Death by Midwest: Pro Wrestling NOAH Global Tag League-3.29.08

Posted by John Goozie on 06.26.2008

NOAH kicks off the Global Tag League!



I’m branching out from my IWA reviews because that company’s direction is very unappealing to me right now. I was hoping for more consistency with Ian being retired and more focused on the whole company, but instead I’ve been getting XPW and CZW for 2008. Way too much hardcore, overbooking, and way, WAY too many turns and title changes does not a good product make in my eyes. Couple that with IWA shows frequently going into 5 hour territory, and I just don’t have the stomach for that much wrestling when so much of it is disappointing. I guess I was just drinking their kool-aid back in 06 and 07 and wasn't seeing all the holes in their booking.

So what’s the plan then? Well, for starters, I’m gonna grab some AAW, IWA’s main rival in the Chicago market. From what I’ve seen, it’s a very 80s Mid-Atlantic vibe going on there. I want to cover something from my local area, and the only real options are them and IWA.

Other than that, I’m gonna do anything that strikes my fancy. Which brings us to this. NOAH’s got a swank looking tag team robin round tournament going on throughout March and April. And this is the kickoff show for that tournament, featuring former Wild II partners on opposite sides in the main event.

We’re at Korakuen Hall on March 29, 2008.


Ryuji Yamaguchi vs. Akihiko Ito

Ito is a member of the first NOAH dojo class. I couldn’t find any info on Yamaguchi. He gets taken down with a drop toe hold after some forearms. I sure hope I have these guys right here in the play-by-play. They trade chops and forearms and Yamaguchi doesn’t win that battle. Bodyslam gets 2. Yamaguchi comes out of the corner looking for a Northern Lights but Ito blocks. Suplex gets 2. Boston Crab on Yamaguchi but the young guy makes the ropes. Ito shows the kid no respect and forearms him down again. Ito charges the corner but Yamaguchi catches him and gets a Northern Lights. Ito slips out of a suplex and gets a enziguri. Back suplex into another Boston Crab, and Yamaguchi nearly gets the ropes. Ito switches to a half crab to keep him down. Yamaguchi makes the ropes and comes back with a slam. Death Valley Driver by Yamaguchi…gets 2. Northern Lights and a spear get 2 as well. Backdrop driver by Yamaguchi takes it at 9:43.

Rating: *1/2 Really basic stuff but nothing wrong with it.


Akira Taue, Ricky Marvin & Shuhei Taniguchi vs. Masao Inoue, Junji Izumida & Ippei Ota

Taniguchi and Ota trade shoulderblocks and dropkicks to start. Crowd approves of Marvin’s tagging in as this is his return match. He dropkicks Inoue and gets in Izumida’s face. He tags in and tosses Marvin outside. Ota sends Marvin into the rail then back inside. Taue tags in and Izumida tags out right away to Ota. Taue grabs a headlock and pinches Ota’s nose, but the ref can’t see it. Heh. Comedy. Taue’s team all give him shots in the corner, including an enziguri from Marvin. Big bodyslam from Taniguchi. He gets a butterfly suplex for 2. Taue comes in and gives Ota a wedgie and spanks him. No, really, he did. Piledriver by Taue gets 2. Ota tags out to Inoue, who gets a clothesline for 2. Taue tags out to Marvin who walks the ropes and dropkicks Izumida! Marvin blocks Inoue’s attack and gets another enziguri. Springboard crossbody gets 2. They trade forearms til Marvin pokes Inoue in the eye. Izumida in for some comedy. Marvin gets a springing back elbow. He does a matrix to avoid a clothesline and lands an enziguri. Taniguchi in, gets a powerslam for 2. Izumida tags out to Ota. Missile dropkick by Ota gets 2. Taniguchi gets triple teamed and then gets an airplane spin by Ota. Ota gets triple teamed. Taniguchi lands a Last Call and a Fisherman’s Suplex for 2. Ota gets planted with a German Suplex for 3 at 12:48.

Rating: *3/4 Meh. Again, nothing wrong with it, but nothing special either. Your typical undercard comedy match with the veterans. Ricky Marvin is awesome.


Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Bryan Danielson & Atsushi Aoki vs. KENTA, Taiji Ishimori & Genba Hirayanagi

KENTA and Ishimori are the new GHC Jr. Heavyweight Tag champs, winning the belts from Shingo and BxB Hulk a few weeks prior to this. Kanemaru is the current GHC Jr. Heavyweight champ, his 4th reign. Aoki and Genba start off. They go to the mat. Aoki gets a quick rollup for 2, and Genba backs him into his corner and Ishimori tags in. Kanemaru tags in as well but gets dropkicked outside. 619 fake out by Ishimori and lightning fast, too. Danielson and KENTA in and Dragon goes for five pins right away. Yeah, five! Big boot by KENTA and Genba comes in for a dropkick for 2. Danielson DESTROYS him with some uppercuts. Kanemaru slams him on the outside on the cold, hard…tile? That gets 2 back inside. KENTA breaks up a Camel Clutch. Danielson comes in and gets the Mexican Surfboard. He brings him down and Aoki dropkicks the prone Hirayanagi. They triple team him and Kanemaru splashes him for 2. Kanemaru continues to wail away on him with some strikes then locking in a Boston Crab at 10 minutes gone.

