NJPW: Juice vs. Moxley marks a change for both competitors
Jon Moxley made his New Japan debut yesterday at the Best of the Super Juniors Finals. Surprisingly, he wasn’t the only one sporting a new look and attitude.
When New Japan Pro Wrestling aired a vignette to announce Jon Moxley would join the promotion, his debut became one of the most highly anticipated matches of the year. Fans of the former WWE superstar were curious how his style would mesh their aesthetic. Not to be upstaged, Juice Robinson also showed up to the IWGP United States Championship with a new disposition.
Juice vs. Moxley marked a distinct character shift for both competitors. Of course, Mox differed the most, ditching his usual jeans and a tank top. Instead, he sported trunks and traditional wrestling boots. His offense was still just as technical – maybe even more so – but he was notably more vicious. His movement was still frantic, but he seemed more focused.
On the other hand, Robinson wasn’t nearly as flamboyant and charismatic as usual. Even more, he cut off his trademark locs. The champion was still wearing his garish ring gear, but he was more serious than normal.
In addition, he worked a more high-risk style. Juice attempted several dangerous spots including a cannonball senton through a table and a dive from the top of the set.
It would have been easy to make Moxley’s first match a one-sided affair. However, the US Champion responded with a fiery and defiant attempt to retain in his fourth title defense. Mox brought the fight to him throughout the fight but Robinson tried his best to match his intensity.
The two brawled on and off, trading stiff punches and forearms, but they both also brought their distinct in-ring styles to the bout. Juice didn’t showboat as much, but he used his characteristic willpower to counter his opponent.
Moxley pulled off an impressive tope suicida, which we’ve seen in the past. But later in the match, he performed a dragon screw into a cloverleaf. It looked a lot like something out of Hiroshi Tanahashi’s playbook.
Mox was in control for most of the match, withstanding many of Juice’s attempts at a comeback. He still wasn’t above resorting to dirty tactics though.
He viciously targeted Robinson’s leg for most of the fight. When his opponent sustained a cut over his eye, Mox literally went for blood. He ruthlessly took aim at the area, at one point he even gnawed at it. Juice returned the favor later, biting the challenger to force him to break a submission hold.
Various times throughout the match Moxley attempted his signature double arm DDT but the champion fought him off. When he finally executed it, Juice kicked out to stun the crowd. So, Mox quickly nailed him with a high-angle version of the move called the Death Rider.
It was effective storytelling. Robinson looked like a strong and determined champion, who forced the challenger to delve deeper to put him away.
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In the end, Jon Moxley became the new IWGP United States Champion, making him the first wrestler to hold the US for both WWE and New Japan. Yes, it was predictable, but the match exceeded expectation. It was a great showing for Moxley, but it was even more entertaining to see both men bring something new to this matchup.