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.