NJPW PPV Results
Mitchell’s NJPW Wrestle Grand Slam MetLife Report! (9/4/21)
Who strikes out in the MetLife Dome?
Day one of the double header weekend is here!
NJPW enters the MetLife Dome, ready to swing for the fences! Will Kazuchika Okada hit a homer off Jeff Cobb? Or will the Rainmaker strike out instead?
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
- Tiger Mask & Robbie Eagles VS Hiromu Takahashi & Bushi; Tiger Mask & Eagles win.
- YOH VS SHO; SHO wins.
- KOPW 2021 I Quit Match: Chase Owens VS Toru Yano; Yano wins and becomes the new provisional Mr. KOPW 2021.
- Kazuchika Okada VS Jeff Cobb; Cobb wins.
- IWGP US Heavyweight Championship: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Kota Ibushi; Tanahashi wins and retains the title.
MY REPORT
Tiger Mask & Robbie Eagles VS Hiromu Takahashi & Bushi!
The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship will be on the line tomorrow for Night Two, but for Night One, the Sniper of the Sky and the Ticking Timebomb have their tag partners backing them up! Will the champion strike out his challenger and get great momentum? Or will Hiromu-chan get on base even before their title bout?
The teams sort out and Hiromu gets a good look at the title belt before he and Eagles start. They go right at each other, dodging and blocking strikes. Hiromu shoves, rushes in, but Eagles catches him to a waistlock. Hiromu gets free, kicks and whips but Eagles reverses to go up and around! Eagles tries the arm-drag but Hiromu blocks to bring Eagles up, kick low and whips him to a corner. Hiromu runs in to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick but Eagles dodges! Eagles mule kicks but Hiromu dodges that, and fans cheer as the two stand off. Hiromu and Eagles go forehead to forehead, give each other sarcastic shoulder pats, then mockingly compliment each other.
Hiromu backs off to his corner so Eagles heads for his. Bushi tags in, and Hiromu attacks Eagles from behind! Hiromu stomps Eagles, Bushi knocks Tiger Mask off the apron, then LIJ mugs Eagles. LIJ double whips Eagles corner to corner, Bushi runs in but Eagles dodges to huricanrana Hiromu! Bushi kicks Eagles and runs but into a wheel kick! Eagles kips up, tags Tiger Mask, and Tiger Mask goes up top to CROSSBODY Hiromu! Tiger Mask rolls off, dropkicks Hiromu out, then regroups with Eagles. They double whip Bushi to yank him down, and then KICK away from both sides! DOUBLE KICK SANDWICH! Then BASEMENT DROPKICK SANDWICH!
Tiger Mask stomps Bushi, brings him up and whips him to ropes. Tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Tiger keeps cool as he stomps Bushi more. Tiger Mask runs but into a kick! Hiromu returns to dropkick Tiger Mask’s legs out and Bushi adds a basement dropkick! Hiromu DECKS Eagles and goes out after him while Bushi and Tiger Mask are still down. Hiromu whips Eagles hard into railing and then taunts him. Bushi uses his T-shirt to choke Tiger Mask! The ref counts, Bushi only lets go with one hand but the ref counts more. Bushi lets go completely and then stomps Tiger Mask. Hiromu snatches away Eagles’ headband to wear it himself!
Hiromu tags in and stomps a mudhole into Tiger Mask! Bushi adds his boot, the ref counts, but only Bushi lets off. The ref tells Hiromu to stop, and Hiromu does, to drag Tiger Mask around by his leg. Hiromu drops elbow after elbow on the leg then puts on a toehold! Tiger Mask endures, fans rally up, but Hiromu drops more elbows. Tag to Bushi, and LIJ splits the wishbone on Tiger Mask! Hiromu takes his time exiting while Bushi bumps Tiger Mask off buckles. Bushi CHOPS then isolates the leg in the ropes. The ref reprimands but Bushi dropkicks the leg anyway. Cover, TWO! Fans cheer but Bushi stomps Tiger Mask down.
Bushi digs his heel into the knee but Tiger Mask grabs at Bushi’s mask. Bushi stomps Tiger Mask down and tags Hiromu. Hiromu mockingly says, “C’mon, Robbie!” as he stomps Tiger Mask. Tiger Mask gets up to CHOP and CHOP Hiromu. Hiromu CHOPS back then whips Tiger Mask to a corner. Corner clothesline, snapmare and running basement dropkick! Hiromu taunts Eagles more, and even steals the Ron Miller Special! Eagles gets mad but Bushi intercepts! Bushi kicks Eagles down and goes out after him but Tiger Mask crawls for the ropes! Fans rally, Tiger Mask reaches out, and he gets the ROPEBREAK! Hiromu takes his time letting off the hold as the ref counts.
Hiromu still taunts Eagles while bringing Tiger Mask up. Hiromu CLUBS, then fireman’s carries, but Tiger Mask slips down! Hiromu ducks the roundhouse and grabs Tiger Mask’s arms, only for Tiger Mask to somersault kick him away! Tiger Mask then mule kicks and ROUNDHOUSES Hiromu down! Fans rally up as Tiger Mask crawls, hot tag to Eagles! Bushi gets in and regroups with Hiromu, but Eagles springboards to double missile dropkick them down! Eagles fires up and he fires off KICK after KICK on Hiromu! Eagles runs and RUNNING KICKS Hiromu down! Hiromu ends up in a corner, Eagles gets the fans rallying as he runs corner to corner to DOUBLE KNEE!
Eagles rolls back but runs into a BOOT! Eagles sweeps Hiromu’s legs with the Tiger Feint! Then runs in to METEORA! Cover, TWO! Eagles keeps his cool as he goes up the corner. Fans fire up as aims at Hiromu, 450 but he has to roll through! Bushi returns, waistlocks Eagles, but Hiromu is slow to getting up. Hiromu runs in but Eagles sends him into Bushi! LIJ is down, Eagles runs in from the corner for a SLIDING LARIAT BASEMENT DROPKICK COMBO! Cover, TWO! Eagles drags Hiromu by a leg, stomps away on that leg, then steps through. Hiromu kicks away at Eagles and Eagles falls! Hiromu grins as he gets back up and fans rally.
Eagles mule kicks, but no standing Sliced Bread! Fireman’s carry but Eagles slips off. Eagles ducks the forearm and elbow but Hiromu still ROCKS Eagles with another forearm! Eagles kicks out Hiromu’s leg, runs the ropes but runs into a POP-UP SIT-OUT BOMB! Hiromu can’t hold the cover and both men are down on the mat! Fans fire up as the two crawl, hot tag to Bushi, and he dropkicks Tiger Mask down! Bushi bumps Eagles off buckles, whips corner to corner but Eagles reverses. Bushi slips out to swing kick Eagles away! Missile dropkick! Bushirooni! Eagles flounders, Bushi brings him up and catches his punch to a spin and DDT! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally up more as Bushi drags Eagles up. Bushi knees low, whips but Eagles reverses. Bushi ducks and DIVES out onto Tiger! Hiromu jumps in and brawls with Eagles, forearm for forearm over and over and over! Fans are fired up as Hiromu gets the edge, but Eagles ducks the superkick! Hiromu ducks the roundhouse but not the low enziguri! Bushi runs in but Eagles denies him the Code Breaker! Bushi turns the Turbo Backpack into a backslide but Eagles rolls through! Eagles ducks Bushi’s enziguri and blocks the mule kick with a RON MILLER SPEACIL! Bushi endures but Hiromu clobbers Eagles! Tiger Mask gets in to throw Hiromu out! Tiger Mask builds speed to DIVE onto Hiromu!
Tiger Mask shouts to Robbie to finish this, Eagles springboards to missile dropkick Bushi’s leg out! TURBO BACKPACK to the RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Bushi taps, Eagles & Tiger Mask win!
Winners: Tiger Mask & Robbie Eagles, by submission
The Sniper of the Sky shoots down the Death Mask and Hiromu is frustrated. Eagles taunts him with the title, but will Hiromu have the last laugh by taking it back?
YOH VS SHO!
The unthinkable has happened: Roppongi 3K has fallen apart! High Voltage shocked the world by turning on Direct Drive, but will Sho pay for betraying his longtime friend?
With his new, deranged attitude comes a new video package, cover of his theme song, and darker style of ring gear for Sho! Yoh doesn’t even care about entrance or bell, he goes right at Sho! They brawl, the bell rings to put this on the record, and the brawling just keeps going! Yoh gets the edge, Sho hits back and ROCKS Yoh! Yoh hits back, hits more, but Sho claws at Yoh’s face! The ref reprimands and counts, Sho stops and headlocks Yoh. Yoh powers out, ducks and dodges, drop toeholds Sho and basement dropkicks him! Yoh rains down furious forearms, not even taking his jacket off! Yoh stops just a moment before he brings Sho up to DECK him! And again!
Sho staggers, Yoh ROCKS him with a forearm against the ropes, then ROCKS him with a EuroUpper! Sho still has a deranged smirk but Yoh wrenches and whips. Sho slides out, Yoh pursues and they run around the ring! Sho attacks a Young Lion and sends him into Yoh! Both Yoh and Young Lion go tumbling, then Sho stomps and kicks Yoh around. Sho brings Yoh up to whip him hard into railing! Sho asks those around if Yoh is serious with all this, and then Sho tears Yoh’s jacket off him. Sho brings Yoh back up, and whips him hard into more railing! Yoh goes writhing and floundering while Sho “apologizes” to the ref. Sho refreshes the count, then whips Yoh into even more railing!
Sho pulls off the tape on a corner crossbar while Yoh flounders. The ref reprimands but there’s nothing the ref can do about it. Sho drags Yoh up and over to that corner, laces his arm through the corner and bends the forearm against the crossbar! The ref reprimands and tells Sho to stop but Sho is too busy talking trash to Yoh! The ref pulls at Sho but Sho shrugs him off to pull Yoh’s arm even harder! The ref counts and Sho stops, and then “apologizes” again. Sho gets Yoh up, to wrap the arm around railing! And then kicks away at the railing to jam the arm! The ref reprimands and a ring count starts, but Sho uses every count as the timing for his kick to the railing!
Sho stops at 14 of 20, goes back to the ring, and Yoh is down as we pass 15! Yoh gets up at 18 and springs into the ring! Sho makes him pay for that by bringing him back out and whipping him even harder into railing! Sho leaves Yoh behind and “apologizes” again, “promising” to leave it at this. The ring count starts again and Yoh is still down at 10 of 20. Sho paces, Yoh rises at 15 of 20, and gets in again at 18! Fans cheer Yoh’s heart but Sho smirks as he gives toying kicks at him. Sho wants Yoh to get up and get mad but Yoh just eggs Sho on. Fans rally as Yoh stands and hits Sho back! Sho eggs Yoh on now and the forearms keep flying! Until Sho rakes Yoh’s face!
The ref reprimands and counts so Sho stops to then whip Yoh to ropes for a kitchen sink knee! Sho checks his jaw, then drags Yoh up by his hair. Sho KICKS Yoh in the back and Yoh writhes around. Sho sits him up again and KICKS him again! Yoh writhes more, and Sho “apologizes” to the ref. Cover, TWO! Sho mockingly shows surprise but then smirks as Yoh goes to ropes. Sho clamps onto Yoh’s arm, wrenches and digs an elbow into the shoulder. Sho wrenches again, shifts to a cording hold and thrashes the shoulder around. Fans rally but Sho uses the double arm wrench to trap Yoh so he can jab into the ribs! Sho then throws Yoh down and soaks in the moment as he paces.
Sho drags Yoh back up, bumps him off buckles and stomps a mudhole into him. The ref counts, Sho stops to then dig both boots in! Sho talks trash again, the ref again has to pull Sho away, and Sho again “apologizes.” Yoh still looks up at Sho defiantly so Sho digs his boot in again. The ref counts, Sho stops this time to let the ref check Yoh. Yoh refuses to stop so Sho stands on his throat again. The ref counts, Sho stops again and then dares Yoh to get up. Fans rally for Yoh as he stands but Sho gives him more toying kicks. Yoh grabs Sho’s foot, throws it down and throws more forearms! Sho rakes the eyes again! The ref again reprimands, Sho whips but Yoh reverses to dropkick him down!
Fans fire up while the former RPG3K is on the mat! Sho goes to a corner, Yoh goes to the other. Sho runs corner to corner but Yoh meets him! Yoh rallies with big forearms and then whips again. Sho reverses again but Yoh hits FLYING FOREARMS! Yoh kips up and fans fire up behind him! Yoh waits for Sho to go to a corner, then he runs in corner to corner, for a LEAPING back elbow! Yoh snapmares and stomps Sho around! And kicks him to the ropes! And at the ropes! Yoh gets Sho to the apron then drags him up by his hair. Fans rally but Sho wrenches the arm to HOTSHOT it! Then Sho drags Yoh back out, to whip! But Yoh reverses! Sho stops himself but Yoh SHOTGUNS Sho into railing!
Fans cheer as Yoh gets back to the ring. Sho staggers up and around, You builds speed and FLIES out onto Sho! They crash into railing and both men are down! The ref goes out to check both men but they’re okay to continue. Fans rally up as the ref starts a new ring count. Both men slowly sit up as we reach 10 of 20. Yoh is on his feet first at 13, and he drags Sho up at 15 to put him in the ring. Fans cheer and Yoh gets Sho up to suplex, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Sho survives but Yoh keeps his cool. Yoh stands Sho up to ROCK him with a forearm, then ROCKS him again. Yoh RAMS his shoulder into Sho, hoists him up top, then climbs up to join him.
Yoh CLUBS Sho a few times, Sho fights back with body shots and CLUBS Yoh in return. Yoh hops down and Sho adjusts, but Yoh ROCKS Sho again! Yoh climbs up, Sho slips under to bring Yoh out! Yoh tries to rana counter but Sho blocks that! Sho powers Yoh back up for a POWER BREAKER! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Sho grits his teeth and gets up to his feet. He reels Yoh into a waistlock for a GERMAN SUPLEX! And then another GERMAN SUPLEX! Yoh grabs ropes to hold off the third, the ref calls for the ropebreak but Sho pulls Yoh’s hair! Sho KICKS Yoh in the ribs, but Yoh blocks the roundhouse for a DRAGON SCREW! And a nasty one!
Yoh rolls through with Sho to get a CALF KILLER! Sho dribbles Yoh’s head off the mat to get free! Sho staggers up and still smirks as he looms over Yoh. Sho stands Yoh up, wrenches and hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Then he wrenches again for another ELBOW BREAKER! And a third ELBOW BREAKER! Fans rally for Yoh but Sho PENALTY KICKS the arm! Sho runs but into a JUMP KNEE! Yoh runs but into a JUMP KNEE! Sho wrenches, Yoh full nelsons but Sho breaks free, only to swing into another full nelson! Sho breaks that but Yoh makes it a straitjacket GERMAN! But Sho staggers up and rebounds to LARIAT! Both men are down and fans fire up again!
