19) Review

If Suzuki ever asks you to hit him, maybe don’t hit him. Credit: NJPW

Having put on two successful shows with RevPro’s assistance last year, New Japan came back to the UK to do it all by themselves. Royal Quest came from the Copper Box in London, and it’s worth pointing out that I was there live. That means this review is conducted purely by the memory of what I could see from my floor seats after the visual aid of many a pint of beer and while being overwhelmed with the excitement of my first New Japan show proper. That means that it will all be getting the famous live bump, making matches that might have appeared merely fine at home, a lot more exciting to witness in person. Understood? Great, on with the show.

Continue reading →

03/09/2019 0

Meltzer’s Classics: Shinsuke Nakamura vs Kota Ibushi (4/1/15)

Image result for ibushi nakamura — That’s got to hurt. Credit: NJPW

Towards the end of 2014, Kota Ibushi announced that he was moving to New Japan’s Heavyweight Division. Kota was no stranger to Heavyweight competition, he’d competed in the 2013 G1, but he’d done so while still officially a Junior (much like Will Ospreay and Shingo Takagi did this year). Now, he was only wrestling the big boys, and for his first challenge? He went after Shinsuke Nakamura’s Intercontinental Title.

Continue reading →

28/08/2019 0

Ramblings About’s Top Ten Matches Of July 2019

Wow, July is a busy month for wrestling, isn’t it? So is August when we get down to it, which is why this is late. Then again, it’s late every month, so at some point, it has probably stopped being late and turns up exactly when it’s expected. Anyway, this is quite G1 heavy because, well, it’s the motherfucking G1, but more than one match has rightly made its way in from elsewhere, so it’s not the New Japan wankfest you might expect.

Continue reading →

16/08/2019 0

NJPW G1 Climax 29 Final (12/8/19) Review

Probably not a good sign for Jay. Credit: NJPW

Here we are then, the final of the 29th G1 Climax. It might not have been the match I wanted, but it’s the one we’ve got, and it’s time to find out who is heading to the Dome. Ibushi or White? The Golden Star or the Master Manipulator? The guy who thinks books can’t be trusted or The Knife Pervert? Time to find out.

Continue reading →

13/08/2019 0

NJPW G1 Climax 29 (10/8/19) Review

It all comes down to these two. Credit: NJPW

Our final night in the A Block is one of those weird G1 shows with five singles matches, only one of which means anything. This has all come down to the main event of Ibushi vs Okada, and it’s a pretty simple scenario too. If Ibushi wins, he goes through while any other result sends Okada to the final.

My must-see spoiler-free recommendations are Zack Sabre Jr vs KENTA, Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Will Ospreay and Kota Ibushi vs Kazuchika Okada.

Continue reading →

11/08/2019 0

NJPW G1 Climax 29 (7/8/19) Review

We’re onto the penultimate block shows and you can smell the end of the G1. A Block is the simpler of the two, as the only people left alive are Okada, Ibushi, KENTA and EVIL. Of them, Okada’s route to the final is the easiest. If he keeps winning, he’s there. Ibushi has to match Okada’s result on this show before beating him in Budokan. KENTA requires Okada to lose both his matches while Ibushi loses to ZSJ and, finally, EVIL needs to win out while Okada loses out and KENTA loses to Ospreay. I think that’s all right, but I’m sure I’ve missed something. Either way, we all know it is coming down to Ibushi vs Okada on the final night, so quite frankly, that was a bit of a waste of time.

My spoiler-free must-see recommendations KENTA vs Will Ospreay, Kota Ibushi vs Zack Sabre Jr and Kazuchika Okada vs EVIL.

Continue reading →

08/08/2019 0

NJPW G1 Climax 29 (3/8/19) Review

The G1’s final big stop before Budokan saw them stroll into Osaka for a couple of nights. These two shows will give us a huge indication of exactly where Gedo is going with this unpredictable tournament, and we start with SANADA getting a chance to pick up his first win over Kazuchika Okada.

My spoiler-free must-see recommendations are EVIL vs Will Ospreay, Kota Ibushi vs Hiroshi Tanahashi and SANADA vs Kazuchika Okada.

Continue reading →

04/08/2019 0

NJPW G1 Climax 29 (30/7/19) Review

In a surprising twist, I caught a bit of the undercard on this show. Amazingly, it got me quite excited for Moxley vs Yano. It was easy to forget when he was filtered through the lens of Vince McMahon, but Mox is a funny guy, and there is every chance he and The Master Thief will create some magic. Anyway, that’s tomorrow’s show. Today we’re in the A Block and have plenty of fun to look forward to.

My spoiler-free must-see recommendations are Will Ospreay vs Zack Sabre Jr, Kazuchika Okada vs Lance Archer, SANADA vs KENTA and Hiroshi Tanahashi vs EVIL.

Continue reading →

31/07/2019 0

NJPW G1 Climax 29 (27/7/19) Review

Let’s throw it out there, this G1 schedule is a bit too relaxed for my taste. I’m usually drowning in wrestling by this point, desperately trying to keep afloat. This year? It’s all been quite relaxing, as I’m even managing to keep on top of my Stardom reviews. Give me more!

My spoiler-free must-see recommendations are Kazuchika Okada vs KENTA.

Continue reading →

28/07/2019 0

NJPW G1 Climax 29 (20/7/19) Review

New Japan is still taking its time with the photos, so have another match graphic. Credit: NJPW

It’s the G1’s final night in Korakuen before they take a well earned break. I, for one, am looking forward to the time off. Mainly because I want to get some Stardom reviews up, but also because this wrestling is exhausting. It’s hard watching people be brilliant, so I hope all the talent appreciate the struggles I’ve been going through.

My spoiler-free must-see recommendations are KENTA vs EVIL, Kota Ibushi vs SANADA and Kazuchika Okada vs Will Ospreay.

Continue reading →

21/07/2019 0