wrestling / TV Reports
Csonka’s NJPW on AXS TV Review 12.02.16 (Ep. 1)
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– This week’s matches come from the NJPW Invasion Attack (4.10.16)
NEVER Openweight Championship Match: Champion Katsuyori Shibata defeated Hiroyoshi Tenzan @ 10:45 via pin [***½]: This is was part of the grumpy old men trying to take Shibata’s NEVER title feud. Shibata running through the old guard in hard-hitting matches is a great thing that I have enjoyed. We’re not getting matches at the level we were, but we were getting some very good story here, which is appreciated. While not great, this was really good. Tenzan fighting for one last title run as Nagata, Nakanishi and Kojima cheered him on from his corner, while Shibata shuts down the past his prime legend. Tenzan used all of the fighting spirit that he had, but fell to the sleeper/PK combo in a very good effort. Post match, Shibata hit a cheap shot (kick) on Nagata to set up their match.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Match: Champion KUSHIDA defeated Will Ospreay @ 15:07 via submission [****¾]: Champion KUSHIDA defeated Will Ospreay: So in case you didn’t know, KUSHIDA is really good. You know who else is really good? WILL OSPEAY IS REALLY FUCKING GOOD. I got to see three outstanding performances from him over Mania weekend, and this one is on par with those MOTY candidates. KUSHIDA was focused on the arm of Ospreay, to set up the hover board lock, but he didn’t just target it, he abused the hell out of him. By no means was KUSHIDA working heel. But he was working with more aggression here, selling the desire to retain his title against a formidable opponent. The work of KUSHIDA was excellent; Ospreay’s selling was excellent (including his basically falling on his face when he tried a handspring, because his arm was too hurt!). They played the hits as well, KUSHIDA’s awesome springboard dive, Ospreay doing the Fosbury flop, and they even did the amazing top rope rolling arm bar spot. KUSHIDA scored the win with the hover board lock, giving him a great title defense for his resume and a shot in the arm for his title run As for Ospreay, he became a star in one night in Japan and continues to have an amazing 2016. Everything worked here, the layout, the work, the pacing, the bald and the finish. This is the kind of shit that makes you love wrestling, and was a great showcase for the Juniors. Post match, Liger (coming off a team victory earlier) arrived and challenged KUSHIDA for a title match, which was accepted. Liger and KUSHIDA had a great match.
– In the final interview, KUSHIDA put over Ospreay as an amazing athlete, nut noted that wrestling is not all about flying. He added that Ospreay’s strength surprised him., comparing him to Ricochet. His desire is to main event the Tokyo Dome as the Junior Champion.
– End scene.
– Thanks for reading.
“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia.”
