The new Japan Rumble didn't have nearly enough old farts in it for my tastes. That's really the only appeal of it. Feel good story at the end though, contrived though it was.
Bucks vs Sho and Yoh, way way too long, and brutal match in the sense it looked possibly career shortening for a some guys. Way less gaga than usual from the Young Bucks.
The tag team gauntlet was pretty fun. War Machine looked awesome, good luck to them in WWE. My gut says they'll do well in NXT, and then flounder on the main roster, as many have done before them. Hope my gut is wrong. Yano wildly entertains me, and his pin on Taguchi was a thing of beauty. Popped me big.
I'm not a big Cody fan, but he and Ibushi worked pretty well I thought, despite being something of a styles clash. Cody's years in the WWE give him a big league feel and polish a lot of guys don't have, and he's totally into what he's doing now, and it shows. Wasn't real big on Brandi here, felt very forced in her role, wasn't buying it.
The IWGP tag match was just wayyyyyyy too predictable. I've watched too much wrestling, but they tipped the finish early on here, and the announcing made it worse.
Goto vs Suzuki was incredible!!! Suzuki is amazing on so many levels, and he's the perfect opponent for Goto. I was beyond stupid when Goto was out cold, and doctor in the ring, and the match still went on. Hey pro wrestling, quit breaking your own kayfabe if you want to have any...Oh never mind, too late. That said, I still loved this match.
I also loved the IWGP junior title four way. Off the hook, but it was so crisp and fun to watch. Not into Marty Scurll much, but the guy puts a lot into his performances, he's kinda like an Indy version of Cody to me.
I didn't love Jay White vs Tanahashi. White was like Roman Reigns here, the wrong guy in the wrong role at the wrong time. Too forced, and much like Reigns, he kinda sucks at connecting with the crowd, so it comes off cold. I'm interested to see where White goes, tons of potential, but is he a Peter principal guy? I was very high on him a few years ago, it's just he's not viewed at "the guy" yet but fans, and this only cemented it more. God Bless Tanahashi, he gave a good performance, but he may need a long break, or even to hang it up. Can you imagine the pain that guy is in daily these days?
Jericho vs Omega was amazing, I loved it. I knew they would click, and they did. Not many matches nowadays you think will never happen, and get excited thinking about it, and this was one, and it delivered big time. I did think they spent too much time outside of the ring overall. I really hope the WWE would take a clue from this and do less scripting, and let people be more creative, but they won't. The thing is, there are some guys and gals that need scripting, and some that don't. The WWE should teach both ways, and then figure out what fits each talent the best. The WWWF historically never had the best wrestling, and in 2018 it still doesn't, and yet it's THE brand. Kinda mind boggling. I'm still surprised Vince McMahon gave Jericho permission to do this, since New Japan is on AXS, and doing very well there, and are running a few shows in the USA now.
I need to watch Okada vs Naito again, first time it didn't grab me at all, and couldn't follow Jericho vs Omaga, but I need to give it another chance when I'm more in the mood for it and see. All I kept noticing was how gimpy Naito's knees looked, even before the match, and Okada's new pants, which made his ass look totally flat. lol
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