NJPW PPV Results
Mitchell’s NJPW Independence Day Results & Report! (7/4/23)
NJPW celebrates America!
The red, white & blue in the Land of the Rising Sun!
NJPW Strong brings a bit of Americana to Japan, and on top of title matches, there will be DOOMSDAY NO DISQUALIFICATION TAG MATCH! Are we about to see fireworks for the Fourth in Japan?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff Show – Six Man Tag: YOH, Ryusuke Taguchi & Oskar Leube VS Takahiro Katori, Dragon Libre & Kengo; Yoh, Taguchi & Leube win.
- The DKC VS Bad Dude Tito; Tito wins.
- Six Man Tag: Lance Archer, Alex Zayne & Ryohei Oiwa VS Team Filthy; Team Filthy wins.
- Tom Lawlor VS Kosei Fujita; Lawlor wins.
- Rocky Romero & Eddie Kingston VS KENTA & Gedo; Rocky & Kingston win.
- Willow Nightingale & Momo Kohgo VS Giulia & Thekla; Willow & Momo win.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: Bishamon VS Alex Coughlin & Gabe Kidd; Coughlin & Kidd win and become the new NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Catch 2/2 VS Clark Connors & Dan Moloney; Connors & Moloney win and become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
- Exciting Encounter Doomsday No Disqualifications Tag: El Desperado & Jun Kasai VS Jon Moxley & Homicide; Desperado & Kasai win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Willow Nightingale & Momo Kohgo VS Giulia & Thekla!
Just 24 hours ahead of them facing off over the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship, the Babe with the Power and The Beautiful Madness call upon allies to battle! Will Willow and the Peach Star or Giulia and The Toxic Spider stand tall on Independence Day?
The teams sort out and fans rally up for Giulia as she starts against Willow. But she doesn’t respect the handshake offered! The two get in each other’s face but the ref has them back down. The fans rally up and the bell rings. Giulia and Willow circle, tie up, and Willow powers Giulia to ropes. The ref counts, Willow lets off quickly, and fans cheer. They go again, feel things out, and tie up again. Willow again powers Giulia back but Giulia turns things around. Giulia has Willow on ropes, but lets off slowly. Then she CHOPS! Fans cheer but Willow just brushes it off. Willow CHOPS back and eggs Giulia on.
Giulia CHOPS Willow, then eggs her on! Willow swings, but into an STO! Giulia keeps on the arm but Willow gets to a waistlock. Giulia wrenches out to a wristlock, but Willow scoops and SLAMS her! Giulia wants a second, and fans rally up. Willow and Giulia back off, tags to Momo and Thekla. Momo runs right in but Thekla avoids the dropkick to stomp away! Thekla whips, Momo reverses and hurdles, but Thekla stomps herself. Momo avoids the stomps, whips, but Thekla reverses but then Momo reverses only for Thekla to reverse again. Thekla runs in at the corner but Momo goes up and over!
Momo eggs Thekla on, things speed up, and Momo tilt-o-whirl arm-drags! Thekla ends up on ropes and Momo dials it up, but Thekla avoids the 619! Fans cheer the standoff and Thekla goes Spider-Woman to KICK Momo! Thekla whips, Momo ducks ‘n’ dodges, but double dropkicks cancel out! Momo kips up, but Thekla spider walks! Momo isn’t intimidated so Thekla stands. Thekla mule kicks, reels Momo in to scoop and POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Thekla drags Momo up and bumps her off buckles. Tag to Giulia and fans cheer as Giulia wrenches Momo’s hair! Giulia bumps Momo off buckles, then TOSSES her by her hair!
Giulia sucker punches Willow! Giulia goes corner to corner to ELBOW Momo, then sit her down to dig her boots in! The ref counts, Giulia lets off with her hands, but he doesn’t fall for that. Giulia lets off to drag Momo up, turn and NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Momo fights back with forearms but Giulia doesn’t flinch. Momo keeps throwing shots but Giulia DECKS her in return! Giulia runs, but Momo DROPKICKS her down! Fans fire up and Momo runs, 619! Direct hit! Cover, TWO! Giulia survives but Momo hot tags Willow! Willow rallies on Giulia with big clotheslines! Fans fire up and Willow back body blocks, then clotheslines!
