KUSHIDA & Ren Narita vs. Yujiro Takahashi & Taiji Ishimori
Even if they toned down the amazing ‘’Narita inexplicably hates Ishimori’s guts’’ storyline in favor of working a more classic young lion-in-peril Southern tag match, this was good stuff. As I mentioned before, Yujiro really shines as a louche heel that treats young lions like shit. Meanwhile, the first-time KUSHIDA/Taiji pairing was predictably great and made me salivate at the prospect of an eventual singles match. Not to wander too far off topic, but Yujiro’s pornstar valets and the leering camera that comes along with it seem more problematic to me than other hot button Twitter issues like Racist Kenny Omega and the NJPW’s Women’s division. Discuss. ***
Togi Makabe, Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask vs. Toa Henare, Tomoyuki Oka & Shota Umino
Another solid bunch of pro-wrestling with Shota Umino paying the price for being a fiery little bastard and eating a king-sized beating at the hands of the grumpy veteran team. I greatly appreciate the fact that Henare has added a falling Karate chop to his move-set. Not enough Karate chops in wrestling nowadays. Liger randomly busting out the top-rope Superplex for old times’ sake will never not pop me. **3/4
Rocky Romero, SHO & YOH vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru, El Desperado & TAKA Michinoku
This was as efficient as it gets for a New Japan midcard 6-man tag. Just a well laid-out little match: SHO winning over the crowd early with a perfect dropkick, Suzuki-Gun retaliating by beating the shit out of YOH, lots of cut offs to milk the eventual hot tag and Rocky eventually cleaning house to everyone’s delight. All of this plus a bunch of cool spots sprinkled throughout like Kanemaru breaking out the GUARDRAIL-JUMP LEGDROP and SHO/YOH hitting apron kicks to setup a balls-out rope-draped springboard dropkick from Rocky. Fun for the whole family. ***
Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano vs. Takashi Iizuka & Taichi
A colossal waste of time until Ishii and Taichi tagged in and brought the house down, which once again makes me ask the question: why the fuck is Taichi not in the G1? What did Tama Tonga do this year that was more note-worthy than the Heavyweight Taichi story? Anyway, the rest of this match was all biting and low blows. **1/4
Michael Elgin, Jeff Cobb, Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. Kazuchika Okada, Hirooki Goto, Jay White & YOSHI-HASHI
The new special Juice Robinson Broken Hand rule that dictates Juice can’t use his bad hand even though his opponents can go after it all they want is some truly mind-boggling, hilarious shit. The crowd was literally cracking up when the announcer explained it. Elsewhere, Okada taking out his post-Dominion frustration on David Finlay’s pudgy ass was a fun time, as was Goto working wonders with both Elgin and Cobb. Korakuen went freaking bonkers for Cobb’s crazy-ass mid-air suplex on Okada. Even with the goofy addition of the new special rule, the chemistry between White and Juice is still on point and I feel like working this angle with a pure babyface like Juice is bringing out the best of Jay. PS – Liger marking out for everything on commentary and cheering for Juice was a huge bonus. ***
Super Strong Machine Ace, Super Strong Machine Buffalo, Super Strong Machine Justice, Super Strong Machine Don & Super Strong Machine 69 vs. Tetsuya Naito, EVIL, SANADA, BUSHI & Hiromu Takahashi
Every little thing surrounding the match was better than the actual wrestling on display here. Shogun KY Wakamatsu coming out to manage Team Machine, Super Strong Machine himself sitting at ring-side and clapping for various double-team spots, the entire Machine video package and finally MAKAI CLUB (!!) coming out for the ceremony. The match had its moments, namely the masked New Japan dads using the various Super Strong Machine signature moves and Naito bumping like a freak for a Machine lariat on the floor but it was mostly a by-the-numbers house show tag. Now be a true Shinnichi Warrior and go watch some old SSM matches on New Japan World. **1/2
Not the most essential Korakuen Hall show ever unless you’re a die-hard Super Strong Machine fan or have been spending the last 15 years hoping for some kind of Makai Club return.
