NJPW PPV Results
Mitchell’s NJPW Anniversary Show Results & Report! (3/1/22)
It’s the 50TH ANNIVERSARY!
The greatest anniversary of New Japan’s history!
From 1972 to now, 2022, FIFTY YEARS of NJPW is celebrated this day! Today’s stars and legends of yesteryear converge as NJPW heads into the future!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: House of Torture VS Tiger Mask, YOH & Ryohei Oiwa; House of Torture win(s).
- Six Man Tag: Bullet Club VS Taichi, TAKA Michinoku & Minoru Tanaka; Bullet Club wins.
- Six Man Tag: Suzuki-Gun VS Strong Hearts; Strong Hearts win.
- 8 Man Tag: Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima, Yuto Nakashima & Kosei Fujita VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
- 10 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma, Toru Yano, Tomohiro Ishii & Shiro Koshinaka; LIJ wins.
- Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI VS Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato; Goto & Hashi win.
- NJPW 50th Anniversary Six Man Tag: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tatsumi Fujinami VS Minoru Suzuki, Zack Sabre Jr. & Yoshiaki Fujiwara; Okada, Tanahashi & Fujinami win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Six Man Tag: Bullet Club VS Taichi, TAKA Michinoku & Minoru Tanaka!
El Phantasmo, Taiji Ishimori & Bad Luck Fale are a unique combo even within Bullet Club, but they’re up a unique combination. The Holy Emperor and Blue Playmaker are teaming with a different Minoru, but will The Special One help them take this win?
While Taichi shows off the dancing pecs, Taiji and ELP show they can do that, too. Bullet Club Low Sweets, and Bone Soldier steps up. Fans rally for “TA-NA-KA!” as he wants to Suzuki-Gun fist bump. But then he does a low bump to mock Bullet Club. The fans rally up as the bell rings and the two circle. Taiji and Tanaka feel out the grapple, Tanaka KICKS Taiji right in the leg! Taiji shakes that leg out while ELP talks trash. Tanaka ignores ELP to tie up with Taiji. Tanaka gets to a waistlock but Taiji switches. Tanaka wrenches free but Taiji rolls to wristlock back. Taiji hammerlocks, but Tanaka slips through to get around and hammerlock then headlock takeover!
Taiji headscissors, Tanaka kips free and fans cheer as the two stand off. Tanaka and Taiji circle and fans rally up. Tanaka shows that HE can do the dancing pecs, and then he approaches with Taiji. They feel out the grapple, and Tanaka sobats! Tanaka bumps Taiji off buckles, then holds Taiji’s nose closed! And then Tanaka CLUBS the nose! Fans fire up as Tanaka whips Taiji corner to corner, but Taiji reverses. Tanaka dodges Taiji as he runs in, but Taiji kicks Tanaka and runs. Tanaka drops to dropkick Taiji down! And a handspring just to show off! Fans fire up for Tanaka as he snapmares and KICKS Taiji in the back, then STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!
Tanaka argues the count but he drags Taiji up. Tanaka ROCKS Taiji, ELP complains to commentary that he’s never heard of this guy. Tanaka whips Taiji to a corner, Taiji slips out then slides under and then back out. Taiji shoulders into Tanaka, springboards over him and gets around. Tanaka switches but Taiji runs and throws Tanaka out of the ring. Taiji then blasts Taka and Taichi while Fale CLUBS Tanaka down! Fale drags Tanaka up to whip him into railing! ELP gets Taka with PURPLE NURPLES! Taiji gets back in the ring and Fale sets Tanaka up for ELP’s PURPLE NURPLES! The ring count starts and ELP lets off at 5 of 20.
Tanaka drags himself up at 11 of 20 as fans rally. Tanaka gets in at 14, Taiji bumps him off buckles. Tag to ELP and the Cutest Tag Team puts Tanaka up top and into the Tree of Woe. Taiji runs corner to corner, SLIDING DROPKICK! ELP runs corner to corner, HESITATION DROPKICK! Tanaka flops out of the Tree, ELP covers, TWO! Fale tags in, ELP holds Tanaka down and Fale turns him over to stand on Tanaka’s back! Tanaka endures, the ref counts, but ELP and Taiji climb onto Fale to add more weight! The ref has to keep Taichi and Taka back, and Bullet Club lets off before the count.
Taiji tags in, he CLUBS Tanaka down, then brings him up. Tanaka hits back with forearms, but Taiji ROCKS Tanaka back. Taiji runs, into a ROUNDHOUSE! FLYING ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!! ELP breaks it fast, then DECKS Taichi! Fans rally up, Taiji tags in Fale, and Fale drags Tanaka up to scoop and SLAM! Fale runs the ropes, BIG elbow flop! Hot tag to Taichi! Taichi drags Fale up for Kowata Kicks! Fale gets up and roars but Taichi KICKS away on his leg. Taichi dodges Fale’s lariat to sobat! ELP kicks Taichi, whips, but Taichi reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! But Fale runs Taichi over! Then he drops the BIG elbow! Cover, TWO!
Fale gets up and waits on Taichi. Fans rally up, Fale choke grips and pulls the pin, but Taichi avoids the Grenade! Taichi CHOKES Fale with both hands! The ref counts, Fale shoves Taichi over, but Taichi gets right up! Taichi eggs Fale on for some sumo, and Fale rushes in. Taichi hooks the arm and wants that toss! Fale hops around, Taichi gets the takedown! Fans fire up, but Fale hits Taichi hard in a body shot! Fale whips Taichi to a corner, but Taichi dodges the splash to GAMANGIRI! Both men are down and fans fire up! Hot tags to ELP and Taka! ELP kicks and whips but Taka reverses to drag ELP down! JUST FACELOCK!
ELP scrambles to the ropes, ROPEBREAK! Taka lets go in frustration but he gets ELP up to ROCK him with an uppercut. Taka whips corner to corner and SHINING WIZARDS! Snapmare and SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO!! But back to JUST FACELOCK! Taiji gets in to stomp Taka down! Tanaka gets in but Taiji kicks him first, then rakes Tanaka’s before throwing him out. Taiji kicks Taka, CLUBS him, but Taka pokes Taiji’s eyes! ELP CLAWS Taka’s back, but Taka CALF KICKS! ELP wobbles, Taka scoops him! ELP slips off to mule kick, front kick, and ENZIGURI! He tunes up the band, but does he have the confidence to try again?
Taiji coaches ELP, he can do it! But ELP says no, so Taiji gut wrenches! CIPHER UTAKI to THUNDERKISS 86! Cover, Bullet Club wins!
Winners: Bullet Club, by pinfall
The Headbanga is still in his head about Sudden Death not being “loaded,” but he and his team still find a way to win. Will ELP get through the mental block in time for the New Japan Cup? Or will it hold him back from rising up the ranks?
Six Man Tag: Suzuki-Gun VS Strong Hearts!
El Desperado called out EL Lindaman, T-Hawk and CIMA in regards to his IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship wish list, and now he’s getting them all at once! Will the Rogue Luchador win alongside the Heel Master and Japones del Mal? Or will the Strong Hearts show just how #GLEAT they are?
As the trios sort out, Desperado and Lindaman compare belts. Needless to say, the GLEAT G-REX title is bigger, but the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title is more famous. The belts are put aside and the champions step up! Fans cheer, but then Desperado swerves everyone and tags Kanemaru. T-Hawk wants in so Lindaman tags him. Fans cheer as these two circle, only for Desperado and Douki to jump T-Hawk! Kanemaru knocks Lindaman and Cima down, then Suzuki-Gun all stomp T-Hawk down! The ref reprimands, but T-Hawk gets up to fire off forearms on all of them! But that’s 3v1, Suzuki-Gun gets the advantage.
Desperado and Kanemaru double whip T-Hawk and Douki runs in, but T-Hawk dodges Douki to dropkick Kanemaru’s leg out! T-Hawk then runs Douki over, but Desperado kicks low. Desperado reels T-Hawk in, but T-Hawk suplexes him first! Fans fire up with T-Hawk, but he turns around into Kanemaru’s dropkick to the leg! Kanemaru stomps T-Hawk, scuffs him and talks trash. T-Hawk gets up, Kanemaru ducks the chop and kicks low. T-Hawk tries again but Kanemaru blocks, kicks the leg again, then blocks another chop! T-Hawk still tries, Kanemaru ducks again, and Kanemaru kicks the leg yet again!
Kanemaru whips, T-Hawk holds ropes and kicks back, to CHOP and SPINNING CHOP! Tag to Lindaman and he goes right up top! BIG missile dropkick! Strong Hearts then blasts Desperado and Douki off the apron! Lindaman fires up, he facelocks Kanemaru and CLUBS him. Lindaman shifts to a cravat, tags in Cima, and snapmare for Cima’s slingshot senton! Cima drags Kanemaru around to hook up the legs in a deathlock! Kanemaru endures, fans rally, and Strong Hearts play defense. Kanemaru drags himself over to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Cima has the ref help him undo the leg lock, but Desperado gets in and stomps Cima!
Lindaman throws Desperado out, and Cima stomps Kanemaru. Kanemaru hits back but Cima knees him to the corner. Cima throws a forearm, tags in T-Hawk, and they double whip Kanemaru to ropes. They double elbow, roll Kanemaru to whip again, and then double hip toss into a SLAM! Lindaman gets in, TRIPLE DROPKICKS! Fans rally and T-Hawk drags Kanemaru up. T-Hawk scoops but Kanemaru slips free to shove T-Hawk into Cima! Roll up, TWO! Kanemaru dodges T-Hawk’s clothesline, Kanemaru tilt-o-whirls but T-Hawk sets him down. T-Hawk goes for the suplex but Kanemaru blocks!
Fans rally as these two fight for suplex control! Kanemaru gets T-Hawk up and over! Fans fire up as both men are down! They crawl, hot tags to Desperado and Lindaman! Desperado rallies with shoulders and elbows, but Lindaman kicks and whips. Desperado reverses to SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! Desperado DECKS Cima off the apron and fans rally up. Desperado gets Lindaman up but Lindaman blocks the Guitarra. Lindaman ROCKS Desperado, but Desperado comes back to ROCK Lindmana! Lindaman and Desperado throw more forearms back and forth, then Desperado CHOPS!
Desperado runs, but Lindaman back elbows, ROLLING ELBOWS and SAIDOS! Then a scoop with the straight arm lever to a SLAM! High stack, TWO, but right into a wheelbarrow! Desperado fights the suplex, wrenches and reels Lindaman in, GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Fans are fired up as both men crawl. Hot tags to Douki and Cima! Cima dropkicks Douki right down! Cima whips, Douki reverses but Cima goes up and over, to kick and SLAM Douki down. Vader KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO! Cima drags Douki up, fisherman, but Douki slips out to waistlock. Cima switches, Douki elbows free, mule kicks and ENZIGURIS!
Kanemaru rushes in to dropkick T-Hawk! Douki kicks Cima, he and Kanemaru double whip Cima to a corner. Douki runs in to back elbow, Kanemaru adds his own. Kanemaru scoops and BRITISH FALL, Douki is up top for a DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up as Douki goes to the apron. DAYBREAK!! Cover, T-Hawk breaks it! Kanemaru throws T-Hawk right out then goes after him. But T-Hawk whips Kanemaru into the railing! Douki calls his shot, reels Cima in, but Cima fights the full nelsons. Douki HELL STABS, but T-Hawk pops Douki up for a KNEE! METEORA from Cima, INVERTED EXPLODER from T-Hawk!
Lindaman deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES Douki! T-Hawk dropkicks Desperado and Lindaman FLIES out onto him and Kanemaru! T-Hawk hits Douki with a NIGHTRIDER crucifix bomb! Cima’s back up top, METEORA!! Cover, Strong Hearts win!
Winners: Strong Hearts, by pinfall
Now that was GLEAT wrestling! Will El Desperado regret calling out these three? Or will he manage to survive, Cima, T-Hawk and Lindaman when the time comes?
10 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma, Toru Yano, Tomohiro Ishii & Shiro Koshinaka!
Bushi, Sanada, Hiromu, Takagi y Naito are ready to win big together for the 50th Anniversary! But they’re up against a special reunion tour of the Great Bash Heel! Will Black Mask, Cold Skull, Timebomb, Roaring Dragon and Uncontrollable Charisma be tranquilo against Rampaging King Kong, Everyone’s Kokeshi, the Producer, the Stone Pitbull and Samurai Senshi?
Fans rally up as the elaborate ring gear is all put aside. The teams sort out, and Shiro steps up. He’s ready, but Naito wants him to relax. LIJ does the fist bump, and then Takagi leads the charge! It’s a huge brawl as Takagi’s after Ishii, Bushi has Shiro, Naito stomps Makabe down, Hiromu CLUBS Honma and Sanada throws Yano out. Hiromu throws Honma out, Bushi and Sanada have Shiro in the corner, and Hiromu coordinates with Naito to double whip Makabe to the corner. Naito runs in, but Makabe dodges to run Bushi over! Hiromu CLUBS Makabe, he and Naito double whip again. Makabe busts the line to DOUBLE LARIAT back!
