NJPW PPV Results
Mitchell’s NJPW Dominion Results & Report! (6/12/22)
Osaka-Jo Hall is shining with gold!
Titles upon titles are on the line!
NJPW Dominion shines in Osaka-Jo Hall with so much gold! The world title, US title, and even a golden ticket to Forbidden Door in Chicago are on the line!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- Toru Yano VS Luke Gallows; Yano wins.
- NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: The House of Torture VS Suzuki-Gun; The House of Torture wins and retains the titles.
- IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale VS Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb; Khan & Cobb win and become the new IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
- Interim AEW World Championship Eliminator: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Hirooki Goto; Tanahashi wins and advances to Forbidden Door.
- KOPW 2022 Championship 10 Minute Unlimited Pinfall Scramble: Shingo Takagi VS Taichi; Takagi wins and retains the KOPW trophy.
- NEVER Openweight Championship: Tama Tonga VS Karl Anderson; Anderson wins and becomes the new NEVER Openweight Champion.
- Vacated IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship: SANADA VS Will Ospreay; Ospreay wins and becomes the new IWGP US Heavyweight Champion.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS Jay White w/ Gedo; White wins and becomes the new IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: The House of Torture VS Suzuki-Gun!
Evil, Sho and Yujiro Takahashi have been cornered and must put their titles up against El Desperado, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Zack Sabre Jr! Will the King of Darkness and his team use every trick in the book to desperately hold onto these belts? Or will the Rogue Luchador, Heel Master & Zacky Big Tekkers find a way to tear down the House?
The House of Torture rush out during Suzuki-Gun’s entrance, but Suzuki-Gun is ready! Kanemaru knees Sho low and headlocks, ZSJ gets Evil and Desperado gets Yujiro! Evil and Yujiro hit back, Evil CLUBS ZSJ then uses his shirt to CHOKE him! Kanemaru whips Sho hard into railing! Yujiro knocks Desperado down, Evil stomps ZSJ but Kanemaru puts Sho in the ring. Kanemaru whips Sho to ropes and dropkicks legs out as the bell rings. Kanemaru gets the legs for a FIGURE FOUR! Sho endures but Evil gets in to stomp Kanemaru, only for Kanemaru to get Evil’s leg! Kanemaru lets Sho go to dropkick Evil’s leg!
Kanemaru trips Evil, gets the legs, and has Evil in a FIGURE FOUR! Yujiro stomps but now he gets caught! Kanemaru trips Yujiro and puts him in the FIGURE FOUR! Fans fire up for this hat trick! But wait! While the ref is trying to get Evil out of the ring, Dick Togo gets in! But Kanemaru blocks Dick’s stomp and trips him up! FIGURE FOUR for Dick! Dick is tapping out, too bad he’s not part of the team defending the belts! Kanemaru lets off all the same, and he goes back to Sho. Sho begs for mercy, Kanemaru stomps him instead! Kanemaru drags Sho up to rake the eyes! Kanemaru follows Sho to ropes, whips him again, but Sho stops himself.
Kanemaru rushes Sho but Sho dodges, and then Evil trips Kanemaru! Evil RAMS Kanemaru into the timekeeper’s area! Abe-san suffers again! Meanwhile, Sho goes out after the rest of Suzuki-Gun with Yujiro! Evil rakes Kanemaru’s eyes while Sho hits ZSJ and Yujiro rakes Desperado’s eyes! Evil puts Kanemaru in, Sho rakes Kanemaru’s eyes! The ref counts, Sho lets off, and Sho stomps away on Kanemaru. Oh, and the blue buckle pad is gone, of course. Sho wrenches Kanemaru’s arm, tags in Evil, and Evil CLUBS Kanemaru down. The ref reprimands the House of Torture but Evil whips Kanemaru into the bare buckles!
Kanemaru writhes from suffering the Bullet Club Special, and Yujiro tags in. Yujiro snapmares to drop a leg, drop an elbow, and drop a headbutt on Kanemaru. Cover, TWO! Fans rally up, Yujiro drags Kanemaru up and knees him low. Yujiro stands Kanemaru against ropes to BOOT him! Yujiro runs, into Kanemaru’s basement dropkick! Fans fire up while Yujiro holds his leg. Kanemaru and Yujiro crawl, but Sho gets in to hit Desperado and ZSJ first! Sho distracts the ref so that Evil can get Kanemaru up for a cobra twist! Dick and Yujiro link up with Evil to add leverage! They let go before the ref sees and Evil pushes Kanemaru to a cover, TWO!
Evil is frustrated but fans rally up. Evil scrapes his shoe off Kanemaru’s face, then tags in Yujiro. Yujiro snapmares then runs to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Yujiro tags Sho and Sho stands on Kanemaru’s head. Kanemaru gets up and CHOPS! Fans fire up as Kanemaru throws elbows but Sho rakes eyes! The ref counts, Sho runs, but avoids the dropkick! Kanemaru blocks Sho’s kick but Sho rakes eyes again! Sho runs, but Kanemaru dropkicks up high! Fans fire up as Kanemaru crawls over, but Evil and Yujiro rush in! But Desperado and ZSJ are ready this time! Desperado counter punches Evil while ZSJ gets Yujiro in a SLEEPER!
Desperado CLOBBERS Evil, then ZSJ feeds Yujiro to Desperado’s back suplex! Desperado then feeds Evil to ZSJ for a wrench and PELE to the arm! ZSJ WRINGS Evil’s arm out and then gets Yujiro for a spin and top wristlock STOMP! Desperado basement dropkicks, and Desperado hurries after Sho. ZSJ keeps Dick and that choker out while Desperado gives Sho a SHIN BREAKER! Feed to Kanemaru’s dropkick! FIGURE FOUR!! ZSJ keeps Evil out with a SLEEPER! Fans rally, Sho endures and reaches out, but Kanemaru drags him away! Desperado keeps Yujiro down, but Sho grabs at the ref! Sho tries to throw the ref down but Kanemaru keeps him up!
ZSJ gets in, he gets Sho’s head for a NECK TWIST!! Sho is dazed but still in pain! Only for Yujiro to throw Desperado into railing! Evil does the same to ZSJ and Abe-san again! Evil distracts the ref, Yujiro gets in to PIMP CANE CHOKE Kanemaru!! But ZSJ gets in to put Yujiro in a SLEEPER! Fans fire up but Evil goes after ZSJ! Evil blocks a boot and rakes the eyes! Evil then hits a BIG suplex! But Desperado gets in! Evil elbows him away but Desperado pulls Evil back and runs to SPEAR him down! Desperado swings at Yujiro but Yujiro spins him around. Desperado slips out of the dragon sleeper to facelock, but Yujiro BITES that hand!
The ref reprimands but Yujiro clubs the arm and CLOBBERS Desperado! ZSJ boots Yujiro then kicks his clothesline away! ZSJ EuroUppers Yujiro but Evil throws a heavy body shot! Evil whips ZSJ at the House’s corner but ZSJ stops himself from hitting buckles. ZSJ runs back, into a fireman’s carry! But he slips off to put on a SLEEPER! Evil RAMS ZSJ into the bare buckles! Evil kicks Desperado low, and whips him into the bare buckles! Evil runs, into a SPINEBUSTER! All six men are down and fans are fired up! Sho finally returns to the ring, but he has loaded up a kneepad! But Kanemaru gets Sho for a victory roll! TWO!!
Sho hurries and kicks but misses! Kanemaru ENZIGURIS, then scoop SLAMS Sho into a drop zone! Kanemaru goes up, MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Sho survives but Kanemaru drags him right up. Kanemaru sees Dick drinking his whiskey! So Kanemaru BOOTS Dick and makes him spit the whiskey to the sky! Kanemaru then turns around, and he blocks Sho’s loaded kick! Kanemaru lets go because of the pain in his ribs! Sho then KICKS Kanemaru down! Sho hobbles but he drags Kanemaru back up and tucks him in. SHOCK ARROW!! Cover, House of Torture wins!
Winners: The House of Torture, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)
The Murder Machine mocks the Heel Master as he, Tokyo Pimp and the King of Darkness hold onto the titles. Will there ever come a day where they run out of tricks?
IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale VS Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb!
Bullet Club came away with these belts in a Triple Threat, but now they must take on the United Empire 2v2! Will the Crown Jewel & Rogue General keep the titles Too Sweet? Or will the Dominator & “The Imperial Unit” crush the #GeneralsJewels and take these belts back?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see which faction keeps momentum going!
The teams sort out and Khan calls out Chase. Chase accepts and the bell rings as fans rally up. Chase shoots in but Khan is ready. They show off their amateur skills, grapple and Khan gets the legs to trip Chase. Khan waistlocks, Chase scrambles to ropes, and the ref counts the break. Khan lets off while keeping his eyes on Fale, and gives Chase a spank. Chase is annoyed but he gets up and pie faces Khan. Khan tackles Chase down and clamps on the head ‘n’ arm triangle! Fale hurries to hit Cobb first, then Fale stomps Khan. Khan lets Chase go, Fale brings Khan up by his ponytail, but then Khan hits a huge sayanagi! And then clamps on the head ‘n’ arm!
But Chase gets in and breaks the hold with the C-TRIGGER! Chase BOOTS Cobb off the apron, too, then stomps Khan down. Chase drags Khan up by his ponytail, wrenches it, and then bumps Khan off buckles. Tag to Fale, and the General’s Jewels stand on Khan’s back! Khan endures the “massage” and the ref counts, and Chase and Fale both step off. Fale stares Cobb down then stalks Khan to ropes. Fale drags Khan up to hammer away on his back! Fans rally for the Empire but Fale “surfs” on Khan’s back! Cobb is furious but the ref keeps him back. Fale steps off Khan to cover, TWO! Fale drags Khan over and tags Chase in.
Bullet Club mugs Khan, Chase snapmares Khan to NECK SNAP! Cover, TWO! Chase mocks Cobb and blows a snot at him! Fans rally up, Chase drags Khan up but Khan clamps on the IRON CLAW! But Chase slips free, rolls Khan up, and puts legs on the ropes! Cobb pushes the leg off and Chase is upset! Chase DECKS Cobb, then goes back to Khan. Chase drags Khan away, tags in Fale, and Fale stomps Khan down! Fale drags Khan up to throw body shots, and he punches Khan into a corner. Fans rally but Fale ROCKS Khan. Fale goes corner to corner but Khan dodges! Fale hits buckles, Khan hurries for his corner, but Fale stomps him down!
