"Random Network Review" WCW Slamboree 2000

Well, this is fitting. After reviewing the latest NJPW show, which was fantastic, I get the Pay Per View that had David Arquette in the main event. Sigh.

WCW Slamboree 2000

May 7th, 2000

Kemper Arena, Kansas City, Missouri

Well if that poster doesn't get you psyched up, you either don't have a pulse or have watched WCW matches from the year 2000 prior to this!

We get a recap from the previous Thunder with Ric Flair arguing with Bischoff. A bus pulls up and out comes the New Blood. Vampiro vs Sting is apparently happening on this show. I can't say I'm excited about that. Billy Kidman vs Hulk Hogan is also happening. Good booking, however, is not happening. Arquette was WCW Champion. This is where WCW really starts to die. 

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: Chris Candido(c) (w/Tammy Sytch) vs The Artist (w/Paisley)

Well at least we should have a decent opener. I've always liked Candido, but I feel like Tammy really brought him down in his later years. Tammy offers to get naked for the crowd, without Skype and for free. Oh how 15 years can change you. To her credit, she still looks decent here. Next out comes The Artist formerly known as Prince Iaukea. Smooth R&B is just not a good theme song. 

They start with some chaining that ends with a botched victory roll into a German suplex spot. Candido did not get to his feet smoothly there. Artist tosses Candido over the ropes, and in typical WCW fashion, we're fighting outside the ring. Chris tries to splash Artist from the top into the guard rail but takes a spear type move instead. The footage skips and suddenly they're fighting on the entrance ramp. What the hell was that? WCW has invented teleportation. Artist hits a really bad hurricanrana back in the ring, followed by a really bad headlock takedown for a two count. Few chops by Candido before he tosses the Artist to the outside. Inside-out suplex sends Candido back outside, only for them to go directly back into the ring for a two count. Artist goes up top but then decides not to. Okay then. Artist hits the worst powerbomb I've ever seen and goes up top, but is caught by Candido who misses a rana off the ropes. Then, this spot happens. 

Greatest roll up of all time? Possibly.

A bad lariat by Artist, an eye gouge from Candido and a super samoan drop. Tammy distracts the ref and she gets into it with Paisley. Tammy hits Artist with a chair and Candido covers for the three, but...nope, apparently not. Ref called for the bell but then said it was a two count. Piledriver and a headbutt end the match.

Winner and still WCW Cruiserweight Champion: Chris Candido in 7:59

This was awful. One of the worst openers I've ever seen. Full of botches, slow action that made little sense and a botched finish. DUD

After the match, Artist and Paisley attack Tammy and pull off her dress to embarrass her. She's in full on granny panties though so what exactly does that do? Who really cares at this point? Tony Schiavone calls it a great cruiserweight matchup. I'd rather Hornswoggle vs El Torito. 

Next we get a preview of the Hardcore Handicap Match coming up next. How do they hype it? By showing Funk, their champion, getting the crap beaten out of him. Never showing him showing resilience, just getting his ass kicked. Smart. 

WCW Hardcore Championship Hardcore Handicap Match : Norman Smiley and Ralphus vs Terry Funk(c)

I love you, Terry, but why would you agree to wrestle Ralphus. Ralphus should never have been in a wrestling ring, and this is the 2nd WCW show I've reviewed that had him on it.  They actually call it Norman and a mystery partner. WHO THE HELL CHOOSES RALPHUS! The match starts backstage, and Norman is dressed in a baseball uniform. Smiley was always entertaining. Ralphus is in full catcher's equipment and hits the weakest trash can shot ever. It's Terry F'n Funk, he can take a trash can shot. Smiley is dancing as they use a variety of weapons. Trash cans, chairs, Ralphus' stomach. Catering is destroyed and a young Zack Ryder weeps.  Funk throws Smiley into the interview set while Ralphus is standing on top of some carpets and throwing boxes at Funk while Funk throws chairs. It was pretty funny to see Ralphus randomly up there. Now they're all fighting on carpets as Norman falls off through a table. Terry hits him with a roadblock sign and now I'm expecting Roadblock to come in. The announcers are ripping into Ralphus and I can't blame them. Ralphus is literally just waiting around for no reason. He's really not adding anything to this match. They go into an area with no lights to it, the gorilla position. 

Funk brings Ralphus out to ringside and onto the stage. Ralphus should never be shown on all four. Ever. Ralphus' pants are falling and his shirt is off. Oh good lord. Ralphus' full ass is out. BAD WCW. BAD! DON'T DO THAT.  PULL UP YOUR GOD DAMN PANTS. Smiley is back in the ring and assaults Funk with a ladder and a chair. Big Wiggle and a chair shot by Smiley for two. Ralphus wants to do the Big Wiggle now, but Funk hits him with a chair. PULL UP YOUR EFFING PANTS RALPHUS. Roll up by Funk ends it.

Winner and still WCW Hardcore Champion: Terry Funk in 10:03

This was entertaining for one minute. The rest of it was unbearable. DUD

This show is off to a great start, two for two in duds. 

David Arquette cuts a heelish promo about DDP. He says he's scared about the Triple Cage Match later tonight. I am too, David, I am too. 

Shawn Stasiak vs Curt Hennig

Finally, something that should be good. My network feed froze during Hennig's entrance. I will take this as a sign to turn off the show, but I must continue. Stasiak is playing the cocky heel well here. Henning takes control with some scoop slams and Stasiak retreats outside the ring. Remember "Planet Stasiak?" I loved that gimmick. They start yelling at each other some more before locking up again. It took 3 minutes to get some wrestling in this match. Hennig tries to break a headlock, but it ends with Stasiak hitting a crossbody for two before a sunset flip for another two. These guys are rushing which makes me think they don't have a long run time. Slaps and knee lift by Hennig before they cut to MIA watching from the crowd. While they're focused on MIA, Hennig is tossed out of the ring, great production, guys. Stasiak has control and hits a big clothesline off the top rope onto Hennig back in the ring. Hennig goes for a scoop slam on the ramp, and has him up and everything before "hurting his back" and putting him down. What? Back in the ring, Stasiak has a sleeper hold. Henning almost escapes, but Stasiak knocks him down by his hair and misses a crossbody off the top.  Some chops by Hennig and a back body drop. Hennig slaps Charles Robinson on his head, but he's a face and he's hitting the ref? Okay. Slingshot into the corner and fisherman's suplex ends it. 