Makabe has Naito in a corner, he climbs up and rains down fists! Fans rally, and Makabe laughs as he gets all 10. Tag to Yano, he fires up and drags Naito up to… drop Naito and untie the buckle pad! Yano goes after Naito but Naito whips him, only for Yano to reverse! Naito hits bare buckles and Yano fires up! Wait, he wants Shiro to help! Yano leads a “KO-SHI NA-KA!” chant and fans clap along. Yano fires up but LIJ attacks him and the rest of GBH! Takagi whips Ishii into railing then BOOTS him! Hiromu and Naito stomp Yano, then whip him into the bare buckles! Hiromu tags in, he and Naito mug Yano.
Hiromu whips Yano into the safe corner to clothesline, snapmare and then HIP ATTACK! Hiromu shows Shiro that he can do it, too! More hip attacks! Then he sucker punches Shiro! Shiro gets mad but the ref keeps him back. Hriomu and Naito bring Yano over, tag to Bushi, and Bushi stomps Yano. Bushi snapmares Yano then shows he can do the hip attack, too! Bushi stomps Yano, tags Takagi, and Takagi wants Shiro to watch. Takagi drags Yano up, snapmares, wraps on a chinlock to then drive elbows in. Takagi DECKS Ishii, ROCKS Shiro, and then hauls Yano up to the corner. Tag to Sanada and they mug Yano.
Sanada CLUBS Yano, drags Yano up and fans rally. Yano breaks free but Sanada trips him up! Sanada ties Yano up in Paradise! Fans cheer and Sanada encourages them to get louder. But Shiro gets in to save Yano from Paradise, and Sanada complains! Sanada drags Yano up, whips, but Yano reverses to throw Sanada down by his hair! Fans rally, hot tag to Shiro! HIP ATTACK for Sanada! Haymakers for the rest, but Hiromu and Bushi get in! Makabe & Honma intercept them, and they feed each of them to HIP ATTACKS from Shiro! Then a double whip to a HIP ATTACK for Sanada! Sanada bails out, Shiro runs and FLYING HIP ATTACK off the apron!
Shiro puts Sanada in and fans rally up. Honma puts Sanada in a corner, he and Makabe double whip him into the bare steel! Back elbow, clothesline, and then Shiro goes up, MISSILE HIP! Shiro gives Sanada some point blank hip attacks, but Sanada suplexes Shiro down! Fans rally up as both men are down. Sanada and Shiro crawl, hot tags to Takagi and Ishii! Dragon and Pitbull ram shoulders over and over! Then Ishii forearms, runs, rams but Takagi rams back. Ishii rams again, Takagi runs him over! Scoop, SLAM and SENTON! Cover, TWO! But Takagi only fires up more, and fans rally up behind him!
Takagi kicks Ishii, throws forearms, and even a headbutt. JAB, CHOP, on repeat! JAB JAB JAB JAB! Ishii drops but Takagi stands him up. Takagi CHOPS, but Ishii just glares. Ishii CHOPS, forearms, and repeat! Fans fire up as the shots keep coming! Ishii whips, Takagi reverses but Ishii comes back to run Takagi over! Ishii kicks at Takagi, Takagi eggs Ishii on. They start throwing slaps! Then forearms! Takagi ROCKS Ishii, and again, and again! Takagi whips Ishii to a corner, blocks a boot and corner clotheslines! Takagi runs, into a POWERSLAM! Fans fire up, Takagi gets Ishii and spins him, BRAINBUSTER!
But Ishii’s right back up! Ishii suplexes Takagi high and hard in return! Fans fire up as both men are down, and they crawl to their corners. Hot tag to Honma, and Yano joins him in knocking down LIJ! They and Makabe have Takagi, CLOTHESLINE SANDWICH! Yano trips Takagi to CATAPULT him into the bare buckles! Takagi staggers into the HIP ATTACK! Honma fires up, runs, KOKESHI! Cover, TWO! Takagi is still in this but Honma fires up again. Fans rally as Honma runs, LARIAT! Takagi stays up and roars, so Honma runs again. ELBOW! JAB! YUKON LARIAT! Takagi has LIJ get involved, Hiromu CHOPS Honma to a corner.
Hiromu & Bushi double whip Honma to a corner, Hiromu runs in to lariat! Sanada back elbows, Bushi back elbows, and then snapmare to a QUADRUPLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Bushi sits Honma up for SLIDING LARIAT from Takagi! Cover, but Ishii breaks it! Ishii fires off on Takagi, but Takagi ROCKS him back! Bushi dropkicks Ishii out, then builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp! Makabe CLOBBERS Hiromu on the outside! Takagi fires up and fans rally, and Takagi drags Honma up and pump handles. Honma fights free and Takagi point-blank LARIATS! Honma stays up on determination alone!
Takagi and Honma fire off forearms back and forth, but Honma gets the edge! Takagi fires boxing elbows in return! But Honma ROCKS Takagi and HEADBUTTS! Honma runs, but Takagi lariats at the ropes! Takagi runs and PUMPING BOMBER! Cover, TWO!! Honma survives but Takagi roars again! LIJ keeps GBH out, Takagi gets Honma up, LAST OF THE DRAGONS! Cover, LIJ wins!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, by pinfall
And so, LIJ proves they are greater than GBH! Will we see each of the ungovernables make it through the first round of the New Japan Cup?
Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI VS Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato!
The 92nd IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, #BISHAMON. The 69th IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, #SixOrNine. The Anniversary Show tradition takes on a new form as these two teams face off! Will the Fierce Warrior & Head Hunter show the heavyweight division’s dominance? Or will the Funky Weapon & Way of the Grandmaster shock the world just as they did in winning their titles?
The teams sort out and fans rally up, Goto and Taguchi start as a reunion of the 2002 NJPW Dojo class! They circle, tie up, and Taguchi manages to push Goto to ropes. The ref counts the ropebreak, Taguchi lets off cleanly and the fans cheer. Goto and Taguchi circle again, tie up again, and Goto powers Taguchi to ropes now. The ref counts the ropebreak again and Goto lets off cleanly. The two reset and tie up again, and Goto headlocks. Taguchi pries at the hold but Goto holds tight. Taguchi powers up, powers out and gets the headlock for his own. Goto fights up, but Taguchi holds tight now.
Taguchi grinds but Goto fights up and powers out. Goto and Taguchi ram shoulders but neither falls! Fans rally up, Taguchi runs and they ram shoulders again. Goto eggs Taguchi on, Taguchi runs but he ducks, dodges and HIP ATTACKS! Fans fire up and Taguchi gives Goto point-blank hip attacks. Taguchi runs, but Goto-Hashi run him over together! Then hip toss senton! Wato gets in, he RANAS Hashi, then gives Goto a back elbow, uppercut and sobat! Fans fire up and Wato coaches Taguchi. Wato stomps Goto, Taguchi gets up and they double whip Goto to double drop toehold and double basement dropkick! Cover, TWO!
Taguchi drags Goto up to throw more hip attacks, then runs, but Goto follows! Goto LARIATS Taguchi down and then brings him over to the corner. Tag to Hashi, they bring Taguchi up to hammer him down! Wato runs in but into a kick. Wato gets hammered, too! Fans cheer, Hashi brings Taguchi up and CLUBS him on the back. Hashi bumps Taguchi off buckles then CHOPS him! Taguchi drops to the mat, Goto tags in and Goto stomps Taguchi. Goto drags Taguchi, snapmares him and clamps on a chinlock. Taguchi endures as he has a knee in his back, and fans rally as Goto JAMS an elbow into Taguchi’s forehead. Cover, TWO!
Goto brings Taguchi up and over and bumps him off buckles. Tag to Hashi, they stomp Taguchi but Taguchi throws body shots. Hashi CLUBS Taguchi, stomps him more, but fans rally up. Hashi brings Taguchi up but Taguchi CHOPS and CHOPS! Hashi CHOPS back! Hashi runs, but fakes out the hip attack! Taguchi crashes, but he gets right back up as Hashi runs, HIP ATTACK! Both men are down and fans fire up! Hot tag to Wato! Wato rallies with elbows and a BOOT! Wato whips, dropkicks and then builds speed as Hashi bails out. Goto gets in to kick Wato! Goto whips, Wato reverses and dropkicks Goto down!
Goto regroups with Hashi outside, Wato builds speed to FLY! Direct hit on both heavyweight champions! Wato fires up and the fans rally behind him as he points to the 50th Anniversary logo. Wato puts Hashi in, climbs up the corner and aims, BIG missile dropkick! Cover, TWO! Wato roars, drags Hashi back up, GERMAN- NO! Hashi fights the suplex, throws elbows and is free. But Wato boots him back! Wato whips, runs in at the corner, but Hashi CHOPS! Hashi mule kicks, turns Wato and NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up again as both men are down! Hot tag to Goto! Goto runs but into a CALF KICK from Wato!
Wato and Goto are down, Wato crawls for his corner! Hot tag to Taguchi! Taguchi aims at Goto on the ropes, HIP ATTACK! Another HIP ATTACK! And then baseball slide, APRON HIP ATTACK! Taguchi aims at Goto as fans rally up, MISSILE HIP! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up behind “TA-GU-CHI!” as he drags Goto up. Taguchi snap suplexes, Uno Amigo! Then Dos Amigos! Taguchi wants three, but Goto denies! Fans rally as the two fight, Goto suplexes Taguchi high and hard! Both men are down, the fans rally up and Goto gets to ropes. Goto stands, runs in, but Taguchi gets around. Goto fights the waistlock and puts Taguchi in the corner!
Hashi runs in, Goto gets clear and Hashi CHOPS Taguchi! Hashi whips Taguchi corner to corner, then he whips Goto in. But Taguchi dodges and Goto gets buckles! Wato FLYING UPPERCUTS Hashi! Wato sobats Goto, fires off forearms, then he and Taguchi double whip. They keep Goto moving, HIP TOSS to BUMAYE! Cover, TWO! Fans are fired up as Goto survives! Taguchi drags Goto up, Goto fights the chicken wings and throws elbows. Taguchi runs in, into a fireman’s carry! Taguchi slips off, HIDDEN GAP hits! Hashi SPIN KICKS Wato, and then GOTO GOTO HUNTER! Goto and Hashi get Taguchi up, but Taguchi boots Hashi away!
Wato drags Hashi out while Taguchi victory rolls Goto! TWO!! Goto escapes, but Taguchi has OH MY GARFUNKLE! Goto endures, fans rally up, Taguchi leans on the hold! Goto claws his way over towards the ropes, but Wato KICKS the hand away! Taguchi drops an elbow on the leg! Taguchi has BOTH legs caught! Fans are thunderous as Goto endures, Taguchi leans all his weight on the hold! Hashi gets past Wato to stomp away on Taguchi! Wato gets in to CLUB Hashi and throw him out! Wato calls to Taguchi and they get Goto up. Wheelbarrow, but Goto fights free! BOOT for Wato, arm-drag for Taguchi!
Taguchi dodges to HIP ATTACK Goto! Hashi runs in, HIP ATTACK for him! Taguchi sends Hashi into Goto, and then he runs, but Hashi moves! Taguchi lands on Goto’s knee! SUPERKICK! Pump handle torture rack, JIGOKU KURAMA! Goto brings back a classic! Cover, TWO!! Taguchi survives but Goto drags him back up. Fans are thunderous as they set Taguchi up, but Wato BOOTS Hashi! Wato ROCKS and KICKS Goto, then KICKS again! Wato runs, into a fireman’s carry! FIERCE FLASH!! Goto-Hashi refocus on Taguchi, but they switch it up! Taguchi fights out, Goto tries again but Taguchi slips free!
Goto deflects the boot to DISCUS, but Taguchi ducks it! HIDDEN GAP!! Goto gets Taguchi back up, FIERCE FLASH! And they call their shot! Fans fire up, Goto drags Taguchi up, SHOUTO!! Cover, the heavyweight champions win!
Winners: Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi, by pinfall
Six Or Nine gave them one hell of a match, but Bishamon comes out the victors! And they show their respect to Taguchi and Wato, as well. The Heavyweights maintain their dominance over the Junior Heavyweights, but will Goto-Hashi make it through the New Japan Cup’s first round? As for Wato, is he ready to face whoever it is that wins between Kazuchika Okada and El Desperado?
NJPW 50th Anniversary Six Man Tag: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tatsumi Fujinami VS Minoru Suzuki, Zack Sabre Jr. & Yoshiaki Fujiwara!
What a collection of stars to finish out the show! The Rainmaker and the Ace join forces with the ORIGINAL Dragon while the King of Pancrase and the Submission Master are joined by the Terror of Showa! Legends new and old collide, who stands tall on the biggest night in NJPW history?
The teams sort out and fans are already rallying, perhaps clapping for “NEW JAPAN!” more than any individual wrestler. Okada starts against ZSJ and the two circle as fans continue to rally. They feel out the grapple, go for knuckle locks, but ZSJ rolls and wrenches to have a wristlock. ZSJ wrangles Okada down, Okada rolls and trips ZSJ to have a toehold. ZSJ chinbars, then chinlocks and brings Okada down. ZSJ gets body scissors, then shifts to go for an arm. Okada makes it a cover, TWO! Okada waistlocks, headlocks, but ZSJ endures the grind. ZSJ fights up but Okada hits the takeover.