Sho drags Yoh up to his feet, runs ropes and LARIATS Yoh down again! But he isn’t done, he aims his bow at Yoh. Sho drags Yoh up, reels him in and hooks up the arms. SHOCK- Yoh flips through to trip Sho to the CALF KILLER!! Sho grabs at Yoh’s hair and face again! The ref actually has to club Sho’s arm to make him stop! And Yoh CRANKS back on the CALF KILLER!! Sho shouts and flails and reaches for ropes! Sho crawls, Yoh elbows him over and over in the side, then rolls him away! STARGAZER CALF KILLER!! Sho freaks out in the modified deathlock but he gets the ROPEBREAK! Yoh lets go and the fans fire up more!
Yoh grits his teeth and glares at Sho as he stands. Yoh reels Sho into a full nelson, but Sho RAMS Yoh into a corner! So Yoh dropkicks Sho’s legs out! SNAP DRAGON into the corner!! Yoh isn’t showing his traitorous former friend any mercy! Underhooks, but Sho holds off Direct Drive! Sho reels Yoh in, wraps him up in the arms, but Yoh back drops out of the piledriver! Both men are down and fans are thunderous! Sho drags himself around, as does Yoh, and the two spot each other. They approach and Yoh throws a forearm! Sho responds with a forearm, but Yoh gives another! Sho hits back, Yoh catches his breath and hits Sho again. The two slowly stand as the forearms keep flying!
Sho ROCKS Yoh, Yoh ROCKS Sho, and they start speeding up! Sho laughs as Yoh wobbles, and Sho fires off boxing elbows! Sho doesn’t stop until Yoh is down on the mat, and then he just adds stomps! Sho stops so he can stand Yoh back up, but Yoh fires boxing elbows in return! Yoh keeps going until Sho is down on the mat, and fans cheer Yoh’s fighting spirit! Yoh stands Sho up, but Sho hits back with more boxing elbows! Sho stands Yoh up tall to LARIAT! But Yoh stays up with a defiant glare. Sho LARIATS again but again Yoh stays up! Sho LARIATS a third time and Yoh falls over. But Sho still isn’t done, he runs into YOH’S LARIAT!! Fans are thunderous as Yoh powers up!
Yoh stands Sho up, SNAP DRAGON!! Bridging cover, TWO!! Sho escapes but Yoh has more to give! Yoh stands Sho up again, reels him in and underhooks the arms. But Sho shoves Yoh into the ref, then does it again! The ref is down, Sho SPEARS Yoh down! But with no ref to count, Sho can’t finish this! Except Sho doesn’t want to finish this as a match! Sho gets a chair from under the ring and brings it into the ring. Yoh flounders to the ropes and drags himself up as Sho takes aim. Yoh dodges the chairshot to SUPERKICK Sho down! Yoh glares at Sho, kicks him from the chair, and then picks up the chair for himself. Yoh smacks the chair off the mat and Sho wants mercy?!
Yoh holds the chair up but he can’t bring himself to use it. So he SUPERKICKS Sho again! Yoh gets Sho up, underhooks the arms, DIRECT- NO! Sho blocks the lift and LOW BLOW UPPERCUTS!! Sho gets the chair again, smirks as he aims at Yoh, for a HEAD SHOT!!! Sho tells the ref to get up already, and then Sho covers. But Sho lets off at TWO?!? Sho is a sadist as he reels Yoh into HELL’S GATE!!! Yoh can’t get free, he’s passing out! Sho wins!!
Winner: SHO, by referee stoppage
But Sho doesn’t let go until HE is satisfied with it! Sho kicks Young Lions out so they can’t help Yoh, either! The ref checks on Yoh but Yoh is out cold! Sho snatches away the ice packs so he can use them, and then he stands on Yoh’s downed body. Is this darker voltage going to be what powers Sho to the top as a solo player? Sho even gets the mic to speak! “Yoh-san… It’s just like I said. I TOLD YOU, YOU NEED TO QUIT!!” Sho kicks Yoh out of the ring literally, but has this loss ended Yoh’s NJPW wrestling career?
Wait a minute, what is Bullet Club doing walking out here? Specifically, it’s Evil, Dick Togo and Yujiro Takahashi! They, the “House of Torture,” are applauding Sho’s actions, and even give him a HOT T-shirt! Sho accepts it gladly, and is leaving Chaos for Bullet Club! Fans do cheer this, and Sho has his first Low Sweet! Will High Voltage make the Bullet Club shocking once again?
KOPW 2021 I Quit Match: Chase Owens VS Toru Yano!
The Crown Jewel doesn’t want to just beat the Clown Prince of Chaos, he wants to hurt him! Is there no way Yano can turn the tables and trick Chase when the only way to win is to bring out those two dreaded words?
Wait! That shock yellow hair! Yano is bringing up his past of brutality in order to fight on the same level as Chase! How will Chase fair now that he’s against the Most Violent Player in the Game? Especially seeing #GreatBashHeel just brought handcuffs to the fight! The introductions are made but Yano doesn’t even wait for Chase to get in the ring! Yano rushes out after Chase and they brawl in the entry aisle! The ring announcer does his best to finish introductions and the bell rings to get this on record just as Yano DECKS Chase! Yano walks back towards the ring but Chase already brings out his first trick: a Ziploc bag of powder!
Yano returns for Chase but gets ZIPLOC POWDER to the face! Chase stomps Yano down and chokes Yano on the ground! Then he stomps Yano more, drags him up by the hair and RAMS Yano into the railing’s gateway! Then Chase headlock punches Yano down and chokes him more! The ref checks on Yano but Yano doesn’t quit so easily. Chase taunts Yano and puts him in the ring. Chase kicks Yano while daring him to fight back. Chase stands Yano up but Yano rakes the eyes! Yano headlocks, Chase powers out but Yano runs him over! Only for Chase to trip Yano and choke him more! Chase lets off only to drag Yano up and throw him out of the ring.
Chase goes out after Yano, stomps him down again, then stands on his neck at the railing! Chase keeps egging Yano on as he drags Yano up. Chase whips but Yano reverses and Chase hits railing! Yano goes under the ring to bring out a trash can, its lid, various cookie pans, other kinds of trash can lids and and even a traffic sign! Yano brings the trash can over to SMACK Chase in the head with it! Yano kicks the other things around so he can put a second trash can into the ring. Yano puts just a few things into the ring before bringing the cookie pan around the way with him. Fans cheer on GBH Yano as he chases Chase down and SMACKS him on the back! And then SMACKS him in the head!
Now Yano dares Chase to do something, but Chase refuses to quit. Yano prepares his signature red chair and puts Chase into the ring. Yano has the mic and shouts, “OI, you! You say quit? You say quit?!” Chase shouts, “NO!” so Yano lets him go. Yano grabs the second trash can, puts it around Chase, and then asks one more time, “YOU SAY QUIT?!” Chase shouts “NO!” and it echoes inside the can. Yano makes sure Chase still has the mic if he changes his mind, as he BATTERS the trash can with his umbrella! Yano keeps asking if Chase quits and Chase keeps shouting no. The ref wants to check on Chase but Yano has him back off so he can SMACK the can again!
Yano paces while Chase writhes inside the trash can. Yano wedges his red chair into a corner as Chase craws out of the trash. Yano stomps Chase before he can get away, and then pulls Chase’s hair so he can pull Chase into the ropes! Chase refuses to quit, shouting “NEVER!” Yano keeps on Chase until Chase pushes the ref away, then drags Chase up by his hair. Yano whips Chase into the red chair! Fans cheer for Yano’s creative brutality as he now sets up the trash can for something more. Yano gets Chase up, Chase throws body shots and turns things around, to snap suplex Yano onto the trash can! Yano’s creativity comes back to haunt him as Chase gets up and grabs the lid!
Chase SMACKS Yano with the trash can lid, then tosses it aside. Chase moves the wrecked trash can out of the way as he drags Yano to the apron. Chase SLAMS Yano’s leg into the apron edge! Yano resists as Chase drags him more but Chase still gets him for a DRAPING FIGURE FOUR, with the post included! Yano refuses to quit so Chase lets go, to then SMACK the legs with the busted trash can! Yano flops out of the ring while Chase gathers up the random trash can lids and serving trays. Yano stands up, and Chase uses the metal circles like cymbals to BASH Yano’s head! Yano falls over, ears ringing, but Chase himself catches his breath and plans his next move.
Chase has a strap! He’s bringing this back to their Texas Strap Match! Chase hooks up Yano’s hand and then stomps him before he then straps up Yano’s other hand! Yano is the only one strapped up as Chase drags him to his feet. Yano uses the strap to string Yano up in the corner! Yano is vulnerable as Chase gets kendo sticks! Chase SMACKS Yano right in the ribs! Chase wants Yano to quit but Yano refuses! Chase digs the kendo stick into Yano’s face as he shouts at Yano, “Say ‘I Quit!'” Chase SMACKS Yano again and again but Yano refuses to quit! Fans rally behind Yano as Chase goes looking under the ring again.
Chase brings out a ladder! Chase sets it aside a moment so he can bring out another! Chase puts the second ladder in the ring, and he lets Yano free of the strap. He puts Yano in the ring, sets the ladder up but Yano CLUBS Chase on the back! The ladder falls over, Chase staggers away but Yano brings the ladder up. Chase CLUBS Yano now! Chase runs, but Yano pops him up to atomic drop with the ladder! The metal ladder leg hurts a bit more than a knee, and Yano brings Chase around to throw him out. Yano tosses the ladder out of the ring, kicks the cookie trays out, then goes out after Chase. Chase turns around into Yano’s body shots. Yano whips but Chase reverses, Yano hits railing!
Chase goes back to his first ladder, and he undoes the safeties on it! Chase makes a ladder bridge between ring and railing, then goes under it to get Yano. Chase has a kendo stick and he SMACKS Yano again! Then he drags Yano up and brings him around towards the ladder. Chase bounces Yano right off the ladder’s side! Chase puts Yano in the ring, drags him to the apron, and aims for the bridge! Yano resists, fans rally up, and Yano fires off forearms! Chase flops through the ropes and into the ring but Yano pursues. Yano stomps Chase, kicks more things aside, then drags Chase up to put him through ropes. Yano pulls Chase against the ropes with a sleeper!
The ref goes to the outside and asks Chase, but Chase says “NO!” despite the fingers in his face. Yano lets go in frustration, talks trash, then runs, into a drop toehold! Yano ends up on ropes, Chase runs in and JEWEL TRIGGERS him in the back! Yano sputters to a corner, Chase runs in to KNEE him down again! Chase drags Yano up, reels him in and tucks him in, but Yano resists the piledriver! Chase CLUBS away on Yano’s back, tries again, but Yano backs up to back drop Chase to the apron! Chase holds on but Yano rakes his eyes and HOTSHOTS him! Chase staggers, Yano gets the other ladder! Yano BATTERING RAMS Chase down, and Chase falls through the ladder bridge!
Fans are thunderous as Chase is dazed and down in the wreckage. Yano goes out to bring out TABLES! Yano sets two tables up, side-by-side near the ring. Chase flounders up and fans rally as Yano returns to fetch him. But Chase JAMS and SMACKS Yano with the cookie sheet! Chase puts Yano on the tables Yano set up, throws down fists, then hobbles away to climb up the corner! Yano climbs up after Chase! Yano throws hands, goes for a superplex, but Chase holds on for dear life! Fans rally harder as Chase throws hands and even headbutts Yano back! Both men flop down from apron to floor but stagger about. Yano storms after Chase but Chase mule kicks him down!
Chase drags Yano back up, and grabs the cuffs Yano himself brought! Chase already cuffs the railing, but Yano attacks Chase! Yano scoops and SLAMS Chase on the ground, then checks the cuffs Chase was setting up. Yano turns around into a LOW BLOW! Chase shoves Yano down and rips up the floor mats! But he sees there’s a second layer and gets pissed. Chase keeps tearing up ring mats all the same, then drags Yano back up. Chase reels Yano in but Yano resists the piledriver to back drop Chase onto the single-layer mats! That’s still a rough landing because those mats are stiff! Yano drags Chase over to the cuffs! Yano tries but Chase scrambles away before he’s caught!
Chase wants a timeout? There’s no timeouts in wrestling, Chase! Yano drags Chase up, reels him in but Chase kicks and whips. Yano reverses and atomic drops, but Chase punches before the impact! JEWEL TRIGGER! Chase wrenches and hammerlocks to the HEIST LARIAT!! Both men are down but this still won’t end unless someone verbally quits! Fans rally up as Chase kicks Yano to the apron. The tables come back into play as Yano slumps onto them. Chase hurries to the apron, stands on the table and drags Yano up. Chase reels Yano in, tucks the arms, PACKAGE PILEDRIVER!! The tables don’t break but maybe Yano just did!
Chase also flops down off the tables while the ref checks Yano. Yano can’t quit if he can’t talk, but fans rally up as Yano stays in this match. Chase is furious and he drags Yano up. Chase wants the ref to ask anyway, but Yano just moans and groans. Is Yano not okay after all? Chase drags Yano up and over to where the cuffs are on the railing! Chase locks Yano up! Yano can’t get away from the railing as Chase wants the ref to ask again. The ref asks Yano if he quits, but Yano still can’t quite focus enough to form words. Chase goes back for his strap and brings it back around. Chase SLAPS down a Young Lion just for being in his way!
Chase returns to Yano, and makes Yano wake up by splashing water in his face! Chase again tells the ref to ask Yano, but Yano says no. Chase takes the mic and tells Yano that this is his subconscious talking to him. Chase wants Yano to admit “Owens-san is much stronger than Yano! Just give up! Say it! Give up!” Yano shouts no, so Chase LASHES him with the strap! “Give up, Yano. Please! My body doesn’t want anymore~!” Yano says no again, so Chase LASHES him again! Chase shouts, “SAY ‘I QUIT!'” Yano still shouts now so Chase LASHES him again and again and again and again! Chase is furious but Yano is not breaking! Chase again shouts, “SAY ‘I QUIT!'” but Yano still says NO!
Fans cheer Yano’s unbreakable spirit, and Yano is working on undoing his wrist tape. Because that is where the HANDCUFF KEY is! He frees himself while Chase is busy with gathering more weapons! Great Bash Heel is still the greatest trickster in NJPW! But Chase has a baseball bat! Chase storms over and wants Yano to say he quits! Yano shouts now, and LOW BLOWS Chase before he can swing that slugger! Yano gets the cuffs again, and now he cuffs Chase’s hands together! Yano puts Chase in the ring, and brings the cuff keys and the strap. Yano tells Chase to give up and he can get the keys. Chase doesn’t so the keys are tossed far away!
Yano stomps Chase, then gathers up the strap to LASH Chase! And again! And again! “SAY YOU QUIT!” Chase says “NEVER!” so Yano LASHES him again and again! Chase is defiant so Yano LASHES him again and again! Then he CHOKES Chase with the strap! Chase is turning purple but Yano lets go! Because Yano also knows, if Chase passes out, he can’t say he quits. Chase gasps for air while Yano goes out to fetch another table from under the ring! Yano brings the table into the ring, sets it up, but Chase refuses to quit. Chase shouts, “Hey, Yano! Screw you!” Yano LASHES Chase, then hauls him up to POWERBOMB him through the table!!
Chase sputters as he tries to sit up. Yano gets more cuffs and links them to the top rope. Yano cuffs Chase’s cuffs with that cuff, so now Chase is anchored to the ropes. And Yano gets scissors?! Chase freaks out as Yano steps closer with the scissors. Yano wants Chase to give up, or he starts cutting Chase’s hair! Chase SPITS in Yano’s face! That was a mistake! Yano wants to dig the scissors into Chase’s FACE now!! CHASE SHOUTS “I QUIT!!” Yano wins!!
