Csonka’s NJPW on AXS TV Review 3.18.16

NJPW on AXS TV Review 3.18.16

– The matches this week come from the May 22nd (2015) New Japan Pro Wrestling BOTSJ Night One event.

– Booker Man Gedo is our guest for the special interview this week.

BOTSJ Block A Tournament Bout: Jushin Thunder Liger defeated Yohei Komatsu @ 8:36 via pin [***½]: Komatsu had been impressing me, and had shown a lot of improvement as a performer. He was my favorite young lion, and ended up having a hell of a tournament. The young lion attacked Liger before the bell could sound, and worked a nice and aggressive style. This really felt like the young lion trying to take out the king so that he could take over ruling the pride. They worked a nice section on the floor, making a clear effort to make Komatsu come off as desperate to beat the legend, but to also make the match feel different than the regular NJPW opener. Liger was working hard since this was a singles (he had a great tournament as well), gave Komatsu a lot (way more than he needed to) and Komatsu even survived two brain busters (one on the floor). Liger eventually hit a third brain buster and scored the win. This had a good pace, clean work and an invested crowd; Komatsu was an excellent babyface here. I love when Liger turns it up, he still can go and was doing that here and watching Komatsu deliver and evolve has been very enjoyable. This was a great way to kick off the show, and old man Liger teaching the kids to work is so much fun.

BOTSJ Block B Tournament Bout: KUSHIDA defeated Mascara Dorada 8:56 via submission [***]: After a more methodical beginning, they traded dives and then picked up the action from there. They worked a nice pacing overall, using a good mix of flying and grappling, and were really trying to keep things fresh, which can be a difficult on a show like this when all too often the matches can feel so similar. I appreciated KUSHIDA’s dedication working the arm, which played well for the finish. It felt too short, as I thought they were really getting going when KUSHIDA locked in the hover board lock for the win. I think they have a much better match in them, but they just didn’t have the time to get there (felt as if they were told to go home as they were starting to build to their climax). It was good, I had just hoped for more.

– Booker Man Gedo Gedo said that he was added when Omega pulled out of the tournament, so he took his place. He then spoke about how “unique” an opponent Taguchi is. He was “surprised” that he got the main event, and knew he just had to go out there and deliver. It was exciting to have Okada on commentary, as it was a real role reversal for them.

BOTSJ Block A Tournament Bout: Gedo defeated Ryusuke Taguchi @ 14:00 via pin [***½]: Gedo was over huge here as a baby face, even though he attacked Taguchi at the bell and DDT’d him on the floor. They loved the guy, and when push comes to shove he can still work and work well. He’s mostly a background guy due to his role as booker, and makes sure that he doesn’t over shine the others. Gedo had exposed one of the corners early, and they worked spots around it well. Taguchi did his ass attacks, Josh Barnett noted that Taguchi had a confident ass. Yup. Gedo won with the Gedo clutch in an out of the blue finish following a low blow. Some complained that he won here; I had no issue with it because he has to win sometime to keep him believable as any kind of threat. Also, it’s just Taguchi, not a big deal. This was another good match, they worked a good match, with a nice pace and good layout; and quite honestly this came off much better than it did the first time to me. They had a great crowd and I was way more into the match this time around, I guess I had too much Taguchi fatigue last year. Gedo, at age 46, had a strong tournament overall and it was fun to see him in singles matches during this time. Old man Gedo and old man Liger teaching these kids on the job was a highlight of the tournament.

– Taguchi sold the nut shot that led to the finish in the post match interview, saying, “Oh my, oh my peeny” and grabbing his junk.

– Gedo went to the broadcast area post match, where Okada did the interview. Gedo called out Okada for saying he couldn’t win, they had some great back and forth here, which was great. Gedo is awesome, and Okada said he was all FIRED UP.

– In the final interview, Booker Man Gedo explained that he has to sneak attack Taguchi to get hi own rhythm and to not allow Taguchi to get comfortable. He praised the finals between O’Reilly and KUSHIDA, but said what made the tournament great was the feeling that anyone could advance.

– Solid selection of matches, which were chosen for the name value, but the best matches that could have been included were…

* Night Six: Beretta defeated Barbaro Cavernario [***¾]
* Night Seven: KUSHIDA defeated Bobby Fish [***¾]
* Night Twelve: Beretta defeated Yohei Komatsu [***¾]
* Night Twelve: Kyle O’Reilly defeated Gedo [***¾]

– Next week, KUSHIDA and Kyle O’Reilly meet in the final of the Best of the Super Jr. XXII tournament. It was fucking awesome.

– End scene.

– Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia.”

7.5

The final score: review Good

The 411

Tonight’s show was good, with three quality matches from last year’s Best of the Super Juniors tournament. No real complaints form me. You can read more of my thoughts on last year’s tournament at this link.