NJPW Power Struggle 2021 - 06/11/2021
NJPW King Of Pro-Wrestling Title Amateur Wrestling Rules Match: Toru Yano (c) (w/Ryohei Oiwa) vs. Great-O-Khan (w/Aaron Henare)
Obviously, this is fascinating. I’d be surprised if this was worked because obviously a winner has to be done so I think this was shooting until the finish. I don’t really watch amateur wrestling so the rules weren’t clear to me but the demonstrations were a nice touch, meaning that I wasn’t totally lost. This was entertaining for what it set out to be. NR
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title Match: Robbie Eagles (c) vs. El Desperado
This improved as it went on but I thought this was mediocre for the most part. I like Eagles for the most part, same with Despy, but there were periods where they didn’t really catch my eye. The work on the leg was a fine story to tell, consistent with a few of their other matches but they failed to make it compelling. The crowd got behind Eagles, who can work a crowd in his favour, especially at the end, at least. The closing stretch had some good exchanges and selling. The title change was a shocking result and the match finish helped with that. ***
IWGP World Heavyweight Title #1 Contendership Match: Kazuchika Okada vs. Tama Tonga (w/Jado)
Tama Tonga had no chance of winning. I think him beating Okada in the G1 reinforces that more so but that didn’t prevent any efforts from both men. Tama Tonga worked to his best ability with Okada giving him plenty of moments to shine while on top. The different Gun Stun attempts made for a fun mini story of how Tama can get Okada and how will Okada prevent the move from being completed. Okada’s energy levels were pretty high despite the low-key opponent, complementing Tama and giving the match that extra layer of quality. Okada wins via a rainmaker to continue the road to him regaining his spot on top of New Japan. ***1/4
IWGP World Heavyweight Title Match: Shingo Takagi (c) vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
The match somewhat lost its steam after the Zack Driver kickout. Not so much that, because that was an amazing nearfall that had everyone in a frenzy but the ideas afterwards seemed ordinary. Shingo tried to show some life in his selling but it didn’t connect. Nevertheless, these two had a quality match built around Zack’s submissions and critically dangerous finishers. ZSJ attacked Shingo’s wrist, like he did in the G1 and tried to trap Shingo in one of his many submission holds. Shingo gutted through with his forigious determination. The counter wrestling sequences were fluid and exciting. Logical as well, leading to some compelling stretches throughout the match. The crowd bought most of the false finishes and got behind either result. ****
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DDT D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 2 In Ota-ku - 03/11/2021
D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 2 Block B Match: HARASHIMA vs. Kazusada Higuchi
This was a strong opening bout. HARASHIMA looked keen to start quickly and began to isolate Higuchi’s leg with kicks and submissions very quickly. Higuchi had to use his array of power strikes and headbutts to escape HARASHIMA’s strategy. Higuchi's selling is really good and he usually never lets me down in that regard, despite his size and style. He always maintains that vulnerability despite being the big guy out of the core DDT wrestlers. Higuchi getting the win was cool. Hope it’s the start of a good tournament for him. ***1/2
D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 2 Block A Match: Jun Akiyama vs. Yuki Ueno
Akiyama falls to a flash pin. Where have we heard that before? A good solid underdog performance by Ueno though. He sells well and tweaks his offence to serve his opponent greatly. Akiyama is as surly as ever and works stiff but reckless, leading to the upset. ***
D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 2 Block B Match: Yuji Okabayashi vs. Konosuke Takeshita
These two went 30 minutes and broke the ring. Classic heavyweight wrestling bout. Admittedly a lot of this was standard ground setting with a lot more emphasis on grappling to set up the bigger bomb spot down the stretch. Some of it was good like the greco-roman knuckle lock - who doesn’t like a good knuckle lock? - some came off a bit generic but the match’s bread and butter was the bomb-fest section of the match. Bone crunching bumps, hard hitting strikes, all the good sequences you’d imagine from these two until the bell rang at the 30 minute mark. ***1/2
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