Wrestling Dontaku is covered in gold!

The IWGP Heavyweight Tag titles, NEVER Openweight title, IWGP Global Heavyweight title, and yes, THE IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, as Jon Moxley defends against the Souled Out Ren Narita!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Frontier Zone – Togi Makabe & Katsuya Murashima VS Jet Wei & Naoki Sakurajima; Makabe & Murashima win.
• Tiger Mask & Shoma Kato VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
• Yuya Uemura & DOUKI VS Great-O-Khan & Francesco Akira; Khan & Akira win.
• Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita; ZSJ & Fujita win.
• 8 Man Tag: Shota Umino, El Desperado, El Phantasmo & Hikuleo VS The House of Torture; Shota, Desperado, ELP & Leo win.
• Hiroshi Tanahashi & Boltin Oleg VS Taichi & Taka Michinoku; Tanahashi & Oleg win.
• Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
• IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens; Kenta & Chase win and become the new IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
• NEVER Openweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS Gabe Kidd; Takagi wins and retains the title.
• IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Nic Nemeth VS David Finlay; Finlay wins and becomes the new IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion.
• IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Jon Moxley VS Ren Narita; Moxley wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens!

Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi took these titles off Fang Revived & The Crown Jewel at Sakura Genesis, but Bullet Club is looking to take them right back! Will Kenta & Chase be the ones to #TurnItAllAround? Or will it be Lights Out here in Fukuoka?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who wins the sequel!

The teams sort out and Goto starts against Chase. The two circle, feel things out, but then Kenta gets in to CLUB Goto down! Chase BLASTS Hashi, then Chase and Kenta stomp away on Goto! The ref reprimands, Kenta backs off, but Chase bumps Goto off buckles. Chase throws body shots, then headlocks for a punch! The ref reprimands, but Chase whips. Goto holds ropes, BOOTS back, then Hashi gets in! Bishamon runs Chase over! Then ZANMAI! Kenta runs in, Goto kicks low and reels him in. Goto snap suplexes Kenta onto Chase! The fans cheer and Goto CLUBS Chase. Goto puts Chase in a corner then whips corner to corner.

Goto runs in, but Chase BOOTS back! BUCKLE SHOT, STO, and SENTON! Fans applaud the string of moves, then Chase drags Goto up. Chase bumps Goto off buckles, tags Kenta, and Bullet Club mugs Goto. The ref reprimands but Chase pretends to be trapped so he can’t let off. Kenta puts Goto in the corner and RAMS into him! Kenta RAMS Goto again and again, then he smothers Goto! The ref reprimands, Kenta tags Chase, and Chase brings Goto out to wrench and BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Chase tries again, TWO! Another cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Goto is still in this, but Chase argues the count.

Chase kicks Goto, stands him up, but Goto CHOPS! And CHOPS! Chase CHOKES Goto and puts him in the corner! The ref counts, Chase lets off to argue with him, and that lets Kenta pull Goto’s hair. The ref sees that and reprimands, but Chase tags Kenta in. Kenta stomps Goto, brings him around, and whips to ropes. Kenta then ELBOWS Goto down, BLASTS Hashi for good measure, then goes back to Goto. Kenta drags Goto up but Goto ROCKS Kenta! Kenta staggers back but BLASTS Hashi again! Kenta then blocks a kick to CLUB Goto’s leg! Kenta whips, Goto reverses and runs in, but into a BOOT!

Kenta runs, but Goto follows and LARIATS Kenta down! The fans fire up while both men are down and crawling for their corners. Hot tag to Hashi! Chase runs in but gets run over! Kenta forearms, Hashi CHOPS! Hashi sends Kenta into Chase, CHOPS Kenta, then mule kicks Chase! Hashi hits a NECKBREAKER on Chase and the fans fire up with him! Hashi runs at Kenta, clotheslines in the corner, then brings Kenta out to suplex, and hold him! The fans cheer and Hashi SLAMS Kenta down at ten! Cover, TWO! Hashi keeps cool and the fans continue to rally. Hashi drags Kenta up, reels him in, and brings him up, only for Kenta to fight free!

Hashi takes a swing, but Kenta spins him around! Hashi goes to suplex again but Kenta knees free! Kenta blocks the superkick to URAKEN! URAKEN! Kenta runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Hashi LARIATS first! Both men are down and the fans rally back up. Hot tags to Chase and Goto! Goto LARIATS Chase first! Goto runs in at the corner to fire forearms, then he whips corner to corner. Goto runs in, MURAMASA, then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Chase stays in this but the fans rally behind Goto. Goto drags Chase up, fireman’s carries, but Goto fights free! Chase ROCKS Goto, but Goto ROCKS Chase! Chase snarls and comes back to ROCK Goto!

Goto comes back and ROCKS Chase in return! Chase fires another shot, Goto fires a flurry! Chase fires a strike fest, runs, but Goto runs him over! The fans rally, but Kenta runs in with a title belt! The ref reprimands but Goto TOSSES Kenta out first! But Chase has the belt! BELT SHOT!! Cover, Hashi breaks it!! The fans cheer, but Kenta TOSSES Hashi out! Chase gets Goto up, hammerlock and JEWEL HEIST! Cover, Hashi barrels in to break it! Another save from the Head Hunter but Kenta tosses him out! Kenta goes out to CLUB and CHOP Hashi! Chase tucks Goto in, but Goto resists the lift!

Chase still tries, but Goto fights the driver! And then back drops free! Kenta keeps Hashi out as Chase runs to C-TRIGGER! Then fireman’s carry, T K O, THEN CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives and the fans fire up! Chase slashes his throat, vowing to end this now! Chase sits Goto up, POINT-BLANK C-TRIGGER!! Goto falls over from that execution shot, but Chase isn’t done! Chase tucks Goto back in, for a- BLOCKBUSTER from Hashi!! Kenta gets in, spins Hashi around, DDT! Kenta hauls Goto up to fireman’s carry, but Goto slips free! Goto shoves, fireman’s carries, USHIGOROSHI! The fans fire up while all four men are down!

The fans rally as Chase and Goto slowly sit up. Chase crawls over to Goto, brings him around, and fires a forearm! Goto fires one back! Chase fires another forearm, so Goto fires back! Chase throws a haymaker now! Goto throws a forearm, and then both men stand. The forearm skeep going, then Chase BACK ELBOWS! Chase lines up a shot, but Goto blocks the knee! Hashi SUPERKICKS! Goto fireman’s carries Chase, Hashi adds on for FIERCE FLASH into position, but Chase fights free! Chase ELBOWS Hashi, C-TRIGGERS Goto, but Hashi waistlocks! Chase grabs the  ropes, and the ref, too! Chase turns Hashi around so Kenta can CHAIR SHOT Hashi!!

The fans boo as Hashi goes down in a heap and slumps out of the ring. Chase runs up on Goto to BOOT him! Goto wobbles, but Chase runs, only for Goto to follow! Chase PELES knowing that! Goto roars as he stays up, but Chase dodges the lariat, and Kenta gets in to BOOT Goto down! Bullet Club drag Goto up, double whip, but Goto breaks their double clothesline to DOUBLE LARIAT back! The fans fire up as Goto grits his teeth and rises again! Chase is in a corner, Goto runs in, but into BOOTS! Goto roars, Chase runs in, into the HIDDEN GAP! Goto then LARIATS Chase inside-out! Hashi BLASTS Kenta!

Goto drags Chase up, fireman’s carries, G T W! Hashi is on defense while Goto covers, TWO!! Chase survives but the fans fire up! Bishamon drags Chase back up, gets him in position, but Kenta is back with another belt! Chase kicks Hashi away, slips free of Goto’s grip to LOW BLOW!! BUSAIKU KNEE from Kenta! ROLLING JACKKNIFE from Chase! BULLET CLUB WINS!!

Winners: Kenta & Chase Owens, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

By hook and by crook, Kenta & Chase pull off another heist! But now, that makes them and Bishamon 1-1 this year. Will we get a trilogy over these titles as a Summer blockbuster?

Wait, hold on here! The NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions show up! TMDK’s Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls storm right up and tell Bullet Club it’s time to go belts for belts! Anyone else getting deja vu about this scenario? Wait! Now El Phantasmo & Hikuleo show up! They’re the former NJPW Strong Openweight AND former IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions! And they want all those belts back! Things have escalated, and Young Lions do their best to get in here and keep the teams apart. So instead of a trilogy, instead of a remake with new actors, are we going to get a massive, star-studded instant classic?

