New Japan: New Beginning Tour

[soup23]

Posted below are the New Japan World cards.

 

1/30/15 New Japan World 5:00 AM Eastern

(1) Sho Tanaka vs. Jay White
(2) Alex Shelley & Yohei Komatsu vs. Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish
(3) KUSHIDA & Mascara Dorada vs. Matt & Nick Jackson
(4) Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Manabu Nakanishi, Captain New Japan & Tiger Mask IV
(5) Yuji Nagata, Togi Makabe, Tetsuya Naito & Tomoaki Honma vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano & YOSHI-HASHI
(6) Kazuchika Okada & Gedo vs. Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi
(7) Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto, Katsuyori Shibata & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, Tama Tonga & Kenny Omega

 

2/1/15 New Japan World 4:30 AM Eastern

(1) Sho Tanaka & Yohei Komatsu vs. Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish
(2) Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask IV vs. Manabu Nakanishi, Captain New Japan, Mascara Dorada & Jay White
(3) Ryusuke Taguchi, KUSHIDA & Alex Shelley vs. Kenny Omega, Matt & Nick Jackson
(4) Tetsuya Naito & Tomoaki Honma vs. Toru Yano & Kazushi Sakuraba
(5) Kazuchika Okada & Gedo vs. Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga
(6) Yuji Nagata & Togi Makabe vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Tomohiro Ishii
(7) Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata vs. Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows & Yujiro Takahashi

 

2/8/15 New Japan World 2:00 AM Eastern

(1) Sho Tanaka vs. Jay White
(2) Tiger Mask IV & Yohei Komatsu vs. Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish
(3) Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Manabu Nakanishi, Tomoaki Honma & Mascara Dorada
(4) Hirooki Goto, Katsuyori Shibata, KUSHIDA & Alex Shelley vs. Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, Matt & Nick Jackson
(5) Kazuchika Okada & Gedo vs. Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga
(6) Yuji Nagata, Togi Makabe, Tetsuya Naito & Tomoaki Honma vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano & YOSHI-HASHI
(7) Hiroshi Tanahashi & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Yujiro Takahashi & Kenny Omega

 

2/11/15 Airing on Demand on New Japan World

(1) Sho Tanaka vs. Yohei Komatsu
(2) Satoshi Kojima, Tiger Mask IV & Mascara Dorada vs. Manabu Nakanishi, Captain New Japan & Jay White
(3) Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Rob Conway & Chase Owens
(4) Tomoaki Honma vs. Kota Ibushi

(5) IWGP Jr. Tag Team Championship 3WAY Match: [39th Champions] Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish vs. [Challengers] KUSHIDA & Alex Shelley vs. [Challengers] Nick Jackson & Matt Jackson
~ 2nd title defense
(6) IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship Match: [70th Champion] Kenny Omega vs. [Challenger] Ryusuke Taguchi
~ 1st title defense

(7) Special 6 Man Tag Match: Kazuchika Okada, Toru Yano & Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Bad Luck Fale, Yujiro Takahashi & Tama Tonga
(8) Special 6 Man Tag Match: Yuji Nagata, Togi Makabe & Tetsuya Naito vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI

(9) IWGP Tag Team Championship Match: [65th Champions] Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata vs. [Challengers] Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows
~ 1st title defense
(10) IWGP Heavyweight Championship Match: [61st Champion] Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. [Challenger] AJ Styles
~ 2nd title defense

 

 

2/14/15 New Japan World 4:00 AM Eastern.

(1) Satoshi Kojima, Tomoaki Honma & Yohei Komatsu vs. Manabu Nakanishi, Captain New Japan & Sho Tanaka
(2) Tiger Mask IV & Mascara Dorada vs. Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish
(3) Ryusuke Taguchi, KUSHIDA & Alex Shelley vs. Kenny Omega, Matt & Nick Jackson

(4) NWA World Jr. Heavyweight Championship Match: [90th Champion] Jushin Liger vs. [Challenger] Chase Owens
~ 2nd title defense
(5) NWA World Heavyweight Championship Match: [90th Champion] Rob Conway vs. [Challenger] Hiroyoshi Tenzan

(6) Tetsuya Naito & Kota Ibushi vs. Toru Yano & Kazushi Sakuraba
(7) Kazuchika Okada & YOSHI-HASHI vs. Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi
(8) Special 6 Man Tag Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata vs. Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows & Tama Tonga

(9) NEVER Openweight Championship Match: [6th Champion] Togi Makabe vs. [Challenger] Tomohiro Ishii
~ 1st title defense
(10) IWGP Intercontinental Championship Match: [10th Champion] Shinsuke Nakamura vs.[Challenger] Yuji Nagata
~ 3rd title defense

 

Hoping to catch most of these live. Seems like a lot of rehashes but also the potential for perhaps some title changes and we should have a good direction of the New Japan landscape until G-1 with the results of this tour.

