1. Tiger Mask, Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato vs. Yuya Uemura, Yota Tsuji & Gabriel Kidd
This was Tiger Mask IV’s return from an injury, though considering he got hurt in February I cannot confirm or deny that I realized he was injured in the first place. This man is FIFTY YEARS OLD but remains in shape and brings a real bitter asshole vibe to his wrestling now. Young Uemura just manhandling Master Wato into a crab hold was another highlight. New Japan’s got a good crop of young lions right now and it’ll be interesting to see if they go with an excursion for any of them in COVID world or not. **1/4
2. SANADA, Shingo Takagi & Hiromu Takahashi vs. EVIL, Dick Togo & Taiji Ishimori
On paper this is a pretty incredible lineup, but 5 minutes on the last show of the year isn’t going to offer much. SANADA and EVIL took off brawling right away, then Shingo very casually beat Togo with a lariat. So casually that it was kind of awesome. *1/2
3. Bodyslam or Last Corner Removed Match – KOPW 2020: Toru Yano [c] vs. Bad Luck Fale
Hijinks with weighed backpacks! Any break in the traditional New Japan card flow should be appreciated, though this is a weird break. Comedy wrestling for the already initiated. *
4. Satoshi Kojima & Toa Henare vs. Jay White & KENTA
Poor Toa Henare has been working on breaking out for a few years now, but it hasn’t happened – and with Juice Robinson injured, Kojima’s now taking the slot against KENTA at the Tokyo Dome. Poor guy.
Meanwhile over the last year KENTA has become one of my favorite wrestlers that I don’t actually want to see wrestle. Here he walked into Korakuen with a swag I can only describe as Dean Ambrose-like, still calling for a match with Jon Moxley that doesn’t seem to actually be happening at the show you’d assume it would happen at. Weird. Was there a match here? *1/2
5. Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomoaki Honma vs. Will Ospreay, Great O-Khan & Jeff Cobb
New Japan should count their blessings that they can still rely on Hiroshi Tanahashi selling a leg to make whatever they want to be interesting sort of interesting. This was the Ace doing his thing in the middle of a confusing bunch of feuds and personalities. Great O-Khan continues to stand out though, and actually reminds me of (early) EVIL where he is capable of the New Japan heavyweight style but adds a unique twist to it. I dig. **1/4
6. Kota Ibushi & SHO vs. Tetsuya Naito & BUSHI
They can get by on reputation alone but forget the fact that Ibushi/Naito doesn’t feel like a big deal – SHO is RIPPED!!! In a world where Jay White and Tanahashi are having flex-offs, where Kota Ibushi is praised for his gorgeous abdomen… SHO has got veins popping out of his veins, baby. This was pretty good, with the one Ibushi/Naito tag exchange that made the Dome match feel exciting and a strong closing stretch from SHO and BUSHI. ***1/4
Happy Thoughts: New Japan usually ends the year quietly, but this felt extra quiet. 3/10