Willow snapmares then BOOTS Giulia down! Willow drags Giulia up, whips, and SPINEBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up as Giulia survives and Willow brings her up. Giulia fires forearms on Willow over and over, and has her on her knees! Giulia runs, but into a fireman’s carry! Giulia shifts her way to get an IRON OCTOPUS! Thekla takes out Momo, but Willow powers Giulia to an AIR RAID CRASH! Cover, TWO and into RINGS OF SATURN! Thekla keeps Momo out but Willow shifts to a cover! TWO and Willow is free! Willow runs in but Giulia dodges! Giulia returns but Willow dodges to CLOBBER Giulia!
Giulia gets right up and she DROPKICKS Willow! Fans fire up as both women are down, and Giulia crawls to hot tag Thekla! Thekla runs, to BOOT WASH Willow in the ropes! Thekla brings Willow up, Willow swings but Thekla dodges! Tilt-o-whirl into the OCTOPUS! Momo goes after Thekla but Giulia goes after Momo. Giulia and Thekla coordinate, INVERTED HART ATTACK! Thekla brings Willow up but she clinches to URENAGE! Fans fire up again and Willow goes up the corner! But Thekla goes up to get her! But Willow sits Thekla down with forearms, and then puts her in a Tree of Woe!
But Thekla sits up! Thekla grins, ROCKS Willow, then ROCKS her again! SPIDER SUPERPLEX! Willow staggers up, Giulia is up top, MISSILE DROPKICK! Willow bails out, Thekla adjusts and Giulia sets Willow up, SUPER CROSSBODY! Fans fire up again as Giulia & Thekla get Willow in. Thekla aims, BUZZSAW! Cover, Momo breaks it! Giulia goes after Momo but Momo tosses her out! Thekla puts Willow in the SPIDER WEB! But Momo kicks it apart! Momo runs in but Thekla dodges in the corner! Thekla CHOPS, ROCKS, and Giulia join in. They double whip, Momo dodges and Willow DOUBLE LARIATS them!
Willow goes up, then Momo goes up onto Willow! SUPER ROCKET LAUNCHER! Down go Giulia & Thekla and fans are thunderous! Momo gets Giulia out to DROPKICK Thekla! Thekla sits, Willow runs in, CANNONBALL! Fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Thekla survives but Willow brings down the straps! Willow drags Thekla up, gut wrench, BABE WITH THE POWERBOMB! Cover, Willow & Momo win!
Winners: Willow Nightingale & Momo Kohgo, by pinfall
The NJPW Strong Women’s Champion and the Peach Star stand tall against the Artist of Stardom Champions! Giulia and Willow stare down at the end here, Willow holding up the belt. Giulia CHOPS Willow! So Willow DECKS Giulia! Willow tells Giulia you don’t mess with her! They settle this tomorrow! Will Willow hold onto her gold and win Giulia’s respect? Or will she lose it all against the Beautiful Madness?
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: Bishamon VS Alex Coughlin & Gabe Kidd!
Just as Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi won these and the IWGP Heavyweight Tag titles, out came Bullet Club’s newest recruits! The Android and Young Bull have now transformed into War Dogs, will they take a bite out of Chaos? Or will it be Lights Out for them instead?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and then Coughlin & Kidd snatch ’em to CLOBBER Goto & Hashi with them! Fans boo and Coughlin wants the bell! The ref says no but he’s bullied into it by the War Dogs! The bell rings, Kidd covers Hashi, TWO!! Fans cheer but Coughlin drags Goto out to throw him into railing! Kidd throws Hashi out and then throws him into railing! Coughlin throws Goto into more railing while Kidd claws Hashi’s face, right in front of the little children in the front row! Fans boo while Coughlin SMACKS Goto off the apron. Kidd lets off Hashi but Coughlin stands on Goto’s face.
Coughlin fireman’s carries Goto to SNAKE EYES him off the apron! Kidd digs his boots into Hashi! The ref counts, Kidd lets off, and the ref reprimands. Kidd soaks up the heat and then snatches a spare chair! But then Kidd drops the chair to flip everyone off. Fans boo more but Kidd drags Hashi up to CHOP him against the apron! Hashi flops right down, but Goto fights back on Coughlin! CHOP after CHOP, but Coughlin kicks low! Coughlin whips Goto into railing! Goto slumps down, then Kidd whips Hashi hard into railing! Hashi flops over, the ring count starts, but Kidd refreshes it. Kidd drags Hashi up, puts him in, and tags Coughlin.