NEVER Openweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS Gabe Kidd!

The Rampaging Dragon has redeemed this championship by saving it from The King of Darkness! However, The Mad Man of the Bullet Club War Dogs claims NJPW has lost its way and that he will help right the ship! Is Gabe simply chasing his own Moby Dick? Or will he be able to tear down Takagi and bring back what made NJPW the king of pro-wrestling?

Gabe continues to parody Takagi, sporting a brand new hooded robe to copy Takagi’s. He also tries to intimidate Takagi by being right up in his face. The ref tells them back down, but they don’t go far. Gabe even pushes Takagi! The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who truly embodies NEVER!

The bell rings and the fans fire up as the two run in! They RAM shoulders, then fire forearms back and forth! Kidd gets the edge, runs and RAMS Takagi, but Takagi rebounds to RAM Kidd! Kidd rebounds to RAM Takagi, and they RAM shoulders again and again! They both flex and roar, and the fans fire up! Kidd forearms, whips, and runs in to clothesline! Kidd snarls then whips but Takagi reverses. Takagi runs in, blocks a boot, and clotheslines through! The fans rally up and Takagi fires JABS and CHOPS on repeat! JAB, JAB, JAB, but Kidd steps into the shots! Kidd CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS, but Takagi pushes him back!

Takagi catches Gabe’s haymaker to spin him, but Kidd suplexes first! The fans fire up while both men are down! Kidd gets up first and BOOTS Takagi right outta the ring! Kidd then goes out after Takagi to HEADBUTT! Kidd CHOPS Takagi, whips him to railing hard, then storms around. The fans rally for Takagi but Kidd storms over to him. Kidd SMACKS Takagi off the apron, but Takagi ELBOWS back! Takagi kicks Kidd, SMACKS him off apron, then CHOPS! Kidd frowns, eggs Takagi on, so Takagi fires a forearm! Kidd fires back, they brawl back and forth, then Takagi ROCKS Kidd with a right hand!

Takagi whips Kidd, Kidd reverses! Takagi hits railing so hard, he messes up the camera on that end! But Takagi just shakes the railing in anger! Kidd hurries to find chairs under the ring! Kidd throws one to Takagi but the ref says no, that’s not this kind of match! But Takagi brushes the ref aside and grabs the chair! He and Kidd CLASH chairs like swords! Kidd disarms Takagi, JAMS him low, then aims to HEADSHOT! Takagi drops back, Kidd hauls him up to EXPLODER to the floor! Takagi and Kidd are both down but the fans fire up! Kidd rises, the ring count starts, and Kidd storms around. Kidd rolls in at 5 of 20, Takagi is still down at 10.

Kidd sits like Shibata while Takagi flounders up to his feet. Takagi staggers in the wrong direction! He’s outside at 17! 18! Takagi slides in safe at 19! But Kidd’s right on him for a suplex, and BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives and the fans fire up! But Kidd whips Takagi, only for Takagi to fall over in a heap! The ref checks Takagi and Kidd wants this called! The fans rally up for Takagi while he clutches his head. Kidd goes out, gets in Desperado’s face on commentary, but then backs off as Desperado stands up. Kidd goes back to the ring, knowing Desperado can’t do anything to him.

Kidd then brings Takagi up, and CHOPS! Kidd still stares Desperado down, then CHOPS Takagi again. Kidd scuffs Takagi, kicks at him, but Takagi eggs him on. Kidd stands Takagi up to CHOP again! Takagi just gets in Kidd’s face! Kidd CHOPS, Takagi snarls, and Kidd eggs him on. Takagi winds up to CHOP! Kidd staggers away from that shot! The fans fire up and both men steady themselves. Kidd asks via the camera if Clark Connors sees this. Kidd comes back to CHOP! Takagi does feel that one and Kidd eggs him on. Takagi CHOPS and Kidd drops to his knees! Takagi kicks at Kidd now, and Kidd gets up in a huff to CHOP!

Takagi eggs Kidd on, so Kidd CHOPS him on the back! Takagi RIDGE HAND CHOPS! And CHOPS, and CHOPS! Kidd CHOPS, but Takagi just fires up! Takagi CHOPS, Kidd CHOPS, repeat! The fans rally with every CHOP going back and forth! The CHOPS just keep going, but both men are slowing down. Kidd grits his teeth to CHOP again! Takagi JABS! JABS! And JABS! Then CHOP! Kidd growls and feints to BITE Takagi’s forehead! The ref reprimands, the ref tells everyone off, but Takagi LARIATS him down! The fans fire up, and Takagi stands back up. Takagi brings Kidd up to whip and KNEE against ropes!

Takagi runs, Kidd dodges, but into an ELBOW! JAB! YUKON feint to DDT! The fans fire up again and Takagi stands Kidd back up. Takagi suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi looks around, finds the camera, and he says “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up now that it’s time, and they join in on “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi drags Kidd up, but Kidd BITES his forehead again! Kidd tells off all the fans, but Takagi BITES Kidd back! The fans fire up, Kidd runs up but into an ELBOW! JAB! YUKON- SAIDO!! Kidd turns that around and both men are down again! And we’re just 10 minutes into this!

The fans rally but Kidd sits up first. Kidd has a sinister grin as he stands. Kidd winds up, runs, but Takagi gets under the Rebounder to SAIDO! Kidd is back up though! SAIDO! Takagi staggers up, but he gets around! Kidd CLUBS away to stop the suplex, but Takagi runs to ropes and uses those to help the SAIDO! Kidd is dazed and the fans fire up while Takagi rises again. Takagi shakes out the arms, runs in and clotheslines in the corner! Takagi fires up, the fans are with him, and he puts Kidd up top. But Kidd CLUBS Takagi! Takagi climbs to throw headbutts, but Kidd gives them back! Kidd fires more forearms, then has a HANGING GUILLOTINE!!

The ref counts, Kidd drops Takagi to then get him up, for another BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, but Kidd lets up!? Kidd shakes his head and wags his finger. Is this not good enough for him? Kidd puts Takagi in a corner, to ROCK him with a haymaker! Kidd then hoists Takagi up top, to CHOP! Kidd climbs, CLUBS away on Takagi, then goes to the very top! The fans start to worry as Kidd brings Takagi up, for a SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Takagi writhes and Kidd grimaces, but then Takagi rises?! Kidd runs up to BOOT, then runs again, into a BOOT! Kidd swings, into a knee and MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!! Kidd survives and the fans are thunderous!

The fans rally while both men are down again. Takagi and Kidd stir, and it’s Takagi that makes his way over to Kidd. Takagi drags Kidd up, pump handles, but Kidd fights the rack! Both men fall back and go to corners. The fans rally as both men slowly rise. Takagi headbutts the buckles to fire up, and Kidd eggs him on! They both run in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither falls, so DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! And DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Takagi fires off RIDGE HAND CHOPS, then short arm LARIATS! Kidd stays up!? And he short arm LARIATS in return! Takagi stays up, Kidd talks trash, but Takagi LARIATS!

Kidd still talks trash as he LARIATS back! Takagi LARIATS, Kidd eggs him on, but Takagi’s running out of steam! The fans rally, Kidd LARIATS and LARIATS and LARIATS! Kidd runs, but Takagi follows to LARIAT! Takagi runs, DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! But Takagi ELBOWS! And JABS! Kidd HEADBUTTS! Takagi HEADBUTTS! Kidd PALM STRIKES, Takagi JABS, Kidd DISCUS LARIATS! Cover, ONE?!?! Kidd doesn’t question it, he just runs! Into a LARIAT! Takagi runs, to PUMPING BOMBER!! Takagi roars and the fans are thunderous! Takagi hauls Kidd right up, to pump handle, but Kidd turns that into a PILEDRIVER!! Takagi SLIDING D?!!?

The fans are thunderous as both men are defying expectations! Takagi and Kidd sit up and give junkyard dog headbutts. Kidd then forearms, but Takagi responds. They start throwing SLAP after SLAP, but Takagi gives HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! Takagi brings Kidd up for boxing elbows! The fans rally with every shot, but Kidd SLAPS, SLAPS and SLAPS with those palm strikes! Kidd still talks trash about fighting spirit, and dares Takagi to show him, so Takagi DECKS him!! Takagi roars, drags Kidd up, and pump handles, for the LAST- NO, Kidd slips free to ripcord and PALM STRIKE!

