NJPW PPV Results
Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 33 Results & Report! (7/25/23)
A & B, round 4!
Whose luck runs out in the fourth round?
Sanada is 3-0 in A Block, and Kazuchika Okada is 3-0 in B Block! Will either man still be leading the G1 Climax after tonight?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- G1 Climax 33, B Block: Will Ospreay VS Great-O-Khan; Ospreay wins.
- G1 Climax 33, A Block: Shota Umino VS Gabe Kidd; Shota wins.
- G1 Climax 33, B Block: Taichi VS KENTA; Kenta wins.
- G1 Climax 33, A Block: Yota Tsuji VS Chase Owens; Tsuji wins.
- G1 Climax 33, B Block: Tanga Lao VS El Phantasmo; ELP wins.
- G1 Climax 33, A Block: Ren Narita VS Hikuleo; Hikuleo wins.
- G1 Climax 33, B Block: Kazuchika Okada VS YOSHI-HASHI; Okada wins.
- G1 Climax 33, A Block: SANADA VS Kaito Kiyomiya; Sanada wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current A Block standings.
Sanada: 3-0, 6 points
Kaito Kiyomiya: 2-0-1, 5 points
Gabe Kidd: 2-1, 4 points
Chase Owens: 2-1, 4 points
Ren Narita: 0-1-2, 2 points
Shota Umino: 0-1-2, 2 point
Yota Tsuji: 0-2-1, 1 point
Hikuleo: 0-3, 0 points
Here are the current B Block standings.
Kazuchika Okada: 3-0, 6 points
Taichi: 2-1, 4 points
Will Ospreay: 2-1, 4 points
YOSHI-HASHI: 2-1, 4 points
Tanga Loa: 1-2, 2 points
Kenta: 1-2, 2 points
Great-O-Khan: 1-2, 2 points
El Phantasmo: 0-3, 0 points
G1 Climax 33, B Block: Will Ospreay VS Great-O-Khan!
The United Empire was bound to clash being in the same block, and perhaps it is misfortune that it happens here in the fourth round. But will the IWGP United States Champion stay strong? Or will the Rev-Pro British Heavyweight Champion soon have the upper hand?
The bell rings and the two tie right up! They’re in a deadlock as fans rally and duel. Khan powers Ospreay back a few steps, but Ospreay digs in his heels! Even so, Khan puts Ospreay on the ropes. The ref calls for the break, Khan lets off with pats on the shoulders, and fans applaud. Ospreay gets right up in Khan’s face, stands him up tall, and CHOPS! But Khan doesn’t flinch! Ospreay fires forearm after forearm but Khan just brushes himself off. So Ospreay dares Khan to try! Khan Mongolian Chops! Ospreay drops to a knee, but he rises up. Khan Mongolian Chops again! Ospreay drops to a knee again, but he rises back up.
Khan Mongolian Chops again, but Ospreay SOBATS! Ospreay whips, but Khan blocks! Khan whips, Ospreay ducks ‘n’ dodges to BOOT! Ospreay runs, but into a back drop! Fans fire up for Khan while Ospreay flounders. Khan drags Ospreay up to suplex high and hard! Cover, ONE! Khan wraps onto Ospreay with a HEAD ‘N’ ARM TRIANGLE! Ospreay kicks around to the ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer as Khan lets off, but Khan kneels on Ospreay’s face! The ref reprimands, Khan steps away, and fans rally. Khan drags Ospreay back into a chinlock, and digs his knee in! Then he throws elbows down into the shoulder!
Ospreay endures as Khan goes back to the chinlock. Fans rally up, Ospreay fights around, but Khan shifts to a headlock. Khan grinds Ospreay into the mat, but Ospreay fights back up. Ospreay throws body shots, but Khan ELBOWS him on the neck! Khan whips Ospreay to a corner, but Ospreay reverses! Ospreay runs in but only gets buckles! Khan CLUBS Ospreay on the back, and fans fire up as Khan sits on his throne! But Ospreay slips out to JUMP STEINER! Fans fire up as Khan goes flying! Ospreay drags Khan up, fires forearms, then whips. Khan reverses but Ospreay handsprings, NEURALIZER!
Fans fire up again while Khan bails out. Ospreay hurries over, to PLANCHA! Direct hit and down goes Khan! Fans fire up again and Ospreay says “IKU ZO! <LET’S GO!>” Ospreay drags Khan up and puts him in, then aims from the apron. Khan rises, fans rally, and Ospreay springboards, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Khan hangs tough, but Ospreay drags him to a drop zone. Ospreay goes up the corner but Khan anchors him. Ospreay CLUBS Khan but Khan TRIPS Ospreay! And then SLAM DUNKS him off the buckles! Then runs to BOOT Ospreay down! Cover, TWO! Ospreay hangs tough and fans rally up again.
Khan puts some stank on his hands, but Ospreay blocks the Mongolian Chops to give Kawada Kicks! Ospreay pulls the ponytail and turns Khan around, to CHOP! Ospreay fires the fans up, but Khan catches him for a HITSUJIGOROSHI! Ospreay claws at the hold and fires fists from below, but Khan knees him in the back! Khan scoops Ospreay, carries him over, and DUMPS him outta the ring! Ospreay hits apron on the way down! Khan goes out after Ospreay and tells cameramen to move. Khan drags Ospreay up to whip him hard into railing! Ospreay sputters as he falls, but Khan opens the gate!
Fans move aside as Khan brings Ospreay into the seats. Khan BOWLS Ospreay into chairs! The ref has Khan go back to the ring while he checks Ospreay, but Khan goes looking for something. Khan brings out a chair from under the ring! Khan drags Ospreay back to the ring, to RAM into railing! Khan has the chair, and he JAMS Ospreay! And SMACKS him on the back! The ref reprimands but Khan pushes Ospreay into the ring. Khan covers with one hand, but the ref won’t count that. This ref is following Red Shoes’ example, taking outside shenanigans into consideration. Khan drags Ospreay up and reels him in.
Khan scoops, but Ospreay slips free to HOOK KICK! Fans fire up as Ospreay powers up the arm! Ospreay aims from the corner, Khan sits back up, but Khan avoids Hidden Blade! Khan shoves the ref at Ospreay but Ospreay moves, so the ref hits buckles hard! Ospreay storms up, into MIST!! Khan blinds Ospreay with clear mist, then trips Ospreay to the PANCAKE BRIDGE! TWO, and Khan waistlocks to bridge! TWO, suplex to PANCAKE! TWO!?!? Ospreay escapes and he says he can’t see! Khan runs in to clothesline Ospreay out! Fans rally up and Khan PLANCHAS?! Fans fire up even more as Khan takes Ospreay down!
Khan drags Ospreay up and into the ring, then clamps on the IRON CLAW! ELIMI-NO, Ospreay flips through to SUPERKICK! And he swats the lariat to HOOK KICK! Ospreay runs, into a LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!!! Ospreay survives and we hit 10 minutes! Khan vows to end this and he goes up, to MOONSAULT!?? Cover, TWO!!! Khan is busting out Ospreay-esque moves and yet Ospreay is still in this! But the Monster Rage boils over! Khan IRON CLAWS, then ELIMIN- NO, JUMP KNEE! But HELL STABS! Khan runs, but into a SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO!?!? Khan survives but Ospreay fires up!
Ospreay calls his shot, springboards, OSCUTTER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Khan survives but Ospreay puts him in the drop zone! Ospreay goes up to CORKSCREW SENTON!! Cover, Ospreay wins!!
Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Khan earns 0)
Ospreay truly took a “Leap of Faith” with that corkscrew, and now he is victorious! Khan sure tried some nasty tactics, but Ospreay lets it slide, and even offers Khan a hand. Khan accepts it and the fans cheer. The United Empire is still strong, will they take over the G1 one way or another?
G1 Climax 33, A Block: Shota Umino VS Gabe Kidd!
The Roughneck has two points from two draws, while this War Dog has two wins for four points. Will Gabe be able to beat Shota in time? Or will he feel the Paradigm Shift firsthand?
Not again! Despite Shota entering through the crowd, Gabe still blindsides him! Fans boo but Gabe doesn’t care, and he takes Shota’s jacket to wear as his own! Gabe mocks Shota’s entrance then tells the fans off. Gabe then lashes Shota with his own jacket! And again! Gabe drags Shota up to CHOP him! Gabe then headlocks to bring Shota along, and ROCKS him with a forearm! they go down the bleachers, Gabe CHOPS Shota again, and fans boo more. Gabe headlocks Shota again to bring him down to the ground level, and POSTS him! Gabe puts Shota in the ring, and he tells the ref to ring the bell!
The ref reluctantly does as told, and Gable runs to COMEBACKER LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Shota is still in this and Gabe is furious. Gabe drags Shota up, drags him through the ropes and to the apron, but Shota fights the suplex! Shota throws body shots, fires forearms, and fans rally! Shota hits Gabe again and again, but Gabe ROCKS Shota back! Gabe reels Shota in, to suplex him to the apron! Shota flops to the floor and Gabe dusts himself off while fans boo. Gabe then goes looking around, and he goes out to just grab an empty chair! Fans boo and commentary tells him not to go this far but Gabe says he’s gonna do what he wants!
But the ref stops Gabe from using the chair on Shota, so Gabe throws the ref into the ring. Gabe wants a ring count now! The count begins, Gabe paces around, and fans rally for Shota. Gabe lounges on the top rope, fans boo, but we’re at 7 of 20! Gabe says HE is the future of NJPW, not Shota! Shota stirs at 10, sits up at 12, but staggers around at 14 and flops back over! Shota gets up at 16 and hops in at 17, but Gabe stands him up to CHOP him down! Gabe digs his boot into Shota’s head, but fans boo and the ref reprimands. Gabe lets off at 4, sits Shota up, and KICKS him in the back! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally up but Gabe smirks then flips everyone off. The fans cheer Shota on but Gabe goes out to snatch a fan’s Shota banner! Gabe CHOKES Shota with it! Fans boo, the ref counts, and Gabe lets off at 4. Gabe then flosses his cheeks with the banner! Then he spits on it! Gabe throws it back to the crowd as they boo, but he just soaks it all up. Gabe eggs Shota on, and Shota rises. Gabe talks trash, but Shota throws a forearm! But there’s no power behind it! Shota gets mad and he fires another forearm, but there’s still not a lot of power. Shota gets angrier, the fans rally for him, and he fires another forearm, but Gabe ROCKS him with a right!
Gabe reels Shota in, EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Shota is still in this and Gabe grows frustrated. Gabe drags Shota up, reels him in, but Shota fights the lift! So Gabe CLUBS away on Shota. Gabe runs, but Shota catches him for the DROP and BASEMENT UPPERCUT! Fans fire up as Shota grits his teeth and checks his neck. Shota whips Gabe to a corner, runs in, and UPPERCUTS! Then FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but fans still rally. Shota nods and he drags Gabe up. Shota clinches but Gabe fights the suplex! Shota knees low, snapmares and clamps onto an arm, to then throw down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS!
Fans fire up as Shota uses the Blackpool Combat Club special and just drives those elbows in! Shota then drags Gabe up, clinches, but Gabe fights with elbows of his own. Gabe CLUBS Shota, runs, but into a DROPKICK! Shota then hurries to the corner, climbs up, and fans rally. Gabe stands, and Shota BLINDSIDE MISSILE DROPKICKS! Shota then drags Gabe up, for SAVING GRACE! Cover, TWO! Gabe is still in this but Shota just fires up again. Both men rise, and Shota sees Gabe go to the corner. Shota drags Gabe up, hoists him up top, and then climbs up after him. Fans rally again but Gabe fights the clinch!
Gabe CLUBS Shota, ROCKS him with a forearm, but then Shota just laughs! Gabe throws more shots but Shota gives them back! They brawl up top, Shota gets the edge and Gabe wobbles! Shota clinches, but Gabe BITES an ear!! The ref reprimands, Gabe lets off, and fans boo. Gabe drags Shota up with a HANGING FACELOCK!! The ref counts, Gabe lets Shota go at 4 and Shota flops down! Fans boo more but Gabe hops down and catches his own breath. Gabe scuffs Shota but the fans continue to rally. Gabe snarls and he KICKS Shota in the back! Gabe scuffs Shota more, mocks the new Ace, “What you got? What you got?!”
Gabe SPITS at Shota! Fans boo more and Shota stands. Shota scowls and swings, but Gabe ROCKS him first! Shota BOOTS, Gabe CHOPS, but then Shota clinches for the EXPLODER! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Gabe sputters as he rolls to a corner, and Shota rolls to the opposite end. We reach 10 minutes as both men stand. Shota runs corner to corner but Gabe BOOTS him! But Shota rebounds to UPPERCUT Gabe at the ropes! Shota goes out, SLINGSHOT DDT! Shota then watches Gabe flounder and the fans rally up. Gabe rises slowly, Shota runs in, kick and underhooks! But Gabe sends Shota at the ref!
Shota stops himself, and then he blocks Gabe’s low blow! Fans boo Gabe, and Shota reels him in, POP-UP UPPERCUT! Then IGNITION!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives but Shota fires up! Fans are with him as he underhooks, but Gabe waistlocks. Shota switches, Gabe elbows free, then he grabs at the ref. Gabe sends the ref at Shota! Shota moves the ref aside but Gabe HAYMAKERS! Fans boo the closed fist, but Gabe hits a SAIDO!! Cover, TWO!?! Shota survives and Gabe can’t believe it! The fans rally up for Shota again, but Gabe flips them off. The fans boo, Gabe drags Shota up, and Gabe hooks a leg!
Shota fights the lift, Gabe CLUBS him on the back, then CHOPS him! And CHOPS him again! Gabe runs, but into a POP-UP CLINCH for DEATHRIDER!! Shota then drags Gabe right up as the fans rally, for PARADIGM SHIFT!! Cover, SHOTA WINS!
Winner: Shota Umino, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Gabe earns 0)
Comeuppance bites this War Dog in the butt, and Shota is now even with him at four points each! But while 1-1-2 looks weird, will this be what helps Shota stay ahead in the block?
G1 Climax 33, B Block: Taichi VS KENTA!
The KOPW Champion, the Holy Emperor, suffered his first loss in the G1 at the hands of Kazuchika Okada. The Defy Wrestling Champion, the Fang Revived, suffered another loss, and at the hands of Will Ospreay. In another clash of champions, who has the worse luck in round four?
As Taichi makes his entrance, Kenta mocks the sing-along by strumming his Defy title as a bass guitar. And then Kenta is surprised Taichi has a belt at all. Kenta then says HIS belt means more, even though it’s not from NJPW. Taichi takes off his coat and fans cheer for the KOPW belt. Kenta raises his Defy belt and fans cheer again. Taichi holds up the KOPW belt and fans cheer even more! Kenta raises his belt again, and he still gets cheers, but it sounds like the NJPW belt is more popular. Kenta is annoyed by that, and Kenta shouts at Yoshinobu Kanemaru on commentary. Kanemaru hops into the ring and fans cheer him on.
