NJPW PPV Results
Mitchell’s NJPW Road to Destruction Results & Report! (9/14/24)
Will Evil NEVER win?
Will The King of Darkness trump President Ace?
NJPW’s Road to Destruction continues as The House of Torture goes after the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships! Will Darkness Fall on Hokkaido?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Toru Yano & Kazushi Sakuraba VS Masatora Yasuda & Daiki Nagai; Yano & Sakuraba win.
- 20 Man Noboribetsu Ranbo: Shota Umino wins the luxury pass to the Noboribetsu hot springs.
- Six Man Tag: Chaos VS Bullet Club War Dogs; War Dogs win.
- 10 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire; The Empire wins.
- NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture; Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg win and retain the titles.
PLAY BY PLAY
20 Man Noboribetsu Ranbo!
NJPW being in Hokkaido is a special occasion, and while this may be a battle royal, this is a special treat! Noboribetsu is known for its luxurious hot spring resorts, so the winner of this match will get a special VIP pass! Who puts in a hard day’s work to have a relaxing weekend?
First out is a Young Lion, Katsuya Murashima! Could this be his moment to graduate? Second out is his fellow Young Lion, Shoma Kato! Could this be his moment to graduate? The bell rings and the ranbo begins! The two tie up, Shamo headlocks but Katsuya slips out the back. Katsuya has a leg, he brings Shoma down, then waistlocks. Shoma switches, Katsuya switches, repeat, and the two break. The fans cheer and the two reset. They tie up again, Shoma wrenches to wristlock, but Katsuya rolls, wrenches and hammerlocks. Katsuya headlocks but Shoma fires body shots. Shoma powers up but Katsuya grinds the hold!
Shoma fights up, but Katsuya grinds the headlock mover. Katsuya hits a takeover, but here comes entry number 3! As Shoma powers up and puts Katsuya on ropes, the music plays. Katsuya lets go of the headlock, but Shoma CHOPS! Katsuya fires forearms, Shoma fires back, and repeat! The fans rally up because here comes Yuma 24! Hokkaido’s own storms into the ring and he ROCKS Katsuya! And he fires off hands on Shoma, but Shoma hits back! Shoma whips Yuma at the corner, then runs in, but Yuma dodges! Shoma hits buckles, and then Yuma tabletops him! BASEMENT BLOCKBUSTER! The fans cheer as Yuma stands tall.
Katsuya runs up to fire forearms with Yuma, and then Yuma CLAWS eyes! Yuma goes to throw Katsuya out but Shoma CLUBS Yuma! The countdown is back while the Young Lions stomp Yuma. Katsuya then goes after Shoma to fire forearms. Shoma turns it around to fire forearms back! Fourth out is… Tomoaki Honma! Everyone’s Kokeshi is here, and he steps in to fire hands on the Young Lions! Yuma runs up but Honma ROCKS him, CHOPS him, then CHOPS again! And CHOPS again in the corner! Honma whips corner to corner, runs in, and ELBOWS Yuma! Yuma staggers, into a BULLDOG! The fans fire up as Honma calls for it!
Honma runs, but Yuma dodges the Kokeshi! Yuma stomps Honma, drags him up, and CLUBS him! The countdown’s back already, and Yuma stomps Honma to a corner. The Young Lions go after Yuma now, and work to throw him out! Yuma holds onto the ropes, but Honma works with them! Yuma fights them off, and fifth is Tiger Mask! The fans cheer the living legend Super Junior as he hurries into the ring. Tiger Mask is swarmed by the Young Lions! Tiger ROCKS Katsuya, but Shoma whips. Tiger grabs ropes to stop, and Shoma’s dropkick gets nothing! Katsuya covers Shoma! TWO! Tiger kicks Katsuya, then sets him up for Honma!
Honma runs in, but Katsuya slips away, and Honma CLOBBERS Tiger mask! Honma checks on his friend, apologizes, then he CLUBS Katsuya. The countdown is back already, and Honma sets Katsuya up for Yuma. Yuma runs up, Katsuya gets away, and Yuma CLOBBERS Honma! Shoma rolls up Yuma! TWO!! Yuma escapes and here comes number six, Kosei Fujita! Will the Japanese Young Punk prove that while The Might Don’t Kneel, they do like to relax in hot springs? Fujita runs in, dodges Katsuya and CHOPS! Katsuya fires forearms in return, then whips, but Fujita reverses. Katsuya ducks ‘n’ dodges, to run Fujita over!
The fans fire up, but then Fujita’s right up to run Katsuya over! The fans fire up more, and Fujita brings Katsuya up to TOSS him out! Katsuya lands on the apron, but Fujita GAMANGIRIS him down! Fujita ELIMINATES Katsuya! Fujita bails out before Honma gets at him, so Tiger Mask and Honma trade shots. Fujita steps on Katsuya on his way back in, and the countdown is back again. Tiger Mask ELBOWS Honma down, Fujita and Yuma work together against Shoma, but Shoma holds them off. Out seventh is… Jado! The Master Heater high fives fans and hurries in. Honma scopos Fujita and goes for ropes!
Fujita holds on, Yuma tries to help, but Fujita fights free! Fujita goes to lift Honma now! Yuma helps Fujita again while Jado and Tiger Mask are after Shoma. They whip, kick and KICK Shoma! Cover, TWO! Shoma stays in this, as does Honma. Fujita CLUBS Honma down while Tiger Mask KICKS Shoma! Jado brings Shoma up, the countdown is back again, and the old guys keep mugging Shoma. Oh that music is obvious, here comes Ryusuke Taguchi! Or as that cardboard belt says, the Hokkaido PR Champion. Taguchi climbs the corner, leaps in, but into a FLYING FOREARM from Shoma! Shoma TOSSES Taguchi out!
Taguchi is on the apron, Shoma ROCKS him then runs, but Taguchi slingshots in! Taguchi dropkicks a leg, then La Magistrol! Cover, THREE! Taguchi ELIMINATES Shoma! The Young Lions are done, and Honma stomps Yuma. Taguchi, Tiger Mask AND Jado go up to Fujita. Fujita fires forearms but he gets mugged 3v1! The countdown is done, here comes number nine, Francesco Akira! The Nova Fireball slides in, and he dodges Fujita to kick and whip,. Fujita reverses but Akira RANAS! Fujita bails out, Yuma kicks Akira and TOSSES him! Akira lands on the apron, Yuma runs up, but Akira DUMPS him out!
Yuma lands on the apron, he UPPERCUTS Akira, but Akira SUPERKICKS in return! Yuma wobbles, then falls to the floor! Akira ELIMINATES Yuma! Akira steps in, kicks Taguchi, and then scrapes Taguchi on ropes! But Honma and Tiger Mask join in! And Jado, and even Fujita! They all work to lift Akira but he holds on stubbornly! Taguchi climbs up, but he ends up tipping over the top rope! Fujita runs back up to try and push the pile! Fujita then slides out so he can pull Taguchi from the outside! Taguchi is still holding on tight! The countdown is back, and number ten is… Taka Michinoku! Will the Blue Playmaker grab those luxury tickets?
Taguch is still fighting off Honma! He drops to the apron, and now Honma tries to scrape him off! Akira and Fujita fight in another corner, and Fujita throws elbows to back Akira off. Taka fires hands on Tiger, then DECKS him! Fujita turns things around on Akira, Akira hits back, but Jado joins in. Honma kicks Taguchi’s legs out, then KOKESHI FLOPS! Taguchi fires up, wiggles, KOKESHI FLOPS! Honma drags Taguchi up while the countdown is back. Honma scoops and SLAMS Taguchi! KOKESHI FLOPS again! Number 11 is… TOMOYA! The fans fire up as another Hokkaido hero joins the match!
Tomoya fires hands on Honma, suplexes, and he holds Honma up for TEN before the SLAM! Cover, TWO! Honma stays in this, but also bails out, so Tomoya digs his boot into Akira. Tiger KICKS Taka, Fujita CHOPS Tomoya. Tomoya CHOPS Fujita, Fujita CHOPS back! They CHOP back and forth and Tomoya eggs Fujita on! They CHOP and CHOP, and the countdown is back. Akira hoists Fujita up, Tiger Mask has Taka, and number 12 is… Hiroyoshi Tenzan! The fans fire up as another living legend is here! Tenzan storms in, and he locks eyes with Tomoya. Tomoya fires forearms, but the fans hiss with steam for Tenzan.
Tenzan kicks Tomoya, HEADBUTTS him, then Mongolian Chops! Tomoya falls and the fans fire up! Tenzan kicks Tomoya, bumps him off buckles, then goes to push him out! Tomoya holds on so Tenzan CLUBS him! Tomoya hits back, the countdown is back, and number 13 is… TAKASHI IIZUKA! And he doesn’t come from the stage, he comes in from behind the crowd! The fans fire up as this madman storms his way up the aisle! Fans watch out as he goes through the rows, and pushes his way to the stage! Iizuka’s madness keeps him storming through the rest of the crowd! No one in the ring is sure what to make of this!
Iizuka just keeps going, does he even know he’s supposed to go to the ring!? Iizuka completes a full lap, and NOW he’s ringside! The fans fire up as Iizuka storms into the ring, armed with the iron fingers! Everyone stays clear of this insanity! Iizuka eyes Taka but Taka says they’re friends! Suzuki-Gun, remember? Akira waistlocks but Taka switches and shoves Akira at Iizuka! IRON FINGER STRIKE!! Taka TOSSES Akira and ELIMINATES him! Iizuka now eyes Tenzan! The fans fire up and Tenzan tells Iizuka to put the fingers down. Iizuka takes a swing! Tenzan dodges to Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chop! But Iizuka kicks low, and IRON FINGER STRIKES!!
Taka covers Tenzan! Taka ELIMINATES Tenzan!! “Taka” means “hawk” but he’s being a real vulture, picking at those Iizuka takes out! But then Iizuka BITES Taka on the forehead! The countdown’s back, and number 14 is… Taichi! The Holy Emperor rushes in to stop Iizuka from eating Taka! Taichi CLUBS Iizuka, TOSSES him, but that was the second rope! Taichi goes out to stomp away on Iizuka, and then drags him up. He tells Shinpei Nagomi on commentary, and Nagomi asks why Iizuka is doing this! The fans cheer as it seems Iizuka’s senses have returned, but then Iizuka LEAPS over the desk to get at Nagomi!!
The fans go wild as Iizuka rips Nagomi’s shirt away, to reveal he’s wearing “Blue Justice” Yuji Nagata merchandise! Iizuka still hasn’t forgiven Nagomi for being a Blue Justice fanboy back in the day! He’s ripping THAT shirt away, too! Then he THROWS Nagomi into the crowd! Taichi then throws Iizuka back into the ring, Nagomi returns to commentary, and everyone else gangs up on Iizuka and Taichi! Everyone TOSSES and ELIMINATES Taichi and Iizuka! The countdown is back, but Taguchi rolls up Taka! TWO! Taichi gets Iizuka away from ringside, and now number 15 is… Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
The Heel Master jumps in, but Taka and Fujita are right on him! They and Tiger Mask beat Kanemaru down. Kanemaru fights back, CLAWS Fujita’s eyes, and then CHOKES Fujita on ropes. Taguchi sneaks a swig of Kanemaru’s whiskey! The effects are immediate! The countdown returns, and number 16 is… SHO! The House of Torture is building up in this match, but The Murder Machine clearly hides his Torture Tool in his towel. Fujita ends up on the apron, Tiger Mask whips Kanemaru at Fujita, and Fujita RAMS Kanemaru! Kanemaru ROCKS Fujita back, but Fujita stays up to ROCK Kanemaru!
Kanemaru staggers, Fujita slingshots, but Kanemaru shoves the ref at him! Fujita falls to the floor, Kanemaru ELIMINATES Fujita! The fans boo but Sho whips Tiger Mask. Tiger Mask reverses, wrenches, waistlocks, but Sho switches. Tiger Mask fires elbows but Sho CLUBS Tiger Mask. Sho has the arms, but Tiger Mask FLIP KICKS! The countdown is back! Tiger Mask kicks Kanemaru, whips him, but Kanemaru reverses to TOSS Tiger Mask right to the floor! Kanemaru ELIMINATES Tiger Mask! Taguchi runs up at Sho but into an atomic drop! Sho sits Taguchi on the ropes and pulls! The Funky Weapon suffers pain!
Kanemaru runs up to DROPKICK Taguchi! Taguchi tumbles to the floor, The House of Torture ELIMINATES Taguchi! Number 17 is… DOUKI! Japones Del Mal storms in to fire hands on Kanemaru, but Kanemaru and Sho mug him! They double whip Douki to a corner, Sho runs in, but Douki dodges. Kanemaru mule kicks Douki, then holds him up. Sho runs up but into BOOTS! Douki headlocks Kanemaru, jumps up again, and he RANA SNAPMARE COMBOS! Douki then dodges The House, and springboards to DOUBLE BACK ELBOW! The fans fire up with Douki, Honma hurries to cover Kanemaru, ONE!
Douki stomps Honma, drags Kanemaru up, and whips him to ropes. Kanemaru reverses to then dropkick the legs out! Douki goes to ropes, Kanemaru runs in, but Douki BOOTS him! But he also goes up and out to the apron! Kanemaru kicks Douki, runs up, but Douki DUMPS Kanemaru out! Kanemaru kicks Douki, Douki UPPERCUTS Kanemaru! Kanemaru dropkicks the legs out! Kanemaru grabs Douki’s leg, and KNEE SMASHES to the floor! DOUBLE ELIMINATION! A sacrifice play from Kanemaru but we know he wants that IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship over the Noboribetsu onsens!
The countdown is back, and number 18 is… Sanada! The Cold Skull makes his way out here, right as Sho rolls up and ELIMINATES Taka!! Well now Sanada’s the last of Just5Guys! Sanada storms in, Sho gets his wrench! The refs reprimand Sho but Sho keeps trying to hide it! Sanada runs up to TOSS and ELIMINATE Sho! That’s what he gets for breaking rules! But now Sanada finds himself alone with Jado, Honma and Tomoya. The fans rally for Sanada, and the four men feel things out. The countdown is back already? Sanada and Honma tie up, Honma waistlocks but Sanada switches, and number 19 is… Shota Umino!
