NJPW PPV Results
Mitchell’s NJPW Dominion Results & Report! (6/9/24)
Who makes NJPW their Dominion?
Time to see who is truly the best of the best!
While Jon Moxley defends his IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, El Desperado and Taiji Ishimori battle to prove who is the Best of the Super Juniors!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Tetsuya Naito VS Callum Newman; Naito wins.
- Six Man Tag: TMDK VS LJ Cleary & Bullet Club War Dogs; TMDK wins.
- KOPW Championship Storm Catch Rules Match: Yuya Uemura VS Great-O-Khan; Khan wins and becomes the new KOPW Champion.
- NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; LIJ wins and becomes the new NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions.
- NJPW World Television Championship: Jeff Cobb VS Tomohiro Ishii; Cobb wins and retains the title.
- NJPW Strong Openweight & IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships Tornado Elimination Fatal 4, Winners Take All: El Phantasmo & Hikuleo VS KENTA & Chase Owens VS Bishamon VS TMDK; TMDK wins and are the Undisputed NJPW Tag Team Champions.
- NEVER Openweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS HENARE; Double TKO Draw, Takagi retains the title.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Lumberjack Match: Jon Moxley VS EVIL; Moxley wins and retains the title.
- Best of the Super Juniors 31 Finals: El Desperado VS Taiji Ishimori; Desperado wins and will challenge for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.
PLAY BY PLAY
KOPW 2024 Storm Catch Rules Match: Yuya Uemura VS Great-O-Khan!
Both men wanted to do this with wrestling tradition in mind, and it was the Heat Storm’s ruleset that was chosen by the fans! NO strikes allowed, grapples and throws only; both men only get TWO ropebreaks/ring exits, strike three and you’re out; and perhaps most important of all, a 15 MINUTE time limit! Who will be swift as lightning and weather the Storm Catch Rules?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who masters the cerulean blue!
The bell rings and the two rush in! Yuya gets the body scissors and takedown into the double wristlock! Khan fights around, Yuya focuses on the arm, then drags Khan up to a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! ARMBAR! The fans fire up as Khan endures and kicks around! Khan reaches out to clasp hands, but Yuya breaks that grip! Khan fights around still, but Yuya keeps him grounded! Khan scrambles, reaches out with a foot, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, that is Khan’s first, and Yuya fires himself up. The fans rally, Yuya wrenches Khan to a wristlock, then wrenches again. Yuya clamps onto an arm, but Khan BITES!
The ref reprimands but Khan does find a loophole around no striking. Khan lets off, Yuya goes to ropes, and Khan storms up to bring him away. Khan wants the head ‘n’ arm triangle but Yuya fights it! Yuya hits a takedown, but Khan holds on tight! Yuya flails, reaches out, even as Khan leans all his weight on the hold! Yuya still finds the ROPEBREAK! Khan lets go and now both men are even. Khan drags Yuya from ropes, and wants the IRON CLAW SLEEPER! Yuya fights it, fights to his feet, and reaches back to jump and flying-mare! The fans cheer as Yuya gets free! Both men slowly rise and Khan storms up on Yuya.
Khan drags Yuya up to whip, but Yuya reverses to SAYANAGI! Yuya steps through to SNAP LOCK the arm! The fans rally while both men are down, Khan clutching that arm. Yuya hurries to grab the arm, to GROUND SCREW it! Yuya then gets Khan up, hammerlocks that arm, and slips through to scoop! Yuya SLAMS Khan onto his bad arm! Cover, TWO! Khan stays in this and the fans rally up again. Yuya keeps cool as he brings Khan back up. Khan fights the clinch, then he BITES Yuya’s forehead! The ref reprimands but Khan throws Yuya down by his hair! Khan storms back over to Yuya, drags him up, and clamps onto an arm.
Yuya endures and fights the hip toss. Yuya BITES Khan’s ear! Yuya uses Khan’s loophole against him! The fans fire up as Khan and Yuya stare down. They RAM shoulders again and again, then clinch. They fight for control, Yuya facelocks but Khan goes for a leg. Yuya flips free, clinches with Khan again, and then Khan slips through to hit a JUDO HIP TOSS! The fans fire up with Khan and he covers, but Yuya makes it a ghost pin! TWO!! Khan escapes, the fans fire up, and Khan runs into Yuya for another clinch. They fight for control, Yuya THROWS Khan up and out! Khan tumbles to the floor, and this ends up counting as his second escape!
The fans rally as Yuya has outmaneuvered Khan on that one. The ring count starts, Khan is down at 6 of 20. Khan slowly sits up at 12, the fans rally, and Yuya eggs Khan on! Khan rises at 16, hobbles his way over, and slides in at 18! Yuya storms over to him, brings him up, and wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! And then another wrench, but Khan powers Yuya to an arm-drag! Yuya comes back, they clinch again, and Khan wants the head ‘n’ arm! But then he clinches for an URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Yuya is still in this but Khan clamps onto him again! Another head ‘n’ arm but at a different angle! Yuya is fading!
The fans rally as the ref checks! Yuya’s arm drops once! The arm drops twice! But Yuya gets his second wind! Yuya fights up, but into the IRON CLAW SLEEPER! Ripcord and ELIM- NO! ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Yuya has Khan down but Khan fights and flails! But if he uses the ropebreak, he forfeits!! Khan realizes that, and he’s stuck! Khan kicks and flails, powers up, but Yuya pulls on the arm! The fans rally as hard as they can, Khan bridges and kicks around, to a stack! TWO!! Yuya lets go in time, then arm-drags into the cording hold! Yuya drags Khan up but Khan fights the second cording hold!
Yuya still brings Khan up, but Khan THROWS Yuya away! Khan roars and we pass 10 minutes! The Monster Rage boils up, Khan drags Yuya up and he has the fans with him! But Yuya clamps onto the arm! Khan slips around, IRON CLAW SUPLEX! Khan then clamps back on with both hands! EVOLVED ELIMINATOR!! Cover, KHAN WINS!!
Winner: Great-O-Khan, by pinfall (NEW KOPW Champion)
The Heat Storm could not win his own game, and now The Dominator is back on top! Will Khan continue his mission to “unify the fiefdoms” of NJPW?
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS Los Ingobernables de Japon!
The Ace, The Joker & The Rook have been rockin’ ‘n’ rollin’ since Wrestling World in Taiwan, but they’re about to run into some serious rabblerousers! Will Bushi, Hiromu Takahashi & Yota Tsuji make the NEVER Six Man Division tranquilo? Or will Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg still be the top dogs?
And speaking of rabblerousers, Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg bring out the Yankee style gear! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who are truly the baddest of the bad boys!
The trios sort out, Yota starts for LIJ, and he calls out President Ace! Tanahashi accepts and the fans fire up with the bell. The fans rally behind Tanahashi as he circles with Yota. Then the “YO~TA! YO~TA!” comes out strong. The two tie up, break, then circle again. They tie back up, break again, then get face to face. Yota grins, backs away, and tags in Bushi. Tanahashi backs away and he tags in Yano. The fans cheer as Yano goes right for a buckle pad! Bushi lets him do it, but then Hiromu steps in! He and Bushi both tell Yano to put the buckle pad down! Yano says fine and he throws the pad away, only for Bushi & Hiromu to both kick low!
Bushi & Hiromu double whip, but Yano holds ropes and taunts them both. Hiromu runs up, but Yano sends him into Bushi! Then Yano SMACKS them both! Yano runs, but into a kijck, dropkick and basement dropkick! Bushi & Hiromy BLAST Tanahashi & Oleg, then Bushi stomps Yano. Bushi stomps Yano to the LIJ corner, stands him up, then wrenches and YANKS an arm. Bushi grinds that arm, CLUBS it, then YANKS it again! Bushi tags Yota and Yota takes the handoff to wrench and wrench and wrench again. Tag to Hiromu and he goes up. The fans rally, and Hiromu jumps to AX HANDLE the arm!
Hiromu mockingly apologizes, then he gets Yano up. Hiromu whips Yano to a corner, clotheslines, snapmares, and basement dropkicks! The fans rally, Yota coordinates with Hiromu, scoop and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Yano stays in this but Hiromu drags him up. Yano breaks free and pulls hair! Hiromu kicks low, whips, but Yano reverses! Hiromu stops from hitting buckles, and uses Yano’s taunt against him! Yano runs up, but Hiromu sends him into the bare buckles! Hiromu says he’s too smart, but then he runs into an atomic drop! Maybe not then… The fans rally up as both men crawl, hot tags to Oleg and Yota!
Oleg CLOBBERS Yota! And he CLOBBERS Bushi! Oleg runs to SPLASH on Yota! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for big bad Bolten as he gut wrenches for Shake, Rattle and THROW! The fans fire up but Bushi & Hiromu attack! They reel Oleg in, but Oleg DOUBLE SUPLEXES them instead! The fans fire up more, but Yota kicks Oleg and reels him in. But Oleg suplexes first! Oleg storms around while Yota goes to a corner. Oleg runs in, but he blocks a boot! Yota tries to reel Oleg in but Oleg blocks that! Oleg CHOPS, fireman’s carries, and KAMI- NO, Yota slips free to clinch! BACKBREAKER! COMPLETE SHOT! STOMP!
The fans fire up again as Yota gets Oleg up. Yota suplexes for the ORANGE CRUSH! Cover, TWO! Oleg survives and the fans fire up. Yota drags Oleg back up, fireman’s carries, but Oleg fights free! Yota ROCKS Oleg, but Oleg ROCKS Yota! They go back and forth with big forearms and Oleg gets the edge! Yota ROCKS Oleg! Oleg DROPKICKS! The fans fire up and Oleg crawls, hot tag to Tanahashi! The Ace hurries in, runs and CLOBBERS Yota! Tanahashi BLASTS Hiromu & Bushi off the corner! The fans fire up more and Tanahashi fires fast hands on Yota! Tanahashi scoops Yota to SLAM him down!
The fans cheer as Tanahashi goes up, for the SUNSET SENTON! Cover, Hiromu breaks it! Yano kicks Hiromu and TOSSES him out! Tanahashi stays focused on Yota, runs and SLING- JUMP KNEE! SUPERKICK! HEAD- SHOTEI! Yota still HEADBUTTS!! The fans are thunderous as Yota looms over Tanahashi! Yota powers up and he aims from the corner! But Yano anchors Yota’s legs! Yota kicks Yano away, but Tanahashi runs up to SLINGBLADE! Bushi & Hiromu run in, but Bolten CLOBBERS them both! Tanahashi goes up, for the HIGH FLY FLOP as Yota moves! GENE BLASTER!! Cover, LIJ WINS!!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)
Hiromu is the most excited about this victory! Yota just took down President Ace! Oleg shows respect to the winners, but promises that they’ll do this again soon. Will LIJ make things tranquilo then as they did here tonight?
NJPW World Television Championship: Jeff Cobb VS Tomohiro Ishii!
The Imperial Unit proved that the third time is the charm when he finally took this title from Zack Sabre Jr. However, he had little time to celebrate as The Stone Pitbull came barking at his door. Will Ishii prove that he has speed to go with all that strength? Or will he be taking a Tour of the Islands in 15 minutes or less?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see how fast these tanks can move!
The bell rings, these two run in and RAM! And RAM! And RAM again! Ishii runs, RAMS Cobb, but then Cobb runs to RAM Ishii! Ishii fires a forearm, runs, but Cobb runs him over! The fans fire up while Ishii stands back up. Ishii fires forearms, runs, but Cobb drops down, hurdles, then CROSSBODIES! The fans fire up again, and Cobb storms back up on Ishii. Cobb stomps Ishii, stands on him, and uses him to surf! Crowns up! Cobb then steps off, eggs Ishii on, and stands him up. Cobb whips Ishii to a corner, Ishii comes back to RAM him! Cobb ROCKS Ishii, whips, but Ishii runs Cobb over! The fans fire up while Ishii steadies himself.
Ishii storms up on Cobb, brings him up and reels him in, but Cobb fights the suplex! The fans rally and Ishii still tries, but Cobb suplexes first! Ishii slips out, shoves Cobb, but Cobb runs him over! The fans rally more as Cobb paces around. Cobb says “You Can’t See Me!” then drags Ishii up. Ishii CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS but Cobb isn’t bothered! So Ishii CHOPS, forearms, and repeat! Cobb blocks one, spins Ishii, but Ishii waistlocks. Cobb elbows free but Ishii half nelsons. Cobb switches, shoves Ishii to a corner, and runs in to UPPERCUT Ishii down! The fans rally up again as Cobb rises.
The ref checks Ishii, did that shot knock him out? Ishii stirs, the fans rally up behind him, but Cobb looms over Ishii. Cobb scuffs Ishii, eggs him on, and Ishii stands up. Cobb pie faces Ishii, Ishii backs Cobb down, but Cobb fires a forearm! And another! And another! Ishii just ROCKS Cobb in return! Then Ishii suplexes Cobb up and holds him, before a SLAM! The fans are all fired up now! Ishii runs, Cobb stands, but Cobb swats the lariat! Cobb ROCKS Ishii, whips, but Ishii avoids the dropkick! Cobb avoids the sliding lariat! Ishii blocks the superkick, ducks an elbow, but Cobb switches to GERMAN SUPLEX!
Ishii tries to rise right up but has to sit back down! The ref checks him, maybe Ishii got a stinger there. Cobb storms over, brings Ishii up, and puts him on the top rope. Cobb fires forearms, climbs up, and he brings Ishii to the top! Stalling SUPERPLEX!! The fans fire up again as Ishii writhes. But then Ishii pounds the mat, and roars to his feet! Ishii SWATS Cobb’s lariat, then GERMAN SUPLEXES Cobb! Both behemoths are down and the fans fire up again! Cobb rises, Ishii goes to a corner. Ishii headbutts the corner to fire up! Ishii runs in, gets around Cobb, and SAIDOS! Then Ishii rises again and the fans fire up more!
Ishii runs, Cobb stands, but Cobb clinches! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Ishii still rises!? LARIAT, but Cobb stays up, to LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives and the fans are thunderous! Cobb shakes his head, drags Ishii up, but Ishii fires boxing elbows! Cobb wobbles, but he HEADBUTTS Ishii right down! Cobb GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives again and again the fans are thunderous! Cobb storms back up, he drags Ishii to his feet, then whips him to ropes. Ishii LARIATS first! Cobb wobbles, Ishii ENZIGIRIS! Cobb still staggers, but he comes back, into a LARIAT! Cover, ONE?!?!
The fans are electric as Cobb shocks Ishii! Ishii runs back in, but into an URENAGE! FALLING HAMMER! Cover, ONE!?!? Now Ishii shocks Cobb! Ishii rises to his feet, blocks a superkick, and he DECKS Cobb! Ishii falls back while the ref checks, and somehow Cobb is still in this! The fans rally as hard as they can as Ishii rises. Ishii roars, storms up on Cobb, and sits Cobb up. Ishii runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Cobb stays in this but Ishii roars again! Ishii drags Cobb up, reels him in, but Cobb suplexes first! Ishii fights that, wrenches and short arm lariats, but into a fireman’s carry! F- NO, Ishii slips free to suplex!
