NJPW PPV Results
Mitchell’s NJPW Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (5/1/22)
Will the Rainmaker still reign?
Wrestling Dontaku springs into action!
NJPW is in the PayPay Dome, and there are many prizes on the line! Will Kazuchika Okada still be IWGP World Heavyweight Champion? Or will Tetsuya Naito make things tranquilo?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: Suzuki-Gun VS BUSHI, Shingo Takagi & Shiro Koshinaka; Suzuki-Gun wins.
- Hiromu Takahashi VS YOH; Hiromu wins.
- Tanga Loa VS Yujiro Takahashi; Loa wins.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato VS DOUKI & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Taguchi & Wato win and retain the titles.
- IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships Tornado Triple Threat: The United Empire VS Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI VS Bad Luck Fale & Chase Owens; Fale & Chase win and become new IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
- NEVER Openweight Championship: EVIL w/ Dick Togo VS Tama Tonga w/ Jado; Tama wins and becomes the new NEVER Openweight Champion.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS Taiji Ishimori; Ishimori wins and becomes the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.
- Vacated IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Tomohiro Ishii; Tanahashi wins and becomes the new IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS Tetsuya Naito; Okada wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato VS DOUKI & Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
Six or Nine continues to be number one in the Junior Tag Division, but Suzuki-Gun is looking to take over! Will Japones del Mal and the Heel Master join El Desperado as champions? Or will the Funky Weapon and Way of the Grandmaster keep the 69…th reign going?
The introductions are made, Taguchi shows off his underwear mask, and the belts are raised. The teams sort out, and we start with Wato and Douki to open the golden streak in PayPay!
Douki rushes Wato but Wato dodges, and then they both try roundhouses. Each man dodges, so the forearms start flying! They go back and forth, fans rally up, and Wato gets the edge. Wato runs, but Douki hurdles and drops. Wato leaps over, keeps moving, and he RANAS Douki down! Fans fire up as Wato dropkicks! Kanemaru gets in to go after Wato but Taguchi goes after Kanemaru. Kanemaru rakes Taguchi’s eyes, he and Douki double whip but Taguchi DOUBLE HIP ATTACKS! Six or Nine double whip Douki, double drop toehold and roll to double basement dropkick! Taguchi goes out to set Douki up and Wato builds speed. But Kanemaru trips Wato!
Taguchi throws Douki into railing but Kanemaru whips Wato into railing on the other side! Kanemaru then hits a DDT to the floor! Taguchi runs and triangle jump PLANCHAS! Fans fire up with Taguchi but Douki DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp! Wato gets in and he FLIES onto Douki! Fans fire up with Wato now! Wato gets Douki up as the fans rally. Wato puts Douki in, aims from the apron, but Kanemaru trips him up again! Kanemaru sends Wato back into railing, then hops over to GUILLOTINE LEG DROP! Wato goes down, Douki is after Taguchi. Douki whips Taguchi into railing while Kanemaru puts Wato in.
Douki stomps Wato, bumps him off buckles, and tags Kanemaru in. Kanemaru throws elbows, Douki scuffs Wato, then Kanemaru CLUBS Wato down. Tag back to Douki, Suzuki-Gun mugs Wato and Douki digs his boots in. The ref counts, Douki stops at 4, and Douki drags Wato up. Douki slaps Wato around but Wato throws forearms. Douki slaps Wato more, Wato throws more forearms, but Douki rakes eyes! Douki runs, into a tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! But Kanemaru BOOTS Taguchi off the apron! Kanemaru whips Wato but Wato stops himself to CALF KICK! Fans fire up and Wato crawls, hot tag to Taguchi!
Taguchi sees his targets, HIP ATTACK at the ropes for Douki, then for Kanemaru, and back again! Baseball slide and APRON HIP for Douki! Fans rally and Taguchi aims, SPRINGBOARD HIP! Cover, TWO! Taguchi powers up in the corner and fans rally behind him. “ORYA!” but Kanemaru baseball slides Taguchi down! Kanemaru whips Taguchi to dropkick the legs out! Douki hurries to tag Kanemaru in, and they coordinate. SHIN BREAKER and DROPKICK! Kanemaru gets that bad leg and steps through for a FIGURE FOUR! Taguchi endures and fans rally up as he reaches out. Kanemaru drags Taguchi away while putting on the pressure!
Taguchi pries at the leglock, reaches out again, and he uses his head to keep Kanemaru’s leg away. Kanemaru powers through but Taguchi gets the ROPEBREAK! Kanemaru lets Taguchi go but brings him up. Douki goes up top, Kanemaru gives Taguchi BRITISH FALL and Douki hits DOUBLE STOMPS! Kanemaru goes up, MOONSAULT! Cover, Wato breaks it! Fans fire up, Douki stomps Wato and throws him out. Kanemaru gets Taguchi back up, but Taguchi blocks the suplex! Kanemaru tries again, Taguchi slips out but the leg jams! Kanemaru kicks that leg, trips Taguchi, but Taguchi kicks the leg lock away!
Taguchi gets up, Kanemaru grabs for the bad leg again, but Taguchi ENZIGURIS! Kanemaru wobbles, into Wato’s FLYING UPPERCUT! Fans rally as Six or Nine regroup. They get Kanemaru set up in the wheelbarrow, but Douki gets in to intercept Wato! Kanemaru turns wheelbarrow into victory roll, Wato manages to break it! Fans fire up while all four men are down. Wato gets up to stomp Douki, he and Taguchi double whip. But Douki springboards to DOUBLE TRUST FALL! Douki takes out Six AND Nine! Douki then distracts the ref and Kanemaru gets his whiskey! He takes a big chug, brings Taguchi’s tights down, but Taguchi stops the whiskey spray!
Taguchi turns Kanemaru around, HIP ATTACK and the whiskey hits DOUKI in the face!! Taguchi then rolls Kanemaru up, T-BAG CLUTCH! Six or Nine win!!
Winners: Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
Kanemaru wants to complain about Taguchi’s cheeky cover, but Taguchi at least had something on under those tights. Wait is that an eyepatch? A shoutout to Rocky Romero that may not have been needed. But will Taguchi and Wato continue to win by the literal seats of their pants?
IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships Tornado Triple Threat: The United Empire VS Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI VS Bad Luck Fale & Chase Owens!
Great-O-Khan and Jeff Cobb conquered Chaos at Hyper Battle, but their first defense is already a massive one! Will #BISHAMON take these titles back? Will Bullet Club add more gold to their collection? Or will the Dominator and Hawaiian Hulk continue to dominate for the glory of the United Empire?
The introductions are made, but the Rogue General throws the first punch! It’s now a Triple Threat BRAWL as Bullet Club goes after Cobb and Bishamon go after Khan! Truly no Champion’s Advantage here! Bullet Club stomp Cobb out of the ring then go after him at the railing while Goto & Hashi keep Khan in the ring. The ref rings the bell to get this on record, and Bishamon stomp away on Khan. They double whip Khan corner to corner, Goto whips Hashi in to back elbow. Hashi whips Khan to Goto’s forearm, then they coordinate, GOTO BUSTER! Bullet Club gets in, Chase hits Goto and Fale is after Hashi!
Fale sends Hashi out, he and Chase mug Goto. They double whip Goto to ropes, body shot to knee lift and LARIAT! Chase covers, TWO! Fans rally while Chase and Fale hurry. Chase waistlocks Goto and Fale runs, but the Empire trip Fale and drag him out! Goto fights free, but Chase rakes his eyes! The Empire RAMS Fale into railing, Chase runs the ropes, but Hashi gets in and Bishamon runs Chase over together! They coordinate for the hip toss senton! Then Bishamon hammers Chase down! Fans fire up with Bishamon but Khan gets in to Mongolian Chop Goto down! Khan BOOTS Hashi, but Goto gets up, only to run into HITSUJIGOROSHI!
Goto endures, fans rally up, Cobb gets in to help Khan give Goto MARINE! Cover, Hashi breaks it! Cobb CLUBS Hashi, Khan stomps Goto. The Empire bring Hashi up but Hashi ROCKS Khan. Cobb ducks Hashi’s chop and RAMS him into a corner. Khan runs in to clothesline, then Cobb adds a back elbow! cobb feeds Hashi to Khan’s snap suplex, then Cobb GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Fans rally while the Empire double whip Hashi. Hashi gives Khan a BLOCKBUSTER! Then a SPIN MULE KICK to Cobb! Chase gets in to SHOTGUN Cobb while Fale drags Khan out! Chase then CLUBS Hashi down.
Chase headlock punches Hashi and Fale gets in. Bullet Club double whips Hashi to a corner, then Chase runs in to forearm smash. Fale runs in to SPLASH! And then scoop SLAM onto Chase’s knees! Cover, TWO! Fale goes out to keep Khan down while Chase brings Hashi up, C-TRIGGER! Chase roars and brings Hashi up, tuck, but Hashi fights the lift. Goto rushes in to fire forearms on Chase! Goto ROCKS Chase in the corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs in to MURAMASA! And BULLDOG! Fans fire up and Goto intercepts Khan, to snap suplex him onto Chase! Khan writhes, Goto and Hashi regroup.
Hashi runs in at Khan to clothesline! Feed to Goto’s kick and clinch, Hashi runs, GOTO GOTO HUNTER! But Chase runs in, Hashi gets around to feed him to Goto’s fireman’s carry. FIERCE FLASH into the dragon sleeper and leg lift. But Fale grabs Goto and Hashi with choke grips! But they break free, and double drop toehold Fale onto Chase! Then Hashi piles on! And Goto, too! DOUBLE STACK, TWO!! Fale manages to save this for Bullet Club, but Bishamon goes after him. They CLUB Fale, double whip, but Fale blocks! Fale double whips them into Cobb’s DOUBLE LARIATS! And fans fire up as the biggest “monsters” meet!
Cobb disrespects the Too Sweet, but Fale pie faces Cobb. The forearms start flying, fans rally as they go back and forth, and Cobb gets the edge! Cobb runs, but Fale runs him over! Fans fire up as Cobb SCOOPS AND SLAMS Fale!! But then Hashi dropkicks Cobb’s legs out! Khan gets in, he and Hashi collide with DOUBLE LARIATS! Khan roars and runs, ducks and dodges, to RUNNING NECKBREAKER! But Hashi gets back up! Hashi LARIATS Khan down! Fans fire up again and Hashi catches his breath. Khan crawls after Hashi, but Hashi roars! Hashi drags Khan up, full nelson to pump handle but Khan fights it.
Hashi feeds Khan to Goto’s fireman’s carry, FIERCE FLASH! Hashi WRECKS Fale with a dropkick then regroups with Goto. They get Khan in position, SHOUTO!! Cover, but Chase breaks it with a BLINDSIDE C-TRIGGER! Goto hurries after Chase but Chase throws a forearm. Goto hits back with a forearm so Chase hits Goto again. They go back and forth now, forearm for forearm, and the fans rally up. Chase gets the edge, Goto snarls and roars! Goto fires off forearms and Chase staggers! Goto eggs Chase on, Chase fires off a strike fest! Chase runs, but Goto follows. Chase dodges, and FLIES out onto Hashi and Khan!
Cobb whips Goto! TOUR OF- NO! Goto slips out, shoves, and fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! Fans fire up and Goto hurries to get Cobb back up! Dragon sleeper and- NO! Cobb spins around to suplex! Goto slips out, but Cobb DECKS him! Cobb then YANKS Goto up into a TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, Fale breaks it! Fale choke grips Cobb, but Cobb breaks free, dodges and DROPKICKS Fale! Fale manages to stay up but Cobb runs in, only to get put on the apron. C-TRIGGER and LARIAT, down goes Cobb! Bullet Club get Goto for the GRENADE! And then ROCKET LAUNCHER ELBOW!! Cover, Bullet Club wins!!
Winners: Bad Luck Fale & Chase Owens, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
Chaos AND the United Empire just got conquered! Bullet Club has even more gold in the treasury! Is this only the beginning of Bullet Club taking over all of NJPW? Or will the Empire strike back?
NJPW reveals the blocks for the Best of the Super Juniors 29!
First, an obvious choice, going in A Block, it’s Hiromu Takahashi! He’s won three of the last four, going back to back in 2020 and 2021. Will the Ticking Timebomb make it a threepeat? A Block also has Ryusuke Taguchi, YOH, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Taiji Ishimori, Sho, Alex Zayne, Francesco Akira, LADOJO’s Clark Connors, and even Impact’s Ace Austin! B Block has Master Wato, Robbie Eagles, Bushi, Douki, El Desperado, El Phantasmo, TJP, AEW’s Wheeler Yuta, GLEAT’s El Lindaman and even CMLL’s Titan! From May 15th to June 3rd, these round robins will take place and the two best will battle to be the Best of the Super Juniors! Wo will #SoarToGlory?
NEVER Openweight Championship: EVIL w/ Dick Togo VS Tama Tonga w/ Jado!
The King of Darkness is the King of NEVER, for now. Will Darkness Fall on the Good Bad Guy? Or will Tama’s revenge be more than Too Sweet?
Tama doesn’t wait, he goes after Evil on the ramp! They brawl, the ref reprimands but they’re not stopping! Fans rally up as Tama gets the edge. Tama CLUBS then HEADBUTTS Evil, then drags him to ringside. Fans applaud, Tama headlock punches Evil, then drags him along a bit more. Tama bumps Evil off the apron, then brings him around to bump him off more apron. Tama puts Evil in and the bell rings, but Evil kicks low. Evil runs, Tama hurdles and hurdles and DOUBLE CHOPS! Fans fire up with Tama but Evil bails out. Tama goes out after Evil, throws down fists, then reels Evil in.
Dick protests but Tama tells him to back up. Jado storms over but the ref wants them both to stay back. But Evil gets Tama for a FISHERMAN BUSTER to the floor! Then Dick sucker punches Jado! Evil drags Tama around the way, to RAM into the timekeeper’s area! Abe-san goes tumbling again! Evil gets the mic and CHOKES Tama with the cord! Evil wants Tama to say he quits but Tama refuses! The ref reprimands, Evil stops, and fans rally up as Tama sputters and catches his breath. Evil drags Tama up to put him in and kick around. Tama throws body shots, but Evil rakes Tama’s eyes! Evil whips, Tama reverses but Evil avoids the dropkick!
Evil whips Tama into the BARE CORNER! The Bullet Club Special is served, and then Evil CLOBBERS Tama! Cover, TWO! Fans applaud but Evil is annoyed. Evil looms over Tama, brings him up, scoops and SLAMS him, then covers. ONE! Another cover, ONE! Another cover, ONE!! Evil is furious, he didn’t even get a two-count! Evil stalks Tama, slaps him around at the ropes and eggs Tama on. Evil scuffs Tama, stands on Tama’s head, but the ref reprimands. Evil steps away while fans rally for Tama. Evil drags Tama up, reels him in, but Tama blocks the suplex! Evil keeps trying but Tama throws body shots.
