{"id":35801,"date":"2016-12-04T13:16:10","date_gmt":"2016-12-04T19:16:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=35801"},"modified":"2016-12-04T13:42:36","modified_gmt":"2016-12-04T19:42:36","slug":"122-njpw-axs-tv-review-ospreay-vs-kushida-omega-young-bucks-vs-yoshitatsu-tanahashi-elgin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2016\/12\/04\/122-njpw-axs-tv-review-ospreay-vs-kushida-omega-young-bucks-vs-yoshitatsu-tanahashi-elgin\/","title":{"rendered":"12\/2 NJPW on AXS TV Review: Ospreay vs. KUSHIDA, Omega &#038; Young Bucks vs. Yoshitatsu &#038; Tanahashi &#038; Elgin, more"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-832697710\" class=\"pwtor-before-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><hr \/><b>SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... <\/b>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?show_id=3076978&theme=light&playlist=false&playlist-continuous=false&autoplay=false&live-autoplay=false&chapters-image=true&episode_image_position=right&hide-logo=false&hide-likes=false&hide-comments=false&hide-sharing=false&hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"140px\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe>\r\n<hr \/><\/div><p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>NJPW on AXS TV Report<br \/>\n<\/b><\/span><span class=\"s1\"><b>December 2, 2016<br \/>\n<\/b><\/span><b>Ryogoku Kokugikan, Parts 1 &amp; 2<br \/>\nBy R.W. Andrews, PWTorch contributor<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b><\/b><span class=\"s1\">As always we are joined by Jim Ross and Josh Barnett in the booth.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>They are very good together and make watching NJPW such an engrossing experience.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Match 1 \u2013 Tomoaki Honma &amp; Togi Makabe (C) vs. Tama Tonga &amp; Tanga Roa (Guerillas of Destiny) &#8211;\u00a0<\/b><\/span><span class=\"s1\"><b>IWGP Tag Team Championship Match<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Brawling on the outside to start with Honma getting whipped into the rail.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cRed Shoes,\u201d as Jim Ross likes to refer to the senior referee, gets close to twenty on the count.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The teams reset back inside with Roa taking on Makabe.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The Guerillas of Destiny tag in and out, repeatedly elbowing and kicking Makabe.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cGood job Red Shoes,\u201d says JR as the ref admonishes Tonga for a little rule breaking.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Red Shoes received a bleeped exchange for his troubles.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Honma is still on the outside as Makabe and Tonga trade shots to the face.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The exchange ends with Makabe hitting a big clothesline as Honma shows up for the hot tag.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Splash in the corner to a bulldog sets up Honma\u2019s attempt at a dropping head-butt that misses.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Misdirection on the ropes by Tonga confuses Honma and he eats a spear.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Tag to Roa for some boots on Honma and a suplex attempt that gets reversed.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Honma whips Roa into the corner and hip-tosses him on the rebound so he could hit the dropping head-butt and tag Makabe.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Makabe gets in a Northern Lights suplex for a two count.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>After a clothesline to Roa, Tonga slithers in and goes for an RKO that gets reversed into a belly to back.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Roa lands a German Suplex while JR wonders on commentary why THAT suplex is called a German in Japan.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Barnett straightens him out as Makabe misses a top rope knee drop and gets power slammed by Roa.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Tags to Honma and Tanga for some more rope running confusion that scores Tonga a dropkick and a flapjack.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Well done.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Following a big lariat, Makabe slaps Honma in the face to \u201cwake him up.\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>I suppose that\u2019s one way to do it.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Makabe hits a Samoan Drop on Tonga followed by Honma scoring a dropping head-butt.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Tanga kicks out and the champions go for the Doomsday Device.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Roa rips Honma off the top rope for the save, but Honma recovers and throws Roa into the corner for his version of a stinger splash and spine buster.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Makabe gets in a double-clothesline on the challengers and all four men are down.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Honma, who I am told on commentary is known as the Vampire Chicken, trades forearms with Tonga.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Belly-to-back by Tonga, but Honma pops back up and hits a diving head-butt off the ropes.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Honma gets in a second-rope head-butt and goes up top for another.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Tonga moves out of the way.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Honma and Tonga trade forearms in the middle of the ring.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Jumping head-butt by Tonga is met with a bigger one by Honma.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Honma goes for a power slam that Roa breaks up.