Cobb fights free, but Ishii HEADBUTTS! And RISING HEADBUTTS! But Cobb DROPKICKS him down!! We pass 10 minutes, time is on Cobb’s side! Cobb still drags Ishii up, brings him around to fireman’s carry, and F 5 THOUSAND!! Cover, TWO!!! Ishii survives, but Cobb hurries to haul him up! Ripcord and- LARIAT from Ishii! JAB from Cobb! HEADBUTT from Ishii! SUPERKICK from Cobb! Ishii runs in, into an ATHLETIC PLEX! Cobb hurries to get Ishii up, TOUR OF- NO, Ishii slips free to HEADBUTT! Ishii runs up, but into a POP-UP- RANA?! Is this really Ishii!? LARIAT!!! Cover, TWO!!! Cobb survives and shocks everyone!
The fans are electric again and Ishii roars! Ishii drags Cobb up, reels him in, suplexes, but Cobb fights free! POP-UP TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, COBB WINS!
Winner: Jeff Cobb, by pinfall (still NJPW World Television Champion)
At just under 12 minutes, Cobb conquers the Stone Pitbull! Already this “fifth season” is the biggest just on that, will the Imperial Unit only make it bigger and better from here?
NJPW announces the G1 Climax 34 format!
This year, it will be twenty men total, 10 per block, for a leaner, meaner round robin. New Japan Soul, coming up in just a couple weeks, will begin some of the preliminaries, and then things will really heat up from July 20th through August 14th! And then from August 15th on, there will be a special semifinal playoff of sorts! The TOP seeds of both blocks get a bye, while the second seeds face the third seeds! In other words, A1 and B1 get to rest up and watch A2 VS A3 and B2 VS B3. Then August 17th sees the top seeds take on the wild card winners, and August 18th will be THE G1 Climax finals, the very best of A Block taking on the very best of B Block!
And of course, as always, the winner of the G1 Climax will have the Right to Challenge for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleKingdom, which will this year be ONE NIGHT on January 4th, 2025! Who survives the Summer heat to ring in the New Year the best way possible?
NJPW Strong Openweight & IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships Tornado Elimination Fatal 4, Winners Take All: El Phantasmo & Hikuleo VS KENTA & Chase Owens VS Bishamon VS TMDK!
This is a truly massive match, both in terms of quantity, and what it means historically! Once again, we will see these two titles come together, but the bar has been raised significantly! The Headbanga & Young Guerilla just took their belts back from Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls while Bullet Club has gone back and forth with Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi. This will be big, this will be brutal, this will be chaotic, and in the end, there can only be one! Which team will reign supreme over all of NJPW?
A lot of introductions are made, both sets of belts are raised, and it’s time to see who is truly the best team today!
The bell rings and all eight men are wary of each other. But then everyone else looks at Kenta & Chase! Chase & Kenta bail out, Bishamon pursues and they brawl! TMDK goes after ELP & Leo, Goto sends Chase into railing, Hashi does the same to Kenta. Leo gets TMDK by the neck, but Shane & Mikey both break free. ELP BOOTS Shane, BOOTS Mikey, then runs, but into a double trophy lift! But ELP fights to double facelock! TMDK double suplexes but Leo makes the save! Mikey fiers off on both men, runs, but ELP hurdles and Leo DDTS! Shane kicks and whips ELP but ELP reverses. Leo SPLASHES, ELP clotheslines, then feed to teh SIDEWALK SLAM!
ELP goes up, FALLING AX HANDLE! TMDK bails out, ELP high-fives Leo. But then Bishamon attacks! Goto CLUBS ELP down, Hashi DUMPS Leo to the apron. Hashi dropkicks Leo down,. Goto fires off on ELP. Bishamon double whips ELP to run him over! Then ZANMAI! But then TMDK attacks Bishamon! Shane stomps Hashi, Goto fires forearms on Mikey! Mikey gets around, feeds Goto to Shane’s UPPERCUT, and they BACK SUPLEX NECKBREAKER! Hashi storms up but TMDK strikes first. Mikey CHOPS, whips, and TMDK DOUBLE ELBOWS Hashi down! Then FIST DROP MOONSAULT COMBO!
But then Kenta & Chase TOSS TMDK out! Bullet club stomps Hashi, Chase covers, TWO! Kenta knocks Leo down, Chase does the same to ELP and Kenta covers Hashi, TWO! Chase drags Hashi up, whips and forearm smashes. Chase short arm LARIATS, BOOTS Shane down, then covers Hashi, TWO! Kenta intercepts ELP, he and Chase mug The Headbanga, then whip him to a corner. Forearm smash, BOOT, and then snapmare into the SHINING WIZARD! Kenta is on defense as Chase covers, TWO! Kenta CLAWS ELP’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Kenta lets off, and he stomps ELP down.
Chase drags ELP up to headlock punch! Kenta and Chase mug ELP but ELP fires back with forearms and CHOPS! Chase & Kenta mug ELP, double whip to double scoop, POWERBOMB NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Kenta kicks Mikey off the apron, Chase BLASTS Leo! Kenta DECKS ELP, Chase kicks him around, and they drag ELP up again. They double whip ELP, ELP ducks under and Leo DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans rally as Leo UPPERCUTS Hashi. Goto dodges Leo’s lariat but not the BOOT! Mikey kicks and fires forearms, but Leo blocks! Leo whips Mikey to a corner, Mikey BOOTS back! Leo ELBOWS Mikey down!
Leo runs to BIG ELBOW DROP! The fans fire up, but Shane LARIATS Leo! Leo stay sup so Shane fires up! Leo CHOPS Shane down! ELP calls to Leo and Leo gets Shane up. Leo scoops Shane, ELP climbs the ropes. POWERSLAM and SWANTON BOMB! ELP keeps going, LIONSAULT! High five with Leo, and Leo helps ELP go up and up and TOP ROPE MOONSAULT onto everyone else! The fans fire up and ELP hobbles back to the ring. ELP & Leo aim at Shane and the fans clap along. SUDDEN DEATH into the choke grip! GOD- NO, Mikey drags ELP out and Shane DDTS Leo down! The fans rally as Shane calls to Mikey.
ELP returns but Shane BOOTS him first. Shane UPPERCUTS ELP, swings, but ELP dodges and Leo UPPERCUTS! ELP aims, but Shane ducks! SUDDEN DEATH hits Leo! Mikey LARIATS ELP! Mikey drags Leo up, scoops him, and Shane runs up, TANK BUSTER!! Cover, TMDK ELIMINATES ELP & Leo!! ELP & Leo will NOT be keeping their NJPW Strong titles! TMDK talks trash as ELP & Leo make their way out, and Bullet Club sneaks up! They both roll up Shane & Mikey, TWO!! Chase stomps Mikey, Kenta stomps Shane! They CHOKE both men in the corners, but the ref reprimands. Bullet Club lets off but for only a moment.
The ref gets insistent, and Bullet Club finally stops choking TMDK and shift to chinlocks. Chase throat chops Mikey, and Shane fights back against Kenta. We also see Leo is very upset. ELP apologizes but Leo storms off without him. Is this the end of Guerillas of Destiny in NJPW? Bullet Club beats TMDK down again, and Kenta KICKS Shane! Shane eggs Kenta on, so Kenta KICKS again! Shane fires up more, so Kenta CLAWS his eyes! The ref reprimands, Kenta lets off, and Bullet Club gets Shane up. Shane CHOPS and ROCKS them, then runs, but into a mule kick and DDT! Then they whip Mikey corner to corner.
Chase runs up to forearm smash! Chase sits Mikey down, BOOTS Shane, and Kenta DROPKICKS Mikey! Kenta climbs, aims, and DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Chase intercepts Hashi, DEATH VALLEY to PENALTY KICK! Goto returns but he gets mugged! Bullet Club mocks Bishamon’s “SE~ NO!” And they HAMMER Goto down! The fans boo but Bullet Club soaks up the heat. Chase drags Goto up, whips him to a corner, then runs in. Goto dodges Chase to CLOBBER Kenta! Goto runs up on Chase but gets a BUCKLE SHOT! Chase throws Goto down to SENTON! Chase slashes his throat, drags Goto up, but Goto fights the package driver!
Goto back drops Chase away, runs back up, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls so they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Chase roars, runs, but Goto follows! Only for Chase to ENZIGIRI! Chase runs up to C- NO! Gotro blocks the knee, Hashi SUPERKICKS! Hashi reels Chase in, Goto helps out, HEAD BUSTER! Then they get Kenta for the FIERCE FLASH onto Chase! Then Bishamon gets Chase up and in position, for SHOTO!! Cover, Bishamon ELIMINATES Bullet Club!! Kenta & Chase have now lost their titles! One way or another, the undisputed champions will be new champions!
The fans rally up as Bishamon stares down with TMDK. They all talk some smack, go foreheads to foreheads, then go forearms for forearms! Mikey TOSSES Hashi, Goto ROCKS Shane, but Shane ROCKS Goto! Hashi whips Mikey into railing! Goto and Shane go back and forth, Shane wobbles, but he comes back with UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT! Shane whips, runs in, but Goto dodges! Goto runs in to hit MURAMASA! Then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Goto rises, and he brings Shane around. Goto fireman’s carries, but Shane fights free! Shane waistlocks but Goto backs him into a corner. Hashi runs in to clothesline Shane!
Hashi snapmares Shane and Goto goes up! The fans rally, Hashi brings Shane up, but Mikey attacks! Mikey sends Hashi into Goto, then gives Shane a boost! SUPERPLEX POWERBOMB COMBO!! Cover, Hashi breaks it! The fans fire up, and Mikey goes forehead to forehead with Hashi. They go forearm for forearm, but then Mikey CHOPS! Hashi CHOPS, Mikey SLAPS! Hashi fires forearm after forearm, but Mikey sends those back! Mikey fireman’s carries but Hashi fights free to ROCK, CHOP and DOUBLE CHOP! Shane UPPERCUTS Hashi! Mikey fireman’s carries, Hashi slips fere! SUPERKICK for Shane!
Hashi gets around Mikey, Goto runs up but Mikey ROCKS him first! Hashi gest around again and Goto BLINDSIDE LARIATS! Roll up, into the dragon sleeper! Hashi gets the legs, but Shane BOOTS Hashi down! Goto ROCKS Shane, Shane fires back! The fans rally as forearms go back and forth! Shane then fires UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT! ROLLING- HEADBUTT! Goto roars, the fans fire up, and Goto runs, but into a DROPKICK! The fans fire up, Shane calls to Mikey, and TMDK regroups. TMDK drags Goto up, scoops, but Goto slips free! Goto sends Mikey into Shane, then runs up, but into a clinch! URENAGE BOMB COMBO!! Cover, Hashi breaks it!
Mikey SLIDING LARIATS Hashi! The fans fire up as Shane drags Hashi up! URENAGE- NO, Hashi BOOTS Mikey, then fires elbows and CHOPS! But Mikey scoops! TANK BUSTER!!! Cover, TWO?!? Hashi survives and the fans are thunderous! Mikey drags Hashi up to scoop and Shane climbs! SUPER TANK BUSTER!!! Cover, TMDK WINS!!!
Winners: TMDK, by pinfall (UNDISPUTED NJPW Strong & IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
ZSJ, Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita are here to celebrate with their guys, because all the gold now belongs to the orange ‘n’ black! Will all of NJPW have to acknowledge that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
NEVER Openweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS HENARE!
Naito won to open the night, and Los Ingobernables de Japon took the NEVER Six Man titles earlier. However, the Rampaging Dragon is running right into the Face of Fury! Will Takagi help LIJ sweep the night? Or will Henare be anything but tranquilo?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who NEVER backs down!
The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two stare down. They approach, feel things out, and the fans duel between “TA-KA-GI!” and “HE-NA-RE!” The two tie up in a clinch, go around, and end up in a corner. The ref calls the break, Takagi lets go slowly, as does Henare. Takagi promises a clean break, but then CHOPS! Henare just frowns, so Takagi fires forearms. Henare leans into the shots, then gives a forearm! Takagi hits back, they go back and forth, faster and faster! The fans rally, Henare gets the edge, but Takagi fires back up! Henare fires another forearm, and another, but Takagi hits him back!
Takagi runs, RAMS Henare, but neither man falls! Henare ELBOW JABS, then runs! They RAM shoulders, Takagi DOUBLE CHOPS! Henare goes to a corner, Takagi runs up, blocks a boot, and clotheslines through! The fans fire up and Takagi JABS, CHOPS and repeat! Takagi JABS, JABS, JABS until his hand starts to hurt! Henare then puts Takagi in the corner to KICK, KICK and KICK! The ref counts, Henare runs, but Takagi RAMS him! They RAM shoulders again, and again, and Takagi staggers! Henare eggs him on so Takagi HEADBUTTS! Henare HEADBUTTS back! Henare eggs Takagi on so Takagi HEADBUTTS again!
Henare HEADBUTTS Takagi and Takagi staggers. Takagi comes back to HEADBUTT, but that’s proving double-edged! Henare HEADBUTTS Takagi, snapmares him, then KICKS him in the back! But Takagi eggs Henare on! Henare winds up to KICK Takagi in the back! Takagi writhes, Henare drags him up and runs, to PENALTY KICK! But Takagi’s right up to run Henare over! The fans fire up as both men are down. Takagi and Henare crawl towards each other, give junkyard dog headbutts, then stand to give HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! Henare gets the edge, then JUMPING HEADBUTTS! Takagi staggers back to a corner!
The fans fire up, Henare runs up to SHINING- NO!, Takagi counters with a POWERBOMB! The fans fire up and Takagi runs up, SLIDING LARIAT! But Henare rolls to his feet for a SLIDING KNEE! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up. Henare snarls as he rises up, and he watches Takagi. Takagi stands, but he blocks the Rampage! Takagi fires knees, ELBOWS, JABS, feints the lariat to DDT! Henare staggers, Takagi runs up, but Henare RAMPAGES outta nowhere!! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Henare storms over to Takagi at the ropes, drags him up, and whips him to ropes.
Takagi stops himself, BOOTS Henare, then bobs ‘n’ weaves to ROCK him! Henare KICKS Takagi in the chest! Takagi staggers, but he comes back to CHOP! Henare growls and he comes back to KICK! Takagi seethes, then CHOPS! Henare KICKS, Takagi CHOPS, repeat! Henare drops to a knee and Takagi brings him up to LARIAT! Henare stays up, KICKS, but Takagi LARIATS! Henare KICKS again and Takagi drops to a knee! Takagi comes back to LARIAT! And LARIAT! And LARIAT! Henare just growls and KICKS, KICKS, and KICKS! The fans fire up with Henare but Takagi gets around to BLINDSIDE LARIAT!
Henare goes to a corner, Takagi runs up but into an ELBOW! FLYING CHUCK! Takagi rebounds to PUMPING BOMBER!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Henare is in a daze while Takagi grits his teeth. Takagi rises and Henare goes to a corner. Takagi runs up to clothesline! Takagi runs, Henare ducks but runs into an ELBOW! JAB! YUKON LARIAT!! The fans fire up with Takagi’s “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi drags Henare up, pump handles, but Henare CLUBS Takagi. Takagi LARIATS back! Takagi CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS, then ELBOWS! Henare wobbles, Takagi pump handles!
Takagi lifts but Henare slips out of the torture rack! Takagi fights the full nelson so Henare torture racks! STREETS OF RAGE!! The fans are thunderous while both men are down again! Henare rises, drags Takagi up, but Takagi fights the suplex! Henare still tries but Takagi wrenches out. Takagi ROCKS Henare, Henare BACK ELBOWS Takagi! Henare brings his kneepad down, runs to the corner, SHINING WIZARD! Henare roars, the fans fire up, and Henare snapmares Takagi to run and PENALTY- NO! Takagi blocks! Henare fires off palm strike after palm strike, but Takagi hits LAST OF THE DRAGON outta nowhere!!
