NJPW PPV Results
Mitchell’s NJPW Battle in the Valley Results & Report! (2/18/23)
There’s gold in California!
NJPW is feeling that California Love!
The Rainmaker and The Ace battle over THE IWGP World Heavyweight Championship one more time as NJPW lands in San Jose, California! Will Hiroshi Tanahashi return the shocker from years ago?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff Show – Alex Coughlin VS JR Kratos; Coughlin wins.
- Kickoff Show – David Finlay VS Bobby Fish; Finlay wins.
- 8 Man Tag: Rocky Romero, Josh Alexander, Adrian Quest & Mascara Dorada VS KUSHIDA, Kevin Knight, The DKC & Volador Jr; Kushida, Knight, DKC & Volador win.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Fred Rosser VS KENTA; Kenta wins and becomes the new NJPW Strong Openweight Champion.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: The Motor City Machine Guns VS The West Coast Wrecking Crew; The MCMG win and retain the titles.
- High Stakes Grudge Match: Jay White VS Eddie Kingston; Eddie wins and White must leave NJPW.
- Filthy Rules Fight: Tom Lawlor VS Homicide; Lawlor wins.
- NJPW World Television Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Clark Connors; ZSJ wins and retains the title.
- IWGP Women’s Championship: KAIRI VS Mercedes Moné; Mercedes wins and becomes the new IWGP Women’s Champion.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS Hiroshi Tanahashi; Okada wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Fred Rosser VS KENTA!
Mr. No Days Off has been on quite the streak as champion, but now he runs into Fang Revived! Will Rosser’s reign continue? Or will he #GoToSleep on the job?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Kenta can force Rosser to take time off!
The bell rings and fans rally as the two circle. Kenta keeps his distance and fans cheer him on, so Kenta conducts them. Rosser gets annoyed but Kenta circles with him. They tie up, fight for control, and end up on ropes, then in a corner. The ref counts, Kenta backs away, and resets with Rosser. They feel out another grapple, tie up, and Kenta gets around to a waistlock. Kenta drags Rosser down, but Rosser fights up and gets to ropes. The ref counts, Kenta lets off with a slap! Rosser storms up but Kenta bails out. Rosser goes out after Kenta but Kenta slides back in. Rosser slides in but Kenta stomps away on him!
Kenta kicks Rosser to a corner for more stomps, but Rosser wags his finger. Kenta gives more toying kicks, and Rosser sits up in a huff. Rosser tells Kenta to stop but Kenta gives him another one! Rosser stands up and stares Kenta down! Rosser goes outside, goes over the railing, and he dares Kenta to fight him in the crowd! Fans fire up, Kenta goes out after Rosser, and the brawl is on! San Jose fires up as the forearms fly! Kenta KICKS, KICKS and KICKS! Rosser sits down and fans fire up more! Kenta revels in it, then he drags Rosser up. Kenta pushes Rosser to railing, runs in, and BOOTS him over!
Fans rally, Kenta goes back to ringside, and he sits Rosser up for more KICKS! Kenta scuffs Rosser, Rosser shakes the railing in anger. A ring count starts, Kenta puts Rosser in, but Rosser slides right back out to BOOT him! Rosser drags Kenta up onto the apron as the ring count restarts. Kenta fights the lift, then he claws Rosser’s eyes! Kenta kicks low, and hits an APRON DDT! Fans fire up while Rosser writhes and Kenta throws off his headband. Kenta steps back inside, sits Rosser and kicks him. Rosser wags his finger, Kenta KICKS! Rosser CHOPS, Kenta KICKS! Kenta eggs Rosser on so Rosser throws a forearm!
Kenta throws a forearm, Rosser throws one back! Kenta ROCKS and KICKS Rosser, then snapmares to PENALTY KICK! Rosser writhes again, Kenta covers, TWO! Kenta pushes Rosser down to drop a knee! And then another! And then he brings the kneepad down, to jump, and then scuff Rosser’s face! Fans cheer the trolling and Kenta brings the kneepad up. Kenta eggs Rosser on, kicks him around, but Rosser gets mad again. Rosser swings, but Kenta spins him into another DDT! Kenta drags Rosser to a cover, TWO! Kenta stands Rosser up, turns him, and hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Kenta clamps on with a chinlock!
Rosser endures, pulls hair, but the ref reprimands. Kenta tries to grab hair but Rosser’s bald so no go. Fans rally, Rosser fights up and throws elbows. But Kenta throws Rosser by his head and beard! Fans duel while Kenta drags Rosser back up. Kenta throws haymakers but Rosser stands up. Kenta throws haymakers but Rosser snarls. Kenta SOBATS, runs in, but into a lift! Rosser RAMS Kenta into the corner! Rosser CHOPS and LARIATS, over and over, then he fires off LARIAT after LARIAT! Rosser kicks Kenta’s leg out, then gives a HIP ATTACK! And another! And another! And another! Rosser lets off as the ref counts and fans fire up.
Rosser runs corner to corner, HIP ATTACK! Rosser drags Kenta out, LEG DROP! Then HIP DROP! Cover, TWO! Kenta survives but Rosser keeps focus. Rosser drags Kenta up, fireman’s carries, and runs, but Kenta slips off to rake eyes! Kenta rams Rosser into buckles, then kicks low for a DDT! Three DDTs for Rosser but Kenta isn’t done! Kenta climbs up, Rosser stands, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Rosser is still in this but Kenta brings him up. Kenta waistlocks but Rosser throws elbows! Rosser runs in but Kenta dumps him to the apron. Kenta BOOTS but Rosser stays on the apron. Kenta goes out to join him as fans fire up.
Kenta stands Rosser up, waistlocks, but Rosser resists the suplex by holding ropes! Rosser throws elbows, then switches around, APRON BACK SUPLEX! Kenta flops to the floor and fans fire up! Rosser goes to the apron, he leaps, FLYING HIP DROP! Rosser almost wipes himself out, but he drags Kenta up and into the ring. Rosser runs, and he CLOBBERS Kenta! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up while Kenta is in a daze. Rosser has a leg, he turns Kenta over, but Kenta rolls and drags Rosser down! GAME OVER CROSSFACE! Rosser endures, reaches out, crawls forward, ROPEBREAK! Kenta lets off with his hands but the ref has him let go of the arm with his legs.
Kenta KICKS Rosser in the back, KICKS him again, then stomps him on the apron! Kenta drags Rosser up through the ropes, has him draped, BRAIN KILLER! That’s the fourth DDT, San Jose is DDT City! Rosser is in the corner, Kenta runs in, FLYING BOOT! And then HESITATION DROPKICK! Fans are fired up while Rosser is down and Kenta climbs! COUP DE GRACE! Cover, TWO!! Rosser survives but Kenta starts the night-night hand motion, to then flip the fans off! Kenta slashes his throat, drags Rosser up and fireman’s carries! But Rosser fights free to the CROSSFACE CHICKEN WING!! Rosser has Kenta caught!!
Kenta endures, flails, he drags the ref into things and that forces Rosser to let go of the hold! Rosser is furious and he drags Kenta up. Kenta ROCKS Rosser with a forearm! Rosser ROCKS Kenta back! Kenta comes back, he throws a forearm, but so does Rosser! They go back and forth, no guard! Fans rally, Rosser gets the edge, but then Kenta CROSS COUNTERS! Rosser wobbles, Kenta ROCKS him again and again and again with palm strikes! Rosser blocks a shot, then ROCKS Kenta! And ROLLING ELBOWS!! Kenta’s down, Rosser covers, TWO!! Kenta survives and fans fire up again! Rosser is frustrated but he shakes out the cobwebs.
Fans declare “This is Awesome!” as Rosser HEADBUTTS Kenta! Rosser stands Kenta up, fireman’s carries, but Kenta grabs the ref! Rosser lets Kenta down, and he blocks Kenta’s kick! Rosser turns things around, tries the stepover, but Kenta rolls and sends Rosser into the ref! Fireman’s carry, GO TO- NO! Rosser blocks to get the STF CHICKEN WING!! Kenta taps but the ref is down! Rosser should’ve won by now but no one can call it! And here comes JUICE ROBINSON! Rosser swings on Juice, Juice dodges, and then Juice hits the LEFT HAND O’ GOD!!! But more than that, there appear to be coins spilling all over the place!!
Rosser is out cold in the ropes and Juice runs away! Kenta drags Rosser to the fireman’s carry, GO TO SLEEP!! Kenta wakes the ref up, brings him over, and then covers Rosser! KENTA WINS!
Winner: Kenta, by pinfall (NEW NJPW Strong Openweight Champion)
The Booster’s loaded left sets Rosser up for the fall! Rosser’s reign ends, and now Kenta is the third-ever champion! Kenta holds the belt over Rosser, will Kenta make NJPW Strong #JustTooSweet?
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: The Motor City Machine Guns VS The West Coast Wrecking Crew!
Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin are double tag champs with both these and the Impact Tag Team Championships, but Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs don’t care! They wanna bring some gold to Team Filthy, but will they pull it off in their home turf? Or will MCMG be greater than WCWC?
The introductions are made, the NJPW belts are- WAIT, WCWC strikes first! Royce goes after Sabin while Jorel is after Shelley! Jorel stomps away on Shelley and Royce CLUBS Sabin. Royce throws Sabin out and Jorel lets off Shelley, and then Jorel mocks the MCMG hand pointing. Jorel then kicks Shelley around, slaps him around, but Shelley throws him out! And Sabin SUPERKICKS him! Royce runs in but Shelley elbows him away! Sabin goes up top and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Fans fire up with MCMG and Shelley goes out to open the ropes. Sabin runs but Royce trips him up! And Jorel YANKS Shelley down!
Royce drags Sabin out and suplexes him, then walks around the ring with him! Jorel puts Shelley in the ring, Royce makes it halfway around the ring now while Jorel has Shelley in his own stalling suplex! Fans fire up for this display of strength, and “Roycey” completes his lap before “Relly” SLAMS Shelley down! Royce punctuates things by SLAMMING Sabin on the apron! Sabin flops to the floor, Royce joins Jorel in the ring, and Jorel says it’s photo op time! The WCWC pose, hard to say if anyone takes pictures, but Jorel stands Shelley up. Jorel EuroUppers, then RAMS Shelley into the corner!
Tag to Royce, he sets the leg up, and Jorel runs side to side to KNEE the knee! Jorel then grabs the leg for a DRAGON SCREW, and Royce runs to hit a SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, ONE!! Royce clamps onto Shelley and throws down “TEAM! FIL-THY!” elbows! Cover, TWO! Royce keeps the rhythm going with his claps, and he bumps Shelley off buckles. Royce tags Jorel, Jorel runs to DOUBLE KNEE! Shelley staggers into Royce’s BACKBREAKER! Jorel covers, TWO! Jorel clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Shelley down. Fans rally as Shelley endures, and Shelley fights up. Jorel shifts but Shelley kicks a leg!
Shelley fires forearms but Jorel hits a ROLLING ELBOW! Jorel says “West Side!” and DROPKICKS! Jorel then goes to a corner, climbs up top, but Sabin returns and shoves him down! Fans fire up, Jorely crawls, hot tag to Royce! Royce BLASTS Sabin off the apron, runs in, but Shelley catches him for the BUCKLE SHOT! Shelley crawls for his corner, but Jorel runs at Sabin! Sabin ROCKS Jorel first! Jorel staggers, Shelley slides under, hot tag to Sabin! Sabin BOOTS Jorel, runs and LARIATS, then he clotheslines Royce in a corner! Jorel runs in but Sabin hurdles, Jorel RAMS Royce in the corner!
Sabin then reels Jorel in, and he kicks off Royce to TORNADO DDT Jorel! Royce goes outside, Sabin goes to the apron, PENALTY KICK! Sabin keeps moving, he goes up and CROSSBODIES Jorel! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Jorel staggers up. Shelley returns, fans fire up, MCMG BOOT ENZIGURI COMBO! Sabin tries to fireman’s carry but Jorely fights with elbows. Sabin elbows back, ROLLING ELBOWS, and Shelley ROLLING ELBOWS! They SUPERKICK LARIAT COMBO! MCMG whips Jorel out and WRECK Royce at the same time! Shelley opens the ropes for Sabin to DIVE onto WCWC!
Fans are thunderous and Sabin shows Jorel how to point at the hand. Sabin puts Jorel in, fans rally for “MOTOR CITY!” and Shelley sets Jorel up, Sabin is up top, MISSILE DROPKICK COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, TWO! Sabin brings Jorel up, fireman’s carries, but Jorel slips off! Shelley waistlocks but Jorel RAMS him back into the corner. Sabin runs in, Jorel dodges and the BOOT hits Shelley! Jorel KNEES Sabin! Royce gets in, he fireman’s carries Sabin and Jorel goes up top! Jorel steps on Sabin to drop the ELBOW on Shelley! And then Jorel sets up, Royce DEATH VALLEY DRIVERS Sabin onto Jorel’s knees! Cover, TWO!!
The WCWC can’t believe it but the fans fire up! MCMG regroup but the WCWC roar and stalk up behind them! Double deadlifts, and DOUBLE GERMAN SUPLEXES! Fans fire up as Jorel kips up! The WCWC roar again, and they focus on Sabin! Sabin’s on the apron, Royce full nelsons! And then pops Sabin up into a HIGH ANGLE GERMAN! Sabin staggers, Jorel FLYING CUTTERS!! Cover, Shelley breaks it in time! Royce ROLLING HAYMAKERS Shelley! Canadian Rack, but Shelley slips off! Shelley sends Royce into Jorel, then atomic drops! DREAM SEQUENCE on Royce!
Fans fire up as the MCMG now focus on Jorel. Shelley swings, misses, but switches. Jorel switches, Sabin helps Shelley get free, and then Sabin hits a CUTTER on Jorel! Fans fire up more and the MCMG double mule kick, hook Jorel up, DIRT BOMB!! Cover, MCMG wins!
Winners: The Motor City Machine Guns, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
The home game doesn’t go WCWC’s way, and Sabin & Shelley stay double tag team champions! Will the Machine Guns continue to have an impact on NJPW Strong?
High Stakes Grudge Match: Jay White VS Eddie Kingston!
The Switchblade’s New Beginning was actually more of an ending. He lost to Hikuleo, and now can NEVER return to Japan! But in his anger, he doubles down! The loser here will NEVER work in or even with NJPW again! Will White prove this is STILL his era? Or will the Mad King follow through on his promise to hurt White like he’s never been hurt before?
The bell rings and fans fire up already. White encourages the fans to get louder, even as they duel between him and Eddie. White eggs Eddie on, but then backs out of the ring. Fans boo as White trolls Eddie but Eddie storms up to the ropes! White scurries away, playing peekaboo at the corner. The ref has Eddie back off, White keeps trolling, so Eddie sits down and dares White to get in. White gets on the apron, Eddie rushes up, but White hotshots him away! White rushes in, but Eddie CHOPS him down! White flounders right out of the ring and fans fire up again. Eddie watches White sputter, and he holds the ropes open for White!
White is upset by that, he slides in, they tie up, and Eddie puts White in the corner. The ref gets between them, but White cheap CHOPS Eddie! White taunts Eddie, bumps him off buckles, then stomps a mudhole in! The ref counts, White digs his boot in, but lets off at 4. White CLUBS Eddie against the ropes, then stands him up in the corner to RAM his shoulder in again and again! The ref counts, White lets off to Too Sweet CHOP! Eddie hits an STO! Eddie rains down HEADBUTTS! The ref reprimands about hair pulling so Eddie lets off. Eddie sits White up to SLAP him! Then he stands White up to CHOP him back down!
Eddie stomps White at the ropes, stands on him, but the ref counts. Eddie lets off and fans fire up while White flounders. Eddie grins and tells White to fight back. Eddie stands White up but White throws elbows! Eddie CLUBS White in the chest! Eddie then CHOPS White in the back! Eddie eggs White on and fans rally up. White sits up, Eddie CLUBS him again! Eddie CHOPS White and White staggers back to a corner! White gets up to ROCK Eddie with a forearm, but Eddie CHOPS him back down! Eddie wants White to fight back and fans fire up. Eddie stands White up to half nelson, but White elbows free!
