New Japan NEXESS Results and Thoughts

1. Koji Kanemoto, American Dragon & Ultimo Dragon beat Heat, Tiger Mask & Naomichi Marufuji in 18:40 when American Dragon used a Leg Lock Suplex Hold on Heat for the win.
- This sets up American Dragon VS Heat for the IWGP Jr Title later down the line, as well as Kanemoto VS Marufuji as Kanemoto was constantly bullying the 2004 Super J-Cup winner. Ultimo Dragon also expressed interest in working a singles match with Kanemoto. The crowd weas suprisingly quiet for this one.

2. Super Strong Majin, Giant Majin & New Super Strong Majin defeated Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Osamu Nishimura & Shinya Makabe in 7:07 when New Super Strong used a jumping elbow (after a chokeslam and a guillotine drop) on Makabe for the win.
- One of the two giants is indeed a Dory Funk Jr. student, Giant Magnum. The other one is in fact from the Guiness Book of World Records as the tallest man alive and came into the match with no wrestling experience. Despite the impressive debut of the giants, this was still rated worst match of the night by the fans in attendance.

3. Jushin Liger beat Katsuji Nakashima in 7 minutes, 27 seconds with a crab hold.
- Kensuke Sasaki & Akira Hokuto were in Nakajima's corner as he hasn't signed with New Japan and is representing the Sasaki Office. And you didn't really expect the 16-year old kid to win did ya? Especially with Liger as his opponent!

4. Josh Barnett beat Ken Shamrock in 13:13 by disqualification when Shamrock the referee.
- I thought Barnett had this in the bag. Looks like New Japan could bring out the cage again for the impending score settler between these two MMA greats.

5. Dolgorsuren Sumiyabazar & Dolgorsuren Serjubdee (Blue Wolf) beat Genichiro Tenryu & Meng in 8:30 when Wolf used a Mongol Hammer (Jackhammer) on Meng for the win.
- The Dolgorsuren bros had their other sumo brother, Asashoryu in their corner. Sumiyabazar was said to look very good here.

6. Yuji Nagata & Kendo KaShin beat Manabu Nakanishi & Kensuke Sasaki in 16:58 when Nagata used a back-drop suplex hold on Nakanishi after KaShin threw powder in the eyes of Nakanishi.
- Nagata & KaShin teased a split during the match, but was all just a ruse. KaShin now plans to tag with Nagata and win both the IWGP & All Japan Tag Titles. KaShin & Yoshinari Ogawa from NOAH both have similarities in that both would cheat and take cheap shots, but the crowd still cheers them. WHY? Now he's influencing Nagata to do his dirty work. Nagata says he doesn't need the gold, but just wrestles for honor. Where was the honor in pinning Nakanishi after KaShin threw powder in his eyes?

7. IWGP Tag Titles Match: Yoshihiro Takayama & Minoru Suzuki beat Masahiro Chono & Kazunari Murakami in 15:42 seconds when Suzuki used a Gotch-style pile driver on Murakami for the win.
- I thought it was almost certain Chono & Murakami would win the gold. And despite his limited ability, Suzuki has been the man getting the wins for his team so far since winning the tag belts.

8. K-1 VS NJ: Yutaka Yoshie beat Jan "The Convict" Nortje in just 3:31 with a camel clutch hold.
- This was suprisingly quick!


9. K-1 VS NJ: Hiroshi Tanahashi beat Sean O'Haire in 7:35 with a Dragon Sleeper.
- The only match result I wasn't happy with. I really wanted O'Haire to win here just so he could stick it to WWE for releasing him. Then again, maybe it's part of Inoki's plan to show NJPW is stronger than WWE?

10. K-1 VS NJ: Musashi beat Katsuyori Shibata in the 2nd round after a middle and high kick combination for the KO.


11. K-1 VS NJ: IWGP Title Match: Bob Sapp beat Shinsuke Nakamura in 12:30 with the Beast-bomb.
- The Supernova was Super-Crushed! Now Sapp goes on to defend against Kazuyuki Fujita on 5/22 (My birthday!). Nakumra showed alot of fighting spirit in this match and Sapp even gave him credit for taking his best shots and even kicking out of the Beast-Bomb near the end.

Overall: The show seems to have lived up to the hype and did good business for NJPW with a claim of 50,000 in attendance, though the actual figure was in the 45,000 range, but still way better than anything WWE has done in years. My interest is also peaked to watch this one.

Credit Strong Style Spirit and Puroresu Power for the results
Credit Sports Navi for the pictures