Honma throws elbows, Jado CLUBS Sanada, and The Roughneck comes in from the crowd! Jado knocks Sanada down, ties him up, but Sanada kicks him away! Shota storms in but Tomoya is right on him! Tomoya and Shota fire forearms back and forth, and Sanada puts Jado in Paradise! Honma is the odd man out watching as Tomoya knuckle locks then CHOPS Shota. Sanada pushes Jado down, Jado verbally quits! Sanada ELIMINATES Jado! Who knew Paradise could hurt? Honma rolls Sanada, TWO! Tomoya goes up the ropes, but Shota trips him up! Shota stomps Tomya, brings him up and TOSSES him out, Shota ELIMINATES Tomoya!
Shota, Honma and Sanada are the only ones in the ring, and Sanada says hold on, that’s 2v1. Shota and Honma still stomp and CLUB him down! But here comes the final countdown! Number 20 is… Zack Sabre Jr?! The G1 Climax Champion brings his trophy to the ring, is he looking to add even more prizes to the collection? ZSJ even throws his TMDK G1 baseball jersey to the crowd! Free souvenir for someone, and ZSJ slides into the ring. Shota digs his boots into Sanada, but the fans fire up as “ZAKKU! ZAKKU!” and Honma feel things out. ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Honma CHOPS, repeat! ZSJ UPPERCUTS again and again, but Honma clinches!
Honma feeds ZSJ to Shota’s UPPERCUT! Honma ROCKS ZSJ, Shota scoops and SLAMS! Shota points to a corner, and Honma goes up! Shota holds ZSJ down, but then ZSJ kicks free and avoids the FALLING KOKESHI! Honma FLOPS, ZSJ clamps on with a headscissors squeeze! ZSJ rolls Honma to getting an arm! Honma TAPS, ZSJ ELIMINATES Honma! Now the final three are ZSJ, Shota and Sanada! The fans rally up as the three stare down. There are equal parts “SA-NA-DA!” “ZAKKU! ZAKKU!” and “SHOTA! SHOTA!” as they circle. They feel things out, they all knuckle lock, but then Shota kicks Sanada!
Shota UPPERCUTS ZSJ, ZSJ UPPERCUTS Sanada, Sanada UPPERCUTS Shota! The UPPERCUTS keep going around like that, from Shota to ZSJ to Sanada, but then Shota hooks Sanada! Sanada fights the backslide but ZSJ shoves them both over! Double cover, TWO!! Shota and Sanada escape, and then Shota cradles ZSJ! TWO!! Sanada rolls Shota to a cradle, TWO!! ZSJ runs up on Sanada, and cradles! TWO!! The fans fire up, ZSJ BOOTS Shota then BOOTS Sanada! ZSJ runs, but into DOUBLE DROPKICKS! The fans are thunderous, and even Shota and Sanada applaud respect. Shota offers a hand, Sanada takes it, to reel Shota into a cradle! TWO!!
Shota escapes, runs up, but Sanada gets around. Shota bucks the O’Conner, TOSSES Sanada, but Sanada lands on the apron! Shota ROCKS Sanada, but ZSJ runs up! Shota dodges, Sanada ROCKS ZSJ, but then ZSJ dodges Shota! ZSJ waistlocks Shota, RAMS him into Sanada, and Sanada falls! ZSJ & Shota ELIMINATE Sanada, but then ZSJ O’Conner Rolls Shota to a BRIDGE! TWO!! Shota escapes, runs up, but ZSJ TOSSES him! ZSJ runs up, Shota RAMS him then slingshots to sunset flip! ZSJ rolls through but Shota underhooks! ZSJ wrenches out to PELE the arm! ZSJ scoops, Shota slips free, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS him down!
Shota sits up, into a PENALTY KICK! Shota rolls back to his feet! UPPERCUT! ZSJ falls and the fans fire up! Shota rises, the fans duel, and Shota takes aim. ZSJ rises, Shota runs up, BLAZE BLADE! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives but Shota roars! The fans fire up again and Shota drags ZSJ up. ZSJ slips around, COBRA TWIST! Shota endures, the fans rally, and Shota powers up to head for ropes. ZSJ puts on the pressure but Shota still has the ROPEBREAK, and he hip tosses ZSJ out! ZSJ lands on the apron, ROCKS Shota, then has a SLEEPER! ZSJ drags Shota up, bends him back against ropes, but Shota JAWBREAKERS!
Shota DROPKICKS, but ZSJ holds on! Shota runs, UPPERCUTS, and ZSJ falls! Shota wins!!
Winner: Shota Umino (wins the Noboribetsu hot springs pass)
The G1 Climax Champion tried to take another prize for his own, but in the end, it is The Roughneck who will be relaxing this weekend! Will Shota be refreshed and ready for the coming Autumn season?
After Six Man Tag: Chaos VS Bullet Club War Dogs…
While Gabe Kidd gets the win off a brainbuster, The War Dogs aren’t done with Hirooki Goto, Yoshi-Hashi or Tomohiro Ishii! The beatdown begins, Young Lions run in, but they get beat up, too! David Finlay even gives on a FALCON ARROW to the floor! Gabe gets a mic to have them cut the music, and he says, “Hey, Goto! My tag team partner is in a effin’ hospital bed because o’ you three p*icks! Oi! Kobe, Gabe Kidd VS Hirooki Goto, let’s go, b*tch!” The NJPW Strong Openweight Champion has called out the Fierce Warrior! Will Gabe avenge Jake Lee by taking Goto apart?
Hashi and Finlay will also still fight for the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship, will The Rebel tear the Headhunter’s head off to stay golden? Or could Chaos take those titles away from the War Dogs and put them in the pound?
10 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire!
While we just saw this showdown, with Tetsuya Naito and team standing tall, that will not intimidate Great-O-Khan and his forces. Will Khan, Cobb, Henare, Callum & Jakob turn the tide on this Road to Destruction? Or will Bushi, Hiromu, Shingo, Yota y Naito keep things tranquilo?
The entrance attire is put aside, though Naito still takes his time. The teams stare down, Takagi with Henare given their coming NEVER Openweight Championship, and Cobb is dismissive of Yota since he already beat him in their NJPW World TV Championship match. LIJ makes everyone wait on the fist bump, but then The Empire attacks! The bell rings, and Khan stomps Naito down while the rest of The Empire throws LIJ out of the ring! Things even spill out into the crowd! Khan taunts Naito with hands behind his back, then he drags Naito up. Khan whips to then SAYANAGI! Cover, TWO! Naito stays in this, and the teams stop fighting on the outside.
Khan clamps onto Naito with the IRON CLAW SLEEPER, but Naito flails! Khan spins him, for the ELIMIN- NO, Naito slips free, tilt-o-whirls, but Khan denies Destino! Khan slips free, then picks Naito up, to RAM him into a corner! Khan puts stank on the Mongolian Chops! And then more Mongolian Chops! Khan then fakes Naito out to UPPERCUT! The fans rally as Khan has Naito in the corner, and sits on his throne! The Empire sit on the apron just like Khan, and the fans rally as Khan pulls the arms. Khan hops down, brings Naito around, and he tags in Callum. The Empire mugs Naito, then Callum CLUBS him.
The fans applaud and Callum whips. Naito reverses but Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges and builds speed! Naito avoids the boot and Hiromu gets a shot in! Bushi sunset flips and rewinds into Naito’s basement dropkick! Khan protests but then Hiromu tags in. Hiromu & Naito double whip Callum, to DOUBLE LARIAT! Hiromu covers, TWO! The fans rally, Hiromu CHOPS Callum to a corner. Hiromu CHOPS again! Hiromu CHOPS again, whips, and runs in to LARIAT! Snapmare, but Callum is up to hip toss and QUICK DRAW! The Empire goes after LIJ from the outside now! The brawling again spills into the crowd!
Fans fire up as Takagi and Henare trade shots and even HEADBUTTS! Takagi and Henare fire fast hands, and then somewhere else, Khan BOWLS Naito into chairs! Strike! The fans cheer as Khan stands tall over Naito! Khan then CHOKES Naito with a chair! The ref reprimands everyone everywhere, but Cobb then RAMS Yota into railing! A ring count starts, Callum brings Hiromu back into the ring at 7 of 20. Then he KNEE-BOARD SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Callum brings Hiromu up into a chinlock, and he squeezes tight while the fans rally. And we’re just at five minutes! Callum shifts around, stomps Hiromu, then brings him up.
Callum UPPERCUTS Hiromu to the corner, then tags in Jakob. Jakob bumps Hiromu off buckles, UPPERCUTS him, then whips corner to corner. Jakob runs up to forearm SMASH! Then he whips the other way, to CHOP! Jakob brings Hiromu out for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and duel, “HI-RO-MU!” “JA~KOB!” Jakob wrenches and whips Hiromu into the corner, tags Cobb, and then ELBOWS Hiromu on his way out. Cobb brings Hiromu around, taunts Takagi, then HEADBUTTS Hiromu down! Cobb deadlifts Hiromu into a suplex! Cobb taunts LIJ as he carries Hiromu, and Hiromu shouts for help! Cobb SLAMS him down first!
Cobb stays between Hiromu and the corner, taunting the team to help Hiromu. But Hiromu gets up to CHOP! And CHOP! Cobb just frowns. Hiromu CHOPS again, but Cobb KNEES low! Cobb whips, Hiromu RAN- NO, Cobb stops that, lifts Hiromu up, but Hiromu slips free! Hiromu runs and CROSSBODIES, but he bounces right off Cobb! The fans cheer and Cobb taunts Yota. Cobb drags Hiromu back, but Hiromu slips under! SUPERKICK! Cobb stays up, but Hiromu slips under again, hot tag to Yota! The fans fire up as Yota dodges, then kicks and whips Cobb. Cobb reverses, but Yota RANAS! The fans fire up and Cobb goes to a corner.
Yota runs in to STINGER SPLASH! Yota keeps moving, but Jakob gets a shot in! Jakob & Callum storm in, double whip, but Yota ducks the line to shove Jakob into Callum! Yota then fireman’s carries Jakob and THROWS him at Callum! Those two bail out, Cobb storms up and kicks low. Cobb suplexes, but Yota slips free! Yota hits a COMPLETE SHOT, then covers, TWO! Yota fires up and the fans are with him! Yota drags Cobb up, fireman’s carries, but Cobb blocks the lift! Cobb CLUBS Yota, but Yota kicks low. Yota runs, into an URENAGE! And FALLING HAMMER! Cover, TWO! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!
The fans fire up as Yota stays in this, but Cobb storms over. Cobb drags Yota up, fireman’s carries, but Yota slips free. Yota goes to a corner, Cobb runs in, and Cobb blocks the boot! Cobb throws Yota up and over to then get under! Gory Especial, but Yota fights free! Cobb SUPERKICKS! Yota stays up, Cobb runs up, but Yota blocks the lariat! BACKBREAKER! COMPLETE SHOT! STOMP! Both men are down after the Gene Combination and the fans fire up! Cobb and Yota crawl, hot tags to Henare and Takagi! The fans fire up as Rampaging Dragon RAMS Face of Fury! They RAM shoulders again, and again!
Takagi ROCKS Henare with a forearm, whips him to a corner, but then blocks a boto! Takagi LARAITS, but Henare puts him in the corner to fire fast hands! Henare HEADBUTTS, whips corner to corner, and LARIATS! Henare roars, but now Takagi turns things around to JAB and CHOP on repeat! The fans fire up, Takagi lets off to run, but Henare SWATS the lariat! Takagi spins to YUKON LARIAT, but Henare stays up! They go forehead to forehead and the fans fire up! Takagi and Henare HEADBUTT again and again! Then Takagi CHOPS! Henare KICKS! The fans fire up as Takagi grits his teeth, and he comes back to CHOP!
Henare growls and the fans fire up more. Henare storms up to KICK! Takagi fires ridge hand chops, then an open hand CHOP! Henare KICKS, Takagi blocks, but Henare ELBOWS free, then KICKS Takagi down! Takagi’s right up and he CLOBBERS Henare! The fans fire up with “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi runs up but Henare ELBOWS him, goes up and FLYING CHUCK! But Takagi stays up, runs, but Henare LARIATS! But Takagi’s up again! PUMPING BOMBER! Henare’s right up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men fall and the fans fire up again! Takagi and Henare stir, hot tag to Bushi! Bushi kicks and whips, then he dropkicks legs out!
Jakob gets in to kick, but he runs into an ENZIGIRI! Hiromu BLASTS Khan, BOOTS Cobb, and LIJ focus on Henare. They double whip Henare to a corner, then Bushi ELBOWS! Hiromu LARIATS! Yota SPLASHES! Snapmare, Naito joins in, QUADRUPLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Bushi covers, but the entire Empire breaks it! The fans fire up, LIJ throws The Empire out! Bushi goes back to Henare, the fans rally, but Callum runs in to BOOT Bushi! Hiromu SUPERKICKS Callum! Cobb CLOBBERS Hiromu! Yota V-TRIGGERS Cobb! Khan BOOTS Yota! Naito ELBOWS Khan, ENZIGIRIS him down, but Henare CLOBBERS Naito!
Takagi storms in but Henare backs him down, and then NATIVE KNEE in the corner! Henare roars, but Bushi storms up! Henare blocks a kick, ducks the enzigiri but not the REWIND HEEL! Henare still BODY BLOWS then KICKS Bushi down! Henare roars, and he clamps on the ULTIMA NELSON!! Bushi endures, but Henare grinds him down! Bushi reaches out, fans rally, but Bushi TAPS! The Empire wins!
