NJPW PPV Results
Mitchell’s NJPW Wrestle Grand Slam MetLife Report! (9/5/21)
Will The Dragon slay the EVIL?
Will Darkness Fall and give the King of Darkness his throne?
The Summer Struggle is finally over, but now we’re in the final innings! Will Shingo Takagi still reign atop NJPW? Or will EVIL strike him out?
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
- Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii VS Jeff Cobb & Great-O-Khan; Cobb & Khan win.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: El Phantasmo & Taiji Ishimori VS El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Desperado & Kanemaru win and become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
- IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships Triple Threat Tag: The Dangerous Tekkers VS Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI VS Tetsuya Naito & SANADA; Dangerous Tekkers win and retain the titles.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Robbie Eagles VS Hiromu Takahashi; Eagles wins and retains the title.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo; Takagi wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii VS Jeff Cobb & Great-O-Khan!
The Rainmaker finally fell to the Hawaiian Hulk, but that was just the first trilogy! Will the Stone Pitbull help Okada get back up and turn things around? Or will the United Empire win as a united duo against Chaos?
Cobb is of course very smug while the teams sort out. Okada dares him to step up, but The Dominator starts instead. In that case, Ishii starts for Chaos, and fans rally with the bell! Khan and Ishii circle, feel out the grapple, and tie up shoulder to shoulder. Khan shoots in but Ishii blocks, only to be put against the ropes. The ref calls for the break, Khan lets off with a pat on the shoulder and a smack to the head. Ishii storms after Khan but Khan kicks low then MONGOLIAN- No, Ishii dodges the chops and blocks the iron claw! Ishii wrenches, Khan rolls, drop toeholds and has a leglock! Ishii stays up with his hands to get Khan in a leglock of his own!
Khan rolls, Ishii holds on, but Khan kicks his way free. Fans cheer that technical exchange as the two reset. They tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, Ishii powers Khan to the Chaos corner, and Okada tags in. Okada runs and DECKS Cobb while Ishii fires off on Khan! Chaos brings this outside, Okada whips Cobb hard into railing! Fans cheer while Ishii does the same to Khan, and then Okada whips again. Cobb reverses to OVERHEAD Belly2Belly Suplex Okada down! Fans fire up as Cobb hobbles over and stomps Okada. Khan deals with Ishii on his head, and the United Empire regroups as fans rally up for Okada. Cobb stands Okada up to RAM him into the apron!
Cobb puts Okada in the ring for Khan and Khan uses a knee to cover. TWO, but Khan keeps cool. Okada sits up but Khan is right on him. Okada throws forearm after forearm but Khan knees low! MONGOLIAN CHOP! And another! Okada falls, Khan takes aim, Mongolian THRUST! Cover, TWO! Okada stays in this but Khan is just softening him up. Tag to Cobb, the United Empire mugs Okada with a headbutt to the ribs! Cobb CLUBS Okada but Okada just gets mad. Okada throws a forearm, Cobb eggs him on. Okada keeps throwing forearms, Cobb keeps egging Okada on, then Cobb headbutts Okada again! Okada goes to a corner, Cobb gets him up to whip and scoop!
Okada slips out of the Tour to get the arm! Cobb resists the Money Clip, Ishii sees Khan running around the way and gets him first! Cobb RAMS Okada into a corner and is free of the armlock. Cobb runs in but Okada pops him up! Alabama lift to the REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up as both men are down in the ring, then rally up as Okada rises. Okada tags in Ishii, he runs and RAMS shoulders Cobb! Cobb rams back, they go again, then Ishii whips Cobb to a corner. Ishii runs in to clothesline, but Khan CLUBS Ishii from behind! Ishii whips Khan into Cobb! Ishii runs in, Khan gets away so only Cobb takes the clothesline! Khan runs the ropes but Ishii CLOBBERS him!
Cobb whips Ishii to the corner, but Ishii rebounds off buckles to run Cobb over! Fans fire up as Ishii growls and watches Cobb. Cobb stands, Ishii brings him around and suplexes, but Cobb is too big for that! Cobb tries to suplex Ishii but he fights that, too. Ishii and Cobb fight over suplex control, but Cobb wrenches to clinch. Ishii fights out of the belly2belly but then catches Cobb’s clothesline to spin him around! Ishii manages a suplex! Fans fire up as Cobb stands right back up! Ishii dodges the superkick but runs into an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! But then Ishii stands right back up! Ishii dodges the superkick again to ROCK Cobb with a forearm! Ishii runs but into a dropkick!
Fans fire up while both men are down. Cobb crawls for the Empire corner and tags in Khan! Khan stomps around and drags Ishii up. Khan whips Ishii to a corner and then clotheslines him in the back! Khan hoists Ishii up top backwards, and MONGOLIAN CHOPS Ishii into the Tree of Woe! Okada protests as Khan digs his boots into Ishii’s chin, but then Khan runs corner to corner from the three point stance for a SLIDING BOOT! Fans cheer that athleticism and Khan lets the ref figure out the Tree of Woe. Ishii is freed but Khan is right on him with a cover. TWO, but Khan simply drags Ishii up to gut wrench dead lift! GUT WRENCH SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!
Khan DECKS Okada just because, then Cobb gets in. The United Empire drags Ishii up, double whip him to a corner, then Khan whips Cobb in for a LEAPING- Ishii dodges so Cobb hits buckles! Ishii runs at Khan, Okada runs in at Cobb, simultaneous corner clothesline and back elbow from Chaos! Okada kicks Cobb but Cobb wrenches to avoid the DDT! Okada throws forearms on Cobb but Cobb ROCKS Okada with one! Cobb runs, but into Okada’s FLAPJACK! Khan runs in, but is sent into Ishii’s forearm! Okada boots Khan into Ishii’s BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Ishii keeps cool as he drags Khan up by his ponytail and Okada goes after Cobb on the outside.
Khan forearms Ishii back, then forearms again. Ishii hits back, they brawl while Cobb RAMS Okada into railing. The brawling speeds up and the fans rally with every hit! Ishii gets the edge, and he ROCKS Khan into a corner. Ishii whips, Khan reverses and Cobb returns! Ishii hits buckles then Cobb hits the back elbow! Khan runs in to clothesline, then he brings Ishii around, SUPERKICK BOOT SANDWICH! Cobb reels Ishii in to suplex, Khan adds a BOOT to the SLAM! Cover, Okada breaks it! Cobb CLUBS Okada, Okada ROCKS Cobb back! Okada CLUBS Cobb, Khan CLUBS Okada. Khan whips Okada, Okada reverses but Cobb catches Okada out of the air during his dropkick!
Okada fights free of Cobb’s grip but then Khan CLUBS Okada on the back. Khan runs, but into a proper Okada dropkick! Fans fire up but Cobb fires off forearms and CHOPS on Okada! Cobb runs, but into a dropkick from Okada! Okada and Ishii fire up with the fans, and Okada clears Cobb out while Ishii aims at Khan. Ishii runs but Khan blocks lariat to the STANDING CROSSFACE! And then the IRON CLAW! Khan lifts Ishii but he slips out of the Eliminator to reel Khan in. Khan suplexes first but Ishii fights that off and wrenches an arm! Ishii blocks Khan’s boot but Khan ROCKS Ishii with a forearm! Ishii HEADBUTTS to intercept the Mongolian Chop!
Khan roars and BOOTS Ishii after all! Ishii roars and swings, but into a SLEEPER IRON CLAW! ELIMINATOR!! Khan covers, Cobb keeps Okada out, The United Empire wins!!
Winners: The United Empire, by pinfall
The Dominator takes down the Stone Pitbull while Cobb keeps the Rainmaker from being a difference maker! Is the United Empire going to rise as Chaos falls?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: El Phantasmo & Taiji Ishimori VS El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
Bullet Club’s Cutest Tag Team (their name for themselves, at least) aren’t happy they lost the Super Junior Tag League, but they’ll gladly take down Suzuki-Gun’s duo on the big stage! Will the Headbanger, the Bone Soldier Reborn, and whatever is or isn’t in ELP’s boot, stop the Rogue Luchador and Heel Master from getting these titles again?
