NJPW Super Jr Tag League Night 1 Review and Results

from njpw1972.com

Shingo Takagi & BUSHI vs Roppongi 3K

SHO and BUSHI begin. SHO turns his back on BUSHI to take a swipe at Shingo and he pays for it. Takagi and SHO trade forearms and shoulder blocks. Each land a few good shots and YOH and BUSHI are in. YOH gets the advantage and makes another quick tag. BUSHI gets free and Shingo’s back in. YOH tries to come to his partner’s rescue but they both eat lariats.

LIJ takes their opponents into the crowd and gives them the ol’ East/West (I guess that’s a thing). Back in the ring and SHO is isolated. He tries to fight back, but it isn’t happening for a while as he’s outnumbered and overpowered.

Eventually, though, he hits a desperation spear and makes the tag. YOH’s on fire with dropkicks and dragonscrews to both of his opponents. Double stomp and 3K finally has some breathing room. Double topes, and BUSHI is isolated now. YOH runs the ropes, but Shingo takes him out and chases down SHO. All four men are down, and we’re into the closing stretch.

YOH and Shingo roll out of the ring and BUSHI and SHO trade slaps. BUSHI hits a rebound enziguri, but SHO no sells and gets another deadlift german. Team offense from 3K and Shingo makes the save. Double suplex, and BUSHI’s on his own again.

Jumping Roppongi knees and they look for 3K, but BUSHI fights through it and makes the tag. Yoh fights hard, but the Dragon is too much. BUSHI takes out SHO as YOH reverses the Gory Special into a great backslide near fall. BUSHI’s back in. Tag team backbreaker to YOH, but SHO makes the save. Apron DDT to SHO. Gory special to YOH. Pumping Bomber. Last of the Dragon. Done.

As a BUSHI believer, I’m a bit sad to see him continue to take a back seat, but it’s going to be hard to be too upset if Shingo continues to perform like that. I’m seriously blown away. Everything he does in the ring is so explosive and smooth. The quick striking, the power moves, running the ropes. Everything. Also, the Pumping Bomber is probably my new favorite move. So good.

SHO and YOH are both incredible performers. They tend to steal the show in most of their matches. However, they took a step back here as it was clearly Shingo’s time to shine. They still delivered a great performance, it just wasn’t as spectacular or flashy as they focused on selling and setting up their opponents for success.

Rating: ****

In conclusion, I thought this was a solid show overall and a good way to kick off NJPW’s first ever junior tag league. The main event was awesome as Shingo stole the show, and the rest of the league matches were solid to good. Also, for more hardcore fans, the opening match is can’t miss as the Young Lions really let loose and showed off their potential.

Show Rating: 7.5/10