[concrete1992]

The 1/30 card has changed with Kyle O'Reilly vs Komatsu and Alex Shelley vs Jay White.

 

The final night hasn't been getting a lot of love but I think that will likely be show of the tour and Golden Stardust vs Yano/Sakuraba could be the best match of the whole tour. Can't wait to see how they turn out.

[soup23]

The 1/30 card has changed with Kyle O'Reilly vs Komatsu and Alex Shelley vs Jay White.

 

 

 

It is only a 6 match show now? That is a bummer as I was looking forward to the Red Dragon tag.

[concrete1992]

Still looking like a 7 match card. They just took Fish and Sho off the show it seems.

[stomperspc]

Wonder if they are building to a Sakuraba vs. Naito match or if they were simply paired together twice because they have nothing else going and that's how things shook out? I have no idea how good a single match would be with those two, but it seems like a potentially fun feud. Both guys are juniors at heart . . .

[soup23]

It at least seems fresh which is all I can ask for from third from the top. When was the last marquee Naito vs. Tanahashi match? I could seem him as a solid contender on a show if he builds up some wins assuming Tana retains vs. Styles.

[pol]

I think Naito and Ibushi are being built up to challenge for the tag titles. The fact that they're formally a team now with a name and everything is a clue. Plus they teased tension between Naito and Shibata at New Year Dash.

[soup23]

That is interesting. Could there be some Daniel Bryan in Team Hell No going on with Ibushi if he is bogged down most of the year in a tag team?

[Mad Dog]

I'm guessing Styles wins the belt here and Okada wins the New Japan Cup in March and then beats Styles for the belt in the early summer.

[pol]

That is interesting. Could there be some Daniel Bryan in Team Hell No going on with Ibushi if he is bogged down most of the year in a tag team?

 

If they're not planning on having him win the New Japan Cup and win the IC title from Nakamura, I think a tag team spot is good for Ibushi right now. It allows him to have showcase matches and also be protected from singles losses. I'm sure Gedo and Jado realise the heavyweight tag team division is pretty weak right now, so hopefully they've made it a project to get it popping a little more in 2015 - with Goto/Shibata, Ibushi/Naito and potentially Haste/Nicholls they seem to be taking good steps towards that already. I still think the long-term goal should be Ibushi as IC champion by WK10 though.

[cheapshot]

 

 

2/11/15 Airing on Demand on New Japan World

 

Are the other shows on NJW live too?

[soup23]

Of the shows I listed above, all but 2/11 have a start time that every other live show on NJW has had.

 

The setup for the 2/11 show seems similar to the World Tag League final.

 

I have no idea if any of the other shows on the tour not listed above will make tape.

[concrete1992]

Amazing if Naito and Ibushi formally team for awhile. The tag division is stale but I am willing to accept that being stale instead of the top of the card being stale...which if they are both pre-occupied it probably will be.

[soup23]

1/30/15 Quick Thoughts

 

(1) Alex Shelley vs. Jay White

First look at Jay White. This was pretty rudimentary in the early going with Jay utilizing a headlock but not doing much with it. Ditto for Shelley when he started on offense. This picked up in the last few minutes when Jay escaped the camel clutch. Finishing run was fine and Jay looked good doing a DDT and working towards an upset. Solid opener and Jay executed well but it remains to be seen whether he can build a story for an entire match. **1/2
(2) Yohei Komatsu vs. Kyle O’Reilly

This was a good match. O' Reilly has tightened up his strikes and added more viciousness. Komatsu is well on his way to becoming a big addition to New Japan overall as his timing is really good especially in the way he got the flash roll up here for a great near fall. I thought this was a perfect match to showcase both guys and highlight their strengths without overstaying their welcome. ***
(3) KUSHIDA & Mascara Dorada vs. Matt & Nick Jackson