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Makabe enters to even the odds, but is met with a Samoan Drop pickup by the challengers into a jumping neck breaker.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Tandem power bomb pickup and reverse DDT on Honma is met with a two.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Roa and Tonga lift Honma up high for Tonga to grab Honma\u2019s head and they slam him down hard for the three.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>WINNERS:<\/strong> Guerillas of Destiny in 16:54 to become the new IWGP Tag Team Champions<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><em><span class=\"s1\">(Andrews&#8217; Analysis: It wasn\u2019t great.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I\u2019m not a huge fan of every wrestler going outside and doing spots, which doesn\u2019t bode well for the next match.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Roa did most of the work in this grinder of a match, with Tonga looking the best out of the four.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I don\u2019t know enough about Honma\/Makabe, but I\u2019m almost willing to bet that they don\u2019t regain the titles.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>P.S. I don\u2019t look ahead and watch these as they come.)<\/span><\/em><\/p><div id=\"pwtor-2250597277\" class=\"pwtor-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Match 2 \u2013 Kenny Omega &amp; The Young Bucks (Bullet Club\/Elite) vs. Yoshitatsu &amp; Hiroshi Tanahashi &amp; Michael Elgin &#8211;\u00a0<\/b><\/span><span class=\"s1\"><b>Never Openweight Six-Man Tag Title Match<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">JR tells us that it has been 499 days since Yoshitatsu broke his neck on a Styles Clash.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Great music during the entrances.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The music in NJPW reminds me of Dynasty Warriors, which is a good thing.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The Elite of the Bullet Club come out with Cody Hall and some cleaning supplies.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The Bullet Club\/Elite spray \u201ccold spray\u201d and do general Bullet Club\/Elite posing.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Nick Jackson calls out New Day, but JR is skeptical that the match will happen anytime soon.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Omega immediately tries to hit Yoshitatsu with a Styles Clash, but Tanahashi and Elgin break it up.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Elgin guerilla presses Nick Jackson and throws him outside to Cody Hall.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>JR: \u201cThere you go Cody Hall, there\u2019s something for you to do.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Catch your buddy!\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The challengers suplex everyone in sight and The Elite scurry outside to make their way for an exit door.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>JR apologizes to Josh Barnett for possibly offending him with something that he said because he knows for a fact that Barnett could \u201cwhip my ass in about ten seconds.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Cody Hall joins everyone at the exit way, but where is Nick Jackson?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Oh wait, everyone is clumped together in a six-man tag.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Nick Jackson appears at the top of the exit and swantons the whole lot of them.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Hall stays down as Omega Too-Sweets some fans in the rafters.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>JR comments that The Elite will tell you that they are villains, but at the same time don\u2019t mind ingratiating themselves to the fans.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>He muses that it is a plot to \u201csell some more damn shirts!\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The Jacksons work over Yoshitatsu as Omega wheels out a luggage cart and a trashcan.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>He sits Elgin on top of the cart, places the trashcan over Elgin\u2019s upper torso, and rolls the big man down the aisle for stereo superkicks by the Young Bucks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Back in the ring, Omega signals for The Clash on Yoshitatsu, but Tanahashi makes the save.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Tanahashi cleans house with dragon screw leg whips, but eats a nasty sounding running knee from Omega.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Running kick to Yoshitatsu as he tries to get back into the ring.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Terminator 2 beating on the mat before all three of The Elite dive onto the challengers.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>They push Tanahashi back in, but only get a two.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>JR calls Tanahashi Yoshitatsu, and blames the mistake on the \u201cdamn Young Bucks\u201d who \u201cgot me running all over the screen here trying to find them!\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Tanahashi takes a backbreaker, then a Blockbuster\/backbreaker combo, but kicks out.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Tanahashi gets worked over in the corner to lots of back rakes, which is a move that I actually love.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>J.R., not so much.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Tanahashi elbows Matt Jackson in the corner and goes for the tag, but Omega and Nick pull Elgin and Yoshitatsu away so that Tanahashi can get another back rake.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Yoshitatsu gets in and starts clearing house.