NJPW Super Junior Tag League (20/10/18) Review

I love SHO’s Germans. Credit: NJPW

Night four of Super Junior Tag League was another pre-tape filmed on a single hard cam with a roaming camera on the floor to catch entrances/dives, so perhaps don’t expect the spectacular. In saying that, these two matches are a bit more attractive than the previous day’s, so you’d be forgiven for expecting something good.

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NJPW Super Junior Tag League (19/10/18) Review

I don’t think that was the plan. Credit: NJPW

While New Japan has used this year to place more emphasis on tournaments like Best Of The Super Juniors, the New Japan Cup and now the Super Junior Tag League, it’s still safe to say they don’t hold half of the esteem the G1 does. That’s why we get shows like this one in which the two matches taped aren’t aired live and are recorded with the most basic of production values. It’s safe to say you’re not going to get five-star classics on these shows, although that doesn’t stop them having the potential to be fun.

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NJPW Super Junior Tag League 2018 (17/10/18) Review

Poor YOH. Credit: NJPW

The first night of the Super Junior Tag League gave me comfort ahead of the many reviews I will be writing in the next month as it proved to be a lot of fun. It’s now time to see whether night two can continue the theme. Just a reminder, I’m not bothering with the undercard, but it’s worth noting that Tanahashi saved Okada from a Jay White attack. New Japan is teasing fans with the idea of their two generational Aces putting aside their differences and joining together to take on The Firing Squad.

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NJPW Super Junior Tag League 2018 (16/10/18) Review

Shingo does not fear your puny chops. Credit: NJPW

It’s time for another New Japan tournament which means it’s time to write a shitload of reviews. Much like my G1 coverage, I’m only going to be doing tournament matches. Partly because there’s a lot of shows where that’s all their taping and partly because life is too short. Time to dig into that Junior action.

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King Of Pro Wrestling 2018 Review

Kota is pissed. Credit: NJPW

There are rumblings of discontent in the New Japan stratosphere. Triple Threats, Gaijin champions and a worry that creative is struggling to get the most out of certain stars (*cough* LIJ *cough*). However, if there’s one thing NJPW does well, it is big events, and King Of Pro Wrestling is one of their biggest. Could this be the moment they get everyone back onside? Let’s find out.

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NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed (30/9/18) Review

 

Two of my favourite boys. Credit: NJPW

 

It might surprise you to know that New Japan ran a show in America recently. Has anyone made that joke yet? Yes, it’s true, New Japan’s latest trip to the US didn’t quite have the hype their previous journeys did. I’m not necessarily sure that’s a disaster, though. The more they come, the less exciting it will be, that’s only natural. They did recently sell out Maddison Square Gardens (let’s not pretend ROH had anything to do with that), so it can’t be going that badly. Anyway, I’m not actually that bothered by how big New Japan’s crowds are. I’m more interested in good wrestling. Time to find out if they delivered.

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NJPW Destruction in Kobe (23/9/18) Review

The timing on this was sublime. Credit: NJPW

After an underwhelming Destruction tour (the G1 hangover is significant in New Japan), NJPW returns to the feud that built the modern day direction of the company. Okada vs Tanahashi. It doesn’t matter how many times these two do it, it never fails to get the blood pumping. Will Tana keep his spot in the Tokyo Dome? Or will Okada finally extinguish those post-title blues and get back to where he belongs? Time to find out!

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NJPW Destruction in Hiroshima (15/9/18) Review

Defiance! Credit: NJPW

Destruction in Hiroshima, an event name that will always make me cringe. I assume NJPW know what they’re doing with it, but from the outside looking in? Yea, I might change that one. Anyway, that’s not the important part. The important part is that it’s headlined by Kenny Omega vs Tomohiro Ishii. That is never going to be a bad thing. Go murder him, Wide Tom!

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