NJPW "New Beginnings in Osaka" 2/11/2016
Feb 11, 2016 7:24:37 GMT -5
TheShowJordanRichards likes this
Post by Emperor Ihsahn on Feb 11, 2016 7:24:37 GMT -5
I know it's not a retro review but still...
Some solid chain wrestling to start off. Both guys one upping one another. The crowd is into the match which is a good sign. Finlay hits a perfect drop kick and takes over as he slams White for a 1 count before unloading on White with some vicious elbows to the neck. Finlay tries for a chin lock but White reaches the ropes before slowly getting back into the action. White hits a spining elbow and takes over, he goes to the top and hits a big missile dropkick for a 2 count. Back and forth action now as both guys are laying their shots in and they exchange 2 counts. Finlay locks in a Boston Crab but White is able to reach the ropes. White now locks in a single legged crab and wrenches back, Finlay has no choice but to tap out.
Jay White d. David Finlay via submission.
Rating: 2.5/5 stars.
Liger & Sakuraba kick things off with some back and forth action before both men go for submission holds. Lifer gets the better of it early on until Gedo and Yoshi-Hashi get involved. Sakuraba locks in a chin lock then proceeds to kick and chop away at Liger in no man's land. Gedo in now to work over Liger, now it's Yoshi's turn to lay it on Liger. Yoshi goes forma splash but misses which allows Liger to get the tag to Tiger Mask who cleans house. Big kicks from Tiger on Yoshi which gets a 2 count. Tiger Driver nearly ends things but Yoshi kicks out then hits a reversal. Yoshi tags in Gedo while in comes Taguchi who does his annoying but moves. Fuck I hate Taguchi. Yoshi cuts him off and hits a bit lariat followed by a Gedo superkick for a 2 count. Some good wrestling leads to Taguchi locking in a modified ankle lock and Gedo taps.
Taguchi, Tiger Mask & Jushin Liger d. Gedo, Yoshi-Hashi & Sakuraba via submiaaion.
Rating: 1.5/5 stars.
I don't care how old they get I love Hiroshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima! Back and forth action from all guys as they are all laying in the stiff shots. Nagata nearly wins it with a chin lock but its broken up. Kojima gets the tag to Tenzan who cleans house and beats some Nagata ass. Nagata turns the tidenthan gets the tag to Nakanishi who takes over. Kojima is in now and lights Nakanishi up with stiff chops before Nagata cuts him off. Nagata hits an explorer on Kojima than Nakanishi lays Kojima out with a DVD for a 2 count. Tenzan back in and he and Kojima hist a 3D on Nakanishi for a 2. Kojima destroys Nakanishi with a lariat for the win.
Tenzan & Kojima d. Nagata & Nakanishi via pin.
Rating: 3/5 stars.
Kushida & Bushi kick things off as Bushi heels it up and takes his time outside the ring. Kushida gets the better of Bushi then attempts a baseball slide to the outside before being attacked by Naito & Evil. Bushi works over Kushida with submissions before tagging in Naito who continues the beatdown. Evil in now to keep the hurt on Kushida as the fans rally behind the faces. Kushida fights back but is cut off quickly by a swift kick to the face from Naito. Hand spring elbow reverses Kushidas luck and he tags in Elgin who clears house. German suplexes for all! The numbers catch up though and Elgin is triple teamed before beating everyone's ass like the beast he is. I used to hate Elgin but over the past 6 months I've become a fan. Naito hits a flying elbow and ends Elgins momentum. In co!ea Juice Robinson to work over Evil. The Juice on the loose! (Sorry Juvi). Juice gets a 2 count on Evil and the fans are into him. Juice gets attacked while ascending the ropes and now the heels are back in control, Evil hits a big dive on Kushida and Evil gets the win via pin after a brutal swinging leg sweep on Juice. Post match the faces get beat down.
Evil, Bushi & Naito d. Kushida, Juice & Elgin via pin.
