NJPW PPV Results
Mitchell’s NJPW Dominion Results & Report! (6/7/21)
There WILL be a new world champion!
Will the Rainmaker or Dragon have dominion over NJPW after tonight?
Will Ospreay’s injury gives for a NEW IWGP World Heavyweight Champion! But will it be Kazuchika Okada or Shingo Takagi that takes up NJPW’s banner?
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
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS YOH; Desperado wins and retains the title.
- Kota Ibushi VS Jeff Cobb; Ibushi wins.
- Vacated IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS Shingo Takagi; Takagi wins and becomes the new IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS YOH!
The Rogue Luchador was Mr. Junior Heavyweight when he had both the singles and tag team titles, but Roppongi 3K changed that. Will Direct Drive Yoh completely change things and become the new Mr. Junior Heavyweight? Or will Desperado desperately cling to this title?
The introductions are made, the singles title is raised, and the future of the Junior Heavyweight Division will be decided with Dominion!
The fans rally up as Desperado and Yoh circle. Yoh and Desperado tie up, are in a deadlock, but Yoh gets some leverage to push Desperado to ropes. The ref calls for the break, Yoh lets off, and borrows a move from The Rainmaker with the fake chop to shoulder pat. Desperado shoves Yoh then puts him on ropes. Desperado gives Yoh hard pats on the shoulder, but then grabs an ear! The ref reprimands Desperado but Yoh breaks free. Desperado dodges the haymaker to then kick Yoh in the butt. Desperado taunts Yoh while fans cheer. Yoh keeps his cool and blocks Desperado’s boot! Desperado pokes an eye to avoid the dragon screw!
Desperado gets a headlock to takeover, traps an arm and grinds Yoh. Yoh turns it to a cover, ONE, and Desperado holds on. Yoh gets out and floats to a headlock of his own. Desperado fights up, fans rally as Yoh grinds the hold, but Desperado brings Yoh to a knee to pop out the back. Desperado wrenches an arm to a wristlock, but Yoh rolls and handsprings around to wrench Desperado back! Yoh grinds the wristlock but Desperado reaches for ropes. Yoh keeps him away then hammerlocks to a headlock. Desperado powers out, reels Yoh in to his own headlock, but Yoh returns the power out to get an arm-drag! Yoh has the armlock as fans cheer the exchange.
Desperado fights up, Yoh wrenches, but Desperado rakes eyes! The ref reprimands but Yoh kicks low. Yoh runs but Desperado uses the ref as a shield! Yoh gets past the ref, but he jumps over Desperado’s low dropkick! Fans cheer as Yoh gives back the taunting. Desperado gets up in a huff and whips Yoh. Yoh reverses and hurdles, things speed up and Yoh dropkicks Desperado out of the ring! Fans rally as Yoh watches Desperado rise. Yoh aims, PLAN- NO! Desperado drags Yoh out to whip hard into railing! Desperado drags Yoh up, whips him the other way and into more railing! Yoh falls in a heap while Desperado paces. The ref checks on Yoh but Desperado stands on Yoh’s head!
The ref reprimands, Desperado lets off and goes looking under the ring. Desperado brings out a bucket? Desperado tosses the bucket for the ref to go after, so that he can bring out a chair! Desperado SMACKS Yoh’s leg! The champion is crafty, perhaps he could teach a thing or two to even the Sliest Wrestler, Taichi. The ring count starts, Desperado drags Yoh up and into the ring at 4 of 20. Desperado stomps Yoh’s leg, Yoh gets to ropes, and Desperado paces. Desperado drags Yoh around to put the leg on the ropes. Desperado springboards to DROP DOWN on the leg! Yoh writhes, the ref checks on him, but Yoh refuses to let it end like this.
Desperado talks trash on Yoh, Yoh gives it back and fans rally up. Desperado gets Yoh up and has the leg, for a SHIN BREAKER! And then a KNEE JACKER! And then a SPLASH to the leg! Cover, TWO! Yoh isn’t done yet but Desperado keeps cool. Desperado paces while talking more trash. He drags Yoh back up, but Yoh throws forearms! Desperado doesn’t budge, and he just kicks the shin! Desperado gets Yoh back up but Yoh turns shin breaker into sunset flip! TWO, and Desperado is right after the leg again. Desperado drops a leg on the leg, then ties Yoh up in a BUTTERFLY DEATHLOCK! Yoh endures as Desperado puts pressure on both knees at once!
Fans rally as Yoh throws forearms on Desperado! But Desperado bridges to put pressure on the legs again! Yoh fights his way towards ropes, and Desperado mockingly applauds. Desperado then adds a facelock! Desperado leans back on the leglock, but Yoh gets the ropebreak! The ref counts the break, Desperado says he needs a little help. The ref helps him undo the leglock, then Desperado “trips” and drops knees on the knee! Yoh writhes and clutches the rope but Desperado paces around impatiently. The ref checks with Yoh again but Yoh refuses to stop. Desperado gives Yoh toying kicks and mockingly asks what’s wrong.
