New Japan Pro-Wrestling
King of Pro-Wrestling 201413th October 2014, Ryōgoku Kokugikan, Tokyo
Some supercards require me to witter away for 500 words before getting to the first match, but this is King of Pro-Wrestling, cast in stone as a big deal and the last real throw of the dice ahead of the Dome Show on January 4th. Sumo Hall is sold out and a whole heap of titles and briefcases are up for grabs.
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| Main event: AJ Styles (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship |
Furthermore I come armed with translations from Yottsume,
the ingenious entrepreneur slash fansubber extraordinaire, meaning that
there's actually some grounding to my drivel this time.
Togi Makabe, Kota Ibushi, Tomoaki Honma and Yuji Nagata vs. Bad Luck Fale, Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows and Tama Tonga (Bullet Club)
Togi Makabe, Kota Ibushi, Tomoaki Honma and Yuji Nagata vs. Bad Luck Fale, Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows and Tama Tonga (Bullet Club)
Kenny Omega signed for New Japan in the past week, and though he doesn't turn up here or at any point tonight (spoiler!), he iterated clearly that Kota Ibushi had gone up to the heavyweight division and as such one should not expect an immediate reunion of Golden☆Lovers or some kind of singles match.
I'm choosing to read this match less as an opener and more Ibushi's low-key official hello to the heavyweight division itself. Like many openers, a lot of signature moves are unleashed in double-quick time and brawls happen at ringside whilst a pair of guys duke it out mid-ring. The crowd are wildly into this star-filled mess and it comes across pretty cool at home too.
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| Kenny Omega (kicked) and Kota Ibushi (kicker) |
Makabe, Ibushi, Honma and Nagata d. Bullet Club.
NWA JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Chase Owens (c) vs. BUSHI
It's the return NWA President Bruce Tharpe-desu! The man born to play the stereotypical southern wrasslin' heel returns for a double-header of NWA vs. New Japan action after a (kayfabe) miserable 18 months for his company, with his major tag and heavyweight titles around the waists of those damn Japanese.
His first dog in the fight is the Virginian-born self-proclaimed Crown Jewel of a system with no real monarchical structure, the barely-junior heavyweight Chase Owens. Owens isn't exactly Johnny Charisma but he can work a far-better match than previous NWA luminaries Wes Brisco, Big Daddy Yum Yum, Michael Tarver, Rob Conway and Jax Dane. Don't hold Owens' terrible ring jacket against him. What is it with wrestlers and shiny PVC?
BUSHI, representing New Japan, hasn't had any real singles opportunities since Best of the Super Junior (where he performed creditably, beating Jushin Liger, KUSHIDA and Mascara Dorada). This match is effectively hypeless, which explains the crowd that has gone from raptures to restrained.
They slowly win Sumo Hall back. Owens has got some good stuff, though BUSHI is a tidier and more innovative wrestler. Owens bails out of the ring and strafes sideways to avoid a suicide dive. It's all for naught, however, as BUSHI still performs the move on the diagonal, nailing Owens before standing and taking off his mask to reveal...another mask.
Time restrictions clamp down on what could be a very good match down the line, with Owens getting the win with a tidy package piledriver. Celebrations are curtailed when Jushin 'Thunder' Liger walks to the ring in his mask and a very sharp suit looking like a dignitary from the coolest alien race in the galaxy.
He tells Tharpe to shut up, who has been angling for Liger to come down and accept the challenge, and promos in English telling Owens that he will accept a dig at his title. It's well-received and I guess it will be nice to see Owens return. Backstage, Liger commented on his intrusion.
BUSHI, representing New Japan, hasn't had any real singles opportunities since Best of the Super Junior (where he performed creditably, beating Jushin Liger, KUSHIDA and Mascara Dorada). This match is effectively hypeless, which explains the crowd that has gone from raptures to restrained.
They slowly win Sumo Hall back. Owens has got some good stuff, though BUSHI is a tidier and more innovative wrestler. Owens bails out of the ring and strafes sideways to avoid a suicide dive. It's all for naught, however, as BUSHI still performs the move on the diagonal, nailing Owens before standing and taking off his mask to reveal...another mask.
Time restrictions clamp down on what could be a very good match down the line, with Owens getting the win with a tidy package piledriver. Celebrations are curtailed when Jushin 'Thunder' Liger walks to the ring in his mask and a very sharp suit looking like a dignitary from the coolest alien race in the galaxy.
