NJPW on AXS TV: Episode 6

New Japan Pro-Wrestling on AXS TV

Episode 6, February 20th 2015

They’re airing three matches from the fourth day of G1 23, which is one of the greatest wrestling events ever, with plethora of great matches. Everyone has heard of Shibata/Ishii and Ibushi/Nakamura. The latter is the center of this episode, but we’re not getting former which aired in the previous episode I think, but that one didn’t get picked by AXS TV. Shame. But still, we got the clipped version of Anderson/Tenzan and full version of DBSJ/Kojima. Anderson/Tenzan was a good 10 match that was trimmed down to five minutes, and I don’t see the purpose of it. This way the viewers might get an impression it’s just an ordinary match with few neat counter attacks, but no, it was much more. Both guys brought it and it was so enjoyable watching Tenzan climbing the mountain again. ***1/2

DBSJ/Kojima was fucking awesome, much better than remembered, and I gotta thank TV Asahi and AXS TV for this “discovery”, the match truly rocked. Davey Boy sporting his badass powerhouse abilities and Kojima’s mix of lariats and elbow strikes made this match one super fun clash with everything executed down to a T. All the reversals and counters were nifty in front of amazing Osaka people. The finish was amazing. Probably the best DBSJ match ever. ****1/4

Somewhere in the production room, Swagsuke is talking about the Kota Ibushi match and the novelty of facing a Junior Heavyweight in the G1. He also mentions having to go after Shibata/Ishii, which is one helluva tough task.

G1 Climax 23

(2013/8/4)

Block B: Kota Ibushi vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

Mauro Ranallo calls Ibushi a speed demon. That’s awesome. For some reason I gave this match only ****1/2 eighteen months ago. Blasphemy, total blasphemy. I guess I was burnt out or something. Because, this match is fucking amazing and the definite MOTD contender. Everything about this was impeccable, Shinsuke was extra aggressive here going after an indie high flyer who also happened to be – a Junior Heavyweight. Shinsuke was throwing some seriously vile blasts at Kota who sold it like a motherfucker, I can’t imagine the pain he suffered from all the rough knees, stomps, etc. Shinsuke was a gnarly, surly motherfucker going after Kota’s scalp. The moment where he lost his cool and proceeded to annihilate Kota with all the vicious strikes was glorious. Then Kota got pissed off and went all in on him with some awesome looking palm strikes. Magnificent. Then that kickout at 1 happened, and it’s probably the greatest kickout at 1 in pro-wrestling history. Everyone and their mothers know Kota is done but this motherfucker still has some instincts left inside him. Another Boma Ye and he’s finished. Amazing match-up to cap off the amazing show, and I think this classic might be even better than Shibata/Ishii.

*****

Ibushi is shown backstage, he can’t even stand on his own. He looks like being hit by a truck. He’s not done with Shinsuke. He says he gave everything he had and it still wasn’t enough, because Shinsuke is just on a whole different level.

Nakamura is also shown backstage, he doesn’t look good and is breathing heavily. He praises Ibushi for good fighting.

Back in the production room, Nakamura’s talking about the match and let me tell you something, his stream of thoughts is rather fascinating. He’s praising Ibushi and all that jazz, but does it in a far more clever fashion than what we’re used to.