NJPW PPV Results
Mitchell’s NJPW Power Struggle Results & Report! (11/6/21)
The Power Struggle returns!
The Road to WrestleKingdom 16 starts here!
NJPW begins the countdown to WrestleKingdom 16, and Power Struggle is on another level! Will Takagi VS Okada be changed to an entirely different match?
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
- NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Chaos VS House of Torture; House of Torture wins and becomes the new NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions.
- Provisional KOPW 2021 Amateur Wrestling Match: Toru Yano VS Great-O-Khan; Yano wins and retains the trophy.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Robbie Eagles VS El Desperado; Desperado wins and becomes the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.
- IWGP US Heavyweight Championship: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS KENTA; Kenta wins and becomes the new IWGP US Heavyweight Champion.
- WrestleKingdom Right to Challenge Contract: Kazuchika Okada VS Tama Tonga w/ Jado; Okada wins and retains the Right to Challenge.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS Zack Sabre Jr; Takagi wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Chaos VS House of Torture!
Tomohiro Ishii finished the G1 5-3, Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi both finished 3-6, but now they must focus on being a trio again! The King of Darkness, Tokyo Pimp and the traitorous High Voltage are coming for the titles, will Chaos #StayGold in Osaka?
The introductions are made, Bullet Club Low Sweet, and Chaos anticipates the sneak attack! They brawl and Ishii throws out Sho while Hashi throws out Evil and Goto throws out Yujiro Takahashi. The bell rings to get this on record as Ishii throws Sho into railing and Hashi POSTS Evil! Hashi also throws Dick Togo into the ring! He isn’t part of the match but Chaos knows better than to let tricky Dick off easy. Chaos surrounds Dick and hammer away on him! Fans cheer as Dick bails out. Ishii DECKS Evil, Hashi ROCKS Sho, and Goto keeps after Yujiro. Evil throws Ishii into railing but Goto bumps Yujiro off buckles and fires forearms.
Goto whips corner to corner, runs in and MURAMASA! But Yujiro BITES Goto’s hand to deny the bulldog! The ref reprimands, Yujiro clubs Goto’s arm. Yujiro whips Goto into the blue corner, and surprise! Evil takes the buckle pad off! Goto hits bare steel as the Bullet Club’s favorite strategy comes into play. Evil goes after Hashi on the outside while Yujiro stomps Goto down. Evil RAMS Hashi into the timekeeper’s area! Sho and Dick mug Ishii while Yujiro chokes Goto. The ref counts, Yujiro lets off and tags in Evil. Evil uses Sho’s old Chaos towel to choke Goto! The ref is busy with the outside shenanigans but Evil calls for the pin. Cover, TWO!
Evil is frustrated already but he tags Sho in. Sho digs his fingers into Goto’s face! The ref reprimands, Sho shifts to a chinlock. Goto endures, gets a ropebreak, and the ref counts. Sho lets off at 3, fans rally up for Goto but Sho slaps him around. Goto glares at Sho and eggs him on. Sho kicks, Goto CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Sho rakes eyes! The ref counts, Sho stops to run, but Goto follows. Sho dodges but Goto deflects the boot to LARIAT! Yujiro gets in to go after Goto and whip him to the corner! Goto stops himself and DECKS Evil! Goto sends Yujiro into the bare buckles then hits a BIG back suplex! Fans fire up as both men are down! Hot tag to Ishii!
The Stone Pitbull runs into forearms and a KICK from Sho, but he just ROCKS Sho with a forearm! Ishii whips Sho, Sho reverses but Ishii comes back to run him over! Ishii kicks Sho around and into a corner. Ishii stomps Sho, slaps him around, but Sho rakes eyes and fires off forearms! Sho sits Ishii down to dig both boots in! The ref counts, Sho stops at 4. Sho eggs Ishii on and fans rally up. Ishii stands, slaps Sho then puts him in the corner to CHOP! And CHOP! Those are high shots already! The ref warns Ishii but Ishii tells him to shut up as he CHOPS Sho again! Ishii drags Sho up and suplexes but Sho blocks to wrench and waistlock.
Ishii elbows out, runs but things speed up. Sho goes the other way, but Ishii blocks the spear! Ishii suplexes, but Sho resists again to wrench the fingers! Sho wrenches the arm, KICKS away on the leg and chest, but Ishii blocks. Sho rakes eyes again, the ref reprimands and Sho whips. Ishii reverses, Sho ducks and dodges to ram Ishii. Ishii rebounds and dodges Sho, only for Evil to get a cheap shot in! Sho SPEARS Ishii down! Fans fire up as both men are down, but Sho tags Evil. Evil kicks at Ishii, drags him up, but blocks the kick to give it to the ref! Ishii blocks Evil’s kick to spin him for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Both men are down, Evil gets to a corner. Ishii crawls, hot tag to Hashi!
The Headhunter runs in to clothesline Evil! Then he shoves Evil out to go up the corner, BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Hashi drags Evil up and reels him in, but Evil pulls hair! Hashi breaks free to fire off hands and a CHOP! Evil staggers, Hashi runs but Yujiro is there with the pimp cane! The ref warns Yujiro, Evil waistlocks Hashi but Hashi elbows free. Evil grabs the ref to keep him from seeing Dick trip Hashi! Goto gets in but Evil mule kicks him down. Yujiro gets in, he and Evil double whip, but Goto ducks the double clothesline to shove Evil into Yujiro! Goto then headlocks Evil, but Evil powers out to send Goto into the bare buckles!
The House of Torture regroups, and they mug Hashi. Sho and Evil double whip Hashi corner to corner, then Evil clotheslines! Sho adds his clothesline, then Yujiro BOOTS! Yujiro reels Hashi in, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Evil drags Hashi up as fans rally up, and Evil fireman’s carries for DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, Ishii breaks it in time! Sho goes after Ishii and kicks him out of the ring. Sho stomps Ishii at the ramp while fans rally back up. Evil slashes his throat and drags Hashi up again. Evil spins Hashi but Hashi denies the STO! Hashi kicks but Evil blocks and rakes eyes! Evil throws Hashi’s leg into the ref and down he goes! Dick gets in, he and Evil give Hashi MAGIC KILLER!
Evil calls for the ref, cover, TWO!! Hashi survives and Evil is furious! The fans fire up but Evil drags Hashi back up. Another slash of the throat and Evil reels Hashi in. Hashi wrenches out of the STO! Evil rakes eyes again, kicks low and whips, but Hashi reverses to send Evil into the bare buckles! SUPERKICK! Dick gets on the apron, Hashi throws Evil into him! Schoolboy with bridge, but Sho and Yujiro both get in to break the cover! Goto and Ishii go after them, but Sho and Yujiro whip. Ishii and Goto reverse, fireman’s carries and STEREO USHIGOROSHIS! Fans fire up with Chaos as Hashi aims at Evil. Hashi runs, but Evil catches the lariat! EVERYTHING-
No, Hashi fights out and gets around to DRAGON SUPLEX Evil! Hashi runs and LARIATS! Fans fire up with Hashi again as he gets Evil up. KUMAGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! Evil survives but Hashi fires up more! Hashi drags Evil back up, half nelson and pump handle, but Evil grabs the ref! They end up by the ropes, Dick uses the SPOILER CHOKER! But Hashi powers out and DECKS Dick! Yujiro gets in, but Hashi ducks the pimp cane! Hashi feeds Yujiro to Goto’s LARIAT! Sho gets in and JAMS Goto with a chair! Ishii gets in to DECK Sho! Evil shoves the ref at Ishii, but Ishii pushes the ref aside. Evil runs in, Ishii waistlocks, but Evil gets away as Hashi runs in, and Hashi LARIATS Ishii!
