Tag: young lion

NJPW Lion’s Break Collision results: TJP vs. Danny Limelight

Posted on by Justin Knipper

The show kicked off with a clip from last week’s episode of Lion’s Break Collision. They aired footage of Karl Fredericks and Jeff Cobb going at it after their tag match.

Kevin Kelly interviewed Jeff Cobb next via video call. Cobb said he didn’t really understand why Fredericks went after him but ultimately said there would be “retribution” for what happened on last week’s episode. This segment had a sporty, believable feel. It works.

Rust Taylor defeated DKC via submission

Solid match. DKC is an abbreviation of “Dylan Kyle Cox.” Rust Taylor has been in the business for sixteen years already, according to commentary. They mentioned later that Taylor was actually hand-picked to be part of the NJPW Dojo by Katsuyori Shibata. Taylor has a jiu-jitsu background as well.

Both wrestlers looked good in this, but it became a Rust Taylor showcase more than anything. The match itself was made up of impressive mat work. Taylor tapped DKC with a painful-looking hold called the Gaia Lock.

In his post-match promo, Taylor mentioned he didn’t care who he had to get through in NJPW, whether it’s Zack Sabre Jr., Okada, or even Katsuyori Shibata. He’d be a perfect match for ZSJ, so here’s hoping that happens sooner or later.

TJP defeated Danny Limelight

Really impressive match. Lots of flashy grappling between these two at the top. TJP is smoother than ever in the ring these days. We learned Danny Limelight was a former sergeant in the Marines. Limelight landed a gnarly quasi-Fosbury Flop over the top to the floor a few minutes in. TJP kept Limelight grounded with a series of non-traditional submissions. Limelight pulled off an impressive springboard flying forearm. He did some crazy rope-walking in this match.

TJP caught Limelight on the top rope and launched him off with a superplex, then floated over and spiked him with a brainbuster. He finished Limelight off with a frog splash for the win. Really good stuff for only ten minutes or so. TJP put Limelight over in his post-match promo and mentioned he would like a rematch.

Final thoughts:

This show is easy to watch. Simple structure, quality production, great action. I look forward to catching the next two episodes.

Next week on Lion’s Break Collision: Tom Lawler vs. Alex Coughlin and Misterioso vs. Danny Limelight.

NJPW Lion’s Break Collision results: Fredericks-TJP vs. Cobb-Romero

Posted on by Justin Knipper

The show opened with an interview between Karl Fredericks and Kevin Kelly discussing Frederick’s new career chapter in NJPW. He is no longer a young lion.

The show opened with a slick opening graphic, and showcased a new production style for the new brand. The show’s ring announcing was in English, with Kevin Kelly, Chris Charlton, and Gino Gambino calling the action. The setup itself looks good. The ring is smaller than usual, but it works for television.

Hiroshi Tanahashi and Katsuyori Shibata did guest commentary for the Japanese language broadcast.

Clark Connors and Alex Coughlin went to a ten-minute draw

Really good. Lots of tight matwork at the top. Coughlin went after Connors’ arm early on. He looks bigger than before.

They exchanged huge chops and power moves midway through. Coughlin used a creative fall-away slam into a bridging pin for two; Connors responded with a picture-perfect powerslam.

More chops. Coughlin used a big side suplex on Connors for two. He locked in an armbar seconds before the bell, Connors didn’t tap, and the match ended in a draw. Good stuff from these two. They had an intense little exchange in the ring together afterwards.

Connors said in his post-match interview that wins and losses matter in NJPW. He said that he refused to be the last trainee to graduate from the LA Dojo.

Karl Fredericks and TJP defeated Jeff Cobb and Rocky Romero

The story here highlighted TJP and Rocky Romero, as they were a part of NJPW’s first dojo in Los Angeles. Karl Fredericks has a new haircut and red tights with tassels.

This was all action. TJP looked impressive here, especially when he and Rocky were in together. Good chemistry between the OGs.

Fredericks really looks like a superstar now. His exchange with Cobb toward the end of this was impressive, especially when he landed a crazy-looking kuru-kuru dropkick.

At around ten minutes in, TJP landed a slingshot dropkick to the apron, knocking Cobb back to the floor. Fredericks was able to keep Romero down for a three-count with a backslide pin for the upset win.

Fredericks and Cobb got into it right after the match, and it looked intense. In his post-match promo, Fredericks said that Rocky Romero isn’t a real LA Dojo guy anymore, that he’s CHAOS, and that he shouldn’t keep claiming he’s a part of his dojo.

Final thoughts:

This was an easy watch. Two solid matches that featured talent that probably wouldn’t get the proper look otherwise. Alex Coughlin, Clark Connors and especially Karl Fredericks will be important cogs in the NJPW machine going forward.

Next week on NJPW Young Lions Collision: DKC vs. Rust Taylor and Danny Limelight vs. TJP

Tetsuhiro Yagi retiring from NJPW due to ‘personal reasons’

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Tetsuhiro Yagi will not be returning to New Japan Pro Wrestling.

NJPW posted on their Japanese website this morning that Tetsuhiro Yagi would not be coming back to New Japan and has decided to retire due to personal reasons. He had been out of action since April after fracturing his right ulna, or essentially injuring his right arm. His last match was teaming with Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Toa Henare in a losing effort against Manabu Nakanishi, Tiger Mask and Yuji Nagata on April 20.

Yagi, 26, had only been wrestling for a year. His first match was on May 9 of last year during a Lion’s Gate project show where he lost to Hirai Kawato. 

Yagi is among other young lion prospects this year who have either been out of action or left New Japan due to injuries. Hikuleo has been out of action since March with an injured ACL, while Katsuya Kitamura’s future in pro wrestling is unclear after a scooter accident crushed one of his legs.