NJPW AXS TV Results
Mitchell’s NJPW AXS TV Report: G1 Climax 28, parts 5 AND 6!
AXS gives us a double dose of NJPW as we get days 6 and 13 of the G1 Climax! It’s Omega VS Tama Tonga, Ishii VS Goto, Tanahashi VS EVIL and Okada VS Suzuki!
Gifs can be found on http://frentique.tumblr.com/
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- B Block: Sanada VS Zack Sabre Jr; Sanada wins.
- B Block: Kenny Omega VS Tama Tonga; Omega wins, by disqualification.
- B Block: Tomohiro Ishii VS Hirooki Goto; Ishii wins.
- A Block: Yoshi-Hashi VS Jay White; White wins.
- A Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS EVIL; Tanahashi wins.
- A Block: Kazuchika Okada VS Minoru Suzuki; Okada wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW and AXS set the scene for B Block!
The Bullet Club Civil War looked to have ended at G1 Special in San Francisco, as Kenny Omega defeated Cody to successfully defend his newly won IWGP Heavyweight Championship. However, the Civil War took a new turn with the rise of the Firing Squad! The Bullet Club OG, Tama Tonga, led his brother and father in a heinous raid of the celebrating new generation. But after tensions have mounted to a boiling point throughout the rest of the round robin, it is finally time for Tama and Omega to face off. Will this only escalate the Civil War to a whole new level?
Meanwhile, Chaos members are made to face off as the Fierce Warrior and Stone Pitbull will see who is the sturdier Strong Style savant. Only one can move up the ladder tonight, who will break down first?
NJPW and AXS quickly review the rest of B Block’s Day 6!
Kota Ibushi took on Toru Yano, and in a shocking upset, Yano won! Of course, Yano made sure to tie Ibushi’s hands together, get his signature low blow and then the roll up, but a win is a win. Tetsuya Naito and IWGP US Heavyweight Champion, Juice Robinson, used all of their charisma against each other, and in the end it was the leader of Los Ingobernables de Japon that got the win. Juice continues to be without a single point, so it seems his chances of making this year’s G1 Finals are also zero. Then there is LIJ’s Sanada and Suzuki-Gun’s Zack Sabre Jr, which we jump into right now!
Sanada VS Zack Sabre Jr!
The Cold Skull and Submission Master met in the New Japan Cup, and the one hold Sanada has wasn’t enough against ZSJ’s unlimited arsenal. Can Sanada make up for that loss in this rematch here? Or will he again #JustTapOut?
ZSJ and Sanada circle and feel things out. They tie up, ZSJ gets a full nelson and quickly shifts to a snapmare, but Sanada lands on his feet! ZSJ is a bit surprised by that, but the fans love the agility. The two circle again, and ZSJ gets around to another full nelson. Sanada breaks then gets his own full nelson. ZSJ breaks to get his, but Sanada breaks and gets another. ZSJ breaks out but just as he goes for his, Sanada is already behind him for the full nelson! Fans applaud as it repeats, ZSJ breaks free only for Sanada to get back around. ZSJ grows frustrated already, but he ducks down, only for Sanada to bring him back up in the full nelson.
They try again, Sanada wheelbarrows ZSJ into the full nelson. ZSJ gets out but just ends up back in it again. He stubbornly keeps trying but Sanada keeps pace. ZSJ arm-drags but Sanada drags ZSJ into headscissors. ZSJ pops out and has a foot, and he twists! He bends the shin and twists the ankle, then stands up. Sanada rolls over but ZSJ turns that into his deathlock Bow ‘n’ Arrow, but Sanada pops out to a cover. ONE, and fans applaud this stand-off. Both men back away to adjust and circle again. They tie up, and ZSJ puts Sanada in a corner. The break is tense, but then ZSJ European Uppercuts! He whips Sanada corner to corner but Sanada reverses.
ZSJ stops himself, slides under Sanada, then counters Sanada’s kick into a rolling takedown, then sunset cradle. Sanada rolls out to jackknife then sunset, but ZSJ gives it back. Sanada rolls out to high stack, ONE as ZSJ headscissors, but Sanada pops out. The two stand again and fans are loving this. Taka Michinoku coaches ZSJ while the fans rally behind Sanada. ZSJ and Sanada circle again, approach, and tie up. ZSJ gets the wristlock and bends the arms back. He keylocks, then half straitjackets. Sanada ends up in the full straitjacket, but he powers to his feet. ZSJ pulls back, but Sanada turns the jacket onto him. Sanada pulls back but ZSJ rolls through to reverse it back. Deja vu as Sanada reverses it back again.
ZSJ goes to get up but Sanada puts his weight on him. They still stand, and ZSJ even bridges back to reverse the jacket onto Sanada, but Sanada still reverses it back! Fans applaud but ZSJ is annoyed. Sanada keeps on him, but ZSJ gets back up. ZSJ works to put it on Sanada but Sanada puts it right back on ZSJ. ZSJ wiggles the hold down and puts it on Sanada again, but Sanada copies to put it right back on! Sanada’s ability to keep up with ZSJ is baffling the Submission Master. ZSJ tries the wiggle again, breaks free, gives a EuroUpper, but Sanada gives a EuroUpper in return! They both back off again, and Taka Michinoku coaches ZSJ up.
Sanada and ZSJ circle again, tie up, and ZSJ gives another EuroUpper. They circle again then tie up. They go to their knees in the collar and elbow, ZSJ gives a EuroUpper but Sanada gives it back. ZSJ gives another, but so does Sanada. Sanada’s hit harder, but then ZSJ fires off many. Sanada goes to backslide but ZSJ turns it around. They pull against each other and Sanada turns it back around, but ZSJ uses that to roll off his back into a double wristlock! ZSJ hops on for the floating wristlock!
Sanada endures, even as ZSJ turns it to a straight arm. Sanada uses that to pop out for Skull End! But ZSJ pops out to the Octopus Hold! Then he shifts for a sunset flip, but Sanada sits on it! ONE and ZSJ completes the sunset, TWO as Sanada comes back up! TWO as ZSJ almost gets caught there, but he Penalty Kicks Sanada down. Fans fire up while ZSJ catches his breath. ZSJ walks around Sanada, then brings him up for a facelock. He scoops but Sanada slips out, for Skull End! ZSJ goes up and over, trips Sanada up, body scissors into the European Clutch! TWO!! That was close, but no cigar. Sanada rolls up ZSJ, to Skull End! ZSJ again rolls out to go for EuroClutch, but Sanada pops out to copy it!! SANADA WINS!!
Winner: Sanada by pinfall; Sanada earns 2 points, ZSJ earns 0
The Cold Skull shocks the Submission Master using his own move against him! Whether or not this is an upset, Sanada winning this way upsets Taka as he gets in the ref’s face about the count. ZSJ himself is furious that he let Sanada outsmart him, even for just a second. He takes a page from the book of his mentor, Minoru Suzuki, and takes it all out on the Young Lions at ringside. Does ZSJ still have time to make up the points? Or has Sanada just played spoiler for the Submission Master?
Kenny Omega VS Tama Tonga!
The Bullet Club has been through many a revolution since its creation under Prince Devitt. After the Prince came the Phenomenal One, but then even AJ Styles would be overthrown by The Cleaner. In all that time, Tama seemed satisfied with staying close yet never sitting on the throne. But now, sensing weakness, Tama has decided to strike down the Best Bout Machine and his allies down! Will the Firing Squad’s coup d’état have its coup de grace? Or can Kenny keep control of the Club?
Naturally, the Tongan trio doesn’t roll alone, as Tonga Loa & Bad Luck Fale join Tama ringside. Omega goes it alone, so he’ll have to keep his head on a swivel with the numbers in Tama’s advantage. However, as introductions are being made, Tonga Loa pounces on Omega from behind! The Firing Squad stomps away on Omega as fans boo and jeer. Tama takes the belt and holds it up like it’s already his. Red Shoes tries to restore order but Tama throws the belt down to then kick it out of the ring. Tama whips Omega corner to corner for a corner clothesline, then Loa follows up with a splash and Fale with a clothesline.
Fans continue to boo but Omega is still all alone. Tama feeds Omega to Fale, but then Hangman Page and Chase Owens appear! They and the Guerrillas of Destiny brawl on the outside, and Omega escapes Bad Luck Fall. Omega hits back with a running V-Trigger, then Chase & Hangman clothesline Fale out! Fans fire up as this match still happens!
Omega kneels as the Terminator Drums begin. Hangman and Chase brawl with Fale and Loa, but Omega builds speed to FLY! He leaps onto the heap and almost doesn’t make it. Omega holds his ribs while he gives Loa one more clubbing forearm. But then Tama SPEARS Omega in the ring! Tama fireman’s carry to a flapjack! He circles Omega, “Did you think I was gonna make things easy?” He drives elbows into Omega, then says Omega isn’t special at all. Tama whips Omega and runs him over with a back elbow. Chase and Hangman head to the backstage area, but what of Loa and Fale?
Tama shouts at Omega that the Bullet Club could’ve been something more if they were all together. But Omega is the reason for the rift, so this is all on him. Tama drags Omega up and suplexes him. Cover, ONE, and Omega hits back. Tama hits Omega with elbows and haymakers, then stalks him around the ring. Tama fires body shots in the corner, but Omega hits back. They go back and forth, but Tama headbutts Omega to a corner. “Is this your hero?!” Tama will remind everyone who he is. But then Omega comes back with forearms. Tama hits back, then whips, but Omega holds ropes. Omega boots Tama, then runs for a body shot, then comes back around for a low dropkick.
Omega runs again, but Tama dodges the bulldog to run around and dropkick Omega down! Tama watches Omega flounder to a corner, then runs in for a big splash. Omega dodges, and comes back with chops. Tama swings but misses, Omega kicks and whips. Tama reverses but Omega dodges to hit a running DDT! Cover, TWO! Omega has control of the match while we go to break.
NJPW on AXS returns as Omega drags Tama up. Omega fireman’s carry, “You Can’t Escape!” Rolling senton and the moonsault both hit! But Tama is up quick, and goes for Gun Stun! Omega denies the cutter to give his V-Trigger! Omega drags Tama up in the underhook, but Tama denies the driver. Tama lifts and quickly Alabama Slams! Cover, TWO! Tama and Omega slowly stand, but Omega again denies a Gun Stun, and goes for a back slide. Tama rolls out and blocks Omega’s V-Trigger! He fireman’s carry but Omega slips out to a waistlock. Tama breaks free and runs but into a V-Trigger! Omega grits his teeth while Tama rests on the apron.
