5 Highlights From NJPW Dominion 6.11 In Osaka-Jo Hall
The best moments from NJPW's second biggest annual show.
Mass rematches are rarely well-received in wrestling, but New Japan Pro Wrestling just put on Wrestle Kingdom 11.5 and fans are eating it up.
Dominion in Osaka-Jo Hall is NJPW's SummerSlam, designed to drum up excitement for the company's crucial summer months. A total of four straight rematches from their Tokyo Dome show were added to the card, topped off by the sequel to Kazuchika Okada and Kenny Omega's six-star masterpiece.
On the one hand, fans were excited to see how these rivalries have evolved. On the other, it was hard to believe they could top their first contests. Fortunately, each bout had added nuance, and the event felt wholly distinct from January's mega-show.
With title changes and storyline shifts up and down the card, this was a wrestling show fans must sit down and watch. The event closed with three stellar singles contests, and one hard-hitting mess of a lumberjack match. If you're looking for a stop from which to hop on the NJPW hype train, let Dominion 6.11 in Osaka-Jo be it.
Next stop: G1 Specials in the USA.
5. Yoshi-Hashi Makes A Stand
The Lumberjack Deathmatch between Minoru Suzuki and Hirooki Goto was not as barbaric as it sounds. A handful of Suzuki-Gun and Chaos cronies brawled outside any time the action spilled beyond the ring, but aside from that, they were just there for show. The real action was in the ring, as Suzuki brutalised the big hoss Goto with strikes and submissions.
Taichi got involved to secure the win for his boss, but the lumberjack who made the biggest impression was Chaos lieutenant Yoshi-Hashi. His dive over the top rope cleaned out Suzuki's goons, and after the match he cleared the stable almost single-handedly following their post-match beatdown of Goto.
Where Y-H may have screwed up is his staredown with Suzuki, where Suzuki would proclaim that Yoshi-Hashi is next on his hit-list. While he has potential, Yoshi-Hashi isn't quite ready to take down a beast like Suzuki.
He may have bitten off more than he can chew, but it was a powerful moment to see Y-H showing the kind of courage that he did.