Puroresu Perspective
NJPW Hinokuni 4/29/15
written by Mark Adam Haggerty
How’s it going pro wrestling fans? Mark Adam Haggerty back at you with a very special puroresu review featuring New Japan Pro Wrestling's Hinokuni event. American audiences have embraced NJPW in recent months, thanks to the new series on AXS, as well as the English broadcast of Wrestle Kingdom this past January. New Japan introduced a streaming service not unlike the WWE Network for around the same price called “New Japan World” earlier this year, making it easier than ever for American fans of Japanese wrestling to get their strong-style fix. April 29th was the Hinokuni show, featuring the stars of NJPW in some highly competitive contests. Let’s kick things off with the opening multi man match up.
Sho Tanaka, Yohei Komatsu & Jay White vs. Gedo & RappongiВ Vice
The first team to be introduced is the babyface trio comprised of White, Komatsu, and Tanaka, Who head into the arena to a mild ovation from the local audience. Their opponents make their entrance to Rappongi Vice’s hip hop theme, performed by Rocky Romero and Trent Beretta. The heroes push one another as they argue who is going to start this match against the dastardly junior heavyweight tag team champions and the current head booker for NJPW. Things begin with Trent Beretta one-on-one against Sho Tanaka, and it’s not long before Beretta is tossed back toward his corner. Rocky Romero enters the fight, and he too is unprepared to head into battle against Tanaka. Rocky scurries back to his corner where he seeks Gedo's help; Gedo tags into the match and the crowd goes wild. Gedo has more luck than his partners, and draws Komatsu into his teams’ corner where they proceed to triple team the 26-year old, 2-year rookie. The wrestling match degenerated into an exchange of rights and lefts between Gedo and Komatsu; the latter was finally able to reach his partners in the corner, and tagged Jay White. Gedo also left the ring, opting out in favor of introducing Trent Beretta. White and Beretta proceeded to keep the momentum up, with White gaining an early upper hand and earning the advantage for his team. All three members of the babyface trio—Tanaka, Komatsu, and White—had their opponents grounded with "tri-dentical" Boston Crabs, save for Rocky Romero who was the victim of a vicious half-crab. Things continued at a fast pace until the villainous Rappongi Vice could counteract the heroes' momentum with a great deal of double-team maneuvers. Jay White tried to take the fight to his opponents, but Rocky Romero and Trent Beretta proved to be too much, winning the match with a two-man Spike Koriyama Piledriver.
Winner: Gedo & Rappongi Vice
Rating: 3 Stars
Yujiro Takahashi & Cody Hall vs. Satoshi Kojima & Captain New Japan
The Bullet Club anthem echoed across the arena—Yujiro Takahashi and Cody Hall will be the first members of the Bullet Club to make their appearance tonight. Cody Hall looks amazing, and has already achieved a firm grasp on what it means to perform in Japan. Their opponents are the consummate "Enhancement" stars Satoshi Kojima and Captain New Japan. Things never look good for Captain New Japan, that is, unless he's up against Captain NOAH. I've always loved Kojima; perhaps its because I associate his name with Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima. Things begin with the wily Takahashi for the Bullet Club against the veteran Kojima. They begin by traded a number of stiff elbows to the face, and a slew of stunts to prove who is the stronger competitor. Kojima of course wins this test of strength, and tags Captain New Japan who uses his "Super Powers" to stop Takahashi. Cody Hall won't stand for that however, and interjects himself immediately, earning the advantage for the Bullet Club. Takahashi bludgeoned Captain New Japan to a variety of near falls, before finally tagging the big man, Cody Hall. After maintaining the edge for a few moments, Cody Hall lost control and Satoshi Kojima was back in the action, taking command of the New Japan newcomer. Cody Hall stands six-feet-eight-inches, but Kojima has no trouble going toe-to-toe with the super heavyweight. Hall hits an impressive discus lariat for another near fall. Kojima and Takahashi battle; Yujiro is a phenomenal athlete, but has been forced to play the comic relief to the more menacing Cody Hall. Captain New Japan hits Takahashi with an STO for a 2-and-three quarters count, and seeks to seal the deal with a flying head butt. Takahashi rolled out of the way and gouged the eyes of Satoshi Kojima. Yujiro landed an impressive brain buster on Captain New Japan followed by his signature "Tokyo Pimps" sit-out power slam for the win.