Kidd HEADBUTTS, but both men stagger around! Kidd reels Takagi back in, PILEDRIVER!! But he’s too dizzy to cover!! Kidd wobbles and hobbles and flops over again! The fans are thunderous as Kidd flounders, finds Takagi and covers, TWO!!! Takagi is still in this, perhaps saved by the delay! The fans rally as both men stir, Kidd drags Takagi up but then staggers away. Kidd shakes his head, refusing to let his own body fail him. Kidd storms up on Takagi as we pass 20 minutes, and he brings Takagi up. Kidd DOUBLE CHOPS Takagi on the back, but that awoke the Dragon! Kidd SLAPS him! And lifts, but Takagi RANAS free!!

Takagi ELBOWS! Kidd UPPERCUTS! Takagi JABS! And HEADBUTTS!! Then SLIDING LARIAT! Kidd’s right up!? He and Takagi run, dodge, REBOUNDING BOMBER?!? Takagi gets Kidd with his own move, then tucks him in for a TAKAGI DRIVER 98!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Kidd survives and the fans are thunderous again! Takagi roars and the fans fire up again! Takagi drags Kidd up, but Kidd shoves him back, and SPITS at him! So Takagi SLIDING D! Then Takagi hauls Kidd up, pump handle, LAST OF THE DRAGON!!!! Cover, Takagi wins!!

Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Champion)

Kidd got the fight he wanted, as both men NEVER gave in! But in the end, it was still Takagi’s win! Kidd may not be the one restoring NJPW to what it was, but will Takagi carry that banner for him?

IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Nic Nemeth VS David Finlay w/ Gedo!

The Wanted Man won the dream match he always wanted by trumping President Ace, Hiroshi Tanahashi, but then The Rebel had to ruin the fun! Nemeth gave Finlay this match so they could settle things once and for all, will Nemeth have two wins in one weekend? Or will Finlay get what he wants in taking this title back?

As Nemeth makes his entrance, Finlay attacks! They brawl on the ramp and fans fire up! Nemeth runs Finlay down the ramp, SMACKS him off the apron, but Finlay kicks him low! Finlay reels Nemeth in but Nemeth back drops him away! The ref reprimands them both but Nemeth sends Finlay into railing! Finlay flounders away but Nemeth gets him up to POST him! Finlay staggers and falls back while Nemeth takes off his jacket. Nemeth stands Finlay up to ROCK with a haymaker, but Finlay kicks low and throws hands back! Finlay RAMS Nemeth into railing! The ref tells them to get this in the ring but Finlay ROCKS Nemeth!

Finlay comes back but Nemeth throws body shots! Nemeth puts Finlay in and fans cheer as this is finally a match. Finlay stands but Nemeth scrapes laces off his face! Finlay flounders away, Nemeth has him in a corner, then SCRAPES Finlay’s face on the ropes! The ref reprimands, Nemeth throws body shots in a corner, then he HEADBUTTS Finlay. Finlay sits down, the fans cheer, and Nemeth drags Finlay up to again scrape laces off the face! Nemeth then CHOKES Finlay on the ropes! The ref counts, Nemeth throws Finlay away, and the fans cheer again. Nemeth looms over Finlay, brings him up, then bumps him off buckles.

Nemeth throws forearms on Finlay, then a ROLLING- FLAPJACK off buckles! Finlay turns things around as Nemeth now writhes. Finlay rains down fists but the ref counts. Finlay lets off but shoves the ref down! The fans boo while Finlay taunts them and says he DGAF! Finlay TOSSES Nemeth out, throws up the Too Sweet, then goes out to RAM Nemeth into the railing! No Man’s Land disappears, but then Finlay RAMS Nemeth back in! The fans rally for Nemeth while Finlay looms over him. The ref reprimands, Finlay says okay, he’ll get this inside. Finlay puts Nemeth in the ring, the fans applaud, and then Finlay covers, ONE!

The fans cheer, but Finlay digs his knuckles into Nemeth’s ribs! The ref counts, Finlay lets off, and Nemeth flounders to ropes. Finlay storms up on Nemeth, CHOKES him in the ropes, then CLUBS him down! Gedo likes it but the fans boo. The ref has Finlay back off, and Nemeth sits up. Finlay drags Nemeth up to whip him hard into a corner! Nemeth falls back, Finlay stacks for a cover, TWO! The fans rally for Nemeth but Finlay stalks him to ropes. Finlay drags Nemeth up to suplex and BROKEN ARROW! Nemeth writhes, Finlay flexes and mocks the HBK pose. The fans boo so Finlay flips them off from the corner.

Finlay watches Nemeth go to a corner, and he hops down. Finlay barks and runs corner to corner to UPPERCUT! Then clothesline! Finlay reels Nemeth in, but Nemeth slips free of the Irish Curse for the OLYMPIC SLAM! The fans fire up while both men are down! Nemeth and Finlay writhe, and Nemeth rises first. The fans rally but Gedo coaches Finlay. Nemeth fires off on Finlay with fast and furious fists, then HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! The ref gets Nemeth to stop but the fans fire up with him! Nemeth bumps Finlay off buckles, brings him around, and bumps him off more buckles! The fans applaud and Nemeth CLAWS Finlay’s face!

The ref counts, Nemeth lets off at 4, then he brings Finlay around, to bump off even more buckles! Nemeth SPLASHES then turns Finlay for a NECKBREAKER! Nemeth then drops ELBOW after ELBOW after ELBOW! The fans clap along with every ELBOW! Nemeth goes to nine, then aims to JUMPING ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Nemeth drags Finlay over to a drop zone, then goes outside. Nemeth climbs up the corner, and MACHO ELBOWS! Cover, TWO! Finlay survives but he coughs and sputters for air. Nemeth stalks Finlay, brings him back up, and whips. Finlay reverses to TACKLE Nemeth out of the ring!

Both men are down on the floor and the fans rally up again. The ref checks, both men are able to continue, and Finlay drags Nemeth up. Finlay fireman’s carries, to TOSS and POST him! Nemeth tumbles away but Finlay stalks him. The ref reprimands Finlay and wants this in the ring, but Finlay takes a lap around the ring to come in red hot! But Nemeth moves and Finlay CRASHES through the gate! The fans go wild seeing Finlay tumble, and then insult to injury, some railing falls over on his face! The ref checks, both men are still able to continue, so a ring count starts. Nemeth and Finlay stir at 5 of 20, and Finlay crawls over to ringside at 10.

Nemeth flounders around, drags himself up with railing at 13, but both men are still outside at 15! Finlay is crawling, Nemeth is floundering, we hit 18! Both men spring in at 19.5! The fans cheer as this match will continue! Nemeth and Finlay stir, and Gedo pounds the mat. The fans rally, too, and both men grab at each other. Finlay throws a haymaker, Nemeth gives it back! They go back and forth, rising to their feet with each shot. Finlay UPPERCUTS, but Nemeth HAYMAKERS! UPPERCUT! HAYMAKER! UPPERCUT! HAYMAKER! Finlay rebounds to forearm, Nemeth fires off a flurry! Nemeth eggs Finlay on so Finlay SLAPS him!

Finlay runs and LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Nemeth survives but Finlay hurries INTO OBLIVION!! Cover, TWO!?! Nemeth survives and Finlay is furious, but the fans are fired up! Finlay drags Nemeth up, reels him in, and hoists him up, but Nemeth slips free to a SLEEPER! Nemeth has the body scissors, he’s a backpack on Finlay weighing him down! Finlay drops to his knees, then to the mat! Finlay is flailing, fading, and Gedo is freaking out! Nemeth thrashes around, the ref checks Finlay! The arm drops once! But then Finlay comes back to life! Finlay rises, crawls to a corner, ROPEBREAK, but he keeps climbing!

The fans rally as Finlay goes up higher and higher! SUPER BACKPACK SENTON! Finlay is free but both men are down! The fans rally again as both men stir. Finlay spots Nemeth, crawls his way over, and then drags him up. Nemeth is dead weight, but Finlay just tries again. Finlay says Nemeth is done, and he lifts for a POWER- FAMOUSER!! Cover, TWO!! Nemeth stuns Finlay but Finlay surprises Nemeth, and the fans rally up again! Nemeth runs up, but Finlay bucks the Danger Zone! But Nemeth ducks the boot! The ROLLING ELBOW hits, but Nemeth SUPERKICKS in return!! Cover, TWO!!! The fans fire up again as Finlay survives Superkick 101!

