By Jason Powell, Prowrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
New Japan Pro Wrestling Strong Style Evolved
March 25 in Long Beach, California at Walter Pyramid
Broadcast live on AXS (available later on New Japan World)
Jim Ross and Josh Barnett checked in on commentary as shots aired from outside the venue. The camera cut to ringside where Ross asked Barnett to explain strong style. Barnett spoke about an emphasis on the martial arts style from MMA, a hard hitting style, and a gutsy attitude. Ross noted that the event sold out in roughly ten minutes and then set up a video package that showcased some of the top talent and matches…
1. Rocky Romero and “Roppongi 3k” Sho and Yoh vs. “SoCal Uncensored” Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian, and Scorpio Sky. The match was listed as being for one fall and a 20-minute time limit. Kazarian went for a springboard move on the second rope and it looked like he slipped. It seemed like the crowd was about to be all over him, but he clutched his knee and they let up immediately. Kazarian tagged out, but ended up tagging back in just moments later. He was still clutching at his knee, but he was able to execute some moves. Kazarian tagged out and clutched his knee in the corner before tagging right back in.
Romero checked in around 7:00 and worked over Daniels and Kazarian with clotheslines that got a rise out of the crowd. A short time later, Sky performed a flip dive on Sho, who didn’t exactly brace his fall and it sounded like Sky landed hard on the mat on the floor, but he seemed to be okay. Kazarian continued to clutch his left knee as the match continued. In the end, Roppongi 3k hit their 3k finisher on Sky and pinned him…
Rocky Romero and Roppongi 3k beat SoCal Uncensored in 11:05.
Powell’s POV: A couple of rough moments, but an entertaining opener overall. Hopefully Kazarian didn’t suffer any significant damage and one can only hope that he didn’t do more damage by continuing to work through whatever the injury was. From a production standpoint, the ring is well lit. There are rope shadows from the hard camera side, but it looks professional overall and it’s easy to hear the broadcast team. The crowd is mic’d pretty well and the fans are vocal.
Ross set up a break. The screen went black for a second and then they went right back to the arena. Barnett could be heard saying: “You’re right, JR, they need to get out of the f—ing ring, it shouldn’t take that long. Otherwise, it’s all good.” Oops. No commercials aired and they simply showed a shot of the ring without any commentary from the broadcast team…
The screen went black again and then a shot aired of the venue while Ross spoke about Juice Robinson and David Finlay winning a match at the New Japan Dojo in Los Angeles on Saturday…
2. Juice Robinson and David Finlay vs. Hirooki Goto and Gedo. Barnett said Robinson’s attire left him wondering if he was looking at a giant fishing lure. Ross compared it to Johnny B Badd. Ross said Goto is like Bret Hart in that he does a lot of things well and is often overlooked. Early in the match, Robinson struck Goto with his arms to the mouth. Goto came up bleeding from the mouth. Later, Robinson took out Goto with a dive from the ring to the floor. Finlay performed a cutter on Gedo and pinned him…
Juice Robinson and David Finlay defeated Hirooki Goto and Gedo.
Ross was setting up the next match when they cut to commercial before he could finish… [C]
Powell’s POV: Goto and Robinson are on a collision course for Goto’s Never Openweight Championship. Robinson pinned Goto at the New Japan Cup final event and I thought they might double down on that here or at least have Robinson pick up the win for his team, but neither man factored into the finish. Meanwhile, they actually went to commercial this time, but they cut off JR’s plug for the match.
3. “The Killer Elite Squad” Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Lance Archer vs. Toru Yano and Chuckie T. Archer did his usual by spitting water on fans prior to the match. The fans chanted for Yano during his entrance. KES isolated T for a stretch. Archer raced over to Yano, who dropped off the apron and walked around the aisle for a bit while the match continued. Taylor avoided a Hart Attack clothesline and DDT’d Smith before making a well received hot tag to Yano.
The fans were hot for Yano’s comedy antics and booed when Archer knocked him off the ropes to the floor. Archer set up for a suicide dive. Yano dropped to the floor. Archer climbed through the ropes and then Yano pulled him to the floor. Taylor performed a big dive onto both opponents. Yano teased a dive, but instead removed the turnbuckle pad to a pop. Yano tossed the pad to Archer, who slammed it down. Ross chuckled on commentary.