Both men are down again and the fans fire up! The fans rally and duel as both men stir. A standing count starts, reaches 5 of 10, but Takagi rises. Takagi grabs Henare’s hand and drags him up. Takagi winds up to LARIAT, but Henare stays up! Both men are a bit wobbly, but Takagi runs to LARIAT! Henare is still standing, so Takagi LARIATS again! Henare just fires up! Takagi fires boxing elbows over and over and over! Henare then bobs ‘n’ weaves to BODY SHOT! And HEEL KICK! Takagi PELES! Henare PENALTY KCIKS! Takagi is up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men are still up, so they start throwing SLAPS!
The fans fire up as the SLAPS go back and forth, faster and faster! Henare fires a flurry from all sides, then SLAPS! Takagi wobbles, but he DECKS Henare!! Takagi roars, hauls Henare up, but Henare HEADBUTTS! Takagi HEADBUTTS! DOUBLE HEADBUTTS collide!! Takagi JABS! Henare HEADBUTTS! PUMPING BOMBER?!? JUMP HEADBUTT!!! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! The standing count starts and the fans rally. Both men are down at 5 of 10, then 7! 8! 9! TEN!! DOUBLE COUNT OUT!!
Double TKO Draw, Takagi retains the NEVER Openweight Championship
Both men pushed each other so far that neither could rise above! Henare is a bit stunned, he was just starting to wake up at 10. But the rules are the rules, and Takagi survives Henare’s wrath. Will the Face of Fury be given another chance to slay the Rampaging Dragon?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Lumberjack Match: Jon Moxley VS EVIL!
The Maniac said himself that a Lumberjack match against The King of Darkness is no different than any other House of Torture match. But luckily, Moxley and Shota Umino were able to call upon the legends of NJPW Generation 3 for back-up! So now that the odds are even, will Moxley see justice served? Or will Darkness Fall on all of NJPW?
Hey, wait, what’s The House doing going over to NJPW & Bushiroad Director, Takaaki Kidani? Dick Togo & Sho stand him up, for Evil to spray paint! The fans boo while Yujiro and Kanemaru keep Young Lions from getting close, and Evil spray paints shirt, tie, blazer, even face and glasses! What disrespect for the boss of bosses! Evil tells Kidani that he better not ever talk about Evil again! Evil then mockingly tells Kidani to go home! There are some rogues in Osaka that seem to agree, but here comes Team Moxley! The Maniac leads the way for #SHOOTER, Tiger Mask, Yuji Nagata, Togi Makabe & Hiroyoshi Tenzan as they come in through the crowd!
Ren Narita runs up on Moxley but Moxley DECKS him! Yujiro tries but Moxley BOOTS him! Team Moxley storms up, Evil is there, and the brawl is on! The lumberjacks get at it, too! The ref wants the two main guys to get in the ring first, though! Moxley BITES Evil, CLUBS him, then stomps him. Moxley then whips Evil hard into railing! The fans fire up with Moxley but the ref insists we get in the ring already. Team Mox sends members of The House into railing, and Moxley puts Evil in the ring. The bell rings and it’s time to fight for the fate of NJPW!
Moxley fires forearms and CHOPS on Evil on repeat. Evil knees low, runs, but Moxley runs him over! The fans fire up and Evil bails out, but Moxley’s team throws him back in! Moxley turns Evil to NECKBREAKER! Moxley ELBOWS, KICKS and repeat! Moxley then runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO, but Moxley goes for the ARMBAR! Evil endures, clasps hands, but Moxley pries the hold open! Evil scrambles around, ROPEBREAK! Moxley lets go and the fans applaud. Moxley drags Evil up to ROCK and CHOP on repeat, then wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! Moxley double wristlocks but Evil has the ROPEBREAK!
The ref counts, Evil CLAWS Moxley’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Evil says shut it, then he TOSSES Moxley out! Moxley fights off the House and the fans cheer! Evil goes out but Moxley sends him into railing, right at English commentary! The fans fire up as Moxley brings Evil to No Man’s Land, then he takes a chair from commentary! Apologizes to Walker, but Moxley makes Evil take a seat, CLAWS Evil’s face, then throws down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! The ref counts, Moxley lets off to run and BOOT Evil down! The fans fire up and Moxley brings Evil back to the ring. Evil runs up, but Moxley blocks to trip him!
Moxley steps through to the FIGURE FOUR! Evil endures, even as Moxley thrashes the hold. Evil crawls, reaches out, but Moxley pulls on the leg! Evil still fights, and grabs the ROPEBREAK! Moxley lets go, and drags Evil up to RAM him into a corner. Moxley climbs up to dig his knee into Evil’s face! The ref counts, Moxley lets off at 4, then he whips corner to corner. Moxley runs up, but Evil puts him on the apron! Moxley ROCKS Evil, ROCKS him again, but Evil CLAWS Moxley’s face! Evil BLASTS Moxley off the apron and he hits railing! Moxley tumbles onto a table, The House fetches him back into the ring.
Evil drags Moxley up to TOSS him back out, and then The House attacks! Team Moxley runs up to fight them off, and Moxley gets back in the ring. Evil trips up a Tiger Mask merch shirt, to then CHOKE Moxley with it! The lumberjacks protest but that distracts the ref. Evil CLAWS Moxley’s back, then CLAWS him again. Evil CHOPS Moxley but Moxley shouts at him! Evil smirks to CHOP again! Moxley eggs Evil on so Evil puts some stank on the eye claws! The fans boo, Evil TOSSES Moxley out, and The House beats Moxley down with all leather belts! They put Moxley in the ring, Evil stomps Moxley’s leg then drops an elbow.
Evil steps through, ties up the legs, and he mocks Nagata by putting on the INVERTED FIGURE FOUR! Moxley endures as Evil pulls on the leg! Moxley crawls, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and the ref counts, Evil lets go at 4. Moxley hobbles away, Evil storms up on him in the corner. Evil CHOPS, then he hoists Moxley up top. Evil climbs up, brings Moxley up, but Moxley resists the lift! The fans rally as Moxley fights and turns things around on Evil. Moxley fires haymakers, then CLAWS Evil’s back! The ref reprimands, but Moxley ROCKS Evil. Moxley HEADBUTTS away on Evil, then HEADBUTTS Evil down!
Evil rises, runs up, but Moxley leaps over! Moxley ROCKS Evil, Evil ROCKS Moxley! The fans rally, Moxley fires another forearm! Evil comes back to fire a forearm! They go back and forth, faster and faster, then Evil CHOPS! Moxley CHOPS! Evil CHOPS! Moxley CHOPS! The CHOPS continue back and forth, then both men take a moment to catch their beath. Evil CHOPS, Moxley CHOPS and Evil drops to his knees! Moxley snarls as he looms over Evil, then scuffs him. Moxley pie faces Evil around, eggs him on, and Evil stands to CHOP! Moxley fires a forearm but Evil gives it back! They go back and forth, then Evil CHOPS again!
Moxley fires a flurry of forearms, then a CHOP, forearm, and repeat! Moxley whips, Evil reverses, but Evil blocks Moxley’s boot to DISCUS LARIAT! Moxley sits in the corner, the fans rally up and Evil runs in, but Moxley gets up to KING KONG LARIAT! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Moxley rises, fires himself up and goes corner to corner to clothesline! Moxley climbs up to rain down fists! Moxley goes to TEN, then brings Evil in for a stalling PILEDRIVER! Cover, TWO! Evil survives and bails out. The House is there to protect him, but Moxley DIVES onto them all! The fans are thunderous as Moxley topples The House!
Moxley gets up with a wild look in his eyes, and then he grabs one of the leather belts. Moxley LASHES Evil over and over and over and the fans fire up! Moxley then goes looking under the ring, and he brings out a table! The fans fire up as Moxley sets the table up at ringside. Moxley goes back for Evil, drags him up and brings him over, then reels him in! But Sho trips up the ref while Dick uses POCKET SAND on Moxley!! The fans boo but then The House goes after the legends! Evil puts a chair around Moxley’s neck, and has another to hit the HOME RUN!! Moxley flops over, and Evil flips him off!
Evil then shows off the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship replica Evil’s been bringing around with him. Moxley flounders into the ring, Evil runs into the corner to clothesline! Then he hoists Moxley up top! Evil climbs, the fans rally, SUPERPLEX!! Evil crawls to the cover, TWO!! But Evil clamps onto Moxley with an ANACONDA VICE! Now Evil is mocking Tenzan! Moxley endures, fights around, flips Evil off, and fights to his feet! Moxley slips around to the SLEEPER! Evil flails, shifts around, throws elbows, but Moxley waistlocks! Evil grabs the ref to stop the German Suplex! The ref breaks free, but Evil ducks so the ref SLAPS Moxley!!
Moxley gets in the ref’s face, the ref apologizes, but Evil gets Moxley for DARKNESS FALLS!! Cover, TWO!! Moxley survives and the fans fire up! The fans rally as hard as they can behind Moxley but Evil shakes his head. Evil slashes his throat, stalks Moxley, and EVERYTHING- NO, Moxley fights free with elbows! Evil LARIATS, but Moxley just growls! Evil LARIATS, but Moxley still stands! The fans fire up, Evil flips him off, but Moxley gest around Evil to SNAP GERMAN! Evil rises, runs back up, but into a takedown! CROSSFACE!! Moxley is using Blue Justice’s move to make Evil suffer! And speaking of, Nagata blocks The House!
Narita slips through, but Shota SPEARS him down! The ref is busy with them, and that lets Kanemaru stomp Moxley! But Nagata gets in to KICK, KICK, but the ref is used as a shield! Ref down and Kanemaru ENZIGIRIS Nagata! Dick uses the SPOILER CHOKER on Moxley!! Togi CLOBBERS Dick! Sho ROCKS Togi, he and Dick double whip, but Togi DOUBLE LARIATS! Yujiro BOOTS Togi! Shota gets Yujiro down, into the STF! Tenzan grabs Sho, Nagata gets Kanemaru, Tiger DROPKICKS Dick! Tiger DIVES onto Dick while we have TRIPLE SUBMISSIONS in the ring! And PARADIGM SHIFT for Evil!!
But Narita uses his PUSHUP BAR!! He CLOBBERS Moxley, Shota, Nagata, Tenzan, Tiger and Togi in order! Moxley gets up but Evil LOW BLOWS!! The fans boo as The House has turned the tables! And speaking of tables, they bring Moxley back to that table he set up! And in insult to injury, The House gives Moxley a TRIPLE POWERBOMB through the table!! The fans boo as Evil says believe that! Evil drags Moxley into the ring, calls to the ref, and then he reels Moxley in, to steal DEATH RIDER!!! Cover, TWO!!!! Moxley survives his own move and Evil is furious! Evil argues with the ref, shoves him down, and then drags Moxley back up.
Evil slashes his throat, clinches, but Moxley fights the STO to steal EVERYTHING IS EVIL!!! Moxley flips Evil off and then grabs that Spoiler Choke! Moxley throws that aside, that’s not good enough. Moxley grabs the pimp cane, the Torture Tool, still not good enough. The fans fire up as Moxley seems to get an idea, and he goes outside. Moxley clears the table wreckage away to look under the ring. Moxley brings out a BARBED WIRE BAT!! That’s an extra thicc Barbie right there, and Moxley’s bringing this bad girl into the ring! Sho gets in but Moxley SLUGS him! And he SLUGS, Kanemaru, SLUGS Yujiro, SWATS the pushup bar and then CLUBS Narita!
Evil JAMS Moxley with a pen to the head!! And now Evil has Barbie! But Moxley dodges the homer to CUTTER!! Moxley has Barbie back and the fans fire up! Moxley SLUGS, CLUBS, SLUGS and then CURB STOMPS Evil! Moxley then lines up the shot, DEATH RIDER onto barbed wire!! Shota helps the ref, Moxley covers, Moxley wins!!
Winner: Jon Moxley, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
The fourth defense was bad luck, but not for Moxley! Evil’s best laid plans fell apart like a house of cards! Moxley may be All Elite but he proves he is also Strong Style! And because this counts as a co-main-event, Moxley gets the mic. “Thank you, Osaka. I’ve got something to say. A lot of people say anybody, anytime, any place, but when Jon Moxley says any effin’ body, any effin’ time, any effin’ place, I mean it!” The fans cheer, and Moxley dares anyone that wants the world title, this is their shot! Come on out and face down the devil right now! Moxley sets the belt down and waits, but who makes their way out here?
IT’S TETSUYA NAITO! Moxley took this title off Naito in Chicago, so it seems Naito wants his rematch. Naito still takes his time strolling down the ramp and to the ring, but he does step to Moxley. Naito picks up the mic to say that if no one else is gonna come out, how about him? Naito says it was his fault this belt was lost, so it’s on him to take it back. At Forbidden Door in New York, Naito VS Moxley for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship! Is that okay? Moxley nods, Naito smirks, and tells Moxley he’ll see you later, cabron! Naito leaves, and the score between NJPW and AEW will be settled soon enough! Will Naito make Long Island tranquilo? Or will Moxley put Naito down for good?
Best of the Super Juniors 31 Finals: El Desperado VS Taiji Ishimori!
The Rogue Luchador has been chasing this moment for a long time, but so has The Bone Soldier. One way or another, someone new will put their name on the BOSJ trophy and head for the title! Will it be Desperado gunning for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship? Or will we all see #ItsReborn?
The bell rings and the fans fire up already as the two stare down. Taiji and Desperado circle, feel things out, and Taiji waistlocks. Despe spins, Taiji wrenches, but Despe rolls, wrenches and wristlocks. Taiji rolls, spins, wrenches and hammerlocks. Despe drop toeholds, floats to a headlock, but Taiji rolls to a cover. ONE, but Taiji headlocks. Despe fights up but Taiji hits a takeover. Despe fights up, Taiji grinds the hold, but Despe pries free to wrench and hammerlock. Taiji switches that onto Despe but Despe switches back. They switch and switch, Despe spins Taiji for a SHIN BREAKER! But Taiji pokes Despe in the eyes!
Red Shoes reprimands but Taiji whips. Despe reverses but Taiji slips out to the apron, slides under, then slips out the side. Taiji RAMS into Despe, springboards and FLYING RANAS! Taiji then goes to the corner, GOLDEN TRIANGLE MOONSAULT! Direct hit and Taiji lands on his feet! The fans fire up with Taiji and he goes back for Despe. Taiji drags Despe up, scoops him, and LAWN DARTS him! Despe writhes while clutching a shoulder but Taiji tells Red Shoes to check him. Taiji uses that distraction to go untie the blue buckle pad. The Bullet Club Special is in place, and a ring count begins. Despe stirs at 3 of 20 while fans rally.
Despe rises up at 9 of 20, storms in at 10, and the fans rally up. Taiji CLUBS Despe, wrenches and whips, and Despe hits bare buckles! Despe falls and writhes and the fans are torn. Taiji grins as he paces around Despe. Taiji drags Despe around then grinds the bad arm. Despe endures, even as Taiji twists the wrist and elbow. Despe flails and kicks around, but Taiji pulls on the arm! Despe fights up, but Taiji pushes him back down! The fans rally as Despe fights back up. Taiji pushes Despe right back down! Despe tries again, slips out and floats, but Taiji rolls through to trap the arm! Taiji KNEES the shoulder!
