NJPW PPV Results
Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 30 Results & Report! (10/14/20)
The penultimate round, part 2!
The G1 Climax’s 8th Round is finishing up!
The King of Darkness says Everything is Evil, but the B Block hasn’t been decided just yet! Will Tetsuya Naito rebound and find his way to G1 glory?
NOTE: NJPW no longer wants to feed AXS TV now that it is with Anthem and Impact Wrestling. But never fear, I will cover NJPW in the spirit of AXS in providing the most important matches of the show.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- B Block – YOSHI-HASHI VS KENTA; KENTA wins.
- B Block – Juice Robinson VS Zack Sabre Jr; ZSJ wins.
- B Block – Tetsuya Naito VS Toru Yano; Naito wins.
- B Block – Hirooki Goto VS EVIL; EVIL wins.
- B Block – Hiroshi Tanahashi VS SANADA; SANADA wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current B Block standings!
EVIL: 5-2, 10 points
Tetsuya Naito: 5-2, 10 points
SANADA: 4-3, 8 points
Hirooki Goto: 4-3, 8 points
Zack Sabre Jr: 4-3, 8 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 3-4, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Toru Yano: 3-4, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Juice Robinson: 3-4, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
KENTA: 3-4, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
YOSHI-HASHI: 1-6, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
B Block – YOSHI-HASHI VS KENTA!
Two men out of the running have no choice but to keep on fighting! Can Fang Revived break even and protect his IWGP United States Championship contract? Or will the Head Hunter #GetBackUp once again?
Yoshi-Hashi does not budge as Kenta gets in the ring and stands in front of him. There is no backing out of this match and there’s no backing down! The entrance attire is put aside, and the bell rings! Fans cheer as the two circle. They tie up, Kenta pulls hair and puts Hashi on the ropes. The ref reprimands, Kenta lets off and pats Hashi on his shoulders. Hashi keeps his cool and fans cheer as they circle again. They tie up, Kenta again pulls hair and puts Hashi on the ropes. Kenta slaps Hashi so Hashi fires off forearms and a CHOP! Fans cheer as Hashi slaps Kenta around now. Hashi whips Kenta to ropes and runs him over with an elbow! Then with a shoulder! Hashi whips again, Kenta reverses but Hashi ducks to come back with the BLOCKBUSTER!
Kenta bails out while fans cheer, and the ref keeps Hashi in. Kenta paces and takes his time returning. Hashi is patient, but then Kenta bails right back out. Kenta goes around the way, fans rally for Hashi, but Kenta eyes Hashi’s staff. Kenta grabs the staff, the ref tells him to put it down but Kenta is “admiring” it. Hashi rushes out, Kenta throws him into a post! Kenta hammerlocks Hashi’s arm and POSTS it! Kenta drags Hashi up and hammerlocks again, to throw him into railing! The ref reprimands but Kenta drags Hashi back up to put him in the ring. Kenta kicks Hashi’s arm, then kicks it again. Kenta drags Hashi up, has the arm in a wristlock and uses that to wrangle Hashi down. Hashi endures the Kimura as Kenta cranks on it harder. Hashi gets a ropebreak and Kenta lets off.
Kenta is annoyed as he brings Hashi back up. Hashi throws forearms, Kenta wrenches the arm to an elbow breaker! Kenta kicks the bad arm again! Kenta goes after the arm but Hashi resists the armbar. Hashi moves around but Kenta wrangles him back down! Kenta gets the ARMBAR, but Hashi gets the ropebreak! Kenta lets off fast again, and he gives toying kicks to Hashi. Hashi gets up and CHOPS! Kenta throws a forearm, Hashi CHOPS! Forearm, CHOP, but then another ELBOW BREAKER! And another! Kenta KICKS the bad arm and looms over Hashi. Kenta wrenches the arm again, has a standing armlock and works to grind Hashi down to the mat. Hashi gets up, throws body shots, but Kenta has the arm again!
Hashi powers through to try for a sleeper hold! Kenta fights that off, ELBOW BREAKER! But Hashi still suplexes Kenta high and hard! Hashi shakes out the bad arm while he and Kenta are down. Hashi is up first, he dares Kenta to stand, and fires off fast hands and a CHOP! Hashi whips Kenta to a corner, runs in and CHOPS again! Hashi whips, CHOPS, mule kicks and hangs Kenta out to dry! Hashi runs, and dropkicks Kenta off! Then he basement dropkicks Kenta down! Cover, TWO! Fans rally for Hashi as he stands over Kenta. Hashi brings Kenta up, reels him in, but Kenta blocks the bomb lift. Kenta back drops Hashi and Hashi goes to a corner. Kenta runs in but Hashi boots back! Hashi runs, into a POWERSLAM! Fans cheer as both men are down again.
Fans rally up for Hashi as Kenta goes to corner. Hashi rises, runs in, but Kenta boots him now. Kenta hops up, reels Hsahi in, tornado hotshot! Hashi goes down, Kenta climbs up, FLYING CLOTHESLINE! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer as Hashi survives, but Kenta looms over him. Kenta KICKS and KICKS at the bad arm but Hashi just gets mad. Hashi and Kenta throw forearms back and forth and fans rally as they go faster and faster! Hashi gets the edge, Kenta gets the ELBOW BREAKER! Hashi CHOPS again! Hashi runs in but Kenta dodges, to come back and BOOT Hashi in the corner! Hashi sits down, Kenta goes corner to corner, HESITATION DROPKICK! Kenta climbs back up as Hashi is in the drop zone. DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!!
Hashi survives Kenta’s coup de grace but Kenta drags him back up! Fans rally as Kenta fireman’s carries. Hashi fights out, waistlocks, but Kenta elbows him away. Kenta brings Hashi up but Hashi hits the spinning back kick! Kenta stays up and comes back, but into a SUPERKICK! Fans rally up as Hashi rises! Hashi drags Kenta up, reels him in, gets him up and runs for the POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! But into the BUTTERFLY LOCK! Kenta endures as Hashi leans on the hold! Kenta moves around, Hashi cranks back as hard as he can! Kenta reaches out with a leg but Hashi brings him away! Fans rally more as Kenta keeps trying and Hashi keeps wrenching! Hashi drags Kenta away again, and gets the outside arm! KIMURA-FLY!!
Kenta endures, still moves around, but Hashi pulls as hard as he can! Fans rally harder and harder, Kenta fades so Hashi gets the SLEEPER! Hashi drags Kenta up for the BACKSTABBER! Hashi runs, but the knees miss! Kenta gets the leg, then the arm, for the omoplata, and he wants the crossface! Hashi refuses to let this be Game Over! Fans rally as Hashi continues to resist! Hashi shakes his head, reaches out and gets the ROPEBREAK! Kenta is frustrated but he gets up to KICK Hashi in the chest! And again! Hashi wobbles but Kenta KICKS and KICKS and KICKS him again! Hashi gets mad now! Fans cheer as Hashi throws forearms and Kenta gives them back! They go back and forth again and Hashi hits Kenta hard! Kenta hits back, so Hashi KICKS! Kenta has a bad arm, too, so they KICK and KICK!
Kenta forearms, Hashi forearms, and they go faster and faster! Hashi gets the edge, but Kenta ROCKS him and BACK HANDS! AND AGAIN! Kenta is fired up and he drags Hashi back up, fireman’s carry, GO TO- DDT!! Hashi counters GTS and saves himself! Fans fire up as the two men stir! Hashi rises, runs, but Kenta blocks the lariat, so Hashi CHOPS! Hashi ducks the uraken to CHOP! DRAGON SUPLEX! Hashi runs to LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Kenta survives but Hashi is fired up with the fans! Hashi fisherman to the KUMAGOROSHI! Cover, TWO!?! Hashi isn’t giving up, he drags Kenta up! Kenta throws slapping palm strikes but Hashi SUPERKICKS! Pump handle, but Kenta fights off Karma to drag Hashi down! GAME OVER!!
Hashi endures, fans rally up as he drags himself around, but Kenta cranks back! Hashi keeps going, keeps trying, but Kenta rolls him away! Hashi is caught but he still endures! Fans rally even harder as he pries at the crossface! Kenta cranks WAY back, Hashi gives up! Kenta wins!!
Winner: Kenta, by submission; gains 2 points, Hashi earns 0
Hashi didn’t #GoToSleep but he could not #GetBackUp! There’s still one last round, will Kenta keep his IWGP US Championship contract for his own?
B Block – Juice Robinson VS Zack Sabre Jr!
The Flamboyant One was mathematically eliminated by the Cold Skull, but the Submission Master is still in the running! Will Juice be a spoiler? Or will he #JustTapOut?
The bell rings and fans rally for Juice as he circles with ZSJ. They tie up, are in a deadlock, so ZSJ shifts to get the wristlock. Juice wrenches back but ZSJ rolls. Juice holds on and wrangles ZSJ to the mat. Juice has a cording hold, ZSJ gets up and rolls to step through and wristlock back. Juice rolls, spins through and wrenches. ZSJ rolls, spins, wrenches and wristlocks again. Juice rolls, cartwheels, wrenches and flips ZSJ down to the cording hold! Fans cheer this technical exchange while ZSJ endures. Juice brings ZSJ up, wrenches, but ZSJ rolls and kips up to snapmare! ZSJ goes to headlock but Juice slips out to get the armlock! Juice gets up, ZSJ chinbars but Juice wrenches again. ZSJ rolls, bridges, breaks free and ROCKS Juice with a European Uppercut! Juice shakes that off and the two reset.
Juice gets fans going with the clap-clap-stomp. Juice and ZSJ circle, tie up with knuckle locks but ZSJ throws another EuroUpper! Juice blocks ZSJ’s boot to headlock and takeover! ZSJ headscissors, Juice pops out but ZJS headlocks. Juice powers out and runs ZSJ over with a shoulder! Juice keeps going, ZSJ drops down then jumps, but into an atomic drop! Juice reels ZSJ in for a Russian leg sweep! Fans fire up with Juice and he drops a back senton, into an ARMBAR! ZSJ has his arm, Juice scrambles to get the ropebreak! ZSJ tortures the fingers, the ref counts, ZSJ lets go at 3. Juice is in the ropes as ZSJ stands on his head. ZSJ lets go again, then drags Juice to wrench the arm for a standing armlock. ZSJ keylocks and STOMPS the arm!
Fans cheer as ZSJ circles Juice. Juice tries to defend the arm but ZSJ gets it anyway, and hooks it between the legs to TWIST! Juice bails out, clutching the arm as he rests against the railing. Juice shakes the arm out as the ring count begins. Juice gets in at 8 of 20 but ZSJ is all over him! ZSJ wrenches the arm but Juice JABS and is free! But ZSJ drop toeholds then STOMPS the bad arm! ZSJ stands on the arm, pulls back on it and has a modified Fujiwara! Juice endures so ZSJ lets the arm go to STOMP it again! ZSJ stalks Juice to a corner, wrenches the arm, and wrenches, and wrenches, but Juice avoids the arm Pele to drop another senton! Juice scoops ZSJ for a SLAM! Fans fire up as Juice pumps up! ZSJ gets up, Juice JABS! JABS! JABS! ZSJ wobbles but Juice JABS! ZSJ runs and leaps, but into a SPINE BUSTER!
Fans fire up with Juice as he runs at ZSJ in the corner, for a corner clothesline! ZSJ sits down, Juice fires up again and runs corner to corner, but has to block the boot! Juice CHOPS ZSJ back down! Clap-clap-stomp starts up again, and Juice puts ZSJ up top. Juice CHOPS ZSJ then climbs up to join him. He brings ZSJ up, but ZSJ gest the arm in a Kimura! The ref reprimands and counts, but Juice headbutts ZSJ over and over! Juice brings ZSJ back up but ZSJ EuroUppers! Juice stumbles back, ZSJ LEAPS to get the GUILLOTINE! But Juice powers up and suplexes, but ZSJ slips around to get a sleeper hold! ZSJ is a backpack with the body scissors hooked in! Juice faces, ZSJ shifts to make it more a crossface! ZSJ moves around to drag Juice down but Juice gets the ropebreak! ZSJ lets go as fans cheer!
Both men are down as fans rally up but ZSJ gives Juice kicks from the mat. ZSJ stands on the bad arm again, then lets off to give toying kicks. Juice rises, ZSJ throws EuroUppers, but Juice just gets mad! ZSJ BOOTS, Juice grits his teeth as he seethes! ZSJ runs, into the fireman’s carry! Juice drops ZSJ but ZSJ blocks the Juice Box! PENALTY KICK! And another PENALTY KICK! Juice is down as fans rally up and ZSJ goes to the far corner. Juice gets to a corner, ZSJ runs in but Juice dodges, only for ZSJ to go up and around to TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO, but ZSJ is right on the ARMBAR! Juice endures, clasps hands and bridges. Fans rally as Juice moves around, but ZSJ makes it a TRIANGLE HOLD!
