7 Ups & 5 Downs From NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 (Review)
Ups...
7. Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima & Togi Makabe vs. Tatsumi Fujinami, Minoru Suzuki & Tiger Mask
More than just a murderer’s row of past, present and future Jon Moxley opponents, the New Japan Da six-man headlining their Wrestle Kingdom pre-show was designed as one of several tributes to the legendary Antonio Inoki.
By the end, it had served its purpose in a way almost impossible not to love.
The NJPW founder was honoured in a hard-hitting brawl that suited the six just fine. Togi Makabe was in rare form ahead of him picking up a jarring and surprising win for his team, while Minoru Suzuki’s babyface energy was a joy following the heart-warming Suzuki-Gun split and his impending exit for some All Japan dates later this year.
Regardless of how the bell-to-bell was supposed to end, Suzuki, Tatsumi Fujinami and Tiger Mask got the last word anyway - they led the crowd for a rousing rendition of Inoki’s theme. Though tinged with sadness, there was something moving about the live audience finally getting to engage with the passing of the industry icon.