New Japan Pro Wrestling made its way back to the United States Sunday, March 25 with its PPV special Strong Style Evolved. All of New Japan's top stars (Kazuchika Okada, Kenny Omega, Minoru Suzuki, etc.) were at the event and put on one hell of a show. Marquee matches included Okada and Tomohiro Ishii vs. Suzuki and Zack Sabre, Jr., Switchblade Jay White vs. Hangman Page for the IWGP United States Championship and our main event, where we saw Omega and Kota Ibushi (as the newly reformed Golden Lovers) vs. the Young Bucks, who had just recently moved up to the Heavyweight Tag Team division.
But before we get to those matches, let's do a quick run through the rest of the card.
Roppongi 3K vs. SoCal Uncensored
Our first match of the night was a Six-Man Tag between Roppongi 3K (Sho, Yoh and Rocky Romero) against the Ring of Honor 6-Man Tag Team Champions SoCal Uncensored (Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian and Scorpio Sky).
Not too much to say here. Romero and Sky start it out, exchange holds. Quick exchanges and tags throughout, Roppongi looking fairly strong to start out. Then thanks to interference from Sky, Uncensored takes control and starts isolating Yoh. Finally, Romero gets the hot tag and the action starts breaking down. Roppongi takes control back and hit the 3K on Sky for the win.
Thoughts: It was evident this match was meant to hype up the crowd, and it definitely accomplished that. The action was fast-paced and intense, and remained that way for the duration. It was a good idea for the more time-weathered team of Uncensored to put over the fresh-faced New Japan juniors, as it gives them a wider exposure to the American audience.
Juice Robinson and David Finlay vs. Hirooki Goto and Gedo
It's a standard two-on-two tag match here. Robinson and the NEVER Openweight Champion Goto start the match out, with Goto getting control at the start. Goto and Gedo isolate Robinson and rough him up. Juice fights from underneath and finally tags in Finlay, and the speed picks up as Finlay shows off his incredible agility.
Robinson delivers the plancha to Goto while Finlay hits the stunner on Gedo for the win.
Thoughts: The only word that comes to mind here is disappointment. It was a relatively short match, meaning neither side could really do much get in everything they wanted to. Everyone in that match (especialy Juice) deserved better.
Toru Yano and Chuckie T vs. Killer Elite Squad
It's our first CHAOS vs. Suzuki-Gun match of the night, as Yano and Chuckie T take on K.E.S (Lance Archer and Davey Boy Smith, Jr.). K.E.S do what they do best as they isolate Yano and Chuckie, with Chuckie taking most of the punishment at the start. Archer and Smith trade pummeling blows to Chuckie, and he really seems out of sorts.
After some time spent getting the piss beat out of him, Chuckie finally tags in Yano, and the crowd is super-hot for him. Yano's to his usual comedy tricks, much to the chagrin of Archer. Yano and Chuckie seem to have the upper-hand for a while. It short-lived, though, as K.E.S quickly recovers and hits the Killer Bomb on Chuckie to pick up the W.
Thoughts: It went about the way you'd expect a K.E.S match to go, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Archer and Smith always fulfill their role as violent, brutish badasses, and it was no different here. Yano may have been the most over person in the match, with the crowd red-hot for him consistently throughout. With another dominating victory, hopefully this will lead to a title rematch once EVIL recovers from injury.
Cody and Marty Scurll vs. Guerillas of Destiny
The match starts off with Cody cutting a promo, who states that Bullet Club is fine and expresses his disgust for the booking of the match, not wanting to face his stablemates G.O.D (Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa). Loa then grabs the mic and says not only will the match, but also G.O.D are definitely not on Team Cody.
G.O.D got the upper hand from the start, laying Cody out and sending him to the outside. Scurll eventually gets tagged in and has quick exchange with Loa before Cody and Tonga come in for their respective sides. Tonga isolates Cody and starts punishing him, but then an outside distraction from Cody's wife Brandi Rhodes and a patented apron superkick from Scurll turn the tide to Cody and Scurll's favor.