Fale drags Khan up and wants to make Khan kiss his feet! Khan resists, powers back up and MONGOLIAN CHOPS! And again! And again! Chase gets in but Khan gives him MONGOLIAN CHOPS! Fale kicks but Khan blocks to trip Fale and SPLASH! Fans fire up as Khan crawls past Fale and for the corner, hot tag to Cobb! Cobb rallies on Chase with big arms, but Chase BELL CLAPS! Chase runs, into an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Fale throws body shots and Cobb! Fale whips corner to corner, runs in but Cobb dodges! Fale hits buckles again, Cobb scoop SLAMS Fale! Fans fire up and Cobb wants Fale to get up again!
Cobb drags Fale up, reels him in, and fans rally as Cobb suplexes! Fale is too big, though, and he shoves Cobb away. Fale runs and CLOBBERS Cobb! But both men are down and fans rally up again. Fale hurries, tag to Chase! Chase runs in corner to corner at Cobb to forearm smash, then short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Chase is frustrated, he brings Cobb up to a fireman’s carry, but Cobb slips off! Chase elbows Cobb first, then whips, only for Cobb to reverse and ATHLETIC PLEX! Cover, Fale breaks it! Fale runs to CLOBBER Khan at the corner! Chase & Fale double whip Khan, body shot, knee lift and LARIAT! Cover, TWO!
Chase is annoyed but the fans fire up. Chase WRECKS Khan with a dropkick, then regroups with Fale. Fans rally, Fale hauls Cobb up but Cobb ROCKS him first! Chase waistlocks but Cobb BOOTS Fale away. Cobb elbows Chase, ROCKS Fale, and repeat as he goes back and forth between them! Fans fire up but Fale JABS Cobb into Chase’s JEWEL HEIST! Cover, TWO!! Khan gets in but Fale is after him first. Khan MONGOLIAN CHOPS Fale, then MONGOLIAN CHOPS Chase, back and forth between them! HEEL STABS for both, but Fale CLOBBERS Khan! Fale kicks Khan out then goes after him while fans rally.
Aaron Henare protests what Fale is doing to Khan but the ref has him stand down. Chase runs at Cobb but Cobb blocks the C-Trigger! Cobb swings but Chase fires off the strike fest! But Cobb ROCKS Chase back! Chase goes to a corner, Cobb runs in but into a BOOT! Chase goes up but Cobb YANKS him down! Cobb whips, but Chase escapes the Tour to C-TRIGGER! And C-TRIGGER again! Fans fire up and Chase roars! Chase goes to Cobb, brings him up and in, but Cobb back drops free! Cobb runs in but misses in the corner! Fale SPLASHES Cobb, then fireman’s carries as Chase climbs! AX HANDLE DEATH VALLEY, and a PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO!!
Fans fire up as Cobb survives, but Chase wants to finish this! Fale choke grips Cobb while Chase climbs again. But Khan BOOTS Fale into ropes! That trips Chase up and he lands on his jewels! Khan then clotheslines Fale out of the ring! Fans fire up and Khan hurries to get Cobb up. Cobb and Khan aim at Chase, Khan goes up top! SUPER BELLY2BELLY, into a TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, the Empire wins!!
Winners: The United Empire, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
Khan & Cobb are TWO-TIME tag team champions! They get these belts back, proving it was only the Triple Threat that lost it for them! But then ROCKY ROMERO attacks! He DECKS Khan then fires off palm strikes on Cobb! Cobb blocks a kick, ducks the enziguri but not the HEEL KICK! Rocky wants to give Cobb Sliced Bread but Cobb shoves him into Khan’s BELT SHOT! Khan then clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan drags Rocky up, for the ELIMINATOR! Trent may have won on Rampage but Khan tells Rocky he was stupid for doing this alone! The United Empire stands tall with these belts, but will they soon aim for more at the Forbidden Door?
The G1 Climax 32 Blocks are announced!
The massive round robin is back for the Summer! And this time, it will be TWENTY-EIGHT ENTRIES!! For the 50th year of NJPW, the 32nd G1 Climax will be the biggest yet!
And in this massive, star-studded line-up, it will be: The Rainmaker, Kazuchika Okada; The Good Bad Guy, Tama Tonga; The Ace, Hiroshi Tanahashi; Team Filthy’s Tom Lawlor; TMDK’s Jonah Rock; The Head Hunter, Yoshi-Hashi; The Fierce Warrior, Hirooki Goto; The Producer, Toru Yano; the Stone Pitbull, Tomohiro Ishii; The Imperial Unit, Jeff Cobb; The Dominator, Great-O-Khan; The Commonwealth Kingpin, Will Ospreay; The Ultimate Weapon, Aaron Henare; The Dragon, Shingo Takagi; The Cold Skull, Sanada; The Uncontrollable Charisma, Tetsuya Naito; The Switchblade, Jay White; The King of Darkness, Evil; The Fang Revived, Kenta; Tokyo Pimp, Yujiro Takahashi; The Rogue General, Bad Luck Fale; The Crown Jewel, Chase Owens; “Rock Hard” Juice Robison; The Holy Emperor, Taichi; the Submission Master, Zack Sabre Jr; The Murderhawk Monster, Lance Archer; The Celtic Prince; David Finlay; and moving up as a Junior Heavyweight, The Headbanga, El Phantasmo!
And for the first time in the G1 Climax, there will be FOUR BLOCKS! Each pool of seven will battle it out, with the semifinals on August 17th, and finals on August 18th! Get ready for the hottest summer in NJPW history!
Interim AEW World Championship Eliminator: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Hirooki Goto!
CM Punk was going to face The Ace at the Forbidden Door PPV, but he is sidelined with a leg injury. AEW Dynamite saw The Maniac, Jon Moxley, win his golden ticket to Chicago, and now NJPW gets to put up a contender! Will the Once in a Century Talent keep his plans in tact? Or will the Fierce Warrior bring about the winds of change to the Windy City?
Tanahashi shows off the muscles and fans cheer. The bell rings and fans rally, “Let’s Go, Ace!” as Tanahashi and Goto circle. They tie up, Tanahashi waistlocks, but Goto wrenches free to a hammerlock. Tanahashi slips around to a waistlock then a headlock. Goto powers Tanahashi to ropes but Tanahashi turns things around on Goto. The ref calls for the break, Tanahashi lets off clean and fans cheer. Goto and Tanahashi circle, fans rally again, and the two tie up again. Goto waistlocks, Tanahashi switches but Goto switches back. Tanahashi drop toeholds and floats to a headlock. Goto slips out to headlock back.
Tanahashi fights up, Goto grinds the hold, and he hits a headlock takeover. Tanahashi headscissors, Goto kips free, and fans cheer. The two reset again as fans rally back up. They feel out a knuckle lock, Tanahashi kicks and wrenches but Goto slips around to a waistlock. They end up on ropes, the ref calls for the break but the two let off slowly. Goto pats Tanahashi on the shoulders but Tanahashi kicks him low! Tanahashi throws forearms and backs Goto to a corner. Tanahashi whips corner to corner but Goto reverses and runs in, into a back elbow. Tanahashi goes up but Goto shoves him down to the floor!
The ref checks, Tanahashi is okay to continue but Goto storms out after him. Tanahashi throws a body shot first, but clutches his arm. Tanahashi whips Goto hard into railing, but Goto comes right back to CLOBBER Tanahashi! Fans fire up and Goto takes a moment to check his back. Fans rally again, Goto stomps Tanahashi, and Goto drags Tanahashi up and into the ring. Goto steps inside and he kicks and CLUBS Tanahashi. Tanahashi throws a forearm so Goto gives it back and fans rally as they go back and forth. Goto knees low, CLUBS Tanahashi again, then stomps him. Goto drags Tanahashi up as fans rally again, and Goto CLUBS Tanahashi more.
Goto fires forearms in the corner, whips Tanahashi corner to corner and runs in, to MURAMASA! Then BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Goto keeps focus as he clamps on a chinlock. Tanahashi endures the knee in his back and fans rally up. Goto digs his elbow into Tanahashi’s forehead before he JAMS it in! Cover, TWO, but Goto clamps back on with another chinlock. Tanahashi endures and fans build to another rally. Tanahashi fights up to his feet, he pries at the hold, then throws body shots. Tanahashi swings a Shotei but Goto ducks it! Goto kicks low, whips Tanahashi to ropes, but Tanahashi hits FLYING FOREARMS!
Fans fire up as Tanahashi fires up, and the “Let’s Go, Ace!” rally returns. Tanahashi brings Goto up, throws big forearms, and he scoops Goto to SLAM him into a drop zone! Tanahashi goes up the corner, SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi keeps focus and the fans fire up again. Tanahashi waits on Goto to rise, and then he runs, but into a waistlock! Tanahashi resists the lift so Goto shoves him to a corner. Goto clotheslines in the corner, runs but into a dropkick to the leg! Tanahashi gets that leg, but Goto fights free to SAIDO! But Tanahashi’s right back up! Tanahashi staggers, fights the Saido and gets the leg, DRAGON SCREW!
Fans rally while both men are down. Goto grits his teeth and clutches his leg while Tanahashi shakes out the cobwebs. Tanahashi stands first, throws forearms, but Goto throws one back. Tanahashi throws more forearms, so Goto throws more forearms! Tanahashi throws three, Goto throws three! Tanahashi fires off four forearms, but Goto fires off four right back! Tanahashi fires off a strike fest, but Goto SHOTEIS! Tanahashi SHOTEIS and Goto drops! Tanahashi fires up and the fans are right there with him! Goto is dazed but getting up, and Tanahashi runs, into a fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Tanahashi writhes while fans fire up again!
Goto rises and he drags Tanahashi up in a dragon sleeper. Tanahashi fights it, but Goto gets that arm and ripcords Tanahashi around for another fireman’s carry! But Tanahashi SLINGBLADES out of it! Both men are down again and fans fire up more! Tanahashi forces himself up, gritting his teeth while his hair is all over the place. Tanahashi runs at Goto, but Goto throws him into a corner! DRAPING G T R!! But Goto can’t make the cover, he’s too sore! Fans fire up again as Goto rises! Goto roars and takes aim, BUZZSAW! Goto then hauls Tanahashi up in the dragon sleeper, but Tanahashi drops! But Goto sits on the victory roll! TWO!!!
Goto and Tanahashi are both surprised Tanahashi escaped! Goto hurries after Tanahashi but Tanahashi SHOTEIS again! Tanahashi staggers, Goto rises, and Tanahashi runs as fans rally. But Goto follows, only for Tanahashi to let him slip past! SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi fires up, goes back up the corner, Goto stands, HIGH FLY ATTACK! Tanahashi hurries up again, HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, Tanahashi wins!!
Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall (advances to Forbidden Door)
The Ace is still going to Chicago! Jon Moxley will no longer be chasing a fight with Tanahashi, Tanahashi is bringing the fight to him! Will the Once in a Century Talent be the first former IWGP Heavyweight Champion to get the AEW World Championship? Or will the Maniac finally get the win that he wants over Tanahashi?
KOPW 2022 Championship 10 Minute Unlimited Pinfall Scramble: Shingo Takagi VS Taichi w/ Miho Abe!
Don’t get it twisted, this isn’t an Ironman Match. In a remix of their 30 Count match, this is about getting as many counts as you can in 10 minutes! One, two, three or beyond, it’s all about a cumulative score! Who will have the most points by the time the buzzer sounds?
The introductions are made, the trophy is raised, and it’s time to see whose time is up!
Taichi and Takagi rush each other and Taichi BOOTS Takagi! Takagi stays up to throw a forearm! Taichi KICKS, Takagi forearms, and repeat as the fans rally with them! Taichi gets the edge but Takagi just CHOPS! Taichi CHOPS, Takagi CHOPS back! Fans rally as the CHOPS keep flying back and forth! CHOP after CHOP after CHOP and things just speed up! Takagi JABS, JABS and JABS, but Taichi choke grips! Takagi choke grips back! The ref tries to stop them but Taichi just holds the ref back with his free hand. Taichi kicks Takagi, Takagi kicks back. Taichi rebounds to BOOT, Takagi rebounds to BOOT, too!
Taichi BOOTS, Takagi BOOTS, and we’re a minute in. Taichi BOOTS again, so Takagi runs him over! Taichi gets up to BOOT Takagi down! Takagi is up, he blocks a boot, but Taichi kicks the lariat away! Takagi tries the Yukon Lariat but Taichi withstands it! Taichi wrenches to HOOK KICK, and both men fall over! Fans fire up and Takagi gets to ropes. Fans rally, Takagi eggs Taichi on. Taichi stays down so Takagi storms over, only for Taichi to kick him from below! Takagi grabs at Taichi again, only to be brought into a cradle! TWO! That’s two points for Taichi but Takagi gets a backslide! ONE gets him on the board!
Taichi hurries up but into an ELBOW, JAB, and YUKON feint to a cradle! TWO! Takagi takes the lead as we’re past two minutes in. Taichi gets to a corner while Miho coaches him up. Fans rally up. Takagi runs in and blocks a boot. Takagi clotheslines in the corner, then suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi has a good lead on Taichi as he sits Taichi up. Takagi digs his elbow in, then clamps on a chinlock. Takagi endures as we’re three minutes in. Takagi even pushes up to lean on the hold. Taichi endures so Takagi sits him up to rain down elbows! Takagi drops an elbow, then another, but Taichi avoids the senton!
Takagi hurries after Taichi to CLUB him at the ropes. Takagi KICKS Taichi in the back, stands on him, and then he drags Taichi up to throw knees into Taichi at the ropes. Takagi then whips Taichi, knees him at ropes again, and hits a DDT! Takagi runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO, and that’s a 7-2 lead! Takagi says he’s just begun, and we’re past four minutes in! Fans fire up, Takagi gives toying kicks to Taichi and then drags him up. Fans clap, “TA-KA-GI!” “TA-I-CHI!” as Taichi fights off Takagi’s back suplex. Takagi CLUBS Taichi on the back, then runs in at the corner. Taichi dodges to GAMANGIRI! Takagi drops but so does Taichi as we near the halfway point!
Fans rally, Miho coaches Taichi, and Taichi hears the five minute announcement. Taichi hurries to give Kowata Kicks, a sobat, and a BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO! Taichi closes the gap and fans fire up as he brings Takagi up. Taichi KICKS Takagi in the back, then taunts him with toying kicks. Taichi KICKS Takagi in the back again, and again! Takagi grits his teeth, gets up, but Taichi KICKS him again! And again! There’s only four minutes left, but Taichi KICKS Takagi again! Taichi powers up, runs, but Takagi clotheslines him first! Takagi runs, Taichi gets around, DANGEROUS SAIDO! Cover, TWO!
Taichi is down one point and Miho cheers him on as we’re at 3:30! Taichi powers up as the fans fire up, and he runs to AX BOMBER! Direct hit, and here off the pants! Three minutes left, but Takagi clotheslines Taichi first! Takagi fires up in the corner, fires off headbutts in the corner, and Miho is worried now. Takagi pump handles and torture racks, but Taichi slips off! Takagi forearms, Taichi sobats, Takagi DOUBLE CHOPS but Taichi ROUNDHOUSES and GAMANGIRIS! Taichi fires up with just over two minutes left! Alabama Lift, tuck and- NO, Takagi slips out to ROLLING COBRA CLUTCH, THREE!! We’re not 10-6 at the two minute warning!
Taichi forgets a three doesn’t lose this for him, but he could lose if he can’t make up the gap! Taichi BOOTS, Takagi LARIATS! Taichi stays up, rebounds again, and LARIATS! Takagi stays up now, but Taichi runs in at him again. DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but neither falls! Just 90 seconds left as DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Fans fire up as Takagi LARIATS point-blank! And again! Taichi DECKS Takagi with a forearm! Taichi aims from the corner, but Takagi dodges the superkick to PUMPING BOMBER!! Cover, ONE?!? It still adds to the lead, but Taichi GAMANGIRIS! SLIDING FOREARM, cover, NONE?! Taichi kicks out before a count!
But we’re under a minute and Taichi’s down by five!! Miho is freaking out as Taichi is still dazed! Takagi can just play defense and win this, but he wants to finish Taichi off! Takagi gets Taichi up, fires boxing elbows, and we’re at 30 seconds! Takagi is just clubbing away on Taichi, but Taichi roars! So Takagi JABS! Takagi runs, Taichi dodges, they collide into a sumo clinch!! Under 20!! Takagi tries but Taichi blocks! Taichi sumo throws, GEDO CLUTCH!! FOUR!!! Another cover, TIME IS UP!!!! Takagi wins 11-10!!!
Winner: Shingo Takagi, 11-10 (still Mr. KOPW 2022)
Taichi almost forced a draw and overtime! But in the end, Takagi holds him off! Takagi makes sure Taichi understands that by pointing to the scoreboard. Will Takagi have even wilder ways to wrestle for this trophy as we head into the summer?
NEVER Openweight Championship: Tama Tonga w/ Jado VS Karl Anderson w/ Luke Gallows!
The Good Bad Guy thought he was done with Bullet Club after he got this belt off Evil. But now, the Machine Gun is back and taking aim at this title! Will Karl Anderson get his first NJPW singles title? Or will Tama NEVER let Bullet Club stop him again?
The moment Tama slides into the ring, he attacks Anderson with a dropkick! Fans fire up as Tama then stomps Anderson to a corner! The bell rings to get this on record as Tama throws down hands! The ref reprimands, Tama lets off and finally puts the belt aside. Tama then runs and clotheslines Anderson out of the ring! The introductions are finally made while Tama smacks Anderson off the apron. Tama stalks Anderson around the way, headlocks and punches, then follows Anderson up the ramp. Anderson mule kicks and CLUBS Tama! Anderson pushes Tama further up the ramp and stomps him down.
Gallows talks up Anderson while the ref reprimands. Anderson brings Tama up to scoop and SLAM on the ramp! Anderson looms over Tama, brings him up again, and cravats while taunting fans. But Tama fights free and DECKS Anderson off the ramp! Anderson hits railing and tumbles over with it! Tama then chases Anderson down to ringside and CLOBBERS him! Anderson throws body shots and CHOPS but Tama throws body shots and a haymaker! Anderson EuroUppers then brings Tama back to ringside. Anderson whips but Tama reverses and sends Anderson into railing! Fans rally up and Tama brings Anderson up to snap suplex to the floor!
Anderson writhes and Tama stalks up behind Anderson. The ring count finally starts but Tama RAMS Anderson into railing. Tama then puts Anderson in at 5 of 20 and fans rally up. Tama goes to the apron, keeps his eyes on Gallows, but Anderson uses that opening to HOTSHOT Tama off the ropes! Tama tumbles, Anderson wants after him but the ref gets in his way. Anderson uses this argument to distract the ref so that Gallows can drag Tama up! APRON CHOKE SLAM! Gallows runs off as Jado storms over and Tama flops to the floor. Gallows then DECKS Jado! The ref counts, fans rally up for “GOOD BAD GUY!”
Tama gets up as the count is 9 of 20, and he’s on the apron at 11. Anderson BOOTS Tama right off! Tama hits railing and the ref goes out to check on him. Tama is somehow okay to continue so Anderson wants the ring count! The ref starts the count again, Anderson is watching as Tama is still down at 10 of 20. Tama drags himself up, stands at 15 but staggers at 16! Tama hurries to get up again, and is in at 19! Anderson drags Tama around for a rain of fists! Cover, TWO! Anderson drags Tama back up, scoops and SLAMS him, then soaks up the heat. Anderson runs to hit a BIG senton! Tama writhes while Anderson soaks up more heat.
Anderson paces around, brings Tama up and rains down fists into Tama’s head! The ref reprimands the closed fists but Anderson lets off. Anderson sits Tama up to BITE his forehead! The ref counts, Anderson lets off and wraps on a chinlock. Anderson grinds Tama down, fans rally up and Tama endures. Tama fights up and throws body shots, but Anderson CLUBS him down. Anderson tosses Tama out of the ring, wants to go out after him, but again the ref stops him. So Gallows scoops Tama! But Jado saves Tama, and together they POST the Big LG! Fans fire up and Tama gets back into the ring! Tama and Anderson throw hands but Anderson whips.
Tama ducks and dodges to CROSSBODY! Direct hit and both men are down! Fans rally up, Tama throws a forearm! Anderson throws a forearm, but Tama gives another. Anderson hits Tama again, but Tama fires off more! Anderson ROCKS Tama, then whips him to the corner. Tama comes right back to CLOBBER Anderson! Fans fire up with Tama and he brings Anderson up for haymakers! Tama CHOPS, haymakers, repeat! Tama whips and dropkicks Anderson down! Off comes the vest! Fans rally, Tama runs corner to corner and STINGER SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Tama keeps focus and he goes to a corner to climb up top.
