Maximo vs Taichi [*1/2]
This was not as good as the tag match the previous night. Maximo's gimmick worked so well with more people involved in the match. Maximo does a great job at putting over his kiss as a move that will make the recipient faint for three seconds. The ending is so epic where Taichi turns the gimmick around on Maximo with great success and ends up winning the match. Apparently Taichi has taken a liking toward men as he chases his partner TAKA to the back. Odd is the only way to sum up this match.
BUSHI, Diamante, Jushin Thunder Liger, Mascara Dorada, Tiger Mask & Titan vs CHAOS, Misterioso Jr & OKUMURA - 12 Man Elimination Torneo Cibernetico Match [***]
The heels/rudos have won more than I expected during this weekend. We got a fun Cibernetico with tons of action. The eliminations were super fast and included Liger getting a pin with a Thez Press. Tomohiro Inishi of CHAOS picked up the win in a super fun, super fast match.
Rey Escorpion vs Rush [**1/2]
I wasn't as big a fan of this match as I had hoped I would be. Rush is a wrestler with a dynamite look and a killer finisher but showed very little in between to me. His Rush Driver is boss and another finisher (like Escorpion's
Aguijon Mortal) that can end a match in an instant. In a great show of continuity from the previous night's tag match where Escorpion flattened Rush with the
Aguijon Mortal, this time Rush countered into his Rush Driver for the pin.
Dragon Rojo Jr© vs La Sombra - NWA World Middleweight Title [***]
This was a good title match with both guys working hard and laying in all of their spots. La Sombra is a crowd favorite and gets the win and the title here after the Brillante Driver. This was pure Lucha with the combatants fighting all over the ringside area and dives aplenty. These two are fun to watch.
La Mascara© vs Volador Jr - Mexican National Light Heavyweight Title [**1/4]
I was not a huge fan of this match. They went with a breakneck pace for a couple of minutes and then rest then repeat. A gradual build or a consistent pace would have done this match a lot of good. Their moves were very good, including a moonsault suicida which is a favorite of mine. La Mascara takes the match with La Campana submission.
Euforia, Kazuchika Okada & Mephisto vs Atlantis, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Prince Devitt [***]
We get a very short main event that provides good action but a finish I hate. Mephisto hits the Demon Driller on Atlantis and only gets two. Atlantis immediately gets up and applies La Atlantida for the submission win. There was no setup for Atlantis's finisher just kick out and apply the hold and its over. Okada and Tanahashi get a very nice exchange near the end with Okada striking out on two Rainmaker attempts and getting High Fly Flowed on the floor. They have such great chemistry together I would love to see another rematch, though I may be in the minority on that front.
OVERALL THOUGHTS: Night 3 was very good and might even top Night 2 in quality. I like the Cibernetico match which was all action and the Middleweight Title match was the match of the night. Nothing special here just a good solid night of wrestling.
Showing posts with label NJPW. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NJPW. Show all posts
Monday, February 11, 2013
Friday, February 8, 2013
NJPW/CMLL Fantasica Mania 2013 - Night 2 (01/19/13)
Maximo & Toma Tonga vs Suzuki-Gun [**1/2]
My first thought in watching this was how do I rate it. We get an awesome comedy match but it is just that a comedy match. Maximo is more than just the star of the match, he is the match. Everything here revolves around his gay gimmick from his offense, the offense of his competitors, Toma Tonga playing the lead in their salsa pair, and even putting an announcer out of action with a kiss to the forehead. Maximo has his gimmick down and goes all over the place with it, which makes the match so much fun to watch. Toma Tonga looked a lot better in this than he did the previous night. He got some good moves in and looked to be having a lot of fun. Maximo got the pin after a kiss on Taichi.
Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask & Titan vs World Class Tag Team & Misterioso Jr [**3/4]
Whatever funk the workers were in last night (jet lag?) they are wrestling at a higher level tonight. Titan is fun to watch and his handstand is an amazing feat. The NJPW wrestlers seem to be there to keep a Japanese structure while the CMLL workers pull off the awesome Lucha spots. Misterioso Jr gets the pin after a crazy La Rosa Driver. Fun match.
