive. ** 1/2

6. 'Bullet Club': Kenny Omega, Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows bt Tetsuya Naito, Tomoaki Honma & Alex Shelley in 12:50

They kept the Bullet Club vs Kingdom feud/angle in people's minds with Karl Anderson, constantly declaring his love for Maria and Doc Gallows admonishing him for his lack of focus. The main problem I (and I'm sure many others have with this angle) is that Anderson has never shown a glimpse of his kind of character before now- sure Maria is very hot but Anderson has suddenly seemed to taken on the personality of a lovestruck (or should that be luststruck) teenager overnight.

The match itself was a pretty good six man tag, with a fairly hot closing stretch, that saw them tease another tag team match pinfall triumph for cult favourite Honma, but ultimately saw the plucky loser taken out with the Magic Killer. ***

7. 'CHAOS': Kazuchika Okada & YOSHI-HASHI bt 'Bullet Club' Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga in 11:39

Because Styles isn't working this show (for reasons I don't know why, at least with Ibushi I knew he was booked in the main event of a DDT show on the same day), Okada has to build up his up-coming showdown with the IWGP Heavyweight champ, by taking on other members of Bullet Club and that means him continuing to be stuck with Bad Luck Fale.

This wasn't a terrible match, but we've seen these Okada vs Fale tag contests so many times now, it's getting extremely stale. Hopefully after this tour Okada and Fale have very little to do with each other (outside of the odd multi-man Chaos vs Bullet Club 'Road To' tag). **

8. 'CHAOS' Shinsuke Nakamura, Toru Yano & Kazushi Sakuraba bt Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata in 16:45

This semi main event, was in effect like the sort of main event you would normally see on a 'Road To' show from Korakuen Hall, and all in all it was a pretty entertaining contest that did a decent job of helping to build up the respective individual feuds. The finish saw Yano once again get one over on Tanahashi, and though some will feel that Tanahashi's talents are being wasted in a feud against someone like Yano- because Tanahashi is carrying a chronic back injury right now, it's probably sensible that he's working a prolonged programme with a 'lighter' worker like Yano, who's game is more about cerebrial one upmanship than stiff strikes and/or power moves. *** 1/2

9. NEVER Openweight Championship: Togi Makabe bt Tomohiro Ishii in 25:42 to win the title.

Makabe actually never lost this title, so it was more a case of two wrestlers getting in the ring and proving themselves to be the rightful holder of the belt, more than a champion vs challenger affair. In what became a 'war of attrition' slugfest, Makabe eventually triumphed to win back the belt he had to relinquish due to the flu in February.

This was exactly the brutal hard hitting affair of manly one up-manship, you would expect it to be, climaxing in a pretty molten closing stretch. However it did go about five to ten minutes too long, with a slow and plodding opening portion of the match, that in all honesty could have been cut. Great stuff once it got going. ****

Overall Verdict: Odd show this , as it was effectively a 'Road To' style event with a semi-main event level match (at a proper supercard)headlining, and the NWA title stuff thrown in, that was run in a slightly bigger building than they would run for 'Road To' events.

At the end of the day, this wasn't a bad show and the main event is certainly worth checking out by itself, but if you're not a hardcore NJPW follower, then this one is pretty skippable.

Tigerkinney · May 7, 2015

Tigerkinney's opinions on NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2015 (Fukuoka Convention Center)

* Spoilers Ahead- Skip over this post if you do not to know the results*

1. Jushin Thunder Liger, Mascara Dorada, Tiger Mask & Yuji Nagata bt Captain New Japan, KUSHIDA, Manabu Nakanishi & Ryusuke Taguchi in 8:29

This was your bog standard get everyone on the show multi-man tag opener. Whilst not something I would say people should go out of their way to see, this was reasonably entertaining for what it was and the time it was given. Taguchi continues to have X-Pac heat from me due to his irritating ass based offense, but the interactions between grizzled vets Nakanishi and Nagata, plus those of the Juniors Mascara Dorada and KUSHIDA were fun to watch. Highlight of the match was the cliched everyone does dives to the outside sequence, that saw Nakanishi execute the most awkward looking slingshot crossbody ever. It was awesome for being so terrible. ** 1/2

