Affect Wrestling/New Japan Professional Wrestling
Multiverse United 2 – For Whom The Bell Tolls
August 20, 2023
2300 Area
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Watch: FITE
Affect Wrestling and New Japan Professional Wrestling are operating their second co-promotional present of the yr, Multiverse United 2, this coming Sunday (August twentieth) on the 2300 Area in Philadelphia.
Though there aren’t any main ‘dream’ matches on the present, it’s an honest, quirky-looking card that needs to be fairly entertaining at a naked minimal.
Countdown to Multiverse United 2
Joe Hendry, Yuya Uemura & Heath vs. Rocky Romero, Ryusuke Taguchi & Grasp Wato
This received’t be the one time I say this in my preview of a match on this card however what a wierd assortment of men.
Joe Hendry and Yuya Uemura have been growing a rapport on Affect tv in latest weeks and appear positioned for a possible tag crew title match in some unspecified time in the future earlier than the marvel boy Uemura heads again to Japan.
With Uemura’s tour seemingly drawing to an in depth, it will make sense for him to get a win over some New Japan names right here, significantly as the opposite crew is solely comprised of juniors. Prediction: Joe Hendry, Yuya Uemura & Heath
Countdown to Multiverse United 2
Affect Wrestling Digital Media Championship
Kenny King (C) (w/Sheldon Jean) vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru
I might completely find it irresistible if Scott D’Amore pulled the set off and put the Digitial Media title on the ageless Yoshinobu Kanemaru. He received’t, and he in all probability shouldn’t on condition that my primary man Johnny Swinger is difficult for the belt the next week in Toronto, however a person can dream.
I kind of assumed these two had confronted off on some kind of International Wars or Honor Rising present earlier than given King’s work in Ring of Honor however that is, as I’m positive Tom Hannifan will level out, a first-time ever match-up.
Kanemaru is all the time enjoyable, significantly in an undercard spot like this, and I can see these two having an honest little match that in all probability has to finish with King profitable due to an help from Sheldon Jean on the skin. Prediction: Kenny King
BUSHI vs. Chris Sabin vs. El Desperado vs. Frankie Kazarian vs. Kevin Knight vs. MAO vs. Wealthy Swann v Yoh
What’s higher than a six-man scramble, I hear you ask? An eight-man scramble!
After I noticed DDT wrestler MAO on the graphic for this match I used to be shocked but in addition fairly intrigued as he’s undoubtedly one in all their finest property and somebody I’d wish to see get a number of extra alternatives over in America.
I’ve no actual really feel for who wins this one. New Japan might be going to stack up a number of wins on the again half of the cardboard so it may very well be that Chris Sabin, Frankie Kazarian or Wealthy Swann comes out on high right here. Alternatively, you can go together with El Desperado, and even somebody like a Kevin Knight as he’s been an Affect common this yr. Whoever they decide, everyone knows large Bushi would be the one wanting up on the lights. Prediction: El Desperado, in all probability
Catch 2/2 (TJP & Francesco Akira) vs. TMDK (Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita)
I’m engaged on the premise that TJP, as a former two-time X-Division Champion, and Robbie Eagles, who wrestled on Affect’s tour of Australia in June, are the Affect representatives on this match.
That apart, I’m excited for this. I contemplate TJP to be one of many best possible wrestlers on this planet due to his smoothness and moment-to-moment brilliance and I believe that alongside Francesco Akira as Catch 2/2, he’s fashioned a tag crew that should be given critical consideration once we get round to awards season.
Fujita has come on massively in latest months and I believe he’ll impress once more however he’s undoubtedly the one consuming the pin forward of his tour to Australia. Prediction: Catch 2/2
TMDK (Zack Sabre Jnr & Shane Haste) vs. Moose & Eddie Edwards
Shane Haste made a few spectacular Affect appearances earlier this yr however quite excitingly that is the primary time that Zack Sabre Jnr shall be stepping in an Affect ring.
Though they may have the TMDK pairing lose, probably organising a NJPW World TV title defence for Sabre on the following weekend’s Emergence present in Canada, this match appears prime for New Japan to select up a win.
Eddie Edwards continues to be feuding with Frankie Kazarian, with a cinematic match seemingly imminent, and Moose already has a reserving for Emergence, so this one possible ends with Sabre tapping Edwards. Prediction: TMDK
DOUKI vs. Sami Callihan
Once more, I say to you: what a wierd match. I suppose they thought it labored as a result of they each carry a bat to the ring, or possibly DOUKI was the one individual Rocky may spare for Callihan to beat.
