Csonka’s NJPW BOTSJ Night Four Review 5.24.16

Csonka’s NJPW BOTSJ Night Four Review 5.24.16

OFFICIAL RESULTS
– Block B Match: Volador Jr defeated Tiger Mask @ 9:47 via submission [***]
– Block B Match: Jushin Liger defeated Chase Owens @ 7:12 via pin [**]
– Block B Match: Ricochet defeated Bobby Fish @ 12:30 via pin [***½]
– Block B Match: Barreta defeated Will Ospreay @ 11:55 via pin [***¾]

---

– Much like last year, I will be focusing only on the tournament matches.

Volador Jr defeated Tiger Mask: Some really nice back and forth to begin, with both guys getting a chance to shine and Volador getting to show off his speed. Tiger Mask tried to ground the younger highflier, which was a sound strategy. Tiger Mask’s early mix of grappling and kicks allowed him to keep control for a good portion of the opening section of the match. But Volador connected with a kick, a missile dropkick and then a nice dive to turn the tide of the match. They did a countout tease, and after it was broken, Volador hit the big moonsault to the floor. The crowd was getting into the action well as Tiger Mask had to struggle to break the count. They exchanged some pinning combos, Volador worked a submission spot and he then went up top and missed the moonsault. Tiger Mask hit a powerbomb, tried for the tiger bomb and it connected for a good near fall. Tiger Mask tried to work for the submission following that, and got frustrated when Volador made the ropes. Volador then hit the superkick, a back stabber and finally locked in the Depredador Estrada for the submission victory. That was a good and entertaining opener, with fun work from both. This was a nice way to kick off this set of matches. Volador Jr moves to 1-1, while Tiger Mask goes 0-2.

Jushin Liger defeated Chase Owens: Liger looked to outwrestle Owens early, which annoyed Owens. They went to the floor, Liger looked for the cannonball off the apron and Owens pulled a young lion in front of him. This allowed Owens to superkick Liger, and then one of the lions. They did a countout tease, with Takahashi grabbing the leg of Liger, but he beat the count. Owens then laid into Liger with punches and took the heat. Takahashi would get in cheap shots and choke out Liger when he could. Owens worked a solid heat, but got too cocky and then missed a moonsault. This allowed Liger to mount a comeback, hitting the palm strike and RANA off the ropes for a near fall. Takahashi distracted Liger, and Owens hit a neck breaker for a near fall. Owens hit a low blow as Takahashi distracted the ref. He went for the package piledriver, but Liger got the crucifix and picked up the win. Post match, Owens laid out Liger with the package piledriver, and Liger was stretchered out. This looks to be an angle and not a legit injury. The match was just ok, too much shenanigans for my liking. Jushin Liger moves to 2-0, but could be out due to the injury angle. Owens is now 1-1.

Ricochet defeated Bobby Fish: They worked some clean and crisp back and forth to start things off, so fluid and like it took no effort form either guy. Ricochet hit a moonsault to the floor, which allowed him to work over Fish when they returned to the ring. Ricochet got a bit too cute with his flippy-doo counters (dude’s athletic as hell, it’s not a knock), so Fish just kicked him really hard in the gut to let him know he’s still around. After a bit of back and forth, Ricochet picked up the pace and ran wild with a series of moves leading to a near fall. Fish managed to counter the Bennadryller, but Ricochet took him to the mat and actually worked for submissions, going into Fish’s wheelhouse. Fish managed to score with a sleeper from the apron, and used all of the five count to slow Ricochet and then work him over with forearm strikes. Fish was pissed off here, and let Ricochet know it by working knee strikes from the clinch and then connecting with an XPLODER to the corner for a near fall. Ricochet got a hope spot with the jump kick, rushed to the top and was crotched. Both men battled up top, Ricochet landed another kick and Fish crumbled to the mat. Ricochet rolled through on a shooting star press try, and then connected with a series of suplexes for a near fall. He went back for a submission try, but Fish was too close to the ropes and got the break. They traded some hard strikes center ring, and Fish hit the falcon arrow (HE DID THE DEAL) and then rolled into the heel hook, but Ricochet got the ropes. Fish looked to gain control, but Ricochet countered out of the heel hook, hit a series of kicks and strikes and finished off Fish with the Bennadryller. Really nice work from both guys, they had a plan and worked a really clean and fun match through out. The pacing was good, never getting too slow or out of hand, and it just worked. Ricochet moves to 2-0, while Fish is now 0-2.

Barreta defeated Will Ospreay: CHAOS EXPLODES. Barreta has the size and power advantage, and used it early to slow down Ospreay. They worked back and forth, with Barreta acting like the big brother. Ospreay sent him to the floor, and was looking to go high risk, but Barreta rushed back in and caught Ospreay with a belly to back suplex. Barreta appeared to be one step ahead of young Ospreay, countering or cutting him off constantly. Ospreay finally started to use his sped and put together a flurry, and as he connected with the big springboard forearm yelled out, “Cheerio motherfucker!” The Sasuke special connected after that, and the crowd was responding well to Ospreay. Back in the ring, he got a near fall off of a code red. The battled to the apron, exchanged strikes and then Barreta connected with a German suplex onto the apron. They did the countout tease on Ospreay, who barely beat the count and then ate the charging knee strike for a near fall. Barreta then teased the dude buster off the ropes, but Ospreay escaped and hit the reverse RANA and a sweet spinning kick for a near fall. Ospreay then went up top, but Barreta popped up and crotched him. He then jumped up top and hit a SWEET reverse German and the charging knee for a GREAT near fall. After a near fall from Ospreay, Barreta connected with the dude buster to pick up the win. That was a very god match from these guys, building to the big spots at the end and working in some strong near falls. They shook hands post match, because they are still CHAOS. Barreta surprises many as he moves to 2-0, while Ospreay is in the hole at 0-2.

BLOCK B STANDINGS:
– Ricochet (2-0) – 4 points
– Jushin Liger (2-0) – 4 points
– Barreta (2-0) – 4 points
– Volador Jr (1-1) – 2 points
– Chase Owens (1-1) – 2 points
– Tiger Mask (0-2) – 0 points
– Bobby Fish (0-2) – 0 points
– Will Ospreay (0-2) – 0 points

* End scene.

* Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”

7.1

The final score: review Good

The 411

Another good night overall.