KENTA gets tagged in and boots Kanemaru in the face. He clotheslines down Aoki and Dragon as well. Springboard dropkick to Aoki and Danielson! Fisherman’s suplex on Kanemaru gets 2. Low blow kick by Kanemaru and Aoki comes in with a flying forearm. Aoki ducks another big boot and gets a Northern Lights…for 2. Leg lariat by KENTA and Ishimori gets the tag and hits a Hesitation Missile Dropkick. They fight for strikes and Ishimori hits a springing enziguru! That gets 2. German Suplex…for 2. Aoki locks on the cross armbreaker but Ishimori makes the ropes. Spinning heel kick by Aoki and Danielson comes in to UNLOAD European uppercuts on everyone. Ishimori avoids a German, gets a rana but Danielson rolls through to a sunset flip for 2. They trade standing switches, Danielson flips him over and gets a bridging pin for 2. Dragon heads up top but KENTA stops him. Ishimori RUNS THE ROPES INTO A SUPER RANA! Awesome. Genba comes in a hits an elbow off the 2nd rope for 2. He low blows him and hits an Exploder for 2 after that. They triple team Danielson with a knee drop off the top followed by a splash by Ishimori. Everyone brawls and Danielson trades strikes with Genba. German Suplex by Danielson but the tag champs break up the pin. Tiger Suplex by Dragon into the CATTLE MUTILATION and Genba taps at 18:40.

Rating: ***1/4 Solid little tag matchup that establishes Danielson as a new face in the Junior Heavyweight division. Everyone looked good, except for the whipping boy Hirayanagi.

In the ring, they introduce all the teams involved in the Global Tag League.


NON-TITLE MATCH
GHC Tag Team Champions Naomichi Marufuji & Takashi Sugiura vs. Kishin Kawabata & Kentaro Shiga

Marufuji and Sugiura are the GHC tag champs. Their opponents are former holders of the GHC Hardcore Title. Kishin and Shiga show why as they run to the back and begin brawling with the champions there. The bell rings while they brawl towards the ring. Shiga avoids a double team and rolls up Takashi for 2. He boots Shiga off the apron to the floor. Marufuji keeps Kishin away from the ring while Shiga gets beaten up. Eventually we get to a regular tag match with the champions still isolating Shiga. They do a funny choking spot in the corner. Marufuji works over the arm with a series of arm wringers and a short arm scissors. Shiga tries to roll out but Marufuji never releases the hold. Kishin breaks up a submission, and Sugiura takes exception and boots him in the face. Kishin avoids a charge and gets a chinbreaker on Marufuji. Kishin gets the tag and hits a senton for 2. Enziguri by Marufuji followed by a superkick. Spear by Sugiura followed by two big boots. He gets thrown into Shiga and boots him off the apron. Powerslam by Kishin and Shiga tags in. They double team Sugiura with a slingshot into a gutbuster. Top rope senton by Kishin. Shiga heads up top but the champions both stop him and Shiga gets superplexed. He gets superkicked by Marufuji and Suguira slaps on an anklelock for the win at 14:41.

Rating: ** Felt really long and the early arm work went nowhere. I do like that they elevate the champions by them beating the crazy hardcore guys, though.


Yoshihiro Takayama & Takuma Sano vs. Tamon Honda & Tsuyoshi Kikuchi

Takayama and Sano are in the Global Tag League, while Honda would have been had his partner Kenta Kobashi been healthy enough to compete. Honda attacks Takayama before the bell. Kikuchi tries to get the quick pin on Sano but he kicks out. Smart strategy, though. I’d stay the hell away from Takayama. But the big guy gets the tag at 2 minutes in and slugs it out with Honda. Kikuchi tries to forearm him down but gets a mean high knee for his troubles. He gets tossed outside for some KNEES from Takayama. He and Sano stomp away at him. Second rope stomp from Sano gets 2. They continue to stretch out and stomp on Kikuchi, focusing mostly on the back. Kikuchi talks smack to Takayama so the big guy unleashes some fists on him in the corner. Takayama misses a big boot and Honda gets the tag, then gets a boot to his face. Sano misses a double stomp and gets a bulldog from Honda. Sano gets double teamed until Takayama goads Honda outside. Sano hits a German suplex on Kikuchi. Honda stops Sano from coming off the top, then Honda gets tossed outside and gets a double stomp off the apron. Double stomp off the top from Sano on Kikuchi. That gets 2. NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB by Sano and that’s it at 13:34.