Kenta raises his Defy belt, and fans cheer. Taichi gets on a corner and raises his KOPW belt and fans cheer. “Uncle Nobu” wants another sample, and so Kenta stands on a corner to raise his belt. Fans cheer, but then Taichi stands back on the corner, pops the pecs and holds up the belt, and fans cheer even more! Kanemaru declares… TAICHI the favorite! Kenta gets mad, kicks Kanemaru and then throws him out! But what did he expect from Taichi’s own teammate? But then Kenta CLOBBERS Taichi with the Defy belt! The ref missed that, but he still rings the bell and counts the cover! TWO!!
Kenta is even more upset, and he drags Taichi up. Fireman’s carry, GO TO- NO, Taichi blocks! And ROCKS Kenta, then hits a DANGEROUS SAIDO! Cover, TWO!! Kenta survives and both men are down while Kanemaru returns to commentary to ask what the heck. Both men in the ring rise and fans rally up. Taichi stands first, and Kenta wants him to hold on. Kenta apologizes for all that, but then he RIPS Taichi’s pants off! He denies Taichi his moment, but Taichi still hits AX BOMBER! Fans fire up as Taichi aims from the corner now! JUTEN- NO, Kenta dodges to fireman’s carry! Taichi slips off, but Kenta grabs the ref!
Taichi pushes Kenta to ropes so the ref goes along for the ride into the O’Conner Roll! But then Taichi keeps it going into the TAICHI GEDO CLUTCH! But the ref can’t count! Taichi would’ve won by now! Taichi lets off and gets mad at the ref. Kenta then scurries to his corner, grabs his Defy belt, and he takes aim again! But Taichi dodges the belt shot to SOBAT! Fans fire up with Taichi and he aims. BUZZSAW, but Kenta uses the belt as a shield! And then LOW BLOW! Roll-up, the ref counts, KENTA WINS!!
Winner: Kenta, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taichi earns 0)
Kanemaru is furious on Taichi’s behalf but the Fang Revived still stole one from Taichi! Kenta then hurries away before Kanemaru can do something about it. With this, Kenta leapfrogs near the top, will he still make this his G1?
G1 Climax 33, A Block: Yota Tsuji VS Chase Owens!
The GENE 1 isn’t going so well, as Tsuji only has one point from a draw. However, the C1 is feeling good with two wins and four points. Will the Crown Jewel continue to shine? Or will Tsuji find a way to break diamonds and finally score a win?
Chase insists on the ref checking Tsuji, and then he CLOBBERS Tsuji! Fans boo as Chase stomps Tsuji and the bell rings. Chase CHOKES Tsuji, the ref reprimands, but Chase whips Tsuji to ropes and CLOBBERS him again! Cover, TWO! Chase keeps his cool as he paces around. Chase drags Tsuji up, hooks the arms but Tsuji gets away to the outside. Chase pursues to RAM Tsuji into railing! Chase brings Tsuji around, and whips him into more railing! Fans rally for Tsuji but Chase drags him up. Chase brings Tsuji around, to whip again, but Tsuji sends Chase into railing now! Chase hobbles and fans rally for Tsuji more.
Tsuji stalks Chase, SMACKS him off the apron, and then SMACKS him off the apron again! Tsuji goes up to the apron and fans cheer, but Chase YANKS Tsuji down! Fans boo but Chase hurries back up as the ring count starts. But Tsuji jumps to TIGER FEINT KICK! Tsuji keeps himself on the apron with his feet in the ropes! Tsuji then stands up, climbs the corner as we pass 10 of 20, and he ASAI MOONSAULTS Chase down! Fans fire up with that show of agility, but the count is now 15! Tsuji brings Chase up and into the ring as fans rally behind him. Chase rolls all the way to the far side and bails out, but Tsuji just takes aim!
Fans fire up as Tsuji builds speed! Chase gets up, but Tsuji avoids his shoulder! But Chase avoids the knee! Tsuji avoids the lariat but Chase avoids the shoulder to KNEE Tsuji, and Chase hits a HOTSHOT NECKBREAKER! Chase rolls back in and he stomps Tsuji around. Chase drags Tsuji up, headlock punches, but claims it was his palm. Fans boo as Chase stands on Tsuji’s head and mocks the LIJ fist. Chase then fishhooks Tsuji’s face! The ref counts, Chase lets off and he drags Tsuji back up. Chase shoves Tsuji to ropes to then ROCK him in the back! And then another shove, for another forearm to the back!
Chase brings Tsuji up, BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Tsuji hangs in there but Chase paces around. Chase kicks at Tsuji, but Tsuji just grins? Chase slaps Tsuji around, taunts him, and stands him up to fire a forearm! But Tsuji still grins! Chase fires more forearms, but Tsuji eggs him on. Chase throat chops! No more smiling there, and Tsuji fires forearms in return! Tsuji runs, wheelbarrows, but Chase rolls him and shifts to a CROSSFACE! Fans cheer Chase’s agility and technical ability! Tsuji endures, moves around, and gets the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Chase lets off at 4, and paces around.
Tsuji goes to a corner, Chase runs in but Tsuji dodges! Tsuji comes back, but Chase dodges! Chase runs in but blocks a boot, only for Tsuji to bring him down with DOUBLE KNEES! Fans rally, Chase rises, and Tsuji fires up! Tsuji fires forearm after forearm, whips Chase but Chase reverses. Tsuji ducks ‘n’ dodges to BOOT Chase down! Fans fire up as Chase goes to a corner, and Tsuji runs in, but Chase puts him on the apron. Tsuji ROCKS Chase first, then climbs the corner! FLYING RANA! Chase tumbles out of the ring and fans fire up as Tsuji takes aim again! Tsuji builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit into the railing!
Fans fire up as Tsuji rises and roars! Tsuji hears the “YO~TA! YO~TA!” and he puts Chase in the ring. Cover, TWO! Chase is hanging tough but Tsuji stays focused. Tsuji kicks Chase to ropes, taunts him, and Chase fires a forearm! Tsuji knees low, reels Chase in, but Chase wrenches out, only for Tsuji to ROCK him! Tsuji runs in, into a BOOT! Back suplex off buckles, and then SAIDO! Chase hits the combo, and then he runs in at the corner, forearm smash! Short arm LARIAT! RUNNING KNEE! Cover, TWO! Tsuji is still in this and Chase is annoyed. Chase fireman’s carries, but Tsuji fights free!
Tsuji kicks low, suplexes, but Chase fights it! Chase wrenches out, fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up as Tsuji is still in this and we hit 10 minutes. Chase takes aim, runs side to side, but Tsuji avoids the C-Trigger to JUMP KNEE! Tsuji runs, SPEAR into C-TRIGGER!! Chase wrenches, hammerlocks, JEWEL HEIST!! Cover, ONE?!?! C-TRIGGER!! Underhooks and lift, but Tsuji back drops! Chase sunset flips and high stacks, TWO! BACK ELBOW! Chase runs, into a BLUE THUNDER BOMB, into a RUNNING KNEE of Tsuji’s own!! Fans are thunderous as Tsuji hauls Chase up!
Tsuji suplexes, but Chase powers out to SUPERKICK! Tsuji roars, Chase fires off a strike fest, but Tsuji ROCKS Chase with one shot! Chase roars and runs in, into a HEADBUTT!! Tsuji looms over Chase, and he still smiles! Tsuji runs, CURB STOMP!! Cover, TWO!! Chase survives but Tsuji isn’t done there! Fans are thunderous as Tsuji roars and aims at Chase. Chase rises, Tsuji runs in, GENE BLAST SPEAR!! Cover, Tsuji wins!!
Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Chase earns 0)
And with that, Tsuji finally hits the bull’s eye! Is there still time for Tsuji to blast off to the top of the block?
G1 Climax 33, B Block: Tanga Lao w/ Jado VS El Phantasmo!
The Silverback is just ahead of the Headbanga in the block with his one win, but that could all change. Will Loa be able to go Ape Shit on ELP? Or will Loa’s run face Sudden Death?
The bell rings and fans rally up. ELP offers a handshake, and Loa says okay, and accepts. They hug it out, both bonded by no longer being Bullet Club 4 Life. Fans rally up and ELP wiggles out of his shirt. Loa says thumbs up, 20/10. But then ELP wants Loa to take off the shirt, and the fans cheer for the same. Loa shimmies and shakes, but says no, he’s shy. ELP is bummed and says shirts off. Fans cheer for that, too, and Loa considers again. ELP even asks nicely, “Onegaishimasu!” Loa obliges and fans cheer. The two tie up, and Loa shoves ELP away. ELP comes back, they tie up, but Loa again shoves him away.
The two reset, tie up, ELP waistlocks then headlocks but Loa powers out to run ELP over. Things speed up, ELP DROPKICKS, but Loa rebounds to run ELP over! Fans cheer, Loa applauds, but ELP gets up to clothesline Loa and himself out of the ring! ELP then brings Loa up to CHOP! Loa shakes his head, so ELP CHOPS again! The chops hurt ELP’s hand as much as anything, but he still CHOPS again! Loa kicks low, brings him around, and Loa whips him at railing! But ELP LEAPS over them clean! Loa runs in, but ELP ROCKS him first! ELP hops up, TORNADO- NO, Loa blocks that and he TOSSES ELP back over!
ELP lands on his feet, SUPERKICK! And then SUPERKICKS again! Loa wobbles, ELP hops up to the next level, and he has fans scoot over to make room! ELP runs and FLIES to take out Loa! Fans fire up for “E L P! E L P!” while both men are down. ELP rises first, shakes out the arms and he brings Loa back up. ELP puts Loa in the ring, fans applaud and rally up, and ELP hurries up the ropes! SPRINGBOARD SWANTON! Then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Loa is still in this but ELP slashes his throat! ELP reels Loa in, calls out his shot, but the arms do bother him. ELP still tucks Loa in, only for Loa to power up!
Loa whips ELP away, runs in at the corner, but ELP goes up and over and handsprings, then ducks ‘n’ dodges to springboard, into a SPEAR! Loa intercepts ELP and both men are down! Fans fire up and both men rise slowly. Jado coaches Loa and Loa shakes out the stars. Loa drags ELP up, CLUBS him on the back, then waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX! ELP ends up all folded up but Loa aims from the corner. ELP rises, Loa runs in, and he clotheslines in the corner! Then GERMAN SUPLEXES again! Cover, TWO!! ELP is hanging tough and fans rally back up! Loa storms over to ELP and drags him up.
Loa reels ELP in, suplexes, but ELP slips free to roll Loa up! TWO!! ELP hurries to reel Loa in and turn him, but Loa fights the backslide! ELP keeps trying, he brings Loa down, cover! TWO!! Loa escapes but ELP runs up, only for Loa to block the cradle! Loa scoops ELP to swing him, for a SIDE SLAM! Cover, TWO! ELP survives and fans fire up! Loa drags ELP up, BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! ELP barely gets that arm up in time! Loa stalks ELP to ropes, drags him up and around, and then suplexes again! Loa marches around with ELP and fans rally, before the JACKHAMMER! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives again!
Loa grins and shakes his head, he didn’t think ELP was this tough. Loa looms over ELP, and he rains down forearms! Loa then lets off and the ref checks ELP. ELP’s still in this so Loa goes to a corner. Loa climbs and fans rally, but ELP trips Loa up first! ELP then hurries up after Loa, brings him to the very top, and fans rally up again! But Loa fights the superplex and throws body shots! Loa then HEADBUTTS ELP and ELP falls to the mat! We pass 10 minutes, and Loa adjusts his position. Loa drags ELP up to the top!? But ELP powers out to GAMANGIRI! ELP then resets things, and he GAMANGIRIS again!
Loa wobbles up top and fans fire up as ELP throws off his elbow pads! ELP climbs, goes to the very top, but Loa turns Steiner into SUPER POWERBOMB!! Both men are down and fans are thunderous! Loa crawls over to ELP, pushes him over for a cover, TWO!!! ELP survives and fans are thunderous again! ELP is shaking, and he pounds the mat as he fires up! Fans are with him, and he fires off shots on Loa! Loa grits his teeth and takes them all! ELP SLAPS! Loa SLAPS!! Loa scoops, carries ELP around, and runs, but ELP slips off! GHOST PIN! ELP WINS!!
Winner: El Phantasmo, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Loa earns 0)
The Headbanga toughed it out and he finally gets on the board! ELP puts Loa at the bottom of the block now, but Loa still shows ELP respect by helping him up. Will these two still find their way to the top as the G1 rolls on?
G1 Climax 33, A Block: Ren Narita VS Hikuleo w/ Jado!
The Son of Strong Style has kept pace with rival Shota, in that he has two points but no wins. But that is still better than the Young Guerrilla having no wins and no points! Will Hikuleo keep from falling to 0-4? Will Shota actually get a W?
The bell rings and the two stare down as fans rally up. Then they tie up, and Hiku shoves Narita away. Narita gets up and Hiku eggs him on. They circle, Narita gets around Hiku but Hiku avoids the drop toehold, only for Narita to avoid the stomp. Hiku says it was that close, and the two reset. Hiku then calls for a test of strength, but also mocks Narita with how much taller he is than Narita. Narita goes for another drop toehold but Hiku avoids it again. Narita tries again but Hiku grabs that leg to stand Narita up! Narita fights the choke grip! Narita throws forearms, ROCKS Hiku, but then Hiku shakes his head.
Hiku swings, Narita dodges and FLYING FOREARMS! Hiku staggers, Narita runs, but Hiku BOOTS Narita down! Fans fire up and Hiku stomps Narita around. Narita throws hands but Hiku CLUBS him back down! Hiku drags Narita up, ROCKS him, and then storms up to Narita at the ropes. Hiku ROCKS Narita again, but Narita fires a forearm! And another! And another! Hiku boots but Narita blocks! Narita ROCKS Hiku, Hiku runs back in but Narita dumps him out! Narita goes out and kicks Hiku! Narita whips, but Hiku blocks! Hiku then whips Narita hard into railing! Narita goes down in a heap!
Hiku drags Narita up, brings him around, and gives him an APRON BACK SUPLEX! Fans fire up while Hiku paces. Hiku drags Narita up, puts him in, and fans applaud as Hiku steps back into the ring. Hiku looms over Narita, drags him up, and ROCKS him with a forearm! Narita sits in a corner and Hiku digs his boots in! The ref counts, Hiku lets off, and then Hiku drags Narita up. Narita fires forearms! Hiku fires them back! Hiku then TOSSES Narita across the ring! Fans fire up and Hiku aims. Narita drags himself up, Hiku runs in, but Narita dodges! Narita runs in, but Hiku scoops him! But Narita shifts around to a SLEEPER!
