Csonka’s NJPW on AXS TV Review 1.29.16

NJPW on AXS TV Review 1.29.16

– The matches this week come from the April 5th NJPW Invasion Attack event.

– Kazushi Sakuraba is the special guest for interviews this week.

IWGP Jr Tag Title Match: Roppongi Vice (Beretta & Rocky Romero) defeated Champions The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson) via pin to become the NEW CHAMPIONS [****]: These guys had worked together well the other night in a six-man tag, and when they got the chance to shine tonight they took it. The Bucks are great and always work to steal the show, and the (at the time) new Roppongi Vice team was a nice addition to the juniors division, which needed it because they often times pick three or four teams and focus on them and it gets stale. {Unfortunately some things never change} The Hall was not kind at first, with not a lot of heat for the match but the overcame and worked a great match and a super hot closing stretch. Roppongi Vice escaped more bang for your buck and hit strong zero to score the win and the titles. The IWGP Jr Tag treadmill just keeps going and going, which is such a shame.

– We got footage from the post match presser, and Roppongi Vice promised to go to Roppongi and have a party.

IWGP Jr Heavyweight Title: Champion Kenny Omega defeated Mascara Dorada via pin [***½]: They didn’t have a great match, but I feel that they worked hard and had a good match that can be built on if they rematch in the future. Dorada’s early stuff looked excellent, the guy is smooth and makes most of what he does look completely effortless. Some fun lucha from Dorada, some wild moves to the floor (like the RANA onto Omega off of the apron) and it was really enjoyable. Omega made his comeback, scored with the dragon suplex and then the one winged angel to retain the title. Post match he cut a promo about “cleaning out the Japanese and Mexican garbage” and then they set up a match with Shelley, who won in our opener and was attending to Dorada.

– In the post match presser, Shelley said he would take Omega apart piece by piece by piece.

– Kazushi Sakuraba spoke about he and Yano being completely different people and performers, but that he loves watching him to see what he’ll do next. He treats all opponents as he enemy, and doesn’t see anything special about having to face Shibata.

Kazushi Sakuraba & Toru Yano defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuyori Shibata via pin [***]: This was another good and entertaining match, that ended up focusing more on Shibata and Sakuraba as we saw Sakuraba tap out Shibata for the win. The thing about this match is that while the action wasn’t nearly as good as dome of the previous matches, I feel that they did a good job of setting up Shibata and Sakuraba and continuing the Tanahashi vs. Yano feud. This was a good match for its place on the card (third from the top). The work made sense, the work was good and they accomplished what it needed to, which is continuing the feuds.

– In the post match presser, Yano stated that Tanahashi was no longer the ace, and that he would turn him into a garage wrestler.

– Kazushi Sakuraba said it wasn’t his intent to submit Shibata, it just happened. Sometimes you are friends and sometimes you are an enemy, and maybe someday they will have a singles match, but he would also practice with him.

– End scene.

– Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia.”

7.8

The final score: review Good

The 411

This was another good and quality episode of NJPW on AXS TV. The best thing for me continues to be revisiting the matches with the addition of Barnett and Ranallo on commentary. I know the players and the matches, but the high quality of commentary is a great addition. While not a big stop for fans that have already watched these matches, this continues to be a great gateway for new fans to get into the product.