ZSJ squeezes tight but Juice grabs at the ref! Juice fights up, dead lifts ZSJ, and almost drops him on his head! ZSJ keeps Juice caught in the triangle, but fans rally up! Clap-clap-stomp, We Will, We Will, POW-ER-BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives and fans rally up as Juice goes to the far corner. Juice runs in to CANNONBALL! Fans fire up with Juice as he drags ZSJ back up. Juice chicken wings but ZSJ slips out to get the OCTOPUS! Juice powers out of Hurrah Another Year for JUICE BOX! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives but fans rally up with Juice. Juice brings the straps down and aims but ZSJ boots the arm away to ARM PELE! But the RIGHT HAND o’ God hits! Juice drags ZSJ up, underhooks, but no Pulp! Victory roll, TWO! Juice sits on ZSJ, TWO! EUROCLUTCH!! ZSJ WINS!!
Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by pinfall; gains 2 points, Juice earns 0
The Submission Master didn’t need a submission to keep his G1 alive! But will he then unleash his entire arsenal in the last round to make sure he takes the block? Or is it already too late?
B Block – Tetsuya Naito VS Toru Yano!
The IWGP Double Champion could not hold off the King of Darkness, and Everything is Evil! At least, for now. Will Naito thwart all of the Producer’s tricks to redeem himself?
Naito purposefully takes his time walking to the ring just to mess with Yano. Naito even starts heading back up the ramp? Yano gets really upset so Naito starts heading back to the ring. Naito does a lap around the ring before getting on the steps! Maybe it’s Yano who should’ve prepared for the tricks Naito would play. Yano tells Naito to hurry up already, but Naito just takes even more time with his entrance attire. Yano wants to start untying his corner’s buckle pad but the ref tells him to be patient. Naito fiddles with the buttons while the ref argues with Yano. Naito pretends he doesn’t know what he’s doing and Yano wants to untie the pad! The ref stops him, Naito finally gets the shirt off. Naito asks Yano be patient as he takes off the belt and pants.
The ref warns Yano and the fans cheer. Naito even takes an extra moment to stretch before the check. The bell rings and fans cheer that this is finally starting. Naito messes with Yano with his fast steps and Yano tells him to wait now! They circle, Yano still complains about earlier, and the two finally approach, only for Naito to back off. Yano is annoyed again, but they approach. Both men dodge the other! Fans cheer as the two tricksters think the same thing. They circle again, Yano dodges Naito but Naito rolls him up! TWO!! Yano escapes and shocks Naito! Yano bails out and hurries away to the gate. Yano huffs and puffs but the ref wants him to return. Yano doesn’t care about that, he wants Naito to come after him. The ref insists they do this in the ring and fans cheer.
The ring count begins, Yano returns to ringside but Naito keeps approaching. The count is at 10 of 20 as Yano keeps trying to find an opening. Yano goes around, Naito is still close, and the count reaches 15! Yano tells Naito to knock it off! Naito has the red chair, Yano has no choice but to get in at 19! Naito stomps away on Yano over and over at the ropes but the ref reprimands. Naito stops, but then gives one last stomp. Naito drags Yano up, cravats at the ropes, but the ref counts. Naito lets off but clubs away on Yano’s back! Naito grins and whips, but Yano holds ropes! Yano taunts Naito, Naito runs over but Yano dumps him out! Yano says he’s gonna dive?! Yano builds speed, Naito ducks, but Yano borrows one of Naito’s tricks with the somersault roll! And then Yano shrugs.
Yano turns to look for Naito, but Naito’s gone! Naito sneaks in as Yano asks the fans where he went, and Naito borrows a Yano move by going for a buckle pad! Yano clubs Naito and drags him up to whip corner to corner. Naito reverses, Yano stops himself, but Naito finishes untying the buckle pad! So Yano hurries to untie the other! Both men have a buckle pad but Yano strikes first! Yano is the master of buckle pad style, after all. The ref confiscates Yano’s but Yano just grabs Naito’s! Naito ducks the pad attack to kick and run, into a PAD SMACK! Naito bails out while the ref reprimands but Yano pursues. Yano has TAPE! Yano brings Naito up but Naito hits him first! Naito RAMS Yano into railing, then takes the tape for his own! The ref reprimands Naito so he throws the tape away.
Naito drags Yano up to whip, but Yano reverses and sends Naito into the railing! Yano gets the bottle and sprays Naito with disinfectant! And then he sprays Young Lion, Yota Tsuji!? Why?! Yano brings Tsuji around to the other side of the railing and shoves him down! Because Yano has MORE TAPE! Yano is taping Tsuji and Naito together!! The ring count is starting and Naito grabs at Yano. Yano finishes taping Tsuji and Naito together and leaves them behind! The count is passed 10 of 20 as Naito and Tsuji try to get free of the railing! Naito realizes something, and he gets Tsuji to pass through the gap! They’re in the ring together at 19.9!! Yano complains and he stomps them both! It’s like a weird handicap match!
Yano runs and Naito has Tsuji help in a DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE! Naito and Tsuji finally undo the tape and fans cheer. Naito throws up the LIJ fist, will Tsuji give it back? He does, and Naito kicks him and scoops him, to SLAM onto Yano! Guess that’s how Naito says thanks. Naito scoops the ref?! The ref slips out and reprimands Naito, he’s not a human weapon! Yano LOW BLOWS?! And BLINDSIDE SPEARS! Roll up but Naito slips out and bumps into the ref! Atomic LOW BLOW! JACKKNIFE! Naito wins!!
Winner: Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall; gains 2 points, Yano earns 0
The epic battle of charismatic odd balls is finished, and it is the IWGP Double Champion that took the victory! Will the IWGP Double Champion use this as a key victory in securing the block?
B Block – Hirooki Goto VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo!
The Fierce Warrior is still alive in the block, but he’s on the bubble! Will that bubble burst when Darkness Falls?
Evil and Dick Low Sweet and fans cheer. The bell rings and fans cheer more as Goto and Evil circle. They approach but Evil kicks low. Evil headlocks, grinds, but Goto pries at the hold. Evil just holds tighter, but Goto powers out and gets his own headlock! Goto grinds Evil down now, and holds on as Evil tries to power out. Evil tries again but Goto just squeezes tighter and tighter! Evil powers up and third time’s the charm, but they collide and Goto stays up to dodge and run Evil over! Fans cheer as Goto stomps Evil down. Goto drags Evil up, snapmares him and KICKS him in the back! Goto stomps Evil to ropes then stomps him at the ropes! Red Shoes reprimands and Dick protests.
Goto drags Evil up, throws forearms then whips, but Evil holds ropes. Goto stomps Evil and throws more forearms, then whips him. Evil reverses, Dick trips Goto and drags him out! Dick throws Goto into railing but Goto gets mad! Dick backs off, Evil attacks Goto! Evil whips Goto into railing! Goto goes down in a heap but Red Shoes reprimands. Dick stays back while Evil drags Goto up. Evil wraps Goto’s bad arm around the railing! Red Shoes reprimands but Evil BOOTS the arm! Dick keeps Red Shoes distracted while Evil brings out chairs! Evil brings Goto up, puts a chair around his head, and then has the other chair for the HOME RUN! Evil grins but Red Shoes reprimands. Evil backs off and fans rally up for Goto. Red Shoes checks on Goto but Goto is okay to continue.
Goto slowly gets up as fans continue to rally, but Evil is watching closely. Goto gets in the ring, Evil undoes the blue corner’s buckle pad. Evil brings Goto up to wrench and elbow the bad arm, but Goto kick and chops back! Evil doesn’t flinch as he whips Goto into the bare buckles! Evil has a cocky cover but Red Shoes won’t count after what he just saw. Evil brings Goto back up, and whips him into bare buckles again! Evil taunts the fans and claps, but not everyone follows along. Evil drags Goto up, scoops and slams him, then covers. TWO, but Evil tries again, TWO! Evil tries again, TWO! Evil and Dick protest the count but that was fair. Fans rally up for Goto but Evil brings Goto back up. Evil suplexes, Goto fights it off and tries to suplex, but Evil resists.
The two fight for suplex control, Goto throws body shots and forearms, and more forearms, but Evil clubs the bad arm! Evil wrenches and whips, but Goto stops going into the bare buckles, and baits Evil in! Evil bounces off bare buckles and into Goto’s back suplex! Fans rally up as both men slowly rise. Goto runs in and hits the MURAMASA! And BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Goto keeps his focus and drags Evil back up. Goto fireman’s carries but Evil rakes eyes and pulls hair! Goto breaks free, Evil blocks the kick and gives it to Red Shoes to mule kick Goto down! Evil grins as he brings Goto back up. Fans rally but Evil FISHERMAN BUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Goto still lives and Evil is frustrated. Evil drags Goto back up, fireman’s carries, but Goto fights out with elbows.
Evil elbows Goto back and runs, but Goto follows. Evil dodges, Goto follows and blows past, but Evil goes to the corner! Evil runs out, into a fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Fans are fired up as both men are down! Fans rally up as Goto and Evil slowly stir. Evil gets to a corner, Goto runs in and corner clotheslines! Goto throws Evil down and then goes to the corner! Dick creeps close, Goto kicks at him and Red Shoes reprimands. The delay allows Evil to intercept Goto and throw him off the top! Evil watches Goto rise and then runs, to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer as Goto stays in this! Evil drags Goto back up, fireman’s carries, DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives and Evil is shocked!
Fans rally up as Evil rises. Evil slashes the throat, drags Goto up and spins him around, but Goto denies the STO! Goto pulls hair, Evil swings into the HEAD SHOT neckbreaker! Both men are down again but Dick coaches Evil up. Fans rally as the two stir. Goto gets up first, drags Evil up and throws forearms! Evil throws forearms back, but Goto hits back! Evil throws a forearm, Goto gets the edge! Goto runs and clotheslines Evil out of the ring! Dick checks on Evil and helps him up, but Goto PLANCHAS them both down! Fans fire up as Goto fires up! Goto drags Evil up, puts him in the ring and goes up top! FALLING ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Evil survives but fans rally up for Goto. Goto drags Evil back up, dragon sleepers, but Evil rakes eyes!
Evil flounders to a corner, Goto runs in again, but into a boot! Goto tries again, but Evil boots him again! Evil runs but the two collide with clotheslines! Neither falls so they try again! Another double clothesline, and Evil gets in Red Shoes’ face. Dick has the SPOILER CHOKER! But Goto gets him up for USHIGOROSHI! Fans fire up as Evil runs in but Goto takes the clothesline! Goto HEADBUTTS back! Fans fire up more as Goto focuses his power, and hits Evil with the BUZZSAW! Goto isn’t done there, he drags Evil up into the dragon sleeper! Evil fights back, Goto turns him around, REVERSE GTR! Cover, TWO!! Evil survives but Goto isn’t done yet!
Goto drags Evil back up, dragon sleepers, but Evil spins out to spin Goto, but no STO as Goto tries another dragon sleeper! Evil shoves Goto away at Red Shoes, but Goto stops himself! Goto swats the low blow away to discus, into EVERYTHING IS EVIL!!! Cover, EVIL WINS!!
Winner: EVIL, by pinfall; gains 2 points, Goto earns 0
Goto’s G1 is done! He tried but could not stop the King of Darkness! Will Evil’s justice prevail and win the block?
B Block – Hiroshi Tanahashi VS SANADA!
The Ace could not conquer Goto, and he is out of the running! The Cold Skull still has to deal with Evil, will he be going in with red hot momentum?
Tanahashi takes off the jacket and fans cheer for the muscles. The bell rings and fans rally as the two circle. Sanada and Tanahashi tie up, Tanahashi powers Sanada to ropes but Sanada turns things around. Sanada gives a clean break and the fans cheer. Tanahashi and Sanada circle again, tie up again, and Tanahashi waistlocks. Sanada standing switches but Tanahashi switches back. Sanada switches back but Tanahashi switches going the other direction. Sanada wrenches free, has the wristlock, but Tanahashi spins through and wrenches back. Sanada rolls, uses a leg to free himself, and drags Tanahashi down to get the arm. Tanahashi gets up to arm-drag but Sanada arm-drags back, but Tanahashi headscissors. Sanada pops out and the fans cheer as Tanahashi air guitars.
Tanahashi and Sanada reset as fans rally back up. The clapping for “TA-NA-HASH!” “SA-NA-DA!” starts as the two circle. They tie up with knuckle locks, Tanahashi wrenches and wrenches and wrenches, but Sanada grits his teeth as he endures the wristlock. Sanada rolls, handsprings and cartwheels and handsprings to wrench back! Tanahashi drops to get the leg but Sanada gets away, and the fans cheer again. Tanahashi and Sanada circle as the clapping of “TA-NA-DA!” (Rice terrace?) begin. Sanada kicks and knees low, then clubs Tanahashi on the back. Sanada clubs more but Tanahashi waistlocks to a headlock and takeover! Sanada keeps his shoulders up, rolls Tanahashi, ONE! Sanada headscissors and squeezes tight to keep Tanahashi down!