Evil rakes Hashi’s eyes, runs, but Hashi moves and Goto fireman’s carries! Evil slips out but Goto dodges, SUPERKICK from Hashi! Goto fireman’s carries again, Hashi SUPERKICKS Hashi into the USHIGOROSHI, and Ishii adds a SLIDING LARIAT! Chaos knocks Sho and Yujiro off the apron, then Goto-Hashi get Evil with dragon sleeper and leg lift, SHOTOU!! Cover, Dick drags the ref out!! Goto glares at Dick, but Sho and Yujiro get in to DOUBLE LOW BLOW Goto-Hashi down! Ishii runs in to DOUBLE LARIAT Sho and Yujiro down! Ishii drags Evil up but Dick uses the SPOILER CHOKER! Dick chokes Ishii out, Sho gets in with a WRENCH!
Sho CLOBBERS Hashi with the wrench! Sho sneaks away and uses the wrench to choke Goto! Evil drags Hashi up, reels him in, EVERYTHING IS EVIL!! Cover, HOUSE OF TORTURE WINS!!
Winners: The House of Torture, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)
The dastardly King of Darkness and his cohorts dethroned Goto-Hashi-Ishii! And to add on, CANE SHOT for Goto! And then they CUT the Chaos towel up and throw away the pieces! Sho has the wrench again, and he takes aim at Goto, only for YOH to return!! Yoh fires off on Sho, Yujiro, and SUPERKICKS Evil! Yoh rains down furious forearms onto Sho! Sho runs away before Yoh can do any more, but it’s clear there’s no running from his past! Will Direct Drive find a way to avenge himself and Chaos for what High Voltage has done to them?
Provisional KOPW 2021 ???: Toru Yano VS Great-O-Khan!
The Producer definitely upset the Dominator in each of their past encounters, so now the KOPW trophy is on the line! The fans had the choice, and they didn’t want the #KissMyFeet match, they went with the AMATEUR WRESTLING MATCH! As such, two referees and Yuji Nagata will be the judges for this match, to make sure things are done properly! Will Blue Justice make sure both Yano and Khan keep this one clean?
Young Lions help demonstrate amateur wrestling for the sake of fans perhaps not as familiar, and to make clear how the point system will work. After the explanations, Khan makes his entrance, and he’s wearing a wrestling singlet! And he even as Aaron Henare as his cornerman! Yano then makes his entrance, and he’s in his own singlet! The introductions are made, the trophy is raised, and we see these two go back to wrestling’s roots!
The bell rings and the two shake hands. They circle, feel things out, tie up, and time is ticking. Yano holds off Khan’s attempts at his legs, they tie up again, and Khan keeps pushing the offense. They end up in the ropes, the ref whistles and the two break. Fans cheer the opening exchange and the two go again. Yano goes for a leg but Khan holds him off now. Khan tries for a takeover but Yano holds that off to turn things around and put Khan on the ropes. The ref calls for a break and Nagata awards a point to Yano! The two reset, tie up, Khan gets around but Yano gets away. Last minute of this first period, Yano shoots in but Khan holds him off!
Khan and Yano are in a deadlock, the ref calls for a reset. They go again, Khan works to fake Yano out and then shoots in low to get the waistlock! That’s two points! Khan keeps the waistlock, tries to roll Yano, but Yano resists! They end up in the ropes, but Khan still gets the two points! He’s got a 4-1 lead with just 20 seconds left. The clock is paused as they reset, and they go again. Yano tries but we’re under 10 seconds, and then time is up!
Yano: 1; Khan: 4
The cornermen help refresh Khan and Yano and Henare says Khan has Yano on speed. Yano may be down but he keeps cool as the second period begins.
Khan and Yano tie up right away, fighting for control. Yano pushes the issue and they end up on ropes. Point for Yano, he’s already begun his comeback. They go again, another clinch but then Yano fights to a facelock. Khan keeps himself up with both hands and then slips out. Yano holds off the attempt at a leg, and the two go again. Khan stays on the offensive and puts Yano on the ropes. That’s a point for Khan to keep this at a three point advantage. They tie up again, Yano slips around but can’t get the waistlock. Khan and Yano circle, Yano goes after Khan but Khan slips away. Fans rally up and the two tie up. Khan shoots in, Yano blocks but Khan slips away again.
Last minute of the period, they’re in another clinch, but Yano gets a THROW! That’s FOUR points and Yano’s going for a back mount! Khan gets to ropes before Yano can turn him over. But Yano has the lead as we only have 30 seconds in this round! Yano and Khan go again, Khan gets aggressive but Yano holds him off. Khan keeps trying to shoot in but Yano holds him back with a facelock. And that’s the round!
Yano: 6; Khan: 5
Fans are fired up and Khan is frustrated, as Yano is declared the winner!
Winner: Toru Yano (still provisional Mr. KOPW 2021)
Khan is a sore loser and attacks from behind! Henare attacks Yano’s Young Lion, and Nagata gets up on the apron, only for Khan to Mongolian Chop him down! The straps come down as Khan and Henare stomp Yano. Khan drags Yano up and whips him corner to corner! Then he runs in to clothesline! Henare adds a SHINING WIZARD! Henare and Khan BOOT ROUNDHOUSE COMBO Yano down! Khan throws off the sweatband to let his ponytail out, and Henare drags Yano up to Khan can clamp on the iron claw! ELIMINATOR SLAM! Nagata gets in and runs Khan and Henare off! Blue Justice stands up against the United Empire, but will he and Yano be able to avenge this disrespect?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Robbie Eagles VS El Desperado!
In quite the surprise, the Sniper of the Skies and Tiger Mask took the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships from Suzuki-Gun on the Road to Power Struggle. That makes Eagles the newest Mr. Junior Heavyweight! But will he be able to stay a double champion? Or will the Rogue Luchador redeem himself and take back one of those belts?
The introductions are made, the singles title is raised, and we see how high Eagles can really fly!
Fans already rally for “EA-GLE-SU! EA-GLE-SU!” at the bell. Eagles and Desperado slowly circle, approach and tie up. Desperado waistlocks, Eagles switches and trips Desperado then runs. Desperado stays low but Eagles stops to jump up! But Desperado rolls and the knee drop hits nothing but mat! Desperado bails out and Eagles says he was that close. Desperado gets in around the way, circles with Eagles again and fans rally. They tie up, Eagles wrenches to a wristlock, but Desperado pokes Eagles in the eye! Desperado wrenches as the ref reprimands, but Eagles rolls and rolls and handsprings to wrench back.