Fans rally up as Omega joins Tama, and wants a full nelson. Tama uses the ropes then breaks out. Tama runs but back into the full nelson. He grabs Red Shoes to both save himself, and give Loa the opening! Loa hits Omega in the leg with a chair! Fans boo but Loa keeps going as he brings Omega off the apron in powerbomb position. But Omega huricanranas Loa away! Omega goes after Tama, gets powerbomb position, for an apron bomb! Tama slumps down to the ground, but Omega drags him back up. They go back in, and Omega prepares the cross-leg fisherman. Aoi Shoudou! Fans fire up with Omega while Tama writhes. Omega takes aim and BANG! He runs, but Loa trips him up! Loa holds Omega in place, but then Omega escapes to send Tama into Loa!
Omega rolls Tama up, TWO, and Omega is pushed into Loa’s chair toss! Tama rolls Omega, TWO!! Omega survives the screw job, but Tama wants that chair for himself. Loa sets it there, then goes somewhere else to distract Red Shoes. Tama positions the chair and goes for Gun Stun, but Omega slams him onto the chair! Omega drags Tama up onto Electric Chair, but Tama slips out. Tama tries again but is still denied Gun Stun with a shove. Omega goes to huricanrana, but Tama counters that by preparing a Styles Clash! He wants to do it on the chair, but Red Shoes kicks the chair away! Tama lets Omega go to get in Red Shoes’ face. Fans boo, but then are surprised to see Red Shoes push back! GUN STUN for Red Shoes!! Fans boo even louder now, but GoD go after Omega together, GUN STUN!
Winner: Kenny Omega, by disqualification; Omega earns 2 points, Tama earns 0
Fale returns, too, and he stomps away on Omega. The Firing Squad keep Young Lions out while putting a chair around Omega’s head. Tama prepares to drive Omega down, but in comes Kota Ibushi, as well as Hangman and Chase! They run the Tongans off, but Tama vows “I’ll end all of you!” Clearly this Bullet Club Civil War has only grown more intense, where and how will it end?
Backstage interview with Omega.
“Nothing much has changed since last year, has it?” Tama said the G1 doesn’t mean anything, and he hasn’t changed his opinion since. Tama doesn’t care about the finals, he only cares about making a statement. Omega is upset that Tama used his friends and a DQ win to mess up his match star rating average. “That, my friend, is unforgivable.” When and where will Omega get his revenge on Tama?
Tomohiro Ishii VS Hirooki Goto!
Both men are of Chaos, but that doesn’t mean they won’t compete against each other. Will the “Righteous Rascal” or the perennial NEVER Openweight Champion come out on top with two points?
The bell rings and fans duel for these battle-tested wrestlers. They tie up and Goto gets a headlock. Ishii pries his way out but Goto puts it back on. Ishii powers out and they collide. Neither man falls, and Goto dares Ishii to go again. Ishii does, and they collide again. They go again and collide, and collide, and collide! Ishii hits Goto, Goto hits Ishii, again and again and again! Fans applaud these two human tanks testing each other, just as Ishii starts firing off forearms! Goto gives some back, and they go back and forth. Ishii wants Goto to really hit him, and the brawl just intensifies with every shot. Forearm after forearm after forearm and neither man backs off.
Fans applaud just as Ishii gains an edge. Ishii runs and hits Goto. Goto comes back to hit Ishii on the rebound. Ishii does the same but it’s Goto who runs Ishii over! Fans applaud again as Goto catches his breath. Goto stomps Ishii, then drags him back up for elbows. Goto drags Ishii up and puts him in a corner for stomps. He whips Ishii corner to corner but Ishii reverses. Ishii catches Goto on the return for a powerslam! Both men are down but Ishii is up first .Goto slowly follows but Ishii in on him. Ishii chops Goto, then chops him again. Goto reels back but Ishii keeps on him, chopping him down. Ishii kicks Goto while he’s down, then backs off just a moment to adjust.
Ishii brings Goto up and gives him a headbutt. Goto chops but Ishii doesn’t flinch. Goto chops and chops but Ishii just eggs him on. Ishii gives back one and Goto falls. Ishii toys with Goto a little, and stands on his chest. He keeps toying with Goto, then taunts him, “What’s wrong, Champ?!” Goto fires off palm strikes but Ishii just chops him. They run, dodge, but Goto fireman’s carry. Ishii slips out and shoves, but misses in the corner. Goto hits a solid corner clothesline, then whips Ishii corner to corner. Muramasa the rolling heel kick, to saido suplex! Cover, TWO! Goto has control while we go to break.
NJPW on AXS returns and Goto drags Ishii up. Goto wants to lift but Ishii resists. They struggle against each other, but Isshi gets free. Goto kicks Ishii hard in the chest and Ishii falls. The referee checks on Ishii but he’s okay. Goto gives another kick and Ishii falls again. Goto taunts Ishii back, then kicks him again. Ishii smacks his head on the mat to fire himself up. Goto gives another kick, but now Ishii feeds off it. Another kick and another kick, but Ishii grows stronger, and rocks Goto with a right! Goto and Ishii both gasp for air, but Ishii drags Goto to a corner. Ishii chops and forearms, chops and forearms, repeat. He whips corner to corner but Goto reverses, only for Ishii to run out and run Goto over! Ishii drags Goto back up, but Goto resists the back suplex.
Goto elbows his way free, then runs, but Ishii follows. Things speed up, and they collide! Goto staggers over into Ishii’s German Suplex! But Goto’s right back up to kick Ishii right back down! Goto fires up and drags Ishii into the sleeper hold. Ishii reaches but starts to fade. He still has life as fans rally up again. Ishii throws Goto off! Goto clotheslines Ishii but Ishii stays standing. Goto runs, but the clothesline only knocks Ishii backwards. Ishii rebounds and collides with Goto! Goto runs, but again his clothesline only staggers Ishii. Ishii teeters in a corner, but comes back with a clothesline. Goto still stands, and comes back for yet another.
Ishii wobbles, but still hits back! Goto runs to hit again, but Ishii returns it. Goto drops to a knee, Ishii runs, but into a clothesline! Ishii’s right back up and clotheslines Goto down! Goto gets back up and they both clothesline! Neither man falls, so they go again! The collision is still so solid, and they go again! Both men fall to the mat and fans fire up for the intensity! The referee checks on each of them, and somehow Ishii and Goto are still okay to continue. Goto sits up but Ishii follows. They each force themselves to stand. Goto is on Ishii first, with the sleeper hold! Ishii hits back with overhead backhands, faster and faster! He’s free, but Goto SLAPS him! Now Ishii’s mad.
Ishii fires forearms from both ends! He even counters a headbutt to give a headbutt, then a corner clothesline! Fans are thunderous as Goto slumps down. Ishii drags Goto up to the top rope, then climbs up to join him. Ishii wants a superplex, and hits it! Cover, TWO!! That wasn’t enough, but Ishii has more. He sits Goto up, runs, but into the sleeper! Ishii goes to counter but Goto counters, only for Ishii to reverse, only to end up in the fireman’s carry and Ushigoroshi! Goto doesn’t cover, he drags Ishii up. They brawl again, and Goto clobbers Ishii off his feet! Goto drags Ishii up again, Reverse GTR! Goto stands Ishii again, but Ishii slips out of the suplex! Into a dragon sleeper! Goto reverses it but Ishii reverses back but Goto pops out. Ishii kicks but Goto spins, into a saido suplex!
Both men are down again and fans fire back up. Fans duel while the referee checks on both men. Both men stir, neither man giving up just yet. They go to opposite ends before standing. They run at each other, for another clothesline collision! Goto counters a clothesline but Ishii counters back, then Goto blocks the enziguri! Goto runs, but into another clothesline! High stack cover, TWO!! How is either man still going!? Ishii fires himself up and he drags Goto up. He suplexes, but Goto fights out. Goto and Ishii fight for control, and Goto gets Ishii up for Shouten Kai! Cover, TWO!! Ishii and Goto are exhausted, but this match must continue.
Fans are thunderous as Goto drags himself away. Goto stands but staggers while Ishii stirs. Goto prepares to finish this, and hits the buzzsaw! He’s not done yet, as he drags Ishii up in the dragon sleeper. Ishii pops out but Goto headbutts, only for Ishii to give one. They headbutt again, then Ishii enziguris Goto down! Ishii comes back around, runs, and hits the sliding lariat! Cover, TWO!? Goto is dazed but he still lives! Ishii drags Goto up again, for the brainbuster! Cover, Ishii wins!!
Winner: Tomohiro Ishii, by pinfall; Ishii earns 2 points, Goto earns 0
Ishii wins in a match that was the epitome of Strong Style! He gains some ground, and perhaps even a shot at the NEVER Openweight Championship. Will Ishii be able to get himself to the Finals? If he doesn’t, will he want another match with Goto for that title?
NJPW and AXS set the scene for A Block!
There are do-or-die stakes on the line for three men at this point in the tournament! The Ace has the lead with 10 points, but the King of Darkness lurks just behind with 8. Hiroshi Tanahashi lost to EVIL way back in the 2017 New Japan Cup’s opening round. Will Darkness Fall to keep Evil’s hopes alive? Or will the Once in a Century Talent blaze a trail to the finals through him?
Meanwhile, The Rainmaker and the Man with the Worst Personality both have 8 points. They both lost back-to-back, but have rallied back since. These two renew their own rivalry from their two different time-limit draws. Two points never felt so important! Will Okada reclaim his former glory? Or will Suzuki use this to bring him his first ever G1 Climax championship?
NJPW and AXS quickly review the rest of A Block’s Day 13!
Bad Luck Fale and Michael Elgin went heavy hit after heavy hit, but the Firing Squad is always near. Even so, the Unbreakable took care of Tonga Loa and slammed Fale! Tama added the last shot, and though Elgin gets the win, there’s no telling if he’ll be able to continue competing. Meanwhile, Hangman Page and Togi Makabe battled just as hard as the young Problem Solver took it to the veteran Uncaged Gorilla. Hangman hit his Rite of Passage to gain himself points as well as some major respect. Lastly are Yoshi Hashi and Jay White for another Chaos VS Chaos showdown, which we jump into!
Yoshi-Hashi VS Jay White!
The Head-Hunter runs at the Switchblade in the corner for a chop. Hashi suplexes White and hangs him up on the ropes, for a dropkick! He hurries up top and aims at White, for a flying blockbuster! Cover, TWO! Hashi grows frustrated, but he keeps going. He drags White up and prepares a bomb but White slips out. Hashi forearms and chops, then whips. White reverses only to get more forearms, but then he catches Hashi into a Complete Shot and deadlift German Suplex! Hashi is down but White drags him back up. White suplexes and twists for the brainbuster! Cover, TWO! But White isn’t bothered, he prepares his blade. He drags Hashi up, but Hashi rolls him! TWO!!
Hashi kicks but is blocked. White gives a set of strikes, then runs, but into the lariat! Hashi lifts, powerbomb to jackknife! TWO!! Hashi hurries back up, but White grabs the referee. Then he trips Hashi up! Fans boo but White doesn’t care. White drags Hashi out, for Blade Runner! But Hashi counters to a pumphandle! White fights his way out, then baits Hashi into Red Shoes! Low blow! Fans boo louder, but White gets away with an underhanded move again. White brings Red Shoes over, drags Hashi up, but Hashi still counters with a kick, then SUPERKICK!