Rating: 3/5 stars.
Takahashi's girl Shiori is looking sexy as fuck tonight, damn. It's all Bullet Club early on. Tama works over Yano then tags out to Fale to take over before Takahashi gets his turn. In comes the Briscoes to clean house as Mark is on fire. Mark hits an Exploder then in comes Jay to add more pain to Takahashi, 2 count following a flying elbow. Takahashi gets back in the right for a moment before Mark cuts him off. Mark misses a frog splash and tags in Yano who gets his ass beat by Tama Tonga. Yano slingshots Tama into an exposed turn buckle then the Bullet Club clean house and isolate Yano. Tama is taking his time inflicting pain on Yano until Jay saves the day. The Briscoes attempt the doomsday device but are cut off by Tama, Yano in to even the odds but is side swiped by Tama Tonga...1....2....3!! New Champs!
The Bullet Club (Tama, Fale & Takahashi) d. The Briscoes & Yano via pin tin become the NEW Never 6 Man Tag Champs.
EoT Score: 3.2/5....mainly because of Shiori's fine ass!
The Young Bucks are accompanied to the ring by Cody Hall who carries Nick on his shoulders the entire way to the ring. Side note before this match starts...The Bucks are talented but none the less fuck them! The Bell rings and Ricochet starts off with Matt Jackson. Forgive me as this will be wild and fast paced. Big dropkick on Matt and Ricochet goes for a dive but is tripped by Cody. Kyle is in and gets the better of Ricochet for a 1 count. RedDragon double team Ricochet and Bobby Fish hits a twisting springboard splash for a 1 count. In comes Sydal and O'Reilly gets planted hard. Stiff kicks from Sydal on O'Reilly before the flips start outta nowhere as fish goes flying. The Bucks are in to clear the ring and showboat before taking the fight to Sydal. Back and forth action now until the Bucks corner Sydal. Cody gets a cheap shot in too. The Bucks still in control as Sydal tries valiantly to fight back but to no avail. Finally Sydal almost tagsl in Ricochet until Cody cuts it off on the outside. Fish is in and so is O'Reilly as they proceed to beat the ever loving pisw out of everyone. Fish eats a superkick from Matt then everyone hits everyone with every variation of spinning kicks imaginable. Fast paced action now as everyone is getting some, Sydal and Ricochet hit a pair of standing flips for a 2 count on Fish. RedDragon back in control and they hit a sick double German on Richochet for a near 3, that was close! Everyone !isaes topmrope spots as the crowd shows their appreciation. Tower of doom! Matt took the worst of it and Sydal and Ricochet nearly picked up the win again. Leaping knees to Matt but he recovers and the Bucks clean house with Super Kicks for all! Near fall for the Bucks is broken up by O'Reilly as RedDragon are back on the offensive. Cody Hall picks O'Reilly up and runs out the arena with him! Sydal is planted by Nick and Matt hits springboard spiked piledriver 1....2....no! Sydal is in trouble but Ricochet makes the save! Double shooting star presses....1....2.....3!!!!! Sydal & Ricochet win!
Matt Sydal & Ricochet d. The Young Bucks & RedDragon to become the NEW IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champs!
Rating: 3.5/5 stars.