Eagles gets the headlock, Desperado fights up and powers out to reel Eagles into a headlock of his own. Eagles powers out but Desperado runs him over! Fans cheer, things speed up and Eagles hurdles. Desperado jumps over, comes back and leaping arm-drags Eagles out! Eagles gets to the apron, shoulders back in then slingshots up and over to come back and springboard FLYING arm-drag! Desperado is sent out, and Eagles builds speed, but he fakes Desperado out to springboard and flip back. Eagles double guns and blows them out while Desperado gets frustrated. Desperado gets on the apron but Eagles dropkicks him down!
Eagles builds speed, baseball slides but Desperado ducks under to kick low! Desperado runs Eagles at the corner, but Eagles goes up and around to mule kick Desperado back! Fans cheer that agility, and Eagles runs, but is popped up to the apron. Desperado blocks the mule kick to trip Eagles up! Desperado builds speed to SOMERSAULT TOPE! Direct hit at the ramp and fans cheer! Desperado mockingly asks Robbie what happened, and then drags him up. Desperado has media move aside so he can POST Eagles this time! Desperado leaves Eagles behind but fans rally up. Eagles is back into the ring as the count starts, but Desperado is after him.
Eagles throws body shots and a chop, but Desperado shrugs it off. Eagles chops again, but Desperado CHOPS Eagles down! Desperado stands on Eagles’ head, lets off as the ref reprimands, and then drags Eagles up. Desperado reels Eagles in, then suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Desperado stomps Eagles down but fans rally up. Desperado goes after a leg, stands on the knee, but lets off as the ref counts. Desperado comes back to stand on Eagles’ leg again! The ref counts, Desperado lets off at 4, and he brings Eagles up to snapmare him down. Desperado traps one arm in a hammerlock and then has a chinlock. Desperado grinds Eagles’ neck but Eagles endures as fans rally again.
Eagles reaches out but Desperado traps that arm in a chicken wing. Desperado pulls hair, but the ref reprimands. Eagles kicks and scrambles and gets a ropebreak with a leg! Desperado lets Eagles go, to stomp the bad leg again! Desperado digs his boots into Eagles at the ropes again but the ref counts. Desperado lets off, stalks Eagles at the ropes, then drags him up to reel him in. Eagles knees free of the shin breaker then manages a RANA! Desperado gets mad but he runs into a WHEEL KICK! Eagles manages to kip up! Fans rally behind him as he KICKS and KICKS and KICKS Desperado! Eagles runs, but Desperado ducks, only for Eagles to come back with a BLINDSIDE LARIAT!
Desperado bails out but Eagles builds speed and DIVES! A somersault tope of his own, and Eagles lands on his feet! Fans fire up and rally behind Eagles as he hobbles back to Desperado. Eagles gets Desperado up, puts him in the ring and aims. Springboard and missile dropkick to the leg! Eagles gets the leg, rolls, hooks Desperado up, RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Desperado screams in pain, Eagles thrashes the legs, but Desperado crawls and reaches out for the ROPEBREAK! The fans are fired up and the ref counts the break. Eagles lets Desperado go and Desperado flounders to a corner. Eagles KICKS the bad leg, then runs corner to corner to DOUBLE KNEE!
Eagles rolls back but Desperado BOOTS back! But Eagles uses a tiger feint to kick out the bad leg! Eagles runs corner to corner again to METEORA! Desperado flops, Eagles jackknife bridges, TWO! Desperado is still in this but fans rally up. Eagles gets fans clapping, “Robbie, Robbie, Robbie! OI OI OI!” Eagles then gets Desperado up, cravats but no sliced bread! Desperado shoves Eagles away, blocks a boot but not the second! Eagles runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! STRETCH MUFFLER! Desperado thrashes the leg, reaches out, but Eagles keeps Desperado from getting his arms.
Desperado keeps after the leg, Eagles clubs Desperado but Desperado works harder! Eagles crawls and reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Desperado lets go, but then drags Eagles from the ropes for a GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Eagles clutches the leg while Desperado gets his own moving. Desperado rolls Eagles to GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO!! Eagles survives but Desperado fires up! Desperado reels Eagles into underhooks, but no Pinche! Eagles slips out to SLICED BREAD! But the bad leg bothers Eagles, he can’t make a cover! Eagles crawls over, cover, TWO! Desperado gets up, Eagles SUPERKICKS him down!
Eagles goes to the corner, climbs up and aims, 450 SPLASH onto knees!! Double-edged for Desperado but fans fire up as both men are down. Eagles crawls, Desperado hobbles up, and Desperado goes back for Eagles. Eagles throws forearms but Desperado scowls. Desperado ROCKS Eagles with a forearm in return! Eagles ROCKS Desperado, Desperado ROCKS Eagles! The forearms keep going back and forth and fans rally up as they pick up speed. Desperado wobbles, Eagles throws more forearms, but Desperado kicks the bad leg out! Eagles kicks Desperado’s bad leg out from below!
Eagles KICKS Desperado in the chest again and again! Desperado blocks one, reels Eagles into a fireman’s carry, pops him up, but Eagles POISON-RANAS! And runs to FLYING GAMANGIRI! Cover, TWO!! Desperado survives again but Eagles keeps his focus. Eagles rolls Desperado and picks him up, but Desperado denies the Turbo Backpack to suplex. Eagles fights out, victory rolls, and wants the leg! Desperado kicks him low first! Desperado gets Eagles in the inverted Gory Especial but Eagles slips out to ROUNDHOUSE, SUPERKICK and PE- NO! Desperado ducks the enziguri to get the leg and roll! STRETCH MUFFLER! But Eagles rolls it to a cradle, TWO!!
Desperado runs into a schoolboy with bridge! TWO, LOCO MONO!! Eagles is down but Desperado fires up! Desperado goes for the inverted Gory Especial, GUITARRA DE LA MUERTA! Cover, TWO!?! Eagles survives and Desperado is shocked! Desperado slashes the throat and vows to end this. He hobbles over, drags Eagles up and underhooks, PINCHE- RANA! Eagles has a cover, TWO!! KNEE DROP to Desperado’s bad leg! Fans are thunderous as Eagles drags Desperado and kicks away on the bad leg. Eagles steps through, Desperado schoolboys! TWO, to NUMERO DOS!! Eagles endures and reaches out with only one limb free!
Desperado turns and rolls him away, and gets BOTH arms for NUMERO DOS PLUS!! Eagles endures, and verbally quits! Desperado wins!!
Winner: El Desperado, by submission (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)
Desperado takes back the singles title! Eagles could not keep going with the weight of both belts, but will he be back to try again? Or is Desperado going to be on to bigger and better on the road to WrestleKingdom?
IWGP US Heavyweight Championship: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS KENTA!