Diamante & Mascara Dorada vs Mephisto & OKUMURA [**1/4]
My rating and feelings on this match are very much skewed by my view of Lucha. There is a lot I cannot wrap my head around. Its stuff like Diamante jumping off the second rope straight up in the air, obviously not attempting to hit OKUMURA and is jumping solely to be dropkicked. I understand this form of wrestling takes a lot of skill to pull off (like the stereo sequences) but like I have been bitching these past couple of reviews I don't get it. Mephisto has the coolest finisher, the Demon Driller. It is very simple yet is such an impressive visual especially when he holds his opponent in position before dropping him face fist to the mat. All four wrestlers worked very hard here and the fans appreciated everything, even chanting for Mephisto after the match. Diamante has this amazing ability to pull any areal maneuver out of his rear at any moment. Mephisto and OKUMURA win after the Demon Driller on Dorada.
Apollo 55 & BUSHI vs CHAOS & Dragon Rojo Jr [**3/4]
I like Apollo 55, especially Devitt. These six work hard and have an entertaining match. I love the stereo plancha by Apollo 55 & BUSHI. I hated the ending as it came out of nowhere without any buildup whatsoever. One move and boom Rojo Jr has BUSHI down for the count.
Atlantis vs Euforia [***]
This was a good match with an ending that made a lot of sense. Atlantis worked on the back of Euforia leading up to his La Atlantida submission finisher. These two older heavyweights went all out and had a pretty good match. Amazing that at 50 years old Atlantis will still dive to the outside. Very few his age are still willing or able to pull off that move. Match of the night thus far.
Hiroshi Tanahashi, La Mascara & Rush vs Kazuchika Okada, Rey Escorpion & Volador Jr [***1/4]
Coming into this match I was looking for a big Tanahashi/Okada showdown but it didn't happen. They were in the ring together here and there but nothing of significance happened. What we get is a fantastically worked match between six pros. I have no idea how La Mascara wrestles a long match in his ring attire that literally covers him from head to toe, especially in some of the sweat boxes south of the border. Rey Escorpion gets the win with an awesome package piledriver (Aguijon Mortal?) that gets a massive pop from the crowd. It is such an impressive finisher that looks like a match ender even lacking any setup. Great stuff here.
Shinsuke Nakamura© vs La Sombra - IWGP Intercontinental Title [***3/4]
I am officially a Nakamura mark, as he has had one hell of a start to 2013. These two went back in forth in an incredible title match. There were a couple of rollups where I thought La Sombra could have taken the match but Nakamura got out just in the nick of time. La Sombra broke out some awesome areal maneuvers, anything twisty I am a mark for, as well as an incredible moonsault. Nakamura retained his title with the Bomba Ye. We are getting to the point where I will mark out when I see a Nakamura title defense on the card. Hope he keeps delivering these great matches for the rest of his title reign.
OVERALL THOUGHTS: Night 2 was worlds better than Night 1. This is what you expect when two major companies get together for a night of wrestling. Even though I don't completely understand Lucha, I know wrestling and when guys are working hard, as well as when I am entertained. There was plenty of entertainment to be had on this night. This is not required viewing but you will not be wasting your time if you decide to do so.
My first thought in watching this was how do I rate it. We get an awesome comedy match but it is just that a comedy match. Maximo is more than just the star of the match, he is the match. Everything here revolves around his gay gimmick from his offense, the offense of his competitors, Toma Tonga playing the lead in their salsa pair, and even putting an announcer out of action with a kiss to the forehead. Maximo has his gimmick down and goes all over the place with it, which makes the match so much fun to watch. Toma Tonga looked a lot better in this than he did the previous night. He got some good moves in and looked to be having a lot of fun. Maximo got the pin after a kiss on Taichi.
Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask & Titan vs World Class Tag Team & Misterioso Jr [**3/4]
Whatever funk the workers were in last night (jet lag?) they are wrestling at a higher level tonight. Titan is fun to watch and his handstand is an amazing feat. The NJPW wrestlers seem to be there to keep a Japanese structure while the CMLL workers pull off the awesome Lucha spots. Misterioso Jr gets the pin after a crazy La Rosa Driver. Fun match.