At 9:20, T performed a piledriver on Archer and went for a cover, but Smith broke it up. Smith and Yano fought at ringside. In the ring, Archer caught T with a Pounce and followed up with a chokeslam for a two count. T countered into a pin for a good near fall. T got in a little offense on Archer and Smith, who came back with the Killer Bomb for the win. Afterward, Ross said “Yano was just Yano and that’s good enough for us”… [C]
Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Lance Archer defeated Toru Yano and Chuckie T in 10:45.
Powell’s POV: A fun match with Yano’s comedy being really over with the live crowd. The third time was the charm for the production team as Ross was able to deliver his line and the commercials actually aired. Eddie Money’s daughter is money.
4. Cody (w/Brandi Rhodes) and Marty Scurll vs. “The Guerrillas of Destiny” Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa. Ross noted that his podcast is moving to Westwood One on April 11 (it was previously on Podcast One). Cody and Scurll took turns playing to the crowd with the fans cheering Scurll and booing Cody. Ross said he’d known Cody since he was a child and he questioned whether joining the Bullet Club was the right call for him in the first place because he needs to lead.
Before the match, Cody told the fans that Bullet Club is fine. However, he said what’s not fine is the booking of his match. He said there would be no match. Cody said the Bullet Club members are friends. Cody called Tonga a Bullet Club OG. He said GOD were three-time tag champions. Cody said it was wrestlers like them that made Bullet Club cool in the first place, and it’s superstars like himself that it made it popular today. Barnett pointed out that Tonga had not taken his eyes off Cody. Loa told Cody that he would not deny the fans a match. He added that if they are on a team, it’s definitely not Team Cody.
Cody hit Loa and knocked him out of the ring. Tonga and Cody started the match. Loa returned to the ring and clotheslined Cody to ringside. Scurll acted like he was pissed at Cody too and the fans laughed. Scurll turned around and held up a double “too sweet” sign, but he was knocked over by GOD. Scurll went to ringside and jumped into Cody’s arms. Funny.
Later, Brandi pulled her husband to ringside. Brandi called Tonga a “nappy-headed idiot.” The fans gasped. She distracted Tonga while Scurll caught him with a kick from the apron. Scurll had Cody kiss him on the cheek. Back in the ring, Scurll fired up the crowd for his chicken wing finisher, but Cody tagged himself into the match. Cody set up for CrossRhodes, but Tonga reversed the move. At 8:50, Cody struck the Terminator pose and ran the ropes, but Loa speared him for a two count. Late in the match, Cody avoided the GOD finisher and shoved them together, then hit Loa with CrossRhodes for the win… [C]
Cody and Marty Scurll defeated The Guerrillas of Destiny in 10:45.
Powell’s POV: Cody is a sensational heel and his antics made this match. Scurll was fun too, but Cody was spotlighted and did a terrific job. I’m really looking forward to the big showdown match between Cody and Kenny Omega at ROH Supercard of Honor. It will be interesting to see if we’ve seen the last of Cody tonight or if he will play some part in the main event or perhaps in a post match angle. Oh, and the problem of Ross having his line cut as they went to commercial resurfaced here. Anyway, this show has been fun so far, but we’re still waiting for a truly memorable match. That would change with the next match.
5. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Dragon Lee, Kushida, and Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Tetsuya Naito, Hiromu Takahashi, Sanada, and Bushi. The fans rose to their feet during the entrances and Naito got a great reaction. The fans also popped big for Tanahashi. Naito and Tanahashi started the match for their teams, which led to Tanahashi being cheap-shotted and worked over by the the LIJ foursome. Lee and Takahashi exchanged chops with Lee getting the better of it. Takahashi went for a huracanrana, but Lee landed on his feet and performed a nice German suplex moments later. Lee followed up with a big flip dive onto Takahashi on the floor. There were plenty of rapid fire spots. Naito and Taguchi were eventually left in the ring together. Naito hit his Destino finisher for the win… [C]
Tetsuya Naito, Hiromu Takahashi, Sanada, and Bushi defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi, Dragon Lee, Kushida, and Ryusuke Taguchi in 11:30.
Powell’s POV: A match with nonstop action and some big spots. The best work of the match involved Lee and Takahashi. The live crowd was appreciative of the work and liked the star power. It was the most entertaining of the night thus far and yet I can’t help but feel let down in that it felt inconsequential. Most of the NJPW shows have more tag matches than I would prefer, but there’s usually some good storytelling along the way. That didn’t happen here and it really hasn’t happened yet tonight.