Hiku stays standing, and he RAMS Narita into the buckles! Hiku is free and Narita is the one sputtering. Hiku drags Narita up, but Narita gets a leg! Narita drags Hiku down, turns him over, but Hiku BOOTS Narita away! Fans rally as Hiku stands and shakes out the legs. Hiku storms over to Narita, Narita stands and Hiku CHOPS! Hiku then scoops, to POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! Fans rally but Hiku drags Narita up. Hiku suplexes, holds Narita up, but Narita slips free to hop on, SLEEPER! Hiku shakes and scoops Narita, to SPINNING SIDEWALK SLAM! Fans rally and Jado coaches Hiku as both men are down!
Hiku rises in the corner, Narita goes to the opposite. Hiku runs in to SPLASH! And then scoop, to SNAKE EYES! Hiku runs to LARIAT! Hiku hauls Narita back up to suplex, BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Narita survives falling from such a high place, but Hiku has something even bigger planned! Hiku hauls Narita up, whips him, but Narita avoids the scoop powerslam! Narita BOOTS, but Hiku choke grips! Narita goes after that arm but Hiku RAMS him into buckles! Narita runs in, dodges Hiku and WHEEL KICKS! Fans fire up, Narita runs to BOOT, but Hiku stays up! Hiku roars, Narita runs, and BOOTS again!
Hiku is still up so Narita goes again! Narita avoids Hiku’s boot to NECKBREAKER DROP! Fans fire up while both men are down again! Hiku goes to ropes and Jado coaches him but Narita aims from a corner. Narita runs in to BACK ELBOW! Narita facelocks but Hiku’s too big to suplex! Narita kicks at the legs, runs, and BOOTS again! Then RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Narita gets a leg! KNEEBAR!! Hiku endures, kicks at Narita, but Narita pulls on the leg more! Hiku fights, so Narita lets go to then tie up the legs! They roll, Narita holds on, and he tries to turn Hiku over!
Hiku is big but Narita stomps him into place! Only for Hiku to get the ROPEBREAK! Narita lets go in frustration and we pass 10 minutes. Narita roars, brings Hiku up and clinches, but Hiku is too big to Belly2Belly! Hiku HEADBUTTS! And fireman’s carry! But Narita slips around to a SLEEPER! Hiku RAMS Narita into buckles, but Narita holds on! Hiku starts to fade, Narita shifts to COBRA TWIST, but Hiku throws Narita right off! Narita roars, runs in, into the SNAP POWERSLAM!! Fans are thunderous as Hiku rises and calls his shot! Hiku clamps onto Narita, drags him up, CHOKE- ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!!
Narita has the arm! Hiku kicks around and stacks Narita, TWO! Narita lets the arm go, but LEAPING STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!!! Hiku survives and fans fire up again! Narita roars, and he goes up the corner! Hiku rises, Narita leaps, but into the choke grip! But Narita SLAPS! And SLAPS! But Hiku SLAPS! And choke grips! To CHOKE SLAM!! Cover, HIKU WINS!
Winner: Hikuleo, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Narita earns 0)
Finally a W for the Young Guerrilla, and that means he is no longer the bottom of the block! Will Hikuleo use this breakthrough to gain more ground in the G1?
G1 Climax 33, B Block: Kazuchika Okada VS YOSHI-HASHI!
Chaos clashes with Chaos as the Rainmaker battles with the Head Hunter! Will Okada assert his dominance by going 4-0? Or will Hashi shock the world by winning against one of the best?
The bell rings and the fans rally and duel as the two stare down. Okada and Hashi circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Okada powers Hashi back step back step, and puts him on the ropes. Red Shoes calls for the break, and Okada lets off slowly. Okada actually hits Hashi, though! Fans cheer as Okada dares Hashi to give one back. So Hashi does! They throw forearms back and forth and fans fire up! Okada knees low, headlocks, but Hashi powers up and out. They RAM shoulders and neither man falls. Okada runs, they RAM shoulders again and neither man falls. Okada eggs Hashi on so Hashi runs, only to duck ‘n’ dodge and run Okada over!
Fans fire up as Hashi paces. The fans seem strongly behind Hashi compared to Okada now, and Hashi brings Okada up. Okada knees low, runs, but Hashi follows to trip Okada up! Hashi drags Okada outside, CLUBS then CHOPS him! Okada comes back to BOOT Hashi, and DDT to the floor! Fans rally, Okada paces, and then Okada brings Hashi up. Okada POSTS Hashi! Hashi falls in a heap, some fans boo, but this is the new, meaner Okada who doesn’t care. The ref count starts, climbs to 10 of 20 pretty quickly, and Okada puts Hashi in at 12. Fans applaud and Okada steps in to bring Hashi up.
Okada snapmares Hashi at the ropes, then runs to BASEMENT DROPKICK! Okada then has a cocky cover, but Red Shoes doesn’t allow that. Okada stands on Hashi with his whole foot, but Red Shoes still disregards it. Okada steps away and paces while fans rally up. Okada brings Hashi up and around, turns him, and hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Okada scuffs Hashi and paces again. Okada gives Hashi some mocking knee strikes to the chin, but Hashi gets up to go forehead to forehead. Hashi then fires off forearms! Okada ROCKS Hashi with just one! Hashi falls against ropes but Okada stands him back up.
Okada whips, Hashi reverses but Okada ducks ‘n’ dodges, only for Hashi to dropkick the leg out! Fans fire up as Hashi is turning the tide! Okada goes to a corner, Hashi runs in and CHOPS! Hashi whips to CHOP again, then he mule kicks and runs, BLOCKBUSTER! Fans fire up with Hashi and Okada goes to another corner. Hashi runs in to clothesline! Then turn and NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Hashi keeps cool while Okada crawls. Hashi rallies the fans and he brings Okada up. Hashi suplexes to hang Okada out to dry, and then he runs, but Okada hops down! So Hashi dropkicks the legs out!
Fans fire up as Okada goes to the floor and Hashi pursues. Hashi has fans move aside so he can hang Okada out to dry on the railing! Hashi then goes side to side as fans fire up, and Hashi DROPKICKS Okada off railing! Fans fire up with Hashi again and Hashi drags Okada up. Hashi puts Okada in the ring, fans rally, and Hashi climbs the corner. But Okada anchors Hashi! Hashi CLUBS Okada, and again, and again, but Okada ROCKS Hashi back! And again! Okada CLUBS Hashi now, then climbs up after him. He wants cameramen to move? Because Okada fireman’s carries! But Hashi CLUBS Okada back!
Hashi sunset flips, to RUNNING POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Okada is still in this but Hashi isn’t giving up! Hashi drags Okada up, fisherman’s, but Okada fights the suplex! Okada pries the hold open and CLUBS Hashi back! Hashi kicks but Okada blocks and spins Hashi! Hashi blocks the boot to CHOP! Okada sputters to a corner and fans fire up with Hashi! Hashi runs back in, but Okada pops him up to an Alabama Lift! REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Both men are down again as we hit 10 minutes! Fans rally, Hashi clutches his neck and Okada catches his breath. Okada aims from a corner, Hashi rises, and Okada runs in to BOOT!
Hashi staggers around but he stays up, so Okada BOOTS him again! Hashi leans on ropes now, and fans rally. Okada BOOTS again, but Hashi roars! Hashi fires forearm after forearm, but Okada just nods! Okada and Hashi go forehead to forehead, and then forearm for forearm! Fans rally as the two pick up speed! They go back and forth, Okada ROCKS Hashi again, but Hashi shakes that off. Hashi throws a strike fest, and CHOPS! Okada sputters again and fans fire up! Hashi whips, Okada reverses but Hashi avoids the dropkick! To SUPERKICK! Fans fire up with Hashi and he drags Okada back up!
Hashi fisherman’s for the KUMA- NO, Okada fights free, gets around, DISCUS- DOUBLE LARIATS! Both men stagger around, and then they go forehead to forehead again. They start throwing SLAPS back and forth! Fans fire up as Hashi roars, but Okada SLAPS! And SLAPS! And CLUBS Hashi down! Okada runs, but Hashi LARIATS! But Okada’s right up to SHOTGUN!! Hashi is in the corner, he comes back, but Okada catches him! Ripcord, HASHI MAKER?! Hashi hits first and fans are thunderous! Hashi fisherman’s, KUMAGOROSHI!! Cover, TWO!??! Okada survives but the fans are electric for Hashi!
Hashi roars and he brings Okada back up. Hashi turns Okada, full nelson, pump handle, but Okada fights Karma with elbows! Okada hooks the ropes and Red Shoes calls the break. So Hashi LARIATS up close! Okada sputters to the corner and Hashi goes to the opposite. Hashi runs in, but Okada dodges! And Alabama, back drop to cover! TWO!!! Hashi escapes by nanoseconds! Okada swings, into the full nelson! But Okada wrenches out, and wraps on the MONEY CLIP!! Hashi fires body shots but he’s already fading! Okada squeezes tighter but the fans rally behind Hashi! Hashi sits down, Okada lets him go and drags him back up!
Okada paces, short arm- NO, Hashi blocks that! Hashi ducks the next, waistlocks, and we hit 15 minutes as Okada CLUBS away! Hashi kicks low! Hashi roars, runs, but into the DROPKICK! Okada hurries to haul Hashi up, scoops him, LANDSLIDE! Fans fire up and Okada roars! Okada drags Hashi back up, ripcords, RAIN- NO, Hashi ducks it to pump handle and KARMA CRADLE!! TWO!?!? Okada escapes with nanoseconds to spare, and then he shoots around! Ripcord, but Hashi ducks again! Only to run into a scoop! Hashi slips off, to SUPERKICK! Okada staggers, Hashi waits and jumps on, but Okada fights off the crucifix for a TOMBSTONE!!
Okada reels Hashi in to ripcord and RAINMAKER!!! Cover, Okada wins!!
Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Hashi earns 0)
Okada shows everyone that he is NOT Easy Pickings, he is an all you can eat buffet! But he and Hashi still fist bump in respect. Okada is now the first to 8 points this year, will he continue to stand atop the mountain that is the G1 Climax?
G1 Climax 33, A Block: SANADA VS Kaito Kiyomiya!
The main event is a battle for the top spot in the block, between two students of Keiji Mutoh! Will the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion shine brighter than the Supernova? Or will Kaito avoid a Skull End?
Fans rally up for Kaito but Sanada tunes that out. The bell rings and the two circle, and now the “SA-NA-DA!” comes out. The chants are equal according to Red Shoes, and the two feel things out. They tie up, Kaito wrenches and wristlocks but Sanada wrenches to wristlock back. Kaito fights the hold but Sanada twists the wrist harder. Kaito rolls, cartwheels, slips through and wrenches back! Fans cheer this technical exchange, and Kaito wristlocks again. Sanada rolls, trips Kaito, and drops to a toehold. Kaito fights with a chinlock but Sanada pulls on the leg. Kaito headscissors and wants the arm, but Sanada moves around.
Kaito shifts but Sanada stands, so Kaito hammerlocks. Sanada reaches down but Kaito keeps his feet back. Sanada switches the hammerlock onto Kaito but Kaito switches it right back onto Sanada. Sanada endures, but Kaito wrangles him to the mat. Fans cheer again, and Kaito SNAP LOCKS the arm! And again! And then drives knees into it! Kaito pulls harder on the hammerlock, but Sanada reaches back for a headlock. Kaito bridges over to put on the pressure, and then moves around the way to twist the hammerlock again. Fans applaud, and Kaito goes to hook another arm. Sanada resists, fights around, and sits up.
Sanada stands, reaches back, and headlocks. Kaito endures the grind, throws body shots, then brings Sanada down to a knee. Kaito pops out the back, but Sanada stands up. Kaito wrenches to hammerlock, but Sanada throws body shots. Sanada powers out but Kaito runs him over! Things keep moving, Sanada hurdles, but backflips as Kaito holds ropes to stop himself! Kaito runs in but Sanada avoids the Shining Wizard! Sanada runs but Kaito blocks the Shining Wizard! Fans are thunderous as these two stand off! The chants are dueling, “SA-NA-DA!” “KAI~TO!” The two circle, approach, and then Kaito runs!
Kaito ducks, dodges, slides under and arm-drags for an armlock! Sanada headscissors, Kaito kips free and DROPKICKS Sanada down! Cover, ONE!! Sanada runs in, into another arm-drag! Kaito has the armlock again and fans fire up! Sanada endures, even as Kaito digs a knee into his head. Sanada fights up, reaches out but Kaito keeps him from ropes. Sanada arm-drags but Kaito arm-drags right back to keep the armlock! Fans rally and duel, Sanada fights up again, and he goes around to go up the ropes and FLYING ARM-DRAG, only for Kaito to arm-drag and keep the armlock! Fans cheer as Kaito then drops an elbow on the arm!
Kaito keeps on the armlock but Sanada fights up again. Kaito hooks a leg to keep Sanada down, then he shifts to CLUB the elbow! Sanada pulls hair, Red Shoes reprimands, but Sanada still whips free, only for Kaito to CLOBBER him! Kaito elbows Sanada, whips, but Sanada reverses. Sanada runs in, Kaito ELBOWS him away, and then goes up, FLYING FOREARM! Sanada bails out and Kaito watches as fans rally. Kaito builds speed to FLY over the corner!! Direct hit and down goes Sanada! Fans rally harder for “KAI~TO!” while he brings Sanada back up. Kaito puts Sanada in the ring and waistlocks! Kaito deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!
Sanada is still in this and fans rally up again. Kaito hooks Sanada’s arms in chicken wings! But Sanada fights the lift! Kaito CLUBS away on Sanada, then chicken wings him again! TIGER- NO, Sanada arm-drags free! Sanada dodges to dropkick the legs, then he DROPKICKS Kaito down! Kaito flops out of the ring and fans fire up for Sanada again. Sanada PLANCHAS and down goes Kaito! Fans fire up and Sanada encourages them to get louder. The fans do get louder as Sanada goes around the ring and Sanada is satisfied. Sanada returns to fetch Kaito, and he brings Kaito around to put him in the ring. But Sanada keeps Kaito on the apron! MAGIC SCREW to the floor!
Sanada looms over Kaito as he writhes, and then he drags Kaito up. We hit 10 minutes, Kaito pushes Sanada away but Sanada CHOKES him against the railing! Red Shoes reprimands, Sanada lets off, and Kaito sputters as he goes to the ring. Sanada pushes him in, covers, TWO! Kaito is hanging tough but Sanada paces. Sanada drags Kaito up to hit a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up and Sanada keeps cool. Sanada drags Kaito up, fireman’s carries, but Kaito fights free! Kaito shoves Sanada to a corner, runs in, but into an ELBOW! Sanada QUEBRADA, and he has Kaito in the dragon sleeper! SKULL- NO, Kaito slips free to DOUBLE STOMP Sanada’s leg!