2. Kota Ibushi & Yohei Komatsu bt Sho Tanaka & Tetsuya Naito in 11:55

This match saw the spotlight placed much more on the young lion duo of Komatsu and Tanaka, rather than their more experienced partners, as New Japan continue to take babysteps in transitioning the plucky pair of young lions into a more prominent position within the New Japan roster. Komatsu and Tanaka, are still in Black trunks and doing basic stuff, with a strong emphasis on using/surviving variations of the Boston Crab, but they excecute what they are given really well and certainly get the crowd behind them. Naito and Ibushi were solid in their 'supporting' roles but were probably told to hold back a little, so not to overshine the young lions. ***

3. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Tomoaki Honma bt 'BULLET CLUB': Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga & Cody Hall in 8:57

Honma got the win over Cody Hall, which got a mild pop (Honma getting wins over the Bullet Club B Team is now having diminishing returns of meaningfulness) in what was a solid but forgettable filler six man tag. I'm fine with NJPW putting one meaningless multi-man tag on during the bottom portion of the card, but in all honesty either this or the opener could have been cut in favour of getting another high profile singles match onto the card. **

4. IWGP Junior Tag Team Championship: The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson) bt Roppongi Vice (Beretta & Rocky Romero) © and reDRagon (Bobby Fish & Kyle O'Reilly) in 17:17 to win the titles.

So the hot potato that is the IWGP Junior tag titles change hands yet agan, as The Young Bucks instantly win back the belts they lost to Roppongi Vice last month. Whilst I don't expect teams to have long dominant reigns with these titles and the anyone can beat anyone at any time deal is pretty much the story of this division, the amount of rapid title changes these belts have gone through is beginning to become overkill. Could a team just hold these belts for say more than three months?

As for the match this is exactly what you would come to expect from these teams- fast paced action, inventive spots and a bit of comedy thrown in. If you're of an old school mind-set and aren't already sold on the style of wrestling executed here, you aren't going to be converted by this match. If you are a fan, this was a really good example of this kind of wrestling- The Young Bucks aren't everyone's cup of tea, but you have to be completely ignorant to think they aren't good at what they do.

The only real blot on this match, was the indifferent Fukuoka crowd who drifted in and out of this match (they were much more up for the relatively meaningless trio of openers that proceeded this), which may have something to do with the lack of native talent in the match. In front of a hotter crowd, this match is an easy four stars, as it is the lack of atmosphere did end up taking a little away from it. *** 1/2

5. IWGP Junior Championship: Kenny Omega bt Alex Shelley in 16:07 to retain the title.

Kenny Omega ended up retaining in a make that saw plenty of Bullet Club interference. Whilst I'm not normally a great fan on interference in important matches and it would have been nice to see a 'clean' match between these two, I didn't actually mind the shenanigans here and in a lot of ways it added to the drama of the match, and went some way to making Shelley look strong and a serious enough threat that Omega would be desperate enough to call in the help of the Young Bucks to help him retain. Not perfect, but I personally found this to be the most entertaining Junior title defense yet during Omega's reign thus far with the belt. *** 1/2

Post match Kenny Omega got on the mic and declared that he had nothing to prove and that he won't be taking part in this years 'Best of the Super Trash'. Given the disappointing Blocks that have just been announced for this years tournament he somewhat has a point. Colour me surprised if KUSHIDA doesn't end up winning the tournament and being the one to challenge Omega for the belt at Dominion.

6. Mixed Gender Tag: 'The Kingdom': Mike Bennett, Matt Taven & Maria Kanellis bt 'Bullet Club' Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows & Amber Gallows in 8:09

NJPW on the whole is a well booked promotion, it's not perfect by any means but compared to a lot of promotions they put on a good product that utilizes the talent at their disposal well, but every year the booking team of Jado & Gedo seem to come out with a brain-fart of an angle. Last year it was the bore-fest involving MMA dullards The Gracies, this years it's this slice of wrestle-crap involving Karl Anderson becoming infatuated with Maria Kanellis.

Look I'm not going to sit here and pretend to be some moral crusader complaining about the NJPW camera crew zooming in on Amber Gallows chest or Maria's backside- I'm a man and I actually appreciate a bit of T&A/Fanservice whatever you want to call it- but this whole angle is just so preposterously silly and whenever Amber/Maria were in the ring, their 'wrestling' was pretty terrible. In it's defence though it did standout more than the more generic multi-man tags on this card, even if they were for 'wrestlecrap' reasons. * - Decided to give this one star, rather than a DUD for the fact that this at least was something different, even if ultimately it was crap.