Rey Mysterio Jr.’s music played and he made his entrance. Ross noted that Mysterio was scheduled to face Jushin Liger, but his injury prevented him from working the match. Ross said Mysterio still wanted to be at the event and called him a good man. Mysterio entered the ring and apologized to the fans for not being able to wrestle. He said he suffered a torn biceps in his left arm two weeks ago. “This match that was supposed to happen here tonight, unfortunately, not going to happen,” he said. “That doesn’t mean that it’s not going to happen. I have the utmost respect for Liger and if it happened back in December of ’96, why can’t it happen again?” Mysterio promised that he would return once he’s ready and wrestle for New Japan, noting that it’s on his bucket list…
Powell’s POV: It was a nice touch to have Mysterio appear at the show even though he’s unable to wrestle. Of course, it helps that the show is in his home state, but I don’t believe they hyped him appearing once he was pulled from the show. I’m not sure what to read into Mysterio saying he will return to wrestle for NJPW and how that relates to the talks he’s been having with WWE.
6. Will Ospreay vs. Jushin “Thunder” Liger. Mysterio took a seat at ringside for the match. Ross noted that when Ospreay was born, Liger had already been wrestling professionally for nine years. At 3:35, Liger performed a brainbuster in the aisle. Liger returned to the ring and posed. Ospreay returned to the ring at the referee’s 19.999 count. Later, Liger performed what the broadcast team described as a brainbuster from the ropes, but it actually looked like a superplex. Barnett watched the replay and said Ospreay was fortunate to have been able to rotate over to avoid the impact. Late in the match, Ospreay performed a Liger Bomb on Liger. Ospreay hit a springboard OsCutter for the win…
Will Ospreay defeated Jushin “Thunder” Liger in 10:35.
After the match, Mysterio returned to ringside and applauded both men. Ospreay took the mic and said that when he’s 53 years old he would be so proud to wrestle like Liger did. “For everything you have done past, present, and for the future I and everyone else can not say thank you enough.” The fans chanted for Liger. Ospreay recalled saying when he won the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship that he wanted to carve out his own legacy. He looked at Mysterio and said he has to go through legends, which received a mixed reaction.
Ospreay said you can boo or cheer, but he is no one’s replacement. Ospreay said he’s been putting on the best matches for six years and he wants to put his title on a new level. “So how about Ospreay vs. Mysterio?” he asked. The fans applauded and delivered Yes chants. Mysterio looked to the fans and nodded. Ospreay said they could do it in a NJPW ring once Mysterio is healthy.
Suddenly, Marty Scurll hit the ring and hit Ospreay from behind. Mysterio tried to help and hit Scurll with a punch. When Mysterio tried to enter the ring, Scurll pulled his mask off. Scurll put the mask on top of his head, held up the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship and flipped off the fans. Liger returned to run off Ospreay. Mysterio got his mask back and ended up shaking hands with Liger and they posed together. Mysterio also helped up Ospreay and they shook hands and hugged…
Powell’s POV: Now that’s more like it in terms of something feeling meaningful on this show. Good effort from both men. Liger did more than I expected and it’s amazing that the guy can do what he does at age 53. Ospreay going over was the right move given his status as the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion. The post match angle was unexpected and entertaining. Mysterio now has three NJPW matches set.
Footage aired of Kazuchika Okada appearing at ESPN studios and posing for photos…
7. Kazuchika Okada and Tomohiro Ishii vs. Minoru Suzuki and Zack Sabre Jr. Ross and Barnett hyped the Okada vs. Sabre Jr. match for April 1. Sabre focussed on the right arm of Okada. Suzuki and Sabre isolated Ishii for a stretch and double teamed him at one point while the referee was caught up with Okada. Later, Okada tagged in and was setting up for a reverse neckbreaker when Sabre countered into what Barnett described as a figure four on the head of the IWGP Heavyweight Champion. A short time later, Sabre applied a double wristlock submission hold and continued to work on the right arm of Okada until Ishii ran in and dropped an elbow.
