NJPW Strong Style Evolved: Results, Grades, and Analysis

The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) Bullet Club vs. The Golden Lovers (Kenny Omega (Bullet Club) & Kota Ibushi (Bullet Club?))

This is the match that we’ve been waiting for. An absolute dream match. Matt started the match with Kenny, and it’s interesting to note that Matt was wearing a weight belt like Cody was earlier. Hmmmmmmm. That’s quite interesting. Is it possible that Matt Jackson is on Team Cody while Nick is on Team Kenny? Furthermore, considering the events of the most recent Being the Elite, Matt seemed more negative towards Kenny. The bell rang, and Matt took a cheap shot on Ibushi and tagged out to Nick.

Ibushi and Matt ended up in the ring, and Ibushi nailed Matt with huge kick to the back. Omega asked Ibushi to show Matt some mercy and take it easy on him. The Bucks take advantage of this, and it isn’t long before they’re double teaming Ibushi. Kenny goes for his Terminator dive, but Nick hit a huge superkick on Kenny just before he went over, and Kenny crashed to the mat. The timing on that was insane.

The Bucks pulled a table out from under the ring and thought about it. Matt stared a hole into Kenny before deciding better off it and went back into the ring to continue the fast paced double team offense against Ibushi. The Bucks got the heat on Ibushi for a few minutes, but never stayed in control for long. After an Okada like dropkick, Ibushi managed to make the tag to Omega.

Ibushi and Omega hit the Cross Slash, but Ibushi kind of missed Matt. Ibushi did a judo throw on the outside to take Matt down. The Golden Lovers continue to work over Matt’s back, including Kenny hitting a massive back suplex on the apron! Nick Jackson hit a back stabber on Ibushi, and both Bucks hit an assisted sliced bread. The Bucks went for the Golden Lover’s finisher, but Ibushi cut them off and Omega and Ibushi hit a double team superplex that almost ended in disaster.

The Golden Lovers went for Golden Showers (double team 450 splash), but they’re cut off. Nick hit a German Suplex on the apron onto Omega! Nick sets the table up and presents Matt with a choice of hitting Ibushi or driving Omega through the table. Matt can’t decide, and Ibushi hit him. Omega picked up Matt and went for the One Winged Angel through the table, but Matt fought it off. Ibushi jumped onto the top rope and hit a Doomsday German Suplex into the ring, driving Matt into the mat. Nick Jackson dragged Kenny out of the ring, leaving Matt and Kota exchanging strikes. Omega nailed a V-Trigger on Matt and Ibushi hit a Golden Star Powerbomb!

Matt eventually locked on the Sharpshooter on Ibushi, and Omega tried to break it up. Nick nailed a superkick on Omega and hit a tornado DDT on the outside. Matt and Nick go for More Bang for your Buck, but Matt flew off the top rope with an elbow through the table onto Omega! This match is insane.

After a series of extremely fast paced offense that was nearly impossible to keep track of, Omega hit a massive Dragon Suplex which Matt followed with a snap piledriver. Matt Jackson took off his weight belt and started hitting Omega. Omega later refused to hit Matt with the belt. Ibushi hit a Golden Star Powerbomb through the ringside time keeper’s table on Nick. Back in the ring, Omega and Ibushi hit their own version of the Indytaker, but Matt kicked out. Omega looked so sad when he posed for the V-Trigger, and decided to not hit it on Matt. Kenny eventually hit it after Ibushi’s urging.

Omega grabbed Matt for the One Winged Angel, and didn’t want to hit it. Matt grabbed Kenny’s hand and said, “Just do it!” Omega hit it, but Nick Jackson made the save. Nick screamed, “It’s not over!” as he tried to pick up a broken Matt Jackson. This was heartbreaking. The Golden Lovers took out Nick Jackson, and followed with a Golden Trigger on Matt Jackson. The Golden Lovers win! Nick and Kenny were holding Matt after the match. There was so much emotion here.

Result: The Golden Lovers

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

My goodness, this match was insane. All four men killed each other, and the emotion communicated here by The Elite was so intense and real. Omega and the Bucks were heartbroken. Is this the finale for Kenny Omega in the Bullet Club? If so, what does that mean for the rest of the group? What about Nick and Matt Jackson? Is there division between them too?

Cody came out and started getting in Matt Jackson’s face. Cody shoved Nick to the mat and Kenny ran back to make the save! Kenny chased Cody off, then offered to shake hands with Nick. Nick accepted, and they hugged. Matt refused the handshake and rolled out of the ring. This was such great storytelling here. This is what wrestling is all about. How will the rest of the Bullet Club react to Cody’s actions? When will GoD, Fale, and others get involved? Is this the start of some reconciliation between The Young Bucks and The Golden Lovers?

Omega cut a promo saying he’s sad about The Elite, but he’s happy about The Golden Lovers being back. Omega promised that he was going to beat Cody and that he’s all talk. I am truly hoping that Omega beats Cody so badly at Supercard of Honor.

Final Thoughts

Show Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5

Well, this show was a very fun show that had an absolutely incredible main event. Everything made sure not to overshadow the main event and let The Young Bucks & The Golden Lovers steal the show with a 40-minute main event tag that was non-stop from start to finish. I would think that it is a match that will be in the conversation for match of the year. While the rest of the show was still quite enjoyable, there was nothing super outstanding.

Next: Will We See El Generico on SmackDown?

Finally, it seems that NJPW has built a nice foundation for further growth into North America and shows like this will only help NJPW in making advances.