Csonka’s NJPW on AXS TV Review 6.12.15

Introduction
As a reminder, this will not be another traditional recap, but instead it will be a mash up of the Rs, Instant Analysis and my usual Twitter ramblings I would do during the shows; completely uncensored and as the ideas flow unfiltered to the old keyboard. Remember, this is a review; and I am here to review the show. As always, I encourage discussion and even disagreement, just do so in a respectful manner. I will be doing the review for Raw and most PPVs and iPPVs going forward.

NJPW on AXS TV Review 6.12.15

OFFICIAL RESULTS
– Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata defeated Yuji Nagata & Tomoaki Honma when Goto used a reverse Ushikoroshi on Honma (11:20) [****¼]
– IWGP Intercontinental Title Match: Bad Luck Fale defeated Champion Shinsuke Nakamura with the Bad Luck Fall to become the 9th champion (17:56). [***¾]

* The show features more matches from Dominion 2014.

Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata beat Yuji Nagata & Tomoaki Honma: Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata beat Yuji Nagata & Tomoaki Honma in a really hard hitting; knock your dick stiff match. This was simply a great and intense match, Honma looking good as he survived the beating to come back and get the crowd behind him. Honma has become this cult figure, a man that the fans absolutely love no matter how many singles performances he loses. They love him, they know he can deliver a good performance, and they believe in him. You don’t get crowds invested in guys that much every day. Anyway, Nagata & Shibata brawled to the back as Goto scored the pin on Honma. If you like matches with a good pace and guys beating the holy hell out of each other, then this is for you. I had hoped that this match would be included on this series, and was very glad to watch it again tonight. This was a beautiful exercise of controlled violence, and I actually liked this a bit more than I did last year.

Bad Luck Fale defeated Champion Shinsuke Nakamura: Bad Luck Fale defeated Shinsuke Nakamura and won the IWGP IC Title in what ended up being a good match, and one that was way better than I thought it would be. Nakamura made Fale look like a complete beast here, complete with stretcher job at the end. They were trying to make Fale a star, and Nakamura did everything in his power to make that happen. They had done a good job of booking Fale as a monster during this time, and the Bad Luck Fall (border toss) had been protected and is was feared as a finish. Fale worked hard here for sure, but this was a Nakamura special. He strapped Fale to his back, carried him and made him look great while also working with great aggression. That’s admirable as Fale had put on weight during this time, and was moving slower than usual. That’s what your top stars do, they make guys look great and deliver in big time main events. They worked on the floor a bit, with Tama Tonga getting predictably involved there. Getting to re-watch the match, Nakamura is the man plain and simple and the near falls were good down the stretch. Fale didn’t become a big single star, but it’s not because they did not try. They actually tried again this year when he got a chance to feud with Okada. The enjoyment level here was even with last year. We get the post match Bullet Club promo as Karl Anderson enrages the crowd as he announces the new king and IWGP IC Champion. We also get video from the post fight presser, complete with beer drinking and Karl Anderson putting over the entire stable.

THE OTHER STUFF ON THE SHOW: Josh Barnett and Mauro Ranallo continue to work very well together and make these matches, which I have already watched, feel fresh with their commentary. I keep saying this because I feel it is vital to a show like this that shows older matches that they can add to both the new and old fan alike. Fale was the guest for our special interview this week. He spoke about-facing Nakamura during the New Japan Cup and losing that match. Fale says that he knew that he had to defeat Nakamura to become a main player; the added bonus of the IC Title was not important to him at first but he learned the value and importance of the title. Fale’s post match reactions are included, where he says he beat a truly great wrestler. This was important to him, he had no connection with the belt until the next day and that’s when it sunk in. He was on a new level now, and felt the pressure of being on top. He now has bigger dreams, he still wants the IC Title back, but also wants to challenge for the IWGP Title.

* End scene.

* Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia.”

8.0

The final score: review Very Good

The 411

This was another quality show, on par with last week’s offering. The show continues to be a well-produced and fun show as we get to look back on these matches. I hope that it is a gateway for some into the world of NJPW.