Winner: Takahashi & Hall
Rating: 3 Stars
KUSHIDA, Manabu Nakanishi & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Mascara Dorada, Tiger Mask & Yuji Nagata
We are on to the second-of-four trios matches this evening. The "Time Splitter" himself, KUSHIDA, leads the team of Manabu Nakanishi and "Funky Weapon" Ryusuke Taguchi to the ring. They're a somewhat mismatched threesome comprised of the fun-loving Funky, the cool and collected KUSHIDA, and the bad ass Nakanishi. Their opponents are a team of world-famous professional wrestlers in Mascara Dorada, Tiger Mask and Yuji Nagata. Tiger Mask kicks things off against KUSHIDA in a battle of two highly respected puroresu stars. Tiger Mask has the experience advantage, but KUSHIDA is perhaps a more mainstream attraction in 2015. Tiger tags Mascara Dorada, the Mexican Luchador who's made his home in the "Land of the Rising Sun." Funky Weapon is next to enter the match, and quickly falls prey to the dazzling dynamics of Dorada. They fight on the outside of the ring, but Mascara is quick to return his opponent to the squared-circle—the only place where victory might be achieved. He put Funky Weapon in a surfboard, and Tiger Mask and Nagata entered the ring so as to keep KUSHIDA and Nakanishi from breaking up the submission. Nagata is next to tag in, followed Manabu Nakanishi. Manabu slaughters Nagata with hard chops in the corner, but Nagata turns it around and returns with a set of right hands. The two Irish whip one another to opposing corners and back again, until Yuji Nagata's educated feet prove to be too much for Nakanishi. Nagata spends too much time showboating, and Nakanishi hits him with a Spear. Everyone looks great in this match, but I'd be hesitant to call anyone the MVP aside from Manabu Nakanishi. Not only does he dish out the most punishment to the opposing team, but he takes their offensive with utter fluidity. KUSHIDA was now on the receiving end of a three man attack; a sit-out powerbomb by Tiger Mask, followed by a Senton bomb by Mascara Dorada. All six men were now involved, and the match came down to KUSHIDA and Mascara Dorada. KUSHIDA came off the ropes and rolled his opponent up with a bridge, earning the 1-2-3 and victory for his team.
Winner: Kushida, Nakanishi & Taguchi
Rating: 3.5 Stars
NWA Junior Heavyweight Championship
Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Steve Anthony (c)
The first singles match of the evening is for the National Wrestling Alliance Junior Heavyweight Championship. Jushin Thunder Liger is the first to appear, followed by the always entertaining President of the NWA, Bruce Tharpe. Tharpe is wearing a glittery jacket of aqua marina and purple, with a set of bedazzled grape-colored sports spectacles to match. He berates the audience in Japanese and introduces Steve Anthony, the current reigning NWA Junior Heavyweight Champion. Bruce Tharpe carries with him a Liger mask on a mannequin head, stuck on the end of a stick—signifying his intention to end the legacy of Jushin Thunder Liger. By this point, Gedo and Satoshi Kojima are both on commentary, ready to watch this exciting event. The crowd is cheering the sound that signals the start of the bout and we are underway with a contest comprised of mat-wrestling and heavy on psychology. Right from the start, Liger is in command and stretching the young Anthony with a litany of rolling submission holds. He keeps the edge by never letting go of Anthony, a trick that's learned over years of experience and thousands of matches. This style of hold-based wrestling is becoming increasingly popular in the United States thanks to wrestlers like Drew Gulak and Timothy Thatcher, but it was Jushin Liger and others of his ilk that brought chain wrestling to a world-wide audience. Liger has the experience, and technical advantage, but Steve Anthony most certainly possesses an edge in terms of power. He taunts Liger, as if to say, "I'm young and strong, and you can't hurt me." Liger has no problem taking up the challenge, and proceeds to dictate the pace over the egotistical Anthony. Liger is 50-years old and still hits the roll off of the apron the way he did in 1984. Tharpe demands that the official disqualify Liger for jumping on Anthony on the outside, but the referee ignore the brash American manager in favor of allowing the competition to continue. Liger and Anthony are back in the ring and the former WCW star is moments away from winning the NWA Junior Heavyweight Championship. Just then, Bruce Tharpe drags him from the ring which gives Anthony the opening he needs to defeat Jushin Thunder Liger. He assaulted him on the outside by throwing him into the barricade and kicking him in the face, and continued the carnage in the ring, allowing for Bruce Tharpe to get his cheap shots in the process. The end came for Liger following a ref bump which presented Tharpe the opportunity to hand Anthony his title belt, and hit Liger with a low blow. Tharpe quickly vacated the ring and Steve Anthony clocked Jushin Thunder Liger square in the forehead with the belt. Anthony lifted Liger on his shoulders for a spinning neck breaker similar to Marc Mero's TKO or Brock Lesnar's F5. Anthony will take his junior heavyweight title back to America following a match that would have rated higher, had it not been for the interference.
