The Thrillers are a British tag team, comprising of Joel Redman and Mark Haskins, they face off against Hirioshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima, the team known as TenKoji. Out of these four, the only person I've seen on any kind of regular basis is Mark Haskins, but since I clearly have internet access I'm familiar with both members of TenKoji from Japan. However, this is my first viewing of Joel Redman. He calls himself a “physical specimen” and with his physique, it's hard to argue. Abs don't stop you getting a kicking from NJPW stars though. Andy Boy Simmonz (a wrestler-turned-commentator, I'm unaware if he still competes) and Olliver Bennet are on commentary tonight. As TenKoji makes their entrance Simmonz mentions their loss at Uprising last night, the British team of Sha Samuels and James Castle beat them, Bennet says they were robbed. Hirioshi Tenzan is wearing a mask as a part of the entrance.
THE THRILLERS VS. TENKOJI
RPW/NJPW Global Wars (3rd October 2015)
(C) RevPro
Hirioshi Tenzan starts the match with Mark Haskins, Tenzan goes for Haskins' arm as the duelling chants start. Haskins makes the ropes as Bennet mentions that Joel Redman is the only one in this match that didn't compete at Uprising, Simmonz mentions he could have been competing somewhere else, never passing up an opportunity to wrestle. A knuckle lock is broken by Haskins, he takes Tenzan down with a headlock. Tenzan is able to roll Haskins over but only gets a 1 count. Haskins works the hold back to a vertical base so Tenzan sends him across the ring. Tenzan is knocked back a few steps when they collide with shoulder tackles even though he seems the bulkier by quite a bit. The commentators are bickering during the feeling out before finally talking about TenKoji both as a tag team and individually. Haskins runs into Hiroshi Tenzan again with neither man moving. Hiroshi Tenzan stands his ground as Haskins picks up speed across the ring running into Tenzan a third time. A third time's the charm, but for Tenzan, not Haskins. Mark Haskins is knocked back with a headbutt, floating over Tenzan from the corner and hitting a calf kick.
Both teams get the tag, with Satoshi Kojima getting a cheer from the fans, he shakes hands with Redman before they lock up, they chain wrestle on their feet before Kojima takes Redman down with a headlock, Redman gets a headscissors on the mat but Kojima kicks out and they get to their feet. They shake hands again as Andy Simmonz barks at Bennet for talking about TenKoji's accomplishments, which he asked for before the chain wrestling. They shake hands again as the fans applaud before Kojima sends Redman across the ring to escape a headlock. Redman runs into Kojima for a stalemate, Kojima tries his luck with the same but again they just run into each other, so Redman does the pec-dance (I swear they always used to do that in interviews... I need to learn it too, it looks fun.) Kojima seems impressed by it too, they both get a run-up for shoulder blocks and end up on the mat. They shake hands but Kojima doesn't release as Redman tries to turn away, Redman breaks it himself to tag out to Haskins but Kojima jumps him from behind and knocks Haskins off the apron.
Joel Redman gets knocked out to the floor where Hirioshi Tenzan takes advantage, leaning him against the guardrail and chopping away at his chest, Mark Haskins has the referee's attention much to the hindrance of his partner. Haskins gets in the ring but Kojima sends him packing without much hassle. Redman is thrown back in the ring, his kick is blocked and Kojima knocks him into the corner for a forearm. Tenzan tags in to stop Redman tagging out to Haskins then gets him in a headlock. Tenzan knocks Redman down with a headbutt, TenKoji uses the language barrier to ignore the 5-count sending Redman across the ring then knock him down with a double shoulder block, Haskins drops to the floor to avoid Tenzan, who covers but Redman kicks out at 1. Hirioshi Tenzan brings Redman back to his feet, biting at the forehead of “The Physical Specimen” then tags out to Kojima. Satoshi Kojima teases Redman, keeping him just out of Haskins' reach before stomping Redman on the ground. TenKoji gets another quick tag, Tenzan chokes Redman in the corner with Kojima bringing an assist from the outside.