Later, Okada stuffed a Gotch piledriver attempt by Suzuki and performed a reverse neckbreaker. Okada tagged in Ishii, who traded forearms with Suzuki in the middle of the ring. Ishii called for one. Suzuki warmed up and absolutely blasted him. Ishii returned the favor. They continued the forearm exchanges and Ishii eventually staggered into the ropes. Suzuki ran the ropes and was greeted with a shot from Ishii. They jockeyed for position and Ishii performed a nice suplex at 16:00.
At 17:40, Ishii blocked a Sabre kick and then knocked him down with a headbutt. Ishii powerbmbed Sabre for a two count. Sabre came right back with a body scissors. Ishii broke free and then he and Okada worked over Sabre and it resulted in Ishii getting a two count. Okada and Suzuki fought at ringside. Sabre applied a cross arm breaker. Okada tried to help, but Suzuki caught him from behind with a sleeper. Sabre countered into a kneebar and the ref called for the bell. After the match, Sabre applied an octopus hold on Okada briefly. Suzuki put a hold on the referee and then tossed him to ringside… [C]
Minoru Suzuki and Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Kazuchika Okada and Tomohiro Ishii in 19:55.
Powell’s POV: A good match that was hurt a bit by predictability. There was no reason to think that Sabre was going to lose going into his title match, and there was also no reason to think that Suzuki was going to lose for his team. I was hoping they would give Sabre a ref stoppage win over Okada going into their match, but they ended up taking the more predictable and least newsworthy approach of having Ishii lose for his team. That said, it was my favorite match of the night thus far. Oh, and they once again went to break in the middle of something Ross was saying. There have also been a lot of missed moves tonight so this has not been a great outing from a production standpoint despite the positives mentioned earlier.
It was announced that NJPW will hold a G1 special called Fighting Spirit Unleashed on Saturday, July 7 in San Francisco, California at the Cow Palace… A video package set up the IWGP U.S. Championship match…
Powell’s POV: It’s great to see NJPW is returning in July rather than just making annual appearances. They had to be pleasantly surprised that tonight’s event sold out so quickly, and now they are moving into a venue with a listed capacity of 12,953. There was no mention of it being an AXS TV event. I assume it will be, but I guess we’ll have to wait for an official announcement.
8. “Switchblade” Jay White vs. Hangman Page for the IWGP U.S. Heavyweight Championship. Red Shoes was the referee for the match, which was listed as being one fall with a 60-minute time limit. At 4:10, Page had White’s head pulled through the ropes and he performed a neckbreaker on the apron. Page followed up by running White into the guardrail. Page hoisted up White on his shoulders and tossed him head first into the ring post. Ross noted that White could lose his title on a count-out, which didn’t come into play since Page rolled him back inside the ring. Ross chalked up Page tossing him back inside the ring to being strategy in that there was no guarantee he would be counted out. Page got a two count off of a unique suplex. Page hit a nice backbreaker for a two count at 7:15.
White battled back and suplexed Page into the corner and got a two count at 9:50. White also hit a German suplex into a bridge for another two count at 11:15. Page came back with a top rope hangman DDT at 12:00. A short time later, Page wanted to go for a springboard move, but White stumbled too close to the ropes. Page eventually set up for the springboard, but White recovered and hit him before he could perform the move. White tried to perform a Bladerunner from the apron, but Page blocked it. White ended up driving Page face first into the apron. He barked at the cameraman to move and then performed a wild German suplex on the apron that flipped Page over. Page actually landed on his feet and it was a safe spot, but it looked good live and led to the crowd waking up and chanting “holy shit” in response.
Back in the ring, White sat Page on the top rope and went for a German suplex. Page blocked the move by holding onto the turnbuckle. Page elbowed his way free and then turned around and traded shots with White while still on the ropes. Page ended up hitting a neckbreaker off the top rope and got a two count at 17:10. At 18:40, White dumped Page to ringside and followed him. White performed a backdrop suplex on the floor and then rolled him back inside the ring. Page avoided a Bladerunner and ended up performing a powerbomb. Page performed a piledriver on White for a two count.
At 21:45, Page performed his obligatory (and always impressive) shooting star press off the ring apron. Page went up top and performed a moonsault onto White on the floor. The crowd came to life for those moves. Page rolled White back inside the ring and performed his springboard flip into a lariat for a near fall. The fans rallied behind Page. White came back with a vicious half nelson suplex. White performed a Kiwi Crusher for two. White called for his finisher. Page spat in his face and then superkicked White. Page performed a spinning forearm. White hit the Bladerunner out of nowhere for the win…
Jay White defeated Hangman Page in 25:00 to retain the IWGP U.S. Championship.