Tama tries but Evil blocks! Evil tries again but Tama blocks! Tama suplexes again and gets Evil up and over! Fans fire up while both men are down. The fans rally and Tama gets to ropes. Tama gets up and he fires haymakers on Evil. Evil swings but Tama ducks to dropkick, dropkick and dropkick! Fans fire up with Tama more but Dick gets on the apron. Tama YANKS Dick into the ring! Dick freaks out and wants mercy but Tama says, “YOU!” Tama throws hands and Dick bails out! Tama runs at Evil in a corner, STINGER SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Tama drags Evil up, dragon sleepers, but Evil slips out to suplex!
Tama fights free, gets Evil again, TONGAN TWIST! Tama gets to a corner and climbs up top. Fans rally but Evil uses the ref as a shield! Then Evil rushes in. Tama jumps over, comes back, but Evil fireman’s carries! Tama slips off, waistlocks, but Evil switches and shoves Tama. Evil goes to the corner to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up and Evil is furious! Fans rally and Jado coaches Tama but Evil slashes his throat. Evil drags Tama up, spins Tama around, but Tama fights the STO! Evil rakes Tama’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Dick is creeping, but Jado points him out! The ref still focuses more on Jado!
Evil shoves Tama at Dick but Tama DECKS Dick first! Evil runs in but Tama dodges, and Evil DECKS Dick! Tama then fireman’s carries Evil for a ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Tama goes up top and SUPREME FLOW! Cover, TWO!! Evil survives but Tama throws off the vest! Fans fire up with Tama as he powers up. Evil rises, Tama rushes in, but no Gun Stun! Evil shoves Tama at the ref, but Tama blocks the low blow! Tama DECKS Evil, then gets the legs! But Evil rakes eyes again! The ref reprimands but Evil shoves him away. Evil then shoves Tama at ropes and Dick CHAIRSHOTS him! Evil gets Tama for DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!!
Both men are down and fans fire up again! Evil gets back up, gets the legs, but Tama fights the Sharpshooter! Evil keeps trying, but he can’t get Tama to turn over! Tama grabs Evil and throws hands! Evil lets Tama free, but then throws body shots. Evil whips Tama into bare buckles again! But Tama roars and LARIATS on the return! Fans fire up again and Tama drags Evil around. Tama steps through, for the SHARPSHOOTER!! Jado sees Dick making a move and keeps him out! But Dick RAMS Jado into railing! Dick rings the bell!? Tama lets go, thinking he’s won, but the ref asks what’s going on!
Abe-san explains, that was all Dick! The ref explains to Tama, and then Evil shoves Tama into the ref! The ref falls out of the ring, Dick gets Tama with the SPOILER CHOKER! Fans are thunderous for Tama as he pries the choker away! Tama throws Dick away but Evil mule kicks! Evil and Dick get Tama for MAGIC KILLER!! Dick points to Evil as he climbs up, and Dick drags Tama up. They want to copy the Super Bomb?! But Jado SMACKS Evil with a kendo stick! Tama suplexes Dick away! Evil hobbles, into a kendo HEADSHOT! Both Tama and Evil are down and fans rally up again. The ref returns and Jado gets the fans pumped up more!
Tama stands on one end, Evil stands on the other. Tama rushes in, GUN- NO! Evil still denies it, but Tama denies him the STO! Tama kicks low, underhooks, but Evil fights free to wrench, shove, and go to the corner again! Tama dodges the lariat to GUN- NO!?! Evil stops it and shoves him to the bare corner! Tama stops himself, so Evil shoves the ref that way! Tama goes up and over the ref, and then GUN STUN!!! Cover, Tama wins!!!
Winner: Tama Tonga, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Champion)
Revenge has been served! The Good Bad Guy takes this title away from Bullet Club! But wait! Gedo CLOBBERS Jado! Then he goes after Tama! And Luke Gallows is here!! And Karl Anderson!! The Blacksmith and the Good Brothers are beating up Jado and Tama! The Good Brothers give Jado MAGIC KILLER!! The Machine Gun then rains down fists on Tama, and CHOKES him! Gallows drags Jado back up to throw him out of the ring! Anderson drags Tama back up, slaps him around, then feeds him to Gallows. But here comes LOA! The Silverback is in and he DECKS Anderson, fires off on Gallows, then hits Anderson again!
But then Gallows YAKUZA KICKS! Loa staggers, into the GALLOWS POWERBOMB! Anderson snatches up the NEVER Openweight belt! Is the Machine Gun making his challenge known? But they’re still not done with Tama! “You wanted this, Tama? You wanted this?!” GUN STUN on the belt!! Another Bullet Club OG is back, and he’s done with the trash talking! Will he shoot down the Good Bad Guy and make NJPW Too Sweet 4 Life?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS Taiji Ishimori!
The Rogue Luchador has been wanting to check off some names on his title match wish list, but the Bone Soldier won’t let him skip over his name. Will Taiji Ishimori make everyone remember the name by putting his name on the belt? Or will Desperado check Taiji off the list and move on to another?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who rides into BOSJ 29 with the target on their back!
Fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, Taiji waistlocks but Desperado switches. Taiji wrenches free to a wristlock but Desperado brings Taiji to a knee. Desperado wrenches back to a wristlock, but Taiji rolls, kips up and cartwheels to wrench back. Taiji YANKS the arm and Desperado staggers to a corner. Taiji whips corner to corner, Desperado reverses but Taiji slips out to the apron. Desperado rushes over, Taiji slides under, slips back out and shoulders back in. Taiji springboards, Desperado gets under, but Taiji dodges to rake the eyes! The ref reprimands as Taiji headlocks, but Desperado powers out to reel Taiji into his own headlock.
Taiji powers out but Desperado pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Desperado throws Taiji down by his hair! Taiji tumbles out, fans applaud while Desperado argues with the ref. Desperado goes out and stomps Taiji. Desperado then whips Taiji, but Taiji reverses. Desperado stops from hitting railing, Taiji runs in but Desperado dodges. Taiji stops from running into railing, Desperado runs in but Taiji pops him up to TKO off the railing! Fans applaud and Taiji growls while the ref checks on Desperado. Taiji brings out the Bullet Club Special for himself now, throwing the blue buckle pad away.
The ref starts a ring count on Desperado, and it climbs as he crawls. Fans rally, we’re already at 7 of 20, and Desperado makes his way back to ringside. Desperado gets in at 10 of 20, but bails back out for another breather. Taiji storms over and drags Desperado up. Taiji CLUBS Desperado on the back, wrenches an arm, then RAMS Desperado’s shoulder into the bare buckles! Desperado writhes, clutches his arm, but Taiji grabs at him. Desperado kicks at him but Taiji stomps Desperado down. Taiji keeps on the bad arm, then he whips Desperado, just to YANK and WRING the arm out!
Desperado writhes more and fans rally up. Taiji drags Desperado up into a seated cobra clutch. Fans rally as Desperado endures. Desperado gets up, throws body shots, but Taiji ripcords, RAMS shoulders, then hits a headscissor takedown into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Desperado endures, reaches out, but Taiji has the bad arm as a partial straitjacket within the triangle! Fans rally, Desperado gets the ROPEBREAK with a foot. Taiji lets go and Desperado gets to a corner. Fans rally up again but Taiji looms over Desperado. Desperado chops but they’re rather weak. Taiji CLUBS Desperado on the bad arm!
Taiji scoops Desperado and aims for the bare corner! But Desperado slips off and sends Taiji into bare buckles! Desperado runs in, but Taiji boots. Desperado catches it, puts it in the ropes, and he kicks the other leg. Desperado then gets the leg for a DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Taiji flops and flounders, and Desperado gets the legs for an INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Taiji endures, reaches out, but Desperado puts pressure on the knees. Taiji sits up to throw haymakers! Desperado “falls” back and that adds more pressure! Taiji still endures, Desperado sits up and puts even more pressure on! Taiji still reaches out, and he drags himself to the ROPEBREAK!
Desperado lets Taiji go, drags Taiji up and hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Desperado hurries to dig his knee into Taiji’s bad leg! Desperado then gets up to make sure his leg is moving. Desperado reels Taiji in but Taiji wrenches out to ELBOW BREAKER! Taiji wrenches the arm again, hammerlocks it and he POSTS Desperado! The ref reprimands but Taiji drags Desperado back in. Taiji hammerlocks and scoops for a SHOULDER BREAKER! But it’s double-edged with that bad leg! Fans rally up while Taiji goes to the apron. Taiji drags himself while smacking his bad leg into moving.
Taiji climbs the corner, leaps, but Desperado moves! Taiji bails out of the 450 but his leg jams, and he turns around into a SPEAR! But Desperado’s bad shoulder bothers him! Fans rally up as Desperado drags himself up with the ropes. Desperado brings Taiji around, hooks him up, GUITARRA- NO, Taiji slips out to gut wrench! CIPHER UTAKI! But again, double-edged because of the damage to his legs! Taiji crawls to a cover, TWO! Both men are down but fans rally. Taiji drags himself to a corner, takes aim at Desperado, and then runs in to tilt-o-whirl! But Desperado holds off the takedown, GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally up as Desperado stands at the ropes. Desperado hobbles over and brings Taiji back up. Taiji fires off fast hands, but Desperado ROCKS him with an elbow! Taiji JUMP KNEES! Desperado goes down, Taiji fires up! Taiji gets Desperado up, but Desperado fights the suplex! Desperado gets free, LOCO MONO!! Taiji goes down but so does Desperado! Fans rally back up and Desperado rises. Desperado fires himself up and goes back to Taiji. Desperado brings Taiji in, underhooks, but Taiji fights off Pinche for a tilt-o-whirl TAKEDOWN! And into the YES LOCK! Fans rally as Desperado endures, crawls for ropes and reaches out!
Taiji rolls Desperado away and brings him in, BLOODY- NO! Desperado fights free, wrenches, reels Taiji in, PINCHE- RANA from Taiji! But Desperado rolls through to high stack! TWO, into STRETCH MUFFLER! Taiji endures, even as Desperado cranks and thrashes the leg! Taiji powers through to get the omoplata! Taiji hammers Desperado but Desperado powers him back into STRETCH MUFFLER!! Taiji reaches, Desperado hits him in the ribs and gets the arm! NUMERO DOS! Taiji reaches out with his free arm, only for Desperado to roll him away! NUMERO DOS PLUS!! Fans are thunderous as Taiji endures!
Taiji fights to get one arm free, and then he sits up!? Taiji gets Desperado in an IRON OCTOPUS! Desperado endures, Taiji pulls on the bad arm, but Desperado steps back and powers up, BASTARD DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!?! Taiji survives being crunched and fans are thunderous! Desperado roars, gets up in the corner, then storms over to Taiji. Desperado underhooks, PINCHE LOCO!! And then roll through, into another PINCHE- TAKEDOWN!? Taiji has the BONE LOCK!! Taiji cranks on the crossface and the bad shoulder! Desperado endures, fans are thunderous again, but Taiji rolls Desperado away from ropes!
Desperado keeps fighting but Taiji cranks way back! Desperado TAPS! Taiji wins!!
Winner: Taiji Ishimori, by submission (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)
Bullet Club takes another one! The Bone Soldier shoots down the Rogue Luchador and now has pole position going into BOSJ 29! Will Taiji make sure everyone knows he is THE Best of the Super Juniors? Or can Desperado win his way back to the title through the tournament?
Vacated IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Tomohiro Ishii!
The Ace was meant to face the Commonwealth Kingpin, but cards are subject to change with COVID still out there. Instead, the Stone Pitbull gets a chance to add this title to his achievements! Will Ishii be bringing this belt with him on his world tour? Or will the Once in a Century Talent hold this gold once again?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and one way or another, we’ll have a new champion crowned in Fukuoka!
Fans rally and the two tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Ishii manages to push Tanahashi to ropes. The ref calls the ropebreak, and Ishii lets off, to slap Tanahashi in the head! Ishii eggs Tanahashi on, fans rally up, and they tie up again. They end up on ropes and Tanahashi turns things around on Ishii, to give back that slap! Then he fires off fast hands and heavy forearms. Tanahashi whips corner to corner, Ishii reverses and runs in, but into an elbow! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! Tanahashi plays some air guitar, but Ishii kicks him down! Ishii eggs Tanahashi on again and slaps him around.
Tanahashi gets in Ishii’s face to throw forearms. Ishii hits back, fans rally up, and the forearms fly back and forth! Ishii hits harder but Tanahashi keeps throwing shots! The forearms build up speed, fans rally harder, and neither man is backing down! Ishii ROCKS Tanahashi, eggs him on, and then ROCKS him again. Tanahashi staggers, still throws a shot, but then Ishii DECKS him! Fans fire up as Ishii backs off to steady himself. Ishii drags Tanahashi up and suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi barely gets out of that, but Ishii keeps on him. Ishii brings Tanahashi up to CHOP!
Tanahashi wobbles, so Ishii CHOPS him to the corner. And CHOPS him again! And again! And again! Tanahashi hits back with forearms but Ishii just leans into them. Ishii uses that to corner Tanahashi and then CHOP and forearm, CHOP and forearm, repeat! Ishii whips, Tanahashi reverses but Ishii comes back to run Tanahashi over! Fans cheer and rally, “I-SHI-I!” “Let’s Go, Ace!” Ishii scuffs Tanahashi, drags him up and slaps him around. Tanahashi fires forearms but Ishii doesn’t budge. Ishii CHOPS, whips, but Tanahashi comes back with FLYING FOREARMS! Fans fire up and Tanahashi throws fast hands!
Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Ishii, then goes up for the SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up as Ishii goes to the corner. Tanahashi runs corner to corner, but blocks Ishii’s boot! DRAGON SCREW! Ishii staggers and falls, but Tanahashi goes after those legs! Ishii blocks the Texas Cloverleaf and SLAPS Tanahashi! Tanahashi lets Ishii go, then dropkicks Ishii’s leg. Tanahashi runs, but Ishii dropkicks Tanahashi’s legs in return! Ishii blocks a kick, to DRAGON SCREW Tanahashi! Fans cheer as both men are even. Ishii gets up as fans rally, and he hobbles over to Tanahashi. Ishii brings Tanahashi up and reels him in, SHIN BREAKER to BACK SUPLEX!
Ishii grabs Tanahashi’s legs now and steps through. Tanahashi fights the Sharpshooter with haymakers and Ishii lets go. Ishii KICKS Tanahashi but Tanahashi gets up in a rage! Tanahashi fires off forearms, then whips, only for Ishii to reverse. Ishii runs in to corner clothesline, but Tanahashi comes back with forearms! Tanahashi ROCKS Ishii, has him in the other corner, then throws more forearms. Ishii gets annoyed and just stares Tanahashi down. Tanahashi keeps throwing forearms but Ishii leans into them again! Ishii is backing down Tanahashi into the red corner! Then he DECKS Tanahashi! Fans fire up with Ishii!
