NJPW PPV Results
Mitchell’s NJPW Resurgence Results & Report! (5/21/23)
Long Beach is NJPW Strong!
The Golden State is truly golden tonight!
NJPW is in Long Beach, California, and there’s treasure inside the Walter Pyramid! A one-night tournament crowns an inaugural Strong Women’s Champion!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff Match: BATEMAN VS The DKC; DKC wins.
- Kickoff Match: Alex Coughlin VS Christopher Daniels; Coughlin wins.
- Zack Sabre Jr. & Bad Dude Tito VS Bárbaro Cavernario & Virus; Barbaro & Virus win.
- NJPW Strong Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Mercedes Moné VS Stephanie Vaquer; Moné wins and advances to the main event.
- NJPW Strong Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Willow Nightingale VS Momo Kohgo; wins and advances to the main event.
- Street Fight: Fred Rosser VS Juice Robinson; Juice wins.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Hikuleo VS KENTA; Kenta wins and becomes the new NJPW Strong Openweight Champion.
- Six Man Tag: Chaos VS Blackpool Combat Club; The BCC wins.
- IWGP United States Championship #1 Contender’s Tournament, Opening Round: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Will Ospreay; Ospreay wins and faces Lance Archer at NJPW Dominion.
- NJPW Strong Women’s Championship Tournament Finals: Mercedes Moné VS Willow Nightingale; Willow wins and is the inaugural NJPW Strong Women’s Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
Fred Rosser heads to the ring!
Mr. No Days Off has a grudge match later tonight, but here’s on the kickoff show to address the fans! “Long Beach, you know what time it is! NJPW is celebrating its 5th anniversary at the LA Dojo, and NJPW Academy has been working hard. Let’s take a closer look at what NJPW Academy is all about.” Video rolls to advertise the 2023 season of the academy, starting July 24th. And Rosser says you know what time it is: It’s time to go to work! Will you get yourself going in pro-wrestling and the NJPW system this summer?
NJPW Strong Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Mercedes Moné VS Stephanie Vaquer!
The CEO of Wrestling has quite the historic resumé, being a WWE Women’s Grand Slam Champion, as well as being the second-ever IWGP Women’s Champion. But now, she looks to add even more history to her name! Will Moné make it through the Dark Angel to go for the gold?
Fans are thunderous already just to see Mone in person, especially in her Cleopatra cosplay. The bell rings and fans rally as Mone stares down with Vaquer. They approach, tie up, and go around. Mone puts Vaquer in a corner, the ref counts, but Mone lets off. But then Vaquer kicks low and rolls Mone to a bridging cradle, TWO! Vaquer gets around Mone, waistlocks and SLAMS, then floats to a facelock. Mone spins free to wrangle Vaquer to a cover, TWO! Mone keeps on the arm but Vaquer arm-drags her. Vaquer trips Mone, rolls her, but Mone arm-drags back! Mone sweeps the legs, rolls Vaquer up, but Vaquer trips Mone to a cover, ONE!
Vaquer kicks Mone, headlocks for the takeover, but Mone keeps her shoulders up. Mone headscissors but Vaquer kips free. They go again, Mone hits another headlock takeover. Vaquer headscissors again, holds tighter, but Mone still kips free. Then double dropkicks cancel out! Fans fire up as the two stare down again. Mone and Vaquer reset, circle again, and fans rally up. Vaquer calls for the knuckle locks, Mone obliges, but then Vaquer throws Mone by her hair! Fans boo, things speed up, and Mone hurdles. Vaquer drops on the dropdown, TWO! Mone gets the Samson Clutch, TWO! Mone whips Vaquer but Vaquer reverses. Mone goes up to FLYING ARM-DRAG!
Vaquer comes back but Mone tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! BANK STATEMENT!! Vaquer flails, drags Mone along as she crawls, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Mone lets go to stomp fingers! Fans fire up as Mone ROCKS Vaquer, then knuckle locks. Money goes up and up and FLYING ARM-DRAGS again! Fans fire up as Mone goes corner to corner to elbow Vaquer! Mone keeps moving, but Vaquer follows to clothesline in the corner! Vaquer runs corner to corner but Mone clotheslines her! Mone puts Vaquer up top, but Vaquer blocks the haymaker for a HANGING ARMBAR! Mone almost goes up and over the ropes!
The ref counts, Vaquer lets Mone go and Mone scrambles away. Mone clutches the arm, Vaquer SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO!! Mone survives but Vaquer mule kicks! Mone sputters while fans rally up, but Vaquer snapmares and wraps on the headscissors. Vaquer dribbles Mone’s head into the mat! That move looks familiar. Vaquer lets off to cover, TWO! Vaquer is frustrated but she drags Mone up. Vaquer wrenches, whips Mone to ropes, but Mone sunset flips! Vaquer stays up to STOMP Mone, then runs to drop the leg, brother! Fans rally up and Vaquer kicks Mone to a cover, TWO!
Mone goes to a corner, Vaquer storms up to bump her off buckles. Vaquer whips corner to corner, runs corner to corner, but Mone BOOTS her! Vaquer grabs the legs, puts them in the ropes, and DRAPING DRAGON SCREWS! Fans fire up while Mone writhes and clutches a knee. Vaquer drags Mone from the ropes, gets her legs and has a stump puller cover, TWO! Mone is still in this but Vaquer is after her. Mone YANKS her into ropes! Then she shoulders in from the apron, steps up to KNEE, but Vaquer comes back. Mone moves and Vaquer tumbles out to the floor. Mone aims to METEORA to the floor!
Fans are thunderous again and Mone nods. Mone fires up and fetches Vaquer to then TORNADO DDT to the floor! Another heavy impact and Mone puts Vaquer back in the ring. Cover, TWO!! Vaquer survives but the fans still rally behind Mone. Mone brings Vaquer up, whips her but Vaquer reverses. Vaquer runs in, but into DEADLY NIGHTSHADE! METEORA! Cover, TWO!! Vaquer survives and shocks Mone! Mone refocuses and the fans rally up. Mone says it’s over, and she drags Vaquer up. But Vaquer fights the backstabber to RAM her into a corner! Vaquer fires off headbutt after headbutt after headbutt!
Fans boo but Vaquer lets off to go corner to corner, but Mone dodges! Vaquer’s knees hit buckles, and Mone comes in, BOOT WASH! Fans fire up and Mone fires up again! Vaquer staggers, Mone climbs, and Mone CROSSBODIES! But Vaquer rolls it through! TWO!! But into the CROSSFACE!! Vaquer is using the same hold Mone loves to use!! Mone flails, the fans rally up and she crawls forward! Mone turns, ROPEBREAK, then jackknife! TWO!! Mone has the BANK STATEMENT!! Vaquer endures the crossface now, scoots as best as she can, reaches out and gets the ROPEBREAK! Vaquer survives by a foot!
Mone lets off in frustration, but Vaquer runs in! Mone gets around her, Gory Especial, but Vaquer fights free! Spin, DDT, and victory roll, TWO!! Mone survives but Vaquer keeps on her! Tuck and PACKAGE BACKBREAKER! Vaquer drags Mone to have the cross-leg clutch, TWO!! Vaquer grows frustrated as Mone is still in this! Vaquer drags Mone, suplexes, but Mone cradle counters, TWO!!! Vaquer escapes, blocks a right and DECKS Mone! Cover, TWO!! Vaquer runs to drop the leg but misses! Mone hooks the arms, rolls sideways to Gory Especial, but Vaquer fights it. So Mone RAMS her into the corner! And RAMS her again!