After the match, David Finlay entered the ring in street clothes and speared White. He recalled saying he would never be finished fighting him. Finlay said he was giving White one month. He challenged him to a match at Korakuen Hall. Finlay held up the title belt and played to the crowd briefly before leaving the ring… [C]
Powell’s POV: I enjoyed the match quality and the effort, but the live crowd was very quiet during this match. I don’t know if fatigue set in or if they simply didn’t have any incentive to cheer for one wrestler over the other. They came to life late in favor of Page, who seemed to win them over by looking to them a few times in addition to performing his big spots. White is very good inside the ring, but it would have been helpful if he had attempted to engage the crowd in some way during the match. Once the bell rang, it was like the fans didn’t exist aside from when he teased his finisher. The post match angle was fine and sets up what should be a good match even though I don’t expect a title change.
9. “The Golden Lovers” Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi vs. “The Young Bucks” Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson. The Bucks made their entrance first. Omega and Ibushi slapped hands around the ringside area before entering the ring. Barnett pointed out that Matt wore a weight belt during the match (to sell his ongoing storyline injury). The fans cheered as the bell rang. Matt and Ibushi looked to the crowd and let them cheer. Ross encouraged viewers to add some time to their DVRs just in case. Matt called for Omega. Ibushi tagged him in. Omega entered the ring and tried to talk with Matt, who didn’t seem content with what he said. Matt turned and punched Ibushi and then tagged in Nick. Omega tagged Ibushi. The first lockup occurred at 2:30 with the fans chanting for both teams.
The Bucks had the first real offense of the match and performed double team moves on both opponents. However, while Matt hung upside down in the ropes for one of the usual Bucks moves, Omega ended up dumping Nick onto Matt. Omega set up for a big dive, but Nick blasted him with a superkick from the apron and feathers went flying as if Randy Johnson had just thrown a fastball at an unsuspecting bird again. The Bucks isolated Ibushi for a stretch. Just as he was about to tag Omega, Nick pulled Omega from the apron at 9:00.
A couple minutes later, Ibushi blasted Matt with a kick to his bad back and then the Golden Lovers worked over Nick. Both Golden Lovers performed leaps from the ropes, but we only saw Omega’s moonsault onto Nick. Barnett said Ibushi’s moonsault missed and he went with a short arm throw instead. Back inside the ring, Ibushi performed a standing moonsault on Matt, then Omega came off the top with a moonsault and accidentally hit his own partner on the way down in addition to hitting Matt. Ibushi performed another moonsault on Matt. Omega could be heard asking Ibushi if he was okay. Ibushi kicked the back of Matt. Nick stood on the floor and told his brother to talk to him. “Get me out of here,” Matt said. At 14:15, Matt spat in the face of Ibushi. “Matt just Naito’d Ibushi” Ross said. Funny. Omega checked in and performed a backbreaker on Matt, who cried out in pain. Omega looked upset after performing the move and then tagged in Ibushi.
At 16:10, Matt finally tagged out. Nick entered the ring and worked over both opponents, including a bulldog on Omega into a simultaneous clothesline on Ibushi. Nick took out Omega with a tope and then the Bucks double teamed Ibushi and got a two count at 17:30. At 18:55, Ibushi and Omega performed a double team superplex on Matt. The Lovers went up top for another double team top rope move, but Nick recovered and broke it up. Nick suplexed Omega onto the apron and then set up a table over the ring and guardrail. Matt was on the top rope with Ibushi down. Nick pointed at Omega on the table. Matt turned to take his brother’s advice, but Ibushi recovered and kicked him down. Nick and Ibushi ended up at ringside together. Omega hoisted up Matt on his shoulders while standing over the table. Ibushi hopped onto the top rope and performed an insane release German suplex on Matt. The fans came to life with a “this is awesome” chant.