Winner: Toru Yano (NEW Provisional Mr. KOPW 2021)
But uh, Yano isn’t letting Chase free. Yano takes the scissors and the KOPW trophy with him, letting Chase wallow in his defeat. Will Yano keep going as the Great Bash Heel to ensure he stays Mr. KOPW 2021? As for Chase, Yano made sure to drop the keys, and someone hurries to get those to Chase. Chase is freed, but it is little consolation after all Yano did to him. Will the Crown Jewel think twice before getting on Yano’s bad side?
NJPW announces Wrestle Kingdom 16!
It won’t just be January 4th, 2022. It won’t just be that day and January 5th, 2022. It will also be on January 8th, 2022! The Tokyo Dome AND Yokohama Arena will be a part of WK16 in the new year! That is how NJPW will kick off their 50th Anniversary year!!
Kazuchika Okada VS Jeff Cobb w/ Great-O-Khan!
The Rainmaker keeps winning against the Hawaiian Hulk, but Cobb hasn’t given up yet! Will the third time be the charm? Or will it be three strikes, Cobb’s out, at the ol’ ball game?
The bell rings and Cobb rushes Okada! Okada dodges, kicks Cobb and fires off forearms and elbows before turning him for a NECKBREAKER! Fans cheer Okada taking the lead early as he CLUBS Cobb on the back. Cobb gets up, Okada snapmares and runs but into Cobb’s shoulder tackle! Cobb storms after Okada but Okada bails out. Red Shoes wants Okada back in the ring but he takes a moment to catch his breath. Fans rally for “O-KA-DA!” as he paces around the way. Great-O-Khan is there to make sure he doesn’t go too far, so Okada goes to the apron. Cobb steps closer but Okada backs off again.
Okada eggs Cobb on but Khan tells Cobb to stay back. Cobb falls for Okada’s taunts and rushes out but Okada slides back in to then dare Cobb to get back in. Cobb says Okada should get back outside, but Okada shakes his head no and eggs Cobb on again. Again, Cobb falls for it, sliding into the ring while Okada slides back out. Okada is having fun toying with Cobb while Khan is annoyed on Cobb’s behalf. Okada still eggs Cobb on, and again Cobb falls for it. But this time, Okada stays out so he can kick and club Cobb down! Cobb ROCKS Okada right back! Okada staggers and bumps into Khan, who grins at Okada. Cobb runs in but Okada sends him into Khan!
Okada kicks Cobb, wrenches his arm and whips him into railing! Cobb staggers and Okada CLUBS him on the back. Okada kicks Cobb low again, RAMS him into railing, then stands on Cobb’s back! Okada surfs using Cobb as the board! Fans cheer and Okada stomps Cobb. The ring count climbs and Okada takes his time bringing Cobb up at 10 of 20. Okada puts Cobb in the ring, Cobb throws body shots and forearms in return. Okada ROCKS Cobb, whips him corner to corner but Cobb reverses and reels Okada into an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Cobb grins as he’s finally gotten Okada down, and he stomps away on Okada’s back!
Cobb drags Okada up, RAMS him into a corner, then runs him corner to corner to RAM him into more buckles! And then back the other way! And then again! Cobb lets Okada fall over while fans cheer that feat of strength. Cover, TWO! Cobb is annoyed but he drags Okada back up. Okada throws body shots and forearms but Cobb knees low. Cobb runs but Okada prepares to flapjack, so Cobb CLUBS him! Cobb runs, into a FLAPJACK! Okada gets Cobb after all, but both men are down on the mat. Fans rally up as Cobb sputters and sits up. Okada kips up!? And he throws forearm after forearm! Okada whips, Cobb reverses but Okada ducks and dodges to elbow Cobb down!
Okada shouts out to the MetLife Dome and fans fire up! Okada whips Cobb to a corner, runs in corner to corner, and back elbows, into a waistlock! Cobb pops Okada around for a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Okada flops out of the ring, Cobb goes out after him, and Cobb brings Okada up to CHOP him! Okada staggers away but Cobb follows. Cobb snapmares Okada, kicks him down then DOUBLE STOMPS him! Now Cobb surfs using Okada! Khan applauds and Cobb stomps Okada more. Cobb goes to the ring as the ring count starts again. Khan fans Cobb off with the United Empire towel, and the ring count passes 10. Cobb goes back out to get Okada into the ring so this can continue.
Okada staggers up and he fires forearms on Cobb! But Cobb CHOPS Okada off his feet! Cobb paces around, gives toying kicks to Okada, but fans still rally “O-KA-DA!” Cobb whips Okada to a corner hard and Okada bounces off the buckles! Okada writhes, Cobb high stack covers, TWO! Another try, TWO!! Okada still has power enough to escape the pin but Cobb looms over him. Cobb stands on Okada’s head, stomps him down, then stomps him in the chest. Cobb steps on Okada, sits him up and JAMS his knee into Okada’s back before hitting a hard EuroUpper to the spine! Cover, TWO! Okada sits up but Cobb wraps on a rear bearhug!
Okada endures the squeeze, even as Cobb leans his full body weight into him. Fans rally up, Okada fights to his feet and CLUBS Okada, only for Cobb to lift and TOSS Okada to a corner! Okada bounces off buckles and falls in a heap, and Cobb talks trash on the Rainmaker. Cobb stands Okada up, gives him a toying jab, then dares Okada to do something. Okada throws a forearm but Cobb eggs him on. Okada throws more forearms but Cobb still doesn’t feel them! Cobb HEADBUTTS Okada off his feet! Cobb stands Okada up but Okada gets a leg to spin Cobb and BOOT him! Okada wants to Alabama Lift but Cobb CLUBS him, then ROCKS him!
Okada ends up in a corner, Cobb runs in but Okada pops him up! Alabama to the REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up while both men are down again! Cobb and Okada stir as the rally builds back up. Okada sits up and stalks behind Cobb. Cobb stands, Okada whips but Cobb reverses, only for Okada to elbow him down again! Okada kicks Cobb and hits a DDT! Cobb staggers back up into another kick and another DDT! Okada watches Cobb at the ropes, dodges his clothesline, kick and DDT again! Cover, TWO! MONEY CLIP!! Cobb flails and reaches and gets the ropebreak! Okada lets go fast and fans cheer again.
Cobb gasps and crawls away but fans rally for Okada again. Okada storms over, Cobb kicks low and then climbs up. Okada dropkicks Cobb down! Cobb tumbles to the floor and fans fire up again! Fans build to another rally as Cobb stands up on the outside. Okada goes out after him, throws more forearms, then RAMS him into railing. Khan protests, Okada tells him to shut up, and then Okada whips Cobb into more railing. Okada runs in to BOOT Cobb over the railing! Fans cheer and Okada gets them to rally up again. Okada gets space, runs back over and LEAPS, into Cobb’s arms! Cobb pops Okada up for a suplex to the floor! Those green floor mats don’t look as thick, either!
Khan checks on Cobb, Red Shoes checks on Okada. Both are still okay so Khan fans off Cobb again. Cobb stirs as the ring count starts but he has to drag himself back to the railing. Khan coaches Cobb but he can’t help him get up and over. Cobb flops back towards ringside as we reach 10 of 20. Cobb gets in at 12, but now it’s on Okada. Okada gets up at 15 and hurries over the railing at 16! Okada flounders up and stumbles at 18, to get in at 19! But Cobb is right on him, OKLAHOMA STAMPEDE! Cover, TWO! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Okada still survives but Cobb is too tired to be upset. Fans rally up again as Cobb and Khan agree, time for a tour!
Cobb hobbles back to Okada, drags him up, but Okada throws a forearm! And another! Cobb wobbles as Okada hits him again, but Cobb CLUBS Okada on the back in return! Cobb whips Okada to ropes, Okada holds those ropes, so Cobb rushes in! Okada dumps Cobb out, then PLANCHAS, into Cobb’s arms! Pop-up but Okada slips out of the suplex to DDT Cobb to the floor! Both men are down again as fans rally and the ring count begins. Okada and Cobb stir, the count reaches 10 of 20, but Okada gets to his feet. Okada hobbles over, gets Cobb up and in at 14, then hurries to a top rope. Okada aims, leaps, and missile dropkicks Cobb down!
Fans fire up though Okada clutches his back. Okada fires himself up and stands Cobb back up. Okada goes to gut wrench but Cobb gut wrenches first! Okada slips out and dropkicks Cobb in the back! Okada whips, dropkicks Cobb down, and then calls for it! Okada stands Cobb up, gut wrenches, TOMBSTONE! Okada wraps on a MONEY CLIP! Cobb endures, fights up to his feet, and reaches out. Okada arm-drags Cobb away and wraps on the MONEY CLIP again! Cobb endures the hold and reaches out for ropes. Fans rally, as does Khan, but Okada cranks the hold harder! Cobb still reaches with a foot and gets the ROPEBREAK! Okada lets Cobb go and both men are exhausted.
Fans rally, Okada gets up and looms over Cobb. Okada eggs Cobb on so Cobb throws body shots. The shots don’t hurt, so Cobb tries a forearm. That doesn’t do anything, but Cobb blocks Okada’s boot! Cobb reels Okada in but Okada fights out of the T-Bone! Okada goes to run but Cobb reels him in to ROCK him with a forearm to the back! Cobb gut wrenches for a normal PILEDRIVER!! Both men are down after that devastating move, but Khan still fans and coaches Cobb. Cobb growls and crawls over to Okada. Cobb stands Okada up but Okada throws a forearm. Cobb forearms back, Okada hits him again. Both men keep throwing forearms but look to be running close to empty.
Okada keeps throwing forearms so Cobb keeps going, and they start getting some power behind those arms again! Fans fire up as Cobb ROCKS Okada and he falls to his knees! Okada gets mad and eggs Cobb on. Cobb slaps Okada around so Okada throws more forearms! The forearms fly back and forth again and again, Okada starts to wobble! Cobb loads up and ROCKS Okada with a big forearm! Okada is in a corner, Cobb LEAPING BACK ELBOWS! Cobb then gets Okada by the legs and YANKS him up into the ATHLETIC PLEX! Cobb still has a reserve tank, it seems! Cobb whips but Okada SHOTGUN DROPKICKS first! No tour just yet!
Cobb rushes into Okada’s EuroUpper, but then he ducks the discus to SUPERKICK! Cobb wristlocks but Okada elbows free before any ripcord can happen. Okada CLUBS away on Cobb for even thinking he can steal his signature! Red Shoes tells Okada to stop, Okada shoves him aside and runs, into a dropkick from Cobb! Cobb gets Okada up, gut wrench to a TOMBSTONE!! Cobb parodies the Rainmaker pose! Cobb gets Okada up, wristlock and ripcord to the TOUR OF THE- NO! Okada slips out to DISCUS! Cobb stays up and roars, but into a backslide! Cobb rolls through so Okada reels him in, LARIAT! Fans fire up as Okada still has the wrist!
Okada drags Cobb up and reels him in, only for Cobb to dodge! Cobb comes back into an Okada dropkick! Okada drags Cobb back up, gut wrenches him somehow, and hits a SPINNING TOMBSTONE! Okada roars and gets Cobb up again. Okada wristlocks and ripcords, but Cobb scoops Okada! But Okada slips through to gut wrench again! They end up in a corner and Cobb uses that to get up top! Okada throws hands from below, ROCKS Cobb with a forearm, and climbs up as fans rally. Okada gets Cobb for a cravat, then drags him up and over into position?! Cobb fights free and SUPERKICKS Okada from the apron! Cobb then positions things as he climbs up top.
Cobb stands on the very top rope and brings Okada up. Okada fights back with body shots so Cobb steps down to the middle rope. Okada fires off more shots until Cobb is off the ropes completely. Okada shouts at Cobb but Cobb HEADBUTTS from below! Cobb climbs up, scoops Okada for a SUPER TOUR OF THE ISLANDS??! Cobb isn’t done there, either! He reels Okada in for another TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, Cobb wins!!
Winner: Jeff Cobb, by pinfall
He was down in the pitch count, but Jeff Cobb hits a HUGE home run off the third try! Khan celebrates on behalf of Cobb, will this usher in new life to the United Empire?
IWGP US Heavyweight Championship: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Kota Ibushi!
The Maniac, Jon Moxley, lost this belt to the Murderhawk Monster, Lance Archer, who then lost to the Resurgence of The Ace! But speaking of a resurgence, the Golden Star is finally back in the ring! Will this championship battle of the Golden Aces be much friendly than the matches that’ve led us here?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and Ibushi is already emotional as we all see if he can finally surpass his greatest role model!
Fans are fired up already and Tanahashi himself applauds Ibushi’s return to the ring. They circle, feel things out, and Ibushi shoots in! Tanahashi avoids the leg pick and the two still circle. Ibushi and Tanahashi both try to get arm control, Tanahashi gets a facelock but Ibushi powers him to ropes. Red Shoes calls for the ropebreak and Tanahashi lets go. Ibushi takes a moment and lets off cleanly. Fans cheer as the two reset and circle again. They tie up, Tanahashi headlocks, Ibushi powers up but Tanahashi holds on tight as Ibushi tries to power out. Ibushi tries again, but Tanahashi still holds on tight to the headlock.
Ibushi stands, Tanahashi hits a headlock takeover, but Ibushi headscissors. Tanahashi tries to kip free but now Ibushi is the one holding on tight! Ibushi adds a little pressure but Tanahashi keeps fighting the hold. Ibushi still keeps him down but Tanahashi moves around. Tanahashi works to headstand, he pops free, and he goes right after the headlock again! Only for Ibushi to headscissor again! Ibushi pushes up for even more pressure but Tanahashi endures. Tanahashi bridges back to turn things around, but Ibushi just lets him flip over. Tanahashi still tries to turn things back around onto Ibushi and manages to get a leg lock.
Tanahashi floats to a headlock but Ibushi slips out to get a headlock of his own. Tanahashi fights up, Ibushi grinds the headlock and hits a takeover but now Tanahashi headscissors! But Ibushi kips right out and fans cheer, though Tanahashi is a bit frustrated with himself. Ibushi stays loose as Tanahashi cools off and refocuses. Tanahashi and Ibushi circle again, tie up, and Tanahashi wrenches to a wristlock. Ibushi spins, flips, and arm-drags Tanahashi down to an armlock! Ibushi shifts to a grounded cording hold but Tanahashi endures. Tanahashi moves around, Ibushi shifts to dig a knee into the shoulder and pull on the forearm.
Tanahashi gets a ropebreak and Ibushi lets off. But then Ibushi stomps Tanahashi’s arm! Ibushi CLUBS Tanahashi, bumps him off buckles and whips him corner to corner. Tanahashi reverses, runs in but Ibushi goes up and over! Ibushi turns around into a dropkick to his legs! Tanahashi catches his breath and fans rally up, “LET’S GO, ACE!” Tanahashi gets Ibushi’s leg, stomps it then drops an elbow! Tanahashi has a toehold but Ibushi endures. Ibushi fights back with a chinlock but Tanahashi cranks the leg to fight that off. Ibushi keeps trying so Tanahashi stomps the leg more. Tanahashi drops another elbow, then quickly ties up the legs in a Butterfly Stretch!