Winner: The United Empire, by submission
The Face of Fury breaks the Black Mask, and he stares down The Rampaging Dragon. Henare holds up the NEVER Openweight Championship, but will that be the case after Kobe? Wait, Henare gets a mic to talk to Takagi! “You want this NEVER belt? You want this?! You’ll get it in KOBE!” Henare now makes it official, and there’s no going back! Will Henare prove he’s the strongest NEVER Champion there’s ever been? Similarly, Khan stares Naito down, their IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match also set. Will The United Empire completely dominate? Or will it be LIJ that brings the Destruction in Kobe?
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture!
It was quite the surprise when the Ace of the Universe became the President of NJPW. However, that didn’t change who Tanahashi was as a person or as a wrestler. He still fought his way to these titles alongside his good pal, The Producer, and the young yet talented #BARS! However, The King of Darkness doesn’t care about earning anything, just taking everything! Will he, Yujiro Takahashi & Dick Togo show Everything is Evil’s? Or will they fail to stop The Ace, The Joker & The Rook?
Well, seeing as how Yano is pretty much Mr. Hokkaido PR, he not only brings Tomu-kun back to NJPW, he is honored by literally being given his flowers from two young kids dressed up as the Red Oni & Blue Oni from the Japanese folktale, The Red Oni Who Cried. Yano thanks them, and the champions pose with the kids for a great photo op. With that, the introductions are made, but The House attacks from behind! The fans boo but there’s nothing that can be done! Red Shoes rings the bell while Yujiro TOSSES Oleg and Dick TOSSES Yano! Evil stomps Tanahashi, then he and Dick SMACK Tanahashi with the bouquets!
The fans boo more but Evil then CHUCKS the bouquet to the crowd! Dick sprinkles petals on Tanahashi, then Evil stomps Tanahashi. Dick & Yujiro stand Tanahashi up and hold his arms back. Evil CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CLAWS Tanahashi’s eyes! Red Shoes reprimands and fans boo, but Evil just taunts them. Dick & Yujiro whip Tanahashi corner to corner, then run in. Tanahashi ELBOWS Dick then goes up to CROSSBODY! The fans rally but Evil grabs Tanahashi’s arms. Yujiro runs up, Tanahashi BOOTS him then ELBOWS Evil! Tanahashi dropkicks Yujiro’s leg out, the blocks a kick to DRAGON SCREW Evil!
The fans fire up and Tanahashi tags Oleg! The fans fire up as Oleg ROCKS Dick, whips him to a corner, then he sends Yujiro in! Yujiro runs into Dick, then Oleg CHOPS Evil! Oleg whips Evil in and The House is three deep in the corner! Boltin runs in, Evil & Yujiro get outta there, so Dick takes the SPLASH! Yujiro & Evil go after Oleg, double whip, but Oleg comes back to CLOBBER them both! The fans fire up and Oleg tags Yano. Yano fires up, and he unties a buckle pad! Yano turns around, Evil kicks low, but the pad protects Yano! Yujiro kicks but again, the pad protects Yano! Red Shoes reprimands, so Yano throws the pad to Evil.
Evil drops the pad and he stomps on it! Yujiro joins in, and Yano dives on the pad to protect it! But that just gets Yano stomped by Evil, Yujiro & Dick! The fans boo, but then The House BLASTS Oleg & Tanahashi off the corner! They mug Yano more, and get the pad out of the ring. Evil brings Yano up, wrenches his arm, and tags in Dick. Dick CLUBS Yano’s arm, then clamps onto the arm with a cording hold. Dick arm-drags Yano down, then has a top wristlock. Yano endures, the fans rally, but Dick drops knees on the arm! Cover, TWO! Yano stays in this and the fans rally up, but Dick stomps Yano around.
Dick sits Yano up to KNEE him in the back! And again! Cover, TWO! Dick is annoyed but he tags out to Yujiro. Yujiro drags Yano up, and RAMS him into the bare buckles! The fans boo as Yano drops to his knees, but Yujiro snapmares him. Yujiro drops a leg, and elbow, and then a headbutt! Cover, TWO! Yano stays in this but Yujiro tags Evil. Evil drags Yano up, taunts Tanahashi, and he fishhooks Yano’s nose! Red Shoes reprimands, so Evil whips Yano into the blue corner, but surprise! The blue buckle pad is gone! Yano suffers the Bullet Club Special, and Evil laughs as he kicks Yano out. Dick drags Yano up, and Yujiro has his pimp cane!
Evil distracts Red Shoes, and Yujiro CANE SHOTS Yano low! Dick puts Yano in, Evil covers, but Red Shoes is busy with Tanahashi & Oleg. Evil shouts at Red Shoes but Red Shoes covers his ears. Evil tags Yujiro, Yujiro sits Yano up and basement BOOTS! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Yujiro covers again, TWO! Wait, who rings the bell? Oh, of course it was Evil! Red Shoes says no, that doesn’t count. Yujiro drags Yano up and the fans rally. Yujiro CLUBS Yano, but Yano pulls hair! Yujiro breaks free, kicks low, then whips, but Yano reverses for the hair pull takedown! Both men crawl, hot tag to Oleg!
The fans fire up as Oleg CLOBBERS Yujiro! Evil & Dick attack, reel Oleg in, but Oleg DOUBLE SUPLEXES! Yujiro runs up, Oleg blocks the boot to OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Oleg then gut wrenches for the Shake, Rattle and THROW! And a kip up! The fans fire up with Oleg, and he storms up to whip Yujiro corner to corner. Oleg runs in to SPLASH! And then Oleg scoops, SLAMS, and goes up, up, and VADER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Yujiro survives but the fans fire up behind Oleg. Oleg drags Yujiro up, fireman’s carries, and KAMI- NO, Yujiro BITES a hand! Red shoes reprimands, Yujiro stops, and dragon sleepers!
But Oleg powers through to suplex! Yujiro slips free and REVERSE DDTS! Hot tag to Evil! Evil runs up to BLAST Tanahashi first! Evil stands on Oleg’s arm, then drags him up. Dick goes up to to AX HANDLE Oleg’s arm! Evil wrenches and has a motorcycle stretch! Oleg endures as Evil digs his forehead into the shoulder blades! The fans rally, Oleg powers up, and he works on turning the hold! Evil holds on, keeps the hold on Oleg, but Oleg still fights! Oleg tries the other direction now, and he turns things, only for Evil to turn right through! Evil pulls the arms, but Oleg powers up and out! Evil staggers, comes back, and mule kicks!
Evil runs, into a SHOTGUN! Oleg and Evil are down and the fans fire up! Oleg crawls, hot tag to Tanahashi! The fans fire up as President Ace runs, to CLOBBER Evil! The fans fire up again as Tanahashi scoops Evil to SLAM him into the drop zone! Tanahashi goes up, and SUNSET SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Evil stays in, the fans rally for Tanahashi, and he runs, but Evil gets in Red Shoes’ face while Dick SMACKS Tanahashi with the blue buckle pad! Tanahashi staggers, Evil trips him and steps through, SCORPION DEATHLOCK! Dick & Yujiro keep Oleg & Yano on the outside while Tanahashi endures! The fans rally, and Tanahashi powers back up!
Tanahashi fights his way forward, reaches out, and finds the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Evil lets go at 4, and Evil taunts Tanahashi. Evil slaps Tanahashi around, brings him up, and fireman’s carries. But Tanahashi fights free to waistlock! Evil switches, Yujiro is there, but Tanahashi switches! Tanahashi sends Evil into Yujiro, then spins Evil around to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Tanahashi and Evil crawl, hot tags to Dick and Yano! The fans fire up as Yano dodges Dick, and SLAPS him on the head! But then Dick kicks low! Dick hammerlocks, headlocks, then punches!
Yujiro BOOTS Oleg off the apron, then Dick & Evil mug Yano! They double whip Yano to a corner, then Dick runs in to ELBOW! Yujiro runs in to BOOT! Evil runs in to LARIAT! Evil snapmares Yano, and both he and Yujiro get a leg. But wait, there’s no one to distract Red Shoes from what they’re attempting! So Evil just shoves Red Shoes down! Dick is up top, and he hits the DICK CHOP!! Evil calls for Red Shoes while Dick covers, TWO!! Yano survives and the fans fire up! Evil is mad at Red Shoes, and gets in his face while Dick uses the SPOILER CHOKER! The fans boo as Yano suffers, but then Yano fights up!
Yano THROWS Dick away, and then atomic drops Evil! The fans fire up, and Dick begs for mercy! Tanahashi & Oleg get in, they and Yano mug Dick! They double whip Dick to a corner, then Yano ELBOWS! Tanahashi SPLASHES! And Oleg SPLASHES!! Snapmare, and wait, now Oleg & Tanahashi set Dick up! Red Shoes says don’t do it, but Yano’s up top! The fans fire up, but Red Shoes stands in the way! Yujiro SHOVES Yano down onto Red Shoes, and they fall onto Tanahashi! And here come Kanemaru & Sho! We knew the whole House was here, and now they’re beating up on Tanahashi and team!
The fans boo as Yano gets stomped 4v1! The fans tell them to go home, but that’s not happening. But Yano hulks out of Kanemaru’s grip and sends him into Yujiro! Then he dodges Sho to throw him down! Dikc kicks, he and Evil whip, but Yano holds ropes to taunt Dick! Yano sends Dick into Evil, but they block his low blows! WHISKEY MIST from Kanemaru! MAGIC KILLER from Evil & Dick! Cover, TANAHASHI BREAKS IT! The fans fire up but Evil TOSSES Tanahashi! Yujiro stomps Oleg, but Dick kicks Yano! Dick underhooks, PEDIGREE!! Dick goes up top, but Oleg returns! Oleg UPPERCUTS Dick, but Dick SMACKS Oleg off bare buckles!
But Oleg stays up! He fireman’s carries Dick off the top! KAMIKAZE!! Tanahashi is up top, to HIGH FLY FLOW!! The fans are thunderous as Oleg CLOBBERS the WHOLE House of Torture!! Yano hurries to drag Dick up, for the ONIGOROSHI!! Cover, Yano’s team wins!
Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)
The forces of Evil failed because justice always prevails! Will the House of Torture ever learn their lesson? But before Tanahashi’s team can get the mic, Sho grabs it to say, “Oi! Oi! You’re doing this all wrong! OI! Don’t get it twisted, this doesn’t make you strong! You’re only as good as these bums in Noboribetsu! Why a title match in a crappy hick town like this?” The fans boo Sho blaming them for the loss. But Sho says they should do this again, in a much better town! Then we’ll see who is the best! With that, Sho rushes back into the ring, takes a swing, but Tanahashi dodges to SHOTEI! Sho goes down in a heap and the fans cheer!
Tanahashi picks up the mic, and he tells Sho that if that’s an official challenge, then consider it accepted! Tanahashi will just have to beat Sho, too. The fans cheer as the match is set, and The House of Torture retreats. Will going back to the drawing board be what The House of Torture needs to win?
After that, Yano takes the mic to say that he’d like to hear what everyone has to say. So then, here you go, Boltin! Oleg takes the mic and he says, “Thank you everyone! I’m so happy to win here tonight, and I’ll keep fighting hard!” The mic is then handed to Tanahashi, and the fans cheer for him. Tanahashi takes a deep breath before shouting, “NJPW is back in Noboribetsu!” The fans cheer that! Tanahashi also thanks them for selling out the show tonight. With their support, our Toru Yano became sightseeing ambassador, and Tanahashi is grateful for Yano’s support. If this continues, Yano might even get a promotion. The fans like the sound of that!
Tanahashi finishes by thanking everyone again, and the mic goes back to Yano. “Thank you, everyone, for coming tonight. I’ve been working to promote Noboribetsu for the last five years. So this is all thanks to me!” Yano says no, in all seriousness, it is thanks to all of you, even the mayor and city hall, that they packed this place out. So he is thankful to them, the Noboribetsu International Tourism Convention, and President Ace! “It’s been 39 YEARS since we last came here, but until the next one? I think just one year! And if you keep coming here, we’ll keep coming to you! I’m feeling good, so when I ask who the ambassador is, you answer, ‘Yano Toru!'”
The fans applaud, they’re ready to join in. Okay, so who is the ambassador of Noboribetsu? “YA-NO TO-RU!” Yano shrugs and the fans cheer. Will Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg still be champions when NJPW returns to Hokkaido? How much will change in the next year for NJPW?
My Thoughts:
Another great night for NJPW, especially with this being their return to Noboribetsu in almost 40 YEARS. But it was also kind of the finale for Road to Destruction, as the remaining dates are in Hokkaido, and none of it will be televised. Might have to do with Hokkaido being mountainous and rural, this tends to happen every so often with NJPW’s touring. But that aside, this was all good stuff. Yano did double duty, though he did let Sakuraba do a lot of the heavy lifting in that opening tag match. Very fun Ranbo match, even with just a silly prize on the line. I found it rather hilarious that ZSJ wanted in on this match, and I kinda wanted him to win the prize, but I suppose the G1 was enough, let someone else have this onsen weekend getaway.
A shame about Jake Lee getting legit hurt the other night in that Six Man Tag, but it made sense for War Dogs to avenge that loss with a win tonight. Hashi VS Finlay is already on the Kobe card, but adding Goto VS Gabe is good stuff. It doesn’t even have to be for the NJPW Strong Championship, it’ll be gritty all the same. And with it being non-title, that actually allows it to be 50-50 odds. Another really good 10 Man Tag from LIJ VS Empire, and very good win for The Empire.
While I don’t see Khan taking the top title off Naito, it feels like anything could happen with the NEVER title since Henare has the momentum going into the match. And while the plan for the TV title was Ren Narita, seems his arm is rather beat up so he’s taking time to recover. Maybe Yota gets his rematch with Cobb already. We could get quite the night just out of these LIJ VS Empire singles matches.
And of course, a lot of fun in the NEVER Openweight Six Man main event, though the House of course tried to cheat. I almost thought Yoshi-Hashi was gonna hop off commentary to help Yano, but no, he stayed put to watch. Great win for Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg so that they could send Noboribetsu home happy, and promise that they’ll return again next year. It is good that they’re getting sellout crowds in NJPW again, perhaps worries over COVID and such are lessening over there so that people can feel more confident about being out in public. NJPW is rebuilding, even with their bigger names having left for AEW, here’s hoping they get hot again.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Once more around the round robin!