The introductions are made, the titles are raised, and after Bullet Club puts away all their cool entrance gear away, we see if the 2021 SJTL winners can become champions!
Suzuki-Gun doesn’t wait for Bullet Club to Low Sweet and sort out, they attack right away! ELP & Taiji hit back and the bell rings as the four brawl! Bullet Club gets the edge, ELP DECKS Kanemaru while Taiji throws Desperado out. ELP CHOPS Kanemaru, throws him out now, and Taiji sets Suzuki-Gun up. ELP climbs as fans fire up, then walks the tightrope, but doesn’t moonsault! ELP thinks he’s being so clever, but Suzuki-Gun mugs Taiji! Kanemaru gets in and sneaks up behind ELP to kick him low! Kanemaru CLUBS and whips ELP, ELP goes up and over and baits Kanemaru in to springboard crossbody! Cover, TWO! ELP rolls and LIONSAULTS! Cover, TWO!
Fans cheer but ELP gets annoyed as he drags Kanemaru up. Half straitjacket and torture rack, but Kanemaru lands on his feet out of the toss! Kanemaru rakes ELP’s eyes and has him in a corner. Kanemaru whips ELP corner to corner, runs in but into a back elbow. ELP runs but into Kanemaru’s low dropkick! ELP manages to handstand out of his leg getting hit! But then he has to stand on his feet again and his knee bothers him. Kanemaru runs to dropkick the leg out again, and this time ELP falls on his face! Desperado DECKS Taiji on the outside, Kanemaru gets ELP’s bad leg and SMASHES it into the mat. Tag to Desperado, he stomps the bad leg, but ELP CHOPS back!
Desperado digs his boot into ELP’s leg even harder now! Kanemaru returns to add on and the ref counts. Suzuki-Gun lets off, and ELP clutches both leg and face. Desperado drops a knee into ELP’s leg, then ties up the legs in a BUTTERFLY STRETCH! ELP tries to grab at Desperado’s mask but Desperado knuckle locks the hand and adds to the pressure of the leglock! ELP flails and reaches and gets the ropebreak! The ref wants Desperado to undo the hold and he lets off on the pressure, but ELP CHOPS him again! But then Desperado just adds pressure again! ELP grabs the ropes and the ref calls for the break again! Desperado lets the hold go to “oops!” and drop a knee on the leg.
Tag to Kanemaru, he kicks Taiji off the corner before ELP can tag out. Kanemaru then stomps the bad leg, drags ELP away to the far side, and puts the leg on the rope. Desperado holds it in place for Kanemaru to DROP down on it! ELP hobbles up but Kanemaru kicks him down at the corner. Kanemaru whips ELP hard into the Suzuki-Gun corner, then Desperado drags him down. Kanemaru argues with the ref so that Desperado can SLAM ELP’s leg into the post! ELP flops out, Desperado kicks him around, and ELP goes into the ring. Kanemaru gets ELP for a HALF BOSTON CRAB! ELP endures, reaches out and gets another ropebreak! Kanemaru lets go at the count of 4!
Desperado tags in, Kanemaru stomps ELP more, and Desperado adds on. The ref reprimands but Suzuki-Gun splits the wishbone! Cover, ROPEBREAK! ELP saves himself again but Desperado keeps on him. Desperado goes to suplex but ELP RAMS him into the Bullet Club corner! Taiji is back and he tags in as ELP RAMS his shoulder into Desperado more! Bullet Club mugs Desperado in the corner, and ELP adds on more forearms. Taiji brings Desperado up and whips him to ropes, but Desperado reverses, only for Taiji to arm-drag and arm WRINGER! Taiji elbows Kanemaru down then goes back to Desperado to stomp him.
Fans rally as Taiji hammerlocks Desperado’s bad arm and brings him up. Taiji RAMS Desperado into buckles, shoulder first! Taiji drags Desperado back up, ELP tags in, and ELP climbs up as Taiji holds onto Desperado. Fans fire up and ELP plays it up with a drum roll, before the jump and CLAW! Taiji keeps Kanemaru down while ELP JAMS his elbow into Desperado’s face. ELP brings Desperado up, tags Taiji back in, and yes, Taiji climbs up top. Taiji plays it up before he leaps to CLAW Desperado! ELP has Desperado on the ropes as he CLAWS Desperado in the chest now! The ref reprimands but Taiji brings Desperado around to put in a Tree of Woe.
Taiji knows down Kanemaru again before he runs corner to corner to SLIDING BOOT! Desperado is stuck in the Tree, ELP tags in and Bullet Club goes to the opposite corner. Taiji runs in again for another SLIDING BOOT! ELP fires up, he and Taiji take aim, and they both run corner to corner, to jump up and dig their boots into Desperado’s groin! The ref reprimands but Kanemaru makes the save! Only to get mugged, and for ELP to CLAW his back! Bullet Club hoists Kanemaru up for a DOUBLE Tree of Woe! And a DOUBLE standing on the groins! The ref reprimands but fans cheer the creativity. ELP drags Kanemaru out of the Tree to throw him out of the ring.
Tag to Taiji and Bullet Club gets Desperado up. Desperado fights back but still gets mugged. Bullet Club double whips, but Desperado holds ropes. Taiji runs in, is put on the apron, and then Desperado sends ELP into Taiji! Taiji falls, ELP staggers, Desperado gives ELP a SPINEBUSTER! Fans fire up while both men are down, and Kanemaru calls to Desperado from the corner! Desperado gets up, but Taiji denies the tag by tripping Kanemaru up! ELP drags Desperado away to the Bullet Club corner and Taiji tags in. ELP slowly CLAWS Desperado’s back, and Taiji lines up his shot. Taiji runs in, blocks Desperado’s boots and puts him in the ropes!
Taiji runs side to side, SLIDING GERMAN! Cover, TWO! Taiji drags Desperado up and around to hammerlock and then elbow away on the shoulder! Taiji stands Desperado up, gets Desperado up for a SHOULDER BREAKER, then covers! TWO, and Desperado survives, but is still writhing and shouting. Taiji gets Desperado up but Desperado blocks the gut wrench. Taiji CLUBS away on Desperado, whips him to ropes, but Desperado reverses. Taiji handsprings, Desperado catches him but Taiji fights free. Desperado reels Taiji back in for a BIG back suplex! Both men are down again and Kanemaru is back on the corner! Desperado rolls and tags Kanemaru in!
Kanemaru DECKS ELP, drags Taiji up to whip, but Taiji reverses and ELP gets a cheap shot in! The Bullet Club double whips Kanemaru to a corner but Kanemaru BOOTS Taiji and dodges ELP! Kanemaru CLAWS ELP and throws him out! Kanemaru whips Taiji to the corner, Taiji Tiger Feints, goes in and out and around to shoulder Kanemaru! Taiji springboards, Kanemaru gets under to mule kick, then Kanemaru runs. Kanemaru ducks, dodges and tilt-o-whirls for a DDT! Both men are down but fans fire back up. Kanemaru crawls to a cover, TWO! Taiji is still in this but Kanemaru drags him up to reel him in.
Kanemaru scoops, gets the dragon sleeper, but Taiji spins around! Kanemaru blocks the suplex to try his own, but now we have a battle for suplex control. Taiji throws body shots, Kanemaru still blocks, but Taiji gut wrenches instead! CIPHER- NO! Kanemaru sits on Utaki to make it a cover, TWO!! Taiji narrowly escapes and Kanemaru argues the count but the ref says it was fair. Kanemaru runs at Taiji in the corner, but into a boot! He tries again but Taiji ax kicks him now! Kanemaru tries a third time but he runs into a BUCKLE SHOT! ELP calls to Taiji, Taiji rolls that way and tags ELP in!