Hashi fires up and brings White in. White fights out, but misses his clothesline to get a backstabber! Hashi wants to end it now, as he fisherman lifts, to the Bunker Buster! Cover, TWO!! White survives, which shocks Hashi. But Hashi fires up with the fans as he grabs White for the pumphandle. Lift but White fights out, Blade Runner!! Cover, White wins!
Winner: Jay White, by pinfall; White earns 2 points, Hashi earns 0
The Switchblade gets another win that’s tainted by his tactics. But he just knows he won and continues on to stay near the top of the block. Will White keep going all the way to the finals? Or will he be passed up by the other top stars in his bracket?
Hiroshi Tanahashi VS EVIL!
The Ace of Air-Guitars and the King of Darkness go around one more time, and again for big stakes. Evil’s fate is in his own hands, can he win and join the conversation for the G1 Climax Finals? Or will Tanahashi push past to keep his hopes of another G1 Climax Finals appearance alive?
The bell rings and we begin with fans already chanting strongly for Tanahashi. Evil doesn’t mind, he and Tanahashi circle. Evil kicks low then puts on a headlock. Tanahashi fights back and powers out. Evil runs Tanahashi over, then speeds things up. Tanahashi hip drops Evil down, then plays the air guitar. Tanahashi gets a headlock takeover, but Evil works against it. Evil sits up but Tanahashi grinds the headlock. Evil pulls hair to get out, then whips Tanahashi. Tanahashi holds ropes then dumps Evil onto the apron. Tanahashi swings on Evil but gets caught into a hotshot! Evil grabs that repaired arm and slams it on the mat. He looms over Tanahashi and does it again.
Evil drags Tanahashi up to wrench the arm, then puts it in a hammerlock. He shoves Tanahashi into buckles, then goes back after the arm with another wrench. Tanahashi breaks free, but gets run over and squashed under the back senton. Cover, TWO! Evil pulls back on the arm, then goes for the other. Tanahashi resists so Evil hooks his nose. Evil lets up at 4 to get both arms. He digs a knee into Tanahashi’s shoulders, then pulls back harder on the arms. Tanahashi endures and powers his way up. Tanahashi feeds off the fan rally and works to reverse the hold, but Evil just pulls back harder. The fans keep rallying and Tanahashi tries again, but Evil brings him back down. Tanahashi tries one more time, and turns Evil around, only for Evil to turn it back around. Tanahashi dropkicks Evil away and he’s free!
Both men catch their breath then slowly stand up. Evil kicks first, then whips. Tanahashi hits back with a flying forearm! He drops a big elbow then a flipping senton! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi drags Evil up and throws forearms. He backs Evil into a corner, then scoops him for the slam. Tanahashi hops up top, but Evil rolls away. Evil blocks the boot to club Tanahashi all the way out! The Ace is down while we go to break.
NJPW on AXS returns as Evil fetches Tanahashi. Evil whips Tanahashi into the railings, btu Tanahashi fires up, only to run into a clothesline. Fans rally up while Evil leaves Tanahashi to the count. The 20 count reaches 10 before Tanahashi stirs. Tanahashi rises up at 13, but falls back down! He hurries up again and into the ring at 17. Evil is ready, and he runs in at Tanahashi for a Bronco Buster! Cover, TWO! Evil drags Tanahashi back up, fireman’s carry, but Tanahashi fights out. Tanahashi goes to kick but Evil catches it to hand it to Red Shoes. Evil goes to kick but Tanahashi blocks that, and Tanahashi tells Red Shoes to let go. Red Shoes does, and then Tanahashi lets go of Evil, to give Evil a slapping palm strike!
Tanahashi runs but Evil pursues for a clothesline! Cover, TWO! Evil keeps his cool as he staggers back up. He drags Tanahashi up, fisherman suplex! Cover, TWO! Evil sits Tanahashi up to slash the throat. But Tanahashi snapmares to a small package, TWO! Tanahashi swings but misses. Evil mule kicks, but Tanahashi denies the STO to hit the spinning neckbreaker! Fans fire up as Tanahashi stands. Tanahashi runs and hits a Slingblade! Cover, TWO, but Tanahashi keeps going. He gets to a corner, but Evil shoves Red Shoes his way. Tanahashi saves Red Shoes from the collision, then he sees Evil coming. He hits back, then dragon screws the leg inside the ropes! Evil staggers away as Tanahashi climbs up. Crossbody!
But Tanahashi won’t end it there, he goes back up, for the High Fly Flow! But he flops as Evil escapes! Evil stands and drags Tanahashi around, rolling up into the fireman’s carry, Darkness Falls! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi shocks Evil, but Evil still has more. He takes off his elbow pad, runs, and clobbers with a clothesline! Cover, TWO!! That was even closer! Evil calls for the end and drags Tanahashi back up. STO denied, but Evil breaks free of the full nelson. Evil whips and reels Tanahashi in, but Tanahashi steals the STO! Tanahashi gets to the top rope as fans are thunderous. High Fly Flow!! Cover, Tanahashi wins!!
Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall; Tanahashi earns 2 points, Evil earns 0
The Ace continues to rise up from his early loss! Evil is out of the running now, but it’s still on Tanahashi to keep himself going. Can Tanahashi go all the way while there is still much more to come?
Kazuchika Okada VS Minoru Suzuki!
The Rainmaker seeks redemption after his rocky start to the round robin, as does the Meanest Man in the World. They both sit at 8 points, but things can change with a single win. Who will move up into true second place now that Evil is out of the way?
But as Okada has his fun letting the balloons fly, Suzuki pounces! Suzuki throws Okada out of the ring as the bell rings, but the beating continues on the outside. Suzuki whips Okada into railings, then follows up the ramp. He takes a chair, and hits Okada with it! Suzuki rips the railings apart to then throw it down on Okada. He takes another chair and SMACKS the railings into Okada. Another chair, another SMACK! Suzuki brings the railings off Okada to thrust the chair into Okada’s throat. Red Shoes reprimands Suzuki, but Suzuki gets in his face now. Red Shoes has to defend himself, so he gets a chair for a shield. Suzuki isn’t in any mood for fun and games, he and Desperado flank Red Shoes. But Okada comes back with a kick and forearms!
Suzuki hits back, and bounces Okada off the wood bleachers. Young Lions help fans get clear as Suzuki keeps on Okada. Suzuki clears out other fans, and goes bowling for chairs with Okada’s body! Suzuki doesn’t let up, as he takes another chair and jams it into Okada’s stomach, and SMACKS him across the back! Red Shoes tries to restore order while fans rally up for Okada. Suzuki leaves Okada for dead as he storms his way back to the ring. Suzuki searches around under the ring, and brings out some more chairs. Okada drags himself up and a count begins. The count reaches 7 while Suzuki waits with a chair. Okada arrives at about 13, only to get that chair! Suzuki SMACKS Okada again and returns to the ring at 17. Okada hears the count and gets in at 19.5!!
Suzuki is furious but he takes it out on Okada with forearms on the apron. He gives Okada a draping armbar! Red Shoes counts and Suzuki lets go at 4, to then boot Okada down! Okada hits railing and slumps back down, but Suzuki dares him to get back in. Suzuki grins, but fans rally up as a new count begins. The count passes 10 but Okada only now gets up. Suzuki grins as Okada gets in at 19, because he just gets to hurt Okada more. He grinds his shoe on Okada’s head, then his face. Suzuki stomps Okada and that wakes Okada up. Suzuki takes Okada’s shirt and uses it to choke him! Red Shoes can’t get a good look, so Suzuki gets away with it. Suzuki kicks Okada, but Okada stands up. Suzuki gives Okada forearms, but Okada grits his teeth.
Okada gives a forearm, Suzuki gives a forearm, and back again. Suzuki knees low then whips Okada to the corner. Okada boots him away, then blocks a kick into his own kick, neckbreaker! Okada stands and fires more forearms. Suzuki reverses the whip but gets Okada’s back elbow. Okada runs for a back elbow in the corner, then kicks for a DDT! Cover, ONE, but Okada keeps his cool. Suzuki stands but Okada lifts him up. Suzuki resists with a wristlock takedown, to armbar! Okada flails as Suzuki pulls on the arm. They get around, but Suzuki gets a leg. Okada uses the other leg for the ropebreak! Suzuki lets Okada go and backs off to a corner while we go to break.
NJPW on AXS returns as Okada gets himself to a corner. Suzuki runs in for a big boot! He snapmares and Penalty Kicks Okada down, then sits him up for the Fujiwara armbar! Suzuki pulls back and then gets Rings of Saturn! Okada endures the double armbar as Suzuki puts as much weight as he can on the hold. Fans rally but Suzuki lets go of one arm to do just the Fujiwara again. Okada gets another ropebreak, so Suzuki lets go. Suzuki talks trash while toying with Okada. Okada gets up and fires a forearm. That bad arm hurts as he does it, but he keeps trying. Suzuki gives Okada a shot and Okada staggers back. Suzuki keeps on Okada in the corner, elbow after elbow. Red Shoes reprimands Suzuki again, but Okada comes out with a shotgun dropkick!
Okada eggs Suzuki on now, wanting Suzuki to hit him! Suzuki grins, but lets Okada go first. Okada hits with the bad arm, but Suzuki’s arm is just fine as he hits Okada again. Okada goes again, and so does Suzuki. Suzuki hits, Okada hits. Okada hits, Suzuki dares him to hit harder. Okada tries, but it doesn’t really work. Suzuki hits Okada and then mocks the Rainmaker pose! Okada fires off more forearms, then pushes Suzuki around. Suzuki grins as he gives Okada one big forearm! Okada staggers about, but clears his head to hit back. Suzuki hits again, and they go back and forth again. Okada staggers but still comes back. Suzuki rocks Okada again but Okada always comes back. Now Suzuki starts to laugh! He’s enjoying this brutal back and forth with the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion.
They don’t slow down, and Suzuki SLAPS Okada! Fans fire up as Okada starts to fade. Suzuki brings Okada back up, but his piledriver is countered to a back drop and sit-down cover! TWO, and Suzuki kicks. Suzuki runs, but into the dropkick! Okada grits his teeth as he brings Suzuki up. Suzuki elbows out, then fires off fast shots! Okada can’t cover up, so he just gives EuroUppers! Suzuki slaps him again, so Okada slaps back! Okada runs, but into Suzuki’s dropkick! Both men are down but the fans are fired up. Suzuki sits up first, then brings Okada up. He fires off more shots but Okada goes to gut wrench. Suzuki headbutts out, then rocks Okada with a knee. Okada still tries but Suzuki fights him off with another knee. Suzuki has a facelock, squeezing the air out of Okada’s head.