Finlay and Nemeth flounder as we pass 15 minutes. Finlay goes to ropes, stands back up, DANGER- BUCKLE BOMB! Finlay reels Nemeth in for a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Nemeth survives but Finlay doesn’t let off! POWERBOMB!! And then a flip over, into OVERKILL!!! Cover, Finlay wins!!

Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion)

The Rebel redeems himself by taking back the belt made just for him! Gedo personally brings the belt back to him, and Bullet Club has more gold in the treasury! Will Finlay prove he’s the Goatslayer by taking down more greats from around the world?

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Jon Moxley VS Ren Narita!

The Maniac shocked a lot of people when he came out of the Windy City Riot on top of NJPW’s mountain. And while he made it past “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs in AEW, he’s following through on his promise to accept all challenges, from the young and the old! The House of Torture’s #SOULEDOUT Son of Strong Style took Moxley up on that, will Moxley regret being a fighting champion? Or will he still head towards Resurgence and a showdown with Shota Umino?

Moxley makes his entrance from the crowd as usual, only to get attacked but Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Sho at ringside! The House of Torture always has to have the upper hand, even if it’s through underhanded means! The fans boo but Narita laughs. Narita goes out after Moxley, but Shota shows up to fight off the House! But the numbers are still in the House’s favor, and Kanemaru WHISKEY MISTS Shota! Narita has a facelock on Moxley while Kanemaru & Sho mug Shota, then Narita SMACKS Moxley off the apron! Kanemaru & Sho drag Shota to the ramp while fans tell them to go home, and Narita grabs a chair so he can CHOKE Moxley with it!

Red Shoes does what he can to get this madness to stop, and Narita lets off. But wait, Sho & Kanemaru are handcuffing Shota! Narita stomps Moxley, Kanemaru stomps Shota! Sho has a chair, and he HEADSHOTS Shota! Shota flops over, Kanemaru and Narita mug Moxley in the ring! Sho joins in on that, and then Sho & Kanemaru double whip! But Moxley DOUBLE LARIATS! Narita has the chair, Moxley kicks low first! Moxley then takes the chair to CHUCK it at Shota! Now the bell rings, and this main event is officially underway! Moxley goes out, brings Narita around, and whips him into railing! And then more railing!

The fans rally as Moxley uses a facelock to drag Narita into No Man’s Land, then DECKS him into the crowd area! The fans fire up as Moxley rains down fists on Narita, right in front of them! Moxley BITES Narita’s forehead! Moxley lets off, drags Narita up, and Young Lions have fans be careful as Moxley drags Narita back to ringside. Moxley RAILING BACK SUPLEXES! Narita hobbles, Moxley puts him in the ring, and the fans cheer. Moxley climbs up in a corner, and he rains down fists! The fans count along, and Moxley goes all the way to TEN, then to SIXTEEN! The fans cheer, and Moxley drags Narita to the apron.

We see Young Lions carrying the handcuffed and unconscious Shota to the back, he won’t be able to help anymore tonight. Moxley has Narita in, but Sho’s still here! Sho anchors Moxley, Red Shoes reprimands, but then Moxley SLAPS Sho down! But that lets Narita BOOT Moxley down! Narita then runs to FLYING KNEE STOMP! Narita grins while fans boo, and Narita whips Moxley hard into railing! Moxley staggers out into No Man’s Land, leans on some railing, but Narita snatches that away to JAM him and SMACK him with it! Moxley staggers away, back to ringside, and Narita puts him in the ring for some stomps.

Moxley eggs Narita on, even SPITS at him, but Narita CLAWS the eyes! Red Shoes reprimands, Narita lets off, and Narita stands Moxley up to SCRAPE along the ropes! Red Shoes reprimands but Narita goes all the way to another corner before he lets off. Narita CHOPS Moxley, then CHOPS again! Moxley eggs him on, Narita CHOPS! Moxley CHOPS and fires forearms! Moxley even puts Narita’s shirt over his face so he can’t see the CHOP! Moxley pulls the shirt up and over so he can CHOP again, and again! Moxley whips corner to corner, Narita reverses, Moxley hits buckles and drops down, so Narita KNEE DROPS right on him!

Narita takes his shirt completely off, throws it down at Moxley, then drags him up. Narita suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! The fans rally while Moxley grits his teeth. Narita drags Moxley up, TOSSES him out, and Moxley goes to railing. Narita goes out and CLAWS Moxley’s eyes, then whips him into railing! Moxley slumps down, Narita stands him back up, and Narita brings him out to the crowd again. The Young Lions have fans move aside as Narita CLUBS Moxley. Narita BOWLS Moxley into chairs! Not quite a strike, but Narita picks up the spare as he BOWLS Moxley again! Narita then leaves Moxley behind while fans rally.

Moxley takes a fan’s water bottle to drink and even splash himself with. Moxley stands and staggers his way towards ringside, but Narita JAMS him up with a chair! And SMACKS him on the back! The fans boo while Moxley hobbles his way back to ringside, but Narita taunts him. Narita grins as he pushes Moxley into the ring, then drags him onto the apron. Narita CLUBS away on Moxley, then goes up to stomp him. Narita KNEE DROPS, then gets in Red Shoes’ face. This lets Sho & Kanemaru CHOKE Moxley! The fans boo but The House gets away with another one. Narita then has the legs for a ROPE GUILLOTINE!

Moxley coughs and sputters, Narita shoves him around, then Narita covers. Red Shoes refuses, too many shenanigans! The fans cheer but Narita is upset! Narita goes back for Moxley, drags him up and CLUBS him on the neck! And CLUBS him again! Moxley snarls, Narita fires a forearm, but Moxley fires back! Narita fires another forearm so Moxley fires back! Narita fires a flurry and Moxley wobbles! Narita ROCKS Moxley, runs, but Moxley TOSSES him out! The fans fire up but Narita hurries back in, into a CURB STOMP! Shoutout to the Visionary! Moxley sits down while Narita flops to the floor.

Moxley gets up, says a quick prayer, and then DIVES! Direct hit and Narita goes over railing! The fans fire up while even Moxley is stuck on the railing, and messing up a camera feed. Red Shoes checks, both men are okay to continue, and the fans rally up. Moxley has the title belt right in front of him, that motivates him to rise to his feet! Moxley snarls, goes looking under the ring, and he brings out a TABLE! And then another table! Moxley sets those tables up ringside, and surely American fans would be loving this! Moxley hobbles around, he may have taken more damage from that dive than he thought. But he just gets mad and finishes setting the tables.

Moxley hobbles his way back to where he left Narita, drags him up and over railing, and then uses a facelock to bring him over to the tables. Moxley throws hands to make Narita rest back. Moxley DIGS his fingers in, then ROCKS Narita. Moxley hobbles, grimaces, but fires up as the fans rally again. Moxley goes up a corner, but Kanemaru distracts Red Shoes so Sho can attack! Moxley grabs at Sho but Narita ROCKS Moxley first! Narita goes up after Moxley, Desperado is about to leave commentary at this rate, but Moxley CLAWS Narita’s back! Moxley ROCKS Narita, both men go to the apron, but Narita catches MOxley!

Moxley fires elbows to fight the clinch! Moxley clinches, and he URENAGES Narita through the tables!! The fans and commentary all lose their minds, and Moxley flips Narita off! The House protests but what do they know about fair? Moxley gets back in the ring as the fans rally and the ring count starts. Narita is conscious in the wreckage but even he seems unsure if he can move. Moxley doesn’t let the count get past 7 before he goes out to drag Narita from the wreckage, and he puts Narita in. The fans cheer the savagery and the sportsmanship, and Moxley takes a moment to breathe before he gets back inside the ring.

Narita flounders all the way to the far corner, but Moxley pounds the mat. The fans rally up again as Moxley runs in, but into a BOOT! Moxley clotheslines! Moxley runs but Narita follows to JUMP KICK! Narita runs back in, into a KING KONG LARIAT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Kanemaru & Sho coach Narita as he stirs, but Moxley rises first. Moxley slaps some sense back into himself but he still clutches his side. Moxley gets Narita up for the X PLEX! Cover, TWO!! Narita is still in this but Moxley says fine! Moxley tells the House to watch this! DRAGON STOMPS! Shoutout to Bryan Danielson and the fans fire up!

