Csonka’s NJPW BOTSJ Finals Review 6.03.17

Csonka’s NJPW BOTSJ Finals Review 6.03.17

OFFICIAL RESULTS
– Syota Umino, Tomoyuki Oka & Yuji Nagata defeated Tetsuhiro Yagi, Katsuya Kitamura & Manabu Nakanishi @ 8:20 via submission [**½]
– Jado, Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii defeated Hirai Kawato, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Togi Makabe @ 7:35 via pin [***]
– Volador Jr., Tiger Mask IV & Jushin Thunder Liger defeated TAKA Michinoku, El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru @ 5:55 via pin [**½]
– Bullet Club defeated War Machine, David Finlay & ACH @ 10:15 via pin [***¼]
– Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI defeated Minoru Suzuki & Taichi @ 12:35 via pin [**]
– Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, EVIL, BUSHI & Hiromu Takahashi defeated Satoshi Kojima, Juice Robinson, Ryusuke Taguchi, Ricochet & Dragon Lee @ 12:27 via pin [****]
– Kenny Omega & Marty Scurll defeated Kazuchika Okada & Gedo @ 13:22 via submission [***]
– BOTSJ Final: KUSHIDA defeated Will Ospreay @ 28:47 via pin [*****]

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* Csonka’s Top 5 Omissions From The 2017 BOTSJ.
* Csonka’s Top 5 Potential BOTSJ Winners.
* Csonka’s NJPW BOTSJ (Night 1) Review 5.17.17.
* Csonka’s NJPW BOTSJ (Night 2) Review 5.18.17.
* Csonka’s NJPW BOTSJ (Night 3) Review 5.20.17.
* Csonka’s NJPW BOTSJ (Night 4)Review 5.21.17.
* Csonka’s NJPW BOTSJ (Night 5) Review 5.22.17.
* Csonka’s NJPW BOTSJ (Night 6) Review 5.23.17.
* Csonka’s NJPW BOTSJ (Night 7) Review 5.25.17.
* Csonka’s NJPW BOTSJ (Night 8) Review 5.26.17.
* Csonka’s NJPW BOTSJ (Night 9) Review 5.27.17.
* Csonka’s NJPW BOTSJ (Night 10) Review 5.28.17.
* Csonka’s NJPW BOTSJ (Night 11) Review 5.29.17.
* Csonka’s NJPW BOTSJ (Night 12) Review 5.31.17.
* Csonka’s NJPW BOTSJ (Night 13) Review 6.01.17.

Syota Umino, Tomoyuki Oka & Yuji Nagata vs. Tetsuhiro Yagi, Katsuya Kitamura & Manabu Nakanishi: If you can believe it, Kitamura looks even more jacked than usual. He and Oka start off, previewing a rivalry that will eventually be a fixture in the heavyweight division as NJPW has high hopes for both. Umino and Yagi then work a stretch; Nakanishi tags in and just pummels poor Yagi. Nagata tags in, lighting up Nakanishi with kicks and strikes. Nakanishi cuts him off with a spear and clothesline for 2. Nagata finally hits a desperation XPLODER, and it breaks down leading to team Nakanishi working torture racks, and then everyone brawled; Oka tapped Yagi with the crab. Syota Umino, Tomoyuki Oka & Yuji Nagata defeated Tetsuhiro Yagi, Katsuya Kitamura & Manabu Nakanishi @ 8:20 via submission [**½] Really solid opening match, with Nagata and Nakanishi taking the coach role and being minimally involved in order to allow the lions to get the bulk of the work in. It had some fun moments, and they did a nice job of keeping the crowd interested. I also like the Nagata/Oka relationship playing against the Nakanishi/Kitamura pairing. The two sets of mentor & protégé is a smart move and makes for some fun interactions in the ring.

Hirai Kawato, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Togi Makabe vs. Jado, Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii: Kawato is all fired up and wants to fight right away; Tenzan and Makabe have to calm him down, because they’re getting to old for this shit. It breaks down early, with CHAOS taking control and Jado working over Kawato. Yano rips off the buckle pad, so Jado takes the heat by slamming Kawato to the exposed corner. CHAOS works quick tags, repeatedly slamming Kawato to the exposed steel. He finally fires up, hits a dropkick and Makabe gets the tag. He runs wild, gets a near fall on Yano and it breaks down again. Makabe fights off CHAOS, tags in Kawato who makes the mistake of going after Ishii. Kawato is over again with the crowd, they love his reckless abandon and way he’s willing to go after anyone. Tenzan and Makabe cleared the ring, Kawato gets into a striking battle with Ishii, and gets a roll up for a great near fall. After a lot of good fight, Kawato gets turned inside out by an Ishii lariat and that’s that. It’s an undercard tag, so Makabe only took one bump; Vegas had the over/under at 1.5. Jado, Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii defeated Hirai Kawato, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Togi Makabe @ 7:35 via pin [***] Good match, no messing around and all action; out of all the young lions, Kawato has done such a good job of getting himself over with his take no shit/never say die attitude. Kawato has tremendous upside and seems to work well with everyone so far.

