Ladder Match – IWGP Intercontinental Title: Kenny Omega [c] vs. Michael Elgin (highlights; 6/19/16)
They only showed highlights of this on AXS, but watched the full match. The ladder match explanation video was my everything. The ladder match itself was OK. This had the empty stunt show feel of a WWE ladder match but was brought up a notch by the crowd absolutely freaking out for all the ladder spots, like it was 1892 and they were seeing electricity for the first time. Otherwise, some cool stuff for sure, and a continuation of Omega going balls out en route to getting over in New Japan – pescado into the ladder and Elgin, the insane tope that he landed on his feet and ran out of, going hard on every single ladder bump, outside of the time Elgin decided to gingerly bodyslam him on the ladder. ***
IWGP Heavyweight Title: Tetsuya Naito [c] vs. Kazuchika Okada (6/19/16)
“And if I fight a straight match, I get booed now. What’s that all about?” Preach, Okada. Love of the anti-hero has gone too far. This was excellent, though not a high-end Excellent New Japan match. They took the crowd for a ride, but not sure it ever GOT me until the last five minutes. Most of the match was Naito working over Okada’s neck and Okada selling like the sympathetic top guy he is. Okada’s big dropkick on the ramp was pretty sweet, as was Naito spitting blood at the crowd then turning around and getting punched in the face. Once they started elbowing each other on their knees this really started to rock. High drama, with the crowd biting on everything. The Destino countered with a Tombstone was wild, and liked the thread of Naito just unable to hit the Destino. Naito takes three Rainmakers and bumps like an absolute nut on the last one, which gives Okada his belt back. ****
