8 Live Observations From ROH/NJPW Global Wars PPV

Ishii is the TV Champ, and the dude looks like a bull. Bald head, mean looking, can’t understand what he’s saying…that kind of guy. Bobby Fish is a different dude altogether (and more athletic), but these guys chose a different route. They wanted to work a stiff, methodical match, and that’s what happened.

It’s a change of pace, and I get it. They didn’t want to flood the card with ridiculous pacing, and that’s fine. This was a stiff match from the start, as both guys hit each other very, very hard. Sometimes, looking on from the crowd, it was difficult to tell which shots really landed and which ones were better absorbed.

Multiple chest slaps, multiple head butts, multiple fists and knees and boots to the face. This was a tough, old-school street fight of a bout. But it was also somewhat lethargic.

I liked the fact that they threw in a different style for this one, but compared to the rest of the card, this one wasn’t my favorite. Maybe it was yours, and that’s okay.

Anyway, Bobby Fish got the win and the title—it’s always fun to see a title change hands, especially in an event like this. Both guys really beat the hell out of each other, and deserve our respect for that. I just felt the match was a tad on the long side for such a slow counter-balance to the rest of the card.

(3 ½ stars out of 5)