Death by Midwest: Pro Wrestling NOAH Global Tag League-3.29.08

I’m branching out from my IWA reviews because that company’s direction is very unappealing to me right now. I was hoping for more consistency with Ian being retired and more focused on the whole company, but instead I’ve been getting XPW and CZW for 2008. Way too much hardcore, overbooking, and way, WAY too many turns and title changes does not a good product make in my eyes. Couple that with IWA shows frequently going into 5 hour territory, and I just don’t have the stomach for that much wrestling when so much of it is disappointing. I guess I was just drinking their kool-aid back in 06 and 07 and wasn’t seeing all the holes in their booking.

So what’s the plan then? Well, for starters, I’m gonna grab some AAW, IWA’s main rival in the Chicago market. From what I’ve seen, it’s a very 80s Mid-Atlantic vibe going on there. I want to cover something from my local area, and the only real options are them and IWA.

Other than that, I’m gonna do anything that strikes my fancy. Which brings us to this. NOAH’s got a swank looking tag team robin round tournament going on throughout March and April. And this is the kickoff show for that tournament, featuring former Wild II partners on opposite sides in the main event.

We’re at Korakuen Hall on March 29, 2008.

The 411: Not much to see here. Maybe because it's the first night of a big tour, they took it easier? I don't know really. In any case, NOAH is a mixed bag right now. Their undercard is filled with a lot of old and broken down wrestlers, but their junior division is top notch and the title scene is far more interesting with Morishima on top. Still, I consider them behind the younger and more exciting New Japan right now. Thumbs down.

Final Score:  5.5   [ Not So Good ]