Winner: Shawn Stasiak in 7:54

I don't get it. These two are very capable workers, but the flow was terrible, there was no psychology and this was basically an eight minute squash as Hennig got almost no offense in. That said, this is MOTN so far. 1/4* 

So through three matches, we don't have a match that gets even a one star rating, or even half a star. Maybe Steiner can save us.

We get Russo hyping up Scott Steiner backstage.

WCW United States Championship: Hugh Morrus vs Scott Steiner(c) (w/ Midajah and Shakira) 

Hugh Morrus cuts a promo before the match. He doesn't want to be called Hugh Morrus and calls the name a brain fart, and then demands he be called "Hugh. E. Rection" yeah, that's way less dumb. 

They start with Steiner taking advantage until Rection...nope, calling him DeMott. DeMott hits a few huge chops and Steiner goes outside the ring. Back in the ring it's back and forth until DeMott hits a spinning heel kick and side slam for two. He goes up top and hits a big elbow drop. He goes back up top for a moonsault, but the girls crotch him, that should be a disqualification, but it's not. Steiner chokes him in the tree of woe. Steiner hits a clothesline and an elbow for two. Some stomps and a T-Bone suplex from Steiner and then some push ups. Belly to belly for a two count. That move is great when done right. Steiner is mad at the ref and tells him he sucks. I lol'd. A bearhug by Steiner confuses me. He's not a big guy, and DeMott is a fat son of a bitch. It just looks like they're ex lovers that haven't met in years.  DeMott avoids a Steiner clothesline and takes advantage with a corner splash, but not for long. Tiger bomb by Steiner ends that hope. Inverted Piledriver by DeMott and a moonsault. Steiner moves but takes a knee to the back of the head. Ouch. Always roll towards the post, Scott. Steiner Recliner ends it. 

Winner and still WCW United States Champion: Scott Steiner in 9:23

Another bad match. The girls botched their spots almost every time they got involved, bad flow, bad psychology, botched finish. MOTN to this point though. 1/2*

Booker T assaults Steiner after the match.

Kanyon interview about backing DDP. Basic script reading, not a great promo, better than Roman. 

Mike Awesome vs Kanyon

It's weird writing this review now considering both men passed away to suicide. They start by exchanging strikes, but there's a fight in the crowd it seems as everyone in the audience is looking the other way and it's pretty damn funny. 

Everyone look! Something better!

Suicide dive by Awesome brings some fans back into it, but I'm not sure they were paying attention. I don't blame them. Awesome throws Kanyon around outside a bit into the stairs and the guard rail, before being tossed into the ring post. Kanyon hits a somersault plancha from the apron that was pretty cool.  In the ring, Awesome has control and goes up top with a nice clothesline for two. And we go back outside again.  Some chairs shots by Awesome knocks Kanyon over the guard rail and into the crowd, and almost immediately they're back at ringside. Awesome hits a springboard splash into the ring. I wonder how long this tenure in the ring lasts. Back outside we go. I marked that at about 45 seconds in the ring.  I can understand why WCW Backstage Assault was made. They're never in the f'n ring. Awesome is up top with a chair, and Kanyon pulls the top rope to crotch him and brings him down with a neckbreaker from the top. I really think Awesome just slipped. Kanyon hits a crossbody, but Awesome rolls with it for a two count. Kanyon hits a flapjack for another two count. Kanyon tries to powerbomb Awesome but takes an Alabama Slam. Awesome hits a powerbomb that drops Kanyon right on his neck and was absolutely pointless to do. Legitimately dangerous spot. 

Who bettuh than Kanyon with a broken neck?

Awesome goes outside and lifts up the ringside mats, but instead hits a springboard shoulder block in the ring, followed by a German suplex. Kanyon rolls onto the ramp and suddenly half the locker room comes out, and the match is officially ruled a No Contest. 

Winner: No Contest in 12:11

This match was all over the place in the worst way possible. Overbooked finish and nothing but bad brawling, incredibly unsafe spots and just nothing redeeming in this. 1/2*

After the match, everybody who came and interfered continued to brawl that ends with Nash, Sting, Flair and Kanyon standing tall. I don't know what just happened. 

The Total Package vs Buff Bagwell 

I am not calling him Total Package. He is Luger. That is what he will be. Bell rings and Bagwell starts posing on every turnbuckle. Makes sense. They have a pose down, which doesn't make sense given how the pre-match videos showed how serious Luger's problem is with Russo kidnapping Elizabeth. They lock up after 90 seconds of shit and it's a stalemate on the ropes. Buff takes advantage early with some strikes and a turnbuckle face smash for two. Some taunting and a chin lock by Buff. Atomic drops and strikes by Luger now. He tosses Bagwell outside, and WCW still has not learned that you don't need to leave the ring in every single match. Inside, Buff hits a double arm DDT for a two count. Exchanging strikes and rest holds until Luger ducks a clothesline and the network feed freezes and suddenly they're both down. I would believe you if you told me that was the spot. Bagwell hits a splash for two and locks in a camel clutch. Russo is backstage watching, calling for Elizabeth to see what's going on, but Russo fell backwards and Elizabeth is nowhere to be seen. She comes down to the ring now with a bat in her hand as Luger hits a powerslam. Bagwell gets the bat from Elizabeth and hits him with it. Where's the DQ ref? Bagwell goes to the 2nd rope, but Elizabeth hits him with the bat. Luger locks on the Torture Rack for the win.