Mone turns around, BACKSTABBER! And then the Gory Especial, for the MONEY MAKER!! Cover, Mone wins!
Winner: Mercedes Moné, by pinfall (advances to later tonight)
Mercedes is on the money! She is going to the title match in the main event, will she be THE NJPW Strong Women’s Champion?
NJPW Strong Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Willow Nightingale VS Momo Kohgo!
We know one half of tonight’s historic main event, now to learn the other half! The Babe with Power has been going strong in both AEW and ROH, but has yet to taste gold. Will she get her hands on the prize tonight? Or will she taste bitter defeat against the bright young Stardom star?
The bell rings and fans rally for Willow. She and Momo tie up, Willow powers Momo to a corner, but lets off. Willow flexes and fans fire up. Momo comes back, ties up with Willow, then shoots around to a waistlock. Willow pries free, switches, lifts, but Momo fights it. Momo pries free, wrenches and wristlocks, but Willow spins through and breaks free to then run Momo over! Fans fire up as Willow flexes again. Willow runs, things speed up, Momo hurdles and then dodges. Momo ducks the lariat, leaps the dropdown, and fans fire up as the two stand off. Willow and Momo rush in, Momo ducks the elbow but Willow blocks the whip!
Willow whips Momo to a corner, Momo goes up and over but Willow blocks the arm-drag! Willow drags Momo up to them SLAM her! Momo writhes and fans fire up. Willow stalks Momo to a corner, brings her up and CHOPS her! Momo is stinging, Willow runs, and Willow BASEMENT CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Momo is tough but Willow keeps on her. Mom dodges the clothesline, tilt-o-whirls, but Momo blocks again! SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO! Momo survives again but Willow ties up Momo in a GROUND OCTOPUS! Willow even kicks away on Momo! Momo endures, pushes back to a cover, TWO!
Willow lets Momo free, storms up and ROCKS her with a forearm! Willow runs in to back body block, then clothesline! Willow whips, scoops, and carries Momo for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Fans fire up, Willow fires up, and Momo flounders in a corner. Willow runs in, but into a DROPKICK! Momo runs corner to corner but Willow puts her outside. Momo avoids the haymaker, goes up top and leaps, to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Momo keeps on Willow, brings her around, but Willow swings. Momo dodges, tilt-o-whirls and RANAS! Willow is on the ropes, Momo dials it up! 619!!
Fans fire up, Willow staggers around and Momo goes up the ropes, springboard MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!! Willow survives and shocks Momo! Momo hurries to bring Willow up and reel her in. But Willow fights the fisherman to scoop! Momo slips free, waistlocks, but Willow throws elbows free! Willow runs, but into a SUPERKICK! Momo tries to scoop Willow, but Willow scoops Momo! Momo slips free, to FISHERMAN SUPLEX!? Bridging cover, TWO!! That wasn’t perfect but it sure was awesome! Fans fire up, Momo goes to a corner and runs in, CRUCIFIX- NO, Willow blocks!
Willow pops Momo around, to a POWERSLAM! Fans fire up while both women are down! Willow crawls over to Momo, brings her up, and Willow ROCKS her with a forearm! Momo shakes it off to ROCK Willow! The two stand, and Willow ROCKS Momo again! Momo ROCKS Willow! Willow ROCKS Momo, Momo ROCKS Willow, and then Momo gets the edge! Fans fire up as Momo keeps throwing shots! Willow reels Momo in for a short arm LARIAT! And then another short arm LARIAT! And then a third- NO, Momo gets around to waistlock! Willow elbows free, reels Momo back in, snap suplex!
Fans fire up and Willow aims from a corner. Momo goes to the other, Willow runs in to CANNONBALL! Willow drags Momo to a cover, TWO!?!? Momo survives and Willow can’t believe it! Willow drags Momo up and reels her in, for a gut wrench and- RANA!!! Momo covers, TWO!!! Willow barely gets outta that and fans are thunderous! Willow goes to ropes, Momo gets to her feet, and Willow runs in, but into a SUPERKICK! Momo hurries to TORNADO DDT!! Cover, TWO!!! Willow survives again and Momo is beside herself! Momo goes to a corner, roars and runs in, CRUCIFIX DRIVER!! ROPEBREAK!?!
Fans can’t believe it! One little miscalculation and Momo can’t believe it, either! Momo drags Willow up, runs in, but into a SPINEBUSTER!! High stack, TWO!?!? Momo survives and Willow is losing her mind! The fans are loving this, though, and Willow brings Momo back up. Willow winds up to LARIAT! But Momo fires up?!? Willow doesn’t believe it! Willow dodges Momo, fireman’s carries, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO?!?!? What is Momo made off!? Willow says that’s it, and she brings down the straps! Willow roars, the fans fire up, and Willow hauls Momo right up, BABE WITH THE POWERBOMB!!!
Winner: Willow Nightingale, by pinfall (advances to later tonight)
Momo fought her heart out, but Willow had heart, body and spirit! Will Willow use all those to take that title?
Street Fight: Fred Rosser VS Juice Robinson!
Mr. No Days Off may be a teacher at the NJPW Academy, but he apparently didn’t learn his lesson to keep Toni Storm’s name out of his mouth. He called out Rock Hard and his wife again, and this time ups the ante with this No Disqualification style match! Will Rosser get revenge everything Juice’s done? Or will The Booster finally make Rosser take time off?
It seems this is a step up from the normal Street Fight, as the ring is already without buckle pads! And in their place, a door in each neutral corner, and a chair in each man’s corner. Juice makes his entrance, and he’s already got a kendo stick for himself. Juice gets impatient waiting on Rosser, but wait, here come some NJPW Academy students! They’re surrounding the ring like lumberjacks, raising the ante again. Rosser makes his entrance now, the arena bathed in red light! Rosser’s got a chain around his neck! Is Rosser about to unleash the junkyard dog inside him? He has the students stand down, but he knows he has their support.
The bell rings and Juice swings, but Rosser TACKLES him! Rosser rains down fists, but Juice turns it over to rain down fists of his own! Rosser turns it back on Juice to hammer away! Juice kicks Rosser away but Rosser uses the NUT CLAW!! Even The Nature Boy would be blushing! Rosser CHOPS Juice, then HEADBUTTS him! Rosser whips Juice to a corner, Juice reverses, and Rosser hits against a chair! But he comes right back to CLOBBER Juice! Fans fire up, Juice staggers up, and Rosser runs to clothesline Juice and himself out of the ring! Fans fire up with Rosser and he shows off the claw.
Rosser storms back after Juice, he talks trash on Juice, but Juice claws Rosser’s eyes! Juice brings Rosser up to whip him, but Rosser reverses! Juice hits railing hard, and right next to commentary! Juice staggers forward, into a LARIAT! Rosser is all fired up and he’s high fiving the crowd in the back section. Rosser TOSSES a chair, but Juice narrowly avoids it! Rosser throws more chairs, Juice narrowly dodges those! Juice crawls up the ramp and for the entrance, but Rosser catches up to him. Rosser CLUBS Juice, CLUBS him again, and again! Rosser talks trash and fans fire up again.
Rosser brings Juice up, reels him in, but Juice fights the piledriver! Juice backdrops Rosser on the floor! Fans fire up and Juice grits his teeth. Juice drags Rosser up, scoops him, and then SLAMS him on the floor! Juice roars, the fans fire up more, and Juice goes back for Rosser. Juice stomps Rosser around, then drops a SENTON! Rosser sputters and flounders but Juice brings him up. Juice scoops again, to SNAKE EYES off railing! Rosser clutches his chin and throat and the ref checks him. Rosser seems okay to continue, but Juice takes off his belt. Juice drags Rosser up and whips him into the POST!