Desperado gets Yoh up, fans rally, and Desperado reels Yoh in, but Yoh tries to suplex! The leg won’t let him finish, though! Desperado runs, Yoh dodges and Yoh starts rallying with forearms and elbows! Yoh whips, Desperado reverses but Yoh hits FLYING FOREARMS! Both men are down as Yoh clutches the leg. Fans rally up, Yoh drags himself up with the ropes, and Desperado goes to a corner. Yoh runs in and back elbows! Then reels Desperado in for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Yoh keeps cool as he gets Desperado up and reels her in. Desperado blocks the suplex, throws shots at the leg, and gets free. Desperado runs back in, but into a DRAGON SCREW!
Fans cheer as Yoh evens things up with Desperado, and then gives Desperado a SPINNING TOEHOLD! And another! Desperado flails and crawls but Yoh drags him back, for a third spinning toehold! Yoh keeps on the leg, and hooks up the other, for a modified Figure Four! Desperado endures, CHOPS Yoh, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Yoh DECKS Desperado then bridges to put pressure on the hold! Desperado drags himself and Yoh over, and gets a ROPEBREAK! Yoh lets Desperado go free, and fans rally as Yoh stalks behind Desperado. SHOTGUN dropkick to the leg! Yoh gets the leg, but Desperado boots him away! Desperado tries to stand, but he can’t!
Desperado clutches his leg, Yoh gets him up to kick the leg and throw uppercuts. Yoh whips, Desperado reverses into a SPINEBUSTER! STRETCH MUFFLER! Yoh hurries and gets the ROPEBREAK! Desperado thrashes the leg around but the ref counts! Desperado lets go at 4 and now Yoh is feeling the pain again. Fans rally up while both men are down. Desperado and Yoh get to opposite ends, and Desperado drags himself up with the ropes. Desperado hobbles over to stomp Yoh’s leg! Yoh drags himself up with ropes and stares Desperado down. Desperado throws a forearm, but Yoh stays up. Desperado ROCKS Yoh this time, but Yoh still stays up!
Yoh kicks but Desperado blocks to a BACK SUPLEX! Desperado gets Yoh up fast, for a BIG suplex! Cover, TWO! Desperado grows frustrated but fans still rally as he brings Yoh up. Desperado reels Yoh in, hooks him up, but no Guitara! Yoh lands and his leg jams, and Desperado stomps! Desperado drags Yoh back up, whips him, but Yoh reverses. Yoh runs in at the corner but Desperado puts him out on the apron. Yoh ROCKS Desperado, but Desperado trips him up! Desperado whips, You reverses, but Desperado keeps himself from running into railing. Yoh comes running back in to SHOTGUN Desperado into the railing!
Desperado writhes while fans cheer and Yoh gets back into the ring. Yoh watches Desperado, PLANCHA! Direct hit from Direct Drive this time! Yoh keeps moving, adrenaline helps with the leg as he FLIES! Tope conjilo hits at the ramp! Fans fire up with Yoh but he and Desperado are both catching their breath on the outside. The ring count starts, fans rally, and we’re at 10 of 20 before either sits up. Yoh gets going, but we’re at 15 as he gets Desperado up. Yoh puts Desperado in at 17 and fans cheer as he takes aim from the top rope. Yoh leaps and missile dropkicks! Yoh reels Desperado in, FISHERMAN FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Desperado survives but Yoh stays focused.
Yoh brings Desperado up with a half nelson, then goes for the full. Fans rally as he gets Desperado up, but Desperado looks to break free! Desperado uses his leg for the leverage needed, and Yoh ends up in a corner. Desperado runs in, blocks Yoh’s boot and puts it on the rope to SHOTGUN the other leg! Desperado gets the leg to DRAGON SCREW! Both men are down, though, as Desperado catches his breath. Fans rally up as both men slowly get back up. Yoh drags himself to the far side while Desperado gets his bad leg moving. Desperado crawls after Yoh, and both men slowly stand. Desperado throws a forearm, but Yoh gives it back!
Desperado hits Yoh, Yoh hits back! They pick up speed and fans rally with them! Desperado kicks the bad leg, but Yoh kicks Desperado’s bad leg! Desperado mule kicks Yoh’s bad leg, but Yoh just kicks Desperado’s again. Desperado low KICKS the leg out, then dares Yoh to get up. Desperado runs, into Yoh’s COMPLETE SHOT! Yoh drags Desperado up, pump handle, but Desperado powers out and gets Yoh for an OLYMPIC SLAM! Desperado keeps going, GUITARA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO!! Yoh survives and Desperado is furious! Fans fire up as Desperado gets up. Desperado slashes the throat and vows to end it here!