Fans duel, Okada lifts Suzuki but Suzuki slips out to a sleeper hold! Okada sits down but he reaches for ropes. Suzuki drags him away, and Okada begins to fade. Suzuki shifts but Okada wants Rainmaker, only for Suzuki to SLAP him! Okada stays standing, so Suzuki slaps him again. Suzuki puts Okada in an Octopus Hold! Okada endures as Suzuki also digs his elbow into Okada’s hips. Okada pops out of the hold, gut wrench to TOMBSTONE! But Okada is too tired to cover!
Both men are down but stirring. They stand, and Okada goes for the wristlock. Suzuki fights out, but then Okada puts a sleeper on him! Okada shifts to steal the Gotch! Suzuki resists, and gut wrenches Okada! Suzuki wants to steal that driver, but then Okada turns and lifts Suzuki in the gut wrench, to make it a Gotch TOMBSTONE! Cover, TWO!! Okada is shocked but the fans are fired up. Suzuki resists the wristlock but gets a discus lariat. Then Okada swings Suzuki out, Rainmaker!! Okada covers, Okada wins!!
Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall; Okada earns 2 points, Suzuki earns 0
It was brutal to say the least, but in the end, the Rainmaker wins with the Rainmaker! Suzuki stumbles away in defeat without a word while Okada takes up the mic.
Okada pumps himself up, ready to speak, but the mic isn’t on! Well that’s embarrassing. He tries again, letting the fans chant as he pumps himself back up. “Win number five!” Okada is sweating, and not just from the Hakata heat. It’s also the warm welcome from the fans. Okada wonders, why are the fans fired up? Is it because he won? Is it because he’s so strong? Or is it that he’s good-looking, strong and won? Which is it? Fans seem to agree it’s C. He can see it on their smiling faces. The theme of summer is to smile. Even Suzuki was grinning during their match.
There are just two more G1 Climax matches left. If Okada doesn’t win, no one will have a reason to smile. He has to win so they can celebrate. That’s fine, just two more and the finals! Okada delcares it right now, he will definitely win it all! That’s all for now, so thank you… VERY MUCH! Okada is tired but he’s on a roll. Will he roll all the way to the finals like he promised?
Backstage interviews.
“Even for title matches, I don’t usually sit down for these,” Okada says. But he’s so tired from this grueling G1 Climax. He’s still winning, because he’s just that good. “It’s tough, but I’m having fun.” With Jaw White nipping at his heels and Tanahashi just up ahead, will Okada be able to take the A Block? Or will he at least be a spoiler for someone else?
My Thoughts:
Two great hours of NJPW in a row from AXS is always great for viewers. We skipped a lot going from Day 6 in B Block to then Day 13 in A Block, but AXS did well in getting the essentials. It was nice of them to also sneak in Sanada VS ZSJ because that was exciting and surprising. Sanada is probably one of the more improved wrestlers, and is a very balanced wrestler, too. He kept pace with ZSJ the entire time, then beats ZSJ with his own signature pinfall. I know from other sources that with the round robin format, there was some tension mounting between Sanada and Naito, but I’m sure they won’t go for a Civil War story like Bullet Club and even Chaos have done.
Speaking of, I thought Tama Tonga having his Firing Squad going after Omega to then bring out Hangman and Chase was going to negate their G1 Climax match for a tag match, but then I remembered that’s more a WWE Teddy Long thing. But anyway, Omega did great overcoming things for a time, but obviously Tama and crew just turn things into more anarchy. I’m looking forward to this part of the Bullet Club Civil War getting a great blow-off match. Ishii VS Goto was stiff as stiff could be, and that made it great. Ishii getting a NEVER Openweight title match would be amazing, and he might be the one guy who could keep that belt away from Goto for a considerable amount of time.
AXS also sneaks White VS Hashi in, that was just to fill for time really. White wins to keep pace with Tanahashi and Okada, and with his wins over them acting as tiebreakers should they all get 12 points, this will at least tease that the upstart young star having a chance of going over the veterans. Tanahashi gets the win over Evil because Evil is not yet at a G1 Climax Finals level. Plus, I was expecting Evil to go after Chris Jericho for the IWGP Intercontienntal Championship. Okada keeps his redemption story going with this great win over Suzuki, but with him facing Tanahashi soon, that’s definitely changing. Okada’s story wouldn’t be as compelling if it was all turned around with this one tournament. He needs to keep exploring who he is after losing the title again.
My Scores: Part 5 = 8.5/10; Part 6 = 8/10; Overall = 8.5/10
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NJPW AXS TV Results
Mitchell’s NJPW AXS TV Results: Power Struggle 2019 Part 2!
Even more gold is on the line!
The struggle for power and glory continues!
As the Super Junior Tag League wraps up, Will Ospreay defends his IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship! Will Black Mask Bushi strike gold?
Coverage of Power Struggle 2019 will be as broadcast by AXS TV
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kazuchika Okada & YOSHI-HASHI VS Kota Ibushi & Hiroshi Tanahashi; Ibushi & Tanahashi win.
- Super Junior Tag League Finals: Roppongi 3K VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru & El Desperado; Roppongi 3K wins the 2019 Super Jr. Tag League.
- NEVER Openweight Championship: KENTA VS Tomohiro Ishii; KENTA wins and retains the NEVER Openweight Championship.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Will Ospreay VS BUSHI; Ospreay wins and retains the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW and AXS TV set the scene for Power Struggle’s second act!
Titles and tournaments are all on the line! After ruining the run in the tournament for the Birds of Prey, the Jet Black Death Mask wants his shot at Will Ospreay’s title! The Aerial Assassin will let Bushi be his third defense, but hopes to fly high to close out 2019! At the same time, the Openweight Division brings the Stone Pitbull back within reach of the Fang Revived. Tomohiro Ishii wants to take a bite out of Kenta for both payback in that Bullet Club betrayal and in taking back the NEVER Openweight title for a sixth time! But first, the Super Jr. Tag League finals see an epic rematch of Suzuki-Gun’s Kanemaru and Desperado and Chaos’ Roppongi 3K! Who will prove themselves the best in their division as we continue on the homestretch to Wrestle Kingdom?
Kazuchika Okada & YOSHI-HASHI VS Kota Ibushi & Hiroshi Tanahashi!
Hold on! The Rainmaker and Golden Star aren’t going to just sit back and wait for Wrestle Kingdom 14’s epic IWGP Heavyweight Championship match! They each find a strong ally to join them in a tag team tune-up match! Will Okada and the Headhunter be trumped by Ibushi and The Ace?
NJPW on AXS jumps right in as Tanahashi has Hashi in the Cloverleaf! Tanahashi sits deep but Okada runs in to fight him off. Ibushi chases but runs into a gut wrench! Ibushi turns it around but Okada fights out. Tanahashi grabs Okada and helps Ibushi lift, but Okada slips out to double dropkick the down! Okada tells Yoshi-Hashi to finish this off! Hashi runs to AX BOMBER Tanahashi! Then he brings him up, fisherman scoop, KUMAGOROSHI! Cover, Okada anchors Ibushi, TWO!?! The Ace survives the Bear Cutter?! Hashi won’t stop now, he brings Tanahashi up, pump handle and half nelson, but gets TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The spinning neckbreaker takes Hashi down and Tana fires up, to run into a CHOP! Hashi SUPERKICKS, whips, but Tanahashi reverses to a SLINGBLADE!
Okada and Ibushi are still fighting outside as Tanahashi goes up top. Tanahashi aims, HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, Tanahashi and Ibushi win!
Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kota Ibushi, Tanahashi pinning
The champion and challenger were too busy with each other in the background, but the Once in a Century Talent gets it done! But with neither Ibushi or Okada in on the ending, who really has momentum going into their monumental main event?
But wait, the lights go down. And on the titantron, it’s someone beating up Tanahashi cosplayers. Who is this mysterious mugger? It’s CHRIS JERICHO!! The Painmaker gives Tanahashi a warning. “Wait and see what I do to you, January 5th in the Tokyo Dome!” Jericho VS Tanahashi, “It’s going to be a classic match.” And Tanahashi’s last! “Sayonara.” Y2J VS The Ace?! What an amazing match! Tanahashi grabs a mic to respond. “JERICHO! Good news! Next year, January 5th in the Tokyo Dome… I’m available.” And it’s official! Tanahashi is ready for that match, but will he be feeling the Judas Effect in the New Year?
Super Junior Tag League Finals: Roppongi 3K VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru & El Desperado!
Former Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions meet once again, and are once again ready to prove which duo is better. But even before getting in the ring, the Suzuki-Gun goons go right after Sho and Yoh from behind! Kanemaru and Desperado beat RPG3K down, and while Desperado beats Sho down, Kanemaru brings Yoh to ringside. Desperado gives Sho a back suplex on the ramp! Yoh is whipped into barriers, and both men writhe in pain. Kanemaru stomps Yoh down but the referee reprimands him and Desperado. Team Suzuki-Gun put Yoh in the ring while leaving Sho for dead. The bell rings and this match finally begins.
Kanemaru stomps Yoh then drags him into an open corner. He whips Yoh corner to corner but Yoh dodges! Yoh dropkicks Desperado but Kanemaru kicks low. Kanemaru whips but Yoh dodges and hits back with flying forearms! Fans fire up behind Yoh, and he blocks a kick from each man! Double dragon screws send Team Suzuki-Gun down! Desperado bails out so Yoh goes after Kanemaru. Sho is in view, crawling his way down the ramp, but Yoh throws hands on Kanemaru. Kanemaru boots back but Yoh dumps him out! Yoh PESCADO! Fans fire up with Yoh again as he stomps Kanemaru down more. Sho is getting closer as Yoh puts Kanemaru in the ring. Yoh drags Kanemaru up to throw forearms. Sho wills himself towards the ring as Yoh stomps away on Kanemaru. Yoh wrenches and whips corner to corner, then runs in, but Kanemaru puts Yoh on the apron.
Yoh forearms back but Desperado anchors a foot! Kanemaru boots Yoh down! Desperado brings Yoh up to whip into railing! Kanemaru keeps on Yoh while Desperado sees Sho. Kanemaru whips Yoh into railing, and with Yoh hanging over the edge, Kanemaru hops up to drop a guillotine leg drop! Yoh flops over and Desperado whips Sho hard into railing on the other end! Sho is writhing and screaming as the referee starts a ring count. Desperado mocks the RPG3K fans while hearing the ring count. Yoh hurries, he’s at ringside at 18, but in at 19.5! Kanemaru stomps and grinds Yoh down with his boot, but lets up at 3. He drags Yoh up to feed to Desperado’s boots. Desperado tags in now and “wonders” where Sho is right now. He drags Yoh up for a big scoop slam, but Sho finally makes it to the RPG3K corner. Desperado taunts Sho while grinding Yoh down.