Ibushi endures the modified deathlock and CHOPS Tanahashi! Tanahashi adds pressure so Ibushi CHOPS and CHOPS again! Tanahashi adds as much pressure as he can to the knees but Ibushi drags himself backwards! Ibushi gets the ropebreak with both hands! Tanahashi lets the legs go free and looms over Ibushi. Tanahashi stomps the bad leg while fans rally up. Ibushi crawls, Tanahashi stands him up but Ibushi fires off forearms! Tanahashi checks his nose then kicks out the leg! Tanahashi dares Ibushi to bring it so Ibushi stands to fire off forearms! Tanahashi hits back with a strike fest! Tanahashi shouts for Ibushi to get up again so Ibushi fires up and stands again!
Fans cheer this fighting spirit as Ibushi kicks. Tanahashi blocks it, CLUBS the leg, then runs the ropes, but into Ibushi’s dropkick! Ibushi clutches his leg, Tanahashi checks his face, and the fans rally up again. Ibushi fires off a strike fest of his own! Then he whips Tanahashi, only for Tanahashi to reverse! Ibushi hits a FLYING KICK! And STANDING MOONSAULT! Tanahashi writhes away from Ibushi so Ibushi rallies the fans up. Ibushi stalks up behind Tanahashi, waistlocks, but Tanahashi elbows free. Tanahashi runs but into a SNAP RANA! Tanahashi flounders out of the ring while fans are thunderous!
Ibushi fires himself up, sees Tanahashi on the outside, and runs to a corner for the GOLDEN TRIANGLE!! Direct hit and fans are electric! Ibushi points to Shingo Takagi on commentary. The Dragon and the Golden Star still need to have their fight, maybe Ibushi wants to go into that title match already a champion! Ibushi gets Tanahashi up and into the ring at 7 of 20, then takes his time getting to the apron. Ibushi dares Tanahashi to stand now, and the Ace rises. Ibushi springboards in for the missile dropkick! Tanahashi staggers around, but he fights off the Half ‘n’ Half! Tanahashi elbows free of the waistlock, blocks the roundhouse, and DRAGON SCREWS the leg!
Fans maintain that electric level as Tanahashi looms over Ibushi. Tanahashi gets the leg, but Ibushi BOOTS free with the other! Ibushi kips up, dodges, but Tanahsih dodges! DOUBLE FOREARMS fly again and again! Both men roar and they keep throwing equal forearms! Again and again and again and again, no guard and no slowing down! Ibushi gets the edge, but Tanahashi just comes back with more! Again and again and again they hit each other at the same time! Tanahashi wobbles and Ibushi fires off more elbows! Ibushi shows respect by showing no mercy and giving Tanahashi forearms to the back of his head again and again!
Red Shoes wants to check on Tanahashi but this could be Kowai Ibushi now! Ibushi lets off just to get the wrists! KAMI- NO! Tanahashi reels Ibushi in for TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!! Tanahashi fires up as fans return to that high level of excitement. Tanahashi runs to SLINGBLADE Ibushi down! But Ibushi rises?! SHOTEI from Tanahashi and Ibushi staggers! Tanahashi whips, Ibushi reverses but Tanahashi SLING- NO, Ibushi slips out, both men steady themselves and roar at each other! This is truly a battle of lions! Tanahashi gives Ibushi a point blank SLINGBLADE! Ibushi is in a drop zone, Tanahashi goes up. HIGH FLY FLOW onto knees! And Ibushi has the wrists!!
Ibushi stands, sits Tanahashi up, KAMI-GOYEEEEE!! But he can’t make the cover from being as exhausted as Tanahashi! Fans are electric again as Red Shoes checks on both men. Both men are somehow okay to continue and Ibushi crawls to ropes. Tanahashi stirs but doesn’t move from the spot. Ibushi aims from a corner as Tanahashi tries to sit up. Ibushi calls upon the other god of NJPW, “YAO~!” BOMAYE!!! But Ibushi won’t let it end with just Shinsuke Nakamura’s move! He sits Tanahashi up again but Tanahashi resists the pull in his wrists! Tanahashi stands now, so Ibushi V-TRIGGERS! KENNYYY~!
Ibushi sits Tanahashi up again, but Tanahashi crosses the arms! Ibushi can’t hit through that so he has to power the arms apart. Tanahashi powers up to cross the arms again, and fans are volcanic as Tanahashi hits a SLINGBLADE!! Cover, ONE?!?! Ibushi shocks himself, but Tanahashi reels him in for a full nelson! DRAGON SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO!! Ibushi survives and fans cheer but Tanahashi roars again! Tanahashi goes up top, takes aim, HIGH FLY FLOW ATTACK! Direct hit but Tanahashi wants it again! HIGH FLY FLOW!!! Cover, Tanahashi wins!!
Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall (still IWGP US Heavyweight Champion)
The Ace’s pride is alive and well! He is still only NJPW’s 10th US Champion, after having reasserted his strength and skill once again! But he also still shows his love and respect for Ibushi as he checks on him. Ibushi is himself emotional, perhaps simply grateful and happy he could still have such a powerful match on his return. Will the Golden Star still find his way to shine in 2021?
As for Tanahashi, he raises the US title high overhead in victory. Ibushi bows deeply to show his respect and admiration for the man he still has so much to learn from. Tanahashi thanks Ibushi for that, and Young Lions help Ibushi to the back. Tanahashi gets the mic to say, “Everyone, I’ll say what everyone else can’t. Ibushi! Welcome back.” Fans cheer that sentiment as Tanahashi tells Ibushi that Ibushi’s dreams still have a long way to go. But so long as everything is right in body, heart and mind, Tanahashi’s ready for Ibushi’s challenge again! Ibushi himself manages to say, “One more time! Absolutely! Thank you!” Fans cheer as Tanahashi gets an Ibushi clap going.
Tanahashi then says, “Osu! Let’s bring out the fire and say out loud that we’re back! NJPW has returned to the MetLife Dome! 11 years ago, I wasn’t in the main event so… Now that I am the main eventer, and the winner, that makes me pretty damn awesome!” Tanahashi then thinks that even the storm outside is applauding him. He knows this was night one, night two is tomorrow, so he thanks all the fans for being here despite the weather to support and show their love for NJPW. He wants them to keep coming back to NJPW events, so he will keep fighting for all of us. Again, he thanks the fans for their support, and hopes to see them again tomorrow!
But as fans cheer, and he steps to the ropes, Tanahashi decides to give us his classic encore! Saitama and the MetLife Dome get to have a live air guitar performance! Tanahashi rocks out then falls back in both joy and exhaustion. But the cheering for another encore gets him to get back up, so he gives them more! And he “smashes” the guitar and kicks the “pieces” out! But that isn’t the end as the fans keep clapping for an encore! Tanahashi asks for an air guitar from the crowd and a fan tosses him one! Tanahashi thanks them and plays this new guitar! Now maybe Tanahashi is out of energy? Tanahashi gives the guitar back and fans cheer.
Tanahashi picks up the US title again and the mic to say, “Everyone, really, thank you so very much!” Tanahashi catches his breath and says that little by little, step by step, even just a half or a quarter step, he knows we’re all heading to a better, brighter tomorrow together. And in that new day, we’ll all have fun together! “I LOVE YOU~!” The pyro goes off and even surprises Tanahashi! Will the powers of love and joy keep all of us rocking into the future with NJPW?
My Thoughts:
What an awesome first night for Wrestle Grand Slam MetLife! Yes, I did skip the Stardom showcase dark match, but I only had so much time today and even then I’m up a bit late putting the final touches on this here. Andrew Balaz always has us covered for full event coverage with NJPW, though, so never fear. As for the main show of this, it was a way stronger card from top to bottom than expected. The tag match was pretty good, with Hiromu looking strong but of course Bushi taking the loss on his behalf. Eagles VS Hiromu tomorrow is going to be a great one that really could go either way.
Yoh VS Sho was done exactly how a tag team break up match should go, even though I was a touch surprised Sho won. But at the same time, the story has been Sho is the one more committed to fight sports, so he wins to be the stronger RPG3K member at this point. As for him joining Bullet Club through Evil’s sub-faction, that was a very natural move. The way Sho was dressed, his new hair color, and his overall behavior was like he was Evil’s younger brother. And it worked as a great way to introduce this concept of “The House of Torture,” the apparent name for Evil’s splinter cell within Bullet Club. I am still hoping for the day we get Team Evil VS Team Switchblade in the next best Bullet Club Civil War to the one we never got, The Elite VS The Firing Squad.
I did not expect a KOPW match to get so violent and so serious. Yano doing the throwback was a great move, but they really should’ve made sure Chase remembered the phrasing. Him saying the words “I Quit,” even if he didn’t mean it for himself, could’ve easily lost that match for him. But this wasn’t comedy Yano so he wasn’t going to win by a technicality like that. Now, Yano wanting to gouge Chase’s eyes out was one hell of a way to do it. I kinda do hope GBH Yano sticks around for a few more months to keep his character fresh for a time. Okada VS Cobb was a great match, too, and it makes a lot of sense for Cobb to finally win here since he was already 0-2. He and Okada could make this a best of five series or more, and I don’t think anyone would complain.
Then the US Championship match, that was great from top to bottom, especially on it being Ibushi’s big comeback. There was already instant story with these two given their tag partnership, as well as Ibushi being quoted many times as saying Hiroshi Tanahashi, as well as Shinsuke Nakamura, was one of the “wrestling gods” he was chasing and trying to surpass. Ibushi can’t have killer matches with Nakamura given Nakamura is in WWE, but he can definitely go the distance with Tanahashi again and again, and again no one would complain.
Ibushi can still go from this US title loss to his promised match with Shingo Takagi at some point, mostly because I don’t see even Ibushi being given yet another G1 Climax win. Someone else needs to win that tournament right now, so let that person face the winner of Takagi VS Ibushi. I say that mostly because I don’t see Takagi losing to Evil in their long awaited match during night two. As for Tanahashi himself, he is still a great in-ring talent and a great person to carry one of the many banners of NJPW. If things ever reach that brighter, better future he speaks of, I very much look forward to Tanahashi making trips over to NJPW Strong, or even NJPW partners like AEW for some great US title matches.
My Score: 9.1/10
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Once more around the round robin!
Best of the Super Juniors returns, yet Douki chooses not to compete! Who proves they’re “second best” to the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: Taiji Ishimori VS Jakob Austin Young; Taiji wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: SHO VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Daiki Nagai; Taguchi wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: YOH VS Hyo; Hyo wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Robbie X VS Nick Wayne; Nick wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: KUSHIDA VS Robbie Eagles; Kushida wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Master Wato VS Titan; Titan wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: El Desperado VS Daisuke Sasaki; Daisuke wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Francesco Akira; Fujita wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: Taiji Ishimori VS Jakob Austin Young!
The Bone Soldier and #DangerousJAY get to set the tone for the first round with this opening match. Will Taiji be victorious #ByGrace? Or will he fall off Jakob’s Ladder?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. The two tie up, Jakob headlocks, but Taiji puts him on ropes. The ref counts, Taiji backs off, and the fans cheer the clean break. Taiji and Jakob go again, feel things out, then clinch. Jakob puts Taiji on the ropes, the ref calls the break, but Jakob gives a quick body jab. The fans boo but Jakob tells them to shut up. The two circle again, tie up, and Jakob headlocks. Taiji powers up and out but Jakob RUNS him over! Things keep moving, Taiji drops down, hurdles over, but Jakob waistlocks. Taiji fires elbows, then runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and RANAS! Jakob tumbles, Taiji DROPKICKS him out!
The fans fire up as Taiji builds speed, but he tiger feints as Jakob moves! The fans cheer again, and then Taiji PLANCHAS! Down goes Jakob and the fans fire up again! Taiji goes back for Jakob, puts him in the ring, then covers, TWO! Jakob is tougher than that but Taiji stays close. Taiji cravats to snapmare Jakob, then NECK TWIST! Jakob writhes but the fans applaud, and Taiji stalks Jakob. Taiji CLUBS Jakob, ROCKS him with a right, but the ref reprimands about closed fists. Taiji wrenches and whips Jakob to a corner, then runs up, but Jakob puts Taiji on the apron. Jakob RAMS low, then pulls Taiji through the ropes, NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT!
The fans applaud Jakob’s creativity while Taiji slumps down. Jakob builds speed to WRECK Taiji with a dropkick! Jakob says crowns up, then he fetches Taiji. Jakob SMACKS Taiji off the apron, the ref reprimands, but Jakob puts Taiji in the ring. Jakob mocks the fans applauding, then slides into the ring. Cover, TWO! Jakob stomps Taiji while he argues the count. Jakob taunts Taiji, pats him on the head, but Taiji fires CHOPS! Jakob eggs Taiji on so Taiji CHOPS again! Jakob felt that one, but he dodges the lariat to wrench and spin Taiji around, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Taiji survives.
Jakob stands Taiji up, suplexes, but Taiji slips free. Taiji ducks a shot to then CLAW the eyes! Taiji whips, Jakob reverses, but Taiji handsprings, NEURALIZER KICK! Down goes Jakob and the fans applaud. Taiji and Jakob rise, Taiji runs in at the corner, and he DOUBLE KNEES! Then Taiji fireman’s carries, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Basement SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Taiji waits on Jakob while we pass five minutes. Jakob rises, Taiji runs up, LA MYST- NO, Jakob blocks to THROW Taiji down! Then dragon sleeper for the SAVING GRACE! Cover, TWO! Taiji survives and the fans fire up again!
Jakob frowns as he storms back over to Taiji. Jakob grabs the legs, steps through, but Taiji kicks and kicks. Taiji kicks free, but Jakob SLIDING KNEES! Cover, TWO! Jakob argues with the ref again but the ref defends his count. Taiji stirs but Jakob brings him up. Jakob cravats, goes to the corner, but Taiji slips free! BUCKLE SHOT! The fans cheer while Jakob sputters in the corner. Taiji rises again, and the fans rally as he brings Jakob up. Taiji whips but Jakob blocks! Taiji wrenches the arm to YANK it! Jakob falls to his knees but Taiji stands him up. Hammerlock, scoop, and SHOULDER BUSTER! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Jakob survives.
Taiji stays focused and he brings Jakob up. Taiji ripcords, LA MYSTI- NO, Jakob slips free! Jakob CHOPS, Taiji CHOPS, but Jakob ROCKS Taiji with a forearm! Jakob runs, but Taiji is up to JUMP KNEE! The fans fire up again and Taiji calls his shot! Taiji hauls Jakob up, gut wrenches, and CIPHER UT- NO, Jakob catches it to a cover, TWO! Taiji victory rolls, TWO! Taiji ducks ‘n’ dodges, LA MYSTICA! BONE LOCK!! Jakob flails, reaches out, but Taiji rolls him to center! Jakob TAPS, Taiji wins!
Winner: Taiji Ishimori, by submission (gains 2 points; Jakob earns 0)
The tone is set, and it is Unbound! Will that be exactly how Taiji’s run goes? Or will he still fall short of his first BOSJ trophy?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: SHO VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
Wait, wait, wait. Douki choosing to stay out of this tournament is one thing, but the Murder Machine and Heel Master facing each other in the first round? Well, the fix is in already, but who will help the other get an easy win?