Tanahashi moves around, fights against the headscissors and pops free to get a headlock! But Sanada gets him back in the headscissor! Sanada squeezes tight again, Tanahashi moves around and pops out to another headlock, but again Sanada gets him with a headscissor hold! Fans cheer this technical exchange. Tanahashi bridges and flips up and over, but Sanada wrangles him back down! Tanahashi grows frustrated but he gets fans rallying again. Tanahashi turns Sanada over, pops out and has the deathlock! Bow ‘n’ Arrow, Sanada pops out and covers, ONE! Fans cheer as these two have a stand off. Fans rally up as Sanada and Tanahashi circle again. Tanahashi and Sanada both go to kick but they both block the other!
They argue who should let go, and agree to let go at the same time, only to try and fake the other out. This time, they agree to let go, but Sanada tricks Tanahashi! Sanada trips Tanahashi, Tanahashi counters Paradise to a cradle, ONE! Tanahashi dropkicks a leg out! Fans fire up with Tanahashi as he goes after Sanada’s leg. Tanahashi pulls the leg, then steps over to YANK it! Tanahashi drops elbows on the knee, then has a toehold to pull on the leg. Sanada endures, moves around, but Tanahashi gets the other leg for an Indian deathlock! Tanahashi sits up for the butterfly stretch variant, then stands to add more torque! He BRIDGES! Bridging Indian Deathlock! Sanada endures but Tanahashi can’t keep the bridge forever. Sanada drags himself over to the ropebreak!
Tanahashi needs help and Red Shoes frees Sanada. Fans cheer as Tanahashi brings Sanada back up. Sanada throws forearms but Tanahashi eggs him on! Sanada throws more forearms, and more forearms, but Tanahashi kicks the leg! Fans rally as Tanahashi stalks Sanada at the ropes. Tanahashi wrenches and whips, but Sanada reverses, only for Tanahashi to kick! Sanada catches the leg to DRAGON SCREW! The Cold Skull uses one of Tanahashi’s favorites! Fans rally up and Sanada stands first. Sanada hobbles over, throws forearms on Tanahashi then whips, but Tanahashi reverses to forearm back. Tanahashi whips, Sanada reverses and hurdles, hurdles and dropkicks Tanahashi down! Fans cheer as Tanahashi bails out.
Sanada aims, slingshots, PLANCHA! Direct hit and the fans cheer agian! Sanada encourages them to get louder and they get louder! Sanada drags Tanahashi back up and puts him in the ring. Fans cheer as Sanada covers, TWO! Fans rally with more clapping, Sanada brings Tanahashi up to knee low. Sanada whips Tanahashi corner to corner then runs in, but blocks a boot. Tanahashi boots with the other leg, then runs to sunset flip! Sanada rolls through, gets the arms and legs, and puts the Ace in Paradise! Sanada stands on Tanahashi for a quick photo op, then goes to a corner. Sanada aims and runs, to dropkick Tanahashi out of Paradise! Sanada then brings Tanahashi to the ropes and adds that into Paradise! Tanahashi is caught and Sanada has the fans get louder. And louder! And louder!
Sanada is satisfied with the volume as he runs and dropkicks Tanahashi back out of Paradise! Cover, TWO! Sanada brings Tanahashi up, fireman’s carries, but Tanahashi fights out. Tanahashi shoves Sanada to a corner, Sanada boots Tanahashi away and goes up to Quebrada! Tanahashi gets under, runs back in and gets the leg, but Sanada fights free! Sanada runs, but again Tanahashi dropkicks a leg! Sanada stays up, kicks, but into a DRAGON SCREW! The clapping returns as Sanada bails out. Tanahashi fires up and goes to the apron then the top rope! Tanahashi aims for ACES HIGH FLY CROSSBODY! Direct hit and both men go down! Red Shoes checks on both men while fans rally back up. Tanahashi drags himself up first and gets in the ring.
The ring count begins as Sanada stirs. Sanada sits up after 10 of 20, stands after 15 of 20, and is in at 19.5! Tanahashi is after the leg, DRAGON SCREW in the ropes! And a dropkick! And another DRAGON SCREW! Sanada falls over and Tanahashi fires up! Fans rally as he gets the legs. Tanahashi laces the legs up for the CLOVERLEAF! Sanada endures but Tanahashi sits DEEP! Sanada powers up and fans rally as he heads for ropes. Tanahashi adds more pressure to the stretch! Sanada drops but he refuses to give up! Sanada gets the ropebreak! Fans cheer as Tanahashi reluctantly lets Sanada go. Tanahashi stomps Sanada as fans rally again. Sanada stands, Tanahashi runs, but Sanada fireman’s carries! But no TKO, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi holds on, ANOTHER TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!
Tanahashi wants another but Sanada suplexes Tanahashi to ropes, MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down again and fans rally up. Sanada drags Tanahashi up, fireman’s carries, TKO! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives but Sanada encourages fans to get loud again. Fans get louder and louder, and Sanada says he’ll end this! Sanada drags Tanahashi up into the dragon sleeper, but Tanahashi breaks free! Sanada dropkicks Tanahashi, whips Tanahashi but Tanahashi reverses. Sanada tumbles up and out to springboard missile dropkick! Sanada goes up top and MOONSAULTS, but has to land on his feet as Tanahashi moves! The leg gives him troubles, Tanahashi runs to SLING BLADE! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi fires up with the fans!
Tanahashi drags Sanada up and reels him in, but Sanada fights off the full nelson, only to get caught in a straitjacket GERMAN! Bridging cover, TWO!! Sanada escapes and fans fire up with Tanahashi! Tanahashi goes to a corner, goes up top, HIGH FLY FLOW onto knees!! Sanada saves himself at the last second, but it was perhaps double-edged given how Tanahashi has gone after that leg! Fans rally up again, “SA-NA-SHI!” (Sana City? Where is that?) Sanada gets up first, hobbles over, drags Tanahashi up, but Tanahashi SHOTEIS! Sanada staggers to a corner, Tanahashi runs in but Sanada uppercuts back! QUEBRADA to dragon sleeper! SKULL END!! Tanahashi is caught in the body scissors as Sanada cranks back on the hold! Fans rally again as Tanahashi endures!
Red Shoes checks on Tanahashi but he pops out of the sleeper! Sanada just gets it back! Sanada drags Tanahashi back down and the rallying continues! Tanahashi still endures the squeeze, uses a leg to unhook the body scissors, and fights out of the dragon sleeper! Tanahashi cranks on Sanada’s leg but Sanada gets the dragon sleeper back! Sanada squeezes tight on Skull End and Tanahashi fades! Red Shoes checks, the arm falls, but Sanada lets him go! Sanada goes up top, MOONSAULT onto knees!! Tanahashi gets even with Sanada! Fans are thunderous as they rally again! Tanahashi and Sanada slowly stir, and Tanahashi is first to stand. Tanahashi gets the leg and hits a GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And then ANOTHER! And then laces the legs, but Sanada powers out!
Sanada gets up, Tanahashi runs over, Sanada jumps but the huricanrana is blocked! Tanahashi gets the legs to a CLOVERLEAF!! Tanahashi sits DEEP on Sanada again! Sanada endures, fans rally, but Tanahashi goes as deep as he can! Sanada fights, powers up, drags himself over, but Tanahashi gives it one last push! Sanada is so close, but he doesn’t give up! He gets the ROPEBREAK! Tanahashi lets go but fans are fired up again! Tanahashi wants Sanada to rise, and as Sanada does, Tanahashi runs! SLING- NO! Sanada tries the O’Conner, Tanahashi bucks him off! Sanada tries again but Tanahashi switches and rolls Sanada! O’Conner Bridge, TWO!! SKULL END!!!
Tanahashi rolls back, drags Sanada up, but Sanada turns it around! Inverted suplex but Tanahashi turns it to a dragon sleeper of his own! Tanahashi hits an inverted suplex SLAM! Sanada rises, Tanahashi runs, SLING BLADE! Fans fire up as Tanahashi goes back up top! Tanahashi aims, HIGH FLY- CUTTER!!! Sanada counters, covers, TWO!!! Tanahashi survives and the fans are thunderous again! Sanada gets to ropes, goes up top, MOONSAULT onto Tanahashi’s back! Sanada turns Tanahashi over and goes up again, to MOONSAULT to Tanahashi’s chest!! Cover, Sanada wins!!
Winner: SANADA, by pinfall; gains 2 points, Tanahashi earns 0
The Cold Skull trumps The Ace! There is still hope for Sanada in the G1! Sanada gets the mic though he’s still seated on the mat because obviously his leg still needs to rest. Fans cheer as he says, “This is the first time NJPW has come to Yokohama Budokan. Why don’t we mark the occasion?” The fans are way ahead of him as they bring out phones to be the stars. The spotlight drops, and Sanada continues to say, “I lost my first three, and now I’ve won five in a row, including tonight. Next is Ryogoku and Evil.” Sanada vows to have to have the better showing and win. With everything gone on, he’s grateful the fans came here tonight. This is his gift in return. “Oi, Yokohama! See you next time!” The Cold Skull is ready to settle things with the traitor, but will he bring Evil’s run to a Skull End?
Here are the NEW B Block standings!
EVIL: 6-2, 12 points
Tetsuya Naito: 6-2, 12 points
SANADA: 5-3, 10 points
Zack Sabre Jr: 5-3, 10 points [ELIMINATED]
KENTA: 4-4, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Hirooki Goto: 4-4, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Toru Yano: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Juice Robinson: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
YOSHI-HASHI: 1-7, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
My Thoughts:
Another great round but what else is new with NJPW? They always give us great stuff. I was surprised at how much we got out of Yoshi-Hashi VS Kenta, because the hour mark of the show is usually where they take a break, and that match pushed things pretty deep. Kenta is Naito’s last opponent, so either he’s a spoiler, or he owes Naito a shot at his US Championship contract. Juice VS ZSJ was great, and ZSJ gets a great win even though he’s now out of the running since Naito and Sanada are still in. Naito VS Yano may not have been a great match in traditional terms, but it was an incredibly high quality comedy match. It may not be 5 stars, but that was 4.5 out of 5 clowns (or whatever the comedy equivalent of a star rating would be). Evil VS Goto and Sanada VS Tanahashi were also great matches, especially for Sanada.
For those unsure, Sanada’s 5-3 keeps him alive versus ZSJ’s 5-3 because one of Sanada’s 5 wins was over ZSJ. Sanada VS Evil in the final round is going to be HUGE. It’d be crazy if Sanada won the block after going 0-3 like he did, but at the very least, he can stick it to Evil for his betrayal of LIJ by spoiling Evil’s G1.
My Score: 9.1/10
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Once more around the round robin!
Best of the Super Juniors returns, yet Douki chooses not to compete! Who proves they’re “second best” to the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: Taiji Ishimori VS Jakob Austin Young; Taiji wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: SHO VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Daiki Nagai; Taguchi wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: YOH VS Hyo; Hyo wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Robbie X VS Nick Wayne; Nick wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: KUSHIDA VS Robbie Eagles; Kushida wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Master Wato VS Titan; Titan wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: El Desperado VS Daisuke Sasaki; Daisuke wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Francesco Akira; Fujita wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: Taiji Ishimori VS Jakob Austin Young!
The Bone Soldier and #DangerousJAY get to set the tone for the first round with this opening match. Will Taiji be victorious #ByGrace? Or will he fall off Jakob’s Ladder?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. The two tie up, Jakob headlocks, but Taiji puts him on ropes. The ref counts, Taiji backs off, and the fans cheer the clean break. Taiji and Jakob go again, feel things out, then clinch. Jakob puts Taiji on the ropes, the ref calls the break, but Jakob gives a quick body jab. The fans boo but Jakob tells them to shut up. The two circle again, tie up, and Jakob headlocks. Taiji powers up and out but Jakob RUNS him over! Things keep moving, Taiji drops down, hurdles over, but Jakob waistlocks. Taiji fires elbows, then runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and RANAS! Jakob tumbles, Taiji DROPKICKS him out!
The fans fire up as Taiji builds speed, but he tiger feints as Jakob moves! The fans cheer again, and then Taiji PLANCHAS! Down goes Jakob and the fans fire up again! Taiji goes back for Jakob, puts him in the ring, then covers, TWO! Jakob is tougher than that but Taiji stays close. Taiji cravats to snapmare Jakob, then NECK TWIST! Jakob writhes but the fans applaud, and Taiji stalks Jakob. Taiji CLUBS Jakob, ROCKS him with a right, but the ref reprimands about closed fists. Taiji wrenches and whips Jakob to a corner, then runs up, but Jakob puts Taiji on the apron. Jakob RAMS low, then pulls Taiji through the ropes, NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT!