ELP hobbles to Kanemaru, whips him to a corner, then sends Taiji in for DOUBLE KNEES! Taiji climbs up, ELP gives him a boost with the Electric Chair, for the TOSS CODE BREAKER! Taiji holds Kanemaru in place as ELP climbs up, ELP SUPER BACK SENTONS Kanemaru down! Cover, TWO!! Kanemaru survives and Bullet Club grows frustrated but the fans fire back up. ELP reels Kanemaru in, hooks up the arms, but Kanemaru back drops free! Taiji goes after Desperado as ELP sunset flips! Kanemaru rolls through and gets the legs for a FIGURE FOUR! Desperado RAMS Taiji into railing while ELP endures the leglock! Kanemaru even adds an ankle lock to it!
ELP reaches for ropes, Kanemaru flails to add leverage, and then he goes after the boot itself! Kanemaru wants to expose the secret just like anyone else! ELP gets the ropebreak but Kanemaru takes his time letting off on the hold. Tag to Desperado, they drag ELP up and Kanemaru gives him a SHINBREAKER! Desperado adds a CHOP BLOCK! Cover, TWO!! But Desperado puts the leg in a STRETCH MUFFLER! Taiji runs in, gets caught by Kanemaru, CAMEL CLUTCH! Dual submissions are torturing the Bullet Club! ELP gets around to get the ROPEBREAK! Taiji is let free but Desperado adds more damage to the leg. Desperado stands ELP up but ELP fights off the combo move!
ELP switches with Desperado and shoves him at Kanemaru! Then ELP rolls Desperado up, with tights! TWO, and ELP hurries to fire forearms! Desperado hits back, they brawl now with forearms back and forth and the fans rally up. Desperado kicks the leg, throws more forearms but ELP stomps Desperado’s foot! Is the boot weighted after all?! ELP boots Mono Loco too to then mule kick! ELP hooks up the arms to steal PINCHE LOCO!! Cover, TWO!! Fans cheer but Taiji shoves Kanemaru into railing! Bullet Club regroups and drags Desperado back up. Taiji gut wrenches for CIPHER UTAKI! ELP is up top, THUNDER KISS 86!! Cover, Kanemaru BOOTS ELP down!
Kanemaru CLUBS Taiji, stomps ELP, repeat! Taiji BOOTS Kanemaru in return! Taiji takes aim as Kanemaru bails out, TRIANGLE MOONSAULT! Taiji tells ELP to finish this and ELP aims from the corner! ELP undoes the laces on his shoe? ELP wants to use the totally weighted shoe but his leg is bothering him too much, so he takes a swing! Taiji distracts the ref but Desperado dodges the shoe shot! MONO LOCO!! Down goes ELP, and Desperado picks up the shoe! Taiji shoves the ref into Desperado! They’re working to cover up the secret! Taiji grabs the shoe, but Desperado hasn’t let it go! Fans rally up as they have a tug-o-war over ELP’s shoe!
Kanemaru runs in and has his whiskey bottle! Low kick and BOTTLE SHOT! Desperado has ELP’s shoe and puts it on like a glove! ELP WEIGHTED BOOT MONO LOCO!!! ELP is down again, but that might’ve been double-edged for Desperado’s fist! Kanemaru stays fired up and gets the ref up. Desperado reels ELP in, hooks up the arms, PINCHE LOCO!! Cover a la the Deadman, SUZUKI-GUN WINS!!
Winners: El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
What a powerful victory in the MetLife Dome! Desperado still clutches his fingers, just what IS in ELP’s boot? But at least they have the gold! Will this newest reign be worth all the pain?
IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships Triple Threat Tag: The Dangerous Tekkers VS Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI VS Tetsuya Naito & SANADA!
NJPW is putting Strong Style convention aside a moment to see which duo is truly the best! The odds are not in favor of Taichi & Zack Sabre Jr., but can they still overcome them to keep Chaos and Los Ingobernables de Japon without these belts? Or is two teams one too many even for them to #JustTapOut?
Three sets of introductions are made, the Tekkers show off their merchandise and the tag titles are raised. Taichi and Sanada already have a quick showdown of dancing pecs as the teams sort out. In this kind of Triple Threat, only two teams are active at a time, so the challengers are already arguing about who starts against the champions. Fans rally up as things get tense, and of course the Tekkers welcome the challengers to start with each other. Goto-Hashi gets pissed and they literally kick LIJ out! Then they go after the Tekkers to show they’re getting the first turn! The bell rings and now we start this three way dance!
Hashi throws hands on ZSJ while Goto puts Taichi in a corner. ZSJ hits back with EuroUppers while Goto whips Taichi corner to corner. Goto runs in but Taichi dodges. ZSJ runs in but Goto dodges. Hashi runs in but ZSJ dodges! Goto dodges Taichi, ZSJ dodges Hashi, and back again! The teams stand off, and then LIJ returns to attack them all! Sanada and Naito throw out Goto and Hashi and then Sanada eggs ZSJ on. ZSJ runs in but Sanada dumps him out, then LIJ goes after Taichi. They double whip Taichi to ropes, then double HIP TOSS! Then camel clutch and basement dropkick! ZSJ returns, he gets a drop toehold to basement dropkick!
Goto-Hashi return and Goto throws Naito out while Hashi is after Sanada! Goto-Hashi whip Sanada to ropes, double shoulder him down, then coordinate for the hip toss senton! Naito returns but he gets hit first. Goto-Hashi drum away on Naito’s back! Sanada rushes in but he gets drumming, too! Fans fire up with Goto-Hashi but Taichi runs in. Goto kicks and whips him to a corner but ZSJ returns! Taichi dodges and ZSJ uppercuts Goto while Taichi BOOTS Hashi! ZSJ sets up both Goto-Hashi for Taichi’s DOUBLE AX BOMBER! Fans fire up as Tekkers regroup and Taichi stays the legal man. Taichi drags Goto up and snapmares him to KICK him in the back!
Goto seethes, but Taichi CHOKES him! The ref sees that and counts. Taichi lets off and argues that’s not a choke. THIS is a choke! The ref counts again, Taichi stops again and then TWO HAND CHOKES! The ref counts, Taichi lets off and Taichi gets in the ref’s face. Taichi goes back to Goto and kicks him around. Taichi smirks as he toys with Goto, and Naito calls to Goto to tag him. Goto CHOPS away on Taichi, but Taichi choke grips! Goto choke grips back, they’re both choking each other! Hashi jumps in and he helps Goto choke Taichi! The ref reprimands them all, so Naito joins in! THREE people are choking Taichi! Sanada hops in, finds a spot, and is now the FOURTH!
The ref reprimands all of them for all this chocking, but ZSJ runs in! Taichi is tossed aside and ZSJ gets mugged by all the challengers! They get ZSJ down and stomp away on him! ZSJ bails out, and so that leaves Goto-Hashi and LIJ staring down. LIJ offers the fist bump, and fans cheer as Chaos considers it. Nope! Goto-Hashi just attack and throw LIJ out again! Goto goes back to Taichi and drags him up from the ropes. Goto CLUBS Taichi to the Chaos corner, digs his boots in, then lets off as the ref counts. Goto stomps Taichi more, drags him back up and bumps him off buckles to then stomp and club him from behind! The ref counts and Goto lets off to tag Hashi.
Hashi stomps Taichi now, drags him back up and CLUBS him on the back. Fans rally as Hashi hangs Taichi out to dry. Goto keeps Taichi stuck on the top rope as Hashi runs, and Hashi dropkicks Taichi down! Cover, TWO! Hashi drags Taichi back up, snapmares him down and clamps on a chinlock. Taichi endures the knee in his back and the stretch in his neck. Sanada goes after Hashi and throws him to the LIJ corner so Naito can tag in! Naito stalks Taichi to ropes and keeps him from ZSJ. Naito whips Taichi to ropes and elbows him down, then runs to basement dropkick! Naito grabs at Taichi but Taichi kicks from below! Naito drops an elbow and then clamps on a headlock!
