Interim AEW World Title Eliminator Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Hirooki Goto
I had a true inner conflict coming into this match in picking who was going to come out the victor. Truly. Hirooki Goto, Interim AEW World Champion. It has a ring to it. Both are veterans who have had big matches together in the past. And they’ve always had good chemistry together. Goto is historically one of the best Tanahashi opponents in my opinion but they played it small, while still providing enough quality to make for a worthwhile match. They rotated from Tanahashi working the leg of Goto to them exchange strikes to Goto trying to figure out a way to upset Tanahashi. There was one good nearfall where Tanahashi attempted to catch Goto with a rolling pin but Goto sat down on him, getting a close two count in the process. The finish wasn’t that insane, a simple sling blade reversal and a High Fly Flow for the win. Decent match. ***
NJPW King Of Pro-Wrestling Title 10 Minute Unlimited Pinfall Scramble Match: Shingo Takagi (c) vs. Taichi (w/Miho Abe)
This is a unique spin on the Iron Man rules. The rules were that each pin count would add to the score and whoever has the most by the end of the 10 minutes wins. Meaning each fall matters. And while it didn’t make for an amazing match, it made good use of the two guys while still leaving room for a more standard match. The match was able to create a decent narrative out of the point system with Shingo going 5 ahead, forcing Taichi to step up to try and equal the tally. The best part of the match was in the final minute where Taichi refused to stay down even for a one because he needed to stop the points gap. Eventually Shingo won by 1 point but it was a compelling story for Taichi. ***1/4
NEVER Openweight Title Match: Tama Tonga (c) (w/Jado) vs. Karl Anderson (w/Doc Gallows)
As someone who’s been watching since the debut of Bullet Club, there is some interest on my part in seeing that OG foursome feud. But I’ve had my fill after watching this match. Anderson being back in New Japan is cool for nostalgic reasons only. Tama Tonga is better as a face but I’m not really invested in him either. Combine that with the 16 minute run time and you get a match that I’m waiting to end. **1/4
IWGP United States Heavyweight Title Match (Vacant): SANADA vs. Will Ospreay (w/Aaron Henare)
A cursed belt, a cursed history but turning a 3-way into a singles match is never going to be a negative for me, even if it leads to a worse match. This was enjoyable though. There wasn’t a ton of substance to some of the exchanges - a ton of wasted motion - but they were creative enough, blending both wrestlers’ athleticism. The match kept on moving, rarely slowing down but rarely messing up either. There wasn’t that much drama as a result of the style of the match but the skill on show was admirable. SANADA kicking out of the hidden blade, the same move that caved his face in, was a decent story moment but that was roughly about it. ***1/2
IWGP World Heavyweight Title Match: Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Jay White (w/Gedo)
Jay White was really immense in the match. While I do think that his matches would benefit from a slight quicker pace as the deliberate slow pace can make the match a bit sterile, his storytelling is absolutely spot on. He picks Okada apart physically but he is sound at bringing the psychological element too. He was able to get Okada to break concentration out of anger before quickly using it to his advantage. For example, he pissed Okada off which led to Okada attempting to get in his face only for White to drop him flat. In every sense of the word, White dominated Okada and soundly beat him. Okada only really had minor moments of control against White but otherwise, White toyed with him and then won the title. I really love it when wrestlers who visibly outclass their opponents win in this manner. And this was an excellent version of that. ****
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