I’ll admit that I, like most different individuals, was not remotely impressed when DOUKI made his first appearances in New Japan all these years in the past as a late substitute in Better of the Tremendous Juniors. He has, nonetheless, discovered his toes over time and earlier this yr was concerned in top-of-the-line tag crew matches anyplace in 2023 when he and Yoshinobu Kanemaru challenged Catch 2/2 for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Titles.
Though all of us should see DOUKI submit Callihan with the Dokey-Chokey, Ohio’s ‘Demise Machine’ is probably going taking house the win as a longtime heavyweight. Prediction: Sami Callihan
Lio Rush & Trey Miguel vs. Hiromu Takahashi & Mike Bailey
Assuming that Lio Rush’s latest elbow damage isn’t as dangerous because it initially appeared, that is, doubtless, the very best match on paper of your complete present.
All 4 guys are terrific and all of them work at an incredible tempo, and there’s established chemistry between each Bailey and Miguel, and Takahashi and Rush. The exchanges needs to be sensible and you’d anticipate this to only be go-go-go from bell to bell.
It’s additionally thrilling as a result of the reserving is intriguing. Rush is the present X-Division Champion and Miguel is difficult for the Affect tag titles the subsequent week, in order that they’re prone to be protected. Takahashi is the present IWGP Junior Heavyweight champion although and is within the midst of a stellar, defining reign. Mike Bailey, in the meantime, beat Takahashi on night time one in all this yr’s Better of the Tremendous Juniors and is presumably due a title match in some unspecified time in the future, with Emergence the next week seeming like probably the most pure touchdown spot.
You might get to Takahashi v Bailey II with both outcome right here however let’s be trustworthy, the Time Bomb isn’t shedding. Prediction: Hiromu Takahashi & Mike Bailey
Bullet Membership (Ace Austin, Alex Coughlin, Chris Bey, Clark Connors, David Finlay & Kenta) vs. The World (El Phantasmo, Josh Alexander, PCO, The DKC, Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa)
The World crew on this match actually ought to simply be ‘Group Initials.’ Effectively, everyone within the crew may work with that apart from Josh Alexander, who’s wrestling for the primary time in 5 months after a tricep tear.
A few booked matches for NJPW’s Destruction tour level in direction of the important thing interactions on this one, notably El Phantasmo with Alex Coughlin and Tama Tonga with David Finlay.
Though there’s the possibility they may do one thing funky, The DKC is correct there, so he appears prime for David Finlay to hit with Into Oblivion and pin. Prediction: The Bullet Membership
NJPW Robust Girls’s Championship
Giulia (C) vs. Deonna Purrazzo vs. Gisele Shaw vs. Momo Kohgo
Let the lengthy custom of Affect Wrestling four-way girls’s matches proceed.
Whereas it was amusing that the primary Joshi wrestler Affect used on one in all these co-promotional exhibits was from TJPW and never Stardom, it’s thrilling to have Giulia on this present as a result of she is one of many best possible feminine wrestlers on this planet and unsurprisingly featured very extremely within the latest VOW 30 Below 30 sequence.
Though I’d desire her simply to face Deonna Purrazzo in a one-on-one match as I really feel these two have the potential to do one thing particular, I additionally get that Purrazzo couldn’t take a clear loss right here heading into her title rematch with Trinity the next week. As such Gisele Shaw and Momo Kohgo have been added to pad the match in and out Kohgo’s case supply a clear pin eater. Prediction: Giulia
Affect Wrestling World Championship
Alex Shelley (C) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi
Though Hiroshi Tanahashi is unquestionably on a bodily downswing, therefore his extra frequent stateside journeys and elevated quantity of losses, he’s nonetheless received the instruments to navigate his strategy to an honest match.
Key to attaining a kind of first rate matches is a dance companion that may work round his limitations and in Alex Shelley I believe you have got an nearly excellent match. Shelley is a consummate professional and his extra grappling-focused fashion places much less of a bodily pressure on Tanahashi’s physique and permits the match to completely construct to Tana having a sizzling comeback earlier than getting minimize off.
Shelley stated within the promo video for this match that Tanahashi is one in all his idols and inspirations and that he’ll wish to proceed what’s been a superb yr for him, and a very good Affect title run to this point, with one other good match. Prediction: Alex Shelley
