New Japan Pro Wrestling TV Report
January 16, 2015
Aired on AXS TV
Episode #1
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

Showcase Match #1 - Tanahashi vs. Okada
January 3, 2013 Tokyo Dome Show

Full List of upcoming matches showcased in the series HERE.

The first tape library show on AXS TV opened with a camera shot of IWGP World Hvt. champion Hiroshi Tanahashi introducing himself in a TV production studio. Amazing moment. Tanahashi introduced his IWGP World Title match against Okada from the January 2013 Tokyo Dome and said it's show-time.

A clean, professional-looking, and not overly-loud intro video introduced New Japan's talent roster, then cut back to Tanahashi talking about the journey to his title match against Okada, with English subtitles. Tanahashi joked about his two rivals, Okada and Shinsuke Nakamura, being good-looking guys, while he has short arms and legs.

They showed footage of the build-up to Tanahashi vs. Okada before cutting back to Tanahashi talking about the special feeling of wrestling inside the Tokyo Dome.

The show cut to an arena shot of the Tanahashi vs. Okada match as Mauro Ranallo and Josh Barnett (not pictured) introduced the show with English commentary in a voice-over setting. As Okada was introduced to the ring in the tape footage, Ranallo talked about TNA vastly under-utilizing Okada as Samoa Joe's sidekick before he returned to New Japan as The Rainmaker. Barnett said even though it didn't work for him in TNA, it set him up to introduce a new persona and attitude back in New Japan.

Tanahashi was then shown making his epic ring entrance as Okada waited in the ring. Ranallo noted the series was tied 1-1 at this point when they faced each other for the IWGP World Title.

[Commercial Break. Next Friday will be back-to-back episodes of New Japan TV.]

The show returned with ring introductions for Tanahashi vs. Okada as Ranallo talked up the history of the IWGP World Title and the big names who have competed for the title since the 1980s. The bell sounded to begin the match and that big-fight-feel came across the TV screen as Ranallo continued to go through the distant and recent history of the title.

Rainmaker Pose from Okada in the opening minutes, then Tanahashi did Okada's pose. So great. Josh Barnett broke down the Strong-Style marketing before Ranallo talked about U.S. wrestlers who have held the top title. After they showed the feeling-out process of the match, Tanahashi was shown taking control heading to a break.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Okada was shown taking control of the match and working on Tanahashi. The pace picked up leading to Tanahashi delivering a flying splash to Okada on the floor. Both men avoided a 20-count before the match continued with Tanahashi in control.

[Commercial Break]

Tanahashi worked over Okada's injured leg back from break, but Okada came back with a Dragon screw legwhip. Okada went for a top-rope elbow, but Tanahashi got his knees up to block. The action then spilled to the floor, where Okada went for a running knee, but Tanahashi intercepted with a swinging bodyslam onto the ramp.

Back in the ring, Tanahashi followed up with high-impact offense before climbing to the top turnbuckle for High Fly Flow, but Okada blocked with his knees. Great sequence. They cut to break with Okada now in control.

[Commercial Break]

Okada landed his "Heavy Rain" fireman's carry suplex before climbing to the top and landing a Macho Man elbow. Rainmaker Pose. Zoom out. The crowd is hot. Okada wanted the Rainmaker lariat, but Tanahashi blocked and nailed a bridging German Suplex for a two count. Dragon Suplex, but only a two count. Lariat from Tanahashi, then he climbed to the top and delivered High Fly Flow. One, two, and Okada kicked out. So great when the wrestling matters and the stars are big-time.

Tanahashi followed with a Texas Cloverleaf as Gedo tried to encourage Okada to keep fighting. Ranallo enhanced the moment selling Okada's conflict of tapping out or risking injury. Okada finally reached the ropes for a break at the apex of the moment.

Reset with Okada missing his textbook dropkick, but nailing it to Tanahashi's back moments later. Okada then nailed a Tombstone Piledriver in the middle of the ring. Rainmaker Pose. Okada wanted his finisher, but Tanahashi whipped around Okada for his throw-down lariat. Both men on the mat now.

[Commercial Break]

They returned for the climax of the match. Okada wanted another Tombstone, but Tanahashi blocked and dropkicked Okada's injured knee. Tanahashi then nailed a Tombstone of his own. Tanahashi did not make a cover, instead climbed to the top for another High Fly Flow. Okada hobbled to his feet, but took the frogsplash while on his feet. Tanahashi followed right up with a top-rope High Fly Flow and it was good for the pin and the win to retain the IWGP World Title at 33:34.

After the finish, they cut to post-match comments from Okada vowing to make even more of a rainstorm despite losing the match. Back to Tanahashi in the ring, where he was shown thanking the audience for Emperor of Tanahashi. Tanahashi thanked the crowd for their love before they showed Tanahashi posing on the entrance stage to conclude Tokyo Dome 2013.

The broadcast cut to backstage footage of Tanahashi's post-match press conference talking about the big crowd and his "era" continuing. Even two years later to this year's Tokyo Dome Show, where Tanahashi beat Okada again. Tanahashi said his "era" is something he's going to push forward, especially facing guys like Okada.

They cut to Tanahashi in present-day at the TV studio reflecting on the match. Tanahashi said he was in a very difficult situation in 2013, and it was a great occasion, but he couldn't let Okada beat him. Tanahashi said Okada has great charisma and the match garnered a lot of attention, especially from newer fans.

He then shared a great story about having bad handwriting when he was little, so his mother told him to write properly to get the message across. Tanahashi said he doesn't have Okada's athleticism, so he has to perform each move properly. He said it's the only way a wrestler of his size can move up in the rankings. Tanahashi said you have to execute in the proper manner. Tanahashi was shown standing up and saluting the camera as credits flashed for TV Asahi producing the show.

The show closed with video highlights from the match and Ranallo signing off with a message to viewers to tell their friends where to find the best pro wrestling on the planet.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Great show. Simple, effective, substance over sizzle, content over flash. The broadcast really captured a moment in time with a beginning, middle, and end to the story, especially providing new insight on Tanahashi by showing him in the studio for a sit-down, normal-tone, real-person interview reflecting on his journey and background. The English subtitles definitely helped, Ranallo and Barnett were really good together, and the overall show was very effective creating a bond with new viewers who might just be hearing about New Japan for the first time this year with Global Force presenting the 2015 Tokyo Dome Show.

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