New Japan has split the final four group matches of the Super Junior Tag League onto separate shows, but I’m going to review them in groups of two rather than doing a piece for each one. Both of today’s bouts have potential final implications, so they at least hold some interest.
It was nice of Despy to cover BUSHI’s face for him. Credit: NJPW
I’m not going to change my tournament long policy of ignoring the undercard, but it would be remiss to not mention what happened in the final multi-man match of this show. In what has become a common theme, The Firing Squad went after Okada post-match and Tanahashi made the save. This time, rather than rejecting the Ace’s help, Okada embraced in. In fact, Okada and Tanahashi shook hands while Korakuen Hall exploded. I watched that moment spoilt, yet it still gave me goosebumps. It’s so much more than a handshake, it’s the greatest feud in pro-wrestling coming full circle. Okada and Tanahashi gave the Juniors an impossible moment to follow just by clasping hands.
We now live in a world where Lanny Poffo is commentating on New Japan shows. That’s a world I distrust. I’ve got nothing against Lanny Poffo, it’s just fucking weird. Anyway, we’re back in Korakuen which means we’re getting four tournament matches and hopefully a smidge more effort.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For the third year running, wXw used day two of World Tag Team League to host their Femmes Fatales tournament. Much like Ambition’s role during 16 Carat, this is a chance for them to do something a little bit different and use the fact they have a load of talent in town to put together something cool. Fingers crossed it lives up to the billing.
Round two of the Mae Young Classic is coming to an end just a week after it started. Feels a bit quick, doesn’t it? Guess that’s what happens when you shove four matches into an hour. If WWE had spread this out a bit more, these women could have really shone. Anyway, I shouldn’t moan, I’ve enjoyed this tournament, and I’m already late with this review.
World Tag Team League got started with one of the better cards wXw have put together this year. Not only did they serve up the tournament matches, but they backed them up with Toni Storm vs Meiko Satomura, a 4-way dance to determine the number one contender for the Shotgun Title and the latest battle between David Starr and Jurn Simmons as they both put their hair on the line. There’s a lot of fun to be had there.