Scurll attempts to go for his Crossface Chickenwing before Cody tags himself in. He tries for the Cross Rhodes, Tonga counters with one of his one. Loa comes back though, and the intensity picks up. Follow a series of exchanges and multiple superplexes, Cody would eventually pick up the victory for his team with a Cross Rhodes on Loa.
Thoughts: I've said it before and I'll say it again: Cody is the best non-WWE heel in all of wrestling at the moments. From his promos, to his interactions with his stablemates as well as constantly mocking Kenny Omega, his talent is boundless and I'm always fascinated whenever I get the chance to see him.
Scurll did a good job at offsetting the overall serious nature of G.O.D with comedic overtones, despite not being in the match for that long. Even the little things he did here prove why he's an amazing talent and deserves any spotlight he's given.
Los Ingobernables De Japon vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Ryusuke Taguchi, KUSHIDA and Dragon Lee
Normally antiheroes, LIJ (Tetsuya Naito, BUSHI, SANADA and Hiromu Takahashi here) are the outright heels in this match. It starts out with longtime rivals Tanahashi and Naito. SANADA promptly comes in and the two heels jump Tanahashi and start beating him down before it gets broken up. Lee and Takahashi come in and start delivering stiff open-hand strikes to one another.
Eventually, the action breaks down and all eight members go at each other, with the babyfaces getting the upper hand. KUSHIDA then starts working over Takahashi, showing off his techinical prowess. Following a quick beatdown outside the ring, L.I.J regain control. KUSHIDA finally manages to tag in Tanahashi and he goes to work quickly, delivering a double dragon screw to BUSHI and Takahashi.
Taguchi and Naito get the tags for their respective teams, with Taguchi delivering a series of his trademark hip attacks. An impressive triple submission spot (Taguchi with the ankle lock, Tanahashi with the cloverleaf and KUSHIDA with the Hoverboard Lock) is broken up by Takahashi. Naito eventually hits the Destino on Taguchi and gets the win for L.I.J.
Thoughts: Out of the four previous matches, this was easily the tastiest appetizer from an in-ring standpoint. It was nice to see Naito look strong and score the pinfall. Hopefully he can build up more of his momentum following this match. I could watch Dragon Lee and Takahashi go at it all day; their chemistry is off the charts, even if there weren't too many 1-on-1 situations in this match. Not much more to add here.
And now, here's where it really gets cooking
Will Ospreay vs. Jushin Thunder Liger
Before the match begins, Rey Mysterio, who was originally Liger's scheduled opponent addresses the crowd and says he is unable to compete following a recent bicep injury. Fortunately, fans didn't go home empty-handed, as his replacement is none other than the current IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay.
The match starts out with series of holds, with Liger getting the upper hand and putting the surfboard on Ospreay. The tides quickly turn to Ospreay's favor, as he works over Liger with surprisingly impressive mat work. Following a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker to Ospreay, Liger then hits him with the apron cannonball and follows that up with a brainbuster on the outside. Ospreay manages to beat the count.
Ospreay tweaks his knee following a frankensteiner counter, but manages to battle through, hitting Liger with a handspring enzuguiri then a Sasuke Special. Ospreay then continues the offense with a springboard forearm smash and then a standing shooting star press. He then attempts a 619, Liger counters, then hits the rolling koppu kick. Ospreay then pulls off a crisp Spanish Fly side slam. He then attempts the OsCutter, Liger counters and hits another brainbuster. Ospreay kicks out.
Liger then puts Ospreay onto the top rope and hits a super brainbuster. Ospreay somehow manages to kick out. Following a quick trade of counters, Liger hits his trademark Shotei palm thrust; Ospreay kicks out of the pin attempt. Liger attempts another one, Ospreay counters, hits Liger with his own take on the Liger Bomb. After a kick-out, Ospreay then hits Liger with a couple kicks and finishes the match and gains the victory with an OsCutter.