Desperado sucker punches Sho! But Yoh fires back with haymakers! Desperado knees low and whips him into the Suzuki-Gun corner. Kanemaru tags in, scoop slams Yoh fast, then drags him up for a suplex! Cover, TWO! Yoh is barely hanging in as we go to break.
NJPW on AXS returns as Desperado tags back in. He drags Yoh up, but Yoh suplexes Desperado! Both men are down and fans are rallying up. Kanemaru runs in to boot Sho down! And then whip him into railings again! Yoh can’t do anything to save his friend, and then Kanemaru drags him down. Desperado stands on Yoh as Kanemaru dropkicks him! Desperado covers, TWO!! Fans cheer as RPG3K lives. Desperado drags Yoh up and tags Kanemaru. Team Suzuki-Gun mug Yoh then double whip. Yoh ducks, sends Desperado at Kanemaru, catches Kanemaru and kicks Desperado, DDT Complete Shot combo! Fans fire up and Sho is back on the apron! Sho and fans rally, Yoh crawls over, hot tag to Sho!
Sho fires off forearms on Kanemaru then whips. Kanemaru reverses but Sho reverses back to kick, kick and SUPERKICK! Sho hits Desperado down for good measure before going back to Kanemaru. Sho dead lifts Kanemaru in a waistlock! But Kanemaru elbows free! Kanemaru kicks and runs, but Sho runs him over! Sho grits his teeth to get through the back pain. He brings Kanemaru up to throw big forearms then whips, but Kanemaru reverses. Kanemaru grabs the ref to distract as Desperado gets a CHAIR SHOT in! Sho goes down hard and Kanemaru laughs as he tags Desperado back in. SPEAR takes Sho down! Desperado drags Sho up, Kanemaru dropkick-starts the side slam! Cover, TWO!! Sho survives but Desperado is right on the leg, STRETCH MUFFLER! Kanemaru whips Yoh into railing again as Sho suffers! Desperado keeps him from the ropes and just goes after that leg with ferocity!
But something is happening in the background! Someone goes crashing into more equipment, and as Sho goes for ropes, Kanemaru SPITS WHISKEY! The ref missed it! Yoh gets back in, but Kanemaru intercepts! Sho endures as Desperado also has an arm! Yoh powers up to barrel Kanemaru into them! Sho is freed but the damage is done. Desperado vows to end it as Yoh gets sent into more barriers. Desperado underhooks but Sho breaks out to use that super strength to back drop Desperado! Desperado comes back with stomps and a CHOP. He runs, but Yoh is back, RPG3K KNEES! Yoh drags Desperado up, suplex to Sho for the Canadian rack. Kanemaru trips Yoh and Desperado knocks Sho down! Desperado suplexes, Sho slips out and waistlocks! Desperado flails desperately, but Sho is just too strong!! German Suplex hits!!
Sho fires up and the fans do, too! Sho drags Desperado up again, powerbomb lift, pop-up BACKBREAKER! Sho crawls to the cover, but Kanemaru breaks it! Kanemaru stomps away on Sho then clubs him down. Kanemaru whips and corner clotheslines to then throw Sho down. Kanemaru hops up, Sho stands, but he gets clear! Yoh returns, Kanemaru turns around into 3K!! Fans are thunderous as Yoh fires back up. Desperado is alone as Yoh stomps it out. Fans rally and Desperado flounders over. But Desperado denies a 3K for him, kicking and throwing hands! He throws Sho into Yoh! But Sho blocks the clothesline, only for his clothesline to feed into an inverted half-nelson gutwrench! Spin-out Powerbomb!! Cover, TWO!?! Sho survives!? Desperado is furious! He drags Sho up again, underhooks, but Sho resists! Sho fights against Pinche Loco so Desperado knees low.
Sho fires back with forearm from all sides! But Desperado rakes eyes and ROCKS Sho with that right! Desperado runs, into Sho’s LARIAT! Sho powers up and Yoh returns. Sho drags Desperado up, tucks the arms under for double pump handles, but Desperado lands on his feet to headbutt back! But Yoh is back, 3K OUTTA NOWHERE! Cover, ROPPONGI 3K WINS!!
Winners: Roppongi 3K, Sho pinning; 2019 Super Jr Tag League Champions
That’s a THREE-PEAT! And they’re clearly emotional over this amazing and historic victory. They take the trophies, and with a win over the current Junior Heavyweight Tag Champions, they surely have a chance at the titles again! Will the New Year be golden for RPG3K? But speaking of the champions, El Phantasmo and Taiji Ishimori strike! Bullet Club won’t let Chaos celebrate! Fans boo as Bone Soldier drags Yoh up for ELP to SMASH with the belt! And then they do the same to Sho, with a punch to the balls! Ishimori Electric Chairs Sho and ELP says BANG, a FULL METAL DOOMSDAY! Wrestle Kingdom has their Junior Heavyweight Tag title match, but will Bullet Club put a stamp on their title reign?
NEVER Openweight Championship: KENTA VS Tomohiro Ishii!
This all started when it was revealed in treacherous fashion that Mr. Takeover was the newest part of Bullet Club’s arsenal. Bullet Club also helped Kenta take that title off the Stone Pitbull, which only soured the taste in the Pitbull’s mouth. Will Ishii bare his fangs against #FangRevived and get payback for it all?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and tensions already run high on this golden grudge match. Said match will begin after the break.
NJPW on AXS returns with the bell and fans are on Ishii’s side as he and Kenta tie up. They are in a deadlock but Ishii manages to get Kenta to ropes. Kenta turns it around, and SLAPS out of the break! But Ishii slaps back! And they start slapping back and forth! It’s a slap fight! Kenta steps it up to forearms but Ishii responds in kind. They talk trash and throw more forearms. Kenta turns, boots but Ishii rebounds to forearm. Kenta rebounds and boots, Ishii rebounds to forearm again. Ishii runs but Kenta follows to boot. Kenta runs but Ishii runs him over! Fans cheer as Kenta is sent rolling. Ishii toys with Kenta and drags him up to CHOP. And CHOP! Ishii whips but Kenta grabs ropes to bail out, but Ishii is right on him! Ishii puts Kenta in and rains down rights, which the fans like to see!
Kenta slips out to a corner and uses the ropes as a defense. Red Shoes tells Ishii to stay back, but Kenta pokes the eyes! Kenta kicks low and DDT’s Ishii down! Kenta rains down rights of his own then walks it off. Fans rally for Ishii but Kenta stomps him down. Kenta swiftly kicks Ishii in the chest and then the leg and back tot he chest. He boots Ishii to a corner and starts slapping. Ishii just eggs him on! Kenta slaps but Ishii wants more! So Kenta gives more. Ishii slaps back and the slap fight is on again. Kenta SLAPS Ishii down! And then more! Kenta goes corner to corner while Ishii flounders and falls. Kenta drags Ishii up and turns him for a neckbreaker, cover, TWO! Kenta drops knees over and over, then pulls down the knee pad, to hop over and scuff Ishii’s face. Fans boo the Low Sweet as Kenta stomps Ishii more.
Kenta toys with Ishii now, but Ishii just gets annoyed. Kenta kicks him around, but Ishii powers up to throw hands. Kenta knees low then runs, but Ishii stays up after the boot! Ishii dodges another boot and ducks the clothesline, but Kenta fights off the waistlock. Ishii forearms then ducks the clothesline to get Kenta into a suplex! Both men are down and Kenta goes to a corner. Ishii is up and after Kenta with CHOPS! He won’t let Kenta sit down, he stands him up for more CHOPS! And again he makes Kenta stand to take the CHOPS and forearms! Forearm, CHOPS, repeat! Then a whip corner to corner, and Kenta bounces off buckles into a spinning powerslam! Cover, TWO! Ishii keeps his cool as he keeps on Kenta. Ishii waistlocks but Kenta gets to ropes. Red Shoes calls for a ropebreak but Kenta has to elbow Ishii off.
Kenta gives Ishii forearms then eggs him on. Ishii forearms back and we have another back and forth. Ishii says he doesn’t feel Kenta’s shots! Ishii rocks Kenta then runs but into the kitchen sink knee! Kenta made him feel that one. Kenta kicks Ishii while he’s down then stomps him on the apron. Red Shoes reprimands Kenta so he lets up. Kenta brings Ishii up and through the ropes, for kicks to the chest. Then he has him draped, for the DDT! Ishii writhes but Kenta covers, TWO! Kenta is ice cold as he brings Ishii up. Ishii fires forearms again, but Kenta kicks away on the legs! Kenta back kicks then runs corner to corner, a soaring boot! And then corner to corner again, flying basement dropkick! Classic Kenta as he continues up top, DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives the coup de grace and we go to break.
NJPW on AXS returns and Kenta gives Ishii more swift kicks to the chest. But Ishii powers up again! Ishii just takes the kicks to feed off them! Kenta keeps trying but Ishii bluntly CHOPS Kenta down! Red Shoes reprimands, Ishii needs to watch how high he aims. Ishii goes after Kenta with CHOPS again but those are still up high! Ishii wants these to hurt! Red Shoes has to back Ishii off, but Ishii doesn’t care. Ishii drags Kenta up to hoist him to the top rope. Ishii climbs to join Kenta, and lifts him way up! He even holds him there before the SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO!! Kenta survives but he’s spitting up a little bit of blood. Ishii keeps going, powerbomb lift but Kenta slips out. Ishii ducks Kenta’s back hand and gets a German Suplex! Kenta is up but gets another German! Ishii runs, Sliding D into an armbar! Kenta turns it over for Game Over!
Ishii endures the modified LeBelle Lock as Kenta cranks back! Fans rally but Kenta loses grip. Kenta goes after him again but Ishii refuses to quit. Ishii wriggles around, rolls Kenta over but now he’s in a triangle hold. Kenta then cranks back to get the Game Over again! Ishii endures, unable to see with Kenta’s hands over his eyes. But Ishii feels around with his legs and gets the ropebreak! Kenta lets go in frustration. Kenta backs off as Ishii crawls his way up the ropes. Kenta comes back to knee him into ropes! Then runs again, building up speed, but he sees Ishii’s counter attack coming and boots it away. Kenta also ducks the southpaw lariat to GERMAN SUPLEX! Kenta runs to Penalty Kick, but Ishii catches it! Only for Kenta to BOOT him with the free leg!
Both men are down again and fans build to a rally. Kenta aims from a corner, runs at Ishii, PSYCHO KNEE! But Ishii rises!? Kenta ROUNDHOUSES him down! But Ishii sits up again! Fans are firing up as Kenta runs and builds speed, another Psycho Knee! Cover, TWO!?! Ishii still lives and Kenta can’t believe it! Kenta drags Ishii up into the fireman’s carry, but Ishii pops out to a dragon sleeper! Kenta slips around and suplexes but Ishii fights that off. Kenta dodges the clothesline and fires forearms but Ishii spins to LARIAT! The southpaw hits but Ishii rests in the red corner. Kenta gets up to kick and forearm Ishii, then slap away on his head! Ishii stands right up to stare him down. Kenta forearms but Ishii just steps into them! Ishii backs Kenta down with every strike to then DECK Kenta!! That was as loud as it was hard!