They lock up to start things off but it degrades into stiff kicks within moments. Both guys stare one another down as huge Shibata chants go up. Elbows back and forth as neither man is giving an inch. They are beating the fuck outta one another! The elbow shots continue and Ishii is staggering, Shibata takes him down and throws a mean kick into the back of Ishii. Shibata kicks Ishii in the face which just pisses the big man off, Shibata with a brain buster but Ishii no sells it! Suplex on Ishii...who no sells again! Ishii dumps Shibata on his head who sells haha. Ishii takes over and chops Shibata over and over again, chop followed by elbow again and again. Big lariat on Shibata who gets a few light kicks to the face so that he knows who the boss is. Throat chop sends Shibata dealing, Ishii with elbows but Shibata hulks up and starts feeding STIFF shots into Ishii's face. Shibata with a running kick to the face and Ishii is in trouble. Running face wash! Shibata works over Ishii in the corner and then both men collapse outta exhaustion. Back to their feet now and both guys are still throwing vicious throat chops. Shibata hits a suplex for a 2 count. Stiff back and forth challenges as Shibata hits a few kicks to the face but Ishii returns the favor with a solid few running elbows. Neither man is giving an inch until Ishii catches Shibata with a HUGE lariat, damn! Iahii and Shibata are on the top rope, brainbuster on Shibata gets a 2 count. Powerbomb on Shibata gets another 2 count but Shibata instantly locks in a guillotine chock but Ishii gets to the ropes. Stiff elbows again by Shibata as he picks up Ishii and dumps him on his head not once, not twice but there times then he hits a running yakuza kick for another 2 count. Ishii is busted open in the mouth but fights off a sleeper hold before destroying Shibata with a kick to the face. Elbows back and forth as both men battle it out! Huge lariat on Shibata but he is up! German on Shibata but he is up again...Lariotooo 1....NO! Ishii headbutts Shibata in the face then hita a running knee to the face of Shibata for a 2 count. Shibata reverses a brain buster into a arm bar and Ishii is trying his hardest to escape but he is fading...he gets to the ropes! This brutality continues!!!!!!!! HUGE Shibata chants as he kicks the fuck out of Ishii but Tomohiro stops him dead in his tracks with a slap to the face! Both guys are down....wow what a match. Shibata is up and goes for a kick but eats a headbutt, not to be out done Shibata hits yet another yakuza kick. Ishii unloads on Shibata with BRUTAL slaps but Shibata has a sleeper and Ishii is out on his feet, running kick tomthe face.....1......2......3! Fucking brilliant and I need another beer!
Shibata d. Ishii via pin to retain the Never Open Weight Title!
Rating: 4.5/5 stars.
Anderson starts off by going to work on Homma but is cut off by a heabutt. Back and forth action until Omega & Takahashi get the tags in, they circle and lock up with Omega getting the better of the former Champ. Takahashi hits a big back body drop then takes Omega down again, this time with a spring board cross body splash. Gallows hits Tanahashi & Omega sends Tana into the ring post. Outside of the ring Omega continues his assault of Tanahashi with Dox joining in as well. Omega grabs a broom and hits Tanahashi as Anderson holds him. Back in the ring Tanahashi is getting worked over as Omega slaps on a arm bar but Tanahashi gets his foot on the ropes. Anderson in to pick up where Omega left off as The Bullet Club have done a great job thus far of isolating Tanahashi. Gallows in and he works over the arm of Tanahashi but Tana fights back before eating a punch to the face. Finally Tanahashi tags in Makabe who goes to work against Anderson. Gallows in but Makabe deals with him and gets a 2 count from a backfist. Big boot to the face of Makabe and Gallows tags Omega back in. Tanahashi hops the ropes and attacks Omega as Tana takes control. Back and forth action sees Tanahashi take Omega down with a spinning leg lock. Homma randomly runs in and attacks the Bullet Club as Tanahashi misses the Hi Flow on Omega. Feeling confident Omega hits a shoulder breaker and taunts Tanahashi as he gets a 2 count. Drop kick to the knees of Omega and in comes Homma! KOKESHI! 2 count as Omega kicks out. Solid match this is with great selling. Omega eventually rights back and nearly picks up the win with a moonsault. Ita breaking down now as Makabe is in but gets taken down by Anderson & Gallows. Omega and Homma trade shots until Homma hits a big Lariat on Omega. Gonna gets laidnout by the Bullet Club before Makabe makes the save. Homma is up and fights back with diving headbutts! Anderson hits the Stun Gun! Makabe in but Gallows takes him out. In comes Tanahashi who eats an Omega kicks. Omega lays out Homma for the 1...2...3.