ZSJ headscissors and holds tight! Fans cheer as the technical exchange continues. Okada moves around, pops out, and he puts pressure on ZSJ’s legs. Okada gets the headlock but ZSJ gets the headscissors back! Okada fights around again, ZSJ squeezes tight to keep Okada down. Okada hops and headstands and fans cheer as he pops free again. Okada turns ZSJ over, ZSJ reels Okada in to a headlock. Okada powers up but can’t power out, and ZSJ cravats to snapmare. Okada slips out of the headlock to wristlock but ZSJ rolls, bridges and wrenches to WRING Okada. Okada boots ZSJ away and fans cheer as the two stand off!
Fans rally up again and ZSJ waves Okada off to tag Suzuki. Okada looks to his corner, but Suzuki CLUBS Okada from behind! Suzuki snapmares Okada to a motorcycle stretch, to a crossface! Suzuki dares Okada’s partners to do something with just a glare, but Okada fights up and powers Suzuki to the corner. Fujinami tags in and fans fire up as the legend has Okada stand down. Fujinami and Suzuki circle now, they feel things out, and then Fujinami gets the arm. Suzuki resists, Fujinami hits a double wristlock takedown, then shifts to a headscissors! Suzuki endures, Fujinami gets an arm to keep Suzuki down.
Suzuki fights up and around, pops free, and he gets the leg for a standing heel hook! Fujinami breaks Suzuki’s stand and gets the heel hook for himself! Suzuki smirks as Fujinami lets off and the two reset. Fujiwara wants in and fans fire up! Tanahashi tags in, Suzuki leaves the legend on his team hanging! Suzuki and Tanahashi tie up, Tanahashi wrenches, hammerlocks but Suzuki wrenches back. Suzuki has the hammerlock and he powers Tanahashi to the corner. Suzuki pulls on Tanahashi’s hair, and Fujiwara tags himself in! Suzuki is mad but Fujiwara pie faces him! Suzuki’s still a kid to this old man!
Suzuki gets hot so Fujiwara SLAPS him! Suzuki SLAPS back! So Fujiwara SLAPS Suzuki! Red Shoes has Suzuki go to the corner and fans rally up for Fujiwara! Fujiwara and Tanahashi circle, feel out the grapple, and Fujiwara headbutts, to go for his armbar! Tanahashi scrambles and gets to the ropes! Fujiwara lets Tanahashi go, and the two resist. Tanahashi gets a leg, trips Tanahashi, and has the heel hook! Fujiwara endures, grabs Tanahashi’s leg, and he gets the heel hook! Tanahashi scrambles to get the ropebreak and Fujiwara lets him go. Tanahashi and Fujiwara go again as fans rally up.
Tanahashi and Fujiwara knuckle lock, and Fujiwara brings Tanahashi towards a corner. Fujiwara uses Tanahashi’s waistband to turn things around on him! Fujiwara still has heavy hands as he rocks and SLAPS Tanahashi! Tanahashi SHOTEIS back! Tanahashi headlocks Fujiwara, tags in Okada, and they mug Fujiwara! Okada DECKS Fujiwara, no mercy even for an old man! Fujiwara gets up on the apron, Okada headbutts him, but hurts his own head? Fujiwara’s still a tough bastard! And then he unwraps a corner crossbar! Fujiwara wants fans to hush for a second. Fujiwara HEADBUTTS the crossbar, and you can hear the thunk!
Fans cheer even more as Fujiwara isn’t even fazed! He HEADBUTTS the bar again just to prove a point! Fujiwara smirks, ties up with Okada, and he gets Okada’s head, to HEADBUTT! Okada scrambles away, Fujiwara waits on the young’un to come back. Okada returns, he ties up with Fujiwara, and Okada wrenches to bring Fujiwara back. Fujinami tags in and fans fire up to see these legends active at the same time! Fujinami gets Fujiwara’s attention, headlocks, and then hits a takeover! Fujiwara rolls it to a cover, TWO! Fujinami keeps the hold, Fujiwara tries again, TWO! Fujinami still has the headlock and fans rally up!
Fujinami gives up the headlock to drag Fujiwara up and put him in the corner. Tanahashi tags in, Fujinami CHOPS and Tanahashi throws body shots. Fujiwara throws shots and those heavy hands ROCK Tanahashi! HEADBUTT and down goes the Ace! Fujiwara tags ZSJ in, even though Suzuki was the one reaching out! ZSJ wrenches Tanahashi’s arm and wrenches again. Suzuki steps in, he and ZSJ hand off arm wrench after arm wrench. Red Shoes reprimands but they just keep going after and faster, and then ZSJ BOOTS the arm! ZSJ then gets a double wristlock and drags Tanahashi around! Tanahashi moves, ZSJ stays on the arm, but Tanahashi gets the ROPEBREAK!
Fujiwara stands on Tanahashi’s foot to keep him anchored, and ZSJ stands on Tanahashi’s arm! Suzuki joins in by going after the other leg! ZSJ gets Tanahashi for a double wristlock, Suzuki and Fujiwara each have a heel hook! Red Shoes keeps Fujinami and Okada back, so Tanahashi has to endure even longer! Red Shoes finally sees the triple submission sand counts the ropebreak. Tanahashi is set free, but ZSJ drags him up to wrench the arm. Tanahashi ROCKS ZSJ with a forearm, but ZSJ EuroUppers back. The forearms and EuroUppers continue, ZSJ headbutts low, and then again. ZSJ whips, but Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS in return!
Fans rally up as Tanahashi drags ZSJ up. Tanahashi fires fast hands and then scoops ZSJ to SLAM him into the drop zone. Tanahashi goes up the corner, SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Fans rally again and Tanahashi waits on ZSJ to stand. Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ turns Slingblade into cobra twist! Tanahashi powers out with a hip toss, and hits a jumping elbow drop, into ZSJ’s ARMBAR! ZSJ has the arm but Tanahashi fights and moves around, ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go and fans rally up again. Tag to Suzuki, he drags Tanahashi up and ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! Tanahashi fires up to fire back!
Suzuki ROCKS Tanahashi and then laughs as he ROCKS Tanahashi again! And again! Tanahashi SHOTEIS, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Both men are down and fans fire up! Tanahashi crawls, hot tag to Okada! Okada and Fujinami both get in, they whip Suzuki but Suzuki BOOTS Okada! Suzuki kicks at Fujinami but he blocks it! Suzuki SLAPS Fujinami, but Fujinami still DRAGON SCREWS Suzuki down! ZSJ gets in but Tanahashi blocks the kick, and Tanahashi DRAGON SCREWS! Okada sees Fujiwara, blocks the kick, but he isn’t so sure about the dragon screw so he just CLUBS the leg! Fans fire up as Okada gets Suzuki.
Okada Alabama lifts to REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up, Okada gut wrenches but Suzuki slips out to headlock. Okada powers out but Suzuki holds hair to HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! Fujiwara steps in to show Suzuki a proper HEADBUTT! Then they get Okada up, DOUBLE HEADBUTT! Suzuki then drags Okada down into a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! ZSJ intercepts Fujinami, and wrangles him down for a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Tanahashi runs in, but Fujiwara himself gets Tanahashi, for a FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! Fans are loving the TRIPLE FUJIWARAS!!
Okada endures, he gets the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, all the Fujiwara Armbars are released. Okada gets up, Suzuki runs in at the corner, BOOT! Snapmare and PENALTY KICK! But Okada stays up! Okada eggs Suzuki on, so Suzuki PENALTY KICKS! Okada still eggs him on so Suzuki KICKS him again! Okada gets up to throw EuroUpper after EuroUpper! Suzuki stays up and he ROCKS Okada with a forearm! And another forearm! And another forearm! Okada wobbles, Suzuki fires off slapping palm strikes! Then SLEEPER HOLD! Okada starts to fade and turn red already! Fujinami gets in to get Suzuki with a DRAGON SLEEPER!
Suzuki flails, Tanahashi gets in to keep Fujiwara out. Fujinami feeds Suzuki to the SLINGBLADE! Tanahashi keeps Fujiwara in the corner, Okada gut wrenches Suzuki! SPINNING TOMBSTONE! Okada drags Suzuki up, ripcords, but Suzuki spins him around to the SLEEPER! Okada flails, gets an arm, ripcord but Suzuki SLAPS Okada! Suzuki fakes out the dropkick to SLAP him again! Suzuki runs, into the DROPKICK! Okada hurries to get Suzuki up, gut wrench and LANDSLIDE! Then ripcord, RAINMAKER!! Cover, Okada’s team wins!
Winners: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tatsumi Fujinami, by pinfall
Fujiwara was still terrorizing Tanahashi and Fujinami on the outside, he missed what happened! In the end, the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion finishes it off! Will Suzuki and ZSJ be able to recover and redeem themselves in the New Japan Cup?
As for Okada and his team, they celebrate with their photo ops, and then Okada gets the mic. “Everyone, thank you for your enthusiastic and passionate support today!” Okada thanks Tanahashi and Fujinami, and then says, “It’s the 50th Anniversary of NJPW, and with all these legends here today, I really felt the weight of NJPW again. I’ve said I’ll carry the load, but now I know I have to be prepared. I’ll do what I have to to make this anniversary even more exciting!” Fans cheer that sentiment.
Okada then says that while many appeared, Inoki hasn’t arrived. “I believe that the first step Inoki-san took is what led to this NJPW. Against all odds, he fought and created what we have here. I believe he will return to this ring! Until then, we’ll keep bringing the entertainment, so keep supporting us!” Fans cheer that sentiment, too, and Okada hands the mic to Tanahashi. Tanahashi also thanks the fans for coming out today. “I will carry on the 50 year history and continue to make NJPW great in the future! Thank you very much. And finally…! I LOVE YOU~! And…” The mic is given back to Okada so he can say, “I’ll keep making it rain in NJPW!” And…
“Let’s send some energy to Inoki-san! Fujinami-san, if you’d please.” Fujinami is given the mic, he also thanks the fans for coming to the 50th Anniversary Show. He also thanks Okada and Tanahashi, and though they just mentioned Inoki, he wants to call Inoki out for next time. So let’s all do “that thing” and send him some energy! Fujinami even calls to Chono and Choshu on commentary to help out. Fans cheer and both Chono and Choshu are a bit surprised. They stand up at the desk, and on the count of one, two, three! “DAAA!” Fans cheer this amazing moment, and we all hope Inoki-san can return! But for now, onward! To another FIFTY YEARS of NJPW!
My Thoughts:
A great event for NJPW, and I was going to only skip one match, but unfortunately, Tenzan AND Kota Ibushi are still unable to compete. That is rough for Ibushi especially, since he has been out of action since I believe mid 2021. So Young Lions took the losses to House of Torture and United Empire, hence skipping them. Good showings, though, from what I skimmed. A lot of the returning stars and legends had great showings. Minoru Tanaka was a great part of his Six Man Tag, but Bullet Club won to further the dysfunction going on in that faction, such as ELP still having a crisis of confidence over his cheat being taken away.
Suzuki-Gun VS Strong Hearts was a very good Six Man, and that was quite the win for Strong Hearts. While the New Japan Cup is starting tomorrow, I feel like Desperado is out in the first round because he’s up against Okada. Then Desperado can defend his Junior Heavyweight title against the members of Strong Hearts, and then build to his friendly showdown with Kanemaru. That 10 Man was a lot of fun, especially because it was a reunion for Great Bash Heel. But LIJ is rolling strong, especially with Sanada as the new IWGP United States Champion. Naito is among the EIGHT matches to open the NJ Cup, this will be good momentum for his win over Yujiro Takahashi.
The tag champions VS tag champions match was great stuff. For one, this was serious Taguchi here taking on Goto. And the Junior Heavyweights looked so close to taking the win, but it’s only natural that the Heavyweights won out. Goto and Hashi are also part of tomorrow’s NJ Cup opening day, so I bet they each win their matches. And then we got an awesome main event. Fujiwara is the epitome of Murder Grandpa here, and somehow, someway, he was able to keep up. Hell, those headbutts to the crossbar were crazy. He also had great interactions with Suzuki, it was somewhere between father-son and older brother, younger brother. But in the end, Faces win so we could have that feel good moment to close the night.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Once more around the round robin!
Best of the Super Juniors returns, yet Douki chooses not to compete! Who proves they’re “second best” to the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: Taiji Ishimori VS Jakob Austin Young; Taiji wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: SHO VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Daiki Nagai; Taguchi wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: YOH VS Hyo; Hyo wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Robbie X VS Nick Wayne; Nick wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: KUSHIDA VS Robbie Eagles; Kushida wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Master Wato VS Titan; Titan wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: El Desperado VS Daisuke Sasaki; Daisuke wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Francesco Akira; Fujita wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: Taiji Ishimori VS Jakob Austin Young!