After the match, Ospreay cuts a promo, commending Liger for his longevity and influence in the business, as well as challenging Mysterio for a future title match. Shortly after, Marty Scurll shows up, hits Ospreay with his umbrella and unmasks Mysterio, briefly holding up Ospreay's title before being chased out of the ring.
Thoughts: With another impressive victory, Ospreay proved why he's one of wrestling's best talents right now. He's expanded his arsenal and isn't just some random flippy-shit kid, though anti-smarks will continue to believe that. Liger, AT 53 FUCKING YEARS OLD, still consistently delivers in the ring. He seemingly refuses to age.
The challenge given to Mysterio has dream match potential, and it'll be interesting to see whether they pull the trigger on it once Mysterio recovers. Scurll's interference points to a renewed rivalry with Ospreay. Given their history as well as their chemistry (watch their match at Final Battle, as well as the Wrestle Kingdom 12 Fatal 4-Way), I can safely this is definitely a good thing.
Kazuchika Okada and Tomohiro Ishii vs. Minoru Suzuki and Zack Sabre, Jr.
The match starts out with Okada and ZSJ, exchanging grapples, giving the crowd a glimpse of what's to come at Sakura Genesis, where the two will square off for the belt. Ishii and Suzuki both get tagged in. and a definite difference of styles is shown as the two exchange stiff strikes. ZSJ takes care of Okada on the outside while Suzuki and Ishii brawl out on the outside, reminiscent of many Suzuki-Gun matches.
Suzuki and ZSJ work Ishii over with an impressive series of submissions. They continue to punish Ishii, working on his legs in particular. Ishii finally overcomes with a german suplex to ZSJ and makes the hot tag to Okada. Okada puts in some quick offense to ZSJ and Suzuki, then tries his Reverse Neckbreaker, which ZSJ quickly into a headscissored octopus hold (I think that's what it's called).
ZSJ then applies a standard octopus hold on Okada while Suzuki and Ishii brawl on the outside. Okada attempts a tombstone piledriver, which is quickly countered (I'm trying to keep up with ZSJ's submissions, but holy shit it's difficult). Ishii finally breaks up the hold, only to get a Suzuki boot. After another round of holds, ZSJ finally tags in Suzuki. Okada hits the Reverse Neckbreaker and tags in Ishii, prompting him and Suzuki to yet again deliver a series of stiff-as-fuck strikes.
Suzuki attempts the sleeper hold, Ishii counters, but is promptly met with a Suzuki knee lift. Suzuki tags ZSJ back in, and the two begin to double-team Ishii once again. Okada breaks up a pinfall, leading to him and Suzuki brawling on the outside. ZSJ gets Ishii in another whatthefuckdoyouevencallthat-style submission secure a win for Suzuki-Gun.
Thoughts: Nothing too special here. Just a damn good tag match that puts Sabre, Jr.'s submission prowess on full display. It's truly marvelous to see combine and manipulate to create moves I didn't even think were possible. They're building him up as a unique threat in the Heavyweight division, picking up apart his opponents scientifically and dissecting them.
This was more or less a showcase for ZSJ leading up to his match with Okada at Sakura Genesis, though to be honest, that's not necessarily a bad thing. He's another challenger for arguably the most prestigious world title in all of professional wrestling, so it should be obvious that he look as strong as possible. Plus, it's always a treat to see Suzuki and Ishii brawl, as the two have excellent chemistry together.
IWGP United States Championship match: Switchblade Jay White vs. Hangman Page
The only title match on the card starts out with a series of chops and elbow strikes, with the champ initially with the upper hand. This is until Page boots him and starts pounding on White, becoming the aggressor. Page hits a back suplex, White kicks out and hits a dropkick following a quick exchange.
It's time for White to gain control once again, employing a Muta Lock. White and Page fight outside, with Page getting the upper hand following a rope-hung neckbreaker onto the apron. Page pummels White and gives him a fireman's carry-style toss into one of the ring posts. The action continues in the ring as Page delivers a deadlift bridging pumphandle suplex to White, who kicks out. An irish whip and a Page backbreaker later, White still kicks out.
