Csonka’s NJPW on AXS TV Review 9.17.16

NJPW on AXS TV Review 9.17.16

– The matches this week come from the 2015 New Japan Pro Wrestling World Tag League (Finals) event.

– Tomoaki Honma and his laryngitis will be our guests for interviews this week.

Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto, Katsuyori Shibata & Michael Elgin defeated Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii, Kazushi Sakuraba & YOSHI-HASHI @ 17:17 via pin [****]: This was a really good match overall, with a lot of fun action and good focus on Ishii and Shibata. Everyone got some time to shine, Elgin got a big clear out spot and continues to be loved by the crowd. Okada and Tanahashi also got a segment, which really got the crowd into things. Overall really good action and flow with a great crowd reaction. The finish was Shibata using the sleeper and PK combo on Ishii to pick up the win. Shibata dropped the NEVER title on Ishii after the match, setting the stage for the announced WK 10 NEVER Title match, which was something I had been calling for seemingly forever to freshen up he NEVER Title mix. That match also ruled. Okada and Tanahashi also did a post match standoff, with the crowd firmly behind Okada.

– Tomoaki Honma and his laryngitis admits that he has very little technique other than hi slove of wrestling. He wants the fans to enjoy his matches, that is the most important thing to him. He knew that if they lost a match it was his fault and if they won the glory was Makabe’s. He knew that he had to step up, and felt it was his destiny to win, like he received a divine message.

WTL Finals: Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma defeated Tetsuya Naito & EVIL @ 21:36 via pin to win the 2015 World Tag League [****]: The 2015 World Tag League ended up being the usual deal, with mostly solid to good matches and a few standouts. With the booking of so many major stars, we have a lot of guys taking nights off as we near WK, which is understood, but also an issue with the tournament. The good news here is that the finals were one of the best matches of the whole tournament. Makabe got taken out at one point by BUSHI’s mist, leading to Naito & EVIL working over Honma to strengthen his ultimate underdog role. Naito and EVIL did their usual shenanigans, including taking the ref out at one point. The final few minutes were really great, as Makabe and Honma ran wild, and hit the doomsday kokeshi spot, BUSHI’s mist was countered, and then Makabe hit the King Kong knee drop on EVIL. Honma climbed to the top and hit the final kokeshi to pick p the win and tournament title. The first ¾ of the match was good and by the book, and then the final stretch really elevated it to another level. Honma’s reaction, crying over the victory, was a nice touch as the crowd was so happy for him and it came off as an important victory. I was really thinking that Los Ingobernables winning was the way to go, and even suggested it to Jado and Gedo. They just replied with this…

– In the final interview, Tomoaki Honma and his laryngitis explains that EVIL was very good and intense, amazing actually. Mr. Makabe set him up for the big win, and he thanks him for that. He had struggled for a long time, and they have such a bond that he felt this could be a sure thing; it was destiny.

– End scene.

– Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia.”

8.2

The final score: review Very Good

The 411

This was a very good show with two excellent matches that are worth the time if you have it to spare and haven’t seen the matches before. This will also paint a good picture for you as they build to WrestleKingdom.