The Ace and Fang Revived have some history when it comes to this title, and their rivalry looks to leave a new mark on the belt’s history. Will the Once in a Century Talent stay golden? Or will Bullet Club leave Osaka with another prize around their waists?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Kenta takes a bite out of Tanahashi!
Fans already rally with “Let’s Go, Ace! Let’s Go, Ace!” but Kenta takes over with his clap rhythm. Tanahashi gets fans back on “Let’s Go, Ace!” but Kenta bails out. Tanahashi refuses to be trolled and the “Let’s Go, Ace!” continues. Kenta gets on the apron and claps, so fans join his clapping. Kenta gets back in the ring, circles with Tanahashi, and they tie up. Tanahashi puts Kenta on ropes, the ref calls for the ropebreak and Tanahashi lets off. Kenta bails out again so “Let’s Go, Ace!” returns. Kenta gets back on the apron, takes his time walking through the ropes, and circles with Tanahashi again.
Tanahashi and Kenta tie up, are in a deadlock, and Tanahashi puts him on ropes. Kenta turns things around, but Tanahashi turns it back. Kenta pulls hair to turn it around but Tanahashi pulls hair, too! The ref calls for the break and Tanahashi lets off to air guitar. Then he tosses it to Kenta! Kenta turns it into an air violin? He tosses it back to Tanahashi then kicks low! Kenta headlocks, Tanahashi pries at the hold and gets a top wristlock, to a headlock of his own! Fans cheer the exchange, but Kenta powers up, only for Tanahashi to hold tight! Kenta rolls to a cover, TWO! Tanahashi keeps the headlock, Kenta endures the grind, and fans again rally, “Let’s Go, Ace!”
Kenta pulls hair, throws body shots then whips. Tanahashi reverses and arm-drags Kenta to then dropkick him down! Kenta bails out, Tanahashi PLANCHAS! Direct hit and fans fire up with Tanahashi! Tanahashi hops up on the apron and fans clap along, “Let’s Go, Ace!” Tanahashi skins the cat and fans cheer the agility. Kenta is annoyed, so he just grabs the US title belt! Kenta wants to run away with it? Tanahashi pursues Kenta up the ramp and knocks him down! Tanahashi brings Kenta up, Kenta elbows him away. The ref calls for them to get in the ring, Tanahashi runs at Kenta but into a POWERSLAM to the ramp! Kenta gets the belt again and goes back to ringside.
The ring count starts, Kenta is in at 4 of 20 and he wants Tanahashi to be counted out! The count reaches 10, Tanahashi rises, and Kenta already holds the belt up like it’s his. The count reaches 15, Kenta wants things to speed up. Tanahashi stands at 17 and hobbles over, and manages to slide in at 19! Kenta is furious, he gives the belt back to the ref, but that’s all a ploy so he can untie a buckle pad a la Yano! Kenta drags Tanahashi up and whips him into the bare buckles! The ref reprimands but Kenta claims it was like that before. Kenta rains down fists, but lets off as the ref reprimands the closed fists. Kenta turns Tanahashi for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!
Kenta clamps on with headscissors and squeezes tight! Tanahashi endures, turns Kenta over, but Kenta turns it back. But they’re by the ropes and Tanahashi gets a ropebreak with a foot! Kenta lets off and drags Tanahashi up. Tanahashi fires off hands, Kenta hits back and hits a DDT! Cover, TWO! Kenta argues the count but the ref says that was fair. Kenta wraps on a chinlock and grinds Tanahashi down. Tanahashi endures, fights up, throws body shots, but Kenta throws him down by his hair! Kenta claps, fans join in and Kenta mockingly asks Tanahashi what’s wrong. Kenta gives toying kicks in the corner but Tanahashi grits his teeth and fires back!
Kenta KICKS Tanahashi into the corner, eggs Tanahashi on, and Tanahashi fires off more forearms. Kenta BOOTS Tanahashi and Tanahashi wobbles. Tanahashi still elbows back and goes up to CROSSBODY Kenta down! Fans rally as both men stir. Tanahashi fires off fast hands, whips Kenta to ropes but Kenta reverses, only to get FLYING FOREARMS! Tanahashi fires up, brings Kenta up and scoop SLAMS him into a drop zone. Tanahashi goes up, second rope SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up behind Tanahashi and he runs, but Kenta BOOTS first! Tanahashi tries again, gets another BOOT, then runs into a POWERSLAM! Fans fire up as both men are down again!
Kenta stands, drags Tanahashi up, waistlocks, but Tanahashi elbows out. Tanahashi runs but into boots! Kenta goes up, reels Tanahashi in, TORNADO HOTSHOT! Kenta climbs, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Kenta argues the count again then drags Tanahashi back up. Fans still rally but Kenta puts Tanahashi through ropes, but Tanahashi fights. Tanahashi gets the leg, DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Kenta flops out of the ring and fans rally harder for Tanahashi. Tanahashi goes up the corner, but Kenta goes up to ROCK him first! Tanahashi tumbles to the apron, tries to skin the cat but Kenta dropkicks him down first!
Kenta drags Tanahashi up and whips him at railing! Then he BOOTS Tanahashi up and over! Tanahashi is in no man’s land but fans still rally up. Kenta goes looking under the ring while the ref checks on Tanahashi. Kenta finds what he’s looking for: a TABLE! Tanahashi crawls back to ringside but Kenta’s set the table up already. Kenta fetches Tanahashi but the ref tells him to stop. Kenta POSTS Tanahashi instead, and brings him around towards where he put the table. Kenta puts Tanahashi on the apron, climbs up to join him and fireman’s carries! Tanahashi holds ropes, throws elbows on Kenta, then turns things around with a fireman’s carry of his own!
Kenta holds the ropes now, gets into the ring but Tanahashi ROKCS him. Tanahashi goes to shoulder but Kenta dodges to KICK and KICK Tanahashi. Kenta brings Tanahashi out on the ropes, BRAIN KILLER! Both men are down from the draping DDT but fans rally up. Kenta crawls, Tanahashi rolls to a corner, Kenta runs in corner to corner to BOOT! Tanahashi sits down, Kenta goes back corner to corner, HESITATION DROPKICK! Kenta fires up and climbs the corner, DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives the coup de grace but Kenta slashes the throat. Kenta then considers the table. Kenta brings Tanahashi around, throws him back out, and follows after.
Kenta CLUBS Tanahashi, puts him on the table, rains down fists, but the ref reprimands him. Kenta gets back in the ring, to then climb the corner! Tanahashi falls off the table so Kenta has to hop down. DIVING STOMPS from the apron! Kenta drags Tanahashi up and brings him around to whip. Tanahashi reverses to SLINGBLADE to the floor! Fans fire up again as both men are down! Tanahashi gets up, drags Kenta up, and brings him back to the table! Tanahashi puts Kenta on the table, rains down forearms, then goes into the ring. Tanahashi goes up top as fast as he can but the ref tells him not to! Tanahashi doesn’t care, he SUPER HIGH FLY FLOWS through the table!!!
