10 Reasons To Stick With NJPW After Wrestle Kingdom 12
9. The Best Version Of The Young Bucks
The Young Bucks are a conundrum.
They're the most buzz-worthy tag team on the planet, and one of the hottest non-WWE acts around, but their work is grossly inconsistent. Too many of their independent bouts devolve into contrived banter-fests, with Nick and Matt Jackson content to coast on personality over workrate. They forgo action for memes, and while it's hard to fault this tactic (it never fails to get over), it's not always fun to watch when you're not part of the live crowd.
Fortunately, this isn't the case in New Japan. The Bucks always bring their A-game when placed in a big spotlight, delivering fantastic, story-driven bouts that justify their lofty reputation in the wrestling world.
We saw it at Wrestle Kingdom 12, when Nick and Matt delivered a masterclass in psychology, decimating the back of Roppongi 3K's Yohei Komatsu en route to their 7th IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Title victory. This match is far from the only example, though. The Bucks are incredibly smart, and know not to dilute their NJPW performances with constant distractions, because such shenanigans don't often get over with Japanese crowds. Thus, if you want to see their best work, you need to be watching New Japan.