Csonka’s NJPW Road to Wrestling Dontaku Review 4.27.16

Csonka’s NJPW Road to Wrestling Dontaku Review 4.27.16

OFFICIAL RESULTS
– Juice Robinson & Jay White defeated Captain New Japan & David Finlay @ 5:07 via submission [*½]
– YOSHI-HASHI, Rocky Romero & Barreta defeated Manabu Nakanishi, Tiger Mask IV & Ryusuke Taguchi @ 8:04 via pin [**½]
– Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma & Yoshitatsu defeated Yujiro Takahashi, Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa @ 12:42 via pin [*]
– Katsuyori Shibata & KUSHIDA defeated Yuji Nagata & Jushin Thunder Liger @ 16:34 via pin [***½]
– Tomohiro Ishii, Kazuchika Okada, Hirooki Goto & Gedo defeated Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, EVIL & BUSHI @ 15:37 via pin [**½]
– Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Bad Luck Fale @ 15:37 via pin [***]
– IWGP IC Champion Kenny Omega defeated Michael Elgin @ 22:56 via pin to retain the title [****]

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Juice Robinson & Jay White defeated Captain New Japan & David Finlay: This was pretty much a nothing match, I would have preferred White vs. Finlay again with Juice and the good Captain left on the side of the road somewhere. There was nothing really wrong with this, but it just felt as if nothing was really happening. Juice won with his wacky camel clutch variation on the good Captain, which is called the Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Clutch. Again, I would have preferred White vs. Finlay.

YOSHI-HASHI, Rocky Romero & Barreta defeated Manabu Nakanishi, Tiger Mask IV & Ryusuke Taguchi: This was easily better than the opener, it had some fire to it down the stretch and they actually did some things that made me care. Unfortunately it was a bit disappointing overall, as even with planet Nakanishi and HASHI in there, I felt that Roppongi Vice, Tiger Mask and even Taguchi would be enough to make this a good and strong match. It was rock solid, but never got going like it needed to. In the end, Romero was a complete dick, as he jacked Tiger Mask’s mask to the side, which allowed him to score the win with a rollup. Roppongi Vice being assholes to Tiger Mask is very entertaining to me.

Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma & Yoshitatsu defeated Yujiro Takahashi, Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa: This was a solid, but extremely uninteresting match. Tanga Loa was largely horrible once again, and I am already over Yoshitatsu tribute/cosplay act. I just don’t see the point, and it felt really out of place on this show. This felt very long, and outside of the last minute or two, was just not good. It felt as if they were working half speed, half effort and it led to no fucks being given by them, the crowd or myself. Moving on.

Katsuyori Shibata & KUSHIDA defeated Yuji Nagata & Jushin Thunder Liger: FINALLY we got something worth our time here. The battle between the younger champions and older legends as challengers has been a highlight of the tour, and not only have they worked well together, they have done a great job in getting me excited for the upcoming title matches. This was easily the best thing on the show so far, as they kept the intensity from their previous matches, and turned this into more of a brawling match, which made sense. Liger was in pissed off old man mode, and took it out on KUSHIDA’s knees. The change in tone for Lifer is well played here, as when KUSHIDA got the surprise roll up, Liger was even more pissed off and actually questioned the referee. Between the work of the legs, which will be revisited in the title match, and Liger’s change in tone will allow him to play the subtle heel role in their match and be effective at it. I really enjoyed this.

Tomohiro Ishii, Kazuchika Okada, Hirooki Goto & Gedo defeated Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, EVIL & BUSHI: This match was pretty good overall, although chopping a few minutes and condensing things lewdly would have made it come off better. Naito and Ishii did have some interaction, as did SANADA and Okada, which were the key matches that they were building. This had its strong moments, but was a match that felt as if it wanted to kick into high gear. The end saw Naito and SANADA protected, as they took a powder as BUSHI and EVIL got to get their ass kicked. Ishii then planted poor BUSHI with a brainbuster and picked up the win. It accomplished its goal.

Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Bad Luck Fale: This was every second tier, Tanahashi vs. Fale match you’ve ever seen. Tanahashi works to Fale’s strengths, he doesn’t try to get out of his lane, and sell well for him. Fale did big guy things, Tanahashi sold for along time, made his comeback and hit the high fly flow for the win. It was fine, nothing more, nothing less.

IWGP IC Champion Kenny Omega defeated Michael Elgin: This came off as a very different main event, but at the same time it was refreshing. Without his ELITE friends Nick and Matt, Champion Kenny Omega resorted to some hardcore elements to aid him against the more powerful Elgin. They had a very well done, big time back and forth brawl style match, with an involved crowd and both guys not only working hard but working very well together. Omega carries himself like such a star these days, the crowd LOVE Elgin’s power stuff and the combination of those factors and the match they worked (the weapons and table spot included) just clicked. I don’t feel that it was a, “holy shit MOTY” contender or anything, but it was very worthy of a main event spot. The home stretch really sold this with the finishers and counters coming off clean and adding to the drama. Omega would score a reverse RANA late, hit the knee strikes and then put Elgin away with the one winged angel. It was a different NJPW main event, but also a very enjoyable one. Post match Tanahashi came out to challenge Omega, who low blowed him and said no. Omega then got a ladder, placed it on top of Tanahashi, climbed to the top of the ladder and basically said he never wanted to face Tanahashi again. We all knew it was going back to Omega vs. Tanahashi, and here we are.

* End scene.

* Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”

5.8

The final score: review Not So Good

The 411

Outside of the main event and champions vs. old men matches, there is really nothing much to see here. Check out those two matches and the previous two shows, which were way more consistent. This felt like an overall below average effort