Ishii wants Kenta to stand and Kenta slowly rises. Ishii runs in, corner clothesline to a whip to another clothesline. Kenta manages to reverse the whip but still gets a clothesline! Ishii drags Kenta up, lift and powerbomb! High stack, TWO! Ishii sits Kenta up, SLIDING D! Cover, TWO!! Kenta still lives but Ishii is firing up! Ishii drags Kenta back up, suplexes, but Kenta slips out to a sleeper! Ishii powers out, Kenta clotheslines back but Ishii doesn’t budge! Ishii clotheslines back but Kenta stays up. Both men run, Ishii’s clothesline takes out Kenta! Then the suplex, but it’s Kenta’s Falcon Arrow! Kenta is down and too tired to make a cover, but fans are rallying up again. Kenta rises first but Ishii follows. Ishii fires off elbows from all sides, but Kenta LARIATS back! Kenta drags Ishii up, Penalty Kick!
Kenta slashes the throat and fireman’s carries Ishii, for GO- NO! Ishii lands on his feet, suplexes, but Kenta slips out. Both men fight for suplex control, Kenta cradle counters, TWO! They both stand fast and Kenta back hands, but Ishii PELES! Kenta rebounds, Psycho Knee! Both men are down again but fans are still rallying. Both men stand and Kenta boots but Ishii blocks. Kenta gives the right hook then palm strike after palm strike. Ishii gives one back! Ishii runs into the fireman’s carry! GO TO SLEEP!! But Kenta doesn’t want to end it here?! He pulls the knee pads off and drags Ishii back up. Another fireman’s carry, GO TO SLEEP AGAIN!! Cover, Kenta wins!!
Winner: KENTA, by pinfall; still NEVER Openweight Champion
It wasn’t even about needing another, it was about wanting to do damage. The Bullet Club kept their hands clean of this match, and Kenta sends the Stone Pitbull to the back of the line by himself. Will #FangRevived continue to sink his fangs into NJPW?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Will Ospreay VS BUSHI!
The Aerial Assassin and fellow Bird of Prey, Robbie Eagles, were on a great run in the Super Jr Tag League, but the masked wrestler of Los Ingobernables de Japon didn’t care about any of that. He spat the green mist that screwed Ospreay over and then staked his claim to this match. Will Bushi pay for the mist spray? Or will Ospreay define his reign with another win over another rival?
The introductions are made, but the belt isn’t raised before Ospreay shotgun dropkick blasts Bushi down! Red Shoes hurries to ring the bell as Bushi bails out, and the match officially begins with Ospreay’s PESCADO! Down goes Bushi and Ospreay fires up! Ospreay drags Bushi up, whips him into railing, and Bushi hits hard. Ospreay gets the fans fired up as he drags Bushi up again for big haymakers. Ospreay puts Bushi back in the ring and he drags Bushi up for forearms and CHOPS! Ospreay whips, Bushi holds ropes and boots back, then huricanranas Ospreay out. Bushi slingshots to huricanrana again! Bushi evens things up and catches his breath as we go to break.
NJPW on AXS returns as Ospreay has made his way to the gap. Red Shoes checks on him but he’s okay to continue. Bushi goes and fetches Ospreay to then whip into railing hard! Ospreay writhes but Bushi is ice cold as he stomps Ospreay down. Bushi puts Ospreay in the ring and finally takes off his shirt, to use it to choke Ospreay! Red Shoes reprimands but Bushi lets up with just one hand at 3. Ospreay gets to ropes so now Red Shoes counts the ropebreak, Bushi lets go at 3. Bushi drags Ospreay up to knock him down! Bushi hooks a leg for the STF! Ospreay endures as Bushi cranks back on the crossface portion of the match. Ospreay powers up but Bushi hooks his face! Ospreay still gets the ropebreak and Bushi lets go reluctantly.
Bushi stomps Ospreay then drags him up, but Ospreay fires forearms back. They brawl with forearms now, and Bushi clubs Ospreay down. Bushi runs into a BIG Pop-Up Flapjack! Ospreay can breathe and recover as Bushi crashes down. Fans rally and duel as Ospreay drags himself up by ropes. Ospreay drags Bushi up for forearms then whips but Bushi reverses. Ospreay dodges, handspring, flying enziguri! Cover, TWO! Ospreay doesn’t stop, he wants the fans to get loud. The fans respond and Ospreay heads to a corner. Ospreay springboards, Pip Pip Cheerio flying forearm! Cover, TWO! Ospreay keeps his cool as he drags Bushi up again. Ospreay reels Bushi in, underhooks and lifts but Bushi resists. So Ospreay kicks away, only for Bushi to catch a leg. Bushi rakes eyes, runs, but into the dropkick-flip and enziguri!
Bushi bails out and fans fire up as Ospreay builds speed! But Bushi gets in to block the Sasuke Special. Bushi drags Ospreay out through the ropes and jumps, BOOSTED draping DDT to the apron! Ospreay hits so hard but both men are down on the outside. Bushi gets up and leaves Ospreay behind in the 20 count. The count passes 10 as Bushi stomps Ospreay, but Bushi does put Ospreay back in at 13. Fans applaud Bushi doing this the right way, and Bushi stomps Ospreay before putting him in a corner. Bushi whips corner to corner then runs in for double knees! He pushes Ospreay down and hops up, missile dropkick sends Ospready down! Bushirooni! Bushi keeps going, fisherman swinging neckbreaker! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay lives and this match continues after the break.
NJPW on AXS returns and Bushi heads up top. Ospreay rises and Bushi leaps, but Ospreay gets under. Ospreay dodges Bushi in the corner but is hung up on the ropes! Bushi CHOPS then hops up again, to SUPER STEINER! But Ospreay lands on his feet?! Bushi swings into the Half ‘n’ Half! Ospreay fires himself up and the fans follow. Bushi is outside, Ospreay SASUKE SPECIALS! He just manages to hit his target! Ospreay grits his teeth to ignore the pain in his neck as he goes back to Bushi. He puts Bushi in and takes aim from the red corner. Bushi sits up, ROBINSON SPECIAL! The spin kick hits but Ospreay moves through his formula. Ospreay springboards, but Bushi blocks the cutter to shove Ospreay into Red Shoes! Ospreay checks on the ref but he has to continue the match.
Ospreay drags Bushi up, but Bushi wants to spit! Ospreay covers Bushi’s mouth! Then he kisses Bushi!? Because he steals the mist to spray at Bushi!! Bushi flails and Ospreay grins and winks. ROUNDHOUSE rocks Bushi! Red Shoes is reviving and Ospreay shouts for him to hurry. Ospreay springboards, but Bushi uses Red Shoes as a shield to take the OSCUTTER! Ospreay just assassinated the referee! And no one knows what to say! Ospreay looks around but where did Bushi go? He finds him by commentary, and drags him up. Bushi goes to low blow but Ospreay blocks and whips. Bushi reverses it but Ospreay stops himself. Ospreay and Bushi go to the ring, Ospreay gets Bushi with a springboard dropkick! Ospreay heads up top, aims at Bushi, SHOOTING STAR onto knees! And the BLACK MIST RETURNS! Bushi still had some left to use on Ospreay!
Fans rally as Red Shoes is still down. Another ref hurries in to take Red Shoes’ place, just as Bushi hits a DESTROYER! Cover, TWO!?! Ospreay lives and Bushi can’t believe it! But Bushi just heads up top again. He waits for Ospreay to stand, and leaps into a roundhouse! Both men are down again but a Young Lion gets Ospreay water. Ospreay splashes his eyes clean and then aims from a corner. HOOK KICK! Then the armband comes off, HIDDEN- NO! Bushi ducks the back hand, runs at Ospreay but his monkey flip is blocked! So Bushi springs up to SPIKE-RANA! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay escapes and blocks a kick, ducks the enziguri but not the rewind mule kick! Bushi runs, into a SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO!! Now Bushi survives but Ospreay is not done yet! Ospreay slashes the throat, drags Bushi up and underhooks, but Bushi slips out to backslide! And bridge! TWO!!
The fans are thunderous as Ospreay pops Bushi up, but gets a CODE BREAKER! Bushi vows to end it and he goes up top again. Ospreay rises, Bushi leaps, MX!! Cover, TWO?!? Ospreay survives Bushi’s modified Code Breaker!? We pass 15 minutes as Bushi heads back to the corner. He’s up again, but leaps into a CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives but Ospreay takes aim from the corner. HIDDEN BLADE! Ospreay isn’t done with Bushi yet, he hops up the buckles, SUPER OSCUTTER! But he holds on?! And rolls Bushi around, underhooks, STORM BREAKER! Cover, Ospreay wins!!
Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall; still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion
A third defense on this run but Ospreay has run the table in 2019! Best of the Super Juniors, Super J Cup, Super Jr Tag League, what more is there for Ospreay to do? Perhaps we’ll hear from Ospreay after the break.
NJPW on AXS returns as Ospreay has the mic.
He wants to know, “Are you having fun?” Ospreay wonders if there’s anyone else who wants a shot at Ospreay. He beat Shingo Takagi, El Phantasmo, Ryusuke Taguchi, Rocky Romero, Sho and Yoh, Amazing Red, Bushi, and even his pal, Robbie Eagles. “God damn, I’ve beaten everyone.” Who is left in NJPW to challenge him!? Anyone from anywhere! This is your chance!! Ospreay hears fans wanting Hiromu but “he ain’t here.” So then, until someone steps up, “get a look, Osaka. Forever, IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. Thank you very much.” The Aerial Assassin heads out but the lights go down! “TIME BOMB will blow up soon.” The Time Bomb is coming back?! The countdown says 62 days, but then the screen changes. That’s not Daryl but a very similar cat on screen. And he lights the fuse. A new countdown begins!
3, 2, 1! BOOM! Hiromu Takahashi IS BACK!! He and his cats head to the ring! But before he gets in, he makes sure the cats are under careful watch at commentary. Hiromu then has a ball running himself into the railing! And then up the ramp to take a tumble! “This is it!” This is what Hiromu has been missing. This is what Hiromu has been wanting! Ospreay puts the belt on the mat to welcome Hiromu back! Fans cannot believe what they’re seeing as Ospreay dares Hiromu to get in the ring. Hiromu hops up onto the apron, and walks into the ring, to get up on the ropes and soak up the adulation! But then he does turn his attention to Ospreay as he gets himself the mic. “I am Hiromu Takahashi!” And he thanks them all so much for waiting. “Now that I’m back, we’re gonna have even more, more, MORE fun in NJPW! You can rest assured of that.”