Diamante & Mascara Dorada vs Mephisto & OKUMURA [**1/4]
My rating and feelings on this match are very much skewed by my view of Lucha. There is a lot I cannot wrap my head around. Its stuff like Diamante jumping off the second rope straight up in the air, obviously not attempting to hit OKUMURA and is jumping solely to be dropkicked. I understand this form of wrestling takes a lot of skill to pull off (like the stereo sequences) but like I have been bitching these past couple of reviews I don't get it. Mephisto has the coolest finisher, the Demon Driller. It is very simple yet is such an impressive visual especially when he holds his opponent in position before dropping him face fist to the mat. All four wrestlers worked very hard here and the fans appreciated everything, even chanting for Mephisto after the match. Diamante has this amazing ability to pull any areal maneuver out of his rear at any moment. Mephisto and OKUMURA win after the Demon Driller on Dorada.
Apollo 55 & BUSHI vs CHAOS & Dragon Rojo Jr [**3/4]
I like Apollo 55, especially Devitt. These six work hard and have an entertaining match. I love the stereo plancha by Apollo 55 & BUSHI. I hated the ending as it came out of nowhere without any buildup whatsoever. One move and boom Rojo Jr has BUSHI down for the count.
Atlantis vs Euforia [***]
This was a good match with an ending that made a lot of sense. Atlantis worked on the back of Euforia leading up to his La Atlantida submission finisher. These two older heavyweights went all out and had a pretty good match. Amazing that at 50 years old Atlantis will still dive to the outside. Very few his age are still willing or able to pull off that move. Match of the night thus far.
Hiroshi Tanahashi, La Mascara & Rush vs Kazuchika Okada, Rey Escorpion & Volador Jr [***1/4]
Coming into this match I was looking for a big Tanahashi/Okada showdown but it didn't happen. They were in the ring together here and there but nothing of significance happened. What we get is a fantastically worked match between six pros. I have no idea how La Mascara wrestles a long match in his ring attire that literally covers him from head to toe, especially in some of the sweat boxes south of the border. Rey Escorpion gets the win with an awesome package piledriver (Aguijon Mortal?) that gets a massive pop from the crowd. It is such an impressive finisher that looks like a match ender even lacking any setup. Great stuff here.
Shinsuke Nakamura© vs La Sombra - IWGP Intercontinental Title [***3/4]
I am officially a Nakamura mark, as he has had one hell of a start to 2013. These two went back in forth in an incredible title match. There were a couple of rollups where I thought La Sombra could have taken the match but Nakamura got out just in the nick of time. La Sombra broke out some awesome areal maneuvers, anything twisty I am a mark for, as well as an incredible moonsault. Nakamura retained his title with the Bomba Ye. We are getting to the point where I will mark out when I see a Nakamura title defense on the card. Hope he keeps delivering these great matches for the rest of his title reign.
OVERALL THOUGHTS: Night 2 was worlds better than Night 1. This is what you expect when two major companies get together for a night of wrestling. Even though I don't completely understand Lucha, I know wrestling and when guys are working hard, as well as when I am entertained. There was plenty of entertainment to be had on this night. This is not required viewing but you will not be wasting your time if you decide to do so.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
NJPW/CMLL Fantasica Mania 2013 - Night 1 (01/18/13)
Euforia & OKUMURA vs Tama Tonga & Titan [*]
Tama Tonga is half of the CMLL Tag Champs and does not impress me here. This was one of those matches which was kinda there. Nothing about it wowed me yet nothing made me throw my hands up in disgust. I guess this was okay for what it was, the curtain jerker. Tama Tonga gets the pin with what I think was the Headshrinker (Hanging DDT).
BUSHI, Diamante & Ryusuke Taguchi vs CHAOS & Ray Escorpion [*]
We get nothing here to get me invested into the match, and nothing really sets this apart from the opener. Diamanté has a cool dive a d Escorpion has a sweet finisher Aguijon Mortal.
Rush vs YOSI-HASHI [*1/4]
I haven't been real enthused with this show so far. These matches feel like straight exhibitions lacking emotion. Rush has a great look and some nice moves. He finishes YOSHI-HASHI off with a Rush Driver.
La Mascara, Mascara Dorada & Maximo vs Suzuki-Gun, & Volador Jr
Match not uploaded to Daily Motion
Atlantis, Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask vs World Class Tag Team & Mephisto [**]
We mostly get Liger against Gedo and Jado which consisted of attempting to rip the mask off Liger. Mephisto looks awesome and has an awesome finisher too. He hits Atlantis with the Demon Driller (think Angels Wings from the second rope) for the win.