Liger responds #NJKoPW http://t.co/6NZXwRSi6n
— LARIATOOOOO!!! (@SenorLARIATO) October 14, 2014
He tells Tharpe to shut up, who has been angling for Liger to come down and accept the challenge, and promos in English telling Owens that he will accept a dig at his title. It's well-received and I guess it will be nice to see Owens return. Backstage, Liger commented on his intrusion.
I won’t be in the business for much longer as people can tell from my age and my career length. And I came to think that I should have a singles belt around my waist for the one last time. If I win the NWA title, I may be able to challenge the IWGP Jr. title next. Just like Tanahashi has his love for the IWGP Heavyweight title, I just can’t resist going after the IWGP Jr. title.
See! I wasn't making it up! ***1/4
Owens d. BUSHI
NWA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
TenCozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima) (c) vs. Killer Elite Squad (Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Lance Archer) (Suzuki-gun)
Statisticians railed and wailed regarding the eleventh meeting between these pairs (including three-way dances) but not having seen them all I am a little less bothered. Besides, I really enjoyed their match at Dominion 6.21 and grew to like all four guys a lot more through their G1 stories. Can we have fewer jaded people watching New Japan please? Thanks.
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| Killer Elite Squad: Lance Archer and Davey Boy Smith Jr. |
For a good 12 minutes it's a real entertainment spectacle; Smith Jr. looks to have dropped a few pounds so has an added edge of agility to his power, whilst Archer continues to inhabit his role. TenCozy remain as dependable and loveable as ever. In the clash of the four big bulls, it is the North American pair who finally wrest the titles from the waist of TenCozy with a Killer Bomb on Kojima after a mistake from Koji creates friction.
Kojima accidentally lariats Tenzan #NJKoPW http://t.co/fOj5LUzyBr
— LARIATOOOOO!!! (@SenorLARIATO) October 13, 2014
In the post match, shocking scenes as Tenzan grows frustrated with his long-term friend Kojima, getting into a shoving match. I'm not usually for tag teams breaking up but this is one with a real history: running on and off since 1999, winning six world titles and four major tournaments. Behind the scenes, Tenzan continued his rage against his long-term tag partner:
Kojima was left stuck for words. Another fine entry into their running total nonetheless. KES take the belts back to the US. ***1/2Ah, damn it! Hey Koji, wow long do you think you’ve been in the business, man? How could you possibly miss that lariat? You know that a simple mistake could lead to an end of our relationship, right? Damn it. It’s over. I can’t deal with him anymore. Hey Koji, don’t slack on your training!
Killer Elite Squad d. TenCozy to become new NWA Tag Team Champions.
Toru Yano and Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Minoru Suzuki and Takashi Iizuka (Suzuki-gun)
If there was any previous doubt that they're building toward Sakuraba vs. Suzuki at some point then here is your proof. Whilst Yano is still involved, it really doesn't feel like he figures in this feud anymore. Every exchange of note happened between the two shooters, both showing some real fire in their offence and building up even into my MMA-sceptical head that a singles match could be pretty decent.
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| Kazushi Sakuraba |
Yano and Sakuraba d. Suzuki-gun
IWGP JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Time Splitters (Alex Shelley and KUSHIDA) (c) vs. Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) vs. Forever Hooligans (Alex Koslov and Rocky Romero)
It would be generous to describe this match as 'not easy to follow'. Only aside from the start, the finish, and a funny botch, was it easy to keep track of the motions of all six competitors. Maybe it would be fun to watch it six times and follow the work of only one person but also I have a life.
A rematch from the Ring of Honor crossover show in Toronto that comfortably stole the imaginary Match of the Night statuette, this outing gets a full 18 minutes to offer the widest possible selection of human highlight reel action after a tentative start where various Splitters and Bucks pretend that this could be a mat-wrestling contest.
The dam quickly breaks, cycling through each team's mid-level fun spots (the Hooligans' do their pretend annoyance sketch, which I guess I was a bit grousy about at home: save it for the non-title matches) before entering a long stretch where bodies flew through their as if spat out whole by a wood chipper. Koslov, going for a step-up dive to the outside, gets his foot caught between top and middle ropes and faceplants the apron. Weirdly, it just looked kind of right, like a character moment from a Hanna-Barbera cartoon.