Rosser clutches his face now, but Juice shows no mercy. Juice wraps the belt around Rosser’s neck! Juice CHOKES Rosser, while raining down headbutts! Juice pulls on the strap to CHOKE Rosser more! Rosser can only endure as this is all allowed! Juice uses the belt to drag Rosser into the ring! Juice pulls back to CHOKE Rosser more! Fans boo but Juice lets go. Rosser sputters, but Juice takes the belt off. Juice then rips Rosser’s shirt off, blows his nose in it, and even wipes his butt! Then he throws that shirt to the fans! Free souvenir…? Juice gets his belt again, and he tells Rosser, “Keep my wife’s name outta your EFFING mouth!”
Juice LASHES Rosser! And LASHES him! And LASHES him again! Again, and again, and again! Fans count along, Juice gets TEN lashes in before he stops! Rosser writhes and sputters, fans are torn, but Juice blows a kiss to his wife via the camera. Juice whips Rosser, and then DECKS him with a leather fist! Fans fire up as Juice positions a door. They chant “DOOR DOOR DOOR DOOR!” And Juice makes sure the other door is positioned just right, too. Juice then brings out a fistful of silver dollars! Juice is looking to revisit Rumble on 44th Street and how he cost Rosser the Openweight title! But Rosser dodges!
Rosser fireman’s carries, to CORNER DEATH VALLEY through a door!! Fans fire up and Juice writhes! Rosser then sees Juice’s belt…! Rosser grabs the strap, storms over to Juice, and rips Juice’s shirt off! Rosser then holds up the strap and fans are loving this! Rosser LASHES Juice! And again! And again! And again! Rosser LASHES Juice from the other side now! And then Rosser CHOKES Juice with the belt!! And fishhooks his face! And then Rosser drags Juice around by the strap! Juice fights up but Rosser tosses him over the ropes! Rosser is trying to HANG Juice!! Juice sits on the apron just a bit, but Rosser shoves him down.
Fans are thunderous and Rosser goes out to fetch Juice. Rosser sees a trash can, and figures why not! Rosser brings the can to ringside, and dumps the trash all over Juice! And then SMACKS Juice with the can! Insult to injury! Rosser puts the can in the ring, the fans are thunderous again, and Rosser grabs a chair. Rosser smacks the chair off the floor and fans are thunderous. A bloodied Juice wants mercy but Rosser JAMS him in the back! And SMACKS him on the back! Juice staggers around, but then Rosser CLOBBERS him, chair to head!! The crimson mask is pouring down onto Juice’s chest!
Rosser wants more plunder, and he finds a stop sign under the ring!? STOP SIGN TO THE FACE!! Did that stop sign just stop Juice? Rosser drags Juice up by his pants, brings him around, and crotches him on the railing! Juice’s fruit is getting crushed! Rosser gets Juice’s kendo stick, talks some smack on Juice and Toni, and then SMACKS Juice in the face! And on the BACK! And in the CHEST! Juice falls to the floor and Rosser throws the stick down. Juice goes looking for more things under the ring! Juice is sprinkling blood on the floor as he stands up and leans against railing. But Rosser bends him back against the railing! And ELBOWS him in the face!
Juice clutches his nose, but Rosser throws hands right to that bloody forehead! Rosser HEADBUTTS Juice, then drums his chest, letting the blood paint him. Rosser keeps looking for a certain something while Juice drags himself back to ringside. Juice finds a LADDER! Fans fire up as Rosser wears it around his neck, and walks with it to where Juice is. Rosser leans the ladder against the ring, kicks Juice and brings him over. Rosser trips Juice, to CATAPULT him into the ladder and post!! Juice falls back and Rosser dusts his hands off. Fans are thunderous as Rosser drags Juice up again. Rosser makes Juice eat the garbage!!
Rosser puts Juice in the ring while fans almost lose their lunch. Rosser drags Juice up, and digs his forehead against bare buckle!! Juice can only suffer the steel, but Rosser lets off to HEADBUTT him again! Juice goes back to a trash can, puts it around Juice, and Rosser gets his chain! Fans fire up as Rosser wraps his fist with it! Rosser PUNCHES the can! And again! And again! And again!! Rosser then gets a chair, raises it up, and fans fire up. Rosser SMACKS the can with the chair! Then SMACKS the very top!! Juice crawls while inside the can, and Rosser smacks the mat with the chair. The fans are thunderous as they join in, before another SMACK to the can!!
Juice falls out of the can, completely dazed. Rosser drags Juice up, hoists him onto the top rope, and then has him in a Tree of Woe. Rosser stomps away on Juice again and again, then CHOKES him in the Tree! Rosser rains down fists over and over, then lets off to grab the chain. Rosser uses the chain to bend Juice back towards the corner post!! Fans boo, but Rosser wants to hurt Juice! Rosser lets off and Juice flops out of the Tree. Juice crawls away, begs for mercy, but Rosser says that’s not happening. Rosser wraps the chain around his hand again. Rosser storms up on Juice but Juice wants him to stop!
But wait! TONI STORM is here!! She’s actually here and she’s getting in the ring! Toni LOW BLOWS Rosser!! But it doesn’t work? Rosser pulls out a SPORTS CUP!! He was prepared! So Toni SLAPS him instead! Fans cheer Toni on as he tells him off while fans are losing their minds! Rosser dares her to come closer then. Rosser starts stepping closer, Toni starts stepping back, but then Rosser takes her head in his hands and KISSES HER?! Fans can’t believe Rosser is using the lip lock on Toni! Rosser stops, says her kiss tastes gross, so Toni winds back! Rosser ducks her punch, and fireman’s carries her!
Rosser spins and spins and spins Toni, but Juice LOW BLOWS Rosser! No more cup, so now it hurts! And then STORM ZERO!! Juice covers, TWO!?!? Rosser survives and Toni is pissed at the ref! The ref says the count was fair, so Juice and Toni work together. Toni gets a chair, Juice drags Rosser up, and Juice chicken wings Rosser. Toni puts the chair underneath, but Rosser kicks it away! SLEEPER! Storm CLUBS away on Rosser! And kicks him! Rosser keeps holding on, shifts his grip, CROSSFACE CHICKENWING! But then Storm gets the kendo stick! Rosser shoves Juice into Toni! And then fireman’s carries Juice, GUTBUSTER DROP!!
Rosser steps over, STF CHICKENWING!! Juice endures, reaches around, flails, but Storm is back! She has a BOTTLE!? She SMASHES the bottle on Rosser’s head!!! Storm then positions a door in a corner, and she shouts to Juice to finish this. Fans rally for “DOOR! DOOR! DOOR!” Juice runs in, CANNONBALL through the door!! Juice gets right out of the wreckage, and he has the stop sign in place! He calls to Storm, she says “KISS THIS!” Storm runs in, SWEET HIP MUSIC into the stop sign and into Rosser’s face!! Juice drags Rosser up, reels him in, Toni places a chair in the right spot, FULL METAL JUICE IS LOOSE!! Double cover, Juice wins!
Winner: Juice Robinson, by pinfall
Juice may’ve started it, but Rosser pushed it too far and he’s the one who pays for it. Storm hugs her hubby, his blood getting on her nice white shirt. Juice & Storm stand tall over Rosser, will they both be all the stronger for this?