Dragon Rojo Jr vs Prince Devitt [**1/2]
Prince Devitt using the song from Karate Kid wins a lot of points from me. I have to blame unfamiliarity between the NJPW and CMLL wrestlers because everything on this show is sub par to both companies normal shows. This has been the best match of the night thus far but was still a little disjointed in spots. This is still a decent mat based junior match though both are capable of a lot more.
Hiroshi Tanahashi & La Sombra vs Misterioso Jr & Shinsuke Nakamura [**3/4]
This was the most entertaining match of the night. All four work well enough together but once again we get nothing that sticks out as memorable which seems to be the theme for the night. La Sombra messed up his Brillante Driver finisher yet still manages to get the winning pin on Misterioso Jr.
OVERALL THOUGHTS: If this night is any indication on how the next two nights of Fantastica Mania will go then it will be a rough getting through those shows. Matches here feel like wrestling exhibitions and miss hatred, intensity and story that are the heart and soul of pro wrestling. This show is only for hardcores who must see everything, otherwise spend your time elsewhere.
Tama Tonga is half of the CMLL Tag Champs and does not impress me here. This was one of those matches which was kinda there. Nothing about it wowed me yet nothing made me throw my hands up in disgust. I guess this was okay for what it was, the curtain jerker. Tama Tonga gets the pin with what I think was the Headshrinker (Hanging DDT).
BUSHI, Diamante & Ryusuke Taguchi vs CHAOS & Ray Escorpion [*]
We get nothing here to get me invested into the match, and nothing really sets this apart from the opener. Diamanté has a cool dive a d Escorpion has a sweet finisher Aguijon Mortal.
Rush vs YOSI-HASHI [*1/4]
I haven't been real enthused with this show so far. These matches feel like straight exhibitions lacking emotion. Rush has a great look and some nice moves. He finishes YOSHI-HASHI off with a Rush Driver.
La Mascara, Mascara Dorada & Maximo vs Suzuki-Gun, & Volador Jr
Match not uploaded to Daily Motion
Atlantis, Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask vs World Class Tag Team & Mephisto [**]
We mostly get Liger against Gedo and Jado which consisted of attempting to rip the mask off Liger. Mephisto looks awesome and has an awesome finisher too. He hits Atlantis with the Demon Driller (think Angels Wings from the second rope) for the win.
Dragon Rojo Jr vs Prince Devitt [**1/2]
Prince Devitt using the song from Karate Kid wins a lot of points from me. I have to blame unfamiliarity between the NJPW and CMLL wrestlers because everything on this show is sub par to both companies normal shows. This has been the best match of the night thus far but was still a little disjointed in spots. This is still a decent mat based junior match though both are capable of a lot more.
Hiroshi Tanahashi & La Sombra vs Misterioso Jr & Shinsuke Nakamura [**3/4]
This was the most entertaining match of the night. All four work well enough together but once again we get nothing that sticks out as memorable which seems to be the theme for the night. La Sombra messed up his Brillante Driver finisher yet still manages to get the winning pin on Misterioso Jr.
OVERALL THOUGHTS: If this night is any indication on how the next two nights of Fantastica Mania will go then it will be a rough getting through those shows. Matches here feel like wrestling exhibitions and miss hatred, intensity and story that are the heart and soul of pro wrestling. This show is only for hardcores who must see everything, otherwise spend your time elsewhere.
Monday, January 7, 2013
The Year That Was 96 - Part 2
Shinya Hashimoto vs. Kazuo Yamazaki (NJ 1/4/96)
I love matches like this where it is just two big bulls going at it. Yamazaki focused on Hashimoto's arm, Hashimoto fought it off with kicks and got the brainbuster for the win. This was a very simple match and a test of wills. It might be everyone's cup of tea due to the slower pace, however I loved this.