The fans applaud Jakob’s creativity while Taiji slumps down. Jakob builds speed to WRECK Taiji with a dropkick! Jakob says crowns up, then he fetches Taiji. Jakob SMACKS Taiji off the apron, the ref reprimands, but Jakob puts Taiji in the ring. Jakob mocks the fans applauding, then slides into the ring. Cover, TWO! Jakob stomps Taiji while he argues the count. Jakob taunts Taiji, pats him on the head, but Taiji fires CHOPS! Jakob eggs Taiji on so Taiji CHOPS again! Jakob felt that one, but he dodges the lariat to wrench and spin Taiji around, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Taiji survives.
Jakob stands Taiji up, suplexes, but Taiji slips free. Taiji ducks a shot to then CLAW the eyes! Taiji whips, Jakob reverses, but Taiji handsprings, NEURALIZER KICK! Down goes Jakob and the fans applaud. Taiji and Jakob rise, Taiji runs in at the corner, and he DOUBLE KNEES! Then Taiji fireman’s carries, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Basement SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Taiji waits on Jakob while we pass five minutes. Jakob rises, Taiji runs up, LA MYST- NO, Jakob blocks to THROW Taiji down! Then dragon sleeper for the SAVING GRACE! Cover, TWO! Taiji survives and the fans fire up again!
Jakob frowns as he storms back over to Taiji. Jakob grabs the legs, steps through, but Taiji kicks and kicks. Taiji kicks free, but Jakob SLIDING KNEES! Cover, TWO! Jakob argues with the ref again but the ref defends his count. Taiji stirs but Jakob brings him up. Jakob cravats, goes to the corner, but Taiji slips free! BUCKLE SHOT! The fans cheer while Jakob sputters in the corner. Taiji rises again, and the fans rally as he brings Jakob up. Taiji whips but Jakob blocks! Taiji wrenches the arm to YANK it! Jakob falls to his knees but Taiji stands him up. Hammerlock, scoop, and SHOULDER BUSTER! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Jakob survives.
Taiji stays focused and he brings Jakob up. Taiji ripcords, LA MYSTI- NO, Jakob slips free! Jakob CHOPS, Taiji CHOPS, but Jakob ROCKS Taiji with a forearm! Jakob runs, but Taiji is up to JUMP KNEE! The fans fire up again and Taiji calls his shot! Taiji hauls Jakob up, gut wrenches, and CIPHER UT- NO, Jakob catches it to a cover, TWO! Taiji victory rolls, TWO! Taiji ducks ‘n’ dodges, LA MYSTICA! BONE LOCK!! Jakob flails, reaches out, but Taiji rolls him to center! Jakob TAPS, Taiji wins!
Winner: Taiji Ishimori, by submission (gains 2 points; Jakob earns 0)
The tone is set, and it is Unbound! Will that be exactly how Taiji’s run goes? Or will he still fall short of his first BOSJ trophy?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: SHO VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
Wait, wait, wait. Douki choosing to stay out of this tournament is one thing, but the Murder Machine and Heel Master facing each other in the first round? Well, the fix is in already, but who will help the other get an easy win?
Well, since they’re both House of Torture, no one attacks the other. And it seems they’re both out here alone, if only for now. Wait, Sho grabs the mic. “This is a battle of two of the absolute best Junior Heavyweights. And it is a disgrace that this incredible match is only second on the card. The power balance of this division is so screwed up. But to make sure this makes everyone regrets this, Kanemaru-san, you and I are gonna have the best match of this entire tournament! And we know we’re not coming out of this unscathed. This will be a Match of the Year contender!
“And all these country bumpkins in Tokyo will see the best match of their entire lives, even though they don’t deserve it! This should be in the Tokyo Dome with a minimum buy-in of 100 MILLION Yen! Kanemaru-san, I don’t want to hurt you. But let’s have a great match, and as your kouhai, you’ll do me a solid and lie down.” Kanemaru agrees to a fair match, the two “put one out” together, and then the bell rings. Kanemaru already lies down!? Finger Poke of Doom 2026! Sho applauds, the fans clap along, and Kanemaru snatches Sho into the victory roll! TWO!! Kanemaru bails out and Sho is upset! Kanemaru argues the count while the fans laugh at Sho!
Sho is upset, he raises the ref’s hand, then he grabs Kanemaru’s bottle of whiskey! The ref and Sho fight over the bottle, but Kanemaru slithers in, and he’s holding Sho’s wrench! Kanemaru sneaks the Torture Tool into Sho’s waistband, and then shoves him around. The ref sees the wrench in Sho’s pants! Now they argue over the wrench! Kanemaru rolls Sho up, TWO! Headlock takeover, TWO! Trip and jackknife bridge, TWO!! The fans cheer Kanemaru for how close he got! Sho is still beside himself but Kanemaru bails out. Kanemaru goes around the outside, Sho chases him and says how dare he mess around!
Sho round the corner, Kanemaru dropkicks the legs out! Kanemaru SMASHES the leg off the floor! Then FIGURE FOUR! The fans cheer but a ring count climbs! Sho flails, reaches out, but Kanemaru holds until 12 of 20! Kanemaru leaves Sho behind, but Sho grabs Kanemaru’s legs! Sho drags Kanemaru off the apron, fans clear out, and Sho THROWS Kanemaru into chairs! Then Sho sends a Young Lion into Kanemaru! The count is still going!! We pass 15 as Kanemaru sends Young Lion Taisei Nakahara back at Sho! The fans cheer as Kanemaru rolls in! 18! 19! Sho slides in at 19.99! The fans cheer while Kanemaru is shocked!
Kanemaru apologizes to Sho? Kanemaru offers a handshake, the fans cheer, but Sho says Kanemaru needs to watch himself. Sho takes the handshake, then bends Kanemaru’s fingers! Kanemaru CLAWS Sho with his other hand! Kanemaru runs, Sho uses the ref as a shield, but then so does Kanemaru! Kanemaru ENZIGIRIS Sho! Kanemaru stomps Sho’s fingers! Kanemaru grabs his whiskey! The ref protests, Kanemaru shoves him away, then Kanemaru takes a swig. But Sho smothers Kanemaru! Kanemaru breaks free, but Sho just smothers him again! Kanemaru’s at his limit, and Sho lets go, WHISKEY MIST into the ref!
The ref is blinded, Sho laughs at them both, and Sho says that should be a disqualification, right? IT IS!
Winner: Sho, by disqualification (gains 2 points; Kanemaru earns 0)
Kanemaru is mad at the ref and TOSSES him out! Poor Sakamoto… Sho apologizes to Kanemaru now, but they were both playing dirty anyway. They fist bump and head out, but will the trickery only continue until one of them is the Best of the Super Juniors?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Daiki Nagai!
The Funky Weapon has had his moments in this tournament, but the Unbound Young Lion is finally having his first! Will Taguchi be serious right from the start? Or will he underestimate his young opponent?
Oh snap, Daiki SHOTGUNS Taguchi during introductions! The fans fire up as Daiki shows how serious he is about this! The bell rings as he whips Taguchi, but Taguchi reverses to start up the cycle of dropdown and sidestep! But Daiki knows it well and DROPKICKS Taguchi out! The fans fire up as Daiki builds speed, and DIVES! Down goes Taguchi right in front of the fans! The fans fire up with Daiki and he brings Taguchi up. Daiki says here goes, and he climbs up the corner! Taguchi stands, Daiki MISSILE DROPKICKS! Taguchi flounders away but Daiki runs in at the corner! Taguchi dodges, rolls Daiki, then DROPKICKS in return!
The fans rally as Taguchi crawls to the cover, TWO! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Daiki scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi holds but lets go as the ref reprimands. Things finally slow down and Taguchi can take off his shirt. Taguchi CHOKES Daiki with it! The ref reprimands, Taguchi stops right away, and he apologizes for getting mad. Taguchi reels Daiki in, has the leg, but Daiki fights the lift! Taguchi fires body shots to then SHIN BREAKER! And DROPKICK to the leg! The fans rally as Taguchi grabs OH MY GAH ANKLE! Daiki flails, crawls, and makes the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go, but then kneels on the leg for a toehold.
Daiki grabs the ropes again, the ref counts, and Taguchi steps away. Taguchi drags Daiki up to HIP ATTACK! And HIP ATTACK! Daiki rises but Taguchi brings him up. Daiki ROCKS Taguchi, Taguchi ROCKS Daiki, repeat! The shots go back and forth, Taguchi fires a flurry, then he runs, but Taguchi follows! HIP- ATOMIC DROP! Daiki still knows the tricks, and he waistlocks. Taguchi fights with elbows, then more elbows, then he feints the run! But Daiki avoids the hips! But Taguchi victory rolls again! TWO, and Daiki DROPKICKS! Taguchi falls into a corner and the fans fire up again! Daiki has a wild look in his eyes as he goes to the other corner.
Daiki runs in and HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! Daiki hurries to drag Taguchi out, covers, TWO! The fans fire up again while Daiki goes to a corner. Daiki climbs, the fans rally, and Daiki DIVING BODY FLOPS as Taguchi moves! Daiki sputters while Taguchi crawls to a corner. Taguchi calls upon the powers of Strong Style, “OYA~!” BUM- NO, Daiki rolls Taguchi up! TWO, and Taguchi dodges a lariat to roll Daiki up! TWO, and OH MY- NO, Daiki kicks free! SLIDING HIP! Cover, TWO!! Daiki survives and the fans fire up, but Taguchi hauls Daiki right up! Taguchi chicken wings and DODON- NO, Daiki victory rolls, TWO!
Daiki ROCKS Taguchi, Taguchi ENZIGIRIS! Daiki rebounds to CHOP! Daiki runs, but into a DROPKICK! Taguchi hurries to cover, TWO, but OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Daiki flails again, reaches out, and the fans rally even harder! Taguchi puts on the pressure but Daiki still fights his way forward! Daiki reaches out but Taguchi drags him back! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Daiki claws with everything he has, but Taguchi YANKS Daiki back! Chicken wings and DODON BUSTER!! Cover, Taguchi wins!
Winner: Ryusuke Taguchi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Daiki earns 0)
Taguchi got serious because Daiki brought it out of him! And with that, Taguchi already has his first win in this year’s tournament! Will Taguchi prove that the Funky Weapon still has what it takes? Will Daiki learn from this and make sure his first win is in the second round?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: YOH VS HYO!
A curious match-up here, and not just because you can rearrange one man’s name and spell the other’s. But will Mr. Direct Drive kick it into gear right from the start? Or will The Black Panther prove he’s the apex predator in this tournament?
The fans have a hard time making heads or tails of the ring gear, and Yoh asks for a little help with the halter top. Hyo makes sure his little snow leopard, Nyan Nyan, is comfortable in the corner, then the bell rings. The two run up, Hyo leaps over the dropdown, then mule kicks. Hyo whips, Yoh reverses, but Hyo goes up and over, then handsprings through! Things really speed up, and the panther gets the zoomies as he runs around Yoh! Then DROPKICK! The fans cheer while Yoh bails out! Hyo shows his claws, and the fans rally up as Hyo builds speed. But Hyo handsprings through as Yoh moves!
The fans cheer and Yoh THROWS Nyan Nyan down! The fans boo Yoh for that, Hyo flexes and the fans cheer. But Yoh sneaks in to wrench and trip Hyo! Yoh ties Hyo up in Paradise! The fans cheer as Yoh stands on Hyo, then “kicks sand” before he runs around like a cat! Yoh “pees” on Hyo, maybe he’s a dog instead. Yoh then runs to DROPKICK Hyo outta Paradise! Yoh drags Hyo up, reels him in, and suplexes, but Hyo fights free, wrenches, then NEKODAMASHI CLAP! Cradle, TWO! Yoh rolls Hyo, TWO! Hyo runs up, sunset flips, TWO! Yoh sits on the cover, TWO! Hyo has it again, TWO! Yoh has it again, TWO!!
The fans cheer that near escape, but Yoh kicks and runs. But Hyo blows past, and now both men have the zoomies! They chase each other like cats ‘n’ dogs, then STUNNER to SOMERSAULT DRIVER! Cover, HYO WINS!!
Winner: Hyo, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Yoh earns 0)
In the blink of an eye, the Panther snatches that win like a rabbit out of the hat! Hyo shows Yoh respect with the Roppongi 3K salute, AND A KISS?! Yoh faints, will he be able to recover from that? Or will Hyo hunt down the top spot in the block?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Robbie X VS Nick Wayne!
The former IWGP Junior Tag Team Champion and the former ROH World Television Champion (sorry if that’s spoilers/breaking kayfabe) meet in hopes of each becoming the next IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. Will things get too extreme for The Prodigy? Or will NJPW enter Wayne’s World?
