1. 3-Way Match – IWGP Heavyweight Title: Kenny Omega [c] vs. Kota Ibushi vs. Cody
A brilliant Triple Threat Match match, in that when it was announced instead of an Omega vs. Ibushi singles match, many wondered – “Why is this happening?”
And from bell-to-bell, the match continued the story that question created. Not that it was actually answered, mind you. But god damnit did this match lean into the general confusion.
I mean these boys just did… stuff. Lots and lots of stuff. A lot of their stuff. And it didn’t really flow. It all just… happened. And any highlights were spread out too much for any stretch of the match to feel like it was Actually Good. I swear to you, when Kota Ibushi hit a springboard corkscrew moonsault like 20 minutes in on Kenny he just looked BORED. Maybe the buckle bomb into Cody’s back was cool? I don’t know.
And it went 35 MINUTES!?!?!? A 35-minute god damn Triple Threat Match!! Why?? Who would ever want that?
There’s all kinds of joys I can find in even bad wrestling, but at no point here did I find myself engaged, entertained, thinking that wrestling was any better for any of this. At no point was I impressed by the ability of these three dudes. Even Kota Ibushi seemed to forget how to do a suplex bridge.
They’ve all done good stuff in their careers, but all the benefits that they bring to the table just seemed to completely disappear as they did all that modern wrestling has been leading to: they mailed in a “fun” 35-minute Triple Threat championship match at Sumo Hall.
They just did… STUFF. For 35 MINUTES.
And what was with that weird-ass moment where Ibushi tackled Kenny? All the time-wasting and STUFF made it so that the attempted emotional climax of the match completely fell flat on its face. I have it on good authority from Happy Wrestling Land’s own Captain Lou, who was in the building for this, that people around him were LAUGHING at it.
Jesus Christ, guys. You have an opening. A massive, massive opening. People have access to this stuff now. They can watch it. Easily. They are invested. They care. And it’s not like New York has been killing it all year. And this is what you do? At fuckin’ Sumo Hall?
Be better. DUD
“Everyone was clapping, but don’t forget – this is New Jaoan.” – Hiroshi Tanahashi
Bring it home at the Dome, Tana.