Vader vs. Antonio Inoki (NJ 1/4/96)
You would be hard pressed to find a wrestler in Japan, short of Giant Baba, more legendary than Antonio Inoki. This is the fifth stop in Inoki's Final Countdown Retirement Tour ending his 35 year career. The story through the match is Inoki dealing with the size and ferocity of Vader. Ionki's strategy for doing this is by wrapping up Vader and chocking certainly doesn't hurt either, Inoki has the most awesome death sell of a suplex. He literally did not move for a minute. They went outside where Vader was walloped with a chair that caused him to bleed. Vader, understandably, let Inoki have everything including a powerbomb, Vader Bomb, and a moonsault. Inoki kicked out of everything and body slammed Vader and put him in a cross arm breaker for the win. The building was so hot for Inoki you can tell even watching 16 years later how much the people loved him. This match is so awesome and is my first real MOTY candidate.
Keiji Muto vs Nobuhiko Takada - IWGP World Heaveyweight Title(JIP) (NJ 1/4/96)
This was a huge match in the NJPW vs UWFi feud, which may be the most money making feud in history. Takada is one of the forefathers of the MMA boom in Japan. What is shown here is beautiful, I love exchanges of holds and grappling. There was one point where Muto had Takada in a figure four and Takada had a funky heel hookish hold on Muto. That hold looked painful like it could rip both your ankle and knee apart with its twisting motion. The fan were solidly behind Muto and the heat was incredible. Muto gets his big moves in (power drive elbow, moonsault) but the grappling of Takada eventually gets Muto in a position he is incapable of getting out of and he submits to the cross armbreaker. Takada wins the IWGP World Title. After the match Hashimoto gets in Takada's face and we have our next big feud set. I need to track down the full version of this match, as I mentioned before this looks right up my alley. I bet the full Dome show is good too.
Raven + Beulah + Tommy Dreamer Angle (ECW 1/5/96)
This might be the most famous angle in ECW history. Stevie had been making out with Missy Hyatt the previous week and tries to kiss Beulah (Raven's girlfriend) and she vehemently rejects him. She reveals she is pregnant which draws out Raven who is pissed and blames Beulah, she then reveals it isn't his. This enrages Raven and he attacks Richards who would have the closest access to Beulah besides Raven. She tells Raven to stop it isn't Richards.....It's Tommy's! Tommy responds as the noble hero protecting his lady. We get the famous "Tommy use my sign" sign spot which contains a stop sign underneath and used on Raven, as is a pie. Everything is built so well, progresses logically and takes one step at a time. It is such a fun moment and a lights a new fire under the already hot Raven/Dreamer feud, I should note that I love this time period. I was in sixth grade and had the world by the balls. I had a flannel shirt I wore virtually everyday for a year or two. I really enjoy watching 96 ECW since it captures everything I was about at the time.
I love matches like this where it is just two big bulls going at it. Yamazaki focused on Hashimoto's arm, Hashimoto fought it off with kicks and got the brainbuster for the win. This was a very simple match and a test of wills. It might be everyone's cup of tea due to the slower pace, however I loved this.
Vader vs. Antonio Inoki (NJ 1/4/96)
You would be hard pressed to find a wrestler in Japan, short of Giant Baba, more legendary than Antonio Inoki. This is the fifth stop in Inoki's Final Countdown Retirement Tour ending his 35 year career. The story through the match is Inoki dealing with the size and ferocity of Vader. Ionki's strategy for doing this is by wrapping up Vader and chocking certainly doesn't hurt either, Inoki has the most awesome death sell of a suplex. He literally did not move for a minute. They went outside where Vader was walloped with a chair that caused him to bleed. Vader, understandably, let Inoki have everything including a powerbomb, Vader Bomb, and a moonsault. Inoki kicked out of everything and body slammed Vader and put him in a cross arm breaker for the win. The building was so hot for Inoki you can tell even watching 16 years later how much the people loved him. This match is so awesome and is my first real MOTY candidate.
Keiji Muto vs Nobuhiko Takada - IWGP World Heaveyweight Title(JIP) (NJ 1/4/96)
This was a huge match in the NJPW vs UWFi feud, which may be the most money making feud in history. Takada is one of the forefathers of the MMA boom in Japan. What is shown here is beautiful, I love exchanges of holds and grappling. There was one point where Muto had Takada in a figure four and Takada had a funky heel hookish hold on Muto. That hold looked painful like it could rip both your ankle and knee apart with its twisting motion. The fan were solidly behind Muto and the heat was incredible. Muto gets his big moves in (power drive elbow, moonsault) but the grappling of Takada eventually gets Muto in a position he is incapable of getting out of and he submits to the cross armbreaker. Takada wins the IWGP World Title. After the match Hashimoto gets in Takada's face and we have our next big feud set. I need to track down the full version of this match, as I mentioned before this looks right up my alley. I bet the full Dome show is good too.