It's a very good match in the latter stages; quite 'indy' in execution with a lot of avalanche moves and broken pin attempts. Koslov bravely continues despite the gruesome twist. As ever, all three teams appear to be in the hunt down the stretch, though the Time Splitters change strategy one last time and put paid to the flipping and diving, winning as KUSHIDA rolls Koslov up with the Horizontal Cradle pinning predicament.
A rematch from the Ring of Honor crossover show in Toronto that comfortably stole the imaginary Match of the Night statuette, this outing gets a full 18 minutes to offer the widest possible selection of human highlight reel action after a tentative start where various Splitters and Bucks pretend that this could be a mat-wrestling contest.
Tandem tombstone piledriver from The Bucks #NJKoPW http://t.co/fOPWQ7rbke
— LARIATOOOOO!!! (@SenorLARIATO) October 13, 2014
The dam quickly breaks, cycling through each team's mid-level fun spots (the Hooligans' do their pretend annoyance sketch, which I guess I was a bit grousy about at home: save it for the non-title matches) before entering a long stretch where bodies flew through their as if spat out whole by a wood chipper. Koslov, going for a step-up dive to the outside, gets his foot caught between top and middle ropes and faceplants the apron. Weirdly, it just looked kind of right, like a character moment from a Hanna-Barbera cartoon.
It's a very good match in the latter stages; quite 'indy' in execution with a lot of avalanche moves and broken pin attempts. Koslov bravely continues despite the gruesome twist. As ever, all three teams appear to be in the hunt down the stretch, though the Time Splitters change strategy one last time and put paid to the flipping and diving, winning as KUSHIDA rolls Koslov up with the Horizontal Cradle pinning predicament.
Reflecting on victory, KUSHIDA elaborated after the match the reasons that he believes gives Time Splitters an edge over their rivals.
What’s the difference between us and them? It’s ‘wrestling’. Both Forever Hooligans and Young Bucks are great tag teams. I’m even proud that they’re wrestling in the same generation as ours. But what makes us different from them is that we’re not about jumping and hopping. We have pure wrestling as our roots. We’re not like some other junior heavyweight tag teams. If we have these great tag teams in the NJPW Jr. tag scene right now, we should have a tournament to see who is truly the best like last year.
Meanwhile, Alex Koslov rues his luck in a hotel room.
I'm lucky that it's just this pic.twitter.com/9gssMjLCKx
— Alex Koslov (@AlexKoslovCom) October 13, 2014
Yottsume infers from KUSHIDA's statement that there's no junior tag tournament this year. Oh well. Then again, with Alex Koslov's luck, maybe a rest is needed. Excellent match to close the best first half of a New Japan show in memory. ****1/4
Time Splitters d. Young Bucks and Forever Hooligans
IWGP JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Ryusuke Taguchi (c) vs. El Desperado (Suzuki-gun)
Some people still have a bit of a problem with Taguchi vis-a-vis how exciting he is (not very, say these people). Jason Felix, in his 0/10 review of this very match, contributed this to the official record.
Some people still have a bit of a problem with Taguchi vis-a-vis how exciting he is (not very, say these people). Jason Felix, in his 0/10 review of this very match, contributed this to the official record.
That is my least favorite professional wrestling match of all time. Three men, a belt, a chair, a finisher, balls, humblings, and spankings all weren’t enough to stop Taguchi. He countered more moves than Rey Mysterio in 1996 (basically everything) and it made for one of the worst things I’ve ever watched in my life. Ryusuke Taguchi is a worse professional wrestler than either Daniel or Rolles Gracie. He has less charisma than Nailz. His goatee is worse than Andre the Giant’s right sideburn. His green trunks scream “LOSER.” I loathe the thought of having to see him beat Taichi (who his next match is against) who is everything that Taguchi is not.
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| Ryusuke Taguchi (c) vs. El Desperado |
If I'm going to be honest, of the two guys contesting
this match, it's El Desperado that has yet to float my boat in nearly 10
months of trying to. Taguchi may lack charisma but sometimes you need a solid all-around wrestler who doesn't try to do too much. Desperado, on the other hand, has regressed since debut.
Their match in the Best of the Super Junior blocks was okay, but since then Desperado has turned heel and done as Prince Devitt did: abandoning the pretence of wrestling exciting matches to cheat a whole lot with his buddies at ringside. This match even begins with cheating, though it is novel - there are two El Desperados to begin with, who both beat Taguchi down before the match begins. Despy #2 is revealed to be stablemate Taichi. Hoping to win the match in record time, Desperado hits a powerbomb for a near-fall at the bell.