Winner: Lex Luger in 9:30

Another match that was just uninteresting, but at least this one tried to tell a story. *

We are 90 minutes into this show, and we JUST get out first one star match.

After the match, Chuck Palumbo attacks Luger and put him a Torture Rack of his own. We get a promo backstage with Shane Douglas hyping his match with Ric Flair. His future employer at Wal Mart probably isn't watching this. 

Ric Flair vs Shane Douglas

I don't personally care for Douglas. He's just kind of always been "there" for me. Flair is in street clothes. They lock up a few times and Douglas takes control each time. There's a fan in the front row with a replica WCW Championship. He is more credible than David Arquette. Douglas takes control with a back body drop, but his shine doesn't last long as they start trading chops. Douglas locks in a figure four on Ric Flair, nice heel move there. Flair escapes with a figure four, and hits a few chops, and Douglas falls to the outside. The outside fighting consists of basically chops from Flair. They definitely needed to go outside for that. Back in the ring, Douglas suplexes flair and pulls out a chain and hits Flair with it wrapped around his wrist right in front of the ref, but then hides it. Why even bother hiding it? Triple suplex to Flair for two. More chops by Flair, a WOO and a strut. Devastating maneuvers. He hits a low blow now because there are no such thing as disqualifications, and then blatantly kicks Douglas in the balls because WCW. Figure four time, but Buff Bagwell runs down and distracts the ref, David Flair dressed as Sting hits Ric with a baseball bat. Douglas rolls up Ric for the three.

Winner: Shane Douglas in 8:46

This sucked. Bad finish, a match script that made no sense, there was no selling and barely any storytelling. It pains me to give this rating to Ric, but this is a DUD. 

Ric Flair no sells the entire match and calls out Vince Russo. Out comes Luger who unmasks "Sting" to reveal David Flair. Down comes Russo with a pipe and attacks Luger while David Flair hits Ric with a miniature Statue of Liberty. We get basically Russo and David beating on Ric. This gif sums up my views on this show pretty well. 

Thanks, Vince.

Nash comes out, but Russo just hits him with the bat. Daffney comes out to celebrate with Russo and David.

Vampiro vs Sting

I don't care about this match. Vampiro sucks and always sucked. We start on the ramp and Vampiro attacks Sting, but is quickly taken down with a suplex. Atomic drop is devastating in the ring, even more devastating on the ramp. That lasts not very long as Sting brings Vampiro in and hits a missile dropkick. Vampiro goes back outside and Sting hits a plancha. We were in the ring for approximately 10 seconds so far. Sting DDTs Vampiro on the floor and rolls into the ring...and rolls back outside...and back into the ring. Make up your damn mind. Low blow by Vampiro, some chops and a top rope clothesline. Goes back outside and brings in a lead pipe. He hits Sting in the chest, so naturally, Sting sells his stomach. So many pipe shots Vampiro looks like a creepy plumber. We're at about 12-13 pipe shots. They're on the ramp as Sting tries retreating, you know, like big time faces like Sting do. Vampiro brings Sting back into the ring and again uses the pipe. Super hurricanrana attempt is thwarted as Sting hits a crappy looking powerbomb from the ropes. Sting has the pipe now and goes to work. Two Stinger Splashes and a Scorpion Death Drop end the match.

Winner: Sting in 6:48Terrible. This entire match was basically pipe shot after pipe shot. Sting trying to retreat was just idiotic and made him look weak to me. I was hoping there might be some enjoyment here, but there just wasn't. 1/2*

Sting attacks Vampiro one more time after the match, as we get a video package hyping the next match. Kidman talks about how he's beaten Hogan three times and with Bischoff as the ref he can't lose, which means, Kidman is losing. 

Hulk Hogan(w/ Horace Hogan) vs Billy Kidman (w/Torrie Wilson): Special Referee: Eric Bischoff

Does anybody really remember Horace Hogan? What was the point of him? If Rick from Pawn Stars got in shape and grew a beard, he'd be Horace Hogan. Kidman tries to psyche out Hogan by not getting in the ring, but Hogan jumps outside and chases Kidman around the ring and into the ring where Kidman takes advantage with some stomps. Doesn't last too long as they botch a scoop slam multiple times before Kidman rolls up Hogan for a two. They try the crucifix-rollup spot again and it works this time as Hogan sends Kidman to the floor. Body slam onto an open chair by Hogan. Nice spot there. Hurricanrana by Kidman out of the corner as Hogan escapes outside the ring. He pulls Kidman out and throws him around a bit. Bischoff said before the match he was gonna call it down the middle and so far he has. You would think the heel ref would try to help the heel wrestler. Kidman has control in the ring until he tries to taunt Hogan who starts beating him like he was hitting on Brooke. Or Nick. Takes off his belt now and starts whipping Kidman. Bischoff says no and it's the first time a ref has done his job all night. That doesn't last long as Kidman gets the belt and starts wailing on Hogan. Unfortunately for Billy, Hogan is pretty strong and he gets hiptossed over the ropes. More outside brawling! There's a table at ringside. I'm assuming it will be used here. Hogan covers but Bischoff pretends he doesn't see it. 

