NJPW New Beginning In Osaka 2015
Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Japan
Sho Tanaka vs. Yohei Komatsu - 5/10
Hard hitting and fast paced opener, these young lions have fire, it almost feels like watching rookie Takahashi and Taguchi go at it. Tanaka takes the win, but Yohei had a good showing. The match was short, but expected for the young lion opener. I hope these guys go on a long rivalry this year until they become a legit tag team and take on the Junior's division.
Tiger Mask IV & Mascara Dorada vs. Manabu Nakanishi & Captain New Japan - 5/10
Mascara Dorada, as soon as he reached the ring, decided to walk the ropes from post to post. Yes, you read that right. As a quick first impression, Nakanishi is a monster and among all four men, Dorada is quite over with the crowd. Match wasn't anything special at all, it got Nakanishi and Dorada to display their stuff.
Bruce Tharpe Promo - All I get from these is that he knows a little Japanese.
Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Rob Conway & Chase Owen - 6.5/10
At first I thought Conway was a Drew Gulak, awesome jacket an all. Conway looks amazing and Tenzan and Liger are super over with the crowd tonight. A good back and forward match for all guys, Chase takes the win over Liger with a package piledriver, so that feud continues. Special kuddos to Tharpe for being a great heel manager.
Kota Ibushi vs. Tomoaki Honma - 7.5/10
A far better match that i was expecting. Pretty much the same story of Honma trying to connect the headbutt, and never doing it, but when he finally got it in, he became as over as Hulkamania itself. I'd say this was an awesome match for Honma, but just good for Ibushi, considering what we usually get from him, having said that, Ibushi was spot on all match. After the match Ibushi slaps Honma, Honma slaps back.
IWGP Jr. Tag Team Championship Match
reDragon (C) vs. Time Splitters vs. The Young Bucks - 8/10
Look, i love all these guys and the ALWAYS deliver, but between ROH and NJPW, it's getting kinda repetitive to see these guys face each other, New Japan needs to start talking to some other teams out there. Still, this match was really good, each guy had a good showing alone and with their team moves. I was expecting the finish. reDragon look really pissed off about it.
IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship Match
Kenny Omega (C) w/The Young Bucks vs. Ryusuke Taguchi - 8.5/10
Taguchi got a hair cut, cool looking hoodie and t-shirt, unfortunately, he kept his ugly green tights. I never thought i'd write this, but Kenny was working Taguchi's butthole, while Taguchi mostly worked Omega's head. Shenanigans aside, this match was actually somewhat technical and well balanced between both guys. Omega was Amazing with capital A all match. Taguchi didn't really get that many good near falls, but he did pull off some great counters during the match. Great finish.
Aftermath - Bucks and Omega attack Taguchi after the match with a three-man indy-taker on a chair, Dorada and Shelley came out to help, Dorada challenged Omega for the title!
Kazuchika Okada, Toru Yano & Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Bad Luck Fale, Yujiro Takahashi & Tama Tonga (Bullet Club) - 7/10
I seriously believe they're doing these Yano/Okada team matches to make sure I don't take a piss break during Yano matches. Even without the theatrics, Okada's entrance gives me chills. For a second there, i thought Yano was gonna mock Okada's pose and figured Okada was gonna decapitate him with his huge ass sword and Raptor. BC's entrance as a team is also something to behold, especially now with 6' 8" tall Cody Hall leading the way. Again, not used to writing this, Okada was the babyface in peril and gave the hot tag to Toru Yano, well, as hot as Yano can be anyways. Match was good, but Okada pretty much carried his team all match, BC where pretty good, Tama Tonga actually got some good offense in. Okada takes 5 of those 7 pts.
Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima & Tetsuya Naito vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI - 7/10
This match, as was for Okada/BLF, a means to work on the Nakamura/Nagata feud, and a easy way to get a bunch of fan favorites on the show. This being Osaka, Naito is getting booed over YOSHI-HASHI. Kojima and Ishii did the usual Ishii forearm faceoff, but he didn't seem as dumb as usual for getting his ass kicked. I was initially against it, but now the idea of old timers feuding with the Chaos' heels looks promising. Match was good, but I felt this and the previous one were a bit misplaced in the card.