The fans applaud as Taiji paces, and Taiji brings Desep around. Taiji clamps on a cobra clutch but Despe throws elbows. Despe stands up, Taiji ripcords and RAMS Despe, to then get the chicken wing and chinlock! Despe fights up to the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, Taiji lets go, and Despe UPPERCUTS! The fans fire up, and Despe whips corner to corner. Taiji reverses to send Despe back into bare buckles! Taiji WRINGS the bad arm out! Despe writhes but Taiji drags him back up. Despe throws body shots, then forearms! Taiji fires back, so Despe HEADBUTTS! Despe runs but into an ELBOW!
Taiji runs but Despe ELBOWS! Despe whips, Taiji handsprings, but into a BIG back suplex! The fans fire up while both men are down! Taiji bails out, Despe builds speed! Despe DIVES for a somersault tope! Down goes Taiji and the fans fire up again! Despe drags Taiji up, puts her in, and the fans rally. Despe shakes out the bad arm, then runs in corner to corner to clothesline! Despe reels Taiji in for a BIG suplex! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and Despe drags Taiji up to gut wrench. Taiji fights that to scoop Despe, CIPHER- RANA! Despe sends Taiji to a corner, runs up, but Taiji dodges. Taiji comes back, blocks boots, and he puts Despe in ropes!
Taiji ENZIGIRIS, runs side to side, and SLIDING GERMANS! The fans fire up, Taiji goes up the corner, and he 450- NO, he has to roll through as Despe moves! Despe runs in, but into a tilt-o-whirl, and CIPHER UTAKI! Cover, TWO! Despe is still in this and the fans fire up. Taiji drags Despe back up, underhooks, but Despe fights the lift! Despe back drops Taiji away! The fans rally as Despe goes to a corner and Taiji takes aim. Taiji runs in, Despe dodges the double knees to then hit a BIG back suplex! And then a GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Taiji clutches his leg, the fans rally, and Despe grabs at the leg again.
Taiji kicks Despe away, Despe runs back in, but Taiji sends him into the POST! Red Shoes reprimands but Taiji brings Despe out of the corner to hammerlock, scoop, and SHOULDER BUSTER! Despe writhes and clutches that arm, but Taiji makes sure his legs are working. Despe staggers, Taiji runs in, LA MYSTIC- NO, Despe rolls that into a STRETCH MUFFLER! But then Taiji rolls that to a cradle! TWO, Taiji BOOTS Despe! POISON-RANA!! Despe staggers up, Taiji runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! The fans rally up and Despe rises. Despe storms over to Taiji and brings him up.
GUITARRA- NO, Taiji slips free! Taiji waistlocks, ducks Despe’s elbow and then CLAWS Despe’s eyes! Taiji whips, Despe reverses but Taiji handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! Both men are down but then Taiji roars as he rises. The fans rally, Taiji brings Despe up, but Despe fights the Half Hatch! Despe lifts Taiji, traps the legs, DOUBLE KNEE BUSTER! STRETCH MUFFLER!! Taiji rolls through to a cradle! TWO!! Taiji steps over the arm, to TWIST it! Then he YANKS the other arm! Despe writhes, the fans rally, but Taiji drags Despe back up. Taiji ripcords, then LA MYSTICAS, into BONE LOCK!! Despe scrambles and reaches out, but Taiji rolls him away!
BONE LOCK at the center of the ring!! The fans fire up as Despe endures! Despe reaches out, even as Taiji pulls way back! Despe claws at the mat, crawls forward, turns against the grip, but Taiji roll shim away! Despe pops out to get the leg! STRETCH MUFFLER!! Taiji flails, but Despe grabs the arm, NUMERO DOS!! Despe thrashes Taiji around but Taiji still endures! Taiji reaches out with his one free arm, but Despe lifts him! Taiji sits up with that core strength, and fights things to a DESTROYER!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Taiji goes to ropes, drags himself up, and he hobbles back for Despe.
Taiji drags Despe up, but Despe is dead weight! Taiji has Red Shoes check, and somehow Despe is still in this. Taiji drags Despe up, reels him in, but Despe slips around, EL ES CULERO!! TWO!! Despe swings, into Taiji’s grip! Taiji almost hits Red Shoes with Despe, then whips Despe to POP-UP LOW BLOW! GEDO CLUTCH!! TWO!!! The fans fire up as Despe survives but Taiji is furious! Taiji drags Despe up and reels him in, but Despe wrenches out to LOCO MONO! Both men are down again and the fans fire up! Despe grits his teeth and drags himself up with the ropes. The fans rally as hard as they can for Despe and he goes back for Taiji.
Despe and Taiji go forehead to forehead, then Despe fires a string of forearms! Taiji ROCKS Despe with just one! Despe fires another flurry, but Taiji ROCKS Despe again! Both men rise back up, and the forearms go back and forth! The fans rally up with every shot, and Taiji ROCKS Despe! Despe wobbles, hits back, but Taiji ROCKS him again! Taiji eggs Despe on, so Despe rises up to fire off another flurry! Taiji ROCKS Despe, Despe KICKS the leg out! Taiji fires a strike fest, but Despe DECKS him! The fans fire up, and Despe runs, but into a JUMP KNEE! The fans are thunderous while both men are down!
Taiji flounders to ropes and he drags himself up. He takes aim, says BANG, then gets Despe up. But Despe wrenches to OLYMPIC SLAM! Cover, ONE?!?! Taiji roars, but Despe SPEARS him down! Despe roars, gets Taiji back up, underhooks and PINCHE LOCO!! Cover, TWO!!! Taiji survives and the fans are thunderous again! Despe roars again, drags Taiji up, and underhooks, for the- NO, Taiji fights that to a fireman’s carry! T K O CODE BREAKER!! Despe is down from that swing into the facebuster, and then Taiji dragon sleepers! BLOODY SUNDAY!! Cover, TWO!!! Despe survives and Taiji cannot believe it!
The fans fire up again and Taiji drags Despe up. BLOODY- NO, Despe fights off the Bloody Cross to RAM Taiji into bare buckles! Taiji suffers from his own trick! But then he roars back to his feet!? Taiji runs up, but Despe spins him to a backslide! Taiji rolls through but into the underhooks! JAY DRILLER!! Despe then drags Taiji back up, for PINCHE LOCO!!! Cover, DESPE WINS!!!
Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (Best of the Super Juniors 31 Champion)
Taiji thought he had this by God’s grace, but some things are just not meant to be. Taiji misses out on BOSJ 31, but will he have the glory in BOSJ 32?
As for Desperado, many fans are themselves emotional for this moment, finally seeing him stand tall in the end. Despe shows respect to Taiji with a fist bump, this is certainly not the last time these two will battle like that. Meanwhile, the banner is brought in, as is the trophy. Desperado is handed the trophy by Director Hitoshi Matsumoto, and then the same for the banner. Desperado bows in respect to Director Matsumoto, shakes his hand, and then poses with both trophy and banner for the photo op. The fans cheer as Desperado holds the trophy high, making sure all sides of the crowd get to see it.
Despe then grabs the mic, and the fans cheer for “DE-SU-PE! DE-SU-PE!” Despe says, “As expected, that was 80% him. We all know it. He’s damn strong.” The fans do cheer Despe giving credit to Taiji. Despe says not only is Taiji strong, he’s really good. It’s almost unfair. Taiji hit him below the belt, but Despe got him in the face, so they’ll call it even. But it’s as Taiji said before, it isn’t about looks or popularity. The strongest wins. The fans cheer that! But before Despe can continue on, Sho storms out here! And he says if that’s the case, he’s way stronger than Desperado! The fans boo as Sho laughs from the stage.
Sho says in order to hold that trophy, Despe should beat him first! Why not have another “final” between the two of them, huh? The fans boo, and Despe tells Sho that there are no second chances in BOSJ. The fans applaud that! Despe then brings up Sho was in this tournament, right? When Despe was champ, everyone gunned for him and Despe missed the finals, so Despe knows how Sho feels. Sho wants the trophy? Too bad! The fans cheer that, but Sho insists that trophy belongs to him! Despe asks how Sho can say that, and Sho says cuz he beat Despe before. Despe says yeah, yeah, Despe lost to Sho and The House of Torture.
Sho insists he won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship all on his own, but Despe says don’t muddy things up with people shutting off lights and disappearing. Sho insists he defends his title all on his own, so Despe dare him to actually do that. Sho’s alone now! No, he’s totally gonna call for The House. Sho says “As if!” Despe says fine, trophy for title. Not that it means Sho won BOSJ. Sho says whoever holds the trophy IS the winner! Fine, come get the trophy. Though, Despe knows he’ll call The House. Sho says no he won’t! Despe says he doesn’t believe Sho. Sho will just call Narita! Sho keeps saying nuh-uh but Despe says yeah, he knows Sho too well.
Sho continues to insist he won’t but Despe keeps saying yeah he will. Sho throws a tantrum and shouts he WILL face Despe alone! Oh, is that so? YEAH! Sho will do it 1v1! Okay, Despe will agree to the match. And just to make sure no one interferes, Despe wants a CAGE MATCH! The fans love that idea! As for Sho, he’s starting to realize he just stepped in it! Despe says Sho agreed to it, right? No backing out, right? Okay, good. That’s all, Sho can leave now. The fans chant along, and Sho says he heard them the first time! Sho storms off and the fans cheer Despe getting the better of him.
Despe then says, rather disappointed, “I wanted to have a moment with Ishimori…” But that’s just how things go, and at least he has the title match with Sho. Lucky~. Despe then says he’ll keep borrowing this from Taiji: in the end, the strongest wins! Despe stands with trophy, banner, and the streamers fly! The stakes have been raised for the title match, but will The Rogue Luchador prove that he IS The Best of the Super Juniors?
My Thoughts:
An awesome Dominion, and only those first couple of matches were inconsequential. Great surprises, too, with Khan winning back the KOPW Championship, and with TMDK winning the tag title match. I thought Yuya was gonna win at his own rules, and that Bishamon was gonna win out again, but I’m glad to see NJPW is willing to shake things up. Also, Shane & Mikey have been great for a long time, TMDK really does deserve something big like this. At the same time, there’s half a chance Hikuleo is on his way out of NJPW, wanting to join Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa in WWE for the newest phase of The Bloodline story.
Los Ingobernables de Japon taking the NEVER Openweight Six Man titles was also a bit of a surprise, but Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg had a decent reign since winning the tournament in Taiwan. Great NJPW World TV title match from Cobb and Ishii, and great win for Cobb. Takagi VS Henare going to a double TKO was awesome stuff, that really protects both guys while Takagi still retains. I’m sure Henare will want a rematch, and maybe this will motivate a Last Man Standing match.
Great “double main event” with the lumberjack match being just about how I expected. Great win for Moxley, and Naito stepping up for his rematch is good stuff. They’ll have a great match at Forbidden Door, and I would think that’s where Moxley loses the title so Naito can bring the IWGP World title back to NJPW. And then an awesome actual main event from Desperado and Taiji. Great win for Desperado as he finally fulfills that dream. And then a really fun promo between Desperado and Sho, a steel cage match for the title will be a lot of fun. Sho and the House are very sneaky, they can probably still find ways to cheat during the cage match, but here’s hoping Despe wins it all.
My Score: 9/10
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Once more around the round robin!
Best of the Super Juniors returns, yet Douki chooses not to compete! Who proves they’re “second best” to the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: Taiji Ishimori VS Jakob Austin Young; Taiji wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: SHO VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Daiki Nagai; Taguchi wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: YOH VS Hyo; Hyo wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Robbie X VS Nick Wayne; Nick wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: KUSHIDA VS Robbie Eagles; Kushida wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Master Wato VS Titan; Titan wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: El Desperado VS Daisuke Sasaki; Daisuke wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Francesco Akira; Fujita wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: Taiji Ishimori VS Jakob Austin Young!
The Bone Soldier and #DangerousJAY get to set the tone for the first round with this opening match. Will Taiji be victorious #ByGrace? Or will he fall off Jakob’s Ladder?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. The two tie up, Jakob headlocks, but Taiji puts him on ropes. The ref counts, Taiji backs off, and the fans cheer the clean break. Taiji and Jakob go again, feel things out, then clinch. Jakob puts Taiji on the ropes, the ref calls the break, but Jakob gives a quick body jab. The fans boo but Jakob tells them to shut up. The two circle again, tie up, and Jakob headlocks. Taiji powers up and out but Jakob RUNS him over! Things keep moving, Taiji drops down, hurdles over, but Jakob waistlocks. Taiji fires elbows, then runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and RANAS! Jakob tumbles, Taiji DROPKICKS him out!
The fans fire up as Taiji builds speed, but he tiger feints as Jakob moves! The fans cheer again, and then Taiji PLANCHAS! Down goes Jakob and the fans fire up again! Taiji goes back for Jakob, puts him in the ring, then covers, TWO! Jakob is tougher than that but Taiji stays close. Taiji cravats to snapmare Jakob, then NECK TWIST! Jakob writhes but the fans applaud, and Taiji stalks Jakob. Taiji CLUBS Jakob, ROCKS him with a right, but the ref reprimands about closed fists. Taiji wrenches and whips Jakob to a corner, then runs up, but Jakob puts Taiji on the apron. Jakob RAMS low, then pulls Taiji through the ropes, NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT!
The fans applaud Jakob’s creativity while Taiji slumps down. Jakob builds speed to WRECK Taiji with a dropkick! Jakob says crowns up, then he fetches Taiji. Jakob SMACKS Taiji off the apron, the ref reprimands, but Jakob puts Taiji in the ring. Jakob mocks the fans applauding, then slides into the ring. Cover, TWO! Jakob stomps Taiji while he argues the count. Jakob taunts Taiji, pats him on the head, but Taiji fires CHOPS! Jakob eggs Taiji on so Taiji CHOPS again! Jakob felt that one, but he dodges the lariat to wrench and spin Taiji around, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Taiji survives.
Jakob stands Taiji up, suplexes, but Taiji slips free. Taiji ducks a shot to then CLAW the eyes! Taiji whips, Jakob reverses, but Taiji handsprings, NEURALIZER KICK! Down goes Jakob and the fans applaud. Taiji and Jakob rise, Taiji runs in at the corner, and he DOUBLE KNEES! Then Taiji fireman’s carries, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Basement SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Taiji waits on Jakob while we pass five minutes. Jakob rises, Taiji runs up, LA MYST- NO, Jakob blocks to THROW Taiji down! Then dragon sleeper for the SAVING GRACE! Cover, TWO! Taiji survives and the fans fire up again!
Jakob frowns as he storms back over to Taiji. Jakob grabs the legs, steps through, but Taiji kicks and kicks. Taiji kicks free, but Jakob SLIDING KNEES! Cover, TWO! Jakob argues with the ref again but the ref defends his count. Taiji stirs but Jakob brings him up. Jakob cravats, goes to the corner, but Taiji slips free! BUCKLE SHOT! The fans cheer while Jakob sputters in the corner. Taiji rises again, and the fans rally as he brings Jakob up. Taiji whips but Jakob blocks! Taiji wrenches the arm to YANK it! Jakob falls to his knees but Taiji stands him up. Hammerlock, scoop, and SHOULDER BUSTER! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Jakob survives.