Kyle Fletcher is here!
Fans cheer the Aussie Arrow, who is looking sharp for not just having two tag titles, but for being in a great looking suit. Kyle gets a mic as fans chant “AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE!” “OI OI OI!” Kyle says, “Could not have a NJPW event in the United States, let along Long Beach, without at least one half of your first-ever dual NJPW Tag Team Champions. Ahem, and also, the best tag team in the woooorld~!” Fans cheer that! Kyle says he is of course here alone, and he is here not dressed to wrestle. So then why is he here? It’s not about Orange Cassidy, the longest reigning International Champion in the world.
The reason Kyle is here is… not so happy. “As you all know, Aussie Open has been on the tear of a lifetime this year. We have literally the hardest schedule in the entire world, and we have done that because we have proven we wanna be the best of all time, mate. However, with a schedule that hectic, you pick up a couple bumps, a couple bruises here and there. Both myself and Mark Davis have.” But it would seem Davis picked up a bigger bump… Davis came back, got checked out, and he cannot wrestle right now. Fans boo but Kyle says we don’t know how long it’s gonna be for. One thing we know for sure is that Aussie Open can no longer defend their tag titles at Dominion on June 4th.
Fans boo out of disappointment but Kyle says that after they’ve spoken so much about how the IWGP Heavyweight Tag titles are the most prestigious titles in the entire world, it would be pretty disingenuous to hold onto belts they aren’t able to defend. So today, Kyle is here to announce that Aussie Open must vacate both the IWGP Heavyweight and NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships. Fans boo out of further disappointment, but then chant “AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE!” “OI OI OI!” in support. Kyle continues to say that those close to him know how much both belts mean to him.
“The IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships were literally the picture on my lock screen for four years straight, that’s how much they mean to me, so holding them are a dream come true. And we wanted this title reign to put us with the best to ever hold them, because they are the most prestigious tag belts in the entire world.” Fans cheer that, and Kyle says from the bottom of his heart, he is sorry that he cannot give the world the reign we all deserve. The fans again chant “AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE!” “OI OI OI!” in support. Kyle says next, Dominion will see a match to between “House of Bore-ture,” and Bishamon, in a DOUBLE TITLE MATCH!
But Kyle makes one thing clear to whoever wins that match and thinks they’re gonna keep those belts. “Aussie Open will be back in a NJPW ring sooner than you think.” Fans cheer that! And Kyle says by God, they will stop at absolutely NOTHING to get these back!! Even if it means practically killing the rest of the roster. And when Aussie Open get the belts back, they will continue the legendary run, “and Aussie Open will continue to run, the, world.” A hard moment for Kyle, but a golden opportunity for the House of Torture’s Evil & Yujiro Takahashi and Bishamon, Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi. Who will take the place of the best tag team today?
NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Hikuleo VS KENTA!
In quite the shocker at Wrestling Dontaku, the Young Guerilla shot down Fang Revived and took his title! Kenta wants a rematch, but will he be able to make Hikuleo #GoToSleep? Or will Hikuleo ruin Kenta’s resurgence?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly NJPW Strong!
Wait, Kenta grabs the belt! He rushes Hikuleo, but Hiku BOOTS him down! Deja vu, anyone? The bell rings and Hiku goes to Kenta. Kenta might be playing possum like he was last time, so Hiku just drags him up to put in a BEARHUG! Kenta BELL CLAPS free, but Hiku UPPERCUTS him! Hiku whips Kenta to ropes, but Kenta holds ropes to bail out. Fans cheer the savvy but Hiku watches Kenta stagger around the outside. Kenta fires up the fans, but then Hiku reaches down to grab him with both hands! Hiku drags Kenta up, but Kenta HOTSHOTS him away! Hiku staggers, Kenta runs in, but into a CHOP!
Kenta drops to his knees! Kenta sputters, fans “WOO~!” and Hiku CHOPS Kenta on the back! And CHOPS him in the chest again! Kenta staggers up, Hiku DOUBLE CHOPS! Kenta falls from Hiku’s Grizzly Magnum, and Hiku waits for him. Kenta crawls to his corner, he grabs something, but Hiku drags him up. Kenta has his own shirt, and then chokes himself with it?! He’s framing Hiku!! The ref falls for it, Hiku argues it was all Kenta, but then Kenta knocks Hiku into the ref! And LOW BLOWS- NO, Hiku blocks it! Hiku is pissed, but Kenta claws the eyes! Kenta runs, but Hiku UPPERCUTS! And then clotheslines Kenta out!
Kenta crawls around the outside, Hiku picks up the shirt! Fans fire up, but then Hiku drops the shirt and fans boo. They wanted to see him actually choke Kenta! Hiku stalks Kenta, CHOPS him, and follows him to the ramp. Kenta crawls but Hiku drags Kenta up. Kenta throws body shots but Hiku DECKS him! They go closer to the entrance, but Hiku CLUBS Kenta on the back! Kenta staggers around, Hiku says this is HIS title. Hiku ROCKS Kenta and Kenta goes through the curtain. Hiku goes back there after him, and something’s going on. There’s someone hitting someone, but who is winning the brawl?
Kenta returns first! Fans cheer but what’d he do to Hiku? Kenta puts the ref in the ring, tells him to start counting, and Hiku is back. Kenta shoves the ref down again! Hiku hobbles, Kenta rushes him and ROCKS him with a forearm! Kenta KICKS the legs, throws haymakers, but Hiku gets mad. Hiku hobbles, but he blocks the kick to the leg! Hiku spins Kenta to CHOP him again! Hiku stalks Kenta around the way, but Kenta throws body shots. Hiku ROCKS Kenta, then scoops him, and SNAKE EYES off the railings! Fans fire up and want that “ONE MORE TIME!” Hiku drags Kenta up, scoops him again, and SNAKE EYES off more railing!
The ref is back, he wants this back in the ring, but Hiku pats him on the head. Hiku drags Kenta up, they go further to the back, and fans want it “ONE MORE TIME!” But Kenta JAWBREAKERS! Kenta throws hands and kicks! Hiku sputters, Kenta drags him even further back. Kenta kicks the bad leg, then reels Hiku in. Hiku RAMS Kenta into railing!! The railing pops off where they’re secured! Hiku drags Kenta up, to RAM him into the railing again! Fans fire up, the ref tells them to get back to the ring, but Hiku instead opens railing up to look under the bleachers. Fans fire up, and Hiku brings out a TABLE!!
Fans are loving this but the ref tells Hiku not to do this. Hiku sets the table up and he drags Kenta up. Hiku choke grips, the ref says no but the fans say yes! But then Hiku DECKS Kenta, technically doing what the ref wants. But then wait, Hiku is bringing Kenta into the stands!? Hiku ROCKS Kenta, they go up the steps and fans move aside for them. Hiku drags Kenta up at the railing! The ref tells Hiku to definitely not do this! Hiku shoves the ref away, and he goes tumbling into Young Lions! Hiku lifts Kenta, but Kenta fights for his life!! Kenta gets back down, but Hiku choke grips him again! So Kenta LOW BLOWS him!!
Hiku leans against the railing, and Kenta sees the table is down below. Kenta hoists Hiku up?! Fans freak out, Hiku goes up and over and falls through the table!!! Fans lose their minds even more than during the Street Fight! The ref checks Hiku while Kenta crawls his way back down the steps. A ring count finally starts, but can either man even make it? We’re at 7 of 20 as Kenta crawls on the floor! Hiku drags himself from the wreckage at 11! Kenta has a head start but he’s still a long way’s away! Kenta slides in at 17! What about Hiku!? Hiku is still out, Kenta wins!!!