Taichi pulls Naito’s hair but the ref reprimands. Taichi tries digging at Naito’s eyes so Naito digs at Taichi’s nose! The ref reprimands, Naito shifts to get the Pluma Blanca! Taichi endures the leg hook full nelson and fans rally up. Taichi moves around, Naito sees Goto coming but can’t let go before Goto stomps him down! Goto stomps Taichi, too, then bails out. Naito keeps Taichi from Goto and then tags in Sanada. LIJ mugs Taichi while staring Goto-Hashi down. Sanada brings Taichi up, blocks a kick and trips Taichi to put him in the Paradise Lock! Fans fire up and Sanada encourages them to get louder. ZSJ is helpless as Sanada dropkicks Taichi out of Paradise! Cover, TWO!
Fans fire up as Sanada brings Taichi up again. Sanada facelocks but Taichi powers him to a corner! It’s the Chaos corner and Goto tags in! Goto fires off on Taichi and Sanada with stomps! Goto brings Taichi around, snapmares and digs his knee in with the chinlock. Taichi grabs at Goto’s hair now, the ref reprimands, so Taichi throws hands from below. Goto jams his elbow into Taichi’s forehead, then goes to DECK ZSJ! Taichi gets up and throws Goto down by his hair! Taichi looks for ZSJ but he isn’t in the corner anymore! Naito offers a tag but Taichi refuses, and Goto BOOTS Naito down anyway! Goto brings Taichi around and whips him into a corner. MURAMASA!
Taichi staggers, Goto whips again but Taichi reverses to HOOK KICK! Both men are down and fans fire up as ZSJ is back on the corner! Taichi heads over, hot tag to ZSJ! ZSJ goes after Goto with EuroUppers! ZSJ runs, Goto follows but ZSJ spins him to snapmare and NECK TWIST! Hashi gets in, ZSJ blocks the chop to hammerlock and ARM TWIST! ZSJ runs at LIJ’s corner but they drop down to avoid the boot. ZSJ goes after Goto and boots, but Goto blocks it! Goto spins ZSJ, waistlocks but ZSJ switches. Goto switches back, ZSJ victory rolls to trip him up to the EURO CLUTCH! Cover, Naito and Sanada break it!
Naito stomps Goto, Sanada stomps ZSJ and fans fire up. LIJ whips ZSJ corner to corner, ZSJ stops himself, and then dodges Sanada to sweep the legs on Naito for a NECK TWIST! Sanada runs in, ZSJ spins him around and WRINGS out the arm! ZSJ runs and EuroUppers Goto! Goto roars, deflects ZSJ’s boot and DISCUS LARIATS! Everyone is down and fans fire up again! ZSJ crawls away while Goto catches his breath. Goto runs in to MURA- NO! ZSJ blocks the wheel kick to an STF! Taichi plays defense, he gets Hashi for SEITEIJYUJIRYOU! Tekkers have dual submissions on Goto-Hashi and fans are thunderous!
ZSJ steps through with a leg to have a Fujiwara and headscissor combo! Naito gets in to stomp away on ZSJ! Sanada joins in, then LIJ CLUBS Taichi down! Taichi chokes Sanada, ZSJ headbutts Naito low! LIJ is thrown back out and the Tekkers focus on Goto. ZSJ EuroUppers Goto for Taichi to BUZZSAW! Taichi wants more, so OFF COME THE PANTS! ZSJ gets Goto up as Taichi powers up, but Hashi runs in to clothesline Taichi down! Goto slips out of the suplex and waistlocks but ZSJ resists the lift! ZSJ elbows at Goto but Goto holds on tight! Goto powers up to SLAM ZSJ down! Goto gets ZSJ back up, Hashi joins in, FIERCE HEADHUNTER!! Cover, TWO!!
ZSJ survives the blockbuster leg sweep combo, but Goto drags ZSJ up but ZSJ kicks Hashi away to deny the next combo move! ZSJ RAMS Goto into a corner, but Naito tags in! Naito throws hands on Goto then Naito throws Goto out. Naito whips ZSJ corner to corner to rocket kick and leg sweep, COMBINACION CABRON! Fans fire up as Naito hammerlocks and hooks ZSJ. ZSJ resists, switches, but Naito arm-drags him away! Naito still ends up in a corner and ZSJ runs in. Naito dodges, Sanada returns and back elbows! Feed to more elbows then a dropkick! Atomic drop to back suplex! Jackknife cover, Goto breaks it in time!
Sanada throws Goto out, Naito gets ZSJ up and puts him on the top rope. Naito climbs up the corner to SUPER STEINER! Fans fire up and Naito aims from the corner. ZSJ slowly flounders up, Naito runs in, but Taichi BOOTS him first! Hashi runs in to tackle Taichi! Hashi drags Naito but Sanada dropkicks Hashi down! Goto LARIATS Sanada! Taichi AX BOMBERS Goto! Naito spins Taichi around for a NECKBREAKER! ZSJ CLOBBERS Naito with a EuroUpper! Fans fire up again as all six men are down! Hashi, Goto and Sanada flop to the outside, but Hashi gets back on the apron. Hashi sneaks over to the Chaos corner while Naito returns to the LIJ corner.
Naito stands, Hashi tags in off ZSJ! Hashi runs and CHOPS Naito! Then whips to CHOP and mule kick, into a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Naito survives but Hashi keeps his cool. Hashi drags Naito up, reels him in, and gets Naito up for- A RANA! Naito counters the bomb but Hashi comes back with a spin back kick! Hashi reels Naito back in, for a RUNNING POWERBOMB!! Goto DECKS Sanada, but the Tekkers attack Goto! They double whip but he DOUBLE LARIATS them down! Fans are fired up again as Goto-Hashi sets Naito up, but Naito kicks free! Goto suplexes, Naito slips out, but Hashi SUPERKICKS! They get Naito up, G Y W!! Cover, ZSJ breaks it in time!!
Goto stomps ZSJ, puts him in a corner and then whips him corner to corner. Goto runs in, ZSJ dodges to EuroUpper Hashi! Goto comes back to DECK ZSJ! Taichi runs in, Goto fireman’s carries for USHIGOROSHI! ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Goto down, but Hashi SUPERKICKS ZSJ! Again, everyone is down and the fans are thunderous! Sanada reaches out for Naito and Naito crawls that way, tag to Cold Skull! He O’Conner Rolls and sits deep on it! TWO, Hashi runs into a back elbow! Sanada Quebrada but Hashi gets under, only for Sanada to RANA! Hashi bails out, Sanada takes aim, PLANCHA! Direct hit and fans fire up behind Sanada!
Sanada drags Hashi up and puts him in the ring. Sanada drags Hashi up, fireman’s carries, but Hashi fights free. Hashi waistlocks, Sanada throws elbows and then rams him into a corner. Sanada whips corner to corner but Hashi reverses. Sanada goes up, out and springboards in, but Hashi gets under and Goto gets Sanada for a fireman’s carry! SUPERKICK to USHIGOROSHI! Goto DECKS Taichi, he shouts to Hashi to finish this as he PLANCHAS out to hit both Tekkers! Hashi wants Sanada to stand and Sanada rises. Hashi runs but into a boot! Hashi still CHOPS, then SUPERKICKS! BASEMENT METEORA! Cover, TWO!!
Fans stay fired up as Hashi gets Sanada up for a full nelson, then spin. Sanada slips out of the slam to dragon sleeper! Hashi arm-drags free, and LARIATS Sanada down! Cover, TWO! Hashi fires up and stands Sanada back up, half nelson and spin but again Sanada counters. Shove to Naito’s ENZIGURI, then Sanada fireman’s carries for a TKO!! Cover, Goto breaks it! Goto fires off on Sanada, Naito kicks him and throws him out! Fans rally as Naito and Sanada regroup. LIJ drags Hashi up, but they have to watch for the Tekkers and Goto. Naito lets Sanada go solo as Sanada hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives but Sanada keeps cool.