IWGP Tag Team Championship Match
Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata (C) vs. Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows - 8.5/10
I may have not been paying attention, but I think Gallows just took his face paint gig a bit further covering his whole head. BC pretty much dominated all match with Shibata being the one that got most offense in, Goto was pretty much down most of the match being babyface in peril on two separate occasions. I wasn't really expecting the finish (awesome btw). I'm interested to see where all of this will go now. Having said that, I'm actually glad that we're getting something different than just another year long reign.
IWGP Heavyweight Championship Match
Hiroshi Tanahashi (C) w/Capt. New Japan vs. AJ Styles w/Bullet Club - 9/10
Just to stack up odds against Tanahashi, the whole Bullet Club is outside the ring with AJ tonight. Tanahashi got busted open landing a plancha to the outside where he bumped heads with Matt Jackson, who I think was both busted opened and knocked out; AJ targeted the cut for the rest of the match. We saw Tanahashi low blow Styles at one point, I liked it, but I believe lots of people won't like that he cheated behind the ref's eyes. I also just saw the most awesome Enzugiri-to-Dragon-Screw counter I've ever seen. Awesome back and forward match, there wasn't a point in the match when you could anticipate the winner, the cut definitely made things interested since it was legit and I wasn't sure how loopy Tanahashi could be. Styles wins clean with a Hollow Point/Brainbuster/Styles Clash sequence. At this point i'm having mixed feelings on both a short reign for Tanahashi and putting the title back on AJ so fast, hopefully AJ keeps it longer this time.
Bullet Club Promo: Pretty good, Anderson does a quick run presenting each member of the club, and made them all, from Young Boy Cody Hall to World Champion AJ Styles look like a million bucks. This is truly the strongest wrestling faction in a long time. It's REAL! and Too Sweeet!
Press Conference Promo: They're just celebrating. AJ says no one can stop them and they're on charge now. Takahashi trying to translate is the greatest thing on god's green earth, Omega is actually doing a far better job. AJ also just cut a Nature Boy version promo. Bullet Club actually just brought up a really good point that this team actually goes around the world and so they're true world champions.
OVERALL THOUGHTS: Huge night for Bullet Club, they just took all titles that were on the line, aside from Nakamura and Ishii, the control the title scene, and in the first show of the New Beginning series. This was a pretty good show that build up quickly. Main events definitely delivered, but i did feel the multi-man matches at the end were a bit misplaced. Worth the watch, all 5 hrs of it.
Sho Tanaka vs. Yohei Komatsu - 5/10
Hard hitting and fast paced opener, these young lions have fire, it almost feels like watching rookie Takahashi and Taguchi go at it. Tanaka takes the win, but Yohei had a good showing. The match was short, but expected for the young lion opener. I hope these guys go on a long rivalry this year until they become a legit tag team and take on the Junior's division.
Tiger Mask IV & Mascara Dorada vs. Manabu Nakanishi & Captain New Japan - 5/10
Mascara Dorada, as soon as he reached the ring, decided to walk the ropes from post to post. Yes, you read that right. As a quick first impression, Nakanishi is a monster and among all four men, Dorada is quite over with the crowd. Match wasn't anything special at all, it got Nakanishi and Dorada to display their stuff.
Bruce Tharpe Promo - All I get from these is that he knows a little Japanese.
Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Rob Conway & Chase Owen - 6.5/10
At first I thought Conway was a Drew Gulak, awesome jacket an all. Conway looks amazing and Tenzan and Liger are super over with the crowd tonight. A good back and forward match for all guys, Chase takes the win over Liger with a package piledriver, so that feud continues. Special kuddos to Tharpe for being a great heel manager.
Kota Ibushi vs. Tomoaki Honma - 7.5/10
A far better match that i was expecting. Pretty much the same story of Honma trying to connect the headbutt, and never doing it, but when he finally got it in, he became as over as Hulkamania itself. I'd say this was an awesome match for Honma, but just good for Ibushi, considering what we usually get from him, having said that, Ibushi was spot on all match. After the match Ibushi slaps Honma, Honma slaps back.
IWGP Jr. Tag Team Championship Match
reDragon (C) vs. Time Splitters vs. The Young Bucks - 8/10
Look, i love all these guys and the ALWAYS deliver, but between ROH and NJPW, it's getting kinda repetitive to see these guys face each other, New Japan needs to start talking to some other teams out there. Still, this match was really good, each guy had a good showing alone and with their team moves. I was expecting the finish. reDragon look really pissed off about it.
IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship Match
Kenny Omega (C) w/The Young Bucks vs. Ryusuke Taguchi - 8.5/10
Taguchi got a hair cut, cool looking hoodie and t-shirt, unfortunately, he kept his ugly green tights. I never thought i'd write this, but Kenny was working Taguchi's butthole, while Taguchi mostly worked Omega's head. Shenanigans aside, this match was actually somewhat technical and well balanced between both guys. Omega was Amazing with capital A all match. Taguchi didn't really get that many good near falls, but he did pull off some great counters during the match. Great finish.
Aftermath - Bucks and Omega attack Taguchi after the match with a three-man indy-taker on a chair, Dorada and Shelley came out to help, Dorada challenged Omega for the title!
Kazuchika Okada, Toru Yano & Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Bad Luck Fale, Yujiro Takahashi & Tama Tonga (Bullet Club) - 7/10
I seriously believe they're doing these Yano/Okada team matches to make sure I don't take a piss break during Yano matches. Even without the theatrics, Okada's entrance gives me chills. For a second there, i thought Yano was gonna mock Okada's pose and figured Okada was gonna decapitate him with his huge ass sword and Raptor. BC's entrance as a team is also something to behold, especially now with 6' 8" tall Cody Hall leading the way. Again, not used to writing this, Okada was the babyface in peril and gave the hot tag to Toru Yano, well, as hot as Yano can be anyways. Match was good, but Okada pretty much carried his team all match, BC where pretty good, Tama Tonga actually got some good offense in. Okada takes 5 of those 7 pts.
Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima & Tetsuya Naito vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI - 7/10
This match, as was for Okada/BLF, a means to work on the Nakamura/Nagata feud, and a easy way to get a bunch of fan favorites on the show. This being Osaka, Naito is getting booed over YOSHI-HASHI. Kojima and Ishii did the usual Ishii forearm faceoff, but he didn't seem as dumb as usual for getting his ass kicked. I was initially against it, but now the idea of old timers feuding with the Chaos' heels looks promising. Match was good, but I felt this and the previous one were a bit misplaced in the card.
IWGP Tag Team Championship Match
Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata (C) vs. Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows - 8.5/10
I may have not been paying attention, but I think Gallows just took his face paint gig a bit further covering his whole head. BC pretty much dominated all match with Shibata being the one that got most offense in, Goto was pretty much down most of the match being babyface in peril on two separate occasions. I wasn't really expecting the finish (awesome btw). I'm interested to see where all of this will go now. Having said that, I'm actually glad that we're getting something different than just another year long reign.
IWGP Heavyweight Championship Match
Hiroshi Tanahashi (C) w/Capt. New Japan vs. AJ Styles w/Bullet Club - 9/10
Just to stack up odds against Tanahashi, the whole Bullet Club is outside the ring with AJ tonight. Tanahashi got busted open landing a plancha to the outside where he bumped heads with Matt Jackson, who I think was both busted opened and knocked out; AJ targeted the cut for the rest of the match. We saw Tanahashi low blow Styles at one point, I liked it, but I believe lots of people won't like that he cheated behind the ref's eyes. I also just saw the most awesome Enzugiri-to-Dragon-Screw counter I've ever seen. Awesome back and forward match, there wasn't a point in the match when you could anticipate the winner, the cut definitely made things interested since it was legit and I wasn't sure how loopy Tanahashi could be. Styles wins clean with a Hollow Point/Brainbuster/Styles Clash sequence. At this point i'm having mixed feelings on both a short reign for Tanahashi and putting the title back on AJ so fast, hopefully AJ keeps it longer this time.
Bullet Club Promo: Pretty good, Anderson does a quick run presenting each member of the club, and made them all, from Young Boy Cody Hall to World Champion AJ Styles look like a million bucks. This is truly the strongest wrestling faction in a long time. It's REAL! and Too Sweeet!
Press Conference Promo: They're just celebrating. AJ says no one can stop them and they're on charge now. Takahashi trying to translate is the greatest thing on god's green earth, Omega is actually doing a far better job. AJ also just cut a Nature Boy version promo. Bullet Club actually just brought up a really good point that this team actually goes around the world and so they're true world champions.
OVERALL THOUGHTS: Huge night for Bullet Club, they just took all titles that were on the line, aside from Nakamura and Ishii, the control the title scene, and in the first show of the New Beginning series. This was a pretty good show that build up quickly. Main events definitely delivered, but i did feel the multi-man matches at the end were a bit misplaced. Worth the watch, all 5 hrs of it.