Winner: Steve Anthony
Rating: 3.75 Stars
NWA World Championship
Big Daddy Yum Yum vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan (c)
The next match is another National Wrestling Alliance title contest, this time for the world heavyweight championship. Bruce Tharpe is back—only moments later—now wearing a sequined American Flag jacket with light-up sunglasses. Side note: I imagine an all-American boy like Bruce Tharpe is in HEEL HEAVEN when shopping for a wardrobe in Japan. There is no shortage of clothing with an inordinate amount of technology sewn in. Tharpe is representing Big Daddy Yum Yum—a former developmental talent from Louisiana—who is challenging Hiroyoshi Tenzan, for the highly coveted NWA World Heavyweight Championship. This NWA title belt is the same belt worn by Ric Flair and Harley Race; the belt that represented TNA for a number of years; and the belt that Bruce Tharpe would very much like to bring back to America. Things are underway and Yum Yum is immediately having trouble contending with the far superior Tenzan. But takes him to the limit when the fight falls to the outside. Yum Yum is incredibly impressive for a virtual unknown with a stupid fucking name. Failing out of the WWE's developmental system has seemed to work for Ethan Carter III, and judging by the work he's doing in Japan, I'd suggest Yum Yum is having the same sort of success. He drops Tenzan down across the barricade, and uses the elements of the ringside area to his advantage. He works on the safer side of being disqualified, but doesn't hesitate to push Tenzan's pain threshold, by incorporating more of an "extreme" offense than previous bouts this evening. Tenzan is more successful back in the ring, but Big Daddy Yum Yum continues to manhandle the champion with relative ease. Yum Yum landed a picture-perfect springboard moonsault into a charismatic pin for the near fall and the crowd went wild. Tenzan fought back and climbed the ropes to finish the match and Bruce Tharpe became involved once more. Tenzan fought him off and hit Big Daddy Yum Yum with a flying head butt that was incredibly anticlimactic. I'd say he didn't hit him at all, but he no-sold the impact, so I'd assume he did. Hiroyoshi Tenzan was now in firm control of the Geijin challenger, and won the match via submission with an "Anaconda Max"—Anaconda Vice/Cobra Clutch combination.
Winner: Hiroyoshi Tenzan
Rating: 3.75 Stars
Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows & Kenny Omega vs. Tomoaki Honma, Tetsuya Naito & Alex Shelley
The third of four trios bouts this evening pits the main event members of the Bullet Club against three of the most decorated wrestlers in puroresu. The first participants introduced are Tomoaki Honma, Tetsuya Naito and one half of the Time Splitters, Alex Shelley. The Bullet Club is usually first to arrive, but tonight Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, and the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Kenny Omega make their opponents wait as they strut to the ring in the usual fashion. I love that Doc Gallows paints his face, and he gets into the same sort of verbal scraps with Karl Anderson on pay per view that he does on their weekly podcast, "Talkin' Shop." Gallows begins the match against Honma, and right away, the babyfaces are in control. Honma tags Naito and Gallows powers Naito into his team's corner where he tags his partner "The Machine Gun" Karl Anderson. Naito and Anderson have a good back and forth allowing for Naito to gain the upper hand and introduce Alex Shelley. Kenny Omega was next, and taunted the "Time Splitter" by mimicking his signature hand motions, and mocking the Japanese audience. Honma and Gallows battled on the outside with Omega and Anderson running roughshod over Shelley. The bout goes back and forth with both teams earning the advantage until the Bullet Club sought to finish things once and for all. They used their comradery to their advantage over their opponents—comprised primarily of singles competitors—and succeeded in winning the match when the numbers became too much for Tomoaki Honma. He was segregated in the corner and suffered a direct kick to the face courtesy of the "Machine Gun." Omega followed suit with a full body attack, and Big LG finished things with a big splash of his own. The Bullet Club hit Honma with a three-person combination, and Karl Anderson won the match after a number of power moves and pin attempts. The Bullet Club is 2-0 this evening, with one more match before a perfect streak can be declared.