Backdrop by Hogan for a no-fall as Bischoff ignores it. Hogan is all "WTF Mate?!" Hogan misses a few elbows, because Hogan doesn't realize that Kidman is paying attention. Yet again, Hogan throws Kidman outside the ring. Kidman had the advantage for about 15 seconds. Back inside, Kidman hits some blows on Hogan but Hogan Hulks the F Up. Big Boot and a leg drop attempt is blocked by Bischoff, but Hogan decks Bischoff and hits the leg drop anyway. Bischoff brings in a chair, Hogan blocks his attempt and hits Bischoff and Kidman. Under the ring, Hogan finds a table, to my surprise it's not the one from earlier. Scratch that, two tables. In typical WCW fashion, one of the tables has a broken leg and thus is already out of commission. Hogan shakes it off and sets it up against the ropes while humming Taylor Swift in his head. Hogan tries to powerbomb Bischoff, but Kidman beats him with a chair and covers but Bischoff is out. Kidman counts his own three, but it doesn't matter. Kidman tries to hit Hogan with the chairs, but Hogan boots it and Powerbombs Bischoff through a table. I think that should count as a DQ. Hogan grabs the table from ringside! I knew it, but the dumb son of a bitch gets it stuck in the apron. Kidman hits a low blow with a chair shot and sets up the table. Kidman lays Hogan on the table and misses a splash from the top rope crashing through the table for the three count. 

Winner: Hulk Hogan in 13:38

This was actually very entertaining and held my interest throughout. Easily match of the night and might save this card from a total dud. **1/2

Video package hypes the main event. Still can't believe David Arquette is going into a pay per view main event as WCW Champion. 

WCW World Heavyweight Championship Triple Cage Match: David Arquette(c) vs Diamond Dallas Page vs Jeff Jarrett

Sigh. I really don't want to review this. The match concept is really cool, but obviously incredibly dangerous. Apparently the 2nd cage is a hardcore cage with a whole bunch of weapons, and the third cage is a guitar cage with only guitars hanging in it.  David Arquette is wearing a ridiculous attire, but who really cares at this point? 

Match starts and Arquette is basically shaking as he tries to run away from Jeff Jarrett. Arquette tries to escape the cage but Page attacks Jarrett and you can see the Cage is not touching the floor. Pretty sure David can fit under the spacing if he wanted to leave. Page and Jarrett fight in the ring and exchange some clotheslines. Arquette tries a splash from the top but Jarrett moves. He bumped that pretty nicely. Props to Arquette. Page whips Jarrett into the cage, but Arquette is in the way and he takes a cage bump. Jarrett goes to attack Page but he ducks and hits Arquette who takes another decent bump on the outside. I'll give him props, he's taking a slight beating. Page sets up the ladder to try and get to the 2nd cage, and Jarrett is busted open. Jarrett hits a backdrop to Page off the ladder. Nice spot but gets zero crowd reaction. Jarrett climbs now, but Page powerbombs him off. 

The door to the 2nd cage is located above the turnbuckle, not the middle of the ring. I find that a bit strange. Jarrett climbs, but Page knocks him off into the ropes. They're both climbing now as they exchange strikes on the ladder. and Jarrett takes a dive off the ropes and onto the cameraman. Jarrett no sells the fall as Page climbs into the 2nd cage successfully, Jarrett follows as Page grabs bolt cutters and opens the cage door. Jarrett pulls a chair off the cage wall and smashes Page with it. Page whips Jarrett into the side of the 2nd cage and the cage collapsed. I don't think that was planned. Page grabs a table but the damn thing can't stand up, but DDP powerslams Jarrett through it anyway. 

Jarrett climbs to the 3rd cage, but DDP knocks him off with a chair shot. These guys are clearly nervous as hell and I don't blame them. Arquette climbs the ladder into the 2nd cage now. Arquette climbs to the 3rd cage. Mike Awesome comes out and attacks DDP. Arquette is climbing to the top of the structure now and the crowd is going crazy. DDP hits a Diamond Cutter on Awesome as both Jarrett and DDP climb to the 3rd level. Jarrett breaks a guitar over Page's back but he no sells it and passes a guitar to Arquette. DDP starts climbing to the last cage but Arquette smashes him with a guitar! Jarrett climbs to the top and captures the WCW World Heavyweight Championship for the win.

Winner and NEW WCW World Heavyweight Champion: Jeff Jarrett in 15:29

Honestly, this match was far more entertaining than it had any right to be. Just a fun brawl with a random swerve. **

After the match, Mike Awesome tries to Awesome Bomb DDP on the cage, but Kanyon comes out and takes a sick bump off the cage onto the ramp. 

Overall: 2/10 Awful. Honestly, if it weren't for the last two matches being entertaining more than anything else, this would be a complete dud. On a 10 match card, only two of them were even enjoyable and the rest was just downright dreadful. 2000 was an awful year for WCW and just showed why the company went under a short time later. 

New Japan Cup 2015 Finals Review

Hey guys, I'm Palmer and basically the point of this blog is to share my views on wrestling events both past and present. I figured the best place to kick off would be with the event that just happened earlier today: NJPW New Japan Cup 2015 Finals 


I'm a huge fan of New Japan and was up until about 2007 when WWE killed all wrestling for me. It wasn't until Wrestle Kingdom 9 earlier this year that I got back into NJPW. That's a big mistake, but I will catch up and hope you'll join me on my journey through past shows of all four major promotions from the past and present: WWE, WCW, ECW and NJPW. I may throw in another promotion's show once in a while if I can get my hand on it. Let's get right into it.

New Japan Pro Wrestling presents: New Japan Cup 2015 Day 7: The Finals

March 15th, 2015
Hiroshima Sun Plaza, Hiroshima

This is one of NJPW's premiere events. The New Japan Cup has been won by some names that are huge in Japan like Shinsuke Nakamura, Hirooto Goto (three times) and Hiroshi Tanahashi among others, but also has some names you might be surprised to hear. Giant Bernard (now Tensai/Albert in WWE) actually won the tournament in 2006 before challenging then IWGP Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar (yes, THAT Brock Lesnar). The winner of the 2015 tournament has the choice of challenging either Tomohiro Ishii for the NEVER Openweight Championship, Shinsuke Nakamura for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship or AJ Styles for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.