Fans fire up while both men are down, and Sanada clutches that knee. The dueling continues, but the “KAI~TO!” is louder. Kaito goes to ropes, sees Sanada stand, and Kaito dropkicks the leg! And then dropkicks the leg again! Kaito goes to a corner, climbs up top, and he MISSILE DROPKICKS the leg! Sanada writhes but Kaito brings him up! DRAGON SCREW! And then step over, into the FIGURE FOUR!! Sanada endures and fans rally up again! Sanada pries at the hold but Kaito pushes his leg back down! Sanada claws at the mat but Kaito thrashes around to put on the pressure! Sanada keeps his shoulders up, and he works to turn it over!
Kaito fights the turn to keep the hold on Sanada! Kaito and Sanada glare at each other, and Sanada even eggs Kaito on! So Kaito THRASHES! Sanada’s shoulders are down, Red Shoes counts! TWO!! Sanada almost didn’t realize! Sanada powers up and pushes off the mat, and he TURNS IT OVER! Kaito now suffers the pressure! But then Kaito turns things back over! Sanada endures all over again, and Kaito puts on more pressure! Sanada reaches out, but Kaito thrashes some more! Sanada sits up, but he’s turned away from the ropes! We hit 15 minutes as Sanada continues to endure, and Sanada scrambles to the ROPEBREAK!
Fans cheer and Kaito undoes the hold. Sanada clutches the knee, but Kaito drags him up. Kaito chicken wings, for the TIGER PLEX! But Sanada lands out!? Only for his bad leg to jam!! Kaito smirks and he stalks up behind Sanada. Kaito drags Sanada up and has the bad leg! But Sanada CLUBS away! Kaito UPPERCUTS, UPPERCUTS and UPPERCUTS, then runs! But Sanada avoids the rolling elbow to underhook and TIGER DRIVER!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous again! Sanada kips up!? He hobbles but the bad leg held together! Sanada then drags Kaito up, fireman’s carries, T K O!! Cover, TWO!
Sanada slaps the bad leg into working, and we hit the three minute warning! SKULL- NO, Kaito fights the sleeper, so Sanada gives him a SKULL SWING! Then he puts Kaito in the drop zone, to go up and ROUNDING BODY- NO, Kaito moves and Sanada lands on his feet, to jam the bad leg! SHINING WIZARD from Kaito!! But Kaito can’t make the cover! Fans are thunderous and dueling, and Kaito rises first. Kaito drags Sanada up but Sanada UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS, but into a hook, and ELBOW! Kaito runs, ROLLING ELBOW! But Sanada DROPKICKS right back! Two minute warning as Kaito JUMP KNEES! And TIGER PLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO!!!
Fans are electric as time is ticking away! Kaito powers up, drags Sanada up, and Kaito chicken wings! TIGER DRIVER 23!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Sanada survives Kaito’s best but Kaito isn’t done yet! Kaito is all fired up, and he aims from a corner! Sanada rises as we hit the last minute! EVOLVED- POP-UP CUTTER!!! Sanada stops Kaito’s second best shot, and he aims from a corner! Sanada SHINING WIZARD!! But he isn’t done, he clinches to DEAD- ROLL-UP FROM KAITO!! TWO!!!! Kaito staggers up and we hit 30 SECONDS! Sanada gets around, O’Conner BRIDGE, but Kaito pops free to O’CONNER BRIDGE!! TWO!!!
We hit TWENTY SECONDS as both men stand! ROLLING ELBOW, ROLLING ELBOW, and then a RUNNING- RANA!!! Cover, TWO!!! TEN SECONDS! SHINING WIZARD!!! Cover, SANADA WINS!!!
Winner: Sanada, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kaito earns 0)
With just TWO SECONDS LEFT, the Cold Skull pulls out the win!! But with how close this came, and how close Kaito came to winning it himself, is this a sign that the G1 could still become the GREEN 1?
As for Sanada, after taking his kneepad off to alleviate the pressure, and getting the belt back around his waist, Sanada sits down while he has the mic. Sanada tells Kaito, “Coming here from another promotion, alone, fighting in the toughest tour in the whole country… That took guts. Let’s do this again sometime.” Fans cheer both Sanada’s show of respect, and the idea that these two could meet again. Fans cheer for “KI-YO-MIYA! KI-YO-MIYA!” while he’s helped away by Young Lions. But then Sanada says, “Hold on a moment. I’m the one who won today, so please, get out of here. Thanks for coming.” Fans laugh as Sanada goes back to not respecting Kaito.
Sanada stands, and says, “I’m Sanada, the man who loves this place more than anywhere else in Japan. Do you mind if I borrow someone from commentary for a moment?” Fans cheer as he of course means Kanemaru. Just as last time Sanada won the main event, he calls on “NOBU-JI! NOBU-JI!” and the fans chant along. Kanemaru leaves commentary and joins Sanada in the ring. And just like last time, Sanada brings up how Just5Guys were in a shampoo commercial. So check that off the bucket list. Next is winning all the way to the G1 Championship! Fans like the sound of that, too!
Sanada then says that “today’s gift… The Gift… Well, unfortunately… There’s no spotlight operator today, so that’s a bit of a problem. But hey, should we give it a go?” Fans cheer, they still want the gift! The lights go down and the “stars” come out as fans get their phone lights on. Sanada says, “Who needs a spotlight? This is even more peaceful and beautiful. Anyway, with a gift, it’s the thought that counts. “OI, KORAKUEN! See you next time!” The gift was sent and fans are happy, but will the best gift of all be the one that closes out the G1 Climax finals?
Here are the NEW A Block standings!
Sanada: 4-0, 8 points
Kaito Kiyomiya: 2-1-1, 5 points
Shota Umino: 1-1-2, 4 points
Gabe Kidd: 2-2, 4 points
Chase Owens: 2-2, 4 points
Yota Tsuji: 1-2-1, 3 points
Hikuleo: 1-3, 2 points
Ren Narita: 0-2-2, 2 points
Here are the NEW B Block standings!
Kazuchika Okada: 4-0, 8 points
Will Ospreay: 3-1, 6 points
Kenta: 2-2, 4 points
Taichi: 2-2, 4 points
YOSHI-HASHI: 2-2, 4 points
Great-O-Khan: 1-3, 2 points
El Phantasmo: 1-3, 2 points
Tanga Loa: 1-3, 2 points
My Thoughts:
Another great round for NJPW and the G1. For one, great first wins from Shota, Hikuleo, Tsuji and ELP, each with different story beats. Shota humbles Gabe, Hikuleo leaves Narita as the last winless participant, putting some pressure on Narita next round, and ELP has respect for Loa while Loa has respect for ELP. While Bullet Club could have multiple civil wars to fight, I’d also love for ELP to unite with the Guerrillas of Destiny against Finlay’s War Dogs to avenge all of the different expulsions from the group. Tsuji’s win was just about a great match with Chase Owens, who himself continues to come into his own as a singles guy.
Ospreay VS Khan was such a great opener, especially with Khan not holding back just because he’s facing a friend. Ospreay wins to keep just a step behind Okada, that is going to be an awesome match. Okada VS Hashi was itself an awesome match, with the fans loving how Hashi pushed Okada. Okada’s win over an IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champion plants a seed for Dream Team (Okada & Tanahashi) VS Bishamon (Hashi & Goto) in a rematch from this year’s Anniversary Show back in March, but that’s only if Okada doesn’t win the G1 for a third year. Kenta getting a fast and dirty win off Taichi, that could give us an awesome KOPW Championship feud, and I’d love to see what match types Kenta invents.
And of course to follow the awesome Okada VS Hashi, we got an awesome, truly down to the wire main event. If they’d messed up anything along the way, they would NOT have had those two seconds to spare and we would’ve had a rather awkward main event draw. But that shows just how good Sanada and Kaito both are, being they’re both Mutoh’s students, as Sanada was in NOAH when he was first starting out. And of course, the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion wins out over the NOAH visitor.
Sanada continues to have excellent promos, especially with him getting to show personality. At first, fans were onboard because they liked his strong, silent type vibe, as well as the juxtaposition of him being so cold yet still giving the “love confession.” And now fans are onboard because they want to see Sanada be more open and that’s what he’s getting to do. Sanada is IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, so he doesn’t have to win the G1, but he’s surely on his way to being a semifinalist, and might even meet old rival Okada to see who goes on to the finals. And if that’s the case, that match is going to be awesome, too.
My Score: 9/10
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Once more around the round robin!
Best of the Super Juniors returns, yet Douki chooses not to compete! Who proves they’re “second best” to the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: Taiji Ishimori VS Jakob Austin Young; Taiji wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: SHO VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Daiki Nagai; Taguchi wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: YOH VS Hyo; Hyo wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Robbie X VS Nick Wayne; Nick wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: KUSHIDA VS Robbie Eagles; Kushida wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Master Wato VS Titan; Titan wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: El Desperado VS Daisuke Sasaki; Daisuke wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Francesco Akira; Fujita wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: Taiji Ishimori VS Jakob Austin Young!
The Bone Soldier and #DangerousJAY get to set the tone for the first round with this opening match. Will Taiji be victorious #ByGrace? Or will he fall off Jakob’s Ladder?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. The two tie up, Jakob headlocks, but Taiji puts him on ropes. The ref counts, Taiji backs off, and the fans cheer the clean break. Taiji and Jakob go again, feel things out, then clinch. Jakob puts Taiji on the ropes, the ref calls the break, but Jakob gives a quick body jab. The fans boo but Jakob tells them to shut up. The two circle again, tie up, and Jakob headlocks. Taiji powers up and out but Jakob RUNS him over! Things keep moving, Taiji drops down, hurdles over, but Jakob waistlocks. Taiji fires elbows, then runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and RANAS! Jakob tumbles, Taiji DROPKICKS him out!
The fans fire up as Taiji builds speed, but he tiger feints as Jakob moves! The fans cheer again, and then Taiji PLANCHAS! Down goes Jakob and the fans fire up again! Taiji goes back for Jakob, puts him in the ring, then covers, TWO! Jakob is tougher than that but Taiji stays close. Taiji cravats to snapmare Jakob, then NECK TWIST! Jakob writhes but the fans applaud, and Taiji stalks Jakob. Taiji CLUBS Jakob, ROCKS him with a right, but the ref reprimands about closed fists. Taiji wrenches and whips Jakob to a corner, then runs up, but Jakob puts Taiji on the apron. Jakob RAMS low, then pulls Taiji through the ropes, NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT!
The fans applaud Jakob’s creativity while Taiji slumps down. Jakob builds speed to WRECK Taiji with a dropkick! Jakob says crowns up, then he fetches Taiji. Jakob SMACKS Taiji off the apron, the ref reprimands, but Jakob puts Taiji in the ring. Jakob mocks the fans applauding, then slides into the ring. Cover, TWO! Jakob stomps Taiji while he argues the count. Jakob taunts Taiji, pats him on the head, but Taiji fires CHOPS! Jakob eggs Taiji on so Taiji CHOPS again! Jakob felt that one, but he dodges the lariat to wrench and spin Taiji around, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Taiji survives.
Jakob stands Taiji up, suplexes, but Taiji slips free. Taiji ducks a shot to then CLAW the eyes! Taiji whips, Jakob reverses, but Taiji handsprings, NEURALIZER KICK! Down goes Jakob and the fans applaud. Taiji and Jakob rise, Taiji runs in at the corner, and he DOUBLE KNEES! Then Taiji fireman’s carries, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Basement SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Taiji waits on Jakob while we pass five minutes. Jakob rises, Taiji runs up, LA MYST- NO, Jakob blocks to THROW Taiji down! Then dragon sleeper for the SAVING GRACE! Cover, TWO! Taiji survives and the fans fire up again!
Jakob frowns as he storms back over to Taiji. Jakob grabs the legs, steps through, but Taiji kicks and kicks. Taiji kicks free, but Jakob SLIDING KNEES! Cover, TWO! Jakob argues with the ref again but the ref defends his count. Taiji stirs but Jakob brings him up. Jakob cravats, goes to the corner, but Taiji slips free! BUCKLE SHOT! The fans cheer while Jakob sputters in the corner. Taiji rises again, and the fans rally as he brings Jakob up. Taiji whips but Jakob blocks! Taiji wrenches the arm to YANK it! Jakob falls to his knees but Taiji stands him up. Hammerlock, scoop, and SHOULDER BUSTER! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Jakob survives.
Taiji stays focused and he brings Jakob up. Taiji ripcords, LA MYSTI- NO, Jakob slips free! Jakob CHOPS, Taiji CHOPS, but Jakob ROCKS Taiji with a forearm! Jakob runs, but Taiji is up to JUMP KNEE! The fans fire up again and Taiji calls his shot! Taiji hauls Jakob up, gut wrenches, and CIPHER UT- NO, Jakob catches it to a cover, TWO! Taiji victory rolls, TWO! Taiji ducks ‘n’ dodges, LA MYSTICA! BONE LOCK!! Jakob flails, reaches out, but Taiji rolls him to center! Jakob TAPS, Taiji wins!
Winner: Taiji Ishimori, by submission (gains 2 points; Jakob earns 0)
The tone is set, and it is Unbound! Will that be exactly how Taiji’s run goes? Or will he still fall short of his first BOSJ trophy?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: SHO VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
Wait, wait, wait. Douki choosing to stay out of this tournament is one thing, but the Murder Machine and Heel Master facing each other in the first round? Well, the fix is in already, but who will help the other get an easy win?
Well, since they’re both House of Torture, no one attacks the other. And it seems they’re both out here alone, if only for now. Wait, Sho grabs the mic. “This is a battle of two of the absolute best Junior Heavyweights. And it is a disgrace that this incredible match is only second on the card. The power balance of this division is so screwed up. But to make sure this makes everyone regrets this, Kanemaru-san, you and I are gonna have the best match of this entire tournament! And we know we’re not coming out of this unscathed. This will be a Match of the Year contender!
“And all these country bumpkins in Tokyo will see the best match of their entire lives, even though they don’t deserve it! This should be in the Tokyo Dome with a minimum buy-in of 100 MILLION Yen! Kanemaru-san, I don’t want to hurt you. But let’s have a great match, and as your kouhai, you’ll do me a solid and lie down.” Kanemaru agrees to a fair match, the two “put one out” together, and then the bell rings. Kanemaru already lies down!? Finger Poke of Doom 2026! Sho applauds, the fans clap along, and Kanemaru snatches Sho into the victory roll! TWO!! Kanemaru bails out and Sho is upset! Kanemaru argues the count while the fans laugh at Sho!
Sho is upset, he raises the ref’s hand, then he grabs Kanemaru’s bottle of whiskey! The ref and Sho fight over the bottle, but Kanemaru slithers in, and he’s holding Sho’s wrench! Kanemaru sneaks the Torture Tool into Sho’s waistband, and then shoves him around. The ref sees the wrench in Sho’s pants! Now they argue over the wrench! Kanemaru rolls Sho up, TWO! Headlock takeover, TWO! Trip and jackknife bridge, TWO!! The fans cheer Kanemaru for how close he got! Sho is still beside himself but Kanemaru bails out. Kanemaru goes around the outside, Sho chases him and says how dare he mess around!