The Bullet Club (Omega, Anderson & Gallows) d. Tanahashi, Makabe & Homma via pin.
Rating: 3/5 stars.
Post match The Bullet Club beat down Tanahashi and work over his right shoulder with numerous chair shots. It continues for a good while until they finally stop. Gallows puts Takahashi's arm on a garbage can and Omega ascends the top rope and hits a huge frog splash as now they are finally done. Tanahashi is hurt as the fans chant his name!
This will be a good match even if the result is a foregone conclusion. No way Okada losses this! Goto is painted up ala Jinsei Shinzaki (Hakushi) while Okada has Gedo with him as per usual. Big Okada chants as the opening Bell sounds. They circle one another then lock up slowly with Okada getting the advantage momentarily. Goto gets back in the action by locking in a chin lock on a seated Okada. Okada hits a dropkick and sends Goto outside before rolling him back inside. Okada is in firm control early on as the champ looks to put Goto away early. Rear chin lock on Goto now, Okada then takes a walk which backfires as Goto catches him with a lariat. Outside the ring and njpw world just froze on me...the joys of relocating to Cambodia! Of course I can't complain to much as I only pay $12 a month for unlimited internet here but still, what a pissnoff that it crashed during the main event.... And 10 mins later we are back! #3rdWorldProblems! Goto has a arm bar locked in and is wrenching on it as the fans cry for their hero, little do they know that Goto is their hero! Okada fights out but gets caught instantly into another arm bar! He won't give it up though and he manages to get a foot on the bottom rope to break the hold. Goto kicks Okdada in the back then the chest, he is toying with the champ now as Okada is in a world of trouble. Goto gets a 2 count from a big splash as he taunts the crowd. Lariat to the back of the head of Okada and now Goto hoists him to the top rope and hits a top rope neck breaker! 1.....2.....No! Goto tires for a brainbuster but its reversed and Goto then reverses the counter and plants Okada for a near fall. Okada looks out as Goto picks away at him....RAIN MAKER outta nowhere but Okada is too exhausted to cover him. Both guys are on their knees now and trading forearm shots, they slowly get to their feet as Goto is feeling the pain now. Okada with European Uppercuts now, Okada goes for a German but its blocked by Goto, Okada ducks a lariat and hits the German anyways. Okada goes for the rain maker but eata 3 headbutts concurrently. Goto goes for a brain buster but its reversed into a Rain Maker...Okada hits 2 more Rain Makers just to be sure... 1....2.....3!
Okada d. Goto via pin to retain his IWGP Heavyweight Title via pin.
Rating: 4/5 stars (from what I saw, I missed 10 mins)
All in all it was a very solid show, nothing in the way of Match of the Year but nothing was bad either. Ishii vs Shibata was by far the best match on the card with the main event of Okada vs Goto coming in a close second. I like how they setup up Tanahashi vs Omega and I really liked the post match beat down on Tanahashi. They are building well to the next show, now let's just hope that Omega & Tanahashi can deliver in the main event!
David Finlay vs Jay White
Some solid chain wrestling to start off. Both guys one upping one another. The crowd is into the match which is a good sign. Finlay hits a perfect drop kick and takes over as he slams White for a 1 count before unloading on White with some vicious elbows to the neck. Finlay tries for a chin lock but White reaches the ropes before slowly getting back into the action. White hits a spining elbow and takes over, he goes to the top and hits a big missile dropkick for a 2 count. Back and forth action now as both guys are laying their shots in and they exchange 2 counts. Finlay locks in a Boston Crab but White is able to reach the ropes. White now locks in a single legged crab and wrenches back, Finlay has no choice but to tap out.
Jay White d. David Finlay via submission.
Rating: 2.5/5 stars.