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Yoshitatsu hits a springboard dropkick on Matt Jackson, evades a superkick by Nick, and Elgin picks up the Young Bucks and dumps Nick out and slams Matt to the mat.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Yoshitatsu gets in a \u201cleglock variant\u201d, but The Cleaner rolls in with his cold spray and unleashes it.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Nick Jackson hits a face buster on Yoshitatsu and back flips onto Elgin outside for a spinning DDT.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>All three of the Elite boot Yoshitatsu in the face and prop him up on the ropes.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Swanton by Nick Jackson as Barnett confuses Omega pointing at Yoshitatsu\u2019s stomach for\u2026well\u2026don\u2019t worry about it.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>They hit a triple superkick and Omega goes for the Clash again, but he gets sprayed.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>As do the Young Bucks.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\"> Rollup by Yoshitatsu gets a two and a running knee to the face by a recovered Omega.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Elgin, for a man his size, hops the top rope for a spinning elbow on Omega and belly-to-backs Nick.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Elgin then belly-to-backs Matt, who in turn belly-to-backs his brother as he holds on for dear life.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>JR proclaims Elgin is \u201crestaurant quality strong\u201d.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Nick eats numerous clotheslines from the challengers, but gets his knees up as Elgin tries to teeter-totter Tanahashi onto him.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Superkicks to Elgin.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Meltzer Driver attempt on Yoshitatsu is intercepted by Elgin, who tosses Nick onto Omega who was recovering outside.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Yoshitatsu hits a GTS on Matt while Nick hops onto the apron.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Elgin grabs him from the inside and powers him up and over for a biiig suplex.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Assisted by Tanahashi and Yoshitatsu, Nick is ushered towards an awaiting Elgin on the turnbuckles who powerbombs him to the mat for the three.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>WINNERS:<\/strong> Yoshitatsu, Tanahashi, and Michael Elgin to become the new Never Openweight Six-Man Tag Title Champions.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Tanahashi and Elgin carry Yoshitatsu on their shoulders for the fans.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Omega gets in, talks a lot of bleeped words to Elgin, and they lay down their titles in a prelude to a match in the future.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>As Elgin and Yoshitatsu leave, Bad Luck Fale beats up Tanahashi.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>He leaves before the guys can get to him, lobs an F-bomb towards the ring, and walks away.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Classy.<\/span><\/p><div id=\"pwtor-1971382831\" class=\"pwtor-content-1 pwtor-entity-placement\"><!-- Tag ID: pwtorchcom_test_300x600 -->\r\n<div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __300x600\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p class=\"p2\"><em><span class=\"s1\">(Andrews&#8217; Analysis: It wasn\u2019t great, but it wasn\u2019t bad.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>They got the typical six-man brawl outside of the way quickly and got back to the ring in a reasonable amount of time.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The Young Bucks took their medicine, as they always seem to do, and the other participants got in a little offense.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>This was more comedy than a wrestling match.)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Backstage Yoshitatsu invites Tanahashi and Elgin to join him in some sort of Bullet Club Ghostbusters faction, but they want to think about.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>As they walk away, Captain New japan comes out and wants to join Yoshitatsu.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>He\u2019s a superhero after all.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Yoshitatsu wants to think about it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">In a present day interview with Yoshitatsu, he explains that he wasn\u2019t 100% for that match, but the comeback match wasn\u2019t bad.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>He thanked Elgin and Tanahashi for helping him win the titles and took some time out of his schedule to call Captain New Japan \u201ca cosplaying fan\u201d and that he wants nothing to do with him.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>So, uhh, awkward for anyone joining the captain in his quarters this night.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Match 3: Katsuyori Shibata (c) vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan &#8211;\u00a0<\/b><\/span><span class=\"s1\"><b>NEVER Openweight Championship Match<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Holy s&#8211;, it\u2019s Shibata!<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I love Shibata!<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Every Shibata match is surrounded by drama.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>He\u2019s always in a dogfight.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>By the way, Tenzan is wearing a striking black mullet with gold trim, so game on.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Grappling to start that quickly devolves into forearms by Shibata.