White kicks Eddie’s leg, and DDT! Eddie writhes to the ropes but White still has to catch his breath. Eddie crawls to a corner, fans rally up, and White goes to the opposite corner. White runs in to UPPERCUT! White then brings Eddie around, CORNER HALF HATCH! White grins now as Eddie writhes. White drags Eddie up again, BLADEBUSTER with some stank! Cover, TWO! Eddie survives but White is annoyed. White kicks at Eddie but Eddie eggs him on. White SLAPS Eddie, but Eddie likes that! Eddie SLAPS back, eggs White on, so White rakes the eyes! The ref reprimands, White stops, and he stalks Eddie.
White stands Eddie up, clinches, but Eddie throws elbows. White throws knees, clinches again, but Eddie fires off BACKHAND after BACKHANDE! Then EXPLODER! Fans fire up with Eddie and he stands White up again, LARIAT! Cover, TWO! White is still in this but Eddie keeps cool. Fans rally up while White crawls. Eddie drags White up, half nelsons, but White fights. Eddie shifts to a waistlock, but White fights that, too. Eddie lets go to CHOP White back down! Eddie wants White to get up, and White sits up, into another CHOP! Fans fire up as White sits up and smiles. Eddie smiles, too, and CHOPS White back down!
White sits up again, lip bleeding, but then he drops back to deny Eddie a chop. But Eddie makes White sit up so he can CHOP him! And then again! And again! Fans fire up as Eddie put his weight behind that one! But White sits up and shakes his head. Eddie gives White junkyard dog headbutts, but White comes back. They stand, Eddie CHOPS White and White flops out of the ring! Fans fire up behind Eddie as White uses the railing to stand. White gets back in the ring, Eddie CHOPS him again! White shakes his head as he staggers about, so Eddie CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! White flops to a corner, the smile gone.
White still shakes his head but Eddie CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! White sits down but the CHOPS keep coming! Eddie wants White to keep fighting, but White is laughing now! White drags himself up again, steps up to Eddie, and Eddie CHOPS again! White somehow stays up on his feet but he’s sputtering again. Eddie CHOPS again, and White leans against him to stay up. Eddie laughs and spins, but White ducks to then hit a COMPLETE SHOT! Both men are down and fans fire up! White crawls to Eddie, drags him up into a waistlock, deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX!! But Eddie stands back up!?
Eddie and White both stagger and stumble, go to opposite corners, but then they run in, White LARIATS Eddie down!! Cover, TWO!! White roars in anger, but he drags Eddie up into the clinch! URENAGE! Cover, TWO!!! Eddie survives and fans are thunderous! White sits Eddie up, finger guns at him, and has the sleeper. But Eddie resists the lift! Eddie powers out to CHOP! White CHOPS! Eddie leans against the corner, White CHOPS again! Too Sweet, CHOP! Eddie takes his straps down and CHOPS back! Fans fire up as both men stagger. White CHOPS, but Eddie CHOPS back! White steadies himself, fans rally up for Eddie, but White CHOPS again!
Eddie clutches his chest, but he CHOPS back again! White falls over! White sits up quick and shakes his head. White CHOPS, Eddie staggers, so White CHOPS again! Eddie roars to CHOP and CHOP! White falls again, Eddie has him in a corner, for MACHINE GUN CHOPS!! Eddie stands White up to CHOP again! White turns things around to MACHINE GUN CHOP!! They go forehead to forehead, Eddie pushes White back to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP!! White rakes Eddie’s eyes! The ref counts, White lets off at 4, but Eddie swings wild! He almost hits the ref! White rushes in, SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEX!!
White slashes his throat, drags Eddie back up, and BLADE- EYES TO THE FACE! Eddie returns the favor, then he pushes the ref away! White LOW BLOWS Eddie!!! Fans boo as White hits BLADERUNNER!!! But Eddie flops outta the ring!! Eddie stays safe and fans are thunderous! White fetches Eddie into the ring, covers, TWO!!! Eddie survives and White argues with the ref! The ref says the count was fair, so White has no choice but to drag Eddie up again. Eddie URAKENS!! Cover, TWO!?!? White survives Eddie’s best shot and no one can believe it! Fans are electric as Eddie sits White up. White pushes Eddie away but Eddie looms over him.
Eddie sits White up again, makes him look up at him, and then offers a fist bump. White looks at the fist, and SPITS at it! So Eddie URAKENS!! AND URAKENS!! White flounders into a corner, somehow stands up, and Eddie shouts at him to fight back. White swings feebly, into a HALF ‘N’ HALF!! White staggers up, into an URAKEN!!! Scoop and NORTHERN LIGHTS DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!??!? White survives and San Jose is in shock! White feebly reaches for Eddie but Eddie drags him up. Eddie says it’s okay, and then scoops again, NORTHERN LIGHTS DRIVER!!! Cover, EDDIE WINS!!!!
Winner: Eddie Kingston, by pinfall (Jay White MUST LEAVE NJPW)
The Mad King has put the last nail in the coffin of King Switch!! White’s era in NJPW is truly over! But as a show of respect, Eddie wants his song to end so that we can all show our appreciation for what White has done. White pushes the ref and the Young Lions away, and fans chant, “Thank You, Jay!” It is sinking in for Jay White that he has lost what little he had left. White stands, fans cheer and then chant, “Too Sweet! WOOP WOOP!” White gets the mic to say- WAIT! DAVID FINLAY!? SHILLELAGH SHOT!!! The Rebel ruins White’s moment!
Finlay grabs the mic to say, “You had this company by the balls, and you let it go? You had this business in the palm of your hand, and you let me take it from you! Do you have any idea how many years I sat backstage and I thought to myself, ‘I would kill for what Jay White has.’ Well, I stopped thinking about it and I decided that I will kill for what Jay White has! Excuse me, had. Jay, now I mean this from the bottom of my heart: F YOUR ERA! And F CALIFORNIA! And Japan, and Ireland, and anywhere else, because no matter where I go, I’m on the outside! In America, I’m Irish. In Ireland, I’m American. And in Japan, I’m a GAIJIN!
“Well quite frankly, it’s BS and I’m sick of it. Because I don’t just wrestle in a country, I wrestle in a BUSINESS!” Fans tell Finlay to STFU but Finlay says no, THEY should STFU. “You wanna call me the gaijin? My people have been here for FOUR GENERATIONS! How long have any of you been in here?! Huh, how long? Tell me, nobody can tell me. FOUR generations. So I’m telling you all in the back right now. California better here me, Japan better here me. If I find any of in between these ropes, you better have my permission to be there. So you, get that piece of sh*t outta here so we can get a nice clean shot of me to finish.”
Finlay says no more waiting, “this business was born from blood and dirt, and there is absolutely no place on earth a savage like me feels more at home!” The Rebel has issued an ultimatum to all of pro-wrestling, will this be Finlay’s era now?
Filthy Rules Fight: Tom Lawlor VS Homicide!
No disqualifications, no count outs, NO ROPES, and that means there’s no holding back on this one! Will this get downright filthy between these two wild warriors?
Lawlor gets the fans fired up as he spins around, and then takes off his sweats! Lawlor puts his ghi aside but the sweats give him some trouble. Fans cheer as they finally come off, and Lawlor then puts on his MMA gloves. The bell rings and Homicide CLOBBERS Lawlor! Cover, TWO! Homicide CLOBBERS Lawlor from behind, covers, TWO! Homicide argues the count but the ref says the count is fair. Homicide cravats but Lawlor pushes him away. With no ropes, Homicide has to jump to the floor! Homicide gets back to the apron, but Lawlor PENALTY KICKS his arm! Lawlor then hops down and grabs a trash can lid! SMACK to Homicide’s head!
Lawlor SMACKS Homicide again! Fans fire up and Lawlor puts the lid aside to go looking under the ring. Lawlor brings the trash can over to SMACK Homicide on the back! Lawlor snapmares Homicide, fans chant, “We Want Tables!” Lawlor runs around the ring to come back and PENALTY KICK! Lawlor fires up and fans fire up, too! Lawlor brings a chair over, and he SMACKS Homicide on the back! Lawlor puts the chair on the floor, fans rally up “TEAM! FIL-THY! “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Lawlor runs down the ramp, but Homicide CHUCKS the chair at him!! Homicide then puts the chair in the ring and drags Lawlor up.
Homicide SMACKS Lawlor with the trash can lid! And then again! Homicide puts the trash can in the ring, too, and he brings Lawlor up. EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Lawlor is still in this but Homicide checks the corner. The turnbuckles are there despite no ropes, so Homicide whips Lawlor into the POST! Lawlor flops down, and Homicide has baking sheets! Homicide SMACKS Lawlor again and again and again, then CLAPS him with both! Homicide stands Lawlor up, Lawlor throws body shots but Homicide knees low. Homicide CLUBS Lawlor, then he hits a DDT! Homicide goes looking again, and he brings out a ladder! Fans like the look of that!
Homicide props the ladder up against the ring, then gets a kendo stick. Homicide SMACKS Lawlor with it, and again! Homicide then goes looking for more, fans want a table but Homicide has FORKS!! Fans are going nuts as Homicide proves they’re metal forks. But Lawlor TACKLES Homicide, ties up the legs, CLOVERLEAF KNEEBAR!! But Homicide stabs at Lawlor’s TOES with the fork!!! Lawlor lets go of Homicide, but stands up into a CUTTER! Cover, TWO! Homicide argues the count but the ref says no, that was still a fair one. Homicide whips but Lawlor reverses and POSTS Homicide! Homicide falls to the floor!
Lawlor leaps off the apron! They crash into the railing! Lawlor stands up and fires up and fans fire up with him. Lawlor puts the ladder all the way in the ring, then grabs a chair. Lawlor SMACKS Homicide in the side, then he fires off haymakers! Lawlor takes off a glove, and he grabs a silver knuckle from the ring kit. Lawlor ROCKS Homicide with the silver knuckles! And again! And again! Homicide staggers away but Lawlor keeps on him! They go back to the ring, and Lawlor stomps Homicide against the post. Lawlor hooks Homicide’s mouth with the turnbuckle!! Fans tell Lawlor he’s sick, but he stands Homicide up.
Lawlor says, “I’m about to act up! Y’all wanna see a Homicide?” Fans fire up and Lawlor runs corner to corner, but Homicide dodges! The punch hits the post!! Homicide CHUCKS another chair into Lawlor’s face!! Lawlor’s hand is busted open but Homicide searches for stuff. He throws out the ropes, and then brings out a WOOD DOOR! Fans thought it was a table but it’s not. The ref reprimands but there’s nothing that can stop this. Homicide hits Lawlor with a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Homicide SMACKS Lawlor with the trash can! Homicide then stands Lawlor up, but Lawlor picks Homicide up, URENAGE on the trash can! Cover, TWO!!
Lawlor keeps his cool as he drags Homicide off the can. Lawlor kicks Homicide down, then goes looking under the ring. Fans still want a table, but Lawlor can’t find one. Fans say, “Use The Door!” so Lawlor gives a thumbs up! He scoops Homicide, but Homicide slips off! Snap suplex! Uno amigo, then another! Dos amigos, and Homicide gets back up. But Lawlor slips around, GERMAN SUPLEX! And another GERMAN SUPLEX! But Homicide fights through to hit another amigo! But Lawlor slips around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Both men are down and fans fire up! Fans chant “USE THE DOOR!” as Homicide clinches.
Lawlor elbows Homicide then ENZIGURIS! V-TRIGGER! Lawlor sits Homicide up and KAMI-GOYES! Then the SLEEPER!! Homicide flails, reaches out, but there are no ropes to use. Fans rally, Homicide fights up and fireman’s carries! Homicide aims, FLYING DEATH VALLEY through the door!!! Fans lose their minds as both men crash down! The ref checks both men in the wreckage, and Homicide sits up first. Homicide puts part of the busted door in the ring, then he brings Lawlor along. Homicide sits Lawlor up but Lawlor throws body shots. Homicide still reels Lawlor in, PILEDRIVER on the door! Cover, TWO!!!
Homicide calls his shot, he turns Lawlor around, but Lawlor slips out of the vertabreaker! Homicide kicks low, reels him back in, but Lawlor fights the lift! He back drops Homicide on the ladder! Homicide writhes, Lawlor gets a chair and CHUCKS it at him! And then runs in, PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO!! Homicide is still in this but Lawlor has the piece of door! He SMACKS Homicide back down!! And then he goes to the ladder! Lawlor stands the ladder up, brings a chair along, and he places the chair on Homicide’s face. Lawlor stands the ladder up, says a quick prayer, then climbs! Fans freak out as Lawlor goes to the very top! FALLING HEADBUTT TO THE CHAIR!!!
Both men writhe and fans lose their minds! Cover, TWO!?!? Homicide survives but Lawlor slashes his throat! Lawlor straitjackets for the NASTY KNEE ON THE BRAIN!! And then REAR NAKED CHOKE!!! Homicide flips Lawlor off, then fades out! Lawlor wins!!!
Winner: Tom Lawlor, by submission
That was brutal, that was nasty, and in the end, it was filthy! Lawlor wins big, will he go from here to grab some gold?
NJPW World Television Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Clark Connors!
The Submission Master is now The Mighty’s Front Man, and he does not kneel. But will he get run over by the Wild Rhino? Or will ZSJ make sure Connors’ 15 minutes of fame are all he gets?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see how long Connors’ scene lasts!
The bell rings, the two circle and feel things out. They knuckle lock, ZSJ kicks free, and he resets with Connors. Fans rally, the two tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, and they end up on ropes. The ref gets in between them but they don’t break. ZSJ and Connors let off cleanly, and Connors pats ZSJ on the shoulders. ZSJ EuroUppers! So Connors EuroUppers! The EuroUppers go back and forth, ZSJ eggs Connors on and Connors CHOPS! And CHOPS! ZSJ uppercuts, Connors uppercuts, and Connors brings ZSJ up. ZSJ headbutts low, headlocks, but Connors powers out. They RAM shoulders, and Connors eggs ZSJ on.
ZSJ runs, they RAM shoulders, and now ZSJ eggs Connors on. Connors runs, but into a BOOT! ZSJ runs, RAMS Connors, but Connors redirects to run ZSJ over! Fans fire up, Connors throws hands and CHOPS! ZSJ ends up in a corner, Connors CHOPS him again! ZSJ falls over, fans fire up with Connors, but ZSJ says that’s weak stuff. ZSJ gets up, shoulder bumps Connors, then eggs him on. Connors CHOPS him off his feet! Fans fire up and ZSJ sits up, nodding. He admits, that was good. Connors eggs ZSJ on, “C’mon, mate!” ZSJ EuroUppers! Connors CHOPS! ZSJ goes to ropes, Connors whips but ZSJ catches him, spins him, and gets a COBRA TWIST!
Fans fire up for that great exchange, but then Connors hip tosses out! Connors brings ZSJ up but ZSJ snapmares and NECK TWISTS! ZSJ flexes, sits on Connors and keeps the neck lock. ZSJ pats Connors on the stomach but lets off. Connors goes to ropes and fans rally up. ZSJ stands Connors up, trips him, and then stands on one leg as he twists the other! Connors endures as ZSJ tweaks and yanks on the ankle! ZSJ then steps through, SMASHES the other leg, and SMASHES it again! ZSJ then shifts again, Deathlock and some hair pulling, but into a BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Connors reaches out, ROPEBREAK, and ZSJ lets go quickly.
