New Japan Pro Wrestling teamed up with the CEO convention to present CEOxNJPW: When Worlds Collide. Since the show was streamed live on Twitch during Ring Of Honor’s Best In The World event, here’s a spoiler-free match listing for New Japan fans that might’ve missed it. Every match is given a Need To Watch Rating of 0.0-10.0
DARK MATCH: Chasyn Rance vs. Aaron Epic
This was a match that bordered on self-parody. So stuffed with finishers and nearfalls, that one almost expects the only way to truly win the match was homicide. Chasyn is a registered sex offender and Epic is accused of domestic abuse (per David Bixenspan).
Need To Watch Rating: (0.05)
DARK MATCH: Michael Nakazawa vs. ???
Nakazawa didn’t allow his opponent to introduce himself. I think that’s technically a spoiler of how one-sided this match was, but you’ll see pretty quickly that I couldn’t care less.
Need To Watch Rating: (0.1)
DARK MATCH: Michael Nakazawa vs. Jebailey
Jebailey is the head of CEO and put the whole show together. He’s also in a wheelchair with a legitimate ACL injury. There is probably an audience for this kind of match. I am probably not that audience.
Need To Watch Rating: (0.1)
FIRST MATCH: Jushin “Thunder” Liger vs. Rocky Romero
Both of these men have had much better matches, that are available on NJPWWorld. This match isn’t terrible, but merely repetitive. Inoffensive yet inessential.
Need To Watch Rating: (2.0)
SECOND MATCH: Guerrillas Of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa) vs. Juice Robinson & David Finlay
A match that was more brawling and pageantry than actual wrestling contest. Both teams are extremely effective tandems. A wild, fun match, even if there aren’t any stakes to the story they tell.
Need To Watch Rating: (5.0)
THIRD MATCH: Jeff Cobb vs. Chase Owens
Both men refuse to phone in their CEO performance. A wild match that makes the case for both men being in the G1 someday. Cobb looked stellar ahead of his G1 In San Francisco match with Goto. Owens is easily one of the most solid hands that NJPW has. The first great match of the night.
Need To Watch Rating: (7.5)
FOURTH MATCH: Roppongi 3K (SHO & YOH) vs. Taguchi Japan (Dragon Lee & Ryusuke Taguchi)
Sho, Yoh, and Taguchi are all aware that this match is the piss break between Cobb/Owens and the main event. No one told Dragon Lee and the match is all the better for it. There’s some seriously ridiculous moments in this match.
Need To Watch Rating: (5.5)
MAIN EVENT: The Golden Lovers (Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi) vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi)
All four men, and Daryl, have a thrilling main event bout. Both Ibushi and Naito end up taking horrifying neck bumps on this free twitchstreamed show. If you missed the show, life is short, you really only need to watch this match and the Cobb/Owens match.
Need To Watch Rating: (7.9)