Desperado gets Yoh back up, double underhooks, but no Pinche Loco! Yoh wrenches out to JUMP KNEE! Desperado CHOPS, then catches Yoh for a cradle, to the STRETCH MUFFLER! Yoh rolls it over to a cradle, TWO!! Desperado hurries to his feet, but Yoh tackles him for a CALF KILLER!! Desperado endures as Yoh pulls back harder on the leg! Desperado fights, reaches, claws, but Yoh rolls him away from ropes! Yoh has the Calf Killer deep, but Desperado isn’t giving up! Yoh wants the other leg now! Yoh makes it a FIGURE FOUR CALF KILLER! Desperado desperately reaches out and gets the ROPEBREAK! Yoh lets go in frustration but fans stay fired up!
Yoh gets to his feet, looms over Desperado, then brings him up into a half nelson. Full nelson, DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Desperado survives but Yoh fires up! Yoh gets Desperado back up, double underhooks, but Desperado fights free! Yoh blocks the punch but not the HEADBUTT! Now Desperado fires up and fans follow suit. Desperado underhooks, PINCH- NO! Jackknife from Yoh, TWO!!! Desperado barely escapes, both men get up, and Yoh SUPERKICKS Desperado! Desperado stays up to LOCO MONO!! Yoh goes down in a heap but Desperado isn’t done with him! Desperado drags Yoh into position, PINCHE LOCO!!! Cover a la the Deadman, Desperado wins!
Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (still IWPG Junior Heavyweight Champion)
There won’t be a new Mr. Junior Heavyweight crowned tonight, as Desperado keeps his throne atop the division! But then what is next? Defending against a new challenge? Or trying to take the tag titles back from Roppongi 3K? Sho shows up to check on Yoh, but then Bullet Club’s Taiji Ishimori & El Phantasmo appear! What do they want? ELP and Taiji signal that they’re not here to fight or they already would be fighting. ELP asks for a mic, and he is given one. “Hey, hey, hey, settle down, ya dumb mark. We’re not gonna beat you up, no, no.” Bullet Club has good news! Before those “dumb incels” on NJPW’s websites break the news, he’s gonna steal the scoop!
At Kizuna Road, RPG3K will be the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions no more! “Bullet Club’s cutest tag team are coming for the gold!” And as for Despy, oooh~ boy! Taiji cuts ELP off here, and asks he wait a moment. Taiji stares Desperado down, and tells him that a certain someone (Yoh) jumped the line ahead of Taiji, but Taiji patiently waited. And while Desperado only just defended this belt, he has what Taiji wants. Surely, Desperado remembers, right? Now it’s Taiji’s turn, Despy! Taiji adds that in the end, the Bullet Club will take ALL the belts! Desperado mockingly applauds, and then responds by saying, “Hang on. I just won. I should get the final word here, not you.”
So then, Yoh. You did better than he thought, but in the end, Desperado won. Now Desperado wants to test himself! He looks forward to putting the last nail in the Bone Soldier’s coffin! Will Bullet Club make this a Too Sweet Summer and take over the Junior Heavyweight Division?
Kota Ibushi VS Jeff Cobb w/ Great-O-Khan!
The Golden Star and the Hawaiian Hulk have been going back and forth, hoping to battle for a Grand Slam, but they’ll take it another step up and battle on NJPW’s gateway to summer! Will the Kami-Goye, meant to surpass god, be outdone by a #Cobbigoye?
The bell rings and the two stare down as fans fire up. They slowly circle, then Cobb signals that he’s going to break Ibushi! Things speed up as both men dodge and duck! Ibushi dropkicks Cobb to the ropes, and lets him get up. Ibushi fires off hands but Cobb shields his head. Ibushi keeps trying to get through, so he gives a kick. Cobb blocks it, slaps Ibushi then throws a forearm! Ibushi just scowls and hits back! Cobb forearms again, and now we have a brawl! Fans fire up as they go back and forth, faster and faster! Cobb ROCKS Ibushi, gets the edge and fires off! Ibushi stays up, comes back, but Cobb choke grips. Ibushi breaks free, Cobb ducks the haymakers and tackles Ibushi!
Cobb rains down heavy hands then stomps Ibushi down! Fans cheer the exchange as Ibushi flops out of the ring. Cobb goes out after Ibushi, sitting him up for a CLUBBING shot to the chest! Cobb gets Ibushi up again to ROCK him with a forearm! Ibushi goes to railing, Cobb CLUBS him down! Red Shoes says for this to get back in the ring but Cobb stands on Ibushi’s neck and chest! Cobb lets off, refreshes the ring count, and gets Ibushi up to scoop and throw knees into his ribs! Cobb then adjusts his grip to POST Ibushi! Fans rally for Ibushi while Red Shoes checks on him. Cobb goes into the ring and waits on Ibushi. Ibushi gets back in, but he has a leg guard against Cobb.