Well, since they’re both House of Torture, no one attacks the other. And it seems they’re both out here alone, if only for now. Wait, Sho grabs the mic. “This is a battle of two of the absolute best Junior Heavyweights. And it is a disgrace that this incredible match is only second on the card. The power balance of this division is so screwed up. But to make sure this makes everyone regrets this, Kanemaru-san, you and I are gonna have the best match of this entire tournament! And we know we’re not coming out of this unscathed. This will be a Match of the Year contender!
“And all these country bumpkins in Tokyo will see the best match of their entire lives, even though they don’t deserve it! This should be in the Tokyo Dome with a minimum buy-in of 100 MILLION Yen! Kanemaru-san, I don’t want to hurt you. But let’s have a great match, and as your kouhai, you’ll do me a solid and lie down.” Kanemaru agrees to a fair match, the two “put one out” together, and then the bell rings. Kanemaru already lies down!? Finger Poke of Doom 2026! Sho applauds, the fans clap along, and Kanemaru snatches Sho into the victory roll! TWO!! Kanemaru bails out and Sho is upset! Kanemaru argues the count while the fans laugh at Sho!
Sho is upset, he raises the ref’s hand, then he grabs Kanemaru’s bottle of whiskey! The ref and Sho fight over the bottle, but Kanemaru slithers in, and he’s holding Sho’s wrench! Kanemaru sneaks the Torture Tool into Sho’s waistband, and then shoves him around. The ref sees the wrench in Sho’s pants! Now they argue over the wrench! Kanemaru rolls Sho up, TWO! Headlock takeover, TWO! Trip and jackknife bridge, TWO!! The fans cheer Kanemaru for how close he got! Sho is still beside himself but Kanemaru bails out. Kanemaru goes around the outside, Sho chases him and says how dare he mess around!
Sho round the corner, Kanemaru dropkicks the legs out! Kanemaru SMASHES the leg off the floor! Then FIGURE FOUR! The fans cheer but a ring count climbs! Sho flails, reaches out, but Kanemaru holds until 12 of 20! Kanemaru leaves Sho behind, but Sho grabs Kanemaru’s legs! Sho drags Kanemaru off the apron, fans clear out, and Sho THROWS Kanemaru into chairs! Then Sho sends a Young Lion into Kanemaru! The count is still going!! We pass 15 as Kanemaru sends Young Lion Taisei Nakahara back at Sho! The fans cheer as Kanemaru rolls in! 18! 19! Sho slides in at 19.99! The fans cheer while Kanemaru is shocked!
Kanemaru apologizes to Sho? Kanemaru offers a handshake, the fans cheer, but Sho says Kanemaru needs to watch himself. Sho takes the handshake, then bends Kanemaru’s fingers! Kanemaru CLAWS Sho with his other hand! Kanemaru runs, Sho uses the ref as a shield, but then so does Kanemaru! Kanemaru ENZIGIRIS Sho! Kanemaru stomps Sho’s fingers! Kanemaru grabs his whiskey! The ref protests, Kanemaru shoves him away, then Kanemaru takes a swig. But Sho smothers Kanemaru! Kanemaru breaks free, but Sho just smothers him again! Kanemaru’s at his limit, and Sho lets go, WHISKEY MIST into the ref!
The ref is blinded, Sho laughs at them both, and Sho says that should be a disqualification, right? IT IS!
Winner: Sho, by disqualification (gains 2 points; Kanemaru earns 0)
Kanemaru is mad at the ref and TOSSES him out! Poor Sakamoto… Sho apologizes to Kanemaru now, but they were both playing dirty anyway. They fist bump and head out, but will the trickery only continue until one of them is the Best of the Super Juniors?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Daiki Nagai!
The Funky Weapon has had his moments in this tournament, but the Unbound Young Lion is finally having his first! Will Taguchi be serious right from the start? Or will he underestimate his young opponent?
Oh snap, Daiki SHOTGUNS Taguchi during introductions! The fans fire up as Daiki shows how serious he is about this! The bell rings as he whips Taguchi, but Taguchi reverses to start up the cycle of dropdown and sidestep! But Daiki knows it well and DROPKICKS Taguchi out! The fans fire up as Daiki builds speed, and DIVES! Down goes Taguchi right in front of the fans! The fans fire up with Daiki and he brings Taguchi up. Daiki says here goes, and he climbs up the corner! Taguchi stands, Daiki MISSILE DROPKICKS! Taguchi flounders away but Daiki runs in at the corner! Taguchi dodges, rolls Daiki, then DROPKICKS in return!
The fans rally as Taguchi crawls to the cover, TWO! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Daiki scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi holds but lets go as the ref reprimands. Things finally slow down and Taguchi can take off his shirt. Taguchi CHOKES Daiki with it! The ref reprimands, Taguchi stops right away, and he apologizes for getting mad. Taguchi reels Daiki in, has the leg, but Daiki fights the lift! Taguchi fires body shots to then SHIN BREAKER! And DROPKICK to the leg! The fans rally as Taguchi grabs OH MY GAH ANKLE! Daiki flails, crawls, and makes the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go, but then kneels on the leg for a toehold.
Daiki grabs the ropes again, the ref counts, and Taguchi steps away. Taguchi drags Daiki up to HIP ATTACK! And HIP ATTACK! Daiki rises but Taguchi brings him up. Daiki ROCKS Taguchi, Taguchi ROCKS Daiki, repeat! The shots go back and forth, Taguchi fires a flurry, then he runs, but Taguchi follows! HIP- ATOMIC DROP! Daiki still knows the tricks, and he waistlocks. Taguchi fights with elbows, then more elbows, then he feints the run! But Daiki avoids the hips! But Taguchi victory rolls again! TWO, and Daiki DROPKICKS! Taguchi falls into a corner and the fans fire up again! Daiki has a wild look in his eyes as he goes to the other corner.
Daiki runs in and HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! Daiki hurries to drag Taguchi out, covers, TWO! The fans fire up again while Daiki goes to a corner. Daiki climbs, the fans rally, and Daiki DIVING BODY FLOPS as Taguchi moves! Daiki sputters while Taguchi crawls to a corner. Taguchi calls upon the powers of Strong Style, “OYA~!” BUM- NO, Daiki rolls Taguchi up! TWO, and Taguchi dodges a lariat to roll Daiki up! TWO, and OH MY- NO, Daiki kicks free! SLIDING HIP! Cover, TWO!! Daiki survives and the fans fire up, but Taguchi hauls Daiki right up! Taguchi chicken wings and DODON- NO, Daiki victory rolls, TWO!
Daiki ROCKS Taguchi, Taguchi ENZIGIRIS! Daiki rebounds to CHOP! Daiki runs, but into a DROPKICK! Taguchi hurries to cover, TWO, but OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Daiki flails again, reaches out, and the fans rally even harder! Taguchi puts on the pressure but Daiki still fights his way forward! Daiki reaches out but Taguchi drags him back! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Daiki claws with everything he has, but Taguchi YANKS Daiki back! Chicken wings and DODON BUSTER!! Cover, Taguchi wins!
Winner: Ryusuke Taguchi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Daiki earns 0)
Taguchi got serious because Daiki brought it out of him! And with that, Taguchi already has his first win in this year’s tournament! Will Taguchi prove that the Funky Weapon still has what it takes? Will Daiki learn from this and make sure his first win is in the second round?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: YOH VS HYO!
A curious match-up here, and not just because you can rearrange one man’s name and spell the other’s. But will Mr. Direct Drive kick it into gear right from the start? Or will The Black Panther prove he’s the apex predator in this tournament?
The fans have a hard time making heads or tails of the ring gear, and Yoh asks for a little help with the halter top. Hyo makes sure his little snow leopard, Nyan Nyan, is comfortable in the corner, then the bell rings. The two run up, Hyo leaps over the dropdown, then mule kicks. Hyo whips, Yoh reverses, but Hyo goes up and over, then handsprings through! Things really speed up, and the panther gets the zoomies as he runs around Yoh! Then DROPKICK! The fans cheer while Yoh bails out! Hyo shows his claws, and the fans rally up as Hyo builds speed. But Hyo handsprings through as Yoh moves!
The fans cheer and Yoh THROWS Nyan Nyan down! The fans boo Yoh for that, Hyo flexes and the fans cheer. But Yoh sneaks in to wrench and trip Hyo! Yoh ties Hyo up in Paradise! The fans cheer as Yoh stands on Hyo, then “kicks sand” before he runs around like a cat! Yoh “pees” on Hyo, maybe he’s a dog instead. Yoh then runs to DROPKICK Hyo outta Paradise! Yoh drags Hyo up, reels him in, and suplexes, but Hyo fights free, wrenches, then NEKODAMASHI CLAP! Cradle, TWO! Yoh rolls Hyo, TWO! Hyo runs up, sunset flips, TWO! Yoh sits on the cover, TWO! Hyo has it again, TWO! Yoh has it again, TWO!!
The fans cheer that near escape, but Yoh kicks and runs. But Hyo blows past, and now both men have the zoomies! They chase each other like cats ‘n’ dogs, then STUNNER to SOMERSAULT DRIVER! Cover, HYO WINS!!
Winner: Hyo, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Yoh earns 0)
In the blink of an eye, the Panther snatches that win like a rabbit out of the hat! Hyo shows Yoh respect with the Roppongi 3K salute, AND A KISS?! Yoh faints, will he be able to recover from that? Or will Hyo hunt down the top spot in the block?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Robbie X VS Nick Wayne!
The former IWGP Junior Tag Team Champion and the former ROH World Television Champion (sorry if that’s spoilers/breaking kayfabe) meet in hopes of each becoming the next IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. Will things get too extreme for The Prodigy? Or will NJPW enter Wayne’s World?
The bell rings and the fans rally behind Robbie. Robbie and Nick circle, tie up, and Robbie headlocks. Nick powers up and out, but Robbie handsprings! Nick stops the cutter, but Robbie fights the full nelson! Robbie trips Nick, but Nick avoids the PK! Nick arm-drags Robbie, Robbie headscissors, but Nick kips free to kick low! Nick whips, Robbie goes up and over in the corner, then handsprings! Things keep moving, Nick hurdles to then UPPERCUT! The fans fire up as Nick kips up again! Robbie flounders away but Nick storms over to him. Nick drags Robbie up, CHOPS him in the corner, then follows him along the ropes.
Robbie goes to another corner but Nick kisses him on the bald head before he CHOPS again! Nick then snapmares Robbie, leg drops, then covers, TWO! Robbie is tougher than that but Nick keeps his cool. Nick stalks Robbie, brings him up, but Robbie CHOPS! The fans cheer but Nick comes back. Robbie ROCKS Nick, ROCKS him again, then again! But Nick ROCKS Robbie back! Nick stalks Robbie, whips him to ropes, but Robbie avoids the superkick! Nick runs up, Robbie cartwheels to dodge! Nick tumbles out to the apron, Robbie NO HAND HANDSPRINGS to knock Nick down! Then Robbie reloads, PLANCHA! Down goes Nick and the fans fire up!
Robbie brings Nick up, puts him in the ring, and slingshots for the SILVER FLIP SENTON! Cover, TWO! Nick is still in this but the fans rally behind Robbie. Robbie checks his neck, then brings Nick up. Robbie reels Nick in but Nick fights the lift. Robbie still tries but Nick still fights. Robbie winds up to CHOP Nick down! The fans cheer but Robbie reels Nick back in, only for Nick to BACKDROP free! Robbie sunsets but Nick sits on it, TWO! Robbie finishes the flip, TWO! Nick is up, he dodges Robbie, and SNAP DRAGONS! The fans fire up for that very Kenny Omega level move! Nick then waits on Robbie to get up while he takes aim.
Nick runs corner to corner, but Robbie dodges! Robbie runs back up, blocks a boot, but not the ENZIGIRI! Nick goes up, up, WAYNE’S- NO, Robbie dodges the cutter and mule kicks! Robbie goes to run but Nick reels him in! Robbie fights the waistlock again, but Nick ducks a shot! Nick ROCKS Robbie, Robbie ELBOWS Nick, and PELES! The fans fire up with Robbie as he powers up again, only for Nick to jump up! POISON-RANA! The fans rally while Robbie is down! Nick calls his shot, gathers power, and Robbie rises up, into the BUZZ- NO, Robbie ducks, jumps up, POISON-RANA! The fans fire up as Robbie returns the favor!
Nick bails out, but Robbie springboards, SKY TWISTER! Down goes Nick but Robbie puts him in fast! Robbie handsprings, LETHAL INJECTION X!! Cover, TWO!! Nick survives and Robbie is shocked! The fans rally even harder for Robbie as he rises up. Robbie drags Nick to a drop zone, climbs up the corner, and X EX- NO, Robbie has to roll through as Nick moves! Robbie runs back up, but into a SUPERKICK! Robbie is down but Nick leans against the corner as he catches his breath. The fans rally up harder and harder still, and Nick rises to his feet. Nick calls his shot, and he goes up, into WAYNE’S- BACKSLIDE! TWO!
Nick BOOTS Robbie, runs, but Robbie ROCKS Nick! Robbie runs, Nick blows past, but Robbie dodges, QUEBRADA into a SUPERKICK! Nick hits the anti-air, and now he calls his shot! BUZZSAW, and WAYNE’S WORLD! Cover, NICK WINS!
Winner: Nick Wayne, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Robbie earns 0)
He may have lost the title, but Nick rebounds to get a major win in the tournament! Will nothing stop The Prodigy from proving he’s the next big thing? Can Robbie get the X Express back on track in the second round?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: KUSHIDA VS Robbie Eagles!
The Time Splitter returns to NJPW, hoping to prove he is still the Best of the Super Juniors. But he now stands in the crosshairs of the Sniper of the Skies! Will Kushida still bring us Back to the Future? Or will Eagles fly high right from the start?
Wait, Kushida is going barefoot for this! Eagles says okay, hold on. “Robbie Robbie Robbie!” “OI OI OI!” “Robbie Robbie Robbie!” “OI OI OI!” “Robbie!” “OI!” “Robbie!” “OI!” “Robbie Robbie Robbie!” “OI OI OI!” The fans applaud, but then a “KU-SHI-DA!” chant starts in response. The bell rings and the two circle. They feel things out, Kushida rolls, and he grabs a leg. Eagles fights that off to step over and cover, ONE! Kushida trips Robbie, has a toehold, but Robbie rolls and reels Kushida in, only for Kushida to use that and get the headlock for his own. The fans applaud this technical exchange, but then Eagles slips out to hammerlock!
Eagles reaches over but Kushida rolls to then headscissors! The fans applaud again, and Kushida puts on the pressure. Eagles endures, bridges, but Kushida puts on the pressure. Eagles kips free, but Kushida reels him back into the headscissors! The fans applaud, but Eagles fights around. Eagles rolls to turn Kushida over, then he pops out to trap the legs. Eagles rolls Kushida, but Kushida twists a foot! Kushida turns Eagles over, ties the legs up, then floats to a headlock. Eagles powers out to stand on Kushida’s arm, but Kushida slips away. The fans applaud the standoff as the two reset and circle again.