Gedo, Yoshi-Hashi & Sakuraba vs Tiger Mask, Jushin Liger & Taguchi
Liger & Sakuraba kick things off with some back and forth action before both men go for submission holds. Lifer gets the better of it early on until Gedo and Yoshi-Hashi get involved. Sakuraba locks in a chin lock then proceeds to kick and chop away at Liger in no man's land. Gedo in now to work over Liger, now it's Yoshi's turn to lay it on Liger. Yoshi goes forma splash but misses which allows Liger to get the tag to Tiger Mask who cleans house. Big kicks from Tiger on Yoshi which gets a 2 count. Tiger Driver nearly ends things but Yoshi kicks out then hits a reversal. Yoshi tags in Gedo while in comes Taguchi who does his annoying but moves. Fuck I hate Taguchi. Yoshi cuts him off and hits a bit lariat followed by a Gedo superkick for a 2 count. Some good wrestling leads to Taguchi locking in a modified ankle lock and Gedo taps.
Taguchi, Tiger Mask & Jushin Liger d. Gedo, Yoshi-Hashi & Sakuraba via submiaaion.
Rating: 1.5/5 stars.
Tenzan & Kojima va Nagata & Nakanishi
I don't care how old they get I love Hiroshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima! Back and forth action from all guys as they are all laying in the stiff shots. Nagata nearly wins it with a chin lock but its broken up. Kojima gets the tag to Tenzan who cleans house and beats some Nagata ass. Nagata turns the tidenthan gets the tag to Nakanishi who takes over. Kojima is in now and lights Nakanishi up with stiff chops before Nagata cuts him off. Nagata hits an explorer on Kojima than Nakanishi lays Kojima out with a DVD for a 2 count. Tenzan back in and he and Kojima hist a 3D on Nakanishi for a 2. Kojima destroys Nakanishi with a lariat for the win.
Tenzan & Kojima d. Nagata & Nakanishi via pin.
Rating: 3/5 stars.
Evil, Naito & Bushi vs Kushida, Elgin & Juice Robinson
Kushida & Bushi kick things off as Bushi heels it up and takes his time outside the ring. Kushida gets the better of Bushi then attempts a baseball slide to the outside before being attacked by Naito & Evil. Bushi works over Kushida with submissions before tagging in Naito who continues the beatdown. Evil in now to keep the hurt on Kushida as the fans rally behind the faces. Kushida fights back but is cut off quickly by a swift kick to the face from Naito. Hand spring elbow reverses Kushidas luck and he tags in Elgin who clears house. German suplexes for all! The numbers catch up though and Elgin is triple teamed before beating everyone's ass like the beast he is. I used to hate Elgin but over the past 6 months I've become a fan. Naito hits a flying elbow and ends Elgins momentum. In co!ea Juice Robinson to work over Evil. The Juice on the loose! (Sorry Juvi). Juice gets a 2 count on Evil and the fans are into him. Juice gets attacked while ascending the ropes and now the heels are back in control, Evil hits a big dive on Kushida and Evil gets the win via pin after a brutal swinging leg sweep on Juice. Post match the faces get beat down.
Evil, Bushi & Naito d. Kushida, Juice & Elgin via pin.
Rating: 3/5 stars.
Never 6 Man Tag Title match
The Briscoes & Yano (c) vs Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga & Takahashi
Takahashi's girl Shiori is looking sexy as fuck tonight, damn. It's all Bullet Club early on. Tama works over Yano then tags out to Fale to take over before Takahashi gets his turn. In comes the Briscoes to clean house as Mark is on fire. Mark hits an Exploder then in comes Jay to add more pain to Takahashi, 2 count following a flying elbow. Takahashi gets back in the right for a moment before Mark cuts him off. Mark misses a frog splash and tags in Yano who gets his ass beat by Tama Tonga. Yano slingshots Tama into an exposed turn buckle then the Bullet Club clean house and isolate Yano. Tama is taking his time inflicting pain on Yano until Jay saves the day. The Briscoes attempt the doomsday device but are cut off by Tama, Yano in to even the odds but is side swiped by Tama Tonga...1....2....3!! New Champs!