Sho round the corner, Kanemaru dropkicks the legs out! Kanemaru SMASHES the leg off the floor! Then FIGURE FOUR! The fans cheer but a ring count climbs! Sho flails, reaches out, but Kanemaru holds until 12 of 20! Kanemaru leaves Sho behind, but Sho grabs Kanemaru’s legs! Sho drags Kanemaru off the apron, fans clear out, and Sho THROWS Kanemaru into chairs! Then Sho sends a Young Lion into Kanemaru! The count is still going!! We pass 15 as Kanemaru sends Young Lion Taisei Nakahara back at Sho! The fans cheer as Kanemaru rolls in! 18! 19! Sho slides in at 19.99! The fans cheer while Kanemaru is shocked!
Kanemaru apologizes to Sho? Kanemaru offers a handshake, the fans cheer, but Sho says Kanemaru needs to watch himself. Sho takes the handshake, then bends Kanemaru’s fingers! Kanemaru CLAWS Sho with his other hand! Kanemaru runs, Sho uses the ref as a shield, but then so does Kanemaru! Kanemaru ENZIGIRIS Sho! Kanemaru stomps Sho’s fingers! Kanemaru grabs his whiskey! The ref protests, Kanemaru shoves him away, then Kanemaru takes a swig. But Sho smothers Kanemaru! Kanemaru breaks free, but Sho just smothers him again! Kanemaru’s at his limit, and Sho lets go, WHISKEY MIST into the ref!
The ref is blinded, Sho laughs at them both, and Sho says that should be a disqualification, right? IT IS!
Winner: Sho, by disqualification (gains 2 points; Kanemaru earns 0)
Kanemaru is mad at the ref and TOSSES him out! Poor Sakamoto… Sho apologizes to Kanemaru now, but they were both playing dirty anyway. They fist bump and head out, but will the trickery only continue until one of them is the Best of the Super Juniors?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Daiki Nagai!
The Funky Weapon has had his moments in this tournament, but the Unbound Young Lion is finally having his first! Will Taguchi be serious right from the start? Or will he underestimate his young opponent?
Oh snap, Daiki SHOTGUNS Taguchi during introductions! The fans fire up as Daiki shows how serious he is about this! The bell rings as he whips Taguchi, but Taguchi reverses to start up the cycle of dropdown and sidestep! But Daiki knows it well and DROPKICKS Taguchi out! The fans fire up as Daiki builds speed, and DIVES! Down goes Taguchi right in front of the fans! The fans fire up with Daiki and he brings Taguchi up. Daiki says here goes, and he climbs up the corner! Taguchi stands, Daiki MISSILE DROPKICKS! Taguchi flounders away but Daiki runs in at the corner! Taguchi dodges, rolls Daiki, then DROPKICKS in return!
The fans rally as Taguchi crawls to the cover, TWO! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Daiki scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi holds but lets go as the ref reprimands. Things finally slow down and Taguchi can take off his shirt. Taguchi CHOKES Daiki with it! The ref reprimands, Taguchi stops right away, and he apologizes for getting mad. Taguchi reels Daiki in, has the leg, but Daiki fights the lift! Taguchi fires body shots to then SHIN BREAKER! And DROPKICK to the leg! The fans rally as Taguchi grabs OH MY GAH ANKLE! Daiki flails, crawls, and makes the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go, but then kneels on the leg for a toehold.
Daiki grabs the ropes again, the ref counts, and Taguchi steps away. Taguchi drags Daiki up to HIP ATTACK! And HIP ATTACK! Daiki rises but Taguchi brings him up. Daiki ROCKS Taguchi, Taguchi ROCKS Daiki, repeat! The shots go back and forth, Taguchi fires a flurry, then he runs, but Taguchi follows! HIP- ATOMIC DROP! Daiki still knows the tricks, and he waistlocks. Taguchi fights with elbows, then more elbows, then he feints the run! But Daiki avoids the hips! But Taguchi victory rolls again! TWO, and Daiki DROPKICKS! Taguchi falls into a corner and the fans fire up again! Daiki has a wild look in his eyes as he goes to the other corner.
Daiki runs in and HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! Daiki hurries to drag Taguchi out, covers, TWO! The fans fire up again while Daiki goes to a corner. Daiki climbs, the fans rally, and Daiki DIVING BODY FLOPS as Taguchi moves! Daiki sputters while Taguchi crawls to a corner. Taguchi calls upon the powers of Strong Style, “OYA~!” BUM- NO, Daiki rolls Taguchi up! TWO, and Taguchi dodges a lariat to roll Daiki up! TWO, and OH MY- NO, Daiki kicks free! SLIDING HIP! Cover, TWO!! Daiki survives and the fans fire up, but Taguchi hauls Daiki right up! Taguchi chicken wings and DODON- NO, Daiki victory rolls, TWO!
Daiki ROCKS Taguchi, Taguchi ENZIGIRIS! Daiki rebounds to CHOP! Daiki runs, but into a DROPKICK! Taguchi hurries to cover, TWO, but OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Daiki flails again, reaches out, and the fans rally even harder! Taguchi puts on the pressure but Daiki still fights his way forward! Daiki reaches out but Taguchi drags him back! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Daiki claws with everything he has, but Taguchi YANKS Daiki back! Chicken wings and DODON BUSTER!! Cover, Taguchi wins!
Winner: Ryusuke Taguchi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Daiki earns 0)
Taguchi got serious because Daiki brought it out of him! And with that, Taguchi already has his first win in this year’s tournament! Will Taguchi prove that the Funky Weapon still has what it takes? Will Daiki learn from this and make sure his first win is in the second round?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: YOH VS HYO!
A curious match-up here, and not just because you can rearrange one man’s name and spell the other’s. But will Mr. Direct Drive kick it into gear right from the start? Or will The Black Panther prove he’s the apex predator in this tournament?
The fans have a hard time making heads or tails of the ring gear, and Yoh asks for a little help with the halter top. Hyo makes sure his little snow leopard, Nyan Nyan, is comfortable in the corner, then the bell rings. The two run up, Hyo leaps over the dropdown, then mule kicks. Hyo whips, Yoh reverses, but Hyo goes up and over, then handsprings through! Things really speed up, and the panther gets the zoomies as he runs around Yoh! Then DROPKICK! The fans cheer while Yoh bails out! Hyo shows his claws, and the fans rally up as Hyo builds speed. But Hyo handsprings through as Yoh moves!
The fans cheer and Yoh THROWS Nyan Nyan down! The fans boo Yoh for that, Hyo flexes and the fans cheer. But Yoh sneaks in to wrench and trip Hyo! Yoh ties Hyo up in Paradise! The fans cheer as Yoh stands on Hyo, then “kicks sand” before he runs around like a cat! Yoh “pees” on Hyo, maybe he’s a dog instead. Yoh then runs to DROPKICK Hyo outta Paradise! Yoh drags Hyo up, reels him in, and suplexes, but Hyo fights free, wrenches, then NEKODAMASHI CLAP! Cradle, TWO! Yoh rolls Hyo, TWO! Hyo runs up, sunset flips, TWO! Yoh sits on the cover, TWO! Hyo has it again, TWO! Yoh has it again, TWO!!
The fans cheer that near escape, but Yoh kicks and runs. But Hyo blows past, and now both men have the zoomies! They chase each other like cats ‘n’ dogs, then STUNNER to SOMERSAULT DRIVER! Cover, HYO WINS!!
Winner: Hyo, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Yoh earns 0)
In the blink of an eye, the Panther snatches that win like a rabbit out of the hat! Hyo shows Yoh respect with the Roppongi 3K salute, AND A KISS?! Yoh faints, will he be able to recover from that? Or will Hyo hunt down the top spot in the block?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Robbie X VS Nick Wayne!
The former IWGP Junior Tag Team Champion and the former ROH World Television Champion (sorry if that’s spoilers/breaking kayfabe) meet in hopes of each becoming the next IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. Will things get too extreme for The Prodigy? Or will NJPW enter Wayne’s World?
The bell rings and the fans rally behind Robbie. Robbie and Nick circle, tie up, and Robbie headlocks. Nick powers up and out, but Robbie handsprings! Nick stops the cutter, but Robbie fights the full nelson! Robbie trips Nick, but Nick avoids the PK! Nick arm-drags Robbie, Robbie headscissors, but Nick kips free to kick low! Nick whips, Robbie goes up and over in the corner, then handsprings! Things keep moving, Nick hurdles to then UPPERCUT! The fans fire up as Nick kips up again! Robbie flounders away but Nick storms over to him. Nick drags Robbie up, CHOPS him in the corner, then follows him along the ropes.
Robbie goes to another corner but Nick kisses him on the bald head before he CHOPS again! Nick then snapmares Robbie, leg drops, then covers, TWO! Robbie is tougher than that but Nick keeps his cool. Nick stalks Robbie, brings him up, but Robbie CHOPS! The fans cheer but Nick comes back. Robbie ROCKS Nick, ROCKS him again, then again! But Nick ROCKS Robbie back! Nick stalks Robbie, whips him to ropes, but Robbie avoids the superkick! Nick runs up, Robbie cartwheels to dodge! Nick tumbles out to the apron, Robbie NO HAND HANDSPRINGS to knock Nick down! Then Robbie reloads, PLANCHA! Down goes Nick and the fans fire up!
Robbie brings Nick up, puts him in the ring, and slingshots for the SILVER FLIP SENTON! Cover, TWO! Nick is still in this but the fans rally behind Robbie. Robbie checks his neck, then brings Nick up. Robbie reels Nick in but Nick fights the lift. Robbie still tries but Nick still fights. Robbie winds up to CHOP Nick down! The fans cheer but Robbie reels Nick back in, only for Nick to BACKDROP free! Robbie sunsets but Nick sits on it, TWO! Robbie finishes the flip, TWO! Nick is up, he dodges Robbie, and SNAP DRAGONS! The fans fire up for that very Kenny Omega level move! Nick then waits on Robbie to get up while he takes aim.
Nick runs corner to corner, but Robbie dodges! Robbie runs back up, blocks a boot, but not the ENZIGIRI! Nick goes up, up, WAYNE’S- NO, Robbie dodges the cutter and mule kicks! Robbie goes to run but Nick reels him in! Robbie fights the waistlock again, but Nick ducks a shot! Nick ROCKS Robbie, Robbie ELBOWS Nick, and PELES! The fans fire up with Robbie as he powers up again, only for Nick to jump up! POISON-RANA! The fans rally while Robbie is down! Nick calls his shot, gathers power, and Robbie rises up, into the BUZZ- NO, Robbie ducks, jumps up, POISON-RANA! The fans fire up as Robbie returns the favor!
Nick bails out, but Robbie springboards, SKY TWISTER! Down goes Nick but Robbie puts him in fast! Robbie handsprings, LETHAL INJECTION X!! Cover, TWO!! Nick survives and Robbie is shocked! The fans rally even harder for Robbie as he rises up. Robbie drags Nick to a drop zone, climbs up the corner, and X EX- NO, Robbie has to roll through as Nick moves! Robbie runs back up, but into a SUPERKICK! Robbie is down but Nick leans against the corner as he catches his breath. The fans rally up harder and harder still, and Nick rises to his feet. Nick calls his shot, and he goes up, into WAYNE’S- BACKSLIDE! TWO!
Nick BOOTS Robbie, runs, but Robbie ROCKS Nick! Robbie runs, Nick blows past, but Robbie dodges, QUEBRADA into a SUPERKICK! Nick hits the anti-air, and now he calls his shot! BUZZSAW, and WAYNE’S WORLD! Cover, NICK WINS!
Winner: Nick Wayne, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Robbie earns 0)
He may have lost the title, but Nick rebounds to get a major win in the tournament! Will nothing stop The Prodigy from proving he’s the next big thing? Can Robbie get the X Express back on track in the second round?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: KUSHIDA VS Robbie Eagles!
The Time Splitter returns to NJPW, hoping to prove he is still the Best of the Super Juniors. But he now stands in the crosshairs of the Sniper of the Skies! Will Kushida still bring us Back to the Future? Or will Eagles fly high right from the start?
Wait, Kushida is going barefoot for this! Eagles says okay, hold on. “Robbie Robbie Robbie!” “OI OI OI!” “Robbie Robbie Robbie!” “OI OI OI!” “Robbie!” “OI!” “Robbie!” “OI!” “Robbie Robbie Robbie!” “OI OI OI!” The fans applaud, but then a “KU-SHI-DA!” chant starts in response. The bell rings and the two circle. They feel things out, Kushida rolls, and he grabs a leg. Eagles fights that off to step over and cover, ONE! Kushida trips Robbie, has a toehold, but Robbie rolls and reels Kushida in, only for Kushida to use that and get the headlock for his own. The fans applaud this technical exchange, but then Eagles slips out to hammerlock!
Eagles reaches over but Kushida rolls to then headscissors! The fans applaud again, and Kushida puts on the pressure. Eagles endures, bridges, but Kushida puts on the pressure. Eagles kips free, but Kushida reels him back into the headscissors! The fans applaud, but Eagles fights around. Eagles rolls to turn Kushida over, then he pops out to trap the legs. Eagles rolls Kushida, but Kushida twists a foot! Kushida turns Eagles over, ties the legs up, then floats to a headlock. Eagles powers out to stand on Kushida’s arm, but Kushida slips away. The fans applaud the standoff as the two reset and circle again.
Kushida rushes Eagles, Eagles holds off the armlock but the body scissors are still on! Eagles powers through to drop Kushida down and have a toehold. Eagles bends toes! The ref reprimands, Eagles teases about “this little piggy,” but Kushida hooks Eagles’ nose! Eagles shakes that off but Kushida tries again. Kushida waistlocks, bridges, but Eagles moves, so Kushida floats to an ARMBAR! Eagles rolls to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Kushida lets go, and the two reset again. They circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. Kushida rolls, trips Eagles, then has the toehold. Eagles tries to headscissors, but Kushida shrugs that off.
Kushida pulls Eagles’ arm into tying up the legs, then he steps over. It’s not exactly Paradise as Kushida uses his legs to bend and crunch Eagles! Eagles powers up and trips Kushida to then SPLAYED STRETCH! Kushida endures, even as Eagles reclines back, so Eagles floats over to a cover. ONE, Eagles waistlocks but Kushida rolls. Cover, ONE, and Eagles trips Kushida. Kushida chinbars to wrangle Eagles into a chinlock. Eagles endures so Kushida shifts to a motorcycle stretch, and LEG HOOK NELSON! Eagles endures, pushes back, and rolls to have a leg! Eagles has the INDIAN DEATHLOCK! The fans cheer as Eagles sits Kushida up, INDIAN COBRA TWIST!!