Best of the Super Juniors returns, yet Douki chooses not to compete! Who proves they’re “second best” to the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: Taiji Ishimori VS Jakob Austin Young; Taiji wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: SHO VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Daiki Nagai; Taguchi wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: YOH VS Hyo; Hyo wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Robbie X VS Nick Wayne; Nick wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: KUSHIDA VS Robbie Eagles; Kushida wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Master Wato VS Titan; Titan wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: El Desperado VS Daisuke Sasaki; Daisuke wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Francesco Akira; Fujita wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: Taiji Ishimori VS Jakob Austin Young!
The Bone Soldier and #DangerousJAY get to set the tone for the first round with this opening match. Will Taiji be victorious #ByGrace? Or will he fall off Jakob’s Ladder?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. The two tie up, Jakob headlocks, but Taiji puts him on ropes. The ref counts, Taiji backs off, and the fans cheer the clean break. Taiji and Jakob go again, feel things out, then clinch. Jakob puts Taiji on the ropes, the ref calls the break, but Jakob gives a quick body jab. The fans boo but Jakob tells them to shut up. The two circle again, tie up, and Jakob headlocks. Taiji powers up and out but Jakob RUNS him over! Things keep moving, Taiji drops down, hurdles over, but Jakob waistlocks. Taiji fires elbows, then runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and RANAS! Jakob tumbles, Taiji DROPKICKS him out!
The fans fire up as Taiji builds speed, but he tiger feints as Jakob moves! The fans cheer again, and then Taiji PLANCHAS! Down goes Jakob and the fans fire up again! Taiji goes back for Jakob, puts him in the ring, then covers, TWO! Jakob is tougher than that but Taiji stays close. Taiji cravats to snapmare Jakob, then NECK TWIST! Jakob writhes but the fans applaud, and Taiji stalks Jakob. Taiji CLUBS Jakob, ROCKS him with a right, but the ref reprimands about closed fists. Taiji wrenches and whips Jakob to a corner, then runs up, but Jakob puts Taiji on the apron. Jakob RAMS low, then pulls Taiji through the ropes, NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT!
The fans applaud Jakob’s creativity while Taiji slumps down. Jakob builds speed to WRECK Taiji with a dropkick! Jakob says crowns up, then he fetches Taiji. Jakob SMACKS Taiji off the apron, the ref reprimands, but Jakob puts Taiji in the ring. Jakob mocks the fans applauding, then slides into the ring. Cover, TWO! Jakob stomps Taiji while he argues the count. Jakob taunts Taiji, pats him on the head, but Taiji fires CHOPS! Jakob eggs Taiji on so Taiji CHOPS again! Jakob felt that one, but he dodges the lariat to wrench and spin Taiji around, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Taiji survives.
Jakob stands Taiji up, suplexes, but Taiji slips free. Taiji ducks a shot to then CLAW the eyes! Taiji whips, Jakob reverses, but Taiji handsprings, NEURALIZER KICK! Down goes Jakob and the fans applaud. Taiji and Jakob rise, Taiji runs in at the corner, and he DOUBLE KNEES! Then Taiji fireman’s carries, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Basement SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Taiji waits on Jakob while we pass five minutes. Jakob rises, Taiji runs up, LA MYST- NO, Jakob blocks to THROW Taiji down! Then dragon sleeper for the SAVING GRACE! Cover, TWO! Taiji survives and the fans fire up again!
Jakob frowns as he storms back over to Taiji. Jakob grabs the legs, steps through, but Taiji kicks and kicks. Taiji kicks free, but Jakob SLIDING KNEES! Cover, TWO! Jakob argues with the ref again but the ref defends his count. Taiji stirs but Jakob brings him up. Jakob cravats, goes to the corner, but Taiji slips free! BUCKLE SHOT! The fans cheer while Jakob sputters in the corner. Taiji rises again, and the fans rally as he brings Jakob up. Taiji whips but Jakob blocks! Taiji wrenches the arm to YANK it! Jakob falls to his knees but Taiji stands him up. Hammerlock, scoop, and SHOULDER BUSTER! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Jakob survives.
Taiji stays focused and he brings Jakob up. Taiji ripcords, LA MYSTI- NO, Jakob slips free! Jakob CHOPS, Taiji CHOPS, but Jakob ROCKS Taiji with a forearm! Jakob runs, but Taiji is up to JUMP KNEE! The fans fire up again and Taiji calls his shot! Taiji hauls Jakob up, gut wrenches, and CIPHER UT- NO, Jakob catches it to a cover, TWO! Taiji victory rolls, TWO! Taiji ducks ‘n’ dodges, LA MYSTICA! BONE LOCK!! Jakob flails, reaches out, but Taiji rolls him to center! Jakob TAPS, Taiji wins!
Winner: Taiji Ishimori, by submission (gains 2 points; Jakob earns 0)
The tone is set, and it is Unbound! Will that be exactly how Taiji’s run goes? Or will he still fall short of his first BOSJ trophy?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: SHO VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
Wait, wait, wait. Douki choosing to stay out of this tournament is one thing, but the Murder Machine and Heel Master facing each other in the first round? Well, the fix is in already, but who will help the other get an easy win?
Well, since they’re both House of Torture, no one attacks the other. And it seems they’re both out here alone, if only for now. Wait, Sho grabs the mic. “This is a battle of two of the absolute best Junior Heavyweights. And it is a disgrace that this incredible match is only second on the card. The power balance of this division is so screwed up. But to make sure this makes everyone regrets this, Kanemaru-san, you and I are gonna have the best match of this entire tournament! And we know we’re not coming out of this unscathed. This will be a Match of the Year contender!
“And all these country bumpkins in Tokyo will see the best match of their entire lives, even though they don’t deserve it! This should be in the Tokyo Dome with a minimum buy-in of 100 MILLION Yen! Kanemaru-san, I don’t want to hurt you. But let’s have a great match, and as your kouhai, you’ll do me a solid and lie down.” Kanemaru agrees to a fair match, the two “put one out” together, and then the bell rings. Kanemaru already lies down!? Finger Poke of Doom 2026! Sho applauds, the fans clap along, and Kanemaru snatches Sho into the victory roll! TWO!! Kanemaru bails out and Sho is upset! Kanemaru argues the count while the fans laugh at Sho!
Sho is upset, he raises the ref’s hand, then he grabs Kanemaru’s bottle of whiskey! The ref and Sho fight over the bottle, but Kanemaru slithers in, and he’s holding Sho’s wrench! Kanemaru sneaks the Torture Tool into Sho’s waistband, and then shoves him around. The ref sees the wrench in Sho’s pants! Now they argue over the wrench! Kanemaru rolls Sho up, TWO! Headlock takeover, TWO! Trip and jackknife bridge, TWO!! The fans cheer Kanemaru for how close he got! Sho is still beside himself but Kanemaru bails out. Kanemaru goes around the outside, Sho chases him and says how dare he mess around!
Sho round the corner, Kanemaru dropkicks the legs out! Kanemaru SMASHES the leg off the floor! Then FIGURE FOUR! The fans cheer but a ring count climbs! Sho flails, reaches out, but Kanemaru holds until 12 of 20! Kanemaru leaves Sho behind, but Sho grabs Kanemaru’s legs! Sho drags Kanemaru off the apron, fans clear out, and Sho THROWS Kanemaru into chairs! Then Sho sends a Young Lion into Kanemaru! The count is still going!! We pass 15 as Kanemaru sends Young Lion Taisei Nakahara back at Sho! The fans cheer as Kanemaru rolls in! 18! 19! Sho slides in at 19.99! The fans cheer while Kanemaru is shocked!
Kanemaru apologizes to Sho? Kanemaru offers a handshake, the fans cheer, but Sho says Kanemaru needs to watch himself. Sho takes the handshake, then bends Kanemaru’s fingers! Kanemaru CLAWS Sho with his other hand! Kanemaru runs, Sho uses the ref as a shield, but then so does Kanemaru! Kanemaru ENZIGIRIS Sho! Kanemaru stomps Sho’s fingers! Kanemaru grabs his whiskey! The ref protests, Kanemaru shoves him away, then Kanemaru takes a swig. But Sho smothers Kanemaru! Kanemaru breaks free, but Sho just smothers him again! Kanemaru’s at his limit, and Sho lets go, WHISKEY MIST into the ref!
The ref is blinded, Sho laughs at them both, and Sho says that should be a disqualification, right? IT IS!
Winner: Sho, by disqualification (gains 2 points; Kanemaru earns 0)
Kanemaru is mad at the ref and TOSSES him out! Poor Sakamoto… Sho apologizes to Kanemaru now, but they were both playing dirty anyway. They fist bump and head out, but will the trickery only continue until one of them is the Best of the Super Juniors?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Daiki Nagai!
The Funky Weapon has had his moments in this tournament, but the Unbound Young Lion is finally having his first! Will Taguchi be serious right from the start? Or will he underestimate his young opponent?
Oh snap, Daiki SHOTGUNS Taguchi during introductions! The fans fire up as Daiki shows how serious he is about this! The bell rings as he whips Taguchi, but Taguchi reverses to start up the cycle of dropdown and sidestep! But Daiki knows it well and DROPKICKS Taguchi out! The fans fire up as Daiki builds speed, and DIVES! Down goes Taguchi right in front of the fans! The fans fire up with Daiki and he brings Taguchi up. Daiki says here goes, and he climbs up the corner! Taguchi stands, Daiki MISSILE DROPKICKS! Taguchi flounders away but Daiki runs in at the corner! Taguchi dodges, rolls Daiki, then DROPKICKS in return!
The fans rally as Taguchi crawls to the cover, TWO! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Daiki scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi holds but lets go as the ref reprimands. Things finally slow down and Taguchi can take off his shirt. Taguchi CHOKES Daiki with it! The ref reprimands, Taguchi stops right away, and he apologizes for getting mad. Taguchi reels Daiki in, has the leg, but Daiki fights the lift! Taguchi fires body shots to then SHIN BREAKER! And DROPKICK to the leg! The fans rally as Taguchi grabs OH MY GAH ANKLE! Daiki flails, crawls, and makes the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go, but then kneels on the leg for a toehold.
Daiki grabs the ropes again, the ref counts, and Taguchi steps away. Taguchi drags Daiki up to HIP ATTACK! And HIP ATTACK! Daiki rises but Taguchi brings him up. Daiki ROCKS Taguchi, Taguchi ROCKS Daiki, repeat! The shots go back and forth, Taguchi fires a flurry, then he runs, but Taguchi follows! HIP- ATOMIC DROP! Daiki still knows the tricks, and he waistlocks. Taguchi fights with elbows, then more elbows, then he feints the run! But Daiki avoids the hips! But Taguchi victory rolls again! TWO, and Daiki DROPKICKS! Taguchi falls into a corner and the fans fire up again! Daiki has a wild look in his eyes as he goes to the other corner.
Daiki runs in and HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! Daiki hurries to drag Taguchi out, covers, TWO! The fans fire up again while Daiki goes to a corner. Daiki climbs, the fans rally, and Daiki DIVING BODY FLOPS as Taguchi moves! Daiki sputters while Taguchi crawls to a corner. Taguchi calls upon the powers of Strong Style, “OYA~!” BUM- NO, Daiki rolls Taguchi up! TWO, and Taguchi dodges a lariat to roll Daiki up! TWO, and OH MY- NO, Daiki kicks free! SLIDING HIP! Cover, TWO!! Daiki survives and the fans fire up, but Taguchi hauls Daiki right up! Taguchi chicken wings and DODON- NO, Daiki victory rolls, TWO!
Daiki ROCKS Taguchi, Taguchi ENZIGIRIS! Daiki rebounds to CHOP! Daiki runs, but into a DROPKICK! Taguchi hurries to cover, TWO, but OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Daiki flails again, reaches out, and the fans rally even harder! Taguchi puts on the pressure but Daiki still fights his way forward! Daiki reaches out but Taguchi drags him back! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Daiki claws with everything he has, but Taguchi YANKS Daiki back! Chicken wings and DODON BUSTER!! Cover, Taguchi wins!
Winner: Ryusuke Taguchi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Daiki earns 0)
Taguchi got serious because Daiki brought it out of him! And with that, Taguchi already has his first win in this year’s tournament! Will Taguchi prove that the Funky Weapon still has what it takes? Will Daiki learn from this and make sure his first win is in the second round?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: YOH VS HYO!
A curious match-up here, and not just because you can rearrange one man’s name and spell the other’s. But will Mr. Direct Drive kick it into gear right from the start? Or will The Black Panther prove he’s the apex predator in this tournament?
The fans have a hard time making heads or tails of the ring gear, and Yoh asks for a little help with the halter top. Hyo makes sure his little snow leopard, Nyan Nyan, is comfortable in the corner, then the bell rings. The two run up, Hyo leaps over the dropdown, then mule kicks. Hyo whips, Yoh reverses, but Hyo goes up and over, then handsprings through! Things really speed up, and the panther gets the zoomies as he runs around Yoh! Then DROPKICK! The fans cheer while Yoh bails out! Hyo shows his claws, and the fans rally up as Hyo builds speed. But Hyo handsprings through as Yoh moves!
The fans cheer and Yoh THROWS Nyan Nyan down! The fans boo Yoh for that, Hyo flexes and the fans cheer. But Yoh sneaks in to wrench and trip Hyo! Yoh ties Hyo up in Paradise! The fans cheer as Yoh stands on Hyo, then “kicks sand” before he runs around like a cat! Yoh “pees” on Hyo, maybe he’s a dog instead. Yoh then runs to DROPKICK Hyo outta Paradise! Yoh drags Hyo up, reels him in, and suplexes, but Hyo fights free, wrenches, then NEKODAMASHI CLAP! Cradle, TWO! Yoh rolls Hyo, TWO! Hyo runs up, sunset flips, TWO! Yoh sits on the cover, TWO! Hyo has it again, TWO! Yoh has it again, TWO!!