Connors goes to the corner while fans cheer ZSJ. ZSJ walks up to Connors, gives him toying kicks, then tells off the fans. ZSJ kicks and kicks and kicks, but Connors stands to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! ZSJ KICKS Connors down! Fans rally and we’re past five minutes. ZSJ bends fingers and twists the wrist! Connors has the ROPEBREAK, but ZSJ lets off with a stomp. ZSJ shouts at the San Jose fans, then stands Connors up to wrench and wristlock. ZSJ flexes, twists the wrist, but Connors throws body shots! ZSJ hits an ELBOW BREAKER, runs, but Connors ducks ‘n’ runs to POUNCE! ZSJ ends up in a corner and fans fire up!
Connors is in the opposite corner and fans rally up. ZSJ and Connors drag themselves up, Connors runs in to ELBOW! Connors whips corner to corner, runs in and RAMS into ZSJ! But ZSJ facelocks for a GUILLOTINE, but Connors RAMS ZSJ back in! Connors whips ZSJ, ZSJ comes back, FLYING GUILLOTINE! Connors stays up while ZSJ has the body scissors, and Connors powers up and out with a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Fans fire up, Connors runs to BOOT ZSJ down! Stacked cover, TWO!! ZSJ escapes after being folded up and Connors grows frustrated. Fans rally, Connors brings ZSJ up, but ZSJ blocks the suplex!
Connors keeps trying but ZSJ fights the suplex to then WRING the bad arm! ZSJ tells fans to shut up about PG, they should just go watch “the other show.” ZSJ kicks Connors around but Connors snarls. Connors ROCKS ZSJ, but that’s his bad arm! ZSJ eggs Connors on, so Connors ROCKS ZSJ with the other arm! ZSJ EuroUppers! Connors comes back to ROCK ZSJ again! ZSJ EuroUppers again! Connors ROCKS ZSJ, ZSJ wants the left! So Connors ROCKS him with the left! Connors swings again, but ZSJ blocks to PELE the arm! ZSJ full nelsons, Connors breaks it, but ZSJ GERMAN SUPLEXES!
Connors stands!? ZSJ BOOTS, but Connors rebounds to CLOBBER ZSJ! Connors snap suplexes ZSJ down! Cover, TWO! Connors is frustrated but the fans rally as he aims from the corner. Connors runs in, into a KNEE! He comes back, but ZSJ sprawls the Spear! FUJIWARA, to JIM BREAKS ARMBAR! And then a RINGS OF SATURN variation! But Connors endures, sits up, but gets caught into a TESCO MEAL DEAL WITH A SIDE OF CRAB!! Connors fights, rolls, but into a HALF CRAB!! But Connors still gets the ROPEBREAK! And we’re at ten minutes now! Time is not on Connors’ side and ZSJ revels in it.
ZSJ talks trash on the fans, runs in at Connors, PENALTY- NO! Connors blocks the kick! Connors stands, ZSJ SLAPS him! And SLAPS! Connors eggs him on, ZSJ SLAPS more, but Connors HEADBUTTS! Connors swings, into a SNAP DRAGON! Bridging cover, TWO!!! Connors survives and ZSJ is frustrated. Connors sits up, into a PENALTY KICK! And then another KICK! And another KICK! Connors eggs ZSJ on so ZSJ PENALTY KICKS! ZSJ runs, into a SPEAR!! Connors fires up, whips ZSJ, POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! Connors snarls, he brings ZSJ up but ZSJ plays dead. ZSJ then bends the fingers!
Three minutes left, ZSJ SLAPS Connors! ZSJ eggs Connors on, Connors CHOPS, but ZSJ blocks to UPPERCUT the arm! Connors CHOPS again! ZSJ falls over and fans fire up with Connors! Connors runs in, but into an UPPERCUT! Connors comes back, he catches ZSJ to a backslide! TWO!!! Connors hurries to haul ZSJ up, POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! Fans fire up as we reach the two minute warning! Connors stands ZSJ up, waistlocks, but ZSJ standing switches. ZSJ trips Connors, body scissors and rolls, JAPAN- NO, Connors grabs ZSJ for a REAR NAKED CHOKE!! ZSJ is turning red already as he fights up!
Connors squeezes tight, ZSJ stands, but ZSJ is fading! Connors hauls ZSJ up, TROPHY- NO, TRIANGLE HOLD! But Connors rolls through, OH MY GAH ANKLE!! ZSJ stands but Connors TWISTS! ZSJ turns, drags Connors down, DISARMER!! Connors taps, ZSJ wins!!
Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by submission (still NJPW World TV Champion)
With one minute remaining on the clock, ZSJ snatches victory from the jaws of defeat! Will The Front Man’s TV time ever run out? But wait, as ZSJ goes up the ramp, Kevin Knight is there to meet him, and it’s clear he wants next. ZSJ asks San Jose, “What do you morons think?” ZSJ tells Knight he’ll think about it, but Knight says it’s only a matter of time.
IWGP Women’s Championship: KAIRI VS Mercedes Moné!
The Pirate Princess and The Boss–or, CEO now–have met before when they were both in the WWE. But this is a different time and place. Will that mean it will be a different result between them? Or will history repeat itself and prove Moné is money?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is the captain of this ship!
The bell rings and fans already chant “This is Awesome!” Fans then chant for “MER-CE-DES! MER-CE-DES!” Mercedes and Kairi circle, and then fans chant for “KAI-RI! KAI-RI!” Mercedes is a little annoyed, but she and Kairi tie up. They go around, end up in a corner, and Mercedes has Kairi in a corner. The ref counts, Mercedes lets off, and then allows Kairi to come back. The two circle again, tie up again, and go around. Mercedes wrenches to wristlock, but Kairi wrenches back. Kairi hammerlocks, Mercedes reaches back to headlock. Kairi throws body shots, powers up and out, but Sasha springboards to arm-drag, roll through, BANK STATEMENT!
Kairi moves around, slips free, and the two stand off. Mercedes lets Kairi know it was that close, but applauds Kairi’s escape. They reset, feel things out, and fans rally for both. Kairi and Mercedes knuckle lock, go shoulder to shoulder in a Test of Strength, and they each hook with their heads to look for leverage. Kairi powers Mercedes back but Mercedes bridges. Mercedes then powers up to push Kairi back, but Kairi bridges! Fans fire up as Kairi then powers up, but Mercedes BOOTS and headlocks! Kairi throws body shots, powers out, and then follows to rebound and RANA! Fans fire up as Kairi SHOTGUNS Mercedes out of the ring!
Mercedes stands up, Kairi goes to the apron, and fans fire up as she FLYING KABUKI ELBOWS! Kairi fires up and fans are with her as she goes back to the apron. The ring count starts, Kairi drags Mercedes up and puts her in, then brings Mercedes up. Kairi CHOPS! Fans fire up while Mercedes is stinging! Kairi stands Mercedes up again, to CHOP her again! Kairi runs in but Mercedes dodges to CHOP, CHOP and CHOP away with both hands! Mercedes stands Kairi up, knuckle locks and goes up and up and FLYING ARM-DRAGS! Kairi tumbles all the way to the other corner, Mercedes runs in to DOUBLE KNEE! Cover, TWO!
Mercedes knuckle locks and wrenches while fans duel. Mercedes goes up and up but Kairi trips her! Kairi CLUBS and SLAPS Mercedes into the Tree of Woe, and then she stomps her more! Kairi climbs up, but Mercedes sits up to throw hands! Mercedes gets free, and STEP-UP KNEES Kairi down! Kairi is on the apron, Mercedes stands her up and POSTS her! Then she goes to the other side to HOTSHOT Kairi down! Fans fire up again as Mercedes stalks Kairi. Mercedes brings her up, SLAMS her hand on the apron, and then brings her to a corner. Mercedes YANKS Kairi into the post! Mercedes drags Kairi up, puts Kairi in the ring, covers, TWO!
Mercedes looms over Kairi, kicks her around, and talks some smack. Fans are torn, but then Mercedes SLAPS Kairi down! Mercedes stands on Kairi while motioning she’ll be wearing the belt. But Kairi fires forearms in return! Kairi whips, Mercedes reverses and spins Kairi, DDT! Cover, TWO! But Mercedes has the arm for a top wristlock! Fans rally as Kairi endures, and Kairi kicks her way around. Kairi fights up, rolls Mercedes up, TWO! Mercedes CLOBBERS Kairi! Cover, TWO! Mercedes sighs, and she takes off a leg warmer to SLAP Kairi with it! The ref reprimands but that’s not illegal.
Mercedes CHOKES Kairi on the ropes, lets off, then CHOKES her again! Mercedes STANDS on Kairi, but lets off as the ref counts. Kairi gets out to the railing but Mercedes goes out after her. Mercedes puts Kairi right back in, wrenches and hits an ARM BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Mercedes grows frustrated but she cools herself off. Mercedes drags Kairi up and brings her to a corner. Mercedes scoops Kairi to put her in a Tree of Woe, digs her boot in, then wraps Kairi’s arms around ropes! Mercedes pulls Kairi’s arms while digging her boots in! Then she kicks away on Kairi! The ref counts, Mercedes lets off with a BOOT!
Kairi flops out of the Tree, Mercedes brings her out of the ring. Mercedes has Kairi at the corner, but Kairi blocks the yank to YANK Mercedes into the post! Fans rally as Kairi fires up! Kairi stands Mercedes up, whips her into a POST! Mercedes goes tumbling away and fans fire up with Kairi! Kairi wants one more, she whips Mercedes but Mercedes reverses! Kairi hits POST! Both women are down, the ring count is 10 of 20! They stir at 12, fans rally up, and both women drag themselves up at 15! They stagger, Kairi and Mercedes slide in at 19!! Fans fire up, Kairi runs in but into a takedown! Mercedes STOMPS the bad arm!
Mercedes looms over Kairi, drags her up, and back suplexes, just to stick Kairi on the corner. Mercedes CLUBS away on Kairi’s back, then climbs up behind her. Fans rally and duel as Mercedes goes to the very top! But Kairi trips Mercedes up! Now Mercedes is in the Tree! Kairi turns around, for WOE STOMPS!! Fans fire up as Kairi roars! Kairi grits her teeth while Mercedes slowly sits up. Mercedes drags herself up in the corner, she storms up on Kairi but Kairi blocks the kick! Kairi throws Mercedes down, runs, and hits the BLOCKBUSTER! Mercedes stands again, INTERCEPTOR! Kairi is fired up and the fans are thunderous!
Mercedes is in another corner, and Kairi beats the mat. Fans clap along and Kairi stomps around. Time to walk the plank! SLIDING D! Fans fire up again as Kairi climbs up! FLYING KABUKI ELBOW! Cover, TWO! But Kairi snapmares Mercedes, wraps on headscissors, and she adds an arm, it’s a modified TRIANGLE HOLD! Fans are dueling as Mercedes endures! Mercedes rolls and reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Kairi lets go in frustration but she goes to the apron. Kairi drags Mercedes up, Alabama Lifts, but Mercedes fights free! Mercedes reels Kairi in but Kairi tries another Alabama! Mercedes fights free again and KNEES Kairi down!
Mercedes METEORAS Kairi to the floor!! Fans fire up again and Mercedes drags Kairi up into the ring. Mercedes goes up the corner now, and she METEORAS again!! Cover, TWO!!! Kairi survives and Mercedes is shrieking! Mercedes argues with the ref but that was a fair count! Mercedes takes off the bodice and her leg warmer, she vows to finish this! Mercedes drags Kairi up, wraps on the chinlock, but Kairi drops down to victory roll! TWO!! Mercedes has the roll, TWO!! Kairi swings, but into a SHOTGUN from Mercedes! That did damage to both of them, but they both get up! Kairi swings but Mercedes ducks the backhand! STUNNER!! And then victory roll! TWO!!
Mercedes runs, but Kairi ducks the Meteora to roll her back! ANCHOR HOLD!!! Kairi sits back deep but Mercedes claws her way towards ropes! Fans rally and duel, Mercedes reaches, but Kairi drags her away! Kairi wraps the ANCHOR HOLD on tighter!!! But Mercedes pulls hair! BACKSLIDE, TWO!!! INTO THE BANK STATEMENT!!! Kairi flails, endures, but she can’t see where she is! Kairi kicks around, feels her way, ROPEBREAK!! Mercedes lets go in frustration and San Jose is thunderous! They declare “This is Wrestling!” as Mercedes drags Kairi up. Mercedes CLUBS away on Kairi’s shoulder, then runs, but into the CUTLASS URAKEN!! Cover, TWO!?!?
Kairi is furious but the fans fire up with her! Kairi vows to end this and she drags Mercedes up. Alabama Lift, for the ALABAMA SLAMA!! Kairi then prepares her elbow, but Mercedes grabs a leg with legs! Kairi stomps away on Mercedes but Mercedes gets to the apron. Kairi brings Mercedes into the ropes to CLUB and AX KICK! Mercedes is stuck, Kairi runs, but Mercedes gets free! BAYLEY2BELLY!!! Cover, TWO!!!! Mercedes’ shoutout to her best frenemy and San Jose’s own doesn’t finish it! Mercedes is beside herself, but she drags Kairi back up. Facelock, snap suplex! Una Amiga! Another snap suplex, Dos Amigas!
Mercedes has Kairi up again, gives us some Latina Heat, but Kairi SATELLITE DDTS the third Amiga!!! Both women are down again and fans again say, “This is Awesome!” Mercedes and Kairi crawl to each other, both shaking their heads. The forearms start flying back and forth, then Mercedes SLAPS! Kairi SLAPS, Mercedes returns to forearms! They stand, Kairi pulls hair but Mercedes gets free. Kairi kicks low, URAKEN into the ref! The CEO used the ref as a shield and the ref takes the Cutlass! Mercedes smirks while Kairi checks on the ref. Kairi says Mercedes did that on purpose! Mercedes defends her innocence, but Kairi fires off!
Mercedes runs to the ramp but Kairi is after her! Kairi brings Mercedes up the ramp, CLUBS away on her back and shoulders, then AX KICKS her down! Kairi kicks Mercedes off the ramp! Fans fire up and Kairi goes to the stage. Kairi builds speed and FLIES! But Mercedes catches her! To SMACK her off the stage, and BOOT her down! Fans fire up as Mercedes goes looking under the stage, to bring out a TABLE!!! San Jose’s been hungry for this all night, so Mercedes sets the table! Mercedes drags Kairi up, aiming from the stage. But Kairi fights the suplex, slips under, and gets Mercedes in position, POWERBOMB through the table!!!
San Jose loses their minds and Kairi throws Mercedes’ money all over her! Kairi then drags Mercedes from the wreckage and brings her back to ringside. Kairi puts Mercedes in, climbs the corner, and Kairi prepares that elbow! In-SANE- BOOTS?!?! Mercedes kicks Kairi out of the air and fans lose their minds again! Kairi is down in the drop zone now, and Mercedes drags herself over to the other corner! Mercedes climbs, for a FROG SPLASH onto knees!! Kairi returns the favor, then rushes in, to steal the BANK STATEMENT!!! Kairi is focusing purely on the facelock but that allows Mercedes to crawl! Mercedes BITES the hands!!
Kairi lets Mercedes go but both women are down from exhaustion! Fans are thunderous again as they both sit up, back to back. They hook arms, roll around, stand up, and Mercedes Gory Especials, to the MONEY MAKER!!! Cover, MERCEDES WINS!!!
Winner: Mercedes Moné, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Women’s Champion)
There can only be one inaugural champion, but there can also only be one second champion! The CEO dethrones the Pirate Princess, and she is the captain now! Mercedes makes money and she makes history, adding this title to her already WWE Grand Slam and Hall of Fame worthy career. Will she continue to make history and set records with this belt?
Mercedes does show respect to Kairi by offering a handshake, and Kairi stands to accept it. Then they hug! Fans cheer the sportsmanship, is this just the beginning of a rivalry that will define this title?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS Hiroshi Tanahashi!
