Csonka’s NJPW on AXS TV Review 12.16.16 (Ep. 2)

Csonka’s NJPW on AXS TV Review 12.16.16 (Ep. 2)

– Yuji Nagata is the guest for interviews this week.

Kenny Omega, Matt & Nick Jackson defeated Champions Michael Elgin, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Yoshitatsu @ 14:03 via pin to become the NEW NEVER Six-Man tag team champions [***]: Good match, it was also worked in a different way as they brought in the weapons. I really liked the change in style, and feel that the Elite holding the titles works much better for their gimmick and personality. The thing that bothered me is the fact that they had changed the titles too many times already. These titles could be a big boost to the “B shows/road to events,” but it feels as if they are just doing title changes to do title changes, like the junior tag straps. We also got too much bullshit with the cold spray and ref bumps. Complaints aside, the goal was to set up a Tanahashi and Omega rematch. They teased a ladder match, which would be very different for New Japan, and I liked that. Unfortunately, we didn’t get it, due to Tanahashi’s injuries. Yoshitatsu’s lack of skill was on full display with all of the great talents around him, he was no good. Ross’s commentary in Young Buck matches is a perfect balance; he respects their skills, but has complete disdain in regards to their tactics and how they choose to win. Elgin tossing little dude’s around is always fun. the triple superkick and then one winged angel ended Yoshitatsu’s night.

– Yuji Nagata explained that he was fighting for the dads and to show that they could still fight with passion. Shibata said Nagata was an immature old man, which is what triggered Nagata to respond. He spoke about Tenzan and Kojima fighting for pride, and how it was his turn to step up and to be more than a target.

Yuji Nagata defeated Champion Katsuyori Shibata via pin to become the NEW NEVER Openweight Champion [***½]: During the build to the event, these two were part of some of the better matches and build, and they delivered a quality match here. They started slow, doing some chain wrestling, both looking to attack the leg while focusing on their mat wrestling as they slowly but surely picked up the pacing and intensity. They had a really good home stretch, and just when it appeared that Nagata was out of it, he mounted his comeback, hit a penalty kick of his own and the backdrop driver to win the title. After what felt like months of humiliation by Shibata, Nagata got his payback and not only showed that the old man could still hang but he took the title from Shibata, and possibly humbled him in the process. I did not expect the Nagata run to last long, it didn’t, but after the constant beat downs and humiliation, it was nice to see him get a moment to shine. They actually had better interactions in 2016, but the moment was great. GO NEW JAPAN DAD! This had a really good layout, Shibata’s general lack of not giving a fuck about Nagata compared to Nagata’s fight for every inch fiery performance worked great against each other.

– In the final interview, Yuji Nagata put over Shibata’s toughness and how hard it was to fight off his attacks, noting that there were times he thought he couldn’t move. He was surprised by the reaction from the fans after he won the title. He said that the DADS vs. Shibata is what New Japan and the strong style are all about.

– End scene.

– Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia.”

7.5

The final score: review Good

The 411

Time wise it’s not idea, but if you don’t have New Japan World, this series has been a great walk through 2016 New Japan. While nothing here is what I would call must see, it was a good show with good angle advancement.