Rating: *1/4 Yawn. Dull match. I could really do without all these old guy matches.


Mitsuharu Misawa, Yoshinari Ogawa & Kotaro Suzuki vs. Bison Smith, Akitoshi Saito & Bobby Fish

I love Misawa’s music. I love Misawa. But seriously….where did that belly come from?! Did they open a Little Caesar’s near his house? That’s how I put on the Freshman 15. Misawa/Ogawa and Smith/Saito are both in the GTL. Suzuki and Fish start with some FINE WRESTLING~! Suzuki avoids a backdrop but gets caught with a Frankensteiner for 2. Ogawa tags in and gets dropkicked. Bison Smith tags in and powers Ogawa down. He hooks on a full nelson and then repeatedly bashes Ogawa’s head in the turnbuckles. Ogawa speeds up running the ropes but gets caught by Bison into a swinging backbreaker. Misawa tags in. Bison cheap shots him on the ropes and then runs away. Saito comes in and kicks at Misawa’s leg. Elbows from Misawa! Suzuki headscissors Fish and dropkicks him in the corner. Jumping back suplex from Fish. Bison comes in and throws Suzuki around like a rag doll. Smith slingshots him under the bottom rope. That’ll hurt your neck. Saito comes in and hits a kick to the chest and a delay vertical suplex for 2. Suzuki gets free and gives Fish a spinning back kick to the face at 10 minutes.

Ogawa comes in and stomps the crap out of Fish, then tosses him outside. Misawa in and he elbows Fish’s stomach. Fish tries to fight back but Misawa just elbows him down easily. Fish lands a dropkick and tags in Bison. Bison goes up and hits a flying shoulderblock on Misawa. Bison gets a powerslam but gets a boot after that. Misawa looks for the Tiger Driver but Bison blocks. A double stomp/elbow drop combo by Misawa and Ogawa gets 2. An enziguri doesn’t stop Smith and he slams Ogawa. Spinning heel kick from Saito gets 2. Ogawa ducks a few strikes and hits a DDT. Suzuki in…handspring back elbow! Then he gets a jumping knee strike in the corner. Saito tags in Fish who hits a Tilt-a-Whirl backbreaker. Moonsault…..Suzuki moves but he lands on his feet, hits a Falcon Arrow…for 2! Nice shit there. He whips Suzuki off the ropes…Pounce Knee Lift! Misawa breaks up the pin and everyone in now. Fish goes up top and hits a diving headbutt. Ogawa breaks up the pin. Suzuki goes for a 619 on Fish but Bison blocks it at the last second. Bison gets a Iron Claw Slam on Suzuki. That gets 2 as Fish makes the pin when Misawa brawls with Bison. Octupus Hold on Fish by Suzuki into a series of pinning combinations. German Suplex on Fish…for 2. Suzuki hits the Blue Destiny for the win at 18:23.

Rating: ***1/4 Really solid 6-man tag. This was my first time seeing everyone here besides Misawa, and I was entertained by everyone. Why does the ROH crowd crap on Bobby Fish?


GLOBAL TAG LEAGUE MATCH
D-Lo Brown and Bull Buchanan vs. Kensuke Sasaki and Katsuhiko Nakajima

We’ve got Roughly Obsess and Destroy vs. Kensuke Office here. D-Lo and Nakajima start with D-Lo whipping the kid THROUGH the ropes. I don’t know if he meant to do that. D-Lo misses a cross body and gets hit with a forearm. Sasaki and Brown fight over a test of strength. Buchanan tags in and both he and Sasaki play up to the crowd. Buchanan lands a series of chops and clothesline in the corner. Sasaki fires back with the same. They trade forearms and chops in the center. Buchanan hits a big boot but Sasaki takes him down with a shoulderblock to the crowd’s approval. Nakajima in and he gets a few kicks in. D-Lo comes in and clotheslines him out of his boots. Nakajima gets a few kicks in then gets tossed up into an Ace Crusher. Buchanan gives the kid a kitchen sink into a big BASEMENT LARIAT by D-Lo. Knee drop by Buchanan gets 2. We’ve hit the 10 minute mark.