Raven + Beulah + Tommy Dreamer Angle (ECW 1/5/96)
This might be the most famous angle in ECW history. Stevie had been making out with Missy Hyatt the previous week and tries to kiss Beulah (Raven's girlfriend) and she vehemently rejects him. She reveals she is pregnant which draws out Raven who is pissed and blames Beulah, she then reveals it isn't his. This enrages Raven and he attacks Richards who would have the closest access to Beulah besides Raven. She tells Raven to stop it isn't Richards.....It's Tommy's! Tommy responds as the noble hero protecting his lady. We get the famous "Tommy use my sign" sign spot which contains a stop sign underneath and used on Raven, as is a pie. Everything is built so well, progresses logically and takes one step at a time. It is such a fun moment and a lights a new fire under the already hot Raven/Dreamer feud, I should note that I love this time period. I was in sixth grade and had the world by the balls. I had a flannel shirt I wore virtually everyday for a year or two. I really enjoy watching 96 ECW since it captures everything I was about at the time.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
NJPW: Wrestle Kingdom 7 - Evolution (01/04/13)
CHAOS (Jado, Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI vs Captain New Japan, Tama Tonga & Wataru Inoue [*1/2]
YOUNG BOYS FIGHT! I have no confidence in Captain New Japan to win anything but his team actually won. Tama Tonga has a complete Jimmy Snuka gimmick and showed the most charisma out of the bunch. He won with a K.I.D. into a DDT.
Hiromu Takahashi, Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask vs BUSHI, KUSHIDA & Ryusuke Taguchi [**]
This was a dark match on the card and these six men gave a solid effort, I hate seeing a team with Tiger Mask and Liger losing. BUSHI gets the pin after the 450 splash of death on Takahashi.
CHAOS (Takashi Izuka, Toru Yano & Yujiro Takahashi) & Bob Sapp vs Muscle Orchestra (Manabu Nakanishi & Strongman), Akebono & MVP [**]
If you like big bulls going at it, this is for you. Nakanishi getting who I believe was Yano up in the torture rack was awesome, it also got a massive pop from the crowd. This was not the match for MVP as he kinda gets lost in all the big man offense but hits his elbow and a couple other moves. Akebono against Bob Sapp was crazy fun. The cool thing about big men is that if you get a little bit of work out of them it goes so far, whereas a Junior has to work a lot harder to get the same reaction. Nakanishi gets the win with a torture rack.
Masato Tanaka© vs Shelton Benjamin - NEVER Openweight Title [*3/4]
I like the idea of the NEVER title, a very NXTish idea. Shelton Benjamin got some good pops for his athletic stuff and got all of his moves in. This match was going along fine until Tanaka's seconds got involved and it fell to crap. Benjamin went between the ropes only to hold on two or three full second until he was hit with the cane. Tanaka hit the Sliding D elbow to retain the title.
Killer Elite Squad (Davey Boy Smith Jr & Lance Archer)© vs Hirooki Goto & Karl Anderson - IWPG Tag Team Titles [**3/4]
I thought this was good, not great. The problem is that there wasn't a great story being told in the ring. I like kicks to the face and there were no shortage of them here. KES hit the Killer Bomb on both members of the Machine Guns, and on Goto twice for the win. I like the Killer Bomb, very impressive move when performed by two tall guys.
Minoru Suzuki vs Yuji Nagata [***3/4]
Nagata is amazing and puts on a fantastic performance. This had kicks and slaps to the face which are a definite plus. Nagata weakened Suzuki's arm which game him an avenue to counter the slaps and completely negate half of them. Nagata's facial expressions are so good, he looks like he is mustering all his energy into putting on holds like an armlock. It helps to give the match more of an epic feel. Nagata got the pin with a backdrop Suplex hold.