Winner: Kenta, by count-out (NEW NJPW Strong Openweight Champion)
There’s no Champion’s Advantage in this scenario, so Kenta takes the title BACK!! But if this is what it took just to survive Hikuleo, will Kenta have to make sure Hikuleo never, ever, EVER challenges him again?
Six Man Tag: Chaos VS Blackpool Combat Club!
From Dream Team to Dream Trio, Kazuchika Okada and his friends took the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships from Team Strong Style! But #SHOOTER immediately called The Rainmaker out and said he was bringing some friends. With The Ace busy later tonight, Rocky Romero steps in alongside Okada and Tomohiro Ishii, will they be able to stop the Paradigm Shift? Or will they be beaten down by Shota Umino, Wheeler Yuta & JEEEEEON~ MOXLEY?
Just as they do in AEW, the BCC make their entrance through the crowd, and Long Beach loves it! But of course, Rocky, Ishii and Okada make traditional entrances from the ramp. Fans are fired up for everyone in this match already as the trios sort out. Shota steps up and wants Okada! Fans fire up for that, but Okada says no thanks. Ishii starts and the bell rings. Fans rally as the Roughneck ties up with the Stone Pitbull. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Shota uses height as leverage to put Ishii on ropes. The ref counts, Shota lets off, and then feints a chop to pat Ishii’s shoulder instead. The Okada move!
The fans fire up as Shota stares Okada down but Ishii steps in the way. Shota throws forearms but Ishii doesn’t back down. Ishii then throws a forearm, and the forearms start going back and forth! Fans rally up as they go faster and faster! Shota shows no signs of slowing, but then Ishii ROCKS him! And ROCKS him! And whips, but Shota uses that to DECK Okada! Ishii rushes in, Shota dodges and DECKS Ishii! Okada gets up but Shota hits him again! Shota eggs Okada on, so Okada tags in! Fans fire up as Okada grabs Shota by the neck! Shota breaks free to fire off on Okada! Shota whips, Okada reverses and BOOTS Shota!
Okada drags Shota up while fans fire up, and Okada throws Shota out. Okada fires off on Shota, then whips him hard into railing! Shota staggers, Okada borrows a fan’s drink to throw it at Shota! Okada then puts Shota back in the ring, kicks him around, but mostly toys with Shota. Shota gets up so Okada slaps him around. Shota stands to fire forearms! And an UPPERCUT! Shota runs, but Okada gets him for a FLAPJACK! Fans fire up and Okada tags in Rocky. Fans fire up for Azucar as he CHOPS and ROCKS Shota! Rocky whips, Shota reverses and clinches to scoop and DROP! Then BASEMENT UPPERCUT!
Fans rally and Shota stomps Rocky down. Shota bumps Rocky off buckles, tags in Yuta, and fans boo as Yuta CHOPS Rocky! Yuta snapmares Rocky to drop a big knee! Cover, TWO! Yuta pushes Rocky around, ties the legs up, and he brings Rocky into a BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Rocky endures, fans rally, and Rocky pops free to a cover! ONE, into the ARMBAR! Yuta flails and reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Rocky lets off to KICK Yuta! And CHOP! And ROCK! Rocky whips, Yuta reverses but Rocky slides under, keeps moving, and pop-up RANAS! Fans fire up and Rocky feeds off the energy. Rocky ROCKS Yuta, but Yuta ROCKS Rocky!
Rocky ROCKS Yuta, but Yuta ROCKS Rocky! Yuta eggs Rocky on, Rocky roars, and he fires off a flurry of forearms! Rocky then dodges Yuta to UPPERCUT! Yuta goes to a corner, Rocky runs in, and he starts up the Forever Clotheslines! Rocky gets two, then three, but Yuta rushes in! Rocky dodges Yuta, but then Yuta gets around Rocky to wrench and OLYMPIC SLAM! Fans fire up, Yuta drags Rocky up and lifts, to then put him on the top rope. Yuta climbs up, fishhooks Rocky’s face and BITES his forehead! Then he CLAWS Rocky’s back! Ishii and Okada protest, but the ref keeps them back. This allows Moxley to rush over and BITE Rocky’s forehead!
Rocky falls back into a Tree of Woe, and Yuta CLUBS away on the knees! Fans boo but Yuta tags Moxley. Fans fire up as Moxley slithers and watches Rocky. Moxley BOOTS Rocky to the corner, and throws point-blank clotheslines! Then he drags Rocky out to X PLEX! Cover, TWO! Rocky hangs tough but Moxley has a leg for a CALF KILLER! Rocky endures, moves around, but Moxley steps over into the STF! Rocky endures but Okada storms in! Okada stomps Moxley into letting go, but then Shota goes after Okada! Shota kicks Okada out of the ring, literally! But Okada comes back! Shota hits Ishii, Okada fires off on Shota!
Yuta rushes in to get his shots in on Ishii while Shota throws Okada back out! Things are getting rough, and Moxley KICKS Rocky in the chest! And again! And again! Moxley drags Rocky up, runs, but Rocky blocks a kick to trip Moxley and step through! SHARPSHOOTER, but Yuta DECKS Rocky! Fans are torn but Moxley throws Rocky out hard. The ref stops Okada from rushing in again, but that allows Yuta to get shots off on Rocky! Yuta whips Rocky into railing! Moxley goes out to fetch Rocky, and Moxley CROTCHES Rocky on the railing! Moxley then goes back into the ring and he tags Shota in.
Yuta fetches Rocky for Shota and Shota covers, TWO! Shota drags Rocky up, CLUBS him, then he DECKS Okada! Shota goes out after Okada and whips him into railing! And Yuta gets a shot in on Rocky! Shota then drags Rocky up for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, Shota tags Moxley back in, and Shota drags Rocky to trip him. Then Shota drags Rocky back up, for a HART ATTACK with Moxley! Cover, TWO! Moxley has the legs, TEXAS CLOVERHOLD! A shot at Tanahashi with this! Rocky endures and fans rally up. Rocky pushes up, crawls his way over, and gets the ROPEBREAK!
Moxley holds on until the ref counts 4. Moxley drags Rocky up, CHOPS him against ropes, then talks some trash right in Rocky’s face. Moxley flips off Ishii, but Rocky UPPERCUTS! Rocky springboards to TORNADO DDT! Moxley staggers around, hot tags to Yuta and Ishii! Ishii runs Yuta over, but Shota runs in! Ishii dodges Shota, waistlocks, but avoids the elbow. Shota dodges Ishii now, but comes back to get run over! Moxley kicks Ishii, whips him to a corner, but Ishii comes back to run Moxley over! Fans fire up and Ishii goes back to Yuta. Ishii drags Yuta up but Yuta throws forearms! Ishii just glares at him!
Yuta throws more forearms but Ishii leans into them! Yuta eggs Ishii on so Ishii ROCKS Yuta, and SAIDOS! Cover, TWO! Yuta is still in this but Ishii waits on him to sit up. Ishii then runs, but Moxley trips him up! Yuta hoists Ishii for an atomic drop and ENZIGURI! Tag to Moxley and he hits a CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives but Moxley rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Ishii falls over, Moxley wraps on a BULLY CHOKE! Yuta and Shota BLAST Rocky and Okada! Shota stomps away on Okada as Moxley pushes up on the hold! Ishii is fading! Fans rally as the ref checks, the hand drops once!
