8 Ups & 6 Downs From NJPW King Of Pro-Wrestling 2019

4. Everybody Dies (But Especially Juice Robinson)

Lance archer
NJPW

Decked out in Terminator shades, a Davey Crockett hat, and feathery new ring attire, Juice Robinson's demeanour ahead of the Lance Archer match didn't exactly scream "No Disqualification." He clearly wasn't counting on Archer demanding the situation holdover from the Jon Moxley bout, so when Lance announced "tonight your *ss dies in a No DQ," the former IWGP United States Champion could have been knocked for a loop.

If he was, it didn't show in his early work. Robinson scored a two-count from the bell and dived through the ropes, planting Archer into the ground with Big E's suicide spear. He took control early on, wearing the monster down, but Archer fought back. A crushing big boot on the outside swung the pendulum. Minutes later, Juice was put through the timekeepers' table, smashed with chairs, and bloodied, the plasma pooling on the bridge of his nose. Dude was in trouble, and the worked dislocated finger wasn't helping him either.

Though not as heated as one might expect from the situation, an enjoyable plunder brawl playing on the size dynamic played out well. Juice showed bucketloads of fight, because that's what he does, though the last-minute booking change gave New Japan a great chance to finally strap Lance with a belt. He ended up putting Robinson away after applying the EBD Claw on a pile of chairs after the Blackout had failed.

A good match rather than a great one, Archer vs. Robinson was a suitably chaotic execution of the hardcore stipulation regardless.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.