Matt blasted Ibushi with a kick in the ring. Omega cut him off with a V-Trigger (running knee). Ibushi performed a powerbomb for a two count. Omega connected with another V-Trigger. Nick returned to break up Ibushi’s pin. Ibushi threw kicks at the back of Matt. Matt shot up and barked at Ibushi, who put him down and threw three kicks. Ibushi went for a standing moonsault, but Matt put his knees up. Matt applied a Sharpshooter at 25:00. Ross and Barnett both referred to it as a Scorpion Death Lock as Matt applied the hold a couple of times. Matt clutched at his back and eventually had to release the hold. At 27:40, Nick performed his part of More Bang For Your Buck on Ibushi in the ring. Matt was up top for his, but he instead dove onto Omega and put him through the table that was over the ring and barricade. Wow.
Matt held Ibushi over the ropes and then Nick performed a flip off the top rope onto Ibushi, which led to a two count. At 29:45, the Bucks hit a double superkick on a seated Ibushi. Omega returned to the ring and Matt shoved him into a superkick from his brother and then hit one of his own. Ibushi performed a double overhead kick on both Bucks just after the 30-minute mark. Ibushi tagged Omega and Nick tagged in Matt (at least the wrestlers remembered who was legal). Matt jawed at Omega and asked if he was going to punch him in the face. Omega did just that and then they traded punches. Omega performed a snap dragon suplex, but Matt just popped right up and ended up put Omega down with a piledriver. Ross was right, It’s now past the top of the hour so hopefully people set their DVRs.
At 32:30, Matt took off his weight belt and whipped Omega with it. The referee tried to take it away, but Matt pulled it free. Omega ducked the next swing and took the belt. However, Omega threw the belt to ringside and then threw two knees to the head of Matt. Omega set up for a V Trigger, but Matt shot up and speared him. The Bucks set up for an Indy Taker, but Ibushi grabbed Nick before he could perform his end of the move. Ibushi put Nick through the broadcast table with a Last Ride. Omega and Ibushi teamed up for a spike piledriver on Matt, who kicked out.
At 37:00, Omega hoisted up Matt for his One Winged Angel finisher. Matt barked at him and Omega hit the move and had him pinned, but Nick returned to the ring and broke it up. Nick pleaded with his brother and tried to pull him up. Nick stood up and threw punches and chops at Omega and Ibushi and then let out a primal scream. Omega caught him with a knee and then Ibushi performed a wicked German suplex. Omega lowered his knee pad and then he and Ibushi hit the Golden Trigger on Matt and they both covered him for the win…
Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi defeated The Young Bucks in 39:25.
After the match, Omega looked emotional and knelt down while Nick was kneeling over his brother. Omega walked over and tended to Ibushi. The Golden Lovers left the ring and slapped hands with fans on their way to the back. Meanwhile, Cody entered the ring and barked at Matt Jackson. Nick tried to pull him away, but Cody ended up hitting Nick. Omega and Ibushi returned to the ring and Cody raced away. The fans chanted The Elite. Omega offered his hand to Nick, and helped him up. The fans cheered and they hugged. Omega also offered to help up Matt, who rolled out of the ring without accepting the offer. Matt called for Nick by saying, “Let’s get out of here.” Nick joined Matt and helped him to the back as Matt continued to sell back pain.
Omega called for the microphone. Omega said it’s a sad world we live in when friends sometimes have to go to war with one another. He said he’s not happy about the situation with The Elite, but the silver lining is that the Golden Lovers are back and are here to stay. He said that before you know it, New Japan is returning “to a backyard near each and every one of you.” Omega said that whether the company likes it or not, he will make sure that he and Ibushi are in a featured match because they love to part with the fans.
Omega said he hopes the issues with Bullet Club would be resolved sooner rather than later. He said people like Cody are only good at talking. He said fans will see him beat the “ever loving poop” out of Cody. Omega said that if you like today’s matchup, then they have no choice but to up the ante when they run an even bigger building and make their return even better than before. Omega said he probably has a broken orbital bone and Ibushi has a busted lip. Omega closed the show by saying goodbye and goodnight. Omega and Ibushi shook hands with fans at ringside before heading to the back. Ross and Barnett closed out the broadcast as even highlights aired…
Powell’s POV: A tremendous match. The thing I enjoyed most was that it wasn’t just about the big spots, it’s that they told a story with the longtime friends going to battle. Everyone involved worked their asses off and this match lived up to the highest of high expectations. Overall, the main event made the night. It was nothing more than a solid NJPW event until the big showdown match. I will have more to say in my members’ exclusive audio review later tonight (or technically very early this morning by the time I’m finished).
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