Fans are thunderous as Kenta and Tanahashi are down in the wreckage! The ref checks and somehow, both men are okay to continue! The ring count starts, Tanahashi writhes and manages to get up at 7 of 20. Kenta stirs, Tanahashi drags him up at 13 and puts him in at 15. Kenta manages to stand and Tanahashi runs, to SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO!! Kenta survives, even after all that, but Tanahashi goes up top fast! HIGH FLY ATTACK! But he isn’t done there, he goes right back up top! HIGH FLY FLOW onto knees! Kenta saves himself at the last second! Tanahashi gets back up first, but Kenta drags him into an omoplata! GAME OVER CROSSFACE!
Tanahashi flails, reaches and gets a ROPEBREAK! Kenta doesn’t let go but the ref forces him to. Fans rally up again, Tanahashi gets to ropes but Kenta runs in to KNEE him in the back! Kenta runs and runs to BUSAIKU KNEE! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi is still in this but Kenta fires up! Kenta drags Tanahashi back up, fireman’s carries, GO TO- NO! Tanahashi blocks for a DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi gets the leg again, GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Then Tanahashi ties up the legs, but Kenta resists the turnover! Tanahashi keeps trying, Kenta throws him into bare buckles! Schoolboy, TWO!!! Tanahashi survives and Kenta can’t believe it!
Kenta gets up, aims from a corner and Tanahashi stands, BUSAIKU KNEE! Cover, TWO! Kenta roars, drags Tanahashi back up, fireman’s carry, GO TO- SLINGBLADE!! Tanahashi counters at the last second and fans fire up again! Tanahashi runs but Kenta redirects him into bare buckles! Fireman’s carry, GO TO SLEEP!! Cover, KENTA WINS!
Winner: Kenta, by pinfall (NEW IWGP US Heavyweight Champion)
Bullet Club gets another belt! Kenta puts Tanahashi down, is there a new Ace in NJPW?
WrestleKingdom Right to Challenge Contract: Kazuchika Okada VS Tama Tonga w/ Jado!
If you’re wondering where Right to Challenge briefcase is and why the classic IWGP Heavyweight Championship belt is back, The Rainmaker is making a point of what he’s planning. When Okada wins the top title at WrestleKingdom 16, he’s reinstating the belt he became synonymous with in NJPW. However, that’s if he can avenge his one loss in the G1 Climax 31! Will the Good Bad Guy shock the world again and take Okada’s title shot from him?
The introductions are made, the symbolic belt is raised, and we’ll see who has the right to challenge the top champion!
Tama and Okada rush each other at the bell, but Tama ROCKS Okada with big forearms! Tama CLUBS Okada, but Okada throws forearms back. Okada whips, Tama reverses but Okada swings. Tama dodges, but then Okada dodges and comes back, GUN- No, Okada holds that off! Okada want the arm but Tama arm-drags him off. Tama runs in but is put on the apron and Okada DECKS him. Okada runs but Tama moves, so Okada rolls back and shows off a bit. Fans cheer and Okada dares Tama to come back. Tama paces around the outside, slides back in but Okada blocks his kick. Okada CLUBS the leg, ROCKS Tama with a forearm, then bumps Tama off buckles.
Okada throws back elbows in the corner but Tama shoves Okada. Okada ROCKS Tama with another forearm, then he brings Tama around to hit a NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE, but Okada keeps cool. Okada wraps Tama up in a straitjacket stretch and fans rally as Tama endures. Okada keeps on the arms but Tama reaches with his legs. Tama scoots and gets the ropebreak! Fans cheer, Okada lets off, and Tama throws body shots. Okada eggs Tama on, Tama throws shoulders and body shots. Okada knees low, snapmares and sits Tama up to run and basement dropkick! Fans rally up as Okada slowly stalks Tama.
Okada brings Tama up, scoops and SLAMS him, then goes to the apron to slingshot, but Tama moves! Okada rolls through the senton and is put on the apron. He ROCKS Tama, but Tama GUNSTUN HOTSHOTS! Fans fire up as Okada falls to the floor. Tama goes out, stomps Okada, then goes into the ring. Red Shoes starts the ring count and it reaches 10 of 20 before Okada gets up. Tama gets impatient, goes out and snap suplexes Okada to the floor! Red Shoes goes out to check on Okada, he’s alright to continue, and fans rally as the ring count restarts. The count reaches 10 of 20 again before Okada sits up. Okada crawls at 14, stands at 17, and is in at 18!
Tama rains down rights but Red Shoes reprimands about closed fists. Tama scoops, SLAMS and drops an elbow! Then another! Then a JUMPING elbow! Cover, TWO! Tama paces, fans rally up for “O-KA-DA!” and Tama sits Okada up to CLUB him in the chest. Tama wrenches the neck, traps an arm in a top wristlock then clubs away on Okada more! Tama lets off and paces before he drags Okada up into a chinlock. Tama digs his knee into Okada’s back but Okada endures. Tama pulls back but Okada fights up and throws body shots. Tama shifts to a full SLEEPER and he drags Okada down into body scissors! Okada endures and gets out of the scissors, but Tama turns him from the ropes.
Okada sits up, fans rally up more, but Tama moves around to lean on Okada. Tama thrashes Okada around but Okada fights up. Okada throws body shots, runs, but Tama wraps on another sleeper! Tama brings Okada back down, but still Okada endures. Okada fights back up as fans rally, and he throws elbows. Okada is free, he ROCKS Tama then runs, but Tama follows to get a sleeper! But Okada slips right out and ROCKS Tama in the back! Then BOOTS Tama down! Fans fire up as both men are down and stirring. Okada stands up, Tama follows, and Okada brings him around for forearms.
Okada whips, Tama reverses but Okada ducks and dodges to CLOBBER Tama with a back elbow! Fans fire up and Okada whips Tama to the corner. Tama boots back, runs in but into a FLAPJACK! That was a big one! Cover, TWO! Okada keeps cool as Tama rolls away to a corner. Okada storms over, blocks the boot and ROCKS Tama with a forearm. Okada puts Tama up top to dropkick him down to the floor! Fans fire up again as Okada rests in the ring. Fans rally up for “O-KA-DA!” and he slowly goes out the side. Okada stalks up behind Tama, brings him around and hits a DDT to the floor! Okada takes his time getting up and going into the ring while the count begins.
The count reaches 10 of 20 but Okada goes out to fetch Tama. Okada puts Tama back in the ring, then goes up the corner. Tama staggers back up, Okada leaps to missile dropkick! Cover, TWO! Okada gets Tama up, wrenches and puts on the MONEY CLIP! Okada wrangles Tama down the mat but Tama grabs at hair. Red Shoes reprimands, Tama crawls and reaches out to ropes, and gets the ropebreak with a foot! Okada lets go and Tama sputters as he bails out. Okada goes out after him again, CLUBS him on the back, and drags him around the way to the ramp. Okada scoops, but Tama fights out to TONGAN TWIST to the ramp!
