Csonka’s NJPW World Tag League (Night 3) Review 11.20.16

Csonka’s NJPW World Tag League (Night 1) 11.20.16

OFFICIAL RESULTS
* Block A Match : Yujiro Takahashi and Hangman Page defeated Manabu Nakanishi & Henare @ 9:00 via pin [**]
* Block A Match : Tama Tonga and Tang Loa defeated Brian Breaker & Leland Race @ 10:43 via pin [**]
* Block A Match : War Machine defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi & Juice Robinson @ 11:50 via pin [***½]
* Block A Match : Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima defeated Tetsuya Naito & Rush @ 14:15 via pin [***¼]

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– Like the BOTSJ & The G1, I will be only covering the tournament matches.

Block A Match: Yujiro Takahashi and Hangman Page defeated Manabu Nakanishi & Henare @ 9:00 via pin : I didn’t realize that New Japan was doing a minis division, but here are Manabu Nakanishi & Henare, Henare is Nakanishi’s mini-me. He’s not bad so far, pretty crisp and works hard in his matches and doesn’t hesitate. Bullet Club double-teamed Nakanishi early, after disposing of Henare. Henare then returned and Bullet Club worked the heat. Takahashi pointed and made mean faces as Henare sold. The heat was bland and devoid of aggression, simply existing. There is no energy here. It wasn’t bad, jut lifeless, like much of the tag league can be when dealing with pairings that no one really cares about. Hit the DDT and picked up the win for his team. Yujiro Takahashi and Hangman Page defeated Manabu Nakanishi & Henare @ 9:00 via pin [**] I should be glad that this wasn’t “bad,” but I was expecting some energy and got none. This was the definition of average.

Block A Match: Tama Tonga and Tang Loa defeated Brian Breaker & Leland Race @ 10:43 via pin : Unfortunately this was another typical Guerrillas match, devoid of life and urgency. The Guerrillas had one great match and went back to being themselves. Breaker continues to be fun, while Race is just a dude. I keep waiting for him to impress and I feel will be waiting for a long time. Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa defeated Brian Breaker & Leland Race @ 10:43 via pin [**] It was fine and didn’t offend, but these guys need to step it up.

Block B Match: War Machine defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi & Juice Robinson @ 11:50 via pin : We finally got something worth watching here. Robinson has been really good the past few months and War Machine feel as if they are giving their all to impress. The pacing was good, everyone felt as if they were working hard and as if they were fighting for something. War Machine took the heel role here, which worked very well. Robinson took the loss, as that is his role here, but looked good even in defeat. Robinson has connected well with the fans, in part because of his work and also due to the pairing with Tanahashi. This felt effortless and fun. War Machine defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi & Juice Robinson @ 11:50 via pin [***½] This was one of the better tournament matches so far, with strong work, pacing and a feeling of fun.

Block A Match: Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima defeated Tetsuya Naito & Rush @ 14:15 via pin : TenKoji were here to have a fun match, bringing in the feeling that they want another run. With Rush in, Los Ingobernables feels fresh and he has worked hard. We’re only getting a sample of what he can do, but his presence alone adds a ton to the matches. The crowds love TenKoji, they get behind them and feel as if they really want then to succeed. Like the previous match, this was fun and felt rather effortless in execution. The clearly defined heel/face dynamic helps as well. Kojima ended Rush’s night with the lariat for the TenKoji victory. Back to back matches worth seeing, I appreciate this. Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima defeated Tetsuya Naito & Rush @ 14:15 via pin [***½] I really enjoyed this as well, the work was good throughout, they built to the finish well and again thy all felt as if they were fighting to win.

BLOCK A STANDINGS
* Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan – 4pts
* Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa – 2 pts.
* Brian Breaker & Leland Race -2pts
* Yujiro Takahashi & Hangman Page -2 pts.
* Manabu Nakanishi & Henare – 2 pts.
* War Machine – 4 pts
* Hiroshi Tanahashi & Juice Robinson – 0 pts.
* Tetsuya Naito & Rush – 4pts

BLOCK B STANDINGS
Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma – 2pts.
Yoshitatsu & Billy Gunn- 2pts.
Hirooki Goto & Tomohiro Ishii – 2pts.
SANADA & EVIL – 2pts.
Katsuyori Shibata & Yuji Nagata – 0 pts.
Kazuchika Okada & YOSHI-HASHI – 0 pts.
Bad Luck Fale & BONE SOLDIER – 0 pts.
Kenny Omega & Chase Owens – 0 pts.
Kazuchika Okada & YOSHI-HASHI- 0 pts.

– End scene.

– Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”

6.0

The final score: review Average

The 411

Unfortunately, the NJPW World Tag League continues to be the down part of the year for the company. Night three’s tournament matches were a tale of two shows, the first two being skippable and boring and the other two being fun and energetic. There is nothing must see here, but if you have an hour it’s not a bad watch.