Cobb kicks Ibushi in the side, headbutts him down, then headbutts him down to the mat! Fans rally as Cobb brings Ibushi up. Ibushi fires off body shots but Cobb CLUBS him! Cobb runs, but Ibushi JUMP KICKS! Fans fire up with Ibushi and Ibushi wants a standing moonsault, only for Cobb to trip him up! Cobb stomps Ibushi down, then drags him back up. Cobb pops Ibushi up to RAM him into the corner! Cobb whips Ibushi corner to corner hard, and Ibushi bounces off buckles! Deep prawn hold, TWO! Ibushi survives but Cobb keeps his cool. Cobb drags Ibushi into a waistlock and has a rear bearhug! Ibushi gets ropes to avoid the bridging cover.
Cobb stomps Ibushi but Ibushi holds onto ropes with his legs. Cobb stands on Ibushi, Red Shoes reprimands, but Cobb lets off. Ibushi eggs Cobb on so Cobb stomps and headbutts and CLUBS Ibushi! Cobb wraps on a chinlock, but Ibushi endures as fans rally up. Ibushi has the ropes, so Cobb lets off to drop a knee into Ibushi’s back. Cobb even hits a FALLING HEADBUTT to the spine! Cover, TWO! Cobb clamps back on with the rear bearhug and squeezes. Ibushi grits his teeth, so Cobb drives his knee in again and again, then throws an uppercut to the back! Cover, TWO! Cobb grows frustrated with Ibushi but fans still rally up.
Cobb pushes Ibushi over to then stand on his back! Ibushi is Cobb’s surfboard as Cobb salutes Khan. Cobb steps off to use the United Empire towel to wipe some sweat, as well as show off the merch. Cobb goes back, Ibushi kicks at him but Cobb stomps him down. Ibushi gets up and eggs Cobb on, so Cobb SLAPS him down! High stack cover, TWO! Ibushi SLAPS Cobb before falling over, and Cobb KNEES him into the corner for it! Red Shoes checks on Ibushi but he is okay to continue. Cobb gets Ibushi up but Ibushi fires off forearms! Cobb just headbutts back, then reels Ibushi in for a short-arm LARIAT! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT onto knees!
Both men are down as Cobb gasps and sputters. Fans rally up as Cobb goes to a corner. Ibushi fires himself up and gets to his feet. Ibushi runs in at the corner but Cobb dodges. Cobb runs back in but Ibushi goes up and over! Cobb hits buckles, then Ibushi fires off a strike fest! Ibushi KICKS Cobb down then STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Fans rally for “I-BU-SHI!” as he fires up. Ibushi waits for Cobb to get up, but Cobb ducks the roundhouse to back suplex! Cover, TWO! GACHIMUCHI! Cover, TWO!! Ibushi survives and both men are down again. Cobb sits up first but fans still rally for “I-BU-SHI!” as he brings Ibushi up.
Cobb whips Ibushi to ropes, Ibushi holds those ropes and BOOTS back! Cobb runs in but Ibushi dumps him out! Fans rally up as Ibushi aims, PLANCHA is caught! Cobb pops Ibushi up but Ibushi fights free! Ibushi is on the apron, he punches Cobb away then mule kicks him! ARIHARA MOONSAULT!! Direct hit at the ramp and fans are fired up! Ibushi mocks Cobb’s hang loose as he gets up. Khan coaches Cobb as the ring count climbs. We’re already at 10 of 20 as Ibushi gets in. Cobb crawls over and the count is 15 as he flounders to the apron. Cobb gets in at 17 but Ibushi scrapes him back out to the apron.
Ibushi drags Cobb up the corner?! He tries to dead lift but that’s a lot of man! Cobb clubs Ibushi then headbutts him down! Cobb climbs up now, and he drags Ibushi up to the top! Cobb CLUBS Ibushi, Ibushi throws a hard body shot! Ibushi springboard SUPER STEINERS!! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives and fans fire up as Ibushi vows he’s gonna break Cobb! Ibushi goes to a corner, and calls upon the powers of the King of Strong Style! BOMAYE!! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives again and Ibushi is surprised! Ibushi still has his best to give, and he has Cobb’s wrists! Ibushi sits Cobb up, but Cobb reels Ibushi in for an OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY!
Ibushi flounders to a corner while Cobb gets up. Both men are in opposite corners, Cobb runs corner to corner to back elbow! And then RUNNING BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Ibushi is still in this and fans rally up again. Cobb stalks Ibushi back to the corner, grabs at a leg, but Ibushi kicks with the other. Cobb has both legs, and he YANKS Ibushi up into his arms! Ibushi fights free but leaps into a fireman’s carry! F 5 THOUSAND!! Both men are down and Ibushi looks in a daze. Cobb crawls to a cover, TWO!! Ibushi survives but his eyes still look glazed over! Fans rally up as Cobb hobbles around Ibushi. Cobb drags Ibushi up, reels him in, TOUR OF THE- NO! Ibushi slips out to ROUNDHOUSE!
