NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12: Highlights, Analysis, and Grades

Photo Source: njpw1972.com

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship Match

Roppongi 3K (Sho & Yoh, w/ Rocky Romero) (c) vs. The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson)

Result: The Young Bucks defeated Roppongi 3K via submission to become the new IWGP Junior Heavywieght Tag Team Champions

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Well, this was certainly a good way to open up a show, huh?

Depending on your views of wrestling, you either love the Young Bucks, or you hate them. If you like a lot of fast-paced action, with high spots every two seconds that show off pure athletic ability, the Jacksons are the best in the world. If you think all that is a bunch of hooey, and over choreographed garbage, well, you’re probably Jim Cornette.

Perhaps intentionally trying to prove to the world that they can wrestle a “traditional” match full of psychology, the Bucks spent this bout targeting a body part. Early in the match, Sho and Yoh went for a double tope con giro – but Yoh landed awkwardly and hurt his back. From that moment, Matt and Nick focused their attack on the injury. Sharpshooters, suplexes, apron bombs – anything that could damage the spine was fair game.

And for critics who say the Bucks don’t sell, well, Matt took a nasty spill to the floor and hurt his back. It compromised his ability to function as usual, but he gutted through the match. When the Bucks went for More Bang For Your Buck, Nick had to get down from the turnbuckle to help Matt set up the rolling senton.

Lots of great stuff in this one. The Bucks are now seven time Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, cementing their legacy as one of the best tag teams in the world. Roppongi 3K more than held their own.