[6.0] "This was really all about Murashima. The stuff before that was fine, but Ishii vs Murashima was exactly what it needed to be in that it made Murashima look great while Ishii ultimately got the upper hand. Ishii having the nose bleed helped too. ***1/4"
[7.0] "The tension between Tachi and Tomohiro Ishii and Shota Umino and Yuya Uemura was on full display. The older guys gave these younger guys a lot of shine and story. Satoshi Kojima, Taichi & Tomohiro Ishii are three of those who can still go, so it is nice to see them still scrapping. Someone please tell Shota Umino to get rid of this style of gear, it looks like a diaper. A good opener with a bunch of reliable guys to get this new calendar year started. Katsuya Murashima is a future star, this guy has levels already."
[5.0] "An entertaining match. It's somewhat repetitive, but intense and not boring; everyone gets at least one moment to shine, although being basically a filler match, it ends up being very simplistic."
[7.0] "This went longer than I expected for an opener. Always nice to see Kojima doing Kojima things. Taichi remains someone I just cannot click with. The real positive was how much space they gave the younger guys, especially Murashima, who came off hungry and credible mixing it up with Ishii. There was some solid drama, stiff exchanges and hierarchy without killing the momentum."
[4.0] "Good exposure for Murashima and a continuation of the Boston Crab storyline. That said, I felt most of the wrestlers didn't show much here. In-ring quality: 1/4. Stakes: 0.25/2. Justification: 0.5/1. Placement on the card: 0.75/1. Suspense: 1/1. Bonus/penalty: none. Total: 4.5/10. Match watched on NJPW World."
[7.0] "Honestly a really decent match with lots to like about it. A very psychical match as you would expect from the men involved in it but it also had some nice technical sequences mixed in there. Yuya and Taichi had a nice little battle to start us out with some solid trading of big chops which was cool. Kojima and Shota were there and had some bits but did not really catch my eye other than a nice koji cutter. This match really stood out in the section between Ishii and Murashima both men trading stiff as fuck blows. Murashima looked fucking great even in defeat with him blooding the nose of Ishii adding to that effect and it was great to see him put a crab on Ishii showing he can compete and is ready for excursion (send him to Rev pro please not bias at all). Ishii looked great as you would expect although his lack of selling in the match was a bit annoying at times nice that he got the win with a deep crab. Overall a really nice opener for the show continues the beef between Ishii/Taichi and Yuya/Shota in the tag division and gave Murashima a nice spotlight. (***1/2)"
[5.0] "An decent opening match that I felt was dragged down by Ishii's complete no selling of just about every move. I know that is his gimmick but it was a bit ridiculous and too much in this match. It just made the other wrestlers, Shota Umino in particular, look really bad. Beyond that it was entertaining."
[6.0] "This was an exciting and high intensity tag to kick off New Years Dash. Ishii and Murashima really stole the show, with Murashima looking like an absolute monster even in defeat, bloodying the nose of Ishii in the process. Ishii submitted Murashima for the win, and I really enjoyed this, a surprisingly good match and worth a watch."
[8.0] "Damn this match ruled, we need more Team 150 as all three of them are just so good and yet so different while oddly cohesive. The young team did a good job as well; Uemura is very good from underneath and I think will be a real star in the future, but the Young Lion Murashima was awesome in this one. Him and Ishii go at it and while there is a hierarchy maintained, Ishii is SUPER giving to him here and makes him look great, but ultimately he puts him in his place with the move that got the kid a win in the Dome the night before: The Boston Crab. ***3/4"
[6.0] "An entertaining opener that saw another showdown between Murashima & Ishii, probably their best one yet. Ishii is so incredibly generous here and gave Murashima a lot, making him look like a formidable foe. The rest of the match is a bit of an afterthought but nothing bad. Good start to the show. ***1/4."
[7.0] "Ishii has been missed in New Japan, his fight with Murashima here was great and then facing off with Shota. Damn he gets people fighting, and i'm glad he's back. Goodluck Murashima, that guy is a special talent and will come back a star."
[7.0] "Leave it to the veterans on the roster and the young guns to start a show off with fire and passion. Murashima looked good here and got time to shine, I'm curious to see if he goes on excursion at some point soon."
[6.0] "Awesome way to open the show for New Year's Dash. Was not expecting Marashima to be so impressive during this match but he blew my expectations. Cool spots here and there and some hard-hitting action with a story to tell. Good match. [***.25]"
[6.0] "The story of this match was very much that Murashima is ready for excursion..... and by his showing he I wholeheartedly agree. Good showing all round. Nice little opener."
[6.0] "Was a nice hard hitting match for the opening of the show, nice to watch those veteran beat up the young guys and show that they still have left in the tank"
[7.0] "A fun opening preview tag that had some cool sequences and moments with everyone involved, specifically with Yuya/Shota and Ishii/Taichi. Murashima also got a very good shine in here, getting some offense and the crowd was very behind him. I'm excited for the three way tag that's bound to happen between KOB, Ishii/Taichi and Yuya/Umino."
0x
0x
5x
75x
44x
6x
1x
0x
0x
0x
0x