The War Dogs drag Hashi up, and Kidd holds Hashi’s arms back so Coughlin can CHOP! Fans “WOO~!” for that but then boo as Coughlin & Kidd throw up the Too Sweets. Coughlin stands on Hashi’s neck but the ref counts. Coughlin lets off, tags Kidd, and BLASTS Goto off the apron! Kidd CHOPS Hashi off his feet! Coughlin sends Goto back into railing! Kidd digs his heels into Hashi’s head, but then tells the ref to back the F off! The ref reprimands, fans boo, and Coughlin tags back in. Coughlin swaggers around, eggs Hashi on, and gives him toying kicks. Kidd tosses chairs to ringside while Coughlin SLAMS Hashi!
Coughlin BOOTS Goto off the apron! Then Kidd whips Goto into railing! The War Dogs are isolating Hashi as Coughlin stands him up and SLAPS him! Coughlin talks trash on Hashi, brings him up, but Hashi fires forearms! Fans rally, but Coughlin kicks low! Hashi still throws forearms but Coughlin DECKS him! Coughlin looms over Hashi, but fans rally up. Coughlin suplexes but Hashi slips free to waistlock. Coughlin elbows free but Hashi SUPER- NO, Coughlin blocks to DECK him again! Coughlin eggs Hashi on, whips him to ropes, but Hashi dropkicks the legs out! Hashi turns Coughlin for a NECKBREAKER!
Fans rally up with Hashi and Coughlin down. Goto returns and Hashi hurries over! Hot tags to Goto and Kidd! The Fierce Warrior rallies on Kidd! Fans fire up but Kidd fires shots! Kidd runs, Goto follows and LARIATS! Fans fire up more and Goto storms up to whip Kidd to a corner. Goto then runs in to clothesline and snapmare! Fans fire up, Goto climbs, and he ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Kidd sputters but Goto drags him up. Goto fireman’s carries, but Kidd fights free! Kidd ROCKS Goto, but Goto ROCKS him back! They go forearm for forearm, fans rally up, and the shots just keep going! Both men wobble, but Goto gets the edge!
But Kidd CHOPS on return! They both run, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls so Goto runs, DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! They’re both still up so they DOUBLE LARIAT a third time! Goto roars but Kidd SLAPS! And SLAPS! Kidd eggs Goto on but Goto SLAPS! Kidd rebounds, into a fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and fans fire up! Hashi returns to the corner! Kidd and Goto crawl, Goto tags in the Headhunter! Hashi runs in to CHOP Kidd in the corner! And ROCK and CHOP and repeat! The ref counts, Hashi keeps going and he CHOPS Kidd into sitting down!
Fans fire up behind Hashi and he drags Kidd up. Hashi turns Kidd but Kidd slips free to CLUB Hashi! Hashi DOUBLE CHOPS! Hashi runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Kidd survives but Hashi roars! Hashi drags Kidd back up, reels him in, fisherman and- NO, Kidd fights it! Kidd rakes eyes to get away! But Coughlin’s not there! Kidd runs back in but Goto CLOBBERS him! Goto fireman’s carries, Hashi helps out, FIERCE FLASH!! And they’re not done there! They drag Kidd back up, dragon sleeper and the legs lifted, but now Coughlin returns! Coughlin waistlocks but Hashi fights it!
Goto runs in, Hashi ducks, Hidden Gap Remix! Hashi gets Kidd up, feeds him to Goto, they give another FIERCE FLASH into SHOU- NO! Kidd kicks Hashi away to BRAINBUSTER Goto! Hashi runs back in but into a BOOT! HELL STAB UPPERCUT! Kidd CLUBS Hashi, runs, but into the SUPERKICK! Fans fire up for Hashi and he stalks Kidd. Hashi powers up, runs, but Coughlin gets a cheap shot in! Coughlin traps Hashi, Kidd runs in, but Hashi sends Kidd into Coughlin! Hashi rolls Kidd up, TWO! Kidd gets in the ref’s face, Coughlin SMACKS Hashi with a chair! Kidd rolls Hashi, Goto breaks it!
Goto ROCKS Coughlin, ROCKS Kidd, repeat! The War Dogs wobble, Goto blocks a boot but Coughlin catches him! Kidd joins in, DOUBLE CHOKE SLAM!! Fans fire up and the War Dogs vow to finish this! Kidd drags Hashi up, Coughlin joins in, they DOUBLE MUSCLE BUSTER! But that’s not all!? Kidd flips everyone off, and Coughlin slashes his throat! This will end it! Coughlin goes up, Kidd gut wrenches Hashi, HIGH JACK TOMBSTONE!!! Cover, War Dogs win!!!