ZSJ returns and he attacks Naito! EuroUppers in the corner but Naito fights back! Naito throws ZSJ out, Sanada ROCKS Taichi! Naito rushes over but Taichi catches him! ZSJ runs in but Naito gets around to reel him in. Naito kicks Taichi as he hits a TORNADO DDT on ZSJ! ZSJ bails out but Sanada goes for Hashi. Sanada spins Hashi to the dragon sleeper! Fans are thunderous as Hashi counters to an inside cradle! TWO and Sanada O’Conner Rolls, to the dragon sleeper! Hashi drops to victory roll! TWO!!! Sanada gets up and runs, into a scoop! But he slips right out, to get the dragon sleeper! SKULL END!!
Hashi is caught in the body scissors, Naito makes sure Goto and the Tekkers are still down and fans are thunderous again! Hashi pops free of the sleeper but Sanada keeps the scissors! Sanada gets the sleeper again with the other arm, and drops back for SKULL END!! Hashi endures, refuses to give up, and fans are rallying up hard as ever! Sanada pulls back, Hashi is fading! The ref checks on Hashi, but he gets a second wind! Sanada keeps Hashi trapped, and Hashi is fading again! Hashi’s turning purple, so Sanada lets him go to go to the corner! But Taichi tags in before the ROUNDING BODY PRESS!!! ZSJ drags Sanada into a sleeper, feed to Taichi’s CHOKE-
No! Sanada holds off the slam! So Taichi has ZSJ help, and they CHOKE BACK SUPLEX SLAM!! Goto HEADBUTTS Taichi and DECKS ZSJ! But Taichi hits the three point stance, RUNNING FOREARM SMASH! But Naito runs in, Corriendo- ZSJ stops Destino for Taichi, and then drags Naito down into a grounded cobra twist cradle, to the JIM BREAKS SPECIAL! Taichi SUPERKICKS Hashi down!! Taichi fires up, drags Hashi to his feet, Alabama lift for BLACK MEPHISTO!! Cover, Tekkers win!!
Winners: The Dangerous Tekkers, by pinfall (still IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
Not even two teams at once could stop the Sliest Wrestler and the Submission Master! Naito is pissed and he stomps Hashi, only for Goto to CLUB him down. The Tekkers laugh at these literal lowers and celebrate their triumph. Will there be no stopping the Tekkers now that they’ve hit this one out of the park?
The G1 Climax 31 blocks are announced!
For A Block: Kota Ibushi; Tetsuya Naito; Shingo Takagi; ZSJ; Toru Yano; Tomohiro Ishii; Yujiro Takahashi; Kenta; Tanga Loa; and Great-O-Khan!
For B Block: Sanada; Taichi; Yoshi-Hashi; Hirooki Goto; Jeff Cobb; EVIL; Tama Tonga; Chase Owens; Kazuchika Okada; and Hiroshi Tanahashi!
The Autumn is about to heat up again as the yearly tradition returns once more! Plus, JAMProject is providing this year’s tournament theme song, “Max the Max!” It will definitely be showtime, but who will burn the brightest and reach the goal?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Robbie Eagles VS Hiromu Takahashi!
The Sniper of the Skies shocked many when he dethroned El Desperado to have this belt for his own. But now, the Ticking Timebomb is back and he’s ready to have some fun again! Will Eagles be able to fly away with this title? Or will Hiromu-chan be the one shooting Eagles down instead?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, the shootout for the gold begins!
Eagles rushes Hiromu and BOOTS! Hiromu CHOPS and Eagles CHOPS back! They CHOP and CHOP and CHOP then get forehead to forehead. Hiromu shoves Eagles then headlocks him. Eagles powers out, Hiromu runs him over but things speed up. Hiromu runs Eagles over again, eggs him on, but Eagles trips Hiromu to get the headlock. Hiromu powers out, dodges Eagles then runs him over! Things keep moving and Eagles hurdles while Hiromu leaps. Hiromu blocks a kick, flips Eagles and sweeps the legs. Hiromu covers, ONE! Eagles sweeps the legs and covers, ONE! Eagles handsprings up and fans cheer.
Eagles and Hiromu stand off as fans rally up. Hiromu and Eagles slowly circle, then go forehead to forehead again. Hiromu shoves Eagles and eggs him on again. Eagles swings but Hiromu dodges to CHOP him off his feet! Hiromu whips but Eagles blocks by holding ropes. Hiromu CHOPS Eagles again, whips him after all, but Eagles goes up and around and arm-drags! Eagles keeps moving, ducks and dodges to RANA Hiromu down! Eagles eggs Hiromu on now but Hiromu dodges the wheel kick. Hiromu and Eagles duck and dodge strikes, Eagles blocks a clothesline to then block a kick, but Hiromu denies the backpack to a backslide.
Eagles rolls through but Hiromu reels him in for a suplex. Eagles fights that and waistlocks but Hiromu switches. Eagles counters that with a Shiranui! Hiromu spins through that to dragon sleeper but Eagles snapmares the inverted suplex away. Eagles runs in at Hiromu in the corner but Hiromu puts him outside. Eagles ROCKS Hiromu, springboards but Hiromu ducks under. Hiromu scoops Eagles to a fireman’s carry but Eagles slips off to victory roll! Hiromu kicks him away but Eagles rebounds, only for Hiromu to duck the Penalty Kick! Eagles keeps going, anticipates Hiromu’s drop down and drops a knee on the bad leg!
Eagles basement dropkicks Hiromu out of the ring then takes aim. Eagles builds speed to DIVE! The tope sends both men into the railing! Hiromu gets stuck in a gap while Eagles crawls away. Eagles has Saitama fire up as he goes back for Hiromu. Eagles drags Hiromu back up, CHOPS him, then refreshes the ring count so he can CHOP Hiromu again. Hiromu goes around the way, Eagles pursues, but Hiromu CHOPS back! And CHOPS again! Eagles kicks low, KICKS Hiromu against railing, then CHOPS him off his feet! Eagles puts Hiromu in the ring and fans cheer his sportsmanship. Eagles stomps Hiromu around and focuses on the bad leg.
Hiromu clutches his leg but Eagles CLUBS him on the back. Cover, ONE, but Eagles tries again. ONE, and Eagles is annoyed. Eagles locks up Hiromu’s legs and encourages the fans to get louder. The fans do get louder as Eagles deathlock STOMPS the legs! Hiromu clutches his knee again and Eagles covers, TWO! Hiromu CHOPS from below and that annoys Eagles even more. Eagles eggs Hiromu on and Hiromu CHOPS again! Eagles KICKS the bad leg but Hiromu CHOPS back! Eagles KICKS, Hiromu CHOPS, repeat! Hiromu fires up but Eagles switch-kicks his leg! Eagles runs, Hiromu dodges and returns to RANA! Fans fire up as both men are down again!
Hiromu gets his bad leg moving while Eagles slowly sits up. Fans rally, Hiromu grins as he rises. Eagles kicks the bad leg, brings Hiromu around and whips but Hiromu reverses to corner clothesline! Snapmare and basement dropkick! Eagles bails out of the ring but Hiromu aims from the apron. Hiromu leaps for the FLYING SHOTGUN DROPKICK! Eagles hits railing and tumbles through the gateway! Fans rally up as Hiromu hobbles over. Hiromu fetches Eagles into the ring and then hurries to suplex for a FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Hiromu focuses on getting his leg moving rather than his frustrations, and he hobbles back to Eagles.
Hiromu stands Eagles up, fireman’s carries but Eagles slips out to shove him towards a corner. Eagles DOUBLE KNEES, then rolls back to run in. Hiromu dodges and knees hit buckles! But Eagles blocks the superkick to turn Hiromu around! Hiromu shoves out of the Turbo Backpack and Eagles ends up in a corner. Eagles comes back but into a SHOTGUN DROPKICK! Hiromu goes to the far corner, Eagles runs in but into an OVERHEAD suplex into the buckles! Fans are fired up again as both men are down. Hiromu and Eagles stir, Hiromu gets his bad leg moving again and slowly sits up. Eagles follows but Hiromu brings him up first.