Ishii gets a second wind and the fans are thunderous! Ishii crawls around, reaches out, and gets the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Moxley lets go at 4. Tag to Shota, but Yuta also steps in. Moxley says they’re gonna finish this. Moxley drags Ishii up with Yuta’s help, and they set him up for Shota. But Ishii fights free! Ishii sends Yuta into Moxley then Moxley into Yuta! And then Shota into Moxley! GERMAN SUPLEX for Shota! BRAINBUSTER for Moxley!! They’re all down and the fans are thunderous! And Okada is back on his corner! Ishii crawls over, reaches out, hot tag to the Rainmaker! Okada storms right up on Okada to fire off forearms!
Okada whips, Shota reverses but Okada ELBOWS him down! Fans fire up again, Okada whips Shota corner to corner, then Okada runs in to ELBOW again! Kick and DDT! Cover, TWO! But Okada’s standard formula is working, so he drags Shota back up. Fans rally, Okada scoops, but Shota fights free! Shota clinches to OVERHEAD suplex! Fans fire up again and Shota goes to a corner. Shota runs corner to corner to UPPERCUT Okada! Then Shota goes out, slingshots in, DDT!! Okada staggers up, Shota kicks low and hooks the arms, but Okada back drops free! Shota runs back in, Okada pops him up to the REVERSE NECKBREAKER!
Rocky and Ishii go after Moxley and Yuta while Okada hauls Shota up. Scoop and SLAM, and then Okada goes to a corner. Okada climbs, for the MACHO ELBOW! And of course, that leads to the Rainmaker Pose~! Fans are thunderous, but Moxley is in to flip Okada off! Okada and Moxley glare, no one interrupts the money shot! Okada and Moxley start throwing forearms! The fans are thunderous as the shots go back and forth! Okada wobbles, but he winds up to ROCK Moxley! Moxley throws body shots and a forearm! Moxley runs, Okada gets around, DISCUS- FOREARM from Moxley! Moxley runs, into the DROPKICK!
Moxley falls out of the ring, and Okada flips him off! But Shota sneaks up to POP-UP UPPERCUT Okada! And SWINGING NECKBREAKER! And then the underhooks, but Ishii LARIATS Shota! Okada hurries to tag in Rocky, and Rocky runs in to JUMP KNEE! Ishii LARIATS! Okada BOOTS! Ishii suplexes to hang Shota out to dry, Rocky FLYING KNEES Shota down! Cover, TWO!! Ishii keeps Moxley out and Chaos fires up! They whip Shota to a corner, Rocky runs in to clothesline! Ishii adds a clothesline! Okada adds an elbow! Okada puts Shota up top for Rocky and Rocky is right after him, FLYING ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!!
Shota endures, fights, but Rocky has the DIABLO ARMBAR! But Yuta breaks it! Fans boo but Yuta whips. Rocky reverses, runs in, but Yuta catches the body block to a GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuta roars, runs, but into a JUMP KNEE! Yuta rewinds, and he blocks Rocky’s kick! Yuta ducks the enziguri but Rocky’s REWIND HEEL hits! Moxley’s back and he CLOBBERS Rocky! Ishii’s back and he blocks Moxley’s lariat! Moxley blocks Ishii’s lariat, but then Ishii dodges Moxley’s lariat, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men stay up, Ishii blocks a boot but Moxley ROCKS Ishii with a forearm! Ishii ROCKS Moxley with a forearm!
Both men roar, and Moxley KING KONG LARIATS Ishii! But Okada gets Moxley in a waistlock! Ripcord and RAINMAKER!! Fans go wild, but then Shota gets in and kicks Okada low! DEATH RIDER!! Rocky UPPERCUTS Shota, runs, but Shota DROPKICKS him a la Okada! And then DEATH RIDER for Rocky!! Cover, BCC WINS!!!
Winners: Blackpool Combat Club, by pinfall
The Roughneck sends a message right to the head of Chaos! Is the Dream Trio’s reign as NEVER Six Man Tag Team Champions already in danger? Is the Paradigm Shift coming for NJPW?
Backstage interview with Mercedes Moné.
Emily May is with The CEO ahead of the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship tournament finals. How does that all feel? Mone says one down, one to go. And who is it but none other than Willow Nightingale! Mone already told her once so she’ll say it again, Mone will get a pillow for Willow because she’s going to sleep! Willow will learn real quick who the CEO of NJPW really is. Because she’s ready to be the first-ever NJPW Strong Women’s Champion! #BankOnThat!
IWGP United States Championship #1 Contender’s Tournament, Opening Round: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Will Ospreay!
Two former IWGP United States Champions battle as part of the tournament to name Kenny Omega’s next challenge. On top of that, The Ace and the Kingpin have both faced The Best Bout Machine in the past. But waiting on the other side of the bracket is another former champion in Lance Archer. Who wins here to face the Murderhawk Monster in the finals?
The bell rings and the fans are thunderous already. Ospreay and Tanahashi encourage them to get louder so the fans oblige, and it is electric! Tanahashi and Ospreay tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, and are in a deadlock. Tanahashi manages to power Ospreay back, puts him on ropes, and the ref counts. Tanahashi lets off slowly but cleanly, and even Ospreay applauds. The two reset, fans duel, “TANAHASHI!” “WIL OSPREAY!” Tanahashi air guitars with the rhythm, but Ospreay air drums a wild solo! Tanahashi jams on the guitar, it’s a damn air rock concert! Ospreay then asks for a timeout, he’s running out of air.
The two go again, tie up, and Tanahashi waistlocks. Ospreay switches, Tanahashi switches, but Ospreay wrenches. Tanahashi wrenches back, wristlocks, but Ospreay rolls, handsprings, wrenches and hammerlocks to a headlock. Fans cheer the technical ability, but then Tanahashi slips out to headlock Ospreay. Ospreay powers out, Tanahashi runs Ospreay over, and Ospreay bails out. Fans fire up while Ospreay catches his breath again. The ring count starts, Ospreay returns, and the two circle. They apporach, Ospreay kicks and CLUBS and ROCKS Tanahashi to a corner. Ospreay throws more shots, and an UPPERCUT!
Ospreay whips corner to corner, runs in but Tanahashi elbows him! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! And more air guitars! Tanahashi throws the guitar away, and then he goes back for Ospreay. Tanahashi throws body shots and follows Ospreay to ropes. Tanahashi whips, Ospreay holds ropes to stop himself, and then Ospreay FLAPJACKS Tanahashi onto the ropes! And then Ospreay DROPKICKS Tanahashi off the ropes! Fans fire up, Ospreay aims, PLANCHA! Direct hit and Ospreay air drums again! A ring count starts, Ospreay goes back to Tanahashi and brings him up at 5 of 20. Ospreay SMACKS Tanahashi off the apron!
Ospreay puts Tanahashi into the ring after 7, and then looms over him. Ospreay scrapes the soles off Tanahashi’s face! The ref reprimands, Ospreay “apologizes,” and he brings Tanahashi up. Ospreay HEADBUTTS Tanahashi, bumps him off buckles, and then CHOPS him! Fans “WOO~!” and Ospreay takes a bite of that juicy fruit. Ospreay CHOPS Tanahashi again! Ospreay whips corner to corner hard and Tanahashi bounces off buckles. Cover, TWO! Ospreay keeps cool and fans rally up. Ospreay scuffs Tanahashi with his boot, gives him more toying kicks, then ELBOWS Tanahashi on the top of his head!