Both men are down and fans fire up again. Tama gets up first, the ring count is 7 of 20 as he staggers about. Tama drags Okada up at 11, puts him in the ring at 15, and fans cheer as Tama wants to finish this properly. Tama steadies himself, runs corner to corner and hits a SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Okada is still in this but Tama drags him back up in a dragon sleeper, TONGAN TWIST! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives but Jado coaches Tama up. Fans rally, Tama drags Okada up, but Okada blocks the fireman’s carry. Okada CLUBS Tama, wrenches the arm, but Tama steps inside the Money Clip to RAM Okada into buckles. Tama whips, Okada reverses, MONEY CLIP!
Tama endures but he still drops to a knee. Fans rally, Tama throws body shots and then ROCKS Okada with a forearm. Okada dodges the super forearm to a BACK2BACKBREAKER! And MONEY CLIP!! Tama flails and kicks, reaches out, but Okada drags him back from the ropes! Okada leans on the hold, Tama still endures but he’s fading! Tama gets a second wind and gets the ropebreak! Okada lets go and both men catch their breath while fans cheer. Okada gets up, paces, then brings Tama back up. Okada scoops, SLAMS Tama in a drop zone, and goes up top. MACHO ELBOW! Fans fire up with the Rainmaker Pose!
Okada drags Tama up, wristlock ripcords but Tama dodges the lariat! And he fakes out Okada’s dropkick! Okada gets to a corner, Tama runs in but Okada pops him up to the Alabama lift! Tama fights off but Okada ROCKS him with a forearm! Okada runs in but Tama pops him up! ALABAMA SLAMA! Tama hurries to get Okada up, fireman’s carries and ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Tama hurries up top and SUPREME FLOW! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives and fans rally up. Tama stands, waits on Okada, GUN- NO! Okada ripcords, but Tama jumps again! Okada blocks Gun Stun to a gut wrench, but Tama slips off the back! GUN-
NO! Ripcord, but Tama ducks under, slips around, Half Hatch, BLOODY SUNDAY!! A shoutout to the Prince and fans are thunderous! Tama hears voices like the Viper, fans drum along and Okada slowly rises. GUN- Still no! Okada shoves Tama away to dropkick him down! Both men are on the mat and fans fire up again. Tama gets to one corner, Okada goes to the opposite. Okada runs corner to corner but Tama dodges the back elbow! Tama goes to the opposite corner now, runs in, but Okada dodges the splash! Tama blocks the gut wrench, throws elbows to get free, but Okada runs in to SHOTGUN dropkick!
Okada drags Tama up, gut wrenches, but again Tama blocks! Okada CLUBS Tama on the back, ROCKS him with a EuroUpper, then ROCKS him with another! And again! Tama drops to a knee, Okada gut wrenches, but Tama slips to get the gut wrench and TOMBSTONE! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Tama powers up, brings Okada up, and underhooks, but Okada fights out to wrench. Tama ducks the lariat and waistlocks but Okada elbows free and runs, into Tama’s dropkick! Fans fire up and Tama is back on his feet! Tama gets Okada up, reels him in, and underhooks again, but Okada again fights and back drops, to then sit on the cover, TWO!!
Tama gets up, GUN- NO! Ripcord, but Tama ducks and runs, but into Okada’s dropkick! Okada fires up and fans are right with him! Okada drags Tama up, gut wrench and a throw into GUN- NO! Okada somehow holds off the cutter to waistlock, but Tama throws elbows. Okada holds on to HIGH ANGLE GERMAN! And holds on again to ripcord, GUN- NO! Okada again holds it off to spin, but Tama gets around, slips through, underhooks, but Okada back drops free again! Tama comes back and leaps, but into a gut wrench, MICHONOKU! Ripcord, RAINMAKER!! Cover, Okada wins!
Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall (still Right to Challenger holder)
This was a fast and furious chess match, but it is still the Rainmaker who stands tall! He keeps the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, but he does show Tama respect. Who else will be gunning for Okada’s golden ticket? Will anyone stop Okada from resetting the NJPW landscape?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS Zack Sabre Jr!
Speaking of avenging losses, the Dragon was one of the Submission Master’s biggest wins in this year’s G1. Will ZSJ give us a repeat performance and stand at the top of NJPW? Or will Takagi refuse to #JustTapOut?
The introductions are made, the top title belt is raised, and we see if a Dangerous Tekker can become a double champion!
Fans rally up as the two stare down. The two approach, feel things out, circle and then tie up. Takagi puts ZSJ on the ropes but lets off quickly. They approach again, Takagi gets around to waistlock, but ZSJ switches. Takagi switches back, ZSJ pries an arm to a hammerlock but Takagi headlocks to a facelock. Takagi snapmares, but ZSJ slips out to get the arm again. ZSJ goes from hammerlock to snapmare but Takagi slips out now to get a wristlock. Takagi YANKS the arm, ZSJ tries to fight the wrench but Takagi still gets it. ZSJ bridges, handsprings, slips through and wrenches Takagi to a wristlock. Takagi powers ZSJ back, rolls, but ZSJ rolls with him to keep the wristlock.
Takagi arm-drags but ZSJ arm-drags back to have an armlock! Takagi fights back up, puts ZSJ on the ropes, and then gets away. Fans cheer the technical exchange as the two reset. ZSJ and Takagi approach as fans rally up, “TA-KA-GI!” or perhaps even “ZSJ!” The two tie up, are in a deadlock for a moment, but Takagi pushes ZSJ back to ropes. Red Shoes calls for another break, Takagi lets off but points out ZSJ is still hooking legs. ZSJ lets off and Takagi swings, but ZSJ ducks the chop to get a cravat. Takagi tries to break it but ZSJ lets go long enough to avoid the clubbing, and then gets the cravat right back!
Takagi rolls to throw ZSJ off, things speed up, and ZSJ catches Takagi into a cobra twist! Takagi hip tosses free, ELBOWS, but ZSJ jumps on before the Yukon Lariat! Takagi throws off the Guillotine, avoids the Pele to the arm, and sits ZSJ up to run and SLIDING- No, ZSJ ducks and Penalty Kicks, but Takagi avoids that! They go arm-drag for arm-drag, ZSJ has the armlock but Takagi headscissors but ZSJ kips free, only for Takagi to run him over with a shoulder! Fans cheer as ZSJ goes to a corner. Takagi storms over, digs his knee in, but lets off as Red Shoes counts. Takagi puts ZSJ’s leg on the rope and stomps away on it!
Takagi stands on the knee, ZSJ kicks and him and says, “You’re the champion?” Takagi says, “Yes, I am champion!” Takagi drags ZSJ up to a facelock, ZSJ drops but Takagi stands him up to CHOP! ZSJ eggs him on, Takagi CHOPS him again! Takagi chops but ZSJ blocks! Takagi rolls but ZSJ uses that to get an ARMBAR! Takagi blocks, turns ZSJ over and wheelbarrows, but ZSJ drags Takagi down to a KNEEBAR! Takagi fights up, ZSJ shifts to a HEEL HOOK! Takagi endures, fights up and turns ZSJ in to a SHARPSHOOTER! Then an STF! Takagi focuses on the crossface, then wants a Fujiwara! ZSJ moves around to get the ropebreak! Takagi lets go and ZSJ bails out.