Kushida rushes Eagles, Eagles holds off the armlock but the body scissors are still on! Eagles powers through to drop Kushida down and have a toehold. Eagles bends toes! The ref reprimands, Eagles teases about “this little piggy,” but Kushida hooks Eagles’ nose! Eagles shakes that off but Kushida tries again. Kushida waistlocks, bridges, but Eagles moves, so Kushida floats to an ARMBAR! Eagles rolls to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Kushida lets go, and the two reset again. They circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. Kushida rolls, trips Eagles, then has the toehold. Eagles tries to headscissors, but Kushida shrugs that off.
Kushida pulls Eagles’ arm into tying up the legs, then he steps over. It’s not exactly Paradise as Kushida uses his legs to bend and crunch Eagles! Eagles powers up and trips Kushida to then SPLAYED STRETCH! Kushida endures, even as Eagles reclines back, so Eagles floats over to a cover. ONE, Eagles waistlocks but Kushida rolls. Cover, ONE, and Eagles trips Kushida. Kushida chinbars to wrangle Eagles into a chinlock. Eagles endures so Kushida shifts to a motorcycle stretch, and LEG HOOK NELSON! Eagles endures, pushes back, and rolls to have a leg! Eagles has the INDIAN DEATHLOCK! The fans cheer as Eagles sits Kushida up, INDIAN COBRA TWIST!!
Kushida endures, pries at the arm, then rolls to leg hook and float, ARMBAR! Eagles pries free, and the fans cheer the technical master class! Eagles and Kushida reset again, feel things out, then tie up. Eagles goes for an arm, but so does Kushida. Kushida chinbars but Eagles arm-drags! Eagles steps over, Kushida kicks free, but Eagles handsprings through. The fans cheer as the two reset again. They approach, and Kushida KICKS the leg! Then he grapevines the leg to trip Eagles. Eagles pries at toes but Kushida stands to change up his hold. Eagles slips through to drop toehold Kushida into the waistlock. Kushida fights up, switches, then arm-drags.
Kushida chicken wings the arms and he works to turn Eagles. Eagles endures but Kushida powers through to a cradle! TWO, and Kushida ducks a chop to roll back! Kushida goes up but Eagles blocks the arm-drag! Eagles arm-drags back, then trips Kushida. Eagles runs, handsprings over the dropdown, but Kushida is after the arm! Eagles wrenches through, breaks free, but Kushida blocks a kick! Eagles drops to trip Kushida, ANKLE- NO, Kushida rolls back, bridges, TWO! Eagles body scissors and rolls to a cover, TWO! Both men RAM shoulders! And RAM again! And again! The fans fire up as the two stare down.
Kushida offers a handshake, Eagles accepts, but Eagles stomps the toes! The fans boo but Eagles says Kushida baka. Eagles runs up, gets a leg, but Kushida steps over to cover, TWO! Eagles sunset flips, TWO! Kushida sits on it, TWO! Kushida rolls to highs tack, TWO! Eagles has Kushida, TWO! Kushida, ONE! Eagles, ONE! They teetertotter and the ref can’t even keep up! The fans cheer as this turns into a rolling cradle! Eagles finally has it, TWO!! Kushida escapes in time and Eagles is stunned! Eagles runs up but Kushida jumps the 619! Kushida somersaults, but Eagles stops the DDT! Eagles slips around, rolls Kushida up, TWO!
Eagles has the leg, steps through, but Kushida cradles, TWO! Eagles has it, TWO! Both men stand, Eagles jumps up, RANA! But Kushida sunset flips it! TWO!! The fans are thunderous as both men get up! Kushida FLAPJACKS, but Eagles avoids the PK! Eagles wrenches the leg, SLAPS, SLAPS, SLAPS, and TURBO- NO, Kushida slips through the backpack to cradle and BACK TO THE FUTURE!! Cover, KUSHIDA WINS!!
Winner: Kushida, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Robbie earns 0)
It feels like forever since we’ve seen Kushida win with that move here in NJPW, but seeing it again brings us right back! Will Kushida hit that 88 miles per hour and return to former glory? Will the Sniper of the Skies just have to reload and try again in the next round?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Master Wato VS Titan!
The Way of the Grandmaster is still on the long road to the top, but the same goes for El Inmortal’s journey. Who will take another step closer to their goal of being the Best of the Super Juniors?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. The crowd is split between them, and the two tie up. Wato trips Titan, things speed up, and Titan hurdles to then drop down. Wato leaps over, keeps moving, and he RANAS! Titan bails out, Wato builds speed, but Titan is up fast to springboard and CROSSBODY! Then DROPKICK! Wato bails out, Titan builds speed, and fans clear out before Titan DIVES! Wato tumbles into the chairs! The ref checks and Wato is able to continue. Titan roars as he rises up and the fans cheer. Titan puts Wato in the ring, pushes him around, then fireman’s carries for the DEATH VALLEY NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!
The fans applaud was Wato toughs it out. Titan stomps Wato, eggs him on, then KICKS him in the back. Titan snapmares Wato, runs and basement DROPKICKS! High stack, TWO! Titan hurries to tie up the legs, FIGURE FOUR! Wato endures, drags Titan along, and manages the ROPEBREAK! Titan lets go while the fans applaud. Wato shakes out the legs, Titan stomps him around, then Titan kicks at him. Wato scowls but Titan SOBATS! Titan eggs Wato on again, then brings him up. Wato fires a shot but Titan CLUBS and KNEES Wato in return. Another fireman’s carry but Wato fights free!
Wato swings, Titan ducks, and Titan fires off a strike fest! Titan runs, but into an ELBOW! Wato runs but ducks a shot to ZIGZAG! But Titan kips up to PELE! Wato PENALTY KICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Wato crawls to ropes, rises up, and he runs to CLOBBER Titan! And CLOBBER again! Wato whips Titan, then DROPKICKS him down! Titan bails out, the fans fire up, and Wato builds speed! Wato FLIES and down goes Titan! The fans cheer while both men are down in front of the front row again. A ring count starts, but Wato rises at 7 of 20. Wato stands at 10 and fires up with the fans!
Wato brings Titan up, puts him in at 14, and takes aim. The fans applaud as Wato climbs the corner, then leaps in, MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Titan is tougher than that and the fans cheer again. Wato drags Titan up, wrenches and clinches, but Titan fights the lift! Wato CLUBS Titan, whips him, but Titan reverses to TORANDO DDT! And then roll through to suplex, CUTTER! Cover, TWO! But Titan steps through, ties up the legs, and rolls for LLAVE INMORTAL! The fans fire up as Titan bridges back and bends Wato! Wato fights, fights, and powers his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Titan lets go in frustration.
Titan roars and the fans rally again. Titan pounds the mat, the fans clap along, and Titan waits on Wato. Wato rises, Titan SUPER- NO, Wato ducks, but Titan BUZZSAWS! Titan goes to the corner, he climbs up top, and the fans fire up, but Wato CLUBS Titan first! Titan drops onto the corner, Wato climbs up, and Wato brings Titan back up! Titan holds onto the corner, fires elbows, then he trips Wato! Wato falls into the Tree of Woe! Titan turns around, WOE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!! Wato survives and the fans fire up again! Titan throws off his elbow pads, then rolls his way back to the corner. Titan skins the cat to rise back up!
Titan aims while Wato is down, LA LANC- NO, Wato dodges, runs up, crucifix takedown, into RECIENTEMENTE!! Cover, TWO?!? Titan survives and the fans are thunderous! Wato grows frustrated, but he hurries to waistlock. TSU- NO, Titan rolls, hooks a leg, but Wato reels Titan into a cradle! TWO, and ROUNDHOUSE! Wato hurries to spin, but Titan blocks the kick to DRAGON SCREW! Then a step through and SHARPSHOOTER!! Wato endures, reaches out, but Titan pulls him back to center!! Wato flails, but Titan bridges on the hold! WATO TAPS, TITAN WINS!
Winner: Titan, by submission (gains 2 points; Wato earns 0)
It wasn’t quite Llave Inmortal, but it might’ve been even stronger! Titan borrows a fan’s flag of Mexico to celebrate his home and his people. Will Titan represent them both as he proves he was born for such a time as this? Or will Wato still prove he is the Way to the Grandmaster?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: El Desperado VS Daisuke Sasaki!
The Rogue Luchador won the tournament back in 2024, and is looking to repeat history so that he may have his revenge on Douki. However, he’s up against Charisma Itself! Will Desperado still be the Best of the Super Juniors two years later? Or will Daisuke prove he is the future of this division?
Before they get started, Despy offers a handshake. Daisuke is wary, but he accepts. They both kiss the other’s hand, then the bell rings. The fans duel as the two circle, but then Daisuke bails out. The fans boo but Despy waits on Daisuke. Daisuke steps back into the ring, circles with Despy, and they feel things out. They tie up, Daisuke waistlocks, but Despy wrenches to wristlock. Daisuke spins through, wrenches back, and wristlocks to then snapmare. Daisuke keeps on the arm but Despy fights around. Despy rolls, trips Daisuke, and has the toehold. Daisuke chinbars in return but Despy digs his elbow into the knee.
Daisuke chinlocks and pries Despy off the leg, but Despy kicks back to the ROPEBREAK! Daisuke lets go, Despy bails out, and now Daisuke waits. Despy takes his time returning, and the two reset. The fans rally as they feel things out, and they knuckle lock. But then Despy wrenches the arm to snapmare Daisuke, sit him up, and ghost pin, TWO! Daisuke slips around to headlock, but Despy powers up and out. Despy headlocks, Daisuke slips through to headlock, but Despy powers up and out again. Daisuke RUNS Despy over! Then he fakes Despy out to headlock, but Despy rolls. Daisuke rolls through, Despy trips him, STRETCH MUFFLER!
Daisuke scrambles to the ROPEBREAK and the fans cheer. Despy kneels on Daisuke, pretends to not understand what’s wrong, then he digs his knees in. The ref counts, Despy backs off, and Despy apologizes while Daisuke bails out. Despy waits, but Daisuke offers Despy to step outside. It’ll be a clean fight! Despy says step inside and it’ll be clean in here! Despy asks why it has to be outside. Daisuke CLAWS Despy’s eyes! Then he turns Despy for a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! The fans are torn while Despy writhes, but Daisuke drags Despy outside. Daisuke SMACKS Despy off the apron, then has fans clear out!
Daisuke stands Despy up, but he’s going to commentary! Despy fights back, but now Daisuke fights the desk bump! Daisuke SMACKS Despy off the desk, then grabs someone’s chair! The ref reprimands, but Daisuke puts the chair around Despy’s neck and POSTS him! The fans are torn while Despy writhes, but Daisuke leaves Despy behind. The fans rally for Despy as a ring count begins, and Despy is still down at 5 of 20. Despy sits up at 7, Daisuke wants the count to hurry up. Despy stands at 10 and rolls into the ring, only for Daisuke to DROPKICK him in the head! Despy scrambles away, clutching his neck, but Daisuke pursues!
Daisuke puts Despy back in, pushes him to a cover, ONE!! Despy toughs it out, but Daisuke KNEES him in the back of the neck! And then drops a knee on the same spot! And again! The fans rally up for Despy but Daisuke steps on him at the ropes. Daisuke then drags Despy up, puts him through ropes, and bends him back! The ref counts, Daisuke stops, then he drags Despy around to FISHERMAN SCREW! Despy sputters, but he BODY BLOWS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Daisuke CLUBS Despy, then eggs him on. Daisuke slaps Despy around, Despy slaps back, so Daisuke slaps again. Despy SMACKS Daisuke down!
The fans fire up for Despy while Daisuke is dazed. But then Daisuke kicks the leg out, and he slips around, STF! Despy endures, reaches out, but Daisuke shifts to a CROSSFACE! Despy endures, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK with a foot! Daisuke lets go to drop knee after knee on Despy’s back! Daisuke then stalks Despy to ropes, brings him around, and turns him, but Despy slips free! Despy has the leg, SHIN BREAKER! Then a DROPKICK to the leg! Daisuke hobbles to a corner while the fans rally again. Despy runs up on Daisuke, blocks a boot, and KICKS the leg! Then DRAPING DRAGON SCREW!
Daisuke hobbles but he falls over. The fans rally as Despy grabs that leg, but Daisuke kicks free. Despy kicks Daisuke’s leg, then BRAINBUSTER! The fans fire up again and Despy keeps on Daisuke, BIG back suplex! Despy hurries to haul Daisuke up again, GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO! Daisuke toughs it out and the fans rally up again. Despy drags Daisuke over to a drop zone, then climbs the corner! The fans rally, but Daisuke goes to the apron. Daisuke CLUBS Despy, ROCKS him with a right, then climbs up the corner. The fans and the ref are all worried as both men try to suplex the other from the outside!
Despy fires body shots, he steps inside, and then SUPERPLEXES Daisuke into the ring! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Despy crawls but Daisuke bails out. So Despy builds speed, but has to stop the dive as Daisuke slides in! Then Daisuke runs to RAM Despy off the apron! Despy tumbles into the chairs, but Daisuke is right after him! Daisuke drags Despy up to make him take a seat. Daisuke CLUBS Despy, then throws off his shirt before he climbs up the corner! The fans go nuts already as Daisuke aims, SUPER DUPER CROSSBODY onto Despy and the chairs!! The fans are thunderous for that wild risk Daisuke just took!
The ref checks both men, and somehow, they’re both able to continue. Daisuke hobbles away from the crash site to roll into the ring. Daisuke then goes back outside with a fresh ring count. Daisuke puts Despy in he ring at 8 of 20, then climbs up again! FLYING LARIAT! Daisuke hurries to reel Despy in, underhooks, and PEDIGREE!! Cover, TWO!! Despy survives but Daisuke hurries to SUPERKICK! Despy is up but Daisuke runs, LA MYSTI- NO, Despy makes it a FACEBUSTER! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Despy stirs, as does Daisuke, and they both slowly rise back up. Despy fires a forearm first, then another!
Despy fires another, but Daisuke ROCKS Despy with a haymaker! Daisuke whips, Despy reverses, and Despy SPINEUBSTERS! High stack, TWO, but into STRETCH MUFFLER!! Daisuke fights, reaches out, but Despy reels him into NUMERO DOS! Daisuke still fights, fights, but Despy drags him back! NUMERO DOS PLUS, but Daisuke rolls it around and around into a CROSSFACE!! Despy endures while the fans rally as hard as they can! Despy fights over, but Daisuke rolls him away from the ropes! Then Daisuke grabs the other arm, only for Despy to roll to a cradle! TWO!! Both men stand, Despy shoots around to then lift, and DOUBLE KNEE-
NO, Daisuke turns it into a DDT! Then Daisuke aims from a corner, runs up, LA MYSTIC- ARM-DRAG COUNTER! Daisuke kicks free of the stack, then uses the ref as a shield! Despy dosidos with the ref, but Daisuke shoves Despy into the ref! Daisuke whips, Despy reverses, and Daisuke ends up in a corner. Despy runs up, but into a pop-up LOW BLOW!! LA MYSTICA! CROSSFACE!! DESPY TAPS, DAISUKE WINS!!
Winner: Daisuke Sasaki, by submission (gains 2 points; Desperado earns 0)
Well, Daisuke was taught by Dick Togo, so perhaps such tactics should’ve been expected. But will Daisuke make sure NJPW is #NeverSober? Will Desperado still find his way to the BOSJ finals?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Francesco Akira!