The bell rings and the fans rally behind Robbie. Robbie and Nick circle, tie up, and Robbie headlocks. Nick powers up and out, but Robbie handsprings! Nick stops the cutter, but Robbie fights the full nelson! Robbie trips Nick, but Nick avoids the PK! Nick arm-drags Robbie, Robbie headscissors, but Nick kips free to kick low! Nick whips, Robbie goes up and over in the corner, then handsprings! Things keep moving, Nick hurdles to then UPPERCUT! The fans fire up as Nick kips up again! Robbie flounders away but Nick storms over to him. Nick drags Robbie up, CHOPS him in the corner, then follows him along the ropes.
Robbie goes to another corner but Nick kisses him on the bald head before he CHOPS again! Nick then snapmares Robbie, leg drops, then covers, TWO! Robbie is tougher than that but Nick keeps his cool. Nick stalks Robbie, brings him up, but Robbie CHOPS! The fans cheer but Nick comes back. Robbie ROCKS Nick, ROCKS him again, then again! But Nick ROCKS Robbie back! Nick stalks Robbie, whips him to ropes, but Robbie avoids the superkick! Nick runs up, Robbie cartwheels to dodge! Nick tumbles out to the apron, Robbie NO HAND HANDSPRINGS to knock Nick down! Then Robbie reloads, PLANCHA! Down goes Nick and the fans fire up!
Robbie brings Nick up, puts him in the ring, and slingshots for the SILVER FLIP SENTON! Cover, TWO! Nick is still in this but the fans rally behind Robbie. Robbie checks his neck, then brings Nick up. Robbie reels Nick in but Nick fights the lift. Robbie still tries but Nick still fights. Robbie winds up to CHOP Nick down! The fans cheer but Robbie reels Nick back in, only for Nick to BACKDROP free! Robbie sunsets but Nick sits on it, TWO! Robbie finishes the flip, TWO! Nick is up, he dodges Robbie, and SNAP DRAGONS! The fans fire up for that very Kenny Omega level move! Nick then waits on Robbie to get up while he takes aim.
Nick runs corner to corner, but Robbie dodges! Robbie runs back up, blocks a boot, but not the ENZIGIRI! Nick goes up, up, WAYNE’S- NO, Robbie dodges the cutter and mule kicks! Robbie goes to run but Nick reels him in! Robbie fights the waistlock again, but Nick ducks a shot! Nick ROCKS Robbie, Robbie ELBOWS Nick, and PELES! The fans fire up with Robbie as he powers up again, only for Nick to jump up! POISON-RANA! The fans rally while Robbie is down! Nick calls his shot, gathers power, and Robbie rises up, into the BUZZ- NO, Robbie ducks, jumps up, POISON-RANA! The fans fire up as Robbie returns the favor!
Nick bails out, but Robbie springboards, SKY TWISTER! Down goes Nick but Robbie puts him in fast! Robbie handsprings, LETHAL INJECTION X!! Cover, TWO!! Nick survives and Robbie is shocked! The fans rally even harder for Robbie as he rises up. Robbie drags Nick to a drop zone, climbs up the corner, and X EX- NO, Robbie has to roll through as Nick moves! Robbie runs back up, but into a SUPERKICK! Robbie is down but Nick leans against the corner as he catches his breath. The fans rally up harder and harder still, and Nick rises to his feet. Nick calls his shot, and he goes up, into WAYNE’S- BACKSLIDE! TWO!
Nick BOOTS Robbie, runs, but Robbie ROCKS Nick! Robbie runs, Nick blows past, but Robbie dodges, QUEBRADA into a SUPERKICK! Nick hits the anti-air, and now he calls his shot! BUZZSAW, and WAYNE’S WORLD! Cover, NICK WINS!
Winner: Nick Wayne, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Robbie earns 0)
He may have lost the title, but Nick rebounds to get a major win in the tournament! Will nothing stop The Prodigy from proving he’s the next big thing? Can Robbie get the X Express back on track in the second round?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: KUSHIDA VS Robbie Eagles!
The Time Splitter returns to NJPW, hoping to prove he is still the Best of the Super Juniors. But he now stands in the crosshairs of the Sniper of the Skies! Will Kushida still bring us Back to the Future? Or will Eagles fly high right from the start?
Wait, Kushida is going barefoot for this! Eagles says okay, hold on. “Robbie Robbie Robbie!” “OI OI OI!” “Robbie Robbie Robbie!” “OI OI OI!” “Robbie!” “OI!” “Robbie!” “OI!” “Robbie Robbie Robbie!” “OI OI OI!” The fans applaud, but then a “KU-SHI-DA!” chant starts in response. The bell rings and the two circle. They feel things out, Kushida rolls, and he grabs a leg. Eagles fights that off to step over and cover, ONE! Kushida trips Robbie, has a toehold, but Robbie rolls and reels Kushida in, only for Kushida to use that and get the headlock for his own. The fans applaud this technical exchange, but then Eagles slips out to hammerlock!
Eagles reaches over but Kushida rolls to then headscissors! The fans applaud again, and Kushida puts on the pressure. Eagles endures, bridges, but Kushida puts on the pressure. Eagles kips free, but Kushida reels him back into the headscissors! The fans applaud, but Eagles fights around. Eagles rolls to turn Kushida over, then he pops out to trap the legs. Eagles rolls Kushida, but Kushida twists a foot! Kushida turns Eagles over, ties the legs up, then floats to a headlock. Eagles powers out to stand on Kushida’s arm, but Kushida slips away. The fans applaud the standoff as the two reset and circle again.
Kushida rushes Eagles, Eagles holds off the armlock but the body scissors are still on! Eagles powers through to drop Kushida down and have a toehold. Eagles bends toes! The ref reprimands, Eagles teases about “this little piggy,” but Kushida hooks Eagles’ nose! Eagles shakes that off but Kushida tries again. Kushida waistlocks, bridges, but Eagles moves, so Kushida floats to an ARMBAR! Eagles rolls to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Kushida lets go, and the two reset again. They circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. Kushida rolls, trips Eagles, then has the toehold. Eagles tries to headscissors, but Kushida shrugs that off.
Kushida pulls Eagles’ arm into tying up the legs, then he steps over. It’s not exactly Paradise as Kushida uses his legs to bend and crunch Eagles! Eagles powers up and trips Kushida to then SPLAYED STRETCH! Kushida endures, even as Eagles reclines back, so Eagles floats over to a cover. ONE, Eagles waistlocks but Kushida rolls. Cover, ONE, and Eagles trips Kushida. Kushida chinbars to wrangle Eagles into a chinlock. Eagles endures so Kushida shifts to a motorcycle stretch, and LEG HOOK NELSON! Eagles endures, pushes back, and rolls to have a leg! Eagles has the INDIAN DEATHLOCK! The fans cheer as Eagles sits Kushida up, INDIAN COBRA TWIST!!
Kushida endures, pries at the arm, then rolls to leg hook and float, ARMBAR! Eagles pries free, and the fans cheer the technical master class! Eagles and Kushida reset again, feel things out, then tie up. Eagles goes for an arm, but so does Kushida. Kushida chinbars but Eagles arm-drags! Eagles steps over, Kushida kicks free, but Eagles handsprings through. The fans cheer as the two reset again. They approach, and Kushida KICKS the leg! Then he grapevines the leg to trip Eagles. Eagles pries at toes but Kushida stands to change up his hold. Eagles slips through to drop toehold Kushida into the waistlock. Kushida fights up, switches, then arm-drags.
Kushida chicken wings the arms and he works to turn Eagles. Eagles endures but Kushida powers through to a cradle! TWO, and Kushida ducks a chop to roll back! Kushida goes up but Eagles blocks the arm-drag! Eagles arm-drags back, then trips Kushida. Eagles runs, handsprings over the dropdown, but Kushida is after the arm! Eagles wrenches through, breaks free, but Kushida blocks a kick! Eagles drops to trip Kushida, ANKLE- NO, Kushida rolls back, bridges, TWO! Eagles body scissors and rolls to a cover, TWO! Both men RAM shoulders! And RAM again! And again! The fans fire up as the two stare down.
Kushida offers a handshake, Eagles accepts, but Eagles stomps the toes! The fans boo but Eagles says Kushida baka. Eagles runs up, gets a leg, but Kushida steps over to cover, TWO! Eagles sunset flips, TWO! Kushida sits on it, TWO! Kushida rolls to highs tack, TWO! Eagles has Kushida, TWO! Kushida, ONE! Eagles, ONE! They teetertotter and the ref can’t even keep up! The fans cheer as this turns into a rolling cradle! Eagles finally has it, TWO!! Kushida escapes in time and Eagles is stunned! Eagles runs up but Kushida jumps the 619! Kushida somersaults, but Eagles stops the DDT! Eagles slips around, rolls Kushida up, TWO!
Eagles has the leg, steps through, but Kushida cradles, TWO! Eagles has it, TWO! Both men stand, Eagles jumps up, RANA! But Kushida sunset flips it! TWO!! The fans are thunderous as both men get up! Kushida FLAPJACKS, but Eagles avoids the PK! Eagles wrenches the leg, SLAPS, SLAPS, SLAPS, and TURBO- NO, Kushida slips through the backpack to cradle and BACK TO THE FUTURE!! Cover, KUSHIDA WINS!!
Winner: Kushida, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Robbie earns 0)
It feels like forever since we’ve seen Kushida win with that move here in NJPW, but seeing it again brings us right back! Will Kushida hit that 88 miles per hour and return to former glory? Will the Sniper of the Skies just have to reload and try again in the next round?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Master Wato VS Titan!
The Way of the Grandmaster is still on the long road to the top, but the same goes for El Inmortal’s journey. Who will take another step closer to their goal of being the Best of the Super Juniors?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. The crowd is split between them, and the two tie up. Wato trips Titan, things speed up, and Titan hurdles to then drop down. Wato leaps over, keeps moving, and he RANAS! Titan bails out, Wato builds speed, but Titan is up fast to springboard and CROSSBODY! Then DROPKICK! Wato bails out, Titan builds speed, and fans clear out before Titan DIVES! Wato tumbles into the chairs! The ref checks and Wato is able to continue. Titan roars as he rises up and the fans cheer. Titan puts Wato in the ring, pushes him around, then fireman’s carries for the DEATH VALLEY NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!
The fans applaud was Wato toughs it out. Titan stomps Wato, eggs him on, then KICKS him in the back. Titan snapmares Wato, runs and basement DROPKICKS! High stack, TWO! Titan hurries to tie up the legs, FIGURE FOUR! Wato endures, drags Titan along, and manages the ROPEBREAK! Titan lets go while the fans applaud. Wato shakes out the legs, Titan stomps him around, then Titan kicks at him. Wato scowls but Titan SOBATS! Titan eggs Wato on again, then brings him up. Wato fires a shot but Titan CLUBS and KNEES Wato in return. Another fireman’s carry but Wato fights free!
Wato swings, Titan ducks, and Titan fires off a strike fest! Titan runs, but into an ELBOW! Wato runs but ducks a shot to ZIGZAG! But Titan kips up to PELE! Wato PENALTY KICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Wato crawls to ropes, rises up, and he runs to CLOBBER Titan! And CLOBBER again! Wato whips Titan, then DROPKICKS him down! Titan bails out, the fans fire up, and Wato builds speed! Wato FLIES and down goes Titan! The fans cheer while both men are down in front of the front row again. A ring count starts, but Wato rises at 7 of 20. Wato stands at 10 and fires up with the fans!
Wato brings Titan up, puts him in at 14, and takes aim. The fans applaud as Wato climbs the corner, then leaps in, MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Titan is tougher than that and the fans cheer again. Wato drags Titan up, wrenches and clinches, but Titan fights the lift! Wato CLUBS Titan, whips him, but Titan reverses to TORANDO DDT! And then roll through to suplex, CUTTER! Cover, TWO! But Titan steps through, ties up the legs, and rolls for LLAVE INMORTAL! The fans fire up as Titan bridges back and bends Wato! Wato fights, fights, and powers his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Titan lets go in frustration.
Titan roars and the fans rally again. Titan pounds the mat, the fans clap along, and Titan waits on Wato. Wato rises, Titan SUPER- NO, Wato ducks, but Titan BUZZSAWS! Titan goes to the corner, he climbs up top, and the fans fire up, but Wato CLUBS Titan first! Titan drops onto the corner, Wato climbs up, and Wato brings Titan back up! Titan holds onto the corner, fires elbows, then he trips Wato! Wato falls into the Tree of Woe! Titan turns around, WOE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!! Wato survives and the fans fire up again! Titan throws off his elbow pads, then rolls his way back to the corner. Titan skins the cat to rise back up!
