Several months ago, NJPW announced a partnership with several promotions worldwide including ROH, wXw, CMLL GFW and Revolution Pro. This partnership would entail major NJPW stars wrestling for these smaller promotions across the world. On Friday the 2nd October, NJPW invaded York Hall, London in a spectacular show that exceeded high expectations and more to provide one of the best shows of 2015.

The Revolutionists vs Tencozy

Non Title Match

The Revolutionists, composed of James Castle and the east end butcher Sha Samuels, issued an open challenge to get the night started as they crashed the show. Their open challenge was answered by the legendary Japanese team of Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima, who made their way to the ring to a warm ovation.

The Revolutionists gained the upper hand in the initial stages due to a series of cheap shots to Tencozy before the audience began to berate Samuels with an ooh aah, fat Cantona chant. After letting the crowd distract him, Samuels was on the wrong end of a series of devastating chops delivered by Kojima before James Castle drove a knee to the back to shift the momentum.

The Revolutionists, with frequent tags, worked over Kojima: the east end butcher used his braces to strangle Kojima while the ref wasn’t looking. A you look stupid chant distracted James Castle allowing Kojima to take advantage with a ddt before making the tag to Tenzan. Following a series of windmill chops, Tenzan landed a brain buster before Tencozy delivered a 3d for a near fall. At this stage, Sha Samuels distracted the ref as James Castle delivered the low blow followed by a shot to the head with the title belt to secure the victory much to the ire of the crowd.

This wasn’t a bad start to proceedings. Sha Samuels is fantastic and, despite being a local, managed to generate a lot of heat towards him. Sure, the ending was a little funky but it protected both teams while giving The Revolutionists a big win.

El Specifico’s Star Rating: **1/2

ACH vs Martin Kirby

Originally scheduled to be Kris Travis, Martin Kirby did a fine job of replacing his former Project Ego partner in a performance that ranks amongst his very best. ACH, possibly the happiest man in the world, emerged to a warm welcome from the York Hall crowd.

ACH extended his hand and offered sportsmanship much to delight of the fans. After Kirby obliged, both men exchanged a series of reversals before Kirby gained the advantage with a hurricanrana. ACH responded with a cartwheel into a dropkick that sent Kirby to the outside followed by a second kick that sounded more like a gunshot.

Back in the ring, ACH proceeded to deliver a series of viscous chops: so vicious, in fact, Kirby sought refuge under ACH’s t shirt before rolling to the outside. ACH pursued Kirby, taking the aerial root, landed a corkscrew dive to the outside as the crowd went wild. Kirby switched the momentum back in the ring with several strikes before landin some offence which culminated in a fisherman suplex followed by a back stabber.

ACH regained the advantage with a springboard ace crusher before Kirby and ACH exchanged roll ups: ACH emerged on top, delivering a superkick followed by a brainbuster. An attempted 450 was dodged by Kirby, who landed the fameasser to pick up a victory in an entertaining match.

Martin Kirby and ACH delivered a really fun match here. Despite the sadness surrounding Kirby’s inclusion in the match, Kirby delivered here. I would argue this was Kirby’s best match for a long time and, to be honest, he pleasantly surprised me here.

El Specifico’s Star Rating: ***1/4

Shinsuke Nakamura vs Damo

Shinsuke Nakamura received an ovation that could be heard on the other side of London as he emerged from the curtain. Chants of Nakamura echoed around York Hall as the King of Strong Style ventured to the ring. His opponent, an integral part of the British wrestling revival, Damo, received a good reaction, although incomparable to Nakamura’s.

As the Nakamura chants died down, the bell rang and the match got under way. Damo, initially confused by Nakamura’s antics, delivered several clubbing blows before connecting with a lariat to send the IWGP Intercontinental Champion to the outside. Nakamura landed several knees as Damo pursued him before rolling the big man back in the ring: Nakamura, signature style, delivered stomps in the corner before Damo blocked, grounding Nakamura with a vertical suplex.

