Set the way-back machine for 2009, when New Japan Pro-Wrestling was still in serious rebuilding mode, having weathered the lull of the early 2000s. They'd hitched their wagon to a dynamic young performer named Hiroshi Tanahashi, and his gargantuan charisma, coupled with his incredible knack for in-ring storytelling, almost singlehandedly lifted NJPW out of its financial woes. At this point Tanahashi was head-and-shoulders above everyone else in the company, but numerous young stars were being groomed for big things and by 2009 a few were starting to nip at Tana's heels. The modern New Japan product as we know it was taking shape, with a combination of native stars and talented gaijin, and only a few years later it would start to blow everyone else out of the water from a creative standpoint. So sit back and let's take a stroll through recent New Japan lore....
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Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium - 6.20.09 |
Things kicked off with a solid little opener, as Jushin Thunder Liger and Akira faced Koji Kanemoto and a young lion named Nobuo Yoshihashi. Everyone worked hard in the seven-or-so minutes alotted. Finally Yoshi-Hashi ate a top rope splash from Akira for the pin. Shockingly little from Liger in this match. Not terribly memorable but decent. **1/4
Next up was Takao Omori and Yutaka Yoshie vs. Mitsuhide Hirasawa and Super Strong Machine. This was another short match, only five-and-a-half minutes, but it was full of action. Yoshie at 300+ pounds got to show off his deceptive agility. The match ended with Omori hitting a running STO on Hirasawa. Nothing special here, but this was well worked. **
The first really noteworthy match was third, as Apollo 55 faced Taichi and Milano Collection AT for a Jr. Heavyweight Tag Title shot. These guys cut a crazy fast pace for the first few minutes, then Taichi and Milano slowed it down to work over Taguchi. After the eventual hot tag to Devitt we got a crazy series of big moves and nearfalls, including an outside-the-ring Doomsday Device cross body on Taichi, a Devitt double stomp for a near fall, and a big Tower of Doom spot. Finally Taguchi pinned Taichi after a (surprisingly safe-looking) vertebreaker and chicken wing face buster. One thing really struck me about this match: Taichi used to be a worker! When did that change? Anyway this was a damn good match. ***3/4