The Rainmaker’s New Beginning was just the start of a new chapter, as he slayed the Rampaging Dragon to stay on top of the mountain. However, he wanted to up the ante on himself, so he challenged The Ace to this Battle in the Valley! Tanahashi obliged, and promised to return the favor from that “Rainmaker shock” way back when. Will Okada feel an “Ace Shock” here tonight? Or will he make it rain even in the USA?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly the best in NJPW!
Fans cheer as Tanahashi takes off the jacket to show off the abs. The bell rings and fans fire up as the two stare down. Fans lose their minds already, and the two icons circle. Okada and Tanahashi feel things out, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Okada gets around but Tanahashi switches. Okada wrenches out but Tanahashi wrenches back. Okada rolls, trips Tanahashi and has the toehold. Fans applaud this opening exchange, but Tanahashi half nelsons to then get the arm. Okada clasps hands to resist, and he stacks Tanahashi, ONE! They stand off and the fans applaud. Okada backs off and the two circle again.
They tie up again, Okada powers Tanahashi back to ropes, but the ref counts the ropebreak. Fans duel, “TA-NA-HA-SHI!” “O-KA-DA!” Okada lets off, fakes the chop, and he pats Tanahashi on the shoulders. Tanahashi storms up but Okada kicks low. Okada headlocks, Tanahashi powers out but Okada runs him over! Fans cheer, things speed up, and Tanahashi arm-drags! Fans cheer again as Tanahashi has the armlock. Okada endures, fights up, but Tanahashi wrenches the arm. Tanahashi throws a body shot, whips, but Okada reverses. Okada runs in but into an elbow! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! Fans fire up for the air guitar!
Okada crawls to the corner, Tanahashi runs in, but Okada dodges the splash! Okada hauls Tanahashi up top, to DROPKICK Tanahashi down! Tanahashi hits the floor and fans fire up! The ref checks Tanahashi but he’s okay to continue. Okada goes out after Tanahashi, and RAMS him into railing! Fans fire up while Okada backs off and the ref checks Tanahashi again. Tanahashi is still okay to continue so Okada drags him up. Okada brings Tanahashi around to RAM him into the apron! The ring count starts, Okada brings Tanahashi to the ramp but Tanahashi throws body shots! Okada kicks low, DDT to the ramp!
Okada stands back up as the count reaches 9 of 20. Okada drags Tanahashi up at 12, brings him around, and puts him in at 13. Fans rally as Okada looms over Tanahashi. Okada bumps Tanahashi off buckles, throws back elbows, then lets off. Okada brings Tanahashi out, and DDTs! Cover, TWO! Fans rally while Tanahashi clutches his neck. Okada hears fans chant “GO ACE! GO ACE!” and Tanahashi stands up. Tanahashi throws forearms but Okada eggs him on. Tanahashi throws another forearm, but Okada kicks low and turns Tanahashi for a NECKBREAKER! Okada has a cocky cover but the ref won’t count that.
Fans boo Okada being so smug, but Okada paces around Tanahashi. Tanahashi stands and Okada eggs him on. Tanahashi throws more forearms but Okada eggs him on more! Tanahashi throws another forearm, but Okada ROCKS him with one! Okada wrenches Tanahashi’s arm and whips him corner to corner! Okada runs in, but into BOOTS! Tanahashi fires up to fire off forearms on Okada! Okada UPPERCUTS back! Okada whips, Tanahashi comes back with a FLYING FOREARM! Fans fire up with The Ace and he waits on Okada. Okada stands, Tanahashi fires off his strike fest! Then a scoop and SLAM into the drop zone!
Tanahashi goes up the corner, fans fire up, SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Okada is still in this but Tanahashi keeps his cool. Tanahashi waits on Okada to stand, and Tanahashi runs, to dropkick the leg out! Tanahashi keeps moving, he blocks a boot! Fans duel but Tanahashi hits a DRAGON SCREW! Okada flops out of the ring and Tanahashi pounds the mat. Fans rally behind that and Tanahashi goes to the corner. Tanahashi climbs, Okada stands, ACES HIGH!! Direct hit and fans fire up again! A ring count starts with both men down. The count reaches 5 of 20 before Tanahashi stands.
Tanahashi hobbles over, he drags Okada up at 8, and he puts Okada in at 9. Fans fire up with Tanahashi and he waits on Okada to stand. Tanahashi runs, but Okada FLAP- NO, Tanahashi fights that off! Tanahashi whips, Okada reverses and FLAPJACKS after all! Both men are down again but fans fire back up. Tanahashi and Okada go to opposite corners as the fans rally. Okada glares at Tanahashi, but Tanahashi glares back. They both run in, and Tanahashi dropkicks the legs out! Okada clutches his knee, Tanahashi runs back in at the corner, but Okada pops him up! Alabama Lift, REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!
Okada is frustrated but he drags Tanahashi up. Okada scoops, SLAMS, then goes to the corner. Per the formula, Okada climbs up for the MACHO ELBOW! Okada overshoots just a bit, but he still gives us the Rainmaker Pose! Fans fire up and Okada brings Tanahashi up! But Tanahashi fights the wristlock! Tanahashi swings, into the MONEY CLIP!! Tanahashi endures, fans rally up, but Okada squeezes tighter! Tanahashi fights his way around, reaches out, but Okada brings him from ropes, into a BACK2BACKBREAKER! And then MONEY CLIP!! Okada has Tanahashi stuck on the mat but Tanahashi still endures!
Fans rally with “LET’S GO, ACE!” and Tanahashi fights his way over, ROPEBREAK! Okada lets go in frustration but fans applaud. Tanahashi sputters but Okada drags him up. Okada has the wrist, he brings Tanahashi around, but Tanahashi catches the short arm lariat! Full nelson, but Okada breaks free! Only for Tanahashi to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Okada escapes but Tanahashi just fires up again! Tanahashi waits on Okada to stand, then he runs, but Okada scoops! Tanahashi fights free, and SLINGBLADES! Cover, TWO! Okada survives but Tanahashi goes right up the corner! HIGH FLY FLOW to Okada’s back!
Tanahashi goes back up and fans fire back up! HIGH FLY FLOW but onto knees! Okada saves himself but it was double-edged given the damage Tanahashi’s done to those legs! Fans rally up again as both men are down. Tanahashi and Okada both rise slowly and they crawl to each other. Tanahashi throws a forearm, but Okada throws one back! Fans duel as Tanahashi throws another forearm, and Okada throws it back! Tanahashi throws a shot, Okada returns it! Tanahashi stands and eggs Okada on! Fans fire up, Okada stands, and Tanahashi gives yet another forearm! Okada comes back to return that forearm!
Tanahashi hits, Okada hits, repeat! They pick up speed, then Okada wobbles! Fans fire up while the ref checks. Okada returns to throw a forearm! Tanahashi gives it back, and they go back and forth again! Okada uppercuts, but Tanahashi fires a strike fest! Fans fire up, as does Tanahashi, but Okada SHOTGUNS Tanahashi down! Okada staggers over, drags her up, but Tanahashi DRAGON PALMS! Tanahashi runs, into the DROPKICK! Okada roars, fans fire up again, and Okada brings Tanahashi up. Gut wrench, for the LANDSLIDE! Fans fire up again and Okada has Tanahashi in the wristlock! Ripcord, but Tanahashi kicks the bad leg!
Okada still has the wrist, and he shakes his head! But DRAGON PALM catches him first! But Okada still holds the wrist! Fans rally up, Okada swings, into a SLINGBLADE! Tanahashi roars and fans roar with him! Tanahashi goes back up top, and he waits on Okada to stand. HIGH FLY ATTACK into a DROPKICK!?! Okada shoots Tanahashi out of the sky! Now fans roar with Okada, and he ripcords! RAIN- CRADLE!!! TWO!?!?!? Okada escapes by nanoseconds! Tanahashi runs in, into a scoop! Tanahashi slips out, full nelsons, but Okada switches, ripcord, ENZIGURI! And then gut wrench, COBRA FLOWSION!!
Okada fires up, he stands Tanahashi back up, ripcord, RAINMAKER!!! Cover, Okada wins!!
Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
This may not have been a shocker, but it was still another instant classic between NJPW’s very best! Was this truly the last shot for the Once in a Century Talent? Or can he fight his way back before the end?
As for Okada, he puts on the belt and gets the mic as fans chant his name. Okada says, “SAN JOSEEE~! How was NJPW tonight?” Fans cheer because they loved it! Okada says, “This is pro-wrestling. THIS IS NJPW!” Fans cheer that! “Thank you for your support. Tanahashi-san, we showed what NJPW is! Thank you, Tanahashi-san, arigato gozaimashita.” Fans cheer the sportsmanship, and Okada continues to say, “Tanahashi-san, let’s bring back our dream tag team. Let’s become IWGP Tag Team Champions!” Fans fire up for that! “Let’s make it rain. Let’s make it…” RAIN!” “Let’s make it!” “RAIN!!” Okada fires up hearing that.
Okada also says this is great stuff, this was awesome, and thanks San Jose for this. “See you next time. And when I return as IWGP Tag Team AND World Heavyweight Champion in San Jose, I will make it rain~!” WAIT! Mercedes makes her way back out! Her match counted as a co-main-event, so she wants to stand side by side with the world champion! Okada gets groovy with her theme, and both top champs hold up their titles! Mercedes gets the mic and thanks San Jose “from the bottom of my heart. NJPW, Stardom, you made my dream come true tonight.
“Now, I heard in the back, Okada, you have a dream team in mind. But me and you have a lot in common, so I think this is the true dream team.” Fans like the sound of that, too. Mercedes says, “I know you like to make it rain, but I like to make money. So what do you say? Is it time to make that money?” Could the top two champs in NJPW find a way to make it rain together?
My Thoughts:
An awesome event for NJPW in the states to bring about big stuff from both main stories in Japan and the big stories from NJPW Strong. Great title match from Rosser VS Kenta, but I did not expect Juice to show up and screw Rosser over. Granted, Bullet Club of course helps out Bullet Club (and I’m sure there’s story there from NJPW Strong I don’t know about since I don’t cover NJPW Strong), but Kenta getting this title is a big move. Kenta will basically be running NJPW Strong now with the stateside Bullet Club members, and that makes sense given the shocker in White VS Kingston. White VS Kingston was an awesome match, but I did not think White was going to lose a match that would exile him from the entirety of NJPW.
Now, White’s NJPW contract is said to be up soon, so it seems he’s not even gonna serve it out on NJPW Strong. White has plenty of options, from the companies NJPW works with in Impact and AEW, to even going all the way to the WWE. As exciting as the latter is, I feel like White will try and make it work in the other companies first. He’s done plenty in Impact, and done a bit in AEW per the Forbidden Door crossover, he could easily continue those stories in full. And on top of that, I did not expect David Finlay of all people to go after White and use that for a Heel turn. I suppose they could use that story in Impact if Finlay still dabbles over there, because this seemed like such a big moment for them both to let it be something that never gets resolved.
As for if White were to actually go to the WWE, I would think he goes straight to the main roster, and he could even join up with Judgment Day. It’d play on the NJPW kayfabe that Finn Balor gave him the nod when it came to White joining and taking over Bullet Club. Then you can have a lot of fun, whether it’s White making Judgment Day even stronger, to usurping it from Finn like Finn did Edge. The betrayal would even fit White’s MO, as he rejected Kenny Omega’s Bullet Club to then betray Chaos and go Bullet Club after all. It may not be the Switchblade Era, but the wrestling world is White’s oyster.
Great tag match from MCMG VS WCWC, in which Royce & Jorel looked strong even in defeat. I’m not as familiar with MCMG’s story in Impact, but I don’t know the likelihood of MCMG losing either set of belts just yet. Everyone agrees they’re a great tag team, I wonder if they try to get in on AEW stories in the same way FTR was getting in on NJPW stories. Then we got some really wild stuff out of the Filthy Rules Fight, and I certainly didn’t think we’d see a door used in place of a table. Lawlor winning makes sense, given what was mentioned about Homicide tearing through Team Filthy. Lawlor shows why he’s leader of Team Filthy, and could be headed for a title after this win.
And then we got great title matches to finish this off. The NJPW World TV title’s 15 minute time limit continues to be a great driving force in the pace and the choreography of these matches, and Connors looks great even in defeat. Kevin Knight stepping up was a nice touch after his team won earlier tonight. NJPW executives themselves said this title was to elevate the younger generation in the roster, so we’re seeing a lot of Young Lion graduates truly getting their 15 minutes of fame.
Kairi VS Mercedes put on an amazing match for the Women’s Championship, and again, I did not see a table spot coming. I do feel bad for Kairi losing, as she only had that title for 90 days with one successful defense. Granted, Kairi fought through the tournament to be crowned champion, but her defense at WrestleKingdom was the shortest match on the card by far. Mercedes is great, but I think this move was mostly for buzz, though Mercedes can obviously connect with the American audience on the fact she speaks English fluently. Okada VS Tanahashi was also awesome, but it was a foregone conclusion Okada would win.
What is truly intriguing is that Okada wants to try that dream team stuff again, and must now target his own Chaos teammates, Goto & Hashi, if he wants to be a double champion. I’m not saying Okada will go Heel, despite some of the meaner tactics he’s been taking lately, but Goto & Hashi are gonna feel some kinda way about this news. And Mercedes standing beside Okada did make for a great photo op, but also her teasing some kind of Mixed Tag run is fun. NJPW works together with AAA and AEW, the current AAA Mixed Tag Team Champions are AEW’s Sammy Guevara & Tay Melo, and I would love to see that feud just for the promos out of Mercedes and Tay. NJPW is definitely positioning itself to have the most buzz in 2023, and is gonna bring its friends along with it.
My Score: 9/10
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Once more around the round robin!
Best of the Super Juniors returns, yet Douki chooses not to compete! Who proves they’re “second best” to the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: Taiji Ishimori VS Jakob Austin Young; Taiji wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: SHO VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Daiki Nagai; Taguchi wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: YOH VS Hyo; Hyo wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Robbie X VS Nick Wayne; Nick wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: KUSHIDA VS Robbie Eagles; Kushida wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Master Wato VS Titan; Titan wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: El Desperado VS Daisuke Sasaki; Daisuke wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Francesco Akira; Fujita wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: Taiji Ishimori VS Jakob Austin Young!
The Bone Soldier and #DangerousJAY get to set the tone for the first round with this opening match. Will Taiji be victorious #ByGrace? Or will he fall off Jakob’s Ladder?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. The two tie up, Jakob headlocks, but Taiji puts him on ropes. The ref counts, Taiji backs off, and the fans cheer the clean break. Taiji and Jakob go again, feel things out, then clinch. Jakob puts Taiji on the ropes, the ref calls the break, but Jakob gives a quick body jab. The fans boo but Jakob tells them to shut up. The two circle again, tie up, and Jakob headlocks. Taiji powers up and out but Jakob RUNS him over! Things keep moving, Taiji drops down, hurdles over, but Jakob waistlocks. Taiji fires elbows, then runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and RANAS! Jakob tumbles, Taiji DROPKICKS him out!
The fans fire up as Taiji builds speed, but he tiger feints as Jakob moves! The fans cheer again, and then Taiji PLANCHAS! Down goes Jakob and the fans fire up again! Taiji goes back for Jakob, puts him in the ring, then covers, TWO! Jakob is tougher than that but Taiji stays close. Taiji cravats to snapmare Jakob, then NECK TWIST! Jakob writhes but the fans applaud, and Taiji stalks Jakob. Taiji CLUBS Jakob, ROCKS him with a right, but the ref reprimands about closed fists. Taiji wrenches and whips Jakob to a corner, then runs up, but Jakob puts Taiji on the apron. Jakob RAMS low, then pulls Taiji through the ropes, NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT!
The fans applaud Jakob’s creativity while Taiji slumps down. Jakob builds speed to WRECK Taiji with a dropkick! Jakob says crowns up, then he fetches Taiji. Jakob SMACKS Taiji off the apron, the ref reprimands, but Jakob puts Taiji in the ring. Jakob mocks the fans applauding, then slides into the ring. Cover, TWO! Jakob stomps Taiji while he argues the count. Jakob taunts Taiji, pats him on the head, but Taiji fires CHOPS! Jakob eggs Taiji on so Taiji CHOPS again! Jakob felt that one, but he dodges the lariat to wrench and spin Taiji around, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Taiji survives.