The Japanese Young Punk and the Crown of Fire have the honor of closing out opening night, but only one can finish strong! Will Fujita remind Akira that The Mighty Don’t Kneel? Or will even The Mighty be conquered by the United Empire?
But wait, Fujita CLOBBERS Akira with a chair outta nowhere! Where’d he even come from?! Fujita rains down fists on Akira while the fans are torn, but Fujita then drags Akira up with a headlock. Red Shoes reprimands, but Fujita takes Akira right to the West sign to SMACK him off it! And SMACK him off it again, and again! Fujita laughs, the fans cheer, and Fujita brings Akira to the ring. The bell finally sounds but Fujita deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!! Akira survives but Fujita brings him back up. Akira fights free and bails out, but Fujita goes to the apron. PENALTY KICK, then QUEBRADA!
The fans are torn as indeed, the Japanese Young Punk bullies and mugs Akira. Red Shoes checks Akira but Fujita has fans clear out. But then Akira throat chops Fujita! Akira whips, Fujita reverses, but Akira stops short of the chairs! Fujita runs up, but Akira THROWS him into the chairs! Not quite a strike but Akira is pissed! Akira whips Fujita hard into more chairs! Akira then huffs ‘n’ puffs, busted open on his forehead, the red standing out against his new green hair dye. Akira says if Fujita wants to fight like that, he’ll fight like that! Akira brings a TABLE out from under the ring! Red Shoes reprimands but Akira SHOVES him down!
The fans are torn while Akira fetches Fujita. Akira SMACKS Fujita off the table, then puts him on the apron. Akira climbs up to join Fujita, and he brings Fujita up to fireman’s carry! Akira aims, but Fujita slips free! Akira ROCKS Fujita first, then brings Fujita up the ropes! Fujita fights the suplex, UPPERCUTS Akira, then runs, but into a SLINGSHOT CUTTER! The fans duel while Akira rises up. Akira rains down forearms on Fujita, then drops back to a corner. Akira has them check his bloody forehead real quick, it seems to have stopped bleeding. Akira CHOPS Fujita, and Fujita sputters. Akira scoops and SLAMS Fujita, then pushes him to a cover, TWO!
Akira sets up, STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up while Akira brings Akira into a headscissors squeeze. Fujita endures, fights forward, but Akira puts on more pressure! Fujita kicks and kicks and makes the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Akira lets go. Akira snarls, then he kicks at Fujita. Akira KICKS Fujita in the back, eggs him on, so Fujita stands. Fujita ROCKS Akira with forearm after forearm, but Akira ROCKS him back! Akira then back suplexes, but Fujita lands out! Akira kicks and whips, Fujita reverses and LEG LARIATS! The fans fire up while both men are down!
Akira bails out, Fujita goes up, out, and tightrope walks, only for Akira to slide in! Fujita hops down, springboards back up, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up while Akira tumbles out the side. Fujita just goes up, up, and SUPER CANNONBALLS! Fujita takes Akira AND Zane Jay down! Fujita brings Akira back into the ring, then PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up again as Fujita waistlocks Akira. Deadlift- NO, Akira fights the suplex, reaches for ropes, but Fujita brings him back. Fujita ducks the elbow, then ties up the legs, NEMOS- NO, Akira crawls, crawls, and makes the ROPEBREAK!
The fans cheer while Fujita lets go. Fujita storms back up on Akira, grabs a leg, but Akira clings to the ropes. Red Shoes counts, but Akira BOOTS Fujita way. Then he sidesteps, trips Fujita, and puts him under the ropes! CATAPULT GUILLOTINE! Akira LIONSAULTS onto Fujita’s back! Cover, TWO! Fujita survives and the fans fire up again, but Akira just grits his teeth. Akira drags Fujita around, reels him in, and SPEED- NO, Fujita blocks Speedfire! Akira still tries but Fujita stops him again. Akira KNEES low again and again, but Fujita grabs that leg! Fujita wrenches, but Akira KNEES low! SPEEDFIRE! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally again while Akira paces. Akira rains down fists but Red Shoes reprimands. Akira stops, taunts the fans cheering Fujita, then tells them to watch this! Akira drags Fujita up, and SMACKS him off the mat! And SMACKS him off the mat again! Akira then taunts the fans for no longer chanting for Fujita! The fans boo, but Akira sits Fujita up again. Fujita blocks the throw this time! Akira KNEES Fujita, SMACKS him off the mat again, and NOVA- NO, Fujita ducks the Fireball to ROUNDHOUSE! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! Red Shoes checks, and both men stir. They slowly rise up, and Akira grabs at Fujita.
Fujita and Akira both pull hair as they sit up. Fujita fires the first forearm, but Akira responds in kind! Fujita fires back, Akira staggers, but Akira returns to ROCK Fujita! Fujita ROCKS Akira, Akira ROCKS Fujita, repeat! The fans rally as the shots keep going, and Fujita laughs it off! Fujita SMACKS Akira! Akira SMACKS Fujita! They start a SLAP fight, and the fans fire up as it gets fast ‘n’ furious! Fujita SMACKS Akira again and again, then winds up, but Akira ENZIGIRIS! Akira runs, but Fujita ELBOWS him! Fujita runs but Akira LARIATS! Akira runs, but into a SPIN HEEL KICK! The fans are thunderous as Fujita DEADLIFT GERMANS! Bridging cover, TWO!!
Akira survives again and the fans are torn right down the middle! Akira rolls to the apron but Fujita isn’t far behind. Fujita GAMANGIRIS, then he looks to Akira’s table! Akira clings to ropes but Fujita tries to pull him away! Akira ELBOWS Fujita, then slips under to POST him! Fujita falls to the floor, Akira leaps and RAN- NO! Fujita stops the rana to then swing Akira up! And he POWERBOMBS Akira through the table!! The fans are thunderous again and Fujita drags Akira back up. Fujita puts Akira in, then whips him for a pop-up GERMAN SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO?!? But Fujita has the arms trapped!!
Akira endures as Fujita pulls on the arm! The fans rally and duel as hard as they have all night, and Akira adds a cording hold! Akira kicks, kicks, flails, but Fujita grabs the leg! BOW ‘N’ ARROW STRETCH, but Akira gives one last gasp! ROPEBREAK!! Fujita lets go but he vows to end it now! Fujita hauls Akira up, torture racks, but Akira fights with elbows! Fujita squats, but stands up! Akira slips through and hooks the arms, but Fujita spins through! Akira ducks, backslide, NOVA- NO, Fujita rolls through it to have the legs! NEMOS- CRADLE COUNTER! TWO!??! Akira hurries to run up, wheelbarrow, but Fujita stops the roll!
Fujita hauls Akira up, WHEELBARROW GERMAN! But Akira rises?!? Akira runs up, Fujita gets around him, POISON-RANA! NOVA FIREBALL?!?!? Cover, TWO?!?!? Fujita survives and Akira is beside himself! The fans are electric as Akira rises. Akira roars, vows to end it, and he drags Fujita up to reel him in. Akira hooks a leg, CROWN- CRADLE and deadlift! THRILLRIDE!!! Cover, FUJITA WINS!!
Winner: Kosei Fujita, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Akira earns 0)
It was an epic not only worthy of the main event, but perhaps even the finals! But in the end, the Crown of Fire is the one that burned out! Will Akira still be able to prove he’s the best after this unfortunate start?
As for Fujita, he sits back and gets the mic. “Oi, you big idiot! You’re sure one strong SOB! And every single time I wrestle you in BOSJ, it’s the match I’m most looking forward to. Everything here is over the top excellence, and that is something you see on the regular with me. And so, I think this year is mine to win. Every expectation you have of me, I will see you, raise you, and surpass those expectations!” With that mighty finish, will Fujita become the youngest man to go back-to-back as BOSJ Champion?
Here are the A Block standings!
Kosei Fujita: 1-0, 2 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 1-0, 2 points
Nick Wayne: 1-0, 2 points
Titan: 1-0, 2 points
Robbie X: 0-1, 0 points
Francesco Akira: 0-1, 0 points
Master Wato: 0-1, 0 points
Daiki Nagai: 0-1, 0 points
Valiente Jr: [did not compete]
Jun Kasai: [did not compete]
Here are the B Block standings!
Taiji Ishimori: 1-0, 2 points
SHO: 1-0, 2 points
HYO: 1-0, 2 points
KUSHIDA: 1-0, 2 points
Daisuke Sasaki: 1-0, 2 points
YOH: 0-1, 0 points
Robbie Eagles: 0-1, 0 points
El Desperado: 0-1, 0 points
Jakob Austin Young: 0-1, 0 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 0-1, 0 points
My Thoughts:
An awesome opening round for BOSJ, and it wasn’t even all the participants with Valiente Jr. and Jun Kasai for whatever reason not here tonight. Maybe travel stuff kept them from arriving in time? Otherwise, the tenth match on the card would’ve been Valiente VS Kasai. But even without them, great matches from start to finish, but that’s par for the course when it comes to NJPW. I really liked Sho saying his match with Kanemaru was gonna steal the show, and then all we get is them trying to outcheat the other, because duh, what else were they gonna do?
Daiki taking Douki’s spot since Douki kayfabe refused to compete, he had a great showing against Taguchi, but it feels like Daiki’s first win in this tournament is gonna happen late in the tournament so that he can act as spoiler. Yoh VS Hyo was certainly unique, and surprisingly short. Both Robbies losing was a bit of a surprise, but it makes sense since Nick Wayne is meant to make an impact this time around, and Kushida is making his return to NJPW, both of those guys needed the win. But seriously, ROH’s tape delays hurt them here because Nick Wayne VS AR Fox doesn’t air until tonight so we already know what happens there…
Daisuke being a real Heel in the end of his match was a good way for him to win while protecting Despy. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Daisuke join House of Torture in the absence of Evil. And awesome main event from Fujita VS Akira, but very fitting of the 2025 BOSJ winner basically defending his title as he goes for another. All of Fujita’s matches probably will be this awesome, or as close to it as they can get out of everyone in A Block, but who knows if he repeats.
My Score: 9/10
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Will The Prince dispatch two challengers at once?
After retaining the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, Callum Newman offered a unique challenge. Can Shingo Takagi or Yota Tsuji secure a title shot through a tag match?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Ryusuke Taguchi & Taisei Nakahara VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Kanemaru win.
- Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS Toru Yano, YOH & Master Wato; Yano, Yoh & Wato win.
- Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Taichi & El Desperado; Taichi & Desperado win.
- Yuya Uemura & Masatora Yasuda VS Ryohei Oiwa & Kosei Fujita; Oiwa & Fujita win.
- Six Man Tag: Aaron Wolf, Boltin Oleg & Tiger Mask VS Ren Narita, Yujiro Takahashi & Dick Togo; Wolf, Oleg & Tiger Mask win.
- 10 Man Tag: The Unbound Company VS The United Empire; The Empire wins.
- Championship Stakes: Callum Newman & Jake Lee VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji; Takagi & Tsuji win, and Tsuji will challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
PLAY BY PLAY
10 Man Tag: The Unbound Company VS The United Empire!
Before the Knock Out Brothers clash with the Dominator & Mauler over the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, they lead their units into war! Will Oskar, Yuto-Ice, Gedo, Taiji Ishimori & Daiki Nagai be truly unbound? Or will Great-O-Khan, Henare, Francesco Akira, Jakob Austin Young & Zane Jay conquer them for the glory of the Empire?
The teams sort out, but Yuto and Henare egg each other on as they’re forehead to forehead. The ref has them back off, but they still start the match. The bell rings and the fans rally as Yuto and Henare step back up. They’re forehead to forehead again as they talk trash, then they fire forearm after forearm! The fans rally as Henare ROCKS Yuto, but Yuto fires a flurry in return! Henare fires a flurry of his own, then runs, but into a BOOT! Henare wobbles but he comes right back. Yuto laughs as he ROCKS Henare! Yuto runs, ROCKS Henare again, but Henare roars! Henare eggs Yuto on, Yuto runs the ropes, but Henare RUNS him over!
Henare sits Yuto up to KICK him in the back, then KICK again! The fans rally as Henare runs, but Yuto avoids the Rugby Kick! Henare still kicks low, whips to ropes, but Yuto reverses to BOOT Henare down! The fans fire up with Yuto, and he KICKS Henare in the back! And KICKS him again! Henare scrambles to a corner but Yuto swaggers his way over. Yuto KICKS, and KNEES, and SOBATS! Henare sits down, Yuto gets gangsta! “BOMBACLAT!” But Henare gets up to fireman’s carry! Yuto slips free, Henare dodges a lariat, but so does Yuto! Henare swats the boot, Yuto ducks the heel kick, and the fans cheer the standoff!
Zane has Henare calm down, and wants him to tag. Henare tags Zane, and Zane calls out Daiki. Daiki tags in, and these two still have to settle how they ended the Young Lion Cup. Zane eggs Daiki on, so Daiki ROCKS him! Zane fires back, Daiki fires another, and the fans rally as the two brawl! Daiki whips, Zane reverses, but Daiki redirects! Zane hurdles, drops down, but Daiki avoids the dropkick! Daiki runs to basement DROPKICK! Zane scrambles to a corner while the fans fire up. Daiki runs in, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Zane toughs it out but the fans rally behind Daiki. Daiki storms up on Zane but Zane wants mercy. Daiki says no and he ROCKS Zane!
Daiki runs in at the corner, but Zane counters the monkey flip to put Daiki up top! Zane DROPKICKS Daiki down, then the Empire BLASTS the Unbound corner! They all brawl on the outside and into the crowd! Oskar CLUBS Khan, Yuto fires forearms on Henare, but Henare BODY BLOWS and CHOPS! Oskar has fans clear out, then he whips Khan, but Khan reverses! Oskar tumbles into the chairs! Yuto CHOKES Henare, Henare shoves Yuto away, and Zane has Daiki in the ring. Zane bumps Daiki off buckles while Khan JAMS Oskar with a chair! Khan SMACKS Oskar on the back with it, too! The fans are torn as Khan roars.
Henare and Yuto return ringside, and Khan uses a chair to sit on Oskar! Khan taunts Oskar, then steps off. Henare uses a DEATH GRIP on Yuto! Henare THROWS Yuto into chairs, then he smothers a Young Lion for getting in the way! Henare even scares ring staff off before going to ringside. Zane CHOKES Daiki, the ref counts, and Zane stops at 4. Zane tags #DangerousJay and he UPPERCUTS Daiki. Jakob CHOKES Daiki in the corner, then brings him around. Jakob whips Daiki to ropes, ELBOWS him down, then covers, TWO! The fans applaud as Daiki toughs it out, but Jakob brings him back up. Jakob tags Akira, and he taunts Oskar!
The ref has to keep Oskar back, but this all lets Khan bend Daiki’s fingers! The Empire mugs Daiki in the corner, and Jakob even CLAWS Daiki’s eyes! Khan tells commentary to shut up, but Daiki fights back! Akira KNEES low, whips, and drop toeholds. Akira SMACKS Daiki off the mat again, then kneels on a cocky cover. TWO, but Akira taunts the Unbound Company. Akira bumps Daiki off buckles, tags Khan, and Khan dumps Daiki out. The rest of the Empire mugs Daiki while the fans boo. Zane puts Daiki back in for Khan, and Khan drags Daiki around. Khan steps on Daiki for a cocky cover, TWO! Daiki toughs it out but Khan soaks up the cheers and jeers.