Fans rally, “I-SHI-I!” “Let’s Go, Ace!” Ishii hauls Tanahashi up, puts him on the top rope, and then climbs up after him. Ishii brings Tanahashi up, but Tanahashi blocks the superplex! Tanahashi throws body shots, then forearms. Ishii hits back and they brawl up top! Ishii gets the edge but Tanahashi HEADBUTTS! Tanahashi then sunset flips, but Ishii holds on! Ishii throws down elbows and Tanahashi staggers away. Ishii turns around but Tanahashi blocks his boot! SUPER DRAGON SCREW! Ishii is down and Tanahashi fires up, fans rallying behind him again. Tanahashi gets the leg for a GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And then the other leg gets a GROUND DRAGON SCREW!
Tanahashi stands, gets both legs, ties them up and has the TEXAS CLOVERLEAF! Ishii endures, reaches out and crawls forward, to get the ROPEBREAK! Tanahashi lets go quickly while fans cheer. Tanahashi grabs at the legs again but Ishii holds onto ropes. Ishii kicks and kicks, but Tanahashi just gets that leg for a DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi gets up and fans rally as he runs, but Ishii hits a POWERSLAM! Both men are down and fans fire up again with more “Let’s Go, Ace!” “I-SHI-I!” Ishii gets up, hobbles, but waits on Tanahashi. Tanahashi stands, Ishii runs but Tanahashi dodges! But then Ishii dodges!
Tanahashi blocks the lariat, then catches the other, but Ishii fights the full nelson. SHOTEI! Ishii just shakes his head?! SHOTEI again! Still nothing! SHOTEI the third! Still nothing! SHOTEI the fourth! Ishii uses that to spin around, but Tanahashi catches him to a full nelson! DRAGON SUPLEX!! But Ishii just gets up!? Ishii gets Tanahashi for a DRAGON SUPLEX! But Tanahashi just gets up?! Fans are thunderous, Ishii LARIATS! Tanahashi gets up, SLINGBLADE! Ishii gets up!? He wobbles around a bit and Tanahashi aims at him. They run at each other, SLINGBLADE hits first! Cover, TWO!
Fans are thunderous as Tanahashi gets back up. Tanahashi brings Ishii up, gets the full nelson again, but Ishii breaks it! Only to end up in a STRAITJACKET GERMAN! Bridging cover, TWO!! Tanahashi is frustrated but he refocuses and goes to the corner. Fans fire up as he climbs, but Ishii JUMPING HEADBUTTS Tanahashi down! Tanahashi is stuck on the top, Ishii is down on the mat, and fans fire up again. “I-SHI-I!” “Let’s Go, Ace!” Ishii drags himself up, then goes after Tanahashi. Ishii brings Tanahashi up to the very top, for a SUPERPLEX!! Cover, TWO!! The fans are thunderous again as Tanahashi survives!
Ishii sits Tanahashi up, then runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Ishii roars and fires up, and fans fire up with him! Ishii brings Tanahashi back up, reels him in, suplex but Tanahashi fights it to a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! But Tanahashi holds on, for another TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And again, but Ishii suplexes! Tanahashi slips out, to full nelson and DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Ishii narrowly escapes but Tanahashi is fired up! Tanahashi goes to the corner and gets right up, HIGH FLY FLOW to Ishii’s back! And then Tanahashi goes right back up! Fans are thunderous as he HIGH FLY FLOWS but FLOPS!!
Ishii hurries to get Tanahashi hooked up, LA MAGISTROL! TWO!?!? Tanahashi escapes by nanoseconds! Fans are thunderous again while both men are down! Tanahashi gets up while Ishii crawls to a corner. Tanahashi runs in for a SPLASH! Tanahashi keeps moving, but Ishii gets around and whips, only for Tanahashi to reverses. Tanahashi then dodges to body block, but Ishii doesn’t budge! Tanahashi fires point blank lariats but Ishii stays up to ENZIGURI! Fans fire up with Ishii while Tanahashi flops down! Ishii waits on Tanahashi to rise, and then runs to LARIAT! Cover, ONE?!? Tanahashi is in a daze but he is still in this!
Ishii just resets, runs again, and LARIATS! But he’s not done there! Ishii drags Tanahashi up, reels him in, suplex for the BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, TWO?!?!? WHAT?!? No one can believe it but everyone is thunderous for The Ace! Ishii hurries to get Tanahashi back up and suplex again. But Tanahashi fights free, then REVERSE SLINGBLADES! Fans rally hard as ever while both men are down again! Both men slowly rise, and they head for each other. Ishii headbutts! And headbutts! And headbutts! He ducks the Shotei to ROCK Tanahashi, and LARIAT! Tanahashi SHOTEIS, Ishii HEADBUTTS, Tanahashi HEADBUTTS!
Fans are thunderous again as Tanahashi wobbles. But he fires up and runs, to SLING- ISHII SLINGBLADES?!? Ishii hurries to suplex, but Tanahashi slips out! They fight for suplex control, fans fire up, and Ishii gets Tanahashi up, only for him to dragon sleeper! Ishii slips around, but Tanahashi BRAINBUSTERS!! Fans are thunderous again as Tanahashi gets back up. He runs, to SLINGBLADE! Cover, ONE?!?! Ishii wobbles and flops but he’s still in this! But Tanahashi is up top, to HIGH FLY ATTACK! Tanahashi fires up and hurries back up, to HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, Tanahashi wins!!
Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall (NEW IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion)
The Stone Pitbull gave his all, but it was still not enough to trump The Ace! Tanahashi is golden again, and he gets the mic to speak. “Ishii-san. Thank you so much!” He even bows on all four to show respect and fans cheer. Tanahashi knows Ishii getting this match was last minute, but how about they go again down the line? Fans also like the sound of that. Tanahashi then wants Sanada to know, “As I said I would, I took this belt back!” But wait! Chase Owens gets in the ring. He snatches the mic from Tanahashi to “congratulate” him on once again being IWGP US Heavyweight Champion.
But let’s take a little trip down memory lane. The G1 Climax last year, what happened? Tanahashi was US Champion and Chase beat him! Chase pinned The Ace, 1-2-3! But he never got his title shot! But y’know what? Chase is now IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champion so he doesn’t care about the US title. “But that guy might.” Who is this getting in the ring with the ski mask?! Tanahashi turns around and this guy DECKS Tanahashi! But with a very familiar haymaker! And then he gets Tanahashi up to hook the arms, PULP FRICTION!?! JUICE ROBINSON!?! The Juice is now part of Bullet Club?! And he drags Tanahashi back up to a torture rack, for a BURNING HAMMER!!
Juice grabs the US title and holds it up over Tanahashi! The Juice has changed flavors, now he’s just Too Sweet! But will he once again be US Champion after taking on Tanahashi?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS Tetsuya Naito!
The Rainmaker’s promise to be world champion and New Japan Cup champion did not come to pass, because the Uncontrollable Charisma eliminated him from the tournament! Will Okada redeem himself from that loss? Or will Naito stop the reign and make NJPW tranquilo?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, not that Naito looks at it, and then Naito takes his time with his entrance attire. Okada is patient, Naito finishes up with the tearaway pants, and fans applaud. The bell rings, and we’ll see who is truly on top of NJPW!
Okada and Naito stare down as fans rally, “O-KA-DA!” “NA-I-TO!” They slowly start to circle, approach but then step back. Then they approach, then they back up. Okada is letting Naito have his fun, and then they tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Okada has leverage to push Naito back step by step. Okada puts Naito on ropes, Red Shoes calls the break, but Okada lets off. Okada fakes the chop to pat Naito’s shoulders. Naito kicks low and fires forearms! Then Naito kicks Okada in the face. Okada grins, to then kick and give back all those forearms! Okada CLUBS Naito, but Naito gets up and they get face to face.
Naito throws a forearm, Okada gives it back, repeat. Fans rally as the two pick up speed! They go forearm for forearm and egg each other on! The forearms fly some more, and they slow down but hit harder! Naito gets the edge with heavy forearms, then he whips Okada to ropes. Okada ducks and dodges to CLOBBER Naito with a back elbow! Naito gets to a corner but Okada is on him. Okada whips corner to corner, runs in and back elbows! Naito staggers, Okada kicks low to DDT! Naito writhes but Okada covers him, TWO! Fans applaud while Okada paces. Okada brings Naito back up to ROCK him with a forearm.
Naito staggers but Okada brings him around to CLUB him down. Okada turns Naito, for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO, Okada keeps on Naito with a chinlock. Naito hurries to move forward, Okada grinds him down, but Naito still gets the ropebreak. Okada lets go quickly and brings Naito back up. Okada snapmares Naito to then run and basement dropkick! Naito flounders away but Okada keeps after him. Okada brings Naito up again, but Naito gets away to go outside the ring. Okada follows and CLUBS Naito on the back. Okada puts Naito in, but Naito rolls all the way to bail out the other side.
Okada pursues again and he CLUBS Naito down. Okada puts Naito in again, but Naito rolls out the side. Okada still pursues, and CLUBS Naito again. Okada ROCKS Naito with a forearm, then whips. Naito reverses and it’s Okada who crashes into the railing! Okada hurries after Naito but Naito kicks him and whips him into more railing! Naito kicks low, turns Okada and hits a NECKBREAKER to the floor! Red Shoes checks on Okada but he’s okay to continue. Naito gets in the ring, fans rally up, “O-KA-DA!” “NA-I-TO!” and Red Shoes starts the ring count. The count goes to 10 of 20 before Okada sits up.
Okada stands at 13 and gets in at 14, but Naito stomps away on him! Naito drags Okada up, whips him to ropes, then hip tosses him for a basement dropkick! Then another NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up while Naito scuffs Okada and kicks him to the apron. Naito then stomps Okada on the apron. Red Shoes reprimands so Naito stops and brings Okada up along the ropes. Okada fires forearms back, but Naito HOTSHOTS Okada! Naito then hurries to get on the apron and brings Okada up. APRON NECKBREAKER! Okada flops to the floor and fans fire up. Naito puts Okada in the ring, has him in a corner, and hoists him up top.
Naito gets Okada in a crucifix for a DRAPING NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up again while Okada writhes. Naito covers, TWO! Naito drags Okada up, snapmares him and wraps on the leg hook full nelson! Okada endures and moves around, but Naito puts more pressure on! Fans rally as Okada keeps fighting, and Okada gets a ROPEBREAK! But Naito pulls Okada away and thrashes him around! Red Shoes reprimands and Naito stops thrashing, but claims he needs help undoing the hold. Naito gives one last thrash before he lets Okada go. Naito scuffs Okada’s face, fans rally up, and Okada throws body shots and forearms!
Okada throws more forearms but Naito hits low then CLUBS away on the neck! Naito brings Okada in but Okada fights the dragon sleeper. Okada gets free but Naito kicks low. Naito whips, Okada reverses but Naito reverses back to TORNADO- NO! Okada fights the DDT, but Naito dodges the lariat, only for Okada to BOOT him! Fans fire up while both men are down! Okada snarls as he gets up, and he runs at Naito to CLOBBER him! And again! Naito dodges the boot but runs into the FLAPJACK! Fans fire up again and Okada stalks Naito. Naito gets up, Okada Alabama lifts, REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!
Okada keeps on Naito, wrenches his arm and puts on the MONEY CLIP! Naito endures, powers Okada to a corner and gets free. Naito throws a back elbow, then gets space, only for Okada to dodge the kick. Okada runs into BOOTS, Naito goes up, but Okada DROPKICKS Naito to the floor! Naito tumbles but Okada’s also down and fans fire up again. A ring count starts on Naito, and it’s already 8 of 20 but Okada goes out to fetch Naito. Okada drags Naito up, whips him and Naito hits railing! Okada runs in to BOOT Naito over the railing! Fans fire up and clap with Okada as he gets space. Okada runs back in to FLY over the railing! Direct hit and down goes Naito!
Fans are thunderous as Okada gets back up. Red Shoes checks on Naito and he’s okay to continue. Red Shoes wants Okada to get back to the ring but Okada took a lot out of himself with that crossbody. The ring count starts on him and Naito, and Okada gets up at 5 of 20 to fetch Naito at 10. Okada brings Naito along at 12, they return to ringside at 14 and Okada puts Naito in at 15. Fans applaud this continuing in the ring, and Okada climbs up the corner. Naito stands up and Okada missile dropkicks him down! Okada then drags Naito into the MONEY CLIP! Naito endures, kicks, but Okada drags him away from ropes!
Fans rally as Naito flails and Okada squeezes tight! Naito gets a second wind to scramble forward, and he gets a ROPEBREAK! Okada lets go quickly, and both men catch their breath on the mat. Okada drags Naito back up, scoops and SLAMS him, then goes to the corner. Fans rally as Okada climbs up top, MACHO ELBOW! And of course, the Rainmaker Pose! Fans fire up as Okada stalks Naito. Okada drags Naito up, but Naito fights the wristlock! Okada CLUBS Naito in the back, ripcords, but Naito gets around to ripcord and SPINEBUSTER! Fans fire up while both men are down again.
Fans rally, “NA-I-TO!” “OK-A-DA!” and Naito gets Okada’s wrist first. Naito throws back elbow after back elbow on Okada, then whips him to a corner. Naito runs in to JUMP KICK! Leg sweep and COMBINACION CABRON! Naito poses and fans fire up again. Naito brings Okada up, hammerlock and half nelson, but Okada fights with clubbing elbows. Okada is free and he uppercuts Naito! Okada whips, but Naito FLYING FOREARMS! Naito hurries to get Okada back in the hammerlock and half nelson, for GLORIA! Cover, TWO! Okada is still in this but gets caught into the KOJI KLUTCH!
Okada endures, fans rally, and Naito squeezes tight! Okada reaches out, moves around, but Naito thrashes him! Okada’s fading and Red Shoes checks him! The hand drops once, but Okada gets a second wind to get the ROPEBREAK! Naito reluctantly lets go, but he still has a smile on his face. Naito gets up and fans rally as he puts Okada on the top rope. Naito then climbs up and fires off clubbing forearms! Then he stands on the very top, only for Okada to make that a SUPER SIT-OUT POWERBOMB!! Both men are down and fans are thunderous! Okada sits up in a daze, crawls over to Naito, and gets the wrist.
Okada drags Naito up, but Naito ducks the lariat! Naito waistlocks but Okada throws elbows! Okada whips, Naito holds ropes and denies the dropkick, rolling jackknife! TWO!! Okada escapes, Naito tilt-o-whirls, but no Destino! Short arm LARIAT! Okada keeps the wrist control and he brings Naito back up for another short arm LARIAT! Okada brings Naito back up, ripcords, but Naito throws a back elbow! Okada SHOTGUNS back! Naito tumbles to ropes and Okada drags him back up. Okada gut wrenches but Naito fights free. Naito swings, Okada blocks and spins, but Naito spins through to LIGHTNING SPIRAL!