Ospreay drags Tanahashi up, scoops him, and gives him a SPIN-OUT BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Ospreay is annoyed by the count but the ref says it was fair. Ospreay slaps Tanahashi around while fans rally up. Ospreay eggs Tanahashi on, then drags him up. Tanahashi fires forearms! And forearms! But Ospreay knees low! Ospreay whips Tanahashi to ropes, but Tanahashi hits FLYING FOREARMS! Fans fire up with The Ace and he fires off shots on Ospreay! Ospreay staggers, Tanahashi gives him more body shots. Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Ospreay into the drop zone, then he goes up the corner!
Fans fire up for the SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Ospreay is still in this but Tanahashi keeps his cool. Fans rally up, Tanahashi runs, but Ospreay CHOPS! Tanahashi keeps moving, and Ospreay CHOPS again! Tanahashi shrugs it off, and then he fires off forearm after forearm! Tanahashi whips, Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Ospreay goes to the apron and he gets the fans to be even louder. The fans return to thunderous levels and Ospreay takes aim. Tanahashi rises, Ospreay springboards, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO!! That forearm was good but not quite phenomenal.
But Ospreay says he’ll finish this, and he adjusts his elbow pad. Ospreay drags Tanahashi up, turns him, and CHELSEA GRIN ELBOWS! But Ospreay isn’t done, he goes to the corner. Ospreay aims, runs in, but Tanahashi roars! Tanahashi dropkicks Ospreay’s leg! Fans are still rallying, Tanahashi runs in, but he blocks Ospreay’s boot! KNEE JAMMER! Tanahashi puts the leg in the ropes, to DROPKICK it! And then DRAGON SCREW it! Fans fire up while Ospreay clutches that knee, but Tanahashi gets both legs! Ospreay throws hands but Tanahashi still drags him around! Ospreay resists, but still ends up in the TEXAS CLOVERHOLD!
Fans rally as Ospreay still tries to fight this! Ospreay crawls, reaches out, but Tanahashi drags him back and sits deep on it! Ospreay still endures and fans rally harder! Ospreay crawls again, ROPEBREAK! Tanahashi lets go in frustration and perhaps some exhaustion. Tanahashi stomps Ospreay’s leg, then waits on him to rise. Fans fire up, Tanahashi runs, but Ospreay gets around to waistlock. Tanahashi elbows free, but Ospreay CHOPS! Tanahashi SHOTEIS! Tanahashi powers up, but Ospreay HOOK KICKS! Both men go down and fans are thunderous! A standing count starts as both men stir.
Ospreay shakes his bad leg and we hit 5 of 10. Fans rally up more, Ospreay rises and the count stops. Ospreay sits Tanahashi up, and he throws a forearm. Tanahashi fires up to throw a forearm! Ospreay fires up and he throws another forearm! Tanahashi fires up again and throws another forearm! Ospreay stands up in a rage and fans go wild as he shakes the ropes! Tanahashi also stands, and the forearms start flying! They go back and forth, again and again, and Ospreay wobbles! Tanahashi ROCKS him again, and again, and again! But Ospreay fires off Kawada Kicks! And a CHOP!
Tanahashi staggers to a corner, Ospreay runs in to BOOT! That was one hell of a kick and Ospreay pushes Tanahashi down. Ospreay goes up the corner and fans fire up. The bad leg makes it tricky but Ospreay still reaches the top. Tanahashi stands, Ospreay BLINDSIDE PIP PIP CHEERIOS! Ospreay then drags Tanahashi up, underhooks, lifts, STORM- SLINGBLADE?! Tanahashi turns things around and fans are thunderous! Tanahashi runs to SLINGBLADE again! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives but Tanahashi goes to a corner! Tanahashi climbs, Ospreay stands, HIGH FLY ATTACK! But Ospreay rolls it through, TWO!
Tanahashi ghost pins, TWO!!! Ospreay swings but Tanahashi catches him to a full nelson! Ospreay elbows free but Tanahashi dropkicks the leg from behind! Tanahashi gets that leg, DRAGON- NO, Ospreay spins through to STOMP 182! Fans are thunderous again as Ospreay calls his shot! Springboard, OSCUTTER!! Cover, TWO!??! Tanahashi survives but Ospreay goes right to a corner! Elbow pad ready, Ospreay takes aim, HIDDEN BLADE!!! But that’s still not enough!? STORMBREAKER!!!! Cover, Ospreay wins!!!
Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (advances to the tournament finals)
The Commonwealth Kingpin trumps the Ace of the Universe and wins big here tonight! But will Ospreay be 100% in time to face the Murderhawk Monster in Dominion?
Backstage interview with Willow Nightingale.
Emily is with the Babe with the Power now, and we’re just moments away from the finals for the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship! Willow says she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t a little nervous. Actually, even that’s a lie. She’s a lot nervous, but here we are. Willow trusts herself, trusts her training, trusts her heart, and honestly, the only thing she can do is be the best Willow she can be, and that is what she’s gonna do. Willow takes a deep breath, Emily wishes her luck, and Willow fires herself up before going to gorilla!
NJPW Strong Women’s Championship Tournament Finals: Mercedes Moné VS Willow Nightingale!
Finally, the moment of truth is here! Both women competed just earlier tonight, but one of them will close the night as a brand new champion! Who proves they are truly NJPW Strong?
Willow changes from purple to gold to show how optimistic she is about getting the gold. Earlier, Mone was Cleopatra. Now, because Long Beach is near Los Angeles and Disneyland, Mone is Snow White! The introductions are made, the shiny new belt is raised, and we see who is truly the strongest of them all!
The bell rings and fans are thunderous already for this historic moment. They then go past thunderous right into volcanic! Mone and Willow circle, both feeling the energy of this moment. “This is Awesome!” and both women appreciate that sentiment. Mone and Willow are just as fired up now, and they feel out the grapple. Willow then settles down, and offers a handshake. Mone smiles, considers it, and fans say “YES! YES! YES!” Mone says okay, and they shake hands! Fans cheer the respect, but then Willow uses her power to bring Mone to her knees! Mone SLAPS Willow back! And then headlocks!
Willow powers out, Mone slides under to sunset flip, ONE! Mone headlocks again, Willow powers up to back suplex but Mone lands on her feet! Mone rolls Willow, high stacks, TWO! Mone hurries to bring Willow up but Willow CHOPS! Mone goes to ropes, Willow whips her, Mone RANAS, but Willow blocks! Willow brings Mone up but Mone sunset flips, TWO! Willow hurries to sit on Mone, TWO! Willow looms over Mone, fans fire up, HIP DROP FLOPS as Mone moves! Mone hooks arms, rolls Willow like she did Vaquer, but Willow booty bumps free! Mone swings, Willow blocks, spins and ROCKS Mone!
Willow runs to POUNCE Mone into the ropes!! Fans are thunderous again as Mone flops out of the ring!! Willow is soaking it all up and she goes out after Mone. Willow runs in to LARIAT Mone back down! Fans fire up again, Willow rolls in and wants the count. After all, there’s no Champion’s Advantage when there’s no champion. The count reaches 9 of 20 but Mone slides in at 11. But Willow SPLASHES her in the corner! Willow brings Mone out, short arm LARIAT! Willow drags Mone up for another short arm LARIAT! Willow reels Mone in again, short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO!!