Winners: Alex Coughlin & Gabe Kidd, by pinfall (NEW NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
Bullet Club takes the blue straps off Bishamon! And then Kidd adds insult to injury with a HALF CRAB on Hashi! The War Dogs fight off Young Lions, and then CLOBBER Hashi with a belt! And then they do the same to Goto! David Finlay made the right choice in bringing these two into his Savages Only Bullet Club. But then Kidd gets the mic to say, “Hey! What you’re looking at here is the NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions. And tomorrow, we become NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions and IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions! Say less. That’s my dog for real.”
Coughlin gets the mic to tell Hashi and Goto, “FUUUUUG YOU!” They flip everyone off again and finally take their leave. Will the War Dogs clean sweep by taking the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships from Bishamon tomorrow? Or can Goto & Hashi still turn the lights out on Goto & Kidd?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Catch 2/2 VS Clark Connors & Dan Moloney!
Just as TJP & Francesco Akira won these titles back off of the Intergalactic Jet Setters at Dominion, a sudden betrayal by #DaDrilla took them down! Will the United Empire make Moloney regret betraying them? Or will this pair of #AbunaiGaijin (Dangerous Foreigners) bring even more gold to Bullet Club?
The introductions are made, Red Shoes tries to keep the peace as TJP gets in Moloney’s face. TJP shoves Moloney but Moloney spits in TJP’s face! So TJP DROPKICKS Moloney! Connors DECKS TJP! Akira DROPKICKS Connors! The bell rings and another fight is on! TJP brawls with Moloney in the ring while Akira goes after Connors on the outside! Moloney knees low and tosses TJP out! Fans rally for TJP but Moloney TOSSES TJP over railing and at Japanese commentary! Fans boo but Moloney hops the railing to get TJP up. The brawling continues in the crowd! Connors beats up on Akira in the bleachers!
Fans boo as Moloney sits TJP in a chair and punches away on him! Connors soaks up the heat, drags Akira up, and RAMs him into the barriers! Moloney brings TJP over to RAM into railing, and reminds everyone that he is abunai! Connors has fans get outta the way, and he BOWLS Akira through their chairs! Connors gets in the faces of the fans, drags Akira up, and Moloney rips off the gate that leads up the back segment to beat on TJP up the stairs! Young Lions do their best to keep the fans safe but Moloney brings TJP around one side, Connors and Akira on the other. Bullet Club beats down Catch 2/2 as the house lights come up.
Connors ROCKS Akira, and goes all the way to the very back row! And he sends Akira into a door! Connors throws up the Too Sweet, the fans are torn, but Moloney ROCKS TJP! Red Shoes reprimands and wants this back in the ring. Connors & Moloney beat TJP down, then talk about where to bring him. They decide on down the stairs that lead to the backstage area! They double trophy lift, fans freak out, but TJP fights free! Akira LEAPS from the ledge to DOUBLE CROSSBODY them down!! Fans are thunderous for the Nova Fireball and Public Enemy! TJP CHOKES Connors with his shirt, and uses that to bring him back to ringside!
Akira has Moloney in a headlock, Connors is sent over railing! Moloney is sent into railing! TJP throws his shirt away, free souvenir! This finally gets back in the ring as TJP SMACKS Connors and puts him in. Fans rally for “CATCH! TWO TWO!” Boosted tilt-o-whirl RANA sends Connors out! Moloney returns but into an atomic drop, and then kick, kick, KICK and SHOTGUN! Fans fire up with Catch 2/2 and TJP tags Akira in. The champs coordinate again, “Take pictures! Take pictures!” Electric Chair- CHOP BLOCK by Connors! Moloney SPINEBUSTERS Akira, to then DOUBLE STOMP! Akira sputters and TJP goes to ropes.
Connors CHOKES TJP on ropes, Moloney joins in and they mug TJP against ropes. Moloney scrapes his forearm on TJP’s face to mock TJP’s boot scrubs. Moloney runs to CLOBBER TJP! Fans boo but the Abunai Gaijin just soak in it. Connors kicks Akira to the corner, but fans rally for “A! KI-RA!” Moloney CHOPS Akira, Connors holds him and Moloney CHOPS! Tag to Connors and he gets to CHOP Akira! Akira fights back but Connors knees low then sends Akira into buckles. Connors RAMS Akira again and again, then back drops him! Akira writhes but Connors mocks the fans cheering. The fans boo and Connors grins.
