NJPW Hi no Kuni 2018: Review, Grades, and Analysis

NJPW Hi no Kuni 2018 featured a huge main event with Tetsuya Naito challenging the ever dangerous Minoru Suzuki. The IWGP Intercontinental title is at stake, as Naito looks to reclaim his position at the top of the card.

If Naito wins, he will become a 2-time Intercontinental champion. The co-main event features LIJ (EVIL & SANADA) vs. the Killer Elite Squad for the IWGP Tag Team Championships. NJPW is moving rapidly towards Wrestling Dontaku and The Best of the Super Juniors, so expect those matches to move forward here.

Ren Narita & Yuji Nagata vs. Shota Umino & Tomoyuki Oka

Some solid fare here. Narita and Oka were particularly highlighted. Nagata got the win over Umino at the end with a crossface.

Result: Yuji Nagata & Ren Narita

Rating: 2 stars out of 5

Ryusuke Taguchi, Tiger Mask, Jushin Thunder Liger, & David Finlay vs. CHAOS (Roppongi 3K (SHO, YOH, & Rocky Romero) & Jay White)

Rocky Romero seemed to play the heel in this one, as he tried to take the mask from Tiger Mask. Turns out the former Black Tiger hasn’t forgotten his rivalry with Tiger Mask. Somehow Taguchi’s rear was hanging out, and no one told him to comedic effect. My eyes, they bleed. Finlay managed to score the pinfall over Rocky Romero.

Result: Taguchi, Tiger Mask, Liger, & Finlay

Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5

Toa Henare & Togi Makabe vs. CHAOS (Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii)

This was a quick little tag that saw Yano continually try to antagonize Makabe and Henare looked to continue his ongoing battle Ishii. Ishii eventually took the win with a brainbuster on Henare, but Henare continued to impress as he attempted to keep up with Ishii.

Result: CHAOS

Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5

Toa Henare continues to impress. I’d actually like to see him perform in the G1 this year, as that would be quite interesting to see him mix it up with the top guys outside of Ishii.