[8.0] "Great main event, David Finlay makes for a great bully heel against Goto who has the whole crowd behind him. Awesome table bump and Kaiten off the top, Finlay's offense is just really good as well. The reversal into the shouten kai was sick"
[8.0] "That's what I'm talking about, man. Finlay doesn't get enough praise, in my opinion, because I think he's pretty good. One of the best? No, but certainly good. So, I'm glad to see him deliver a strong main event here. That said, it takes two to tango. Goto was great here, as well, and I'm happy to see him retain."
[8.0] "Goto continues to deliver in big situations when needed - hes been a genuine saviour for NJPW this year. Finlay holds up his own, and the two put up another big performance in a big spot. ****."
[7.0] "I knew the result going in, so that probably held back my enjoyment a bit. They at least did very well building up this shock result, given Finlay felt like he'd been building up to an IWGP World Title win for a while and this would a great time to pull the trigger, and Goto even got those two cheap defences against broken-down Nagata and Tanahashi as a means to seemingly pad his title reign a slight bit before his eventual loss to Finlay. But no, the Goto miracle run continues! They did some very generic feeling-out grappling to start before opening the match up with some more energetic low-level exchanges. Goto came out on top in all these exchanges, but Finlay gained control after finally upping his aggression and taking some cheap short cuts. Finlay showed decent killer instinct as he stalked Goto around the ring while beating him down and showboating. Goto was able to intermittently fight back, at times with a few really good counters, but Finlay was usually able to maintain control as he smartly countered/evaded and immediately capitalised on those openings to further his control. It was good to see that Goto wasn't a pushover in being easily dominated, getting enough stand-out spots to remind the crowd that he was the IWGP World Heavyweight Champ for a reason, but at the same time Finlay was kept as a serious threat with how he still maintained more time in control by comparison. I really liked this take on the 50/50 structure we usually get, since it felt more creative with that more rapid trading of control (though without all the non-stop big bombs we usually get) as opposed to both guys getting extended control periods one after the other, or Finlay just entirely dominating the first 1/3rd, Goto then making sporadic comebacks for the second 1/3rd, and then them both finally being evenly matched in the final 1/3rd. Finlay finally managed to more firmly gain control as he upped his intensity and aggression another level, and it was good fun seeing him take such joy in dishing out such a big beating to the poor suffering champ. Goto was thankfully still getting his own comebacks sprinkled in, which maintained his appeal to the crowd, but Finlay was still capable of chaining together many of his really impactful moves one after the other as soon as he was presented with the time and space to do so. Their rapid big-move trades were all good, though pretty generically structured and with less selling and more near falls than I'd want. I get that they wanted to really lean into the teases of this seemingly being the end of Goto's miracle reign, but the constant back-and-forth and lack of appropriate selling did put a damper on all of it. Still a pretty good match. ***1/4"
[8.0] "Goto delivers again. He will surely go down as one of the best closing stretch wrestlers as while the majority of the match was certainly good, Goto just has a way of elevating in the final stretch like few others. Finlay played a good heel here and showed off his power offence well. ****1/4"
[9.0] "This match had a slow start. I think that is a problem with almost all of Finlay's matches. Is it intentional? Is that why he walks like a turtle to the ring? Well anyways after the last half of the match it becomes freaking awesome. The crowd was really into it. I thought the announcer was going to die of excitement. I think the exchange of signature moves was bloody amazing. At one point after Finlay hit his finisher I thought Goto was going to lose. But of course the Goto Revolution is not over. I have to give it a 4.75 out 5 stars because Finlay is way too slow at the beginning of every match."
[8.0] "Once again, I can't help but feel David Finlay matches go on a little too long, but this was still a fantastic match and a great display from Finlay and Goto."
[8.0] "I wasn't always a Finlay fan but this last year and especially matches like this have finally convinved me. I've really been enjoying Goto's run at the top and I am glad it's not over yet."
[9.0] "Overall this was a great main-event, my only complaint is that it was clearly on track to reach the 30 minutes mark after 20 minutes but from then they spammed all their moves in less than 5 minutes to end it. It would have been bettet if the match progressed in a more organic way but other than this was their best match here. Ending was brutal too. ****1/2"
[9.0] "Rocking match. Goto and Finlay have excellent chemistry. Goto makes me believe in him. Finlay makes me believe that wrestling can be amazing again."
[8.0] "(4.25*) This is so far Goto's best title defense. I love Finlay's performance in this; although it's not a world title performance, he got the job done well. Goto was over with the crowd, but I also think he made Finlay go over. It was a great match."
