New Japan Pro Wrestling continued their Road To Wrestling Dontaku Tour on Tuesday. As the show began at 5:30am EST, here’s a spoiler-free match listing for the non-nite-owl New Japan fans. Each match receives a Need To Watch Rating of 0.0-10.0
FIRST MATCH: Ren Narita, Shota Umino & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Tomoyuki Oka, Yuji Nagata & Jushin “Thunder” Liger
Fun start from the Young Lions. Nagata gets to shine in his birthday match, and Umino benefits. Fun but inessential match.
Need To Watch Rating: (1.0)
SECOND MATCH: Roppongi 3k (Sho, Yoh & Rocky Romero) vs. Suzuki-gun (Takashi Iizuka, Taichi & TAKA Michinoku)
I’m so done with these Roppongi 3K/Suzuki-gun matches. So done.
Need To Watch Rating: (0.5)
THIRD MATCH: KUSHIDA, Michael Elgin & Togi Makabe vs. CHAOS (YOSHI-HASHI, Will Ospreay & Toru Yano)
Another inoffensive but inessential tag match, much like the opener.
Need To Watch Rating: (1.0)
FOURTH MATCH: Toa Henare vs. Tomohiro Ishii
The first great match of the night, and Henare’s first truly great singles showcase. Definitely must see viewing. Henare’s G1 spot is secured in this epic match that had Korakuen Hall quaking with excitement.
Need To Watch Rating: (10.0)
FIFTH MATCH: Los Ingobernables de Japon (Tetsuya Naito, BUSHI, Hiromu Takahashi, EVIL & SANADA) vs. Suzuki-gun (Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Davey Boy Smith Jr. & Lance Archer)
A very solid match that continued the various LIJ/Suzuki-gun feuds heated. Naito and Suzuki continue to have amazing chemistry, and Takahashi & BUSHI give some receipts to Kanemaru & Desperado.
Need To Watch Rating: (5.5)
SIXTH MATCH: Taguchi Japan (Ryusuke Taguchi, Juice Robinson & Hiroshi Tanahashi) vs. CHAOS (Gedo, Hirooki Goto & Kazuchika Okada)
Two words: Heel. Okada.
Need To Watch Rating: (9.9)
MAIN EVENT: IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion “Switchblade” Jay White vs. David Finlay
David Finlay had a better match with Jay White than both Kenny Omega and Hiroshi Tanahashi. A literally career-long rivalry explodes in this fireball of a main event. Seek. Out. This. Match. If this is any indication, this rivalry will only get bigger. This is very possibly a historic start to one of the future marquee feuds on New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Need To Watch Rating: (10.1)