But surely they’re a bit worried, right? “Can he really do it?” “He just came back, isn’t he being a little cocky?” “He’s just gonna change his style anyway.” Heh. Hiromu grins as he says “Who besides me would challenge a beast like him!?” Fans agree, “Nobody, that’s who!” So just watch and see. Hiromu jumps and hits the mat with his back! Then runs into buckles and throws himself around, showing that he can still be as reckless as ever! He may be physically alright, but he still might not be mentally all there… But fans still support him as he bridges up. “Mic please.” Ospreay gets Hiromu the mic. “Congratulations, Will Ospreay. Now, you are the most strongest Junior Heavyweight wrestler.”
But then Hiromu sits up to say, “But Hiromu is back!” And he challenges Ospreay, for Wrestle Kingdom! If you didn’t do the math on that countdown, that’s where it was all headed. And then he licks the title…? Ospreay grins, one of his favorite rivals has returned. And even gives him a hug. And as Hiromu makes his way out, he has one more thing to say to Ospreay: “Thank you meow.” Will Ospreay remain the most dominant Junior Heavyweight when he finally gets a rematch against the most chaotic?
My Thoughts:
I did not realize this was going to be TWO HOURS when I started putting this together. But what a great two hours it was! We got the bonus tag match of Okada & Yoshi-Hashi VS Ibushi & Tanahashi. Looking at that match, it was obvious Hashi was taking the pin. And it was very smart to give the pinfall to Tanahashi. This way, Okada and Ibushi stay even because neither is gaining momentum off a finish. Then Jericho calling Tanahashi out, that is an instant classic right there. With two months to go, I really wonder if Jericho is still AEW World Champion by then. Much like how ROH didn’t let Jeff Cobb be world champion during the G1 to lose and make them look bad, I’m not sure AEW wants their top champion to look bad losing a non-title match. Even with Tanahashi being a great staple of NJWP, pretty sure Y2J won’t be Le Champeon by then.
The Super Jr Tag League finals were great! RPG3K and the Kanemaru-Desperado combo make for great rivals, and what a great achievement for RPG3K to be triple tag league winners. That is an amazing thing for those two. I still remember their excursion to ROH as the Tempura Boys, and those boys have grown so much since then. I would be really surprised and perhaps disappointed if they didn’t beat Bullet Club for those tag titles at Wrestle Kingdom. That would be big, and I think the Junior Tag Division could use something like that. The NEVER Openweight Championship was another great and stiff match for Ishii and Kenta, and that’s great. It was also telling that Kenta didn’t need to cheat. He is being allowed to be as strong as he deserves to be, so that’s a plus.
And then we get a double dose of greatness out of the main event. The match itself was incredible, so much story went into Ospreay VS Bushi. I love that black mist spot, I have never seen someone steal the mist like that! Ospreay winning makes a lot of sense, he has just been on a tear. Plus, it was the perfect set up for him to count his wins in 2019 and that cues the shocking and totally amazing return of Hiromu Freakin’ Takahashi! It is so great to see him again, to know he’s back in wrestling shape, and to get one more Ospreay VS Hiromu match at Wrestle Kingdom. As it stands, there is no predicting who wins. Ospreay has amazing momentum, but Hiromu never truly lost the title since he went out with injury. Either way, their match will be “even more, more, MORE fun,” as Hiromu put it, than everything up to this point.
My Score: 9.1/10
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NJPW AXS TV Results
Mitchell’s NJPW AXS TV Results: Power Struggle 2019 Part 1!
Does Hirooki Goto Breath with The Switchblade?
Is the Cutthroat Era rising again?
With everyone chasing the same goal of becoming a dual champion, Jay White has a head start as THE IWGP Intercontinental Champion! But does Hirooki Goto end that tonight?
Coverage of Power Struggle 2019 will be as broadcast on AXS TV.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- IWGP Intercontinental Championship: Jay White VS Hirooki Goto; White wins and retains the IWGP Intercontinental Championship.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW and AXS TV set the scene for Power Struggle’s beginning!
The freshly minted IWGP Intercontinental Champion looks to hijack Tetsuya Naito’s destiny by becoming the first dual champion in NJPW first. However, for The Switchblade to usher in the new era, he must get through the Fierce Warrior of Chaos! The 2019 record between them is tied, so this tiebreaker is golden! Who leaves Osaka leading the race towards history?
IWGP Intercontinental Championship: Jay White VS Hirooki Goto!
There’s no point in delaying the inevitable! Does White’s journey to history begin now? Or does Goto deny it outright?
Introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this tiebreaker on the road to destiny begins after the break.
NJPW on AXS returns and fans rally up for Goto already. White and Goto circle, but then White slips out of the ring. The classic strategy is in effect already, and Goto demands White gets in. White takes his time returning, and circles with Goto to actually tie up. Goto puts White on the ropes but lets up, only for White to pie face and slip away again. White wants Goto to stay back and the ref keeps Goto in the ring. White gets up and in again, dodges a clothesline and headlocks. Goto powers out, but White grabs ropes and slips out a third time. White laughs until Goto gives chase. They go into the ring, White runs but Goto is ready and they bump shoulders. Neither budges so White tries again. Still nothing, so he tries a third time. White bumps Goto, Goto staggers back, but White gets out of the ring before Goto can return.
Goto gives chase again but White slips back in the ring. White stomps Goto as he slides back in then fires off clubbing forearms. White runs but Goto runs him over! Fans cheer this bit of karma on White. But White puts Goto in a corner to CHOP! Goto turns it around to fire off furious forearms! The ref backs Goto off but Goto throws White into buckles! Goto drags White up and snapmares him to a swift kick to the back! White scrambles but Goto drags him back for another kick! White writhes and Goto brings him up for ropes. Goto whips, White holds ropes again but he boots this time. Goto clotheslines White out anyway! Goto goes out but Gedo gets a cheap shot in! The ref reprimands Gedo but Goto glares at the traitor. White attacks from behind but the forearms barely do a thing. Goto DECKS White with a right!
Goto tells the ref to keep Gedo back, which he does. But this all distracts Goto from seeing White pick up a chair! White JAMS the chair into Goto’s back! White tucks the chair back under the ring and then plays innocent. The ref wants them to get this back in the ring, but White brings Goto up to RAM into railing! And again! The ref reprimands White but he just takes Goto around the way. White says hi to Katsuyori Shibata on Japanese commentary, before snap suplexing Goto into the railing! Shibata stands and the ref has to keep him at bay now. White hurries off into the ring to rest, and the ring count begins. The count climbs to 5, then 10 of 20. Goto stirs at 11 and crawls at 14. Goto rises at 17 and hops in at 18! But White is on that battered back with knee drop after knee drop!
White grabs a leg and turns Goto over for a Half Crab! Goto endures as White sits down deep. Fans rally up while Gedo taunts Goto. Goto powers up and crawls, reaches, and gets the ropebreak! But White holds on until the count of 4! Goto winces but White keeps the ref’s attention. Gedo yanks the blue corner’s buckle pad in the distraction! White whips Goto that way, and Goto hits bare buckles hard! Goto goes down, White covers, TWO! The Fierce Warrior won’t fall so easily, and we go to break.
NJPW on AXS is back and White is back on Goto with a chinlock. White digs his knee into Goto’s back, but Goto endures. Goto works his way up to his feet and fights back with body shots. White clubs Goto’s back to then throw him down by his hair! White drags Goto up but Goto blocks the suplex. Goto hits back with body shots again, but now White blocks the suplex. White clubs Goto’s back over and over, and over and over! But Goto fires up! Only for White to rake his eyes, and throw him down by his hair again! White soaks up the heat but Osaka rallies for Goto. White drags Goto up, dodges Goto’s retaliation and rocks him with a right. Goto stays on his feet, and dares White to hit him harder! White throws a BIG right forearm, but Goto still wants more! White throws another, and starts growing annoyed with Goto’s fighting spirit.
White throws forearm after forearm after forearm after forearm after forearm, but none of them slow Goto down! So White just keeps throwing more, and then adds European Uppercuts! Goto comes back with ONE BIG forearm and floors White! Goto whips White but White reverses, but Goto blocks the hip toss to give a hip toss! Osaka comes alive for Goto ash e runs at White. But White catches and EXPLODER SUPLEXES Goto out of the ring! The ref checks on Goto after he crashes and burns, but White adds on by whipping Goto. Goto reverses to send White into railing! Goto clotheslines White over! White is down in the gap but Goto goes after him. Goto drags White back to ringside, to whip into railing on the far side! White writhes but Goto won’t stop, he whips White back the other way! White falls to his knees but Goto drags him up to put into the ring.
Fans rally up as Goto catches his breath. Goto runs in, windmill kick in the corner! SAIDO SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! White survives but Goto is not deterred. Goto drags White up again but White clamps onto a leg. Goto clubs White then drags him up into a fireman’s carry. But White rakes eyes! White gets to the apron and holds onto the ref as he “apologizes.” Goto staggers over, White shoves the ref at Goto! Goto pushes the ref out of the way but White hotshots Goto! White slides in, DDT drops Goto! White watches Goto crawl while also getting himself to a corner. White runs corner to corner, BIG EuroUpper! Fireman’s carry, Death Valley DDT! Cover, TWO! White is frustrated but Osaka rallies up again.
White gives toying kicks and slaps to Goto, and then brings Goto up. Goto blocks the suplex and suplexes back, but his back holds him back. Goto still resists White’s suplex, spins out, but White forearms away! White whips but Goto reverses to reel White in, but White dodges to CHOP! White runs but Goto follows, White dodges to run again but Goto still follows. White dodges again, but Goto keeps going, only for White to follow now. Goto dodges now, only to run into a Complete Shot! DEAD LIFT GERMAN! White grits his teeth, but Goto is up to German Suplex him back! Goto keeps moving, LARIAT! Both men are down as we go to break!
NJPW on AXS returns as White drags Goto up. Goto elbows out of the sleeper, but White forearms him in the lower back. White grabs Goto again but Goto standing switches to throw White down by his hair, across Goto’s knee! Turnabout’s fair play! White and Goto crawl to opposite ends. Gedo is on White’s side but Osaka is on Goto’s. Goto runs in but misses in the corner, snap saido from White! White staggers and drags Goto over at the 20 minute mark. White hoists Goto up top and throws a forearm. White climbs to join Goto, but Goto resists the superplex with body shots. Goto headbutts White a few times, then drags White in. Goto stands up but White claws at his face! White clubs away on Goto, positions himself on the very top, SUPERPLEX! White rises fast and drags Goto up, but Goto gets him into the fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI!