Prince Devitt © vs Kota Isbushi vs Low Ki - IWGP Jr Heavyweight Title [***1/2]
These three put it all on the line for this one, as we get non stop action for the entire bout. We get the awesome Tornado Enzaguri's and even some moves out on the ramp. Low Ki apparently is running with a Hitman gimmick complete with tattooed bar code on the base of his skull. Sadly we did not get to see if he does that crazy scream when doing the top rope double stomp. Isbushi was awsome and flew all over the place. The match felt like Isbushi and Ki vs Devitt, it is great to pin the champion but you can pin the other guy for the belt too. Devitt took the win with a Top Rope Single Underhook Vertical Drop DDT.
Kenji Muto & Shinjiro Otani vs TenKoji (Hiroyoshi Tenzen & Satoshi Kojima) [***]
Good match and very cool to see the fans so into both teams. The crowd knew all four wrestlers big spots and popped loudly for all of them. I would have popped huge to see a power drive elbow from the 50 year old Muto, but no dice. Muto's pose during the count after the powerbomb was fantastic. Kojima laid in the chops and Otani returned the favor with a great face wash sequence. The arm and legwork were nice but ultimately did not lead anywhere. Tenzen got the pin on Otani after a moonsault.
Katsuyori Shibata vs Togi Makabe [***3/4]
These two hated each other and it shows. From the outset it was all out action. They threw stiff kicks and forearms aplenty. Makabe even put Shibata through a ringside table which ruled. The story was based around Shibata's penalty kick against Makabe's lariat. Makabe won with the Top Rope King Kong Kneedrop. Fun match and much different than the rest of the card.
Shinsuke Nakamura© vs Kazushi Sakuraba - IWGP Intercontinental Title [****]
I loved this match. There wasn't so much of a story just who could outlast the others strikes. We got an awesome pro wrestling/MMA hybrid that the fans ate up. When Nakamura popped up and hit a running knee strike the crowd was all over it. Nakamura picked Sakuraba up in a Death Valley Driver and the fans popped for it. This had a believability factor unlike any other match of the night. This is the type of stuff Hayato does in M-Pro. I popped so many times this is well worth taking a look.
Hiroshi Tanahashi© vs Kazuchika Okada - IWGP Heavyweight Title [****]
I wanted to like this more than I did, while being a very good match I think it is a case of a match not being able to live up to the hype given. This had a story of Tanahashi trying to stay away from The Rainmaker while also working over Okada's leg. Okada sold that leg to the end and had me thinking he was going to take the match after surviving all of Tanahashi's best shots including the High Fly Flow. Luckily Tanahashi found a way to win and keep the 68th title reign from becoming the 69th. This match had a very slow build and may have killed the match for some. Through the loss Okada still looks like a tough SOB having to take two High Fly Flow's to be beaten. Tanahashi may be NJPW's John Cena but I have become a fan of his anyhow. Some seem to be put off by his dominance of the title picture, and at least in the short term that may not change, but I really like him. Tanahashi puts on great matches, have a great look and a fun moveset. Love it or hate it it is an important match that is worth an hour of your time.
YOUNG BOYS FIGHT! I have no confidence in Captain New Japan to win anything but his team actually won. Tama Tonga has a complete Jimmy Snuka gimmick and showed the most charisma out of the bunch. He won with a K.I.D. into a DDT.
Hiromu Takahashi, Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask vs BUSHI, KUSHIDA & Ryusuke Taguchi [**]
This was a dark match on the card and these six men gave a solid effort, I hate seeing a team with Tiger Mask and Liger losing. BUSHI gets the pin after the 450 splash of death on Takahashi.
CHAOS (Takashi Izuka, Toru Yano & Yujiro Takahashi) & Bob Sapp vs Muscle Orchestra (Manabu Nakanishi & Strongman), Akebono & MVP [**]
If you like big bulls going at it, this is for you. Nakanishi getting who I believe was Yano up in the torture rack was awesome, it also got a massive pop from the crowd. This was not the match for MVP as he kinda gets lost in all the big man offense but hits his elbow and a couple other moves. Akebono against Bob Sapp was crazy fun. The cool thing about big men is that if you get a little bit of work out of them it goes so far, whereas a Junior has to work a lot harder to get the same reaction. Nakanishi gets the win with a torture rack.
