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Mitchell’s NJPW WrestleKingdom 17 Results & Report! (1/4/23)

New year, new champions?

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NJPW is back in the Tokyo Dome!

As a new year begins, NJPW settles scores from last year with WrestleKingdom 17! Will Switchblade Jay White still be IWGP World Heavyweight Champion? Or will Kazuchika Okada once again make it rain?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Ryohei Oiwa VS Boltin Oleg; Time Limit Draw.
  • KOPW 2023 Right to Challenge New Japan Rambo: Shingo Takagi, Great-O-Khan, SHO & Toru Yano advance to the KOPW 2023 match at New Year’s Dash.
  • Antonio Inoki Memorial Six Man Tag: Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima & Togi Makabe VS Tiger Mask, Minoru Suzuki & Tatsumi Fujinami; Nagata, Kojima & Makabe win.
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Catch 2/2 VS YOH & Lio Rush; Catch 2/2 wins and retains the titles.
  • IWGP Women’s Championship: KAIRI VS Tam Nakano; Kairi wins and retains the title.
  • IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: FTR VS Bishamon; Bishamon wins and become the new IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
  • NJPW World Television Championship Tournament Finals: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Ren Narita; ZSJ wins and is the inaugural NJPW World Television Champion.
  • NEVER Openweight Championship: Karl Anderson VS Tama Tonga; Tama wins and becomes the new NEVER Openweight Champion.
  • Six Man Tag, Keiji Muto’s Last NJPW Match: Keiji Muto, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Shota Umino VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; Muto, Tanahashi & Umino win.
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Fatal 4 Way: Taiji Ishimori VS El Desperado VS Hiromu Takahashi VS Master Wato; Hiromu wins and becomes the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.
  • IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship: Will Ospreay VS Kenny Omega; Omega wins and becomes the new IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion.
  • IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Jay White VS Kazuchika Okada; Okada wins and becomes the new IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

KOPW 2023 Right to Challenge New Japan Rambo!

Another year in the books for KOPW, but now we start all over again! With the trophy being traded in for a title, who will be the four at the end of this going for gold at New Year’s Dash?

The first two are the Murder Machine, Sho, and The Lion of Hontai, Hikuleo! Sho wants Hiku to take it easy, but the bell rings and the two circle. They approach, Sho pulls the “what’s that?” trick, and then fires off forearms! Hiku doesn’t budge! Sho dodges Hiku’s haymaker and runs the ropes, but into a scoop! Hiku aims for ropes but Sho flails, slips free, and then slides out under the bottom rope! Fans boo, but Hiku goes up and over the top rope! Well, wait, he can’t eliminate himself, can he? Sho still laughs as he leads Hiku on a cat ‘n’ mouse chase, but then Hiku goes the other way and BOOTS Sho down!

Hiku drags Sho up and puts him back in the ring. The countdown is here, and next out is… The King of Darkness, Evil! Sho has reinforcements as Evil, and Dick Togo, rush to the ring! Hiku has Sho up in a choke grip, but Evil slides in to save Sho! The House of Torture works together against Hiku, they double whip him, but Hiku BOOTS Evil! And scoops Sho to give him SNAKE EYES, and a LARIAT! Fans fire up for Hiku as he runs at Evil. Evil pulls the ropes down but Hiku is smarter than that. Hiku stops himself and stomps Evil down! Hiku drags Evil up, choke grips, and CHOKE- NO, Evil slips out! EVERY- NO, Hiku slips free, FULL NELSON SLAM!

The countdown is back and fourth out is… the Stone Pitbull, Tomohiro Ishii! Evil crawls out of the ring under the bottom rope and Dick checks on him. Ishii storms down to the ring while Hiku grabs at Sho in the corner. Hiku drags Sho around but Sho pushes him away. Ishii throws his shirt at Hiku, and Hiku steps up to him. Hiku mocks Ishii’s height, but then he and Ishii both go after Sho! Ishii holds Sho for Hiku to CHOP! Then BOOT, forearm, and BRAIN- Wait, Ishii turns on Hiku by saving Sho! They DOUBLE SUPLEX Hiku! Ishii stomps Hiku, and the countdown is back. Fifth out is… The Dominator, Great-O-Khan!

Ishii stomps Sho now as Khan makes his way to the ring. Hiku ROCKS Ishii with forearms but Ishii HEADBUTTS back! Sho also bails out under the bottom rope, the House of Torture regroups. Hiku CHOPS Ishii, CHOPS him again, Khan slides in but then slides right out. The Rev-Pro British Heavyweight Champion is smarter than that. Hiku knocks Ishii down and rains down forearms while Khan shows off his title. Hiku CHOKES Ishii, then drags him up. The countdown is back, and sixth out is… Japones Del Mal, DOUKI! Khan gets in the ring to CLUB Hiku and Mongolian Chop Ishii! Douki tosses his pipe aside to slide in, but Khan is right on him!