Titan aims while Wato is down, LA LANC- NO, Wato dodges, runs up, crucifix takedown, into RECIENTEMENTE!! Cover, TWO?!? Titan survives and the fans are thunderous! Wato grows frustrated, but he hurries to waistlock. TSU- NO, Titan rolls, hooks a leg, but Wato reels Titan into a cradle! TWO, and ROUNDHOUSE! Wato hurries to spin, but Titan blocks the kick to DRAGON SCREW! Then a step through and SHARPSHOOTER!! Wato endures, reaches out, but Titan pulls him back to center!! Wato flails, but Titan bridges on the hold! WATO TAPS, TITAN WINS!
Winner: Titan, by submission (gains 2 points; Wato earns 0)
It wasn’t quite Llave Inmortal, but it might’ve been even stronger! Titan borrows a fan’s flag of Mexico to celebrate his home and his people. Will Titan represent them both as he proves he was born for such a time as this? Or will Wato still prove he is the Way to the Grandmaster?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: El Desperado VS Daisuke Sasaki!
The Rogue Luchador won the tournament back in 2024, and is looking to repeat history so that he may have his revenge on Douki. However, he’s up against Charisma Itself! Will Desperado still be the Best of the Super Juniors two years later? Or will Daisuke prove he is the future of this division?
Before they get started, Despy offers a handshake. Daisuke is wary, but he accepts. They both kiss the other’s hand, then the bell rings. The fans duel as the two circle, but then Daisuke bails out. The fans boo but Despy waits on Daisuke. Daisuke steps back into the ring, circles with Despy, and they feel things out. They tie up, Daisuke waistlocks, but Despy wrenches to wristlock. Daisuke spins through, wrenches back, and wristlocks to then snapmare. Daisuke keeps on the arm but Despy fights around. Despy rolls, trips Daisuke, and has the toehold. Daisuke chinbars in return but Despy digs his elbow into the knee.
Daisuke chinlocks and pries Despy off the leg, but Despy kicks back to the ROPEBREAK! Daisuke lets go, Despy bails out, and now Daisuke waits. Despy takes his time returning, and the two reset. The fans rally as they feel things out, and they knuckle lock. But then Despy wrenches the arm to snapmare Daisuke, sit him up, and ghost pin, TWO! Daisuke slips around to headlock, but Despy powers up and out. Despy headlocks, Daisuke slips through to headlock, but Despy powers up and out again. Daisuke RUNS Despy over! Then he fakes Despy out to headlock, but Despy rolls. Daisuke rolls through, Despy trips him, STRETCH MUFFLER!
Daisuke scrambles to the ROPEBREAK and the fans cheer. Despy kneels on Daisuke, pretends to not understand what’s wrong, then he digs his knees in. The ref counts, Despy backs off, and Despy apologizes while Daisuke bails out. Despy waits, but Daisuke offers Despy to step outside. It’ll be a clean fight! Despy says step inside and it’ll be clean in here! Despy asks why it has to be outside. Daisuke CLAWS Despy’s eyes! Then he turns Despy for a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! The fans are torn while Despy writhes, but Daisuke drags Despy outside. Daisuke SMACKS Despy off the apron, then has fans clear out!
Daisuke stands Despy up, but he’s going to commentary! Despy fights back, but now Daisuke fights the desk bump! Daisuke SMACKS Despy off the desk, then grabs someone’s chair! The ref reprimands, but Daisuke puts the chair around Despy’s neck and POSTS him! The fans are torn while Despy writhes, but Daisuke leaves Despy behind. The fans rally for Despy as a ring count begins, and Despy is still down at 5 of 20. Despy sits up at 7, Daisuke wants the count to hurry up. Despy stands at 10 and rolls into the ring, only for Daisuke to DROPKICK him in the head! Despy scrambles away, clutching his neck, but Daisuke pursues!
Daisuke puts Despy back in, pushes him to a cover, ONE!! Despy toughs it out, but Daisuke KNEES him in the back of the neck! And then drops a knee on the same spot! And again! The fans rally up for Despy but Daisuke steps on him at the ropes. Daisuke then drags Despy up, puts him through ropes, and bends him back! The ref counts, Daisuke stops, then he drags Despy around to FISHERMAN SCREW! Despy sputters, but he BODY BLOWS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Daisuke CLUBS Despy, then eggs him on. Daisuke slaps Despy around, Despy slaps back, so Daisuke slaps again. Despy SMACKS Daisuke down!
The fans fire up for Despy while Daisuke is dazed. But then Daisuke kicks the leg out, and he slips around, STF! Despy endures, reaches out, but Daisuke shifts to a CROSSFACE! Despy endures, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK with a foot! Daisuke lets go to drop knee after knee on Despy’s back! Daisuke then stalks Despy to ropes, brings him around, and turns him, but Despy slips free! Despy has the leg, SHIN BREAKER! Then a DROPKICK to the leg! Daisuke hobbles to a corner while the fans rally again. Despy runs up on Daisuke, blocks a boot, and KICKS the leg! Then DRAPING DRAGON SCREW!
Daisuke hobbles but he falls over. The fans rally as Despy grabs that leg, but Daisuke kicks free. Despy kicks Daisuke’s leg, then BRAINBUSTER! The fans fire up again and Despy keeps on Daisuke, BIG back suplex! Despy hurries to haul Daisuke up again, GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO! Daisuke toughs it out and the fans rally up again. Despy drags Daisuke over to a drop zone, then climbs the corner! The fans rally, but Daisuke goes to the apron. Daisuke CLUBS Despy, ROCKS him with a right, then climbs up the corner. The fans and the ref are all worried as both men try to suplex the other from the outside!
Despy fires body shots, he steps inside, and then SUPERPLEXES Daisuke into the ring! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Despy crawls but Daisuke bails out. So Despy builds speed, but has to stop the dive as Daisuke slides in! Then Daisuke runs to RAM Despy off the apron! Despy tumbles into the chairs, but Daisuke is right after him! Daisuke drags Despy up to make him take a seat. Daisuke CLUBS Despy, then throws off his shirt before he climbs up the corner! The fans go nuts already as Daisuke aims, SUPER DUPER CROSSBODY onto Despy and the chairs!! The fans are thunderous for that wild risk Daisuke just took!
The ref checks both men, and somehow, they’re both able to continue. Daisuke hobbles away from the crash site to roll into the ring. Daisuke then goes back outside with a fresh ring count. Daisuke puts Despy in he ring at 8 of 20, then climbs up again! FLYING LARIAT! Daisuke hurries to reel Despy in, underhooks, and PEDIGREE!! Cover, TWO!! Despy survives but Daisuke hurries to SUPERKICK! Despy is up but Daisuke runs, LA MYSTI- NO, Despy makes it a FACEBUSTER! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Despy stirs, as does Daisuke, and they both slowly rise back up. Despy fires a forearm first, then another!
Despy fires another, but Daisuke ROCKS Despy with a haymaker! Daisuke whips, Despy reverses, and Despy SPINEUBSTERS! High stack, TWO, but into STRETCH MUFFLER!! Daisuke fights, reaches out, but Despy reels him into NUMERO DOS! Daisuke still fights, fights, but Despy drags him back! NUMERO DOS PLUS, but Daisuke rolls it around and around into a CROSSFACE!! Despy endures while the fans rally as hard as they can! Despy fights over, but Daisuke rolls him away from the ropes! Then Daisuke grabs the other arm, only for Despy to roll to a cradle! TWO!! Both men stand, Despy shoots around to then lift, and DOUBLE KNEE-
NO, Daisuke turns it into a DDT! Then Daisuke aims from a corner, runs up, LA MYSTIC- ARM-DRAG COUNTER! Daisuke kicks free of the stack, then uses the ref as a shield! Despy dosidos with the ref, but Daisuke shoves Despy into the ref! Daisuke whips, Despy reverses, and Daisuke ends up in a corner. Despy runs up, but into a pop-up LOW BLOW!! LA MYSTICA! CROSSFACE!! DESPY TAPS, DAISUKE WINS!!
Winner: Daisuke Sasaki, by submission (gains 2 points; Desperado earns 0)
Well, Daisuke was taught by Dick Togo, so perhaps such tactics should’ve been expected. But will Daisuke make sure NJPW is #NeverSober? Will Desperado still find his way to the BOSJ finals?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Francesco Akira!
The Japanese Young Punk and the Crown of Fire have the honor of closing out opening night, but only one can finish strong! Will Fujita remind Akira that The Mighty Don’t Kneel? Or will even The Mighty be conquered by the United Empire?
But wait, Fujita CLOBBERS Akira with a chair outta nowhere! Where’d he even come from?! Fujita rains down fists on Akira while the fans are torn, but Fujita then drags Akira up with a headlock. Red Shoes reprimands, but Fujita takes Akira right to the West sign to SMACK him off it! And SMACK him off it again, and again! Fujita laughs, the fans cheer, and Fujita brings Akira to the ring. The bell finally sounds but Fujita deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!! Akira survives but Fujita brings him back up. Akira fights free and bails out, but Fujita goes to the apron. PENALTY KICK, then QUEBRADA!
The fans are torn as indeed, the Japanese Young Punk bullies and mugs Akira. Red Shoes checks Akira but Fujita has fans clear out. But then Akira throat chops Fujita! Akira whips, Fujita reverses, but Akira stops short of the chairs! Fujita runs up, but Akira THROWS him into the chairs! Not quite a strike but Akira is pissed! Akira whips Fujita hard into more chairs! Akira then huffs ‘n’ puffs, busted open on his forehead, the red standing out against his new green hair dye. Akira says if Fujita wants to fight like that, he’ll fight like that! Akira brings a TABLE out from under the ring! Red Shoes reprimands but Akira SHOVES him down!
The fans are torn while Akira fetches Fujita. Akira SMACKS Fujita off the table, then puts him on the apron. Akira climbs up to join Fujita, and he brings Fujita up to fireman’s carry! Akira aims, but Fujita slips free! Akira ROCKS Fujita first, then brings Fujita up the ropes! Fujita fights the suplex, UPPERCUTS Akira, then runs, but into a SLINGSHOT CUTTER! The fans duel while Akira rises up. Akira rains down forearms on Fujita, then drops back to a corner. Akira has them check his bloody forehead real quick, it seems to have stopped bleeding. Akira CHOPS Fujita, and Fujita sputters. Akira scoops and SLAMS Fujita, then pushes him to a cover, TWO!
Akira sets up, STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up while Akira brings Akira into a headscissors squeeze. Fujita endures, fights forward, but Akira puts on more pressure! Fujita kicks and kicks and makes the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Akira lets go. Akira snarls, then he kicks at Fujita. Akira KICKS Fujita in the back, eggs him on, so Fujita stands. Fujita ROCKS Akira with forearm after forearm, but Akira ROCKS him back! Akira then back suplexes, but Fujita lands out! Akira kicks and whips, Fujita reverses and LEG LARIATS! The fans fire up while both men are down!
Akira bails out, Fujita goes up, out, and tightrope walks, only for Akira to slide in! Fujita hops down, springboards back up, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up while Akira tumbles out the side. Fujita just goes up, up, and SUPER CANNONBALLS! Fujita takes Akira AND Zane Jay down! Fujita brings Akira back into the ring, then PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up again as Fujita waistlocks Akira. Deadlift- NO, Akira fights the suplex, reaches for ropes, but Fujita brings him back. Fujita ducks the elbow, then ties up the legs, NEMOS- NO, Akira crawls, crawls, and makes the ROPEBREAK!
The fans cheer while Fujita lets go. Fujita storms back up on Akira, grabs a leg, but Akira clings to the ropes. Red Shoes counts, but Akira BOOTS Fujita way. Then he sidesteps, trips Fujita, and puts him under the ropes! CATAPULT GUILLOTINE! Akira LIONSAULTS onto Fujita’s back! Cover, TWO! Fujita survives and the fans fire up again, but Akira just grits his teeth. Akira drags Fujita around, reels him in, and SPEED- NO, Fujita blocks Speedfire! Akira still tries but Fujita stops him again. Akira KNEES low again and again, but Fujita grabs that leg! Fujita wrenches, but Akira KNEES low! SPEEDFIRE! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally again while Akira paces. Akira rains down fists but Red Shoes reprimands. Akira stops, taunts the fans cheering Fujita, then tells them to watch this! Akira drags Fujita up, and SMACKS him off the mat! And SMACKS him off the mat again! Akira then taunts the fans for no longer chanting for Fujita! The fans boo, but Akira sits Fujita up again. Fujita blocks the throw this time! Akira KNEES Fujita, SMACKS him off the mat again, and NOVA- NO, Fujita ducks the Fireball to ROUNDHOUSE! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! Red Shoes checks, and both men stir. They slowly rise up, and Akira grabs at Fujita.