Moloney asks what these “pieces of sh*t” are saying. Connors runs to ELBOW DROP! Connors grins and paces around while fans boo. The fans rally for “A! KI-RA!” again but Connors smacks Akira off buckles. Tag to Moloney and they mug Akira. Moloney mocks the fans cheering for “this little bastard,” and then snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer but Moloney stays between Akira and TJP. Tag to Connors, and Connors runs, to sucker punch TJP! And then he RAMS into Akira! Tag back to Moloney, Bullet Club mugs Akira and double whip. Moloney whips Connors in but Akira BOOTS him! Moloney tripes but Akira dropkicks the legs!
Akira jumps off Moloney to SHOTGUN Connors! Akira reaches for TJP but Moloney hurries to bring Akira way. Moloney wheelbarrows but Akira uses that to victory roll, STOMP 182! Fans fire up while both men crawl! Hot tag to TJP! TJP runs to BOOT Connors! TJP then dodges Moloney, Moloney hits buckles, and TJP goes up to FLYING FOREARM! Fans fire up and TJP stands Moloney up to whip him to a corner. TJP runs in to back elbow! Moloney sits, and now TJP gives Moloney the real deal! Scrape the laces off the face, then the BOOT WASH! Fans want “MOIKAI! MOIKAI!” but Connors runs in, only for TJP to drop toehold him into Moloney’s driller!
TJP then scrubs Connors’ face! TJP runs to DOUBLE BOOT WASH! Fans fire up for that two-for-one special and TJP coordinates with Akira! “Take pictures! Take pictures!” Electric Chair CANNONBALL from the apron! Down go the dangerous gaijin! Fans chant “This is Awesome!” and TJP puts Moloney in the ring. Moloney staggers up, TJP springboards to DEEP IMPACT!! Cover, TWO!! But into a stepover, PINOY STRETCH!! Moloney endures, reaches out, Akira intercepts Connors with a FLYING GUILLOTINE! Moloney claws, reaches, but he’s caught! Connors gets a last gasp to SLAM Akira on TJP! Fans fire up as all four men are down!
The fans rally up, Akira grabs Connors and brings him up. But Connors ROCKS Akira! And ROCKS him again! But Akira catches him for a COMPLETE SHOT! Moloney grabs at Akira but Akira SUPERKICKS! But Moloney SUPERKICKS Akira back! Moloney runs, into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Catch 2/2 run, but into a TOSS and a POWERSLAM! TJP is stuck in the middle as Connors and Moloney take opposite corners! SPEAR GORE COMBO!! Cover, Akira breaks it!! Fans fire up again as Connors & Moloney drag Akira up. They TOSS Akira out, then Moloney tags Connors back in.
Moloney drags TJP up, fans rally behind TJP, and Connors climbs. Moloney suplexes TJP, but Akira anchors Connors’ leg! TJP slips free to shove Moloney into Connors! Catch 2/2 coordinate, TJP is the step stool for Akira’s ITALIAN DESTROYER!! Connors runs in but TJP shoves him, ALLEY OOP FACEBUSTER! SPEEDFIRE!! Akira DIVES to take out Moloney!! TJP covers Connors, TWO?!? Fans are thunderous for TJP, and he gets the beat going. “CATCH! TWO TWO!” Akira returns, he and TJP coordinate, 2 BY 2!!! Cover, Moloney breaks it!! All four men are down again but Akira throws TJP out.
Akira builds speed to slide, but Moloney RAMS him into railing! TJP hurries to put Connors in a drop zone and he climbs a corner. MAMBA- NO, Connors moves, TJP rolls through. Connors runs in, TJP goes up and over! TORNADO- NO, Connors powers out, Moloney ENZIGURIS! Bullet Club resets, but Akira runs in! He saves TJP and the GORE hits Connors!!! Akira gets Moloney up, SPEED- NO, Moloney wrenches out to the DRILLA KILLA!!! Fans are thunderous for “TJP! TJP!” as he and Connors stir. Moloney tags in, dodges TJP and SUPERKICKS! TJP wobbles, Moloney reels him in!
Moloney gets TJP up, DRILLA- NO, TJP slips free to O’Conner Roll! TWO and Connors gets him for NO CHASER!! Moloney drags TJP up, Connors climbs, suplex to FLYING SPEAR!! The Full Clip! Cover, BULLET CLUB WINS!
Winners: Clark Connors & Dan Moloney, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
The United Empire falls! Bullet Club has more gold! From Coughlin & Kidd to Moloney & Connors, to David Finlay’s NEVER Openweight title and Kenta with the NJPW Strong Openweight title, will all of NJPW belong to them?