Post match Maria Kanellis ended up taking a 'Magic Killer' after Anderson, felt scorned and snapped out of being 'lovestruck'- which is another thing that won't please the 'morality police' when it comes to this angle. I agree that this angle is 'wrestlcrap' personnified, but the morality police kind of annoy me more.

7. Togi Makabe, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuyori Shibata bt 'CHAOS' Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano & Kazushi Sakuraba in 15:52

This was your usual six man tag, with the rivals pairing off against one another. Sometimes these kind of matches can see the participants up their game due to being on a PPV card, but this time round this just felt like any run of the mill 'Road To' tag. Tanahashi managed to score a roll up pin on Yano, but won't be satisfied until he's got a much more convincing win over his tormentor. Overall this was OK (as should be the minimum for the talent involved here) but nothing more than that. ** 1/2

8. 'Bullet Club' A.J Styles & Yujiro Takahashi bt 'CHAOS' Kazuchika Okada & YOSHI-HASHI in 13:20

The idea of Styles vs Okada in a tag match with their semi-jobber buddies didn't look all that great as a semi-main coming into the event, but this actually ended up over-achieving and was a really enjoyable match. Okada and Styles delivered as expected, but it was the performance of YOSHI-HASHI that stood out. Whilst he's nowhere near ready for a mega-push, the CHAOS lowman often steps up when put into these situations , working alongside top quality talent such as Okada and Styles.

In fact I really like the Okada/YOSHI-HASHI tag team, as they work really well together- the problem for YOSHI-HASHI is that the team doesn't have much championship potential, due to Okada's much stronger singles push.

*** 1/2

Post match Styles sneak attacked Okada, and then went for a Styles Clash onto his title belt, only for Okada to slip out and then almost nail Styles with a Rainmaker. Styles bailed from the ring and Okada taunted Styles by holding up the IWGP Heavyweight Belt. That was a nice way of building up some more heat for their showdown at Domininion , at Osaka-Jo Hall in July.

9. IWGP Intercontinental Championship: Hirooki Goto bt Shinsuke Nakamura in 20:53 to win the title.

The build up to this match had been executed really well with Nakamura's taunting of Goto, revolving around the CHAOS leader feeling that Goto was 'too small-time' due to consistently choking when put it came to fighting over a major championship belt. This time though Goto was able to finally shake off the choker label, as he emerged triumphant. Goto may have held the IC belt before, but that was during the days when the belt probably had even less prestige than the NEVER belt and not the '1B' main event level title it is now.

As for the match itself, it delivered a main event that even got the sometimes lacklustre Fukuoka crowd ramped up with excitement. This had just the right amount of 'slow build' and provided the sort of exciting action packed finish, you will come to expect from a New Japan main event. **** 1/2

Overall Verdict: Sure there were probably too many 'lazily booked' multi-man tags and there was also the sheer 'wrestlecrap' of the Bullet Club vs The Kingdom, but overall this was a pretty good show, that ended with a superb main event and a nice feelgood story moment for perennial choker Hirooki Goto.

Tigerkinney · May 19, 2015

<div style="text-align:center;">http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/data:image/jpeg;base64,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NJPW Best of the Super Juniors XXII

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So the annual NJPW Best of the Super Juniors begins this Friday (22nd May). All shows will be shown on NJPW World, though only the three Korakuen Hall shows (22 May, 30 May, 5 June) plus the Finals event from the Yoyogi National Gym in Tokyo (7 June) are getting shown live.

I suspect that some of (if not all) the lesser shows will be single (hard cam) shows with no commentary.

Anyway here are this years Blocks and participants- My thoughts on each performer and how much I feel they have a chance of winning their block and making the finals.....

A-Block

Bárbaro Cavernario

http://www.cagematch.net/site/main/img/workers/00012139_2014_El%20Barbaro%20Cavernario_CMLL.jpg

Worked the Fantasticamania tour in January and has a pretty unique character. Pretty highly rated by Lucha fans, personally he didn't blow me away from what I saw of him in January but I thought he did OK and character wise he stood out as something different.

Chances of winning the Block: Pretty Low- Will probably pick up a few wins and could even go 4-3 if NJPW fall back on the default 'parity booking' that has been the go to formulas for these tournaments, the past few years but I would be surprised if he's in the Finals match.