Taiji stays focused and he brings Jakob up. Taiji ripcords, LA MYSTI- NO, Jakob slips free! Jakob CHOPS, Taiji CHOPS, but Jakob ROCKS Taiji with a forearm! Jakob runs, but Taiji is up to JUMP KNEE! The fans fire up again and Taiji calls his shot! Taiji hauls Jakob up, gut wrenches, and CIPHER UT- NO, Jakob catches it to a cover, TWO! Taiji victory rolls, TWO! Taiji ducks ‘n’ dodges, LA MYSTICA! BONE LOCK!! Jakob flails, reaches out, but Taiji rolls him to center! Jakob TAPS, Taiji wins!
Winner: Taiji Ishimori, by submission (gains 2 points; Jakob earns 0)
The tone is set, and it is Unbound! Will that be exactly how Taiji’s run goes? Or will he still fall short of his first BOSJ trophy?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: SHO VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
Wait, wait, wait. Douki choosing to stay out of this tournament is one thing, but the Murder Machine and Heel Master facing each other in the first round? Well, the fix is in already, but who will help the other get an easy win?
Well, since they’re both House of Torture, no one attacks the other. And it seems they’re both out here alone, if only for now. Wait, Sho grabs the mic. “This is a battle of two of the absolute best Junior Heavyweights. And it is a disgrace that this incredible match is only second on the card. The power balance of this division is so screwed up. But to make sure this makes everyone regrets this, Kanemaru-san, you and I are gonna have the best match of this entire tournament! And we know we’re not coming out of this unscathed. This will be a Match of the Year contender!
“And all these country bumpkins in Tokyo will see the best match of their entire lives, even though they don’t deserve it! This should be in the Tokyo Dome with a minimum buy-in of 100 MILLION Yen! Kanemaru-san, I don’t want to hurt you. But let’s have a great match, and as your kouhai, you’ll do me a solid and lie down.” Kanemaru agrees to a fair match, the two “put one out” together, and then the bell rings. Kanemaru already lies down!? Finger Poke of Doom 2026! Sho applauds, the fans clap along, and Kanemaru snatches Sho into the victory roll! TWO!! Kanemaru bails out and Sho is upset! Kanemaru argues the count while the fans laugh at Sho!
Sho is upset, he raises the ref’s hand, then he grabs Kanemaru’s bottle of whiskey! The ref and Sho fight over the bottle, but Kanemaru slithers in, and he’s holding Sho’s wrench! Kanemaru sneaks the Torture Tool into Sho’s waistband, and then shoves him around. The ref sees the wrench in Sho’s pants! Now they argue over the wrench! Kanemaru rolls Sho up, TWO! Headlock takeover, TWO! Trip and jackknife bridge, TWO!! The fans cheer Kanemaru for how close he got! Sho is still beside himself but Kanemaru bails out. Kanemaru goes around the outside, Sho chases him and says how dare he mess around!
Sho round the corner, Kanemaru dropkicks the legs out! Kanemaru SMASHES the leg off the floor! Then FIGURE FOUR! The fans cheer but a ring count climbs! Sho flails, reaches out, but Kanemaru holds until 12 of 20! Kanemaru leaves Sho behind, but Sho grabs Kanemaru’s legs! Sho drags Kanemaru off the apron, fans clear out, and Sho THROWS Kanemaru into chairs! Then Sho sends a Young Lion into Kanemaru! The count is still going!! We pass 15 as Kanemaru sends Young Lion Taisei Nakahara back at Sho! The fans cheer as Kanemaru rolls in! 18! 19! Sho slides in at 19.99! The fans cheer while Kanemaru is shocked!
Kanemaru apologizes to Sho? Kanemaru offers a handshake, the fans cheer, but Sho says Kanemaru needs to watch himself. Sho takes the handshake, then bends Kanemaru’s fingers! Kanemaru CLAWS Sho with his other hand! Kanemaru runs, Sho uses the ref as a shield, but then so does Kanemaru! Kanemaru ENZIGIRIS Sho! Kanemaru stomps Sho’s fingers! Kanemaru grabs his whiskey! The ref protests, Kanemaru shoves him away, then Kanemaru takes a swig. But Sho smothers Kanemaru! Kanemaru breaks free, but Sho just smothers him again! Kanemaru’s at his limit, and Sho lets go, WHISKEY MIST into the ref!
The ref is blinded, Sho laughs at them both, and Sho says that should be a disqualification, right? IT IS!
Winner: Sho, by disqualification (gains 2 points; Kanemaru earns 0)
Kanemaru is mad at the ref and TOSSES him out! Poor Sakamoto… Sho apologizes to Kanemaru now, but they were both playing dirty anyway. They fist bump and head out, but will the trickery only continue until one of them is the Best of the Super Juniors?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Daiki Nagai!
The Funky Weapon has had his moments in this tournament, but the Unbound Young Lion is finally having his first! Will Taguchi be serious right from the start? Or will he underestimate his young opponent?
Oh snap, Daiki SHOTGUNS Taguchi during introductions! The fans fire up as Daiki shows how serious he is about this! The bell rings as he whips Taguchi, but Taguchi reverses to start up the cycle of dropdown and sidestep! But Daiki knows it well and DROPKICKS Taguchi out! The fans fire up as Daiki builds speed, and DIVES! Down goes Taguchi right in front of the fans! The fans fire up with Daiki and he brings Taguchi up. Daiki says here goes, and he climbs up the corner! Taguchi stands, Daiki MISSILE DROPKICKS! Taguchi flounders away but Daiki runs in at the corner! Taguchi dodges, rolls Daiki, then DROPKICKS in return!
The fans rally as Taguchi crawls to the cover, TWO! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Daiki scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi holds but lets go as the ref reprimands. Things finally slow down and Taguchi can take off his shirt. Taguchi CHOKES Daiki with it! The ref reprimands, Taguchi stops right away, and he apologizes for getting mad. Taguchi reels Daiki in, has the leg, but Daiki fights the lift! Taguchi fires body shots to then SHIN BREAKER! And DROPKICK to the leg! The fans rally as Taguchi grabs OH MY GAH ANKLE! Daiki flails, crawls, and makes the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go, but then kneels on the leg for a toehold.
Daiki grabs the ropes again, the ref counts, and Taguchi steps away. Taguchi drags Daiki up to HIP ATTACK! And HIP ATTACK! Daiki rises but Taguchi brings him up. Daiki ROCKS Taguchi, Taguchi ROCKS Daiki, repeat! The shots go back and forth, Taguchi fires a flurry, then he runs, but Taguchi follows! HIP- ATOMIC DROP! Daiki still knows the tricks, and he waistlocks. Taguchi fights with elbows, then more elbows, then he feints the run! But Daiki avoids the hips! But Taguchi victory rolls again! TWO, and Daiki DROPKICKS! Taguchi falls into a corner and the fans fire up again! Daiki has a wild look in his eyes as he goes to the other corner.
Daiki runs in and HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! Daiki hurries to drag Taguchi out, covers, TWO! The fans fire up again while Daiki goes to a corner. Daiki climbs, the fans rally, and Daiki DIVING BODY FLOPS as Taguchi moves! Daiki sputters while Taguchi crawls to a corner. Taguchi calls upon the powers of Strong Style, “OYA~!” BUM- NO, Daiki rolls Taguchi up! TWO, and Taguchi dodges a lariat to roll Daiki up! TWO, and OH MY- NO, Daiki kicks free! SLIDING HIP! Cover, TWO!! Daiki survives and the fans fire up, but Taguchi hauls Daiki right up! Taguchi chicken wings and DODON- NO, Daiki victory rolls, TWO!
Daiki ROCKS Taguchi, Taguchi ENZIGIRIS! Daiki rebounds to CHOP! Daiki runs, but into a DROPKICK! Taguchi hurries to cover, TWO, but OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Daiki flails again, reaches out, and the fans rally even harder! Taguchi puts on the pressure but Daiki still fights his way forward! Daiki reaches out but Taguchi drags him back! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Daiki claws with everything he has, but Taguchi YANKS Daiki back! Chicken wings and DODON BUSTER!! Cover, Taguchi wins!
Winner: Ryusuke Taguchi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Daiki earns 0)
Taguchi got serious because Daiki brought it out of him! And with that, Taguchi already has his first win in this year’s tournament! Will Taguchi prove that the Funky Weapon still has what it takes? Will Daiki learn from this and make sure his first win is in the second round?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: YOH VS HYO!
A curious match-up here, and not just because you can rearrange one man’s name and spell the other’s. But will Mr. Direct Drive kick it into gear right from the start? Or will The Black Panther prove he’s the apex predator in this tournament?
The fans have a hard time making heads or tails of the ring gear, and Yoh asks for a little help with the halter top. Hyo makes sure his little snow leopard, Nyan Nyan, is comfortable in the corner, then the bell rings. The two run up, Hyo leaps over the dropdown, then mule kicks. Hyo whips, Yoh reverses, but Hyo goes up and over, then handsprings through! Things really speed up, and the panther gets the zoomies as he runs around Yoh! Then DROPKICK! The fans cheer while Yoh bails out! Hyo shows his claws, and the fans rally up as Hyo builds speed. But Hyo handsprings through as Yoh moves!
The fans cheer and Yoh THROWS Nyan Nyan down! The fans boo Yoh for that, Hyo flexes and the fans cheer. But Yoh sneaks in to wrench and trip Hyo! Yoh ties Hyo up in Paradise! The fans cheer as Yoh stands on Hyo, then “kicks sand” before he runs around like a cat! Yoh “pees” on Hyo, maybe he’s a dog instead. Yoh then runs to DROPKICK Hyo outta Paradise! Yoh drags Hyo up, reels him in, and suplexes, but Hyo fights free, wrenches, then NEKODAMASHI CLAP! Cradle, TWO! Yoh rolls Hyo, TWO! Hyo runs up, sunset flips, TWO! Yoh sits on the cover, TWO! Hyo has it again, TWO! Yoh has it again, TWO!!
The fans cheer that near escape, but Yoh kicks and runs. But Hyo blows past, and now both men have the zoomies! They chase each other like cats ‘n’ dogs, then STUNNER to SOMERSAULT DRIVER! Cover, HYO WINS!!
Winner: Hyo, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Yoh earns 0)
In the blink of an eye, the Panther snatches that win like a rabbit out of the hat! Hyo shows Yoh respect with the Roppongi 3K salute, AND A KISS?! Yoh faints, will he be able to recover from that? Or will Hyo hunt down the top spot in the block?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Robbie X VS Nick Wayne!
The former IWGP Junior Tag Team Champion and the former ROH World Television Champion (sorry if that’s spoilers/breaking kayfabe) meet in hopes of each becoming the next IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. Will things get too extreme for The Prodigy? Or will NJPW enter Wayne’s World?
The bell rings and the fans rally behind Robbie. Robbie and Nick circle, tie up, and Robbie headlocks. Nick powers up and out, but Robbie handsprings! Nick stops the cutter, but Robbie fights the full nelson! Robbie trips Nick, but Nick avoids the PK! Nick arm-drags Robbie, Robbie headscissors, but Nick kips free to kick low! Nick whips, Robbie goes up and over in the corner, then handsprings! Things keep moving, Nick hurdles to then UPPERCUT! The fans fire up as Nick kips up again! Robbie flounders away but Nick storms over to him. Nick drags Robbie up, CHOPS him in the corner, then follows him along the ropes.
Robbie goes to another corner but Nick kisses him on the bald head before he CHOPS again! Nick then snapmares Robbie, leg drops, then covers, TWO! Robbie is tougher than that but Nick keeps his cool. Nick stalks Robbie, brings him up, but Robbie CHOPS! The fans cheer but Nick comes back. Robbie ROCKS Nick, ROCKS him again, then again! But Nick ROCKS Robbie back! Nick stalks Robbie, whips him to ropes, but Robbie avoids the superkick! Nick runs up, Robbie cartwheels to dodge! Nick tumbles out to the apron, Robbie NO HAND HANDSPRINGS to knock Nick down! Then Robbie reloads, PLANCHA! Down goes Nick and the fans fire up!
Robbie brings Nick up, puts him in the ring, and slingshots for the SILVER FLIP SENTON! Cover, TWO! Nick is still in this but the fans rally behind Robbie. Robbie checks his neck, then brings Nick up. Robbie reels Nick in but Nick fights the lift. Robbie still tries but Nick still fights. Robbie winds up to CHOP Nick down! The fans cheer but Robbie reels Nick back in, only for Nick to BACKDROP free! Robbie sunsets but Nick sits on it, TWO! Robbie finishes the flip, TWO! Nick is up, he dodges Robbie, and SNAP DRAGONS! The fans fire up for that very Kenny Omega level move! Nick then waits on Robbie to get up while he takes aim.
Nick runs corner to corner, but Robbie dodges! Robbie runs back up, blocks a boot, but not the ENZIGIRI! Nick goes up, up, WAYNE’S- NO, Robbie dodges the cutter and mule kicks! Robbie goes to run but Nick reels him in! Robbie fights the waistlock again, but Nick ducks a shot! Nick ROCKS Robbie, Robbie ELBOWS Nick, and PELES! The fans fire up with Robbie as he powers up again, only for Nick to jump up! POISON-RANA! The fans rally while Robbie is down! Nick calls his shot, gathers power, and Robbie rises up, into the BUZZ- NO, Robbie ducks, jumps up, POISON-RANA! The fans fire up as Robbie returns the favor!
Nick bails out, but Robbie springboards, SKY TWISTER! Down goes Nick but Robbie puts him in fast! Robbie handsprings, LETHAL INJECTION X!! Cover, TWO!! Nick survives and Robbie is shocked! The fans rally even harder for Robbie as he rises up. Robbie drags Nick to a drop zone, climbs up the corner, and X EX- NO, Robbie has to roll through as Nick moves! Robbie runs back up, but into a SUPERKICK! Robbie is down but Nick leans against the corner as he catches his breath. The fans rally up harder and harder still, and Nick rises to his feet. Nick calls his shot, and he goes up, into WAYNE’S- BACKSLIDE! TWO!
Nick BOOTS Robbie, runs, but Robbie ROCKS Nick! Robbie runs, Nick blows past, but Robbie dodges, QUEBRADA into a SUPERKICK! Nick hits the anti-air, and now he calls his shot! BUZZSAW, and WAYNE’S WORLD! Cover, NICK WINS!
Winner: Nick Wayne, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Robbie earns 0)
He may have lost the title, but Nick rebounds to get a major win in the tournament! Will nothing stop The Prodigy from proving he’s the next big thing? Can Robbie get the X Express back on track in the second round?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: KUSHIDA VS Robbie Eagles!
The Time Splitter returns to NJPW, hoping to prove he is still the Best of the Super Juniors. But he now stands in the crosshairs of the Sniper of the Skies! Will Kushida still bring us Back to the Future? Or will Eagles fly high right from the start?
Wait, Kushida is going barefoot for this! Eagles says okay, hold on. “Robbie Robbie Robbie!” “OI OI OI!” “Robbie Robbie Robbie!” “OI OI OI!” “Robbie!” “OI!” “Robbie!” “OI!” “Robbie Robbie Robbie!” “OI OI OI!” The fans applaud, but then a “KU-SHI-DA!” chant starts in response. The bell rings and the two circle. They feel things out, Kushida rolls, and he grabs a leg. Eagles fights that off to step over and cover, ONE! Kushida trips Robbie, has a toehold, but Robbie rolls and reels Kushida in, only for Kushida to use that and get the headlock for his own. The fans applaud this technical exchange, but then Eagles slips out to hammerlock!
