New Japan Pro Wrestling on AXS TV Results: 02/20/15

We open with the usual talking segment with a NJPW star, this week it is Shinsuke Nakamura.

We are welcomed in by Mauro Ranallo with Josh Barnett. The three matches this week take place August 4, 2013 from Osaka Bodymaker Colosseum. Ranallo explains the three matches we are about to see are part of the G1 Climax tournament. He talks about the prestige of winning the tournament. The G1 tournament is a round robin tournament with the winner getting a title shot at Wrestle Kingdom 8. Out first is “The Machinegun” Karl Anderson a member of the Bullet Club. His opponent is Hiroyoshi Tenzan.

“The Machinegun” Karl Anderson vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan

We start with a lock up that Tenzan gets the best of. Anderson hits a kick to the mid section then fails on a couple shoulder tackles as Tenzan stands his ground. Anderson hits a series of chops then gets taken down by Tenzan when he tries another shoulder tackle.

We move ahead in the match due to time restraints

Anderson and Tenzan are sharing blows in the middle in the ring. Anderson hits the “Swivel Gun Stun” but only gets a two count. Anderson goes for another move but Tenzan counters into an “Anaconda Vice” submission. Anderson fights back to his feet but Tenzan holds onto the move with an “Anaconda Buster”. Anderson fights to the ropes to break the hold. Tenzan slams Anderson down and misses the moonsault. Ranallo points out how risky the move was for Tenzan at his age. Anderson goes for the “Swivel Gun Stun” but Tenzan fights it off with a head butt. Tenzan goes for the “Anaconda Buster” but Anderson switches it into the “Swivel Gun Stun” and gets the three count for the win.

Winner: “The Machinegun” Karl Anderson

Commercial:

Back from the break Davey Boy Smith Jr. is making his way to the ring with Taka Michinoku. Barnett points out Smith was one of his students. His opponent is Satoshi Kojima as he makes his way to the ring.

Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Satoshi Kojima

We start with a lock up Smith turns into an arm bar that Kojima tries to fight out of. Kojima takes Smith down with a side headlock. Back to their feet smith takes Kojima down with a shoulder tackle. Smith beats Kojima down in the center of the ring. Smith hits a big boot but Kojima comes back with a clothesline taking Smith to the outside. Kojima throws Smith into the ring barrier then hits a DDT on the ring apron. Kojima kicks and stomps Smith outside the ring then throws him back in. Kojima goes to the top turnbuckle but Michinoku holds onto his leg giving Smith time to get up and press slam Kojima to the mat. Smith picks him up and slams him to the mat again. Smith goes for another slam but Kojima counters with a DDT of his own. Kojima chops Smith repeatedly in the corner then hits a jumping elbow in the corner. Kojima hits an elbow drop from the top rope and gets a two count. They exchange blows in the ring that Kojima gets the best of. Smith hits a power slam and gets a two count. Smith locks in the sharpshooter but Kojima gets to the ropes to break the hold. Smith goes for the sit-out power bomb but Koji counters into the “Koji Cutter”, and then hits a vertical drop suplex and gets a two count. Smith hits the “Tiger Suplex” but only gets a two count. Koji hits a lariat from behind taking Smith down to the mat. Smith gets up and blocks one lariat but Koji hits another and gets a two count. They both hit a lariat and Smith falls to the mat. Smith hits a knee followed by the “Bulldog Bomb” (sit-out power bomb) and gets the pin for the win.

Winner: Davey Boy Smith Jr.

Commercial

Back from the break we see Shinsuke Nakamura talking about his rivals and how he wondered how he was going to top matches put on by other competitors.

Back at ringside Kota Ibushi makes his way to the ring. His opponent is Shinsuke Nakamura as he makes his dramatic entrance.

Kota Ibushi vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

They spend the first few minutes feeling each other out. They exchange some takedowns and reversals as the both take a breather. Nakamura takes Ibushi down into a sleeper and wears him out on the mat. They exchange some mat wrestling for the next few minutes. Back to their feet Nakamura hits with a couple knee strikes but misses with the high boot and Ibushi connects with a drop kick and takes Nakamura to the outside. Ibushi jumps onto the top turnbuckle but Nakamura catches him with a jumping kick and knocks Ibushi to the outside. Nakamura kicks Ibushi into the ring barrier and maintains control outside the ring. Nakamura places Ibushi halfway onto the ring apron with his head hanging over the edge against the ring post. Nakamura hits a running knee then a double stomp from the ring apron. Ibushi gets back into the ring as we go to a break.

Commercial

Back from the break Nakamura is in control and hits a snap mare suplex and a knee and gets a two count. Nakamura wears Ibushi down with a chin lock. They exchange some slaps in the center of the ring but Nakamura gets the upper hand with some knees in the corner. He chokes Ibushi with his foot in the corner. Ibushi fights back and hits the Pele kick. Ibushi hits a springboard missile drop kick and gets a two count. Ibushi hits a standing shooting star press right into a flip off the ropes and gets another two count. Nakamura hits a spinning wheel kick but Ibushi hits a hurricanrana taking Nakamura to the outside. Ibushi hits a springboard moonsault corkscrew dive onto Nakamura outside the ring taking him out. Back in the ring Ibushi gets a two count. Ibushi goes to the top turnbuckle but Nakamura catches him and Ibushi lands across the top turnbuckle. Nakamura hits a running knee and gets a two count. Nakamura hits a series of knees to the head of Ibushi. Ibushi fights back as they exchange blows which Nakamura gets the better of with a back cracker into a sleeper hold. Ibushi gets his legs to the ropes and breaks the hold. They exchange some roll throughs and kicks and Ibushi hits a dragon suplex followed by a standing shooting star press and he gets a two count. Ibushi hits a hurricanrana from the top turnbuckle ad gets a two count as we go to a break.

Commercial

Back from the break Ibushi hits a huge kick taking Nakamura to the mat. Ibushi hits the “Golden Star Bomb” and gets a two count. Ibushi goes for a flipping type move from the top rope but Nakamura gets his knees up and hits a running kick to the back of Ibushi’s head. Nakamura kicks Ibushi back into the corner. They exchange chops in the ring and Ibushi gets the upper hand and hits a lariat taking Nakamura down to the mat. Ibushi hits a kick to the back of the neck and gets a two count. Ibushi puts Nakamura on the top turnbuckle but Nakamura fights back and hits a short drop kick. He rushes back up and hits another short drop kick. Nakamura then hits the Boma Ye and gets a two count. He hits another Boma Ye and finally gets the three count for the win.

Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura

After the match Nakamura gets a microphone. He asks the crowd what they thought of the match. He asks Ibushi if it was exciting for him too. He screams Yeah-O and he leaves the ring. Out back Ibushi is collapsed on the floor he says he gave everything but his opponent had more to spare. He says as an individual he wants to keep on chasing Nakamura. We go to Nakamura who says Ibushi has potential and he has all the qualities of a great wrestler. We go off the air with Nakamura talking more about his match with Ibushi.

My View: This was another great show. They are building up each week to something big. We are following along and soon will be at WrestleKingdom 8. Getting to see Davey Boy Smith Jr. was a treat for American fans who have most likely forgotten how great he is. This is the first time we have seen Shinsuke Nakamura and Kota Ibushi on this program. They put on a show that will leave fans wanting to see more from both wrestlers.