Fans fire up again while both men are down. Naito slowly sits up first, and he gets Okada’s wrist. Naito brings Okada up, and throws a heavy back elbow! Okada drops but Naito grins and brings him up, for another back elbow! And another, and another! And another, and another, and another! Okada staggers to a corner but Naito just throws more back elbows! Naito then hops up, reels Okada in, ESPARANZA! Fans fire up while Okada is down and dazed! Naito encourages the fans to get louder and they do, and he runs in, into an uppercut! But Naito blocks that to back elbow and ENZIGURI! Then CORRIENDO SHIKI DESTINO!! Cover, TWO!?!
Fans are thunderous as Okada survives! Naito hurries to get Okada back up, and he wrenches to tilt-o-whirl, into a SPINNING TOMBSTONE!! Okada then DISCUS LARIATS! Okada fires up and fans fire up with him! Okada gets Naito back up, ripcords, RAIN- NO! GLORIA CRADLE! TWO!! Okada escapes and runs in, but Naito gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Okada roars as he gets back up! Into the ROLLING KICK! But Okada DROPKICKS right back! Fans are thunderous again and Okada gets Naito back up! Gut wrench, LANDSLIDE! And then, ripcord for RAIN- NO!! Naito get around to DESTINO!!! Fans are electric, Naito covers, TWO!?!?
Okada survives and shocks everyone! Both men are down but the fans are electric again! Naito roars and he brings Okada up! Naito scoops and SLAMS Okada, then he goes to the corner! Naito climbs up, STARDUST FLOPS!! Okada avoids disaster and the fans are thunderous again! Naito sits up in a daze, Okada slowly rises, and the fans rally up hard as ever. Okada gets Naito for the ripcord, but Naito drops! It’s all he could do to avoid the lariat! Naito turns around, that wily look in his eye. Okada storms over but into a forearm! Naito staggers, but Okada forearms back! Naito forearms again, but so does Okada.
Naito throws a forearm, so Okada throws another. Fans rally as they start to pick up speed! They stop and Naito slaps Okada around. Okada EuroUppers! Naito forearms, Okada forearms, repeat, and the fans are back at it! Naito gets the edge, Okada drops to his knees! Naito brings Okada up, scoops, but Okada fights it! Okada CLUBS Naito, gut wrenches, but Naito fights that! Fans rally as the two struggle for control, and Naito CLUBS away on Okada’s back. Okada EuroUppers again! Naito runs in, into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Okada holds on, brings Naito back up, ripcord, but Naito SLAPS Okada! Both men stay up while fans fire up again.
Naito grins and brings Okada around, but Okada SLAPS back! Naito shakes that off, they both start throwing SLAP after SLAP! Naito gets the edge with some major paint brush SLAPS, and Okada drops! Naito wrenches, tilt-o-whirls, but no Destino! Ripcord ENZIGURI!? Then a cobra twist pump-handle POWERSLAM! And then, RAINMAKER!! Cover, Okada wins!
Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
Okada busted out some new moves and that was all the difference! Are we to believe this isn’t even the Rainmaker’s final form? He gets the belt and the mic to say, “Naito-san. That was our third round, and it was fun as hell. Gracias.” Naito tips his cap for the Spanish, but still adds a “cabron” before exiting. Okada also thanks Naito for the “injection of fighting spirit.” Okada then thanks the fans in the PayPay Dome for their own “hot support” tonight. Okada remembers that five years ago, he said pro-wrestlers were “supermen.” Did the fans enjoy NJPW’s supermen tonight? Fans applaud because they sure did.
Okada notes that this was NJPW’s first show in Fukuoka PayPay Dome in 21 YEARS. He hopes they’ll do it again soon. “There are still seats to fill up out there. NJPW will continue delivering the goods to make sure we pack this place next time!” Fans applaud, and then Okada notes it’s Golden Week in Japan. Restrictions are letting up, little by little. He thanks the fans for doing their part to keep everyone healthy. It’s thanks to them that Japan is moving forward like this. “We’ll again fight in front of cheers, and in turn, give you all strength. We’re almost there! Please, lend us your support!” Fans cheer that hope.
Okada says that’s all for Wrestling Dontaku! And he’ll continue to make it rain! Mic drop and pyro for the world champion, will Okada bring plenty of rain this Spring? Wait, something is going on while Okada celebrates. Is that… THE SWITCHBLADE?! Jay White is back in Japan!? Okada waits on White, and he finally appears, Gedo right behind him. White and Gedo go to the ring, and of course White gets the mic. But Okada snatches it from White, because he knows what this is about. Okada holds up the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship and White says yeah, he wants to see it. But then Gedo blindsides Okada!
White fires off forearm after forearm then he stomps Okada down! But Okada fires right back! Gedo goes after Okada but gets DECKED! Only for White to hit BLADERUNNER! White helps Gedo up, and Gedo holds the belt while White gets the mic. He won’t let the fans applaud, he’s talking! “Did you forget? Did. You. Forget. Let me remind you. Let me remind ALL of you! Exactly. Who. I. Am! I am Switchblade Jade White, the number one wrestler in all of pro-wrestling! The Last Rock ‘n’ Rolla! I am the man that single-handedly sold out Madison Square Garden! I’m King Switch, baby!” NJPW’s first Grand Slam Champion ever! The REAL belt collector!
And of course, he is the leader of Bullet Club! Bullet Club joins him, and White says he is the “Catalyst of pro-wrestling,” and the next IWGP World Heavyweight Champion! Okada, once again, you will Breath with the Switchblade! This is STILL White’s Era! White hands the mic to Karl Anderson while Gedo gives White the world title. Anderson says that was “sugoi,” (awesome) “kakui,” (cool) and “sashiburi” (long time no see). Happy Birthday, Bullet Club! Anderson then leads them in singing the birthday song to the faction, and White pours out the beers meant for Okada all over him!
Look at Bullet Club! Stronger than ever! New member, “Rock Hard” Juice! The legend, Gedo! The NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, Taiji Ishimori! The NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, Chase & Fale! And of course, the return of Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson! But most importantly, in the lineage of Prince Devitt, to AJ Styles, to even Kenny Omega, THIS here is the best wrestler in the world, the man who sold out MSG, and the future IWGP World Heavyweight Champion: The Switchblade, Jay White! Bullet Club birthday, only one way to say it: It’s just, too, SWEEEET~! Bullet Club all throws it up, but will they soon own the entire wrestling world?
My Thoughts:
What a night for NJPW! I did have to skip the non-title matches, but I skimmed them and they’re still really good stuff. Hiromu winning sets him up big in the BOSJ in a couple weeks, but I bet Yoh will have a great run. The field for BOSJ 29 looks really good, and great to see that in honor of the crossover event, Forbidden Door, we’re getting some crossover with NJPW’s partners, AEW, Impact and CMLL. When it comes to who wins BOSJ, keep your eyes on Francesca Akira since he made his presence known when Desperado and Taiji set up tonight’s match. That match was great stuff, and it was quite a surprise that Taiji won, but he could still take the trophy this year and call out Akira.
The Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships was a really good match, and another clever way to win from Taguchi. I figured Six or Nine would retain, the Junior Tag Division will be on pause for BOSJ 29, but many of the results from that can give us the next challengers. The Heavyweight Tag Team Championships being a Tornado Triple Threat was great stuff, and what a surprise that Bullet Club won. Not quite foreshadowing how tonight ended, but the NEVER Openweight Championship definitely did. Tama winning was great stuff, and then to think the Good Brothers would come back. Tama VS Anderson, two BC OG, battle of the Gun Stun, that’s gonna be awesome.
Tanahashi VS Ishii was awesome, too, but I had a feeling Tanahashi would win. Before the surprise, I figured Tanahashi was holding onto this belt so when Ospreay clears COVID, we’d get Ace VS Kingpin at some event down the line. Instead, Juice not only returns to NJPW prime, he goes Heel and joins Bullet Club! Tanahashi VS Juice is going to be great stuff, could go either way since Juice has Bullet Club backing him, and I wouldn’t mind seeing United Empire VS Bullet Club in full with Ospreay VS Juice, Khan & Cobb VS Fale & Chase, and maybe even TJP or Akira going after Taiji and the Junior Heavyweight title.
Okada VS Naito was also awesome stuff, but Okada was the natural choice to have the belt with Jay White coming back. There’s a lot of history there for Okada and White, and it was Bullet Club’s night to shine. I do want to point out that no one from the House of Torture was present. Though at the same time, Yujiro lost to Loa, Evil lost to Tama, they probably felt more like sulking than joining Bullet Club prime. I’d still love to see them find a way to do Bullet Club Civil War: Team Switchblade VS House of Torture since we’re getting returns and new members, thereby pushing House of Torture out of the spotlight. But for now, I wonder if Okada, Tanahashi and Tama would team up to take on White, Juice and Anderson in a title story Six Man Tag…
My Score: 9/10
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Once more around the round robin!
Best of the Super Juniors returns, yet Douki chooses not to compete! Who proves they’re “second best” to the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: Taiji Ishimori VS Jakob Austin Young; Taiji wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: SHO VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Daiki Nagai; Taguchi wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: YOH VS Hyo; Hyo wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Robbie X VS Nick Wayne; Nick wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: KUSHIDA VS Robbie Eagles; Kushida wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Master Wato VS Titan; Titan wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: El Desperado VS Daisuke Sasaki; Daisuke wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Francesco Akira; Fujita wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: Taiji Ishimori VS Jakob Austin Young!
The Bone Soldier and #DangerousJAY get to set the tone for the first round with this opening match. Will Taiji be victorious #ByGrace? Or will he fall off Jakob’s Ladder?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. The two tie up, Jakob headlocks, but Taiji puts him on ropes. The ref counts, Taiji backs off, and the fans cheer the clean break. Taiji and Jakob go again, feel things out, then clinch. Jakob puts Taiji on the ropes, the ref calls the break, but Jakob gives a quick body jab. The fans boo but Jakob tells them to shut up. The two circle again, tie up, and Jakob headlocks. Taiji powers up and out but Jakob RUNS him over! Things keep moving, Taiji drops down, hurdles over, but Jakob waistlocks. Taiji fires elbows, then runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and RANAS! Jakob tumbles, Taiji DROPKICKS him out!
The fans fire up as Taiji builds speed, but he tiger feints as Jakob moves! The fans cheer again, and then Taiji PLANCHAS! Down goes Jakob and the fans fire up again! Taiji goes back for Jakob, puts him in the ring, then covers, TWO! Jakob is tougher than that but Taiji stays close. Taiji cravats to snapmare Jakob, then NECK TWIST! Jakob writhes but the fans applaud, and Taiji stalks Jakob. Taiji CLUBS Jakob, ROCKS him with a right, but the ref reprimands about closed fists. Taiji wrenches and whips Jakob to a corner, then runs up, but Jakob puts Taiji on the apron. Jakob RAMS low, then pulls Taiji through the ropes, NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT!
The fans applaud Jakob’s creativity while Taiji slumps down. Jakob builds speed to WRECK Taiji with a dropkick! Jakob says crowns up, then he fetches Taiji. Jakob SMACKS Taiji off the apron, the ref reprimands, but Jakob puts Taiji in the ring. Jakob mocks the fans applauding, then slides into the ring. Cover, TWO! Jakob stomps Taiji while he argues the count. Jakob taunts Taiji, pats him on the head, but Taiji fires CHOPS! Jakob eggs Taiji on so Taiji CHOPS again! Jakob felt that one, but he dodges the lariat to wrench and spin Taiji around, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Taiji survives.
Jakob stands Taiji up, suplexes, but Taiji slips free. Taiji ducks a shot to then CLAW the eyes! Taiji whips, Jakob reverses, but Taiji handsprings, NEURALIZER KICK! Down goes Jakob and the fans applaud. Taiji and Jakob rise, Taiji runs in at the corner, and he DOUBLE KNEES! Then Taiji fireman’s carries, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Basement SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Taiji waits on Jakob while we pass five minutes. Jakob rises, Taiji runs up, LA MYST- NO, Jakob blocks to THROW Taiji down! Then dragon sleeper for the SAVING GRACE! Cover, TWO! Taiji survives and the fans fire up again!
Jakob frowns as he storms back over to Taiji. Jakob grabs the legs, steps through, but Taiji kicks and kicks. Taiji kicks free, but Jakob SLIDING KNEES! Cover, TWO! Jakob argues with the ref again but the ref defends his count. Taiji stirs but Jakob brings him up. Jakob cravats, goes to the corner, but Taiji slips free! BUCKLE SHOT! The fans cheer while Jakob sputters in the corner. Taiji rises again, and the fans rally as he brings Jakob up. Taiji whips but Jakob blocks! Taiji wrenches the arm to YANK it! Jakob falls to his knees but Taiji stands him up. Hammerlock, scoop, and SHOULDER BUSTER! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Jakob survives.
Taiji stays focused and he brings Jakob up. Taiji ripcords, LA MYSTI- NO, Jakob slips free! Jakob CHOPS, Taiji CHOPS, but Jakob ROCKS Taiji with a forearm! Jakob runs, but Taiji is up to JUMP KNEE! The fans fire up again and Taiji calls his shot! Taiji hauls Jakob up, gut wrenches, and CIPHER UT- NO, Jakob catches it to a cover, TWO! Taiji victory rolls, TWO! Taiji ducks ‘n’ dodges, LA MYSTICA! BONE LOCK!! Jakob flails, reaches out, but Taiji rolls him to center! Jakob TAPS, Taiji wins!
Winner: Taiji Ishimori, by submission (gains 2 points; Jakob earns 0)
The tone is set, and it is Unbound! Will that be exactly how Taiji’s run goes? Or will he still fall short of his first BOSJ trophy?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: SHO VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
Wait, wait, wait. Douki choosing to stay out of this tournament is one thing, but the Murder Machine and Heel Master facing each other in the first round? Well, the fix is in already, but who will help the other get an easy win?
Well, since they’re both House of Torture, no one attacks the other. And it seems they’re both out here alone, if only for now. Wait, Sho grabs the mic. “This is a battle of two of the absolute best Junior Heavyweights. And it is a disgrace that this incredible match is only second on the card. The power balance of this division is so screwed up. But to make sure this makes everyone regrets this, Kanemaru-san, you and I are gonna have the best match of this entire tournament! And we know we’re not coming out of this unscathed. This will be a Match of the Year contender!
“And all these country bumpkins in Tokyo will see the best match of their entire lives, even though they don’t deserve it! This should be in the Tokyo Dome with a minimum buy-in of 100 MILLION Yen! Kanemaru-san, I don’t want to hurt you. But let’s have a great match, and as your kouhai, you’ll do me a solid and lie down.” Kanemaru agrees to a fair match, the two “put one out” together, and then the bell rings. Kanemaru already lies down!? Finger Poke of Doom 2026! Sho applauds, the fans clap along, and Kanemaru snatches Sho into the victory roll! TWO!! Kanemaru bails out and Sho is upset! Kanemaru argues the count while the fans laugh at Sho!