Fujita and Akira both pull hair as they sit up. Fujita fires the first forearm, but Akira responds in kind! Fujita fires back, Akira staggers, but Akira returns to ROCK Fujita! Fujita ROCKS Akira, Akira ROCKS Fujita, repeat! The fans rally as the shots keep going, and Fujita laughs it off! Fujita SMACKS Akira! Akira SMACKS Fujita! They start a SLAP fight, and the fans fire up as it gets fast ‘n’ furious! Fujita SMACKS Akira again and again, then winds up, but Akira ENZIGIRIS! Akira runs, but Fujita ELBOWS him! Fujita runs but Akira LARIATS! Akira runs, but into a SPIN HEEL KICK! The fans are thunderous as Fujita DEADLIFT GERMANS! Bridging cover, TWO!!
Akira survives again and the fans are torn right down the middle! Akira rolls to the apron but Fujita isn’t far behind. Fujita GAMANGIRIS, then he looks to Akira’s table! Akira clings to ropes but Fujita tries to pull him away! Akira ELBOWS Fujita, then slips under to POST him! Fujita falls to the floor, Akira leaps and RAN- NO! Fujita stops the rana to then swing Akira up! And he POWERBOMBS Akira through the table!! The fans are thunderous again and Fujita drags Akira back up. Fujita puts Akira in, then whips him for a pop-up GERMAN SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO?!? But Fujita has the arms trapped!!
Akira endures as Fujita pulls on the arm! The fans rally and duel as hard as they have all night, and Akira adds a cording hold! Akira kicks, kicks, flails, but Fujita grabs the leg! BOW ‘N’ ARROW STRETCH, but Akira gives one last gasp! ROPEBREAK!! Fujita lets go but he vows to end it now! Fujita hauls Akira up, torture racks, but Akira fights with elbows! Fujita squats, but stands up! Akira slips through and hooks the arms, but Fujita spins through! Akira ducks, backslide, NOVA- NO, Fujita rolls through it to have the legs! NEMOS- CRADLE COUNTER! TWO!??! Akira hurries to run up, wheelbarrow, but Fujita stops the roll!
Fujita hauls Akira up, WHEELBARROW GERMAN! But Akira rises?!? Akira runs up, Fujita gets around him, POISON-RANA! NOVA FIREBALL?!?!? Cover, TWO?!?!? Fujita survives and Akira is beside himself! The fans are electric as Akira rises. Akira roars, vows to end it, and he drags Fujita up to reel him in. Akira hooks a leg, CROWN- CRADLE and deadlift! THRILLRIDE!!! Cover, FUJITA WINS!!
Winner: Kosei Fujita, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Akira earns 0)
It was an epic not only worthy of the main event, but perhaps even the finals! But in the end, the Crown of Fire is the one that burned out! Will Akira still be able to prove he’s the best after this unfortunate start?
As for Fujita, he sits back and gets the mic. “Oi, you big idiot! You’re sure one strong SOB! And every single time I wrestle you in BOSJ, it’s the match I’m most looking forward to. Everything here is over the top excellence, and that is something you see on the regular with me. And so, I think this year is mine to win. Every expectation you have of me, I will see you, raise you, and surpass those expectations!” With that mighty finish, will Fujita become the youngest man to go back-to-back as BOSJ Champion?
Here are the A Block standings!
Kosei Fujita: 1-0, 2 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 1-0, 2 points
Nick Wayne: 1-0, 2 points
Titan: 1-0, 2 points
Robbie X: 0-1, 0 points
Francesco Akira: 0-1, 0 points
Master Wato: 0-1, 0 points
Daiki Nagai: 0-1, 0 points
Valiente Jr: [did not compete]
Jun Kasai: [did not compete]
Here are the B Block standings!
Taiji Ishimori: 1-0, 2 points
SHO: 1-0, 2 points
HYO: 1-0, 2 points
KUSHIDA: 1-0, 2 points
Daisuke Sasaki: 1-0, 2 points
YOH: 0-1, 0 points
Robbie Eagles: 0-1, 0 points
El Desperado: 0-1, 0 points
Jakob Austin Young: 0-1, 0 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 0-1, 0 points
My Thoughts:
An awesome opening round for BOSJ, and it wasn’t even all the participants with Valiente Jr. and Jun Kasai for whatever reason not here tonight. Maybe travel stuff kept them from arriving in time? Otherwise, the tenth match on the card would’ve been Valiente VS Kasai. But even without them, great matches from start to finish, but that’s par for the course when it comes to NJPW. I really liked Sho saying his match with Kanemaru was gonna steal the show, and then all we get is them trying to outcheat the other, because duh, what else were they gonna do?
Daiki taking Douki’s spot since Douki kayfabe refused to compete, he had a great showing against Taguchi, but it feels like Daiki’s first win in this tournament is gonna happen late in the tournament so that he can act as spoiler. Yoh VS Hyo was certainly unique, and surprisingly short. Both Robbies losing was a bit of a surprise, but it makes sense since Nick Wayne is meant to make an impact this time around, and Kushida is making his return to NJPW, both of those guys needed the win. But seriously, ROH’s tape delays hurt them here because Nick Wayne VS AR Fox doesn’t air until tonight so we already know what happens there…
Daisuke being a real Heel in the end of his match was a good way for him to win while protecting Despy. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Daisuke join House of Torture in the absence of Evil. And awesome main event from Fujita VS Akira, but very fitting of the 2025 BOSJ winner basically defending his title as he goes for another. All of Fujita’s matches probably will be this awesome, or as close to it as they can get out of everyone in A Block, but who knows if he repeats.
My Score: 9/10
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Will The Prince dispatch two challengers at once?
After retaining the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, Callum Newman offered a unique challenge. Can Shingo Takagi or Yota Tsuji secure a title shot through a tag match?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Ryusuke Taguchi & Taisei Nakahara VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Kanemaru win.
- Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS Toru Yano, YOH & Master Wato; Yano, Yoh & Wato win.
- Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Taichi & El Desperado; Taichi & Desperado win.
- Yuya Uemura & Masatora Yasuda VS Ryohei Oiwa & Kosei Fujita; Oiwa & Fujita win.
- Six Man Tag: Aaron Wolf, Boltin Oleg & Tiger Mask VS Ren Narita, Yujiro Takahashi & Dick Togo; Wolf, Oleg & Tiger Mask win.
- 10 Man Tag: The Unbound Company VS The United Empire; The Empire wins.
- Championship Stakes: Callum Newman & Jake Lee VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji; Takagi & Tsuji win, and Tsuji will challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
PLAY BY PLAY
10 Man Tag: The Unbound Company VS The United Empire!
Before the Knock Out Brothers clash with the Dominator & Mauler over the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, they lead their units into war! Will Oskar, Yuto-Ice, Gedo, Taiji Ishimori & Daiki Nagai be truly unbound? Or will Great-O-Khan, Henare, Francesco Akira, Jakob Austin Young & Zane Jay conquer them for the glory of the Empire?
The teams sort out, but Yuto and Henare egg each other on as they’re forehead to forehead. The ref has them back off, but they still start the match. The bell rings and the fans rally as Yuto and Henare step back up. They’re forehead to forehead again as they talk trash, then they fire forearm after forearm! The fans rally as Henare ROCKS Yuto, but Yuto fires a flurry in return! Henare fires a flurry of his own, then runs, but into a BOOT! Henare wobbles but he comes right back. Yuto laughs as he ROCKS Henare! Yuto runs, ROCKS Henare again, but Henare roars! Henare eggs Yuto on, Yuto runs the ropes, but Henare RUNS him over!
Henare sits Yuto up to KICK him in the back, then KICK again! The fans rally as Henare runs, but Yuto avoids the Rugby Kick! Henare still kicks low, whips to ropes, but Yuto reverses to BOOT Henare down! The fans fire up with Yuto, and he KICKS Henare in the back! And KICKS him again! Henare scrambles to a corner but Yuto swaggers his way over. Yuto KICKS, and KNEES, and SOBATS! Henare sits down, Yuto gets gangsta! “BOMBACLAT!” But Henare gets up to fireman’s carry! Yuto slips free, Henare dodges a lariat, but so does Yuto! Henare swats the boot, Yuto ducks the heel kick, and the fans cheer the standoff!
Zane has Henare calm down, and wants him to tag. Henare tags Zane, and Zane calls out Daiki. Daiki tags in, and these two still have to settle how they ended the Young Lion Cup. Zane eggs Daiki on, so Daiki ROCKS him! Zane fires back, Daiki fires another, and the fans rally as the two brawl! Daiki whips, Zane reverses, but Daiki redirects! Zane hurdles, drops down, but Daiki avoids the dropkick! Daiki runs to basement DROPKICK! Zane scrambles to a corner while the fans fire up. Daiki runs in, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Zane toughs it out but the fans rally behind Daiki. Daiki storms up on Zane but Zane wants mercy. Daiki says no and he ROCKS Zane!
Daiki runs in at the corner, but Zane counters the monkey flip to put Daiki up top! Zane DROPKICKS Daiki down, then the Empire BLASTS the Unbound corner! They all brawl on the outside and into the crowd! Oskar CLUBS Khan, Yuto fires forearms on Henare, but Henare BODY BLOWS and CHOPS! Oskar has fans clear out, then he whips Khan, but Khan reverses! Oskar tumbles into the chairs! Yuto CHOKES Henare, Henare shoves Yuto away, and Zane has Daiki in the ring. Zane bumps Daiki off buckles while Khan JAMS Oskar with a chair! Khan SMACKS Oskar on the back with it, too! The fans are torn as Khan roars.
Henare and Yuto return ringside, and Khan uses a chair to sit on Oskar! Khan taunts Oskar, then steps off. Henare uses a DEATH GRIP on Yuto! Henare THROWS Yuto into chairs, then he smothers a Young Lion for getting in the way! Henare even scares ring staff off before going to ringside. Zane CHOKES Daiki, the ref counts, and Zane stops at 4. Zane tags #DangerousJay and he UPPERCUTS Daiki. Jakob CHOKES Daiki in the corner, then brings him around. Jakob whips Daiki to ropes, ELBOWS him down, then covers, TWO! The fans applaud as Daiki toughs it out, but Jakob brings him back up. Jakob tags Akira, and he taunts Oskar!
The ref has to keep Oskar back, but this all lets Khan bend Daiki’s fingers! The Empire mugs Daiki in the corner, and Jakob even CLAWS Daiki’s eyes! Khan tells commentary to shut up, but Daiki fights back! Akira KNEES low, whips, and drop toeholds. Akira SMACKS Daiki off the mat again, then kneels on a cocky cover. TWO, but Akira taunts the Unbound Company. Akira bumps Daiki off buckles, tags Khan, and Khan dumps Daiki out. The rest of the Empire mugs Daiki while the fans boo. Zane puts Daiki back in for Khan, and Khan drags Daiki around. Khan steps on Daiki for a cocky cover, TWO! Daiki toughs it out but Khan soaks up the cheers and jeers.
Khan scuffs Daiki as Daiki tries to crawl away. Khan eggs Daiki on, offering a free hit. Daiki stands, but Khan dodges the hit. Khan laughs at Daiki for falling for his trap quite literally! Khan then drags Daiki up, but Daiki fires forearms after all! The fans rally as Daiki HEADBUTTS! Daiki whips, Khan reverses, and Khan runs up, only for Daiki to dodge! Hot tag to Oskar! The fans fire up as the giant German RUNS Khan over, BLASTS Henare, then whips Khan corner to corner! Zane runs up but Oskar BOOTS him away! Oskar runs up, DOUBLE ELBOW for Zane and Khan! Akira runs up to jump on Oskar’s back! Oskar RAMS Akira into a corner!
Jakob storms in, but Oskar guzels! Akira runs up, but Oskar guzels! Oskar gives them a meeting of the minds, then a DOUBLE LARIAT! The fans fire up with Oskar, and he goes back for Khan. Oskar drags Khan up, scoops, but Henare KICKS Oskar’s leg! The ref reprimands but Henare KICKS and KICKS and BODY BLOWS! Henare HEADBUTTS, then DEATH GRIPS! Henare HEADBUTTS Oskar, then he and Khan bring Oskar around. Oskar fights the lift, but Henare blocks the boot! But then Oskar guzels Henare! Henare can’t reach Oskar for the Death Grip! Oskar then guzels Khan, but they both break free! DOUBLE BODY BLOW!
The ref reprimands, but #Khanare double whip Oskar. He breaks their lariats, but the DOUBLE BOOTS hit! Yuto is in, he shoves Henare into Khan! Then he fires off fast hands on Henare, bobs ‘n’ weaves, then ROCKS Henare! Henare drops, Yuto ICE HIGHS! But Henare is up, LARIAT! The fans fire up while all four men are down! Oskar rises, he SWATS Khan’s haymaker to have the NIGHTMARE SLEEPER! But Khan BITES Oskar’s arm! IRON CLAW! But Oskar pries it away, only for Khan to KICK the leg, and BOOT Oskar down! The fans rally as both men crawl for their corners. Hot tags to Akira and Taiji!