Anderson trips Tama up first! Anderson throws hands, climbs up after him, and throws more hands! Anderson brings Tama up but Tama throws body shots! Tama shoves Anderson down, then adjusts, and leaps over Anderson. Tama runs into a SPINESBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up as Tama survives, but Anderson drags him back up. Anderson fireman’s carries but Tama fights free! Tama throws hands and a forearm, then leaps, SATELLITE DDT! Cover, TWO! Anderson survives but Tama fires back up! Fans rally behind him as Tama pounds the mat. Anderson slowly stands, Tama runs in, GUN-
NO, Anderson denies Tama, but misses in the corner. Anderson dodges in the corner to JUMP KICK! Anderson then gets Tama up, SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Tama survives but Anderson says he’ll finish this! Anderson scoops Tama, but Tama fights free to get the dragon sleeper, TONGAN TWIST! Cover, TWO! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Tama stands but Anderson follows. Tama throws a forearm, but Anderson CHOPS back. Tama SLAPS Anderson, ROCKS him with a forearm, then waits on a response. Anderson throws a forearm, Tama gives it back. Anderson uppercuts then forearms, then throws another forearm.
Anderson backs Tama down, talks trash, but Tama hits back with forearms and body shots. Tama gets the strike fest going but Anderson UPPERCUTS! Tama PELES! Both men are down but Anderson goes to a corner. Anderson drags himself up and Tama runs in, but the splash hits buckles! NECKBREAKER from Anderson! Both men are down again, and fans build up to another rally. Anderson scowls, and he even tells Tama that “it” is coming. Anderson pounds the mat, Tama slowly gets up, GUN- NO, Tama denies it, but so does Anderson! Anderson follows Tama to ropes, GUN- NO, Tama denies Anderson again!
Tama copies Anderson’s shove and follow, but goes around him to build up speed. Anderson follows again, but Tama suckers him into GUN- NO! Anderson manages to hold off the Gun Stun and turns Tama around to reel him in. But Tama wrenches out, only to run into a scoop! BERNARD DRIVER! Cover, TWO!?! Tama survives and the fans are thunderous! Anderson is still focused, he loads up and aims, but Tama fireman’s carries! ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, the S R C! Tama climbs up top, for SUPREME FLOW! Cover, TWO!! Tama fires up and the fans are with him! Tama loads up, brings Anderson around and tucks the arms!
But Anderson back drops free! Anderson claims he’s hurting and that’s just to distract the ref so Gallows can get on the apron! Jado tries to stop Gallows but Gallows kicks him away! Tama sees Gallows, GUNSTUN for Gallows! But Tama turns around into GUNSTUN from Anderson!! Cover, Anderson wins!!
Winner: Karl Anderson, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Champion)
The Machine Gun needed a tank in his corner to take Tama down, but he still gets the win and this title! Will the Good Bad Guy ever get away from Bullet Club?
Vacated IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship: SANADA VS Will Ospreay w/ Aaron Henare!
Given Juice Robinson’s Rock Hard message to NJPW saying he would be staying in America, NJPW stripped him of the title! So now, the Cold Skull and the Commonwealth Kingpin face off as they were always meant to for this title! Who wins this rematch from the New Japan Cup to become the NEW IWGP US Heavyweight Champion?
The introductions are made, the belt is still in America with Juice, but official ownership is on the line in Osaka!
Ospreay rushes in at the bell but Sanada avoids the shotgun dropkick! Ospreay avoids Sanada’s standing moonsault, cravats to snapmare but Sanada handsprings through! Ospreay avoids the basement dropkick but Sanada avoids the buzzsaw! Fans applaud the fast exchange as the two stand off. Sanada and Ospreay circle while fans rally up. They feel out a knuckle lock but Ospreay headlocks. Ospreay hits the takeover, Sanada headscissors but Ospreay kips free. Sanada dropkicks Ospreay down and Ospreay bails out! Sanada PLANCHAS, and down goes Ospreay at the ramp! Fans fire up and Sanada encourages the fans to get louder.
Sanada stops going around the ring when Henare is there. Sanada goes back for Ospreay, puts him in the ring, then has him in a corner. Sanada stomps Ospreay, CLUBS him, then brings him around to CLUB him again. Ospreay ROCKS Sanada with a forearm, and another! Sanada blocks the kick to trip Ospreay, and fans fire up as he has the legs! But Ospreay kicks Sanada away, and CHOPS him on the return! Ospreay whips, Sanada reverses but Ospreay catches the hurdle to fireman’s carry and HOTSHOT! Ospreay runs and BOOTS Sanada down! Cover, ONE!! Sanada checks his face while going to center.
Ospreay brings Sanada up just to DECK him! Fans rally up with “SA-NA-DA!” “O-SU-PREAY!” Ospreay bumps Sanada off buckles, CHOPS him in the corner, and pretends to take a bite out of a sweet fruit. Ospreay whips Sanada corner to corner, then runs in but into a BOOT! Sanada runs, ducks and dodges, but runs into the SPIN-OUT BACKBREAKER! Fans fire up and Ospreay covers, TWO! Ospreay keeps cool, and he watches Sanada writhe. Fans rally, Ospreay sits Sanada up to knee him in the back and elbow him in the head! Ospreay traps an arm and leg then clamps on a cravat neck wrench!
Sanada endures, fans rally, and Sanada fights his way up. Sanada has the leg but Ospreay throws a forearm. Sanada throws a forearm back and they go back and forth! Fans rally and Ospreay wobbles, and Sanada throws more shots. Ospreay rakes eyes! The ref reprimands and counts, Ospreay lets off, and then he whips Sanada to ropes. Sanada reverses, Ospreay handsprings but Sanada lets him go up and over! The leg jams, then Sanada dropkicks the leg out! Both men are down and fans rally back up! Sanada kips up and fans fire up as he runs at Ospreay! Sanada CLOBBERS Ospreay, arm-drags, then gets around to atomic drop!
Ospreay hobbles, Sanada trips him up! Sanada ties Ospreay up in Paradise! Ospreay gets one arm free and escapes Paradise! Ospreay runs at Sanada, big jump for the sunset flip, but Sanada rolls through to tie Ospreay up again! Sanada makes sure to push down harder to keep Ospreay trapped, and now Ospreay is in Paradise. Fans fire up as Sanada aims from a corner, and he encourages the fans to get louder. The fans get louder and Sanada runs in to dropkick Ospreay out of Paradise! Cover, TWO! Sanada keeps cool and he brings Ospreay up. Sanada fireman’s carries, but Ospreay slips off and waistlocks!
Sanada elbows free, whips but Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER! Sanada is down and he goes to the outside. Ospreay hurries to the corner and climbs up, to SUPER SKY TWISTER!! Direct hit and down goes Sanada! Fans fire up and Ospreay makes sure his legs are okay. Ospreay gets up, brings Sanada up and into the ring, and then Ospreay aims from a corner. Fans rally, Sanada stands and Ospreay springboards, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! Ospreay is annoyed but the fans fire up again. Ospreay brings Sanada up, reels him in, but Sanada fights the lift. Ospreay gives Sanada some Kowata Kicks!
Sanada stands up, looking annoyed. He DECKS Ospreay with a EuroUpper! Fans fire up and Sanada eggs Ospreay on. Ospreay snarls and gets up, and Ospreay fires a forearm! Sanada fires it back! Ospreay throws another so Sanada gives it back. Fans rally, the forearms fly faster, and Sanada gets the edge! ROLLING- ROUNDHOUSE! Ospreay calls his shot, springboards, but Sanada catches the cutter to a dragon sleeper! Ospreay snapmares free, tiger wall kick and ENZIGURI! Ospreay runs but Sanada catches him going low! Ospreay slips out of the facelock to full nelson but Sanada breaks free, only for Ospreay to HOOK KICK in the bad eye!
Ospreay springboards, OSCUTTER!! Cover, TWO?!? Sanada survives and Ospreay is shocked! Fans fire up again and Ospreay smirks. Ospreay drags Sanada up, reels him in, underhooks the arms, Canadian rack, STORM- RANA! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay escapes, and slips around Sanada to get him up! Sanada slips out of the bomb, and now Sanada lifts Ospreay into a Canadian Rack! AK-47! Fans fire up, Sanada hauls Ospreay up into chicken wings, TIGER SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Sanada hurries to scoop Ospreay and hits a BACKBREAKER! Ospreay is in the drop zone, Sanada goes to the corner!
Sanada climbs up, ROUNDING BODY PRESS onto knees! Ospreay takes aim, HIDDEN BLADE to the face!! Cover, TWO!?!? Sanada survives again but Ospreay vows to end this! Ospreay hauls Sanada up, underhooks the arms, Canadian Rack, but Sanada slips off! Sanada waistlocks and brings Ospreay to ropes for the O’Conner Roll! JAPANESE BRIDGE! TWO!! Sanada hurries but Ospreay pops him up to ROCK him with the forearm! Armband off, HIDDEN BLADE!! Ospreay hurries to get Sanada back up, Canadian Rack, STORMBREAKER!! Cover, Ospreay wins!!
Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (NEW IWGP US Heavyweight Champion)
The Cold Skull wanted this title and his revenge, but he got neither! Now the Rev-Pro British Heavyweight Champion can call him self the Two Belt Billy GOAT! And even #GrandSlamOspreay as he has had the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, NEVER Openweight Champion, and now the IWGP US Heavyweight Championship! Combined with Khan & Cobb taking back the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, will the United Empire soon take over all of NJPW? Also, when will Juice give the belt over? Or will Ospreay have to make him?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS Jay White w/ Gedo!
AEW’s Cowboy, Hangman Adam Page, called out the Rainmaker for Forbidden Door, wanting at this title. But Adam Cole said that Okada won’t even have this title, it’ll be The Switchblade that brings it to Chicago. Will White prove Cole right? Or will Okada make it rain in Osaka-Jo Hall and accept Hangman’s challenge?
The introductions are made, the title is raised, and another chapter of this rivalry is written in the main event!
Before the bell, White gets fans to join in on the Too Sweet. Then the bell rings and fans fire up as these two stare down. White taunts fans being prohibited from cheering for Okada, but the fans still clap, “O-KA-DA! O-KA-DA!” White is annoyed so he gets in Okada’s face, saying he’ll show Okada who’s really the top guy in NJPW. They start circling but Gedo gets on the apron. Okada is wary, but White just Too Sweets Gedo again. Okada and White circle again, tie up, and are in a deadlock. White talks trash even then, but Okada starts backing White down! White turns it around to put Okada on the ropes.
