wrestling / TV Reports
Csonka’s NJPW BOTSJ Night Eight Review 5.30.16
Loading...
Csonka’s NJPW BOTSJ Night Eight Review 5.30.16
OFFICIAL RESULTS
– Block B Match: Chase Owens defeated Barreta @ 9:53 via pin [**¾]
– Block B Match: Tiger Mask IV defeated Will Ospreay @ 7:41 via submission [***]
– Block B Match: Bobby Fish defeated Volador Jr @ 8:48 via submission [***]
– Block B Match: Ricochet defeated Jushin Liger @ 11:30 via submission [***¾]
– Much like last year, I will be focusing only on the tournament matches.
Block B Match: Baretta vs. Chase Owens w/Takahashi: Owens, ever the dick, attacked Baretta and they spilled to the floor as the bell rang. They fought deep into the crowd, and largely did nothing. We got a Baretta dive, Owens using a chair and then Takahashi getting in cheap shots as Owens distracted the ref. Owens worked a slow and slid heat segment, and then hit a superkick to Baretta for a near fall. He continued his control, they brawled to the apron and Owens took a nasty bump off of a backdrop; it looked like it sucked. Baretta then wiped out Owens and Takahashi with a dive, and tossed Owens back in as he tried to take control back. The running elbow and tornado DDT got a near fall. Baretta then went up top, but jumped into double knees to the gut. Owens then hit another version of the double knees for a near fall. Baretta countered Owens up top and hit the RANA off the top and running knee strike for a good near fall. They traded strikes, Baretta hit a German and looked for the knee and connected for another near fall. Owens countered the dude buster, the ref got distracted when Takahashi tossed in a chair and Owens grabbed a gimmick and punched Baretta with it. The package piledriver finished it. Pretty good match overall, it had a drag factor at times, but largely solid. Baretta drops to 2-2 while Owens also goes to 2-2.
Block B Match: Tiger Mask vs. Will Ospreay: Tiger Mask went to work on the arm almost right away, Ospreay did his wacky repeated kip up spot and Tiger Mask just kicked him to stop that noise. After some pinning attempts, Ospreay worked a series of strikes and kick to beat down Tiger Mask in the corner. Ospreay worked the octopus hold, but Tiger Mask escaped and they traded strikes until Ospreay hit the springboard kick. Ospreay picked up the pace, sending Tiger Mask to the floor with the springboard forearm and then hit a Sasuke special. They did the usual countout tease, but Tiger Mask made it back in and Ospreay hit a running shooting star press for a near fall. They worked a series of counters, and Tiger Mask hit a tiger driver for a near fall. Just as it looked like Tiger Mask had control, he ran into the Spanish fly for a near fall. Ospreay then ate knees on the Phoenix splash attempt, and Tiger Mask connected with the butterfly superplex for a near fall. Tiger Mask then scored with the reverse double arm bar, and Ospreay had to tap. That was a good and really fun sprint there; I enjoyed the work from both men. Tiger Mask goes to 2-2, while Ospreay drops to 1-3.
Block B Match: Bobby Fish vs. Volador Jr.: Fish argued with some Volador fans at ringside and then we got to action. Fish looked to ground Volador, who wanted no part of that and used a series of slick counters to get things back to the feet. Volador sent Fish to the floor with a RANA, and then connected with a dive. Volador looked to keep the pacing up, but was cut off with a back breaker as the action spilled to the floor. Fish took the heat as they returned to the ring, hitting a series of suplexes and constantly going for covers. Fish then sent Volador to the floor, but Volador came back with a kick and springboard moonsault for the near fall. After a series of counters, Volador hit the back stabber for a near fall. They went to the apron, where Fish tripped up Volador. Fish drove Volador to the corner, connected with knees and an XPLODER in the corner for another near fall. Fish started to target the leg of Volador, but got cut off when he went up top. They battled back to the mat, Fish hit a series of kicks, hit the falcon arrow (HE DID THE DEAL) and then got the heel hook; Volador tapped. Good match overall, I kept feeling as if they were really going to get a bit crazy and pick it up even more, but it never got there. Still, another good match. Fish moves to 2-2, as does Volador.
Block B Match: Jushin Liger vs. Ricochet: Ricochet went on the attack right away, and hit a sit out Michinoku driver in the first 20-seconds for a near fall the crowd bought. Ricochet grounded Liger for a bit, they then worked to the floor where Ricochet slammed Liger to the apron and then stood on his head. It was all Ricochet early, using his speed but also grounding the veteran and not allowing him to get anything going. Ricochet was frustrated as Liger kept fighting back and making the ropes, which came off well because he wanted to win and didn’t want Liger to get into the match. Liger started to put something together, but got cut off with a leaping kick. Ricochet then tried to suplex Liger to the floor, which failed and Liger hit a palm strike, sending Ricochet to the floor. Liger finally got some momentum, hitting the cannonball to the floor. Back in the ring, Ricochet countered the Liger bomb, but then ran into the tilt a whirl back breaker. Ricochet countered the top rope RANA attempt, sending Liger to the floor. The big dive, which almost missed, followed. Back in the ring they worked a series of counters until Liger lit Ricochet up with the palm strike (great sell by Ricochet) and brain buster for a near fall. Liger looked to finish off Ricochet, but he again fought off the Liger bomb into the Northern lights into the power up suplex for a near fall. Ricochet finally locked in the modified ground cobra twist and after a long fight, Liger made the ropes. Ricochet sold the frustration well there. Liger managed to counter the Bennadryller into a rolling kick and both men were down. Liger is so good; he made a Thesz press a believable near fall during this final stretch. After a brainbuster, Ricochet locked in the modified ground cobra twist again, and Liger finally submitted. The match was very good, with Liger playing the veteran looking for one last chance at glory, and Ricochet working very smart. It had a couple moments that weren’t very smooth, and it lacked the emotion of Liger vs. KUSHIDA, but it was the best match of the four. Ricochet goes to 3-1, while Liger drops to 2-2.
BLOCK B STANDINGS:
* Ricochet (3-1) – 6 points
* Jushin Liger (2-2) – 4 points
* Barreta (2-2) – 4 points
* Bobby Fish (2-2) – 4 points
* Volador Jr (2-2) – 4 points
* Chase Owens (2-2) – 4 points
* Tiger Mask (2-2) – 4 points
* Will Ospreay (1-3) – 2 points
* End scene.
* Thanks for reading.
“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”