Sho is upset, he raises the ref’s hand, then he grabs Kanemaru’s bottle of whiskey! The ref and Sho fight over the bottle, but Kanemaru slithers in, and he’s holding Sho’s wrench! Kanemaru sneaks the Torture Tool into Sho’s waistband, and then shoves him around. The ref sees the wrench in Sho’s pants! Now they argue over the wrench! Kanemaru rolls Sho up, TWO! Headlock takeover, TWO! Trip and jackknife bridge, TWO!! The fans cheer Kanemaru for how close he got! Sho is still beside himself but Kanemaru bails out. Kanemaru goes around the outside, Sho chases him and says how dare he mess around!
Sho round the corner, Kanemaru dropkicks the legs out! Kanemaru SMASHES the leg off the floor! Then FIGURE FOUR! The fans cheer but a ring count climbs! Sho flails, reaches out, but Kanemaru holds until 12 of 20! Kanemaru leaves Sho behind, but Sho grabs Kanemaru’s legs! Sho drags Kanemaru off the apron, fans clear out, and Sho THROWS Kanemaru into chairs! Then Sho sends a Young Lion into Kanemaru! The count is still going!! We pass 15 as Kanemaru sends Young Lion Taisei Nakahara back at Sho! The fans cheer as Kanemaru rolls in! 18! 19! Sho slides in at 19.99! The fans cheer while Kanemaru is shocked!
Kanemaru apologizes to Sho? Kanemaru offers a handshake, the fans cheer, but Sho says Kanemaru needs to watch himself. Sho takes the handshake, then bends Kanemaru’s fingers! Kanemaru CLAWS Sho with his other hand! Kanemaru runs, Sho uses the ref as a shield, but then so does Kanemaru! Kanemaru ENZIGIRIS Sho! Kanemaru stomps Sho’s fingers! Kanemaru grabs his whiskey! The ref protests, Kanemaru shoves him away, then Kanemaru takes a swig. But Sho smothers Kanemaru! Kanemaru breaks free, but Sho just smothers him again! Kanemaru’s at his limit, and Sho lets go, WHISKEY MIST into the ref!
The ref is blinded, Sho laughs at them both, and Sho says that should be a disqualification, right? IT IS!
Winner: Sho, by disqualification (gains 2 points; Kanemaru earns 0)
Kanemaru is mad at the ref and TOSSES him out! Poor Sakamoto… Sho apologizes to Kanemaru now, but they were both playing dirty anyway. They fist bump and head out, but will the trickery only continue until one of them is the Best of the Super Juniors?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Daiki Nagai!
The Funky Weapon has had his moments in this tournament, but the Unbound Young Lion is finally having his first! Will Taguchi be serious right from the start? Or will he underestimate his young opponent?
Oh snap, Daiki SHOTGUNS Taguchi during introductions! The fans fire up as Daiki shows how serious he is about this! The bell rings as he whips Taguchi, but Taguchi reverses to start up the cycle of dropdown and sidestep! But Daiki knows it well and DROPKICKS Taguchi out! The fans fire up as Daiki builds speed, and DIVES! Down goes Taguchi right in front of the fans! The fans fire up with Daiki and he brings Taguchi up. Daiki says here goes, and he climbs up the corner! Taguchi stands, Daiki MISSILE DROPKICKS! Taguchi flounders away but Daiki runs in at the corner! Taguchi dodges, rolls Daiki, then DROPKICKS in return!
The fans rally as Taguchi crawls to the cover, TWO! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Daiki scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi holds but lets go as the ref reprimands. Things finally slow down and Taguchi can take off his shirt. Taguchi CHOKES Daiki with it! The ref reprimands, Taguchi stops right away, and he apologizes for getting mad. Taguchi reels Daiki in, has the leg, but Daiki fights the lift! Taguchi fires body shots to then SHIN BREAKER! And DROPKICK to the leg! The fans rally as Taguchi grabs OH MY GAH ANKLE! Daiki flails, crawls, and makes the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go, but then kneels on the leg for a toehold.
Daiki grabs the ropes again, the ref counts, and Taguchi steps away. Taguchi drags Daiki up to HIP ATTACK! And HIP ATTACK! Daiki rises but Taguchi brings him up. Daiki ROCKS Taguchi, Taguchi ROCKS Daiki, repeat! The shots go back and forth, Taguchi fires a flurry, then he runs, but Taguchi follows! HIP- ATOMIC DROP! Daiki still knows the tricks, and he waistlocks. Taguchi fights with elbows, then more elbows, then he feints the run! But Daiki avoids the hips! But Taguchi victory rolls again! TWO, and Daiki DROPKICKS! Taguchi falls into a corner and the fans fire up again! Daiki has a wild look in his eyes as he goes to the other corner.
Daiki runs in and HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! Daiki hurries to drag Taguchi out, covers, TWO! The fans fire up again while Daiki goes to a corner. Daiki climbs, the fans rally, and Daiki DIVING BODY FLOPS as Taguchi moves! Daiki sputters while Taguchi crawls to a corner. Taguchi calls upon the powers of Strong Style, “OYA~!” BUM- NO, Daiki rolls Taguchi up! TWO, and Taguchi dodges a lariat to roll Daiki up! TWO, and OH MY- NO, Daiki kicks free! SLIDING HIP! Cover, TWO!! Daiki survives and the fans fire up, but Taguchi hauls Daiki right up! Taguchi chicken wings and DODON- NO, Daiki victory rolls, TWO!
Daiki ROCKS Taguchi, Taguchi ENZIGIRIS! Daiki rebounds to CHOP! Daiki runs, but into a DROPKICK! Taguchi hurries to cover, TWO, but OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Daiki flails again, reaches out, and the fans rally even harder! Taguchi puts on the pressure but Daiki still fights his way forward! Daiki reaches out but Taguchi drags him back! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Daiki claws with everything he has, but Taguchi YANKS Daiki back! Chicken wings and DODON BUSTER!! Cover, Taguchi wins!
Winner: Ryusuke Taguchi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Daiki earns 0)
Taguchi got serious because Daiki brought it out of him! And with that, Taguchi already has his first win in this year’s tournament! Will Taguchi prove that the Funky Weapon still has what it takes? Will Daiki learn from this and make sure his first win is in the second round?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: YOH VS HYO!
A curious match-up here, and not just because you can rearrange one man’s name and spell the other’s. But will Mr. Direct Drive kick it into gear right from the start? Or will The Black Panther prove he’s the apex predator in this tournament?
The fans have a hard time making heads or tails of the ring gear, and Yoh asks for a little help with the halter top. Hyo makes sure his little snow leopard, Nyan Nyan, is comfortable in the corner, then the bell rings. The two run up, Hyo leaps over the dropdown, then mule kicks. Hyo whips, Yoh reverses, but Hyo goes up and over, then handsprings through! Things really speed up, and the panther gets the zoomies as he runs around Yoh! Then DROPKICK! The fans cheer while Yoh bails out! Hyo shows his claws, and the fans rally up as Hyo builds speed. But Hyo handsprings through as Yoh moves!
The fans cheer and Yoh THROWS Nyan Nyan down! The fans boo Yoh for that, Hyo flexes and the fans cheer. But Yoh sneaks in to wrench and trip Hyo! Yoh ties Hyo up in Paradise! The fans cheer as Yoh stands on Hyo, then “kicks sand” before he runs around like a cat! Yoh “pees” on Hyo, maybe he’s a dog instead. Yoh then runs to DROPKICK Hyo outta Paradise! Yoh drags Hyo up, reels him in, and suplexes, but Hyo fights free, wrenches, then NEKODAMASHI CLAP! Cradle, TWO! Yoh rolls Hyo, TWO! Hyo runs up, sunset flips, TWO! Yoh sits on the cover, TWO! Hyo has it again, TWO! Yoh has it again, TWO!!
The fans cheer that near escape, but Yoh kicks and runs. But Hyo blows past, and now both men have the zoomies! They chase each other like cats ‘n’ dogs, then STUNNER to SOMERSAULT DRIVER! Cover, HYO WINS!!
Winner: Hyo, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Yoh earns 0)
In the blink of an eye, the Panther snatches that win like a rabbit out of the hat! Hyo shows Yoh respect with the Roppongi 3K salute, AND A KISS?! Yoh faints, will he be able to recover from that? Or will Hyo hunt down the top spot in the block?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Robbie X VS Nick Wayne!
The former IWGP Junior Tag Team Champion and the former ROH World Television Champion (sorry if that’s spoilers/breaking kayfabe) meet in hopes of each becoming the next IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. Will things get too extreme for The Prodigy? Or will NJPW enter Wayne’s World?
The bell rings and the fans rally behind Robbie. Robbie and Nick circle, tie up, and Robbie headlocks. Nick powers up and out, but Robbie handsprings! Nick stops the cutter, but Robbie fights the full nelson! Robbie trips Nick, but Nick avoids the PK! Nick arm-drags Robbie, Robbie headscissors, but Nick kips free to kick low! Nick whips, Robbie goes up and over in the corner, then handsprings! Things keep moving, Nick hurdles to then UPPERCUT! The fans fire up as Nick kips up again! Robbie flounders away but Nick storms over to him. Nick drags Robbie up, CHOPS him in the corner, then follows him along the ropes.
Robbie goes to another corner but Nick kisses him on the bald head before he CHOPS again! Nick then snapmares Robbie, leg drops, then covers, TWO! Robbie is tougher than that but Nick keeps his cool. Nick stalks Robbie, brings him up, but Robbie CHOPS! The fans cheer but Nick comes back. Robbie ROCKS Nick, ROCKS him again, then again! But Nick ROCKS Robbie back! Nick stalks Robbie, whips him to ropes, but Robbie avoids the superkick! Nick runs up, Robbie cartwheels to dodge! Nick tumbles out to the apron, Robbie NO HAND HANDSPRINGS to knock Nick down! Then Robbie reloads, PLANCHA! Down goes Nick and the fans fire up!
Robbie brings Nick up, puts him in the ring, and slingshots for the SILVER FLIP SENTON! Cover, TWO! Nick is still in this but the fans rally behind Robbie. Robbie checks his neck, then brings Nick up. Robbie reels Nick in but Nick fights the lift. Robbie still tries but Nick still fights. Robbie winds up to CHOP Nick down! The fans cheer but Robbie reels Nick back in, only for Nick to BACKDROP free! Robbie sunsets but Nick sits on it, TWO! Robbie finishes the flip, TWO! Nick is up, he dodges Robbie, and SNAP DRAGONS! The fans fire up for that very Kenny Omega level move! Nick then waits on Robbie to get up while he takes aim.
Nick runs corner to corner, but Robbie dodges! Robbie runs back up, blocks a boot, but not the ENZIGIRI! Nick goes up, up, WAYNE’S- NO, Robbie dodges the cutter and mule kicks! Robbie goes to run but Nick reels him in! Robbie fights the waistlock again, but Nick ducks a shot! Nick ROCKS Robbie, Robbie ELBOWS Nick, and PELES! The fans fire up with Robbie as he powers up again, only for Nick to jump up! POISON-RANA! The fans rally while Robbie is down! Nick calls his shot, gathers power, and Robbie rises up, into the BUZZ- NO, Robbie ducks, jumps up, POISON-RANA! The fans fire up as Robbie returns the favor!
Nick bails out, but Robbie springboards, SKY TWISTER! Down goes Nick but Robbie puts him in fast! Robbie handsprings, LETHAL INJECTION X!! Cover, TWO!! Nick survives and Robbie is shocked! The fans rally even harder for Robbie as he rises up. Robbie drags Nick to a drop zone, climbs up the corner, and X EX- NO, Robbie has to roll through as Nick moves! Robbie runs back up, but into a SUPERKICK! Robbie is down but Nick leans against the corner as he catches his breath. The fans rally up harder and harder still, and Nick rises to his feet. Nick calls his shot, and he goes up, into WAYNE’S- BACKSLIDE! TWO!
Nick BOOTS Robbie, runs, but Robbie ROCKS Nick! Robbie runs, Nick blows past, but Robbie dodges, QUEBRADA into a SUPERKICK! Nick hits the anti-air, and now he calls his shot! BUZZSAW, and WAYNE’S WORLD! Cover, NICK WINS!
Winner: Nick Wayne, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Robbie earns 0)
He may have lost the title, but Nick rebounds to get a major win in the tournament! Will nothing stop The Prodigy from proving he’s the next big thing? Can Robbie get the X Express back on track in the second round?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: KUSHIDA VS Robbie Eagles!
The Time Splitter returns to NJPW, hoping to prove he is still the Best of the Super Juniors. But he now stands in the crosshairs of the Sniper of the Skies! Will Kushida still bring us Back to the Future? Or will Eagles fly high right from the start?
Wait, Kushida is going barefoot for this! Eagles says okay, hold on. “Robbie Robbie Robbie!” “OI OI OI!” “Robbie Robbie Robbie!” “OI OI OI!” “Robbie!” “OI!” “Robbie!” “OI!” “Robbie Robbie Robbie!” “OI OI OI!” The fans applaud, but then a “KU-SHI-DA!” chant starts in response. The bell rings and the two circle. They feel things out, Kushida rolls, and he grabs a leg. Eagles fights that off to step over and cover, ONE! Kushida trips Robbie, has a toehold, but Robbie rolls and reels Kushida in, only for Kushida to use that and get the headlock for his own. The fans applaud this technical exchange, but then Eagles slips out to hammerlock!
Eagles reaches over but Kushida rolls to then headscissors! The fans applaud again, and Kushida puts on the pressure. Eagles endures, bridges, but Kushida puts on the pressure. Eagles kips free, but Kushida reels him back into the headscissors! The fans applaud, but Eagles fights around. Eagles rolls to turn Kushida over, then he pops out to trap the legs. Eagles rolls Kushida, but Kushida twists a foot! Kushida turns Eagles over, ties the legs up, then floats to a headlock. Eagles powers out to stand on Kushida’s arm, but Kushida slips away. The fans applaud the standoff as the two reset and circle again.
Kushida rushes Eagles, Eagles holds off the armlock but the body scissors are still on! Eagles powers through to drop Kushida down and have a toehold. Eagles bends toes! The ref reprimands, Eagles teases about “this little piggy,” but Kushida hooks Eagles’ nose! Eagles shakes that off but Kushida tries again. Kushida waistlocks, bridges, but Eagles moves, so Kushida floats to an ARMBAR! Eagles rolls to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Kushida lets go, and the two reset again. They circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. Kushida rolls, trips Eagles, then has the toehold. Eagles tries to headscissors, but Kushida shrugs that off.
Kushida pulls Eagles’ arm into tying up the legs, then he steps over. It’s not exactly Paradise as Kushida uses his legs to bend and crunch Eagles! Eagles powers up and trips Kushida to then SPLAYED STRETCH! Kushida endures, even as Eagles reclines back, so Eagles floats over to a cover. ONE, Eagles waistlocks but Kushida rolls. Cover, ONE, and Eagles trips Kushida. Kushida chinbars to wrangle Eagles into a chinlock. Eagles endures so Kushida shifts to a motorcycle stretch, and LEG HOOK NELSON! Eagles endures, pushes back, and rolls to have a leg! Eagles has the INDIAN DEATHLOCK! The fans cheer as Eagles sits Kushida up, INDIAN COBRA TWIST!!