Jakob stands Taiji up, suplexes, but Taiji slips free. Taiji ducks a shot to then CLAW the eyes! Taiji whips, Jakob reverses, but Taiji handsprings, NEURALIZER KICK! Down goes Jakob and the fans applaud. Taiji and Jakob rise, Taiji runs in at the corner, and he DOUBLE KNEES! Then Taiji fireman’s carries, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Basement SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Taiji waits on Jakob while we pass five minutes. Jakob rises, Taiji runs up, LA MYST- NO, Jakob blocks to THROW Taiji down! Then dragon sleeper for the SAVING GRACE! Cover, TWO! Taiji survives and the fans fire up again!
Jakob frowns as he storms back over to Taiji. Jakob grabs the legs, steps through, but Taiji kicks and kicks. Taiji kicks free, but Jakob SLIDING KNEES! Cover, TWO! Jakob argues with the ref again but the ref defends his count. Taiji stirs but Jakob brings him up. Jakob cravats, goes to the corner, but Taiji slips free! BUCKLE SHOT! The fans cheer while Jakob sputters in the corner. Taiji rises again, and the fans rally as he brings Jakob up. Taiji whips but Jakob blocks! Taiji wrenches the arm to YANK it! Jakob falls to his knees but Taiji stands him up. Hammerlock, scoop, and SHOULDER BUSTER! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Jakob survives.
Taiji stays focused and he brings Jakob up. Taiji ripcords, LA MYSTI- NO, Jakob slips free! Jakob CHOPS, Taiji CHOPS, but Jakob ROCKS Taiji with a forearm! Jakob runs, but Taiji is up to JUMP KNEE! The fans fire up again and Taiji calls his shot! Taiji hauls Jakob up, gut wrenches, and CIPHER UT- NO, Jakob catches it to a cover, TWO! Taiji victory rolls, TWO! Taiji ducks ‘n’ dodges, LA MYSTICA! BONE LOCK!! Jakob flails, reaches out, but Taiji rolls him to center! Jakob TAPS, Taiji wins!
Winner: Taiji Ishimori, by submission (gains 2 points; Jakob earns 0)
The tone is set, and it is Unbound! Will that be exactly how Taiji’s run goes? Or will he still fall short of his first BOSJ trophy?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: SHO VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
Wait, wait, wait. Douki choosing to stay out of this tournament is one thing, but the Murder Machine and Heel Master facing each other in the first round? Well, the fix is in already, but who will help the other get an easy win?
Well, since they’re both House of Torture, no one attacks the other. And it seems they’re both out here alone, if only for now. Wait, Sho grabs the mic. “This is a battle of two of the absolute best Junior Heavyweights. And it is a disgrace that this incredible match is only second on the card. The power balance of this division is so screwed up. But to make sure this makes everyone regrets this, Kanemaru-san, you and I are gonna have the best match of this entire tournament! And we know we’re not coming out of this unscathed. This will be a Match of the Year contender!
“And all these country bumpkins in Tokyo will see the best match of their entire lives, even though they don’t deserve it! This should be in the Tokyo Dome with a minimum buy-in of 100 MILLION Yen! Kanemaru-san, I don’t want to hurt you. But let’s have a great match, and as your kouhai, you’ll do me a solid and lie down.” Kanemaru agrees to a fair match, the two “put one out” together, and then the bell rings. Kanemaru already lies down!? Finger Poke of Doom 2026! Sho applauds, the fans clap along, and Kanemaru snatches Sho into the victory roll! TWO!! Kanemaru bails out and Sho is upset! Kanemaru argues the count while the fans laugh at Sho!
Sho is upset, he raises the ref’s hand, then he grabs Kanemaru’s bottle of whiskey! The ref and Sho fight over the bottle, but Kanemaru slithers in, and he’s holding Sho’s wrench! Kanemaru sneaks the Torture Tool into Sho’s waistband, and then shoves him around. The ref sees the wrench in Sho’s pants! Now they argue over the wrench! Kanemaru rolls Sho up, TWO! Headlock takeover, TWO! Trip and jackknife bridge, TWO!! The fans cheer Kanemaru for how close he got! Sho is still beside himself but Kanemaru bails out. Kanemaru goes around the outside, Sho chases him and says how dare he mess around!
Sho round the corner, Kanemaru dropkicks the legs out! Kanemaru SMASHES the leg off the floor! Then FIGURE FOUR! The fans cheer but a ring count climbs! Sho flails, reaches out, but Kanemaru holds until 12 of 20! Kanemaru leaves Sho behind, but Sho grabs Kanemaru’s legs! Sho drags Kanemaru off the apron, fans clear out, and Sho THROWS Kanemaru into chairs! Then Sho sends a Young Lion into Kanemaru! The count is still going!! We pass 15 as Kanemaru sends Young Lion Taisei Nakahara back at Sho! The fans cheer as Kanemaru rolls in! 18! 19! Sho slides in at 19.99! The fans cheer while Kanemaru is shocked!
Kanemaru apologizes to Sho? Kanemaru offers a handshake, the fans cheer, but Sho says Kanemaru needs to watch himself. Sho takes the handshake, then bends Kanemaru’s fingers! Kanemaru CLAWS Sho with his other hand! Kanemaru runs, Sho uses the ref as a shield, but then so does Kanemaru! Kanemaru ENZIGIRIS Sho! Kanemaru stomps Sho’s fingers! Kanemaru grabs his whiskey! The ref protests, Kanemaru shoves him away, then Kanemaru takes a swig. But Sho smothers Kanemaru! Kanemaru breaks free, but Sho just smothers him again! Kanemaru’s at his limit, and Sho lets go, WHISKEY MIST into the ref!
The ref is blinded, Sho laughs at them both, and Sho says that should be a disqualification, right? IT IS!
Winner: Sho, by disqualification (gains 2 points; Kanemaru earns 0)
Kanemaru is mad at the ref and TOSSES him out! Poor Sakamoto… Sho apologizes to Kanemaru now, but they were both playing dirty anyway. They fist bump and head out, but will the trickery only continue until one of them is the Best of the Super Juniors?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Daiki Nagai!
The Funky Weapon has had his moments in this tournament, but the Unbound Young Lion is finally having his first! Will Taguchi be serious right from the start? Or will he underestimate his young opponent?
Oh snap, Daiki SHOTGUNS Taguchi during introductions! The fans fire up as Daiki shows how serious he is about this! The bell rings as he whips Taguchi, but Taguchi reverses to start up the cycle of dropdown and sidestep! But Daiki knows it well and DROPKICKS Taguchi out! The fans fire up as Daiki builds speed, and DIVES! Down goes Taguchi right in front of the fans! The fans fire up with Daiki and he brings Taguchi up. Daiki says here goes, and he climbs up the corner! Taguchi stands, Daiki MISSILE DROPKICKS! Taguchi flounders away but Daiki runs in at the corner! Taguchi dodges, rolls Daiki, then DROPKICKS in return!
The fans rally as Taguchi crawls to the cover, TWO! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Daiki scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi holds but lets go as the ref reprimands. Things finally slow down and Taguchi can take off his shirt. Taguchi CHOKES Daiki with it! The ref reprimands, Taguchi stops right away, and he apologizes for getting mad. Taguchi reels Daiki in, has the leg, but Daiki fights the lift! Taguchi fires body shots to then SHIN BREAKER! And DROPKICK to the leg! The fans rally as Taguchi grabs OH MY GAH ANKLE! Daiki flails, crawls, and makes the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go, but then kneels on the leg for a toehold.
Daiki grabs the ropes again, the ref counts, and Taguchi steps away. Taguchi drags Daiki up to HIP ATTACK! And HIP ATTACK! Daiki rises but Taguchi brings him up. Daiki ROCKS Taguchi, Taguchi ROCKS Daiki, repeat! The shots go back and forth, Taguchi fires a flurry, then he runs, but Taguchi follows! HIP- ATOMIC DROP! Daiki still knows the tricks, and he waistlocks. Taguchi fights with elbows, then more elbows, then he feints the run! But Daiki avoids the hips! But Taguchi victory rolls again! TWO, and Daiki DROPKICKS! Taguchi falls into a corner and the fans fire up again! Daiki has a wild look in his eyes as he goes to the other corner.
Daiki runs in and HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! Daiki hurries to drag Taguchi out, covers, TWO! The fans fire up again while Daiki goes to a corner. Daiki climbs, the fans rally, and Daiki DIVING BODY FLOPS as Taguchi moves! Daiki sputters while Taguchi crawls to a corner. Taguchi calls upon the powers of Strong Style, “OYA~!” BUM- NO, Daiki rolls Taguchi up! TWO, and Taguchi dodges a lariat to roll Daiki up! TWO, and OH MY- NO, Daiki kicks free! SLIDING HIP! Cover, TWO!! Daiki survives and the fans fire up, but Taguchi hauls Daiki right up! Taguchi chicken wings and DODON- NO, Daiki victory rolls, TWO!
Daiki ROCKS Taguchi, Taguchi ENZIGIRIS! Daiki rebounds to CHOP! Daiki runs, but into a DROPKICK! Taguchi hurries to cover, TWO, but OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Daiki flails again, reaches out, and the fans rally even harder! Taguchi puts on the pressure but Daiki still fights his way forward! Daiki reaches out but Taguchi drags him back! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Daiki claws with everything he has, but Taguchi YANKS Daiki back! Chicken wings and DODON BUSTER!! Cover, Taguchi wins!
Winner: Ryusuke Taguchi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Daiki earns 0)
Taguchi got serious because Daiki brought it out of him! And with that, Taguchi already has his first win in this year’s tournament! Will Taguchi prove that the Funky Weapon still has what it takes? Will Daiki learn from this and make sure his first win is in the second round?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: YOH VS HYO!
A curious match-up here, and not just because you can rearrange one man’s name and spell the other’s. But will Mr. Direct Drive kick it into gear right from the start? Or will The Black Panther prove he’s the apex predator in this tournament?
The fans have a hard time making heads or tails of the ring gear, and Yoh asks for a little help with the halter top. Hyo makes sure his little snow leopard, Nyan Nyan, is comfortable in the corner, then the bell rings. The two run up, Hyo leaps over the dropdown, then mule kicks. Hyo whips, Yoh reverses, but Hyo goes up and over, then handsprings through! Things really speed up, and the panther gets the zoomies as he runs around Yoh! Then DROPKICK! The fans cheer while Yoh bails out! Hyo shows his claws, and the fans rally up as Hyo builds speed. But Hyo handsprings through as Yoh moves!
The fans cheer and Yoh THROWS Nyan Nyan down! The fans boo Yoh for that, Hyo flexes and the fans cheer. But Yoh sneaks in to wrench and trip Hyo! Yoh ties Hyo up in Paradise! The fans cheer as Yoh stands on Hyo, then “kicks sand” before he runs around like a cat! Yoh “pees” on Hyo, maybe he’s a dog instead. Yoh then runs to DROPKICK Hyo outta Paradise! Yoh drags Hyo up, reels him in, and suplexes, but Hyo fights free, wrenches, then NEKODAMASHI CLAP! Cradle, TWO! Yoh rolls Hyo, TWO! Hyo runs up, sunset flips, TWO! Yoh sits on the cover, TWO! Hyo has it again, TWO! Yoh has it again, TWO!!
The fans cheer that near escape, but Yoh kicks and runs. But Hyo blows past, and now both men have the zoomies! They chase each other like cats ‘n’ dogs, then STUNNER to SOMERSAULT DRIVER! Cover, HYO WINS!!
Winner: Hyo, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Yoh earns 0)
In the blink of an eye, the Panther snatches that win like a rabbit out of the hat! Hyo shows Yoh respect with the Roppongi 3K salute, AND A KISS?! Yoh faints, will he be able to recover from that? Or will Hyo hunt down the top spot in the block?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Robbie X VS Nick Wayne!
The former IWGP Junior Tag Team Champion and the former ROH World Television Champion (sorry if that’s spoilers/breaking kayfabe) meet in hopes of each becoming the next IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. Will things get too extreme for The Prodigy? Or will NJPW enter Wayne’s World?
The bell rings and the fans rally behind Robbie. Robbie and Nick circle, tie up, and Robbie headlocks. Nick powers up and out, but Robbie handsprings! Nick stops the cutter, but Robbie fights the full nelson! Robbie trips Nick, but Nick avoids the PK! Nick arm-drags Robbie, Robbie headscissors, but Nick kips free to kick low! Nick whips, Robbie goes up and over in the corner, then handsprings! Things keep moving, Nick hurdles to then UPPERCUT! The fans fire up as Nick kips up again! Robbie flounders away but Nick storms over to him. Nick drags Robbie up, CHOPS him in the corner, then follows him along the ropes.
Robbie goes to another corner but Nick kisses him on the bald head before he CHOPS again! Nick then snapmares Robbie, leg drops, then covers, TWO! Robbie is tougher than that but Nick keeps his cool. Nick stalks Robbie, brings him up, but Robbie CHOPS! The fans cheer but Nick comes back. Robbie ROCKS Nick, ROCKS him again, then again! But Nick ROCKS Robbie back! Nick stalks Robbie, whips him to ropes, but Robbie avoids the superkick! Nick runs up, Robbie cartwheels to dodge! Nick tumbles out to the apron, Robbie NO HAND HANDSPRINGS to knock Nick down! Then Robbie reloads, PLANCHA! Down goes Nick and the fans fire up!
Robbie brings Nick up, puts him in the ring, and slingshots for the SILVER FLIP SENTON! Cover, TWO! Nick is still in this but the fans rally behind Robbie. Robbie checks his neck, then brings Nick up. Robbie reels Nick in but Nick fights the lift. Robbie still tries but Nick still fights. Robbie winds up to CHOP Nick down! The fans cheer but Robbie reels Nick back in, only for Nick to BACKDROP free! Robbie sunsets but Nick sits on it, TWO! Robbie finishes the flip, TWO! Nick is up, he dodges Robbie, and SNAP DRAGONS! The fans fire up for that very Kenny Omega level move! Nick then waits on Robbie to get up while he takes aim.
Nick runs corner to corner, but Robbie dodges! Robbie runs back up, blocks a boot, but not the ENZIGIRI! Nick goes up, up, WAYNE’S- NO, Robbie dodges the cutter and mule kicks! Robbie goes to run but Nick reels him in! Robbie fights the waistlock again, but Nick ducks a shot! Nick ROCKS Robbie, Robbie ELBOWS Nick, and PELES! The fans fire up with Robbie as he powers up again, only for Nick to jump up! POISON-RANA! The fans rally while Robbie is down! Nick calls his shot, gathers power, and Robbie rises up, into the BUZZ- NO, Robbie ducks, jumps up, POISON-RANA! The fans fire up as Robbie returns the favor!
Nick bails out, but Robbie springboards, SKY TWISTER! Down goes Nick but Robbie puts him in fast! Robbie handsprings, LETHAL INJECTION X!! Cover, TWO!! Nick survives and Robbie is shocked! The fans rally even harder for Robbie as he rises up. Robbie drags Nick to a drop zone, climbs up the corner, and X EX- NO, Robbie has to roll through as Nick moves! Robbie runs back up, but into a SUPERKICK! Robbie is down but Nick leans against the corner as he catches his breath. The fans rally up harder and harder still, and Nick rises to his feet. Nick calls his shot, and he goes up, into WAYNE’S- BACKSLIDE! TWO!
Nick BOOTS Robbie, runs, but Robbie ROCKS Nick! Robbie runs, Nick blows past, but Robbie dodges, QUEBRADA into a SUPERKICK! Nick hits the anti-air, and now he calls his shot! BUZZSAW, and WAYNE’S WORLD! Cover, NICK WINS!