Fans fire up with Ibushi as he gets the wrists again! KAMIGOYE!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Cobb survives the move to surpass gods?! Ibushi takes off the knee pad as Khan shouts at Cobb to get up! Ibushi gets Cobb by the wrists again, for SAVAGE KAMI- NO! Cobb dodges, rolls, COB- NO! Ibushi jumps to guillotine but Cobb tosses him away! Cobb has Ibushi’s wrists for the COBBIGOYE!!! Everyone’s going nuts but Cobb can’t make the cover! Khan shouts at Cobb to get up while the fans rally for Ibushi, who might be in a different dimension! Cobb drags himself over, covers, TWO!! Ibushi still lives and Cobb can’t believe it!
Fans rally up as Cobb drags himself over to ropes. Cobb uses the ropes to stand up, and he goes back to a corner. Cobb slaps some sense into himself before going after Ibushi. Dead lift, but Ibushi cradles! TWO, Ibushi leaps at Cobb but into his pop up! Ibushi makes it a METEORA! Ibushi has the wrists, SAVAGE KAMIGOYE!!!! Cover, Ibushi wins!!
Winner: Kota Ibushi, by pinfall
The Golden Star God manages to topple the Empire’s titan! But it is still going to be a long road back to the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship he created. Who will be holding onto that title when Ibushi comes back for it?
Vacated IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS Shingo Takagi!
Though the Commonwealth Kingpin conquered the Dragon once again, it was not without its cost. Will Ospreay’s neck injury forced him to give up this title, and now his biggest rivals are fighting to take his place! Will the Rainmaker return to the top? Or will Takagi finally win the big one?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and one way or another, we get only the third man ever to hold this title!
Okada and Takagi stare down as fans clap, “O-KA-DA!” “TA-KA-GI!” Takagi approaches but Okada stays by ropes. They circle, feel out the grapple, and Okada backs away again. Takagi is patient as he and Okada go again. Takagi and Okada feel things out, then tie up. Takagi waistlocks, but Okada drops to a knee to then wrench and wristlock. Takagi rolls, wrenches back, and has the wristlock now. Okada rolls, trips Takagi and has the leg for a toehold. Takagi pulls hair but Red Shoes reprimands. Takagi uses his free leg to bring Okada down, but Okada holds off the armbar. Okada gets up inside the leg guard, but Takagi moves around.
Okada stands, manages a cover, ONE, but Okada facelocks. Takagi fights up, pries free and wrenches to a hammerlock. Okada moves around but Takagi wrangles him to the mat. Takagi SNAPS the hammerlock, then grinds Okada with a cording hold. Okada gets up, powers Takagi to ropes, but Takagi powers Okada back. Takagi drop toeholds then floats to a facelock and grinds Okada down. Okada endures, slips out and has the hammerlock to give back the SNAP. Fans rally as Okada SNAP locks again. Takagi endures, Okada half nelsons to get a cover, TWO! Okada holds onto the hammerlock, shifts to a headlock to grind Takagi back down, then hits the takeover.
Fans build to a rally as Takagi turns Okada to a cover, ONE! Okada keeps the headlock, Takagi tries again, ONE! Okada holds on, Takagi fights up and puts on a side bearhug squeeze. Okada grinds the headlock and thrashes Takagi around! Takagi throws body shots but can’t power out of Okada’s grip! Takagi pulls hair, puts Okada on ropes and uses that to power out. Okada rams Takagi but Takagi rebounds to run him over! Fans fire up as things speed up, and Okada hurdles to arm-drag Takagi. Takagi headscissors, Okada kips free but Takagi arm-drags back. Okada returns the headscissors but Takagi kips free and the fans cheer as the two stand off.
Fans rally up as Okada and Takagi reset. “O-KA-GI!” “TA-KA-DA!” The two circle, Takagi eggs Okada on, but Okada dares Takagi to hit him first. Takagi shoves, Okada throws forearms! Okada whips Takagi, Takagi reverses and runs but into Okada’s BOOT! Okada follows Takagi to ropes, brings him up, and reels him in for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! Okada keeps cool as he clamps onto Takagi with a chinlock. Takagi endures as Okada bends him back against a knee. Takagi reaches around but Okada pulls him back harder! Fans rally as Takagi grabs at Okada’s hair. Red Shoes reprimands but Takagi scoots forward and gets a ropebreak with a leg.
Okada lets go and paces as Takagi gets to a corner. Okada brings Takagi up, Takagi throws forearms and knees. Takagi clubs then CHOPS Okada! Takagi runs, but Okada goes to hip toss. Takagi blocks, throws a body shot then throws Okada down! Okada avoids the back senton to drop a senton, onto knees! Takagi stalks Okada, runs in and clotheslines him out of the ring! Fans cheer and Takagi goes out to fetch Okada. Takagi gets the fans fired up, brings him up, and RAMS him into the apron! “Mada, mada, mada,” Takagi isn’t done yet! He reels Okada back in to RAM him again! Okada falls over in a heap and Takagi refreshes the count.