White delivers a back suplex and a series of chops, regaining his momentum. He unleashes a series of rolling half-hatch suplexes, but Page fights back, countering a Kiwi Crusher attempt from White into a small package. White kicks out, hits Page with a flatliner then delivers a bridging german suplex. Page kicks out, eventually getting White into a fireman's carry and putting a rope-hung DDT on him. The action spills out onto the apron, where White first hits a flatliner, then a dangerous looking german suplex to the floor.
Back in the ring, White attempts a superplex, which Page counters with a cutter. A series of strikes later and White suplexes Page out of the ring. Following, more White suplexes ensue. White attempts his Blade Runner finisher, Page counters with a powerbomb. Page hits the piledriver, White kicks out. Page attempts a moonsault, White rolls out to the outside. Page then hits a shooting star press off the apron, then a top-rope moonsault. Page throws White back in the ring and delivers the Buckshot Lariat. He attempts the pin, but White kicks out.
After countering Page's Rite of Passage finisher attempt, White employs a series of strikes then a half-nelson suplex. The Kiwi Crusher is successful this time, but Page kicks out. Page then spits in White's face, superkicks him and delivers a rolling elbow. Page attempts the Rite of Passage once again, but White brilliantly counters into the Blade Runner, securing a victory and retaining his title.
Following the match, David Finlay attacks White and declares that he will be White's next challenger for the belt.
Thoughts: This match was absolutely fantastic, and showcased the sheer depth of talent both men have. White proved he's a capable fighting champion, while Page showed why he deserves to have a bigger singles push. The back-and-forths were absolutely brilliant, with both men constantly countering each other seemingly out of nowhere. The strikes were sensational, and White delivers one hell of a suplex.
The sheer fact both of these men can perform at such an intense level while being relatively young (White at age 25 and Page at 26) certainly speaks to the level of commitment these two men have when crafting their body of work. So many memorable spots (anything on the apron, Page's outside moonsault, the endless finisher counters, etc.) as well. Plus, my mans David Finlay is getting a title shot out of it, which only sweetens the deal.
This would be the match of the night, if not for...
Main event time. A story that's been brewing for a while now. There's been trouble brewing in Bullet Club, especially evidenced between Omega and the Bucks. Once thick as thieves, the relationship has gotten rocky once Omega realigned himself with Ibushi as the Golden Lovers; he declared the Lovers to be the best tag team in the world, which drew the ire of the Bucks. They took this opportunity to move up into the Heavyweight Tag Team division. Matt grew increasingly angry at Kenny, while Nick continued to have reservations (watch Being The Elite for more detail). Anyways, here we go.
Match starts out with Ibushi and Matt (still wearing the
weight support belt for his back). Matt then demands Kenny be tagged in, still
showing his anger. Kenny’s reluctant to try anything serious and tries to talk it out. Matt responds by attacking Kota, then tags in Nick, who is also reluctant
about facing Kenny. Kota gets tagged in, and impressive display of agility between Nick and Kota ensues.
Matt gets tagged back in, Kota angrily attacks Matt’s back.
Kenny tries to stop Kota and comfort Matt, but Matt angrily shoves him down. Tandem offense from the
Bucks. Nick attempts a dive, Kenny counters with a flapjack onto Matt. Then Kenny attempts a dive, which Nick counters with a superkick. He then delivers a springboard plancha onto Kenny and Kota.
With Matt and Kenny, still on the outside, Matt brings out a
table. Nick tries to talk him out of it. Quick exchange between Kota and Nick.
Kota tries to corner kick him, Bucks counter with a rope-assisted
neckbreaker/senton combo. Matt is tagged back in. Kota avoids the clothesline from Matt, kicks Nick to the outside, avoids Matt
once again and hits a springboard plancha onto Nick.