Kushida endures, pries at the arm, then rolls to leg hook and float, ARMBAR! Eagles pries free, and the fans cheer the technical master class! Eagles and Kushida reset again, feel things out, then tie up. Eagles goes for an arm, but so does Kushida. Kushida chinbars but Eagles arm-drags! Eagles steps over, Kushida kicks free, but Eagles handsprings through. The fans cheer as the two reset again. They approach, and Kushida KICKS the leg! Then he grapevines the leg to trip Eagles. Eagles pries at toes but Kushida stands to change up his hold. Eagles slips through to drop toehold Kushida into the waistlock. Kushida fights up, switches, then arm-drags.
Kushida chicken wings the arms and he works to turn Eagles. Eagles endures but Kushida powers through to a cradle! TWO, and Kushida ducks a chop to roll back! Kushida goes up but Eagles blocks the arm-drag! Eagles arm-drags back, then trips Kushida. Eagles runs, handsprings over the dropdown, but Kushida is after the arm! Eagles wrenches through, breaks free, but Kushida blocks a kick! Eagles drops to trip Kushida, ANKLE- NO, Kushida rolls back, bridges, TWO! Eagles body scissors and rolls to a cover, TWO! Both men RAM shoulders! And RAM again! And again! The fans fire up as the two stare down.
Kushida offers a handshake, Eagles accepts, but Eagles stomps the toes! The fans boo but Eagles says Kushida baka. Eagles runs up, gets a leg, but Kushida steps over to cover, TWO! Eagles sunset flips, TWO! Kushida sits on it, TWO! Kushida rolls to highs tack, TWO! Eagles has Kushida, TWO! Kushida, ONE! Eagles, ONE! They teetertotter and the ref can’t even keep up! The fans cheer as this turns into a rolling cradle! Eagles finally has it, TWO!! Kushida escapes in time and Eagles is stunned! Eagles runs up but Kushida jumps the 619! Kushida somersaults, but Eagles stops the DDT! Eagles slips around, rolls Kushida up, TWO!
Eagles has the leg, steps through, but Kushida cradles, TWO! Eagles has it, TWO! Both men stand, Eagles jumps up, RANA! But Kushida sunset flips it! TWO!! The fans are thunderous as both men get up! Kushida FLAPJACKS, but Eagles avoids the PK! Eagles wrenches the leg, SLAPS, SLAPS, SLAPS, and TURBO- NO, Kushida slips through the backpack to cradle and BACK TO THE FUTURE!! Cover, KUSHIDA WINS!!
Winner: Kushida, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Robbie earns 0)
It feels like forever since we’ve seen Kushida win with that move here in NJPW, but seeing it again brings us right back! Will Kushida hit that 88 miles per hour and return to former glory? Will the Sniper of the Skies just have to reload and try again in the next round?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Master Wato VS Titan!
The Way of the Grandmaster is still on the long road to the top, but the same goes for El Inmortal’s journey. Who will take another step closer to their goal of being the Best of the Super Juniors?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. The crowd is split between them, and the two tie up. Wato trips Titan, things speed up, and Titan hurdles to then drop down. Wato leaps over, keeps moving, and he RANAS! Titan bails out, Wato builds speed, but Titan is up fast to springboard and CROSSBODY! Then DROPKICK! Wato bails out, Titan builds speed, and fans clear out before Titan DIVES! Wato tumbles into the chairs! The ref checks and Wato is able to continue. Titan roars as he rises up and the fans cheer. Titan puts Wato in the ring, pushes him around, then fireman’s carries for the DEATH VALLEY NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!
The fans applaud was Wato toughs it out. Titan stomps Wato, eggs him on, then KICKS him in the back. Titan snapmares Wato, runs and basement DROPKICKS! High stack, TWO! Titan hurries to tie up the legs, FIGURE FOUR! Wato endures, drags Titan along, and manages the ROPEBREAK! Titan lets go while the fans applaud. Wato shakes out the legs, Titan stomps him around, then Titan kicks at him. Wato scowls but Titan SOBATS! Titan eggs Wato on again, then brings him up. Wato fires a shot but Titan CLUBS and KNEES Wato in return. Another fireman’s carry but Wato fights free!
Wato swings, Titan ducks, and Titan fires off a strike fest! Titan runs, but into an ELBOW! Wato runs but ducks a shot to ZIGZAG! But Titan kips up to PELE! Wato PENALTY KICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Wato crawls to ropes, rises up, and he runs to CLOBBER Titan! And CLOBBER again! Wato whips Titan, then DROPKICKS him down! Titan bails out, the fans fire up, and Wato builds speed! Wato FLIES and down goes Titan! The fans cheer while both men are down in front of the front row again. A ring count starts, but Wato rises at 7 of 20. Wato stands at 10 and fires up with the fans!
Wato brings Titan up, puts him in at 14, and takes aim. The fans applaud as Wato climbs the corner, then leaps in, MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Titan is tougher than that and the fans cheer again. Wato drags Titan up, wrenches and clinches, but Titan fights the lift! Wato CLUBS Titan, whips him, but Titan reverses to TORANDO DDT! And then roll through to suplex, CUTTER! Cover, TWO! But Titan steps through, ties up the legs, and rolls for LLAVE INMORTAL! The fans fire up as Titan bridges back and bends Wato! Wato fights, fights, and powers his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Titan lets go in frustration.
Titan roars and the fans rally again. Titan pounds the mat, the fans clap along, and Titan waits on Wato. Wato rises, Titan SUPER- NO, Wato ducks, but Titan BUZZSAWS! Titan goes to the corner, he climbs up top, and the fans fire up, but Wato CLUBS Titan first! Titan drops onto the corner, Wato climbs up, and Wato brings Titan back up! Titan holds onto the corner, fires elbows, then he trips Wato! Wato falls into the Tree of Woe! Titan turns around, WOE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!! Wato survives and the fans fire up again! Titan throws off his elbow pads, then rolls his way back to the corner. Titan skins the cat to rise back up!
Titan aims while Wato is down, LA LANC- NO, Wato dodges, runs up, crucifix takedown, into RECIENTEMENTE!! Cover, TWO?!? Titan survives and the fans are thunderous! Wato grows frustrated, but he hurries to waistlock. TSU- NO, Titan rolls, hooks a leg, but Wato reels Titan into a cradle! TWO, and ROUNDHOUSE! Wato hurries to spin, but Titan blocks the kick to DRAGON SCREW! Then a step through and SHARPSHOOTER!! Wato endures, reaches out, but Titan pulls him back to center!! Wato flails, but Titan bridges on the hold! WATO TAPS, TITAN WINS!
Winner: Titan, by submission (gains 2 points; Wato earns 0)
It wasn’t quite Llave Inmortal, but it might’ve been even stronger! Titan borrows a fan’s flag of Mexico to celebrate his home and his people. Will Titan represent them both as he proves he was born for such a time as this? Or will Wato still prove he is the Way to the Grandmaster?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: El Desperado VS Daisuke Sasaki!
The Rogue Luchador won the tournament back in 2024, and is looking to repeat history so that he may have his revenge on Douki. However, he’s up against Charisma Itself! Will Desperado still be the Best of the Super Juniors two years later? Or will Daisuke prove he is the future of this division?
Before they get started, Despy offers a handshake. Daisuke is wary, but he accepts. They both kiss the other’s hand, then the bell rings. The fans duel as the two circle, but then Daisuke bails out. The fans boo but Despy waits on Daisuke. Daisuke steps back into the ring, circles with Despy, and they feel things out. They tie up, Daisuke waistlocks, but Despy wrenches to wristlock. Daisuke spins through, wrenches back, and wristlocks to then snapmare. Daisuke keeps on the arm but Despy fights around. Despy rolls, trips Daisuke, and has the toehold. Daisuke chinbars in return but Despy digs his elbow into the knee.
Daisuke chinlocks and pries Despy off the leg, but Despy kicks back to the ROPEBREAK! Daisuke lets go, Despy bails out, and now Daisuke waits. Despy takes his time returning, and the two reset. The fans rally as they feel things out, and they knuckle lock. But then Despy wrenches the arm to snapmare Daisuke, sit him up, and ghost pin, TWO! Daisuke slips around to headlock, but Despy powers up and out. Despy headlocks, Daisuke slips through to headlock, but Despy powers up and out again. Daisuke RUNS Despy over! Then he fakes Despy out to headlock, but Despy rolls. Daisuke rolls through, Despy trips him, STRETCH MUFFLER!
Daisuke scrambles to the ROPEBREAK and the fans cheer. Despy kneels on Daisuke, pretends to not understand what’s wrong, then he digs his knees in. The ref counts, Despy backs off, and Despy apologizes while Daisuke bails out. Despy waits, but Daisuke offers Despy to step outside. It’ll be a clean fight! Despy says step inside and it’ll be clean in here! Despy asks why it has to be outside. Daisuke CLAWS Despy’s eyes! Then he turns Despy for a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! The fans are torn while Despy writhes, but Daisuke drags Despy outside. Daisuke SMACKS Despy off the apron, then has fans clear out!
Daisuke stands Despy up, but he’s going to commentary! Despy fights back, but now Daisuke fights the desk bump! Daisuke SMACKS Despy off the desk, then grabs someone’s chair! The ref reprimands, but Daisuke puts the chair around Despy’s neck and POSTS him! The fans are torn while Despy writhes, but Daisuke leaves Despy behind. The fans rally for Despy as a ring count begins, and Despy is still down at 5 of 20. Despy sits up at 7, Daisuke wants the count to hurry up. Despy stands at 10 and rolls into the ring, only for Daisuke to DROPKICK him in the head! Despy scrambles away, clutching his neck, but Daisuke pursues!
Daisuke puts Despy back in, pushes him to a cover, ONE!! Despy toughs it out, but Daisuke KNEES him in the back of the neck! And then drops a knee on the same spot! And again! The fans rally up for Despy but Daisuke steps on him at the ropes. Daisuke then drags Despy up, puts him through ropes, and bends him back! The ref counts, Daisuke stops, then he drags Despy around to FISHERMAN SCREW! Despy sputters, but he BODY BLOWS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Daisuke CLUBS Despy, then eggs him on. Daisuke slaps Despy around, Despy slaps back, so Daisuke slaps again. Despy SMACKS Daisuke down!
The fans fire up for Despy while Daisuke is dazed. But then Daisuke kicks the leg out, and he slips around, STF! Despy endures, reaches out, but Daisuke shifts to a CROSSFACE! Despy endures, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK with a foot! Daisuke lets go to drop knee after knee on Despy’s back! Daisuke then stalks Despy to ropes, brings him around, and turns him, but Despy slips free! Despy has the leg, SHIN BREAKER! Then a DROPKICK to the leg! Daisuke hobbles to a corner while the fans rally again. Despy runs up on Daisuke, blocks a boot, and KICKS the leg! Then DRAPING DRAGON SCREW!
Daisuke hobbles but he falls over. The fans rally as Despy grabs that leg, but Daisuke kicks free. Despy kicks Daisuke’s leg, then BRAINBUSTER! The fans fire up again and Despy keeps on Daisuke, BIG back suplex! Despy hurries to haul Daisuke up again, GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO! Daisuke toughs it out and the fans rally up again. Despy drags Daisuke over to a drop zone, then climbs the corner! The fans rally, but Daisuke goes to the apron. Daisuke CLUBS Despy, ROCKS him with a right, then climbs up the corner. The fans and the ref are all worried as both men try to suplex the other from the outside!
Despy fires body shots, he steps inside, and then SUPERPLEXES Daisuke into the ring! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Despy crawls but Daisuke bails out. So Despy builds speed, but has to stop the dive as Daisuke slides in! Then Daisuke runs to RAM Despy off the apron! Despy tumbles into the chairs, but Daisuke is right after him! Daisuke drags Despy up to make him take a seat. Daisuke CLUBS Despy, then throws off his shirt before he climbs up the corner! The fans go nuts already as Daisuke aims, SUPER DUPER CROSSBODY onto Despy and the chairs!! The fans are thunderous for that wild risk Daisuke just took!
The ref checks both men, and somehow, they’re both able to continue. Daisuke hobbles away from the crash site to roll into the ring. Daisuke then goes back outside with a fresh ring count. Daisuke puts Despy in he ring at 8 of 20, then climbs up again! FLYING LARIAT! Daisuke hurries to reel Despy in, underhooks, and PEDIGREE!! Cover, TWO!! Despy survives but Daisuke hurries to SUPERKICK! Despy is up but Daisuke runs, LA MYSTI- NO, Despy makes it a FACEBUSTER! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Despy stirs, as does Daisuke, and they both slowly rise back up. Despy fires a forearm first, then another!
Despy fires another, but Daisuke ROCKS Despy with a haymaker! Daisuke whips, Despy reverses, and Despy SPINEUBSTERS! High stack, TWO, but into STRETCH MUFFLER!! Daisuke fights, reaches out, but Despy reels him into NUMERO DOS! Daisuke still fights, fights, but Despy drags him back! NUMERO DOS PLUS, but Daisuke rolls it around and around into a CROSSFACE!! Despy endures while the fans rally as hard as they can! Despy fights over, but Daisuke rolls him away from the ropes! Then Daisuke grabs the other arm, only for Despy to roll to a cradle! TWO!! Both men stand, Despy shoots around to then lift, and DOUBLE KNEE-
NO, Daisuke turns it into a DDT! Then Daisuke aims from a corner, runs up, LA MYSTIC- ARM-DRAG COUNTER! Daisuke kicks free of the stack, then uses the ref as a shield! Despy dosidos with the ref, but Daisuke shoves Despy into the ref! Daisuke whips, Despy reverses, and Daisuke ends up in a corner. Despy runs up, but into a pop-up LOW BLOW!! LA MYSTICA! CROSSFACE!! DESPY TAPS, DAISUKE WINS!!
Winner: Daisuke Sasaki, by submission (gains 2 points; Desperado earns 0)
Well, Daisuke was taught by Dick Togo, so perhaps such tactics should’ve been expected. But will Daisuke make sure NJPW is #NeverSober? Will Desperado still find his way to the BOSJ finals?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Francesco Akira!
The Japanese Young Punk and the Crown of Fire have the honor of closing out opening night, but only one can finish strong! Will Fujita remind Akira that The Mighty Don’t Kneel? Or will even The Mighty be conquered by the United Empire?
But wait, Fujita CLOBBERS Akira with a chair outta nowhere! Where’d he even come from?! Fujita rains down fists on Akira while the fans are torn, but Fujita then drags Akira up with a headlock. Red Shoes reprimands, but Fujita takes Akira right to the West sign to SMACK him off it! And SMACK him off it again, and again! Fujita laughs, the fans cheer, and Fujita brings Akira to the ring. The bell finally sounds but Fujita deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!! Akira survives but Fujita brings him back up. Akira fights free and bails out, but Fujita goes to the apron. PENALTY KICK, then QUEBRADA!