The Bullet Club (Tama, Fale & Takahashi) d. The Briscoes & Yano via pin tin become the NEW Never 6 Man Tag Champs.
EoT Score: 3.2/5....mainly because of Shiori's fine ass!
IWGP Jr. Tag Title 3 way dance: The Young Bucks (c) vs Bobby Fish & Kyle O'Reilly vs Ricochet & Matt Sydal
The Young Bucks are accompanied to the ring by Cody Hall who carries Nick on his shoulders the entire way to the ring. Side note before this match starts...The Bucks are talented but none the less fuck them! The Bell rings and Ricochet starts off with Matt Jackson. Forgive me as this will be wild and fast paced. Big dropkick on Matt and Ricochet goes for a dive but is tripped by Cody. Kyle is in and gets the better of Ricochet for a 1 count. RedDragon double team Ricochet and Bobby Fish hits a twisting springboard splash for a 1 count. In comes Sydal and O'Reilly gets planted hard. Stiff kicks from Sydal on O'Reilly before the flips start outta nowhere as fish goes flying. The Bucks are in to clear the ring and showboat before taking the fight to Sydal. Back and forth action now until the Bucks corner Sydal. Cody gets a cheap shot in too. The Bucks still in control as Sydal tries valiantly to fight back but to no avail. Finally Sydal almost tagsl in Ricochet until Cody cuts it off on the outside. Fish is in and so is O'Reilly as they proceed to beat the ever loving pisw out of everyone. Fish eats a superkick from Matt then everyone hits everyone with every variation of spinning kicks imaginable. Fast paced action now as everyone is getting some, Sydal and Ricochet hit a pair of standing flips for a 2 count on Fish. RedDragon back in control and they hit a sick double German on Richochet for a near 3, that was close! Everyone !isaes topmrope spots as the crowd shows their appreciation. Tower of doom! Matt took the worst of it and Sydal and Ricochet nearly picked up the win again. Leaping knees to Matt but he recovers and the Bucks clean house with Super Kicks for all! Near fall for the Bucks is broken up by O'Reilly as RedDragon are back on the offensive. Cody Hall picks O'Reilly up and runs out the arena with him! Sydal is planted by Nick and Matt hits springboard spiked piledriver 1....2....no! Sydal is in trouble but Ricochet makes the save! Double shooting star presses....1....2.....3!!!!! Sydal & Ricochet win!
Matt Sydal & Ricochet d. The Young Bucks & RedDragon to become the NEW IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champs!
Rating: 3.5/5 stars.
Never Open Weight Title Match: Katsuyori Shibata (c) vs Tomohiro Ishii
They lock up to start things off but it degrades into stiff kicks within moments. Both guys stare one another down as huge Shibata chants go up. Elbows back and forth as neither man is giving an inch. They are beating the fuck outta one another! The elbow shots continue and Ishii is staggering, Shibata takes him down and throws a mean kick into the back of Ishii. Shibata kicks Ishii in the face which just pisses the big man off, Shibata with a brain buster but Ishii no sells it! Suplex on Ishii...who no sells again! Ishii dumps Shibata on his head who sells haha. Ishii takes over and chops Shibata over and over again, chop followed by elbow again and again. Big lariat on Shibata who gets a few light kicks to the face so that he knows who the boss is. Throat chop sends Shibata dealing, Ishii with elbows but Shibata hulks up and starts feeding STIFF shots into Ishii's face. Shibata with a running kick to the face and Ishii is in trouble. Running face wash! Shibata works over Ishii in the corner and then both men collapse outta exhaustion. Back to their feet now and both guys are still throwing vicious throat chops. Shibata hits a suplex for a 2 count. Stiff back and forth challenges as Shibata hits a few kicks to the face but Ishii returns the favor with a solid few running elbows. Neither man is giving an inch until Ishii catches Shibata with a HUGE lariat, damn! Iahii and Shibata are on the top