Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
AJ Styles
We all know him as the TNA original and one of the shining lights of the company
that was never used to his full potential. Well since joining NJPW, Styles has
been a man reborn and has done more in NJPW in the past few months than his last
few years in TNA. Styles won the IWGP title from Okada in his first match,
which was unheard of - especially for a foreigner as he became the first
American champion since Brock Lesnar in 2005. Styles wasn’t accepted at
first by the Japanese fans as not many were familiar with him or TNA.
However after several blistering performances in the G1 Climax this year,
particularly after his much-raved about match with Minoru Suzuki in Korakuen
Hall, Styles was accepted as his name was chanted in the legendary building.
Styles has gone from strength to strength and has become one of NJPW’s top
performers. Having recently lost the title to Hiroshi Tanahashi, Styles now as
an established guy in the company has plenty of fresh matches waiting for him.
What to look out for?
In case you aren’t familiar with his TNA work, look out of course for The Styles
Clash, his overhead Pele kick, his explosive dropkick and age defying
athleticism. Styles is someone that can seemingly have a great match with
anyone.
AJ Styles vs. Kazuchika Okada – IWGP heavyweight championship –
Wrestling Dontaku 2014
Take a look at the match where AJ Styles shocked NJPW and kicked off the run
that would give him a career rebirth as part of Bullet Club by
clicking here.
AJ Styles vs Minoru Suzuki – G1 Climax Block B Match
AJ Styles meets NJPW’s resident veteran badass Minoru Suzuki in Korakuen Hall.
After one of the most memorable and talked about matches in NJPW this year, AJ
proved that he belonged in NJPW as he is embraced by the fans. That match can be
viewed here.
Bad Luck Fale
“The Underbossâ€, Fale is the enforcer and muscle behind the group. The monstrous
Tongan is physically impressive and immediately sticks out with his unique look,
almost resembling a cartoon villain. Since joining Bullet Club as Prince
Devitt’s bodyguard Fale has been pushed on his own and has been booked like a
monster, very rarely losing.
Not technically proficient in the ring, but his size and imposing look make up
for it. Fale has a silent charisma and looks like a threat while he stands in
the corner with his shades on and arms folded waiting for his opponent’s
entrance. His biggest moment came when he decisively beat Shinsuke Nakamura for
the IWGP Intercontinental championship and had Nakamura stretchered out in the
process. It takes a talented opponent such as Nakamura to get a great match out
of the giant Fale, but his monstrous presence makes up for it.
What to look out for?
The Bad Luck Fall, which is a crucifix powerbomb where he will toss his opponent
across the ring, winning by match stoppage on some occasions. Fale has been
known to go to the top rope from time to time, which is a sight to behold for a
man that big.
Bad Luck Fale vs Shinsuke Nakamura – IWGP Intercontinental championship –
Dominion 2014
Fale challenges for his first gold in NJPW against one of the top wrestlers in
the world. Fale won a lot of people over with this performance, which can be
viewed here.
The Young Bucks
We all know about The Young Bucks and their antics. Arguably the hottest tag
team in the world, The Bucks have carved out a niche for themselves and have
only added to that in NJPW with the Bullet Club name behind them.
The Bucks made their debut a year ago, winning the super junior tag tournament
and going on to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight tag team championship a couple
of nights later. The Bucks had conquered Japan in their first tour, an
impressive feat for two guys that were called nothing but “spot monkeys†by
many.
The Jackson brothers have had several outstanding matches, particularly with
Forever Hooligans and Time Splitters and it is almost a sure thing that they
will be junior tag champions again before long, and will probably bring their
feud with ReDRagon to NJPW.
What to look out for?
Synchronized tag team wrestling down to an art form is the main thing you will
see. Their More Bang for your Buck, moonsault/450 splash combo finisher, lots of
superkicks and keep an eye out for The Meltzer Driver, the flipping tandem
tombstone piledriver that has yet to make its debut in Japan.
The Young Bucks vs. Time Splitters – IWGP Junior Heavyweight tag team
championship – Dominion 2014
In my opinion the best match of The Bucks NJPW run so far, where they steal the
show while losing their tag titles to KUSHIDA & Alex Shelley. The match can be
viewed here.
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
Bang On Casino
