New Japan Pro Wrestling continued their Road To Wrestling Dontaku Tour on Monday. As the show began at 5:30am EST, here’s a spoiler-free match listing for the non-nite-owl New Japan fans. Each match receives a Need To Watch Rating of 0.0-10.0
FIRST MATCH: Yuya Uemura vs. Yota Tsuji
Absolutely magnificent display from two fiery rookies. In a story that only fate could write, Tetsuhiro Yagi’s injury saw these two Young Lions get to face each other. The possibility of one of these fresh Young Lions picking up a victory with so few matches under their belts. Definitely must-see viewing for Young Lion fans. Casual New Japan fans should also scope out this brief bit of history.
Need To Watch Rating: (10.0)
SECOND MATCH: Manabu Nakanishi, Yuji Nagata & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Ren Narita, Tomoyuki Oka, & Shota Umino
A very entertaining six-man tag match. Each Young Lion has become a three dimensional character, and they find their groove with their respective New Japan Legends. Again, recommended viewing for Young Lion fans, though nowhere near the unique contest of the opener.
Need To Watch Rating: (7.5)
THIRD MATCH: Roppongi 3K (Sho, Yoh & Rocky Romero) vs. Suzuki-gun (Takashi Iizuka, Taichi & TAKA Michinoku)
This match is not for everyone. Suzuki-gun shenanigans, coupled with Roppongi 3K still not having as much personality as their director Rocky Romero. Nothing essential, but definitely entertaining.
Need To Watch Rating: (2.1)
FOURTH MATCH: Juice Robinson, Togi Makabe, Michael Elgin, Toa Henare & KUSHIDA vs. CHAOS (Will Ospreay, Toru Yano, YOSHI-HASHI, Tomohiro Ishii & Hirooki Goto)
A chaotic match that showcased Henare & Ishii’s rivalry nicely. As with the last match, entertaining but inessential.
Need To Watch Rating: (3.1)
FIFTH MATCH: Taguchi Japan (Hiroshi Tanahashi, David Finlay & Ryusuke Taguchi) vs. CHAOS (Jay White, Gedo & Kazuchika Okada)
A fun six-man tag, on a card that’s heavy with them. Definitely a showcase match for Finlay, though Okada and Tanahashi remain enthralling. Taguchi’s Gedo impression is worth a watch too.
Need To Watch Rating: (5.0)
SIXTH MATCH: Los Ingobernables de Japon (SANADA, EVIL & Tetsuya Naito) vs. Suzuki-gun (Minoru Suzuki, Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr.)
Best six-man tag of the night. Suzuki & Naito continue to bring out the worst in each other, in the best possible ways. KES vs. Evil & SANADA is the centerpiece of the match, and definitely gets the blood pumping for their tag title showdown.
Need To Watch Rating: (8.0)
MAIN EVENT: IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Suzuki-gun (Yoshinobu Kanemaru & El Desperado) vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI & Hiromu Takahashi)
Absolutely a must watch. A gripping epic that injected fresh blood in the LIJ/Suzuki-gun feud. Given time and a main event slot, these four told a tale that rivaled most tag title matches in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Definitely elevates and legitimizes the Jr. Tag Division in the wake of The Young Bucks’ departure . Seek. Out. This Match.
Need To Watch Rating: (10.0)