Kota, back in the ring, tries to tag Kenny. Matt pulls him
off the ring apron, leading to a bucklebomb/high kick combo. Pinfall attempt,
Kenny breaks it up. Matt still selling his back.
Kenny finally tags in, Crossbody and double axe handles fly.
Nick counters with a back elbow. Kota comes in and the Bucks hit an assisted
rana on him. Bucks try for more offense (headscissors/kick) Kota counters with
a missile dropkick, then shoot kicks Matt’s back. Matt’s selling is constant
throughout; everything done to his back truly looks painful.
Tandem offense from the Golden Lovers. First on Nick, then
an attempt at a Cross Slash moonsault to the outside. Kenny is successful, Kota isn't, but manages to deliver a headlock throw in the process. They get Matt back into the ring and hit a standing shooting star press/second-rope moonsault conbo (almost running into each other). Kenny attacks Matt’s
back, Matt goads him on, his anger constant throughout. Still selling like a
million bucks. Nick comforts Matt.
Kota continues to attack the back, then tags in Kenny, who
hits Matt with a devastating backbreaker. Kenny has look of remorse on his
face. Nick chews him out. Matt’s selling is still perfection. Matt tries to tag out, Kota
stops him, leading him to duck under his legs to the outside. Matt tries to attack Kenny,
who counters with an apron suplex.
After enduring a great deal of punishment, Matt finally gets out and tags Nick. Nick's impressive hot-tag offense is on full display here, hitting a series of strikes then a bulldog/clotheseline combo. Nick hangs up Ibushi in the corner. Kenny tries to take out
Nick with a rana, but Nick rolls through and hits a backstabber on Kota. Nick
then hits an assisted top-rope suicide dive onto Kenny. The Bucks take out Kota with a high
knee/assisted shiranui/knee strike combo. Kota kicks out.
Matt tags in, suggest the two hit a tandem 450 on Kota (the
Golden Lovers’ former finisher). Kota gets back up, shoves Nick to the outside.
Kenny comes in and the two hit a tandem superplex on Matt. The Lovers then try
to hit the 450s, but both of the Bucks get up and shove them off. Nick german
suplexes Kenny on the ring apron. Finally showing aggression akin to Matt, Nick
sets up the table. Matt ascends to the top rope with Kota in the ring. Nick implores
Matt to put Kenny through the table. Time is stalled enough for Kota to get
back up and hit the pele kick on Matt.
Nick tries to attack Kota, both go over
the top rope. Kenny then sets up Matt for a One-Winged Angel through the table.
Matt tries to counter, falls victim to a second-rope elevated german suplex from
Kota. Kenny and Kota attempt the Golden Trigger. Nick pulls Kenny to the outside. Matt and Kota exchange forearms in the ring. Matt
superkicks Kota, then Kenny hits the V-Trigger with Kota’s lariat. Kota hits
the Golden Star Powerbomb, Matt kicks out. Kenny hits another V-Trigger, Nick makes the
save.
Still in the ring, Matt takes kick after kick from Ibushi. Matt then gets up and angrily goads on Kota for
more. Matt counters a moonsault attempt into a sharpshooter. Kenny breaks it
up, gets superkicked by Nick, leading to a springboard dive onto Kenny to the
outside while Matt reapplies the sharpshooter, but Kota make it to the rope. Nick hits a slingshot X-Factor to Kota, then
a tornado ddt onto Kenny. Matt tries to keep the sharpshooter on, screaming in
agony, but his back gives out.
Nick helps Matt get Kota on his shoulders,
setting up more tandem offense. Nick runs across the ring and kicks Kenny, Matt
hits the finlay roll on Kota, then the 450 from Nick and finally an elbow drop
from Matt onto Kenny through the table. After a brief respite, Nick helps Matt up, then hits another 450 onto Kota with
help from Matt and the ropes. Kota fights back, gets legsweeped then the Bucks
hit a tandem kneeling superkick. Kenny, back in, superkicks Nick, tries for the One-Winged Angel again, gets countered with a succession of superkicks. Bucks try for tandem
offense, Kota counters with peles to both. All four of these men are practically running on
empty.
