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NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING PRIMER: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO BE PREPARED FOR TONIGHT'S PPV

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 Underboss”, 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.

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