The first few days of the tournament saw Kota Ibushi, Togi Makabe, Tetsuya Naito and Hirooki Goto advance to the semi finals. Both semi-final matches, as well as the finals of the tournament, will take place on this show. Here we go.

Six Man Tag Team Match: Mascara Dorada, Ryusuke Taguchi and Tiger Mask IV vs Jay White, Jushin 'Thunder' Liger and KUSHIDA
I'm a fan of most of these guys, and Liger is just as legendary as they come. Amazing the guy is 50 years old and still performing at a high level. Jay White is apparently a newcomer to NJPW. Looking up his details, he does not have a win yet in NJPW. Maybe tonight teaming with Liger will get him that first taste of success. Taguchi came out in a weird Egyptian sphinx mask. I like it. He looks like he's about to compete on Legends of the Hidden Temple. Right in the childhood, Ryusuke. Jay White's look is really plain and he seems out of place. Hopefully he can speak through his grappling.

Liger and Tiger Mask start and we have two legends here. I can understand the crowd chanting for Liger and suddenly I'm convinced I know some Japanese. They lock up and chain a little bit with some cool moves in there ending with a stalemate before White and Dorada tag in. Dorada hits a big rana followed by a dropkick by White. Dorada says White boys can jump (pun intended) and tags in Taguchi as White tags in KUSHIDA. They start chaining Kushida goes for an armdrag which Taguchi reverses by simply taunting him and it's kind of funny. Kushida takes control with a sweet cross-armbreaker but Taguchi gets the rope break. Kushida starts gyrating and tags in Liger. Romero Special time and I really miss that move. It's a beautiful submission when done properly. White tags in and locks Taguchi in an armbar. Kushida quickly tags in with a cartwheel dropkick that was cool. And now Liger is back in, but Taguchi hits a few hip strikes and tags in Tiger Mask who comes in with a big crossbody to Liger and dropkicks to his partners. Tiger Driver reversal sequence ends with a nice tilt-a-whirl backbreaker by Liger. Double down spot following clotheslines. Kushida and Dorada get in the match again and KUSHIDA takes a big dropkick while going for a springboard. Taguchi jumps off the top, hits KUSHIDA with his ass and leaves the ring. White and KUSHIDA go for a double team but take a dropkick followed by a plancha by Dorada onto White, followed by a tope by Liger onto Dorada. Tiger Mask with a suicide dive onto Liger. Taguchi hits everyone with his ass, and KUSHIDA hits a huge tope over the ring post onto everybody. Sick spot.

I believe I can flyyyyy

In the ring, White hits a dropkick on Dorada for a two count. Dorada hits a superkick and a rope-walking moonsault for two, followed by the Amityville Horror for three.
Winners: Mascara Dorada, Ryusuke Taguchi and Tiger Mask IV in 10:23

Seriously solid opener. Flew by fast and everyone did well. It was my first exposure to Jay White, and while everything he did was incredibly basic, it was also very crisp. ***


Liger cuts a promo after the match, but I have no idea what he's saying. He shakes hands with Tiger Mask before leaving the ring.

Tag Team Match: Satoshi Kojima and Yohei Komatsu vs Sho Tanaka and Yuji Nagata
While I'm a big fan of both Nagata and Kojima, I don't have a ton of exposure to Tanaka and Komatsu, so I'm really interested in this match. I feel like Nagata has been wrestling longer than I've been living. (Turns out, nope. I was three when he debuted.) Kojima and Nagata start things off with some chain wrestling that ends with a stalemate. They stare at each other a bit before exchanging chops and forearms. Nagata's chest is visibly red. Nagata takes control and tags out to Tanaka as they hit a double shoulder block on Kojima. Komatsu tags in and it's legitimately difficult to tell him and Tanaka apart, as they're wearing the same attires with similar haircuts. Nagata tags in and makes my job easier. Komatsu tries to take him down with forearms and it takes three to do it. Nagata then basically commits a homicide with his own forearm as Komatsu crumbles. Note to self: Komatsu has two shinpads, Tanaka has one.   Abdominal Stretch by Nagata but quickly breaks it up and tags in Tanaka. Nagata tags back in and beats down Komatsu and then kicks him the face. Komatsu no sells it and hits a big spinning forearm with a hot tag to Kojima. Machine gun chops to Nagata who looks like he's almost enjoying it and dancing with it. What? Kojima goes up top with an elbow for two. I can hear the "Kojima" chants. Lesson two of Japanese passed. Nagata hits a big T-Bone, which Kojima no sells and hits a Stone Cold Stunner. German by Nagata no sold into a huge lariat by Kojima. Big spot here.

LARIATOOOOO

Tanaka and Komatsu tag in and just start beating the crap out of each other until Tanaka hits a big dropkick. Gutwrench suplex gets a two count for Tanaka. Boston Crab is locked in before Kojima breaks it up and takes a HUGE forearm for his trouble. Komatsu recovers with a big forearms and a single arm suplex for two. He bitch slaps Nagata who crumbles out of the ring. Komatsu locks Tanaka in a single-legged-crab for the submission victory.