[8.0] "Great match that really solidifies Goto's reign. There was some uncertainty and pessimism going in that Finlay will walk away as champion here (even though I and many others have begun to enjoy Finlay as a performer.) This match is accompanied by a simple yet impactful story wherein Goto fights to beat the bully and Finlay rides some good heat after making Goto's daughter cry after their last match. It must be said though that Goto's kids look completely disinterested the entire time."
[6.0] "Perfectly good match in a style that I'm not really a huge fan of. Goto has been doing much better than I ever would have guessed so kudos on his effort. I don't at all care for Finlay though and this match didn't change that. The end result is decent but it didn't hold my interest really strongly."
[8.0] "[4.0*] Another fantastic match in Goto's title reign. He is 3/3 now. I am loving this new style of main events in NJPW where not every single one of them need to be a 45-min epic. David Finlay has rightfully been showcased in the IWGP Title picture where he deserves to be, what a special talent. Goto brought new life to the belt and I am just loving this reign. The match was so cool from start to finish, such an easy watch, with a fantastic ending stretch that did not overstay its welcome. Loved the bout."
[9.0] "My match of the night, and one of my favorite matches of the whole year. Goto and Finlay continued their rivalry dating back to the G1 last year and Goto was able to topple the Rebel and retain the gold and add a third successful defense to his amazing title run. Finlay looked great throughout this match too, even in defeat. Goto has been on a role lately and should hold this belt for the rest of the year. Overall an amazing match-up with great in-ring and an amazing story"
[10.0] "Fantastic pro wrestling match where David Finlay underscored the Revolution of Hirooki Goto as the top star in the company right now. Finlay, over the past year, has simultaneously set up the future of the company, with matches against Yuya Uemura, Yota Tsuji, and Shota Umino, and honored the guys who were climbing the card when he came in 10 years ago, like Hirooki Goto. This was the rubber match since last summer, and Finlay put the emphasis on the fact that he is behind the Goto train, as other gaijin in the past have declared (Jay White with Hiroshi Tanahashi, Will Ospreay with Kazuchika Okada). Goto, like Finlay, worked his butt off to get to this position, and is in the driver's seat this year, with the fans and his family behind him. He is a relatable guy who is an amazing pro wrestler, and David Finlay has put in the nuanced character work to present a Bullet Club leader not obsessed with cheating, but with proving through sheer force and brutality, that he can prevail. In his wake, he leaves Gabe Kidd, who is War Ready for the Devitt/AJ/Omega/Jay/Finlay spot. Incredible moment, where ego was checked at the door, and we got another memorable New Japan main event in Ryogoku. *****"
[6.0] "For a match that went 24 minutes, this never really settled down into a discernable pattern. There were a number of big moments where it appeared as if one of them had established control, but it didn't last long before a comeback switched things up and the momentum shifted. In the end, it seemed like a fairly routine win for Goto who, to his credit, is massively over as the top guy with New Japan's ticket buyers ***1/4"
[9.0] "OSHIGOROSHI INTO THE DESK IS A NAAAASTY SPOT, HOLY FUCKING SHIT! By far the match of the night and the prove itself that David Finlay is COMPLETELLY a World Champion Material, because in a lot of moments in this match I thought about him getting the victory and I was happy about it. He already showed before a great chemistry with Goto, and this time wasn't different, incredible spots but sadly a lack of real chain wrestling, something that sadly Finlay needs to improve in his arsenal if he wants to be a World Champion one day. However, this Goto run as a World Champion cannot end so fast, it just being so damn good to watch, the guy is making bangers against 48 years old Tanahashi and 55 years old Nagata and now...the 31 years old Finlay. I would love to see him carry this title until Tokyo Dome, even knowing it's a bit impossible."
[7.0] "****1/2 a great match, Goto continues giving a great reign, a great constant rhythm, a very good chemistry, great sequences, an audience completely into the action, Goto being very over, and Finlay being a tough and tough Heel, being difficult to beat, a great ending both looking to defeat the other even Finlay taking out a GunStun in the pure style of BC Karl Anderson and Tama Tonga and Goto taking out the Shouten-Kai and then finishing Finlay with 3 GTRs in a row, Finlay is prepared to be world champion definitely, but for now the Goto Revolution will continue hopefully and enter the G1 as champion"
[8.0] "Fair play to Goto. It's one thing to beat ZSJ, then legends like Tana and Nagata. But Finlay is a seriously physical opponent, and Goto kept stride with him every step of the way. This is no longer a 'Cinderella' reign, and solidified as a legitimate one."