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>He hits the ropes and gets shoulder blocked down.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Tenzan misses a falling head-butt and narrowly misses having his mullet all sorts of disheveled by a Shibata kick to the head.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>J.R. talks about how Shibata thinks that the veterans disrespect him.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>There we go, just like that J.R. sets the dinner plate.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I\u2019m invested<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Shibata gets in an early figure four, but Tenzan gets the ropes.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>In the corner, Shibata laces Tenzan, then forearms him, then kicks him HARD. Shibata dropkicks Tenzan in the corner and follows up with a second floating dropkick.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Thick head-butt to Shibata lets Tenzan get a mount and hit Mongolian chops.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Clotheslines in the corner by Tenzan followed by a suplex for a two.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Tenzan goes right into an anaconda vise, but Shibata powers out and trips him to the mat.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Shibata catches a strike and puts Tenzan in an arm bar.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Tenzan gets the ropes and is kicked repeatedly by Shibata.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Tenzan responds with a clothesline and Cobra Clutch drop for two.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Tenzan, possibly looking for a moonsault, goes up top to allow Shibata to sneak into position and power bomb him straight down.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The two get up and Tenzan IMPLODES Shibata\u2019s skull with a head-butt.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Tenzan locks in a modified Cobra Clutch, but Shibata refuses to tap and gets the ropes.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Tenzan boots Shibata in the head but ends up getting a modified Michinoku Driver for a two.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Sleeper by Shibata gets broken up, but he gets another one in and drops Tenzan.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Shibata lets Tenzan loose so he can hit the ropes and PK Tenzan in the chest.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>It was loud and good for the win.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>WINNER:<\/strong><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <\/span>Shibata at 10:47 to retain his NEVER Openweight Championship.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><em><span class=\"s1\">(Andrews&#8217; Analysis: This was pretty damn good.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>In all fairness, I wasn\u2019t anticipating a title change here, but Tenzan was game to deal out punishment to this reincarnation of The Legend Killer angle.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Stiff back and forth action.)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Aftermath:<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>As Tenzan recovers, Tenzan\u2019s corner men come in to help him out.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>One of them is Yuji Nagata (Sorry, not much backstory.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Added to the list of guys I need to see in their heyday).<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Shibata bows to Tenzan and kicks Nagata in the head.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Nagata strips down and two guys &#8211; one of which had an expression on his face like someone blasted an airhorn in his ear &#8211; hold him back. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">In what might possibly be the waiting room for a sauna, KUSHIDA is interviewed!<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Okay, quick thing here.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>KUSHIDA is my favorite wrestler.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Period.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I told you it was quick.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>KUSHIDA talks about how his match with Will Ospreay came about.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>It was that damn Rainmaker\u2019s doing!<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>It makes KUSHIDA angry and he tells a story about how the previous year he was invited to wrestle at Rev Pro and the fans told him that Ospreay was THE GUY.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>KUSHIDA says that Ospreay shined from the rest and there is something dazzling and fearless about the 22 year old.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>KUSHIDA mentioned that Ospreay had never had a match in New Japan, so he finds it irregular that Ospreay would just challenge for the belt.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>KUSHIDA said to forget what people say about having to take steps. That\u2019s boring and KUSHIDA isn\u2019t a boring guy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Match 4: KUSHIDA (C) vs. Will Ospreay &#8211;\u00a0<\/b><\/span><span class=\"s1\"><b>IWGP JR. Championship Match<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Ospreay comes to the ring flipping over the ropes before the best entrance video\/music in wrestling hits to bring out the champion wearing a purple McFly vest straight off the rack of your local Uniqlo.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>We\u2019re talking powder purple here, Folks.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>KUSHIDA checks his wrist and it\u2019s time to fight.