This was a show brought to you by Hiromu Takahashi, who’s injury made necessary not just the addition of Shingo Takagi to Los Ingobernables de Japon but the tournament for his vacant IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title that concludes here.
The reveal of Shingo Takagi as the newest member of Los Ingobernables de Japon was awesome. There weren’t many twists and turns, but simple is better: Naito said there would be a new member and here he was.
The video package prior to the match with Naito sitting in a bar calmly explaining the need for a new member for 5 minutes was awesome. Naito is a hell of a longform promo and the overall presentation of the video was impressive.
The Naito promo, MILANO COLLECTION A.T. TEASE!!!, and finally the reveal of Shingo were all good stuff. Excellent reveal, excellent choice. I haven’t seen a Shingo match in years but he’s this guy you always know is good because he fills a role (junior heavyweight beast) and rules at doing it.
1. Kazuchika Okada, Toru Yano & Roppongi 3K vs. Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, Shingo Takagi (debut) & BUSHI
This match was background noise to the reveal. There was some fun stuff because everyone here is fun, but it’s no Jumbo & Co vs. Misawa & Friends 6-man tag or anything. **3/4
2. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: KUSHIDA vs. Marty Scurll
This was not exactly a tribute to New Japan juniors or World of Sport. It was just a U.S.-style indy match with some STUFF and a head drop or two at the end. There were a lot of… chops. And some kicks. The backslide counter of the handspring elbow was nice. It was all a fine third match on an NXT U.K. TV taping, but this is the International motherfucking Wrestling Grand motherfucking Prix Jr. Heavyweight Title. **