Kushida endures, pries at the arm, then rolls to leg hook and float, ARMBAR! Eagles pries free, and the fans cheer the technical master class! Eagles and Kushida reset again, feel things out, then tie up. Eagles goes for an arm, but so does Kushida. Kushida chinbars but Eagles arm-drags! Eagles steps over, Kushida kicks free, but Eagles handsprings through. The fans cheer as the two reset again. They approach, and Kushida KICKS the leg! Then he grapevines the leg to trip Eagles. Eagles pries at toes but Kushida stands to change up his hold. Eagles slips through to drop toehold Kushida into the waistlock. Kushida fights up, switches, then arm-drags.
Kushida chicken wings the arms and he works to turn Eagles. Eagles endures but Kushida powers through to a cradle! TWO, and Kushida ducks a chop to roll back! Kushida goes up but Eagles blocks the arm-drag! Eagles arm-drags back, then trips Kushida. Eagles runs, handsprings over the dropdown, but Kushida is after the arm! Eagles wrenches through, breaks free, but Kushida blocks a kick! Eagles drops to trip Kushida, ANKLE- NO, Kushida rolls back, bridges, TWO! Eagles body scissors and rolls to a cover, TWO! Both men RAM shoulders! And RAM again! And again! The fans fire up as the two stare down.
Kushida offers a handshake, Eagles accepts, but Eagles stomps the toes! The fans boo but Eagles says Kushida baka. Eagles runs up, gets a leg, but Kushida steps over to cover, TWO! Eagles sunset flips, TWO! Kushida sits on it, TWO! Kushida rolls to highs tack, TWO! Eagles has Kushida, TWO! Kushida, ONE! Eagles, ONE! They teetertotter and the ref can’t even keep up! The fans cheer as this turns into a rolling cradle! Eagles finally has it, TWO!! Kushida escapes in time and Eagles is stunned! Eagles runs up but Kushida jumps the 619! Kushida somersaults, but Eagles stops the DDT! Eagles slips around, rolls Kushida up, TWO!
Eagles has the leg, steps through, but Kushida cradles, TWO! Eagles has it, TWO! Both men stand, Eagles jumps up, RANA! But Kushida sunset flips it! TWO!! The fans are thunderous as both men get up! Kushida FLAPJACKS, but Eagles avoids the PK! Eagles wrenches the leg, SLAPS, SLAPS, SLAPS, and TURBO- NO, Kushida slips through the backpack to cradle and BACK TO THE FUTURE!! Cover, KUSHIDA WINS!!
Winner: Kushida, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Robbie earns 0)
It feels like forever since we’ve seen Kushida win with that move here in NJPW, but seeing it again brings us right back! Will Kushida hit that 88 miles per hour and return to former glory? Will the Sniper of the Skies just have to reload and try again in the next round?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Master Wato VS Titan!
The Way of the Grandmaster is still on the long road to the top, but the same goes for El Inmortal’s journey. Who will take another step closer to their goal of being the Best of the Super Juniors?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. The crowd is split between them, and the two tie up. Wato trips Titan, things speed up, and Titan hurdles to then drop down. Wato leaps over, keeps moving, and he RANAS! Titan bails out, Wato builds speed, but Titan is up fast to springboard and CROSSBODY! Then DROPKICK! Wato bails out, Titan builds speed, and fans clear out before Titan DIVES! Wato tumbles into the chairs! The ref checks and Wato is able to continue. Titan roars as he rises up and the fans cheer. Titan puts Wato in the ring, pushes him around, then fireman’s carries for the DEATH VALLEY NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!
The fans applaud was Wato toughs it out. Titan stomps Wato, eggs him on, then KICKS him in the back. Titan snapmares Wato, runs and basement DROPKICKS! High stack, TWO! Titan hurries to tie up the legs, FIGURE FOUR! Wato endures, drags Titan along, and manages the ROPEBREAK! Titan lets go while the fans applaud. Wato shakes out the legs, Titan stomps him around, then Titan kicks at him. Wato scowls but Titan SOBATS! Titan eggs Wato on again, then brings him up. Wato fires a shot but Titan CLUBS and KNEES Wato in return. Another fireman’s carry but Wato fights free!
Wato swings, Titan ducks, and Titan fires off a strike fest! Titan runs, but into an ELBOW! Wato runs but ducks a shot to ZIGZAG! But Titan kips up to PELE! Wato PENALTY KICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Wato crawls to ropes, rises up, and he runs to CLOBBER Titan! And CLOBBER again! Wato whips Titan, then DROPKICKS him down! Titan bails out, the fans fire up, and Wato builds speed! Wato FLIES and down goes Titan! The fans cheer while both men are down in front of the front row again. A ring count starts, but Wato rises at 7 of 20. Wato stands at 10 and fires up with the fans!
Wato brings Titan up, puts him in at 14, and takes aim. The fans applaud as Wato climbs the corner, then leaps in, MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Titan is tougher than that and the fans cheer again. Wato drags Titan up, wrenches and clinches, but Titan fights the lift! Wato CLUBS Titan, whips him, but Titan reverses to TORANDO DDT! And then roll through to suplex, CUTTER! Cover, TWO! But Titan steps through, ties up the legs, and rolls for LLAVE INMORTAL! The fans fire up as Titan bridges back and bends Wato! Wato fights, fights, and powers his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Titan lets go in frustration.
Titan roars and the fans rally again. Titan pounds the mat, the fans clap along, and Titan waits on Wato. Wato rises, Titan SUPER- NO, Wato ducks, but Titan BUZZSAWS! Titan goes to the corner, he climbs up top, and the fans fire up, but Wato CLUBS Titan first! Titan drops onto the corner, Wato climbs up, and Wato brings Titan back up! Titan holds onto the corner, fires elbows, then he trips Wato! Wato falls into the Tree of Woe! Titan turns around, WOE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!! Wato survives and the fans fire up again! Titan throws off his elbow pads, then rolls his way back to the corner. Titan skins the cat to rise back up!
Titan aims while Wato is down, LA LANC- NO, Wato dodges, runs up, crucifix takedown, into RECIENTEMENTE!! Cover, TWO?!? Titan survives and the fans are thunderous! Wato grows frustrated, but he hurries to waistlock. TSU- NO, Titan rolls, hooks a leg, but Wato reels Titan into a cradle! TWO, and ROUNDHOUSE! Wato hurries to spin, but Titan blocks the kick to DRAGON SCREW! Then a step through and SHARPSHOOTER!! Wato endures, reaches out, but Titan pulls him back to center!! Wato flails, but Titan bridges on the hold! WATO TAPS, TITAN WINS!
Winner: Titan, by submission (gains 2 points; Wato earns 0)
It wasn’t quite Llave Inmortal, but it might’ve been even stronger! Titan borrows a fan’s flag of Mexico to celebrate his home and his people. Will Titan represent them both as he proves he was born for such a time as this? Or will Wato still prove he is the Way to the Grandmaster?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: El Desperado VS Daisuke Sasaki!
The Rogue Luchador won the tournament back in 2024, and is looking to repeat history so that he may have his revenge on Douki. However, he’s up against Charisma Itself! Will Desperado still be the Best of the Super Juniors two years later? Or will Daisuke prove he is the future of this division?
Before they get started, Despy offers a handshake. Daisuke is wary, but he accepts. They both kiss the other’s hand, then the bell rings. The fans duel as the two circle, but then Daisuke bails out. The fans boo but Despy waits on Daisuke. Daisuke steps back into the ring, circles with Despy, and they feel things out. They tie up, Daisuke waistlocks, but Despy wrenches to wristlock. Daisuke spins through, wrenches back, and wristlocks to then snapmare. Daisuke keeps on the arm but Despy fights around. Despy rolls, trips Daisuke, and has the toehold. Daisuke chinbars in return but Despy digs his elbow into the knee.
Daisuke chinlocks and pries Despy off the leg, but Despy kicks back to the ROPEBREAK! Daisuke lets go, Despy bails out, and now Daisuke waits. Despy takes his time returning, and the two reset. The fans rally as they feel things out, and they knuckle lock. But then Despy wrenches the arm to snapmare Daisuke, sit him up, and ghost pin, TWO! Daisuke slips around to headlock, but Despy powers up and out. Despy headlocks, Daisuke slips through to headlock, but Despy powers up and out again. Daisuke RUNS Despy over! Then he fakes Despy out to headlock, but Despy rolls. Daisuke rolls through, Despy trips him, STRETCH MUFFLER!
Daisuke scrambles to the ROPEBREAK and the fans cheer. Despy kneels on Daisuke, pretends to not understand what’s wrong, then he digs his knees in. The ref counts, Despy backs off, and Despy apologizes while Daisuke bails out. Despy waits, but Daisuke offers Despy to step outside. It’ll be a clean fight! Despy says step inside and it’ll be clean in here! Despy asks why it has to be outside. Daisuke CLAWS Despy’s eyes! Then he turns Despy for a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! The fans are torn while Despy writhes, but Daisuke drags Despy outside. Daisuke SMACKS Despy off the apron, then has fans clear out!
Daisuke stands Despy up, but he’s going to commentary! Despy fights back, but now Daisuke fights the desk bump! Daisuke SMACKS Despy off the desk, then grabs someone’s chair! The ref reprimands, but Daisuke puts the chair around Despy’s neck and POSTS him! The fans are torn while Despy writhes, but Daisuke leaves Despy behind. The fans rally for Despy as a ring count begins, and Despy is still down at 5 of 20. Despy sits up at 7, Daisuke wants the count to hurry up. Despy stands at 10 and rolls into the ring, only for Daisuke to DROPKICK him in the head! Despy scrambles away, clutching his neck, but Daisuke pursues!
Daisuke puts Despy back in, pushes him to a cover, ONE!! Despy toughs it out, but Daisuke KNEES him in the back of the neck! And then drops a knee on the same spot! And again! The fans rally up for Despy but Daisuke steps on him at the ropes. Daisuke then drags Despy up, puts him through ropes, and bends him back! The ref counts, Daisuke stops, then he drags Despy around to FISHERMAN SCREW! Despy sputters, but he BODY BLOWS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Daisuke CLUBS Despy, then eggs him on. Daisuke slaps Despy around, Despy slaps back, so Daisuke slaps again. Despy SMACKS Daisuke down!
The fans fire up for Despy while Daisuke is dazed. But then Daisuke kicks the leg out, and he slips around, STF! Despy endures, reaches out, but Daisuke shifts to a CROSSFACE! Despy endures, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK with a foot! Daisuke lets go to drop knee after knee on Despy’s back! Daisuke then stalks Despy to ropes, brings him around, and turns him, but Despy slips free! Despy has the leg, SHIN BREAKER! Then a DROPKICK to the leg! Daisuke hobbles to a corner while the fans rally again. Despy runs up on Daisuke, blocks a boot, and KICKS the leg! Then DRAPING DRAGON SCREW!
Daisuke hobbles but he falls over. The fans rally as Despy grabs that leg, but Daisuke kicks free. Despy kicks Daisuke’s leg, then BRAINBUSTER! The fans fire up again and Despy keeps on Daisuke, BIG back suplex! Despy hurries to haul Daisuke up again, GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO! Daisuke toughs it out and the fans rally up again. Despy drags Daisuke over to a drop zone, then climbs the corner! The fans rally, but Daisuke goes to the apron. Daisuke CLUBS Despy, ROCKS him with a right, then climbs up the corner. The fans and the ref are all worried as both men try to suplex the other from the outside!
Despy fires body shots, he steps inside, and then SUPERPLEXES Daisuke into the ring! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Despy crawls but Daisuke bails out. So Despy builds speed, but has to stop the dive as Daisuke slides in! Then Daisuke runs to RAM Despy off the apron! Despy tumbles into the chairs, but Daisuke is right after him! Daisuke drags Despy up to make him take a seat. Daisuke CLUBS Despy, then throws off his shirt before he climbs up the corner! The fans go nuts already as Daisuke aims, SUPER DUPER CROSSBODY onto Despy and the chairs!! The fans are thunderous for that wild risk Daisuke just took!
The ref checks both men, and somehow, they’re both able to continue. Daisuke hobbles away from the crash site to roll into the ring. Daisuke then goes back outside with a fresh ring count. Daisuke puts Despy in he ring at 8 of 20, then climbs up again! FLYING LARIAT! Daisuke hurries to reel Despy in, underhooks, and PEDIGREE!! Cover, TWO!! Despy survives but Daisuke hurries to SUPERKICK! Despy is up but Daisuke runs, LA MYSTI- NO, Despy makes it a FACEBUSTER! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Despy stirs, as does Daisuke, and they both slowly rise back up. Despy fires a forearm first, then another!
Despy fires another, but Daisuke ROCKS Despy with a haymaker! Daisuke whips, Despy reverses, and Despy SPINEUBSTERS! High stack, TWO, but into STRETCH MUFFLER!! Daisuke fights, reaches out, but Despy reels him into NUMERO DOS! Daisuke still fights, fights, but Despy drags him back! NUMERO DOS PLUS, but Daisuke rolls it around and around into a CROSSFACE!! Despy endures while the fans rally as hard as they can! Despy fights over, but Daisuke rolls him away from the ropes! Then Daisuke grabs the other arm, only for Despy to roll to a cradle! TWO!! Both men stand, Despy shoots around to then lift, and DOUBLE KNEE-
NO, Daisuke turns it into a DDT! Then Daisuke aims from a corner, runs up, LA MYSTIC- ARM-DRAG COUNTER! Daisuke kicks free of the stack, then uses the ref as a shield! Despy dosidos with the ref, but Daisuke shoves Despy into the ref! Daisuke whips, Despy reverses, and Daisuke ends up in a corner. Despy runs up, but into a pop-up LOW BLOW!! LA MYSTICA! CROSSFACE!! DESPY TAPS, DAISUKE WINS!!
Winner: Daisuke Sasaki, by submission (gains 2 points; Desperado earns 0)
Well, Daisuke was taught by Dick Togo, so perhaps such tactics should’ve been expected. But will Daisuke make sure NJPW is #NeverSober? Will Desperado still find his way to the BOSJ finals?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Francesco Akira!
The Japanese Young Punk and the Crown of Fire have the honor of closing out opening night, but only one can finish strong! Will Fujita remind Akira that The Mighty Don’t Kneel? Or will even The Mighty be conquered by the United Empire?
But wait, Fujita CLOBBERS Akira with a chair outta nowhere! Where’d he even come from?! Fujita rains down fists on Akira while the fans are torn, but Fujita then drags Akira up with a headlock. Red Shoes reprimands, but Fujita takes Akira right to the West sign to SMACK him off it! And SMACK him off it again, and again! Fujita laughs, the fans cheer, and Fujita brings Akira to the ring. The bell finally sounds but Fujita deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!! Akira survives but Fujita brings him back up. Akira fights free and bails out, but Fujita goes to the apron. PENALTY KICK, then QUEBRADA!
