NJPW on AXS TV: Episode 13

New Japan Pro-Wrestling on AXS TV

Episode 13, April 10th 2015

This edition is dedicated to the Yokohama Arena show, NJPW’s first show in there since 2003 (I think). They aired the entire Suzuki & Benjamin vs. Yano & Iizuka angle where Iizuka turned on his tag team partner to join SZKG.

Okada talks about the upcoming rematch with Styles.

Back to Yokohama Arena

(2014/5/25)

IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada vs. AJ Styles ©

Very similar to their first match, only this one barely had anything good in it, unlike the Fukuoka meeting. Again, there was a lot of dead meat and unnecessary parts in there, and I’m saying this again – these two need to have sprints instead of epics, especially with the Bullet Club version of AJ, which is a strange and not so logical character. AJ’s always been the best as a stoic asskicking figure who bumps like a madman and does impressive offense sequences, so putting him in all these heel shenanigans modes takes away from his true being. The Bullet Club AJ is not a true AJ, not even close. AJ’s current role would’ve been perfect for Eddie Guerrero or Bryan Danielson, AJ is a different sort of badass, he’s not cut for cockiness and “dat swag”. It’s no coincidence his title matches underdelivered in New Japan, that’s because Gedo and Jado insist on something he can’t fulfill, plus all the American style interference bullshit, but if you give AJ the ball and let him run with it, miracles will happen. See G1 Climax 24.

**1/2

Backstage, Okada is fucking CRUSHED and Gedo is there for his client. Fantastic selling of a defeat.

Bullet Club celebrates inside the ring, Karl Anderson cuts another LAME slow-talking promo.

Okada reflects on the match, and like a true Jap he only blames himself, not the interferences. Says he’d like to face with AJ one more time, he’s impressed with his skills and super rich moveset.

NJPW on AXS TV: Episode 12

New Japan Pro-Wrestling on AXS TV

Episode 12, April 3rd 2015

This edition is dedicated to Wrestling Dontaku 2014. Both Junior Heavyweight championships were highlighted through heavily clipped matches, Hooligans vs. Bucks and Taguchi vs. Ibushi. Barnett hates the Bucks, lel.

Okada talks about the upcoming match with Styles, he says he was surprised when AJ attacked him, he remembers him declining in TNA. He says AJ’s Styles Clash feels different and more devastating than Tanahashi’s, probably because of different weight adjustment, which is such a fantastic little detail that tells so much.

Wrestling Dontaku 2014

(2014/5/3)

IWGP Heavyweight Championship: AJ Styles vs. Kazuchika Okada ©

Good match but not great, and ultimately disappointing considering the names and potential involved. And it wasn’t all the Bullet Club interference angle fault, even before that last gang attack and Yujiro’s treason the match dragged at some parts, it really could’ve used some fat-trimming. The crowd took their time to get used to AJ’s presence, they only bought him as a serious threat later in the match. If this was a heated 15 min sprint, it would’ve been much better and more effective.

***

Backstage, Gedo is fucking FURIOUS!

Bullet Club celebrates inside the ring, Karl Anderson cuts a lame slow-talking promo.

Okada reflects on the match, says it feels very strange without the belt he was holding for over a year. He says AJ was his old self and is looking forward to face him in a title rematch.

NJPW on AXS TV: Episode 11

New Japan Pro-Wrestling on AXS TV

Episode 11, March 27th 2015

They aired the very clipped version of Naito/Ishii from Invasion Attack 2014. Shame, it was a great match, but I do realize it was a warm-up for the main event. We still got to see Ishii dropping Naito on his head repeatedly. Damn, that was nasty! Go and check the full version of this match!

Somewhere in the studio, Tana is talking about the third Nakamura match in only three months.

Invasion Attack 2014

(2014/4/6)

IWGP Intercontinental Championship: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi ©

The very best Nakamura/Tanahashi match, the ultimate edition, the pinnacle of the rivalry, I gave it five stars last year and was pretty much alone in doing so, I literally don’t remember anyone other than me going full boat on this masterpiece of pro-wrestling. Hopefully there’s someone out there who came around. I bet that in 20-30 years there will be some kids on some message board discussing about “hidden gems” of pro-wrestling and this match is going to be a hot topic for awhile, someone will dig it out beneath all the famous Ishii, Shibata and Okada well-known classics.

They start things with some neat catch wrestling packed in the feeling out process, there were sweet reversals and patient, defensive wrestling, but then Tana gets bored and goes into semi-full heel mode. He goes after Nakamura’s left leg and is fucking relentless in doing so. Think a honey badger attacking a cobra. He just won’t let it go. Tanahashi puts on the Tanahashi pace and makes everyone know this is a Tanahashi match, through and through. Basically, he’s a dick. He’s sick of working with Shinsuke again and doesn’t care from the crowd boos, he’s just here to fuck up Shinsuke’s leg. Shit man, it is a thing of beauty watching him work over it, every time Shinsuke is about to make a proper comeback, Tanahashi simply goes after his leg again and again and again… Truly relentless. The match is full of amazing little details that display their big wrestling IQs, full of twists and turns, but the main plot is still Tana destroying the challenger’s left leg. There’s an occasion or two with Shinsuke kind of “forgetting” the previous legwork, but Tana always “kindly” reminds him what the match is all about. Shinsuke eventually makes a proper comeback after working from behind for a whole match and throws a plethora of super nasty blasts, including punches, and then a series of Boma Yes brings Tana down and bang – Nakamura regains his white strap.

What a fucking masterpiece!

*****

Backstage, Tana mumbles about something.

Inside the ring, the Gracie duo arrives and Daniel challenges Nakamura. But first, it’s the Gracies vs. Nakamura and Sakuraba!

Somewhere in the studio, Tana is reflecting on the match, he’s talking about respect Shinsuke’s grown for him and how it was an honor to hold the IC strap.

NJPW on AXS TV: Episode 10

New Japan Pro-Wrestling on AXS TV

Episode 10, March 20th 2015

Tanahashi talks about the special appeal of his matches with Nakamura, he’s proud that the fans voted this match for WK8 main event. He also mentions the differences in philosophies between him and Shinsuke.

Wrestle Kingdom 8

(2014/1/4)

IWGP Intercontinental Championship: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Shinsuke Nakamura ©

First things first, the entrances for this one were absolutely spectacular. Tanahashi got Marty Friedman, Nakamura got some strippers. Great spectacle. As it usually goes with January 4^th matches, this one also gets overlooked all the time simply because it happened so early in the year. But I understand, because not only that New Japan had a fantastic year loaded with classics, it’s also that this actual pairing alone produced three better matches later in the year (February, April, August). The layout and the story were quite simple here, Nakamura was working over Tanahashi’s midsection for awhile, and Tana was aiming for, you know it, Nakamura’s leg. The only (and crucial) difference was that Tana didn’t abandon his game plan unlike Nakamura, and it paid off big time for him. The match had a flaw or two, but the awesome moments were truly awesome, such as that grueling strike battle before the finishing stretch and the cloverleaf into Styles Clash sequence. Overall this was another great effort from the majestic Nakamura/Tanahashi workshop.

****1/4

Backstage, Nakamura talks about his elevating of the championship. He talks some other… stuff… as well.

Inside the ring it’s time for a vintage Tanahashi closing promo, he loves us all and all that jazz. Air guitar! Marty Friedman again!

Somewhere in a NJPW office, Tana is reflecting on the match, yada-yada-yada, eh, same old stuff about believing in his style, etc.