NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 24 - Night 2
Night 2 of NJPW Best of the Super Jr. 24 is set to be a good one! This is the first show of the series that will start with a few exhibition and grudge matches and then end with four tournament matches. This is a format that they will use for the majority of their events. I will try to cover as much of this tournament as possible.
Spoilers for the tournament matches will follow. Other matches on the card included; Katsuya Kitamura, Shota Umino & Tetsuhiro Yagi vs. Hirai Kawato, Tiger Mask & Tomoyuki Oka, ACH & Volador Jr. vs. Suzuki-gun, BULLET CLUB vs. War Machine & David Finlay, Juice Robinson, KUSHIDA, Ryusuke Taguchi & Satoshi Kojima vs. Los Ingobernables de Japón.
TAKA Michinoku vs. Taichi
Both Taichi and TAKA are from the stable Suzuki-Gun. You can see a bit of hesitation on both of them. TAKA is the leader of the faction and is coming off of a big win against Jushin Liger from Night One. Taichi had lost to Ricochet last night. That only made him hungry for the win tonight. Unfortunately, it is against his stable leader.
Both guys are reluctant to start. They pace for a long time. It appears as if this is how they are going to play it. The match becomes a game. Dodging each other's moves. Dipping in and out of the ring. Avoiding contact with one and other for a good long time. They clash a bit but it's nothing of note. This plays out as a comedy match and ends like one too. Couldn't say that this was a good match.
Both guys are reluctant to start. They pace for a long time. It appears as if this is how they are going to play it. The match becomes a game. Dodging each other's moves. Dipping in and out of the ring. Avoiding contact with one and other for a good long time. They clash a bit but it's nothing of note. This plays out as a comedy match and ends like one too. Couldn't say that this was a good match.
Marty Scurll vs. Dragon Lee
Dragon Lee had the standout performance yesterday. I loved that damn main event from night one between Lee and Takahashi. It was killer. I am excited to see something different from Scurll. His match yesterday against Ospreay was alright but felt too rehearsed. This seemed much more on point. Again the crowd is solidly behind Dragon Lee. The don't hesitate to chant his name.
Marty's antics drag the match down. It could have been a lot better if it were presented in a more traditional style. Unfortunately, Scurll knows how to wrestle in a more independent-western style that will hopefully evolve during the tournament. The spots are nice. They just don't belong in this atmosphere. Points for trying.
Dragon Lee carries this match as traditionally as possible but it is too far gone. His dives to the outside are a thing of beauty. Lee sells like a champ even when Scurll does the whole finger snapping spot. Lee even hit a beautiful Standing Moonsault Side Slam, but it couldn't keep The Villain down. It was a Del Rio-esque Hanging Chest Double Stomp that put Scurll away. Welcome to Japan Marty.
Jushin "Thunder" Liger vs. Hiromu Takahashi
Knock down and drag out. Jushin Liger showed that he still has just what it takes to go with today's generation. He was hot out of the gate and took it right to the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. However, Hiromu Takahashi was ready. He had come off of a fresh loss from last night against Dragon Lee and was geared up for Thunder.
Both guys gave each other hell. Liger had that amazing running flip to the outside and then gave Takahashi a brainbuster on the floor. I was impressed. I was on my feet when Liger had nearly pinned Takahashi after a Liger Bomb. I cheered like hell for the ending sequence which saw Takahashi going over. I am slowly becoming a fan of Hiromu. His apron bomb to Liger would have given Kevin Owens a smile.
Both guys gave each other hell. Liger had that amazing running flip to the outside and then gave Takahashi a brainbuster on the floor. I was impressed. I was on my feet when Liger had nearly pinned Takahashi after a Liger Bomb. I cheered like hell for the ending sequence which saw Takahashi going over. I am slowly becoming a fan of Hiromu. His apron bomb to Liger would have given Kevin Owens a smile.
Ricochet vs. Will Ospreay
When Will Ospreay met Ricochet last year for the first time in New Japan magic took place. It was my Match of the Year. Will this matchup be a repeat? Our two competitors are amazing in the ring. They have the potential to produce a bout of that caliber. Ricochet is already fairing pretty well. He had a good match with Taichi on night one and looked to continue the trend tonight. Will Ospreay isn't happy about losing to Scurll on night one and is looking for retribution.
Ospreay brings a lot of aggression into this match. He wears it on his face. Ricochet brings his coolness and cockiness. Both seem to piss Ospreay off. They go for some really good scripted flippy moves and the crowd eats it up. Forgiving the few sloppy moments. Then they start matching each other's moves. They play the strong style card as the match starts to slow. Both guys give long rest spots. Then go back to producing beautiful but predictable spots.
Both really worked hard both deserved to go over. But after a ton of pin attempts it felt like either guy could. They definitely knew that they were headlining this card. They trade strong blows. They take each other to the limit. These guys go in there and beat the shit out of each other and it's glorious. The Springboard Dragonrana was spectacular. These guys take it home.
Ospreay brings a lot of aggression into this match. He wears it on his face. Ricochet brings his coolness and cockiness. Both seem to piss Ospreay off. They go for some really good scripted flippy moves and the crowd eats it up. Forgiving the few sloppy moments. Then they start matching each other's moves. They play the strong style card as the match starts to slow. Both guys give long rest spots. Then go back to producing beautiful but predictable spots.
Both really worked hard both deserved to go over. But after a ton of pin attempts it felt like either guy could. They definitely knew that they were headlining this card. They trade strong blows. They take each other to the limit. These guys go in there and beat the shit out of each other and it's glorious. The Springboard Dragonrana was spectacular. These guys take it home.
Last night was a bit better as far as tournament matches go. However, that Ospreay versus Ricochet match killed it. Every year this tournament is destined to produce amazing matches. This year is no different.
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