Winners: Satoshi Kojima and Yohei Komatsu in 9:35
This wasn't a bad match by any means. It was brutal, in a good way, with how stiff it was at times. **3/4

New Japan Cup Semi Finals Match: Togi Makabe vs Hirooki Goto
I'm excited for this. I'm a huge fan of both guys and Goto going for his fourth NJPW Cup win is a great storyline to follow.  I'm personally pulling for Ibushi vs Makabe final round. I don't know why, but I think it'd be awesome.  They lock up and push each other a bit before breaking up and trying again into trading shoulder blocks trying to knock the other down. Makabe hits an elbow and Goto rolls to the outside. Goto reverses a whip and sends Makabe into the barricade before hitting a few hard forearms. Makabe just beats the 20 count outside the ring, getting in at 18. Goto retains control and continues working the leg of Makabe by wrapping it around the middle rope and stomping it a few times. Good psychology. More leg work by Goto, including a single legged crab, but Makabe gets the ropes to break it up. Makabe tries some forearms to mount a comeback, but Goto continues to attack the bad knee area. Suddenly Makabe decided it's time to rearrange his face and hits some forearms and a corner clothesline with the 10 punches in the corner. Big Northern Lights suplex for two by Makabe. Double clothesline leaves both men groggy twice before Makabe levels Goto and then hits a Death Valley Driver for two. Goto hits Makabe with a Death Valley Neckbreaker. Makabe is feeling it now and hits a corner lariat to the back of Goto before setting him up top. He goes for a Spider German Suplex, but Goto blocks it and lariats Makabe into the tree of woe. Goto sets Makabe back up and hits a big neckbreaker off the ropes for a two count. The crowd is behind Makabe huge. Makabe repays them with a bridging German for two. Makabe tries for a Lariat, but Goto reverses into an incredibly unique roll up for the three.

Figure-Four-Jacknife-SchoolBoy?

Winner: Hirooki Goto in 8:11
This was pretty solid and it told a good story. I loved the finish, even if it was really weird. Seriously, how do I call that? ***

New Japan Cup Semi Finals Match: Tetsuya Naito vs Kota Ibushi
The last match I watched before this was Naito vs Ishii from last year, so I'm high on the Naito train right now. Ibushi is always fantastic to watch, and is my pick to the win the tournament. Though I must admit I'm sad we didn't get Ibushi/Tanahashi.

They lock up and begin some chaining, but this one is a bit more even than the last match resulting in a stalemate. They continue to remain fairly even until Naito takes control with a few elbows and a dropkick to a seated Ibushi. Naito hits a flip senton for a two count. Naito continues the beat down for a few minutes, hitting some neckbreakers and locking in some choke holds. Ibushi finally takes advantage after a springboard dropkick. Spinning kick by Ibushi followed by a standing 360 moonsault for two. He does that so well, it's so pretty. Look at this.

Beautiful, eh? Like a sunrise that kicks you in the face.

Ibushi takes a boot to the face and then a neckbreaker with his legs resting on the middle rope. I liked that spot. Naito goes up top and hits a big dropkick of his own, following by a seated corner dropkick for two. They exchange German suplex attempts which results in Naito hitting a bridging one for a two count. Dragon suplex by Naito now but Ibushi flips out and hits a bicycle kick. That was awesome. Dragon by Ibushi now and both guys are down. Love it. Naito died. Ibushi hits a slam and goes up top but Naito stops him. Naito hits a HUGE reverse hurricanrana off the top for two.

Death is temporary, apparently.

They exchange blows now and both guys are reeling until Naito takes a gigantic lariat. If the camera angle was better on it, there'd be a gif here. Powerbomb reversed into a rana by Naito for a two. Another suplex follows by Naito for another two count and he can't believe it. Both guys are basically dead on the mat now. Naito tries a victory roll but Ibushi drops him on neck. That was pretty cool. I now have one Japanese Announcer coming out of only my left speaker. I'd like to think he's the Ibushi on my shoulder right now.  Naito smacks Ibushi, so Kota just kicks him in the face twice and hits a huge sitout powerbomb for the three.

Winner: Kota Ibushi in 14:14
So we get Ibushi vs Goto in the main event? Can't hate it. This match was fantastic. It started slow but it built into a great story, great spots and some amazing false finishes. MOTN so far. ****

Time for intermission where they recap the show so far. This show is half over, but honestly feels like it just started. I love shows like that. We are back from intermission, I have a beer and some pizza and I am ready to watch some faces get stomped.  Really looking forward to the Ibushi/Goto main event, as well as the eight-man tag match. Until then, let's watch this tag match.

Tag Team Match: Katsuyori Shibata and Tomoaki Honma vs Cody Hall and Tama Tonga
I do not like Tonga. At all. I love Shibata's in-ring skills, but I like guys with a big more personality to them. That said, if Tonga avoids the majority of this match, it has a shot. I still find it hard to believe that this is Scott Hall's kid. He looks like Scott mated with Randy Orton instead of whoever his mother is.

Shibata and Honma can't agree on who should start. Eventually, Shibata throws Honma out and starts the match against Hall. That was funny, but off camera, so I assume that's what happened. Shibata is trying to rope Hall into a submission to no avail. Hall's trunks have "KLIQ" on them, they must be his dad's. I hope he washed all the cocaine and crabs out of it. Shibata locks on a headlock and they keep that on for a good 30 seconds until Hall gets a rope break. Tonga tags in and I decide I need something a bit strong and tag in Jack Daniels. Tonga crawls around the ring and Honma tags himself in. He and Shibata go at it and Tonga stops clowning around. Why is Tonga in the Bullet Club? Honma tries his Kokeshi diving headbutt, but Tonga moves and I laughed.

Oh, a penny!

Tonga chokes him a bit and I find it hard to stay interested in this match, but Honma and Shibata are saving it for sure. Shibata and Hall are suddenly fighting on the outside, but the camera doesn't show them really doing much with it. Hall tags in starts working on Honma. Hall's style and look reminds me of a better version of The Ascension from WWE. A much better version. Hall suplexes Tonga from the apron onto Honma. Honma gets control and goes for the Kokeshi again but again misses. Tonga is what you get when you combine "Scream" with Jimmy Snuka and remove all talent from both. Honma hits a deadlift suplex on Tonga and fakes tagging in Shibata and then again misses the Kokeshi headbutt. Three times now, Tomoaki. Hall tags in and they hit a couple double team moves before a disgusting discus lariat. Holy crap.

That's cool, I don't need my head anyway.