Exciting Encounter Doomsday No Disqualifications Tag: El Desperado & Jun Kasai VS Jon Moxley & Homicide!
The Rogue Luchador and The Maniac have had a back and forth battle for a couple years now, and are looking to finally settle this! Tomorrow night is “Final Death,” so this is just an appetizer. Will the “Crazy Monkey” help Desperado get a leg up? Or will Moxley and the Notorious 187 win one for the USA?
There are already chairs waiting both teams in their corners, but Homicide brings a steel chain! Meanwhile, El Desperado, already wearing a torn-up mask, has a trash can full of kendo sticks! Moxley makes his way in from the crowd, bringing nothing but taped up fists. And last but not least, Jun Kasai’s entrance gets the fans off their feet to sing along as he brings out a board covered in metal forks! Is Jun’s bloodthirst about to be quenched tonight?
The fans are already thunderous for this as Desperado gets in Moxley’s face, and Kasai says long time no see to Homicide. And then the brawl is on! The bell rings, fans fire up, and Desperado tosses Moxley out. Kasai tosses Homicide out, and Desperado gets a kendo stick to SMACK Moxley! Kasai headlocks Homicide to bring him around the way and Desperado SMACKS Homicide with a trash can lid! Moxley sends Desperado into railing and then fights him towards the exit while Kasai SMACKS Homicide with that trash can lid! Fans fire up as Moxley punches Desperado up the bleachers!
Kasai brings Homicide up the other side! This is like what we just saw from Catch 2/2 and Bullet Club! Moxley and Desperado brawl, and even CHOKE each other! Homicide and Kasai brawl, Moxley reels Desperado in but Desperado back drops Moxley! Desperado CLAWS Moxley’s back! Homicide has the trash can lid to SMACK Kasai! Desperado claws Moxley’s face, Homicide SMACKS Kasai again! Kasai fires up, snatches the lid, and SMACKS Homicide with it! Moxley digs a FORK into Desperado’s forehead! Kasai SMACKS Moxley with the trash can lid! And then runs him into the wall!
Fans fire up as Desperado CLAWS Homicide’s eyes, and knees him low! But Homicide HELL STABS! And HELL STABS! Desperado CHOPS! Homicide CHOPS! Kasai and Moxley have returned to the floor level, but are fighting through the crowd! Moxley throws chairs at Kasai! Fans get away as Moxley throws more things at Kasai! Moxley suplexes Kasai but Kasai fights out. Homicide CHOKES Desperado with a camera cable! Kasai grabs a bottle of water, chugs, and then SPITS it all in Moxley’s face! And then SMACKS Moxley with the bottle! Moxley tumbles across the English commentary desk!
Fans rally for “KA-SA-I!” while Desperado SMACKS Homicide with a kendo stick! Moxley fires off on Kasai with haymakers, then CLAWS at his face. Then Moxley brings out another FORK!! FORK TO THE EAR!!! Homicide knocks Desperado down, Moxley is trying to remove ear from head! Desperado SMACKS Homicide’s legs with trash can lids! Desperado puts Homicide in the ring, and SMACKS him again! Desperado drags Homicide up, Moxley RAMS Kasai into railing. Homicide resists the lift to LOW BLOW MULE KICK! Moxley gets in the ring, he and Homicide get Desperado up to double whip, but Desperado holds ropes.
Moxley storms up, but into a BOOT! Kasai returns and CLOBBERS Homicide! Desperado TACKLES Moxley and rains down fists, while Kasai holds up a STRAIGHT RAZOR!!! Kasai goes after Homicide’s bald head with it!! Fans are freaking out as Kasai takes a taste! Desperado stretches Moxley, and claws at a bloody wound on the forehead. Kasai gets his fork board while Desperado puts Moxley in a corner. Kasai underhooks and lifts but Homicide resists! Homicide back drops Kasai onto his own forks!! And he gets one for himself! Homicide has a crimson mask and he digs into Kasai’s forehead!
Desperado ROCKS Homicide but Moxley kicks low! Moxley scoop SLAMS Desperado on the fork board! Fans lose their minds while Desperado writhes. Everyone’s ending up bloody, and Moxley says let’s see who has guts. He and Homicide JAM Kasai and Desperado with forks!! And again and again and again! Even into the eyebrows! Moxley then crossface forearms Desperado down while Homicide fishhooks Kasai with the fork! And then into the armpit?! Fans rally for Kasai but Moxley gets Desperado up, back suplex to the fork board! Homicide wipes the blood from his eyes and then gets his chain!