The fans are torn as indeed, the Japanese Young Punk bullies and mugs Akira. Red Shoes checks Akira but Fujita has fans clear out. But then Akira throat chops Fujita! Akira whips, Fujita reverses, but Akira stops short of the chairs! Fujita runs up, but Akira THROWS him into the chairs! Not quite a strike but Akira is pissed! Akira whips Fujita hard into more chairs! Akira then huffs ‘n’ puffs, busted open on his forehead, the red standing out against his new green hair dye. Akira says if Fujita wants to fight like that, he’ll fight like that! Akira brings a TABLE out from under the ring! Red Shoes reprimands but Akira SHOVES him down!
The fans are torn while Akira fetches Fujita. Akira SMACKS Fujita off the table, then puts him on the apron. Akira climbs up to join Fujita, and he brings Fujita up to fireman’s carry! Akira aims, but Fujita slips free! Akira ROCKS Fujita first, then brings Fujita up the ropes! Fujita fights the suplex, UPPERCUTS Akira, then runs, but into a SLINGSHOT CUTTER! The fans duel while Akira rises up. Akira rains down forearms on Fujita, then drops back to a corner. Akira has them check his bloody forehead real quick, it seems to have stopped bleeding. Akira CHOPS Fujita, and Fujita sputters. Akira scoops and SLAMS Fujita, then pushes him to a cover, TWO!
Akira sets up, STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up while Akira brings Akira into a headscissors squeeze. Fujita endures, fights forward, but Akira puts on more pressure! Fujita kicks and kicks and makes the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Akira lets go. Akira snarls, then he kicks at Fujita. Akira KICKS Fujita in the back, eggs him on, so Fujita stands. Fujita ROCKS Akira with forearm after forearm, but Akira ROCKS him back! Akira then back suplexes, but Fujita lands out! Akira kicks and whips, Fujita reverses and LEG LARIATS! The fans fire up while both men are down!
Akira bails out, Fujita goes up, out, and tightrope walks, only for Akira to slide in! Fujita hops down, springboards back up, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up while Akira tumbles out the side. Fujita just goes up, up, and SUPER CANNONBALLS! Fujita takes Akira AND Zane Jay down! Fujita brings Akira back into the ring, then PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up again as Fujita waistlocks Akira. Deadlift- NO, Akira fights the suplex, reaches for ropes, but Fujita brings him back. Fujita ducks the elbow, then ties up the legs, NEMOS- NO, Akira crawls, crawls, and makes the ROPEBREAK!
The fans cheer while Fujita lets go. Fujita storms back up on Akira, grabs a leg, but Akira clings to the ropes. Red Shoes counts, but Akira BOOTS Fujita way. Then he sidesteps, trips Fujita, and puts him under the ropes! CATAPULT GUILLOTINE! Akira LIONSAULTS onto Fujita’s back! Cover, TWO! Fujita survives and the fans fire up again, but Akira just grits his teeth. Akira drags Fujita around, reels him in, and SPEED- NO, Fujita blocks Speedfire! Akira still tries but Fujita stops him again. Akira KNEES low again and again, but Fujita grabs that leg! Fujita wrenches, but Akira KNEES low! SPEEDFIRE! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally again while Akira paces. Akira rains down fists but Red Shoes reprimands. Akira stops, taunts the fans cheering Fujita, then tells them to watch this! Akira drags Fujita up, and SMACKS him off the mat! And SMACKS him off the mat again! Akira then taunts the fans for no longer chanting for Fujita! The fans boo, but Akira sits Fujita up again. Fujita blocks the throw this time! Akira KNEES Fujita, SMACKS him off the mat again, and NOVA- NO, Fujita ducks the Fireball to ROUNDHOUSE! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! Red Shoes checks, and both men stir. They slowly rise up, and Akira grabs at Fujita.
Fujita and Akira both pull hair as they sit up. Fujita fires the first forearm, but Akira responds in kind! Fujita fires back, Akira staggers, but Akira returns to ROCK Fujita! Fujita ROCKS Akira, Akira ROCKS Fujita, repeat! The fans rally as the shots keep going, and Fujita laughs it off! Fujita SMACKS Akira! Akira SMACKS Fujita! They start a SLAP fight, and the fans fire up as it gets fast ‘n’ furious! Fujita SMACKS Akira again and again, then winds up, but Akira ENZIGIRIS! Akira runs, but Fujita ELBOWS him! Fujita runs but Akira LARIATS! Akira runs, but into a SPIN HEEL KICK! The fans are thunderous as Fujita DEADLIFT GERMANS! Bridging cover, TWO!!
Akira survives again and the fans are torn right down the middle! Akira rolls to the apron but Fujita isn’t far behind. Fujita GAMANGIRIS, then he looks to Akira’s table! Akira clings to ropes but Fujita tries to pull him away! Akira ELBOWS Fujita, then slips under to POST him! Fujita falls to the floor, Akira leaps and RAN- NO! Fujita stops the rana to then swing Akira up! And he POWERBOMBS Akira through the table!! The fans are thunderous again and Fujita drags Akira back up. Fujita puts Akira in, then whips him for a pop-up GERMAN SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO?!? But Fujita has the arms trapped!!
Akira endures as Fujita pulls on the arm! The fans rally and duel as hard as they have all night, and Akira adds a cording hold! Akira kicks, kicks, flails, but Fujita grabs the leg! BOW ‘N’ ARROW STRETCH, but Akira gives one last gasp! ROPEBREAK!! Fujita lets go but he vows to end it now! Fujita hauls Akira up, torture racks, but Akira fights with elbows! Fujita squats, but stands up! Akira slips through and hooks the arms, but Fujita spins through! Akira ducks, backslide, NOVA- NO, Fujita rolls through it to have the legs! NEMOS- CRADLE COUNTER! TWO!??! Akira hurries to run up, wheelbarrow, but Fujita stops the roll!
Fujita hauls Akira up, WHEELBARROW GERMAN! But Akira rises?!? Akira runs up, Fujita gets around him, POISON-RANA! NOVA FIREBALL?!?!? Cover, TWO?!?!? Fujita survives and Akira is beside himself! The fans are electric as Akira rises. Akira roars, vows to end it, and he drags Fujita up to reel him in. Akira hooks a leg, CROWN- CRADLE and deadlift! THRILLRIDE!!! Cover, FUJITA WINS!!
Winner: Kosei Fujita, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Akira earns 0)
It was an epic not only worthy of the main event, but perhaps even the finals! But in the end, the Crown of Fire is the one that burned out! Will Akira still be able to prove he’s the best after this unfortunate start?
As for Fujita, he sits back and gets the mic. “Oi, you big idiot! You’re sure one strong SOB! And every single time I wrestle you in BOSJ, it’s the match I’m most looking forward to. Everything here is over the top excellence, and that is something you see on the regular with me. And so, I think this year is mine to win. Every expectation you have of me, I will see you, raise you, and surpass those expectations!” With that mighty finish, will Fujita become the youngest man to go back-to-back as BOSJ Champion?
Here are the A Block standings!
Kosei Fujita: 1-0, 2 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 1-0, 2 points
Nick Wayne: 1-0, 2 points
Titan: 1-0, 2 points
Robbie X: 0-1, 0 points
Francesco Akira: 0-1, 0 points
Master Wato: 0-1, 0 points
Daiki Nagai: 0-1, 0 points
Valiente Jr: [did not compete]
Jun Kasai: [did not compete]
Here are the B Block standings!
Taiji Ishimori: 1-0, 2 points
SHO: 1-0, 2 points
HYO: 1-0, 2 points
KUSHIDA: 1-0, 2 points
Daisuke Sasaki: 1-0, 2 points
YOH: 0-1, 0 points
Robbie Eagles: 0-1, 0 points
El Desperado: 0-1, 0 points
Jakob Austin Young: 0-1, 0 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 0-1, 0 points
My Thoughts:
An awesome opening round for BOSJ, and it wasn’t even all the participants with Valiente Jr. and Jun Kasai for whatever reason not here tonight. Maybe travel stuff kept them from arriving in time? Otherwise, the tenth match on the card would’ve been Valiente VS Kasai. But even without them, great matches from start to finish, but that’s par for the course when it comes to NJPW. I really liked Sho saying his match with Kanemaru was gonna steal the show, and then all we get is them trying to outcheat the other, because duh, what else were they gonna do?
Daiki taking Douki’s spot since Douki kayfabe refused to compete, he had a great showing against Taguchi, but it feels like Daiki’s first win in this tournament is gonna happen late in the tournament so that he can act as spoiler. Yoh VS Hyo was certainly unique, and surprisingly short. Both Robbies losing was a bit of a surprise, but it makes sense since Nick Wayne is meant to make an impact this time around, and Kushida is making his return to NJPW, both of those guys needed the win. But seriously, ROH’s tape delays hurt them here because Nick Wayne VS AR Fox doesn’t air until tonight so we already know what happens there…
Daisuke being a real Heel in the end of his match was a good way for him to win while protecting Despy. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Daisuke join House of Torture in the absence of Evil. And awesome main event from Fujita VS Akira, but very fitting of the 2025 BOSJ winner basically defending his title as he goes for another. All of Fujita’s matches probably will be this awesome, or as close to it as they can get out of everyone in A Block, but who knows if he repeats.
My Score: 9/10
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Will The Prince dispatch two challengers at once?
After retaining the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, Callum Newman offered a unique challenge. Can Shingo Takagi or Yota Tsuji secure a title shot through a tag match?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Ryusuke Taguchi & Taisei Nakahara VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Kanemaru win.
- Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS Toru Yano, YOH & Master Wato; Yano, Yoh & Wato win.
- Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Taichi & El Desperado; Taichi & Desperado win.
- Yuya Uemura & Masatora Yasuda VS Ryohei Oiwa & Kosei Fujita; Oiwa & Fujita win.
- Six Man Tag: Aaron Wolf, Boltin Oleg & Tiger Mask VS Ren Narita, Yujiro Takahashi & Dick Togo; Wolf, Oleg & Tiger Mask win.
- 10 Man Tag: The Unbound Company VS The United Empire; The Empire wins.
- Championship Stakes: Callum Newman & Jake Lee VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji; Takagi & Tsuji win, and Tsuji will challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
PLAY BY PLAY
10 Man Tag: The Unbound Company VS The United Empire!
Before the Knock Out Brothers clash with the Dominator & Mauler over the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, they lead their units into war! Will Oskar, Yuto-Ice, Gedo, Taiji Ishimori & Daiki Nagai be truly unbound? Or will Great-O-Khan, Henare, Francesco Akira, Jakob Austin Young & Zane Jay conquer them for the glory of the Empire?
The teams sort out, but Yuto and Henare egg each other on as they’re forehead to forehead. The ref has them back off, but they still start the match. The bell rings and the fans rally as Yuto and Henare step back up. They’re forehead to forehead again as they talk trash, then they fire forearm after forearm! The fans rally as Henare ROCKS Yuto, but Yuto fires a flurry in return! Henare fires a flurry of his own, then runs, but into a BOOT! Henare wobbles but he comes right back. Yuto laughs as he ROCKS Henare! Yuto runs, ROCKS Henare again, but Henare roars! Henare eggs Yuto on, Yuto runs the ropes, but Henare RUNS him over!
Henare sits Yuto up to KICK him in the back, then KICK again! The fans rally as Henare runs, but Yuto avoids the Rugby Kick! Henare still kicks low, whips to ropes, but Yuto reverses to BOOT Henare down! The fans fire up with Yuto, and he KICKS Henare in the back! And KICKS him again! Henare scrambles to a corner but Yuto swaggers his way over. Yuto KICKS, and KNEES, and SOBATS! Henare sits down, Yuto gets gangsta! “BOMBACLAT!” But Henare gets up to fireman’s carry! Yuto slips free, Henare dodges a lariat, but so does Yuto! Henare swats the boot, Yuto ducks the heel kick, and the fans cheer the standoff!
Zane has Henare calm down, and wants him to tag. Henare tags Zane, and Zane calls out Daiki. Daiki tags in, and these two still have to settle how they ended the Young Lion Cup. Zane eggs Daiki on, so Daiki ROCKS him! Zane fires back, Daiki fires another, and the fans rally as the two brawl! Daiki whips, Zane reverses, but Daiki redirects! Zane hurdles, drops down, but Daiki avoids the dropkick! Daiki runs to basement DROPKICK! Zane scrambles to a corner while the fans fire up. Daiki runs in, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Zane toughs it out but the fans rally behind Daiki. Daiki storms up on Zane but Zane wants mercy. Daiki says no and he ROCKS Zane!
Daiki runs in at the corner, but Zane counters the monkey flip to put Daiki up top! Zane DROPKICKS Daiki down, then the Empire BLASTS the Unbound corner! They all brawl on the outside and into the crowd! Oskar CLUBS Khan, Yuto fires forearms on Henare, but Henare BODY BLOWS and CHOPS! Oskar has fans clear out, then he whips Khan, but Khan reverses! Oskar tumbles into the chairs! Yuto CHOKES Henare, Henare shoves Yuto away, and Zane has Daiki in the ring. Zane bumps Daiki off buckles while Khan JAMS Oskar with a chair! Khan SMACKS Oskar on the back with it, too! The fans are torn as Khan roars.
Henare and Yuto return ringside, and Khan uses a chair to sit on Oskar! Khan taunts Oskar, then steps off. Henare uses a DEATH GRIP on Yuto! Henare THROWS Yuto into chairs, then he smothers a Young Lion for getting in the way! Henare even scares ring staff off before going to ringside. Zane CHOKES Daiki, the ref counts, and Zane stops at 4. Zane tags #DangerousJay and he UPPERCUTS Daiki. Jakob CHOKES Daiki in the corner, then brings him around. Jakob whips Daiki to ropes, ELBOWS him down, then covers, TWO! The fans applaud as Daiki toughs it out, but Jakob brings him back up. Jakob tags Akira, and he taunts Oskar!
The ref has to keep Oskar back, but this all lets Khan bend Daiki’s fingers! The Empire mugs Daiki in the corner, and Jakob even CLAWS Daiki’s eyes! Khan tells commentary to shut up, but Daiki fights back! Akira KNEES low, whips, and drop toeholds. Akira SMACKS Daiki off the mat again, then kneels on a cocky cover. TWO, but Akira taunts the Unbound Company. Akira bumps Daiki off buckles, tags Khan, and Khan dumps Daiki out. The rest of the Empire mugs Daiki while the fans boo. Zane puts Daiki back in for Khan, and Khan drags Daiki around. Khan steps on Daiki for a cocky cover, TWO! Daiki toughs it out but Khan soaks up the cheers and jeers.
