New Japan Pro Wrestling presented Wrestling Hi No Kuni on Sunday morning. Since the event began at 2am EDT, here is a spoiler-free match listing for the non-nite-owl New Japan fans. Each match is given a Need To Watch Rating of 0.0-10.0.
The event is available at NJPWWorld.com
FIRST MATCH: Ren Narita & Yuji Nagata vs. Tomoyuki Oka & Shota Umino.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. This is a top-shelf collection of Young Lions in 2018. As always, the opening was an exciting, heartwarming bout, that saw the Young Lions take the majority of the action. Definitely recommended for Young Lion fans, as Narita finally seems to be meeting Oka & Umino’s level.
Need To Watch Rating: (6.0)
SECOND MATCH: Taguchi Japan (Ryusuke Taguchi, Jushin “Thunder” Liger, Tiger Mask & David Finlay) vs. CHAOS (Sho, Yoh, Rocky Romero & Jay White)
Great to see Sho, Yoh & Rocky in a match that didn’t involve Taichi, TAKA or Iizuka. Jay and David continue their never ending feud, and still keep things entertaining. A fun match, though seemingly lacking in stakes.
Need To Watch Rating: (3.4)
THIRD MATCH: Togi Makabe & Toa Henare vs. CHAOS (Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii)
A standard tag match. Makabe & Henare are growing into a very solid team. Henare is really starting to grow into a great heavyweight. Nothing essential but still fun.
Need To Watch Rating: (2.0)
FOURTH MATCH: Bullet Club (Chase Owens & Yujiro Takahashi) & The Golden Lovers (Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi) vs. Suzuki-gun (Zack Sabre Jr., Takashi Iizuka, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi)
Really great 8-man tag. Sabre and Omega create a fresh dynamic, and Owens continues to team with the Golden Lovers perfectly, and Yujiro also was communicating flawlessly with his team. Really great undercard action.
Need To Watch Rating: (6.6)
FIFTH MATCH: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Michael Elgin, KUSHIDA & Juice Robinson vs. CHAOS (Kazuchika Okada, YOSHI-HASHI, Will Ospreay & Hirooki Goto)
Tanahashi and Okada continue to add kerosene to their already white-hot rivalry. Definitely must see viewing for Ospreay’s newest move The Storm Breaker.
Need To Watch Rating: (7.5)
SIXTH MATCH: BUSHI vs. El Desperado
An exciting BOSJ preview, held back by shenanigans.
Need To Watch Rating: (6.0)
SEVENTH MATCH: Hiromu Takahashi vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru
A better BOSJ preview, still harmed by shenanigans.
Need To Watch Rating: (6.9)
EIGHTH MATCH: IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Los Ingobernables de Japon (SANADA & EVIL) vs. Killer Elite Squad (Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr.)
A match that far surpasses their Tokyo Dome match back in January. Seek. Out. This. Match.
Need To Watch Rating: (10.0)
MAIN EVENT: IWGP Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion Minoru Suzuki vs. Tetsuya Naito
Also a must-see spectacular. Suzuki is as vicious as always, and Naito is not afraid of the IWGP Intercontinental Champion. Definitely a must see match.
Need To Watch Rating: (10.0)
