Csonka’s NJPW on AXS TV Review 11.18.16

NJPW on AXS TV Review 11.18.16

– This week’s matches come from the February 2016 NJPW New Beginning in Niigata event…

– Naito is our guest for interviews.

Tetsuya Naito defeated Toru Yano @ 2:32 via pin [NR]: I would get why a lot of people wouldn’t like this, but I think this actually worked out just as well as it could have. They kept it short, and the story was that Yano just ran through his bag of tricks to try and pick up the win since he was so close to the finals. Naito would survive and score the win with a sneaky roll up after surviving the low blow and hitting one of his own to move on and end the magical run of Yano. This felt fun and came off way better than a 5-10 minute match would have, so I approve.

Hirooko Goto defeated Michael Elgin @ 9:28 via pin [***¼]: This was a damn fine little match here, as it had the feeling of a G1 match because they weren’t going to go long. That is something some overlook when they say how much they enjoy a lot of those matches, is that they basically get in, get their shit in, build to a finish and get out. Both guys worked hard and looked good here, with Goto again doing ANYTHING he can to pick up a win here. This time he avoided the clothesline and scored with the Goto-Nishiki roll up. Elgin did the kick out right after the three, which I liked because it sold that Goto “just barely” got him, which plays into the do anything vibe he’s been doing as of late. This was a good match with the Goto story continuing well.

Tetsuya Naito defeated Hirooki Goto @ 20:17 via pin [***½]: The finals of this year’s New Japan Cup was a very good, but not great match. It also featured a lot of BUSHI Shenanigans. The right man won, as Naito had been great with the Los Ingobernables gimmick and you simply couldn’t give Goto another title shot at this time. They worked a good and long match, with the crowd invested into the action, which always helps things. They worked a great homestretch, with some great counters and near falls that really took things up a notch. After some shenanigans, Goto looked as if he was going to get some redemption but Naito hit the destino and won the cup. Los Ingobernables laid the boots to Goto after Naito said that Goto hadn’t changed at all, only his outfit, Okada made the save. For the first time, Goto accepted the handshake, but it was not clear that he was going to join CHAOS. I liked the post match; Naito is gunning for the IWGP Title, and Goto’s intentions weren’t perfectly clear at the time, but he would eventually become Okada’s man bitch, joining CHAOS. Naito even mocked him for becoming subordinate to Okada.

– In the final interview, Tetsuya Naito ran down Goto for not changing, and losing once again. He said I was an easy win for him because Goto was struggling. He didn’t care about Goto joining CHAOS, he thinks he’s a good wrestler, but was focused on beating Okada.

– End scene.

– Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia.”

7.3

The final score: review Good

The 411

This week’s show is good, but there is nothing must see this week.