Moxley seethes, we pass 15 minutes, and Moxley calls his shot. Moxley drags Narita up, underhooks, but Narita wrenches out! Narita CHOKES Moxley, and brings him down to the mat! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, Narita lets off at 4. Narita falls back to the blue corner, and he grabs his push-up bar! Red Shoes reprimands, the fans boo, but Narita shoves Red Shoes away! Moxley dodges the push-up bar shot to have a SLEEPER!! Narita flails, grabs at Red Shoes, shoves him to a corner then RAMS Moxley into Red Shoes! And then the House attacks! The fans boo as Sho & Kanemaru stomp him down!

Desperado has had it! He gets off commentary and grabs a piece of wood! Despy SMACKS Kanemaru with it, then blocks Sho’s attack with the same piece of wood! Then Desperado SMACKS Sho in the head with the wood! The Rogue Luchador clears the ring of Heel Master and Murder Machine and the fans cheer! Desperado even headlocks them both to bring them away! Now Moxley and Narita are alone, but Narita has the push-up bar! PUSH-UP BAR SHOT!! The fans boo as Narita still gets away with one! Narita laughs as he gets Red Shoes back in and covers Moxley, TWO!!! Moxley survives and the fans are thunderous!

Narita is furious with Red Shoes’ count, but then vows to end it now! But Moxley hits a CUTTER!! Outta nowhere like a Viper! The fans rally up again as Moxley rises. Moxley storms up on Narita, slaps him around, eggs him on, and Narita stands. Narita fires a forearm, so Moxley gives it back! Narita fires another, but Moxley fires back! They go back and forth, forearm for forearm! Moxley gets the edge as he ROCKS Narita again and again! Narita CHOKES Moxley, but Moxley breaks free to ROLLING ELBOW! Moxley runs, but into a SLEEPER! Moxley fades, but then fires back up! The fans rally as Moxley reaches out!

Moxley works towards ropes but Narita shifts things into a COBRA TWIST! Moxley endures, the fans rally, but Narita thrashes around! Moxley keeps fighting forward, ROPEBREAK! Narita lets go in frustration, we hit 20 minutes, and Narita waistlocks! Moxley still holds ropes, so Narita CLAWS the eyes! Then GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Narita growls and storms back up on Moxley to clinch, BLIZZARD PLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Moxley survives again and Narita seethes. Narita BOOTS Moxley down, then laughs as he goes outside. Narita climbs a corner, takes aim, but Moxley runs up to ROCK him first!

Moxley climbs, throws hands, then CLAWS Narita’s back! Moxley then brings Narita right up for a SUPERPLEX! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! Moxley crawls his way over, covers, TWO!! Narita is still in this but Moxley hasn’t lost his focus yet. Moxley throws HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! The Blackpool Combat Club special! Moxley then clamps on a SLEEPER, but Narita powers him right into a corner! Red Shoes got outta the way in time! Moxley turns things around to snapmare and BULLY CHOKE!! But then the lights go out!? Oh no, the House is at it again! Fans boo as we can’t see anything!

When the lights come up, Red Shoes is down! Evil & Dick Togo are here, and they mug Moxley! Fans boo as they stomp Moxley down! Evil soaks up the heat while the fans tell them to go home! Evil & Dick then go back for Moxley, drag him up, and hit MAGIC KILLER!! The fans boo while Evil goes looking for things, and Dick uses the SPOILER CHOKER on Moxley! Moxley says you’re not gonna take him alive! Evil gets a chair, and he runs up to JAM Moxley low! Moxley sputters and coughs, but wait! SHOTA’S BACK! Shota SHOTGUNS Dick, but Evil kicks and whips! Shota stops himself to drop toehold Evil onto ropes!

Shota hurries over, SLINGSHOT DDT to the apron! Then Shota goes up to MISSILE DORPKICK Dick! Then he goes outside to CANNONBALL Evil! The fans fire up with Shota as he tells Moxley-shishou to stand and fight! But Narita runs up with his push-up bar! Shota dodges, then feeds Narita to a DDT! The fans fire up as Moxley drags Narita back up! We pass 25 minutes as Shota helps Red Shoes back in! Moxley hits a DEATH RIDER!! Cover, Moxley wins!!

Winner: Jon Moxley, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)

The Roughneck helps his Maniac mentor thwart the House of Torture! Will Narita have to learn the hard way that cheating doesn’t pay? The House retreats, with Evil giving a lingering glare to Shota, who is still wearing the cuffs! The chain is gone, and Desperado confirms, he used bolt cutters to break the chain.

As for Moxley, he shakes his protege’s hand, and is then presented the belt by Hayato Maeda. Moxley bows in respect, then holds up the belt. Moxley also does photo ops with Maeda, and even gives him a noogie and pretend punches. After that, Moxley gets the mic. The fans cheer, and he takes a moment to bow deeply in thanks to everyone. “Fukuoka, I love you all. But I promise you one thing. No matter what happens out here, no matter what the odds, no matter what the challenge, no matter how bad the odds are stacked against me like tonight, I will fight until my dying breath!” The fans cheer, the streamers fly, and Moxley is ready for Shota and Resurgence!

Moxley makes sure Shota understands, there is respect, but there will also be no holding back. Shota nods and they will meet in one week’s time, in the Toyota Arena in California! Will Moxley hold onto the gold in the Golden State? Or will it be the moment Shota brings about his own Paradigm Shift?

My Thoughts:

A great night two for Wrestling Dontaku, lots of matches on this one. I did not expect Kenta & Chase to take the tag titles back, but then they also threw more challengers at this than I expected. They had a Triple Threat for the Heavyweight and Openweight tag titles, this clearly looks to be a Fatal 4 Way in the making. If this were WWE or AEW, it might be in a Ladder match, but even a standard Fatal 4 Way would be amazing given the four teams here. And at this point, any team could win this, but it’d feel silly if Bishamon just won everything back. I’d personally want to see TMDK get all the gold as they’ve put in great work for years now.

Awesome match from Takagi and Kidd for the NEVER title. I thought Kidd was going to win that belt given how much he was shouting about restoring NJPW’s strong style spirit, but it also makes sense for Bullet Club to split even tonight. Kenta & Chase won, Kidd lost, because then Finlay won. That was a bit surprising to me, too, as I thought Nemeth was going to keep his reign going. But at the same time, it was surprising Finlay lost it in the first place. That makes Finlay and Nemeth 1-1 so maybe we get another rematch down the line. And then great main event, but of course The House of Torture interfered, and of course Moxley retained even with that.

Now Resurgence is coming, and I said before that it feels like Shota is being skyrocketed to the top, but who knows. I suppose Moxley could keep the belt and face more AEW stars, but all those matches would be foregone conclusions. I just feel like NJPW and AEW have used their partnerships in hopes of getting both more recognition in the other’s market, but it also feels like they’ve booked themselves into a corner.

My Score: 8.8/10

He’s here to show the world, he’s here to show the world!

Nic Nemeth finally gets his dream match with Hiroshi Tanahashi, and the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship is on the line! But can the Wanted Man trump President Ace of the Universe?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kickoff – Togi Makabe & Katsuya Murashima VS Boltin Oleg & Shoma Kato; Oleg & Kato win.
• DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS SHO & Yujiro Takahashi; Sho & Yujiro win.
• Yuya Uemura & Taichi VS Great-O-Khan & Callum Newman; Yuya & Taichi win.
• Six Man Tag: TMDK VS Guerrillas of Destiny; Guerrillas of Destiny win.
• Six Man Tag: Ryusuke Taguchi, Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
• 8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
• Six Man Tag: Jon Moxley, Shota Umino & El Desperado VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
• NJPW World Television Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Jeff Cobb; Cobb wins and becomes the new NJPW World Television Champion.
• Yota Tsuji VS David Finlay; Finlay wins.
• IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Nic Nemeth VS Hiroshi Tanahashi; Nemeth wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

NJPW World Television Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. w/ TMDK VS Jeff Cobb w/ Great-O-Khan & Francesco Akira!

The Front Man and the Imperial Unit have battled over this belt before, and now, in “season 4,” we revisit the rivalry! Will ZSJ still have Cobb’s number? Or will Cobb finally be the star of NJPW World?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly might!

The bell rings and we’re on the clock. The fans cheer as ZSJ and Cobb shake hands. ZSJ then rushes in but Cobb avoids him. They feel things out, hand fight for control, and Cobb goes for a leg. ZSJ avoids being thrown but Cobb waistlocks. ZSJ drops, slips out, but Cobb keeps on him. They go around again, ZSJ gets away, and the fans cheer. The two knuckle lock, go forehead to forehead, then Cobb blocks a leg pick with a facelock. Cobb pushes ZSJ to a lateral press, TWO!! ZSJ narrowly escapes and Cobb lets him know it. The fans applaud as the two reset, and they feel things out again.