Winner: Anderson, Gallows, & Omega
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga vs. Kazuchika Okada & Yoshi-Hashi
Kazuchika Okada is one of my favorite wrestlers in New Japan Pro Wrestling—but Bad Luck Fale is probably my least favorite. Going into this tag team match I was consumed by reservations, but was pleased to discover a far better bout than I ever imagined. Tama Tonga and Bad Luck Fale are the first to arrive, to Fale's entrance theme rather than the Bullet Club anthem. I really love Tama Tonga, and I think his outward zaniness—for lack of a better word—adds deeper dimensions to the stoic Kiwi Geijin Bad Luck Fale. They are wrestling Yoshi-Hashi and the 2-time IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. Hashi begins against Tama Tonga and is early to gain a lead over the second-generation former member of the US Military. Tama's painted face and scraggly beard don't allow audiences to see the pain plastered across his face, but the actions of Hashi make it clear—Tama Tonga might be out of his league. He tags the superheavyweight Fale into the fray, and the crowd chants for Kazuchika Okada. He takes the battle to the big man with his signature pat on the chest as if to say, "Don't worry junior, I won't hurt you." Fale brushed him away—insulted by the tactic employed by Okada. He became the victim of a two-man attack by both the former champion and the seven-year pro Yoshi-Hashi. Fale was able to regain his composure when Tama Tonga dragged Okada out onto the outside, leaving Hashi vulnerable and without support. Fale kept up the offensive, even sitting across the back of a man nearly one hundred pounds his junior. Tonga was back in action; what an awesome look this guy has, if I do say so myself. I've been privy to Tama Tonga for the past few years, and only recently started to see the forest for the trees in terms of midcard Bullet Club members. He splashed Yoshi-Hashi, both in the corner and down on the mat, but Hashi was able to come back following a vertical suplex-turned-neck breaker reversal. Okada and Fale sought to finish this fight when they began exchanging heavy hands in the center of the ring. Okada couldn't possible contend with the rights and lefts from the 320-pound Fale, and instead opted to wrestle the big man instead. Fale came back—thanks to a distraction by Tama Tonga—and hit Okada with a big splash and an attempted chokeslam out of Kazuchika's "Rainmaker Lariat." Tonga joined Fale as the Bullet Club double teamed Okada, and would have won the match if it wasn't for the save by Yoshi-Hashi. Okada hit Tama Tonga with his high angle drop kick, followed by the big elbow drop, and signaled for the "Rainmaker." Fale attempted to make the save, but Hashi kept him stuck in the ropes long enough for Okada to hit Tama with his patented Lariat, for the final decision in favor of Kazuchika Okada and Yoshi-Hashi.
