NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 2018 Night 1: Review, Grades, and Analysis
Block A Matches
Tiger Mask IV vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru (Suzuki-gun)
This was a relatively slow match, as Tiger Mask, while once a fantastic worker, has slowed down considerably. Kanemaru used one of the young lions as a weapon and slammed him on Tiger Mask outside of the ring. He then grabbed another young lion and threw him into a dive and he crashed onto Tiger Mask. Tiger Mask barely got back in the ring. Kanemaru went for a superplex, but Tiger Mask cradled him on the landing on got that pinfall.
Result: Tiger Mask IV
Rating: 2.75 stars out of 5
An okay start to the tournament. Nothing special, but it wasn’t that bad. The work was technically solid, but just not something I was overly into. Tiger Mask getting the win was a very nice surprise, and I laughed when Kanemaru used two young lions as weapons, because why not?
ACH vs. Flip Gordon
Both men started this match fast, with Flip Gordon doing his usual kick up dodge spot. This got a good reaction from the crowd as the Book Flip section cheered him on. ACH hit a backbreaker and a German Suplex. ACH went for a chop on the outside, but accidentally chopped the ring post. Flip hit a missile dropkick, and a springboard sling blade.
Flip hit a double springboard flip dive to the outside, which was absolutely incredible. ACH hit a series of double stomps that caused the crowd to cheer. Flip and ACH brawled into the crowd, and Flip hit a massive balcony dive onto ACH. Both men made their way back to the ring just before the 20 count.
Flip hit a springboard frog splash but ACH kicked out at two. Gordon hit his inverted fireman’s carry and standing shooting star press. Flip went to the top rope, and ACH hit a springboard flipping kick that almost killed Gordon.
That was spectacular. ACH proceeded to kill Flip with several chops, but Flip responded with dropping ACH and hitting a superkick before missing a corkscrew plancha. ACH hit a package DDT and got the win!
Result: ACH
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
This match was spectacular. If you like high spots, this is a good match to watch. Lots of near falls and it did tell a good story. Flip came out of this looking like a star, and ACH proves why NJPW brings him in for these kind of matches occasionally.