The fans boo the Japanese team for the first time tonight, is this a double turn? Joel Redman rolls to the floor but goes straight back in before Kojima can do too much damage. Tenzan snapmares Redman over into a chinlock. Joel Redman fires back with forearms but Tenzan rakes the eyes. Tenzan throws Redman over the top rope, but he skins the cat to come back inside, Hirioshi Tenzan was too busy congratulating himself to notice, turning around into a superkick. Mark Haskins gets the hot tag but an irish whip is reversed. Haskins knocks Tenzan down with a jumping forearm. Mark Haskins kicks at Tenzan's leg and midsection before a Muay Thai knee to the face, a kick to Tenzan's chest echoes around the hall as he falls. Hirioshi Tenzan gets to his feet in the corner, Haskins hits him with a back elbow. This time Mark Haskins goes to the corner, making his way to the middle rope to knock Tenzan down with a missile dropkick for a nearfall. The fans start getting behind their countrymen as Haskins kicks at Tenzan's chest.
Hirioshi Tenzan soaks in the kicks with little effect, then grabs Haskins' leg, headbutting his chest. Hirioshi Tenzan hits some overhand chops, which the fans make whooshing noises for, it must have given the chops extra power as they knock Haskins down to the mat. Mark Haskins lands on his feet from a suplex attempt, Hirioshi Tenzan elbows free from a waistlock and runs to the ropes, Haskins follows with a knee to the face, busting open Tenzan's lip. Mark Haskins gets a run-up but Tenzan rolls through with a kick of his own then tags out to Kojima. Satoshi Kojima beats down on Haskins before setting up a running lariat. Mark Haskins blocks it with a kick and brings Kojima down into a bridging armbar! Mark Haskins wrenches at Kojima's arm, but Kojima is able to roll himself over as Joel Redman is tagged back in. Satoshi reverses an irish whip, but Haskins grabs the ropes. Joel Redman sneaks in behind Kojima, who's just become aware of the tag. Mark Haskins knocks Tenzan off the apron and knocks Tenzan into the guardrail with a tope through the ropes. In the ring, Redman hits a fisherman neckbreaker for a close nearfall.
Joel Redman climbs to the top rope but misses Kojima, forcing himself to land hard on the mat and roll through. Kojima chops the shit out of Redman's chest and sends him across to the other corner. Kojima charges at Redman with a forearm sandwiching him in the corner. Joel Redman isn't taking it laying down, running back at Kojima with a knee to the face. Mark Haskins gets in the ring and Redman helps his partner across the ring. Kojima sends Haskins over the top rope and he lands on the apron, Satoshi Kojima doesn't have time to react to Redman's dropkick. Mark Haskins springs back into the ring with his own dropkick in the corner. Joel Redman lifts Kojima, carrying him across the ring Joel Redman holds Kojima in position for Haskins to hit a double stomp off the top rope. Joel Redman covers but Hirioshi Tenzan drags the referee to the floor, saving his partner. Mark Haskins vaults over the top rope but Tenzan grabs the leg, bringing him down onto the apron.
Hirioshi Tenzan enters the ring as Kojima slides out the back of a powerslam attempt. Joel Redman is sent across the ring into a 3-D, Kojima removes his elbow pad and covers, 1, 2, Haskins is in there to break it up. Hirioshi Tenzan sends him packing as Redman is groggy on his feet, Satoshi Kojima winds up the LARIATO!! Covering Joel Redman for the win.
WINNERS: (TENKOJI)
TenKoji is definitely a team I'm going to be looking out for more, I don't think this match showed their best but they didn't seem to be phoning it in either. Mark Haskins has changed his working style since I last saw him, evolving as an athlete and Joel Redman proved he was more than just a physique. An impressive exhibition match from all 4 men with a hot crowd to add to the match. Work Rate 2.75/5 Personal Enjoyment 3/5 OVERALL: 5.75/10
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