Hiromu fireman’s carries, Eagles fights and gets free. Eagles ducks forearms and elbows but Hiromu ROCKS Eagles with his fifth! Hiromu whips, Eagles reverses but Hiromu holds ropes to BOOT back! Eagles Tiger Feints the legs! Springboard and missile dropkick to the legs! Eagles gets the legs, rolls Hiromu around and gets the RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Hiromu endures and fans fire up as Eagles pulls on the legs! Hiromu drags himself over, reaches out, but Eagles adds more pressure to the leglock! Hiromu refuses to quit and he gets the ropebreak! Eagles holds on until Red Shoes counts, and Eagles hurries to get Hiromu up! STANDING SLICED BREAD! Cover, TWO!
Eagles keeps focus as fans fire up. Eagles fires himself up and rolls Hiromu to the backpack. Hiromu fights free, GERMAN SUPLEX! Eagles lands on his feet to ROUNDHOUSE, SUPERKICK and PELE! Hiromu staggers from the kick combo, and Eagles reels him in for a CORNER- NO! No more slices of bread! Hiromu fireman’s carries to the CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Both men are down again after that impact and fans fire up again! Hiromu slowly drags himself away, still clutching his knee. Hiromu forces himself to stand while Eagles finally sits up. Eagles is in a daze and stays in the corner but Hiromu brings him up. Fireman’s carry for a TOSS HOTSHOT!
Hiromu runs and SUNSET POWERBOMBS Eagles to the floor!! Red Shoes goes out to check both men but they’re somehow both okay to continue. Fans rally up and a ring count begins. The count reaches 10 of 20 before Hiromu stands, and he gets in at 13. The count passes 15 as Eagles slowly rises, and he’s in at 19! Hiromu runs in to SHOTGUN DROPKICK again! And GERMAN SUPLEX! Eagles roars to his feet, but Hiromu LARIATS him down! DEEP stack cover, TWO!! Eagles survives and so far, so does his reign! Fans rally as Hiromu rises again. Hiromu drags Eagles up, fireman’s carries again, spins but Eagles sunsets! TWO and Hiromu SUPERKICKS!
Eagles roars but Hiromu dodges him to SUPERKICK again! Hiromu roars, drags Eagles up and suplexes for VICTORY ROYALE! Cover, TWO! Eagles still stays in this but Hiromu just shakes his head. Hiromu stands, hobbles over to Eagles and fans are thunderous again. Hiromu dragon sleepers but Eagles victory rolls! TWO, Eagles schoolboys with a bridge! TWO and Hiromu scoops for a dragon sleeper, to inverted suplex! Eagles slips out, Hiromu gets him for a regular suplex, but Eagles fights back with knee after knee! Hiromu turns things to a fireman’s carry, spins, TIMEBOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!? Eagles survives again and shocks Hiromu!
Hiromu fires up once more and he gets Eagles back up. Hiromu runs to LARIAT Eagles down! But he’s not done there! Hiromu gets his bad leg moving again as he dragon sleepers. Eagles again fights the inverted suplex but Hiromu just hits a DEEP reverse DDT! Hiromu reaches his boiling point and he gets Eagles up in the inverted suplex! TIMEBOMB MK- NO! Eagles flails and they end up in the corner. Eagles gets to the top rope but Hiromu CHOPS him! Hiromu catches his breath and gets his leg moving again while fans rally up. Hiromu climbs to join Eagles now, stands on the very top rope, and flips, only for Eagles to block the wheelbarrow!
Eagles CLUBS away on Hiromu, leaps over and rolls but has to take a moment. Hiromu adjusts in that time and he BOOTS Eagles away! Eagles tries again, another BOOT! Eagles PELES and then SHOTGUN DROPKICKS Hiromu’s bad leg! Red Shoes checks on Hiromu but Hiromu won’t let this stop him. Eagles climbs up and brings Hiromu into position, SUPER TURBO BACKPACK!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Hiromu survives and fans are thunderous again! Eagles watches Hiromu flounder as he aims from a corner. Eagles runs in, BASEMENT SUPERKICK! Eagles hurries to a corner but Hiromu hurries after him! Hiromu anchors Eagles’ leg to prevent him from climbing!
Eagles pulls Hiromu up by his hair and quickly apologizes before he SUPERKICKS him again! Eagles goes up, 450 SPLASH to the legs! Then the RON MILLER SPECIAL!!! Hiromu flails, claws, reaches out for ropes but Eagles does his best to anchor Hiromu! Hiromu still makes his way forward but Eagles drags him back! Hiromu reaches out to Red Shoes just to keep himself from giving up! Eagles adds as much pressure as he can to the hold but Hiromu keeps fighting! Hiromu claws his way forward again, but Eagles lets off so he can kick and club away on the bad leg! Eagles even drops a knee on the knee! And then the RON MILLER SPECIAL returns!!!
Hiromu endures all over again as fans reach electric levels! Eagles pushes up to add as much pressure as he can, and Hiromu curses as he taps out!! Eagles wins!!!
Winner: Robbie Eagles, by submission (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)
The champion no longer feels like an underdog! Dome to dome, Eagles has defeated two of the best in the Junior Heavyweight Division today! Is there no one in NJPW who can doubt the Sniper of the Skies now?
Wait, Desperado makes his way back out to the ring? Even with that bad hand, the newly crowned tag champion clearly wants to talk singles title. “How’re you feeling, amigo? Congratulations.” Now, surely some stupid people are wondering what the hell Desperado’s doing out here since he already lost to Eagles once. He admits that he lost to the same submission hold, but after the G1 got announced, Junior Heavyweights will be taking a bit of a backseat for a bit. But he won’t let Eagles forget him. This isn’t “out of sight, out of mind.” Desperado says in English, “I want a rematch. But I hate just a rematch.”
Now this is just Desperado’s idea but… If Eagles accepts, then Desperado’s IWGP Junior Tag title-which he struggles to take off his neck with the bad hand-will also be on the line. Whoa~! Eagles just needs to have a partner, and Eagles says he does in Tiger Mask. Fans cheer that and Eagles is given the mic. “Listen, Desperado. I said after our match, any time you could’ve asked for a rematch.” Instead, Desperado waits until Eagles is beaten, broken and very tired. But fair enough, he did do something like that to Desperado. Though, if Desperado’s willing to give Eagles a shot at the tag titles, then challenge accepted!
“But I’m gonna tell you what I told Hiromu, and what you learned last time.” In Japanese, Eagles tells Desperado that he is the one who will come out the winner! The IWGP Junior Heavyweight belts are going to be on the line in the background of the G1, but when and where will these showdowns go down?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS EVIL w/ House of Torture!
FINALLY! This has been brewing since Wrestle Grand Slam Tokyo, and now after the Summer Struggle, the Dragon and the King of Darkness will have it out in another dome. Will Takagi demolish this “House of Torture” before it builds up too big? Or will Evil reign at the very top once again?
Speaking of that HOT garbage, Yujiro Takahashi and the newly recruited Sho are with Dick Togo and the King of Darkness as they go to the ring. Takagi makes his entrance but is not intimidated by Evil’s pawns. Red Shoes surprisingly allows all three of Evil’s cronies to stay, and the Bullet Club boys Low Sweet. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who gets the walk-off here in MetLife!
Fans rally up as Takagi and Evil stare down. Takagi and Evil approach but then Evil bails out to slow things down. Evil tells Takagi to stay back while he talks things out with his boys. Sho gives some quick tips, Evil slides back in, and then Sho gets a chair! It’s the same chair he broke on Yoh, as you can see in the loose seat that just falls out of it. Takagi steps to Sho and he steps away, but Evil gets Takagi in a headlock! Takagi powers up and pries the hold but Evil holds on tighter. Takagi wrenches out, headlocks back, and fans rally up. Evil pulls hair, powers out but Takagi rams shoulders! Evil rebounds and he runs Takagi over!
