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.