Csonka’s NJPW on AXS TV Review 12.09.16 (Ep. 2)

Csonka’s NJPW on AXS TV Review 12.09.16 (ep2)

Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Bad Luck Fale @ 15:37 via pin [***]: This was a very second tier, Tanahashi vs. Fale match you’ve ever seen. Tanahashi works to Fale’s strengths, he doesn’t try to get out of his lane, and sells well for him. Fale did big guy things, Tanahashi sold for a long time, made his comeback and hit the high fly flow for the win. It was fine, nothing more, nothing less.

IWGP IC Champion Kenny Omega defeated Michael Elgin @ 22:56 via pin to retain the title [****]: IWGP IC Champion Kenny Omega defeated Michael Elgin: This came off as a very different main event, but at the same time it was refreshing. Without his ELITE friends Nick and Matt, Champion Kenny Omega resorted to some hardcore elements to aid him against the more powerful Elgin. They had a very well done, big time back and forth brawl style match, with an involved crowd and both guys not only working hard but working very well together. Omega carries himself like such a star these days, the crowd LOVE Elgin’s power stuff and the combination of those factors and the match they worked (the weapons and table spot included) just clicked. I don’t feel that it was a, “holy shit MOTY” contender or anything, but it was very worthy of a main event spot. The home stretch really sold this with the finishers and counters coming off clean and adding to the drama. Omega would score a reverse RANA late, hit the knee strikes and then put Elgin away with the one winged angel. It was a different NJPW main event, but also a very enjoyable one. Post match Tanahashi came out to challenge Omega, who low blowed him and said no. Omega then got a ladder, placed it on top of Tanahashi, climbed to the top of the ladder and basically said he never wanted to face Tanahashi again. We all knew it was going back to Omega vs. Tanahashi (well it was until Tanahashi’s injury).

– In the final interview, Kenny Omega says he was driving the bus and calls Tanahashi a selfish/washed up mother fucker who is too concerned with his hair so he put his foot down, he was sick of Tanahashi always being protected and he was here to take over.

– End scene.

– Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia.”

7.6

The final score: review Good

The 411

Overall this was another good episode, with the focus on the rise of Omega, IC Title and Tanahashi’s arc and injury. All huge parts of NJPW’s 2016.