Volador Jr., Tiger Mask IV & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. TAKA Michinoku, El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru: Volador and Desperado worked an insane first 30-seconds, just awesome back and forth action worked at a blistering speed. Liger tagged in, but Suzuki-gun attacked and triple teamed him. They took control for a bit, but Liger hit the shotei and a back breaker, and then tagged in Tiger Mask. Tiger Mask then fought of the numbers game, finally hitting a tiger bomb on Kanemaru. Hot tag to Volador, he works back and forth with TAKA as it breaks down and we get floor brawling. Volador takes TAKA up top, Tiger Mask and Liger take out Kanemaru & Desperado; Volador hits a glorified hip toss off the top (TAKA wanted no part of that Spanish fly bullshit) and picked up the win. Volador Jr., Tiger Mask IV & Jushin Thunder Liger defeated TAKA Michinoku, El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru @ 5:55 via pin [**½] They kept it short, with the good guys working together well to overcome Suzuki-gun. This was perfectly fine, Volador looked great.

War Machine, David Finlay & ACH vs. Guerrillas of Destiny, Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi: ACH is following War Machine protocol, wearing face paint. Finlay has been doing it the entire tour, and has essentially been adopted as War Machine’s little brother. The Guerrillas and War Machine had a big stand off and then brawled. War machine ran wild, taking then out, and then Yujiro with ease. Fale in, they took him down and then ACH tagged in. He wanted War machine to throw him onto people on the floor, but that got cut off and everyone brawled to the floor. Tonga took a camera from a photographer and ringside, and then took photos as he beat down ACH. Bullet Club then isolated ACH, taking the heat. ACH survived, tagging in Rowe and things broke down, Hanson tagged in and hit forever clotheslines until Fale cut him off. Bullet Club then beats on Hanson, until Rowe flies in with knees. Finlay got the hot tag, and he was fired the fuck up, running 100 miles an hour as he beats on Yujiro. ACH returned, dropkicking Fale and following with a huge dive that almost killed him as Fale fell into the commentary table; ACH came up holding his shoulder. Hanson hit a dive off the top onto a pile of bodies; Fale took out Finlay allowing Yujiro to hit the pimp juice on Finlay for the win. Bullet Club defeated War Machine, David Finlay & ACH @ 10:15 via pin [***¼] This was a good and really fun match, lots of great moving parts and they didn’t overexpose the War Machine/Guerrillas segments ahead of their tag title match next week. Everyone looked really motivated here.

– The first half clocked in at right around one hour.

Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI vs. Minoru Suzuki & Taichi: CHAOS vs. Suzuki-gun continues, as this will serve as a preview for Suzuki vs. Goto at Dominion. Desperado & Kanemaru are out with Suzuki-gun. Now stop me if you’ve heard this one, but Suzuki-gun attacked before the bell and the match started with a big brawl on the floor, which also included the guys not in the match. HASHI got the shit kicked out of him and was tossed into the crowd. He beat the count, only to have Taichi beat on him with the bell hammer. Suzuki beat on HASHI for a while, and then Goto tagged in and started to run wild, but Suzuki cut him off, they worked back and forth, with Suzuki working for the sleeper, tried for the Gotch piledriver but Got fought him off. HASHI and Taichi back in, Desperado hit HASHI with a chair and then HASHI gets a roll up and we get a ref bump. Kanemaru and Desperado in for the beat down on HASHI, Suzuki-gun just beat on HASHI forever, and then beat on Goto. Taichi gets a near fall off of a superkick as Suzuki beats on Goto on the floor. Desperado took the ref, and Kanemaru accidentally misted Taichi with the whiskey, allowing HASHI to hit karma for the win. Suzuki was pissed post match and beat on young lions with a chair. Goto then hit the Ushigoroshi on Suzuki to get some revenge. Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI defeated Minoru Suzuki & Taichi @ 12:35 via pin [**] I am completely over Suzuki-gun, it’s diminishing returns at this point and beyond repetitive.

Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, EVIL, BUSHI & Hiromu Takahashi vs. Satoshi Kojima, Juice Robinson, Ryusuke Taguchi, Ricochet & Dragon Lee: Kojima is replacing the injured Tanahashi on the tour. Naito tries to further destroy the IC title and throws it at Liger, who is on commentary. Naito attacks Juice to begin, allowing SANADA to attack. Juice fights them off, hitting the cannonball on SANADA; Kojima and friends then run wild on SANADA, and then turn their attention to Naito. It breaks down, LIJ clear the ring as SANADA works over Taguchi. We get some floor brawling, as LIJ work over Taguchi and BUSHI then chokes him out with his shirt. EVIL in and hits a senton, Takahashi in and hits the dropkick, covering for 2. Taguchi fires back with chops, but Takahashi cuts off the ass attack with an atomic drop. Taguchi finally hits it, tagging in Lee so that the long time rivals can battle. They trade chops, and then work into a series of great counters. Takahashi then hits an overhead toss to the buckles. BUSHI in and hits the missile dropkick. Lee counters the enziguri and hits a snap German and then Ricochet tags in, planting SANADA with a DDT. Ricochet runs wild on LIJ, hits a springboard uppercut and then hits a running shooting star press on BUSHI for 2. BUSHI counters the benadryller and rakes the eyes. Juice in, takes him out and Ricochet hits a running shooting star press off of Juice’s back for 2. Code breaker by BUSHI cuts that off, and Kojima gets the hot tag, and hits the rapid-fire chops on SANADA. SANADA kicks the ropes into his balls, ties Kojima up into a ball and hits the basement dropkick for 2. Kojima hits dragon screw leg whips and does an air guitar tribute to Tanahashi. It breaks down; LIJ isolates Kojima and works him over, hitting dropkicks. Lee in and fires away with kicks, Ricochet back in and then Juice as we get the big move buffet. Koji cutter on Naito, and then the lariat connects. EVIL saves Naito, destino on Kojima and that’s that. Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, EVIL, BUSHI & Hiromu Takahashi defeated Satoshi Kojima, Juice Robinson, Ryusuke Taguchi, Ricochet & Dragon Lee @ 12:27 via pin [****] This was easily the best thing on the show, with a great energy, great pacing and everything clicking. LIJ are so great in these multi-man matches. This was a great match and a big shot in the arm that the show desperately needed, with the crowd reacting to everything extremely well.

– Post match, Naito cuts a promo and Tanahashi arrives. Tanahashi says the heroes always show up fashionably late, and since Naito always tells people to relax, he did. Tanahashi promises to be ready for Dominion.

Kazuchika Okada & Gedo vs. Kenny Omega & Marty Scurll: Omega and Okada start things off, Scurll distracts Okada, allowing Omega to attack. He teases the one winged angel, they work through a series of counters, but neither man can land a signature move. Gedo and Scurll in now, Scurll works some world of sport counters, but Gedo will have none of that. Gedo looks to keep control, but Scurll sends him to the floor and hits a superkick from the apron. Omega then beats on Gedo on the floor. Back in Scurll and Omega isolate Gedo in their corner, working the arm and constantly taunting Okada. Gedo tries to fight back, but Scurll cuts that off quickly and then runs into a big boot. Gedo tries the sunset flip, Scurll fights and Omega gets the umbrella to help Scurll fight more, but the ref kicks it away and Gedo gets a roll up, but kicks Scurll into Okada, and when Gedo goes for a tag, no one is there. Miscommunication from Scurll & Omega allows Gedo to get the tag to Okada. Okada runs wild, Scurll accidentally runs into Omega allowing Okada to maintain control, and he hits the top rope elbow drop. Omega fights off the rainmaker, they trade strikes and Omega hits the Finlay roll into a moonsault for a near fall. Scurll back in, Okada fights off the piledriver, and hits the neck breaker for 2. Gedo back in, works jabs on Scurll, Omega in and that allows Scurll to get the chicken wing on Gedo as Omega fights off Okada, but Okada fights free and saves Gedo. Gedo clutch on Scurll, Omega makes the save but Omega grabs the ref to escape the tombstone. Scurll distracts Okada, they hit superkicks on Okada, and Scurll hits Gedo with a piledriver for 2. Scurll with the finger break spot on Gedo, locks in the chicken wing and Gedo taps. Kenny Omega & Marty Scurll defeated Kazuchika Okada & Gedo @ 13:22 via submission [***] Good match with some good teases for Okada vs. Omega, but they didn’t too much. Scurll again looked really good and more importantly, he is over with the NJPW audience. The second half was very fun.