Red Shoes calls the ropebreak, White lets off and mocks Okada’s shoulder pats. White eggs Okada on but Okada keeps his cool. Fans clap, “O-KA-DA! O-KA-DA!” but White dares them to say it! White resets with Okada and they tie up again. They’re in another deadlock, but Okada again backs White down. White turns it around but Okada turns it back around to put White on the ropes. Red Shoes again calls for the break, Okada slowly lets off, and he still fakes the chop to pat White on the shoulders. But White kicks low and CLUBS Okada on the back! White says he knows Okada’s game, and bumps him off the buckles.
White stomps a mudhole into Okada, then Too Sweet CHOPS Okada! Fans applaud, Okada goes to another corner and White Too Sweet CHOPS again! White smirks as he whips but Okada reverses to kick and turn White to a NECKBREAKER! Okada even mocks the Too Sweet while fans fire up. Fans rally behind “O-KA-DA!” as he brings White up to CLUB him on the neck. Okada stands White up again to ROCK him with a forearm. White staggers around but Okada brings him around for another CLUB to the neck. Okada snapmares White and runs to basement dropkick! Fans fire up while White bails out of the ring.
Okada waits for White to get up, and he builds speed, but Gedo trips him up! White gets in to CLOBBER Okada! White stomps Okada down at the ropes, then kicks him out of the ring. Red Shoes watches Gedo this time but White says he’s got this. Gedo backs off, White goes out after Okada, and even mocks Tanahashi on commentary. But Okada dodges the chop to kick low! Okada puts White in, and he stares Gedo down. Red Shoes tells Gedo to back off, and Okada gets in the ring. White gets Okada for a DDT! Gedo applauds and White gives a thumbs up and says he’s a genius! Okada flops back out of the ring so White pursues.
White again taunts fans with how he can chant, “O-KA-DA!” Fans clap “O-KA-DA!” but White brings Okada up to whip him hard into railing! Fans still rally with the claps and White “apologizes” to Okada. White whips Okada the other way and Okada hits more railing! White drags Okada up again, puts him on the apron and CLUBS Okada on the edge. White then undoes the Velcro apron skirt to strap it on over Okada to smother him! Red Shoes reprimands as White shouts at Okada to “breathe with the Switchblade!” Red Shoes counts, White lets off at 4 and again wants fans to chant Okada. Fans clap for “O-KA-DA!” as White undoes the apron skirt.
White tells Red Shoes to fix the skirt while he pushes Okada into the ring. White covers but Red Shoes refuses to count given the shenanigans. So White says if he’s not counting, he’ll CHOKE Okada! Red Shoes counts now, and White says fine, let’s cover! Red Shoes counts the pin, TWO! White is annoyed and he wants Red Shoes to shush. Fans rally up for “O-KA-DA!” again but White Too Sweet CHOPS! And Too Sweet CHOPS again! And Too Sweet Chops again! Okada staggers to a corner, White whips him corner to corner, and CHOPS Okada off his feet! Cover, TWO! White keeps his cool and he mocks the fans by clapping along now.
White flips everyone off then wraps on a rear bearhug. White wants Okada to look into the camera and admit defeat, but Okada fights up instead. White throws Okada down, covers, TWO! Another cover, TWO! A third cover, TWO!! A fourth, ONE! A fifth, ONE! Sixth, ONE! Seventh, ONE! Eighth, TWO! Ninth, TWO!! White is pissed, he stomps Okada, but Okada gets up to DECK White! Fans fire up but White gets up to CHOP. White whips, Okada reverses but White holds ropes to avoid a boot. White runs in, Okada dodges and BOOTS White on the return! Fans fire up while both men are down and catching their breath.
Fans rally, “O-KA-DA! O-KA-DA!” while White sits up in a daze. Okada and White stand, and Okada rushes in to rally with forearms and elbows. Okada whips, White reverses, but Okada ducks and dodges and CLOBBERS White with an elbow! Fans fire up as Okada is getting on his formula. Okada drags White up, whips him to a corner, and then runs in to back elbow! Kick and DDT! Cover, TWO! Okada is annoyed but he drags White up. White kicks low, runs, but into the FLAPJACK! White flounders away, right out of the ring. Fans rally again and Okada goes out to fetch White. Okada brings White up to whip him into railing!
Okada runs in to BOOT White over the railing! But Gedo CLUBS Okada! Okada doesn’t flinch, and Gedo begs for mercy. Okada EuroUppers Gedo, then tosses him over the railing to join White! Fans fire up and Okada gets some space. Okada runs back in, to FLY and CROSSBODY White and Gedo out! Fans fire up with Okada, but he needs a moment to catch his breath. Fans rally back up for Okada as he fetches White again. Okada CLUBS White on the neck, brings him to ringside, but White clings to railing. Okada CLUBS White again and again, and White lets go of the railing. White says they should get in the ring, but Okada goes to gut wrench!
White resists, clamping onto Okada’s leg. Fans rally, Okada CLUBS White again, and Okada tries again. White kicks and flails, then RAMS Okada into railing! Red Shoes reprimands but White RAMS Okada into railing again! White tells Red Shoes to wait on the count as he goes in then back out. White drags Okada up, HALF HATCH SUPLEX into the railing! White grins then bops Okada with a Too Sweet. White says now the count can start. White gets in the ring, fans rally up, and Red Shoes does start the ring count. Okada stirs at about 4 of 20, slowly turns over and pushes himself up. The count is past 10, and then 15 before Okada stands!
Okada hobbles at 17, gets in at 18, but White is watching from a corner. Okada slowly rises, White runs corner to corner and uppercuts! White then suplexes for the BLADE BUSTER! Cover, TWO! White is annoyed and Gedo is furious but the fans fire up that Okada survives. White talks trash, slaps Okada around, slapping to the rhythm of “O-KA-DA,” but Okada swings a punch! White catches it to a COMPLETE SHOT! White then hits a DEADLIFT GERMAN! White flexes and fans applaud, having to admit that was impressed. White mocks Okada, “Is this how you lead a company?”
White brings Okada up, reels him in, but Okada blocks the lift. White knees low, then lifts Okada to knee even harder! White tells Red Shoes to check on Okada but the fans rally up. Okada refuses to let this stop here so White drags him back up. White holds an arm in a top wristlock to then throw a heavy body shot! Okada doubles over as he staggers to a corner but White is after him. White RAMS his shoulder in again and again, then lets off to mock the fans again. White scowls as the clapping returns and he goes over to Okada. White brings Okada up, reels him in, but Okada fights the urenage again.
But White gets around to SAIDO Okada out of the ring! Okada has a rough tumble from apron to floor and White wants Red Shoes to check. Okada refuses to give up, so White goes out to RAM Okada into railing, right in front of Tanahashi! White is taunting Tanahashi and then he gets Okada up, APRON GOURD BUSTER! White watches Okada writhe while the fans rally up and the ring count starts again. White gets Okada in at 10 of 20, and White gets in to drag him up, URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives and White is growing frustrated. White checks with Geod, what should he do to finish this?
White sits Okada up and wraps on the sleeper hold! But Okada fights and pushes White back into buckles. Okada tries again but White throws Okada into the corner and RAMS his shoulder in. White hoists Okada up top, CHOPS him, then climbs up after him. White reels Okada into another clinch, but Okada fights with elbows! Okada brings White down, then ROCKS him with a right! But White comes back, only for Okada to DECK him this time! White is dazed and fans rally up! Okada adjusts, aims, BIG missile dropkick! But double-edged because of the bad ribs! Fans fire up while both men are down again!
Gedo coaches White but Okada drags White up first. White throws a body shot and Okada backs off, only to come back with a SHOTGUN! Okada scowls but more in anger than pain, and he drags White back up. Scoop and SLAM, and Okada goes to the corner. The bad ribs don’t slow the climb, and Okada MACHO ELBOWS! Okada does wince as he stands back up, but he still gives the fans the Rainmaker Pose! Fans fire up and Okada brings White back up. White trips Okada and GROUND DRAGON SCREWS! White stares Tanahashi down as he GROUND DRAGON SCREWS Okada again!
White is sending a message to two NJPW greats as he gets the legs for the TTO, the Tanahashi Tapped Out! Or will it be renamed the OTO, the Okada Tapped Out, here tonight? White makes sure Tanahashi sees the inverted figure four as Okada endures and fans rally up! Okada fights, moves around, reaches out, but White drags him away! White even says it’ll be the OTO in just moments! But Okada refuses to give up! Okada drags himself towards other ropes, but White lets the hold go just to drag Okada away, into a TEXAS CLOVERLEAF! A direct message to the Ace! But Okada still fights as fans rally, and he gets the ROPEBREAK!!
White is frustrated but he holds until 4. White grinds his forearm into Okada’s head and he claims Okada has passed out. Red Shoes checks for himself but Okada is moving, so no, he’s not out cold. White tells Red Shoes to GTFO then, and he brings Okada up. Okada fights the sleeper, throwing elbows. White catches it to spin and CHOP Okada! Okada flops down, but White brings him back up just to CHOP again. And CHOP again! Fans still rally for Okada but White CHOPS again! Okada just glares at White! White knees low instead! White runs, but into a DROPKICK! But the bad leg and ribs hurt Okada again!
Fans rally, White flounders, and Okada brings him up by an arm. Okada wraps on the MONEY CLIP! White endures, fights up to his feet, pries at the hold, but Okada cranks the hold! Red Shoes keeps White from grabbing him, but then Gedo pesters Red Shoes. White RAMS Okada into Red Shoes!! Red Shoes goes down, White scurries away from Okada, and Gedo slides him a chair! But it goes too far! Okada sees the chair, though, and he grabs it first. Gedo freaks out and White realizes the problem. Okada kicks the chair out of the ring, shoves White into Gedo, then puts on the MONEY CLIP! Red Shoes gets up while White endures!
White is turning red but he reaches for ropes. Okada brings White back, for a BACKBREAKER! And then the MONEY CLIP is on again! Fans rally, White is turning purple, and he moves around. Okada keeps holding on, keeps cranking the hold, and White is fading! Gedo gets on the apron to distract Red Shoes, White LOW BLOWS Okada! White is free and both men are down again! Fans rally for “O-KA-DA!” as hard as they can but White crawls over to Okada, talking trash through the sputtering. White drags Okada up, coughs and gasps, and he brings Okada up while talking more trash. Okada ROCKS White with a forearm!
White flops out of the ring again, and fans fire up as Okada dares White to get back in. White returns, he eggs Okada on, then throws a forearm. Okada snarls and White waits on the response. Okada ROCKS White, and White staggers, but White comes back to ROCK Okada! Okada shakes that off, White fires another, and another, but Okada gives it back! Fans rally up as the forearms fly fast and furious! Okada DECKS White and roars! Fans fire up and Okada drags White by his arm. White pulls away, so Okada kicks him around. Okada CLUBS White, showing him some anger! Okada gets White up, short arm- SHOULDER to the ribs!