Khan scuffs Daiki as Daiki tries to crawl away. Khan eggs Daiki on, offering a free hit. Daiki stands, but Khan dodges the hit. Khan laughs at Daiki for falling for his trap quite literally! Khan then drags Daiki up, but Daiki fires forearms after all! The fans rally as Daiki HEADBUTTS! Daiki whips, Khan reverses, and Khan runs up, only for Daiki to dodge! Hot tag to Oskar! The fans fire up as the giant German RUNS Khan over, BLASTS Henare, then whips Khan corner to corner! Zane runs up but Oskar BOOTS him away! Oskar runs up, DOUBLE ELBOW for Zane and Khan! Akira runs up to jump on Oskar’s back! Oskar RAMS Akira into a corner!
Jakob storms in, but Oskar guzels! Akira runs up, but Oskar guzels! Oskar gives them a meeting of the minds, then a DOUBLE LARIAT! The fans fire up with Oskar, and he goes back for Khan. Oskar drags Khan up, scoops, but Henare KICKS Oskar’s leg! The ref reprimands but Henare KICKS and KICKS and BODY BLOWS! Henare HEADBUTTS, then DEATH GRIPS! Henare HEADBUTTS Oskar, then he and Khan bring Oskar around. Oskar fights the lift, but Henare blocks the boot! But then Oskar guzels Henare! Henare can’t reach Oskar for the Death Grip! Oskar then guzels Khan, but they both break free! DOUBLE BODY BLOW!
The ref reprimands, but #Khanare double whip Oskar. He breaks their lariats, but the DOUBLE BOOTS hit! Yuto is in, he shoves Henare into Khan! Then he fires off fast hands on Henare, bobs ‘n’ weaves, then ROCKS Henare! Henare drops, Yuto ICE HIGHS! But Henare is up, LARIAT! The fans fire up while all four men are down! Oskar rises, he SWATS Khan’s haymaker to have the NIGHTMARE SLEEPER! But Khan BITES Oskar’s arm! IRON CLAW! But Oskar pries it away, only for Khan to KICK the leg, and BOOT Oskar down! The fans rally as both men crawl for their corners. Hot tags to Akira and Taiji!
The fans fire up as the two rush in! Akira dodges the boot to headlock, but Taiji powers up and out. Akira RUNS Taiji over, then keeps moving. Taiji drops, hurdles, but Akira shoves! Taiji RANAS! Akira tumbles, Taiji runs up, DOUBLE KNEES! Then a fireman’s carry, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, and a BASEMENT SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Akira is tougher than that but Taiji stays on him. Taiji gut wrenches, but Akira fights to turn it around! CIPHER- NO, Taiji lands out to whip Akira. Akira reverses, Taiji handsprings, but into a waistlock! Akira then spins Taiji around, SPEEDFIRE! Akira sputters, he can’t make the cover!
Taiji and Akira crawl, hot tag to Jakob! Jakob drags Taiji up, he and Akira DOUBLE SUPLEX, but Daiki makes the save! Akira & Jakob kick Daiki, then whip, but Daiki ducks ‘n’ dodges to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! The fans cheer the Unbound Young Lion as he flounders to a corner, and Taiji tags Gedo! Gedo JABS, JABS, and JABS! Gedo winds up, but Jakob CLAWS Gedo’s eyes! Jakob winds up, but Gedo UPPERCUTS! Then SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Jakob survives but Gedo stays focused. Gedo tells Jakob to get up, then he mule kicks the leg! Body scissors, GEDO CLUTCH! But Zane ELBOW DROPS Gedo down!
Zane drags Gedo up, and he FALL AWAY SLAMS! Jakob gets Gedo back up, for the HAMMERLOCK DDT! Cover, The Empire wins!
Winners: The United Empire, by pinfall
Another bites the dust, and The Empire is control on this New Japan Road! Henare taunts Yuto with his tag title, but that just sparks a new brawl! Young Lions hurry to stop this, but easier said than done! The rest of the teams get in there, too, and Unbound Company must fall back, if only for now. But will things be different with their best in the main event?
Championship Stakes: Callum Newman & Jake Lee VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji!
It was just 48 hours ago that The Prince slayed the Rampaging Dragon, although with controversial and underhanded tactics. He’s so confident, in fact, he’s giving Takagi and Tsuji another chance! Will Callum cross off two names from the list for the rest of his reign? Or will someone from the Unbound Company have a golden ticket to the top title in NJPW?
The teams sort out, but Callum can’t help himself. He taunts Takagi and Tsuji with the belt, so they attack! They mug Callum, then Yota kicks Jake. Yota TOSSES Jake, the bell rings, and Unbound mug Callum again. They double whip then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans cheer while Takagi ELBOW DROPS! The fans rally as Takagi eggs Callum on. Callum goes to a corner, Takagi runs up, but Callum dodges. Callum runs back in, but Takagi puts him on the apron. Callum RAMS Takagi, slingshots up and over, then keeps moving. Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges but Takagi sidesteps to HIP TOSS! Callum staggers to his feet, Takagi LARIATS him up and out!
Callum stumbles into and then tumbles over the railing! Yota goes after Jake while Takagi hurries through the gate to fetch Callum. Yota whips Jake hard into railing, then stalks him around the way, while Takagi KNEES Callum low. Takagi brings Callum around to SMACK him off the timekeeper’s table! Takagi ROCKS Callum, follows him to another section of the crowd, while Yota DOUBLE CHOPS Jake out of a chair! Takagi ROCKS Callum again and the fans rally behind him. Callum wants to escape but Takagi stalks him. Takagi SMACKS Callum off some chairs, then HEADBUTTS him down! Yota brings Jake up to ROCK with a forearm of his own!
Jake stumbles around through the crowd, knocking chairs over as he tries to flee. Yota pursues as Jake begs young fans to help. Yota grabs that hand to SNAP fingers! The ring count finally starts as Callum SMACKS Takagi off a table! Takagi considers throwing that table but thinks better of it. Takagi pursues Callum as Callum heads back to ringside, but Yota BOOTS Jake out of a seat! The count is 15 of 20 as Callum and Takagi roll inside. Callum wants mercy, even apologizes, but Takagi CHOKES him! Red Shoes counts, Takagi stops at 4, and Callum clings to the ropes. Takagi kicks Callum into letting go, then brings him up.
Takagi JABS Callum and Callum falls against ropes. Takagi JABS again and Callum flounders. Callum calls to Jake but Takagi keeps him back. Callum fights the lift with elbows, then BODY BLOWS! Callum runs, but Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! But Callum trips Takagi and PUNTS him in the side! Just like in their title match! Jake BLASTS Yota off the apron, then goes out to stomp him down! Red Shoes reprimands but Jake drags Yota up and grinds him into railing. Callum pushes Takagi out of the ring while Jake fires body shots on Yota. Callum RAMS Takagi into railing, then brings him around to POST him!
Takagi staggers while Callum mockingly cheers him on. Jake POSTS Yota and does the same. Callum KICKS Takagi in the side, then flexes before he SPITS at Takagi! The fans boo but Callum ROCKS Takagi again. Callum puts Takagi in the ring, taunts Yota from across the way, then slingshots to stomp Takagi down. Callum dares Yota to reach out for Takagi, then he stomps Takagi. Callum digs his heel in, then he tags Jake. Jake swaggers and talks some trash, then he brings out the black glove! Callum KNEES Takagi before Jake takes Takagi’s shirt off. Jake shows off the bad ribs while he says it is picture time! Jake gives Takagi the DENTAL CHECK!
The fans are torn as Jake shoves Takagi down and takes off the glove. Jake mockingly applauds that Takagi passed his dental exam, then he stomps Takagi down. Tag to Callum and Callum clamps onto the arm. Callum traps the arm, kneels on Takagi, then digs his knuckles into the bad ribs! Yota BOOTS Callum, then backs off as Jake runs up. Callum calls BS, but he drags Takagi to stomp him down! Callum KICKS Takagi, then sits for a cocky cover, TWO! Callum clamps onto Takagi, wags his finger at Yota, then grinds Takagi’s bad arm. The fans rally for Takagi as he rises up and fires body shots! Callum KNEES low, then bumps Takagi off buckles.
Callum tags Jake back in and Jake again taunts Takagi. Callum CHOKES Takagi, and Jake KICKS Takagi in the side! The fans rally for Takagi as he rises again, and he rips away the tape! Takagi snarls as he ROCKS Jake again and again! But Jake kicks low, CLAWS Takagi’s face, then runs. Takagi blocks the boot to CLUB the leg! Takagi whips, Jake reverses, but Takagi blocks the knee! DRAGON SCREW! The fans cheer while both men are down! Hot tag to Yota! The fans fire up as Yota BLASTS Callum off the corner, then kicks and whips Jake. Jake reverses but Yota BOOTS him! Yota BLASTS Callum again, then DIVES! Direct hit and Callum hits railing!
The fans fire up for Yota and he slingshots into the ring. Yota then whips Jake corner to corner, runs up, but Jake dodges the splash! BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Yota is tougher than that, but Jake signals he’s taking his shot. Jake drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Yota tries to suplex but Jake fights the lift! They fight for control as the fans rally, and Jake suplexes! But Yota lands out! Yota ducks an elbow to FLATLINER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Takagi calls to Yota and Yota crawls over. Yota is a bit unsure, but he hot tags Takagi anyway! The fans fire up as Takagi powers up and LARIATS in the corner!
Takagi fires the fans up more, and he JABS, JABS, JABS in the corner! Then a CHOP! Jake roars, but Takagi ELBOWS him! Takagi runs, but into the KITCHEN SINK KNEE! It hit pretty high and Takagi falls. Jake tags Callum, Callum BOOTS Yota! Callum stands Takagi up for Jake to KITCHEN SINK KNEE! Then EXCALIBUR!! Cover, YOTA BREAKS IT! The fans cheer, and Yota TOSSES Jake! Callum kicks and TOSSES Yota! Callum is frustrated, but he still mocks Takagi’s pain. Callum kicks Takagi around, and mockingly asks if it hurts. Callum CLUBS Takagi, eggs him on, then ROCKS him with a forearm.
Callum eggs Takagi on, but Takagi SLAPS him! Callum DECKS Takagi for that! Callum sits Takagi up, mocks the prayer hands, then KICKS Takagi in the back! Takagi stays up, and he’s getting mad! The fans fire up as Takagi rises, but Callum BOOTS! And BOOTS! And BOOTS! Takagi just gets angrier! Callum fires knee after knee, but Takagi headbutts the buckles! The fans fire up but Callum BOOTS again! Callum runs, but into the ELBOW! SOBAT! JAB! HEEL KICK! Callum feints the run, but Takagi LARIATS first! Callum LARIATS in return! Both men stand but stagger, and Yota tags in! The fans fire up as Yota hurries to BLAST Jake!
Yota then goes back to Callum and ROCKS him with a forearm! Callum staggers around, Yota ROCKS him again, and again! The fans fire up with Yota, he whips Callum to ropes, but Callum grabs ropes! Yota runs up, Callum BOOTS him away, and Jake jumps in! Jake kicks and whips Yota to a corner, then runs up, but he blocks the boot. Yota reels Jake in for the STOMP! Yota runs up but Callum wrenches through, short arm LARIAT! The fans rally up again while everyone is down! Callum sits up, kisses the crown tattoo, and brings Yota up. Callum goes to fireman’s carry but Yota fights it. Callum powers through, but Yota slips free!
Yota feeds Callum to Takagi’s ELBOW! Yota BOOTS, Takagi BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and Yota GENE TRIGGERS! Then they DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Callum survives and Takagi has to sort out who is legal. Red Shoes and Yota explain that tag from earlier, but then Callum kicks them both! Callum runs, but into the ELBOW! BACKBREAKER! JAB! Then Yota pump handles, but Jake CLAWS Yota’s face! Takagi RUNS Jake over, Callum BOOTS Takagi down, but Yota scoops to BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while all four men are down again! Yota and Callum stir, and Callum flips off the fans cheering Yota.
Yota rises up, Callum wants mercy, and Yota hesitates. But then Callum SPITS at him! Callum fires a forearm, Yota fires back, and repeat! The fans rally up as the shots go back and forth, faster and faster! Callum fires a flurry, runs, but Yota follows to SPLASH in the corner! Yota runs but Callum follows to HELLUVA KICK! Callum runs, Yota follows, GENE TRIGGER! Yota keeps moving, but he dodges Callum to then GAMANGIRI! Yota puts Callum up top, climbs up, and SUPER STEINERS! Cover, TWO! Callum survives but Yota roars! The fans cheer Yota on as he pump handles, but Callum slips free! Callum shoves Yota at Red Shoes! Yota stops short, but Callum LOW BLOWS!
The fans boo but Callum turns around as Takagi runs in! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but neither man falls! They DOUBLE LARIAT again, and Callum flops against Takagi! Takagi fires boxing elbows on Callum, then winds up, but Callum ROCKS! ROLLING- JAB! Callum grabs at Red Shoes, uses him as a shield, but Takagi stops the low blow! Takagi shoves Callum at Red Shoes, REVENGE LOW BLOW! Yota SUPERKICKS! Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS! And they set Callum up for the PUMPING BLASTER!! Cover, Jake breaks it! KNEE for Takagi, then a ROUNDHOUSE! But Takagi rebounds, PUMPING BOMBER on Jake!!
Takagi tells Yota to finish this! Yota GENE BLASTERS Callum!! Cover, Yota & Takagi win!!
Winners: Yota Tsuji & Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (Yota Tsuji is the NEW #1 Contender to the IWGP Heavyweight Championship)
Callum got too cocky in his young reign, and now he’s the one staring up at the lights! But will he have a better game plan for when the title is on the line?
As for the Unbound Company, they catch their breath before Yota takes the mic. “OI, CALLUM! Too bad for you. To me, the path you forge is darkness. I won’t let NJPW go down that path. I will lead NJPW towards the light of hope.” The fans applaud that. Callum says see you at Dominion then! Callum leaves, and Yota continues by saying with Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement, the New Beginning, and now Dominion, NJPW has changed dramatically. But now, Yota meets Callum in a rematch for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in Dominion’s main event, carrying that responsibility and determination in his heart!
The fans cheer again, and Yota says, “OI, NJPW! And Callum Newman… ARE YOU READY?!” The fans cheer again, and Yota promises to be the one to carry NJPW on his shoulders! Mic drop from the Gene Blast, but will he dethrone the Prince already? Or will Callum solidify NJWP as his dominion?
My Thoughts:
A very good New Japan Road event as also a sendoff to Dominion. Really good tune-ups, and the 10 Man Tag especially for the build into the Heavyweight Tag title match. Empire winning here might show KOB wins when the time comes, but Best of the Super Juniors is next so there will be more and more tune-up filler matches first. And great tag match main event with the unique stipulation. As I said before, Yota losing both belts is so he can have his heroic journey back to the top. Yota getting the win here makes sense as it sets up the rematch from losing to Callum, and Dominion’s going to have a great main event that could honestly go either way.
My Score: 8.8/10
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