Khan whips but Douki RANAS Khan away! Douki keeps moving, SPRINGBOARD BACK ELBOW! Khan bails out, Evil gets in to CLUB Ishii! Douki slides out after Khan. Ishii holds ropes to dump Evil to the apron! Ishii ROCKS Evil but Dick keeps Evil up! Evil rakes Ishii’s eyes! Evil suplexes but Ishii slips free! They’re both on the apron but Dick is pulling on Ishii’s leg! Ishii holds onto ropes, and onto Evil! Evil has to hold onto ropes to keep from being eliminated, too! The countdown is back, and seventh is… Azucar, Rocky Romero! The King Coach is back, and he grabs Evil’s leg! Evil shots to Sho, but Rocky DECKS Dick!

Rocky runs in to KNEE Sho! Rock whips, Sho reverses, but Rocky uses that to ROCK Evil! Sho runs in but Rocky dodges, Sho BLASTS and ELIMINATES Evil!! Sho freaks out but Rocky gets him for a snap suplex! Fans fire up with Rocky and he whips Sho to a corner! Rocky starts up the Forever Clotheslines! The countdown is back, and eighth is… Fang Revived, KENTA! Rocky finally stops the lariats, and he keeps Sho from running away! He power walks to the ring, Sho slips away, but Ishii and Rocky are on guard. Rocky snags Khan as he crawls in, and Ishii is after Kenta! Kenta rakes Ishii’s eyes, then fires off haymakers!

Ishii growls but Kenta keeps throwing hands! Ishii ROCKS Kenta, HEADBUTTS him, and pulls hair! Kenta claws Ishii’s face! The ref reprimands, Kenta puts Ishii through ropes! Ishii fights back but Kenta HOTSHOTS him! The countdown is back and ninth is… The Heel Master, Yoshinobu Kanemaru! Rocky fights off Khan, Hiku mugs Sho on the outside, and Rocky now has Khan’s leg in the ropes. The ref reprimands, Kanemaru slides in and attacks Kenta! Kanemaru CLUBS and ROCKS Kenta but Kenta ROCKS him back! Kanemaru CLUBS Kenta down, then he kicks Rocky. Kenta comes back with forearms but Kanemaru EuroUppers!

Ishii hits Kenta from below, Kanemaru kicks Kenta from behind. Kanemaru EuroUppers again, then CLUBS him on the neck. The countdown is back, and tenth is… The Ultimate Weapon, Aaron Henare! Khan has reinforcements now, and Henare goes right after Ishii! Henare whips Ishii but Ishii comes back to RAM shoulders! And again! And again! The forearms start flying and fans fire up! Kanemaru keeps Kenta down, Khan has Rocky, and Henare gets the edge on Ishii! But Ishii swings! Henare ducks to body shot, but Ishii blocks the kick! Ishii ROCKS Henare, but Henare scoops him for a BERSERKER BOMB! Cover, TWO!

Khan calls to Henare and they work together as the countdown is back. Eleventh is… The Funky Weapon, Ryusuke Taguchi! Henare and Ishii keep throwing forearms, Khan saves Henare from a cover. Kanemaru dropkicks Kenta’s legs while the Empire mugs Ishii. Henare puts Ishii on the apron! Ishii fights back against Henare and Khan! But #Khanare hits the SUPERKICK BOOT COMBO! Ishii falls, The United Empire ELIMINATES Ishii! Taguchi HIP ATTACKS Henare! And HIP ATTACKS Khan! Taguchi stomps Khan, Hiku is still after Sho on the outside. Ishii throws forearms on Henare even though he’s out of this!

Taguchi uses his shirt to CHOKE Khan! The ref reprimands, the countdown is back, and twelfth is… The Imperial Unit, Jeff Cobb! The United Empire is growing stronger in this match! Taguchi & Rocky double whip Khan to DOUBLE HIP ATTACK! Cover, but Rocky breaks it? Guess not even former teammates are friends in this match. Hiku goes after Kanemaru but Kanemaru dropkicks his legs out! Sho is helping Rocky from the outside by pulling Taguchi’s hair! Douki returns to help Kanemaru! Dropkick to Hiku’s leg and ENZIGURI! Douki & Kanemaru try but they can’t double suplex Hiku! Hiku DOUBLE SUPLEXES them! Khan covers Kanemaru, but Taguchi stops him!

Hiku TOSSES Douki and ELIMINATES him! Then Hiku TOSSES Kanemaru out and ELIMINATES him, too! Not a good start for the former Suzuki-Gun members. But Cobb CLUBS Hiku! They brawl, the countdown is back, and thirteenth is… Hysterical Shane Haste! Hiku CHOPS Cobb down, Taguchi traps Henare in a corner, and Haste gets in to throw uppercuts on Rocky! Then an INVERTED EXPLODER! Fans fire up, Shane drags Rocky up, and he reels Rocky in for a POWER- RANA from Rocky! Cobb hoists Hiku up, Khan tries to help, but Hiku CLUBS them both away! Rocky covers Haste, TWO!

