Csonka’s New Japan Pro Wrestling BOTSJ Night Five Review

Introduction
As a reminder, this will not be another traditional recap, but instead it will be a mash up of the Rs, Instant Analysis and my usual Twitter ramblings I would do during the shows; completely uncensored and as the ideas flow unfiltered to the old keyboard. Remember, this is a review; and I am here to review the show. As always, I encourage discussion and even disagreement, just do so in a respectful manner. I will be doing the review for Raw and most PPVs and iPPVs going forward.

New Japan Pro Wrestling BOTSJ Night Five 5.27.15

OFFICIAL RESULTS
* BOSJ Block A Match: Kyle O’Reilly defeated Yohei Komatsu via pin [***½]
* BOSJ Block B Match: Mascara Dorada defeated Tiger Mask IV via pin [**¼]
* BOSJ Block A Match: Chase Owens defeated Jushin Thunder Liger via pin [***½]

* Note: This is one of the many shows that New Japan World is not airing live, but instead are making matches available the next day via VOD. On the next day airings they are only making the tournament matches available, so that is all that will be reviewed here. I will try to keep up with all of the tournament matches, but these reviews will be a bit more short form at times since we’re not dealing with a complete show. Thanks for joining me…

Kyle O’Reilly defeated Yohei Komatsu: Kyle O’Reilly defeated Yohei Komatsu in a really good match. Komatsu continues to prove himself, and I am convinced that after this tournament that he just needs to be in the mix and not doing the young lion jobs all the time. O’Reilly is of course really good, and they worked in his wheelhouse with the mat work and submissions. O’Reilly controlled the majority of the match, Komatsu had really strong fire and hope spots to where you really believe in him, which along with the quality work is the real key. You can have all the good and fun matches you want, but if you don’t believe in the guy (in the story that he’s telling, that he could win, the journey) then you’re not watching wrestling, you’re watching athletics.

Mascara Dorada defeated Tiger Mask IV: I have learned (had it beat into my head) this year that I really prefer Tiger Mask in tag matches as opposed to singles action. As part of a team (with Liger) he works because he’s part of a greater picture. But in singles action, he’s largely just a guy to me and generally under whelms. And he did so here. Some say bland, some say dry; both would be correct regarding my feelings on Tiger Mask as a singles worker. Tiger Mask is fine in singles, but lacks any sizzle or anything that makes me care about him and it was this that took away from the overall match for me. Dorada did some really fun stuff flying down the stretch, but this was completely ordinary and easily the “worst” match of the three on this night, but it wasn’t bad.

Chase Owens defeated Jushin Thunder Liger: This is their third meeting, as they had feuded over the NWA Junior Heavyweight Title and had good outings. They have some established chemistry, so this has a chance to deliver more than some of the other matches have. They didn’t have a great match, but we had a really good one with Owens really showing off his cocky, douche bag heel persona; he really shined here. When compared to Liger, the loved legend (who can still go) fighting off the younger star works very well. The match was easily on par with the opener, but I actually liked it a bit more due to the way Owens finally stepped up and shined. Owens scoring the victory with the package piledriver, without the normal NWA/Bruce Tharpe shenanigans, was really well done here because Liger has equity built up and can take the loss. I hope Owens can have more performances like this, and God I love old man Liger showing these kids how to work.

* End scene.

* Thanks for reading.

* A reminder, Alex Shelley is officially out of the tournament after suffering ligament damage and a fracture in his left foot. His remaining opponents will receive forfeit victories. Here are the updated standings (with Shelley’s forfeits already added in)…

BLOCK A
* Kyle O’Reilly (3-0)
* Gedo (2-1)
* Bárbaro Cavernario (2-1)
* Ryusuke Taguchi (2-1)
* Jushin Thunder Liger (1-2)
* Baretta (1-2)
* Chase Owens (1-2)
* Yohei Komatsu (0-3)

BLOCK B
* Tiger Mask IV (3-1)
* KUSHIDA (3-1)
* Máscara Dorada (3-1)
* Bobby Fish (2-1)
* Rocky Romero (2-1)
* Nick Jackson (2-2)
* David Finlay (0-3)
* Alex Shelley (1-6) – Now Out Of Tournament

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”