Takagi brings Okada up, brings him around the way, and CLUBS him as he goes. Takagi has media move aside, and then whips Okada into railing! And SNAP suplexes Okada to the floor! Fans fire up with Takagi and he stands on Okada’s ribs! Fans rally but a ring count starts so Takagi lets off. Takagi drags Okada up at 10 of 20, puts him in at 13, and fans cheer as he slingshot KNEE DROPS in! Takagi digs his knee in, but Okada has the ropes so Takagi lets off. Takagi takes his time getting Okada back up, and he KNEES him against ropes! Takagi whips, and KNEES Okada again, to then run and RUN Okada over!
Fans cheer as Takagi brings Okada back up. Takagi reels Okada in to suplex high and hard! Takagi then drags Okada into a body scissor squeeze! Okada endures, Takagi adds a chinbar, but Okada pries at the fingers. Takagi adds more to the squeeze, but Okada works on an escape. Okada reaches out with one arm but Takagi grabs it! Okada reaches out with the others and fans rally as he gets a ropebreak with his foot! Takagi lets Okada go, to drop the back senton! Takagi mockingly asks what’s wrong. Fans rally up and Takagi gives Okada toying kicks. Okada gets mad, Takagi throws haymakers! Okada throws forearms back, but Takagi tanks them!
Takagi kicks, Okada blocks to boot and scoop! Takagi blocks the gut wrench, to gut wrench Okada for a POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Okada grits his teeth as he survives but fans rally up. Takagi kicks Okada, stands on his back and digs his heel into in as he steps over. Takagi drags Okada back up, reels him in for a front bearhug, and squeezes the ribs tight. Okada endures as fans still rally, and Okada CLUBS Takagi on the back. Takagi shifts his grip to a waistlock but Okada fights off the back suplex. Takagi CLUBS Okada, then reels him in for a back suplex! Okada lands on his feet and things speed up! Okada hits a BIG back elbow to knock Takagi down!
Fans rally as both men are down again. Takagi sits up and Okada goes to a corner. Takagi runs in but Okada boots. Takagi powers through but Okada schoolboys and BASEMENT UPPERCUTS! Okada gets Takagi up for forearm after forearm! Okada whips Takagi corner to corner, runs in and back elbows! Okada kicks low and hits the DDT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up and Okada gets the clap-clap-clap-stomp going. Takagi gets up and Okada wants the Alabama lift, but Takagi blocks! Takagi digs his elbow into Okada’s back then CLUBS him! Okada goes back to a corner, Takagi runs in but Okada dodges! Okada hoists Takagi up top and DROPKICKS Takagi to the floor!
Fans rally up as Takagi is down on the outside. Okada catches his breath before going out to fetch Takagi. Okada has media move aside as he whips Takagi into railing, then runs in to BOOT Takagi up and over! Okada then drags Takagi out onto the railing for a DRAPING DDT!! The Rainmaker looks a bit like The Viper there, but both men are down as fans rally back up. A ring count starts as both men stir, and we’re at 8 of 20 as Okada stands. Okada gets in at 11, but he leaves Takagi outside. Takagi stands at 15, hobbles over and is in at 17, only for Okada to fireman’s carry and HEAVY RAIN! To the MONEY CLIP!! Takagi hurries and gets the ropebreak!
Okada lets Takagi go and paces around while fans rally. Okada stands Takagi up, scoops and SLAMS him, and then per the formula, goes to the corner. Okada climbs, but Takagi runs in! Okada leaps up and over but runs into the elbow, JAB and YUKON LARIAT! Fans fire up with Takagi as he gets back up. Takagi hobbles over to Okada, brings him up, but catches the clothesline to the Gory Especial! Okada fights that off and elbows Takagi into the MONEY CLIP! Takagi stays standing and reaches out, but Okada goes to backslide! Takagi makes that a Gory Especial for NOSHIGAMI! Okada is down but Takagi is too tired to cover here!
Fans build to another rally as Takagi reels Okada into a wheelbarrow. WHEELBARROW GERMAN into the corner! Okada hits buckles hard but again Takagi can’t make a cover here! Fans rally up while Okada is in a daze. Red Shoes checks on him but Takagi says it’s time! Takagi reels Okada in, headbutts away on the back, then gets the torture rack! Takagi thrashes Okada around in the submission hold, then hits a GUTBUSTER! Pump handle to SOL DE JAPON! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives and fans rally up but Takagi keeps his cool. Okada goes to a corner while Takagi fires himself up. Fans follow the “OI! OI! OI!” as Takagi takes aim.