Though not without distractions, the two put on a fine performance, if not exactly one in the same league as say Kota Ibushi vs. Ricochet. Rather than innovative offence, there's a lot of bum-based offence, with Desperado kicking Taguchi up the bum but Taguchi no-selling the bum and indeed using the bum to attack Desperado. Go with it, it'll be over soon.
The match gets going when Taguchi starts looking for counters to the Ankle Lock, the two going counter-for-counter at times, building an excitement from ridiculousness. Taguchi wins with the Ankle Lock eventually after a Dodon Codebreaker type manouevre. Could have been better, could have been worse. ***1/4
Their match in the Best of the Super Junior blocks was okay, but since then Desperado has turned heel and done as Prince Devitt did: abandoning the pretence of wrestling exciting matches to cheat a whole lot with his buddies at ringside. This match even begins with cheating, though it is novel - there are two El Desperados to begin with, who both beat Taguchi down before the match begins. Despy #2 is revealed to be stablemate Taichi. Hoping to win the match in record time, Desperado hits a powerbomb for a near-fall at the bell.
Though not without distractions, the two put on a fine performance, if not exactly one in the same league as say Kota Ibushi vs. Ricochet. Rather than innovative offence, there's a lot of bum-based offence, with Desperado kicking Taguchi up the bum but Taguchi no-selling the bum and indeed using the bum to attack Desperado. Go with it, it'll be over soon.
The match gets going when Taguchi starts looking for counters to the Ankle Lock, the two going counter-for-counter at times, building an excitement from ridiculousness. Taguchi wins with the Ankle Lock eventually after a Dodon Codebreaker type manouevre. Could have been better, could have been worse. ***1/4
Taguchi d. Desperado
NEVER OPENWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Yujiro Takahashi (Bullet Club) (c) vs. Tomohiro Ishii (CHAOS)
Former friends and stablemates in CHAOS until Takahashi's defection to cost Okada his IWGP Heavyweight Championship, this pair met at the Kizuna Road shows run in the lead to the G1 Climax with Ishii's NEVER title on the line. With Takahashi's newly-found Bullet Club in the ascendancy, with a stiff dose of cheating, a splash of interference and a pinch of mental acumen, challenger became champion in an unpopular decision.
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| Yujiro Takahashi (c) vs. Tomohiro Ishii |
Takahashi has continued to assert himself, dominating former CHAOS member YOSHI-HASHI at the Destruction event in Okayama for the first defence off the back of defeating Toru Yano during the G1 Climax event. However, Mr. All Night Long appeared to play with fire in the aftermatch of his Destruction win, getting into Ishii's face and taunting him about the gold formerly in his possession.
The structuring here is sublime, with Takahashi always seeming to find newer and increasingly innovative ways to repel Ishii's growing confidence and power, establishing Takahashi's excess brainpower and Ishii's borderline bravery/foolishness, returning to charge with headbutts and lariats despite being countered a handful of times.
Christ, Yujiro suplexes Ishii head-first into the turnbuckle #NJKoPW http://t.co/zzQvKgfSw4
— LARIATOOOOO!!! (@SenorLARIATO) October 13, 2014
Mirroring the previous match, the match opens with Takahashi trying to gain the upper hand by cheating, baiting and sneaking. Ishii is wiser to a lot of this, chasing Takahashi around the ring to reduce his time to set up his cheating spots. It doesn't quite thrill in the opening exchanges, instead bubbling the pot nicely.
The original encounter between the two didn't quite, even in the headline spot, get the time to breathe and progress. Here, with a bigger spotlight and more time to fill, every crevice of the story is fleshed out. Takahashi will try anything to win, twice going to the buckle with Ishii's crocked neck and shoulder. Once, a buckle bomb is brutal. The second, a German Suplex, makes everyone in the immediate vicinity wince.
Ishii hits a brainbuster to put away Yujiro and regain the NEVER title! #NJKoPW http://t.co/UPZkvBsoXv
— LARIATOOOOO!!! (@SenorLARIATO) October 13, 2014
Down the stretch, Ishii takes control, making a match that resembles a lot of the classic Ishii titanic struggles of late 2013 and all of 2014. Takahashi plays to his strengths, one of which being his freakish core strength, to toss the larger Ishii around. Ishii's main strength is belligerency. He just keeps going until someone is knocked the hell out. He may not show much of a brain, but in spotting Takahashi's desperation ref-push/low-blow gambit, he rocks Takahashi with a sick lariat and a Brainbuster to win and become the first ever two-time NEVER champion. JUSTIIIIIIIIIIIIIICE!
