Okay, I missed last week with the server switch, and yet, it seems there is really nothing, in the past two weeks for me to write about. NJPW is just now starting the NJ Cup with no real news out of it yet. NOAH’s next tour doesn’t start for a few weeks so even a preview would be premature. Dragon Gate’s next PPV isn’t till late next week, so I’ll preview next week. AJPW’s Champions Carnival isn’t for a little while. So, I’ll take the opportunity this week to take about a number of matches you should all check out from NOAH, Dragon Gate, and NJPW, including some with ROH talent. For links, email me at jmull911@yahoo.com, or check ivpvideos.com, the number one source for Japan DVDs.
Pro-Wrestling NOAH
Kenta Kobashi, Tamon Honda, and Shuhei Taniguchi vs. Takeshi Morishima Naomichi Marufuji, and Takashi Suguira – 2/23: This is a great NOAH six man, the best in a while. First off, the crowd is absolutely insane for Kobashi, which makes the match right off the bat. Then, during the course of the match, Kobashi gets to work 1 on 1 with all three youngsters, and we quickly establish Kobashi vs. Morishima as one of the greatest things since sliced bread. Seriously, that singles match is going to be AWESOME. The main thread of the match past that, however, is Taniguchi, in the middle of his trial series, hanging with all these guys above him. In the end, it comes down to Marufuji trying to put him down, and let’s just say he has to resort to some pretty extreme measures. Awesome match, be sure to check this out.
Chris Hero and Claudio Castagnoli vs. Akira Taue and Junji Izumida – 3/2: Seriously, the most fun match you will see all year. I won’t get into this very much, but it is nonstop hilarious with some great wrestling in there, and Japan LOVES the Kings. Bring them back every single tour, cause it looked like Hero became a star as this tour went on.
Naomichi Marufuji and Takashi Suguira vs. Jay Briscoe and Mark Briscoe – GHC Tag Team Championship, 3/2: I actually liked this most, and I normally don’t like the Briscoes that much. In all honesty, it’s a normal Briscoes 30-minute match, so if that appeals to you check it out. Past that though, what sets it apart is some great selling by Mark off a Suguira ankle lock, and an absolutely breathtaking finish. Briscoes, bring us more of this! Great match.
Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Takeshi Morishima – GHC Heavyweight Championship, 3/2: This was exactly the match I was hoping for, and for those familiar with Morishima’s ROH Title run, it was very much like one of those defenses. They established hate early with brawling, then Morishima took control with his size and holds, then a very exciting finishing sequence. In the end, Misawa gave him a rare great match and put him over like a star, so you can’t ask for much more. The crowd was quite receptive and hot too, so all looked good here. Be sure to see this.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
Minoru and Prince Devitt vs. Jushin Liger and AKIRA – IWGP Junior Tag Team Championship, 2/17: Another great match from NJ’s junior tag division, and hopefully this holds throughout the year. Devitt, in particular, looked awesome here, so hopefully he continues to RISE (get it? Heh heh) throughout the card. In the end, Liger had to put him away, and while Devitt was very close to victory, a brutal finisher won the titles for Legend.
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. AJ Styles – 2/17: This was exactly the match you would expect, and thus, was great stuff. AJ was a dick and a half, and used it to take control, but in the end had to resort to his amazing offense, which popped the crowd. Really exciting finishing stretch, with Tanahashi coming out on top. Doesn’t have the psychology or story of, say, the Tana vs. Nagata series, but its really fun really cool pro wrestling, so check it out.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kurt Angle – IWGP Unification Match, 2/17: I hate Angle in TNA. Angle vs. Nagata? Did nothing for me. Guess what? Loved this! I mean, it was nothing spectacular, but the finish was really exciting and better planned out than 1/4 in my opinion, and the crowd was ridiculously hot for it. Check this out, see Angle as a slightly bigger shell of his former self than normal!
Dragon Gate
Naruki Doi and Masato Yoshino vs. Shingo Takagi and BxB Hulk – GHC Jr. Tag Team Championship, 1/15: What do I really need to tell you about this? Its DG tag wrestling at its finest, with tons of kickouts, a super hot crowd, cool moves, and some fun characters. It that sounds good to you, you’ll love it. If it doesn’t, well, you won’t. My current MOTY, for what it’s worth.
Masaaki Mochizuki, Don Fujii, and K-ness vs. Ikuto Hidaka, Dick Togo, and Munenori Sawa – Open the Triangle Gate, 1/15: Random other indies invade DG! DICK TOGO! Hate a-plenty! They start with some brawling, then eventually go into a DG style finish, and it’s really really cool considering the guys involved. This has really gotten slept on, so check it out!
That’ll do it for this week, as I didn’t really know I’d have to do this and didn’t watch THAT much. Back next week with a DG PPV preview and NJCup news, and hopefully some stuff on NOAH’s next tour, including the Global Tag League and Mr. Bryan Danielson. Thanks for readin’!