They knuckle lock, ZSJ rolls back and wrangles Cobb. Cobb stands, slips through to wrench back. ZSJ turns around, has a cording hold, and then hooks a leg to make the arm-drag easier! Then he shifts right around to an ARMBAR! Cobb scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and ZSJ lets off quickly. ZSJ and Cobb reset, feel things out, and knuckle lock again. They go forehead to forehead, then shoulder to shoulder. ZSJ facelocks but Cobb slips around to a waistlock, then spins ZSJ to a facelock, then headlock. Cobb hits the takeover, denies the headscissors, but ZSJ keeps trying. Third time’s the charm and ZSJ has Cobb down!

ZSJ squeezes tight but Cobb moves around. Cobb headstands, pops free, and then has a standing toehold! The fans applaud, but ZSJ works on his escape. He gets his left leg free, turns over and reels Cobb in, but Cobb turns that into a waistlock! ZSJ wrenches out but Cobb avoids the Pele! Cobb feints moonsault and ZSJ scrambles away! The fans cheer the standoff as the two reset again. Cobb and ZSJ circle, step closer, and knuckle lock again. They both try to clinch, but then Cobb slips around to a waistlock and SLAM! ZSJ scrambles away, clutching his side. ZSJ stands, Cobb storms up, and Cobb TOSSES ZSJ across the ring!

The fans fire up while ZSJ flounders to the apron, still clutching his side. ZSJ seems alright to continue as he gets back inside, so Cobb storms up on him again. Cobb HEADBUTTS the ribs! Cobb whips corner to corner hard and ZSJ bounces off buckles! ZSJ is getting frustrated with himself, but Cobb is right on him again. Cobb whips ZSJ back the other way and ZSJ again hits buckles hard! The fans rally for ZSJ as Cobb storms over. Cobb steps on ZSJ’s chest! Cobb then drags ZSJ up at the five minute mark. Cobb whips, ZSJ goes up and comes back, but is caught into an OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY!

Cobb walks over to pick ZSJ up, then whips him to a corner. Cobb runs in but ZSJ avoids the back elbow! ZSJ goes up and around to TORNADO DDT! Both men are down and the fans fire up! ZSJ stands but Cobb follows, and ZSJ UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! Cobb wobbles but ZSJ UPPERCUTS again! ZSJ fires a flurry of forearms, but Cobb DECKS him with just one! ZSJ is mad and he gets right up! The fans rally up as ZSJ UPPERCUTS again and again! Cobb ROCKS ZSJ with a forearm! ZSJ has the fans behind him as he runs back in, only to get run over! GACHI- NO, ZSJ sunsets Cobb first! But Cobb rolls through!

Cobb rolls into the jackknife, TWO as ZSJ bridges up!! ZSJ spins Cobb around, but Cobb fights the backslide! Cobb turns things around to backslide ZSJ, but ZSJ rolls through to trap Cobb’s head! NECK TWIST! PENALTY KICK! The fans fire up again while ZSJ catches his breath. ZSJ still clutches his side, but he watches Cobb rise. The fans rally, ZSJ storms up on Cobb and waistlocks, but Cobb breaks free! Cobb wrenches, snapmares, and steals EURO CLUTCH! TWO!! ZSJ storms up on Cobb, fires forearms, but Cobb ROCKS him with just one! ZSJ walks it off, comes back with more, then a BOOT! Cobb swings, into a BOOT!

Cobb rebounds, but ZSJ BOOTS! ZSJ runs, but into a BOOT from Cobb! ZSJ drops to his knees, but Cobb drags him back up to suplex! ZSJ fights that to wrench and PELE the arm! ZSJ waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX!! The fans are thunderous, but then Cobb is right back up! Cobb deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES ZSJ away! The fans rally as ZSJ ends up in a corner. Cobb rises, runs up, and UPPERCUTS! Cobb then brings ZSJ up for a SPIN OUT BOMB! Cover, TWO! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives heavy impact after heavy impact, but Cobb powers up his arm. Cobb runs, but ZSJ LARIATS with him!

Both men stay up but ZSJ does stagger. ZSJ and Cobb DOUBLE LARIAT again! We hit ten minutes, time is still on ZSJ’s side! But then Cobb LARIATS him down! Cobb runs, but ZSJ KICKS the lariat away! Scoop and ZACK DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives and the fans are thunderous again! ZSJ runs to KICK! That might’ve hurt ZSJ’s leg more than anything. ZSJ runs but Cobb blocks this kick! ZSJ SLAPS Cobb, so Cobb DROPKICKS ZSJ! Cobb then hauls ZSJ up to suplex, and he puts ZSJ up top! Cobb goes up top with him, then SUPER- NO, ZSJ slips around to a SLEEPER! The ref counts the ropebreak, ZSJ drops back at 4.

ZSJ considers his options, and gets under Cobb, for a POWERBOMB! Roll to a cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Cobb stays in this! But we’re at the three minute warning! ZSJ KICKS and KICKS and KICKS, then runs, but Cobb ducks the Penalty Kick to schoolboy! TWO!! ZSJ escapes, Cobb runs back up, and Cobb blocks a boto! Waistlock, O’Conner Roll, but ZSJ pops that into a SLEEPER! Cobb rolls back to get free, and deadlifts ZSJ into a pop-up! F 5000!! Cobb hurries to haul ZSJ back up, whip and TOUR OF THE- CRUCIFIX TAKEDOWN! ONE!! Cobb gets free fast, and he hurries to haul ZSJ back up! LARIAT! FALLING HAMMER!

Cobb swings again but into an omoplata! ZSJ wants the other arm, but Cobb moves around as we hit the two minute warning! ZSJ just shifts to get the other arm in the omoplata, then a traditional ARMBAR! Cobb holds hands, ZSJ breaks the grip! Cobb powers right through to deadlift ZSJ! Then a TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!!! Cover, COBB WINS!!

Winner: Jeff Cobb, by pinfall (NEW NJPW World TV Champion)

With 90 SECONDS to spare, Cobb ends ZSJ’s reign! The Imperial Unit wears gold once again, will “season five” be the biggest and strongest yet?

Yota Tsuji VS David Finlay w/ Gedo!

Los Ingobernables de Japon and the Bullet Club War Dogs have been battling all up and down the Road to Wrestling Dontaku, but now Gene Blast will have it out with The Rebel! Who proves they are truly ungovernable?

The bell rings and the fans rally for Yota already. Yota and Finlay stare down, but then back away as Finlay gets annoyed by the fans. Yota encourages the fans and they get louder for him. Finlay gets on a corner to throw up the Too Sweet, the fans boo him. Finlay hops down with a frown, and the two circle. Yota blocks a kick, headlocks, but Finlay powers up, only for Yota to hold on tight. Finlay rolls to a cover, ONE and Yota holds onto the headlock. Finlay powers up again, powers out this time, but Yota runs him over! The fans cheer, Yota grins, but Finlay bails out. The fans boo while Finlay paces. Yota gets on the corner and the fans fire up!

Finlay slides in, Yota hits him with a body shot first! Finlay goes to a corner, Yota RAMS into him, and RAMS him, and RAMS him again. Yota then brings Finlay around to whip corner to corner. Yota runs up but Finlay puts him on the apron! Finlay knocks Yota off the apron, then goes out to RAM him into railing, right in front of commentary! Finlay RAMS Yota in again and again, but the ref reprimands him. Finlay lets off, leaves Yota behind, and says it’s too easy. Yota writhes, the ring count starts, and Finlay waits. Yota rises up at 6 of 20, stands at 8, and makes his way in at 10. But Finlay is there to stomp away on him at the ropes!

Finlay drops a KNEE into Yota’s back, pulls Yota’s hair and a leg, but the ref reprimands. Yota has the ROPEBREAK, the ref counts, and Finlay lets go at 4. Finlay brings Yota up to suplex and BROKEN ARROW! Finlay flexes and fans do cheer the feat of strength. Finlay covers, TWO! Finlay mockingly says Yota is tough, HEADBUTTS away on Yota’s ribs! Then he drops a leg! Yota sputters but Finlay mocks the fans rallying behind him. Finlay whips Yota hard into a corner, and Yota falls forward. Finlay covers, TWO! The fans cheer but Finlay stands on Yota’s fingers! Finlay stomps Yota’s arm, then clamps on a chinlock.