The Bone Soldier and #DangerousJAY get to set the tone for the first round with this opening match. Will Taiji be victorious #ByGrace? Or will he fall off Jakob’s Ladder?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. The two tie up, Jakob headlocks, but Taiji puts him on ropes. The ref counts, Taiji backs off, and the fans cheer the clean break. Taiji and Jakob go again, feel things out, then clinch. Jakob puts Taiji on the ropes, the ref calls the break, but Jakob gives a quick body jab. The fans boo but Jakob tells them to shut up. The two circle again, tie up, and Jakob headlocks. Taiji powers up and out but Jakob RUNS him over! Things keep moving, Taiji drops down, hurdles over, but Jakob waistlocks. Taiji fires elbows, then runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and RANAS! Jakob tumbles, Taiji DROPKICKS him out!
The fans fire up as Taiji builds speed, but he tiger feints as Jakob moves! The fans cheer again, and then Taiji PLANCHAS! Down goes Jakob and the fans fire up again! Taiji goes back for Jakob, puts him in the ring, then covers, TWO! Jakob is tougher than that but Taiji stays close. Taiji cravats to snapmare Jakob, then NECK TWIST! Jakob writhes but the fans applaud, and Taiji stalks Jakob. Taiji CLUBS Jakob, ROCKS him with a right, but the ref reprimands about closed fists. Taiji wrenches and whips Jakob to a corner, then runs up, but Jakob puts Taiji on the apron. Jakob RAMS low, then pulls Taiji through the ropes, NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT!
The fans applaud Jakob’s creativity while Taiji slumps down. Jakob builds speed to WRECK Taiji with a dropkick! Jakob says crowns up, then he fetches Taiji. Jakob SMACKS Taiji off the apron, the ref reprimands, but Jakob puts Taiji in the ring. Jakob mocks the fans applauding, then slides into the ring. Cover, TWO! Jakob stomps Taiji while he argues the count. Jakob taunts Taiji, pats him on the head, but Taiji fires CHOPS! Jakob eggs Taiji on so Taiji CHOPS again! Jakob felt that one, but he dodges the lariat to wrench and spin Taiji around, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Taiji survives.
Jakob stands Taiji up, suplexes, but Taiji slips free. Taiji ducks a shot to then CLAW the eyes! Taiji whips, Jakob reverses, but Taiji handsprings, NEURALIZER KICK! Down goes Jakob and the fans applaud. Taiji and Jakob rise, Taiji runs in at the corner, and he DOUBLE KNEES! Then Taiji fireman’s carries, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Basement SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Taiji waits on Jakob while we pass five minutes. Jakob rises, Taiji runs up, LA MYST- NO, Jakob blocks to THROW Taiji down! Then dragon sleeper for the SAVING GRACE! Cover, TWO! Taiji survives and the fans fire up again!
Jakob frowns as he storms back over to Taiji. Jakob grabs the legs, steps through, but Taiji kicks and kicks. Taiji kicks free, but Jakob SLIDING KNEES! Cover, TWO! Jakob argues with the ref again but the ref defends his count. Taiji stirs but Jakob brings him up. Jakob cravats, goes to the corner, but Taiji slips free! BUCKLE SHOT! The fans cheer while Jakob sputters in the corner. Taiji rises again, and the fans rally as he brings Jakob up. Taiji whips but Jakob blocks! Taiji wrenches the arm to YANK it! Jakob falls to his knees but Taiji stands him up. Hammerlock, scoop, and SHOULDER BUSTER! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Jakob survives.
Taiji stays focused and he brings Jakob up. Taiji ripcords, LA MYSTI- NO, Jakob slips free! Jakob CHOPS, Taiji CHOPS, but Jakob ROCKS Taiji with a forearm! Jakob runs, but Taiji is up to JUMP KNEE! The fans fire up again and Taiji calls his shot! Taiji hauls Jakob up, gut wrenches, and CIPHER UT- NO, Jakob catches it to a cover, TWO! Taiji victory rolls, TWO! Taiji ducks ‘n’ dodges, LA MYSTICA! BONE LOCK!! Jakob flails, reaches out, but Taiji rolls him to center! Jakob TAPS, Taiji wins!
Winner: Taiji Ishimori, by submission (gains 2 points; Jakob earns 0)
The tone is set, and it is Unbound! Will that be exactly how Taiji’s run goes? Or will he still fall short of his first BOSJ trophy?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: SHO VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
Wait, wait, wait. Douki choosing to stay out of this tournament is one thing, but the Murder Machine and Heel Master facing each other in the first round? Well, the fix is in already, but who will help the other get an easy win?
Well, since they’re both House of Torture, no one attacks the other. And it seems they’re both out here alone, if only for now. Wait, Sho grabs the mic. “This is a battle of two of the absolute best Junior Heavyweights. And it is a disgrace that this incredible match is only second on the card. The power balance of this division is so screwed up. But to make sure this makes everyone regrets this, Kanemaru-san, you and I are gonna have the best match of this entire tournament! And we know we’re not coming out of this unscathed. This will be a Match of the Year contender!
“And all these country bumpkins in Tokyo will see the best match of their entire lives, even though they don’t deserve it! This should be in the Tokyo Dome with a minimum buy-in of 100 MILLION Yen! Kanemaru-san, I don’t want to hurt you. But let’s have a great match, and as your kouhai, you’ll do me a solid and lie down.” Kanemaru agrees to a fair match, the two “put one out” together, and then the bell rings. Kanemaru already lies down!? Finger Poke of Doom 2026! Sho applauds, the fans clap along, and Kanemaru snatches Sho into the victory roll! TWO!! Kanemaru bails out and Sho is upset! Kanemaru argues the count while the fans laugh at Sho!
Sho is upset, he raises the ref’s hand, then he grabs Kanemaru’s bottle of whiskey! The ref and Sho fight over the bottle, but Kanemaru slithers in, and he’s holding Sho’s wrench! Kanemaru sneaks the Torture Tool into Sho’s waistband, and then shoves him around. The ref sees the wrench in Sho’s pants! Now they argue over the wrench! Kanemaru rolls Sho up, TWO! Headlock takeover, TWO! Trip and jackknife bridge, TWO!! The fans cheer Kanemaru for how close he got! Sho is still beside himself but Kanemaru bails out. Kanemaru goes around the outside, Sho chases him and says how dare he mess around!
Sho round the corner, Kanemaru dropkicks the legs out! Kanemaru SMASHES the leg off the floor! Then FIGURE FOUR! The fans cheer but a ring count climbs! Sho flails, reaches out, but Kanemaru holds until 12 of 20! Kanemaru leaves Sho behind, but Sho grabs Kanemaru’s legs! Sho drags Kanemaru off the apron, fans clear out, and Sho THROWS Kanemaru into chairs! Then Sho sends a Young Lion into Kanemaru! The count is still going!! We pass 15 as Kanemaru sends Young Lion Taisei Nakahara back at Sho! The fans cheer as Kanemaru rolls in! 18! 19! Sho slides in at 19.99! The fans cheer while Kanemaru is shocked!
Kanemaru apologizes to Sho? Kanemaru offers a handshake, the fans cheer, but Sho says Kanemaru needs to watch himself. Sho takes the handshake, then bends Kanemaru’s fingers! Kanemaru CLAWS Sho with his other hand! Kanemaru runs, Sho uses the ref as a shield, but then so does Kanemaru! Kanemaru ENZIGIRIS Sho! Kanemaru stomps Sho’s fingers! Kanemaru grabs his whiskey! The ref protests, Kanemaru shoves him away, then Kanemaru takes a swig. But Sho smothers Kanemaru! Kanemaru breaks free, but Sho just smothers him again! Kanemaru’s at his limit, and Sho lets go, WHISKEY MIST into the ref!
The ref is blinded, Sho laughs at them both, and Sho says that should be a disqualification, right? IT IS!
Winner: Sho, by disqualification (gains 2 points; Kanemaru earns 0)
Kanemaru is mad at the ref and TOSSES him out! Poor Sakamoto… Sho apologizes to Kanemaru now, but they were both playing dirty anyway. They fist bump and head out, but will the trickery only continue until one of them is the Best of the Super Juniors?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Daiki Nagai!
The Funky Weapon has had his moments in this tournament, but the Unbound Young Lion is finally having his first! Will Taguchi be serious right from the start? Or will he underestimate his young opponent?
Oh snap, Daiki SHOTGUNS Taguchi during introductions! The fans fire up as Daiki shows how serious he is about this! The bell rings as he whips Taguchi, but Taguchi reverses to start up the cycle of dropdown and sidestep! But Daiki knows it well and DROPKICKS Taguchi out! The fans fire up as Daiki builds speed, and DIVES! Down goes Taguchi right in front of the fans! The fans fire up with Daiki and he brings Taguchi up. Daiki says here goes, and he climbs up the corner! Taguchi stands, Daiki MISSILE DROPKICKS! Taguchi flounders away but Daiki runs in at the corner! Taguchi dodges, rolls Daiki, then DROPKICKS in return!
The fans rally as Taguchi crawls to the cover, TWO! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Daiki scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi holds but lets go as the ref reprimands. Things finally slow down and Taguchi can take off his shirt. Taguchi CHOKES Daiki with it! The ref reprimands, Taguchi stops right away, and he apologizes for getting mad. Taguchi reels Daiki in, has the leg, but Daiki fights the lift! Taguchi fires body shots to then SHIN BREAKER! And DROPKICK to the leg! The fans rally as Taguchi grabs OH MY GAH ANKLE! Daiki flails, crawls, and makes the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go, but then kneels on the leg for a toehold.
Daiki grabs the ropes again, the ref counts, and Taguchi steps away. Taguchi drags Daiki up to HIP ATTACK! And HIP ATTACK! Daiki rises but Taguchi brings him up. Daiki ROCKS Taguchi, Taguchi ROCKS Daiki, repeat! The shots go back and forth, Taguchi fires a flurry, then he runs, but Taguchi follows! HIP- ATOMIC DROP! Daiki still knows the tricks, and he waistlocks. Taguchi fights with elbows, then more elbows, then he feints the run! But Daiki avoids the hips! But Taguchi victory rolls again! TWO, and Daiki DROPKICKS! Taguchi falls into a corner and the fans fire up again! Daiki has a wild look in his eyes as he goes to the other corner.
Daiki runs in and HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! Daiki hurries to drag Taguchi out, covers, TWO! The fans fire up again while Daiki goes to a corner. Daiki climbs, the fans rally, and Daiki DIVING BODY FLOPS as Taguchi moves! Daiki sputters while Taguchi crawls to a corner. Taguchi calls upon the powers of Strong Style, “OYA~!” BUM- NO, Daiki rolls Taguchi up! TWO, and Taguchi dodges a lariat to roll Daiki up! TWO, and OH MY- NO, Daiki kicks free! SLIDING HIP! Cover, TWO!! Daiki survives and the fans fire up, but Taguchi hauls Daiki right up! Taguchi chicken wings and DODON- NO, Daiki victory rolls, TWO!
Daiki ROCKS Taguchi, Taguchi ENZIGIRIS! Daiki rebounds to CHOP! Daiki runs, but into a DROPKICK! Taguchi hurries to cover, TWO, but OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Daiki flails again, reaches out, and the fans rally even harder! Taguchi puts on the pressure but Daiki still fights his way forward! Daiki reaches out but Taguchi drags him back! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Daiki claws with everything he has, but Taguchi YANKS Daiki back! Chicken wings and DODON BUSTER!! Cover, Taguchi wins!
Winner: Ryusuke Taguchi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Daiki earns 0)
Taguchi got serious because Daiki brought it out of him! And with that, Taguchi already has his first win in this year’s tournament! Will Taguchi prove that the Funky Weapon still has what it takes? Will Daiki learn from this and make sure his first win is in the second round?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: YOH VS HYO!
A curious match-up here, and not just because you can rearrange one man’s name and spell the other’s. But will Mr. Direct Drive kick it into gear right from the start? Or will The Black Panther prove he’s the apex predator in this tournament?
The fans have a hard time making heads or tails of the ring gear, and Yoh asks for a little help with the halter top. Hyo makes sure his little snow leopard, Nyan Nyan, is comfortable in the corner, then the bell rings. The two run up, Hyo leaps over the dropdown, then mule kicks. Hyo whips, Yoh reverses, but Hyo goes up and over, then handsprings through! Things really speed up, and the panther gets the zoomies as he runs around Yoh! Then DROPKICK! The fans cheer while Yoh bails out! Hyo shows his claws, and the fans rally up as Hyo builds speed. But Hyo handsprings through as Yoh moves!
The fans cheer and Yoh THROWS Nyan Nyan down! The fans boo Yoh for that, Hyo flexes and the fans cheer. But Yoh sneaks in to wrench and trip Hyo! Yoh ties Hyo up in Paradise! The fans cheer as Yoh stands on Hyo, then “kicks sand” before he runs around like a cat! Yoh “pees” on Hyo, maybe he’s a dog instead. Yoh then runs to DROPKICK Hyo outta Paradise! Yoh drags Hyo up, reels him in, and suplexes, but Hyo fights free, wrenches, then NEKODAMASHI CLAP! Cradle, TWO! Yoh rolls Hyo, TWO! Hyo runs up, sunset flips, TWO! Yoh sits on the cover, TWO! Hyo has it again, TWO! Yoh has it again, TWO!!
