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We see the wrestlers as they arrive in Tokyo before the New Japan show. We see the Tokyo Dome before the building is set up. Christian talks about how this is the biggest show for TNA.
Kurt talks about being a part of the show and what it means for TNA. Angle says that he will not lose to Nagata and it will be a really good match. Angle says that the fans are skeptical and they expect a great match. Angle says that you are not doing yourself any favors if you do not have a good match.
We talk about Tomko and how he wrestles often in Japan and is a tag team champion. Tomko says that he is looking forward to showing the guys some of the culture. Tomko says that the Japanese fans are different and used to a strong-style of wrestling.
Brother Ray talks about how it is special to wrestle in the Tokyo Dome because they never did it in All Japan or in the WWE.
Scott Steiner talks about the fans and how they appreciate their work.
Brother Ray says that the fans have wanted to see the TNA wrestlers. Ray says that wrestling in Japan is different than in the United States because there is not as much entertainment.
Christian talks about how the fans are familiar with the product and now the Japanese fans can experience what they see on Impact in person.
Scott Steiner says that it is a big deal to be in Japan and see how they work with New Japan.
Brother Ray says that TNA will take a giant step in Japan and overseas. We go to commercial.
We are back and it is now the day before the show. We see Tomko traveling in Tokyo to go to the gym. We see Tomko work out and he talks about how he can show how much he has grown as a wrestler.
We see Kurt Angle at a photo shoot as he walks with his two title belts.
We see a press conference with all of the wrestlers from TNA. Brother Ray talks about how this is the first time wrestling for New Japan. Devon says that they are going to make history in their match. Christian talks about how it is great to be back in Japan and to bring TNA to Japan. Angle talks about the test of wrestling Yuji Nagata and how he will make Nagata tap out. We go to commercial.
We are back and Kurt Angle is talking about how he is going to enjoy making Nagata tap out. He says that this will be one of the greatest days of his life.
We see the wrestlers arrive at the arena. We see the wrestlers get ready for their matches.
We see footage from the tag match involving A.J. Styles, Petey Williams, and Christian Cage. We see the press conference after the match.
We next see footage from Abyss’s match and what a surprise that there were thumbtacks involved.
It is time to see Team 3D get ready for their match. Devon talks about how he is honored to wrestle in Japan. He talks about how the fans respect what they do. We hear the comments from Brother Ray and he talks about how they have never lost a match in Japan.
We see Tomko talk about the match against the Steiners. We see Tomko talk about how it was great to defeat the Steiners. We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to talk about the Nagata/Angle match. Angle says that someone will tap out and it will not be him. Angle says that Nagata will get his ass kicked but both wrestlers will come out better. Nagata comments about Angle and says that he respects Angle but he does not feel that he is the true champion because he did not beat Japan’s best.
Match Number One: Kurt Angle versus Yuji Nagata for the iWGP Title
Angle goes after Nagata as the bell rings and he kicks Nagata in the corner and chokes Nagata. Nagata pushes Angle and he punches Angle and connects with forearms. Angle with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Nagata responds with an overhead belly-to-belly of his own but he misses a kick when Angle moves out of the way and goes to the floor. Angle returns to the ring and Nagata with a waist lock and arm bar. Angle with a reversal into a side head lock take down. Nagata with a head scissors but Angle escapes. Nagata with a side head lock take down and then they return to their feet. Nagata misses a kick and Nagata with a drop toe hold and he applies a crossface on Angle. Angle goes to the floor. Angle returns to the ring and Nagata with a waist lock and a series of reversals. Nagata with an arm bar but Angle with a forearm but Nagata with kicks to Angle’s leg and midsection. Angle with a belly-to-belly suplex and he gets a two count. Angle with a European uppercut but Nagata with a back elbow. Nagata with a reverse chin lock on Angle. Angle works on the upper legs of Nagata and Nagata rolls to the floor. Angle goes outside the ring and he kicks Nagata in the leg and rolls Nagata back into the leg. Angle works on the hamstring with kicks. Angle with a step over toe hold but Nagata is able to get Angle out of the hold. Angle with a figure four leg lock and Nagata tries to reverse the hold but Angle is able to roll back and maintain control. Nagata is able to reverse the figure four but it is for a short period of time as Angle is able to turn over. Nagata gets to the ropes and Angle releases the hold. Angle with elbows to the knee. Nagata with kicks to the back and then Nagata with a seated arm bar and we go to commercial.
We are back and Angle with a series of German suplexes. We see footage of what happened during the commercial. Angle tries for the Olympic slam but Nagata blocks it and hits the Exploder suplex. Nagata with a front face lock and suplex. Nagata holds on and hits a second suplex. Nagata tries for a third but Angle counters. Nagata with a crossface. Angle counters into the ankle lock as he escapes the hold. Nagata returns to the crossface on Angle. Angle counters one more time into the ankle lock. Nagata with the crossface but on the other side of Angle. Angle rolls through and gets to his feet and he hits the Olympic slam for a two count. The straps are down and Angle goes up top for the moonsault and he misses it when Nagata rolls out of the way. Nagata with a running knee to Angle’s head. Nagata puts Angle on the top turnbuckle and hits an overhead belly-to-belly suplex from the turnbuckles and he gets a two count. Nagata returns to the crossface on Angle. Nagata with a rollup for a two count. Nagata tries for a Saito suplex, but Angle gets out of the hold. Nagata with forearms while Angle responds with European uppercuts. Angle and Nagata exchange forearms and uppercuts. Nagata with a knee and boot but Angle bounces off the ropes with a clothesline. Nagata with a Saito suplex for a two count. Nagata tries for a kick but Angle blocks it and applies the ankle lock. Angle grapevines the leg and gets Nagata to tap out.
Winner: Kurt Angle
After the match, Angle and Nagata shake hands and hug after the match.
We go to footage from the post-match press conference. He says that Nagata was better than he expected in this match.
We go to credits.
Global Impact Thoughts
As someone who has a history of not being the most boisterous fans at a wrestling show, I had a lot of trouble listening to all of the comments from the wrestlers talking about they appreciate the Japanese fans because of the way they react. Maybe if fans in some buildings were able to sit back and enjoy the show instead of being forced to react a certain way or pop to a wrestler’s music, things would be different here.
I also did not like the way that the wrestlers talked about the different style in Japan. There is a style like that in the United States and it is called Ring of Honor.
If you have a chance, check out the Japanese feed of the Nagata/Angle match.
I thought the match was very good.
Feel free to send feedback to richard@pwinsider.com
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