Ishii, famously a taciturn interview subject, turns in an all-time classic in the post-match.
It’s only natural that I won the title back. These 4 months has been a total waste of time, but it’s over now. That’s all I have to say about today’s match.
People are saying that you’ve breathed life into the NEVER title.
I don’t care what people say. And I don’t think that way either. My ideal is probably different from them. And I don’t know if they will ever mix.
Now that you have the title back, what kind of champion are you aspiring to become?
I don’t really want to talk about that. The image should just come naturally when it comes to champions. 'Enhancing the value of the title' or 'This is the kind of champion I’m going for' stuff are just not my thing. Just watch my match and feel it. If the match was fun, good. If you thought if was boring, you’re free to express it. It’s none of my business. I’m just going my way.
You've talked about fighting "against" the IWGP title in the past.
I still feel the same way. But I’m not going to have stupid matches like Yujiro.
In my room at home I am marking out furiously. ****1/2
Ishii d. Takahashi to become new NEVER Openweight Champion
Shinsuke Nakamura and YOSHI-HASHI (CHAOS) vs. Meiyu Tag (Katsuyori Shibata and Hirooki Goto)
A fun refresher ahead of the serious bouts behind it that serves to remind us of YOSHI-HASHI's elevation (he even has a new t-shirt!) and sew the seeds of Shibata vs. Nakamura. It's a really fun bout that the crowd seem really into, even popping nicely for YOSHI-HASHI when he lariats Goto to kingdom come.
The really good stuff is between Nakamura and Shibata; the latter of which is reported to have signed full-time for New Japan, giving the catch wrestling segments between the two an edge of playful celebration rather than serious contest. Indeed, though on losing side (Shibata PKs YOSHI for the fall), Nakamura takes the mic with a broad grin and names Shibata the official IC challenger.
When quizzed on the reasons behind his choice of challenger for the Intercontinental challenger, Nakamura stated:
Because he looks the most delicious in the scene right now, I guess? What’s he going to after that handshake with Tanahashi? What happened to his relationship with Sakuraba? And how's he doing with the other Hontai (NJPW babyfaces)? He looks to me like a very scandalous person. How is he going to start acting in the promotion? Like they say, you’ve got to strike the iron while it's hot. Shibata is the hottest wrestler right now. And my loss against him at the G1 Climax should be a good reason too.
Very fun match that ticks all the boxes. ***3/4
Meiyu Tag d. CHAOS
IWGP HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP #1 CONTENDERSHIP
Kazuchika Okada (CHAOS) vs. Tetsuya Naito
Before we start criticising his badly-dyed eyebrows, let's add another string to the bow of Kazuchika Okada: bravery.
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| Kazuchika Okada vs. Tetsuya Naito |
Early in the match, Naito cold-cocks Okada with a slap that sends Okada loopy. If it's a work, then well done: a ring doctor and the referee look on worriedly as Naito casts a rueful eye over the concerned crowd. If it's a shoot, then full commendation to Naito for babywalking Okada back into the match and well done to Okada for going 20 minutes after spending a good five of them with cartoon birds flying around his head.
The third match in the 2014 series between Okada and Naito is probably the best of them all. The first, in the semi-main of the Dome Show, perhaps overreached in its ambition. The second, during the G1 Climax, perhaps didn't quite get the time needed for such grand storytellers to really shine. This match, like Goldilocks, found that the third time is always the charm.
With a powerful crowd at their backs, the two wrestle up a storm, with the only real criticism that I'll accept is that nobody can really imagine a Naito win here. And so it proves. Between the inevitable decision and the improvised beginning, we see an aggressive Naito desperate to force his way back into the main event picture. We see a defensive Okada, pulling his moves out of desperate situations rather than from the front foot.
The final stretch leading to the Rainmaker is a typically daringly-executed sequence by the pair, capping a royal struggle worthy of the event. Naito is seated atop Okada's shoulders and rolls forward into the ropes for the break, his legs still around Okada's head. Quickly transitioning, Okada deadlifts Naito all the way over for a beautiful German suplex. The crowd gasps and awaits the inevitable.