The fans cheer that near escape, but Yoh kicks and runs. But Hyo blows past, and now both men have the zoomies! They chase each other like cats ‘n’ dogs, then STUNNER to SOMERSAULT DRIVER! Cover, HYO WINS!!
Winner: Hyo, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Yoh earns 0)
In the blink of an eye, the Panther snatches that win like a rabbit out of the hat! Hyo shows Yoh respect with the Roppongi 3K salute, AND A KISS?! Yoh faints, will he be able to recover from that? Or will Hyo hunt down the top spot in the block?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Robbie X VS Nick Wayne!
The former IWGP Junior Tag Team Champion and the former ROH World Television Champion (sorry if that’s spoilers/breaking kayfabe) meet in hopes of each becoming the next IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. Will things get too extreme for The Prodigy? Or will NJPW enter Wayne’s World?
The bell rings and the fans rally behind Robbie. Robbie and Nick circle, tie up, and Robbie headlocks. Nick powers up and out, but Robbie handsprings! Nick stops the cutter, but Robbie fights the full nelson! Robbie trips Nick, but Nick avoids the PK! Nick arm-drags Robbie, Robbie headscissors, but Nick kips free to kick low! Nick whips, Robbie goes up and over in the corner, then handsprings! Things keep moving, Nick hurdles to then UPPERCUT! The fans fire up as Nick kips up again! Robbie flounders away but Nick storms over to him. Nick drags Robbie up, CHOPS him in the corner, then follows him along the ropes.
Robbie goes to another corner but Nick kisses him on the bald head before he CHOPS again! Nick then snapmares Robbie, leg drops, then covers, TWO! Robbie is tougher than that but Nick keeps his cool. Nick stalks Robbie, brings him up, but Robbie CHOPS! The fans cheer but Nick comes back. Robbie ROCKS Nick, ROCKS him again, then again! But Nick ROCKS Robbie back! Nick stalks Robbie, whips him to ropes, but Robbie avoids the superkick! Nick runs up, Robbie cartwheels to dodge! Nick tumbles out to the apron, Robbie NO HAND HANDSPRINGS to knock Nick down! Then Robbie reloads, PLANCHA! Down goes Nick and the fans fire up!
Robbie brings Nick up, puts him in the ring, and slingshots for the SILVER FLIP SENTON! Cover, TWO! Nick is still in this but the fans rally behind Robbie. Robbie checks his neck, then brings Nick up. Robbie reels Nick in but Nick fights the lift. Robbie still tries but Nick still fights. Robbie winds up to CHOP Nick down! The fans cheer but Robbie reels Nick back in, only for Nick to BACKDROP free! Robbie sunsets but Nick sits on it, TWO! Robbie finishes the flip, TWO! Nick is up, he dodges Robbie, and SNAP DRAGONS! The fans fire up for that very Kenny Omega level move! Nick then waits on Robbie to get up while he takes aim.
Nick runs corner to corner, but Robbie dodges! Robbie runs back up, blocks a boot, but not the ENZIGIRI! Nick goes up, up, WAYNE’S- NO, Robbie dodges the cutter and mule kicks! Robbie goes to run but Nick reels him in! Robbie fights the waistlock again, but Nick ducks a shot! Nick ROCKS Robbie, Robbie ELBOWS Nick, and PELES! The fans fire up with Robbie as he powers up again, only for Nick to jump up! POISON-RANA! The fans rally while Robbie is down! Nick calls his shot, gathers power, and Robbie rises up, into the BUZZ- NO, Robbie ducks, jumps up, POISON-RANA! The fans fire up as Robbie returns the favor!
Nick bails out, but Robbie springboards, SKY TWISTER! Down goes Nick but Robbie puts him in fast! Robbie handsprings, LETHAL INJECTION X!! Cover, TWO!! Nick survives and Robbie is shocked! The fans rally even harder for Robbie as he rises up. Robbie drags Nick to a drop zone, climbs up the corner, and X EX- NO, Robbie has to roll through as Nick moves! Robbie runs back up, but into a SUPERKICK! Robbie is down but Nick leans against the corner as he catches his breath. The fans rally up harder and harder still, and Nick rises to his feet. Nick calls his shot, and he goes up, into WAYNE’S- BACKSLIDE! TWO!
Nick BOOTS Robbie, runs, but Robbie ROCKS Nick! Robbie runs, Nick blows past, but Robbie dodges, QUEBRADA into a SUPERKICK! Nick hits the anti-air, and now he calls his shot! BUZZSAW, and WAYNE’S WORLD! Cover, NICK WINS!
Winner: Nick Wayne, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Robbie earns 0)
He may have lost the title, but Nick rebounds to get a major win in the tournament! Will nothing stop The Prodigy from proving he’s the next big thing? Can Robbie get the X Express back on track in the second round?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: KUSHIDA VS Robbie Eagles!
The Time Splitter returns to NJPW, hoping to prove he is still the Best of the Super Juniors. But he now stands in the crosshairs of the Sniper of the Skies! Will Kushida still bring us Back to the Future? Or will Eagles fly high right from the start?
Wait, Kushida is going barefoot for this! Eagles says okay, hold on. “Robbie Robbie Robbie!” “OI OI OI!” “Robbie Robbie Robbie!” “OI OI OI!” “Robbie!” “OI!” “Robbie!” “OI!” “Robbie Robbie Robbie!” “OI OI OI!” The fans applaud, but then a “KU-SHI-DA!” chant starts in response. The bell rings and the two circle. They feel things out, Kushida rolls, and he grabs a leg. Eagles fights that off to step over and cover, ONE! Kushida trips Robbie, has a toehold, but Robbie rolls and reels Kushida in, only for Kushida to use that and get the headlock for his own. The fans applaud this technical exchange, but then Eagles slips out to hammerlock!
Eagles reaches over but Kushida rolls to then headscissors! The fans applaud again, and Kushida puts on the pressure. Eagles endures, bridges, but Kushida puts on the pressure. Eagles kips free, but Kushida reels him back into the headscissors! The fans applaud, but Eagles fights around. Eagles rolls to turn Kushida over, then he pops out to trap the legs. Eagles rolls Kushida, but Kushida twists a foot! Kushida turns Eagles over, ties the legs up, then floats to a headlock. Eagles powers out to stand on Kushida’s arm, but Kushida slips away. The fans applaud the standoff as the two reset and circle again.
Kushida rushes Eagles, Eagles holds off the armlock but the body scissors are still on! Eagles powers through to drop Kushida down and have a toehold. Eagles bends toes! The ref reprimands, Eagles teases about “this little piggy,” but Kushida hooks Eagles’ nose! Eagles shakes that off but Kushida tries again. Kushida waistlocks, bridges, but Eagles moves, so Kushida floats to an ARMBAR! Eagles rolls to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Kushida lets go, and the two reset again. They circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. Kushida rolls, trips Eagles, then has the toehold. Eagles tries to headscissors, but Kushida shrugs that off.
Kushida pulls Eagles’ arm into tying up the legs, then he steps over. It’s not exactly Paradise as Kushida uses his legs to bend and crunch Eagles! Eagles powers up and trips Kushida to then SPLAYED STRETCH! Kushida endures, even as Eagles reclines back, so Eagles floats over to a cover. ONE, Eagles waistlocks but Kushida rolls. Cover, ONE, and Eagles trips Kushida. Kushida chinbars to wrangle Eagles into a chinlock. Eagles endures so Kushida shifts to a motorcycle stretch, and LEG HOOK NELSON! Eagles endures, pushes back, and rolls to have a leg! Eagles has the INDIAN DEATHLOCK! The fans cheer as Eagles sits Kushida up, INDIAN COBRA TWIST!!
Kushida endures, pries at the arm, then rolls to leg hook and float, ARMBAR! Eagles pries free, and the fans cheer the technical master class! Eagles and Kushida reset again, feel things out, then tie up. Eagles goes for an arm, but so does Kushida. Kushida chinbars but Eagles arm-drags! Eagles steps over, Kushida kicks free, but Eagles handsprings through. The fans cheer as the two reset again. They approach, and Kushida KICKS the leg! Then he grapevines the leg to trip Eagles. Eagles pries at toes but Kushida stands to change up his hold. Eagles slips through to drop toehold Kushida into the waistlock. Kushida fights up, switches, then arm-drags.
Kushida chicken wings the arms and he works to turn Eagles. Eagles endures but Kushida powers through to a cradle! TWO, and Kushida ducks a chop to roll back! Kushida goes up but Eagles blocks the arm-drag! Eagles arm-drags back, then trips Kushida. Eagles runs, handsprings over the dropdown, but Kushida is after the arm! Eagles wrenches through, breaks free, but Kushida blocks a kick! Eagles drops to trip Kushida, ANKLE- NO, Kushida rolls back, bridges, TWO! Eagles body scissors and rolls to a cover, TWO! Both men RAM shoulders! And RAM again! And again! The fans fire up as the two stare down.
Kushida offers a handshake, Eagles accepts, but Eagles stomps the toes! The fans boo but Eagles says Kushida baka. Eagles runs up, gets a leg, but Kushida steps over to cover, TWO! Eagles sunset flips, TWO! Kushida sits on it, TWO! Kushida rolls to highs tack, TWO! Eagles has Kushida, TWO! Kushida, ONE! Eagles, ONE! They teetertotter and the ref can’t even keep up! The fans cheer as this turns into a rolling cradle! Eagles finally has it, TWO!! Kushida escapes in time and Eagles is stunned! Eagles runs up but Kushida jumps the 619! Kushida somersaults, but Eagles stops the DDT! Eagles slips around, rolls Kushida up, TWO!
Eagles has the leg, steps through, but Kushida cradles, TWO! Eagles has it, TWO! Both men stand, Eagles jumps up, RANA! But Kushida sunset flips it! TWO!! The fans are thunderous as both men get up! Kushida FLAPJACKS, but Eagles avoids the PK! Eagles wrenches the leg, SLAPS, SLAPS, SLAPS, and TURBO- NO, Kushida slips through the backpack to cradle and BACK TO THE FUTURE!! Cover, KUSHIDA WINS!!
Winner: Kushida, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Robbie earns 0)
It feels like forever since we’ve seen Kushida win with that move here in NJPW, but seeing it again brings us right back! Will Kushida hit that 88 miles per hour and return to former glory? Will the Sniper of the Skies just have to reload and try again in the next round?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Master Wato VS Titan!
The Way of the Grandmaster is still on the long road to the top, but the same goes for El Inmortal’s journey. Who will take another step closer to their goal of being the Best of the Super Juniors?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. The crowd is split between them, and the two tie up. Wato trips Titan, things speed up, and Titan hurdles to then drop down. Wato leaps over, keeps moving, and he RANAS! Titan bails out, Wato builds speed, but Titan is up fast to springboard and CROSSBODY! Then DROPKICK! Wato bails out, Titan builds speed, and fans clear out before Titan DIVES! Wato tumbles into the chairs! The ref checks and Wato is able to continue. Titan roars as he rises up and the fans cheer. Titan puts Wato in the ring, pushes him around, then fireman’s carries for the DEATH VALLEY NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!
The fans applaud was Wato toughs it out. Titan stomps Wato, eggs him on, then KICKS him in the back. Titan snapmares Wato, runs and basement DROPKICKS! High stack, TWO! Titan hurries to tie up the legs, FIGURE FOUR! Wato endures, drags Titan along, and manages the ROPEBREAK! Titan lets go while the fans applaud. Wato shakes out the legs, Titan stomps him around, then Titan kicks at him. Wato scowls but Titan SOBATS! Titan eggs Wato on again, then brings him up. Wato fires a shot but Titan CLUBS and KNEES Wato in return. Another fireman’s carry but Wato fights free!
Wato swings, Titan ducks, and Titan fires off a strike fest! Titan runs, but into an ELBOW! Wato runs but ducks a shot to ZIGZAG! But Titan kips up to PELE! Wato PENALTY KICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Wato crawls to ropes, rises up, and he runs to CLOBBER Titan! And CLOBBER again! Wato whips Titan, then DROPKICKS him down! Titan bails out, the fans fire up, and Wato builds speed! Wato FLIES and down goes Titan! The fans cheer while both men are down in front of the front row again. A ring count starts, but Wato rises at 7 of 20. Wato stands at 10 and fires up with the fans!
Wato brings Titan up, puts him in at 14, and takes aim. The fans applaud as Wato climbs the corner, then leaps in, MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Titan is tougher than that and the fans cheer again. Wato drags Titan up, wrenches and clinches, but Titan fights the lift! Wato CLUBS Titan, whips him, but Titan reverses to TORANDO DDT! And then roll through to suplex, CUTTER! Cover, TWO! But Titan steps through, ties up the legs, and rolls for LLAVE INMORTAL! The fans fire up as Titan bridges back and bends Wato! Wato fights, fights, and powers his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Titan lets go in frustration.