Spots, Spots, more Spots. **3/4
(4) Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Manabu Nakanishi, Captain New Japan & Tiger Mask IV

Generic 6 man action but more zest than usual reflective in my generic ** rating that I usually provide as a baseline for these. Captain New Japan and Liger have some good interactions with each other and TMIV has condensed his repertoire down to just hit the stuff he can really cleanly. Ten/Koji is sloppy and clunky as ever but they tried here. **1/2
(5) Yuji Nagata, Togi Makabe, Tetsuya Naito & Tomoaki Honma vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano & YOSHI-HASHI

MOTN more than likely. In a match with Nakamura/Ishii, Honma was clearly the best here to me. Sure this is a throwaway 8 man, but look at the sympathy and timing he conveyed for his hot tag and the diving headbutt. Nakamura seemed oddly off in this match and based on their interaction, I am concerned about the Sendai Nagata match. Ishii double elbow and overall strike exchange with Makabe was nice and Togi looked more stiff and accurate here than at the dome. Overall, a very enjoyable match. ***1/4
(6) Kazuchika Okada & Gedo vs. Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi

This match sucked. Yujiro has no impact or reaction on his moves and was paired with Gedo. Everything from the mundane action on the outside to a butt ugly hotshot and finisher summed up his performance here. Fale and Okada didn't inspire either and that is a feud even New Japan hardcores are into. *1/2
(7) Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto, Katsuyori Shibata & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, Tama Tonga & Kenny Omega

Another blah match. A really lifeless shine sequence starts out before Taguchi gets worked over. Bullet Club has some snippets where they work well as a tandem but for most of the match and their control segment, it felt like four individuals that just happened to be wearing similar gear. Also, this Omega character isn't getting better with multiple times seeing him. Crowd died down. Finish was fun as Tana gave Tonga a Styles Clash and puts him away with the High Fly Flow. **

 

An enjoyable two hour show but I would recommend skipping the last two matches and just watch the gif of Tana hitting the Styles Clash. In what may become a theme of this tour, the first half felt much more fresh and interesting than the second half.

[stomperspc]

I thought Jay White came off relatively polished. I liked the headlock stuff because I am sucker for openings that ease you into the match. Sort of interesting to compare the way Komatsu and Tanaka have been handled to the way White and Cody Hall have been handled. Granted, Hall and White had prior experience before entering the New Japan dojo but they are seemingly placed even or ahead of where Tanaka and Komatsu are now. Just comparing the first two matches on this card, White got just as much (if not a tad more) in his match than Komatsu did in his. Hall meanwhile has been presented so far more like a junior member of the Bullet Club than a trainee. Doesn't bother me or anything, just think its interesting.

 

Komatsu looked good again. I love his flying forearm and as soup said, his timing (particularly on the few near falls he got) was spot on.

 

Also agree that the first half was stronger than the second. The Bucks match wasn't as grand as they tend to be though a scaled back Bucks match is still a lot to take. Dorada looked good which isn't much of a surprise. I hope at some point during the year, he gets an honest push in the junior division. He's certainly over and talented enough.

[soup23]

I think Komatsu and to a slightly lesser extent Tanaka are going to have to have some sort of development soon. Whether that means winning a match, being in a tournament like BOSJ or what, I'm not sure, but they both have shown enough in this past year of so working the opening matches that they can win over a crowd and execute an effective story.

[stomperspc]

I think Komatsu and to a slightly lesser extent Tanaka are going to have to have some sort of development soon. Whether that means winning a match, being in a tournament like BOSJ or what, I'm not sure, but they both have shown enough in this past year of so working the opening matches that they can win over a crowd and execute an effective story.

 

Agreed. Also wondering what is taking them so long to go on their excursions. Both seem more than ready, but maybe they don't want too many guys out there at the same time and are waiting for Kamaitachi and/or Watanabe to return.

[Strand Peanut]

 

 

I think Komatsu and to a slightly lesser extent Tanaka are going to have to have some sort of development soon. Whether that means winning a match, being in a tournament like BOSJ or what, I'm not sure, but they both have shown enough in this past year of so working the opening matches that they can win over a crowd and execute an effective story.

Agreed. Also wondering what is taking them so long to go on their excursions. Both seem more than ready, but maybe they don't want too many guys out there at the same time and are waiting for Kamaitachi and/or Watanabe to return.

Where is Watanabe right now? Last match was in September in the USA.