Damo, after standing on Nakamura’s chest, connected with the Belfast drop before heading to the second rope to deliver a splash for a near fall. Damo proceeded to mock Nakamura before missing the Van Damo Nator: Nakamura took advantage with a knee from the second rope. Damo caught an attempted Bome Ya before delivering a rolling senton for yet another near fall. Both men traded fierce blows on their knees before returning to their feet as Damo emerged on top to deliver a michinoku driver for a controversial two count: the referee may or may not have counted three, but the match continued. Damo looked to drive home the advantage with an inverted ddt followed before a, this time, successful Van Damo Nator as Nakamura rolled outside costing Damo valuable time

Nakamura kicked out upon being rolled back in the ring. Nakamura emerged on top of a striking battle followed by a Bome Ya only for Damo to kick out at one! Nakamura landed a saito suplex before connecting with a second Bome Ya to emerge victorious in an incredible match.

We all know how good Nakamura is but this was equally about Damo. In my opinion, this was an astounding match and quite possibly Damo’s best performance of his career. He emerged from the contest a star, as chants of Damo followed him back behind the curtain.

El Specifico’s Match Rating: ****1/2

Kazuchika Okada/Gedo vs Hiroshi Tanahashi/ Jushin Thunder Liger

A this is awesome chant broke out as all four men met in the ring. The crowd didn’t know who to cheer for so instead, they cheered for everyone. This was a true privilege to witness the past, present and future of NJPW in the ring at the same time.

Gedo and Liger got the match under way: Gedo offered a handshake to Liger, who although apprehensive at first, extended his hand only to receive a poke to the eye. The fans chanted for Okada and that is what they received. Next, chants of Tanahashi echoed around the hall and Liger duly made the tag.

Duelling chants of Tanahashi/Okada reverberated around the hall as Tanahashi ducked under the Rainmaker before Okada blocked a dragon suplex attempt. After a high paced exchange, Tanahashi tagged Liger who received a knee to the back by Gedo as Tanahashi and Okada brawled ringside. Okada and Gedo proceeded to work Liger with frequent tags as well as knocking Tanahashi off the apron every time Liger nearly made the tag to get the heat on them.

Eventually, Liger made the tag as Tanahashi delivered offence to both Gedo and Okada before Okada got the better of the exchange with a ddt followed by an elbow drop before striking the rainmaker pose. An attempted tombstone was reversed by Tanahashi into a dragon screw leg whip forcing Gedo to tag in. A cross body by Liger grounded Okada on the outside. Tanahashi took advantage with a swingblade followed by the High Fly Flow to secure the win at an early stop on the way to Wrestle Kingdom 10.

I think it would be fair to say the spectacle and atmosphere outweighed the quality of the wrestling in the match. Don’t get me wrong, it was incredible to see these men wrestle and the atmosphere was incomparable.

El Specifico’s Match Rating: ***1/2

Kushida vs Kyle O Reilly

In a hotly anticipated rematch of the Best of Super Juniors Finals, Kyle O Reilly met Kushida in the very definition of an international dream match.

After some impressive chain wrestling to begin, Kushida locked in the hoverboard kimura before O Reilly desperately scrambled to the ropes. O Reilly was followed by Kushida to the outside as O Reilly gained the advantage before applying an abdominal stretch whilst driving his knuckles into the ribs whilst in the ring. Kushida attempted to reverse with a sunset flip but O Reilly had it scouted and locked in the arm bar before Kushida reached the ropes.

O Reilly continued work on the arm with several kicks before a cartwheel into a dropkick shifted the momentum. It was then Kushida’s turn to work the arm as the former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion reversed O Reilly’s sunset flip into the hoverboard lock. After reaching the ropes, O Reilly and Kushida traded blows before a huge right hand delivered by Kushida warranted a holy shit chant such was the connection. O Reilly managed to apply a guillotine choke which was reversed into the hoverboard lock again before O Reilly broke free and caught a rebound handspring into an arm bar of his own as a this is awesome chant broke out.