Shibata stomps on Hall to break up the pin, but then stomps on Honma for even getting pinned. I laughed at that. I'm loving the Shibata/Honma team. Hall calls for a Razor's Edge, but Shabata kicks him in the leg twice then forearms him down. He then, again, punches Honma for getting beat. Shibata gets in Honma's face when Honma accidentally tries to clothesline him until Cody Hall takes both of them out with a double clothesline. Kokeshi and dropkick in the corner for a near fall. Tonga comes in and thinks he can hang with Shibata, but he's dropped with an STO. Honma eats a boot, but then headbutts Cody Hall as Shibata locks in a sleeper, followed by a kick to the chest and top rope Kokeshi for the win.

Winners: Katsuyori Shibata and Tomoaki Honma in 10:23
This is my least favorite match so far, but I still thought it was damn solid. The Shibata/Honma team was just great to watch, and even Tonga held his own. **1/2

Tag Team Match: Kazushi Sakuraba and Toru Yano vs Captain New Japan and Hiroshi Tanahashi

I love Tanahashi, I don't care for anybody else in this match, so I'm really not looking forward to this one. I still think Tanahashi should've beat Yano in the NJC, but even with the upset, I wish was a bit longer than two minutes. I like Captain New Japan's attires, but hopefully everyone not named Tanahashi can change my views on them. Sakuraba is just not a wrestler. 

Tanahashi and Yano start the match. If you knew, in High School, a Japanese "emo" kid, he might have grown up into Tanahashi. Yano runs from Hiroshi and tags in the MMA legend Sakuraba. They start grappling on the ground which ends with another stalemate. Sakuraba looks like he's going surfing, not wrestling. Tanahashi tags in Captain New Japan and I have a feeling this match will be much longer than it should be. More grapple trading that ends in stalemates. It's been about three minutes of this now and finally Sakuraba locks CNJ in an armbar, but Tanahashi breaks it up. Yano attacks him and they fight into the crowd, kind of. Yano just kind of puts him in the stands and leaves him there. I guess he's trying to get him lost. Unfortunately for Captain New Japan, he's all alone against the two now. The count out starts and part of me hopes this match just ends now, but he gets in the ring at 15. Yano tags in now and takes control, but almost immediately tags in Sakuraba. This is pretty much what I expected from this match. Sakuraba locks in a guillotine, but Tanahashi breaks it up so he just tosses him out, allowing CNJ to take advantage with a suplex and hot tag to Tanahashi. Tanahashi goes for a cloverleaf, but Sakuraba locks in a triangle choke, but Tanahashi escapes before being ambushed by, and tossing out, Yano. Yano tags in and takes a senton from Tanahashi. Slingblade by Tanahashi before he goes up top, frog splash is reversed into a roll up for a near fall. Low blow and a roll up by Yano for another near fall. Tanahashi botches a slingshot into a kick by Sakuraba and roll up by Yano for the three.

Winners: Kazushi Sakuraba and Toru Yano in 11:22

This might be my least favorite NJPW match I've ever seen. It was just so damn boring and didn't flow well at all. It was FAR too long. Sakuraba and Yano I think took 3 or 4 bumps combined in this entire match. The finish was botched and awful.  DUD 

Well, that's the first time (out of over a dozen NJPW shows I've seen) that I'd give a match a complete dud. This was just beyond awful. Luckily, these last two matches should makeup for it. 

Eight Man Tag Team Match: CHAOS (Shinsuke Nakamura, Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii and YOSHI-HASHI) vs Bullet Club (Bad Luck Fale, Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows and Yujiro Takahashi)

Outside of Bad Luck Fale, I'm a big fan of everybody in this match, so to say I'm excited is an understatement. Any combination of these guys in the ring should be great. Shinsuke Nakamura and Kazuchika Okada are easily my top two favorite wrestlers going today. Tomohiro Ishii is so great, but if he went to WWE, I can only imagine all people would talk about is his weight. One reason I love NJPW, it's about skills, not just looks. Plus, Nakamura.

How can you NOT love this guy?

I'm honestly not a big fan of the Bullet Club guys that get the most attention (Young Bucks/Styles), but Anderson and Gallows are just awesome, with Anderson I think being my favorite member. I'd love to see him capture singles gold. 

We start with a huge brawl that leaves Okada and Fale as the two guys in the ring. Anderson and Nakamura are fighting on the stage while the others fight at ringside. I love this feud. Fale takes advantage early and stomps away at Okada. Okada takes control with a few dropkicks as Fale tags in Gallows. Ishii tags in and Gallows starts laughing at him for his size as he invites Ishii to chop the crap out of him before screaming and chopping Ishii himself. Gallows and Anderson have facepaint that looks like they dove head first into some powdered donuts. Big slam by Gallows lets him take advantage of the NEVER Openweight champion. Ishii tries to suplex Gallows, but Gallows is like "Bye Felicia" and suplexes Ishii before tagging in Takahashi. Ishii tags in YOSHI-HASHI as he exchanges blows with Takahashi. YOSHI takes advantage after a hurricanrana and a very nice flipping neckbreaker. He tries to hit the ropes, but is pulled out by Anderson and another brawl erupts that has everybody fighting outside the ring. Bad Luck tries to choke Okada with a tie-like thing, and WWE would like to wish him luck in his future endeavors. Takahashi is in the ring waiting for the count out, but Yoshi is all "no way, girl" and gets in at nineteen. Fale tags back in and I'm just waiting for Anderson.  Fale is standing on YOSHI's back, and I feel bad for every bone in his back. Gallows is back in for a brief moment before he knocks CHAOS off the apron and tags in Anderson. Yes! Anderson flexes for a bit before posing for Playgirl going back to work on YOSHI. Japan is in love with the caps-lock button. Wrist clutch fisherman's neckbreaker was sick by Anderson. He calls for a brainbuster before YOSHI reverses with a suplex into a neckbreaker. Hot tag to Nakamura and the crowd goes nuts as he knocks Bullet Club off the apron and hits an enziguri on Anderson.