White smirks, and he stands Okada back up, but Okada still reels White in! White gets around the lariat to SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEX! Gedo fires up and White hurries to get Okada up again. REGAL PLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Okada escapes and fans fire up again! White says he’s got this, and he brings Okada up with a double wristlock. White reels Okada in, lifts, BLOODY SUNDAY! Shout out to The Prince! White then slashes his throat and he drags Okada up. Fans rally, White says it is time, and he short arm LARIATS! White still says it’s time, he brings Okada up again, another short arm LARIAT!
White says it IS time, BLADE- NO! Okada slips to a backslide, White rolls through, short arm LARIAT from Okada! Fans fire up again as Okada holds onto the wrist! Okada slowly rises, he drags White back up, but White kicks and kicks. Okada just stares at White, before the LARIAT! Okada roars, fans are thunderous, and Okada wants to get the arms. White resists, reaches for ropes, but Okada spins. White dodges, BLADE- NO, Okada slips out and gut wrenches, SPINNING TOMBSTONE! Okada hauls White up again, DISCUS LARIAT! Fans fire up, Okada drags White back up, ripcord and- NO, White dodges!
White has the wristlock and he ripcords, stolen RAIN- NO, Okada dodges! Okada scoops again, but White slips off. White clinches, BLADE- NO! Ripcord, RAIN- NO! White dodges and runs, into the DROPKICK! Fans are thunderous and Okada scoops White for a LANDSLIDE! Shout out to the KING of Strong Style! Ripcord and- BLADERUNNER!!! Cover, White wins!!!
Winner: Jay White, by pinfall (NEW IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
The Switchblade cuts down Okada outta nowhere!! Gedo celebrates with his man while White mockingly pats Okada on the shoulder. Is the end of this reign the end of the rain? And of course, to celebrate their leader’s massive victory, Bullet Club comes out to celebrate with White! Karl Anderson, the new NEVER Openweight Champion! Taiji Ishimori, the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion! Ace Austin, the newest member and Impact X-Division Champion! El Phantasmo is with them, that trio victorious earlier tonight. Doc Gallows gets White a beer to celebrate, the club toasts this moment while Okada is taken away.
White gets a mic and fans do applaud to admit White was the better man here tonight. White tells the camera to stay right on him. “I have one quick message. HANGMAN ADAM PAGE! You want Okada? You want Okada!? You can have him. Because you ain’t f**king getting this! You dumb cowboy bitch!” White stands up to tell Osaka, “Say something. Say something! C’mon, say something! SAY SOMETHING! Don’t you wanna chant? C’mon!?” Fans do “Woo!” and holler, even though they aren’t really supposed to.
White wants to take us back to June 19th, 2016, “in this very building.” White had his last match as a Young Lion. He said good-bye to Japan and said, “You are my family.” Fans applaud that, and White continues with, “So f**king say something! SAY SOMETHING! I told you you are my family, are you not happy for me?!” Fans woo again and White demands more! The fans “WOO~” and White says yes, they are his family! And he wasn’t wrong. But today, June 12th, 2022, almost six years to the day, White is here as the Switchblade, the number one asset in ALL of pro-wrestling, the Last Rock ‘n’ Rolla, “the man who single-handedly sold out Madison Square Garden, and the United Center!”
White says he is King Switch! And once again, Tanahashi, White is the first, only and true GRAND SLAM CHAMPION! He is the REAL Belt Collector! And as you can see, he is the leader of Bullet Club, the Catalyst of Pro-Wrestling, and now, he is the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion!! Fans applaud and cheer and he wants more! They cheer more, and he says that’s right! The world now breathes with the Switchblade, this is still his era!! Fans cheer as White holds up the belt and the golden streamers fly! Will Hangman be denied a title match at Forbidden Door? Will Bullet Club take over NJPW and the world?
My Thoughts:
What an event for NJPW! I still skipped everything non-title, but if I’d known Yano was going to beat Gallows in just four minutes, I would’ve kept it. Bullet Club and United Empire were both strong tonight, setting up big Junior Heavyweight title matches. There’s a chance Six or Nine (Taguchi & Wato) manage to retain the tag titles since they lost here, and there’s a very good chance Hiromu takes the singles title off Taiji since LIJ lost here, too. I should’ve expected the House of Torture to retain the NEVER Openweight Six Man titles, Suzuki-Gun put up a good fight but that combo of Desperado, Kanemaru & ZSJ just didn’t feel like the right combo.
Great to see that Khan & Cobb got the heavyweight tag titles back, though at the same time, Chase & Fale not having anything to show for the night in the big group celebration kinda hurt Bullet Club’s dominance. But I hope this brings about a feud between Empire and Bullet Club to push both factions forward this summer. For one, what a STACKED G1 Climax this year. For another, Ospreay VS Sanada for the title Juice held. Juice will surely want that belt back, though not sure if he’ll be 100% in two weeks to have a match at Forbidden Door. At the same time, Forbidden Door is about NJPW VS AEW, maybe Juice waits to see who wins before making a move. But I would totally expect Juice VS Ospreay for that title at some point.
Tanahashi winning against Goto to go to the Interim AEW World Championship match was expected but that was a great match all the same. Tanahashi VS Moxley is going to be great stuff, too, but I would think Moxley wins to keep the AEW title in AEW. Takagi VS Taichi in that scramble match was great stuff, I really like Takagi’s ideas for these matches. It makes sense he wins to keep the trophy, who knows who steps up next. Tama VS Anderson was great stuff, especially with how they’re both Founding Fathers of Bullet Club and Tama was the young guy Anderson helped get going in NJPW. Anderson winning with cheating should’ve been expected, but still good for Anderson as he has always come close but had yet to win singles belts.
Already mentioned Sanada VS Ospreay but that was an awesome match. And the world title, Okada VS White, was an awesome match, too. Really cerebral but also really physical, and of course Gedo gets involved where he can. White winning was quite the shocker, as was White, a Heel, being able to get fans to defy Japan’s COVID regulations and make noise with their mouths. White of course refuses to defend his title against Hangman, that’s a very Heel move, but I bet that Hangman will still get his shot at the IWGP World Championship. Much like AEW keeping the (albeit interim) AEW World Championship, I would think White retains the IWGP title, no matter who AEW puts up against him. But you can bet White VS Hangman will be amazing because there’s history there.
My Score: 9.2/10
Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - 4 Corners Podcast (sports)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Nefarious Means
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - 30 Mindless Minutes
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast: The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history) Unidentified History (Ufology) & Game Gone Wrong (Game of Thrones Universe)
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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
Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - 4 Corners Podcast (sports)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Nefarious Means
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - 30 Mindless Minutes
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast: The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history) Unidentified History (Ufology) & Game Gone Wrong (Game of Thrones Universe)
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Will The Prince dispatch two challengers at once?
After retaining the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, Callum Newman offered a unique challenge. Can Shingo Takagi or Yota Tsuji secure a title shot through a tag match?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Ryusuke Taguchi & Taisei Nakahara VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Kanemaru win.
- Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS Toru Yano, YOH & Master Wato; Yano, Yoh & Wato win.
- Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Taichi & El Desperado; Taichi & Desperado win.
- Yuya Uemura & Masatora Yasuda VS Ryohei Oiwa & Kosei Fujita; Oiwa & Fujita win.
- Six Man Tag: Aaron Wolf, Boltin Oleg & Tiger Mask VS Ren Narita, Yujiro Takahashi & Dick Togo; Wolf, Oleg & Tiger Mask win.
- 10 Man Tag: The Unbound Company VS The United Empire; The Empire wins.
- Championship Stakes: Callum Newman & Jake Lee VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji; Takagi & Tsuji win, and Tsuji will challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
PLAY BY PLAY
10 Man Tag: The Unbound Company VS The United Empire!
Before the Knock Out Brothers clash with the Dominator & Mauler over the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, they lead their units into war! Will Oskar, Yuto-Ice, Gedo, Taiji Ishimori & Daiki Nagai be truly unbound? Or will Great-O-Khan, Henare, Francesco Akira, Jakob Austin Young & Zane Jay conquer them for the glory of the Empire?
The teams sort out, but Yuto and Henare egg each other on as they’re forehead to forehead. The ref has them back off, but they still start the match. The bell rings and the fans rally as Yuto and Henare step back up. They’re forehead to forehead again as they talk trash, then they fire forearm after forearm! The fans rally as Henare ROCKS Yuto, but Yuto fires a flurry in return! Henare fires a flurry of his own, then runs, but into a BOOT! Henare wobbles but he comes right back. Yuto laughs as he ROCKS Henare! Yuto runs, ROCKS Henare again, but Henare roars! Henare eggs Yuto on, Yuto runs the ropes, but Henare RUNS him over!
Henare sits Yuto up to KICK him in the back, then KICK again! The fans rally as Henare runs, but Yuto avoids the Rugby Kick! Henare still kicks low, whips to ropes, but Yuto reverses to BOOT Henare down! The fans fire up with Yuto, and he KICKS Henare in the back! And KICKS him again! Henare scrambles to a corner but Yuto swaggers his way over. Yuto KICKS, and KNEES, and SOBATS! Henare sits down, Yuto gets gangsta! “BOMBACLAT!” But Henare gets up to fireman’s carry! Yuto slips free, Henare dodges a lariat, but so does Yuto! Henare swats the boot, Yuto ducks the heel kick, and the fans cheer the standoff!
Zane has Henare calm down, and wants him to tag. Henare tags Zane, and Zane calls out Daiki. Daiki tags in, and these two still have to settle how they ended the Young Lion Cup. Zane eggs Daiki on, so Daiki ROCKS him! Zane fires back, Daiki fires another, and the fans rally as the two brawl! Daiki whips, Zane reverses, but Daiki redirects! Zane hurdles, drops down, but Daiki avoids the dropkick! Daiki runs to basement DROPKICK! Zane scrambles to a corner while the fans fire up. Daiki runs in, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Zane toughs it out but the fans rally behind Daiki. Daiki storms up on Zane but Zane wants mercy. Daiki says no and he ROCKS Zane!
Daiki runs in at the corner, but Zane counters the monkey flip to put Daiki up top! Zane DROPKICKS Daiki down, then the Empire BLASTS the Unbound corner! They all brawl on the outside and into the crowd! Oskar CLUBS Khan, Yuto fires forearms on Henare, but Henare BODY BLOWS and CHOPS! Oskar has fans clear out, then he whips Khan, but Khan reverses! Oskar tumbles into the chairs! Yuto CHOKES Henare, Henare shoves Yuto away, and Zane has Daiki in the ring. Zane bumps Daiki off buckles while Khan JAMS Oskar with a chair! Khan SMACKS Oskar on the back with it, too! The fans are torn as Khan roars.
