Jake Lee, Koji Iwamoto & TAJIRI vs. Takao Omori, Atsuki Aoyagi & Black Menso-re
This seemed to be headed right for the dreaded Menso-re/TAJIRI performance art showcase until Iwamoto and Aoyagi got in the ring and previewed their upcoming junior title match in grand fashion. The chemistry is already on point between these two and the champ came across as a killing machine during the extremely-GIFable final minute of action. I’m loving the way they’re using this Iwamoto reign to spotlight the younger generation. The Hokuto challenge has gotta be right around the corner. **1/4
Osamu Nishimura & Ryuji Hijikata vs. Hikaru Sato & Ryuki Honda
Some very competent professional wrestlers on deck for this one. Old pals Hijikata and Sato screaming ‘’OHISASHIBURI!’’ (long time no see) before beating the crap out of each other was an ideal introduction for this tasty slice of undercard fun. Former WRESTLE-1 lad Ryuki Honda eventually took center stage and ate Nishimura’s European uppercuts like a champ before working a sweet finish with armbar aficionado Hijikata. Can we get Hijikata a permanent undercard spot? The guy is still so good. **1/2
Yoshitatsu, Yusuke Okada & Chikara vs. Ryouji Sai, Daimonji So & Ishikiri
Yoshitatsu Kingdom vs. Land’s End – The Ultimate Beef. Sai was at his most sadistic here, clawing away at Chikara’s back for an uncomfortably long period of time to make sure that all of his soccer kicks would sting like hell. I need you to understand that I’m basically describing a SHOOT BACK RAKE. The biggest dick move I’ve seen in a wrestling ring in a long time. It did turn the Grandson of Rikidozan into a compelling babyface though and his eventual comeback brought me great joy. **1/2
Jiro Ikemen Kuroshio, Francesco Akira & Rising HAYATO vs. Shigehiro Irie, Izanagi & UTAMARO
Big Booker Ishikawa clearly watched his share of good television wrestling because this felt a perfect television wrestling segment to me. The heels jumping Team Ikemen during their entrance, the fast and furious 5 minutes of action, the babyface upset win to set up an All-Asia tag title challenge. Wham bam, thank you ma’am. Jiro’s post-match farewell to the crowd seemed particularly drawn out and respectful. Was this his last AJPW guest spot? **3/4
Suwama, Shuji Ishikawa & Dan Tamura vs. Shotaro Ashino, Kuma Arashi & Hokuto Omori
A well laid out 6-man that gave Enfants Terribles a lot of their heat back following a rocky Champion Carnival. Rock-solid heel beatdown on Daniel Tamura that once again saw young Hokuto enthusiastically lean into the Art of being an Asshole. The big payoff of Dan deadlifting Kuma for the gutwrench suplex was tremendous. Speaking of Kuma, the chemistry he showed with Big Shuj here made me think they should’ve been in the same Carnival block. BIG HYPE for the Ashino/Kuma tag title challenge. Lotta’ cool stuff happening on this card. ***
Yuma Aoyagi vs. Koji Doi
Probably would’ve gone with a Doi win here to properly establish the guy, but otherwise this was awesome. They built off their two pre-match angles by working a hate-filled, competitive back and forth that made both guys look like a million bucks. Doi felt right at home as a smug heel, staying on top of Yuma with stiff slap cutoffs and a wide assortment of hurty offense (CALF BRANDING~!). Obviously, Aoyagi was born to be a babyface and made the most out of his comebacks. After all the destruction it caused on the undercard of this tour, Doi’s lariat came off like a major threat here and I loved the way Yuma tried to avoid it all cost. Holy shit at that Brainbuster from Doi and big props to Aoyagi for turning the Endgame into a completely legit submission finisher. The world’s greatest Butterfly Lock. Gotta respect it. ***1/2
Kento Miyahara vs. Zeus – Champion Carnival (Finals)
Never underestimate the power of your dumb hobbies. We’re stuck inside a dystopian shit-show right now and it feels like the very fabric of reality could collapse on us at any minute. Yet, 24 hours removed from viewing this Japanese wrestling match, a lot of my existential dread has been temporarily replaced by pure fucking bliss. Kyohei Wada’s mortal enemy Kento Miyahara and your favorite Olympian God Zeus didn’t just produce a spreadsheet-topping banger, they sent us a lifeline to get through the never-ending LSD nightmare commonly known as The Year 2020.
Much has been written about the infamous Kento Singles Match Formula. Miyahara’s very much the modern-day Puro Ric Flair in that regard. The shtick can get a bit too repetitive, a bit too goofy. But when it’s used well, this thing is a sure-fire recipe for greatness. Zeus is consistently one of Kento’s best opponents because he knows exactly how to play with his parameters to bring the most out of them. He provides instant violent retribution to Miyahara’s psychopathic displays of cockiness, which forces Kento to crank up his Ace Pride and get as serious as he can.
This is a match that took their combustible dynamic and pushed it all the way to the outer limits of tournament final grandiosity. These guys fought like this was the most important match of their lives and generated as much drama as two guys can generate in front of a clapping-only audience. Miyahara came off like the most charismatic Sports Entertainer on God’s green earth and Zeus reached his peak as a truly unstoppable force of nature. They used Zeus’ new facelock brilliantly, added fresh twists to Kento’s big match tropes (apron-Piledriver countered into APRON AIR RAID CRASH~!) and most importantly kept me on the edge of my seat for 30 minutes straight.
I spent the entire match having mini-panic attacks, second guessing the outcome, fist pumping for Zeus’ brutal lariat comebacks and picking my jaw from off the floor after Kento’s razor-sharp Blackout counters. The most positive, mood-altering wrestling experience of the pandemic apocalypse. A true emotional rollercoaster and timely reminder that your silly passions can be life saving in difficult times. *****