Eagles reaches over but Kushida rolls to then headscissors! The fans applaud again, and Kushida puts on the pressure. Eagles endures, bridges, but Kushida puts on the pressure. Eagles kips free, but Kushida reels him back into the headscissors! The fans applaud, but Eagles fights around. Eagles rolls to turn Kushida over, then he pops out to trap the legs. Eagles rolls Kushida, but Kushida twists a foot! Kushida turns Eagles over, ties the legs up, then floats to a headlock. Eagles powers out to stand on Kushida’s arm, but Kushida slips away. The fans applaud the standoff as the two reset and circle again.
Kushida rushes Eagles, Eagles holds off the armlock but the body scissors are still on! Eagles powers through to drop Kushida down and have a toehold. Eagles bends toes! The ref reprimands, Eagles teases about “this little piggy,” but Kushida hooks Eagles’ nose! Eagles shakes that off but Kushida tries again. Kushida waistlocks, bridges, but Eagles moves, so Kushida floats to an ARMBAR! Eagles rolls to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Kushida lets go, and the two reset again. They circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. Kushida rolls, trips Eagles, then has the toehold. Eagles tries to headscissors, but Kushida shrugs that off.
Kushida pulls Eagles’ arm into tying up the legs, then he steps over. It’s not exactly Paradise as Kushida uses his legs to bend and crunch Eagles! Eagles powers up and trips Kushida to then SPLAYED STRETCH! Kushida endures, even as Eagles reclines back, so Eagles floats over to a cover. ONE, Eagles waistlocks but Kushida rolls. Cover, ONE, and Eagles trips Kushida. Kushida chinbars to wrangle Eagles into a chinlock. Eagles endures so Kushida shifts to a motorcycle stretch, and LEG HOOK NELSON! Eagles endures, pushes back, and rolls to have a leg! Eagles has the INDIAN DEATHLOCK! The fans cheer as Eagles sits Kushida up, INDIAN COBRA TWIST!!
Kushida endures, pries at the arm, then rolls to leg hook and float, ARMBAR! Eagles pries free, and the fans cheer the technical master class! Eagles and Kushida reset again, feel things out, then tie up. Eagles goes for an arm, but so does Kushida. Kushida chinbars but Eagles arm-drags! Eagles steps over, Kushida kicks free, but Eagles handsprings through. The fans cheer as the two reset again. They approach, and Kushida KICKS the leg! Then he grapevines the leg to trip Eagles. Eagles pries at toes but Kushida stands to change up his hold. Eagles slips through to drop toehold Kushida into the waistlock. Kushida fights up, switches, then arm-drags.
Kushida chicken wings the arms and he works to turn Eagles. Eagles endures but Kushida powers through to a cradle! TWO, and Kushida ducks a chop to roll back! Kushida goes up but Eagles blocks the arm-drag! Eagles arm-drags back, then trips Kushida. Eagles runs, handsprings over the dropdown, but Kushida is after the arm! Eagles wrenches through, breaks free, but Kushida blocks a kick! Eagles drops to trip Kushida, ANKLE- NO, Kushida rolls back, bridges, TWO! Eagles body scissors and rolls to a cover, TWO! Both men RAM shoulders! And RAM again! And again! The fans fire up as the two stare down.
Kushida offers a handshake, Eagles accepts, but Eagles stomps the toes! The fans boo but Eagles says Kushida baka. Eagles runs up, gets a leg, but Kushida steps over to cover, TWO! Eagles sunset flips, TWO! Kushida sits on it, TWO! Kushida rolls to highs tack, TWO! Eagles has Kushida, TWO! Kushida, ONE! Eagles, ONE! They teetertotter and the ref can’t even keep up! The fans cheer as this turns into a rolling cradle! Eagles finally has it, TWO!! Kushida escapes in time and Eagles is stunned! Eagles runs up but Kushida jumps the 619! Kushida somersaults, but Eagles stops the DDT! Eagles slips around, rolls Kushida up, TWO!
Eagles has the leg, steps through, but Kushida cradles, TWO! Eagles has it, TWO! Both men stand, Eagles jumps up, RANA! But Kushida sunset flips it! TWO!! The fans are thunderous as both men get up! Kushida FLAPJACKS, but Eagles avoids the PK! Eagles wrenches the leg, SLAPS, SLAPS, SLAPS, and TURBO- NO, Kushida slips through the backpack to cradle and BACK TO THE FUTURE!! Cover, KUSHIDA WINS!!
Winner: Kushida, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Robbie earns 0)
It feels like forever since we’ve seen Kushida win with that move here in NJPW, but seeing it again brings us right back! Will Kushida hit that 88 miles per hour and return to former glory? Will the Sniper of the Skies just have to reload and try again in the next round?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Master Wato VS Titan!
The Way of the Grandmaster is still on the long road to the top, but the same goes for El Inmortal’s journey. Who will take another step closer to their goal of being the Best of the Super Juniors?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. The crowd is split between them, and the two tie up. Wato trips Titan, things speed up, and Titan hurdles to then drop down. Wato leaps over, keeps moving, and he RANAS! Titan bails out, Wato builds speed, but Titan is up fast to springboard and CROSSBODY! Then DROPKICK! Wato bails out, Titan builds speed, and fans clear out before Titan DIVES! Wato tumbles into the chairs! The ref checks and Wato is able to continue. Titan roars as he rises up and the fans cheer. Titan puts Wato in the ring, pushes him around, then fireman’s carries for the DEATH VALLEY NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!
The fans applaud was Wato toughs it out. Titan stomps Wato, eggs him on, then KICKS him in the back. Titan snapmares Wato, runs and basement DROPKICKS! High stack, TWO! Titan hurries to tie up the legs, FIGURE FOUR! Wato endures, drags Titan along, and manages the ROPEBREAK! Titan lets go while the fans applaud. Wato shakes out the legs, Titan stomps him around, then Titan kicks at him. Wato scowls but Titan SOBATS! Titan eggs Wato on again, then brings him up. Wato fires a shot but Titan CLUBS and KNEES Wato in return. Another fireman’s carry but Wato fights free!
Wato swings, Titan ducks, and Titan fires off a strike fest! Titan runs, but into an ELBOW! Wato runs but ducks a shot to ZIGZAG! But Titan kips up to PELE! Wato PENALTY KICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Wato crawls to ropes, rises up, and he runs to CLOBBER Titan! And CLOBBER again! Wato whips Titan, then DROPKICKS him down! Titan bails out, the fans fire up, and Wato builds speed! Wato FLIES and down goes Titan! The fans cheer while both men are down in front of the front row again. A ring count starts, but Wato rises at 7 of 20. Wato stands at 10 and fires up with the fans!
Wato brings Titan up, puts him in at 14, and takes aim. The fans applaud as Wato climbs the corner, then leaps in, MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Titan is tougher than that and the fans cheer again. Wato drags Titan up, wrenches and clinches, but Titan fights the lift! Wato CLUBS Titan, whips him, but Titan reverses to TORANDO DDT! And then roll through to suplex, CUTTER! Cover, TWO! But Titan steps through, ties up the legs, and rolls for LLAVE INMORTAL! The fans fire up as Titan bridges back and bends Wato! Wato fights, fights, and powers his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Titan lets go in frustration.
Titan roars and the fans rally again. Titan pounds the mat, the fans clap along, and Titan waits on Wato. Wato rises, Titan SUPER- NO, Wato ducks, but Titan BUZZSAWS! Titan goes to the corner, he climbs up top, and the fans fire up, but Wato CLUBS Titan first! Titan drops onto the corner, Wato climbs up, and Wato brings Titan back up! Titan holds onto the corner, fires elbows, then he trips Wato! Wato falls into the Tree of Woe! Titan turns around, WOE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!! Wato survives and the fans fire up again! Titan throws off his elbow pads, then rolls his way back to the corner. Titan skins the cat to rise back up!
Titan aims while Wato is down, LA LANC- NO, Wato dodges, runs up, crucifix takedown, into RECIENTEMENTE!! Cover, TWO?!? Titan survives and the fans are thunderous! Wato grows frustrated, but he hurries to waistlock. TSU- NO, Titan rolls, hooks a leg, but Wato reels Titan into a cradle! TWO, and ROUNDHOUSE! Wato hurries to spin, but Titan blocks the kick to DRAGON SCREW! Then a step through and SHARPSHOOTER!! Wato endures, reaches out, but Titan pulls him back to center!! Wato flails, but Titan bridges on the hold! WATO TAPS, TITAN WINS!
Winner: Titan, by submission (gains 2 points; Wato earns 0)
It wasn’t quite Llave Inmortal, but it might’ve been even stronger! Titan borrows a fan’s flag of Mexico to celebrate his home and his people. Will Titan represent them both as he proves he was born for such a time as this? Or will Wato still prove he is the Way to the Grandmaster?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: El Desperado VS Daisuke Sasaki!
The Rogue Luchador won the tournament back in 2024, and is looking to repeat history so that he may have his revenge on Douki. However, he’s up against Charisma Itself! Will Desperado still be the Best of the Super Juniors two years later? Or will Daisuke prove he is the future of this division?
Before they get started, Despy offers a handshake. Daisuke is wary, but he accepts. They both kiss the other’s hand, then the bell rings. The fans duel as the two circle, but then Daisuke bails out. The fans boo but Despy waits on Daisuke. Daisuke steps back into the ring, circles with Despy, and they feel things out. They tie up, Daisuke waistlocks, but Despy wrenches to wristlock. Daisuke spins through, wrenches back, and wristlocks to then snapmare. Daisuke keeps on the arm but Despy fights around. Despy rolls, trips Daisuke, and has the toehold. Daisuke chinbars in return but Despy digs his elbow into the knee.
Daisuke chinlocks and pries Despy off the leg, but Despy kicks back to the ROPEBREAK! Daisuke lets go, Despy bails out, and now Daisuke waits. Despy takes his time returning, and the two reset. The fans rally as they feel things out, and they knuckle lock. But then Despy wrenches the arm to snapmare Daisuke, sit him up, and ghost pin, TWO! Daisuke slips around to headlock, but Despy powers up and out. Despy headlocks, Daisuke slips through to headlock, but Despy powers up and out again. Daisuke RUNS Despy over! Then he fakes Despy out to headlock, but Despy rolls. Daisuke rolls through, Despy trips him, STRETCH MUFFLER!
Daisuke scrambles to the ROPEBREAK and the fans cheer. Despy kneels on Daisuke, pretends to not understand what’s wrong, then he digs his knees in. The ref counts, Despy backs off, and Despy apologizes while Daisuke bails out. Despy waits, but Daisuke offers Despy to step outside. It’ll be a clean fight! Despy says step inside and it’ll be clean in here! Despy asks why it has to be outside. Daisuke CLAWS Despy’s eyes! Then he turns Despy for a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! The fans are torn while Despy writhes, but Daisuke drags Despy outside. Daisuke SMACKS Despy off the apron, then has fans clear out!
Daisuke stands Despy up, but he’s going to commentary! Despy fights back, but now Daisuke fights the desk bump! Daisuke SMACKS Despy off the desk, then grabs someone’s chair! The ref reprimands, but Daisuke puts the chair around Despy’s neck and POSTS him! The fans are torn while Despy writhes, but Daisuke leaves Despy behind. The fans rally for Despy as a ring count begins, and Despy is still down at 5 of 20. Despy sits up at 7, Daisuke wants the count to hurry up. Despy stands at 10 and rolls into the ring, only for Daisuke to DROPKICK him in the head! Despy scrambles away, clutching his neck, but Daisuke pursues!
Daisuke puts Despy back in, pushes him to a cover, ONE!! Despy toughs it out, but Daisuke KNEES him in the back of the neck! And then drops a knee on the same spot! And again! The fans rally up for Despy but Daisuke steps on him at the ropes. Daisuke then drags Despy up, puts him through ropes, and bends him back! The ref counts, Daisuke stops, then he drags Despy around to FISHERMAN SCREW! Despy sputters, but he BODY BLOWS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Daisuke CLUBS Despy, then eggs him on. Daisuke slaps Despy around, Despy slaps back, so Daisuke slaps again. Despy SMACKS Daisuke down!
The fans fire up for Despy while Daisuke is dazed. But then Daisuke kicks the leg out, and he slips around, STF! Despy endures, reaches out, but Daisuke shifts to a CROSSFACE! Despy endures, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK with a foot! Daisuke lets go to drop knee after knee on Despy’s back! Daisuke then stalks Despy to ropes, brings him around, and turns him, but Despy slips free! Despy has the leg, SHIN BREAKER! Then a DROPKICK to the leg! Daisuke hobbles to a corner while the fans rally again. Despy runs up on Daisuke, blocks a boot, and KICKS the leg! Then DRAPING DRAGON SCREW!
Daisuke hobbles but he falls over. The fans rally as Despy grabs that leg, but Daisuke kicks free. Despy kicks Daisuke’s leg, then BRAINBUSTER! The fans fire up again and Despy keeps on Daisuke, BIG back suplex! Despy hurries to haul Daisuke up again, GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO! Daisuke toughs it out and the fans rally up again. Despy drags Daisuke over to a drop zone, then climbs the corner! The fans rally, but Daisuke goes to the apron. Daisuke CLUBS Despy, ROCKS him with a right, then climbs up the corner. The fans and the ref are all worried as both men try to suplex the other from the outside!
Despy fires body shots, he steps inside, and then SUPERPLEXES Daisuke into the ring! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Despy crawls but Daisuke bails out. So Despy builds speed, but has to stop the dive as Daisuke slides in! Then Daisuke runs to RAM Despy off the apron! Despy tumbles into the chairs, but Daisuke is right after him! Daisuke drags Despy up to make him take a seat. Daisuke CLUBS Despy, then throws off his shirt before he climbs up the corner! The fans go nuts already as Daisuke aims, SUPER DUPER CROSSBODY onto Despy and the chairs!! The fans are thunderous for that wild risk Daisuke just took!
The ref checks both men, and somehow, they’re both able to continue. Daisuke hobbles away from the crash site to roll into the ring. Daisuke then goes back outside with a fresh ring count. Daisuke puts Despy in he ring at 8 of 20, then climbs up again! FLYING LARIAT! Daisuke hurries to reel Despy in, underhooks, and PEDIGREE!! Cover, TWO!! Despy survives but Daisuke hurries to SUPERKICK! Despy is up but Daisuke runs, LA MYSTI- NO, Despy makes it a FACEBUSTER! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Despy stirs, as does Daisuke, and they both slowly rise back up. Despy fires a forearm first, then another!
Despy fires another, but Daisuke ROCKS Despy with a haymaker! Daisuke whips, Despy reverses, and Despy SPINEUBSTERS! High stack, TWO, but into STRETCH MUFFLER!! Daisuke fights, reaches out, but Despy reels him into NUMERO DOS! Daisuke still fights, fights, but Despy drags him back! NUMERO DOS PLUS, but Daisuke rolls it around and around into a CROSSFACE!! Despy endures while the fans rally as hard as they can! Despy fights over, but Daisuke rolls him away from the ropes! Then Daisuke grabs the other arm, only for Despy to roll to a cradle! TWO!! Both men stand, Despy shoots around to then lift, and DOUBLE KNEE-
NO, Daisuke turns it into a DDT! Then Daisuke aims from a corner, runs up, LA MYSTIC- ARM-DRAG COUNTER! Daisuke kicks free of the stack, then uses the ref as a shield! Despy dosidos with the ref, but Daisuke shoves Despy into the ref! Daisuke whips, Despy reverses, and Daisuke ends up in a corner. Despy runs up, but into a pop-up LOW BLOW!! LA MYSTICA! CROSSFACE!! DESPY TAPS, DAISUKE WINS!!