 

Even when he returns, gonna be a bit until Komatsu and Tanaka pick up steam. Who would they gain pinfalls over right now ?

[GOTNW]

Gedo, Jado, BUSHI if he weren't injured etc.

Not that they should-but after an excursion those are the kind of names you'd expect them to beat first.

[shoe]

 

 

 

I think Komatsu and to a slightly lesser extent Tanaka are going to have to have some sort of development soon. Whether that means winning a match, being in a tournament like BOSJ or what, I'm not sure, but they both have shown enough in this past year of so working the opening matches that they can win over a crowd and execute an effective story.

Agreed. Also wondering what is taking them so long to go on their excursions. Both seem more than ready, but maybe they don't want too many guys out there at the same time and are waiting for Kamaitachi and/or Watanabe to return.

Where is Watanabe right now? Last match was in September in the USA.

 

Even when he returns, gonna be a bit until Komatsu and Tanaka pick up steam. Who would they gain pinfalls over right now ?

Watanabe is booked in Texas for Feb. Against ACH.

[shoe]

(1) Alex Shelley vs. Jay White

 

This was a fine opener. White was green , but showed promise. I liked his headlock work and he was fun cranking it. Thought Shelly could have fought more underneath. White did telegraph what he was going to do on some transitions. 2 1/2*

 

(2) Yohei Komatsu vs. Kyle O’Reilly

 

This was another good match. I hope to see both guys in the IWGP jr.ranks. O'Reilly was great at targeting the back. Then transitioning into some nifty arm work. Komatsu's comeback seemed in organic. Though I liked his strikes and slick submission work. He's a blue chipper. 2 3/4 *

 

(3) KUSHIDA & Mascara Dorada vs. Matt & Nick Jackson

 

This is really hot to start. The Bucks are really a good heel team. Their personality is so obnoxious.I enjoyed this. This match had a lot of hot moves and a solid tag team structure. 2 3/4 *

 

(4) Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Manabu Nakanishi, Captain New Japan & Tiger Mask IV

 

I enjoyed Liger's work here. He wasn't good enough to carry everything though. 2 1/4*

 

 

(5) Yuji Nagata, Togi Makabe, Tetsuya Naito & Tomoaki Honma vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano & YOSHI-HASHI

 

This was real fun. I'm not a Yano guy but felt his schtick played well especiallyt off the different dynamics in the match. 3 1/4*

 

(6) Kazuchika Okada & Gedo vs. Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi 1 3/4*

 

I thought this was pretty mediocre. I think their is no way Okada is going to be able to carry that pos Fale like Nakamura did.

 

(7) Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto, Katsuyori Shibata & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, Tama Tonga & Kenny Omega

 

This was just there. I was expecting more.2 *

[soup23]

2/1/15 New Japan World 4:30 AM Eastern

(1) Sho Tanaka & Yohei Komatsu vs. Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish

- Fun opener that carried a rudimentary theme. I may have liked a little more offense from the young guns as this had a pretty good heat segment from Red Dragon and then the comeback was stunted short when they picked up the victory. **3/4
(2) Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask IV vs. Manabu Nakanishi, Captain New Japan, Mascara Dorada & Jay White

I think this thrown together 8 mans of New Japan have found the perfect match of guys that can do short sequences well and stay motivated in these types of matches. Tenzan is extremely limited but works hard and can do his big stuff. Kojima isn't much better. Liger and Tiger Mask can be looked at to have some fun comedy and flying sequences. Dorado is a fresh face. Jay Devitt did well again with the stuff he was asked. Capt. New Japan is the stalwart of these matches and Nakanishi is, well Nakanishi. Nothing I will remember two weeks from now, but an enjoyable 8 minutes for the second match on the show. **1/2
(3) Ryusuke Taguchi, KUSHIDA & Alex Shelley vs. Kenny Omega, Matt & Nick Jackson

This was the best Omega has looked in this gimmick IMO as he showed more ass here and focused on his execution and less on his theatrics. I still didn't think he was good as we got some dramatic selling during the early portion and he still insists on doing the chainsaw spot, but it was an improvement. I also thought Taguchi looked real motivated here and was in prime position for all of his spots and hung with the Bucks. Finish was all over the place and full of fun spots. Beatdown of Time Splitters by Red Dragon after the match added more fuel to that feud. ***
(4) Tetsuya Naito & Tomoaki Honma vs. Toru Yano & Kazushi Sakuraba