Beretta

http://www.cagematch.net/site/main/img/workers/00002963_2013_Trent_DGUSA.jpg

One half of Roppongi Vice, who just had a 'blink and you'll miss it' run with the hot potato that is the Junior Tag straps. He's been decent in his latest run with NJPW, but has been slightly over-shadowed by his more charismatic tag partner, Rocky Romero. The singles situation may give him a chance to shine by himself and show his full potential.

Chances of winning the Block: Medium- A Block is definitely the weaker of the two blocks, so Beretta who has a couple of NJPW tours under his belt may just come through as a surprise winner.

Chase Owens

http://www.cagematch.net/site/main/img/workers/00010747_2014_Chase%20Owens_Independent.jpg

Former NWA Junior Heavyweight title holder, is a slightly surprising/disappointing inclusion as he has been largely unimpressive during his NJPW appearances- maybe the NJPW feel he will be able to show more against opponents other than Liger. Personally if they had to bring him someone from the NWA, I would rather have seen Steve Anthony again who quietly impressed me during his appearance at Wrestling Hinokuni.

Chances of winning the Block: Low- He'll probably pick up a couple of wins, but his inclusion was shocking enough, yet alone a trip to the finals.

Gedo

http://www.cagematch.net/site/main/img/workers/00000122_2014_Gedo_NJPW.jpg

I'm a little split on this one, whilst I respect Gedo as a veteran performer (that is actually doing better work in his later years), the inclusion of one half of NJPW's booking team and effectively a part-timer these days, feels like a backward step in my opinion for this tournament.

Chances of winning the Block: Low- Will probably pull off a few 'banana' skin wins, but most likely is just there to make up the numbers.

Jushin Thunder Liger

http://www.cagematch.net/site/main/img/workers/00000455_2013_Jushin%20Thunder%20Liger_CHIKARA.jpg

Though he is now past his best (as much as it will pain many to admit that), a BOSJ without the most iconic Junior Heavyweight in history, would just feel odd. He's still capable to having good matches with quality opponents, but he's no longer able to pull miracles when working with mediocrity.

Chances of winning the Block: Medium- Though he hasn't won this tournament or the IWGP Junior belt for well over a decade, you can never count Liger out, as there is always that feeling NJPW may give Liger just one last 'nostalgia' run.

Kyle O'Reilly

http://www.cagematch.net/site/main/img/workers/00004006_2014_Kyle%20O%27Reilly_ROH.jpg

Technically sound ROH import and one half of former Junior tag champs reDragon who has been booked pretty strongly during his run with NJPW , so it looks as though the New Japan office are pretty high on him. From a personal perspective, I think O'Reilly has impressed fairly well during the reDragon matches and I look forward to what he brings to the NJPW table as a singles performer.

Chances of winning the Block: Medium- In all honesty A-Block is a pretty open block, and O'Reilly who the NJPW office appear to be pretty high on (given reDragon's strong booking) appears to have as good a chance as anyone to emerge on top of the Block.

Ryusuke Taguchi

http://www.cagematch.net/site/main/img/workers/00000767_2014_Ryusuke%20Taguchi_NJPW.jpg

My least favourite performer right now in NJPW (and I'm pretty sure for many other's too). For most of his career Taguchi has been a solid but somewhat bland Junior heavyweight, capable of having decent matches but lacking the charisma to truly stand out and convince that he is someone to build the Junior Division around. However this year in order to bring more 'charisma' to his act, he has converted himself into an (unfunny) comedy performer- who does silly poses and uses an offence based almost entirely around thrusting his backside . At least he was tolerable as solid but bland, now he makes me groan every time he enters the ring.

Chances of winning the Block: Pretty High- My heart says 'hell no!' because Taguchi sucks right now, but he is a former (and recent) holder of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and has history of doing pretty well in this tournament, with several finals appearances.

Yohei Komatsu

http://www.cagematch.net/site/main/img/workers/00012596_2014_Yohei%20Komatsu_NJPW.jpg

Whilst his young lion rival Sho Tanaka was unfortunately not given the chance to be in the tournament, Komatsu has managed to earn himself a spot in this years BOSJ. Fundamentally sound, Komatsu looks to have the tools in place to become a breakout performer and a solid contributor to the NJPW roster in the next few years (whether that future is a Junior or if it see's him bulk up and move into the heavyweight ranks). Many will feel pleased about Komatsu's inclusion (myself included) and out of everyone in this Block, his matches will be the one's I look forward to most.