The fans cheer that near escape, but Yoh kicks and runs. But Hyo blows past, and now both men have the zoomies! They chase each other like cats ‘n’ dogs, then STUNNER to SOMERSAULT DRIVER! Cover, HYO WINS!!
Winner: Hyo, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Yoh earns 0)
In the blink of an eye, the Panther snatches that win like a rabbit out of the hat! Hyo shows Yoh respect with the Roppongi 3K salute, AND A KISS?! Yoh faints, will he be able to recover from that? Or will Hyo hunt down the top spot in the block?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Robbie X VS Nick Wayne!
The former IWGP Junior Tag Team Champion and the former ROH World Television Champion (sorry if that’s spoilers/breaking kayfabe) meet in hopes of each becoming the next IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. Will things get too extreme for The Prodigy? Or will NJPW enter Wayne’s World?
The bell rings and the fans rally behind Robbie. Robbie and Nick circle, tie up, and Robbie headlocks. Nick powers up and out, but Robbie handsprings! Nick stops the cutter, but Robbie fights the full nelson! Robbie trips Nick, but Nick avoids the PK! Nick arm-drags Robbie, Robbie headscissors, but Nick kips free to kick low! Nick whips, Robbie goes up and over in the corner, then handsprings! Things keep moving, Nick hurdles to then UPPERCUT! The fans fire up as Nick kips up again! Robbie flounders away but Nick storms over to him. Nick drags Robbie up, CHOPS him in the corner, then follows him along the ropes.
Robbie goes to another corner but Nick kisses him on the bald head before he CHOPS again! Nick then snapmares Robbie, leg drops, then covers, TWO! Robbie is tougher than that but Nick keeps his cool. Nick stalks Robbie, brings him up, but Robbie CHOPS! The fans cheer but Nick comes back. Robbie ROCKS Nick, ROCKS him again, then again! But Nick ROCKS Robbie back! Nick stalks Robbie, whips him to ropes, but Robbie avoids the superkick! Nick runs up, Robbie cartwheels to dodge! Nick tumbles out to the apron, Robbie NO HAND HANDSPRINGS to knock Nick down! Then Robbie reloads, PLANCHA! Down goes Nick and the fans fire up!
Robbie brings Nick up, puts him in the ring, and slingshots for the SILVER FLIP SENTON! Cover, TWO! Nick is still in this but the fans rally behind Robbie. Robbie checks his neck, then brings Nick up. Robbie reels Nick in but Nick fights the lift. Robbie still tries but Nick still fights. Robbie winds up to CHOP Nick down! The fans cheer but Robbie reels Nick back in, only for Nick to BACKDROP free! Robbie sunsets but Nick sits on it, TWO! Robbie finishes the flip, TWO! Nick is up, he dodges Robbie, and SNAP DRAGONS! The fans fire up for that very Kenny Omega level move! Nick then waits on Robbie to get up while he takes aim.
Nick runs corner to corner, but Robbie dodges! Robbie runs back up, blocks a boot, but not the ENZIGIRI! Nick goes up, up, WAYNE’S- NO, Robbie dodges the cutter and mule kicks! Robbie goes to run but Nick reels him in! Robbie fights the waistlock again, but Nick ducks a shot! Nick ROCKS Robbie, Robbie ELBOWS Nick, and PELES! The fans fire up with Robbie as he powers up again, only for Nick to jump up! POISON-RANA! The fans rally while Robbie is down! Nick calls his shot, gathers power, and Robbie rises up, into the BUZZ- NO, Robbie ducks, jumps up, POISON-RANA! The fans fire up as Robbie returns the favor!
Nick bails out, but Robbie springboards, SKY TWISTER! Down goes Nick but Robbie puts him in fast! Robbie handsprings, LETHAL INJECTION X!! Cover, TWO!! Nick survives and Robbie is shocked! The fans rally even harder for Robbie as he rises up. Robbie drags Nick to a drop zone, climbs up the corner, and X EX- NO, Robbie has to roll through as Nick moves! Robbie runs back up, but into a SUPERKICK! Robbie is down but Nick leans against the corner as he catches his breath. The fans rally up harder and harder still, and Nick rises to his feet. Nick calls his shot, and he goes up, into WAYNE’S- BACKSLIDE! TWO!
Nick BOOTS Robbie, runs, but Robbie ROCKS Nick! Robbie runs, Nick blows past, but Robbie dodges, QUEBRADA into a SUPERKICK! Nick hits the anti-air, and now he calls his shot! BUZZSAW, and WAYNE’S WORLD! Cover, NICK WINS!
Winner: Nick Wayne, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Robbie earns 0)
He may have lost the title, but Nick rebounds to get a major win in the tournament! Will nothing stop The Prodigy from proving he’s the next big thing? Can Robbie get the X Express back on track in the second round?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: KUSHIDA VS Robbie Eagles!
The Time Splitter returns to NJPW, hoping to prove he is still the Best of the Super Juniors. But he now stands in the crosshairs of the Sniper of the Skies! Will Kushida still bring us Back to the Future? Or will Eagles fly high right from the start?
Wait, Kushida is going barefoot for this! Eagles says okay, hold on. “Robbie Robbie Robbie!” “OI OI OI!” “Robbie Robbie Robbie!” “OI OI OI!” “Robbie!” “OI!” “Robbie!” “OI!” “Robbie Robbie Robbie!” “OI OI OI!” The fans applaud, but then a “KU-SHI-DA!” chant starts in response. The bell rings and the two circle. They feel things out, Kushida rolls, and he grabs a leg. Eagles fights that off to step over and cover, ONE! Kushida trips Robbie, has a toehold, but Robbie rolls and reels Kushida in, only for Kushida to use that and get the headlock for his own. The fans applaud this technical exchange, but then Eagles slips out to hammerlock!
Eagles reaches over but Kushida rolls to then headscissors! The fans applaud again, and Kushida puts on the pressure. Eagles endures, bridges, but Kushida puts on the pressure. Eagles kips free, but Kushida reels him back into the headscissors! The fans applaud, but Eagles fights around. Eagles rolls to turn Kushida over, then he pops out to trap the legs. Eagles rolls Kushida, but Kushida twists a foot! Kushida turns Eagles over, ties the legs up, then floats to a headlock. Eagles powers out to stand on Kushida’s arm, but Kushida slips away. The fans applaud the standoff as the two reset and circle again.
Kushida rushes Eagles, Eagles holds off the armlock but the body scissors are still on! Eagles powers through to drop Kushida down and have a toehold. Eagles bends toes! The ref reprimands, Eagles teases about “this little piggy,” but Kushida hooks Eagles’ nose! Eagles shakes that off but Kushida tries again. Kushida waistlocks, bridges, but Eagles moves, so Kushida floats to an ARMBAR! Eagles rolls to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Kushida lets go, and the two reset again. They circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. Kushida rolls, trips Eagles, then has the toehold. Eagles tries to headscissors, but Kushida shrugs that off.
Kushida pulls Eagles’ arm into tying up the legs, then he steps over. It’s not exactly Paradise as Kushida uses his legs to bend and crunch Eagles! Eagles powers up and trips Kushida to then SPLAYED STRETCH! Kushida endures, even as Eagles reclines back, so Eagles floats over to a cover. ONE, Eagles waistlocks but Kushida rolls. Cover, ONE, and Eagles trips Kushida. Kushida chinbars to wrangle Eagles into a chinlock. Eagles endures so Kushida shifts to a motorcycle stretch, and LEG HOOK NELSON! Eagles endures, pushes back, and rolls to have a leg! Eagles has the INDIAN DEATHLOCK! The fans cheer as Eagles sits Kushida up, INDIAN COBRA TWIST!!
Kushida endures, pries at the arm, then rolls to leg hook and float, ARMBAR! Eagles pries free, and the fans cheer the technical master class! Eagles and Kushida reset again, feel things out, then tie up. Eagles goes for an arm, but so does Kushida. Kushida chinbars but Eagles arm-drags! Eagles steps over, Kushida kicks free, but Eagles handsprings through. The fans cheer as the two reset again. They approach, and Kushida KICKS the leg! Then he grapevines the leg to trip Eagles. Eagles pries at toes but Kushida stands to change up his hold. Eagles slips through to drop toehold Kushida into the waistlock. Kushida fights up, switches, then arm-drags.
Kushida chicken wings the arms and he works to turn Eagles. Eagles endures but Kushida powers through to a cradle! TWO, and Kushida ducks a chop to roll back! Kushida goes up but Eagles blocks the arm-drag! Eagles arm-drags back, then trips Kushida. Eagles runs, handsprings over the dropdown, but Kushida is after the arm! Eagles wrenches through, breaks free, but Kushida blocks a kick! Eagles drops to trip Kushida, ANKLE- NO, Kushida rolls back, bridges, TWO! Eagles body scissors and rolls to a cover, TWO! Both men RAM shoulders! And RAM again! And again! The fans fire up as the two stare down.
Kushida offers a handshake, Eagles accepts, but Eagles stomps the toes! The fans boo but Eagles says Kushida baka. Eagles runs up, gets a leg, but Kushida steps over to cover, TWO! Eagles sunset flips, TWO! Kushida sits on it, TWO! Kushida rolls to highs tack, TWO! Eagles has Kushida, TWO! Kushida, ONE! Eagles, ONE! They teetertotter and the ref can’t even keep up! The fans cheer as this turns into a rolling cradle! Eagles finally has it, TWO!! Kushida escapes in time and Eagles is stunned! Eagles runs up but Kushida jumps the 619! Kushida somersaults, but Eagles stops the DDT! Eagles slips around, rolls Kushida up, TWO!
Eagles has the leg, steps through, but Kushida cradles, TWO! Eagles has it, TWO! Both men stand, Eagles jumps up, RANA! But Kushida sunset flips it! TWO!! The fans are thunderous as both men get up! Kushida FLAPJACKS, but Eagles avoids the PK! Eagles wrenches the leg, SLAPS, SLAPS, SLAPS, and TURBO- NO, Kushida slips through the backpack to cradle and BACK TO THE FUTURE!! Cover, KUSHIDA WINS!!
Winner: Kushida, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Robbie earns 0)
It feels like forever since we’ve seen Kushida win with that move here in NJPW, but seeing it again brings us right back! Will Kushida hit that 88 miles per hour and return to former glory? Will the Sniper of the Skies just have to reload and try again in the next round?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Master Wato VS Titan!
The Way of the Grandmaster is still on the long road to the top, but the same goes for El Inmortal’s journey. Who will take another step closer to their goal of being the Best of the Super Juniors?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. The crowd is split between them, and the two tie up. Wato trips Titan, things speed up, and Titan hurdles to then drop down. Wato leaps over, keeps moving, and he RANAS! Titan bails out, Wato builds speed, but Titan is up fast to springboard and CROSSBODY! Then DROPKICK! Wato bails out, Titan builds speed, and fans clear out before Titan DIVES! Wato tumbles into the chairs! The ref checks and Wato is able to continue. Titan roars as he rises up and the fans cheer. Titan puts Wato in the ring, pushes him around, then fireman’s carries for the DEATH VALLEY NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!
The fans applaud was Wato toughs it out. Titan stomps Wato, eggs him on, then KICKS him in the back. Titan snapmares Wato, runs and basement DROPKICKS! High stack, TWO! Titan hurries to tie up the legs, FIGURE FOUR! Wato endures, drags Titan along, and manages the ROPEBREAK! Titan lets go while the fans applaud. Wato shakes out the legs, Titan stomps him around, then Titan kicks at him. Wato scowls but Titan SOBATS! Titan eggs Wato on again, then brings him up. Wato fires a shot but Titan CLUBS and KNEES Wato in return. Another fireman’s carry but Wato fights free!
Wato swings, Titan ducks, and Titan fires off a strike fest! Titan runs, but into an ELBOW! Wato runs but ducks a shot to ZIGZAG! But Titan kips up to PELE! Wato PENALTY KICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Wato crawls to ropes, rises up, and he runs to CLOBBER Titan! And CLOBBER again! Wato whips Titan, then DROPKICKS him down! Titan bails out, the fans fire up, and Wato builds speed! Wato FLIES and down goes Titan! The fans cheer while both men are down in front of the front row again. A ring count starts, but Wato rises at 7 of 20. Wato stands at 10 and fires up with the fans!
Wato brings Titan up, puts him in at 14, and takes aim. The fans applaud as Wato climbs the corner, then leaps in, MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Titan is tougher than that and the fans cheer again. Wato drags Titan up, wrenches and clinches, but Titan fights the lift! Wato CLUBS Titan, whips him, but Titan reverses to TORANDO DDT! And then roll through to suplex, CUTTER! Cover, TWO! But Titan steps through, ties up the legs, and rolls for LLAVE INMORTAL! The fans fire up as Titan bridges back and bends Wato! Wato fights, fights, and powers his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Titan lets go in frustration.
Titan roars and the fans rally again. Titan pounds the mat, the fans clap along, and Titan waits on Wato. Wato rises, Titan SUPER- NO, Wato ducks, but Titan BUZZSAWS! Titan goes to the corner, he climbs up top, and the fans fire up, but Wato CLUBS Titan first! Titan drops onto the corner, Wato climbs up, and Wato brings Titan back up! Titan holds onto the corner, fires elbows, then he trips Wato! Wato falls into the Tree of Woe! Titan turns around, WOE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!! Wato survives and the fans fire up again! Titan throws off his elbow pads, then rolls his way back to the corner. Titan skins the cat to rise back up!
Titan aims while Wato is down, LA LANC- NO, Wato dodges, runs up, crucifix takedown, into RECIENTEMENTE!! Cover, TWO?!? Titan survives and the fans are thunderous! Wato grows frustrated, but he hurries to waistlock. TSU- NO, Titan rolls, hooks a leg, but Wato reels Titan into a cradle! TWO, and ROUNDHOUSE! Wato hurries to spin, but Titan blocks the kick to DRAGON SCREW! Then a step through and SHARPSHOOTER!! Wato endures, reaches out, but Titan pulls him back to center!! Wato flails, but Titan bridges on the hold! WATO TAPS, TITAN WINS!