Homicide goes back to Kasai to LASH him with the chain! Moxley gets Desperado up again while Homicide CHOKES Kasai! PILEDRIVER on Desperado! Cover, ONE?!?!? How?!? Moxley doesn’t question it, he just grabs an arm and hammerlocks it. Then he gets the other arm, and Homicide fishhooks Desperado with the fork! And then into the armpit! Moxley lets off to KNEE Kasai out of the ring! Moxley keeps moving and he DIVES to take out Kasai! Desperado and Homicide fire CHOPS, then Desperado CLAWS Homicide’s face! Desperado throws hands, UPPERCUTS, but then Moxley CHOPS him!
Moxley runs Desperado right into a chair wedged in the corner! Homicide gets a fork, to JAM into Desperado’s groin!! Moxley puts on a FIGURE FOUR! Desperado endures, flips Moxley off, but Kasai and Homicide brawl outside! Desperado turns things over, the pressure is on Moxley now! Fans fire up but Moxley gets the ropes to pull himself free. Moxley whips Desperado corner to corner hard! Desperado sits down, Moxley grins and eggs Desperado on. Desperado gets up, CHOPS, and CHOPS, but Moxley ROCKS him! Desperado ROCKS Moxley again and again, but Moxley knees low!
Moxley whips Desperado to the corner, runs in, but into a BOOT! Desperado DECKS Homicide off the apron! But Moxley kicks low! Moxley whips, Desperado reverses and dropkicks the legs out! Fans fire up and Desperado crawls, hot tag to Kasai! Wait, there’re tags in this?! Kasai fires off forearms on Moxley but Homicide CLOBBERS him! Moxley & Homicide double whip corner to corner, Homicide runs in, but Kasai dumps him out onto trash can lids! Moxley runs in to clothesline! Moxley runs, but Kasai follows to clothesline! Kasai snap suplexes! Fans fire up as Kasai flexes, then covers, TWO!
Kasai gets his straight razor! And he DIGS It into Moxley’s forehead! Kasai lets off to go out after Homicide and puts him in. Kasai then looks under the ring, and brings out a plywood cross! It’s covered in razor blades! Kasai puts that in a corner, Desperado whips Homicide into railing, but Moxley BITES Kasai’s face! Moxley GERMAN SUPLEXES, but Kasai roars! GERMAN SUPLEX in return! Moxley goes to a corner and Kasai grins through his crimson mask. Kasai whips, Moxley stops himself, and Kasai runs in, but Kasai is set face first into the cross!! And then Moxley SHOTGUNS him back into it!
Kasai staggers, into the CURB STOMP!! Cover, TWO!??! Fans are thunderous and Moxley can’t believe it! Kasai sputters, Moxley drags him into HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Moxley eggs Kasai on so Kasai says F YOU! Moxley drags Kasai up, DEATH- NO, Kasai wrenches out to ROCK Moxley! Moxley ROCKS Kasai! They go back and forth, but then Kasai HEADBUTTS! CUTTER from Moxley! Tag to Homicide and Moxley climbs. Homicide brings Kasai in, but Kasai fights off the inverted Gory Especial! And sends Homicide into Moxley! Kasai then LARIATS Homicide down! Fans are thunderous as Kasai crawls to his corner! Hot tag to Desperado!
Desperado rallies on Homicide with forearms and elbows! Homicide kicks and whips but Desperado reverses to SPINEBUSTER! Fans fire up as Desperado runs in, but Homicide dumps him out onto a trash can! Homicide builds speed to DIVE into the trash can! Desperado turns it around and gets Homicide up. Gut wrench, but Kasai BLASTS Moxley first! GUITARRA DEL ANGEL!! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up as Kasai & Desperado double whip Homicide to a corner. Desperado clotheslines, Kasai clotheslines, then feed to another SPINEBUSTER! Kasai goes up, fans are thunderous as the goggles go on! Salute and MAD SPLASH!
Desperado adds on with PINCHE LOCO!!! Cover, Moxley breaks it!! Kasai fires off on Moxley but Moxley CHOPS him and CHOPS Desperado! And kicks, and elbows, and runs, but into a sobat! ENZIGURI! Desperado hits a BIG back suplex! Desperado holds Moxley up as Kasai brings out the BAMBOO SKEWERS!!! Right into Moxley’s head!!! Moxley is freaking out as he looks like a sadistic pineapple! Desperado puts a trash can down and he grabs Homicide. Underhooks and PINCH- NO, Homicide fights it! Homicide gets out, claws at Desperado’s face, then LOW BLOWS! Homicide calls for the end and fans duel!