Yota endures as Finlay leans on the hold. The fans rally up again, even as Finlay thrashes Yota around. Yota fights around, reaches out, but Finlay grinds him back down to the mat! The fans rally harder as Yota reaches out. Finlay sits Yota up so he can CLUB away on Yota’s face, then puts the hold on tighter! It’s almost a Bulldog Choke, but Yota fights to his feet! Yota reaches out but Finlay wrangles Yota back down! Yota is fading! The ref checks, and the hand drops once! The hand drops twice! But Yota opens his eyes and rises up! The fans rally and Yota stands to throw body shots! Yota is free, and he runs, but into an ELBOW! Finlay adds a SENTON!

Yota flounders away to a corner, and Finlay barks at him. Finlay aims from a corner as Yota rises, and fans rally with the barking. Finlay runs in, to UPPERCUT! And clothesline! And then Finlay brings Yota out, only for Yota to suplex Finlay into the corner! The fans fire up while both men are down! Finlay rolls away while clutching the back of his head, and Yota rises while catching his breath. The fans rally again and Yota stands. Yota fires up and runs in at the corner, to STINGER SPLASH! Yota keeps moving, to FLIPPING RANA! Finlay tumbles out, and the fans fire up as Yota builds speed! Yota DIVES and sends Finlay over railing!

The fans fire up with Yota while Finlay is down in No Man’s Land! Yota catches his breath again and the ring count starts. Finlay crawls through the gap, but we’re at 10 of 20 before Yota stands. Yota storms over and drags Finlay up at 15, then puts him in the ring. The fans cheer and Yota gets Finlay up. Yota half nelsons for a GUTBUSTER! Yota then snapmares Finlay into a body scissors squeeze! Finlay endures, moves around, but Yota grabs an arm in a cording hold! Finlay flails with his free arm but he’s still far from ropes! Finlay pulls at the body scissors but Yota just squeezes tighter! Finlay endures, fights around, and has the ROPEBREAK!

The ref counts, Yota lets off, and the fans applaud. Finlay coughs as he goes to a corner, and Yota paces. Yota storms over, brings Finlay back up, but Finlay blocks the suplex. Finlay throws body shots but Yota gives a hard body shot in return! Finlay falls over and coughs his way to ropes. The ref has Yota stay back while he checks on Finlay. But then Yota runs up to KICK Finlay into the corner! Yota stands Finlay up to CHOP! Finlay grits his teeth as his chest stings, but Yota brings him up to the top rope! Yota ROCKS Finlay, then roars, and the fans fire up! Yota climbs, brings Finlay up, but Finliay shoves him down!

Finlay adjusts, but Yota comes back to GAMANGIRI! Yota goes back up, brings Finlay to the top, but Finlay throws body shots! Finlay SUNSET FLIPS, but Yota holds on! Finlay pries Yota from the corner, but Yota sunset flips him back! TWO, but Yota kicks and whips! Finlay reverses, and scoops for BLUE THUNDER! Both men are down and Gedo cheers Finlay while the fans rally for Yota. Finlay hauls Yota up for the Canadian Rack, CANADIAN HAMMER! Cover, TWO! Yota stays in this and the fans are still behind him, but Finlay keeps his cool. Finlay drags Yota around, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Yota back drops Finlay away!

The fans cheer as Yota clinches, but Finlay fights free! Finlay gets Yota back in, picks him up, but Yota slips free of the bomb! Finlay dodges the knee, but runs into a tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Finlay writhes but Yota drags him back up. Yota suplexes for the ORANGE CRUSH! Cover, TWO! Finlay survives the brainbuster bomb and we pass 15 minutes, but Yota keeps his cool. Yota grins, even! Yota stands, brings Finlay to a corner, then goes up and up for the FLYING- PRIMA NOCTA! Finlay reels Yota in to bring him up and BUCKLE BOMB! Then suplex INTO OBLIVION! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives and Finlay is beside himself!

The fans rally while Yota is down, but Finlay brings his kneepad down. Finlay stands, drags Yota up, but Yota is deadweight. The ref checks but Yota seems okay to continue, so Finlay drags him up! Yota fights the suplex so Finlay knees him low! Finlay brings Yota back up and in, slashes his throat, and suplexes, but Yota cradle counters! TWO!! Finlay runs up, into a clinch! BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER! STOMP!! The fans fire up as Yota stands tall, but then he drops back down, needing to catch his breath. The fans rally up and both men stir. Finlay rises first, and he sits Yota up. Finlay UPPERCUTS, and Gedo says nice!

Yota sits back up, Finlay UPPERCUTS him again! Yota shakes his head as he sits back up, so Finlay UPPERCUTS again! Finlay taunts Yota, Yota stands, and Finlay UPPERCUTS! Yota shakes his head and comes back, but Finlay UPPERCUTS again! Finlay eggs Yota on, and Yota snarls as he storms back up. Finlay UPPERCUTS again and Yota drops back! Finlay says this is too easy, but Yota still smiles?! Yota rises, and he fires forearm after forearm on Finlay! Finlay UPPERCUTS, UPPERCUTS and UPPERCUTS! Yota drops to a knee, Finlay says BANG! UPPER- BACKSLIDE! Roll through, Finlay blocks a knee to UPPERCUT!

Yota SUPERKICKS! Finlay UPERCUTS! Yota FOREARMS, then he dodges the lariat to JUMP KNEE! Cover, TWO!! We hit 20 minutes as Yota hauls Finlay up to a fireman’s carry, and swings into the POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives but Yota storms around. Yota waits on Finlay to rise, then runs in, to CURB STOMP! Yota roars, because he’s not done yet! Up and up, MARVEL CRUSH!! Cover off the flying stomp, TWO!! Finlay survives, but Yota just fires up again! The fans are with Yota as he aims from the corner! Finlay rises, but then Gedo gets on the apron! Yota runs Gedo off, but Finlay SPEARS first!!

Finlay hurries to get Yota up and suplex! STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE!? Yota takes a play out of Will Ospreay’s book (or Orange Cassidy’s, or Mark Andrews’), then runs in to GENE BLASTER!! But Yota says that’s not enough! The fans fire up again as Yota reloads in the corner! Finlay slowly rises, but Gedo distracts the ref! Yota runs in, into a SHILLELAGH SHOT!! Finlay drags Yota up and reels him in, for a POWERBOMB!! High stack, TWO?!?! Yota survives and shocks Finlay! Finlay is furious, he gets Yota up for another POWERBOMB!! Then a flip-over, suplex, for OVERKILL!! Cover, Finlay wins!

Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall

The Goatslayer may have won, but he still needed the ace up his sleeve to steal this one from Yota! Will Finlay stop at nothing to make himself the savior of this company? Or is he simply a false prophet?

IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Nic Nemeth VS Hiroshi Tanahashi!

The Wanted Man has wanted to show off ever since arriving in NJPW, and he started off strong taking this title off David Finlay. But now he gets what he wanted even more, and that’s a dream match with The Ace of the Universe! Will Nemeth take President Tanahashi to the Danger Zone? Or will we soon witness the birth of a Two Belt Ace?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who shows the world their true strength!

Tanahashi shows off the abs and the fans cheer. The bell rings and the fans rally up for Tanahashi. Tanahashi and Nemeth circle, tie up, and they’re in a deadlock. They break, reset, and circle again. They tie up, are in another deadlock, but Tanahashi gets around to waistlock. Nemeth reaches back, shoots around to get a leg then a waistlock, then shifts, but Tanahashi fights off the cobra twist. Tanahashi wrenches an arm to a wristlock, but Nemeth rolls, slips around again, and tries from the other side. Tanahashi fights the cobra twist to roll Nemeth up, TWO! The fans cheer the exchange and even Nemeth nods as they reset.

Nemeth and Tanahashi circle, Nemeth gets a leg, and he brings Tanahashi down to a cradle, TWO! Tanahashi fights through the leg guard to get a headlock, but Nemeth fights around to roll Tanahashi. ONE, Nemeth facelocks, and he brings Tanahashii up. Tanahashi puts Nemeth on ropes, Red Shoes counts, and Tanahashi lets off slowly. Tanahashi says clean break, but then Nemeth runs up! Tanahashi arm-drags, arm-drags again, and has the cording hold! The fans cheer while Nemeth moves around. Nemeth stands, hooks Tanahashi’s leg with a leg, and then flips Tanahashi over to a cradle! TWO, and the two stand off again.

