New Japan's "Wrestle Kingdom" PPV Reax 1/4

- Kyle Butler (8.0): I have never watched an NJPW event before. I don't even really keep up with Japanese wrestling at all. That said there were four things that led to me ordering this event and all but one happen to be related to PWTorch. First, was the overall excitement that Wade Keller and the other great staff showed toward this show. It made it feel like something I needed to watch. Then the Jim Ross interview on the PWTorch Livecast was a second thing. JR's excitement for the card and knowing I would get to hear him call a match was a big plus for me. Third was the Jeff Jarrett interview on the PWTorch Livecast. He sold the bigness of the event very well. Finally, the price of $34.99 for four hours of wrestling was enough to convince me to purchase it.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the event. Some of the wrestlers I knew, but only a few did I have a deep knowledge of (Jarrett, A.J. Styles, Shelton Benjamin). But, I thought the entire event was great from start to finish. Very different from a WWE event as well. It was just cool to see a different wrestling company that has a strong fanbase, show that there is another way to present wrestling. J.R. and Striker did a great job of providing excellent back-story to the American viewer (although Wade's initial comment of scaring the American viewers at the beginning of the event with the Japanese video was very accurate, at least with me). The matches were great and really built to a solid main event. To me, quality-wise, this was on par with any WrestleMania.

- Derrick in Utah (9.0): This was the first NJPW PPV event I have watched from start to finish. Over my 25 years as a wrestling fan, I have only been a casual viewer of Japanese pro wrestling. Most of the matches I have seen from Japan have been on WWE compilation DVDs and via YouTube and Daily Motion. Obviously, my background in professional wrestling comes from a WWE/American style wrestling perspective. With that said, it is impossible to view Japanese wrestling without comparing and contrasting its strengths and weaknesses to the WWE product.

Biggest takeaway: I love the sports-like presentation of the show. The title matches matter, it feels like the wrestlers will do anything short of die before losing, and the competitive presentation compels the viewer to invest in the action. I love it! The added drama makes a good match better and a bad match acceptable.

The presentation was good. The Dome provided the big-event feel. JR and Striker struggled early, but found a good stride late. It was good to hear a familiar voice call a new product.

As expected, the opener was non-stop, action packed, and innovative. Each team was allowed ample opportunity to shine. Unlike ROH events, this was the only match of its kind, and therefore a solid spotfest stood out as memorable instead of forgettable.

With four tag matches on the card, by the time the Tag Title match progressed, I was annoyed at how lax the tag rules were enforced. They attempt to act like the referee has some power in NJPW, but that is obviously not the case. In the eight-man, I had no idea who was legal and who was on what team. In the Tag Title match, after the hot tag, the match broke down and stayed that way for a good 6 minutes. Sometimes this formula works, but when it is done four times on a show, it is overplayed.

Suzuki-Sakuraba and Makabe-Ishii served as proof that wrestling does not have to be pretty to be intriguing. Many fans, myself included, get so used to the crisp presentation of American wrestling that we call wrestlers clumsy and clunky when they look less than ballerina-esque in their performance.

One of my main complaints with Japanese wrestling is what I call “selective selling.” Most refer to this as "fighting spirit.” In some matches I love it. But, when I see it in every match in a similar form, I call foul. Tonight, in each match it was used it worked. No complaints.

I was impressed by Kenny Omega. He is athletic, has a great physique, tremendous acceleration, awesome mannerisms, and a unique heel persona. He outclassed the champion he wrestled.

A.J. Styles and Naito was a good, but not great, match. The story of the match was smart, but they missed on some key transitions that hurt the flow and build to the finish. Still an enjoyable watch.

Shinsuke Nakamura is great. His character has that "can’t take my eyes of him" effect. Also, Kota Ibushi is an amazing athlete, on-par with any athlete in pro wrestling. Together, they made magic. Great match.

The main event was tremendous. It built, built, built, twisted, turned, calmed, built, built, twisted, turned peaked, and finished. Just a great professional wrestling match.

Overall, a great experience watching the show. This may compel me to order New Japan World. If nothing else, if they put another event on PPV, I will certainly order it.

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