We need to talk about Josh Barnett and JR.
I know I’m likely in the minority in taking in New Japan via AXS versus New Japan World, but it remains a very accessible way to view it and though there are some misses, New Japan shows edited down to just the top stuff is my favorite way to view them. I might miss the fun young lion matches but show me more than 10 New Japan multi-man tags and I’ll show you a guy who doesn’t want to watch New Japan anymore.
So, Josh Barnett and JR are for all intents and purposes the voice of New Japan on American televisions.
And they are terrible.
Like, not just wrestling commentary bad – actively, product-killing bad.
You’ve got Jim Ross transparently reading off notes, even at one point straight-up saying “according to my notes” as he spouted a Wikipedia page on what shaving one’s head means in Japanese culture, as if he is some NBC commentator talking over the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics.
You’ve got Josh Barnett not giving one single shit about the wrestling in front of him, instead either trying to put over his credibility by acting like some old wrestling vet or awkwardly trying to impress JR. I will never forget how he said “Leon” when referencing Vader – CRINGE.
Remember when Josh Barnett completely biffed the Takahashi Timebomb reveal? No? You’re better off for it.
But most importantly of all there is just transparently zero connection to the characters that make up this program. None. JR’s thing was always passion for the product in front of him – here we get none of that. It’s even clearer when JR wakes up for Chris Jericho’s appearance, a guy he is familiar with and likely had a hand in recruiting.
JR brings with him a familiar voice and the odd moment of credibility. Josh Barnett honestly brings nothing to the table. JR and someone else might be tolerable, but JR and Barnett together is just insufferable.
Anyways. Let’s watch New Japan.
This was a rare angle-heavy show, which is a very cool thing. Lots of stuff set up for the next few shows.
1. NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Title: Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano & Beretta [c] vs. Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa & Bad Luck Fale (highlights)
There were about six highlights here, real quick. Bullet Club loses the titles 1/4, then wins them back 1/5. I’m not sure I “get” the 6-man title. It kind of feels like New Japan’s very own Hardcore Title, but it doesn’t fully embrace the craziness. You know you’ve got a credible championship when a crowd LAUGHS at a 3-count finish. N/A
2. Cody, Yujiro Takahashi, Chase Owens, Marty Scurll & Leo Tonga vs. Kota Ibushi, Juice Robinson, David Finlay, KUSHIDA & Ryusuke Taguchi (last few minutes)
This was a rare showcase for a few of these guys on AXS – Yujiro, Owens, and Finlay rarely get an appearance, while Leo Tonga is making his first. Owens and Finlay still look like slobs, while Leo Tonga is TALL. Everyone stands on the floor for this one when not tagged in – is this common? Am I just noticing this!? Or is it a Korakuen thing? The questions I have. This is pretty brief but they do some fun spots. Cody vs. Ibushi happens again. Scurll can’t whip big Tonga into Finlay in the corner, so he jumps on his back and they do it together. Cody hits a Disaster Kick and Bullet Club turns their backs to celebrate, only for their opposition to make the save. All the good guys do pescadas and miss. That kind of stuff. N/A
Angle #1 after the match sees all kinds of STUFF happening: Cody leads an assault on Ibushi while Scurll looks conflicted. KENNY OMEGA makes the save and gets a massive face reaction. He and Cody butt heads until Cody and the rest of the Club walk off. Great intensity by everybody here. Kenny then cuts a promo and says the Club needs to unite, and the answer to get that done is… Switchblade. Not sure I buy the logic on that. Jay White putting on a Club shirt then turning on Omega was solid though. Really liked how one thing led to another here, very cool.
3. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Michael Elgin & War Machine vs. Minoru Suzuki, Zack Sabre Jr., Davey Boy Smith Jr. & Lance Archer
Real basic stuff here, mostly a pretty boring beatdown on Ray Rowe that was highlighted by Tanahasi’s corner work and Suzuki repeatedly going after him. He at one point just randomly blasts Tanahashi with a chair, which is fantastic. Elgin and Sabre do a little deal that’s kind of OK but more awkward than anything because Elgin sucks. Everyone is jumping all around for the finish as Suzuki is just on the outside, wrenching a kneebar on the ailing Tanahashi. KES downs War Machine to send them out of the territory. **1/2
Angle #2 sees Suzuki creepily challenging Tanahashi for the IWGP IC Title. Nice.
4. Kazuchika Okada, Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI, Will Ospreay & Gedo vs. Tetsuya Naito, EVIL, SANADA, Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI
Naito is super over. Proud to see Gedo coming full circle and going back to his pudgy days. This match… was a 10-man tag. Gedo got worked over. They did some neat spots. The crowd liked it. I can’t say I was ever really moved, outside of the Hiromu/Ospreay and Okada/Naito pairings briefly killing it. Hot finish with Naito vs. YOSHI too. ***
Angle #3 sees a set up of all kinds of future matches – EVIL lays out Goto, Hiromu lays out Bill Ospreay, SANADA traps Okada in a Dragon Sleeper. Finally, Naito cuts a promo to lead the first Los Ingobernables de Japon of 2018… and is attacked by CHRIS JERICHO! Strong reaction, strong pull-apart brawl. The payoff probably won’t be for another few months, but this was a cool way to keep the buzz going post-Dome.
Naito’s laid back promo on Jericho after everything was money. Was a big fan of the Ingobernables cutting promos on all their future challengers to end the show.