Both men are down, but Osaka is rallying up again. Goto drags White up and into the dragon sleeper, but White drops to snapmare free. White clubs away on Goto, Goto fireman’s carries to the dragon sleeper! But White fights out with wild hands, only for Goto to suplex him up! White fights free, but swings into the dragon sleeper! White slips out, but Goto denies Blade Runner by pulling hair! Goto powers White down into position, headbutts away, but Gedo distracts the ref! LOW BLOW UPPERCUT! White sneaks it in and Osaka boos! Gedo backs off and White drags Goto up into the sleeper hold, SLEEPER SUPLEX! But White isn’t done there, he drags Goto up, only for Goto to HEADBUTT! And now, Goto drags White up, reels him in, fireman’s carry, but White elbows free. So Goto headbutts again! Goto has White up, for Reverse GTR!
But Goto is not done! He drags White up, suplexes, SHOTENKAI! Cover, TWO!? White survives and shocks Goto, but does not discourage him. Goto drags himself up as Osaka rallies again. Gedo distracts but gets DECKED! Goto has to catch his breath, but he fires up as he focuses his power. White ducks the kick, but walks into a fireman’s carry. White slips out again, has Goto in a dragon sleeper but flips him around, in position, but still no Blade Runner as Goto slips out! Goto has dragon sleeper, but White slips out, spins Goto around, SLEEPER SUPLEX! But Goto is up!? BUZZSAW! Fireman’s carry, G T W!! The fusion of Ushigoroshi and GTR! Cover, TWO!?! White survives?! But that only fires Goto up more! Dragon sleeper, TRUE GTR!! Cover, but Gedo YANKS the referee out!! Goto had this won and Gedo knew it!
Gedo laughs as he gets in the ring. He stalks Goto, but here comes SHIBATA! Shibata may not be an active competitor, but he can be an enforcer! Shibata gets rid of Gedo and tells Goto to finish this! Then he puts Gedo in a sleeper! Goto drags White up, but KENTA attacks!! The Bullet Club’s Fang Revived strikes while there’s no authority! He drags Goto up, fireman’s carry, GO TO SLEEP! Then he BOOTS Shibata on the way out! Fans boo but Bullet Club gets away with more shenanigans! The referee returns, and Kenta whips Shibata into railing! And then fires off vicious kicks! White drags Goto up despite being dead weight, for BLADE RUNNER! Cover, White wins!!
Winner: Jay White, by pinfall; still IWGP Intercontinental Champion
Or rather, Bullet Club won this match. Shibata risked a lot getting involved and paid for it at the hands of Kenta. White benefits the most by keeping his half of history going. Will White fight his way from here to another chance at the IWGP Heavyweight Championship? We will hear from The Switchblade after the break.
NJPW returns as Jay White speaks.
“Osaka~…!” The fans boo as White says he’ll keep this short. “I did what I said I was going to do, and Goto is done. Finished! Career over!” White promised this would happen. Goto lived up to be the embarrassment he always was. But White is the one who “single-handedly” sold out Madison Square Garden! White is the Last Rock ‘n’ Rolla, “and that’s rrrreeal!” White is still your IWGP Intercontinental Champion! “But wait, there’s more!” White again vows to be the first-ever dual Intercontinental AND Heavyweight Champion! And not the first night of Wrestle Kingdom, no, no. He vows to be on the second night of Wrestle Kingdom 14 to go right up against the winner of Kota Ibushi VS Kazuchika Okada! Which means Ibushi and Okada should “come on down!”
White waits, and wonders where the top two guys have gone. But wait, it isn’t Ibushi or Okada that comes out, it’s NAITO! Fans cheer as Tetsuya Naito walks to the ring. White thinks Naito is here to congratulate White on winning tonight and soon becoming the first-ever- Naito stops White right there by snatching the mic. Naito says, “Holding the IWGP Intercontinental and Heavyweight titles at the same time. The first man to accomplish this tremendous feat… Will be me.” So sorry about this, but Naito will need the Intercontinental Championship back. White understands what Naito’s up to and wants the mic back. But Naito isn’t giving it over. And now Ibushi heads out! The G1 Climax 29 winner, the Right to Challenge holder, and yet another man who declared himself the future historic dual champion, enters the ring!
Ibushi takes the mic to tell Naito and Jay that it’s been a while since he’s been in the ring with them. And Ibushi agrees about the double champion. Last January, Ibushi choose NJPW, “looking to change my life.” But there is someone out there who doesn’t agree with them. That is OKADA! Ibushi and Naito wait, but White “begs” Okada as an “old friend from Chaos” to appear. Well maybe Gedo should ask, he’s an older friend than White. Gedo doesn’t want to. But even so, Okada does appear! The Rainmaker makes his way to the ring, joining the three men who want his title as part of their mission. Okada gets on the mic to ask, “What did you say?” Ibushi wants to be a double champion, Naito wants to be a double champion and White wants to be a double champion. “What the hell are you thinking!?”
Okada holds up his belt, because he is proud to fight for THE IWGP title! THE title in NJPW! An IWGP Heavyweight Championship match, or a double title match? Okada repeats this question. Fans like the former, and aren’t so sure about the latter. So Okada asks again! IWGP Heayvweight Championship match? YAY~! Double Title Match? Boo~! Well, that’s still more than Okada expected. “So, on the subject of the Tokyo Dome… Naito, there was an election recently, wasn’t there?” Should they let the people vote for what they want to see? Naito considers it, and there’s a bit of a stand off. White takes up the mic and says, “That’s enough. All of you **** off, I want my confetti, this is my night!” Okada takes his leave, as does Ibushi. White refuses to accept Naito’s challenge. Naito reluctantly leaves and White says he wants to be announced as both the Intercontinental and soon to be FIRST-EVER DOUBLE CHAMPION! And then get the confetti!
But Naito stops on stage as Gedo explains to the ring announcer. The announcer does as White says, and White gets his confetti. Naito watches on, still aiming for his part of history. However, will that poll Okada mentioned go a way White doesn’t want? Is there going to be an even more historic match on the horizon?
My Thoughts:
A pretty good episode to start NJPW Power Struggle on AXS, though perhaps not the most exciting. Osaka wasn’t as loud as I would’ve expected, but as the usual order of AXS encores, the last part is usually first just to get the vies and ratings. Osaka might’ve been tired from action earlier in the night, but at the same time, the usual pace of a Goto and/or White match isn’t usually what excites. The story was all there, though. White is good at trolling and playing the long game, but things did liven up for the fans as the match reached the end. However, White beating Goto because of Bullet Club should’ve been obvious. It’s good ol’ fashioned Heel tactics, but perhaps too typical. Shibata getting involved was surprising, too. Is this them testing the waters to see if he’s getting better? It would be quite the amazing moment in wrestling if he came back from the head injury that took him out.
What was really intriguing was White being confronted by Naito but also getting the two men he wanted in Ibushi and Okada. Wrestle Kingdom 14 being two nights this year, there’s a chance we get both Naito VS White for the Intercontinental and Ibushi VS Okada for the Heavyweight title, and then each winner moves on to night two for THE historic match. Okada trying to get Osaka to respond to his question clearly took a couple times to get fans to respond, but I was really surprised NJPW fans weren’t as enthusiastic about a double championship match. I almost thought there’d be a Fatal 4 Way Winner Takes All, but NJPW doesn’t like matches that are more than 1v1 like that. The two separate title matches leading to the dual champion match is more likely, and would make for a good reason as to why WK14 is a two day event.
My Score: 8.3/10
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Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
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FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - 30 Mindless Minutes
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast: The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history) Unidentified History (Ufology) & Game Gone Wrong (Game of Thrones Universe)
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4 Corners Podcast: Secretariat’s Family Tree
Patrick and Tunney discuss the NHL and NBA playoffs!
4 Corners Podcast: Did The Red Sox Panic?
Dave & Patrick discuss a seismic shift in Boston as the Red Sox clean house. Plus, NFL Draft thoughts and...
4 Corners Podcast: NHL & NBA Playoff Preview
Dave & PC Tunney preview the NHL & NBA Playoffs!
4 Corners Podcast: The Masters, NBA & MLB
Join Patrick and Dave weekly as they explore the 4 Corners of the American sports scene.
4 Corners Podcast: College Madness
The guys recap the Final Four, discuss March Madness expanding, and discuss an Executive Order that the guys actually agree...
Bandwagon Nerds #340: Womp Womp!
Your favorite Nerds review the season finale of Daredevil: Born Again Season 2, episode 6 of The Boys final season,...
Bandwagon Nerds #339: Everybody Dies
Your favorite Nerds review Daredevil: Born Again and The Boys. Paramount, Disney and Oscars news. All that plus we take...
Bandwagon Nerds #338: Impossible Choices
Your favorite Nerds review the season finale of Invincible, as well as continuing their review of Daredevil: Born Again and...
Bandwagon Nerds #337: Parallels & Purpose
The NERDS continue to review Invincible, Daredevil, and The Boys. Plus, we take a look at the new trailer for...
Bandwagon Nerds #336: Invincible, Daredevil, The Boys… Oh My!
Don't miss the Bandwagon, NERDS!
Former WWE Star Reveals How Company Tests Wrestlers for an “Attitude Problem”
A former WWE star took to social media to explain, in brief, how WWE evaluates its talent to determine whether...
WWE Backlash Match Sparks “Clone War” Debate in Wrestling Community
Wrestling fans and insiders are abuzz after a match at WWE Backlash was accused of “copycatting” a formula previously used...
Thekla Says AEW Became the “Perfect Fit,” Citing Tony Khan in Decision to Re-Sign
AEW Women’s World Champion Thekla revealed that Tony Khan’s promotion has become the “perfect fit” for her, a realization that...
Swerve Strickland Targets ROH Champion Bandido Ahead of Owen Hart Cup Match
AEW’s Swerve Strickland fired several warning shots at ROH World Champion Bandido as the two prepare to collide in the...
Ronda Rousey Reflects on WrestleMania 35 Main Event, Cites Lack of Preparation Time
Ronda Rousey has opened up about her feelings surrounding the historic WrestleMania 35 main event, calling it a career-defining moment...
Matt Hardy Reflects on Kofi Kingston’s WrestleMania 35 Triumph and the New Day’s Influence
Matt Hardy praised Kofi Kingston’s emotional WWE Championship victory at WrestleMania 35, calling the KofiMania run a defining moment for...
Kit Wilson Opens Up About Emotional Toll After Being Left Off 2026 Royal Rumble
WWE’s Kit Wilson admitted he struggled emotionally after being left off this year’s Royal Rumble card, saying the omission from...
Kevin Nash Slams TKO’s WWE Stewardship, Says Only One Thing Would End His Involvement
Veteran Kevin Nash has publicly criticized TKO’s handling of WWE, taking aim at the promotion’s current direction under Paul Levesque...
Jeff Jarrett Says Orange Cassidy Excels at Mixing Character and In-Ring Work
AEW veteran Jeff Jarrett praised Orange Cassidy as the standout performer in modern wrestling when it comes to blending distinctive...
JBL Says He Was Asked to Take a Pay Cut Minutes Before Surgery
WWE Hall of Famer John “Bradshaw” Layfield revealed he once received a phone call just minutes before going into surgery...
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Headline News7 days ago
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