Matt still goading Kenny to hit him. An exchange of punches ensue, then Kenny hits the snap dragon suplex and looks mortified. Matt then gets back up and hits him
with the piledriver. Matt takes the belt off, then proceeds to beat Kenny
with it. Kenny gives Matt a shot to the back, picks up the belt, ponders
whether to use it, then throws it down, opting instead to hit him with the
V-Trigger. Kenny attempts another V-Trigger. Matt counters with a
spear.
The Bucks try for the Meltzer Driver, Kota pulls Nick off the apron and
powerbombs him through a table. The Lovers then proceed to hit a Driver of
their own. Matt kicks out. Kota and Kenny continue to punish Matt (an assisted
roundhouse, a Dr. Wily Bomb), but he still kicks out despite everything. Kenny sees a prone Matt, about to set him up for another
V-Trigger, but this time he’s more reluctant to do it. Matt eventually gets up
and superkicks Kenny. Kota gives Matt a side kick, then Kenny hits another V-Trigger. Kenny sets him up for the Angel,
is reluctant, but Matt begs him to do it. He hits it, Nick breaks it up.
Nick drops to his knees and comes to the aid of his brother,
begging him to get up and telling him it isn’t over, while also chewing Kenny
out for it. Nick, out of anger, attempts to take on the Lovers by himself.
Kenny hits another V-Trigger, Kota hits the half-nelson suplex. The Lovers drag
Matt back in and hit him with the Golden Trigger.
Kenny lays there for a moment, seemingly ashamed that this
had to be the end for them. Nick comes to Matt’s side and stays there with him.
Kenny and Nick look at each other, pondering why it had to come to this. Bucks
stay in the ring while the Lovers leave.
Cody then comes to the ring and chews out the Bucks for not
being victorious. He shoves Matt down and continues to berate them. Kenny comes
out to confront Cody, Cody leaves. He then attempts to reconcile with the Bucks.
He’s successful with Nick, but not with Matt. Nick now looks distraught,
seemingly torn between the two. The show ends with a Kenny Omega promo,
promising that it’s not over between him and Cody.
Thoughts: There's a reason I put so much detail into this specific match. It was that damn good, so the detail was warranted. If I could describe this match in two it would be this: Storytelling Perfection. Every essential part to The Elite dissension was on full display. Matt's anger towards Kenny and jealousy towards Kota, Nick being split between the relationship with his brother and Kenny, Kenny caught between his rekindled partnership with Kota and his crumbling relationship with the Bucks, as well as Cody being thrown in there to heighten the drama.
The ring work, as I excessively detailed, was absolutely breathtaking. It was the perfect mix between fast-paced athleticism and slow-burn drama, with exciting high spots thrown in for good measure. The tag maneuvers from both teams were absolutely perfect. Every move seemed to be executed to the most absolute level of perfection. In addition to that, Matt sold like a million bucks throughout, Nick displayed his boundless offensive arsenal to full effect and the Lovers built up the tag team prowess they had in the past.
I honestly can't say enough good things about this. This match was an example of how professional wrestling can be perfect when all of the gears are in motion. The in-ring work, the storytelling, etc. were all done to the best extent. Until I'm proven wrong, this will be standard-bearer for how tag team wrestling should be in the present day.
Overall Impressions
I can't say much more besides that it was a damn good show. It started off decently, then tapered off, then picked back up. The 8-man tag match was the signaling of a shift in the show. It was when the show stopped being decent, started being great, then became amazing. Obviously, the top two standouts were the last two matches. Both of them had me on the edge of my seat and clamoring for more. Page/White was fantastic, and Golden Lovers/Young Bucks will be a match that will be in the pantheon of greatest tag matches.
Seriously, do yourselves a favor and watch it. You'll love it, I promise.