The fans fire up as the two rush in! Akira dodges the boot to headlock, but Taiji powers up and out. Akira RUNS Taiji over, then keeps moving. Taiji drops, hurdles, but Akira shoves! Taiji RANAS! Akira tumbles, Taiji runs up, DOUBLE KNEES! Then a fireman’s carry, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, and a BASEMENT SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Akira is tougher than that but Taiji stays on him. Taiji gut wrenches, but Akira fights to turn it around! CIPHER- NO, Taiji lands out to whip Akira. Akira reverses, Taiji handsprings, but into a waistlock! Akira then spins Taiji around, SPEEDFIRE! Akira sputters, he can’t make the cover!
Taiji and Akira crawl, hot tag to Jakob! Jakob drags Taiji up, he and Akira DOUBLE SUPLEX, but Daiki makes the save! Akira & Jakob kick Daiki, then whip, but Daiki ducks ‘n’ dodges to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! The fans cheer the Unbound Young Lion as he flounders to a corner, and Taiji tags Gedo! Gedo JABS, JABS, and JABS! Gedo winds up, but Jakob CLAWS Gedo’s eyes! Jakob winds up, but Gedo UPPERCUTS! Then SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Jakob survives but Gedo stays focused. Gedo tells Jakob to get up, then he mule kicks the leg! Body scissors, GEDO CLUTCH! But Zane ELBOW DROPS Gedo down!
Zane drags Gedo up, and he FALL AWAY SLAMS! Jakob gets Gedo back up, for the HAMMERLOCK DDT! Cover, The Empire wins!
Winners: The United Empire, by pinfall
Another bites the dust, and The Empire is control on this New Japan Road! Henare taunts Yuto with his tag title, but that just sparks a new brawl! Young Lions hurry to stop this, but easier said than done! The rest of the teams get in there, too, and Unbound Company must fall back, if only for now. But will things be different with their best in the main event?
Championship Stakes: Callum Newman & Jake Lee VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji!
It was just 48 hours ago that The Prince slayed the Rampaging Dragon, although with controversial and underhanded tactics. He’s so confident, in fact, he’s giving Takagi and Tsuji another chance! Will Callum cross off two names from the list for the rest of his reign? Or will someone from the Unbound Company have a golden ticket to the top title in NJPW?
The teams sort out, but Callum can’t help himself. He taunts Takagi and Tsuji with the belt, so they attack! They mug Callum, then Yota kicks Jake. Yota TOSSES Jake, the bell rings, and Unbound mug Callum again. They double whip then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans cheer while Takagi ELBOW DROPS! The fans rally as Takagi eggs Callum on. Callum goes to a corner, Takagi runs up, but Callum dodges. Callum runs back in, but Takagi puts him on the apron. Callum RAMS Takagi, slingshots up and over, then keeps moving. Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges but Takagi sidesteps to HIP TOSS! Callum staggers to his feet, Takagi LARIATS him up and out!
Callum stumbles into and then tumbles over the railing! Yota goes after Jake while Takagi hurries through the gate to fetch Callum. Yota whips Jake hard into railing, then stalks him around the way, while Takagi KNEES Callum low. Takagi brings Callum around to SMACK him off the timekeeper’s table! Takagi ROCKS Callum, follows him to another section of the crowd, while Yota DOUBLE CHOPS Jake out of a chair! Takagi ROCKS Callum again and the fans rally behind him. Callum wants to escape but Takagi stalks him. Takagi SMACKS Callum off some chairs, then HEADBUTTS him down! Yota brings Jake up to ROCK with a forearm of his own!
Jake stumbles around through the crowd, knocking chairs over as he tries to flee. Yota pursues as Jake begs young fans to help. Yota grabs that hand to SNAP fingers! The ring count finally starts as Callum SMACKS Takagi off a table! Takagi considers throwing that table but thinks better of it. Takagi pursues Callum as Callum heads back to ringside, but Yota BOOTS Jake out of a seat! The count is 15 of 20 as Callum and Takagi roll inside. Callum wants mercy, even apologizes, but Takagi CHOKES him! Red Shoes counts, Takagi stops at 4, and Callum clings to the ropes. Takagi kicks Callum into letting go, then brings him up.
Takagi JABS Callum and Callum falls against ropes. Takagi JABS again and Callum flounders. Callum calls to Jake but Takagi keeps him back. Callum fights the lift with elbows, then BODY BLOWS! Callum runs, but Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! But Callum trips Takagi and PUNTS him in the side! Just like in their title match! Jake BLASTS Yota off the apron, then goes out to stomp him down! Red Shoes reprimands but Jake drags Yota up and grinds him into railing. Callum pushes Takagi out of the ring while Jake fires body shots on Yota. Callum RAMS Takagi into railing, then brings him around to POST him!
Takagi staggers while Callum mockingly cheers him on. Jake POSTS Yota and does the same. Callum KICKS Takagi in the side, then flexes before he SPITS at Takagi! The fans boo but Callum ROCKS Takagi again. Callum puts Takagi in the ring, taunts Yota from across the way, then slingshots to stomp Takagi down. Callum dares Yota to reach out for Takagi, then he stomps Takagi. Callum digs his heel in, then he tags Jake. Jake swaggers and talks some trash, then he brings out the black glove! Callum KNEES Takagi before Jake takes Takagi’s shirt off. Jake shows off the bad ribs while he says it is picture time! Jake gives Takagi the DENTAL CHECK!
The fans are torn as Jake shoves Takagi down and takes off the glove. Jake mockingly applauds that Takagi passed his dental exam, then he stomps Takagi down. Tag to Callum and Callum clamps onto the arm. Callum traps the arm, kneels on Takagi, then digs his knuckles into the bad ribs! Yota BOOTS Callum, then backs off as Jake runs up. Callum calls BS, but he drags Takagi to stomp him down! Callum KICKS Takagi, then sits for a cocky cover, TWO! Callum clamps onto Takagi, wags his finger at Yota, then grinds Takagi’s bad arm. The fans rally for Takagi as he rises up and fires body shots! Callum KNEES low, then bumps Takagi off buckles.
Callum tags Jake back in and Jake again taunts Takagi. Callum CHOKES Takagi, and Jake KICKS Takagi in the side! The fans rally for Takagi as he rises again, and he rips away the tape! Takagi snarls as he ROCKS Jake again and again! But Jake kicks low, CLAWS Takagi’s face, then runs. Takagi blocks the boot to CLUB the leg! Takagi whips, Jake reverses, but Takagi blocks the knee! DRAGON SCREW! The fans cheer while both men are down! Hot tag to Yota! The fans fire up as Yota BLASTS Callum off the corner, then kicks and whips Jake. Jake reverses but Yota BOOTS him! Yota BLASTS Callum again, then DIVES! Direct hit and Callum hits railing!
The fans fire up for Yota and he slingshots into the ring. Yota then whips Jake corner to corner, runs up, but Jake dodges the splash! BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Yota is tougher than that, but Jake signals he’s taking his shot. Jake drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Yota tries to suplex but Jake fights the lift! They fight for control as the fans rally, and Jake suplexes! But Yota lands out! Yota ducks an elbow to FLATLINER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Takagi calls to Yota and Yota crawls over. Yota is a bit unsure, but he hot tags Takagi anyway! The fans fire up as Takagi powers up and LARIATS in the corner!
Takagi fires the fans up more, and he JABS, JABS, JABS in the corner! Then a CHOP! Jake roars, but Takagi ELBOWS him! Takagi runs, but into the KITCHEN SINK KNEE! It hit pretty high and Takagi falls. Jake tags Callum, Callum BOOTS Yota! Callum stands Takagi up for Jake to KITCHEN SINK KNEE! Then EXCALIBUR!! Cover, YOTA BREAKS IT! The fans cheer, and Yota TOSSES Jake! Callum kicks and TOSSES Yota! Callum is frustrated, but he still mocks Takagi’s pain. Callum kicks Takagi around, and mockingly asks if it hurts. Callum CLUBS Takagi, eggs him on, then ROCKS him with a forearm.
Callum eggs Takagi on, but Takagi SLAPS him! Callum DECKS Takagi for that! Callum sits Takagi up, mocks the prayer hands, then KICKS Takagi in the back! Takagi stays up, and he’s getting mad! The fans fire up as Takagi rises, but Callum BOOTS! And BOOTS! And BOOTS! Takagi just gets angrier! Callum fires knee after knee, but Takagi headbutts the buckles! The fans fire up but Callum BOOTS again! Callum runs, but into the ELBOW! SOBAT! JAB! HEEL KICK! Callum feints the run, but Takagi LARIATS first! Callum LARIATS in return! Both men stand but stagger, and Yota tags in! The fans fire up as Yota hurries to BLAST Jake!
Yota then goes back to Callum and ROCKS him with a forearm! Callum staggers around, Yota ROCKS him again, and again! The fans fire up with Yota, he whips Callum to ropes, but Callum grabs ropes! Yota runs up, Callum BOOTS him away, and Jake jumps in! Jake kicks and whips Yota to a corner, then runs up, but he blocks the boot. Yota reels Jake in for the STOMP! Yota runs up but Callum wrenches through, short arm LARIAT! The fans rally up again while everyone is down! Callum sits up, kisses the crown tattoo, and brings Yota up. Callum goes to fireman’s carry but Yota fights it. Callum powers through, but Yota slips free!
Yota feeds Callum to Takagi’s ELBOW! Yota BOOTS, Takagi BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and Yota GENE TRIGGERS! Then they DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Callum survives and Takagi has to sort out who is legal. Red Shoes and Yota explain that tag from earlier, but then Callum kicks them both! Callum runs, but into the ELBOW! BACKBREAKER! JAB! Then Yota pump handles, but Jake CLAWS Yota’s face! Takagi RUNS Jake over, Callum BOOTS Takagi down, but Yota scoops to BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while all four men are down again! Yota and Callum stir, and Callum flips off the fans cheering Yota.
Yota rises up, Callum wants mercy, and Yota hesitates. But then Callum SPITS at him! Callum fires a forearm, Yota fires back, and repeat! The fans rally up as the shots go back and forth, faster and faster! Callum fires a flurry, runs, but Yota follows to SPLASH in the corner! Yota runs but Callum follows to HELLUVA KICK! Callum runs, Yota follows, GENE TRIGGER! Yota keeps moving, but he dodges Callum to then GAMANGIRI! Yota puts Callum up top, climbs up, and SUPER STEINERS! Cover, TWO! Callum survives but Yota roars! The fans cheer Yota on as he pump handles, but Callum slips free! Callum shoves Yota at Red Shoes! Yota stops short, but Callum LOW BLOWS!
The fans boo but Callum turns around as Takagi runs in! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but neither man falls! They DOUBLE LARIAT again, and Callum flops against Takagi! Takagi fires boxing elbows on Callum, then winds up, but Callum ROCKS! ROLLING- JAB! Callum grabs at Red Shoes, uses him as a shield, but Takagi stops the low blow! Takagi shoves Callum at Red Shoes, REVENGE LOW BLOW! Yota SUPERKICKS! Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS! And they set Callum up for the PUMPING BLASTER!! Cover, Jake breaks it! KNEE for Takagi, then a ROUNDHOUSE! But Takagi rebounds, PUMPING BOMBER on Jake!!
Takagi tells Yota to finish this! Yota GENE BLASTERS Callum!! Cover, Yota & Takagi win!!
Winners: Yota Tsuji & Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (Yota Tsuji is the NEW #1 Contender to the IWGP Heavyweight Championship)
Callum got too cocky in his young reign, and now he’s the one staring up at the lights! But will he have a better game plan for when the title is on the line?
As for the Unbound Company, they catch their breath before Yota takes the mic. “OI, CALLUM! Too bad for you. To me, the path you forge is darkness. I won’t let NJPW go down that path. I will lead NJPW towards the light of hope.” The fans applaud that. Callum says see you at Dominion then! Callum leaves, and Yota continues by saying with Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement, the New Beginning, and now Dominion, NJPW has changed dramatically. But now, Yota meets Callum in a rematch for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in Dominion’s main event, carrying that responsibility and determination in his heart!
The fans cheer again, and Yota says, “OI, NJPW! And Callum Newman… ARE YOU READY?!” The fans cheer again, and Yota promises to be the one to carry NJPW on his shoulders! Mic drop from the Gene Blast, but will he dethrone the Prince already? Or will Callum solidify NJWP as his dominion?
My Thoughts:
A very good New Japan Road event as also a sendoff to Dominion. Really good tune-ups, and the 10 Man Tag especially for the build into the Heavyweight Tag title match. Empire winning here might show KOB wins when the time comes, but Best of the Super Juniors is next so there will be more and more tune-up filler matches first. And great tag match main event with the unique stipulation. As I said before, Yota losing both belts is so he can have his heroic journey back to the top. Yota getting the win here makes sense as it sets up the rematch from losing to Callum, and Dominion’s going to have a great main event that could honestly go either way.
My Score: 8.8/10
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