Titan roars and the fans rally again. Titan pounds the mat, the fans clap along, and Titan waits on Wato. Wato rises, Titan SUPER- NO, Wato ducks, but Titan BUZZSAWS! Titan goes to the corner, he climbs up top, and the fans fire up, but Wato CLUBS Titan first! Titan drops onto the corner, Wato climbs up, and Wato brings Titan back up! Titan holds onto the corner, fires elbows, then he trips Wato! Wato falls into the Tree of Woe! Titan turns around, WOE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!! Wato survives and the fans fire up again! Titan throws off his elbow pads, then rolls his way back to the corner. Titan skins the cat to rise back up!
Titan aims while Wato is down, LA LANC- NO, Wato dodges, runs up, crucifix takedown, into RECIENTEMENTE!! Cover, TWO?!? Titan survives and the fans are thunderous! Wato grows frustrated, but he hurries to waistlock. TSU- NO, Titan rolls, hooks a leg, but Wato reels Titan into a cradle! TWO, and ROUNDHOUSE! Wato hurries to spin, but Titan blocks the kick to DRAGON SCREW! Then a step through and SHARPSHOOTER!! Wato endures, reaches out, but Titan pulls him back to center!! Wato flails, but Titan bridges on the hold! WATO TAPS, TITAN WINS!
Winner: Titan, by submission (gains 2 points; Wato earns 0)
It wasn’t quite Llave Inmortal, but it might’ve been even stronger! Titan borrows a fan’s flag of Mexico to celebrate his home and his people. Will Titan represent them both as he proves he was born for such a time as this? Or will Wato still prove he is the Way to the Grandmaster?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: El Desperado VS Daisuke Sasaki!
The Rogue Luchador won the tournament back in 2024, and is looking to repeat history so that he may have his revenge on Douki. However, he’s up against Charisma Itself! Will Desperado still be the Best of the Super Juniors two years later? Or will Daisuke prove he is the future of this division?
Before they get started, Despy offers a handshake. Daisuke is wary, but he accepts. They both kiss the other’s hand, then the bell rings. The fans duel as the two circle, but then Daisuke bails out. The fans boo but Despy waits on Daisuke. Daisuke steps back into the ring, circles with Despy, and they feel things out. They tie up, Daisuke waistlocks, but Despy wrenches to wristlock. Daisuke spins through, wrenches back, and wristlocks to then snapmare. Daisuke keeps on the arm but Despy fights around. Despy rolls, trips Daisuke, and has the toehold. Daisuke chinbars in return but Despy digs his elbow into the knee.
Daisuke chinlocks and pries Despy off the leg, but Despy kicks back to the ROPEBREAK! Daisuke lets go, Despy bails out, and now Daisuke waits. Despy takes his time returning, and the two reset. The fans rally as they feel things out, and they knuckle lock. But then Despy wrenches the arm to snapmare Daisuke, sit him up, and ghost pin, TWO! Daisuke slips around to headlock, but Despy powers up and out. Despy headlocks, Daisuke slips through to headlock, but Despy powers up and out again. Daisuke RUNS Despy over! Then he fakes Despy out to headlock, but Despy rolls. Daisuke rolls through, Despy trips him, STRETCH MUFFLER!
Daisuke scrambles to the ROPEBREAK and the fans cheer. Despy kneels on Daisuke, pretends to not understand what’s wrong, then he digs his knees in. The ref counts, Despy backs off, and Despy apologizes while Daisuke bails out. Despy waits, but Daisuke offers Despy to step outside. It’ll be a clean fight! Despy says step inside and it’ll be clean in here! Despy asks why it has to be outside. Daisuke CLAWS Despy’s eyes! Then he turns Despy for a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! The fans are torn while Despy writhes, but Daisuke drags Despy outside. Daisuke SMACKS Despy off the apron, then has fans clear out!
Daisuke stands Despy up, but he’s going to commentary! Despy fights back, but now Daisuke fights the desk bump! Daisuke SMACKS Despy off the desk, then grabs someone’s chair! The ref reprimands, but Daisuke puts the chair around Despy’s neck and POSTS him! The fans are torn while Despy writhes, but Daisuke leaves Despy behind. The fans rally for Despy as a ring count begins, and Despy is still down at 5 of 20. Despy sits up at 7, Daisuke wants the count to hurry up. Despy stands at 10 and rolls into the ring, only for Daisuke to DROPKICK him in the head! Despy scrambles away, clutching his neck, but Daisuke pursues!
Daisuke puts Despy back in, pushes him to a cover, ONE!! Despy toughs it out, but Daisuke KNEES him in the back of the neck! And then drops a knee on the same spot! And again! The fans rally up for Despy but Daisuke steps on him at the ropes. Daisuke then drags Despy up, puts him through ropes, and bends him back! The ref counts, Daisuke stops, then he drags Despy around to FISHERMAN SCREW! Despy sputters, but he BODY BLOWS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Daisuke CLUBS Despy, then eggs him on. Daisuke slaps Despy around, Despy slaps back, so Daisuke slaps again. Despy SMACKS Daisuke down!
The fans fire up for Despy while Daisuke is dazed. But then Daisuke kicks the leg out, and he slips around, STF! Despy endures, reaches out, but Daisuke shifts to a CROSSFACE! Despy endures, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK with a foot! Daisuke lets go to drop knee after knee on Despy’s back! Daisuke then stalks Despy to ropes, brings him around, and turns him, but Despy slips free! Despy has the leg, SHIN BREAKER! Then a DROPKICK to the leg! Daisuke hobbles to a corner while the fans rally again. Despy runs up on Daisuke, blocks a boot, and KICKS the leg! Then DRAPING DRAGON SCREW!
Daisuke hobbles but he falls over. The fans rally as Despy grabs that leg, but Daisuke kicks free. Despy kicks Daisuke’s leg, then BRAINBUSTER! The fans fire up again and Despy keeps on Daisuke, BIG back suplex! Despy hurries to haul Daisuke up again, GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO! Daisuke toughs it out and the fans rally up again. Despy drags Daisuke over to a drop zone, then climbs the corner! The fans rally, but Daisuke goes to the apron. Daisuke CLUBS Despy, ROCKS him with a right, then climbs up the corner. The fans and the ref are all worried as both men try to suplex the other from the outside!
Despy fires body shots, he steps inside, and then SUPERPLEXES Daisuke into the ring! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Despy crawls but Daisuke bails out. So Despy builds speed, but has to stop the dive as Daisuke slides in! Then Daisuke runs to RAM Despy off the apron! Despy tumbles into the chairs, but Daisuke is right after him! Daisuke drags Despy up to make him take a seat. Daisuke CLUBS Despy, then throws off his shirt before he climbs up the corner! The fans go nuts already as Daisuke aims, SUPER DUPER CROSSBODY onto Despy and the chairs!! The fans are thunderous for that wild risk Daisuke just took!
The ref checks both men, and somehow, they’re both able to continue. Daisuke hobbles away from the crash site to roll into the ring. Daisuke then goes back outside with a fresh ring count. Daisuke puts Despy in he ring at 8 of 20, then climbs up again! FLYING LARIAT! Daisuke hurries to reel Despy in, underhooks, and PEDIGREE!! Cover, TWO!! Despy survives but Daisuke hurries to SUPERKICK! Despy is up but Daisuke runs, LA MYSTI- NO, Despy makes it a FACEBUSTER! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Despy stirs, as does Daisuke, and they both slowly rise back up. Despy fires a forearm first, then another!
Despy fires another, but Daisuke ROCKS Despy with a haymaker! Daisuke whips, Despy reverses, and Despy SPINEUBSTERS! High stack, TWO, but into STRETCH MUFFLER!! Daisuke fights, reaches out, but Despy reels him into NUMERO DOS! Daisuke still fights, fights, but Despy drags him back! NUMERO DOS PLUS, but Daisuke rolls it around and around into a CROSSFACE!! Despy endures while the fans rally as hard as they can! Despy fights over, but Daisuke rolls him away from the ropes! Then Daisuke grabs the other arm, only for Despy to roll to a cradle! TWO!! Both men stand, Despy shoots around to then lift, and DOUBLE KNEE-
NO, Daisuke turns it into a DDT! Then Daisuke aims from a corner, runs up, LA MYSTIC- ARM-DRAG COUNTER! Daisuke kicks free of the stack, then uses the ref as a shield! Despy dosidos with the ref, but Daisuke shoves Despy into the ref! Daisuke whips, Despy reverses, and Daisuke ends up in a corner. Despy runs up, but into a pop-up LOW BLOW!! LA MYSTICA! CROSSFACE!! DESPY TAPS, DAISUKE WINS!!
Winner: Daisuke Sasaki, by submission (gains 2 points; Desperado earns 0)
Well, Daisuke was taught by Dick Togo, so perhaps such tactics should’ve been expected. But will Daisuke make sure NJPW is #NeverSober? Will Desperado still find his way to the BOSJ finals?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Francesco Akira!
The Japanese Young Punk and the Crown of Fire have the honor of closing out opening night, but only one can finish strong! Will Fujita remind Akira that The Mighty Don’t Kneel? Or will even The Mighty be conquered by the United Empire?
But wait, Fujita CLOBBERS Akira with a chair outta nowhere! Where’d he even come from?! Fujita rains down fists on Akira while the fans are torn, but Fujita then drags Akira up with a headlock. Red Shoes reprimands, but Fujita takes Akira right to the West sign to SMACK him off it! And SMACK him off it again, and again! Fujita laughs, the fans cheer, and Fujita brings Akira to the ring. The bell finally sounds but Fujita deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!! Akira survives but Fujita brings him back up. Akira fights free and bails out, but Fujita goes to the apron. PENALTY KICK, then QUEBRADA!
The fans are torn as indeed, the Japanese Young Punk bullies and mugs Akira. Red Shoes checks Akira but Fujita has fans clear out. But then Akira throat chops Fujita! Akira whips, Fujita reverses, but Akira stops short of the chairs! Fujita runs up, but Akira THROWS him into the chairs! Not quite a strike but Akira is pissed! Akira whips Fujita hard into more chairs! Akira then huffs ‘n’ puffs, busted open on his forehead, the red standing out against his new green hair dye. Akira says if Fujita wants to fight like that, he’ll fight like that! Akira brings a TABLE out from under the ring! Red Shoes reprimands but Akira SHOVES him down!
The fans are torn while Akira fetches Fujita. Akira SMACKS Fujita off the table, then puts him on the apron. Akira climbs up to join Fujita, and he brings Fujita up to fireman’s carry! Akira aims, but Fujita slips free! Akira ROCKS Fujita first, then brings Fujita up the ropes! Fujita fights the suplex, UPPERCUTS Akira, then runs, but into a SLINGSHOT CUTTER! The fans duel while Akira rises up. Akira rains down forearms on Fujita, then drops back to a corner. Akira has them check his bloody forehead real quick, it seems to have stopped bleeding. Akira CHOPS Fujita, and Fujita sputters. Akira scoops and SLAMS Fujita, then pushes him to a cover, TWO!
Akira sets up, STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up while Akira brings Akira into a headscissors squeeze. Fujita endures, fights forward, but Akira puts on more pressure! Fujita kicks and kicks and makes the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Akira lets go. Akira snarls, then he kicks at Fujita. Akira KICKS Fujita in the back, eggs him on, so Fujita stands. Fujita ROCKS Akira with forearm after forearm, but Akira ROCKS him back! Akira then back suplexes, but Fujita lands out! Akira kicks and whips, Fujita reverses and LEG LARIATS! The fans fire up while both men are down!
Akira bails out, Fujita goes up, out, and tightrope walks, only for Akira to slide in! Fujita hops down, springboards back up, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up while Akira tumbles out the side. Fujita just goes up, up, and SUPER CANNONBALLS! Fujita takes Akira AND Zane Jay down! Fujita brings Akira back into the ring, then PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up again as Fujita waistlocks Akira. Deadlift- NO, Akira fights the suplex, reaches for ropes, but Fujita brings him back. Fujita ducks the elbow, then ties up the legs, NEMOS- NO, Akira crawls, crawls, and makes the ROPEBREAK!
The fans cheer while Fujita lets go. Fujita storms back up on Akira, grabs a leg, but Akira clings to the ropes. Red Shoes counts, but Akira BOOTS Fujita way. Then he sidesteps, trips Fujita, and puts him under the ropes! CATAPULT GUILLOTINE! Akira LIONSAULTS onto Fujita’s back! Cover, TWO! Fujita survives and the fans fire up again, but Akira just grits his teeth. Akira drags Fujita around, reels him in, and SPEED- NO, Fujita blocks Speedfire! Akira still tries but Fujita stops him again. Akira KNEES low again and again, but Fujita grabs that leg! Fujita wrenches, but Akira KNEES low! SPEEDFIRE! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally again while Akira paces. Akira rains down fists but Red Shoes reprimands. Akira stops, taunts the fans cheering Fujita, then tells them to watch this! Akira drags Fujita up, and SMACKS him off the mat! And SMACKS him off the mat again! Akira then taunts the fans for no longer chanting for Fujita! The fans boo, but Akira sits Fujita up again. Fujita blocks the throw this time! Akira KNEES Fujita, SMACKS him off the mat again, and NOVA- NO, Fujita ducks the Fireball to ROUNDHOUSE! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! Red Shoes checks, and both men stir. They slowly rise up, and Akira grabs at Fujita.