Winner: Titan, by submission (gains 2 points; Wato earns 0)
It wasn’t quite Llave Inmortal, but it might’ve been even stronger! Titan borrows a fan’s flag of Mexico to celebrate his home and his people. Will Titan represent them both as he proves he was born for such a time as this? Or will Wato still prove he is the Way to the Grandmaster?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: El Desperado VS Daisuke Sasaki!
The Rogue Luchador won the tournament back in 2024, and is looking to repeat history so that he may have his revenge on Douki. However, he’s up against Charisma Itself! Will Desperado still be the Best of the Super Juniors two years later? Or will Daisuke prove he is the future of this division?
Before they get started, Despy offers a handshake. Daisuke is wary, but he accepts. They both kiss the other’s hand, then the bell rings. The fans duel as the two circle, but then Daisuke bails out. The fans boo but Despy waits on Daisuke. Daisuke steps back into the ring, circles with Despy, and they feel things out. They tie up, Daisuke waistlocks, but Despy wrenches to wristlock. Daisuke spins through, wrenches back, and wristlocks to then snapmare. Daisuke keeps on the arm but Despy fights around. Despy rolls, trips Daisuke, and has the toehold. Daisuke chinbars in return but Despy digs his elbow into the knee.
Daisuke chinlocks and pries Despy off the leg, but Despy kicks back to the ROPEBREAK! Daisuke lets go, Despy bails out, and now Daisuke waits. Despy takes his time returning, and the two reset. The fans rally as they feel things out, and they knuckle lock. But then Despy wrenches the arm to snapmare Daisuke, sit him up, and ghost pin, TWO! Daisuke slips around to headlock, but Despy powers up and out. Despy headlocks, Daisuke slips through to headlock, but Despy powers up and out again. Daisuke RUNS Despy over! Then he fakes Despy out to headlock, but Despy rolls. Daisuke rolls through, Despy trips him, STRETCH MUFFLER!
Daisuke scrambles to the ROPEBREAK and the fans cheer. Despy kneels on Daisuke, pretends to not understand what’s wrong, then he digs his knees in. The ref counts, Despy backs off, and Despy apologizes while Daisuke bails out. Despy waits, but Daisuke offers Despy to step outside. It’ll be a clean fight! Despy says step inside and it’ll be clean in here! Despy asks why it has to be outside. Daisuke CLAWS Despy’s eyes! Then he turns Despy for a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! The fans are torn while Despy writhes, but Daisuke drags Despy outside. Daisuke SMACKS Despy off the apron, then has fans clear out!
Daisuke stands Despy up, but he’s going to commentary! Despy fights back, but now Daisuke fights the desk bump! Daisuke SMACKS Despy off the desk, then grabs someone’s chair! The ref reprimands, but Daisuke puts the chair around Despy’s neck and POSTS him! The fans are torn while Despy writhes, but Daisuke leaves Despy behind. The fans rally for Despy as a ring count begins, and Despy is still down at 5 of 20. Despy sits up at 7, Daisuke wants the count to hurry up. Despy stands at 10 and rolls into the ring, only for Daisuke to DROPKICK him in the head! Despy scrambles away, clutching his neck, but Daisuke pursues!
Daisuke puts Despy back in, pushes him to a cover, ONE!! Despy toughs it out, but Daisuke KNEES him in the back of the neck! And then drops a knee on the same spot! And again! The fans rally up for Despy but Daisuke steps on him at the ropes. Daisuke then drags Despy up, puts him through ropes, and bends him back! The ref counts, Daisuke stops, then he drags Despy around to FISHERMAN SCREW! Despy sputters, but he BODY BLOWS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Daisuke CLUBS Despy, then eggs him on. Daisuke slaps Despy around, Despy slaps back, so Daisuke slaps again. Despy SMACKS Daisuke down!
The fans fire up for Despy while Daisuke is dazed. But then Daisuke kicks the leg out, and he slips around, STF! Despy endures, reaches out, but Daisuke shifts to a CROSSFACE! Despy endures, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK with a foot! Daisuke lets go to drop knee after knee on Despy’s back! Daisuke then stalks Despy to ropes, brings him around, and turns him, but Despy slips free! Despy has the leg, SHIN BREAKER! Then a DROPKICK to the leg! Daisuke hobbles to a corner while the fans rally again. Despy runs up on Daisuke, blocks a boot, and KICKS the leg! Then DRAPING DRAGON SCREW!
Daisuke hobbles but he falls over. The fans rally as Despy grabs that leg, but Daisuke kicks free. Despy kicks Daisuke’s leg, then BRAINBUSTER! The fans fire up again and Despy keeps on Daisuke, BIG back suplex! Despy hurries to haul Daisuke up again, GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO! Daisuke toughs it out and the fans rally up again. Despy drags Daisuke over to a drop zone, then climbs the corner! The fans rally, but Daisuke goes to the apron. Daisuke CLUBS Despy, ROCKS him with a right, then climbs up the corner. The fans and the ref are all worried as both men try to suplex the other from the outside!
Despy fires body shots, he steps inside, and then SUPERPLEXES Daisuke into the ring! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Despy crawls but Daisuke bails out. So Despy builds speed, but has to stop the dive as Daisuke slides in! Then Daisuke runs to RAM Despy off the apron! Despy tumbles into the chairs, but Daisuke is right after him! Daisuke drags Despy up to make him take a seat. Daisuke CLUBS Despy, then throws off his shirt before he climbs up the corner! The fans go nuts already as Daisuke aims, SUPER DUPER CROSSBODY onto Despy and the chairs!! The fans are thunderous for that wild risk Daisuke just took!
The ref checks both men, and somehow, they’re both able to continue. Daisuke hobbles away from the crash site to roll into the ring. Daisuke then goes back outside with a fresh ring count. Daisuke puts Despy in he ring at 8 of 20, then climbs up again! FLYING LARIAT! Daisuke hurries to reel Despy in, underhooks, and PEDIGREE!! Cover, TWO!! Despy survives but Daisuke hurries to SUPERKICK! Despy is up but Daisuke runs, LA MYSTI- NO, Despy makes it a FACEBUSTER! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Despy stirs, as does Daisuke, and they both slowly rise back up. Despy fires a forearm first, then another!
Despy fires another, but Daisuke ROCKS Despy with a haymaker! Daisuke whips, Despy reverses, and Despy SPINEUBSTERS! High stack, TWO, but into STRETCH MUFFLER!! Daisuke fights, reaches out, but Despy reels him into NUMERO DOS! Daisuke still fights, fights, but Despy drags him back! NUMERO DOS PLUS, but Daisuke rolls it around and around into a CROSSFACE!! Despy endures while the fans rally as hard as they can! Despy fights over, but Daisuke rolls him away from the ropes! Then Daisuke grabs the other arm, only for Despy to roll to a cradle! TWO!! Both men stand, Despy shoots around to then lift, and DOUBLE KNEE-
NO, Daisuke turns it into a DDT! Then Daisuke aims from a corner, runs up, LA MYSTIC- ARM-DRAG COUNTER! Daisuke kicks free of the stack, then uses the ref as a shield! Despy dosidos with the ref, but Daisuke shoves Despy into the ref! Daisuke whips, Despy reverses, and Daisuke ends up in a corner. Despy runs up, but into a pop-up LOW BLOW!! LA MYSTICA! CROSSFACE!! DESPY TAPS, DAISUKE WINS!!
Winner: Daisuke Sasaki, by submission (gains 2 points; Desperado earns 0)
Well, Daisuke was taught by Dick Togo, so perhaps such tactics should’ve been expected. But will Daisuke make sure NJPW is #NeverSober? Will Desperado still find his way to the BOSJ finals?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Francesco Akira!
The Japanese Young Punk and the Crown of Fire have the honor of closing out opening night, but only one can finish strong! Will Fujita remind Akira that The Mighty Don’t Kneel? Or will even The Mighty be conquered by the United Empire?
But wait, Fujita CLOBBERS Akira with a chair outta nowhere! Where’d he even come from?! Fujita rains down fists on Akira while the fans are torn, but Fujita then drags Akira up with a headlock. Red Shoes reprimands, but Fujita takes Akira right to the West sign to SMACK him off it! And SMACK him off it again, and again! Fujita laughs, the fans cheer, and Fujita brings Akira to the ring. The bell finally sounds but Fujita deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!! Akira survives but Fujita brings him back up. Akira fights free and bails out, but Fujita goes to the apron. PENALTY KICK, then QUEBRADA!
The fans are torn as indeed, the Japanese Young Punk bullies and mugs Akira. Red Shoes checks Akira but Fujita has fans clear out. But then Akira throat chops Fujita! Akira whips, Fujita reverses, but Akira stops short of the chairs! Fujita runs up, but Akira THROWS him into the chairs! Not quite a strike but Akira is pissed! Akira whips Fujita hard into more chairs! Akira then huffs ‘n’ puffs, busted open on his forehead, the red standing out against his new green hair dye. Akira says if Fujita wants to fight like that, he’ll fight like that! Akira brings a TABLE out from under the ring! Red Shoes reprimands but Akira SHOVES him down!
The fans are torn while Akira fetches Fujita. Akira SMACKS Fujita off the table, then puts him on the apron. Akira climbs up to join Fujita, and he brings Fujita up to fireman’s carry! Akira aims, but Fujita slips free! Akira ROCKS Fujita first, then brings Fujita up the ropes! Fujita fights the suplex, UPPERCUTS Akira, then runs, but into a SLINGSHOT CUTTER! The fans duel while Akira rises up. Akira rains down forearms on Fujita, then drops back to a corner. Akira has them check his bloody forehead real quick, it seems to have stopped bleeding. Akira CHOPS Fujita, and Fujita sputters. Akira scoops and SLAMS Fujita, then pushes him to a cover, TWO!
Akira sets up, STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up while Akira brings Akira into a headscissors squeeze. Fujita endures, fights forward, but Akira puts on more pressure! Fujita kicks and kicks and makes the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Akira lets go. Akira snarls, then he kicks at Fujita. Akira KICKS Fujita in the back, eggs him on, so Fujita stands. Fujita ROCKS Akira with forearm after forearm, but Akira ROCKS him back! Akira then back suplexes, but Fujita lands out! Akira kicks and whips, Fujita reverses and LEG LARIATS! The fans fire up while both men are down!
Akira bails out, Fujita goes up, out, and tightrope walks, only for Akira to slide in! Fujita hops down, springboards back up, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up while Akira tumbles out the side. Fujita just goes up, up, and SUPER CANNONBALLS! Fujita takes Akira AND Zane Jay down! Fujita brings Akira back into the ring, then PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up again as Fujita waistlocks Akira. Deadlift- NO, Akira fights the suplex, reaches for ropes, but Fujita brings him back. Fujita ducks the elbow, then ties up the legs, NEMOS- NO, Akira crawls, crawls, and makes the ROPEBREAK!
The fans cheer while Fujita lets go. Fujita storms back up on Akira, grabs a leg, but Akira clings to the ropes. Red Shoes counts, but Akira BOOTS Fujita way. Then he sidesteps, trips Fujita, and puts him under the ropes! CATAPULT GUILLOTINE! Akira LIONSAULTS onto Fujita’s back! Cover, TWO! Fujita survives and the fans fire up again, but Akira just grits his teeth. Akira drags Fujita around, reels him in, and SPEED- NO, Fujita blocks Speedfire! Akira still tries but Fujita stops him again. Akira KNEES low again and again, but Fujita grabs that leg! Fujita wrenches, but Akira KNEES low! SPEEDFIRE! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally again while Akira paces. Akira rains down fists but Red Shoes reprimands. Akira stops, taunts the fans cheering Fujita, then tells them to watch this! Akira drags Fujita up, and SMACKS him off the mat! And SMACKS him off the mat again! Akira then taunts the fans for no longer chanting for Fujita! The fans boo, but Akira sits Fujita up again. Fujita blocks the throw this time! Akira KNEES Fujita, SMACKS him off the mat again, and NOVA- NO, Fujita ducks the Fireball to ROUNDHOUSE! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! Red Shoes checks, and both men stir. They slowly rise up, and Akira grabs at Fujita.
Fujita and Akira both pull hair as they sit up. Fujita fires the first forearm, but Akira responds in kind! Fujita fires back, Akira staggers, but Akira returns to ROCK Fujita! Fujita ROCKS Akira, Akira ROCKS Fujita, repeat! The fans rally as the shots keep going, and Fujita laughs it off! Fujita SMACKS Akira! Akira SMACKS Fujita! They start a SLAP fight, and the fans fire up as it gets fast ‘n’ furious! Fujita SMACKS Akira again and again, then winds up, but Akira ENZIGIRIS! Akira runs, but Fujita ELBOWS him! Fujita runs but Akira LARIATS! Akira runs, but into a SPIN HEEL KICK! The fans are thunderous as Fujita DEADLIFT GERMANS! Bridging cover, TWO!!
Akira survives again and the fans are torn right down the middle! Akira rolls to the apron but Fujita isn’t far behind. Fujita GAMANGIRIS, then he looks to Akira’s table! Akira clings to ropes but Fujita tries to pull him away! Akira ELBOWS Fujita, then slips under to POST him! Fujita falls to the floor, Akira leaps and RAN- NO! Fujita stops the rana to then swing Akira up! And he POWERBOMBS Akira through the table!! The fans are thunderous again and Fujita drags Akira back up. Fujita puts Akira in, then whips him for a pop-up GERMAN SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO?!? But Fujita has the arms trapped!!
Akira endures as Fujita pulls on the arm! The fans rally and duel as hard as they have all night, and Akira adds a cording hold! Akira kicks, kicks, flails, but Fujita grabs the leg! BOW ‘N’ ARROW STRETCH, but Akira gives one last gasp! ROPEBREAK!! Fujita lets go but he vows to end it now! Fujita hauls Akira up, torture racks, but Akira fights with elbows! Fujita squats, but stands up! Akira slips through and hooks the arms, but Fujita spins through! Akira ducks, backslide, NOVA- NO, Fujita rolls through it to have the legs! NEMOS- CRADLE COUNTER! TWO!??! Akira hurries to run up, wheelbarrow, but Fujita stops the roll!