Henare and Yuto return ringside, and Khan uses a chair to sit on Oskar! Khan taunts Oskar, then steps off. Henare uses a DEATH GRIP on Yuto! Henare THROWS Yuto into chairs, then he smothers a Young Lion for getting in the way! Henare even scares ring staff off before going to ringside. Zane CHOKES Daiki, the ref counts, and Zane stops at 4. Zane tags #DangerousJay and he UPPERCUTS Daiki. Jakob CHOKES Daiki in the corner, then brings him around. Jakob whips Daiki to ropes, ELBOWS him down, then covers, TWO! The fans applaud as Daiki toughs it out, but Jakob brings him back up. Jakob tags Akira, and he taunts Oskar!
The ref has to keep Oskar back, but this all lets Khan bend Daiki’s fingers! The Empire mugs Daiki in the corner, and Jakob even CLAWS Daiki’s eyes! Khan tells commentary to shut up, but Daiki fights back! Akira KNEES low, whips, and drop toeholds. Akira SMACKS Daiki off the mat again, then kneels on a cocky cover. TWO, but Akira taunts the Unbound Company. Akira bumps Daiki off buckles, tags Khan, and Khan dumps Daiki out. The rest of the Empire mugs Daiki while the fans boo. Zane puts Daiki back in for Khan, and Khan drags Daiki around. Khan steps on Daiki for a cocky cover, TWO! Daiki toughs it out but Khan soaks up the cheers and jeers.
Khan scuffs Daiki as Daiki tries to crawl away. Khan eggs Daiki on, offering a free hit. Daiki stands, but Khan dodges the hit. Khan laughs at Daiki for falling for his trap quite literally! Khan then drags Daiki up, but Daiki fires forearms after all! The fans rally as Daiki HEADBUTTS! Daiki whips, Khan reverses, and Khan runs up, only for Daiki to dodge! Hot tag to Oskar! The fans fire up as the giant German RUNS Khan over, BLASTS Henare, then whips Khan corner to corner! Zane runs up but Oskar BOOTS him away! Oskar runs up, DOUBLE ELBOW for Zane and Khan! Akira runs up to jump on Oskar’s back! Oskar RAMS Akira into a corner!
Jakob storms in, but Oskar guzels! Akira runs up, but Oskar guzels! Oskar gives them a meeting of the minds, then a DOUBLE LARIAT! The fans fire up with Oskar, and he goes back for Khan. Oskar drags Khan up, scoops, but Henare KICKS Oskar’s leg! The ref reprimands but Henare KICKS and KICKS and BODY BLOWS! Henare HEADBUTTS, then DEATH GRIPS! Henare HEADBUTTS Oskar, then he and Khan bring Oskar around. Oskar fights the lift, but Henare blocks the boot! But then Oskar guzels Henare! Henare can’t reach Oskar for the Death Grip! Oskar then guzels Khan, but they both break free! DOUBLE BODY BLOW!
The ref reprimands, but #Khanare double whip Oskar. He breaks their lariats, but the DOUBLE BOOTS hit! Yuto is in, he shoves Henare into Khan! Then he fires off fast hands on Henare, bobs ‘n’ weaves, then ROCKS Henare! Henare drops, Yuto ICE HIGHS! But Henare is up, LARIAT! The fans fire up while all four men are down! Oskar rises, he SWATS Khan’s haymaker to have the NIGHTMARE SLEEPER! But Khan BITES Oskar’s arm! IRON CLAW! But Oskar pries it away, only for Khan to KICK the leg, and BOOT Oskar down! The fans rally as both men crawl for their corners. Hot tags to Akira and Taiji!
The fans fire up as the two rush in! Akira dodges the boot to headlock, but Taiji powers up and out. Akira RUNS Taiji over, then keeps moving. Taiji drops, hurdles, but Akira shoves! Taiji RANAS! Akira tumbles, Taiji runs up, DOUBLE KNEES! Then a fireman’s carry, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, and a BASEMENT SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Akira is tougher than that but Taiji stays on him. Taiji gut wrenches, but Akira fights to turn it around! CIPHER- NO, Taiji lands out to whip Akira. Akira reverses, Taiji handsprings, but into a waistlock! Akira then spins Taiji around, SPEEDFIRE! Akira sputters, he can’t make the cover!
Taiji and Akira crawl, hot tag to Jakob! Jakob drags Taiji up, he and Akira DOUBLE SUPLEX, but Daiki makes the save! Akira & Jakob kick Daiki, then whip, but Daiki ducks ‘n’ dodges to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! The fans cheer the Unbound Young Lion as he flounders to a corner, and Taiji tags Gedo! Gedo JABS, JABS, and JABS! Gedo winds up, but Jakob CLAWS Gedo’s eyes! Jakob winds up, but Gedo UPPERCUTS! Then SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Jakob survives but Gedo stays focused. Gedo tells Jakob to get up, then he mule kicks the leg! Body scissors, GEDO CLUTCH! But Zane ELBOW DROPS Gedo down!
Zane drags Gedo up, and he FALL AWAY SLAMS! Jakob gets Gedo back up, for the HAMMERLOCK DDT! Cover, The Empire wins!
Winners: The United Empire, by pinfall
Another bites the dust, and The Empire is control on this New Japan Road! Henare taunts Yuto with his tag title, but that just sparks a new brawl! Young Lions hurry to stop this, but easier said than done! The rest of the teams get in there, too, and Unbound Company must fall back, if only for now. But will things be different with their best in the main event?
Championship Stakes: Callum Newman & Jake Lee VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji!
It was just 48 hours ago that The Prince slayed the Rampaging Dragon, although with controversial and underhanded tactics. He’s so confident, in fact, he’s giving Takagi and Tsuji another chance! Will Callum cross off two names from the list for the rest of his reign? Or will someone from the Unbound Company have a golden ticket to the top title in NJPW?
The teams sort out, but Callum can’t help himself. He taunts Takagi and Tsuji with the belt, so they attack! They mug Callum, then Yota kicks Jake. Yota TOSSES Jake, the bell rings, and Unbound mug Callum again. They double whip then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans cheer while Takagi ELBOW DROPS! The fans rally as Takagi eggs Callum on. Callum goes to a corner, Takagi runs up, but Callum dodges. Callum runs back in, but Takagi puts him on the apron. Callum RAMS Takagi, slingshots up and over, then keeps moving. Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges but Takagi sidesteps to HIP TOSS! Callum staggers to his feet, Takagi LARIATS him up and out!
Callum stumbles into and then tumbles over the railing! Yota goes after Jake while Takagi hurries through the gate to fetch Callum. Yota whips Jake hard into railing, then stalks him around the way, while Takagi KNEES Callum low. Takagi brings Callum around to SMACK him off the timekeeper’s table! Takagi ROCKS Callum, follows him to another section of the crowd, while Yota DOUBLE CHOPS Jake out of a chair! Takagi ROCKS Callum again and the fans rally behind him. Callum wants to escape but Takagi stalks him. Takagi SMACKS Callum off some chairs, then HEADBUTTS him down! Yota brings Jake up to ROCK with a forearm of his own!
Jake stumbles around through the crowd, knocking chairs over as he tries to flee. Yota pursues as Jake begs young fans to help. Yota grabs that hand to SNAP fingers! The ring count finally starts as Callum SMACKS Takagi off a table! Takagi considers throwing that table but thinks better of it. Takagi pursues Callum as Callum heads back to ringside, but Yota BOOTS Jake out of a seat! The count is 15 of 20 as Callum and Takagi roll inside. Callum wants mercy, even apologizes, but Takagi CHOKES him! Red Shoes counts, Takagi stops at 4, and Callum clings to the ropes. Takagi kicks Callum into letting go, then brings him up.
Takagi JABS Callum and Callum falls against ropes. Takagi JABS again and Callum flounders. Callum calls to Jake but Takagi keeps him back. Callum fights the lift with elbows, then BODY BLOWS! Callum runs, but Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! But Callum trips Takagi and PUNTS him in the side! Just like in their title match! Jake BLASTS Yota off the apron, then goes out to stomp him down! Red Shoes reprimands but Jake drags Yota up and grinds him into railing. Callum pushes Takagi out of the ring while Jake fires body shots on Yota. Callum RAMS Takagi into railing, then brings him around to POST him!
Takagi staggers while Callum mockingly cheers him on. Jake POSTS Yota and does the same. Callum KICKS Takagi in the side, then flexes before he SPITS at Takagi! The fans boo but Callum ROCKS Takagi again. Callum puts Takagi in the ring, taunts Yota from across the way, then slingshots to stomp Takagi down. Callum dares Yota to reach out for Takagi, then he stomps Takagi. Callum digs his heel in, then he tags Jake. Jake swaggers and talks some trash, then he brings out the black glove! Callum KNEES Takagi before Jake takes Takagi’s shirt off. Jake shows off the bad ribs while he says it is picture time! Jake gives Takagi the DENTAL CHECK!
The fans are torn as Jake shoves Takagi down and takes off the glove. Jake mockingly applauds that Takagi passed his dental exam, then he stomps Takagi down. Tag to Callum and Callum clamps onto the arm. Callum traps the arm, kneels on Takagi, then digs his knuckles into the bad ribs! Yota BOOTS Callum, then backs off as Jake runs up. Callum calls BS, but he drags Takagi to stomp him down! Callum KICKS Takagi, then sits for a cocky cover, TWO! Callum clamps onto Takagi, wags his finger at Yota, then grinds Takagi’s bad arm. The fans rally for Takagi as he rises up and fires body shots! Callum KNEES low, then bumps Takagi off buckles.
Callum tags Jake back in and Jake again taunts Takagi. Callum CHOKES Takagi, and Jake KICKS Takagi in the side! The fans rally for Takagi as he rises again, and he rips away the tape! Takagi snarls as he ROCKS Jake again and again! But Jake kicks low, CLAWS Takagi’s face, then runs. Takagi blocks the boot to CLUB the leg! Takagi whips, Jake reverses, but Takagi blocks the knee! DRAGON SCREW! The fans cheer while both men are down! Hot tag to Yota! The fans fire up as Yota BLASTS Callum off the corner, then kicks and whips Jake. Jake reverses but Yota BOOTS him! Yota BLASTS Callum again, then DIVES! Direct hit and Callum hits railing!