Takagi runs corner to corner but into a BOOT! He still hits a CORNER LARIAT! Takagi steadies himself, and Okada looks to be in a daze as Takagi stands him back up. Takagi CHOPS, JABS, CHOPS, JABS, repeat! Red Shoes warns about the corner ropebreak but Takagi throws headbutt after headbutt! Red Shoes pulls Takagi away, Okada SHOTGUNS! Takagi sits up but Okada is after him at the ropes with forearm after forearm! Red Shoes warns Okada, and Okada lets off, to get the MONEY CLIP! Takagi gets the ropebreak, Okada holds until Red Shoes counts 4. Okada drags Takagi back up, CLUBS him, then kicks him.
Okada runs, Takagi LARIATS at ropes! Takagi runs, fakes out Okada’s dropkick, but Okada catches the sliding lariat to MONEY CLIP!! Fans fire up, Takagi powers out but Okada gut wrenches to the SPINNING TOMBSTONE! And then, MONEY CLIP!! Okada squeezes tight and fans fire up again! Takagi endures, gets a second wind and fights to his feet! Takagi reaches for ropes but Okada uses a BACK2BACKBREAKER to stop him! MONEY CLIP!! Takagi is stuck all over again, and Okada drags him from ropes! Takagi throws haymakers with his free arm but Okada squeezes tighter! Takagi is fading! Red Shoes checks on him, but Takagi refuses to give up like this!
Takagi gets a third wind, scoots for ropes, but Okada is squeezing the tightest yet! Takagi uses a last gasp to get the ROPEBREAK! Fans fire up as Okada has to let Takagi go! Takagi flops out to the floor as he catches his breath, and Okada stays in the ring as he catches his. Okada slowly rolls out to fetch Takagi. Okada drags Takagi up, gut wrenches, but Takagi holds railing to block! Okada keeps trying, and he CLUBS Takagi on the back! Takagi still holds railing to block the tombstone! Okada CLUBS Takagi again, KICKS him, but swings into a knee and pump handle! MADE IN JAPAN to the floor!! Fans fire up again as both men are down on the outside!
Okada sputters as Red Shoes checks on him. He’s somehow okay to continue, and a ring count begins. Both men stir, Takagi sits up at 7 but crawls after Okada. Okada sits up at 12, Takagi hits his head on the railing to fire himself up?! We’re at 15, Takagi goes into the ring! Okada hurries but stumbles at 17! Okada staggers up and in at 19.5!! Takagi is frustrated that Okada survives, but he refocuses as fans rally up. Okada goes to a corner while Takagi slaps sense into himself. Takagi glares at Okada as he aims from the other corner. Takagi goes corner to corner to CORNER PUMPING BOMBER! Okada somehow stays on his feet after that!
Takagi fireman’s carries and takes Okada up the corner!? Okada fights free, but Takagi reels him back in! SUPER LEGEND FALCONRY!! Takagi has to crawl to the cover, TWO!! Okada survives and Takagi can’t believe it! Fans build to another rally as Takagi sits Okada up. Takagi runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Takagi gets Okada back up, wrist clutch, but Okada clubs Takagi to hold off the torture rack! Okada stomps Takagi’s feet, clubs him more, but Takagi hits POINT BLANK PUMPING! Takagi fires off boxing elbows then ROCKS Okada! Takagi sits Okada up again, but runs into Okada’s dropkick! Fans are thunderous as Okada gut wrenches, for a TOMBSTONE!!!
Okada is fired up, as he wristlock ripcords, PUMPING BOMBER FROM TAKAGI!?!? Takagi counters Okada’s lariat with his own and fans are thunderous! Okada and Takagi stir as fans continue to rally. A standing count begins, Okada and Takagi slowly rise, and Takagi gets to ropes as Okada sits up at 6. Okada and Takagi go forehead to forehead, then start throwing forearms. Okada hits first, Takagi hits back, then they stand up. Okada roars and he hits Takagi again. Takagi roars and steadies himself before he hits Okada back. Okada forearms, Takagi forearms, repeat, faster and faster! The fans rally as they keep going!
Takagi slows down and Okada gets the edge! Takagi snarls and fans fire up! Takagi gives more boxing elbows, going past 10 to about 20 before he ROCKS Okada! Okada grits his teeth to stay on his feet! They’re forehead to forehead again before Okada throws EuroUppers! Takagi staggers, Okada gives him another EuroUpper! Takagi fires up but swings into a spin, but he blocks Rolling Rainmaker to hit a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Takagi gets back up, fans fire up with him, and he runs, but Okada ducks! Backslide, but Takagi rolls through, into the RAINMAKER!! Okada hits his lariat, but holds onto Takagi’s arm! Okada fires up, stands Takagi up, RAINMAKER AGAIN!