Fujita hauls Akira up, WHEELBARROW GERMAN! But Akira rises?!? Akira runs up, Fujita gets around him, POISON-RANA! NOVA FIREBALL?!?!? Cover, TWO?!?!? Fujita survives and Akira is beside himself! The fans are electric as Akira rises. Akira roars, vows to end it, and he drags Fujita up to reel him in. Akira hooks a leg, CROWN- CRADLE and deadlift! THRILLRIDE!!! Cover, FUJITA WINS!!
Winner: Kosei Fujita, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Akira earns 0)
It was an epic not only worthy of the main event, but perhaps even the finals! But in the end, the Crown of Fire is the one that burned out! Will Akira still be able to prove he’s the best after this unfortunate start?
As for Fujita, he sits back and gets the mic. “Oi, you big idiot! You’re sure one strong SOB! And every single time I wrestle you in BOSJ, it’s the match I’m most looking forward to. Everything here is over the top excellence, and that is something you see on the regular with me. And so, I think this year is mine to win. Every expectation you have of me, I will see you, raise you, and surpass those expectations!” With that mighty finish, will Fujita become the youngest man to go back-to-back as BOSJ Champion?
Here are the A Block standings!
Kosei Fujita: 1-0, 2 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 1-0, 2 points
Nick Wayne: 1-0, 2 points
Titan: 1-0, 2 points
Robbie X: 0-1, 0 points
Francesco Akira: 0-1, 0 points
Master Wato: 0-1, 0 points
Daiki Nagai: 0-1, 0 points
Valiente Jr: [did not compete]
Jun Kasai: [did not compete]
Here are the B Block standings!
Taiji Ishimori: 1-0, 2 points
SHO: 1-0, 2 points
HYO: 1-0, 2 points
KUSHIDA: 1-0, 2 points
Daisuke Sasaki: 1-0, 2 points
YOH: 0-1, 0 points
Robbie Eagles: 0-1, 0 points
El Desperado: 0-1, 0 points
Jakob Austin Young: 0-1, 0 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 0-1, 0 points
My Thoughts:
An awesome opening round for BOSJ, and it wasn’t even all the participants with Valiente Jr. and Jun Kasai for whatever reason not here tonight. Maybe travel stuff kept them from arriving in time? Otherwise, the tenth match on the card would’ve been Valiente VS Kasai. But even without them, great matches from start to finish, but that’s par for the course when it comes to NJPW. I really liked Sho saying his match with Kanemaru was gonna steal the show, and then all we get is them trying to outcheat the other, because duh, what else were they gonna do?
Daiki taking Douki’s spot since Douki kayfabe refused to compete, he had a great showing against Taguchi, but it feels like Daiki’s first win in this tournament is gonna happen late in the tournament so that he can act as spoiler. Yoh VS Hyo was certainly unique, and surprisingly short. Both Robbies losing was a bit of a surprise, but it makes sense since Nick Wayne is meant to make an impact this time around, and Kushida is making his return to NJPW, both of those guys needed the win. But seriously, ROH’s tape delays hurt them here because Nick Wayne VS AR Fox doesn’t air until tonight so we already know what happens there…
Daisuke being a real Heel in the end of his match was a good way for him to win while protecting Despy. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Daisuke join House of Torture in the absence of Evil. And awesome main event from Fujita VS Akira, but very fitting of the 2025 BOSJ winner basically defending his title as he goes for another. All of Fujita’s matches probably will be this awesome, or as close to it as they can get out of everyone in A Block, but who knows if he repeats.
My Score: 9/10
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Will The Prince dispatch two challengers at once?
After retaining the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, Callum Newman offered a unique challenge. Can Shingo Takagi or Yota Tsuji secure a title shot through a tag match?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Ryusuke Taguchi & Taisei Nakahara VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Kanemaru win.
- Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS Toru Yano, YOH & Master Wato; Yano, Yoh & Wato win.
- Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Taichi & El Desperado; Taichi & Desperado win.
- Yuya Uemura & Masatora Yasuda VS Ryohei Oiwa & Kosei Fujita; Oiwa & Fujita win.
- Six Man Tag: Aaron Wolf, Boltin Oleg & Tiger Mask VS Ren Narita, Yujiro Takahashi & Dick Togo; Wolf, Oleg & Tiger Mask win.
- 10 Man Tag: The Unbound Company VS The United Empire; The Empire wins.
- Championship Stakes: Callum Newman & Jake Lee VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji; Takagi & Tsuji win, and Tsuji will challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
PLAY BY PLAY
10 Man Tag: The Unbound Company VS The United Empire!
Before the Knock Out Brothers clash with the Dominator & Mauler over the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, they lead their units into war! Will Oskar, Yuto-Ice, Gedo, Taiji Ishimori & Daiki Nagai be truly unbound? Or will Great-O-Khan, Henare, Francesco Akira, Jakob Austin Young & Zane Jay conquer them for the glory of the Empire?
The teams sort out, but Yuto and Henare egg each other on as they’re forehead to forehead. The ref has them back off, but they still start the match. The bell rings and the fans rally as Yuto and Henare step back up. They’re forehead to forehead again as they talk trash, then they fire forearm after forearm! The fans rally as Henare ROCKS Yuto, but Yuto fires a flurry in return! Henare fires a flurry of his own, then runs, but into a BOOT! Henare wobbles but he comes right back. Yuto laughs as he ROCKS Henare! Yuto runs, ROCKS Henare again, but Henare roars! Henare eggs Yuto on, Yuto runs the ropes, but Henare RUNS him over!
Henare sits Yuto up to KICK him in the back, then KICK again! The fans rally as Henare runs, but Yuto avoids the Rugby Kick! Henare still kicks low, whips to ropes, but Yuto reverses to BOOT Henare down! The fans fire up with Yuto, and he KICKS Henare in the back! And KICKS him again! Henare scrambles to a corner but Yuto swaggers his way over. Yuto KICKS, and KNEES, and SOBATS! Henare sits down, Yuto gets gangsta! “BOMBACLAT!” But Henare gets up to fireman’s carry! Yuto slips free, Henare dodges a lariat, but so does Yuto! Henare swats the boot, Yuto ducks the heel kick, and the fans cheer the standoff!
Zane has Henare calm down, and wants him to tag. Henare tags Zane, and Zane calls out Daiki. Daiki tags in, and these two still have to settle how they ended the Young Lion Cup. Zane eggs Daiki on, so Daiki ROCKS him! Zane fires back, Daiki fires another, and the fans rally as the two brawl! Daiki whips, Zane reverses, but Daiki redirects! Zane hurdles, drops down, but Daiki avoids the dropkick! Daiki runs to basement DROPKICK! Zane scrambles to a corner while the fans fire up. Daiki runs in, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Zane toughs it out but the fans rally behind Daiki. Daiki storms up on Zane but Zane wants mercy. Daiki says no and he ROCKS Zane!
Daiki runs in at the corner, but Zane counters the monkey flip to put Daiki up top! Zane DROPKICKS Daiki down, then the Empire BLASTS the Unbound corner! They all brawl on the outside and into the crowd! Oskar CLUBS Khan, Yuto fires forearms on Henare, but Henare BODY BLOWS and CHOPS! Oskar has fans clear out, then he whips Khan, but Khan reverses! Oskar tumbles into the chairs! Yuto CHOKES Henare, Henare shoves Yuto away, and Zane has Daiki in the ring. Zane bumps Daiki off buckles while Khan JAMS Oskar with a chair! Khan SMACKS Oskar on the back with it, too! The fans are torn as Khan roars.
Henare and Yuto return ringside, and Khan uses a chair to sit on Oskar! Khan taunts Oskar, then steps off. Henare uses a DEATH GRIP on Yuto! Henare THROWS Yuto into chairs, then he smothers a Young Lion for getting in the way! Henare even scares ring staff off before going to ringside. Zane CHOKES Daiki, the ref counts, and Zane stops at 4. Zane tags #DangerousJay and he UPPERCUTS Daiki. Jakob CHOKES Daiki in the corner, then brings him around. Jakob whips Daiki to ropes, ELBOWS him down, then covers, TWO! The fans applaud as Daiki toughs it out, but Jakob brings him back up. Jakob tags Akira, and he taunts Oskar!
The ref has to keep Oskar back, but this all lets Khan bend Daiki’s fingers! The Empire mugs Daiki in the corner, and Jakob even CLAWS Daiki’s eyes! Khan tells commentary to shut up, but Daiki fights back! Akira KNEES low, whips, and drop toeholds. Akira SMACKS Daiki off the mat again, then kneels on a cocky cover. TWO, but Akira taunts the Unbound Company. Akira bumps Daiki off buckles, tags Khan, and Khan dumps Daiki out. The rest of the Empire mugs Daiki while the fans boo. Zane puts Daiki back in for Khan, and Khan drags Daiki around. Khan steps on Daiki for a cocky cover, TWO! Daiki toughs it out but Khan soaks up the cheers and jeers.
Khan scuffs Daiki as Daiki tries to crawl away. Khan eggs Daiki on, offering a free hit. Daiki stands, but Khan dodges the hit. Khan laughs at Daiki for falling for his trap quite literally! Khan then drags Daiki up, but Daiki fires forearms after all! The fans rally as Daiki HEADBUTTS! Daiki whips, Khan reverses, and Khan runs up, only for Daiki to dodge! Hot tag to Oskar! The fans fire up as the giant German RUNS Khan over, BLASTS Henare, then whips Khan corner to corner! Zane runs up but Oskar BOOTS him away! Oskar runs up, DOUBLE ELBOW for Zane and Khan! Akira runs up to jump on Oskar’s back! Oskar RAMS Akira into a corner!
Jakob storms in, but Oskar guzels! Akira runs up, but Oskar guzels! Oskar gives them a meeting of the minds, then a DOUBLE LARIAT! The fans fire up with Oskar, and he goes back for Khan. Oskar drags Khan up, scoops, but Henare KICKS Oskar’s leg! The ref reprimands but Henare KICKS and KICKS and BODY BLOWS! Henare HEADBUTTS, then DEATH GRIPS! Henare HEADBUTTS Oskar, then he and Khan bring Oskar around. Oskar fights the lift, but Henare blocks the boot! But then Oskar guzels Henare! Henare can’t reach Oskar for the Death Grip! Oskar then guzels Khan, but they both break free! DOUBLE BODY BLOW!
The ref reprimands, but #Khanare double whip Oskar. He breaks their lariats, but the DOUBLE BOOTS hit! Yuto is in, he shoves Henare into Khan! Then he fires off fast hands on Henare, bobs ‘n’ weaves, then ROCKS Henare! Henare drops, Yuto ICE HIGHS! But Henare is up, LARIAT! The fans fire up while all four men are down! Oskar rises, he SWATS Khan’s haymaker to have the NIGHTMARE SLEEPER! But Khan BITES Oskar’s arm! IRON CLAW! But Oskar pries it away, only for Khan to KICK the leg, and BOOT Oskar down! The fans rally as both men crawl for their corners. Hot tags to Akira and Taiji!
The fans fire up as the two rush in! Akira dodges the boot to headlock, but Taiji powers up and out. Akira RUNS Taiji over, then keeps moving. Taiji drops, hurdles, but Akira shoves! Taiji RANAS! Akira tumbles, Taiji runs up, DOUBLE KNEES! Then a fireman’s carry, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, and a BASEMENT SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Akira is tougher than that but Taiji stays on him. Taiji gut wrenches, but Akira fights to turn it around! CIPHER- NO, Taiji lands out to whip Akira. Akira reverses, Taiji handsprings, but into a waistlock! Akira then spins Taiji around, SPEEDFIRE! Akira sputters, he can’t make the cover!
Taiji and Akira crawl, hot tag to Jakob! Jakob drags Taiji up, he and Akira DOUBLE SUPLEX, but Daiki makes the save! Akira & Jakob kick Daiki, then whip, but Daiki ducks ‘n’ dodges to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! The fans cheer the Unbound Young Lion as he flounders to a corner, and Taiji tags Gedo! Gedo JABS, JABS, and JABS! Gedo winds up, but Jakob CLAWS Gedo’s eyes! Jakob winds up, but Gedo UPPERCUTS! Then SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Jakob survives but Gedo stays focused. Gedo tells Jakob to get up, then he mule kicks the leg! Body scissors, GEDO CLUTCH! But Zane ELBOW DROPS Gedo down!
Zane drags Gedo up, and he FALL AWAY SLAMS! Jakob gets Gedo back up, for the HAMMERLOCK DDT! Cover, The Empire wins!
Winners: The United Empire, by pinfall
Another bites the dust, and The Empire is control on this New Japan Road! Henare taunts Yuto with his tag title, but that just sparks a new brawl! Young Lions hurry to stop this, but easier said than done! The rest of the teams get in there, too, and Unbound Company must fall back, if only for now. But will things be different with their best in the main event?
Championship Stakes: Callum Newman & Jake Lee VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji!
It was just 48 hours ago that The Prince slayed the Rampaging Dragon, although with controversial and underhanded tactics. He’s so confident, in fact, he’s giving Takagi and Tsuji another chance! Will Callum cross off two names from the list for the rest of his reign? Or will someone from the Unbound Company have a golden ticket to the top title in NJPW?
The teams sort out, but Callum can’t help himself. He taunts Takagi and Tsuji with the belt, so they attack! They mug Callum, then Yota kicks Jake. Yota TOSSES Jake, the bell rings, and Unbound mug Callum again. They double whip then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans cheer while Takagi ELBOW DROPS! The fans rally as Takagi eggs Callum on. Callum goes to a corner, Takagi runs up, but Callum dodges. Callum runs back in, but Takagi puts him on the apron. Callum RAMS Takagi, slingshots up and over, then keeps moving. Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges but Takagi sidesteps to HIP TOSS! Callum staggers to his feet, Takagi LARIATS him up and out!