Naito and Sakuraba had a good segment here with Naito locking on a leg grapevine submission that looked nasty. Honma of course is going to be great in any setting. This was an off night for Yano and his comedy stylings didn't seem to really mix with what else was going on in the match. He unfortunately got the predictable win on Honma too. **1/2
(5) Kazuchika Okada & Yoshi-Hashi vs. Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga

Stinky match. Korakuen wasn't as unglued as they can be for this entire show, but I especially thought Okada got a weak reaction with some of his stuff including the dropkick spot here. The overall story told with him will be interesting. Prevailing thought seems to be that he will extinguish Fale at New Japan Cup. Okada winning New Japan Cup is intriguing. I could actually see him challenging Nakamura and winning the IC Belt at Invasion Attack if Tana retains vs. Styles. Anyway, TOnga and Hashi added much of nothing to the proceedings here. **
(6) Yuji Nagata & Togi Makabe vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Tomohiro Ishii

Good match but one I hoped more from. It essentially was two singles matches and that disrupted the flow for me. Nakamura continues to be excellent but I do wonder if Nagata can keep up as some of his offense now in this tour hasn't looked as pin-pointed due to Nagata being slightly out of position. The Makabe/Ishii segments were fine but felt like a rehash of stuff we have seen a multitude of times before now and that match is losing its luster a decent amount in my eyes. Finish was good with Nagata securing a big win heading into the Sendai show on 2/14. ***
(7) Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata vs. Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows & Yujiro Takahashi

I liked this main event better than the previous show. I especially thought Gallows and Shibata had a good slugfest exchange in the middle of this. Tana was a good FIP and Yujiro didn't totally annoy me so this was a success all around. Tana hits the Styles Clash again and I'm hoping for some payback once AJ comes over. **1/2

 

Overall Thoughts: Fun show but a disappointing one for Korakuen and the Nakamura tag and opener didn't reach levels I thought they might. This show had less heights than the Nakamura tag from 1/30 but also didn't have the lows of that show final two matches. Still, expectations were raised given the environment so I am not sure if I liked this show or 1/30 better overall.

[shoe]

(1) Sho Tanaka & Yohei Komatsu vs. Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish

 

This was solid. I was expecting more. Tanaka was selling his leg like death, but we didn't see Red Dragon really go after it. 2 1/2*

 

2) Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask IV vs. Manabu Nakanishi, Captain New Japan, Mascara Dorada & Jay White

 

This was fun. My favorite parts were Liger's comedy spots and Dorada's flying. 2 1/4*

 

(3) Ryusuke Taguchi, KUSHIDA & Alex Shelley vs. Kenny Omega, Matt & Nick Jackson

 

I thought this was a blast. It really picked up and had a heck of a finishing run. I'm not sure if the chainsaw is a comedy spot or a spin on a traditional heel spot which isn't good.I thought the Bucks and Omega played their role well because I wanted to cream them. 3 1/4*

 

(4) Tetsuya Naito & Tomoaki Honma vs. Toru Yano & Kazushi Sakuraba

 

I thought nthis match had its moments and everybody got their chance to shine even Yano. Honma and Sakuraba had a great pairing on the mat. As did Naito and Sakuraba. Fun stuff. 2 1/2*

 

(5) Kazuchika Okada & Yoshi-Hashi vs. Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga

 

I really hate Fale. They tried to get heat, but the work was so bland. I want the singles feud with Okada to get started so it will be a thing of the past. We'll see if okada can pull matches out of him like Nakamura did, 1 1/2*

 

(6) Yuji Nagata & Togi Makabe vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Tomohiro Ishii

 

Felt like a tale of 2 matches. I thought Nakamura and Nagata were great in it with one another. Though it didn't tell a tag story. Ishii and Makabe came across as after thought compared to Nakamura/Nagata 2 3/4*

 

(7) Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata vs. Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows & Yujiro Takahashi

 

I thought this was solid. It really should have been better tough. 2 1/2*

[Timbo Slice]

Thought this show was better than the first show overall, but I'm not sure there was a match I liked from this show better than the O'Reilly/Komatsu match from night one. I can't believe they're sticking Okada with Fale right now, seems like a real waste.