Winner: Daisuke Sasaki, by submission (gains 2 points; Desperado earns 0)
Well, Daisuke was taught by Dick Togo, so perhaps such tactics should’ve been expected. But will Daisuke make sure NJPW is #NeverSober? Will Desperado still find his way to the BOSJ finals?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Francesco Akira!
The Japanese Young Punk and the Crown of Fire have the honor of closing out opening night, but only one can finish strong! Will Fujita remind Akira that The Mighty Don’t Kneel? Or will even The Mighty be conquered by the United Empire?
But wait, Fujita CLOBBERS Akira with a chair outta nowhere! Where’d he even come from?! Fujita rains down fists on Akira while the fans are torn, but Fujita then drags Akira up with a headlock. Red Shoes reprimands, but Fujita takes Akira right to the West sign to SMACK him off it! And SMACK him off it again, and again! Fujita laughs, the fans cheer, and Fujita brings Akira to the ring. The bell finally sounds but Fujita deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!! Akira survives but Fujita brings him back up. Akira fights free and bails out, but Fujita goes to the apron. PENALTY KICK, then QUEBRADA!
The fans are torn as indeed, the Japanese Young Punk bullies and mugs Akira. Red Shoes checks Akira but Fujita has fans clear out. But then Akira throat chops Fujita! Akira whips, Fujita reverses, but Akira stops short of the chairs! Fujita runs up, but Akira THROWS him into the chairs! Not quite a strike but Akira is pissed! Akira whips Fujita hard into more chairs! Akira then huffs ‘n’ puffs, busted open on his forehead, the red standing out against his new green hair dye. Akira says if Fujita wants to fight like that, he’ll fight like that! Akira brings a TABLE out from under the ring! Red Shoes reprimands but Akira SHOVES him down!
The fans are torn while Akira fetches Fujita. Akira SMACKS Fujita off the table, then puts him on the apron. Akira climbs up to join Fujita, and he brings Fujita up to fireman’s carry! Akira aims, but Fujita slips free! Akira ROCKS Fujita first, then brings Fujita up the ropes! Fujita fights the suplex, UPPERCUTS Akira, then runs, but into a SLINGSHOT CUTTER! The fans duel while Akira rises up. Akira rains down forearms on Fujita, then drops back to a corner. Akira has them check his bloody forehead real quick, it seems to have stopped bleeding. Akira CHOPS Fujita, and Fujita sputters. Akira scoops and SLAMS Fujita, then pushes him to a cover, TWO!
Akira sets up, STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up while Akira brings Akira into a headscissors squeeze. Fujita endures, fights forward, but Akira puts on more pressure! Fujita kicks and kicks and makes the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Akira lets go. Akira snarls, then he kicks at Fujita. Akira KICKS Fujita in the back, eggs him on, so Fujita stands. Fujita ROCKS Akira with forearm after forearm, but Akira ROCKS him back! Akira then back suplexes, but Fujita lands out! Akira kicks and whips, Fujita reverses and LEG LARIATS! The fans fire up while both men are down!
Akira bails out, Fujita goes up, out, and tightrope walks, only for Akira to slide in! Fujita hops down, springboards back up, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up while Akira tumbles out the side. Fujita just goes up, up, and SUPER CANNONBALLS! Fujita takes Akira AND Zane Jay down! Fujita brings Akira back into the ring, then PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up again as Fujita waistlocks Akira. Deadlift- NO, Akira fights the suplex, reaches for ropes, but Fujita brings him back. Fujita ducks the elbow, then ties up the legs, NEMOS- NO, Akira crawls, crawls, and makes the ROPEBREAK!
The fans cheer while Fujita lets go. Fujita storms back up on Akira, grabs a leg, but Akira clings to the ropes. Red Shoes counts, but Akira BOOTS Fujita way. Then he sidesteps, trips Fujita, and puts him under the ropes! CATAPULT GUILLOTINE! Akira LIONSAULTS onto Fujita’s back! Cover, TWO! Fujita survives and the fans fire up again, but Akira just grits his teeth. Akira drags Fujita around, reels him in, and SPEED- NO, Fujita blocks Speedfire! Akira still tries but Fujita stops him again. Akira KNEES low again and again, but Fujita grabs that leg! Fujita wrenches, but Akira KNEES low! SPEEDFIRE! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally again while Akira paces. Akira rains down fists but Red Shoes reprimands. Akira stops, taunts the fans cheering Fujita, then tells them to watch this! Akira drags Fujita up, and SMACKS him off the mat! And SMACKS him off the mat again! Akira then taunts the fans for no longer chanting for Fujita! The fans boo, but Akira sits Fujita up again. Fujita blocks the throw this time! Akira KNEES Fujita, SMACKS him off the mat again, and NOVA- NO, Fujita ducks the Fireball to ROUNDHOUSE! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! Red Shoes checks, and both men stir. They slowly rise up, and Akira grabs at Fujita.
Fujita and Akira both pull hair as they sit up. Fujita fires the first forearm, but Akira responds in kind! Fujita fires back, Akira staggers, but Akira returns to ROCK Fujita! Fujita ROCKS Akira, Akira ROCKS Fujita, repeat! The fans rally as the shots keep going, and Fujita laughs it off! Fujita SMACKS Akira! Akira SMACKS Fujita! They start a SLAP fight, and the fans fire up as it gets fast ‘n’ furious! Fujita SMACKS Akira again and again, then winds up, but Akira ENZIGIRIS! Akira runs, but Fujita ELBOWS him! Fujita runs but Akira LARIATS! Akira runs, but into a SPIN HEEL KICK! The fans are thunderous as Fujita DEADLIFT GERMANS! Bridging cover, TWO!!
Akira survives again and the fans are torn right down the middle! Akira rolls to the apron but Fujita isn’t far behind. Fujita GAMANGIRIS, then he looks to Akira’s table! Akira clings to ropes but Fujita tries to pull him away! Akira ELBOWS Fujita, then slips under to POST him! Fujita falls to the floor, Akira leaps and RAN- NO! Fujita stops the rana to then swing Akira up! And he POWERBOMBS Akira through the table!! The fans are thunderous again and Fujita drags Akira back up. Fujita puts Akira in, then whips him for a pop-up GERMAN SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO?!? But Fujita has the arms trapped!!
Akira endures as Fujita pulls on the arm! The fans rally and duel as hard as they have all night, and Akira adds a cording hold! Akira kicks, kicks, flails, but Fujita grabs the leg! BOW ‘N’ ARROW STRETCH, but Akira gives one last gasp! ROPEBREAK!! Fujita lets go but he vows to end it now! Fujita hauls Akira up, torture racks, but Akira fights with elbows! Fujita squats, but stands up! Akira slips through and hooks the arms, but Fujita spins through! Akira ducks, backslide, NOVA- NO, Fujita rolls through it to have the legs! NEMOS- CRADLE COUNTER! TWO!??! Akira hurries to run up, wheelbarrow, but Fujita stops the roll!
Fujita hauls Akira up, WHEELBARROW GERMAN! But Akira rises?!? Akira runs up, Fujita gets around him, POISON-RANA! NOVA FIREBALL?!?!? Cover, TWO?!?!? Fujita survives and Akira is beside himself! The fans are electric as Akira rises. Akira roars, vows to end it, and he drags Fujita up to reel him in. Akira hooks a leg, CROWN- CRADLE and deadlift! THRILLRIDE!!! Cover, FUJITA WINS!!
Winner: Kosei Fujita, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Akira earns 0)
It was an epic not only worthy of the main event, but perhaps even the finals! But in the end, the Crown of Fire is the one that burned out! Will Akira still be able to prove he’s the best after this unfortunate start?
As for Fujita, he sits back and gets the mic. “Oi, you big idiot! You’re sure one strong SOB! And every single time I wrestle you in BOSJ, it’s the match I’m most looking forward to. Everything here is over the top excellence, and that is something you see on the regular with me. And so, I think this year is mine to win. Every expectation you have of me, I will see you, raise you, and surpass those expectations!” With that mighty finish, will Fujita become the youngest man to go back-to-back as BOSJ Champion?
Here are the A Block standings!
Kosei Fujita: 1-0, 2 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 1-0, 2 points
Nick Wayne: 1-0, 2 points
Titan: 1-0, 2 points
Robbie X: 0-1, 0 points
Francesco Akira: 0-1, 0 points
Master Wato: 0-1, 0 points
Daiki Nagai: 0-1, 0 points
Valiente Jr: [did not compete]
Jun Kasai: [did not compete]
Here are the B Block standings!
Taiji Ishimori: 1-0, 2 points
SHO: 1-0, 2 points
HYO: 1-0, 2 points
KUSHIDA: 1-0, 2 points
Daisuke Sasaki: 1-0, 2 points
YOH: 0-1, 0 points
Robbie Eagles: 0-1, 0 points
El Desperado: 0-1, 0 points
Jakob Austin Young: 0-1, 0 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 0-1, 0 points
My Thoughts:
An awesome opening round for BOSJ, and it wasn’t even all the participants with Valiente Jr. and Jun Kasai for whatever reason not here tonight. Maybe travel stuff kept them from arriving in time? Otherwise, the tenth match on the card would’ve been Valiente VS Kasai. But even without them, great matches from start to finish, but that’s par for the course when it comes to NJPW. I really liked Sho saying his match with Kanemaru was gonna steal the show, and then all we get is them trying to outcheat the other, because duh, what else were they gonna do?
Daiki taking Douki’s spot since Douki kayfabe refused to compete, he had a great showing against Taguchi, but it feels like Daiki’s first win in this tournament is gonna happen late in the tournament so that he can act as spoiler. Yoh VS Hyo was certainly unique, and surprisingly short. Both Robbies losing was a bit of a surprise, but it makes sense since Nick Wayne is meant to make an impact this time around, and Kushida is making his return to NJPW, both of those guys needed the win. But seriously, ROH’s tape delays hurt them here because Nick Wayne VS AR Fox doesn’t air until tonight so we already know what happens there…
Daisuke being a real Heel in the end of his match was a good way for him to win while protecting Despy. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Daisuke join House of Torture in the absence of Evil. And awesome main event from Fujita VS Akira, but very fitting of the 2025 BOSJ winner basically defending his title as he goes for another. All of Fujita’s matches probably will be this awesome, or as close to it as they can get out of everyone in A Block, but who knows if he repeats.
My Score: 9/10
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Will The Prince dispatch two challengers at once?
After retaining the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, Callum Newman offered a unique challenge. Can Shingo Takagi or Yota Tsuji secure a title shot through a tag match?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Ryusuke Taguchi & Taisei Nakahara VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Kanemaru win.
- Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS Toru Yano, YOH & Master Wato; Yano, Yoh & Wato win.
- Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Taichi & El Desperado; Taichi & Desperado win.
- Yuya Uemura & Masatora Yasuda VS Ryohei Oiwa & Kosei Fujita; Oiwa & Fujita win.
- Six Man Tag: Aaron Wolf, Boltin Oleg & Tiger Mask VS Ren Narita, Yujiro Takahashi & Dick Togo; Wolf, Oleg & Tiger Mask win.
- 10 Man Tag: The Unbound Company VS The United Empire; The Empire wins.
- Championship Stakes: Callum Newman & Jake Lee VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji; Takagi & Tsuji win, and Tsuji will challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
PLAY BY PLAY
10 Man Tag: The Unbound Company VS The United Empire!
Before the Knock Out Brothers clash with the Dominator & Mauler over the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, they lead their units into war! Will Oskar, Yuto-Ice, Gedo, Taiji Ishimori & Daiki Nagai be truly unbound? Or will Great-O-Khan, Henare, Francesco Akira, Jakob Austin Young & Zane Jay conquer them for the glory of the Empire?
The teams sort out, but Yuto and Henare egg each other on as they’re forehead to forehead. The ref has them back off, but they still start the match. The bell rings and the fans rally as Yuto and Henare step back up. They’re forehead to forehead again as they talk trash, then they fire forearm after forearm! The fans rally as Henare ROCKS Yuto, but Yuto fires a flurry in return! Henare fires a flurry of his own, then runs, but into a BOOT! Henare wobbles but he comes right back. Yuto laughs as he ROCKS Henare! Yuto runs, ROCKS Henare again, but Henare roars! Henare eggs Yuto on, Yuto runs the ropes, but Henare RUNS him over!
Henare sits Yuto up to KICK him in the back, then KICK again! The fans rally as Henare runs, but Yuto avoids the Rugby Kick! Henare still kicks low, whips to ropes, but Yuto reverses to BOOT Henare down! The fans fire up with Yuto, and he KICKS Henare in the back! And KICKS him again! Henare scrambles to a corner but Yuto swaggers his way over. Yuto KICKS, and KNEES, and SOBATS! Henare sits down, Yuto gets gangsta! “BOMBACLAT!” But Henare gets up to fireman’s carry! Yuto slips free, Henare dodges a lariat, but so does Yuto! Henare swats the boot, Yuto ducks the heel kick, and the fans cheer the standoff!
Zane has Henare calm down, and wants him to tag. Henare tags Zane, and Zane calls out Daiki. Daiki tags in, and these two still have to settle how they ended the Young Lion Cup. Zane eggs Daiki on, so Daiki ROCKS him! Zane fires back, Daiki fires another, and the fans rally as the two brawl! Daiki whips, Zane reverses, but Daiki redirects! Zane hurdles, drops down, but Daiki avoids the dropkick! Daiki runs to basement DROPKICK! Zane scrambles to a corner while the fans fire up. Daiki runs in, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Zane toughs it out but the fans rally behind Daiki. Daiki storms up on Zane but Zane wants mercy. Daiki says no and he ROCKS Zane!
Daiki runs in at the corner, but Zane counters the monkey flip to put Daiki up top! Zane DROPKICKS Daiki down, then the Empire BLASTS the Unbound corner! They all brawl on the outside and into the crowd! Oskar CLUBS Khan, Yuto fires forearms on Henare, but Henare BODY BLOWS and CHOPS! Oskar has fans clear out, then he whips Khan, but Khan reverses! Oskar tumbles into the chairs! Yuto CHOKES Henare, Henare shoves Yuto away, and Zane has Daiki in the ring. Zane bumps Daiki off buckles while Khan JAMS Oskar with a chair! Khan SMACKS Oskar on the back with it, too! The fans are torn as Khan roars.
Henare and Yuto return ringside, and Khan uses a chair to sit on Oskar! Khan taunts Oskar, then steps off. Henare uses a DEATH GRIP on Yuto! Henare THROWS Yuto into chairs, then he smothers a Young Lion for getting in the way! Henare even scares ring staff off before going to ringside. Zane CHOKES Daiki, the ref counts, and Zane stops at 4. Zane tags #DangerousJay and he UPPERCUTS Daiki. Jakob CHOKES Daiki in the corner, then brings him around. Jakob whips Daiki to ropes, ELBOWS him down, then covers, TWO! The fans applaud as Daiki toughs it out, but Jakob brings him back up. Jakob tags Akira, and he taunts Oskar!