The fans fire up for Yota and he slingshots into the ring. Yota then whips Jake corner to corner, runs up, but Jake dodges the splash! BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Yota is tougher than that, but Jake signals he’s taking his shot. Jake drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Yota tries to suplex but Jake fights the lift! They fight for control as the fans rally, and Jake suplexes! But Yota lands out! Yota ducks an elbow to FLATLINER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Takagi calls to Yota and Yota crawls over. Yota is a bit unsure, but he hot tags Takagi anyway! The fans fire up as Takagi powers up and LARIATS in the corner!
Takagi fires the fans up more, and he JABS, JABS, JABS in the corner! Then a CHOP! Jake roars, but Takagi ELBOWS him! Takagi runs, but into the KITCHEN SINK KNEE! It hit pretty high and Takagi falls. Jake tags Callum, Callum BOOTS Yota! Callum stands Takagi up for Jake to KITCHEN SINK KNEE! Then EXCALIBUR!! Cover, YOTA BREAKS IT! The fans cheer, and Yota TOSSES Jake! Callum kicks and TOSSES Yota! Callum is frustrated, but he still mocks Takagi’s pain. Callum kicks Takagi around, and mockingly asks if it hurts. Callum CLUBS Takagi, eggs him on, then ROCKS him with a forearm.
Callum eggs Takagi on, but Takagi SLAPS him! Callum DECKS Takagi for that! Callum sits Takagi up, mocks the prayer hands, then KICKS Takagi in the back! Takagi stays up, and he’s getting mad! The fans fire up as Takagi rises, but Callum BOOTS! And BOOTS! And BOOTS! Takagi just gets angrier! Callum fires knee after knee, but Takagi headbutts the buckles! The fans fire up but Callum BOOTS again! Callum runs, but into the ELBOW! SOBAT! JAB! HEEL KICK! Callum feints the run, but Takagi LARIATS first! Callum LARIATS in return! Both men stand but stagger, and Yota tags in! The fans fire up as Yota hurries to BLAST Jake!
Yota then goes back to Callum and ROCKS him with a forearm! Callum staggers around, Yota ROCKS him again, and again! The fans fire up with Yota, he whips Callum to ropes, but Callum grabs ropes! Yota runs up, Callum BOOTS him away, and Jake jumps in! Jake kicks and whips Yota to a corner, then runs up, but he blocks the boot. Yota reels Jake in for the STOMP! Yota runs up but Callum wrenches through, short arm LARIAT! The fans rally up again while everyone is down! Callum sits up, kisses the crown tattoo, and brings Yota up. Callum goes to fireman’s carry but Yota fights it. Callum powers through, but Yota slips free!
Yota feeds Callum to Takagi’s ELBOW! Yota BOOTS, Takagi BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and Yota GENE TRIGGERS! Then they DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Callum survives and Takagi has to sort out who is legal. Red Shoes and Yota explain that tag from earlier, but then Callum kicks them both! Callum runs, but into the ELBOW! BACKBREAKER! JAB! Then Yota pump handles, but Jake CLAWS Yota’s face! Takagi RUNS Jake over, Callum BOOTS Takagi down, but Yota scoops to BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while all four men are down again! Yota and Callum stir, and Callum flips off the fans cheering Yota.
Yota rises up, Callum wants mercy, and Yota hesitates. But then Callum SPITS at him! Callum fires a forearm, Yota fires back, and repeat! The fans rally up as the shots go back and forth, faster and faster! Callum fires a flurry, runs, but Yota follows to SPLASH in the corner! Yota runs but Callum follows to HELLUVA KICK! Callum runs, Yota follows, GENE TRIGGER! Yota keeps moving, but he dodges Callum to then GAMANGIRI! Yota puts Callum up top, climbs up, and SUPER STEINERS! Cover, TWO! Callum survives but Yota roars! The fans cheer Yota on as he pump handles, but Callum slips free! Callum shoves Yota at Red Shoes! Yota stops short, but Callum LOW BLOWS!
The fans boo but Callum turns around as Takagi runs in! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but neither man falls! They DOUBLE LARIAT again, and Callum flops against Takagi! Takagi fires boxing elbows on Callum, then winds up, but Callum ROCKS! ROLLING- JAB! Callum grabs at Red Shoes, uses him as a shield, but Takagi stops the low blow! Takagi shoves Callum at Red Shoes, REVENGE LOW BLOW! Yota SUPERKICKS! Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS! And they set Callum up for the PUMPING BLASTER!! Cover, Jake breaks it! KNEE for Takagi, then a ROUNDHOUSE! But Takagi rebounds, PUMPING BOMBER on Jake!!
Takagi tells Yota to finish this! Yota GENE BLASTERS Callum!! Cover, Yota & Takagi win!!
Winners: Yota Tsuji & Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (Yota Tsuji is the NEW #1 Contender to the IWGP Heavyweight Championship)
Callum got too cocky in his young reign, and now he’s the one staring up at the lights! But will he have a better game plan for when the title is on the line?
As for the Unbound Company, they catch their breath before Yota takes the mic. “OI, CALLUM! Too bad for you. To me, the path you forge is darkness. I won’t let NJPW go down that path. I will lead NJPW towards the light of hope.” The fans applaud that. Callum says see you at Dominion then! Callum leaves, and Yota continues by saying with Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement, the New Beginning, and now Dominion, NJPW has changed dramatically. But now, Yota meets Callum in a rematch for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in Dominion’s main event, carrying that responsibility and determination in his heart!
The fans cheer again, and Yota says, “OI, NJPW! And Callum Newman… ARE YOU READY?!” The fans cheer again, and Yota promises to be the one to carry NJPW on his shoulders! Mic drop from the Gene Blast, but will he dethrone the Prince already? Or will Callum solidify NJWP as his dominion?
My Thoughts:
A very good New Japan Road event as also a sendoff to Dominion. Really good tune-ups, and the 10 Man Tag especially for the build into the Heavyweight Tag title match. Empire winning here might show KOB wins when the time comes, but Best of the Super Juniors is next so there will be more and more tune-up filler matches first. And great tag match main event with the unique stipulation. As I said before, Yota losing both belts is so he can have his heroic journey back to the top. Yota getting the win here makes sense as it sets up the rematch from losing to Callum, and Dominion’s going to have a great main event that could honestly go either way.
My Score: 8.8/10
Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - 4 Corners Podcast (sports)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Nefarious Means
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - 30 Mindless Minutes
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast: The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history) Unidentified History (Ufology) & Game Gone Wrong (Game of Thrones Universe)
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
4 Corners Podcast: Secretariat’s Family Tree
Patrick and Tunney discuss the NHL and NBA playoffs!
4 Corners Podcast: Did The Red Sox Panic?
Dave & Patrick discuss a seismic shift in Boston as the Red Sox clean house. Plus, NFL Draft thoughts and...
4 Corners Podcast: NHL & NBA Playoff Preview
Dave & PC Tunney preview the NHL & NBA Playoffs!
4 Corners Podcast: The Masters, NBA & MLB
Join Patrick and Dave weekly as they explore the 4 Corners of the American sports scene.
4 Corners Podcast: College Madness
The guys recap the Final Four, discuss March Madness expanding, and discuss an Executive Order that the guys actually agree...
Bandwagon Nerds #340: Womp Womp!
Your favorite Nerds review the season finale of Daredevil: Born Again Season 2, episode 6 of The Boys final season,...
Bandwagon Nerds #339: Everybody Dies
Your favorite Nerds review Daredevil: Born Again and The Boys. Paramount, Disney and Oscars news. All that plus we take...
Bandwagon Nerds #338: Impossible Choices
Your favorite Nerds review the season finale of Invincible, as well as continuing their review of Daredevil: Born Again and...
Bandwagon Nerds #337: Parallels & Purpose
The NERDS continue to review Invincible, Daredevil, and The Boys. Plus, we take a look at the new trailer for...
Bandwagon Nerds #336: Invincible, Daredevil, The Boys… Oh My!
Don't miss the Bandwagon, NERDS!
Former WWE Star Reveals How Company Tests Wrestlers for an “Attitude Problem”
A former WWE star took to social media to explain, in brief, how WWE evaluates its talent to determine whether...
WWE Backlash Match Sparks “Clone War” Debate in Wrestling Community
Wrestling fans and insiders are abuzz after a match at WWE Backlash was accused of “copycatting” a formula previously used...
Thekla Says AEW Became the “Perfect Fit,” Citing Tony Khan in Decision to Re-Sign
AEW Women’s World Champion Thekla revealed that Tony Khan’s promotion has become the “perfect fit” for her, a realization that...
Swerve Strickland Targets ROH Champion Bandido Ahead of Owen Hart Cup Match
AEW’s Swerve Strickland fired several warning shots at ROH World Champion Bandido as the two prepare to collide in the...
Ronda Rousey Reflects on WrestleMania 35 Main Event, Cites Lack of Preparation Time
Ronda Rousey has opened up about her feelings surrounding the historic WrestleMania 35 main event, calling it a career-defining moment...
Matt Hardy Reflects on Kofi Kingston’s WrestleMania 35 Triumph and the New Day’s Influence
Matt Hardy praised Kofi Kingston’s emotional WWE Championship victory at WrestleMania 35, calling the KofiMania run a defining moment for...
Kit Wilson Opens Up About Emotional Toll After Being Left Off 2026 Royal Rumble
WWE’s Kit Wilson admitted he struggled emotionally after being left off this year’s Royal Rumble card, saying the omission from...
Kevin Nash Slams TKO’s WWE Stewardship, Says Only One Thing Would End His Involvement
Veteran Kevin Nash has publicly criticized TKO’s handling of WWE, taking aim at the promotion’s current direction under Paul Levesque...
Jeff Jarrett Says Orange Cassidy Excels at Mixing Character and In-Ring Work
AEW veteran Jeff Jarrett praised Orange Cassidy as the standout performer in modern wrestling when it comes to blending distinctive...
JBL Says He Was Asked to Take a Pay Cut Minutes Before Surgery
WWE Hall of Famer John “Bradshaw” Layfield revealed he once received a phone call just minutes before going into surgery...
-
News5 days ago
Former New Day Duo Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston Announced for GalaxyCon
-
Headline News4 days ago
Former Wyatt Sicks Announced for WrestleCon Under New Names
-
Headline News7 days ago
WWE Announces AAA TripleMania 34 as Two-Night Event; Night Two Set for Mexico City
-
Headline News7 days ago
IYO SKY Defeats Asuka at WWE Backlash 2026, Receives Apology and Hug