12 Ups & 5 Downs From NJPW The New Beginning In Osaka 2019
10. A Country For Old Men
Takashi Iizuka retires later this month, drawing a line under his 33-year career with a farewell show on 21 February. It has been a long time coming. 'The Great Betrayer' is a fun character, particularly when muzzled and led to the ring by one of his Suzuki-gun stablemates, but he's been one of the worst wrestlers in the company for a long, long time. The man with the iron glove needs to hang it up.
NJPW have weaved a great little story around this. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, his former tag team partner, has been trying to unlock the good that was seemingly lost in this crazed old man when he turned on the 'Fierce Bull' 11 years ago. The fans are dying to see it happen. Though neither of these guys can go anymore, they've gotten this story over, and the veteran duo gave us more to nibble on in Osaka.
A pre-match promo saw Tenzan come out in one of their old t-shirts, then tell Iizuka they'd team again. They brawled during the match, but the conclusion saw Iizuka stop Minoru Suzuki from nailing Tenzan with a chair, only to do it himself and prompt the DQ. Hiroyoshi ate the iron glove after that. Iizuka teased that maybe, just maybe, his old partner was finally getting through, but the 'Crazy Bouzu' overcome his inner Bruce Banner once again.
No matter what happens, that retirement match is going to be hot.