18) Review

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.

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30/10/2018 0

NJPW Super Junior Tag League (26/10/18) Review

Taguchi has his fighting face on. Credit: NJPW

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.

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29/10/2018 0

NJPW Super Junior Tag League (23/10/18) Review

New Japan’s Super Junior Tag League has sadly been a bit flat so far. There’s not much about it that I’d describe as bad, and yet, it’s hardly got the blood pumping. It’s been fine with a couple of spots where it’s leapt above that level to good and just the one (back on the first night) where it managed to hit great. Sadly, I doubt this single-camera show will be the moment that changes, but you never know.

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26/10/2018 0

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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23/10/2018 0

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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19/10/2018 0

King Of Pro Wrestling 2018 Review

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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09/10/2018 0

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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24/09/2018 1

NJPW Destruction in Beppu (17/9/18) Review

Destruction rolls into Beppu with, at least on paper, the weakest main event of the tour. The last time Suzuki and Naito faced off, it wasn’t great, but two guys that talented can’t muck it up again, can they?

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18/09/2018 0

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

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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17/09/2018 0

NJPW Strong Style Evolved UK Night Two (1/7/18) Review

It wasn’t a bad main event. Credit: RevPro

Night Two of Strong Style Evolved UK was when I rocked into town. So, expect this review to be a bit different. I’ll be talking more about the experience of being there rather than the intricacies of what was happening in the ring because quite frankly I wasn’t taking notes. It was one hell of a show, and I apologise in advance if I get over excited.

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06/07/2018 0