Winner: Kazuchika Okada & Yoshi-Hashi
Rating: 3.75 Stars
Kazushi Sakuraba, Toru Yano & Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Katsuyori Shibata, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Hirooki Goto
We are down to the fourth and final Trios match of the evening featuring six of the most celebrated members of the NJPW roster. All of the competitors make their own individual entrances, beginning with Katsuyori Shibata. His partners are the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi and the soon-to-be IWGP Intercontinental Champion Hirooki Goto. Their opponents begin with the most decorated mixed martial artist in Japan, the world famous "Gracie Killer," Kazushi Sakuraba. His first partner is the exceptionally eccentric Toru Yano, who brings a steel chair to ringside. Finally is the man who is currently wearing the IWGP intercontinental championship title belt; he has been called the most charismatic wrestler in the world and is the self-professed "King of Strong Style," Shinsuke Nakamura. The crowd comes unglued for this super celebrity who has been featured in Japanese media and pop culture for years, including as part of the Japanese video for Pharrell's "Happy." Nakamura begins against his rival Goto, who he will wrestle in just for days for one of the most prized items in all of the sport—the IWGP Intercontinental Championship. They begin their engagement with a test of strength, and Nakamura wastes little time in proving what kind of competitor he is, with a cheap shot in the form of a kick to the face. Goto battles back, sick of the shenanigans employed by Nakamura and his faction of flunkies. The competitors tag out and allow for Sakuraba and Shibata to take the fight to the mat, where they battle for figure-four supremacy. Everybody in this match was extremely impressive, especially the record-setting 7-time IWGP champion, Hiroshi Tanahashi. He and Toru Yano have no issue in getting the audience into the act, as both men rally the live crowd for their cheers and jeers. Yano is an impeccable heel; he has a goofy look and dresses like an asshole, and never backs down from selling his character as psychotic. Suddenly the action broke out of the squared circle and all six men were featured at various places in the arena. Sakuraba and Shibata continued their storied rivalry on the outside of the ring, while Yano battled Tanahashi into the audience, and Nakamura fought Hirooki Goto in the front row. Tanahashi was the legal man and struggled to make the 20-count, but returned to the ring at 17. Sakuraba beats Tanahashi into a heap of a human in the corner of "Choas." Chaos is of course a seldom-referred to stable of strong-style performers, created by Shinsuke Nakamura and Toru Yano. Once Hirooki Goto is able to get back in the fight, it's near curtains for the intercontinental champion; Goto is brutal in the way he massacres Nakamura with discus lariats, spinning heel kicks, and sidewalk slams. Yano is back in the match, but prove to be no use against a determined number one contender to the IC championship. Tanahashi returns to the ring against his nemesis Yano, hoping to perhaps gets some semblance of revenge on the New Japan Cup Cheater. The fan favorites launch an assault against Yano, but Nakamura makes the save before the bell can ring. Yano tosses Tanahashi from the ring, and the former champion skins the cat to come back and hit Yano with a bridging German suplex. He gets a 2-count, and heads uptown looking to put things away. Yano protected himself with his knees, and following an exchange of slaps, forced Tanahashi to the ground, where he physically held the seven time world heavyweight champion for a pinfall against his will.
Winner: Sakuraba, Yano & Nakamura
Rating: 4 Stars
NEVER Openweight Championship
Togi Makabe vs. Tomohiro Ishii (c)
The main event of this New Japan Pro Wrestling card is for the NEVER Openweight Championship. The NEVER Openweight is a title that was introduced in 2012; NEVER stands for "New Blood," "Evolution," Valiantly," "Eternal," and "Radical." The current champion, Tomohiro Ishii is the record-setting three time NEVER champion, and will defend his prize against the oldest NEVER title recipient in history, Togi Makabe. Ishii Makabe vacated the title due to illness earlier this year, and sought to reclaim his prize after earning the record shortest reigning NEVER Openweight champion EVER. He appeared in the arena with a look upon his face that said: "I'm not leaving without that fucking belt." This match was another back and forth brawl consisting of elbow sashes, stiff knees to the face, and forward momentum lariats. They even tossed in a slew of top rope offensive maneuvers including high risk belly to back Suplexes. The brutality was unprecedented for a night comprised mainly of multi-man pro wrestling action. The story being told was the tale of two men unwilling to waiver in terms of power and overall energy. At the end of a twenty six minute match that this writer struggled to keep up with, Togi Makabe hit Tomohiro Ishii with the King Kong Knee from the top rope, and pinned the champion to reclaim his NEVER title.
Winner: Togi Makabe
Rating: 3.75 Stars
A fantastic show per usual from the leader in professional wrestling—NOT Sports Entertainment. I calculate my STAR RATINGS as such: 1-Awful, 2-Bad 3-Average, 4-Good, 5-Perfect, with varying decimals placed in between. Of a total 9 matches, the average STAR RATING was 3.5. Taking all other aspects of the event into consideration, I can genuinely award NJPW's Hinokuni Event a 3.75. Until next time, this has been Mark Adam Haggerty reminding you to check out all of my work at Cheap-Heat and Daily Wrestling News; follow me on Twitter via @TapeTraderz and on Facebook by LIKING "The B+ Players"; and listen to my weekly podcasts available every single Friday, Saturday and Sunday—exclusively at Cheap-Heat.com.