The fans are torn as indeed, the Japanese Young Punk bullies and mugs Akira. Red Shoes checks Akira but Fujita has fans clear out. But then Akira throat chops Fujita! Akira whips, Fujita reverses, but Akira stops short of the chairs! Fujita runs up, but Akira THROWS him into the chairs! Not quite a strike but Akira is pissed! Akira whips Fujita hard into more chairs! Akira then huffs ‘n’ puffs, busted open on his forehead, the red standing out against his new green hair dye. Akira says if Fujita wants to fight like that, he’ll fight like that! Akira brings a TABLE out from under the ring! Red Shoes reprimands but Akira SHOVES him down!
The fans are torn while Akira fetches Fujita. Akira SMACKS Fujita off the table, then puts him on the apron. Akira climbs up to join Fujita, and he brings Fujita up to fireman’s carry! Akira aims, but Fujita slips free! Akira ROCKS Fujita first, then brings Fujita up the ropes! Fujita fights the suplex, UPPERCUTS Akira, then runs, but into a SLINGSHOT CUTTER! The fans duel while Akira rises up. Akira rains down forearms on Fujita, then drops back to a corner. Akira has them check his bloody forehead real quick, it seems to have stopped bleeding. Akira CHOPS Fujita, and Fujita sputters. Akira scoops and SLAMS Fujita, then pushes him to a cover, TWO!
Akira sets up, STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up while Akira brings Akira into a headscissors squeeze. Fujita endures, fights forward, but Akira puts on more pressure! Fujita kicks and kicks and makes the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Akira lets go. Akira snarls, then he kicks at Fujita. Akira KICKS Fujita in the back, eggs him on, so Fujita stands. Fujita ROCKS Akira with forearm after forearm, but Akira ROCKS him back! Akira then back suplexes, but Fujita lands out! Akira kicks and whips, Fujita reverses and LEG LARIATS! The fans fire up while both men are down!
Akira bails out, Fujita goes up, out, and tightrope walks, only for Akira to slide in! Fujita hops down, springboards back up, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up while Akira tumbles out the side. Fujita just goes up, up, and SUPER CANNONBALLS! Fujita takes Akira AND Zane Jay down! Fujita brings Akira back into the ring, then PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up again as Fujita waistlocks Akira. Deadlift- NO, Akira fights the suplex, reaches for ropes, but Fujita brings him back. Fujita ducks the elbow, then ties up the legs, NEMOS- NO, Akira crawls, crawls, and makes the ROPEBREAK!
The fans cheer while Fujita lets go. Fujita storms back up on Akira, grabs a leg, but Akira clings to the ropes. Red Shoes counts, but Akira BOOTS Fujita way. Then he sidesteps, trips Fujita, and puts him under the ropes! CATAPULT GUILLOTINE! Akira LIONSAULTS onto Fujita’s back! Cover, TWO! Fujita survives and the fans fire up again, but Akira just grits his teeth. Akira drags Fujita around, reels him in, and SPEED- NO, Fujita blocks Speedfire! Akira still tries but Fujita stops him again. Akira KNEES low again and again, but Fujita grabs that leg! Fujita wrenches, but Akira KNEES low! SPEEDFIRE! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally again while Akira paces. Akira rains down fists but Red Shoes reprimands. Akira stops, taunts the fans cheering Fujita, then tells them to watch this! Akira drags Fujita up, and SMACKS him off the mat! And SMACKS him off the mat again! Akira then taunts the fans for no longer chanting for Fujita! The fans boo, but Akira sits Fujita up again. Fujita blocks the throw this time! Akira KNEES Fujita, SMACKS him off the mat again, and NOVA- NO, Fujita ducks the Fireball to ROUNDHOUSE! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! Red Shoes checks, and both men stir. They slowly rise up, and Akira grabs at Fujita.
Fujita and Akira both pull hair as they sit up. Fujita fires the first forearm, but Akira responds in kind! Fujita fires back, Akira staggers, but Akira returns to ROCK Fujita! Fujita ROCKS Akira, Akira ROCKS Fujita, repeat! The fans rally as the shots keep going, and Fujita laughs it off! Fujita SMACKS Akira! Akira SMACKS Fujita! They start a SLAP fight, and the fans fire up as it gets fast ‘n’ furious! Fujita SMACKS Akira again and again, then winds up, but Akira ENZIGIRIS! Akira runs, but Fujita ELBOWS him! Fujita runs but Akira LARIATS! Akira runs, but into a SPIN HEEL KICK! The fans are thunderous as Fujita DEADLIFT GERMANS! Bridging cover, TWO!!
Akira survives again and the fans are torn right down the middle! Akira rolls to the apron but Fujita isn’t far behind. Fujita GAMANGIRIS, then he looks to Akira’s table! Akira clings to ropes but Fujita tries to pull him away! Akira ELBOWS Fujita, then slips under to POST him! Fujita falls to the floor, Akira leaps and RAN- NO! Fujita stops the rana to then swing Akira up! And he POWERBOMBS Akira through the table!! The fans are thunderous again and Fujita drags Akira back up. Fujita puts Akira in, then whips him for a pop-up GERMAN SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO?!? But Fujita has the arms trapped!!
Akira endures as Fujita pulls on the arm! The fans rally and duel as hard as they have all night, and Akira adds a cording hold! Akira kicks, kicks, flails, but Fujita grabs the leg! BOW ‘N’ ARROW STRETCH, but Akira gives one last gasp! ROPEBREAK!! Fujita lets go but he vows to end it now! Fujita hauls Akira up, torture racks, but Akira fights with elbows! Fujita squats, but stands up! Akira slips through and hooks the arms, but Fujita spins through! Akira ducks, backslide, NOVA- NO, Fujita rolls through it to have the legs! NEMOS- CRADLE COUNTER! TWO!??! Akira hurries to run up, wheelbarrow, but Fujita stops the roll!
Fujita hauls Akira up, WHEELBARROW GERMAN! But Akira rises?!? Akira runs up, Fujita gets around him, POISON-RANA! NOVA FIREBALL?!?!? Cover, TWO?!?!? Fujita survives and Akira is beside himself! The fans are electric as Akira rises. Akira roars, vows to end it, and he drags Fujita up to reel him in. Akira hooks a leg, CROWN- CRADLE and deadlift! THRILLRIDE!!! Cover, FUJITA WINS!!
Winner: Kosei Fujita, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Akira earns 0)
It was an epic not only worthy of the main event, but perhaps even the finals! But in the end, the Crown of Fire is the one that burned out! Will Akira still be able to prove he’s the best after this unfortunate start?
As for Fujita, he sits back and gets the mic. “Oi, you big idiot! You’re sure one strong SOB! And every single time I wrestle you in BOSJ, it’s the match I’m most looking forward to. Everything here is over the top excellence, and that is something you see on the regular with me. And so, I think this year is mine to win. Every expectation you have of me, I will see you, raise you, and surpass those expectations!” With that mighty finish, will Fujita become the youngest man to go back-to-back as BOSJ Champion?
Here are the A Block standings!
Kosei Fujita: 1-0, 2 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 1-0, 2 points
Nick Wayne: 1-0, 2 points
Titan: 1-0, 2 points
Robbie X: 0-1, 0 points
Francesco Akira: 0-1, 0 points
Master Wato: 0-1, 0 points
Daiki Nagai: 0-1, 0 points
Valiente Jr: [did not compete]
Jun Kasai: [did not compete]
Here are the B Block standings!
Taiji Ishimori: 1-0, 2 points
SHO: 1-0, 2 points
HYO: 1-0, 2 points
KUSHIDA: 1-0, 2 points
Daisuke Sasaki: 1-0, 2 points
YOH: 0-1, 0 points
Robbie Eagles: 0-1, 0 points
El Desperado: 0-1, 0 points
Jakob Austin Young: 0-1, 0 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 0-1, 0 points
My Thoughts:
An awesome opening round for BOSJ, and it wasn’t even all the participants with Valiente Jr. and Jun Kasai for whatever reason not here tonight. Maybe travel stuff kept them from arriving in time? Otherwise, the tenth match on the card would’ve been Valiente VS Kasai. But even without them, great matches from start to finish, but that’s par for the course when it comes to NJPW. I really liked Sho saying his match with Kanemaru was gonna steal the show, and then all we get is them trying to outcheat the other, because duh, what else were they gonna do?
Daiki taking Douki’s spot since Douki kayfabe refused to compete, he had a great showing against Taguchi, but it feels like Daiki’s first win in this tournament is gonna happen late in the tournament so that he can act as spoiler. Yoh VS Hyo was certainly unique, and surprisingly short. Both Robbies losing was a bit of a surprise, but it makes sense since Nick Wayne is meant to make an impact this time around, and Kushida is making his return to NJPW, both of those guys needed the win. But seriously, ROH’s tape delays hurt them here because Nick Wayne VS AR Fox doesn’t air until tonight so we already know what happens there…
Daisuke being a real Heel in the end of his match was a good way for him to win while protecting Despy. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Daisuke join House of Torture in the absence of Evil. And awesome main event from Fujita VS Akira, but very fitting of the 2025 BOSJ winner basically defending his title as he goes for another. All of Fujita’s matches probably will be this awesome, or as close to it as they can get out of everyone in A Block, but who knows if he repeats.
My Score: 9/10
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Will The Prince dispatch two challengers at once?
After retaining the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, Callum Newman offered a unique challenge. Can Shingo Takagi or Yota Tsuji secure a title shot through a tag match?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Ryusuke Taguchi & Taisei Nakahara VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Kanemaru win.
- Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS Toru Yano, YOH & Master Wato; Yano, Yoh & Wato win.
- Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Taichi & El Desperado; Taichi & Desperado win.
- Yuya Uemura & Masatora Yasuda VS Ryohei Oiwa & Kosei Fujita; Oiwa & Fujita win.
- Six Man Tag: Aaron Wolf, Boltin Oleg & Tiger Mask VS Ren Narita, Yujiro Takahashi & Dick Togo; Wolf, Oleg & Tiger Mask win.
- 10 Man Tag: The Unbound Company VS The United Empire; The Empire wins.
- Championship Stakes: Callum Newman & Jake Lee VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji; Takagi & Tsuji win, and Tsuji will challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
PLAY BY PLAY
10 Man Tag: The Unbound Company VS The United Empire!
Before the Knock Out Brothers clash with the Dominator & Mauler over the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, they lead their units into war! Will Oskar, Yuto-Ice, Gedo, Taiji Ishimori & Daiki Nagai be truly unbound? Or will Great-O-Khan, Henare, Francesco Akira, Jakob Austin Young & Zane Jay conquer them for the glory of the Empire?
The teams sort out, but Yuto and Henare egg each other on as they’re forehead to forehead. The ref has them back off, but they still start the match. The bell rings and the fans rally as Yuto and Henare step back up. They’re forehead to forehead again as they talk trash, then they fire forearm after forearm! The fans rally as Henare ROCKS Yuto, but Yuto fires a flurry in return! Henare fires a flurry of his own, then runs, but into a BOOT! Henare wobbles but he comes right back. Yuto laughs as he ROCKS Henare! Yuto runs, ROCKS Henare again, but Henare roars! Henare eggs Yuto on, Yuto runs the ropes, but Henare RUNS him over!
Henare sits Yuto up to KICK him in the back, then KICK again! The fans rally as Henare runs, but Yuto avoids the Rugby Kick! Henare still kicks low, whips to ropes, but Yuto reverses to BOOT Henare down! The fans fire up with Yuto, and he KICKS Henare in the back! And KICKS him again! Henare scrambles to a corner but Yuto swaggers his way over. Yuto KICKS, and KNEES, and SOBATS! Henare sits down, Yuto gets gangsta! “BOMBACLAT!” But Henare gets up to fireman’s carry! Yuto slips free, Henare dodges a lariat, but so does Yuto! Henare swats the boot, Yuto ducks the heel kick, and the fans cheer the standoff!
Zane has Henare calm down, and wants him to tag. Henare tags Zane, and Zane calls out Daiki. Daiki tags in, and these two still have to settle how they ended the Young Lion Cup. Zane eggs Daiki on, so Daiki ROCKS him! Zane fires back, Daiki fires another, and the fans rally as the two brawl! Daiki whips, Zane reverses, but Daiki redirects! Zane hurdles, drops down, but Daiki avoids the dropkick! Daiki runs to basement DROPKICK! Zane scrambles to a corner while the fans fire up. Daiki runs in, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Zane toughs it out but the fans rally behind Daiki. Daiki storms up on Zane but Zane wants mercy. Daiki says no and he ROCKS Zane!
Daiki runs in at the corner, but Zane counters the monkey flip to put Daiki up top! Zane DROPKICKS Daiki down, then the Empire BLASTS the Unbound corner! They all brawl on the outside and into the crowd! Oskar CLUBS Khan, Yuto fires forearms on Henare, but Henare BODY BLOWS and CHOPS! Oskar has fans clear out, then he whips Khan, but Khan reverses! Oskar tumbles into the chairs! Yuto CHOKES Henare, Henare shoves Yuto away, and Zane has Daiki in the ring. Zane bumps Daiki off buckles while Khan JAMS Oskar with a chair! Khan SMACKS Oskar on the back with it, too! The fans are torn as Khan roars.
Henare and Yuto return ringside, and Khan uses a chair to sit on Oskar! Khan taunts Oskar, then steps off. Henare uses a DEATH GRIP on Yuto! Henare THROWS Yuto into chairs, then he smothers a Young Lion for getting in the way! Henare even scares ring staff off before going to ringside. Zane CHOKES Daiki, the ref counts, and Zane stops at 4. Zane tags #DangerousJay and he UPPERCUTS Daiki. Jakob CHOKES Daiki in the corner, then brings him around. Jakob whips Daiki to ropes, ELBOWS him down, then covers, TWO! The fans applaud as Daiki toughs it out, but Jakob brings him back up. Jakob tags Akira, and he taunts Oskar!
The ref has to keep Oskar back, but this all lets Khan bend Daiki’s fingers! The Empire mugs Daiki in the corner, and Jakob even CLAWS Daiki’s eyes! Khan tells commentary to shut up, but Daiki fights back! Akira KNEES low, whips, and drop toeholds. Akira SMACKS Daiki off the mat again, then kneels on a cocky cover. TWO, but Akira taunts the Unbound Company. Akira bumps Daiki off buckles, tags Khan, and Khan dumps Daiki out. The rest of the Empire mugs Daiki while the fans boo. Zane puts Daiki back in for Khan, and Khan drags Daiki around. Khan steps on Daiki for a cocky cover, TWO! Daiki toughs it out but Khan soaks up the cheers and jeers.