Fujita and Akira both pull hair as they sit up. Fujita fires the first forearm, but Akira responds in kind! Fujita fires back, Akira staggers, but Akira returns to ROCK Fujita! Fujita ROCKS Akira, Akira ROCKS Fujita, repeat! The fans rally as the shots keep going, and Fujita laughs it off! Fujita SMACKS Akira! Akira SMACKS Fujita! They start a SLAP fight, and the fans fire up as it gets fast ‘n’ furious! Fujita SMACKS Akira again and again, then winds up, but Akira ENZIGIRIS! Akira runs, but Fujita ELBOWS him! Fujita runs but Akira LARIATS! Akira runs, but into a SPIN HEEL KICK! The fans are thunderous as Fujita DEADLIFT GERMANS! Bridging cover, TWO!!
Akira survives again and the fans are torn right down the middle! Akira rolls to the apron but Fujita isn’t far behind. Fujita GAMANGIRIS, then he looks to Akira’s table! Akira clings to ropes but Fujita tries to pull him away! Akira ELBOWS Fujita, then slips under to POST him! Fujita falls to the floor, Akira leaps and RAN- NO! Fujita stops the rana to then swing Akira up! And he POWERBOMBS Akira through the table!! The fans are thunderous again and Fujita drags Akira back up. Fujita puts Akira in, then whips him for a pop-up GERMAN SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO?!? But Fujita has the arms trapped!!
Akira endures as Fujita pulls on the arm! The fans rally and duel as hard as they have all night, and Akira adds a cording hold! Akira kicks, kicks, flails, but Fujita grabs the leg! BOW ‘N’ ARROW STRETCH, but Akira gives one last gasp! ROPEBREAK!! Fujita lets go but he vows to end it now! Fujita hauls Akira up, torture racks, but Akira fights with elbows! Fujita squats, but stands up! Akira slips through and hooks the arms, but Fujita spins through! Akira ducks, backslide, NOVA- NO, Fujita rolls through it to have the legs! NEMOS- CRADLE COUNTER! TWO!??! Akira hurries to run up, wheelbarrow, but Fujita stops the roll!
Fujita hauls Akira up, WHEELBARROW GERMAN! But Akira rises?!? Akira runs up, Fujita gets around him, POISON-RANA! NOVA FIREBALL?!?!? Cover, TWO?!?!? Fujita survives and Akira is beside himself! The fans are electric as Akira rises. Akira roars, vows to end it, and he drags Fujita up to reel him in. Akira hooks a leg, CROWN- CRADLE and deadlift! THRILLRIDE!!! Cover, FUJITA WINS!!
Winner: Kosei Fujita, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Akira earns 0)
It was an epic not only worthy of the main event, but perhaps even the finals! But in the end, the Crown of Fire is the one that burned out! Will Akira still be able to prove he’s the best after this unfortunate start?
As for Fujita, he sits back and gets the mic. “Oi, you big idiot! You’re sure one strong SOB! And every single time I wrestle you in BOSJ, it’s the match I’m most looking forward to. Everything here is over the top excellence, and that is something you see on the regular with me. And so, I think this year is mine to win. Every expectation you have of me, I will see you, raise you, and surpass those expectations!” With that mighty finish, will Fujita become the youngest man to go back-to-back as BOSJ Champion?
Here are the A Block standings!
Kosei Fujita: 1-0, 2 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 1-0, 2 points
Nick Wayne: 1-0, 2 points
Titan: 1-0, 2 points
Robbie X: 0-1, 0 points
Francesco Akira: 0-1, 0 points
Master Wato: 0-1, 0 points
Daiki Nagai: 0-1, 0 points
Valiente Jr: [did not compete]
Jun Kasai: [did not compete]
Here are the B Block standings!
Taiji Ishimori: 1-0, 2 points
SHO: 1-0, 2 points
HYO: 1-0, 2 points
KUSHIDA: 1-0, 2 points
Daisuke Sasaki: 1-0, 2 points
YOH: 0-1, 0 points
Robbie Eagles: 0-1, 0 points
El Desperado: 0-1, 0 points
Jakob Austin Young: 0-1, 0 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 0-1, 0 points
My Thoughts:
An awesome opening round for BOSJ, and it wasn’t even all the participants with Valiente Jr. and Jun Kasai for whatever reason not here tonight. Maybe travel stuff kept them from arriving in time? Otherwise, the tenth match on the card would’ve been Valiente VS Kasai. But even without them, great matches from start to finish, but that’s par for the course when it comes to NJPW. I really liked Sho saying his match with Kanemaru was gonna steal the show, and then all we get is them trying to outcheat the other, because duh, what else were they gonna do?
Daiki taking Douki’s spot since Douki kayfabe refused to compete, he had a great showing against Taguchi, but it feels like Daiki’s first win in this tournament is gonna happen late in the tournament so that he can act as spoiler. Yoh VS Hyo was certainly unique, and surprisingly short. Both Robbies losing was a bit of a surprise, but it makes sense since Nick Wayne is meant to make an impact this time around, and Kushida is making his return to NJPW, both of those guys needed the win. But seriously, ROH’s tape delays hurt them here because Nick Wayne VS AR Fox doesn’t air until tonight so we already know what happens there…
Daisuke being a real Heel in the end of his match was a good way for him to win while protecting Despy. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Daisuke join House of Torture in the absence of Evil. And awesome main event from Fujita VS Akira, but very fitting of the 2025 BOSJ winner basically defending his title as he goes for another. All of Fujita’s matches probably will be this awesome, or as close to it as they can get out of everyone in A Block, but who knows if he repeats.
My Score: 9/10
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Will The Prince dispatch two challengers at once?
After retaining the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, Callum Newman offered a unique challenge. Can Shingo Takagi or Yota Tsuji secure a title shot through a tag match?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Ryusuke Taguchi & Taisei Nakahara VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Kanemaru win.
- Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS Toru Yano, YOH & Master Wato; Yano, Yoh & Wato win.
- Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Taichi & El Desperado; Taichi & Desperado win.
- Yuya Uemura & Masatora Yasuda VS Ryohei Oiwa & Kosei Fujita; Oiwa & Fujita win.
- Six Man Tag: Aaron Wolf, Boltin Oleg & Tiger Mask VS Ren Narita, Yujiro Takahashi & Dick Togo; Wolf, Oleg & Tiger Mask win.
- 10 Man Tag: The Unbound Company VS The United Empire; The Empire wins.
- Championship Stakes: Callum Newman & Jake Lee VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji; Takagi & Tsuji win, and Tsuji will challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
PLAY BY PLAY
10 Man Tag: The Unbound Company VS The United Empire!
Before the Knock Out Brothers clash with the Dominator & Mauler over the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, they lead their units into war! Will Oskar, Yuto-Ice, Gedo, Taiji Ishimori & Daiki Nagai be truly unbound? Or will Great-O-Khan, Henare, Francesco Akira, Jakob Austin Young & Zane Jay conquer them for the glory of the Empire?
The teams sort out, but Yuto and Henare egg each other on as they’re forehead to forehead. The ref has them back off, but they still start the match. The bell rings and the fans rally as Yuto and Henare step back up. They’re forehead to forehead again as they talk trash, then they fire forearm after forearm! The fans rally as Henare ROCKS Yuto, but Yuto fires a flurry in return! Henare fires a flurry of his own, then runs, but into a BOOT! Henare wobbles but he comes right back. Yuto laughs as he ROCKS Henare! Yuto runs, ROCKS Henare again, but Henare roars! Henare eggs Yuto on, Yuto runs the ropes, but Henare RUNS him over!
Henare sits Yuto up to KICK him in the back, then KICK again! The fans rally as Henare runs, but Yuto avoids the Rugby Kick! Henare still kicks low, whips to ropes, but Yuto reverses to BOOT Henare down! The fans fire up with Yuto, and he KICKS Henare in the back! And KICKS him again! Henare scrambles to a corner but Yuto swaggers his way over. Yuto KICKS, and KNEES, and SOBATS! Henare sits down, Yuto gets gangsta! “BOMBACLAT!” But Henare gets up to fireman’s carry! Yuto slips free, Henare dodges a lariat, but so does Yuto! Henare swats the boot, Yuto ducks the heel kick, and the fans cheer the standoff!
Zane has Henare calm down, and wants him to tag. Henare tags Zane, and Zane calls out Daiki. Daiki tags in, and these two still have to settle how they ended the Young Lion Cup. Zane eggs Daiki on, so Daiki ROCKS him! Zane fires back, Daiki fires another, and the fans rally as the two brawl! Daiki whips, Zane reverses, but Daiki redirects! Zane hurdles, drops down, but Daiki avoids the dropkick! Daiki runs to basement DROPKICK! Zane scrambles to a corner while the fans fire up. Daiki runs in, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Zane toughs it out but the fans rally behind Daiki. Daiki storms up on Zane but Zane wants mercy. Daiki says no and he ROCKS Zane!
Daiki runs in at the corner, but Zane counters the monkey flip to put Daiki up top! Zane DROPKICKS Daiki down, then the Empire BLASTS the Unbound corner! They all brawl on the outside and into the crowd! Oskar CLUBS Khan, Yuto fires forearms on Henare, but Henare BODY BLOWS and CHOPS! Oskar has fans clear out, then he whips Khan, but Khan reverses! Oskar tumbles into the chairs! Yuto CHOKES Henare, Henare shoves Yuto away, and Zane has Daiki in the ring. Zane bumps Daiki off buckles while Khan JAMS Oskar with a chair! Khan SMACKS Oskar on the back with it, too! The fans are torn as Khan roars.
Henare and Yuto return ringside, and Khan uses a chair to sit on Oskar! Khan taunts Oskar, then steps off. Henare uses a DEATH GRIP on Yuto! Henare THROWS Yuto into chairs, then he smothers a Young Lion for getting in the way! Henare even scares ring staff off before going to ringside. Zane CHOKES Daiki, the ref counts, and Zane stops at 4. Zane tags #DangerousJay and he UPPERCUTS Daiki. Jakob CHOKES Daiki in the corner, then brings him around. Jakob whips Daiki to ropes, ELBOWS him down, then covers, TWO! The fans applaud as Daiki toughs it out, but Jakob brings him back up. Jakob tags Akira, and he taunts Oskar!
The ref has to keep Oskar back, but this all lets Khan bend Daiki’s fingers! The Empire mugs Daiki in the corner, and Jakob even CLAWS Daiki’s eyes! Khan tells commentary to shut up, but Daiki fights back! Akira KNEES low, whips, and drop toeholds. Akira SMACKS Daiki off the mat again, then kneels on a cocky cover. TWO, but Akira taunts the Unbound Company. Akira bumps Daiki off buckles, tags Khan, and Khan dumps Daiki out. The rest of the Empire mugs Daiki while the fans boo. Zane puts Daiki back in for Khan, and Khan drags Daiki around. Khan steps on Daiki for a cocky cover, TWO! Daiki toughs it out but Khan soaks up the cheers and jeers.
Khan scuffs Daiki as Daiki tries to crawl away. Khan eggs Daiki on, offering a free hit. Daiki stands, but Khan dodges the hit. Khan laughs at Daiki for falling for his trap quite literally! Khan then drags Daiki up, but Daiki fires forearms after all! The fans rally as Daiki HEADBUTTS! Daiki whips, Khan reverses, and Khan runs up, only for Daiki to dodge! Hot tag to Oskar! The fans fire up as the giant German RUNS Khan over, BLASTS Henare, then whips Khan corner to corner! Zane runs up but Oskar BOOTS him away! Oskar runs up, DOUBLE ELBOW for Zane and Khan! Akira runs up to jump on Oskar’s back! Oskar RAMS Akira into a corner!
Jakob storms in, but Oskar guzels! Akira runs up, but Oskar guzels! Oskar gives them a meeting of the minds, then a DOUBLE LARIAT! The fans fire up with Oskar, and he goes back for Khan. Oskar drags Khan up, scoops, but Henare KICKS Oskar’s leg! The ref reprimands but Henare KICKS and KICKS and BODY BLOWS! Henare HEADBUTTS, then DEATH GRIPS! Henare HEADBUTTS Oskar, then he and Khan bring Oskar around. Oskar fights the lift, but Henare blocks the boot! But then Oskar guzels Henare! Henare can’t reach Oskar for the Death Grip! Oskar then guzels Khan, but they both break free! DOUBLE BODY BLOW!
The ref reprimands, but #Khanare double whip Oskar. He breaks their lariats, but the DOUBLE BOOTS hit! Yuto is in, he shoves Henare into Khan! Then he fires off fast hands on Henare, bobs ‘n’ weaves, then ROCKS Henare! Henare drops, Yuto ICE HIGHS! But Henare is up, LARIAT! The fans fire up while all four men are down! Oskar rises, he SWATS Khan’s haymaker to have the NIGHTMARE SLEEPER! But Khan BITES Oskar’s arm! IRON CLAW! But Oskar pries it away, only for Khan to KICK the leg, and BOOT Oskar down! The fans rally as both men crawl for their corners. Hot tags to Akira and Taiji!