Nakamura sets Anderson up for the knee on the top rope and hits it for a near fall. Nakamura maintains control under he misses a knee to the corner, Anderson doesn't miss his as he hits a running sitout powerbomb for two. Anderson goes for a cutter, but Nakamura reverses into the reverse-powerslam suplex thing. He goes for the Boma Ye but it's reversed into a huge spinebuster. Gallows tags in Nakamura ducks a kick and hits another enziguri before tagging in Ishii. He tries to knock Gallows down with lariats, but on the fourth attempt he takes one of his own. Few side slams and backbreakers follow by Gallows. Ishii has his shoulder taped, wouldn't it be smarter to go after the shoulder? Instead, Gallows takes a headbutt and a big suplex from Ishii for two. Gallows has a kick reversed into a clothesline and Okada tags in. Gallows kicks Okada in the face and tags in Fale. They exchange forearms, but Okada takes a big shoulder block. Okada tries to lift Fale, but he's a large man. Okada manages to do it anyway and hits the reverse neckbreaker on Fale. He tries to go up top, but Fale throws him off after Takahashi grabbed his leg. Bullet Club just starts kicking Okada in the face and splashing him before they just go to down with double team and quadruple team moves. Nakamura and Ishii both break up the pinfall. There was too much going on there. 

Fale is signaling for a Chokeslam, but Nakamura hits a dropkick to the back of Fale's head. Ishii breaks up a double team move and hits a big German on Gallows. Another brawl ends with Okada hitting a big dropkick on Fale, before hitting a big elbow from the top. Okada calls for the Rainmaker, but Fale hits the lariat first and hits his chokeslam variation but amazingly Okada kicks out! His chokeslam is weird, it's like a chokeslam/samoan strike.

I really don't get it. 

He goes for a Razor's Edge, but YOSHI breaks it up. Now CHAOS is teaming up on Fale and Okada tries the Rainmaker again. Okada shoves Fale into a big Boma-Ye by Nakamura followed by a Rainmaker by Okada for the win.

Winners: CHAOS in 18:30

This was pretty damn awesome. It told a great story and everything just flowed so well. It made an 18 minute match feel like five minutes and it even had a great finish with the Boma-Ye/Rainmaker combo. ****

It is time for the main event. The finals of the New Japan Cup. 

New Japan Cup Finals: Hirooki Goto vs Kota Ibushi

Time for the finals! I'm excited for this match and still pulling for Ibushi. I'd love to see a rematch with Nakamura or a match against AJ Styles. As someone who doesn't like AJ, I think Ibushi would pull a great match out of him. 

The story here has to be that Kota had to work twice as long in his first match than Goto did, but I can't tell. My "learn from the crowd chants" Japanese lessons are a bust.  The crowd is on fire for this match as they have been all night. They lock up and break it before exchanging strikes. They lock up again. Another long headlock. Apparently headlocks in NJPW are super duper strong. Kota breaks out though and hits a big drop kick. I can't describe this spot. Just watch:

He dead.

After that, Goto takes advantage outside. He's throwing Ibushi like a pinball off the guard rail and ring post. Goto up top with an elbow drop for two. Some rest holds and choke holds later, and they exchange strikes again before Goto gains advantage again briefly as Kota hits a big hurricanrana.

Goto got got

This was followed immediately by this:

Beautiful. Like the sunrise from earlier had a sister who also kicked your face.

After that, Ibushi only gets a two count. Some kicks and standing moonsault get another near fall. Ibushi tries a dragon suplex, but Goto decides to try one himself. Instead, decides to hit a lariat and take off Ibushi's head. Bold strategy, Cotton. Goto hits a spinning heel kick in the corner followed by a backdrop driver for a two count. Back to exchanging strikes, but eventually Goto hits a lariat to Kota's back, but he retaliates with a Pele Kick. Both guys are down. Ibushi sets Goto on the top rope, but Goto fights back with headbutts and forearms. Goto tries for an Avalanche Yoshi-Tonic, but Ibushi fights it. Goto knocks Kota onto the apron, who follows with a springboard frankensteiner for a near fall.

I, Frankensteiner? 

Goto reverses a sitout powerbomb and hits a big Death Valley Neckbreaker and both men are down. On their knees they exchange strikes now until Goto takes advantage, but he can't knock Kota down with a lariat. Kota tries, but nope. They both try and fail, twice, until Goto hits a discus clothesline for another two count. Goto hits a huge spinning facebuster for two and he cannot believe it. Think blue thunder bomb, but into a facebuster. Goto calls for the finisher, but Kota reverses with a huge lariat and both men are down again. Kota goes, again, for his sit out elevated powerbomb, but Goto stops it only to get bitch smacked to the mat by Kota. That was awesome. Ibushi lifts Goto but takes a headbutt out of love. Goto goes for the Shouten but is rolled up for a near fall.

This would've been an awesome finish

Ibushi hits the elevated sit-out powerbomb but Goto kicks out! Ibushi goes up top and hits a massive Phoenix Splash for not only the win, but the New Japan Cup title as well!

Way better than Rollins'

Winner of the NJPW New Japan Cup: Kota Ibushi in 17:31

This was just awesome. It had everything the perfect main event should. Great spots, great story, great finish. It might be a Match of the Year Candidate, but I don't think it beats Ibushi/Nakamura from WK9. ****1/2 

Overall: 8/10: Great. Take away the one dud in the bunch and every match on this show is good to great. I love the New Japan Cup matches, the eight-man tag match was just awesome. My second favorite wrestling show this year behind only Wrestle Kingdom 9. 

Congratulations to the winner of the New Japan Cup 2015, Kota Ibushi!