NJPW Destruction in Hiroshima Results, Grades, and Analysis

https://twitter.com/njpwworld/status/1040880634023968768

NJPW returns after the G1 Climax tournament with one of the biggest matches coming out of the summer.

Tomohiro Ishii was one of the few people to defeat Kenny Omega during the G1 Climax tournament, earning a title shot against the champion. Ishii was considered the MVP of the tournament by many, having outstanding match after outstanding match. Ishii and Omega always deliver, so this is one that is can’t miss. Like almost all NJPW shows, this can be seen live or on demand at NJPW World.

Roppongi 3K (SHO, YOH, & Rocky Romero) (CHAOS) vs. Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask, & KUSHIDA

The opening matchup featured all juniors, and it was discussed why guys like Liger weren’t in the upcoming tournament for Hiromu Takahashi’s vacated Junior Heavyweight title. Kevin Kelly made the point that it was the four previous champions, which actually makes a lot of sense. NJPW uses logic in their booking.

This match featured a lot of back and forth action with Liger in the ring at first. After some excellent offence with RPG 3K, Liger tagged out to KUSHIDA. KUSHIDA and SHO had some awesome exchanges that saw SHO use his incredible strength to power KUSHIDA out of the hoverboard lock up over his shoulders, and down onto his stomach on the mat. The end of the match came when Tiger Mask hit a Tiger Driver on Rocky Romero, then a Tiger Suplex.

Result: Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask, & KUSHIDA

Rating: **1/2 (2.5 stars out of 5)

Bad Luck Fale (Bullet Club Firing Squad) vs. Henare

This match was a glorified squash, with Henare getting destroyed by Fale. He got a little offence in before Fale hit the grenade.

Result: Bad Luck Fale

Rating: N/A (I don’t rate squash matches)

Killer Elite Squad (Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr.) (Suzuki-gun) vs. Michael Elgin & Ayato Yoshida

KES made their return to NJPW here, and they were back with a vengeance. KES beat Elgin around ringside and sent him flying into guardrail. Archer killed Yoshida in the corner with several running elbows, and Davey Boy hit a stalling vertical suplex on him too. Yoshida managed to kick out or double team power moves by KES. Yoshida tried to counter a chokeslam from Archer into a guillotine choke, but Archer powered out.

However, Yoshida made enough of an impact and he was able to get the hot tag to Elgin. Elgin hit a second rope dropkick on Archer and several forarms. Elgin hit a vertical suplex and went for a powerbomb, but Archer countered, ate a forearm, but hit a black hole slam on Elgin. Elgin tagged in Yoshida, and he went right at Smith, hitting two huge Shibata style penalty kicks, but Smith kicked out. Smith hit a running powerslam, but Elgin broke it up. He hit one on Elgin too.

Archer chokeslamed the crap out of Yoshida, and then they hit the Killer bomb on him, and scored the pinfall.

Result: KES

Rating ** (2 stars out of 5)