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>After a few seconds feeling each other out, they exchange wristlocks.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Ospreay does a lot of half-kip-ups as KUSHIDA politely waits for him to finish.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Barnett mentions Breakin\u2019 2: Electric Boogaloo while JR sprinkles garnish on the remark with \u201cwalk on through, electric boogaloo\u201d.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>He was so close.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Reversals into a headlock for KUSHIDA.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Running the ropes for a cartwheel by KUHIDA who front flips over a drop-down, and his ranna is cartwheeled out of by Ospreay.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Then a ranna by Ospreay is cartwheeled out of by KUSHIDA.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The fans, and me, applaud in appreciation.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Inverted atomic drop to a low dropkick by KUSHIDA, but Ospreay recovers and dropkicks him back.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\"> Ospreay is thrown to the ropes and tries to deflect with a front flip attempt, but KUSHIDA laces him in the chest and he is forced to roll outside.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>KUSHIDA wastes little time going up top, hitting a wild looking Senton.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>KUSHIDA rolls Ospreay back in and starts working the arm as JR references a Nick Lachey song.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>KUSHIDA settles in and isolates the arm with multiple arm bars.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Ospreay head scissors KUSHIDA, but is thrown down and put into a figure-four arm lock.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Amazing.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Ospreay reaches the ropes to break it.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Ospreay tries to run away, but the damage to the arm stops him from spring-boarding off the ropes for a counter.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>KUSHIDA goes for an arm wringer that gets a mule kick pop-up to put the champ down.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Ospreay is holding his arm, which signals KUSHIDA to kick it.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Ospreay sends KUSHIDA to the ropes.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>KUSHIDA taps hands to the mat and bounces back, only to send Ospreay into the ropes who front flips against the ropes and hits a flipping forearm.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Jesus!<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Ospreay missile dropkicks KUSHIDA outside and hits a running, over the top ropes, twisting backflip with a tuck!<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Back in the ring, Ospreay hits what I will dub a solarplexes check, which is a reverse lumbar check\/lung blower.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Standing corkscrew gets Ospreay a two as the fans delight.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Ospreay, who is CHOAS buds with the great Okada, winks to the hard camera and goes for the Rainmaker, but KUSHIDA turns it into a Hoverboard lock.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Ospreay immediately slides to the ropes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">KUSHIDA boots Ospreay in the ribs.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>And again.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The third gets reversed into a knee to KUSHIDA\u2019s face followed by a running moonsault into a leap to the buckles for a twisting cannonball half-gainer.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Seriously!?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Ospreay goes up top, only to have KUSHIDA kick him in the face and make him take a breather on the turnbuckles.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>There will be no breather as KUSHIDA races up the turnbuckles, grabs Ospreay\u2019s arm, and backflips with a twist into a cross arm breaker!<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Ospreay wriggles to the ropes for a break.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>KUSHIDA comes back with a dropkick to the arm as JR comments on how much he loves KUSHIDA\u2019s strategy.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">KUSHIDA goes for the arm again, but gets flashkicked (Standing too.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Not even holding down for two seconds).<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>He follows with European uppercuts to KUSHIDA only to get discus forearmed to send the challenger bouncing against the ropes.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Batsu game!<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Forearm by Ospreay, open-palm slap by KUSHIDA, eight kicks to the head by KUSHIDA, forearms and punches to the gut by both men, front kick to the face by Ospreay, then a clenched right hand by KUSHIDA finally drops Ospreay.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>KUSHIDA runs the ropes for a clothesline, but Ospreay reverses with KUSHIDA\u2019s momentum to backflip him into a two count.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Ospreay scrambles for the top rope, but gets forearmed by KUSHIDA.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>KUSHIDA tries for a ten-punch to find Ospreay sliding out from under him to deliver a nasty superkick to the face.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Ospreay heads back up top to hit a twisting shooting star press to a gutful of KUSHIDA\u2019s knees.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Inside cradle gets KUSHIDA a two.