The fans applaud as both men reset. They feel out a knuckle lock, but Nemeth again goes for a leg. Nemeth waistlocks, and he still wants that cobra twist. Tanahashi drops but Nemeth tries for a ground cobra! Tanahashi clasps hands to resist that, then he rolls things to a headlock. Nemeth keeps his shoulders up, fights to his feet, and he hooks a leg to roll Tanahashi! Tanahashi manages to keep a shoulder up, so Nemeth flips around and has the roll from the other side! TWO, and Nemeth DROPKICKS Tanahashi down! The fans fire up as Nemeth swivels the hips! Tanahashi backs away to ropes to catch his breath.

Nemeth waits on Tanahashi, Tanahashi stands and they circle. They tie up, Nemeth headlocks but Tanahashi waistlocks. Nemeth switches, Tanahashi fights the lift, and then Tanahashi switches. Nemeth reaches around, switches again, but Tanahashi switches on him. Nemeth switches, and goes to throw Tanahashi out! Tanahashi fights that with elbows, then gets a leg, to DRAGON SCREW! Nemeth flounders out of the ring while the fans cheer! Tanahashi goes out after Nemeth, puts him in the ring, and the fans cheer. Tanahashi drags Nemeth up, bumps him off buckles, then fires up as he whips corner to corner.

Nemeth reverses the whip, runs in, but into an elbow! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! Fans fire up for the air guitar! Nemeth stands, Tanahashi runs up and dropkicks the legs out! Nemeth flounders, stands back up, and Tanahashi runs in, but into a dropkick right back! The fans rally while both men are down, but Nemeth grins as he evens the score. Nemeth stands, storms up on Tanahashi and grabs the leg. Nemeth stands on Tanahashi’s face, then DDTs the leg! Tanahashi clutches the knee, but Nemeth drags him around. Nemeth steps over, has a standing toehold, but Tanahashi kicks at him with his free leg!

Nemeth and Tanahashi struggle against each other, and Nemeth powers things into a cover! TWO, and Nemeth YANKS the leg! Then Nemeth cradles Tanahashi, TWO! Tanahashi is still in this and the fans rally behind him, even as Nemeth stalks Tanahashi. Tanahashi fires forearms! But Nemeth kicks the leg out! Nemeth gets the leg to YANK it, then he drops a JUMP ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi is tougher than that but Nemeth grabs the bad leg. Nemeth stretches the leg out, and adds a chinbar so he can bend Tanahashi around. Nemeth hooks the leg, pulls on it, it’s like a standing kneebar! Tanahashi endures and the fans rally up!

Tanahashi endures, even as Nemeth makes it an ANKLE LOCK! Tanahashi slips under and brings Nemeth down with his own leglock, only for Nemeth to turn him back over! Tanahashi reaches out to the ROPEBREAK! Nemeth stomps the leg as he lets off. Nemeth eggs Tanahashi on, so Tanahashi stands up and fires a forearm! Nemeth fires a haymaker! Tanahashi forearms again, Nemeth throws a forearm back! Tanahashi throws another forearm, so Nemeth kicks the leg out! Tanahashi eggs Nemeth on now, then blocks his superkick! But not the SATELLITE DDT! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi is still in this and the fans fire up!

Nemeth stands and shows he still has energy to spare. Tanahashi stands, Nemeth taunts him, “I thought you were a legend!” Nemeth whips, and Tanahashi CLOBBERS him! The fans fire up again and Tanahashi fires up with them! Nemeth stands into a strike fest! Tanahashi scoops to SLAM Nemeth into the drop zone! Then Tanahashi goes up for the SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Nemeth is tougher than that but the fans rally with Tanahashi. Nemeth slowly rises and Tanahashi runs, SLING- NO, Nemeth sends Tanahashi out! But Tanahashi skins the cat! Then he TOSSES Nemeth! But now Nemeth skins the cat!

The fans fire up, Nemeth mocks the air guitar, but then Tanahashi dodges! Nemeth dodges, and DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! The fans fire up while both men are down! Both men stir, the fans rally up, and Nemeth fires a haymaker! Tanahashi gives a forearm back! Nemeth fires another haymaker, Tanahashi fires another forearm! They stand, continue to trade shots, and then Tanahashi gets the edge! But Nemeth roars to HEADBUT! Both men wobble, Nemeth roars again, and he whips, only for Tanahashi to reverse and SLINGBLADE! The fans fire up and Tanahashi roars! Tanahashi goes up a corner, Nemeth stands, into HIGH FLY ATTACK! Cover, TWO!

The fans fire up again as Tanahashi resets! Tanahashi climbs again while Nemeth is down, HIGH FLY FLOP!! Nemeth avoids disaster and Tanahashi writhes from his crash landing! But Tanahashi just fires himself back up! After all, as NEVER Openweight Six Man Champion, he can’t give up! Tanahashi runs in, but into SUPERKICK 101!! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives and we pass 15 minutes! Nemeth rises first, he takes aim again, and Tanahashi turns around into a kick! Nemeth runs, to FAMOUS- NO, Tanahashi stops the Famouser to SHOTEI! But Nemeth roars, swings, only for Tanahashi to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!

The fans are thunderous and Tanahashi gets running, to SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi drags Nemeth into the drop zone, but has him on his stomach! Tanahashi goes up to HIGH FLY FLOW, onto knees!! Nemeth turns over in time, and then covers, TWO!!! Tanahashi survives the crushing counter, and the fans rally as hard as they can for him! Tanahashi stands, DANGER- NO, Tanahashi shakes that off, then runs, but Nemeth dodges! DANGER ZONE!! But Tanahashi rises up and Nemeth reloads, to DANGER ZONE again!! Cover, Nemeth wins!!

Winner: Nic Nemeth, by pinfall (still IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion)

Nemeth got what he wanted in this dream match, and then he came out as the Top Gun! Will Tanahashi have to settle for being a Six Man Tag Team Champion for now?

As for Nemeth, he is given the belt, and he holds it up high. But he also shows Tanahashi respect with a hug, and Tanahashi shows it back by lifting Nemeth’s hand. Then the streamers fly! That took Tanahashi by surprise! But then FINLAY attacks Nemeth!! The Rebel also CLOBBERS Tanahashi! The fans boo as this War Dog is off the leash! Finlay rains down fists on Nemeth again, then he TOSSES Tanahashi out. Finlay gets the shillelagh from Gedo and he takes aim! Finlay takes a swing, but Nemeth dodges! Nemeth fires fists in return and the fans fire up! Gedo watches out as these two go all over the place, in all of the streamers!

Young Lions hurry in to stop this, but Gedo calls reinforcements! Here come Connors & Drilla! They get the pack leader outta there, clearly Nemeth isn’t going down easy! Nemeth gets the mic to tell Finlay he’s a coward! Nemeth was just in this ring with a legend, and he’ll do it every damn night! Finlay clearly takes the easy way out, because he’s a POS who attacks from behind! If Finlay had any balls, he’ll fight Nemeth fair and square. Nemeth will defend anytime, anywhere, because that’s how damn good he is! Hell, tomorrow night! Wrestling Dontaku Night 2, rematch for the Global title! Let’s do it!!

The fans like the sound of that! Finlay may have taken a cheap shot, but he’s still getting what he wants. Will the Rebel shoot down The Wanted Man and take back the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship? Or will Nemeth bring Finlay into the Danger Zone?

My Thoughts:

A great start to what I think is the first two-night Wrestling Dontaku ever. I will say, of the matches I skipped, The House of Torture winning over Moxley’s team is classic go-home math showing that Moxley will win out against Narita tomorrow on night two. That way, Moxley then faces Shota Umino next Saturday, May 11th, at Resurgence. Anyway, great NJPW World TV Championship match, and a great rematch from ZSJ and Cobb on top of it. Great win for Cobb, and that was the logical move after having lost to ZSJ the last two times. Also, feels like that’s why ZSJ beat Riddle after Riddle had a rather short run. If Cobb was to win this belt, they didn’t wanna make the Chosen Bros face each other, as great as that would’ve been.

Really good grudge match from Yota and Finlay, but I should’ve known Finlay would need to cheat to win. And as we saw at the end, Finlay wants the Global Championship back, what with losing out on the World Championship when he lost in the New Japan Cup. Great match from Nemeth and Tanahashi, great win for Nemeth, and doing back to back nights is some good stuff out of Nemeth and Finlay. I don’t know if they’ll steal the show, but they’ll definitely put on a real good match to help top off Dontaku.

My Score: 8.8/10