Masato Tanaka© vs Shelton Benjamin - NEVER Openweight Title [*3/4]
I like the idea of the NEVER title, a very NXTish idea. Shelton Benjamin got some good pops for his athletic stuff and got all of his moves in. This match was going along fine until Tanaka's seconds got involved and it fell to crap. Benjamin went between the ropes only to hold on two or three full second until he was hit with the cane. Tanaka hit the Sliding D elbow to retain the title.
Killer Elite Squad (Davey Boy Smith Jr & Lance Archer)© vs Hirooki Goto & Karl Anderson - IWPG Tag Team Titles [**3/4]
I thought this was good, not great. The problem is that there wasn't a great story being told in the ring. I like kicks to the face and there were no shortage of them here. KES hit the Killer Bomb on both members of the Machine Guns, and on Goto twice for the win. I like the Killer Bomb, very impressive move when performed by two tall guys.
Minoru Suzuki vs Yuji Nagata [***3/4]
Nagata is amazing and puts on a fantastic performance. This had kicks and slaps to the face which are a definite plus. Nagata weakened Suzuki's arm which game him an avenue to counter the slaps and completely negate half of them. Nagata's facial expressions are so good, he looks like he is mustering all his energy into putting on holds like an armlock. It helps to give the match more of an epic feel. Nagata got the pin with a backdrop Suplex hold.
Prince Devitt © vs Kota Isbushi vs Low Ki - IWGP Jr Heavyweight Title [***1/2]
These three put it all on the line for this one, as we get non stop action for the entire bout. We get the awesome Tornado Enzaguri's and even some moves out on the ramp. Low Ki apparently is running with a Hitman gimmick complete with tattooed bar code on the base of his skull. Sadly we did not get to see if he does that crazy scream when doing the top rope double stomp. Isbushi was awsome and flew all over the place. The match felt like Isbushi and Ki vs Devitt, it is great to pin the champion but you can pin the other guy for the belt too. Devitt took the win with a Top Rope Single Underhook Vertical Drop DDT.
Kenji Muto & Shinjiro Otani vs TenKoji (Hiroyoshi Tenzen & Satoshi Kojima) [***]
Good match and very cool to see the fans so into both teams. The crowd knew all four wrestlers big spots and popped loudly for all of them. I would have popped huge to see a power drive elbow from the 50 year old Muto, but no dice. Muto's pose during the count after the powerbomb was fantastic. Kojima laid in the chops and Otani returned the favor with a great face wash sequence. The arm and legwork were nice but ultimately did not lead anywhere. Tenzen got the pin on Otani after a moonsault.
Katsuyori Shibata vs Togi Makabe [***3/4]
These two hated each other and it shows. From the outset it was all out action. They threw stiff kicks and forearms aplenty. Makabe even put Shibata through a ringside table which ruled. The story was based around Shibata's penalty kick against Makabe's lariat. Makabe won with the Top Rope King Kong Kneedrop. Fun match and much different than the rest of the card.
Shinsuke Nakamura© vs Kazushi Sakuraba - IWGP Intercontinental Title [****]
I loved this match. There wasn't so much of a story just who could outlast the others strikes. We got an awesome pro wrestling/MMA hybrid that the fans ate up. When Nakamura popped up and hit a running knee strike the crowd was all over it. Nakamura picked Sakuraba up in a Death Valley Driver and the fans popped for it. This had a believability factor unlike any other match of the night. This is the type of stuff Hayato does in M-Pro. I popped so many times this is well worth taking a look.
Hiroshi Tanahashi© vs Kazuchika Okada - IWGP Heavyweight Title [****]
I wanted to like this more than I did, while being a very good match I think it is a case of a match not being able to live up to the hype given. This had a story of Tanahashi trying to stay away from The Rainmaker while also working over Okada's leg. Okada sold that leg to the end and had me thinking he was going to take the match after surviving all of Tanahashi's best shots including the High Fly Flow. Luckily Tanahashi found a way to win and keep the 68th title reign from becoming the 69th. This match had a very slow build and may have killed the match for some. Through the loss Okada still looks like a tough SOB having to take two High Fly Flow's to be beaten. Tanahashi may be NJPW's John Cena but I have become a fan of his anyhow. Some seem to be put off by his dominance of the title picture, and at least in the short term that may not change, but I really like him. Tanahashi puts on great matches, have a great look and a fun moveset. Love it or hate it it is an important match that is worth an hour of your time.
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