NJPW King of Pro Wrestling: Results, Grades, and Analysis

CHAOS (Roppongi 3K (SHO & YOH), Toru Yano, & Kazuchika Okada) vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI, SANADA, To Be Announced, & Tetsuya Naito)

LIJ announced their new member, “The Dragon” Shingo Takagi! Shingo picked a good match to start in New Japan with, standing across from Okada. After an exchange of moves, Shingo tagged in and he took it right to SHO. Shingo, BUSHI, and Naito took out SHO, and Shingo killed him with a lariat. Shingo hit a Last Falconry on SHO, and got the pinfall!

Result: Los Ingobernables de Japon

Rating: *** (3 stars out of 5)

NJPW introducing Shingo Takagi from Dragon Gate on this show as a new member for Los Ingobernables de Japon was a great idea. Shingo seems to be a good fit for the stable, and will help the stable stand as Hiromu Takahashi recovers from his neck injury. NJPW has landed quite the talent, and don’t be surprised if NJPW eventually has Shingo move up to heavyweight to feud with Naito.

EVIL made his entrance to the ring, but Chris Jericho attacked him! Jericho stood over him, and posed with the Intercontinental Title. ZSJ ended up winning the match by default. ZSJ assaulted EVIL afterwards, and Naito made the save. It looks like we’re going to get Jericho vs. EVIL, and ZSJ vs. Naito. Chris Jericho has made another major impact in NJPW, as he continues to be one of the biggest wild cards in wrestling today. You never know where Jericho is going to show up, and NJPW seems to love surprising us with that. That makes Jericho a very valuable asset to NJPW, and he has been a proven draw for them. Hopefully the relationship between Jericho and NJPW continues for a long time.

KUSHIDA vs. Marty Scurll (Bullet Club Elite) – IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship

This match started with an incredible series of exchanges that saw both men get a series of pinfall and submission attempts before Scurll superkicked KUSHIDA while he was on the apron. KUSHIDA collapsed to the mats on the outside, and Marty hit a massive chop that rang throughout Sumo Hall. Marty continued to dominate for the next several minutes with hard hitting chops and some power-based offence.

KUSHIDA got some breathing room when he hit an enziguri on Scurll, but Scurll cut him off with a European uppercut while KUSHIDA was on the top rope. Scurll went for a superplex, but KUSHIDA held on and locked him in a cradle attempt. Scurll superkicked him right in the head for this, and both men were down.

There was another rapid exchange of near falls as both men countered each other repeatedly. KUSHIDA kept going after Marty’s arm, but Marty was able to superkick KUSHIDA again, dropping him face first to the mat. Both men exchanged a series of knee strikes before hitting right hands at the same time and crashing to the mat. Once both men stood up they both ended up on the top turnbuckle, and KUSHIDA managed to hit a flying armbar off the top rope! Holy cow!

Marty escaped and it wasn’t too long after that Marty was able to lock in the Crossface Chicken Wing. While KUSHIDA was barely able to hold on, Marty locked on a hoverboard lock of his own. KUSHIDA stood up and fought out, but missed a DDT, and Scurll hit a half and half suplex, dropping KUSHIDA on his head.

Scurll countered a Back to the Future attempt with a crazy powerbomb and a package suplex that saw KUSHIDA dropped on his head again. KUSHIDA kicked out, and Marty killed him with a clothesline before going for the package suplex again. Marty rolled through and went for the chicken wing, but KUSHIDA countered and hit Back to the Future! KUSHIDA wins!

Result: KUSHIDA

Rating: ****1/2 (4.5 stars out of 5)

KUSHIDA has reclaimed his spot at the top of the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Division, as his legacy as the Jr. Heavyweight Ace continues.