The ref has to keep Oskar back, but this all lets Khan bend Daiki’s fingers! The Empire mugs Daiki in the corner, and Jakob even CLAWS Daiki’s eyes! Khan tells commentary to shut up, but Daiki fights back! Akira KNEES low, whips, and drop toeholds. Akira SMACKS Daiki off the mat again, then kneels on a cocky cover. TWO, but Akira taunts the Unbound Company. Akira bumps Daiki off buckles, tags Khan, and Khan dumps Daiki out. The rest of the Empire mugs Daiki while the fans boo. Zane puts Daiki back in for Khan, and Khan drags Daiki around. Khan steps on Daiki for a cocky cover, TWO! Daiki toughs it out but Khan soaks up the cheers and jeers.
Khan scuffs Daiki as Daiki tries to crawl away. Khan eggs Daiki on, offering a free hit. Daiki stands, but Khan dodges the hit. Khan laughs at Daiki for falling for his trap quite literally! Khan then drags Daiki up, but Daiki fires forearms after all! The fans rally as Daiki HEADBUTTS! Daiki whips, Khan reverses, and Khan runs up, only for Daiki to dodge! Hot tag to Oskar! The fans fire up as the giant German RUNS Khan over, BLASTS Henare, then whips Khan corner to corner! Zane runs up but Oskar BOOTS him away! Oskar runs up, DOUBLE ELBOW for Zane and Khan! Akira runs up to jump on Oskar’s back! Oskar RAMS Akira into a corner!
Jakob storms in, but Oskar guzels! Akira runs up, but Oskar guzels! Oskar gives them a meeting of the minds, then a DOUBLE LARIAT! The fans fire up with Oskar, and he goes back for Khan. Oskar drags Khan up, scoops, but Henare KICKS Oskar’s leg! The ref reprimands but Henare KICKS and KICKS and BODY BLOWS! Henare HEADBUTTS, then DEATH GRIPS! Henare HEADBUTTS Oskar, then he and Khan bring Oskar around. Oskar fights the lift, but Henare blocks the boot! But then Oskar guzels Henare! Henare can’t reach Oskar for the Death Grip! Oskar then guzels Khan, but they both break free! DOUBLE BODY BLOW!
The ref reprimands, but #Khanare double whip Oskar. He breaks their lariats, but the DOUBLE BOOTS hit! Yuto is in, he shoves Henare into Khan! Then he fires off fast hands on Henare, bobs ‘n’ weaves, then ROCKS Henare! Henare drops, Yuto ICE HIGHS! But Henare is up, LARIAT! The fans fire up while all four men are down! Oskar rises, he SWATS Khan’s haymaker to have the NIGHTMARE SLEEPER! But Khan BITES Oskar’s arm! IRON CLAW! But Oskar pries it away, only for Khan to KICK the leg, and BOOT Oskar down! The fans rally as both men crawl for their corners. Hot tags to Akira and Taiji!
The fans fire up as the two rush in! Akira dodges the boot to headlock, but Taiji powers up and out. Akira RUNS Taiji over, then keeps moving. Taiji drops, hurdles, but Akira shoves! Taiji RANAS! Akira tumbles, Taiji runs up, DOUBLE KNEES! Then a fireman’s carry, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, and a BASEMENT SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Akira is tougher than that but Taiji stays on him. Taiji gut wrenches, but Akira fights to turn it around! CIPHER- NO, Taiji lands out to whip Akira. Akira reverses, Taiji handsprings, but into a waistlock! Akira then spins Taiji around, SPEEDFIRE! Akira sputters, he can’t make the cover!
Taiji and Akira crawl, hot tag to Jakob! Jakob drags Taiji up, he and Akira DOUBLE SUPLEX, but Daiki makes the save! Akira & Jakob kick Daiki, then whip, but Daiki ducks ‘n’ dodges to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! The fans cheer the Unbound Young Lion as he flounders to a corner, and Taiji tags Gedo! Gedo JABS, JABS, and JABS! Gedo winds up, but Jakob CLAWS Gedo’s eyes! Jakob winds up, but Gedo UPPERCUTS! Then SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Jakob survives but Gedo stays focused. Gedo tells Jakob to get up, then he mule kicks the leg! Body scissors, GEDO CLUTCH! But Zane ELBOW DROPS Gedo down!
Zane drags Gedo up, and he FALL AWAY SLAMS! Jakob gets Gedo back up, for the HAMMERLOCK DDT! Cover, The Empire wins!
Winners: The United Empire, by pinfall
Another bites the dust, and The Empire is control on this New Japan Road! Henare taunts Yuto with his tag title, but that just sparks a new brawl! Young Lions hurry to stop this, but easier said than done! The rest of the teams get in there, too, and Unbound Company must fall back, if only for now. But will things be different with their best in the main event?
Championship Stakes: Callum Newman & Jake Lee VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji!
It was just 48 hours ago that The Prince slayed the Rampaging Dragon, although with controversial and underhanded tactics. He’s so confident, in fact, he’s giving Takagi and Tsuji another chance! Will Callum cross off two names from the list for the rest of his reign? Or will someone from the Unbound Company have a golden ticket to the top title in NJPW?
The teams sort out, but Callum can’t help himself. He taunts Takagi and Tsuji with the belt, so they attack! They mug Callum, then Yota kicks Jake. Yota TOSSES Jake, the bell rings, and Unbound mug Callum again. They double whip then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans cheer while Takagi ELBOW DROPS! The fans rally as Takagi eggs Callum on. Callum goes to a corner, Takagi runs up, but Callum dodges. Callum runs back in, but Takagi puts him on the apron. Callum RAMS Takagi, slingshots up and over, then keeps moving. Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges but Takagi sidesteps to HIP TOSS! Callum staggers to his feet, Takagi LARIATS him up and out!
Callum stumbles into and then tumbles over the railing! Yota goes after Jake while Takagi hurries through the gate to fetch Callum. Yota whips Jake hard into railing, then stalks him around the way, while Takagi KNEES Callum low. Takagi brings Callum around to SMACK him off the timekeeper’s table! Takagi ROCKS Callum, follows him to another section of the crowd, while Yota DOUBLE CHOPS Jake out of a chair! Takagi ROCKS Callum again and the fans rally behind him. Callum wants to escape but Takagi stalks him. Takagi SMACKS Callum off some chairs, then HEADBUTTS him down! Yota brings Jake up to ROCK with a forearm of his own!
Jake stumbles around through the crowd, knocking chairs over as he tries to flee. Yota pursues as Jake begs young fans to help. Yota grabs that hand to SNAP fingers! The ring count finally starts as Callum SMACKS Takagi off a table! Takagi considers throwing that table but thinks better of it. Takagi pursues Callum as Callum heads back to ringside, but Yota BOOTS Jake out of a seat! The count is 15 of 20 as Callum and Takagi roll inside. Callum wants mercy, even apologizes, but Takagi CHOKES him! Red Shoes counts, Takagi stops at 4, and Callum clings to the ropes. Takagi kicks Callum into letting go, then brings him up.
Takagi JABS Callum and Callum falls against ropes. Takagi JABS again and Callum flounders. Callum calls to Jake but Takagi keeps him back. Callum fights the lift with elbows, then BODY BLOWS! Callum runs, but Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! But Callum trips Takagi and PUNTS him in the side! Just like in their title match! Jake BLASTS Yota off the apron, then goes out to stomp him down! Red Shoes reprimands but Jake drags Yota up and grinds him into railing. Callum pushes Takagi out of the ring while Jake fires body shots on Yota. Callum RAMS Takagi into railing, then brings him around to POST him!
Takagi staggers while Callum mockingly cheers him on. Jake POSTS Yota and does the same. Callum KICKS Takagi in the side, then flexes before he SPITS at Takagi! The fans boo but Callum ROCKS Takagi again. Callum puts Takagi in the ring, taunts Yota from across the way, then slingshots to stomp Takagi down. Callum dares Yota to reach out for Takagi, then he stomps Takagi. Callum digs his heel in, then he tags Jake. Jake swaggers and talks some trash, then he brings out the black glove! Callum KNEES Takagi before Jake takes Takagi’s shirt off. Jake shows off the bad ribs while he says it is picture time! Jake gives Takagi the DENTAL CHECK!
The fans are torn as Jake shoves Takagi down and takes off the glove. Jake mockingly applauds that Takagi passed his dental exam, then he stomps Takagi down. Tag to Callum and Callum clamps onto the arm. Callum traps the arm, kneels on Takagi, then digs his knuckles into the bad ribs! Yota BOOTS Callum, then backs off as Jake runs up. Callum calls BS, but he drags Takagi to stomp him down! Callum KICKS Takagi, then sits for a cocky cover, TWO! Callum clamps onto Takagi, wags his finger at Yota, then grinds Takagi’s bad arm. The fans rally for Takagi as he rises up and fires body shots! Callum KNEES low, then bumps Takagi off buckles.
Callum tags Jake back in and Jake again taunts Takagi. Callum CHOKES Takagi, and Jake KICKS Takagi in the side! The fans rally for Takagi as he rises again, and he rips away the tape! Takagi snarls as he ROCKS Jake again and again! But Jake kicks low, CLAWS Takagi’s face, then runs. Takagi blocks the boot to CLUB the leg! Takagi whips, Jake reverses, but Takagi blocks the knee! DRAGON SCREW! The fans cheer while both men are down! Hot tag to Yota! The fans fire up as Yota BLASTS Callum off the corner, then kicks and whips Jake. Jake reverses but Yota BOOTS him! Yota BLASTS Callum again, then DIVES! Direct hit and Callum hits railing!
The fans fire up for Yota and he slingshots into the ring. Yota then whips Jake corner to corner, runs up, but Jake dodges the splash! BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Yota is tougher than that, but Jake signals he’s taking his shot. Jake drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Yota tries to suplex but Jake fights the lift! They fight for control as the fans rally, and Jake suplexes! But Yota lands out! Yota ducks an elbow to FLATLINER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Takagi calls to Yota and Yota crawls over. Yota is a bit unsure, but he hot tags Takagi anyway! The fans fire up as Takagi powers up and LARIATS in the corner!
Takagi fires the fans up more, and he JABS, JABS, JABS in the corner! Then a CHOP! Jake roars, but Takagi ELBOWS him! Takagi runs, but into the KITCHEN SINK KNEE! It hit pretty high and Takagi falls. Jake tags Callum, Callum BOOTS Yota! Callum stands Takagi up for Jake to KITCHEN SINK KNEE! Then EXCALIBUR!! Cover, YOTA BREAKS IT! The fans cheer, and Yota TOSSES Jake! Callum kicks and TOSSES Yota! Callum is frustrated, but he still mocks Takagi’s pain. Callum kicks Takagi around, and mockingly asks if it hurts. Callum CLUBS Takagi, eggs him on, then ROCKS him with a forearm.
Callum eggs Takagi on, but Takagi SLAPS him! Callum DECKS Takagi for that! Callum sits Takagi up, mocks the prayer hands, then KICKS Takagi in the back! Takagi stays up, and he’s getting mad! The fans fire up as Takagi rises, but Callum BOOTS! And BOOTS! And BOOTS! Takagi just gets angrier! Callum fires knee after knee, but Takagi headbutts the buckles! The fans fire up but Callum BOOTS again! Callum runs, but into the ELBOW! SOBAT! JAB! HEEL KICK! Callum feints the run, but Takagi LARIATS first! Callum LARIATS in return! Both men stand but stagger, and Yota tags in! The fans fire up as Yota hurries to BLAST Jake!
Yota then goes back to Callum and ROCKS him with a forearm! Callum staggers around, Yota ROCKS him again, and again! The fans fire up with Yota, he whips Callum to ropes, but Callum grabs ropes! Yota runs up, Callum BOOTS him away, and Jake jumps in! Jake kicks and whips Yota to a corner, then runs up, but he blocks the boot. Yota reels Jake in for the STOMP! Yota runs up but Callum wrenches through, short arm LARIAT! The fans rally up again while everyone is down! Callum sits up, kisses the crown tattoo, and brings Yota up. Callum goes to fireman’s carry but Yota fights it. Callum powers through, but Yota slips free!
Yota feeds Callum to Takagi’s ELBOW! Yota BOOTS, Takagi BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and Yota GENE TRIGGERS! Then they DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Callum survives and Takagi has to sort out who is legal. Red Shoes and Yota explain that tag from earlier, but then Callum kicks them both! Callum runs, but into the ELBOW! BACKBREAKER! JAB! Then Yota pump handles, but Jake CLAWS Yota’s face! Takagi RUNS Jake over, Callum BOOTS Takagi down, but Yota scoops to BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while all four men are down again! Yota and Callum stir, and Callum flips off the fans cheering Yota.
Yota rises up, Callum wants mercy, and Yota hesitates. But then Callum SPITS at him! Callum fires a forearm, Yota fires back, and repeat! The fans rally up as the shots go back and forth, faster and faster! Callum fires a flurry, runs, but Yota follows to SPLASH in the corner! Yota runs but Callum follows to HELLUVA KICK! Callum runs, Yota follows, GENE TRIGGER! Yota keeps moving, but he dodges Callum to then GAMANGIRI! Yota puts Callum up top, climbs up, and SUPER STEINERS! Cover, TWO! Callum survives but Yota roars! The fans cheer Yota on as he pump handles, but Callum slips free! Callum shoves Yota at Red Shoes! Yota stops short, but Callum LOW BLOWS!
The fans boo but Callum turns around as Takagi runs in! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but neither man falls! They DOUBLE LARIAT again, and Callum flops against Takagi! Takagi fires boxing elbows on Callum, then winds up, but Callum ROCKS! ROLLING- JAB! Callum grabs at Red Shoes, uses him as a shield, but Takagi stops the low blow! Takagi shoves Callum at Red Shoes, REVENGE LOW BLOW! Yota SUPERKICKS! Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS! And they set Callum up for the PUMPING BLASTER!! Cover, Jake breaks it! KNEE for Takagi, then a ROUNDHOUSE! But Takagi rebounds, PUMPING BOMBER on Jake!!
Takagi tells Yota to finish this! Yota GENE BLASTERS Callum!! Cover, Yota & Takagi win!!
Winners: Yota Tsuji & Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (Yota Tsuji is the NEW #1 Contender to the IWGP Heavyweight Championship)
Callum got too cocky in his young reign, and now he’s the one staring up at the lights! But will he have a better game plan for when the title is on the line?
As for the Unbound Company, they catch their breath before Yota takes the mic. “OI, CALLUM! Too bad for you. To me, the path you forge is darkness. I won’t let NJPW go down that path. I will lead NJPW towards the light of hope.” The fans applaud that. Callum says see you at Dominion then! Callum leaves, and Yota continues by saying with Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement, the New Beginning, and now Dominion, NJPW has changed dramatically. But now, Yota meets Callum in a rematch for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in Dominion’s main event, carrying that responsibility and determination in his heart!
The fans cheer again, and Yota says, “OI, NJPW! And Callum Newman… ARE YOU READY?!” The fans cheer again, and Yota promises to be the one to carry NJPW on his shoulders! Mic drop from the Gene Blast, but will he dethrone the Prince already? Or will Callum solidify NJWP as his dominion?
My Thoughts:
A very good New Japan Road event as also a sendoff to Dominion. Really good tune-ups, and the 10 Man Tag especially for the build into the Heavyweight Tag title match. Empire winning here might show KOB wins when the time comes, but Best of the Super Juniors is next so there will be more and more tune-up filler matches first. And great tag match main event with the unique stipulation. As I said before, Yota losing both belts is so he can have his heroic journey back to the top. Yota getting the win here makes sense as it sets up the rematch from losing to Callum, and Dominion’s going to have a great main event that could honestly go either way.
My Score: 8.8/10
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