rope, brainbuster on Shibata gets a 2 count. Powerbomb on Shibata gets another 2 count but Shibata instantly locks in a guillotine chock but Ishii gets to the ropes. Stiff elbows again by Shibata as he picks up Ishii and dumps him on his head not once, not twice but there times then he hits a running yakuza kick for another 2 count. Ishii is busted open in the mouth but fights off a sleeper hold before destroying Shibata with a kick to the face. Elbows back and forth as both men battle it out! Huge lariat on Shibata but he is up! German on Shibata but he is up again...Lariotooo 1....NO! Ishii headbutts Shibata in the face then hita a running knee to the face of Shibata for a 2 count. Shibata reverses a brain buster into a arm bar and Ishii is trying his hardest to escape but he is fading...he gets to the ropes! This brutality continues!!!!!!!! HUGE Shibata chants as he kicks the fuck out of Ishii but Tomohiro stops him dead in his tracks with a slap to the face! Both guys are down....wow what a match. Shibata is up and goes for a kick but eats a headbutt, not to be out done Shibata hits yet another yakuza kick. Ishii unloads on Shibata with BRUTAL slaps but Shibata has a sleeper and Ishii is out on his feet, running kick tomthe face.....1......2......3! Fucking brilliant and I need another beer!
Shibata d. Ishii via pin to retain the Never Open Weight Title!
Rating: 4.5/5 stars.
6 Man Tag Match: The Bullet Club (Omega, Anderson & Gallows) vs Tanahashi, Homma & Makabe
Anderson starts off by going to work on Homma but is cut off by a heabutt. Back and forth action until Omega & Takahashi get the tags in, they circle and lock up with Omega getting the better of the former Champ. Takahashi hits a big back body drop then takes Omega down again, this time with a spring board cross body splash. Gallows hits Tanahashi & Omega sends Tana into the ring post. Outside of the ring Omega continues his assault of Tanahashi with Dox joining in as well. Omega grabs a broom and hits Tanahashi as Anderson holds him. Back in the ring Tanahashi is getting worked over as Omega slaps on a arm bar but Tanahashi gets his foot on the ropes. Anderson in to pick up where Omega left off as The Bullet Club have done a great job thus far of isolating Tanahashi. Gallows in and he works over the arm of Tanahashi but Tana fights back before eating a punch to the face. Finally Tanahashi tags in Makabe who goes to work against Anderson. Gallows in but Makabe deals with him and gets a 2 count from a backfist. Big boot to the face of Makabe and Gallows tags Omega back in. Tanahashi hops the ropes and attacks Omega as Tana takes control. Back and forth action sees Tanahashi take Omega down with a spinning leg lock. Homma randomly runs in and attacks the Bullet Club as Tanahashi misses the Hi Flow on Omega. Feeling confident Omega hits a shoulder breaker and taunts Tanahashi as he gets a 2 count. Drop kick to the knees of Omega and in comes Homma! KOKESHI! 2 count as Omega kicks out. Solid match this is with great selling. Omega eventually rights back and nearly picks up the win with a moonsault. Ita breaking down now as Makabe is in but gets taken down by Anderson & Gallows. Omega and Homma trade shots until Homma hits a big Lariat on Omega. Gonna gets laidnout by the Bullet Club before Makabe makes the save. Homma is up and fights back with diving headbutts! Anderson hits the Stun Gun! Makabe in but Gallows takes him out. In comes Tanahashi who eats an Omega kicks. Omega lays out Homma for the 1...2...3.
The Bullet Club (Omega, Anderson & Gallows) d. Tanahashi, Makabe & Homma via pin.
Rating: 3/5 stars.
Post match The Bullet Club beat down Tanahashi and work over his right shoulder with numerous chair shots. It continues for a good while until they finally stop. Gallows puts Takahashi's arm on a garbage can and Omega ascends the top rope and hits a huge frog splash as now they are finally done. Tanahashi is hurt as the fans chant his name!