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>KUSHIDA laces Ospreay\u2019s arm with a kick and hits the ropes to get reversed into a pop-up flapjack followed by a double-twist leg drop to the back of his head!<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Ospreay jumps onto the second buckle as KUSHIDA recovers and meets him up top.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>KUSHIDA snatches Ospreay\u2019s arm and they fall together, but this time KUSHIDA gets a cross arm breaker that he transitions into a triangle choke.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Ospreay powers up with his bad arm and pops KUSHIDA onto his shoulders.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>KUSHIDA reverses and pulls Ospreay down for the Hoverboard lock!<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Ospreay goes for the ropes, but is rolled back into the middle of the ring for the tap out.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Jesus F******* Christ!<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I\u2019m done.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>WINNER:<\/strong> KUSHIDA in 15:07 to retain the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><em><span class=\"s1\">(Andrews&#8217; Analysis: This was every superlative rolled into one.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>It was fast-paced, but methodical.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>It was physically grueling, yet breathtaking at the same time.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The aerial moves, the hard-hitting nature, the fluid transitions from one move to the next.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I loved this match.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>LOVED this match!<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>This was nonstop action from start to finish and I would love to see these guys do it again.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Hmm, I wonder.)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">J.R. talks about how KUSHIDA is this generation\u2019s Jushin Thunder Liger.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Low and behold Liger steps into the ring and grabs the mic.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>He challenges KUSHIDA for his title and the challenge is accepted with a handshake.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>JR tells Barnett that if they\u2019re lucky they\u2019ll get to call it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Back to the sauna, KUSHIDA talks about the strength of Ospreay\u2019s back.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>He mentions that even though people think that Ospreay just jumps and flies around, his power to pull people in is amazing.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>He says that Ospreay is like Richochet in that respect, but greater.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>KUSHIDA talks about a magazine that he read where Ospreay said that he wanted to fight him in the main event at the Tokyo Dome.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>KUSHIDA says that he wants his belt to topple the Heavyweight Title and be the main belt.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>God willing. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>FINAL THOUGHTS:<\/strong> Overall a tale of two episodes.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The first episode featured a sloooow match and a comedy six-man.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The second episode featured a hard hitting affair and a match that everyone needs to see.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I suppose you could say that the shows split the difference and is overall average, but Jim Ross and Josh Barnett were on the call so who can complain?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I certainly won\u2019t.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Thanks for reading and kick a little ass this week.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s1\"><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"pwtor-end-article-groups pwtor-entity-placement\" id=\"pwtor-2741902207\"><div id=\"pwtor-139263384\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\nTHANK YOU FOR VISITING<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>NJPW on AXS TV Report December 2, 2016 Ryogoku Kokugikan, Parts 1 &amp; 2 By R.W. Andrews, PWTorch contributor As always we are joined by Jim Ross and Josh Barnett in the booth.\u00a0 They are <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2016\/12\/04\/122-njpw-axs-tv-review-ospreay-vs-kushida-omega-young-bucks-vs-yoshitatsu-tanahashi-elgin\/\" title=\"12\/2 NJPW on AXS TV Review: Ospreay vs. KUSHIDA, Omega &#038; Young Bucks vs. Yoshitatsu &#038; Tanahashi &#038; Elgin, more\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":35802,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18,4345],"tags":[306,875,488,303],"class_list":["post-35801","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tvshowsandevents","category-njpw-on-axs","tag-kenny-omega","tag-kushida","tag-will-ospreay","tag-young-bucks"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2016\/12\/NJPW_AXS_logo.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35801","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35801"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35801\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35803,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35801\/revisions\/35803"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35802"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35801"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35801"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35801"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}