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Csonka’s NJPW on AXS TV Review 7.31.15

July 31, 2015 | Posted by Larry Csonka
8.5
The 411 Rating
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Csonka’s NJPW on AXS TV Review 7.31.15  

NJPW on AXS TV Review 7.31.15

– All of the matches come from the 2014 G1 Climax tournament.

Highlights From: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Bad Luck Fale [***¾], A.J. Styles vs. Togi Makabe [****], Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr. [****]: I was really digging Styles vs. Makabe, but there was a spot where AJ got knocked a bit loopy. Makabe hit a release spider German suplex and AJ landed on the top of his head. He made it through the rest of the match, but it was noticeably bothering him. They still had a great match, but I have the feeling that it could have been better if AJ hadn’t been injured. Styles was so good in the G1, because he worked well with everyone and also worked to their strengths. [They showed about 6–minutes of the match.] Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Bad Luck Fale was one of those miracle jobs by Nakamura here, strapping Fale to his back and really carrying him to a really enjoyable match. I don’t like to do the “this guy carried this guy” trope all that much, but it is what it is with Fale; his only “good” matches are when Nakamura, Tanahashi and or Okada take him to one. Look at those names, and it’s another testament to how great those three are. [They showed about 4–minutes of the match.] Smith vs. Tanahashi was another great match. While he was in there with one of the best, Smith more than carried his own and showed that when the time comes, he can hang in a big match setting. I personally think Smith is perfect as a tag team guy, no disrespect intended, but he’s had his moments, and this was a match to be proud of. [They showed about 5–minutes of the match.]

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FULL MATCH: Kazuchika Okada defeated Minoru Suzuki @ 17:14 with the Rainmaker [****½]: Okada vs. Suzuki was great main event, as they waged war in there and threw everything at each other. This was the kind of match that needs to have it all left in the ring, because Okada is fighting for a spot in the finals, due to AJ winning earlier in the evening. The work between the two was so well done, and the crowd reacted just about as perfectly as you could hope. I loved the clash of styles as Suzuki looked to break down Okada in as brutal a way as possible, trying to dismantle the arm and take away the rainmaker; it was so well done. They worked a great match with a tremendous home stretch that sealed it as a great match. All of the little things were done so well, and the crowd’s reaction to Okada doing the Gotch version of the tombstone was excellent. Overall this was a scintillating main event, which shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone who follows these guys, and was a great way to close out the show (and this one).

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THE OTHER STUFF ON THE SHOW: I really think that they missed the boat on not featuring Tomohiro Ishii vs. Yuji Nagata. That was an excellent match and would have been worth the time to show (even in clipped form) on this show. I just think it’s a crime to exclude one of the very best matches from the card on this show. Josh Barnett was back on commentary with Mauro Ranallo. Again, these men work so well together. While Shamrock improved after a few shows, Barnett and Ranallo have such a great chemistry, knowledge and love of the product that it shines through in the commentary. They also do a good job of being educational for new fans. I loved the fact that they showed Tanahashi completely breaking down over his loss to Smith, which cost him a spot in the finals. Suzuki’s fuck you attitude towards Okada’s win was hilarious, as he kept calling the media bastards. I think he also wished food poisoning on them. Gedo playing hype man to Okada is always so much fun. Kazuchika Okada was here for the fresh interviews this time around. He admits that he dreaded the match with Suzuki, due his style and the toll that it could take on him. He didn’t want to get pulled into Suzuki’s game. After the match, we went back to Okada, who spoke about the onslaught of violence he took from Okada. He wanted to finish it off as quickly as he could and knew he had to win, that was his motivation. He was relieved when it was over. He also knew that he’d have to be at his best to face off with Nakamura in the finals.

 photo tanahashi vs smith Jr_zpsrtq6ckx8.jpg

* End scene.

* Thanks for reading.

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“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia.”

8.5
The final score: review Very Good
The 411
Again, a great show here, highlighting some of the best from one of the best tournaments of all time. If you’re not into New Japan and are curious, this is your gateway in.
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