IWGP Heavyweight Title Match: Kazuchika Okada (c) vs Hirooki Goto
This will be a good match even if the result is a foregone conclusion. No way Okada losses this! Goto is painted up ala Jinsei Shinzaki (Hakushi) while Okada has Gedo with him as per usual. Big Okada chants as the opening Bell sounds. They circle one another then lock up slowly with Okada getting the advantage momentarily. Goto gets back in the action by locking in a chin lock on a seated Okada. Okada hits a dropkick and sends Goto outside before rolling him back inside. Okada is in firm control early on as the champ looks to put Goto away early. Rear chin lock on Goto now, Okada then takes a walk which backfires as Goto catches him with a lariat. Outside the ring and njpw world just froze on me...the joys of relocating to Cambodia! Of course I can't complain to much as I only pay $12 a month for unlimited internet here but still, what a pissnoff that it crashed during the main event.... And 10 mins later we are back! #3rdWorldProblems! Goto has a arm bar locked in and is wrenching on it as the fans cry for their hero, little do they know that Goto is their hero! Okada fights out but gets caught instantly into another arm bar! He won't give it up though and he manages to get a foot on the bottom rope to break the hold. Goto kicks Okdada in the back then the chest, he is toying with the champ now as Okada is in a world of trouble. Goto gets a 2 count from a big splash as he taunts the crowd. Lariat to the back of the head of Okada and now Goto hoists him to the top rope and hits a top rope neck breaker! 1.....2.....No! Goto tires for a brainbuster but its reversed and Goto then reverses the counter and plants Okada for a near fall. Okada looks out as Goto picks away at him....RAIN MAKER outta nowhere but Okada is too exhausted to cover him. Both guys are on their knees now and trading forearm shots, they slowly get to their feet as Goto is feeling the pain now. Okada with European Uppercuts now, Okada goes for a German but its blocked by Goto, Okada ducks a lariat and hits the German anyways. Okada goes for the rain maker but eata 3 headbutts concurrently. Goto goes for a brain buster but its reversed into a Rain Maker...Okada hits 2 more Rain Makers just to be sure... 1....2.....3!
Okada d. Goto via pin to retain his IWGP Heavyweight Title via pin.
Rating: 4/5 stars (from what I saw, I missed 10 mins)
Final Thoughts
All in all it was a very solid show, nothing in the way of Match of the Year but nothing was bad either. Ishii vs Shibata was by far the best match on the card with the main event of Okada vs Goto coming in a close second. I like how they setup up Tanahashi vs Omega and I really liked the post match beat down on Tanahashi. They are building well to the next show, now let's just hope that Omega & Tanahashi can deliver in the main event!
Quick Results
Jay White d. David Finlay
Taguchi, Tiger Mask & Jushin Liger d. Gedo, Yoshi-Hashi & Sakuraba
Tenzan & Kojima d. Nagata & Nakanishi
Evil, Bushi & Naito d. Kushida, Juice & Elgin
The Bullet Club (Tama, Fale & Takahashi) d. The Briscoes & Yano
Matt Sydal & Ricochet d. The Young Bucks & RedDragon
Shibata d. Ishii
The Bullet Club (Omega, Anderson & Gallows) d. Tanahashi, Makabe & Homma
Okada d. Goto
Taguchi, Tiger Mask & Jushin Liger d. Gedo, Yoshi-Hashi & Sakuraba
Tenzan & Kojima d. Nagata & Nakanishi
Evil, Bushi & Naito d. Kushida, Juice & Elgin
The Bullet Club (Tama, Fale & Takahashi) d. The Briscoes & Yano
Matt Sydal & Ricochet d. The Young Bucks & RedDragon
Shibata d. Ishii
The Bullet Club (Omega, Anderson & Gallows) d. Tanahashi, Makabe & Homma
Okada d. Goto
Final Score: 3.5/5 Stars
