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.

Lucha Underground: Episode 27

Episode 27

aired: 2015/5/13

 Previously on LU, with a swell video package. Dario visits his monstrous hermano again and talks about ancient medallions from seven Aztec tribes. Something's on for tonight. Whatever. Striker and Vamp welcome us and I loved they let the band play during their introduction to the show, it made for a nice background noise.

Aerostar/Evans was good enough, and as a Jack Evans match, it totally overdelivered. Jack Evans being a rudo works. That finish, man, I'm telling you, it was drop dead sick, highly dangerous and I would ban that stuff, someone will lose their head eventually.

Big Ryck's in a locker room, counting some cash. The Mack comes by and is all about shits and giggles, something Big Ryck's not very fond of. Big Ryck also hates Mack's fancy moves and unnecessary flips. I hear you, Ryck.

The 7-way for a medallion was crazy, just a total and wild spotfest. Some things worked, some didn't, but overall it was really enjoyable.

Dario's office, Ivelisse, Havoc and Angelico are there and Dario informs them they're booked in a ladder match for the straps next week, despite/inspite Ivelisse's injury. Neat segment.

  Fenix is in a locker room and suddenly Catrina pays him a visit! Three things: 1) her ass is spectacular, 2) Fenix was just a pawn, 3) three mysterious figures attacked Fenix.

Hernandez/Alberto was good, I'm talking the whole angle here, not just the bell-to-bell action, which was sold itself. Mundo's turn and the window thing were amazing. Minus point for ref not DQing Shaun, I don't get the booking there. Dario's reactions were fucking priceless.

1. Aerostar vs. Jack Evans ***1/4
2. 7-WAY for Aztec Medallion No. 1: King Cuerno vs. Cage vs. Pentagon Jr. vs. Sexy Star vs. The Mack vs. Killshot vs. Fenix ***1/2
3. No. 1 Contendership for LU Title: Hernandez vs. Alberto el Patron ***

BJW 2014/9/23

Saikyo Tag League 2014

(2014/9/23)

2.      Isamu Oshita & Toshiyuki Sakuta vs. MEN’S Teioh & Tatsuhiko Yoshino

The centerpiece was Oshita/Yoshino and it was awesome. Teioh works so well with young guns.

***1/4

3.      Ryuichi Kawakami & Kota Sekifuda vs. Shuji Ishikawa & Masaya Takahashi

I love it when puro companies get the very most out of obvious tag matches where you’re 100% sure who’s a fallman. And it doesn’t get much better than this, poor tiny Sekifuda against the surly duo of big bad animals, especially Shuji Ishikawa who’s toying with him until the moment he’s not. Korakuen adores good underdog stories, and so do I.

***3/4

4.      Saikyo Tag League 2014 (Death Block) – BARBED WIRE BOARD STREET FIGHT DEATHMATCH: Heisei Gokudo Combi (Kankuro Hoshino & Masato Inaba) vs. Jaki Numazawa & Masashi Takeda

Wow, this one totally caught me off guard, great fucking match and definitely the best HGC effort ever, by a large margin. This was just a whacky rollercoaster of fun.

****

5.      Saikyo Tag League 2014 (Strong Block): Shiori Asahi & Shinobu vs. Koji Kanemoto & Kazuki Hashimoto

And here is ANOTHER super fun match. Kanemoto and K-Hash are teaming together after the grueling rivalry and obviously they’re stupendously awesome in kicking asses.

***3/4

6.      Saikyo Tag League 2014 (Strong Block): Speed of Sounds (Hercules Senga & Tsutomu Oosugi) vs. Daisuke Sekimoto & Hideyoshi Kamitani

Great power vs. speed clash, with a strong subplot of Kamitani digging in VERY fucking deep to justify the privilege of teaming with Sekimoto, this was a captivating story.

****

7.      Saikyo Tag League 2014 (Death Block) – IRON CAGE & LIGHTTUBE DEATHMATCH: Ryuji Ito & Abdullah Kobayashi vs. Yankee Nichokenju (Yuko Miyamoto & Isami Kodaka)

Such a neat and proper match to cap off this highly entertaining show. The match wasn’t anything particularly new, but the story of Abby getting some of his mojo back after the return was enough for me and Korakuen to care and enjoy. Pretty damn good deathmatch.

***3/4

AAA 4/3 (Part 2)

AAA 2015/4/3

Joe Lider & Daga vs. Drago & Bengala

A Joe Lider match.

**

AAA 2015/4/3

Hell Brothers (Cibernetico, Averno, Chessman) vs. Parka, Blue Demon Jr., Aerostar

Really fun brawl, it was short and almost everything was spot on, the Brothers seemed more energetic and aggressive than usual, I guess reducing their match time helped. Nice team moves. Aerostar almost killed himself with that INSANE bump after diving on Ciber, dude’s completely crazy.

***1/2

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.