[soup23]

2/8/15 New Japan World 2:00 AM Eastern

1. Sho Tanaka vs. Jay White

Jay White continues to be impressive. I liked his arm work better here than what he did the opening night of the tour. Tanaka made a good comeback and kept working on the arm. I especially liked that he couldn’t hit a gut wrench suplex because of the damage that had been done with his arm. Tanaka locks in a Boston Crab, but White is able to escape. After a bit of back and forth, White hits a big missile dropkick for the best nearfall of his short New Japan career. Tanaka locks in another half crab and after a tease rope break, he is able to push White into the middle of the ring and bend back earning the submission. This was a very strong opener with sound psychology. The young lion future is bright for New Japan and this was the latest example. ***
(2) Tiger Mask IV & Yohei Komatsu vs. Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish

Another good match here. I am really becoming fans of Red Dragon as they have worked on tightening up their heel work before just going straight into the finishing stretch. O’Reilly in particular has improved by leaps and bounds at little touches like parading around the ring leading the inexperienced Komatsu into a Fish clothesline. The work here was strong and while the finish was never in doubt, they built up some moments of triumph for the TM and Komatsu team. The best of these was a TM submission attempt. Red Dragon puts the match away with the Chasing the Dragon finisher. This show is two for two in my book. ***
(3) Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Manabu Nakanishi, Tomoaki Honma & Mascara Dorada

Death, Taxes and a fun multi-man match involving Liger and TenKoji. I have come to really relish these matches even though they are usually the epitome of nonconsequential. I say usually as this one had the neat wrinkle of Dorada scoring the pinfall over Liger. Maybe it means nothing in the long run, but I am hopeful that after a successful Chase Owens defense, we get some Liger vs. Dorada single matches. **1/2
(4) Hirooki Goto, Katsuyori Shibata, KUSHIDA & Alex Shelley vs. Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, Matt & Nick Jackson

This could have suffered from the fact that it came after the last multi-man, but I still thought this was a good match continuing the trend of the show overall. I thought this suffered at the end from being too disjointed overall. I did like some of Goto’s work on the apron and the Bucks schtick. **3/4
(5) Kazuchika Okada & Gedo vs. Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga

Our first really blah match of the night. I have been pretty negative on the Okada vs. Fale stuff and not just from an in-ring standpoint. I just don’t see how Okada starting from the bottom at this point was really beneficiary and it didn’t really play into the groundwork laid for him in the last half of 2014. That said, the in ring portion of these tags has been mundane at best. This felt like everyone wrestling through molasses with the exception of Tonga for brief moments. Nothing to see here at all. **
(6) Yuji Nagata, Togi Makabe, Tetsuya Naito & Captain New Japan vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano & YOSHI-HASHI

Another pedestrian match as the second half of this show is getting lapped pretty easily by the first half. This had some more liveliness than the previous match but that was based on the amount of bodies in there. Yano might as well have been non existent. At least Nakamura brought it at the end. **1/2

(7) Hiroshi Tanahashi & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Yujiro Takahashi & Kenny Omega

To say I was anticipating this match would be an understatement of big proportions. Omega and Yujiro are my two least favorite New Japan guys period. Taguchi is someone I am very tepid about. I am by no means a huge Tanahashi fan, but he was clearly the best guy coming into this match but his history with spot show matches is well known. We start with him and Omega having an uninspiring exchange. Yujiro and Taguchi try their luck but Taguchi is more concerned with hip swiveling and delivering the butt butt. His whole repertoire screams anti-main event that it is tough for me to put much stock into it. Matters get made worse with Bullet Club interference on the outside. The referee is somehow preoccupied with Tama Tonga calmly talking to him on the apron instead of the 5 on 1 beatdown happening on the floor. The work on Taguchi inside actually improved this as Tana is a good apron guy at times although there can be some silliness of him watching a double team. Still Taguchi makes his comeback with what else, a butt butt and goes to tag Tana and we get a nice moment where Omega pulls him down as a hope spot. Tana of course eventually comes in and we get more Bullet Club nonsense with Omega clamoring to the crowd to a HUGE (slight) reaction. I don’t want to pick on the guy that much but I really think this whole act stinks. The highlight comes with Taguchi hitting a good sequence of moves culminating in a tope on the entire Bullet Club. This allows Tana to hit the slingblade and HFF and we are out. **1/4

Overall: Story of this tour has been promising and super fun undercard and pedestrian and by the number main event matches. We will see what the mega shows in the next week have to offer.