Evil gives toying kicks to Takagi but fans rally up. Takagi gets up, Evil CHOPS him, then CHOPS again! Takagi eggs Evil on and Evil CHOPS again. Takagi goes to chop but Evil pokes him in the eye! Evil runs and rams Takagi, Takagi DOUBLE CHOPS back! Takagi shows off the dancing pecs and fans fire up. Takagi gets Evil up, whips and KNEES him against ropes, then runs to run Evil over with a shoulder! Takagi flexes, brings Evil back up, then reels him in for a snap suplex! Evil writhes, Takagi covers, TWO! Evil bails out, Takagi pursues, and Takagi throws hands on Evil! Evil shouts in pain, Takagi whips him into railings, then watches Evil fall over.
Takagi dares Sho to do something, then he gets fans to rally up. Takagi makes sure Abe-san is okay, then he gets Evil up. Takagi bumps Evil off the apron, then says he’ll do one more. He stands Evil up again to indeed bump him off the apron again. Fans cheer and Takagi brings Evil around to fireman’s carry. But Dick makes the save while Sho and Yujiro distract the ref! Takagi chases Dick around the way, into the ring, and Evil runs in! Takagi sees that coming and blocks the clothesline to ROCK Evil! Takagi runs but Sho trips him up! Sho whips Takagi into railing! Yujiro finally leaves Red Shoes alone while Takagi crawls.
Evil goes out to fetch Takagi, and oh no! He RAMS Takagi into Abe-san!! Red Shoes reprimands, but Abe kept the world title safe! Takagi thanks Abe for his sacrifice, and then drags himself up to his feet. Takagi snarls at Evil and gets in the ring, only for Evil to knock him back out! Takagi keeps himself from running into the timekeeper’s area, but then Evil goes out and RAMS him back into it! Abe again keeps the belt safe but how much can Abe take? Evil laughs and he fetches his favorite chairs from under the ring. Evil goes back to Takagi, brings him around the way and throws some knees. Evil puts one chair around Takagi’s head then has the other, CHAIRSHOT HOME RUN!
Evil smirks and goes back into the ring while Red Shoes checks on Takagi. Takagi says he’s okay to continue so the fans rally up. Evil paces and pretends this cheering is for him while his boys watch Takagi. Red Shoes returns to the ring to start a ring count. Takagi drags himself up, grabs at the chairs Evil used, but they’re falling apart as they are. Takagi throws them under the ring and gets in after Evil. Evil kicks and whips Takagi to the bare corner! The Bullet Club just love exposing the blue corner, no matter what match it is. Evil gets Takagi up but Takagi throws forearms back! Takagi fights through the pain but Evil knees low and throws him out.
Evil distracts Red Shoes and the HOT boys torture Takagi! They throw Takagi in, Evil covers, but Red Shoes knows the shenanigans were being had so he refuses to count! Fans cheer Red Shoes asserting his authority, so Evil puts Takagi in a cobra twist! Dick reaches out and that starts the chain! Takagi endures, Red Shoes realizes something is up, but Dick lets go. Evil keeps on the hold, HOT claims innocence, but then they form a chain of Evil to Dick to Sho to Yujiro to the railing! Red Shoes sees that and kicks Dick’s hand! Evil also gets hit from that and he lets Takagi go! Red Shoes put HOT on notice as Evil gets Takagi up. FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!
Evil grows annoyed but the fans cheer and Red Shoes stands his ground. Evil kicks Takagi to a corner, taunts him, then slaps him around. Evil wrenches an arm, whips but Takagi blocks by holding ropes! Evil tries again but Takagi still holds ropes. Evil CHOPS, whips but Takagi reverses. Evil stops from hitting the bare buckles, Takagi runs in, and Evil sends him into the buckles! Takagi staggers and Evil runs, into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKON feint and DDT! Fans fire up as both men are down! Takagi gets the fans to rally up again as he rises in a corner. Evil slowly rises, Takagi runs in and rallies with big shoulders! Scoop SLAM and a BACK SENTON! Cover, TWO!
Takagi fires up and fans rally behind him again. Takagi drags Evil up but Dick gets on the apron. Red Shoes tells him to hop down but Evil’s gotten away to ropes. Takagi CHOPS Evil, whips him to ropes but Evil holds ropes to bail out. Takagi is annoyed but he goes out after Evil and clamps right onto him. But now the HOT boys just attack right in front of Red Shoes! Red Shoes reprimands Sho and Yujiro but Dick barges in to whip. Takagi reverses and sends Dick into railing! Takagi then fireman’s carries and SNAKE EYES Evil off the apron! Fans fire up as Takagi tells Abe to move aside! Abe does, taking the belt with him, and Takagi TOSSES Evil into the timekeeper’s area!
Takagi drags Evil up and smacks him off the timekeeper’s table! Takagi makes sure Evil takes a seat, then makes sure Dick is right next to him. Takagi bounces both their heads off the table then climbs up over them to go back to ringside. Sho and Yujiro attack again! They mug Takagi but he RAMS them into Evil and Dick!! Karma from all those times Evil’s done that to Abe! Fans rally up and Red Shoes finally EJECTS the House of Torture! The Young Lions usher out Sho and Yujiro, and even Dick now that he’s back up! They protest but Red Shoes says he’ll disqualify this if he has to! House of Torture leaves and now things are truly 1v1 between Takagi and Evil!
Takagi fetches Evil while Abe gets a new timekeeper’s area. Takagi knees Evil low, brings him around the way and into the ring. Fans cheer as this match continues properly! Takagi gets fans rallying up again and he stomps Evil around. Takagi stands Evil up, Evil swings on Takagi but into backslide hooks! Evil fights the Gory Especial and tries to back Takagi into the bare corner! Takagi blocks that, elbows Evil away, but Evil kicks and whips. Takagi reverses, Evil breaks free but Takagi CLUBS Evil’s clothesline away! Takagi gets the Gory Especial now, for NOSHIGAMI! Fans fire up while Takagi catches his breath. Takagi then reels Evil into a WHEELBARROW GERMAN!
Takagi grits his teeth as fans rally back up. Takagi sits Evil up, runs and SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Takagi gets the “OI! OI! OI!” claps going and powers up. Takagi drags Evil up, pump handles but Evil throws elbows. Takagi knees low, runs, but Evil shoves Red Shoes in the way! Takagi stops, but Evil kicks low! Evil suplexes Takagi up and puts him on Red Shoes’ shoulder! MAGIC KILLER! Everyone is down, Red Shoes included, but fans rally back up. Takagi goes to a corner, Evil slowly rises, and Red Shoes also slowly stands. Evil runs in to clothesline Takagi! Evil hoists Takagi up to the top rope, climbs up to join him, and SUPERPLEXES!
Both men are down again and writhing from that landing as fans fire up! Evil gets the legs, steps through, SHARPSHOOTER! Takagi endures as Evil sits deep! Fans rally as Takagi refuses to quit! Takagi powers up and manages to get the ropebreak! Red Shoes calls for the break, but Evil holds on until the count of 4 for maximum damage. Evil sits in a corner and watches Takagi writhe while fans still rally. Evil drags Takagi up, fireman’s carries, and DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives and Evil is beside himself! Evil argues with Red Shoes but Red Shoes says that was a fair count.
Evil stands up, slashes the throat and says he’ll finish this! Spin and EVER- NO! Takagi fights the STO to fireman’s carry, but Evil slips out to shove! Takagi stops himself from hitting those bare buckles, he runs at Evil but Evil still wants his STO! Takagi fights that again so Evil shoves him into the buckles! But Takagi comes right back to LARIAT!! Fans are thunderous as both men are down this time! Takagi catches his breath, crawls over to Evil and stands him back up. Dick sneaks back to ringside and Evil rakes Takagi’s eyes! Red Shoes reprimands, Evil lets off and he stands on Takagi’s head as he talks trash.