Winner: Nick Wayne, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Robbie earns 0)
He may have lost the title, but Nick rebounds to get a major win in the tournament! Will nothing stop The Prodigy from proving he’s the next big thing? Can Robbie get the X Express back on track in the second round?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: KUSHIDA VS Robbie Eagles!
The Time Splitter returns to NJPW, hoping to prove he is still the Best of the Super Juniors. But he now stands in the crosshairs of the Sniper of the Skies! Will Kushida still bring us Back to the Future? Or will Eagles fly high right from the start?
Wait, Kushida is going barefoot for this! Eagles says okay, hold on. “Robbie Robbie Robbie!” “OI OI OI!” “Robbie Robbie Robbie!” “OI OI OI!” “Robbie!” “OI!” “Robbie!” “OI!” “Robbie Robbie Robbie!” “OI OI OI!” The fans applaud, but then a “KU-SHI-DA!” chant starts in response. The bell rings and the two circle. They feel things out, Kushida rolls, and he grabs a leg. Eagles fights that off to step over and cover, ONE! Kushida trips Robbie, has a toehold, but Robbie rolls and reels Kushida in, only for Kushida to use that and get the headlock for his own. The fans applaud this technical exchange, but then Eagles slips out to hammerlock!
Eagles reaches over but Kushida rolls to then headscissors! The fans applaud again, and Kushida puts on the pressure. Eagles endures, bridges, but Kushida puts on the pressure. Eagles kips free, but Kushida reels him back into the headscissors! The fans applaud, but Eagles fights around. Eagles rolls to turn Kushida over, then he pops out to trap the legs. Eagles rolls Kushida, but Kushida twists a foot! Kushida turns Eagles over, ties the legs up, then floats to a headlock. Eagles powers out to stand on Kushida’s arm, but Kushida slips away. The fans applaud the standoff as the two reset and circle again.
Kushida rushes Eagles, Eagles holds off the armlock but the body scissors are still on! Eagles powers through to drop Kushida down and have a toehold. Eagles bends toes! The ref reprimands, Eagles teases about “this little piggy,” but Kushida hooks Eagles’ nose! Eagles shakes that off but Kushida tries again. Kushida waistlocks, bridges, but Eagles moves, so Kushida floats to an ARMBAR! Eagles rolls to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Kushida lets go, and the two reset again. They circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. Kushida rolls, trips Eagles, then has the toehold. Eagles tries to headscissors, but Kushida shrugs that off.
Kushida pulls Eagles’ arm into tying up the legs, then he steps over. It’s not exactly Paradise as Kushida uses his legs to bend and crunch Eagles! Eagles powers up and trips Kushida to then SPLAYED STRETCH! Kushida endures, even as Eagles reclines back, so Eagles floats over to a cover. ONE, Eagles waistlocks but Kushida rolls. Cover, ONE, and Eagles trips Kushida. Kushida chinbars to wrangle Eagles into a chinlock. Eagles endures so Kushida shifts to a motorcycle stretch, and LEG HOOK NELSON! Eagles endures, pushes back, and rolls to have a leg! Eagles has the INDIAN DEATHLOCK! The fans cheer as Eagles sits Kushida up, INDIAN COBRA TWIST!!
Kushida endures, pries at the arm, then rolls to leg hook and float, ARMBAR! Eagles pries free, and the fans cheer the technical master class! Eagles and Kushida reset again, feel things out, then tie up. Eagles goes for an arm, but so does Kushida. Kushida chinbars but Eagles arm-drags! Eagles steps over, Kushida kicks free, but Eagles handsprings through. The fans cheer as the two reset again. They approach, and Kushida KICKS the leg! Then he grapevines the leg to trip Eagles. Eagles pries at toes but Kushida stands to change up his hold. Eagles slips through to drop toehold Kushida into the waistlock. Kushida fights up, switches, then arm-drags.
Kushida chicken wings the arms and he works to turn Eagles. Eagles endures but Kushida powers through to a cradle! TWO, and Kushida ducks a chop to roll back! Kushida goes up but Eagles blocks the arm-drag! Eagles arm-drags back, then trips Kushida. Eagles runs, handsprings over the dropdown, but Kushida is after the arm! Eagles wrenches through, breaks free, but Kushida blocks a kick! Eagles drops to trip Kushida, ANKLE- NO, Kushida rolls back, bridges, TWO! Eagles body scissors and rolls to a cover, TWO! Both men RAM shoulders! And RAM again! And again! The fans fire up as the two stare down.
Kushida offers a handshake, Eagles accepts, but Eagles stomps the toes! The fans boo but Eagles says Kushida baka. Eagles runs up, gets a leg, but Kushida steps over to cover, TWO! Eagles sunset flips, TWO! Kushida sits on it, TWO! Kushida rolls to highs tack, TWO! Eagles has Kushida, TWO! Kushida, ONE! Eagles, ONE! They teetertotter and the ref can’t even keep up! The fans cheer as this turns into a rolling cradle! Eagles finally has it, TWO!! Kushida escapes in time and Eagles is stunned! Eagles runs up but Kushida jumps the 619! Kushida somersaults, but Eagles stops the DDT! Eagles slips around, rolls Kushida up, TWO!
Eagles has the leg, steps through, but Kushida cradles, TWO! Eagles has it, TWO! Both men stand, Eagles jumps up, RANA! But Kushida sunset flips it! TWO!! The fans are thunderous as both men get up! Kushida FLAPJACKS, but Eagles avoids the PK! Eagles wrenches the leg, SLAPS, SLAPS, SLAPS, and TURBO- NO, Kushida slips through the backpack to cradle and BACK TO THE FUTURE!! Cover, KUSHIDA WINS!!
Winner: Kushida, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Robbie earns 0)
It feels like forever since we’ve seen Kushida win with that move here in NJPW, but seeing it again brings us right back! Will Kushida hit that 88 miles per hour and return to former glory? Will the Sniper of the Skies just have to reload and try again in the next round?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Master Wato VS Titan!
The Way of the Grandmaster is still on the long road to the top, but the same goes for El Inmortal’s journey. Who will take another step closer to their goal of being the Best of the Super Juniors?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. The crowd is split between them, and the two tie up. Wato trips Titan, things speed up, and Titan hurdles to then drop down. Wato leaps over, keeps moving, and he RANAS! Titan bails out, Wato builds speed, but Titan is up fast to springboard and CROSSBODY! Then DROPKICK! Wato bails out, Titan builds speed, and fans clear out before Titan DIVES! Wato tumbles into the chairs! The ref checks and Wato is able to continue. Titan roars as he rises up and the fans cheer. Titan puts Wato in the ring, pushes him around, then fireman’s carries for the DEATH VALLEY NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!
The fans applaud was Wato toughs it out. Titan stomps Wato, eggs him on, then KICKS him in the back. Titan snapmares Wato, runs and basement DROPKICKS! High stack, TWO! Titan hurries to tie up the legs, FIGURE FOUR! Wato endures, drags Titan along, and manages the ROPEBREAK! Titan lets go while the fans applaud. Wato shakes out the legs, Titan stomps him around, then Titan kicks at him. Wato scowls but Titan SOBATS! Titan eggs Wato on again, then brings him up. Wato fires a shot but Titan CLUBS and KNEES Wato in return. Another fireman’s carry but Wato fights free!
Wato swings, Titan ducks, and Titan fires off a strike fest! Titan runs, but into an ELBOW! Wato runs but ducks a shot to ZIGZAG! But Titan kips up to PELE! Wato PENALTY KICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Wato crawls to ropes, rises up, and he runs to CLOBBER Titan! And CLOBBER again! Wato whips Titan, then DROPKICKS him down! Titan bails out, the fans fire up, and Wato builds speed! Wato FLIES and down goes Titan! The fans cheer while both men are down in front of the front row again. A ring count starts, but Wato rises at 7 of 20. Wato stands at 10 and fires up with the fans!
Wato brings Titan up, puts him in at 14, and takes aim. The fans applaud as Wato climbs the corner, then leaps in, MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Titan is tougher than that and the fans cheer again. Wato drags Titan up, wrenches and clinches, but Titan fights the lift! Wato CLUBS Titan, whips him, but Titan reverses to TORANDO DDT! And then roll through to suplex, CUTTER! Cover, TWO! But Titan steps through, ties up the legs, and rolls for LLAVE INMORTAL! The fans fire up as Titan bridges back and bends Wato! Wato fights, fights, and powers his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Titan lets go in frustration.
Titan roars and the fans rally again. Titan pounds the mat, the fans clap along, and Titan waits on Wato. Wato rises, Titan SUPER- NO, Wato ducks, but Titan BUZZSAWS! Titan goes to the corner, he climbs up top, and the fans fire up, but Wato CLUBS Titan first! Titan drops onto the corner, Wato climbs up, and Wato brings Titan back up! Titan holds onto the corner, fires elbows, then he trips Wato! Wato falls into the Tree of Woe! Titan turns around, WOE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!! Wato survives and the fans fire up again! Titan throws off his elbow pads, then rolls his way back to the corner. Titan skins the cat to rise back up!
Titan aims while Wato is down, LA LANC- NO, Wato dodges, runs up, crucifix takedown, into RECIENTEMENTE!! Cover, TWO?!? Titan survives and the fans are thunderous! Wato grows frustrated, but he hurries to waistlock. TSU- NO, Titan rolls, hooks a leg, but Wato reels Titan into a cradle! TWO, and ROUNDHOUSE! Wato hurries to spin, but Titan blocks the kick to DRAGON SCREW! Then a step through and SHARPSHOOTER!! Wato endures, reaches out, but Titan pulls him back to center!! Wato flails, but Titan bridges on the hold! WATO TAPS, TITAN WINS!
Winner: Titan, by submission (gains 2 points; Wato earns 0)
It wasn’t quite Llave Inmortal, but it might’ve been even stronger! Titan borrows a fan’s flag of Mexico to celebrate his home and his people. Will Titan represent them both as he proves he was born for such a time as this? Or will Wato still prove he is the Way to the Grandmaster?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: El Desperado VS Daisuke Sasaki!
The Rogue Luchador won the tournament back in 2024, and is looking to repeat history so that he may have his revenge on Douki. However, he’s up against Charisma Itself! Will Desperado still be the Best of the Super Juniors two years later? Or will Daisuke prove he is the future of this division?
Before they get started, Despy offers a handshake. Daisuke is wary, but he accepts. They both kiss the other’s hand, then the bell rings. The fans duel as the two circle, but then Daisuke bails out. The fans boo but Despy waits on Daisuke. Daisuke steps back into the ring, circles with Despy, and they feel things out. They tie up, Daisuke waistlocks, but Despy wrenches to wristlock. Daisuke spins through, wrenches back, and wristlocks to then snapmare. Daisuke keeps on the arm but Despy fights around. Despy rolls, trips Daisuke, and has the toehold. Daisuke chinbars in return but Despy digs his elbow into the knee.
Daisuke chinlocks and pries Despy off the leg, but Despy kicks back to the ROPEBREAK! Daisuke lets go, Despy bails out, and now Daisuke waits. Despy takes his time returning, and the two reset. The fans rally as they feel things out, and they knuckle lock. But then Despy wrenches the arm to snapmare Daisuke, sit him up, and ghost pin, TWO! Daisuke slips around to headlock, but Despy powers up and out. Despy headlocks, Daisuke slips through to headlock, but Despy powers up and out again. Daisuke RUNS Despy over! Then he fakes Despy out to headlock, but Despy rolls. Daisuke rolls through, Despy trips him, STRETCH MUFFLER!
Daisuke scrambles to the ROPEBREAK and the fans cheer. Despy kneels on Daisuke, pretends to not understand what’s wrong, then he digs his knees in. The ref counts, Despy backs off, and Despy apologizes while Daisuke bails out. Despy waits, but Daisuke offers Despy to step outside. It’ll be a clean fight! Despy says step inside and it’ll be clean in here! Despy asks why it has to be outside. Daisuke CLAWS Despy’s eyes! Then he turns Despy for a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! The fans are torn while Despy writhes, but Daisuke drags Despy outside. Daisuke SMACKS Despy off the apron, then has fans clear out!
Daisuke stands Despy up, but he’s going to commentary! Despy fights back, but now Daisuke fights the desk bump! Daisuke SMACKS Despy off the desk, then grabs someone’s chair! The ref reprimands, but Daisuke puts the chair around Despy’s neck and POSTS him! The fans are torn while Despy writhes, but Daisuke leaves Despy behind. The fans rally for Despy as a ring count begins, and Despy is still down at 5 of 20. Despy sits up at 7, Daisuke wants the count to hurry up. Despy stands at 10 and rolls into the ring, only for Daisuke to DROPKICK him in the head! Despy scrambles away, clutching his neck, but Daisuke pursues!
Daisuke puts Despy back in, pushes him to a cover, ONE!! Despy toughs it out, but Daisuke KNEES him in the back of the neck! And then drops a knee on the same spot! And again! The fans rally up for Despy but Daisuke steps on him at the ropes. Daisuke then drags Despy up, puts him through ropes, and bends him back! The ref counts, Daisuke stops, then he drags Despy around to FISHERMAN SCREW! Despy sputters, but he BODY BLOWS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Daisuke CLUBS Despy, then eggs him on. Daisuke slaps Despy around, Despy slaps back, so Daisuke slaps again. Despy SMACKS Daisuke down!
The fans fire up for Despy while Daisuke is dazed. But then Daisuke kicks the leg out, and he slips around, STF! Despy endures, reaches out, but Daisuke shifts to a CROSSFACE! Despy endures, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK with a foot! Daisuke lets go to drop knee after knee on Despy’s back! Daisuke then stalks Despy to ropes, brings him around, and turns him, but Despy slips free! Despy has the leg, SHIN BREAKER! Then a DROPKICK to the leg! Daisuke hobbles to a corner while the fans rally again. Despy runs up on Daisuke, blocks a boot, and KICKS the leg! Then DRAPING DRAGON SCREW!
Daisuke hobbles but he falls over. The fans rally as Despy grabs that leg, but Daisuke kicks free. Despy kicks Daisuke’s leg, then BRAINBUSTER! The fans fire up again and Despy keeps on Daisuke, BIG back suplex! Despy hurries to haul Daisuke up again, GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO! Daisuke toughs it out and the fans rally up again. Despy drags Daisuke over to a drop zone, then climbs the corner! The fans rally, but Daisuke goes to the apron. Daisuke CLUBS Despy, ROCKS him with a right, then climbs up the corner. The fans and the ref are all worried as both men try to suplex the other from the outside!
Despy fires body shots, he steps inside, and then SUPERPLEXES Daisuke into the ring! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Despy crawls but Daisuke bails out. So Despy builds speed, but has to stop the dive as Daisuke slides in! Then Daisuke runs to RAM Despy off the apron! Despy tumbles into the chairs, but Daisuke is right after him! Daisuke drags Despy up to make him take a seat. Daisuke CLUBS Despy, then throws off his shirt before he climbs up the corner! The fans go nuts already as Daisuke aims, SUPER DUPER CROSSBODY onto Despy and the chairs!! The fans are thunderous for that wild risk Daisuke just took!
The ref checks both men, and somehow, they’re both able to continue. Daisuke hobbles away from the crash site to roll into the ring. Daisuke then goes back outside with a fresh ring count. Daisuke puts Despy in he ring at 8 of 20, then climbs up again! FLYING LARIAT! Daisuke hurries to reel Despy in, underhooks, and PEDIGREE!! Cover, TWO!! Despy survives but Daisuke hurries to SUPERKICK! Despy is up but Daisuke runs, LA MYSTI- NO, Despy makes it a FACEBUSTER! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Despy stirs, as does Daisuke, and they both slowly rise back up. Despy fires a forearm first, then another!