ZSJ kicks railing in frustration then wants Takagi to back off. Red Shoes has Takagi back up, and Takagi drops down, daring ZSJ to come get him. ZSJ doesn’t fall for it, so Takagi stands up to have one hand behind his back. ZSJ gets in, they knuckle lock, and ZSJ wrenches the arm. Takagi adds the other arm and he has the strength advantage now. ZSJ rolls back to reverse the pressure onto Takagi! Takagi fights up, turns things around, fireman’s carries, but ZSJ gets to the apron. ZSJ ducks the chop and has a rope assisted OCTOPUS! Red Shoes counts, ZSJ lets go quickly and catches his breath. Takagi joins ZSJ on the apron, ZSJ KICKS Takagi. And KICKS. And KICKS!
Takagi fireman’s carries! ZSJ slips back into the ring and has a SLEEPER over the ropes! But Takagi pries it open to ELBOW BREAKER! But ZSJ comes back for another SLEEPER! And body scissors! Red Shoes reprimands, they’re in the ropes! ZSJ lets go at 4 and Takagi flops to the floor! Red Shoes checks on Takagi but ZSJ talks trash as fans rally up. ZSJ waits as Takagi drags himself up. Takagi gets to the apron, ZSJ is there to PENALTY KICK him down! Fans fire up and ZSJ goes back into the ring. The count starts but ZSJ doesn’t want to wait, and he goes back out to put Takagi in the ring. ZSJ sits Takagi up to dropkick him in the back of the head!
Takagi goes to a corner, ZSJ walks over and fish hooks Takagi’s face! ZSJ then gets the arms for a straitjacket stretch, and uses his shoulder for leverage. Takagi gets the ropebreak with a foot and ZSJ lets go. ZSJ taunts Takagi with how time is ticking on the 60 minute limit, but Takagi throws body shots. ZSJ gives those backs, snapmares, but Takagi kicks him away from the neck twist. ZSJ kicks, Takagi blocks, but ZSJ slips out of the dragon screw to NECK TWIST! Cover, TWO! ZSJ keeps on Takagi with a cravat neck wrench and some short shoulders. Takagi throws body shots, ZSJ headlocks but Takagi powers out to ELBOW, JAB and YUKON- GUILLOTINE!
ZSJ has Takagi again, but Takagi powers out to a BIG suplex! Fans rally up, ZSJ goes to a corner and Takagi fires off elbows! Takagi throws a knee, whips corner to corner, then runs in to clothesline! ZSJ staggers, Takagi runs but blocks a boot to JAB! Yukon feint to a DDT! Cover, TWO! Takagi fires up and fans rally as he brings ZSJ up. Takagi throws forearms, then a DOUBLE CHOP! ZSJ stays standing, and he headbutts low, only to uppercut into a Gory Especial! But ZSJ blocks Noshigami with a sleeper! ZSJ slips around to hook a leg, then put on the IRON OCTOPUS! Takagi endures, powers up and denies the sunset, but ZSJ catches sliding lariat to an ARM TWIST!
Fans fire up as both men are down. ZSJ grabs Takagi’s arm, bends it and isolates it, then STOMPS it! Ghost pin, TWO, but ZSJ uses that for a mounted ARMBAR! Behind the back grip, then a double wristlock! Takagi rolls to the ropebreak! ZSJ lets go and both men are down again. Fans rally up, ZSJ gets an arm and wrenches it. And wrenches again! And again! Takagi swings, ZSJ ducks and tilt-o-whirls into an octopus stretch, but Takagi makes it a SIDEWALK SLAM! Takagi shakes out the bad arm as fans rally, and he runs in, blocks a boot and LARIATS through! But ZSJ shoves Takagi and eggs Takagi on! Takagi eggs him on in return, and ZSJ fires off EuroUppers!
Takagi fires up, swings, but into a full nelson! He breaks it, but ZSJ GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Takagi’s right up to SAIDO! But ZSJ is up, into the ELBOW! ZSJ catches the Yukon, wrenches and PELES the arm! Then he BOOTS Takagi’s lariat, ducks the Yukon, and runs, to tilt-o-whirl FACEBUSTER! But Takagi’s right back up!? POINT-BLANK PUMPING LARIAT! But ZSJ’s right back up!! PENALTY KICK! Both men are down and fans are thunderous! ZSJ sits up, Takagi follows, and ZSJ facelocks. Takagi blocks the scoop, switches to a waistlock but ZSJ throws elbows back. Takagi ducks and puts ZSJ’s leg in the ropes. Takagi gets the other, DRAPING DRAGON SCREW!
Fans rally as both men are down again. Takagi gets up and shakes out the bad arm before he drags ZSJ back up. ZSJ EuroUppers but into a backslide! ZSJ rolls through but Takagi traps ZSJ’s head to NECK TWIST! Fans fire up as Takagi shows some savvy. Takagi drags ZSJ back up, reels him in, POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO! But into an STF! ZSJ endures, reaches, crawls, but Takagi rolls him away into a crossface! ZSJ endures again, fights and gets the ropebreak! Takagi lets go but he grabs at the legs. Wheelbarrow, but ZSJ slips out to get the arm! Takagi resists the wristlock and CLUBS ZSJ. ZSJ boots a lariat away, roundhouses another away, and then scoops to ZACK DRIVER!!
Both men are down and fans fire up again! ZSJ and Takagi stir, sit up, and ZSJ gets Takagi’s arm for an ELBOW BREAKER! And another! Takagi tries a sleeper but ZSJ switches it onto him. Takagi powers out, pops ZSJ to a fireman’s carry, but ZSJ slips into a backpack sleeper, but Takagi drops right down on him! But ZSJ shifts to an ARMBAR! Takagi clasps hands, turns, and fights up but ZSJ lets him go. Takagi runs to SLIDING FOREARM! Both men are down again and fans fire back up. Takagi fires up with “OI! OI! OI!” and fans clap along. Takagi fires up and says, “MOTO!” He pump handles but ZSJ victory rolls, TWO!
ZSJ trips Takagi, gets a body scissor and turns Takagi over, but Takagi turns EuroClutch into sleeper and body scissors! ZSJ endures, but he’s already turning red. ZSJ sits up, pushes back and gets free, but Takagi blocks the Penalty Kick! ZSJ SLAPS Takagi, but Takagi catches him into MADE IN JAPAN! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives but Takagi keeps his focus. Fans rally up again, Takagi runs as ZSJ stands, PUMPING BOMBER!! ZSJ tumbles to ropes and Takagi can’t go after him because of the pain in his arm. But fans still rally, and Takagi gets up and roars! Takagi hauls ZSJ up to the top rope and then has a fireman’s carry up top! ZSJ fights to get a double wristlock!