Khan scuffs Daiki as Daiki tries to crawl away. Khan eggs Daiki on, offering a free hit. Daiki stands, but Khan dodges the hit. Khan laughs at Daiki for falling for his trap quite literally! Khan then drags Daiki up, but Daiki fires forearms after all! The fans rally as Daiki HEADBUTTS! Daiki whips, Khan reverses, and Khan runs up, only for Daiki to dodge! Hot tag to Oskar! The fans fire up as the giant German RUNS Khan over, BLASTS Henare, then whips Khan corner to corner! Zane runs up but Oskar BOOTS him away! Oskar runs up, DOUBLE ELBOW for Zane and Khan! Akira runs up to jump on Oskar’s back! Oskar RAMS Akira into a corner!
Jakob storms in, but Oskar guzels! Akira runs up, but Oskar guzels! Oskar gives them a meeting of the minds, then a DOUBLE LARIAT! The fans fire up with Oskar, and he goes back for Khan. Oskar drags Khan up, scoops, but Henare KICKS Oskar’s leg! The ref reprimands but Henare KICKS and KICKS and BODY BLOWS! Henare HEADBUTTS, then DEATH GRIPS! Henare HEADBUTTS Oskar, then he and Khan bring Oskar around. Oskar fights the lift, but Henare blocks the boot! But then Oskar guzels Henare! Henare can’t reach Oskar for the Death Grip! Oskar then guzels Khan, but they both break free! DOUBLE BODY BLOW!
The ref reprimands, but #Khanare double whip Oskar. He breaks their lariats, but the DOUBLE BOOTS hit! Yuto is in, he shoves Henare into Khan! Then he fires off fast hands on Henare, bobs ‘n’ weaves, then ROCKS Henare! Henare drops, Yuto ICE HIGHS! But Henare is up, LARIAT! The fans fire up while all four men are down! Oskar rises, he SWATS Khan’s haymaker to have the NIGHTMARE SLEEPER! But Khan BITES Oskar’s arm! IRON CLAW! But Oskar pries it away, only for Khan to KICK the leg, and BOOT Oskar down! The fans rally as both men crawl for their corners. Hot tags to Akira and Taiji!
The fans fire up as the two rush in! Akira dodges the boot to headlock, but Taiji powers up and out. Akira RUNS Taiji over, then keeps moving. Taiji drops, hurdles, but Akira shoves! Taiji RANAS! Akira tumbles, Taiji runs up, DOUBLE KNEES! Then a fireman’s carry, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, and a BASEMENT SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Akira is tougher than that but Taiji stays on him. Taiji gut wrenches, but Akira fights to turn it around! CIPHER- NO, Taiji lands out to whip Akira. Akira reverses, Taiji handsprings, but into a waistlock! Akira then spins Taiji around, SPEEDFIRE! Akira sputters, he can’t make the cover!
Taiji and Akira crawl, hot tag to Jakob! Jakob drags Taiji up, he and Akira DOUBLE SUPLEX, but Daiki makes the save! Akira & Jakob kick Daiki, then whip, but Daiki ducks ‘n’ dodges to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! The fans cheer the Unbound Young Lion as he flounders to a corner, and Taiji tags Gedo! Gedo JABS, JABS, and JABS! Gedo winds up, but Jakob CLAWS Gedo’s eyes! Jakob winds up, but Gedo UPPERCUTS! Then SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Jakob survives but Gedo stays focused. Gedo tells Jakob to get up, then he mule kicks the leg! Body scissors, GEDO CLUTCH! But Zane ELBOW DROPS Gedo down!
Zane drags Gedo up, and he FALL AWAY SLAMS! Jakob gets Gedo back up, for the HAMMERLOCK DDT! Cover, The Empire wins!
Winners: The United Empire, by pinfall
Another bites the dust, and The Empire is control on this New Japan Road! Henare taunts Yuto with his tag title, but that just sparks a new brawl! Young Lions hurry to stop this, but easier said than done! The rest of the teams get in there, too, and Unbound Company must fall back, if only for now. But will things be different with their best in the main event?
Championship Stakes: Callum Newman & Jake Lee VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji!
It was just 48 hours ago that The Prince slayed the Rampaging Dragon, although with controversial and underhanded tactics. He’s so confident, in fact, he’s giving Takagi and Tsuji another chance! Will Callum cross off two names from the list for the rest of his reign? Or will someone from the Unbound Company have a golden ticket to the top title in NJPW?
The teams sort out, but Callum can’t help himself. He taunts Takagi and Tsuji with the belt, so they attack! They mug Callum, then Yota kicks Jake. Yota TOSSES Jake, the bell rings, and Unbound mug Callum again. They double whip then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans cheer while Takagi ELBOW DROPS! The fans rally as Takagi eggs Callum on. Callum goes to a corner, Takagi runs up, but Callum dodges. Callum runs back in, but Takagi puts him on the apron. Callum RAMS Takagi, slingshots up and over, then keeps moving. Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges but Takagi sidesteps to HIP TOSS! Callum staggers to his feet, Takagi LARIATS him up and out!
Callum stumbles into and then tumbles over the railing! Yota goes after Jake while Takagi hurries through the gate to fetch Callum. Yota whips Jake hard into railing, then stalks him around the way, while Takagi KNEES Callum low. Takagi brings Callum around to SMACK him off the timekeeper’s table! Takagi ROCKS Callum, follows him to another section of the crowd, while Yota DOUBLE CHOPS Jake out of a chair! Takagi ROCKS Callum again and the fans rally behind him. Callum wants to escape but Takagi stalks him. Takagi SMACKS Callum off some chairs, then HEADBUTTS him down! Yota brings Jake up to ROCK with a forearm of his own!
Jake stumbles around through the crowd, knocking chairs over as he tries to flee. Yota pursues as Jake begs young fans to help. Yota grabs that hand to SNAP fingers! The ring count finally starts as Callum SMACKS Takagi off a table! Takagi considers throwing that table but thinks better of it. Takagi pursues Callum as Callum heads back to ringside, but Yota BOOTS Jake out of a seat! The count is 15 of 20 as Callum and Takagi roll inside. Callum wants mercy, even apologizes, but Takagi CHOKES him! Red Shoes counts, Takagi stops at 4, and Callum clings to the ropes. Takagi kicks Callum into letting go, then brings him up.
Takagi JABS Callum and Callum falls against ropes. Takagi JABS again and Callum flounders. Callum calls to Jake but Takagi keeps him back. Callum fights the lift with elbows, then BODY BLOWS! Callum runs, but Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! But Callum trips Takagi and PUNTS him in the side! Just like in their title match! Jake BLASTS Yota off the apron, then goes out to stomp him down! Red Shoes reprimands but Jake drags Yota up and grinds him into railing. Callum pushes Takagi out of the ring while Jake fires body shots on Yota. Callum RAMS Takagi into railing, then brings him around to POST him!
Takagi staggers while Callum mockingly cheers him on. Jake POSTS Yota and does the same. Callum KICKS Takagi in the side, then flexes before he SPITS at Takagi! The fans boo but Callum ROCKS Takagi again. Callum puts Takagi in the ring, taunts Yota from across the way, then slingshots to stomp Takagi down. Callum dares Yota to reach out for Takagi, then he stomps Takagi. Callum digs his heel in, then he tags Jake. Jake swaggers and talks some trash, then he brings out the black glove! Callum KNEES Takagi before Jake takes Takagi’s shirt off. Jake shows off the bad ribs while he says it is picture time! Jake gives Takagi the DENTAL CHECK!
The fans are torn as Jake shoves Takagi down and takes off the glove. Jake mockingly applauds that Takagi passed his dental exam, then he stomps Takagi down. Tag to Callum and Callum clamps onto the arm. Callum traps the arm, kneels on Takagi, then digs his knuckles into the bad ribs! Yota BOOTS Callum, then backs off as Jake runs up. Callum calls BS, but he drags Takagi to stomp him down! Callum KICKS Takagi, then sits for a cocky cover, TWO! Callum clamps onto Takagi, wags his finger at Yota, then grinds Takagi’s bad arm. The fans rally for Takagi as he rises up and fires body shots! Callum KNEES low, then bumps Takagi off buckles.
Callum tags Jake back in and Jake again taunts Takagi. Callum CHOKES Takagi, and Jake KICKS Takagi in the side! The fans rally for Takagi as he rises again, and he rips away the tape! Takagi snarls as he ROCKS Jake again and again! But Jake kicks low, CLAWS Takagi’s face, then runs. Takagi blocks the boot to CLUB the leg! Takagi whips, Jake reverses, but Takagi blocks the knee! DRAGON SCREW! The fans cheer while both men are down! Hot tag to Yota! The fans fire up as Yota BLASTS Callum off the corner, then kicks and whips Jake. Jake reverses but Yota BOOTS him! Yota BLASTS Callum again, then DIVES! Direct hit and Callum hits railing!
The fans fire up for Yota and he slingshots into the ring. Yota then whips Jake corner to corner, runs up, but Jake dodges the splash! BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Yota is tougher than that, but Jake signals he’s taking his shot. Jake drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Yota tries to suplex but Jake fights the lift! They fight for control as the fans rally, and Jake suplexes! But Yota lands out! Yota ducks an elbow to FLATLINER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Takagi calls to Yota and Yota crawls over. Yota is a bit unsure, but he hot tags Takagi anyway! The fans fire up as Takagi powers up and LARIATS in the corner!
Takagi fires the fans up more, and he JABS, JABS, JABS in the corner! Then a CHOP! Jake roars, but Takagi ELBOWS him! Takagi runs, but into the KITCHEN SINK KNEE! It hit pretty high and Takagi falls. Jake tags Callum, Callum BOOTS Yota! Callum stands Takagi up for Jake to KITCHEN SINK KNEE! Then EXCALIBUR!! Cover, YOTA BREAKS IT! The fans cheer, and Yota TOSSES Jake! Callum kicks and TOSSES Yota! Callum is frustrated, but he still mocks Takagi’s pain. Callum kicks Takagi around, and mockingly asks if it hurts. Callum CLUBS Takagi, eggs him on, then ROCKS him with a forearm.
Callum eggs Takagi on, but Takagi SLAPS him! Callum DECKS Takagi for that! Callum sits Takagi up, mocks the prayer hands, then KICKS Takagi in the back! Takagi stays up, and he’s getting mad! The fans fire up as Takagi rises, but Callum BOOTS! And BOOTS! And BOOTS! Takagi just gets angrier! Callum fires knee after knee, but Takagi headbutts the buckles! The fans fire up but Callum BOOTS again! Callum runs, but into the ELBOW! SOBAT! JAB! HEEL KICK! Callum feints the run, but Takagi LARIATS first! Callum LARIATS in return! Both men stand but stagger, and Yota tags in! The fans fire up as Yota hurries to BLAST Jake!
Yota then goes back to Callum and ROCKS him with a forearm! Callum staggers around, Yota ROCKS him again, and again! The fans fire up with Yota, he whips Callum to ropes, but Callum grabs ropes! Yota runs up, Callum BOOTS him away, and Jake jumps in! Jake kicks and whips Yota to a corner, then runs up, but he blocks the boot. Yota reels Jake in for the STOMP! Yota runs up but Callum wrenches through, short arm LARIAT! The fans rally up again while everyone is down! Callum sits up, kisses the crown tattoo, and brings Yota up. Callum goes to fireman’s carry but Yota fights it. Callum powers through, but Yota slips free!
Yota feeds Callum to Takagi’s ELBOW! Yota BOOTS, Takagi BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and Yota GENE TRIGGERS! Then they DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Callum survives and Takagi has to sort out who is legal. Red Shoes and Yota explain that tag from earlier, but then Callum kicks them both! Callum runs, but into the ELBOW! BACKBREAKER! JAB! Then Yota pump handles, but Jake CLAWS Yota’s face! Takagi RUNS Jake over, Callum BOOTS Takagi down, but Yota scoops to BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while all four men are down again! Yota and Callum stir, and Callum flips off the fans cheering Yota.
Yota rises up, Callum wants mercy, and Yota hesitates. But then Callum SPITS at him! Callum fires a forearm, Yota fires back, and repeat! The fans rally up as the shots go back and forth, faster and faster! Callum fires a flurry, runs, but Yota follows to SPLASH in the corner! Yota runs but Callum follows to HELLUVA KICK! Callum runs, Yota follows, GENE TRIGGER! Yota keeps moving, but he dodges Callum to then GAMANGIRI! Yota puts Callum up top, climbs up, and SUPER STEINERS! Cover, TWO! Callum survives but Yota roars! The fans cheer Yota on as he pump handles, but Callum slips free! Callum shoves Yota at Red Shoes! Yota stops short, but Callum LOW BLOWS!
The fans boo but Callum turns around as Takagi runs in! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but neither man falls! They DOUBLE LARIAT again, and Callum flops against Takagi! Takagi fires boxing elbows on Callum, then winds up, but Callum ROCKS! ROLLING- JAB! Callum grabs at Red Shoes, uses him as a shield, but Takagi stops the low blow! Takagi shoves Callum at Red Shoes, REVENGE LOW BLOW! Yota SUPERKICKS! Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS! And they set Callum up for the PUMPING BLASTER!! Cover, Jake breaks it! KNEE for Takagi, then a ROUNDHOUSE! But Takagi rebounds, PUMPING BOMBER on Jake!!
Takagi tells Yota to finish this! Yota GENE BLASTERS Callum!! Cover, Yota & Takagi win!!
Winners: Yota Tsuji & Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (Yota Tsuji is the NEW #1 Contender to the IWGP Heavyweight Championship)
Callum got too cocky in his young reign, and now he’s the one staring up at the lights! But will he have a better game plan for when the title is on the line?
As for the Unbound Company, they catch their breath before Yota takes the mic. “OI, CALLUM! Too bad for you. To me, the path you forge is darkness. I won’t let NJPW go down that path. I will lead NJPW towards the light of hope.” The fans applaud that. Callum says see you at Dominion then! Callum leaves, and Yota continues by saying with Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement, the New Beginning, and now Dominion, NJPW has changed dramatically. But now, Yota meets Callum in a rematch for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in Dominion’s main event, carrying that responsibility and determination in his heart!
The fans cheer again, and Yota says, “OI, NJPW! And Callum Newman… ARE YOU READY?!” The fans cheer again, and Yota promises to be the one to carry NJPW on his shoulders! Mic drop from the Gene Blast, but will he dethrone the Prince already? Or will Callum solidify NJWP as his dominion?
My Thoughts:
A very good New Japan Road event as also a sendoff to Dominion. Really good tune-ups, and the 10 Man Tag especially for the build into the Heavyweight Tag title match. Empire winning here might show KOB wins when the time comes, but Best of the Super Juniors is next so there will be more and more tune-up filler matches first. And great tag match main event with the unique stipulation. As I said before, Yota losing both belts is so he can have his heroic journey back to the top. Yota getting the win here makes sense as it sets up the rematch from losing to Callum, and Dominion’s going to have a great main event that could honestly go either way.
My Score: 8.8/10
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