Callum stumbles into and then tumbles over the railing! Yota goes after Jake while Takagi hurries through the gate to fetch Callum. Yota whips Jake hard into railing, then stalks him around the way, while Takagi KNEES Callum low. Takagi brings Callum around to SMACK him off the timekeeper’s table! Takagi ROCKS Callum, follows him to another section of the crowd, while Yota DOUBLE CHOPS Jake out of a chair! Takagi ROCKS Callum again and the fans rally behind him. Callum wants to escape but Takagi stalks him. Takagi SMACKS Callum off some chairs, then HEADBUTTS him down! Yota brings Jake up to ROCK with a forearm of his own!
Jake stumbles around through the crowd, knocking chairs over as he tries to flee. Yota pursues as Jake begs young fans to help. Yota grabs that hand to SNAP fingers! The ring count finally starts as Callum SMACKS Takagi off a table! Takagi considers throwing that table but thinks better of it. Takagi pursues Callum as Callum heads back to ringside, but Yota BOOTS Jake out of a seat! The count is 15 of 20 as Callum and Takagi roll inside. Callum wants mercy, even apologizes, but Takagi CHOKES him! Red Shoes counts, Takagi stops at 4, and Callum clings to the ropes. Takagi kicks Callum into letting go, then brings him up.
Takagi JABS Callum and Callum falls against ropes. Takagi JABS again and Callum flounders. Callum calls to Jake but Takagi keeps him back. Callum fights the lift with elbows, then BODY BLOWS! Callum runs, but Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! But Callum trips Takagi and PUNTS him in the side! Just like in their title match! Jake BLASTS Yota off the apron, then goes out to stomp him down! Red Shoes reprimands but Jake drags Yota up and grinds him into railing. Callum pushes Takagi out of the ring while Jake fires body shots on Yota. Callum RAMS Takagi into railing, then brings him around to POST him!
Takagi staggers while Callum mockingly cheers him on. Jake POSTS Yota and does the same. Callum KICKS Takagi in the side, then flexes before he SPITS at Takagi! The fans boo but Callum ROCKS Takagi again. Callum puts Takagi in the ring, taunts Yota from across the way, then slingshots to stomp Takagi down. Callum dares Yota to reach out for Takagi, then he stomps Takagi. Callum digs his heel in, then he tags Jake. Jake swaggers and talks some trash, then he brings out the black glove! Callum KNEES Takagi before Jake takes Takagi’s shirt off. Jake shows off the bad ribs while he says it is picture time! Jake gives Takagi the DENTAL CHECK!
The fans are torn as Jake shoves Takagi down and takes off the glove. Jake mockingly applauds that Takagi passed his dental exam, then he stomps Takagi down. Tag to Callum and Callum clamps onto the arm. Callum traps the arm, kneels on Takagi, then digs his knuckles into the bad ribs! Yota BOOTS Callum, then backs off as Jake runs up. Callum calls BS, but he drags Takagi to stomp him down! Callum KICKS Takagi, then sits for a cocky cover, TWO! Callum clamps onto Takagi, wags his finger at Yota, then grinds Takagi’s bad arm. The fans rally for Takagi as he rises up and fires body shots! Callum KNEES low, then bumps Takagi off buckles.
Callum tags Jake back in and Jake again taunts Takagi. Callum CHOKES Takagi, and Jake KICKS Takagi in the side! The fans rally for Takagi as he rises again, and he rips away the tape! Takagi snarls as he ROCKS Jake again and again! But Jake kicks low, CLAWS Takagi’s face, then runs. Takagi blocks the boot to CLUB the leg! Takagi whips, Jake reverses, but Takagi blocks the knee! DRAGON SCREW! The fans cheer while both men are down! Hot tag to Yota! The fans fire up as Yota BLASTS Callum off the corner, then kicks and whips Jake. Jake reverses but Yota BOOTS him! Yota BLASTS Callum again, then DIVES! Direct hit and Callum hits railing!
The fans fire up for Yota and he slingshots into the ring. Yota then whips Jake corner to corner, runs up, but Jake dodges the splash! BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Yota is tougher than that, but Jake signals he’s taking his shot. Jake drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Yota tries to suplex but Jake fights the lift! They fight for control as the fans rally, and Jake suplexes! But Yota lands out! Yota ducks an elbow to FLATLINER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Takagi calls to Yota and Yota crawls over. Yota is a bit unsure, but he hot tags Takagi anyway! The fans fire up as Takagi powers up and LARIATS in the corner!
Takagi fires the fans up more, and he JABS, JABS, JABS in the corner! Then a CHOP! Jake roars, but Takagi ELBOWS him! Takagi runs, but into the KITCHEN SINK KNEE! It hit pretty high and Takagi falls. Jake tags Callum, Callum BOOTS Yota! Callum stands Takagi up for Jake to KITCHEN SINK KNEE! Then EXCALIBUR!! Cover, YOTA BREAKS IT! The fans cheer, and Yota TOSSES Jake! Callum kicks and TOSSES Yota! Callum is frustrated, but he still mocks Takagi’s pain. Callum kicks Takagi around, and mockingly asks if it hurts. Callum CLUBS Takagi, eggs him on, then ROCKS him with a forearm.
Callum eggs Takagi on, but Takagi SLAPS him! Callum DECKS Takagi for that! Callum sits Takagi up, mocks the prayer hands, then KICKS Takagi in the back! Takagi stays up, and he’s getting mad! The fans fire up as Takagi rises, but Callum BOOTS! And BOOTS! And BOOTS! Takagi just gets angrier! Callum fires knee after knee, but Takagi headbutts the buckles! The fans fire up but Callum BOOTS again! Callum runs, but into the ELBOW! SOBAT! JAB! HEEL KICK! Callum feints the run, but Takagi LARIATS first! Callum LARIATS in return! Both men stand but stagger, and Yota tags in! The fans fire up as Yota hurries to BLAST Jake!
Yota then goes back to Callum and ROCKS him with a forearm! Callum staggers around, Yota ROCKS him again, and again! The fans fire up with Yota, he whips Callum to ropes, but Callum grabs ropes! Yota runs up, Callum BOOTS him away, and Jake jumps in! Jake kicks and whips Yota to a corner, then runs up, but he blocks the boot. Yota reels Jake in for the STOMP! Yota runs up but Callum wrenches through, short arm LARIAT! The fans rally up again while everyone is down! Callum sits up, kisses the crown tattoo, and brings Yota up. Callum goes to fireman’s carry but Yota fights it. Callum powers through, but Yota slips free!
Yota feeds Callum to Takagi’s ELBOW! Yota BOOTS, Takagi BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and Yota GENE TRIGGERS! Then they DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Callum survives and Takagi has to sort out who is legal. Red Shoes and Yota explain that tag from earlier, but then Callum kicks them both! Callum runs, but into the ELBOW! BACKBREAKER! JAB! Then Yota pump handles, but Jake CLAWS Yota’s face! Takagi RUNS Jake over, Callum BOOTS Takagi down, but Yota scoops to BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while all four men are down again! Yota and Callum stir, and Callum flips off the fans cheering Yota.
Yota rises up, Callum wants mercy, and Yota hesitates. But then Callum SPITS at him! Callum fires a forearm, Yota fires back, and repeat! The fans rally up as the shots go back and forth, faster and faster! Callum fires a flurry, runs, but Yota follows to SPLASH in the corner! Yota runs but Callum follows to HELLUVA KICK! Callum runs, Yota follows, GENE TRIGGER! Yota keeps moving, but he dodges Callum to then GAMANGIRI! Yota puts Callum up top, climbs up, and SUPER STEINERS! Cover, TWO! Callum survives but Yota roars! The fans cheer Yota on as he pump handles, but Callum slips free! Callum shoves Yota at Red Shoes! Yota stops short, but Callum LOW BLOWS!
The fans boo but Callum turns around as Takagi runs in! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but neither man falls! They DOUBLE LARIAT again, and Callum flops against Takagi! Takagi fires boxing elbows on Callum, then winds up, but Callum ROCKS! ROLLING- JAB! Callum grabs at Red Shoes, uses him as a shield, but Takagi stops the low blow! Takagi shoves Callum at Red Shoes, REVENGE LOW BLOW! Yota SUPERKICKS! Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS! And they set Callum up for the PUMPING BLASTER!! Cover, Jake breaks it! KNEE for Takagi, then a ROUNDHOUSE! But Takagi rebounds, PUMPING BOMBER on Jake!!
Takagi tells Yota to finish this! Yota GENE BLASTERS Callum!! Cover, Yota & Takagi win!!
Winners: Yota Tsuji & Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (Yota Tsuji is the NEW #1 Contender to the IWGP Heavyweight Championship)
Callum got too cocky in his young reign, and now he’s the one staring up at the lights! But will he have a better game plan for when the title is on the line?
As for the Unbound Company, they catch their breath before Yota takes the mic. “OI, CALLUM! Too bad for you. To me, the path you forge is darkness. I won’t let NJPW go down that path. I will lead NJPW towards the light of hope.” The fans applaud that. Callum says see you at Dominion then! Callum leaves, and Yota continues by saying with Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement, the New Beginning, and now Dominion, NJPW has changed dramatically. But now, Yota meets Callum in a rematch for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in Dominion’s main event, carrying that responsibility and determination in his heart!
The fans cheer again, and Yota says, “OI, NJPW! And Callum Newman… ARE YOU READY?!” The fans cheer again, and Yota promises to be the one to carry NJPW on his shoulders! Mic drop from the Gene Blast, but will he dethrone the Prince already? Or will Callum solidify NJWP as his dominion?
My Thoughts:
A very good New Japan Road event as also a sendoff to Dominion. Really good tune-ups, and the 10 Man Tag especially for the build into the Heavyweight Tag title match. Empire winning here might show KOB wins when the time comes, but Best of the Super Juniors is next so there will be more and more tune-up filler matches first. And great tag match main event with the unique stipulation. As I said before, Yota losing both belts is so he can have his heroic journey back to the top. Yota getting the win here makes sense as it sets up the rematch from losing to Callum, and Dominion’s going to have a great main event that could honestly go either way.
My Score: 8.8/10
Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
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Attitude Of Aggression Podcast: The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history) Unidentified History (Ufology) & Game Gone Wrong (Game of Thrones Universe)
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4 Corners Podcast: Secretariat’s Family Tree
Patrick and Tunney discuss the NHL and NBA playoffs!
4 Corners Podcast: Did The Red Sox Panic?
Dave & Patrick discuss a seismic shift in Boston as the Red Sox clean house. Plus, NFL Draft thoughts and...
4 Corners Podcast: NHL & NBA Playoff Preview
Dave & PC Tunney preview the NHL & NBA Playoffs!
4 Corners Podcast: The Masters, NBA & MLB
Join Patrick and Dave weekly as they explore the 4 Corners of the American sports scene.
4 Corners Podcast: College Madness
The guys recap the Final Four, discuss March Madness expanding, and discuss an Executive Order that the guys actually agree...
Bandwagon Nerds #340: Womp Womp!
Your favorite Nerds review the season finale of Daredevil: Born Again Season 2, episode 6 of The Boys final season,...
Bandwagon Nerds #339: Everybody Dies
Your favorite Nerds review Daredevil: Born Again and The Boys. Paramount, Disney and Oscars news. All that plus we take...
Bandwagon Nerds #338: Impossible Choices
Your favorite Nerds review the season finale of Invincible, as well as continuing their review of Daredevil: Born Again and...
Bandwagon Nerds #337: Parallels & Purpose
The NERDS continue to review Invincible, Daredevil, and The Boys. Plus, we take a look at the new trailer for...
Bandwagon Nerds #336: Invincible, Daredevil, The Boys… Oh My!
Don't miss the Bandwagon, NERDS!
Former WWE Star Reveals How Company Tests Wrestlers for an “Attitude Problem”
A former WWE star took to social media to explain, in brief, how WWE evaluates its talent to determine whether...
WWE Backlash Match Sparks “Clone War” Debate in Wrestling Community
Wrestling fans and insiders are abuzz after a match at WWE Backlash was accused of “copycatting” a formula previously used...
Thekla Says AEW Became the “Perfect Fit,” Citing Tony Khan in Decision to Re-Sign
AEW Women’s World Champion Thekla revealed that Tony Khan’s promotion has become the “perfect fit” for her, a realization that...
Swerve Strickland Targets ROH Champion Bandido Ahead of Owen Hart Cup Match
AEW’s Swerve Strickland fired several warning shots at ROH World Champion Bandido as the two prepare to collide in the...
Ronda Rousey Reflects on WrestleMania 35 Main Event, Cites Lack of Preparation Time
Ronda Rousey has opened up about her feelings surrounding the historic WrestleMania 35 main event, calling it a career-defining moment...
Matt Hardy Reflects on Kofi Kingston’s WrestleMania 35 Triumph and the New Day’s Influence
Matt Hardy praised Kofi Kingston’s emotional WWE Championship victory at WrestleMania 35, calling the KofiMania run a defining moment for...
Kit Wilson Opens Up About Emotional Toll After Being Left Off 2026 Royal Rumble
WWE’s Kit Wilson admitted he struggled emotionally after being left off this year’s Royal Rumble card, saying the omission from...
Kevin Nash Slams TKO’s WWE Stewardship, Says Only One Thing Would End His Involvement
Veteran Kevin Nash has publicly criticized TKO’s handling of WWE, taking aim at the promotion’s current direction under Paul Levesque...
Jeff Jarrett Says Orange Cassidy Excels at Mixing Character and In-Ring Work
AEW veteran Jeff Jarrett praised Orange Cassidy as the standout performer in modern wrestling when it comes to blending distinctive...
JBL Says He Was Asked to Take a Pay Cut Minutes Before Surgery
WWE Hall of Famer John “Bradshaw” Layfield revealed he once received a phone call just minutes before going into surgery...
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WWE Announces AAA TripleMania 34 as Two-Night Event; Night Two Set for Mexico City
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