Red Shoes reprimands them both, but Takagi throws forearms and headbutts. Takagi CLUBS ZSJ down off the ropes, but ZSJ gets back up. Takagi boot shim away, but ZSJ springs right up for a SUPER ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!! Takagi clasps hands but ZSJ shifts sides! ZSJ drags Takagi into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Takagi endures, dead lifts but ZSJ hooks the ARMBAR! Takagi falls but into the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go, both men too sore to be frustrated. ZSJ kicks at the bad arm but Takagi sits up. ZSJ kicks Takagi down, but Takagi sits back up. ZSJ kicks and kicks and kicks! Takagi eggs ZSJ on, ZSJ gets the arm and STOMPS it! ZSJ runs to PENALTY KICK!
ZSJ drags Takagi up, SIT-OUT ZACK DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!?! No one can believe Takagi survived that!! ZSJ gets the arm, throws elbows into the shoulder and chest, then sits Takagi up for more elbows. Takagi blocks one, wrenches for an ELBOW- NO! ZSJ hops on for another backpack sleeper! Takagi stays up this time, fans rally hard as ever, and Takagi goes to a corner. Takagi climbs, Red Shoes calls for the break, ZSJ still holds on, SUPER BACKPACK SENTON! Takagi is free but both men are down and fans are thunderous again. Takagi flounders, ZSJ springs on him for the DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Omoplata, but Takagi rolls, into a TRIANGLE HOLD!
ZSJ throws elbows into Takagi’s head, squeezes as tight as he can, and fans are rallying as hard as they can! Takagi endures, grabs at Red Shoes, then dead lifts! Fireman’s carry, LAST OF THE DRAGONS!! But he’s too tired to cover!! Fans are thunderous again, Takagi rises and roars, and he drags ZSJ up. Takagi ROCKS ZSJ with elbow after elbow, and he eggs ZSJ on. “Oi, Zack! OI!” ZSJ gets up, EuroUppers again and again, but Takagi headbutts his own arm to get it working. Boxing elbows back and forth from all sides and then he ROCKS ZSJ! ZSJ SLAPS away with palm strikes! Takagi JABS! He ducks the roundhouse but not the ENZIGURI! Takagi SLIDING FOREARMS!!
Fans are electric as Takagi drags ZSJ up. ZSJ holds off the fireman’s carry, Takagi wrenches and tries the pump handle but ZSJ slips around to flip Takagi over with the pump handles! EURO CLUTCH!! TWO!!! Takagi narrowly escapes and even Takagi’s is surprised! ZSJ EuroUppers, and again, but Takagi pats ZSJ on the shoulder. ZSJ swings, but into the Gory Especial! NOSHIGAMI!! Both men are down again, but the fans only get hotter for this! Takagi pump handles and torture racks but ZSJ slips out to a dragon sleeper! Takagi powers through to dragon sleeper, and put ZSJ in the ropes! DRAPING GTR!!
Takagi drags ZSJ back up, powers up, POINT-BLANK PUMPING!! Cover, TWO! ZSJ is still in this and time’s still running out. Takagi gives quick headbutts, then pump handles and torture racks, LAST OF THE DRAGONS!! Cover, Takagi wins!!
Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
The Dragon still reigns! Taichi jumps off commentary to kick the Young Lions away and check on ZSJ. Taichi argues the count but Red Shoes defends it was all fair. Will there be another chance for the Tekkers in the future?
As for Takagi, he gets the belt back and does his best to put it on display as he rests on the mat. But wait! Here comes Okada and his Right to Challenge Heavyweight Championship! Okada joins Takagi in the ring, and then Okada gets the mic first. “Takagi, congratulations on your defense. And thanks for the hard work. From here, the G1 31 Champion will take over from the World Champion and carry NJPW. Thank you for all that you’ve done.” Okada confirms that the belt he carries is his contract for January 4th.
Okada then says, “The G1 Champion, the World Heavyweight Champion, who’s the real deal? Let’s find out.” Takagi may be the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, but he’s also a G1 Climax A Block loser! “Step up to me, Kazuchika Okada, you bastard!” Takagi gets his turn with the mic and says he didn’t think Okada would come out here. Saves him having to call Okada out. But Okada’s right, he didn’t make it out of the A Block. He came in second and Ibushi went to the finals. But if Takagi had made it, Okada knows he wouldn’t have won, right? “Are you still carrying that toy around? You like that thing, huh? But you are a great G1 Champion. That can’t be denied.
“But I did managed to defend this belt today, somehow.” Okada understands what Takagi’s saying, right? Does he get it? The G1 Champion VS The World Heavyweight Champion? “Let’s find out who the strongest is! And let’s do it on January 4th in the Tokyo Dome!” Fans cheer for that, and Takagi drops the mic. The two champions stare down for a moment, then turn to the crowd to see who gets more cheers. Okada takes his leave to give Takagi his moment. Takagi stays to say, “I’m not leaving this half-assed. This is the last big Osaka event for the year, so let me speak just a bit more.” Fans cheer that. “Okay, here we go!
“Today was tough. Really, really tough.” Takagi thought he’d give up so many times, but he couldn’t lose now, could he? ZSJ was “the best and strongest challenger possible.” But you know what that means? Takagi beat the best challenger, making him the best in the world right now! He thanks the fans for that applause. But his dreams and visions are far from over. He is only looking on and up. “Like a dragon, with this IWGP World Heavyweight title, I’m soaring to the Tokyo Dome!” Mic drop! But will Takagi keep from dropping that title all the way to the New Year?
My Thoughts:
What a great event and what a big event size wise for Power Struggle. So much change to the title landscape but really some needed ones. I like that Bullet Club has gotten some gold back. They have all of the NEVER titles, with Jay White still NEVER Openweight Champion while in the US, and now Kenta has the US title here. Still waiting on a proper Bullet Club Civil War, and these belts can be a big part of that. Those matches were both great, with a lot of story in Sho betraying Chaos and then being chased off by Yoh, while Tanahashi VS Kenta was just great overall.
Yano VS Khan was a great way of using KOPW to give us something actually serious and technical. I figured Yano would win, but I like that we’re also getting Nagata involved. Nagata taking on Khan would be a really good match, but who knows where that brings either after that. Eagles VS Desperado was great, and I was surprised to learn Eagles & Tiger Mask won the tag titles. Desperado getting the singles title back was only a little surprising, as he’s been a great singles champion and of course can be there to take on Hiromu at some point. The World Tag League and Best of the Super Juniors combo series is coming back, chances are Eagles & Tiger Mask are gonna be busy.
And of course the top title picture is awesome. Okada VS Tama II was Tama’s newest best singles match, but I figured Okada would retain the Right to Challenge. Okada making the old IWGP Heavyweight title the representation of the contract is genius, and Okada will surely hold onto it until WK16. Takagi VS ZSJ was awesome stuff, though at a certain point I felt maybe they were both getting gassed. They were going so hard for so long, it’s obviously not easy to keep that up. But It was probably the best match all week, and Takagi gets a big win. Okada walking out to officially call Takagi out was good stuff, that match could go either way. Honestly, the old Heavyweight Championship belt is a better design, but I don’t think that’s going to give Okada the win.
My Score: 9.3/10
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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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