NJPW Super Jr Tag League Night 1 Review and Results
from njpw1972.com
El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs KUSHIDA & Chris Sabin
Despy and Kanemaru attack before the bell. Shocking. They get in a bit of a run and go for sunset flips, but KUSHIDA and Sabin roll through and lay in kicks. They follow up with stereo somersault sentons to the outside.
Kanemaru’s down and out as Despy is dragged back into the ring. Sabin goes to work, but Kanemaru recovers and pulls him down off the apron. The Suzuki-gun beatdown goes on until Sabin is able to land a running enziguri and tag in KUSHIDA, who runs wild.
Sabin recovers and joins in for some nice Time Splitters-esque offense. KUSHIDA continues but Desperado is able to send him flying into Sabin. Despy attacks Sabin with a chair as Kanemaru slams Young Lion Uemura into KUSHIDA at ringside.
KUSHIDA makes the count and is immediately met with a relentless assault from Kanemaru. Boston Crab, but KUSHIDA makes the ropes and fights off both of his opponents. Tag to Sabin and he runs off some of his best offense before tagging KUSHIDA back in for more Time Splitters offense.
KUSHIDA goes top rope, but Kanemaru sends him tumbling down out of nowhere as Despy gets a near fall and locks in the stretch muffler. Sabin fights out and is able to connect with Hail Sabin, but Maru pulls the ref out of the ring. Whiskey spray, spear, and the Pinché Loco finishes it.
This was a solid, classic face/heel tag team match. Sabin did a great job selling and, when KUSHIDA was able to get involved, their tag team offense was explosive and effective.
The Hail Sabin near fall was really good, even though the finish was somewhat frustrating. In the end though, the champs get good heat for stealing the match from two hard-working fan favorites. Overall, as far as match quality goes, I thought this was the weakest Tag League match of the night, but it was still extremely effective.