Chances of winning the Block: Non existant- Whilst I would love for Komatsu to suddenly have the proverbial rocket strapped to him, and see him score upset after upset, he will be lucky to pick up just a single victory given the fact that he is still booked as a 'Black Trunks' Young Lion that primarily wins or (more often than not) loses to variations of the Boston Crab.

B-Block

Alex Shelley

http://www.cagematch.net/site/main/img/workers/00000352_2014_Alex%20Shelley_NJPW.jpg

One half of the Time-Splitters tag team, he just had an unsuccessful bid to dethrone Kenny Omega as the Junior Champion. Technically solid with a decent amount of charisma, Shelley has won over the NJPW fans due to a strong work ethic both inside and outside of the ring and his popular partnership with KUSHIDA, that has seen them win the Junior Tag titles on several occasions.

Chances of winning the Block: Fairly Low- Shelley has been booked pretty strong in the BOSJ the last few years, with a finals appearance in 2013 and only injury denying him a spot in the semi's last year. However whilst I expect him to be in the shake-up right until the last day, I would be surprised if he is given another chance to challenge Omega, so soon after this failed attempt at Dontaku.

Bobby Fish

http://www.cagematch.net/site/main/img/workers/00001768_2014_Bobby%20Fish_ROH.jpg

The other half of reDragon, Fish has plenty of experience working in Japan having done several tours of Pro Wrestling NOAH, prior to his partnership with O'Reilly. Despite reDragon raising Fish's profile both in the U.S and now in Japan, the general consensus is that he plays more the role of the solid veteran hand, whilst O'Reilly is positioned more as the break out star of the team.

Chances of winning the Block: Fairly Low- Whilst I'm pretty positive Fish will pick up more than one win, and most likely will pick up more than two, I would be surprised if emerges as the winner of this Block. An all reDragon finals seems highly unlikely as NJPW rarely go for all gaijin finals- the one time they recently did it Devitt vs Shelley, was because unlike O'Reilly and Fish they were both strongly established members of the NJPW roster by that point.

David Finlay Jr.

http://www.cagematch.net/site/main/img/workers/00012790_2014_David%20Finlay%20Jr._Europa.jpg

The son of Irish legend Fit Finlay, who has been training in the NJPW dojo. I have absolutely no idea how good he is (though I suspect he works more of a grounded style, as opposed to being a flashy high flyer) but his inclusion in the tournament comes as a complete shock. All in all the appearance of Finlay jr in this years BOSJ is a decision that intrigues rather than excites.

Chances of winning the Block: Non existent- Unless NJPW are planning to push this guy to the moon right from the off (who knows they may well be thinking of that, given his shock inclusion) more than likely Finlay is there to be the Block whipping boy.

KUSHIDA

http://www.cagematch.net/site/main/img/workers/00005987_2014_KUSHIDA_NJPW.jpg

Popular and charismatic, KUSHIDA went to the finals last year, and had a brief run with the Junior belt (though that was clearly an audible of a decision, after Kota Ibushi suffered a concussion during their match). KUSHIDA has multiple Junior tag title reigns, alongside Alex Shelley as the Time Splitters, but many now feel it is time that NJPW pulled the trigger on KUSHIDA as a singles performer and for New Japan to begin to build the Junior Division around him. Out of all the Japanese Juniors on the NJPW roster, KUSHIDA is certainly the one who has the right combination of technical acumen, flashy moves and charismatic persona to be both the present and future of NJPW's Junior Division.

Chances of winning the Block: Very High- Many people's nailed on favourite to not only win the block, but also the entire tournament, especially as the story of him being the one to step up to Kenny Omega and dethrone the Bullet Club menace, following his partner's defeat is already in place. The only grain of doubt, on whether KUSHIDA wins this years tournament, is if the booking powers that be within NJPW feel that the narrative many expect to see coming, is too predictable.

