War Machine vs. G.O.D. - Two more guys that I really want to like, War Machine. I love me some good monsters. A couple spots where I thought the match should've been over but the guy kicked out (as opposed to partner breaking up) really just took me out of the match. Not bad but not good either, **1/4. A shame that the IWGP Heavyweight tag division hasn't been any good since 2011 when Bad Intentions were around.
Naito vs. Ishii - this gun b good! Already a good start with "Red Shoes" as the referee. Naito needs some gold with him. He just doesn't look right without a belt. Oh my god. I'm dying with the Naito/Red Shoes interaction. Red Shoes being Earl Hebner pushing back against Austin/HHH (not literally!). Incredible. That opening pose by Naito after attacking Ishii...jfc. This match is nearing 5* before Ishii gets in the ring! Naito is Flair. After the top rope Frakensteiner atm...I'm convinced this should've main evented over Okada/Cody. Ishii pinned Naito. My god. I never thought Ishii would win this match even though I didn't think Naito should kick out of the brain buster. Great match, Naito's big botch notwithstanding: ****1/4. How is Ishii such a great worker when he only does kick, chop, headbutt, clothesline, brainbuster. Naito is so good. He's eclipsed Okada in my favorites of NJPW. 1. Tana, 2. KUSHIDA, 3. Naito. Someone give this man an IWGP World title at the Dome!
Omega vs. Elgin - More gold from Red Shoes. Even gets a small chant of "Red Shoes"
. How can you have anyone at all ever kick out of that top rope powerbomb? Awful spot. Just don't do it. omg then kicking out of that clothesline. That clothesline had me literally scream at 3 in the morning ffs. Kenny does 3 V-Triggers and a reverse Frankensteiner within a minute of that clothesline which was a minute after that powerbomb. I don't like. Omega gets the pin within 4 minutes of taking that clothesline. ***1/2. I guess I see why Naito lost. Can't be giving away Omega vs. Naito in a tournament on a special show............
Cody "3 Star General"
Rhodes vs. Kazuchika Okada - Well, here we are. Main event time with Cody in an NJPW ring. Hell has frozen over. Please don't suck. Okada with a bigger pop than Omega. That's...odd. I wasn't looking forward to this match at all but as Okada comes out and does his thing, I'm so happy to be watching. Another God and only 29 years old. Best part of the match was Omega doing his best Owen Hart to get Cody's wife to throw in the towel. ***.
Great event. Glad I watched and I'll be watching the second one here and there starting tomorrow.
Not to go unremarked upon, listening to real wrestling commentary with Jim Ross is awesome. Such an improvement over the constant shilling and childish bickering of Cole, JBL, and company. I'm still in shock that Okada was the most over guy on the show. Again, Naito vs. Ishii should've main evented.
Last note: Does anyone want an Omega vs. Cody match, let alone feud?