BOTSJ Finals: Will Ospreay vs. KUSHIDA: And here we are at the finals, two former rivals and BOTSJ winners facing off. They work a slow beginning, with KUSHIDA opting to take things to the mat. Ospreay works some good counters, and they battle for dominant position, and then work into a stand off. Ospreay busted his mouth up a bit, spitting up some blood. They pick up the pace and work through a great series of passes and counters, once again ending in a stand off. Ospreay calls v a little bitch and dares him to hit him, and then calls him a fucking cunt; Will’s got a potty mouth. This pisses off KUSHIDA, who hits a rolling kick, sending Ospreay to the floor and then hits a senton off the top and to the floor, wiping out Ospreay. Back in and KUSHIDA attacks the arm, and then the knee of Ospreay. KUSHIDA does a nice job of mixing up the striking attack, working the knee and arm. He then locks in a figure four, grounding Ospreay. Ospreay escapes, and hits a desperation back handspring kick. Ospreay lands body kicks, and then the corner dropkick, covering for 2. Ospreay follows with uppercuts, and then locks in the octopus hold. KUSHIDA struggles and barely makes the ropes. We get a striking exchange, but Ospreay cuts off KUSHIDA with kicks. Ospreay up top, KUSHIDA hits a jumping enziguri and follows him up, but as Ospreay looks for the trapped superkick, KUSHIDA hits a divorce court off the ropes. KUSHIDA then lays in kicks to the arm, follows with the PK and then a rolling forearm. Ospreay hits a step up enziguri, and KUSHIDA rolls to the floor and Ospreay hits a no hands Fosbury flop! KUSHIDA struggles to roll KUSHIDA back in, hits the springboard forearm but KUSHIDA avoids the tornado kick. KUSHIDA looks to fire up but Ospreay hits the Spanish fly for the double down. The running shooting star press hits, but KUSHIDA counters the corkscrew senton with the knees. The bridging snapdragon suplex by KUSHIDA gets 2. Back breaker by KUSHIDA, he then stomps on Ospreay’s arm and heads up top but Ospreay pops up and dropkicks KUSHIDA to the apron. Ospreay pulls KUSHIDA up top, KUSHIDA tries to attack the arm but he knocked onto the rope, and as he’s draped over the ropes, Ospreay hits a shooting star press and then FUCKING SPIKES KUSHIDA WITH A REVERSE RANA on the apron! Sweet Mary mother of God.
https://twitter.com/MrLARIATO/status/870957776645881856

KUSHIDA barely beats the count, Ospreay then hits the Essex destroyer for a great near fall! then catches the OsCutter into a flying arm bar! Ospreay fights for all he’s worth, KUSHIDA transitions into a triangle and lays in elbow strikes. Ospreay powers up and hits a buckle bomb! KUSHIDA off the ropes, jumps into the OsCutter but KUSHIDA kicks out for another great near fall. Ospreay hits the tornado kick, but KUSHIDA avoids the OsCutter and hits a back handspring cutter of his own! KUSHIDA rolls for the hover board lock, Ospreay counters out and they trade rapid-fire kicks and they go all Frye/Takiyama! My God they are beating the hell out of each other! KUSHIDA paces around, looking frustrated and then lays in a series of nasty stomps BECAUSE KUSHIDA GIVES NO FUCKS, and then goes back to the hover board lock. KUSHIDA really cranks on the hold, Ospreay keeps fighting, but KUSHIDA rolls, but Ospreay counters god’s last gift into the stun dog millionaire! IMPLODING 450 by Ospreay, WHAT THE FUCK KUSHIDA IS ALIVE! Ospreay hits the trapped corner superkick like 10 times! These guys are trying to kill each other. Ospreay takes KUSHIDA up top, but KUSHIDA hits God’s last gift off the ropes and then rolls into another and FINALLY puts Ospreay away. KUSHIDA defeated Will Ospreay @ 28:47 via pin [*****] Simply amazing, you couldn’t have asked for a better finals match. They worked with a tremendous sense of urgency, playing off of their past meetings, and most importantly you could feel that they were doing everything in their power to win the match. Ospreay was fighting for redemption, because he’s failed previously at beating KUSHIDA, but despite going completely murder death kill on him, KUSHIDA survived. KUSHIDA was the fallen ace, fighting for redemption and not only looking to win his title back & to become the ace again, and not only looking to overcome the embarrassment of losing to Takahashi in two-minutes, but to prove to himself that he was still worthy. This was amazing, told a great story and was everything I wanted from the match.

– They embrace post match.

https://twitter.com/BulletClubItal/status/870960200450232321
https://twitter.com/BulletClubItal/status/870960531552829440

– The babyface BOTSJ competitors came to the ring to congratulate KUSHIDA.

– End scene.

– Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”

7.4

The final score: review Good

The 411

The 2017 BOTSJ finals was a good show, with some nice little things to build to the Dominion matches, and an absolutely, must see, MOTYC in the main event.