NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12: Highlights, Analysis, and Grades

Photo Source: njpw1972.com

Cody (w/ Brandi Rhodes) vs. Kota Ibushi

Result: Kota Ibushi defeated Cody via pinfall

Rating: 4.75 out of 5 stars

For those of you who don’t know, I hate Bullet Club Cody Rhodes. When he left WWE, I really and truly hoped he would succeed, because even at his best he was always underutilized. Then he became a part of the Bullet Club, and it just seemed like the group was jumping the shark. Popular heel, and not signed to WWE? HERE’S YOUR BIZ CLIZ SHIRT.

I was at ROH Final Battle in December, praying that Dalton Castle would beat Cody for the world title. There are only two times I have been happier at a wrestling show than when Castle beat Cody – Bayley defeating Sasha Banks at TakeOver: Brooklyn, and Princess Kimber Lee winning the CHIKARA Grand Championship from Hallowicked.

So color me surprised when this match with Ibushi was rolling along and I found myself loving what Cody was doing. Ibushi is a madman – the Cross Rhodes to the outside was probably the best stupid bump I’ve ever seen in my life – who makes everything awesome. But Cody played this match absolutely perfectly and killed it.

I love where Cody’s story is going right now – super arrogant, cocky villain starts questioning his ability after losing consecutive huge matches. Is he going to take it out on the rest of the Bullet Club? Can he turn things around? Did he mentally take himself out of these matches because of his attitude? It’s fascinating to me.

Oh, and Cody screaming at Ibushi that “Kenny doesn’t love you like I do”? Beautiful.