Okada hits the Rainmaker pose, gets Takagi up and wristlocks, but Takagi ducks Rainmaker proper to STEAL RAINMAKER?!? Fans are thunderous again as Takagi uses Okada’s formula to power up his own lariat! Both men are down, Takagi heads back for Okada and gets him back up. Takagi runs and runs and PUMPING BOMBERS!! Cover, TWO!?!? Okada survives, but this is what being on top of NJPW means to him! Takagi roars and fans fire up with him again! Takagi gets Okada up, wrist clutch and torture rack, but Okada flails free! Wristlock, but Takagi ducks the lariat! Takagi fireman’s carries, but Okada slips off to dragon sleeper, and gut wrench!
Takagi fights free to underhook, TIGER SUPLEX!! Okada wobbles, Takagi runs to SLIDING FOREARM! Okada is in a daze again as Takagi gets him back up! Wrist clutch, torture rack, LAST OF THE DRAGON!!! Cover, TAKAGI WINS!!!!
Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (NEW IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
Even Takagi is in shock! The Dragon just conquered THE Rainmaker, and now has THE greatest treasure in all of NJPW! Is this the dawning of a new era? After Takagi is able to stand again, Red Shoes helps him with the belt, and Takagi’s ascension is complete. Takagi then gets the mic to speak. “The IWGP belt is right here. This isn’t a dream, this is reality. And allow me to introduce myself: I am THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Shingo Takagi!” Takagi knows a few months ago, he lost to Will Ospreay. He took that loss very hard, but his heart was still beating. Takagi has been through a lot, but with this result, he’s proven he’s back on top!
Takagi says this is not the end goal, this is just the start! Takagi has a lot left to do. We’ve all been through so much, but like a dragon, Takagi has become not only the pinnacle of NJPW, but of all pro-wrestling! And uh, this belt is a bit loose, can someone help with that? Yota Tsuji gets in to help the new champ adjust the strap. Little higher up. There we go. Takagi says that there are still some rough times ahead, and there are some delays because of it, but that’s why Takagi has to do what he has to do, and why he has to bring us his power and energy. It is to inspire us to keep going. He says this is where he’d usually stop but he does have one more thing to say.
Takagi beat Okada now, and he knows who he wants next! He was also here tonight, so why not call him out? Surely the fans know who he means. “OI! IBUSHI! GET OUT HERE!” The fans cheer as the Dragon wants to see the Golden Star face-to-face! And here he comes! Ibushi being the man who created this belt, this just makes sense! Takagi welcomes Ibushi, and says that life’s a funny thing, isn’t it? Takagi has the title Ibushi imagined. Ibushi once called Takagi out but tables have turned. Takagi says there’s just one thing he has to say to Ibushi: “Are we fighting over this title or not?” Fans cheer as Ibushi gets a mic for himself.
“It doesn’t matter when or where, let’s go!” That’s the answer Takagi was hoping for! Takagi says he and Ibushi are going to have “The kind of murderous match only the two of us can have!” The summer has just hit triple digits with this one! Will the Dragon surpass the gods of NJPW? Or will Ibushi be the first to hold this title twice?
My Thoughts:
What an event! And while I didn’t cover the entire thing, Andrew Balaz always has us covered. The 10 Man Tags are standard filler fare for NJPW, and I feel disappointed in myself that I didn’t check Road to Dominion more closely. That is where they put the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships AND the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships. LIJ did not win against Chaos, but they might be shifting gears towards the latter titles after facing Douki & Tekkers today. I just feel like Sanada deserves more than just being tag title guy. With one less midcard title, I suppose Sanada could get the NEVER Openweight Championship in an epic with Hiroshi Tanahashi, but maybe for now he’s satisfied with being involved in all these title scenes.
Anyway, to what I did cover. Desperado VS Yoh was great stuff, but I figured it wasn’t time for Yoh to be Mr. Junior Heavyweight. Bullet Club’s Junior Heavyweights calling out everybody is cool, but I don’t see Bone Soldier getting both belts, either. He and ELP might get the tag titles off RPG3K, or he might get the singles title off Despy, but I don’t see Taiji reaching double champ level. Ibushi VS Cobb was awesome stuff, and I always like when someone steals someone else’s moves. That also fed well in the Okada VS Takagi match. But it was great story that Cobb hits his take on the Kamigoye, only to not capitalize on it. Ibushi wins and as we know, he’s ready for the world title.
Okada VS Takagi was strong for a long stretch and then exploded into that thunderous level. I honestly didn’t think Takagi would win, but it is amazing that he did. It shows Okada has the humility to put Takagi over, it shows NJPW has faith in Takagi and confirms that Takagi has reached this level. Takagi boldly calling Ibushi out was a great move, that match is going to be another epic, and you can toss a coin and get this one. Takagi being a one and done would be a shame but Ibushi is also a high level wrestler. I think we’re all just going to be happy to see this big match over the summer somewhere.
My Score: 9.4/10
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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
Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - 4 Corners Podcast (sports)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Nefarious Means
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SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - 30 Mindless Minutes
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast: The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history) Unidentified History (Ufology) & Game Gone Wrong (Game of Thrones Universe)
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
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Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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