A battle on the top rope ensued before an attempted moonsault by Kushida was blocked: Kushida continued to work on the arm before connecting with a pele before O Reilly connected with a rebound lariat as both men crumbled down. O Reilly, after a brainbuster, applied a triangle choke hold before Kushida escaped only to have his chest stomped by O Reilly before applying the triangle sleeper once more to force Kushida submit.

After the match, the ref tried to raise O Reilly’s arm Kushida had been working the whole match but O Reilly pushed him away and offered his other arm, which was a nice touch.

Wow. This was incredible, what a coup for RevPro to have this match. As expected, this was excellent. O Reilly and Kushida tore the house down and this is a must see for any fans of either of these two men. 2016 will be a huge year for both of these men, particularly Kyle O Reilly who will surely feature even more prominently on ROH.

El Specifico’s Match Rating: ****1/2

Tetsuya Naito vs Mark Haskins

Lethargically, adorned in a black tuxedo and mask, Naito took a good few minutes to traverse a ramp no longer than a few metres. After attacking the cameraman, Naito stalled some more before finally entering the ring.

Naito, the ungovernable, slowly undressed before taking advantage of Haskins’ turned back by delivering a cheap shot. Haskins hit back with several shots before applying the sharpshooter before Naito reached the ropes and rolled outside only for Haskins to connect with a tope suicida. Back in the ring, Haskins applied a fujiwara arm bar before Naito escaped with a thumb to eye then stomped Hasikins’ face.

After taking umbrage with the ref, Naito struck his signature pose before spitting on Haskins to the disgust of the crowd. Naito, after working on the arm, ran into a diving clothesline then received several kicks to the chest. Haskins applied the crossface before Naito reached the ropes to break the hold: Naito then landed in inverted ddt assisted by the ropes. Duelling chants accompanied both men as they proceeded to smash the fuck out of each other before Haskins once again applied the arm bar after dodging an enziguri. Haskins delivered the Made in Japan for a near fall before heading up top only to be pushed off. Naito delivered a ddt on the apron followed by Destino to pick up the victory.

Haskins was the perfect opponent for Naito here: Naito’s best matches often come against someone who is earnest, willing and full of energy to contrast his lack of. Naito is one of the best heels around; he played up to Londoners vs Tube Workers by wasting a hell of a lot of time, fought with the referee, delivered a post match beat down and spat at a child in the crowd, albeit probably unintentionally.

El Specifico’s Match Rating: ***3/4

Josh Bodom (C) vs Jimmy Havoc

British Cruiserweight Championship Title Match

For the past five months, Bodom and Havoc have tore each other apart all over the country. At Uprising, Havoc would be granted the opportunity to regain the British Cruiserweight Championship in a match he specialises in: a no DQ match. The fans sang Havoc’s entrance music in contrast to Bodom, who was greeted by vociferous boos.

The fans, firmly behind Havoc, chanted fuck him up Jimmy as a brawl ensued which Havoc emerged the better from before delivering a double foot stomp from the top rope followed by another one to the outside. Havoc found a frying pan and a couple of chairs before tossing them into the ring before the brawl continued around the ring. Havoc borrowed a woman’s crutch to deliver a series of shots to the back before trading the crutch for a baking tray.

The fight continued through the crowd and into the bar which I couldn’t really see from where I was- Bodom emerged in control of the match before putting Havoc through a tv screen in the ring! Bodom then tossed Havoc from the top rope into a pile of chairs. Havoc would get his revenge moments later as he superplexed Bodom through two chairs before finding a staple gun. Bodom regained his senses before blocking Havoc’s attempt to staple him before using it himself, proceeding to staple Havoc right in the balls!