The fans fire up as the two rush in! Akira dodges the boot to headlock, but Taiji powers up and out. Akira RUNS Taiji over, then keeps moving. Taiji drops, hurdles, but Akira shoves! Taiji RANAS! Akira tumbles, Taiji runs up, DOUBLE KNEES! Then a fireman’s carry, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, and a BASEMENT SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Akira is tougher than that but Taiji stays on him. Taiji gut wrenches, but Akira fights to turn it around! CIPHER- NO, Taiji lands out to whip Akira. Akira reverses, Taiji handsprings, but into a waistlock! Akira then spins Taiji around, SPEEDFIRE! Akira sputters, he can’t make the cover!
Taiji and Akira crawl, hot tag to Jakob! Jakob drags Taiji up, he and Akira DOUBLE SUPLEX, but Daiki makes the save! Akira & Jakob kick Daiki, then whip, but Daiki ducks ‘n’ dodges to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! The fans cheer the Unbound Young Lion as he flounders to a corner, and Taiji tags Gedo! Gedo JABS, JABS, and JABS! Gedo winds up, but Jakob CLAWS Gedo’s eyes! Jakob winds up, but Gedo UPPERCUTS! Then SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Jakob survives but Gedo stays focused. Gedo tells Jakob to get up, then he mule kicks the leg! Body scissors, GEDO CLUTCH! But Zane ELBOW DROPS Gedo down!
Zane drags Gedo up, and he FALL AWAY SLAMS! Jakob gets Gedo back up, for the HAMMERLOCK DDT! Cover, The Empire wins!
Winners: The United Empire, by pinfall
Another bites the dust, and The Empire is control on this New Japan Road! Henare taunts Yuto with his tag title, but that just sparks a new brawl! Young Lions hurry to stop this, but easier said than done! The rest of the teams get in there, too, and Unbound Company must fall back, if only for now. But will things be different with their best in the main event?
Championship Stakes: Callum Newman & Jake Lee VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji!
It was just 48 hours ago that The Prince slayed the Rampaging Dragon, although with controversial and underhanded tactics. He’s so confident, in fact, he’s giving Takagi and Tsuji another chance! Will Callum cross off two names from the list for the rest of his reign? Or will someone from the Unbound Company have a golden ticket to the top title in NJPW?
The teams sort out, but Callum can’t help himself. He taunts Takagi and Tsuji with the belt, so they attack! They mug Callum, then Yota kicks Jake. Yota TOSSES Jake, the bell rings, and Unbound mug Callum again. They double whip then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans cheer while Takagi ELBOW DROPS! The fans rally as Takagi eggs Callum on. Callum goes to a corner, Takagi runs up, but Callum dodges. Callum runs back in, but Takagi puts him on the apron. Callum RAMS Takagi, slingshots up and over, then keeps moving. Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges but Takagi sidesteps to HIP TOSS! Callum staggers to his feet, Takagi LARIATS him up and out!
Callum stumbles into and then tumbles over the railing! Yota goes after Jake while Takagi hurries through the gate to fetch Callum. Yota whips Jake hard into railing, then stalks him around the way, while Takagi KNEES Callum low. Takagi brings Callum around to SMACK him off the timekeeper’s table! Takagi ROCKS Callum, follows him to another section of the crowd, while Yota DOUBLE CHOPS Jake out of a chair! Takagi ROCKS Callum again and the fans rally behind him. Callum wants to escape but Takagi stalks him. Takagi SMACKS Callum off some chairs, then HEADBUTTS him down! Yota brings Jake up to ROCK with a forearm of his own!
Jake stumbles around through the crowd, knocking chairs over as he tries to flee. Yota pursues as Jake begs young fans to help. Yota grabs that hand to SNAP fingers! The ring count finally starts as Callum SMACKS Takagi off a table! Takagi considers throwing that table but thinks better of it. Takagi pursues Callum as Callum heads back to ringside, but Yota BOOTS Jake out of a seat! The count is 15 of 20 as Callum and Takagi roll inside. Callum wants mercy, even apologizes, but Takagi CHOKES him! Red Shoes counts, Takagi stops at 4, and Callum clings to the ropes. Takagi kicks Callum into letting go, then brings him up.
Takagi JABS Callum and Callum falls against ropes. Takagi JABS again and Callum flounders. Callum calls to Jake but Takagi keeps him back. Callum fights the lift with elbows, then BODY BLOWS! Callum runs, but Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! But Callum trips Takagi and PUNTS him in the side! Just like in their title match! Jake BLASTS Yota off the apron, then goes out to stomp him down! Red Shoes reprimands but Jake drags Yota up and grinds him into railing. Callum pushes Takagi out of the ring while Jake fires body shots on Yota. Callum RAMS Takagi into railing, then brings him around to POST him!
Takagi staggers while Callum mockingly cheers him on. Jake POSTS Yota and does the same. Callum KICKS Takagi in the side, then flexes before he SPITS at Takagi! The fans boo but Callum ROCKS Takagi again. Callum puts Takagi in the ring, taunts Yota from across the way, then slingshots to stomp Takagi down. Callum dares Yota to reach out for Takagi, then he stomps Takagi. Callum digs his heel in, then he tags Jake. Jake swaggers and talks some trash, then he brings out the black glove! Callum KNEES Takagi before Jake takes Takagi’s shirt off. Jake shows off the bad ribs while he says it is picture time! Jake gives Takagi the DENTAL CHECK!
The fans are torn as Jake shoves Takagi down and takes off the glove. Jake mockingly applauds that Takagi passed his dental exam, then he stomps Takagi down. Tag to Callum and Callum clamps onto the arm. Callum traps the arm, kneels on Takagi, then digs his knuckles into the bad ribs! Yota BOOTS Callum, then backs off as Jake runs up. Callum calls BS, but he drags Takagi to stomp him down! Callum KICKS Takagi, then sits for a cocky cover, TWO! Callum clamps onto Takagi, wags his finger at Yota, then grinds Takagi’s bad arm. The fans rally for Takagi as he rises up and fires body shots! Callum KNEES low, then bumps Takagi off buckles.
Callum tags Jake back in and Jake again taunts Takagi. Callum CHOKES Takagi, and Jake KICKS Takagi in the side! The fans rally for Takagi as he rises again, and he rips away the tape! Takagi snarls as he ROCKS Jake again and again! But Jake kicks low, CLAWS Takagi’s face, then runs. Takagi blocks the boot to CLUB the leg! Takagi whips, Jake reverses, but Takagi blocks the knee! DRAGON SCREW! The fans cheer while both men are down! Hot tag to Yota! The fans fire up as Yota BLASTS Callum off the corner, then kicks and whips Jake. Jake reverses but Yota BOOTS him! Yota BLASTS Callum again, then DIVES! Direct hit and Callum hits railing!
The fans fire up for Yota and he slingshots into the ring. Yota then whips Jake corner to corner, runs up, but Jake dodges the splash! BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Yota is tougher than that, but Jake signals he’s taking his shot. Jake drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Yota tries to suplex but Jake fights the lift! They fight for control as the fans rally, and Jake suplexes! But Yota lands out! Yota ducks an elbow to FLATLINER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Takagi calls to Yota and Yota crawls over. Yota is a bit unsure, but he hot tags Takagi anyway! The fans fire up as Takagi powers up and LARIATS in the corner!
Takagi fires the fans up more, and he JABS, JABS, JABS in the corner! Then a CHOP! Jake roars, but Takagi ELBOWS him! Takagi runs, but into the KITCHEN SINK KNEE! It hit pretty high and Takagi falls. Jake tags Callum, Callum BOOTS Yota! Callum stands Takagi up for Jake to KITCHEN SINK KNEE! Then EXCALIBUR!! Cover, YOTA BREAKS IT! The fans cheer, and Yota TOSSES Jake! Callum kicks and TOSSES Yota! Callum is frustrated, but he still mocks Takagi’s pain. Callum kicks Takagi around, and mockingly asks if it hurts. Callum CLUBS Takagi, eggs him on, then ROCKS him with a forearm.
Callum eggs Takagi on, but Takagi SLAPS him! Callum DECKS Takagi for that! Callum sits Takagi up, mocks the prayer hands, then KICKS Takagi in the back! Takagi stays up, and he’s getting mad! The fans fire up as Takagi rises, but Callum BOOTS! And BOOTS! And BOOTS! Takagi just gets angrier! Callum fires knee after knee, but Takagi headbutts the buckles! The fans fire up but Callum BOOTS again! Callum runs, but into the ELBOW! SOBAT! JAB! HEEL KICK! Callum feints the run, but Takagi LARIATS first! Callum LARIATS in return! Both men stand but stagger, and Yota tags in! The fans fire up as Yota hurries to BLAST Jake!
Yota then goes back to Callum and ROCKS him with a forearm! Callum staggers around, Yota ROCKS him again, and again! The fans fire up with Yota, he whips Callum to ropes, but Callum grabs ropes! Yota runs up, Callum BOOTS him away, and Jake jumps in! Jake kicks and whips Yota to a corner, then runs up, but he blocks the boot. Yota reels Jake in for the STOMP! Yota runs up but Callum wrenches through, short arm LARIAT! The fans rally up again while everyone is down! Callum sits up, kisses the crown tattoo, and brings Yota up. Callum goes to fireman’s carry but Yota fights it. Callum powers through, but Yota slips free!
Yota feeds Callum to Takagi’s ELBOW! Yota BOOTS, Takagi BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and Yota GENE TRIGGERS! Then they DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Callum survives and Takagi has to sort out who is legal. Red Shoes and Yota explain that tag from earlier, but then Callum kicks them both! Callum runs, but into the ELBOW! BACKBREAKER! JAB! Then Yota pump handles, but Jake CLAWS Yota’s face! Takagi RUNS Jake over, Callum BOOTS Takagi down, but Yota scoops to BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while all four men are down again! Yota and Callum stir, and Callum flips off the fans cheering Yota.
Yota rises up, Callum wants mercy, and Yota hesitates. But then Callum SPITS at him! Callum fires a forearm, Yota fires back, and repeat! The fans rally up as the shots go back and forth, faster and faster! Callum fires a flurry, runs, but Yota follows to SPLASH in the corner! Yota runs but Callum follows to HELLUVA KICK! Callum runs, Yota follows, GENE TRIGGER! Yota keeps moving, but he dodges Callum to then GAMANGIRI! Yota puts Callum up top, climbs up, and SUPER STEINERS! Cover, TWO! Callum survives but Yota roars! The fans cheer Yota on as he pump handles, but Callum slips free! Callum shoves Yota at Red Shoes! Yota stops short, but Callum LOW BLOWS!
The fans boo but Callum turns around as Takagi runs in! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but neither man falls! They DOUBLE LARIAT again, and Callum flops against Takagi! Takagi fires boxing elbows on Callum, then winds up, but Callum ROCKS! ROLLING- JAB! Callum grabs at Red Shoes, uses him as a shield, but Takagi stops the low blow! Takagi shoves Callum at Red Shoes, REVENGE LOW BLOW! Yota SUPERKICKS! Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS! And they set Callum up for the PUMPING BLASTER!! Cover, Jake breaks it! KNEE for Takagi, then a ROUNDHOUSE! But Takagi rebounds, PUMPING BOMBER on Jake!!
Takagi tells Yota to finish this! Yota GENE BLASTERS Callum!! Cover, Yota & Takagi win!!
Winners: Yota Tsuji & Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (Yota Tsuji is the NEW #1 Contender to the IWGP Heavyweight Championship)
Callum got too cocky in his young reign, and now he’s the one staring up at the lights! But will he have a better game plan for when the title is on the line?
As for the Unbound Company, they catch their breath before Yota takes the mic. “OI, CALLUM! Too bad for you. To me, the path you forge is darkness. I won’t let NJPW go down that path. I will lead NJPW towards the light of hope.” The fans applaud that. Callum says see you at Dominion then! Callum leaves, and Yota continues by saying with Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement, the New Beginning, and now Dominion, NJPW has changed dramatically. But now, Yota meets Callum in a rematch for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in Dominion’s main event, carrying that responsibility and determination in his heart!
The fans cheer again, and Yota says, “OI, NJPW! And Callum Newman… ARE YOU READY?!” The fans cheer again, and Yota promises to be the one to carry NJPW on his shoulders! Mic drop from the Gene Blast, but will he dethrone the Prince already? Or will Callum solidify NJWP as his dominion?
My Thoughts:
A very good New Japan Road event as also a sendoff to Dominion. Really good tune-ups, and the 10 Man Tag especially for the build into the Heavyweight Tag title match. Empire winning here might show KOB wins when the time comes, but Best of the Super Juniors is next so there will be more and more tune-up filler matches first. And great tag match main event with the unique stipulation. As I said before, Yota losing both belts is so he can have his heroic journey back to the top. Yota getting the win here makes sense as it sets up the rematch from losing to Callum, and Dominion’s going to have a great main event that could honestly go either way.
My Score: 8.8/10
Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - 4 Corners Podcast (sports)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Nefarious Means
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SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - 30 Mindless Minutes
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast: The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history) Unidentified History (Ufology) & Game Gone Wrong (Game of Thrones Universe)
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
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