[9.0] "[4, 75 Stars] Putting the world title on Goto is New Japan's best decision of the last five years. The guy's put together a crazy run in just 2 months of his reign. (****, 75)"
[8.0] "A strong main event that felt competitive from start to finish. It had good urgency and just enough drama to keep things tense without overstaying its welcome. I was nervous they'd stretch this into a 40-minute epic, but they kept it tight and purposeful. Finlay may not be the most charismatic guy on the roster, but he's very solid and played his role well here. Goto's win felt clean and decisive, which added weight to the outcome. Nothing flashy, just two pros delivering a satisfying headliner with a clear finish."
[8.0] "So happy the Goto Revolution is still on going. Frankly I don't want it to stop. Great match between Finlay and Goto. Goto out here defending the title and carrying this company on his back and still finds the time to give life lessons to his kids. What a dad. Shota Goto, something tells me they might pull the trigger there. If I'm the booker I would too. Just to change it up a little. Either way would be fine. After all the character change, Shota still getting heat. Hopefully, on his character and not him personally. Gotta say, the title picture looks strong. Shota, Finlay the frontrunner with ZSJ. And rest of the "new faces" not too far behind. Strong times. Let's go."
[8.0] "They took a very direct approach here, setting the tone in the opening section not only for the action to come with their dueling exchange of holds but also for their babyface vs. heel dynamic, as we saw with their lockup. The match went on to have some dueling action with sick bumps and scathing spots like the guardrail stuff, and both respectively drove each other's heads into the ring post before they entered the more dramatic work in the last third, which was wonderful. Finlay's heel work was very good, as it really allowed Goto to come across as the honorable fighting champion, which became much more highly noticeable in its finish as we saw Goto end David in a decisive and emphatic fashion. ****1/4"
[8.0] "Best match of Goto's reign thus far, and another great showing from Finlay. The crowd was super behind Goto from the jump and Finlay. Both men have very defined characters that the audience connects with and that really helps the match. Finlay plays a great despicable heel and Goto is the best face the promotion has at the moment. Perhaps the top two guys the company has going at it for 20-plus minutes. Easy match of the night and a great showing by both men. 4 stars."
[10.0] "Excellent main event that delivered just as much as I thought it would. Beloved face vs the hated heel. An aggressive match with Goto pulling out some neat moves like a GTW/DVD through the tables to the floor and a sunset flip from the top rope to secure his victory over the rebel. Speaking of the Rebel, Finlay has been one of my favorite wrestlers in NJPW for the past year and he's significantly improved ever since. Awesome match here, and it was able to top their previous two encounters."
[7.0] "I liked this match better than their Kings of Pro Wrestling match last year. Am I missing something or is their a reason Finlay didn't go over here? I felt like this was a good time to put the belt on him. ***1/2 stars."
[8.0] "Goto has become a total badass as champion. Goto with the huricanrana into the ringpost was a crazy spot. Goto as champion makes for such great wrestling because he is able to be the guy with the belt while still feeling like an underdog, similar to how Daniel Bryan felt as champion in WWE and AEW. Two table spots on back to back New Japan shows has to be a record. Finlay keeps getting the upper hand and Goto keeps standing up to him (like the hero of the people he is. Goto retains in a fantastic match in front of his kids."
[8.0] "Another great defence, whilst Goto is clearly this popular with the paying crowds I really dont see who (or why) you'd take the belt off him. Finlay's stock continues to skyrocket and as the pessimistic NJPW that I am I cant help but wonder when the two stateside will come calling haha."
[9.0] "I really enjoyed the last two singles bouts between Finlay and Goto, but honestly this might have been the best one yet. Finlay showed real brutality and viciousness as usual, but alongside more technical prowess than usual to blend in with his brawling. There was a pretty slow tempo to the start of this bout, but after some outside brawling the pace definitely picked up. Goto did an excellent job of selling all the offence he was taking throughout, whilst delivering his own trademark moves with his usual swagger. There were some huge kickouts in the final stretch and I was totally engaged by this bout, but it was a triple GTR which got Goto the win ultimately. This was a brilliant bout with a great finish, MOTN for sure and a MOTYC for me."
[8.0] "Really good match, intense and made even better by a well built rivalry, especially thanks to Finlay, who's done an awesome job constantly generating heat both in and out of the ring. Hirooki Goto continues to be one of the most over champions in recent years, and honestly, he's way better as a babyface than I ever expected but i wasn't too into the idea of putting the kids front row, it felt a bit forced, and they didn't even look that concerned for their dad, which kinda took away from the moment.. The match starts off slow, but once it gets going, it delivers a great mix of slick counters and a couple of well-executed spots outside the ring, both did great and turned incredible assets for NJPW."
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