While A Block’s future is simple, B’s is all over the place. Half the wrestlers involved can still win this thing, and nearly every match on this show has consequences. Will that still be the case come the end? No, the answer is no, it will not.
Dragon Lee flying through the air pictures are the best kind of pictures. Credit: NJPW
After a short break, Super Juniors returns and is into the home stretch. We’re back down to five tournament matches a night (although A Block will actually be four as Taka has pulled out with injury) which will make these reviews a hell of a lot shorter. I enjoyed those epic runs in Korakuen, but it’s nice not to have to dedicate most of my day to watching New Japan.
Before we get into my review of Stardom’s latest trip to Korakuen, I want to talk about My Hobby, a series on Stardom World detailing wrestler’s, well, hobbies. So far, it has followed Mayu Iwatani and Saki Kashima hanging out with Mayu’s dog Pochi at a doggy day care, and it is the greatest thing that has ever existed. I was having a miserable day when I watched it, and it put an almost painful smile on my face. More videos of wrestlers having a good time with their pets, please. In fact, if Stardom wishes to ditch the wrestling business and transition into the wrestlers hanging out with pets business, I would probably be okay with it. Pochi is my Ace.
Anyway, let’s get onto what we are actually here to talk about.
Ishimori looks like he’s enjoying himself. Credit: NJPW
After an electric run of shows at Korakuen Hall, it’s almost a shame that New Japan had to move on. However, it’s only fair that the rest of the country gets to appreciate some fantastic wrestling and they rocked up in Chiba for what was supposed to be a ten-match show, but thanks to an injury to Taka, was reduced to nine as Dragon Lee got an automatic victory. Now, onto the action.
So far Korakuen and New Japan have combined to give us two fantastic wrestling shows. It’s been well-booked and packed with exciting matches that have been an absolute breeze to watch even with ten of them on each card. If they can keep that up for the final day, then this run will go down as one of the best.
Our second ten match show has a lot to live up to as the first night delivered a fast and breezy watch. If night two could do the same, that would be much appreciated, Gedo-san.
Our final Golden Week show saw our future overlords, Tokyo Cyber Squad take the book and give themselves the chance to win some cash in the main event. Who needs titles when you can top up the Korean BBQ fund?
May 5th was Oedo Tai’s chance to take up the book as Stardom’s Golden Week fun continued. I don’t have anything else to say. Why don’t we get on with it? Yes, lets.
After this show, Super Juniors is set to take a two-day break before doing three straight at Korakuen with ten matches on each. If you’ve been enjoying the fast and breezy watches, then appreciate this one because we’re about to get hardcore. Also, DDT has run a parody of New Japan’s Time’s Up video which revealed that Chris Brookes is doing a tour with them. I want to point out that I said from day one that it made no sense for him to join New Japan, so I’m giving myself two points.
We’re only five days in, but Super Juniors has been a delight so far. The shows are zipping by and even the one that I’d consider a dud (night three) was only worthy of the title in comparison to everything else. It’s shaping up to be a great tournament, and it’s up to A Block to continue that momentum. On with the review!