Khan scuffs Daiki as Daiki tries to crawl away. Khan eggs Daiki on, offering a free hit. Daiki stands, but Khan dodges the hit. Khan laughs at Daiki for falling for his trap quite literally! Khan then drags Daiki up, but Daiki fires forearms after all! The fans rally as Daiki HEADBUTTS! Daiki whips, Khan reverses, and Khan runs up, only for Daiki to dodge! Hot tag to Oskar! The fans fire up as the giant German RUNS Khan over, BLASTS Henare, then whips Khan corner to corner! Zane runs up but Oskar BOOTS him away! Oskar runs up, DOUBLE ELBOW for Zane and Khan! Akira runs up to jump on Oskar’s back! Oskar RAMS Akira into a corner!
Jakob storms in, but Oskar guzels! Akira runs up, but Oskar guzels! Oskar gives them a meeting of the minds, then a DOUBLE LARIAT! The fans fire up with Oskar, and he goes back for Khan. Oskar drags Khan up, scoops, but Henare KICKS Oskar’s leg! The ref reprimands but Henare KICKS and KICKS and BODY BLOWS! Henare HEADBUTTS, then DEATH GRIPS! Henare HEADBUTTS Oskar, then he and Khan bring Oskar around. Oskar fights the lift, but Henare blocks the boot! But then Oskar guzels Henare! Henare can’t reach Oskar for the Death Grip! Oskar then guzels Khan, but they both break free! DOUBLE BODY BLOW!
The ref reprimands, but #Khanare double whip Oskar. He breaks their lariats, but the DOUBLE BOOTS hit! Yuto is in, he shoves Henare into Khan! Then he fires off fast hands on Henare, bobs ‘n’ weaves, then ROCKS Henare! Henare drops, Yuto ICE HIGHS! But Henare is up, LARIAT! The fans fire up while all four men are down! Oskar rises, he SWATS Khan’s haymaker to have the NIGHTMARE SLEEPER! But Khan BITES Oskar’s arm! IRON CLAW! But Oskar pries it away, only for Khan to KICK the leg, and BOOT Oskar down! The fans rally as both men crawl for their corners. Hot tags to Akira and Taiji!
The fans fire up as the two rush in! Akira dodges the boot to headlock, but Taiji powers up and out. Akira RUNS Taiji over, then keeps moving. Taiji drops, hurdles, but Akira shoves! Taiji RANAS! Akira tumbles, Taiji runs up, DOUBLE KNEES! Then a fireman’s carry, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, and a BASEMENT SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Akira is tougher than that but Taiji stays on him. Taiji gut wrenches, but Akira fights to turn it around! CIPHER- NO, Taiji lands out to whip Akira. Akira reverses, Taiji handsprings, but into a waistlock! Akira then spins Taiji around, SPEEDFIRE! Akira sputters, he can’t make the cover!
Taiji and Akira crawl, hot tag to Jakob! Jakob drags Taiji up, he and Akira DOUBLE SUPLEX, but Daiki makes the save! Akira & Jakob kick Daiki, then whip, but Daiki ducks ‘n’ dodges to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! The fans cheer the Unbound Young Lion as he flounders to a corner, and Taiji tags Gedo! Gedo JABS, JABS, and JABS! Gedo winds up, but Jakob CLAWS Gedo’s eyes! Jakob winds up, but Gedo UPPERCUTS! Then SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Jakob survives but Gedo stays focused. Gedo tells Jakob to get up, then he mule kicks the leg! Body scissors, GEDO CLUTCH! But Zane ELBOW DROPS Gedo down!
Zane drags Gedo up, and he FALL AWAY SLAMS! Jakob gets Gedo back up, for the HAMMERLOCK DDT! Cover, The Empire wins!
Winners: The United Empire, by pinfall
Another bites the dust, and The Empire is control on this New Japan Road! Henare taunts Yuto with his tag title, but that just sparks a new brawl! Young Lions hurry to stop this, but easier said than done! The rest of the teams get in there, too, and Unbound Company must fall back, if only for now. But will things be different with their best in the main event?
Championship Stakes: Callum Newman & Jake Lee VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji!
It was just 48 hours ago that The Prince slayed the Rampaging Dragon, although with controversial and underhanded tactics. He’s so confident, in fact, he’s giving Takagi and Tsuji another chance! Will Callum cross off two names from the list for the rest of his reign? Or will someone from the Unbound Company have a golden ticket to the top title in NJPW?
The teams sort out, but Callum can’t help himself. He taunts Takagi and Tsuji with the belt, so they attack! They mug Callum, then Yota kicks Jake. Yota TOSSES Jake, the bell rings, and Unbound mug Callum again. They double whip then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans cheer while Takagi ELBOW DROPS! The fans rally as Takagi eggs Callum on. Callum goes to a corner, Takagi runs up, but Callum dodges. Callum runs back in, but Takagi puts him on the apron. Callum RAMS Takagi, slingshots up and over, then keeps moving. Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges but Takagi sidesteps to HIP TOSS! Callum staggers to his feet, Takagi LARIATS him up and out!
Callum stumbles into and then tumbles over the railing! Yota goes after Jake while Takagi hurries through the gate to fetch Callum. Yota whips Jake hard into railing, then stalks him around the way, while Takagi KNEES Callum low. Takagi brings Callum around to SMACK him off the timekeeper’s table! Takagi ROCKS Callum, follows him to another section of the crowd, while Yota DOUBLE CHOPS Jake out of a chair! Takagi ROCKS Callum again and the fans rally behind him. Callum wants to escape but Takagi stalks him. Takagi SMACKS Callum off some chairs, then HEADBUTTS him down! Yota brings Jake up to ROCK with a forearm of his own!
Jake stumbles around through the crowd, knocking chairs over as he tries to flee. Yota pursues as Jake begs young fans to help. Yota grabs that hand to SNAP fingers! The ring count finally starts as Callum SMACKS Takagi off a table! Takagi considers throwing that table but thinks better of it. Takagi pursues Callum as Callum heads back to ringside, but Yota BOOTS Jake out of a seat! The count is 15 of 20 as Callum and Takagi roll inside. Callum wants mercy, even apologizes, but Takagi CHOKES him! Red Shoes counts, Takagi stops at 4, and Callum clings to the ropes. Takagi kicks Callum into letting go, then brings him up.
Takagi JABS Callum and Callum falls against ropes. Takagi JABS again and Callum flounders. Callum calls to Jake but Takagi keeps him back. Callum fights the lift with elbows, then BODY BLOWS! Callum runs, but Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! But Callum trips Takagi and PUNTS him in the side! Just like in their title match! Jake BLASTS Yota off the apron, then goes out to stomp him down! Red Shoes reprimands but Jake drags Yota up and grinds him into railing. Callum pushes Takagi out of the ring while Jake fires body shots on Yota. Callum RAMS Takagi into railing, then brings him around to POST him!
Takagi staggers while Callum mockingly cheers him on. Jake POSTS Yota and does the same. Callum KICKS Takagi in the side, then flexes before he SPITS at Takagi! The fans boo but Callum ROCKS Takagi again. Callum puts Takagi in the ring, taunts Yota from across the way, then slingshots to stomp Takagi down. Callum dares Yota to reach out for Takagi, then he stomps Takagi. Callum digs his heel in, then he tags Jake. Jake swaggers and talks some trash, then he brings out the black glove! Callum KNEES Takagi before Jake takes Takagi’s shirt off. Jake shows off the bad ribs while he says it is picture time! Jake gives Takagi the DENTAL CHECK!
The fans are torn as Jake shoves Takagi down and takes off the glove. Jake mockingly applauds that Takagi passed his dental exam, then he stomps Takagi down. Tag to Callum and Callum clamps onto the arm. Callum traps the arm, kneels on Takagi, then digs his knuckles into the bad ribs! Yota BOOTS Callum, then backs off as Jake runs up. Callum calls BS, but he drags Takagi to stomp him down! Callum KICKS Takagi, then sits for a cocky cover, TWO! Callum clamps onto Takagi, wags his finger at Yota, then grinds Takagi’s bad arm. The fans rally for Takagi as he rises up and fires body shots! Callum KNEES low, then bumps Takagi off buckles.
Callum tags Jake back in and Jake again taunts Takagi. Callum CHOKES Takagi, and Jake KICKS Takagi in the side! The fans rally for Takagi as he rises again, and he rips away the tape! Takagi snarls as he ROCKS Jake again and again! But Jake kicks low, CLAWS Takagi’s face, then runs. Takagi blocks the boot to CLUB the leg! Takagi whips, Jake reverses, but Takagi blocks the knee! DRAGON SCREW! The fans cheer while both men are down! Hot tag to Yota! The fans fire up as Yota BLASTS Callum off the corner, then kicks and whips Jake. Jake reverses but Yota BOOTS him! Yota BLASTS Callum again, then DIVES! Direct hit and Callum hits railing!
The fans fire up for Yota and he slingshots into the ring. Yota then whips Jake corner to corner, runs up, but Jake dodges the splash! BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Yota is tougher than that, but Jake signals he’s taking his shot. Jake drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Yota tries to suplex but Jake fights the lift! They fight for control as the fans rally, and Jake suplexes! But Yota lands out! Yota ducks an elbow to FLATLINER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Takagi calls to Yota and Yota crawls over. Yota is a bit unsure, but he hot tags Takagi anyway! The fans fire up as Takagi powers up and LARIATS in the corner!
Takagi fires the fans up more, and he JABS, JABS, JABS in the corner! Then a CHOP! Jake roars, but Takagi ELBOWS him! Takagi runs, but into the KITCHEN SINK KNEE! It hit pretty high and Takagi falls. Jake tags Callum, Callum BOOTS Yota! Callum stands Takagi up for Jake to KITCHEN SINK KNEE! Then EXCALIBUR!! Cover, YOTA BREAKS IT! The fans cheer, and Yota TOSSES Jake! Callum kicks and TOSSES Yota! Callum is frustrated, but he still mocks Takagi’s pain. Callum kicks Takagi around, and mockingly asks if it hurts. Callum CLUBS Takagi, eggs him on, then ROCKS him with a forearm.
Callum eggs Takagi on, but Takagi SLAPS him! Callum DECKS Takagi for that! Callum sits Takagi up, mocks the prayer hands, then KICKS Takagi in the back! Takagi stays up, and he’s getting mad! The fans fire up as Takagi rises, but Callum BOOTS! And BOOTS! And BOOTS! Takagi just gets angrier! Callum fires knee after knee, but Takagi headbutts the buckles! The fans fire up but Callum BOOTS again! Callum runs, but into the ELBOW! SOBAT! JAB! HEEL KICK! Callum feints the run, but Takagi LARIATS first! Callum LARIATS in return! Both men stand but stagger, and Yota tags in! The fans fire up as Yota hurries to BLAST Jake!
Yota then goes back to Callum and ROCKS him with a forearm! Callum staggers around, Yota ROCKS him again, and again! The fans fire up with Yota, he whips Callum to ropes, but Callum grabs ropes! Yota runs up, Callum BOOTS him away, and Jake jumps in! Jake kicks and whips Yota to a corner, then runs up, but he blocks the boot. Yota reels Jake in for the STOMP! Yota runs up but Callum wrenches through, short arm LARIAT! The fans rally up again while everyone is down! Callum sits up, kisses the crown tattoo, and brings Yota up. Callum goes to fireman’s carry but Yota fights it. Callum powers through, but Yota slips free!
Yota feeds Callum to Takagi’s ELBOW! Yota BOOTS, Takagi BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and Yota GENE TRIGGERS! Then they DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Callum survives and Takagi has to sort out who is legal. Red Shoes and Yota explain that tag from earlier, but then Callum kicks them both! Callum runs, but into the ELBOW! BACKBREAKER! JAB! Then Yota pump handles, but Jake CLAWS Yota’s face! Takagi RUNS Jake over, Callum BOOTS Takagi down, but Yota scoops to BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while all four men are down again! Yota and Callum stir, and Callum flips off the fans cheering Yota.
Yota rises up, Callum wants mercy, and Yota hesitates. But then Callum SPITS at him! Callum fires a forearm, Yota fires back, and repeat! The fans rally up as the shots go back and forth, faster and faster! Callum fires a flurry, runs, but Yota follows to SPLASH in the corner! Yota runs but Callum follows to HELLUVA KICK! Callum runs, Yota follows, GENE TRIGGER! Yota keeps moving, but he dodges Callum to then GAMANGIRI! Yota puts Callum up top, climbs up, and SUPER STEINERS! Cover, TWO! Callum survives but Yota roars! The fans cheer Yota on as he pump handles, but Callum slips free! Callum shoves Yota at Red Shoes! Yota stops short, but Callum LOW BLOWS!
The fans boo but Callum turns around as Takagi runs in! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but neither man falls! They DOUBLE LARIAT again, and Callum flops against Takagi! Takagi fires boxing elbows on Callum, then winds up, but Callum ROCKS! ROLLING- JAB! Callum grabs at Red Shoes, uses him as a shield, but Takagi stops the low blow! Takagi shoves Callum at Red Shoes, REVENGE LOW BLOW! Yota SUPERKICKS! Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS! And they set Callum up for the PUMPING BLASTER!! Cover, Jake breaks it! KNEE for Takagi, then a ROUNDHOUSE! But Takagi rebounds, PUMPING BOMBER on Jake!!
Takagi tells Yota to finish this! Yota GENE BLASTERS Callum!! Cover, Yota & Takagi win!!
Winners: Yota Tsuji & Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (Yota Tsuji is the NEW #1 Contender to the IWGP Heavyweight Championship)
Callum got too cocky in his young reign, and now he’s the one staring up at the lights! But will he have a better game plan for when the title is on the line?
As for the Unbound Company, they catch their breath before Yota takes the mic. “OI, CALLUM! Too bad for you. To me, the path you forge is darkness. I won’t let NJPW go down that path. I will lead NJPW towards the light of hope.” The fans applaud that. Callum says see you at Dominion then! Callum leaves, and Yota continues by saying with Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement, the New Beginning, and now Dominion, NJPW has changed dramatically. But now, Yota meets Callum in a rematch for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in Dominion’s main event, carrying that responsibility and determination in his heart!
The fans cheer again, and Yota says, “OI, NJPW! And Callum Newman… ARE YOU READY?!” The fans cheer again, and Yota promises to be the one to carry NJPW on his shoulders! Mic drop from the Gene Blast, but will he dethrone the Prince already? Or will Callum solidify NJWP as his dominion?
My Thoughts:
A very good New Japan Road event as also a sendoff to Dominion. Really good tune-ups, and the 10 Man Tag especially for the build into the Heavyweight Tag title match. Empire winning here might show KOB wins when the time comes, but Best of the Super Juniors is next so there will be more and more tune-up filler matches first. And great tag match main event with the unique stipulation. As I said before, Yota losing both belts is so he can have his heroic journey back to the top. Yota getting the win here makes sense as it sets up the rematch from losing to Callum, and Dominion’s going to have a great main event that could honestly go either way.
My Score: 8.8/10
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