Wonderful match. ****1/2
The third match in the 2014 series between Okada and Naito is probably the best of them all. The first, in the semi-main of the Dome Show, perhaps overreached in its ambition. The second, during the G1 Climax, perhaps didn't quite get the time needed for such grand storytellers to really shine. This match, like Goldilocks, found that the third time is always the charm.
With a powerful crowd at their backs, the two wrestle up a storm, with the only real criticism that I'll accept is that nobody can really imagine a Naito win here. And so it proves. Between the inevitable decision and the improvised beginning, we see an aggressive Naito desperate to force his way back into the main event picture. We see a defensive Okada, pulling his moves out of desperate situations rather than from the front foot.
The final stretch leading to the Rainmaker is a typically daringly-executed sequence by the pair, capping a royal struggle worthy of the event. Naito is seated atop Okada's shoulders and rolls forward into the ropes for the break, his legs still around Okada's head. Quickly transitioning, Okada deadlifts Naito all the way over for a beautiful German suplex. The crowd gasps and awaits the inevitable.
Amazing match. Easily the best match in this series. Naito/Okada is THE rivalry in wrestling right now.
— Skeleton Bonski (@Original_Bonski) October 13, 2014
Wonderful match. ****1/2
Okada d. Naito
IWGP HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
AJ Styles (Bullet Club) (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi
Jeff Jarrett lurks in the shadows carrying his fake guitar with Bullet Club sprayed on the reverse, ready to pounce and return his man and star investment (being the man behind the presentation of the upcoming Dome Show on US PPV) to the main event. A foregone conclusion in every sense, with Tanahashi already gaining victory at the Seibu Dome, this is a match which threatens to derail a rampantly successful night.
The match starts slowly, the two guys now familiar with one another after a strong series of performances down the years. Gradually the two pick up the pace; teasing moves, teasing interference, calling back to old battles, springing surprises from old spots and making new twists on the every day. In every sense it is expert level stuff, aside from enmity, which is set firmly at 'respectful'.
Cool stuff in the match includes a twist on the AJ railings gambit, where Tanahashi catches AJ mid-leap and reverses him for a Nagata-esque throw. Styles hits his excellent Buckle Suplex. I really like Buckle moves but I guess you run the risk of Yujiro-ing them or overusing them like Ring of Honor and their apron spots.
Tanahashi has the match won with High Fly Flow when Jarrett scoops the referee to deafening screaming hate from the internet and general disapproval from the house. Styles hits the Pele Kick and Prince Devitt's Bloody Sunday and Jarrett crawls into the ring with his guitar, ready to deliver the motherlode of disappointing endings.
However! SHOCK! BAH GAWD BAH GAWD! IT'S YOSHI TATSU OF WWE FAME! Tatsu throws Jarrett out and the match returns to a 1-on-1 affair for the final five minutes. It's tense stuff, with Styles attempting the top rope Styles Clash, but Tanahashi fights out with a Flair-esque body drop before hitting the High Fly Flow twice, once to a standing Styles and once to a prone Styles, to win the match and become 7-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion!
Jarrett and his guitar was a total maguffin, just like the runners-up match between the pair was too. Expertly done, maybe a touch overlong. ****1/4
Tanahashi d. Styles to become new IWGP Heavyweight Champion.
It doesn't end there though. Kazuchika Okada and his hype man, Gedo, come out to blow air into the confirmed main event of Wrestle Kingdom 9: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada.
In ring segment:
Jeff Jarrett lurks in the shadows carrying his fake guitar with Bullet Club sprayed on the reverse, ready to pounce and return his man and star investment (being the man behind the presentation of the upcoming Dome Show on US PPV) to the main event. A foregone conclusion in every sense, with Tanahashi already gaining victory at the Seibu Dome, this is a match which threatens to derail a rampantly successful night.
The match starts slowly, the two guys now familiar with one another after a strong series of performances down the years. Gradually the two pick up the pace; teasing moves, teasing interference, calling back to old battles, springing surprises from old spots and making new twists on the every day. In every sense it is expert level stuff, aside from enmity, which is set firmly at 'respectful'.
Cool stuff in the match includes a twist on the AJ railings gambit, where Tanahashi catches AJ mid-leap and reverses him for a Nagata-esque throw. Styles hits his excellent Buckle Suplex. I really like Buckle moves but I guess you run the risk of Yujiro-ing them or overusing them like Ring of Honor and their apron spots.