Willow has a frustrated smirk but she looms over Mone. Willow drags Mone up, scoops, and she SLAMS Mone down. Willow flexes, fans fire up, and Willow drags Mone up again. Another scoop and SLAM, and then Willow brings Mone up. Mone slips free to CHOP BLOCK a leg! Willow stays up and she ELBOWS Mone down! Willow is feeling it now and she covers, TWO! Willow nods, she knows Mone’s tougher than that. Willow drags Mone up, bumps her off buckles, and CHOPS! Mone scrambles away, stinging in her chest. Willow shouts at Mone, CHOPS her again, and Mone staggers away to another corner.
Willow storms up but Mone turns things around to CHOP, CHOP and WINDMILL CHOP! But Willow turns things around to ROCK Mone! Willow whips corner to corner, Mone reverses, but Willow handsprings and ENZIGURIS! Fans fire up again and Willow is having fun now. Willow drags Mone up in a facelock but Mone flails. Willow leans on Mone to keep her down and the fans duel. “LET’S GO, WILLOW!” “C E O!” Mone fights up, JAWBREAKERS, then runs, but into a LARIAT! Willow drags Mone up, short arm- NO, roll up! ONE, but Mone blocks a kick to KNEE back! Mone runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER!
Willow has the legs, and she turns Mone over, BOSTON CRAB!! And it’s deep!! Mone endures being bent back so far, but she reaches out for ropes! Willow adjusts, keeps on it, but Mone fights around! Mone flips Willow off, before the ROPEBREAK! Willow lets go, Mone goes to a corner, and Willow RAMS into her! Willow puts Mone up top and ROCKS her with a forearm. Willow climbs up but Mone fires off forearms! Willow hits back, CLUBS Mone, then hoists her up to the very top. STALLING SUPERPLEX!!! Cover, TWO!!! Mone survives and no one can believe it! The fans continue to rally while Mone crawls to a corner.
Willow refocuses, brings off the wrist tape, and she runs in, but Mone dodges! Mone comes back, Willow puts her on the apron but Mone bumps her, ROCKS her, and repeat! Mone fires off again and again and fans fire up! Willow staggers back and Mone goes up the corner. Willow SLAPS her first! Willow ROCKS Mone again, climbs back up, but Mone rains down elbows! Mone adjusts to HOTSHOT Willow! Mone hurries back in, he covers, TWO!! Willow stands first, she brings Mone up, and scoops to RAM her into a corner! And then corner to corner, but Mone slips free! Willow staggers back, into the BACKSTABBER!
Mone drags Willow up and over, into the BANK STATEMENT!!! Willow flails, crawls, drags Mone along, but then turns and rolls! Willow hauls Mone up and moves her around, gut wrench into the BABE WITH THE POWERBOMB!!! Cover, TWO!??!? Mone barely gets an arm up, and no one believes it!! Willow snarls, brings the straps down, and she hauls Mone up again. Willow brings Mone in, gut wrenches again, BABE WITH THE POWERBOMB AGAIN!!! Cover, WILLOW WINS!!!!
Winner: Willow Nightingale, by pinfall (INAUGURAL NJPW Strong Women’s Champion)
The Walter Pyramid erupts in celebration! Even Willow seems in shock that she won! Willow may not have won the AEW Women’s World Championship, she may not have won the ROH Women’s World Championship, but she IS the first-ever NJPW Strong Women’s Champion!!! And of course, as is NJPW tradition, she won the main event so she closes out the show! Willow gets the mic and takes a moment as fans chant “You Deserve It!” Willow says “OHHHH~ my goodness!” She thanks the fans for all of this love and support. “I have so much gratitude. Thank you. I have so much gratitude for all of you.
“I have so much gratitude and respect for everyone who was in the tournament, who performed tonight, who helped pave the way for a championship like this to be here. To have one award that is from four different companies. I’m just… I think an opponent like Mercedes…” Fans cheer and Willow encourages it as she gets emotional. “… is like the most prolific women’s wrestler of our generation. And to be able to share the ring with her is an honor. To be able to be in front of you guys is an honor. This is the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship!” Fans cheer that, and Willow says she fought for YEARS and YEARS to be on a stage like this, and to have a moment like this!
So it’s not lost on her what it took to get here, and what is ahead of her. Fans chant for Willow again, and she says, “This is amazing! GAH! But really, really, thank you to everyone. Momo, Stephanie, Mercedes, all frickin’ put it all out here tonight! So, honestly, thank you for believing in me, thank you for helping me get this far. And it’s only the beginning, folks.” Willow winks, drops the mic, and returns to celebrating! Willow makes history and shocks the world, will the world soon belong to her?
My Thoughts:
What an amazing night for NJPW, especially stateside. Technical difficulties aside, and some production quality stuff aside (too many cuts between the ringside cams, some audio quality issues given the acoustics of the arena), this was probably NJPW’s best night in the US so far. Now, there was a bummer moment where Kyle Fletcher revealed Mark Davis’ injury and how Aussie Open is out of action for the time being. As he said, they were on the cusp of ramping things up in the entire (non-WWE) world of tag team wrestling, but now that won’t happen. Bishamon VS House of Torture is happening because it was going to be a Triple Threat last I recall, so that’s fine. I would hope Bishamon wins, though, if only because House of Torture means more typical Heel cheating to retain titles.
I did skip the kickoff show matches because they were kickoff show matches, free on YouTube even, but of course Coughlin wins to have momentum going into facing Shibata. DKC winning was a great surprise, though. And I skipped ZSJ & Bad Dude Tito losing to Barbaro & Virus cuz I knew Tito was taking that finish. Insane Street Fight from Rosser and Juice, and great to see Toni show up here to be part of it. This almost felt like a Double Turn, where Rosser is Heel and Juice is now Face (at least in the NJPW scope of things, AEW is a different story). I mean, you don’t bring up someone’s spouse, then basically sexually harass them and stay the Face.
Really good NJPW Strong Openweight Championship match but I did not think they’d go so hardcore. But a count-out win is a great way to keep Hikuleo strong while putting the belt back on Kenta, though I feel like the title change itself is a letdown. Yes, Kenta is now a historic two-time Strong Openweight Champion, but I guess that just means when we eventually get Bullet Club VS Guerrillas of Destiny (and El Phantasmo, too?), the Faces will be underdogs who then earn title matches with their win. Feels almost like NJPW booked themselves into a corner again when it came to writing a Bullet Club Civil War style story.
The Six Man Tag was really wild and hectic but that seemed fitting since we’re talking Blackpool Combat Club. Also, the faction is called Chaos, there really should be more actual chaos with them. But Shota getting the pin here was also really great stuff. Okada VS Moxley is definitely a match a lot of people want to see, but obviously there’s a lot to get out of a Okada VS Shota match, too. Tanahashi VS Ospreay was also awesome, neither man can put on a bad match. Tanahashi being a NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Champion with Okada and Ishii, it makes sense Ospreay goes over. Ospreay VS Archer is going to be wild, I just hope Ospreay’s body holds together because he goes so hard in there.
And of course, what a great one-night tournament for the brand new Strong Women’s Championship. Mone beating Vaquer was rather obvious, she’s Mercedes Mone/Sasha Banks. Willow beating Momo wasn’t quite a given but it definitely felt mostly in Willow’s favor. Mone VS Willow was an awesome main event, and with Willow dominating so hard, I thought Mone was going to pull off the comeback win. Case in point, that supposed kickout after the first powerbomb. But then to everyone’s surprise, Willow still wins out! Kudos to Mone putting over Willow, and great promo from Willow to show respect back.
I don’t watch NJPW Strong, no real time in the schedule, but Willow will surely show that belt off in AEW and ROH, maybe make some cross-promotional matches to help get eyes on NJPW Strong and ROH.
My Score: 9.1/10
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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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