Despy fires another, but Daisuke ROCKS Despy with a haymaker! Daisuke whips, Despy reverses, and Despy SPINEUBSTERS! High stack, TWO, but into STRETCH MUFFLER!! Daisuke fights, reaches out, but Despy reels him into NUMERO DOS! Daisuke still fights, fights, but Despy drags him back! NUMERO DOS PLUS, but Daisuke rolls it around and around into a CROSSFACE!! Despy endures while the fans rally as hard as they can! Despy fights over, but Daisuke rolls him away from the ropes! Then Daisuke grabs the other arm, only for Despy to roll to a cradle! TWO!! Both men stand, Despy shoots around to then lift, and DOUBLE KNEE-
NO, Daisuke turns it into a DDT! Then Daisuke aims from a corner, runs up, LA MYSTIC- ARM-DRAG COUNTER! Daisuke kicks free of the stack, then uses the ref as a shield! Despy dosidos with the ref, but Daisuke shoves Despy into the ref! Daisuke whips, Despy reverses, and Daisuke ends up in a corner. Despy runs up, but into a pop-up LOW BLOW!! LA MYSTICA! CROSSFACE!! DESPY TAPS, DAISUKE WINS!!
Winner: Daisuke Sasaki, by submission (gains 2 points; Desperado earns 0)
Well, Daisuke was taught by Dick Togo, so perhaps such tactics should’ve been expected. But will Daisuke make sure NJPW is #NeverSober? Will Desperado still find his way to the BOSJ finals?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Francesco Akira!
The Japanese Young Punk and the Crown of Fire have the honor of closing out opening night, but only one can finish strong! Will Fujita remind Akira that The Mighty Don’t Kneel? Or will even The Mighty be conquered by the United Empire?
But wait, Fujita CLOBBERS Akira with a chair outta nowhere! Where’d he even come from?! Fujita rains down fists on Akira while the fans are torn, but Fujita then drags Akira up with a headlock. Red Shoes reprimands, but Fujita takes Akira right to the West sign to SMACK him off it! And SMACK him off it again, and again! Fujita laughs, the fans cheer, and Fujita brings Akira to the ring. The bell finally sounds but Fujita deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!! Akira survives but Fujita brings him back up. Akira fights free and bails out, but Fujita goes to the apron. PENALTY KICK, then QUEBRADA!
The fans are torn as indeed, the Japanese Young Punk bullies and mugs Akira. Red Shoes checks Akira but Fujita has fans clear out. But then Akira throat chops Fujita! Akira whips, Fujita reverses, but Akira stops short of the chairs! Fujita runs up, but Akira THROWS him into the chairs! Not quite a strike but Akira is pissed! Akira whips Fujita hard into more chairs! Akira then huffs ‘n’ puffs, busted open on his forehead, the red standing out against his new green hair dye. Akira says if Fujita wants to fight like that, he’ll fight like that! Akira brings a TABLE out from under the ring! Red Shoes reprimands but Akira SHOVES him down!
The fans are torn while Akira fetches Fujita. Akira SMACKS Fujita off the table, then puts him on the apron. Akira climbs up to join Fujita, and he brings Fujita up to fireman’s carry! Akira aims, but Fujita slips free! Akira ROCKS Fujita first, then brings Fujita up the ropes! Fujita fights the suplex, UPPERCUTS Akira, then runs, but into a SLINGSHOT CUTTER! The fans duel while Akira rises up. Akira rains down forearms on Fujita, then drops back to a corner. Akira has them check his bloody forehead real quick, it seems to have stopped bleeding. Akira CHOPS Fujita, and Fujita sputters. Akira scoops and SLAMS Fujita, then pushes him to a cover, TWO!
Akira sets up, STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up while Akira brings Akira into a headscissors squeeze. Fujita endures, fights forward, but Akira puts on more pressure! Fujita kicks and kicks and makes the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Akira lets go. Akira snarls, then he kicks at Fujita. Akira KICKS Fujita in the back, eggs him on, so Fujita stands. Fujita ROCKS Akira with forearm after forearm, but Akira ROCKS him back! Akira then back suplexes, but Fujita lands out! Akira kicks and whips, Fujita reverses and LEG LARIATS! The fans fire up while both men are down!
Akira bails out, Fujita goes up, out, and tightrope walks, only for Akira to slide in! Fujita hops down, springboards back up, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up while Akira tumbles out the side. Fujita just goes up, up, and SUPER CANNONBALLS! Fujita takes Akira AND Zane Jay down! Fujita brings Akira back into the ring, then PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up again as Fujita waistlocks Akira. Deadlift- NO, Akira fights the suplex, reaches for ropes, but Fujita brings him back. Fujita ducks the elbow, then ties up the legs, NEMOS- NO, Akira crawls, crawls, and makes the ROPEBREAK!
The fans cheer while Fujita lets go. Fujita storms back up on Akira, grabs a leg, but Akira clings to the ropes. Red Shoes counts, but Akira BOOTS Fujita way. Then he sidesteps, trips Fujita, and puts him under the ropes! CATAPULT GUILLOTINE! Akira LIONSAULTS onto Fujita’s back! Cover, TWO! Fujita survives and the fans fire up again, but Akira just grits his teeth. Akira drags Fujita around, reels him in, and SPEED- NO, Fujita blocks Speedfire! Akira still tries but Fujita stops him again. Akira KNEES low again and again, but Fujita grabs that leg! Fujita wrenches, but Akira KNEES low! SPEEDFIRE! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally again while Akira paces. Akira rains down fists but Red Shoes reprimands. Akira stops, taunts the fans cheering Fujita, then tells them to watch this! Akira drags Fujita up, and SMACKS him off the mat! And SMACKS him off the mat again! Akira then taunts the fans for no longer chanting for Fujita! The fans boo, but Akira sits Fujita up again. Fujita blocks the throw this time! Akira KNEES Fujita, SMACKS him off the mat again, and NOVA- NO, Fujita ducks the Fireball to ROUNDHOUSE! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! Red Shoes checks, and both men stir. They slowly rise up, and Akira grabs at Fujita.
Fujita and Akira both pull hair as they sit up. Fujita fires the first forearm, but Akira responds in kind! Fujita fires back, Akira staggers, but Akira returns to ROCK Fujita! Fujita ROCKS Akira, Akira ROCKS Fujita, repeat! The fans rally as the shots keep going, and Fujita laughs it off! Fujita SMACKS Akira! Akira SMACKS Fujita! They start a SLAP fight, and the fans fire up as it gets fast ‘n’ furious! Fujita SMACKS Akira again and again, then winds up, but Akira ENZIGIRIS! Akira runs, but Fujita ELBOWS him! Fujita runs but Akira LARIATS! Akira runs, but into a SPIN HEEL KICK! The fans are thunderous as Fujita DEADLIFT GERMANS! Bridging cover, TWO!!
Akira survives again and the fans are torn right down the middle! Akira rolls to the apron but Fujita isn’t far behind. Fujita GAMANGIRIS, then he looks to Akira’s table! Akira clings to ropes but Fujita tries to pull him away! Akira ELBOWS Fujita, then slips under to POST him! Fujita falls to the floor, Akira leaps and RAN- NO! Fujita stops the rana to then swing Akira up! And he POWERBOMBS Akira through the table!! The fans are thunderous again and Fujita drags Akira back up. Fujita puts Akira in, then whips him for a pop-up GERMAN SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO?!? But Fujita has the arms trapped!!
Akira endures as Fujita pulls on the arm! The fans rally and duel as hard as they have all night, and Akira adds a cording hold! Akira kicks, kicks, flails, but Fujita grabs the leg! BOW ‘N’ ARROW STRETCH, but Akira gives one last gasp! ROPEBREAK!! Fujita lets go but he vows to end it now! Fujita hauls Akira up, torture racks, but Akira fights with elbows! Fujita squats, but stands up! Akira slips through and hooks the arms, but Fujita spins through! Akira ducks, backslide, NOVA- NO, Fujita rolls through it to have the legs! NEMOS- CRADLE COUNTER! TWO!??! Akira hurries to run up, wheelbarrow, but Fujita stops the roll!
Fujita hauls Akira up, WHEELBARROW GERMAN! But Akira rises?!? Akira runs up, Fujita gets around him, POISON-RANA! NOVA FIREBALL?!?!? Cover, TWO?!?!? Fujita survives and Akira is beside himself! The fans are electric as Akira rises. Akira roars, vows to end it, and he drags Fujita up to reel him in. Akira hooks a leg, CROWN- CRADLE and deadlift! THRILLRIDE!!! Cover, FUJITA WINS!!
Winner: Kosei Fujita, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Akira earns 0)
It was an epic not only worthy of the main event, but perhaps even the finals! But in the end, the Crown of Fire is the one that burned out! Will Akira still be able to prove he’s the best after this unfortunate start?
As for Fujita, he sits back and gets the mic. “Oi, you big idiot! You’re sure one strong SOB! And every single time I wrestle you in BOSJ, it’s the match I’m most looking forward to. Everything here is over the top excellence, and that is something you see on the regular with me. And so, I think this year is mine to win. Every expectation you have of me, I will see you, raise you, and surpass those expectations!” With that mighty finish, will Fujita become the youngest man to go back-to-back as BOSJ Champion?
Here are the A Block standings!
Kosei Fujita: 1-0, 2 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 1-0, 2 points
Nick Wayne: 1-0, 2 points
Titan: 1-0, 2 points
Robbie X: 0-1, 0 points
Francesco Akira: 0-1, 0 points
Master Wato: 0-1, 0 points
Daiki Nagai: 0-1, 0 points
Valiente Jr: [did not compete]
Jun Kasai: [did not compete]
Here are the B Block standings!
Taiji Ishimori: 1-0, 2 points
SHO: 1-0, 2 points
HYO: 1-0, 2 points
KUSHIDA: 1-0, 2 points
Daisuke Sasaki: 1-0, 2 points
YOH: 0-1, 0 points
Robbie Eagles: 0-1, 0 points
El Desperado: 0-1, 0 points
Jakob Austin Young: 0-1, 0 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 0-1, 0 points
My Thoughts:
An awesome opening round for BOSJ, and it wasn’t even all the participants with Valiente Jr. and Jun Kasai for whatever reason not here tonight. Maybe travel stuff kept them from arriving in time? Otherwise, the tenth match on the card would’ve been Valiente VS Kasai. But even without them, great matches from start to finish, but that’s par for the course when it comes to NJPW. I really liked Sho saying his match with Kanemaru was gonna steal the show, and then all we get is them trying to outcheat the other, because duh, what else were they gonna do?
Daiki taking Douki’s spot since Douki kayfabe refused to compete, he had a great showing against Taguchi, but it feels like Daiki’s first win in this tournament is gonna happen late in the tournament so that he can act as spoiler. Yoh VS Hyo was certainly unique, and surprisingly short. Both Robbies losing was a bit of a surprise, but it makes sense since Nick Wayne is meant to make an impact this time around, and Kushida is making his return to NJPW, both of those guys needed the win. But seriously, ROH’s tape delays hurt them here because Nick Wayne VS AR Fox doesn’t air until tonight so we already know what happens there…
Daisuke being a real Heel in the end of his match was a good way for him to win while protecting Despy. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Daisuke join House of Torture in the absence of Evil. And awesome main event from Fujita VS Akira, but very fitting of the 2025 BOSJ winner basically defending his title as he goes for another. All of Fujita’s matches probably will be this awesome, or as close to it as they can get out of everyone in A Block, but who knows if he repeats.
My Score: 9/10
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Will The Prince dispatch two challengers at once?
After retaining the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, Callum Newman offered a unique challenge. Can Shingo Takagi or Yota Tsuji secure a title shot through a tag match?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Ryusuke Taguchi & Taisei Nakahara VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Kanemaru win.
- Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS Toru Yano, YOH & Master Wato; Yano, Yoh & Wato win.
- Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Taichi & El Desperado; Taichi & Desperado win.
- Yuya Uemura & Masatora Yasuda VS Ryohei Oiwa & Kosei Fujita; Oiwa & Fujita win.
- Six Man Tag: Aaron Wolf, Boltin Oleg & Tiger Mask VS Ren Narita, Yujiro Takahashi & Dick Togo; Wolf, Oleg & Tiger Mask win.
- 10 Man Tag: The Unbound Company VS The United Empire; The Empire wins.
- Championship Stakes: Callum Newman & Jake Lee VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji; Takagi & Tsuji win, and Tsuji will challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
PLAY BY PLAY
10 Man Tag: The Unbound Company VS The United Empire!
Before the Knock Out Brothers clash with the Dominator & Mauler over the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, they lead their units into war! Will Oskar, Yuto-Ice, Gedo, Taiji Ishimori & Daiki Nagai be truly unbound? Or will Great-O-Khan, Henare, Francesco Akira, Jakob Austin Young & Zane Jay conquer them for the glory of the Empire?
The teams sort out, but Yuto and Henare egg each other on as they’re forehead to forehead. The ref has them back off, but they still start the match. The bell rings and the fans rally as Yuto and Henare step back up. They’re forehead to forehead again as they talk trash, then they fire forearm after forearm! The fans rally as Henare ROCKS Yuto, but Yuto fires a flurry in return! Henare fires a flurry of his own, then runs, but into a BOOT! Henare wobbles but he comes right back. Yuto laughs as he ROCKS Henare! Yuto runs, ROCKS Henare again, but Henare roars! Henare eggs Yuto on, Yuto runs the ropes, but Henare RUNS him over!
Henare sits Yuto up to KICK him in the back, then KICK again! The fans rally as Henare runs, but Yuto avoids the Rugby Kick! Henare still kicks low, whips to ropes, but Yuto reverses to BOOT Henare down! The fans fire up with Yuto, and he KICKS Henare in the back! And KICKS him again! Henare scrambles to a corner but Yuto swaggers his way over. Yuto KICKS, and KNEES, and SOBATS! Henare sits down, Yuto gets gangsta! “BOMBACLAT!” But Henare gets up to fireman’s carry! Yuto slips free, Henare dodges a lariat, but so does Yuto! Henare swats the boot, Yuto ducks the heel kick, and the fans cheer the standoff!
Zane has Henare calm down, and wants him to tag. Henare tags Zane, and Zane calls out Daiki. Daiki tags in, and these two still have to settle how they ended the Young Lion Cup. Zane eggs Daiki on, so Daiki ROCKS him! Zane fires back, Daiki fires another, and the fans rally as the two brawl! Daiki whips, Zane reverses, but Daiki redirects! Zane hurdles, drops down, but Daiki avoids the dropkick! Daiki runs to basement DROPKICK! Zane scrambles to a corner while the fans fire up. Daiki runs in, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Zane toughs it out but the fans rally behind Daiki. Daiki storms up on Zane but Zane wants mercy. Daiki says no and he ROCKS Zane!
Daiki runs in at the corner, but Zane counters the monkey flip to put Daiki up top! Zane DROPKICKS Daiki down, then the Empire BLASTS the Unbound corner! They all brawl on the outside and into the crowd! Oskar CLUBS Khan, Yuto fires forearms on Henare, but Henare BODY BLOWS and CHOPS! Oskar has fans clear out, then he whips Khan, but Khan reverses! Oskar tumbles into the chairs! Yuto CHOKES Henare, Henare shoves Yuto away, and Zane has Daiki in the ring. Zane bumps Daiki off buckles while Khan JAMS Oskar with a chair! Khan SMACKS Oskar on the back with it, too! The fans are torn as Khan roars.
Henare and Yuto return ringside, and Khan uses a chair to sit on Oskar! Khan taunts Oskar, then steps off. Henare uses a DEATH GRIP on Yuto! Henare THROWS Yuto into chairs, then he smothers a Young Lion for getting in the way! Henare even scares ring staff off before going to ringside. Zane CHOKES Daiki, the ref counts, and Zane stops at 4. Zane tags #DangerousJay and he UPPERCUTS Daiki. Jakob CHOKES Daiki in the corner, then brings him around. Jakob whips Daiki to ropes, ELBOWS him down, then covers, TWO! The fans applaud as Daiki toughs it out, but Jakob brings him back up. Jakob tags Akira, and he taunts Oskar!
