EVIL vs. Michael Oku

[6.0] "This matchup was certainly intriguing. EVIL is usually not very entertaining in NJPW, not because he's a bad wrestler, but because of his House of Torture run-ins that have become repetitive and boring. Michael Oku is one of the somewhat random matchups we've gotten this Mania week that could either be quite good or quite mid depending mostly on chemistry. This match is alright, I actually found most of EVIL's heeling charming and the audience seemed to as well. Oku sells for EVIL really well and EVIL implements some impactful slams."

[7.0] "This is probably the best EVIL match I've seen in a while. Having Oku in the match definitely helped. Good showing for both!"

[6.0] "Obviously EVIL's not bad -- I'm the first to say I'm a fan of his pre-HoT work -- but this isn't even a glimpse of what he's actually capable of. I get that he's a heel and he's just doing his job, but honestly, it's not that different from what he usually does nowadays. The only real difference is there was no Dick Togo or any House of Torture interference this time."

[7.0] "Hey-ho, EVIL's actually not that bad. Who would have thought? I actually like EVIL, so this didn't surprise me. Match of the night, Oku performed well and EVIL played his part. Entertaining enough, but I'd probably wait until the matches have simmered out for the weekend before seeking this out. ***1/4."

[7.0] "I liked this. Massive step up from the previous two matches. Very fun match. No other HoT members being in the country definitely helped."

[6.0] "A really good performance from Oku, moving quick and hitting his highspots well. Evil does what Evil does, and you get what you should expect from him in this match"

[7.0] "EVIL by name, EVIL by nature. A pretty good match that shows to US audiences once again that Michael Oku can hang with the best, and also he can hang with EVIL"

[7.0] "[3, 5 Stars] In fact, EVIL just needs to be allowed to wrestle solo without intervention, and that's fine. (***, 5)."

[3.0] "First of, what is EVIL doing here. Man came on the card so random. I'll say what is not random though, the man. This was the same EVIL match only difference was that HOT wasn't there to help him cheat even more. I wanted Oku to win here. Isn't he still the Revpro champion? Could have used the boost in beating EVIL since his stock hasn't been the same since the Ospreay match way back when. One too many low blows, which went nowhere. It's as if EVIL know nothing else to get himself the heat. I don't even know why I hoped watching this match go down."