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Best Two Out Of Three Falls Ten Man Tag Team Match: El Samurai, Gran Hamada, Norio Honaga, Super Delfin & The Great Sasuke vs. Kaientai DX (Dick Togo, Hanzo Nakajima & MEN's Teioh), Koji Kanemoto & Shinjiro Otani
A follow up from the Battle Formation match where Kaientai DX showed up and made connections with Kanemoto and Otani. More Michi Pro regulars have shown up since and partnered with Honaga and El Samurai. Two out of three fall rules, which is something new for these opening matches. Otani and Kanemoto suited the heelish Kaientai well, taking part in their patented double/triple team moves. The first fall was more or less even, leaning towards Kaientai/Otani/Kanemoto, and the results of the fall reflected that. Gran Hamada impressed in the second fall with his speed and skill. His hurricanrana reversal drew gasps from the crowd. The face side put up a good fight, including Sasuke who looked like the star of the time (unsurprisingly), and the match kicked into a really awesome level. The result of the second fall came to a sudden close and when Dick Togo hit a diving senton on Honaga for the shock win. 2-0. Really awesome match. You always expect 1-1 before the deciding fall but I like it when trends are bucked. Each fall took their time and developed as it advanced. ***3/4
Kendo Kashin vs. Kazuo Yamazaki
Oh the days when Kendo Kashin was a top prospect instead of a joke. Kashin as a young boy was a proper wrestler and had something, so maybe he'll show it here. One thing I've learned is that reputations can be unfair on a wrestler, so I hope this will be he same. Yamazaki is the submission specialist and therefore perfect for Kashin, who loves his submissions. He immediately goes for the cross armbreaker, setting Yamazaki on the back foot. This is a shoot heavy match with Kashin being put over strong in the early goings. He passes Yamazaki's guard and is able to take the back. He throws some strikes that whack the back of the head, which anger Yamazaki who retaliates hard. Kashin's palm strikes were constant and hard. They didn't exactly hit flush but they had power and looked tough to take. Kashin is able to reverse a German suplex, by dropping to his knees and crawling through the legs backwards but that eventually catches up to him as Yamazaki is able to track that and snags a rear naked choke for the quick finish. A strong showing for Kashin here. Yamazaki still is a submission master, and gets the win. ***1/2
Tatsumi Fujinami vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan
Fujinami slaps Tenzan's outstretched hand which was likely wise but Tenzan responds with violence anyway. Tenzan attacks the arm and grinds Fujinami down as Fujinami fires back with more hard strikes. Like most Tenzan bouts, this is basic. Heavy on the fundamental stuff like knee strikes, clubs and body slams. Fujinami sells for Tenzan for the most part and adds his fire. The finish ends with Fujinami reversing Tenzan and locking a pinning cradle to win. Good match. ***
Keiji Muto & The Steiner Brothers (Rick Steiner & Scott Steiner) vs. Masahiro Chono & The Outsiders (Kevin Nash & Scott Hall)
Not a great match. Probably the weakest big match on the show. The Outsiders aren't great wrestlers at the best of times, so a minimal effort isn't going to be great. Anything worthwhile involves Chono in the ring. Him vs Muto produces the goods in their short time in the ring. The Steiners looked solid but clearly Japan isn't their priority. After NWO Japan won the match, the clip skipped to Muto walking away, which I assume was Muto not saving the Steiners following an NWO beat down. One of the last steps till Muto joins his destiny. **1/2
Jushin Thunder Liger & Yoshiaki Fujiwara vs. Antonio Inoki & Tiger King
Another match that resembles an 80s tag match. It didn't get to that extra level but this was a strong bout. Inoki and Fujiwara turned back the clock with some great grappling. No flash, but the flashy stuff usually looks worse anyway. They relied on the classic basics and built from there. Sayama and Liger worked a more high risk style but produced the goods of their own outside of a few flubs. The aim was to build a match between the two but that wouldn't happen unfortunately. ***1/2
IWGP Tag Team Title Match: Kensuke Sasaki & Riki Choshu (c) vs. Manabu Nakanishi & Satoshi Kojima
Sasaki and Choshu had a short title reign, which serves as a nice little send off for Choshu before his retirement tour truly begins and sets Sasaki up for the year he'll have. The champions looked the dominant ones early on, brutalising Nakanishi with stiff strikes. Nakanishi takes the brunt of it, being unable to tag out. Kojima is stuck on the apron and sneaking in cheap shots. Finally he is able to get in and hit a double suplex off the second rope. Unfortunately Kojima and Nakanishi bust up an assisted piledriver, which the crowd shits on slightly. The finish is a bit of a chaotic mess as well, ending the match on a bit of a whimper. Nakanishi had Sasaki in the rack while Kojima had the dragon sleeper, and that did the trick. This didn't have the good comeback it should've had to be a good match but Choshu and Sasaki were great. **3/4
IWGP Heavyweight Title Match: Shinya Hashimoto (c) vs. Naoya Ogawa
After their previous match was a pleasant surprise, I'm fascinated by the rematch. Ogawa earned an IWGP Heavyweight Title match following his win. Apparently Ogawa had a knee injury following an intense training session, so that's gonna be Hashimoto's target. Leg sweeps, constantly pushing for movement and submissions will be key. Hashimoto pushes for that but Ogawa is too skilled for close contact grappling. Ogawa is able to trip Hashimoto and locks in a double wrist lock which puts Hashimoto in danger. The crowd sensed it as well as their pitch raised. The crowd really bites on Ogawa's moves. Every trip feels big, every submission attempt feels dangerous but Hashimoto is able to escape and apply his own which feels equally as big. It's a match that truly feels like it could end any time. The drama gets ramped up when Ogawa applies a rear naked choke and Hashimoto just reaches the ropes. Ogawa pisses Hashimoto off by holding on too long, and he throws one big leg sweep. Hashimoto then knocks Ogawa flat out with a kick to the face! What a finish. Hashimoto regains the honour of New Japan. Electric match. For the first two matches, Ogawa proved to be quite capable of a quality main event. Although he's got Hashimoto, the best dance partner you can have. ****1/4
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