Máscara Dorada

http://www.cagematch.net/site/main/img/workers/00007764_2015_Mascara%20Dorada_CMLL.jpg

The dazzling lucha high flyer, is on loan from CMLL for a whole year, and was a recent challenger for the IWGP Junior belt. Whilst his flashy arsenal does boast a 'wow' factor, I personally find him slightly over-rated- as sometimes his work can look a little too 'spotty'. However he is certainly capable of having good matches, and his recent interactions with KUSHIDA during several multi-man tags points to a promising contest between those two.

Chances of winning the Block: Medium- The NJPW office are probably higher on Dorada than I am, and he has been booked fairly strong (for a Junior) during his current run with NJPW. Expect him to be in and around the mix going into the final set of matches, and if the NJPW office feel that KUSHIDA is too predictable a choice, Dorada may well be someone that they end up going with.

Nick Jackson

http://www.cagematch.net/site/main/img/workers/00004740_2014_Nick%20Jackson_ROH.jpg

Only one Young Buck, in this years BOSJ due to the fact that Matt's wife is expecting a child during the time of the tournament. Whilst the Bucks might not be everyone's cup of tea, I will fully admit to enjoying their work, which shows that you can work a flashy/fast paced style of wrestling and get over as heels due to their obnoxious/disrespectful characters.

However that being said I've always been much more convinced by the Young Bucks as a tag team commodity, and really don't see much 'singles star' potential in either of them, until they truly begin to differentiate one Buck from the other and though I'm a fan of the Bucks as a team, Nick Jackson's inclusion in the tournament feels like something of a wasted spot.

Chances of winning the Block: Low- NJPW office more than likely feel the same way I do, and see more value in the Young Bucks together, rather than apart.

Rocky Romero

http://www.cagematch.net/site/main/img/workers/00000254_2014_Rocky%20Romero_NJPW.jpg

Romero has been a long time on and off presence on the NJPW roster, both as himself and under the Black Tiger Mask and has multiple Junior tag title reigns, both as part of Forever Hooligans and more recently Roppongi Vice.

Always a solid presence in the Junior ranks, Romero has recently begun to really connect with the NJPW crowds, due to crafting a charismatic character and also the fact that after tour after tour and obtaining a passable command of the Japanese language, he truly feels like a fixture on the NJPW roster.

Chances of winning the Block: Fairly Low- Whilst I think it is unlikely that the NJPW office will pull the trigger on a Romero singles run at this stage, it is becoming increasingly clear that he might well be more over than he has ever been, at any stage during his run with NJPW.

Tiger Mask IV

http://www.cagematch.net/site/main/img/workers/00001051_2013_Tiger%20Mask_NJPW.jpg

The most maligned Tiger Mask in history (well certainly amongst smarks, the 'little shinjis' that wear replica Tiger Mask's clearly still love him), was always going to be part of this tournament.

Though I've never though of him as 'bad' as some people make out, and that the vitriol towards him would be less if the division wasn't built around him during the mid to late 2000's, his act is admittedly very stale.

Chances of winning the Block: Low- Tiger Mask run at the top of the Junior Division has long since come to and end, and he mostly just participates in opening multi-man tags these days. He'll probably pick up a few wins, as the NJPW office have a lot of respect for him, as do most of the fans that attend the NJPW shows and buy the merchandise, but it would be a complete shock if he makes the finals. Out of the two veteran icons, Liger has the more likely chance of making a nostalgia run to the finals.

<div style="text-align:center;">______________________________________________________________

<div style="text-align:left;">My ideal winner would be Yohei Komatsu, but there is less than zero chance of that happening! Realistically though, I both expect and would like to see KUSHIDA win the tournament, as he really is the guy NJPW should be building their Junior Division around, at least for the next few years.

I would be most disappointed with Ryusuke Taguchi winning the tournament, as his bum based offense act right now is painful to watch and it brings down the quality level of every match that he is in.

</div>

</div>

Mootinie · May 23, 2015

Kyle O'Reilly is my pick to top Block A with KUSHIDA to win the whole thing. I'll probably cherry pick though and only watch the matches I hear are great. That and I am super stoked to see what Cavernario brings to the table.

Hashasheen · May 23, 2015

Would have been cool if both Komatsu and Tanaka had been in a Block, and they just went on an upset tear, until they faced each other in their Block final, with equal points. Would seriously have gotten fans hyped, I think. And them you could position them as a junior tag team, and have them work towards the tag titles (I'd certainly like to see them hold the titles longer than three months).

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