NJPW Power Struggle 2018 Review and Results: Chris Jericho vs EVIL

from njpw1972.com

NEVER Openweight Championship: Taichi(c) vs Hirooki Goto

Taichi jumps Goto before the bell and drops him on his head with an absolutely brutal looking Saito Suplex. The Holy Emperor proceeds to drag his opponent into the crowd and batter him with chairs. For some reason, the ref allows it cause NJPW makes zero sense sometimes. Oh well. All hail Lord Taichi.

Dueling “Let’s go Taichi” / “Go home Taichi” chants as the Champ continues to humiliate his opponent. Goto tries to fight back, but Taichi just shamelessly cheats to stay ahead over and over again. ALL HAIL LORD TAICHI.

The buzzsaw kicks gets a near fall and THE PANTS ARE OFF. Thrust kick attempt, but Goto counters into an Ushiguroshi. Taichi rakes the eyes and goes for the powerbomb, but Goto counters again.

Facebuster. GTR attempt as Taichi downs the ref. Low blow, Gator clutch, and the challenger barely kicks out. The last ride powerbomb follows, but Goto kicks out again and fights back with a desperation reverse GTR.

Taichi is first to his feet and he looks to hit his opponent with the NEVER belt, but Goto won’t let that happen. They go back and forth, and the Shouten and Goto Revolution (unfortunately) finishes The Holy Emperor

Hirooki Goto def Taichi

SIIIIGGGGHHHHH. I don’t understand this result at all. I know Taichi has his fair share of haters, but it’s hard deny that an extended title reign for him would’ve been interesting. Now we’re just back to Goto aimlessly carrying the strap around. Nothing wrong with Goto, but his recent on again off again with the NEVER belt feels entirely boring and uninspired at this point.

Apart from the booking, the match itself didn’t offer much either. It was building nicely, but neither man showed any urgency down the stretch whatsoever, and the finish felt flat and unearned. SIGH. Poor Taichi.

**