Homicide fires up, says “SUCK IT!” then gets Desperado up. But now Desperado fights free, and LOW BLOWS! Desperado says “F YOU!” PINCHE LOCO!! Roll through and Desperado goes again, PINCHE LOCO onto the trash can!!! Cover, Desperado & Kasai win!
Winners: El Desperado & Jun Kasai, by pinfall
Words like “brutal” and “violent” don’t even fit how far these four went! Moxley is seething, a few skewers still stuck in his head. Will he end up in even worse shape in just 24 hours? Or can he bring out the true power of Death Jitsu?
As for Desperado, he gets the mic and puts his mask back together. “There are definitely some nerves associated with wrestling with the legends here tonight. Thank you, Homicide! I still remember when you threw Kasai off that balcony!” Fans cheer and Desperado catches his breath. Desperado says, “Whether you call this a deathmatch, No Disqualifications, ‘Hardcore,’ no matter what, it was an honor and privilege to team with Jun Kasai.” Kasai wants to take his leave but Desperado has him hold on. Desperado tells Kasai that since they have this “incredible situation,” why not let him send the people home?
Desperado gets the fans to chant “KA-SA-I!” so Kasai comes back. Kasai takes the mic, and he tells Desperado, “Were we even allowed to do this in the ring of the King of Sports, NJPW?” Fans love that! Kasai then says that hearing these people accept and love what they did, then hell yeah they can do this in NJPW! This was the best night he could’ve hoped for. And when you are chasing a high like this, Kasai sure hopes they can do this again. Kasai also wants Desperado to know that he’ll happily tag with him again. Desperado grins and the fans also hope for another go! Desperado says, “One more time, huh? Onegaishimazu! <Yes, please!>”
Fans chant “This is Awesome!” and Desperado says that if Kasai calls, he’ll answer. But for right now, Desperado’s hands are tied with Final Death tomorrow. He will take advantage of this energy, this motivation, and wipe the floor with Moxley! And then, Desperado will gladly be by Kasai’s side. They shake hands, and flip each other off out of respect. Will the Rogue Luchador and the Maniac go so hard in Final Death that it makes this all look like a picnic? When and where will we see the Crazy Monkey again?
My Thoughts:
A really good event for NJPW that was also part NJPW Strong. Yes, I skipped covering stuff but I skimmed through, and we got really good stuff in those other matches. Lance Archer interacting with JR Kratos was a great part of their Six Man Tag, and Team Filthy sweeping in the Six Man and in Lawlor VS Fujita was good stuff. Team Filthy VS TMDK feels like a great feud that NJPW should commit to. And good win for Rocky & Kingston so that Kingston has momentum going into the G1 Climax in 10 days. He probably won’t even be a semifinalist, aka a Block Winner, but Kingston will give every opponent great matches and he might end up with a winning record.
Great women’s tag to give us a preview of the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship match. Willow & Momo win but Thekla takes the loss so it keeps Giulia strong. Willow VS Giulia could go either way, but Giulia is already a champion in Stardom, she doesn’t need to be NJPW’s champion. Willow will look great winning off Giulia, and can use that momentum going into other things for her, like the Owen Hart Cup in AEW. Great tag matches out of both title matches, and I am really surprised both Bullet Club teams won. I had a feeling that Coughlin & Kidd would get those NJPW Strong titles, but this probably means they lose the IWGP Heavyweight title match. Connors & Moloney winning was the real surprise, and this really powers up this newest Bullet Club roster.
And we got some wild stuff in that No DQ tag match. A little disappointed NJPW didn’t make this a Tornado Tag, but they just love the hot tag trope. I was a little uneasy over how hard these guys went, I guess I’m not really a deathmatch type guy. I mean, chairs, tables, ladders, the stuff you’d see in AEW or even in WWE, is all well and good but this is GCW type stuff. The majority of the live crowd still loved it, but this is the stuff fans argue over about “When is it too far?” And yet, we’re only getting more in tomorrow’s main event. Desperado winning here with Kasai, I feel like that means Moxley wins the 1v1 to have momentum going into AEW’s Blood & Guts match in a couple weeks.
My Score: 8.8/10
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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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