Havoc shifted the momentum once again by tossing the chair at Bodom. Havoc located his favourite weapon, the thumb tacks, under the ring before pouring them out putting some on the floor and some in Bodom’s mouth before delivering a slap to the face. Bodom, after recovering, fled to the outside, up the ramp and behind the curtain with the championship closely pursued by Havoc. Bodom re-emerged with fellow Revolutionists’ members James Castle and Sha Samuels, who delivered the beat down on Havoc before Samuels connected with the spinebuster on the tacks allowing Bodom to retain the British Cruiserweight Championship after he scored the pin.

Undeniably, this was Josh Bodom’s arrival. Sure, he has had successes in his fledgling career but not nearly to this extent. This was an incredibly well put together match that had the fans on the edge of their seats and often on top of their seats at times. Havoc, as ever, was superb and deserved every minute of applause he received as he left the ring.

El Specifico’s Match Rating: ****

AJ Styles (C) vs Marty Scurrl vs Will Ospreay

British Heavyweight Championship Title Match

Over 2015, AJ Styles and Will Ospreay have built serious cases to lay claim to the title of wrestler of the year in 2015. Marty Scurll, too, has enjoyed the best year of his career and, with Will Ospreay alike, made his US debut at this year’s BOLA. This match had all the makings of a potential classic and it delivered.

Each competitor received a huge ovation from the audience as they made their way to the ring. As all three stood face to face for the first time, chants of Ospreay far outweighed any rival chants. As the bell rang, The Villain, Marty Scurll, exited the ring to let Ospreay and AJ partake in an exciting opening exchange which culminated in a head scissor take down that sent AJ to the outside. Scurll took advantage of Ospreay’s turned back to drive him to the outside: Scurll connected with a tope suicida followed by a powerbomb into the post on Ospreay.

Back in the ring, Scurll ensured AJ couldn’t enter by stomping him every time he tried to. AJ eventually returned to send Scurll to the outside with a dropkick. AJ caught an attempted head scissors by Will Ospreay and reversed into the Styles Clash but couldn’t connect as Scurll locked on the chicken wing submission. After AJ reached the ropes and went to the outside, Scurll attempted to lock the chicken wing on Ospreay but he too managed to reach the ropes before any damage was done before AJ landed a double inverted ddt as a this is awesome chant broke out.

AJ lifted Scurll up top before Scurll reversed and pulled apart the former IWGP Intercontinental Champion’s fingers before Ospreay landed a dropkick to send both to the outside: Ospreay then delivered a tope con hilo to AJ followed by a through the ropes ddt over at the opposite side of the ring to Scurll before rolling AJ back in the ring to connect with a standing corkscrew shooting star press for a near fall. Scurll sent Ospreay to the outside before locking the chicken wing on AJ as the fans urged AJ to tap before AJ reversed with an ace crusher- Ospreay, perched on the top rope,attempted a cross body AJ caught him to deliver a powerbomb followed by the Styles Clash to retain the British Heavyweight Championship.

All three of these have incredible chemistry together and my outline really doesn’t do this match justice. Each and every one in this match bought something different to the table; whether it was Ospreay’s aerial ability, AJ’s ring mastery or Scurll’s villainy: all equally contributed to an incredible match that blew the fans away. In my book, and I don’t know if it was just because I was there, but this was as good as the Rollins/Lesnar/Cena triple threat this year, if not better.

At Uprising, Marty Scurll and Will Ospreay unequivocally proved that they are not only the future of British wrestling but wrestling period. Neither looked out of place against AJ, whom many consider to be one of, if not the, best in the world.

El Specifico’s Match Rating: ****1/2

Final Word: What an incredible show! Buy this now! Damo vs Nakamura, Kushida vs O Reilly, Naito vs Haskins, Tanahashi/Liger vs Okada/Gedo and Ospreay vs AJ vs Scurll are not only can’t miss but also must see. From the first bell to the last, the fans were into everything and that translated into a phenomenal atmosphere match by some phenomenal wrestling.