Buchanan stays on Nakajima, focusing on his back specifically. He really erks it with a bodyscissors, but Nakajima makes it to the ropes after almost falling prey to a pin attempt. D-Lo comes in and gives the kid some hard knees to the head. D-Lo goes for a delay vertical suplex but Nakajima either falls or D-Lo let him fall, I’m not quite sure. Nakajima slips out of a gorilla press and goes to make the tag but Buchanan knocks Sasaki down. They double team Nakajima with a combination camel clutch and an Indian Deathlock with D-Lo holding him off the mat. D-Lo mocks the crowd and Nakajima as he can’t make the tag. Jumping back suplex by D-Lo, but he stalls and lets Buchanan make the pin for 2. Shouldn’t have waited there. Buchanan goes Old School…for 2. Nakajima reverses a Power Bomb into an X-Factor! Hot Tag to Sasaki! Sasaki and D-Lo try to lariat each other down but neither man moves. CHOPS by Sasaki and he makes Brown eat buckle. Sasaki lariats D-Lo in the chest and back alternately. Ipponzeoi Whip! Leg capture Power Bomb…for 2. He applies the Strange Hold (a stepover head-hold armbar) but Buchanan breaks it up. D-Lo ducks a lariat and hits an awful looking kick. Egads, that was bad. We’re at 20 minutes.

Buchanan hits a springboard clothesline for 2. No, really, he did. A powerslam after that gets 2 as well. Sasaki comes back with a powerslam of his own. Nakajima back in and he gets a few kicks in before Buchanan big boots him. Nakajima comes back with a legsweep kick. Missile dropkick by Nakajima gets 2. He misses a corner charge and Buchanan clotheslines him in the back of the head. Reverse Powerbomb by D-Lo! Guillotine Leg Drop by Buchanan follows that, then the Lo Down! Sasaki breaks up the pin. Double Team Sky High on Nakajima gets 2. He avoids a repeat of that and kicks both men down. Sasaki back in and he lariats both men down. He slaps Nakajima to fire him up. Assisted Tilt-a-Whirl kick by the Office team on D-Lo. LARIAT by Sasaki…for 2. Nakajima planchas onto D-Lo as Sasaki gets the NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB for the win at 23:23.

Rating: *** Pretty good formula match that was just brought down by a few miscues. There was a boring stretch in the middle, when Nakajima was getting pounded on. I’d have to say in terms of all-around performance, I was more impressed with Buchanan than D-Lo.


GLOBAL TAG LEAGUE MATCH
Jun Akiyama and Takeshi Rikio vs. GHC Heavyweight Champion Takeshi Morishima and Mohammed Yone

Both of these teams are former GHC Tag Team Champions, and Rikio and Morishima were tag champions together as well. They brawl right off the bat. Rikio and Mori try to lariat each other down as Yone and Akiyama brawl on the outside. Yone leads Akiyama up into the crowd, where Mori follows and clotheslines Akiyama down. Yone tries the same but Akiyama gives him a high knee. All four men head back to the ring, where Akiyama gives Yone another high knee. Akiyama and Rikio focus on Yone for awhile, utilizing quick tags and side headlocks and headscissors. Yone hits a messy looking spinning heel kick but tags in Morishima, who delivers his big ass right to Rikio’s face. He even does some of Danielson’s elbows. Rikio tries to fight back and Morishima goes a bit wild on him with forearms. Yone lands a cool looking leaping leg drop. He stretches Rikio out as we go past the 10 minute mark.

Yone hits a DDT and Rikio rolls outside. Morishima jumps on him while he hung on the second rope. Ya know, Jeff Jarrett style. Rikio gets teamed up on for a Double Lariat! He gets another from Morishima for 2. Morishima looks for the Backdrop Driver but Rikio escapes and tags Akiyama in. Running Knee in the corner by Akiyama! EXPLODER by Akiyama…but he can’t get him up, then he tries again and nails it. It’s no sold but Akiyama ducks a lariat and hooks on an armbar. Yone breaks it up and Mori hits a side slam. Yone hits another bad looking spin kick then a second rope leg drop. That gets 2. Muscle Buster by Yone…for 2. Rikio breaks it up and slaps Yone. Cross body by Rikio gets 2. Morishima and Yone team up for a Doomsday Spinning Heel Kick on Rikio! Akiyama is back up for a Exploder on Yone. Rikio catches Morishima with a back suplex. Short arm lariat by Rikio on Yone gets 2! Jackhammer follows that but Morishima breaks up the pin. Akiyama holds back the champ as Rikio hits the MUSO but Morishima breaks it up. Akiyama takes him outside again so Rikio hits another lariat and another MUSO for the win at 19:55.

Rating: **3/4 Not much more than average. The first 10 minutes felt like forever with lots of rest holds. It picked up nicely for the last few minutes, and it does add a bit of fire to the eventual big title match between Akiyama and Morishima. But other than that, these four are capable of much, much better.

The 411: Not much to see here. Maybe because it's the first night of a big tour, they took it easier? I don't know really. In any case, NOAH is a mixed bag right now. Their undercard is filled with a lot of old and broken down wrestlers, but their junior division is top notch and the title scene is far more interesting with Morishima on top. Still, I consider them behind the younger and more exciting New Japan right now. Thumbs down.

Final Score:  5.5   [ Not So Good ]