The ref has to keep Oskar back, but this all lets Khan bend Daiki’s fingers! The Empire mugs Daiki in the corner, and Jakob even CLAWS Daiki’s eyes! Khan tells commentary to shut up, but Daiki fights back! Akira KNEES low, whips, and drop toeholds. Akira SMACKS Daiki off the mat again, then kneels on a cocky cover. TWO, but Akira taunts the Unbound Company. Akira bumps Daiki off buckles, tags Khan, and Khan dumps Daiki out. The rest of the Empire mugs Daiki while the fans boo. Zane puts Daiki back in for Khan, and Khan drags Daiki around. Khan steps on Daiki for a cocky cover, TWO! Daiki toughs it out but Khan soaks up the cheers and jeers.
Khan scuffs Daiki as Daiki tries to crawl away. Khan eggs Daiki on, offering a free hit. Daiki stands, but Khan dodges the hit. Khan laughs at Daiki for falling for his trap quite literally! Khan then drags Daiki up, but Daiki fires forearms after all! The fans rally as Daiki HEADBUTTS! Daiki whips, Khan reverses, and Khan runs up, only for Daiki to dodge! Hot tag to Oskar! The fans fire up as the giant German RUNS Khan over, BLASTS Henare, then whips Khan corner to corner! Zane runs up but Oskar BOOTS him away! Oskar runs up, DOUBLE ELBOW for Zane and Khan! Akira runs up to jump on Oskar’s back! Oskar RAMS Akira into a corner!
Jakob storms in, but Oskar guzels! Akira runs up, but Oskar guzels! Oskar gives them a meeting of the minds, then a DOUBLE LARIAT! The fans fire up with Oskar, and he goes back for Khan. Oskar drags Khan up, scoops, but Henare KICKS Oskar’s leg! The ref reprimands but Henare KICKS and KICKS and BODY BLOWS! Henare HEADBUTTS, then DEATH GRIPS! Henare HEADBUTTS Oskar, then he and Khan bring Oskar around. Oskar fights the lift, but Henare blocks the boot! But then Oskar guzels Henare! Henare can’t reach Oskar for the Death Grip! Oskar then guzels Khan, but they both break free! DOUBLE BODY BLOW!
The ref reprimands, but #Khanare double whip Oskar. He breaks their lariats, but the DOUBLE BOOTS hit! Yuto is in, he shoves Henare into Khan! Then he fires off fast hands on Henare, bobs ‘n’ weaves, then ROCKS Henare! Henare drops, Yuto ICE HIGHS! But Henare is up, LARIAT! The fans fire up while all four men are down! Oskar rises, he SWATS Khan’s haymaker to have the NIGHTMARE SLEEPER! But Khan BITES Oskar’s arm! IRON CLAW! But Oskar pries it away, only for Khan to KICK the leg, and BOOT Oskar down! The fans rally as both men crawl for their corners. Hot tags to Akira and Taiji!
The fans fire up as the two rush in! Akira dodges the boot to headlock, but Taiji powers up and out. Akira RUNS Taiji over, then keeps moving. Taiji drops, hurdles, but Akira shoves! Taiji RANAS! Akira tumbles, Taiji runs up, DOUBLE KNEES! Then a fireman’s carry, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, and a BASEMENT SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Akira is tougher than that but Taiji stays on him. Taiji gut wrenches, but Akira fights to turn it around! CIPHER- NO, Taiji lands out to whip Akira. Akira reverses, Taiji handsprings, but into a waistlock! Akira then spins Taiji around, SPEEDFIRE! Akira sputters, he can’t make the cover!
Taiji and Akira crawl, hot tag to Jakob! Jakob drags Taiji up, he and Akira DOUBLE SUPLEX, but Daiki makes the save! Akira & Jakob kick Daiki, then whip, but Daiki ducks ‘n’ dodges to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! The fans cheer the Unbound Young Lion as he flounders to a corner, and Taiji tags Gedo! Gedo JABS, JABS, and JABS! Gedo winds up, but Jakob CLAWS Gedo’s eyes! Jakob winds up, but Gedo UPPERCUTS! Then SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Jakob survives but Gedo stays focused. Gedo tells Jakob to get up, then he mule kicks the leg! Body scissors, GEDO CLUTCH! But Zane ELBOW DROPS Gedo down!
Zane drags Gedo up, and he FALL AWAY SLAMS! Jakob gets Gedo back up, for the HAMMERLOCK DDT! Cover, The Empire wins!
Winners: The United Empire, by pinfall
Another bites the dust, and The Empire is control on this New Japan Road! Henare taunts Yuto with his tag title, but that just sparks a new brawl! Young Lions hurry to stop this, but easier said than done! The rest of the teams get in there, too, and Unbound Company must fall back, if only for now. But will things be different with their best in the main event?
Championship Stakes: Callum Newman & Jake Lee VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji!
It was just 48 hours ago that The Prince slayed the Rampaging Dragon, although with controversial and underhanded tactics. He’s so confident, in fact, he’s giving Takagi and Tsuji another chance! Will Callum cross off two names from the list for the rest of his reign? Or will someone from the Unbound Company have a golden ticket to the top title in NJPW?
The teams sort out, but Callum can’t help himself. He taunts Takagi and Tsuji with the belt, so they attack! They mug Callum, then Yota kicks Jake. Yota TOSSES Jake, the bell rings, and Unbound mug Callum again. They double whip then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans cheer while Takagi ELBOW DROPS! The fans rally as Takagi eggs Callum on. Callum goes to a corner, Takagi runs up, but Callum dodges. Callum runs back in, but Takagi puts him on the apron. Callum RAMS Takagi, slingshots up and over, then keeps moving. Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges but Takagi sidesteps to HIP TOSS! Callum staggers to his feet, Takagi LARIATS him up and out!
Callum stumbles into and then tumbles over the railing! Yota goes after Jake while Takagi hurries through the gate to fetch Callum. Yota whips Jake hard into railing, then stalks him around the way, while Takagi KNEES Callum low. Takagi brings Callum around to SMACK him off the timekeeper’s table! Takagi ROCKS Callum, follows him to another section of the crowd, while Yota DOUBLE CHOPS Jake out of a chair! Takagi ROCKS Callum again and the fans rally behind him. Callum wants to escape but Takagi stalks him. Takagi SMACKS Callum off some chairs, then HEADBUTTS him down! Yota brings Jake up to ROCK with a forearm of his own!
Jake stumbles around through the crowd, knocking chairs over as he tries to flee. Yota pursues as Jake begs young fans to help. Yota grabs that hand to SNAP fingers! The ring count finally starts as Callum SMACKS Takagi off a table! Takagi considers throwing that table but thinks better of it. Takagi pursues Callum as Callum heads back to ringside, but Yota BOOTS Jake out of a seat! The count is 15 of 20 as Callum and Takagi roll inside. Callum wants mercy, even apologizes, but Takagi CHOKES him! Red Shoes counts, Takagi stops at 4, and Callum clings to the ropes. Takagi kicks Callum into letting go, then brings him up.
Takagi JABS Callum and Callum falls against ropes. Takagi JABS again and Callum flounders. Callum calls to Jake but Takagi keeps him back. Callum fights the lift with elbows, then BODY BLOWS! Callum runs, but Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! But Callum trips Takagi and PUNTS him in the side! Just like in their title match! Jake BLASTS Yota off the apron, then goes out to stomp him down! Red Shoes reprimands but Jake drags Yota up and grinds him into railing. Callum pushes Takagi out of the ring while Jake fires body shots on Yota. Callum RAMS Takagi into railing, then brings him around to POST him!
Takagi staggers while Callum mockingly cheers him on. Jake POSTS Yota and does the same. Callum KICKS Takagi in the side, then flexes before he SPITS at Takagi! The fans boo but Callum ROCKS Takagi again. Callum puts Takagi in the ring, taunts Yota from across the way, then slingshots to stomp Takagi down. Callum dares Yota to reach out for Takagi, then he stomps Takagi. Callum digs his heel in, then he tags Jake. Jake swaggers and talks some trash, then he brings out the black glove! Callum KNEES Takagi before Jake takes Takagi’s shirt off. Jake shows off the bad ribs while he says it is picture time! Jake gives Takagi the DENTAL CHECK!
The fans are torn as Jake shoves Takagi down and takes off the glove. Jake mockingly applauds that Takagi passed his dental exam, then he stomps Takagi down. Tag to Callum and Callum clamps onto the arm. Callum traps the arm, kneels on Takagi, then digs his knuckles into the bad ribs! Yota BOOTS Callum, then backs off as Jake runs up. Callum calls BS, but he drags Takagi to stomp him down! Callum KICKS Takagi, then sits for a cocky cover, TWO! Callum clamps onto Takagi, wags his finger at Yota, then grinds Takagi’s bad arm. The fans rally for Takagi as he rises up and fires body shots! Callum KNEES low, then bumps Takagi off buckles.
Callum tags Jake back in and Jake again taunts Takagi. Callum CHOKES Takagi, and Jake KICKS Takagi in the side! The fans rally for Takagi as he rises again, and he rips away the tape! Takagi snarls as he ROCKS Jake again and again! But Jake kicks low, CLAWS Takagi’s face, then runs. Takagi blocks the boot to CLUB the leg! Takagi whips, Jake reverses, but Takagi blocks the knee! DRAGON SCREW! The fans cheer while both men are down! Hot tag to Yota! The fans fire up as Yota BLASTS Callum off the corner, then kicks and whips Jake. Jake reverses but Yota BOOTS him! Yota BLASTS Callum again, then DIVES! Direct hit and Callum hits railing!
The fans fire up for Yota and he slingshots into the ring. Yota then whips Jake corner to corner, runs up, but Jake dodges the splash! BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Yota is tougher than that, but Jake signals he’s taking his shot. Jake drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Yota tries to suplex but Jake fights the lift! They fight for control as the fans rally, and Jake suplexes! But Yota lands out! Yota ducks an elbow to FLATLINER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Takagi calls to Yota and Yota crawls over. Yota is a bit unsure, but he hot tags Takagi anyway! The fans fire up as Takagi powers up and LARIATS in the corner!
Takagi fires the fans up more, and he JABS, JABS, JABS in the corner! Then a CHOP! Jake roars, but Takagi ELBOWS him! Takagi runs, but into the KITCHEN SINK KNEE! It hit pretty high and Takagi falls. Jake tags Callum, Callum BOOTS Yota! Callum stands Takagi up for Jake to KITCHEN SINK KNEE! Then EXCALIBUR!! Cover, YOTA BREAKS IT! The fans cheer, and Yota TOSSES Jake! Callum kicks and TOSSES Yota! Callum is frustrated, but he still mocks Takagi’s pain. Callum kicks Takagi around, and mockingly asks if it hurts. Callum CLUBS Takagi, eggs him on, then ROCKS him with a forearm.
Callum eggs Takagi on, but Takagi SLAPS him! Callum DECKS Takagi for that! Callum sits Takagi up, mocks the prayer hands, then KICKS Takagi in the back! Takagi stays up, and he’s getting mad! The fans fire up as Takagi rises, but Callum BOOTS! And BOOTS! And BOOTS! Takagi just gets angrier! Callum fires knee after knee, but Takagi headbutts the buckles! The fans fire up but Callum BOOTS again! Callum runs, but into the ELBOW! SOBAT! JAB! HEEL KICK! Callum feints the run, but Takagi LARIATS first! Callum LARIATS in return! Both men stand but stagger, and Yota tags in! The fans fire up as Yota hurries to BLAST Jake!
Yota then goes back to Callum and ROCKS him with a forearm! Callum staggers around, Yota ROCKS him again, and again! The fans fire up with Yota, he whips Callum to ropes, but Callum grabs ropes! Yota runs up, Callum BOOTS him away, and Jake jumps in! Jake kicks and whips Yota to a corner, then runs up, but he blocks the boot. Yota reels Jake in for the STOMP! Yota runs up but Callum wrenches through, short arm LARIAT! The fans rally up again while everyone is down! Callum sits up, kisses the crown tattoo, and brings Yota up. Callum goes to fireman’s carry but Yota fights it. Callum powers through, but Yota slips free!
Yota feeds Callum to Takagi’s ELBOW! Yota BOOTS, Takagi BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and Yota GENE TRIGGERS! Then they DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Callum survives and Takagi has to sort out who is legal. Red Shoes and Yota explain that tag from earlier, but then Callum kicks them both! Callum runs, but into the ELBOW! BACKBREAKER! JAB! Then Yota pump handles, but Jake CLAWS Yota’s face! Takagi RUNS Jake over, Callum BOOTS Takagi down, but Yota scoops to BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while all four men are down again! Yota and Callum stir, and Callum flips off the fans cheering Yota.
Yota rises up, Callum wants mercy, and Yota hesitates. But then Callum SPITS at him! Callum fires a forearm, Yota fires back, and repeat! The fans rally up as the shots go back and forth, faster and faster! Callum fires a flurry, runs, but Yota follows to SPLASH in the corner! Yota runs but Callum follows to HELLUVA KICK! Callum runs, Yota follows, GENE TRIGGER! Yota keeps moving, but he dodges Callum to then GAMANGIRI! Yota puts Callum up top, climbs up, and SUPER STEINERS! Cover, TWO! Callum survives but Yota roars! The fans cheer Yota on as he pump handles, but Callum slips free! Callum shoves Yota at Red Shoes! Yota stops short, but Callum LOW BLOWS!
The fans boo but Callum turns around as Takagi runs in! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but neither man falls! They DOUBLE LARIAT again, and Callum flops against Takagi! Takagi fires boxing elbows on Callum, then winds up, but Callum ROCKS! ROLLING- JAB! Callum grabs at Red Shoes, uses him as a shield, but Takagi stops the low blow! Takagi shoves Callum at Red Shoes, REVENGE LOW BLOW! Yota SUPERKICKS! Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS! And they set Callum up for the PUMPING BLASTER!! Cover, Jake breaks it! KNEE for Takagi, then a ROUNDHOUSE! But Takagi rebounds, PUMPING BOMBER on Jake!!
Takagi tells Yota to finish this! Yota GENE BLASTERS Callum!! Cover, Yota & Takagi win!!
Winners: Yota Tsuji & Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (Yota Tsuji is the NEW #1 Contender to the IWGP Heavyweight Championship)
Callum got too cocky in his young reign, and now he’s the one staring up at the lights! But will he have a better game plan for when the title is on the line?
As for the Unbound Company, they catch their breath before Yota takes the mic. “OI, CALLUM! Too bad for you. To me, the path you forge is darkness. I won’t let NJPW go down that path. I will lead NJPW towards the light of hope.” The fans applaud that. Callum says see you at Dominion then! Callum leaves, and Yota continues by saying with Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement, the New Beginning, and now Dominion, NJPW has changed dramatically. But now, Yota meets Callum in a rematch for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in Dominion’s main event, carrying that responsibility and determination in his heart!
The fans cheer again, and Yota says, “OI, NJPW! And Callum Newman… ARE YOU READY?!” The fans cheer again, and Yota promises to be the one to carry NJPW on his shoulders! Mic drop from the Gene Blast, but will he dethrone the Prince already? Or will Callum solidify NJWP as his dominion?
My Thoughts:
A very good New Japan Road event as also a sendoff to Dominion. Really good tune-ups, and the 10 Man Tag especially for the build into the Heavyweight Tag title match. Empire winning here might show KOB wins when the time comes, but Best of the Super Juniors is next so there will be more and more tune-up filler matches first. And great tag match main event with the unique stipulation. As I said before, Yota losing both belts is so he can have his heroic journey back to the top. Yota getting the win here makes sense as it sets up the rematch from losing to Callum, and Dominion’s going to have a great main event that could honestly go either way.
My Score: 8.8/10
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