Tanahashi has the match won with High Fly Flow when Jarrett scoops the referee to deafening screaming hate from the internet and general disapproval from the house. Styles hits the Pele Kick and Prince Devitt's Bloody Sunday and Jarrett crawls into the ring with his guitar, ready to deliver the motherlode of disappointing endings.
However! SHOCK! BAH GAWD BAH GAWD! IT'S YOSHI TATSU OF WWE FAME! Tatsu throws Jarrett out and the match returns to a 1-on-1 affair for the final five minutes. It's tense stuff, with Styles attempting the top rope Styles Clash, but Tanahashi fights out with a Flair-esque body drop before hitting the High Fly Flow twice, once to a standing Styles and once to a prone Styles, to win the match and become 7-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion!
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| Yoshitatsu decks Jarrett |
Tanahashi d. Styles to become new IWGP Heavyweight Champion.
It doesn't end there though. Kazuchika Okada and his hype man, Gedo, come out to blow air into the confirmed main event of Wrestle Kingdom 9: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada.
In ring segment:
Gedo: Tanahashi! To be honest, I haven't expected you to win. And it's events like this that scares us. The title is attracted to you! The Tokyo Dome main event is attracted to you! But you know what!? That doesn't even matter before the Rainmaker! 2015/1/4, at the main event of Tokyo Dome, the Rainmaker will floor you! Isn't that right, Rainmaker?
Okada: Tanahashi-san! Thank you for you hard work. You call yourself the ‘Sun of NJPW’ if I recall correctly? However, I think a gloomy Sun like you wouldn’t be able to cast a light onto NJPW. I, the Golden Sun will shine not only on NJPW, but the whole Pro-wrestling industry. The gloomy sun is going down.
Tanahashi: Let me repeat myself, it wasn’t even a 'hard work' nor am I tired. You may be able to make money rain, but you won’t become the Sun. You know why that is? Because I'm still here!
Tanahashi then spoke to the media afterward.
How do you feel now that you have the IWGP title back?It's been a tough year for me. How could someone not challenge for the title for no reason? Yeah, I know I said it myself, but regardless.
Do you have any change in thoughts?Yes, some. I told Shibata 'welcome back' last month and today I told 'I’m back' to the IWGP title. And 'see you later' to the Tokyo Dome show.
How did you feel about the Sumo Hall crowd chanting 'welcome back'?Okada and AJ have had a year that I didn’t take part in at all, so I was a little anxious. But I'm relieved that the fans welcomed me.
What did you think about what Okada has said to you?I told him that I’m not tired. And that’s why I came back. And it's none other than Okada himself that caused me to stay away from the title. I'll finally get my revenge.Okada has called you a 'gloomy sun'.I can't flat out deny that. There are some gray parts about me and I do have a history. But see? The Sun does have dark spots. A lot of them. And sometimes, a gloomy sun could shine more. And as I've said on the ring, Okada will not be the Sun of NJPW because I'm still here. Why would you need two Suns?
A lot has happened in today's match. Right. I’m glad I had totally concentrated on AJ today. I think he is truly the best in the world. But I want to be the best too. I wanted to surpass him in mat work and everything.
Yoshi Tatsu also passed comment in the media area.And there was actually someone on your side that helped you. Did you not see him because you were only watching AJ?No. Is it that kid from Gifu prefecture? Maybe? It was either the world famous kid or the kid from Gifu, right? I guess he'll be making some move then. I don't know anything about it.
Why did you interfere in the match today?It wasn't planned or anything.
Is there any intention in helping Tanahashi?I didn't come out to help Tanahashi. I just happened to be at the venue and went out onto the ring before I even knew it.
Were you stimulated by the action on the NJPW ring?Of course, there's that. And the NJPW ring is my home after all. I just couldn't stand the Bullet Club doing whatever they want and laying down the law. I didn't mean to help Tanahashi at all. I could take on all members of Bullet Club myself if I want. I’m used to beating up Gaijins. Hell, I could take on AJ Styles for a start.
What would your ring name be?Yoshitatsu is fine. I took it after my father. Just in one word. Yoshitatsu.
Phew. Excellent event. Maybe the best one of 2014. Tanahashi wins, no LOL. Thanks to Yottsume for the translations.
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