Takagi fights up and snarls but Evil gives toying kicks again. Takagi eggs Evil on, blocks a kick and fires off boxing elbows! Takagi DECKS Evil as he tops it off! Takagi roars and fans fire up with him as he drags Evil up. Fans get louder as Takagi pump handles but Dick makes his presence known! Takagi DECKS Dick, blocks Everything to pump handle, MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, Dick drags Red Shoes out and throws him down!! Dick gets something and then jumps into the ring! Dick stomps away on Takagi and uses the SPOILER CHOKER! Takagi fights it off as he has before, and then fireman’s carries Dick for a- Wait, Yujiro is back!? PIMP CANE SHOT!!
Yujiro sits Takagi up, PIMP JUICE!! Takagi is down and fans are stunned! But with House of Torture getting Red Shoes up, fans rally back up. Evil crawls over to Takagi and covers, but Red Shoes is reluctant. Red Shoes does count, TWO!! Takagi kicks out so hard, Evil knocks into Red Shoes! Dick gets in to use the SPOILER CHOKER again!! Takagi snarls but he’s caught this time! Takagi is fading, Evil has a chair, but here comes BUSHI! Bushi slides in to dropkick the chair into Evil! Bushi ENZIGURIS Dick, then swings Yujiro into a BACKSTABBER! Bushi makes sure Takagi is okay, but here comes Sho! Sho drags Bushi up into a GERMAN SUPLEX!
Sho grabs the chair Evil brought in and smirks as he goes after Takagi. Sho sits Takagi up, takes aim, HEAD SHOT!! Another seat busted out of the frame! Sho then reels Takagi in, tucks the arms, but here comes Naito and Sanada! Fans cheer as the rest of LIJ is here but Sho gets them with chair jabs to the ribs! Sho runs but into Naito’s kick! Sanada dropkicks the legs out, Naito basement dropkicks Sho out! PLANCHA from Sanada for Sho! Dick grabs the title belt and brings it in! Naito kicks Dick first and kicks him out! Evil LOW BLOWS his former leader down! Naito flops out of the ring but fans rally up behind Takagi as Evil eyes the belt.
Evil picks up the belt, takes aim at Takagi and dares him to get up. Takagi does stand, but he ducks the belt shot and then blocks the second! Fans fire up as the two push each other! Takagi kicks low, thinks about the belt shot, but Evil and Red Shoes both tell him no! Takagi says he’s better than that, and hands the belt to Red Shoes. AND he blocks the low blow! Evil still tries Everything but Takagi shoves him away to ELBOW! JAB! YUKON LARIAT! Fans are electric and Takagi feeds off it! Takagi runs, to PUMPING BOMBER!! But Takagi isn’t done and he roars as he goes back for more! LIJ keeps HOT down, Takagi pump handles and torture racks, LAST OF THE DRAGONS!! Cover, Takagi wins!!
Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Championship)
Los Ingobernables de Japon thwarts the underhanded efforts of the one who betrayed them all! Hiromu also makes his way out to the ring now, still battered from his battle with Eagles. HOT gets out of there fast, will they try to get even with LIJ in the future? As for Takagi, he finally gets to celebrate his defense! LIJ joins him in this great moment, the one victory the team can hang their hats on tonight. Takagi gets fans to clap for “L I J! L I J!” as each member takes a corner and Takagi takes the mic.
“This isn’t just about me. This is about the last three weeks. These last three weeks have been tough. So that’s why I, Shingo Takagi, have something very important to say to everyone watching NJPW right now, both here and around the world. I can’t believe I caught COVID…” It has been three weeks since Takagi last wrestled, and he’d be lying if he wasn’t a bit unsure about things. But he had to fight to get rid of all that anxiety, and that is what drove him in this victory here tonight.
Takagi isn’t overlooking the virus in the least. But as pro-wrestlers, getting in the ring is a source of strength for all of them. And as such, Takagi had to show the pride of all of pro-wrestling and represent both this industry and this company with strength. Given the result, Takagi proved that to be true! This was big today. And from one man who made a comeback to another, Takagi formally welcomes Hiromu back to the ring! Hiromu, did you already get banged up again? Hiromu plays it off and Takagi knows Hiromu isn’t taking time off again so soon. LIJ shares a bit of a laugh there, and Takagi says that finally and once again, LIJ is all together again! Fans definitely cheer that.
Takagi encourages the fans to applaud more, and then says that he is far from done as IWGP Heavyweight Champion. There is a lot to do, a lot to be done, and he will keep going for many more miles. He grows a bit hoarse, so he tops it off with, “I have one last thing to say: that’s it.” Mic drop and pyro goes off to celebrate The Dragon staying at the top of NJPW’s mountain! LIJ regroups again for their photo op with the world champion! But with the G1 Climax just a couple weeks away, will the LIJ heavyweights be ready to run the gauntlet and chase The Dragon?
My Thoughts:
A great second day for NJPW’s weekend, and wow, all these matches went the distance. Again, sorry I skipped the Stardom dark match but this show was about 3 and a half hours even without it. The United Empire continues to build momentum, and I am really hoping either Aaron Henare can make a return, or they recruit new members to bolster their numbers again. Will Ospreay’s group is still young and small, but seeing how some sub-factions are starting to form, the United Empire feels like they’re getting lost in the mix. The Junior Tag titles changing hands was quite the surprise, but it was a great match, and of course Despy has a way to double down.
Skipping to the Junior Heavyweight singles title, Eagles defeating Hiromu was itself the status quo change. Eagles is moving up in the ranks and is showing he can be on the same level as the other big names. If they’re going to be doing these title matches at any time, it’ll be in October when the G1 has their final few events. For one, we’ve got good kayfabe reasons as to why Desperado and Eagles both need to heal up, since Desperado had that brilliant weighted boot boxing glove spot. As was pointed out on commentary, they could use the last two days, 10/20 and 10/21, to do these two Junior Heavyweight title matches, the tag titles first then singles title second.
Speaking of the G1, we got a great field here, and great to know Guerrillas of Destiny are on their way back to Japan with this. First-time entries like Chase Owens, Tanga Loa and Great-O-Khan are going to freshen some things up. We’ve seen a lot of times these last few years, guys like Bad Luck Fale being in it to take losses to the bigger names, great to see the torch being passed to the Crown Jewel here. But as I said for Kota Ibushi yesterday, I can’t see him being in his fourth straight finals, let alone winning three years in a row. Ibushi is great, but he technically should just have a match owed to him from Takagi so they can do that on the side as the finals give us a new winner.
The Triple Threat Tag was great just on how chaotic and constant the action was. Speaking of chaos, I figured Chaos’s Goto-Hashi weren’t winning since they and Ishii are still NEVER Openweight Six Man Champions. Therefore, Tekkers were either retaining or LIJ was adding to their collection. I still feel bad for Sanada that he hasn’t gotten much more than tag titles, so perhaps Tekkers retaining here is a sign Sanada can find his way towards gold of his own. Tanahashi being in the G1, I feel that is to set up US Championship stories rather than him getting to the finals, so I wouldn’t mind at least seeing something happen between Cold Skull and Ace in B Block to set up a title match.
And of course, Takagi VS Evil was wild in its own way. While NJPW doesn’t usually do stuff like this, thereby having some leeway, I do find it a bit much that Red Shoes didn’t throw House of Torture out sooner than he did. At the same time, I really appreciate them playing a long game on the many timekeeper table spots with Evil and Abe-san. Takagi gets payback for Abe, LIJ joins in to take the overbooking to its natural peak, and of course Takagi still wins. Takagi’s promo to end was very good, and I expect him to have a strong showing in the G1 for one of the few times where the champion looks poised to take it all and determine his own fate.
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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