Rocky kicks Shane while he’s down, the countdown is back, and Kenta is after Taguchi. The fourteenth is… Mikey Nicholls! TMDK is quickly united! Hiku saves Taguchi from Kenta and Henare, Shane keeps after Rocky. Mikey hurries up but Rocky DECKS him! Shane turns Rocky around but Rocky ROCKS him! Rocky knuckle locks, CHOPS, and goes up, but Mikey is there to trip him! Shane DROPKICKS and ELIMINATES Rocky! Taguchi ROCKS Shane, aims from the corner, BUM-A- NO!! THOUSAND YEARS OF DEATH!! Shane counters the Funky Weapon with its one weakness! Mikey scoops Taguchi, for TANK BUSTER! Cover, TMDK ELIMINATES Taguchi!

Khan rolls Mikey up but Shane breaks it! The countdown is back, and fifteenth is… Tokyo Pimp, Yujiro Takahashi! The House of Torture is at full force! The United Empire mugs Shane while Yujiro jogs his way to ringside. Kenta and Mikey brawl with forearms, Hiku goes after Sho, and Kenta claws Mikey’s eyes. Yujiro hits Hiku, brings him around, but Hiku BOOTS him before the cane shot! Cobb ROCKS Hiku, ROCKS him some more, but Hiku choke grips! Khan grabs Hiku with an IRON CLAW! But Hiku choke grips Khan! Cobb SUPERKICKS Hiku! Cobb whips Khan at Hiku, and Khan clotheslines Hiku up and out to ELIMINATE him!

The countdown is back, and sweet sixteen is… The Producer, Toru Yano! The man who helped put KOPW on the map is here! Shane goes after Cobb, he and Mikey hoist Cobb up but Cobb fights out of Thunder Valley! But TMDK still work together, and they DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE Cobb up and out! TMDK ELIMINATES Cobb!! Henare fires off on the Mighty but they mug him back! Mikey scoops Henare and Shane goes up, but Henare shoves Mikey into Shane! Shane tumbles out, Mikey ELIMINATES Shane!! Henare then DECKS Mikey! Khan drags Mikey up, HITSUJIGOROSHI! Henare grabs the legs, FUBUKI!

Khanare carries Mikey to the ropes, they dump him out with MARINE to ELIMINATE him!! The United Empire has two, and they wait on Bullet Club. The countdown is back as Kenta fires off on Khan and then Henare. The seventeenth out is… The Headbanga, El Phantasmo! Bullet Club just grows stronger in this match! But Khan pulls Kenta’s shirt over his head! But Sho goes after Khan by clawing his eyes! ELP takes his time strutting to ringside as Sho stomps Khan down. Kenta joins in on that, and Yujiro hits Yano on the outside. ELP CLAWS Khan’s back! Then he rolls and CLAWS Henare’s back!

Fans fire up as House of Torture and ELP Too Sweet. But Henare throws body shots and a KICK! ELP flounders to ropes, Henare rushes in, but ELP holds the ropes down! Henare tumbles to the apron but he stays up! ELP ROCKS Henare but Henare ROCKS ELP! They brawl with the ropes between them! The countdown is back again as ELP gives Henare PURPLE NURPLES! Henare falls, ELP ELIMINATES Henare! But eighteenth in is… The Holy Emperor, Taichi! He lip syncs his way to the ring while ELP does jumping jacks. ELP slips away as Taichi slides in. Taichi’s the only one in the ring!

Khan and Henare go after the House of Torture, ELP helps turn the tides. Yano slides into the ring but Taichi CLOBBERS him! Khan rushes in, he and Taichi go sumo on this! They clinch as the countdown returns! Taichi THROWS Khan! Fans fire up, but twentieth in is… SHINGO TAKAGI!? Didn’t he say he was done with KOPW?! Perhaps the allure of going back-to-back was too much for him to resist! Taichi is ready for the Rampaging Dragon so that they can continue their feud from 2022! Taichi kicks Khan out so he and Takagi can have the entire ring! They DOUBLE BOMBER! And then again! And again!

Taichi SOBATS, runs, but Takagi clotheslines him at the ropes! Takagi runs, but into a clinch! Takagi resists, but Taichi THROWS him! Fans fire up even more for Taichi! Taichi dares Bullet Club to try something now, so they all get in! ELP, Kenta, Sho & Yujiro surround Taichi, and they all rush him together! They hoist Taichi up, and Takagi joins in! They all dump and ELIMINATE Taichi! Perhaps Taichi was too ambitious. Sho keeps Yano out of the ring while Kenta and Yujiro mug Takagi. ELP and Sho mug Yano, Kenta & Yujiro double whip. Takagi ducks to shove Kenta into Yujiro! Then he clinches Kenta, reels in Yujiro, COMPLETE SHOT DDT COMBO!

Takagi then DOUBLE PUMPING BOMBERS! Takagi TOSSES and ELIMINATES Yujiro! And then TOSSES and ELIMINATES Kenta! Sho storms up but into ELBOW! JAB! YUKON LARIAT! ELP CLAWS Daddy Takagi! ELP runs, but into an ELBOW! ELP SUPERKICKS! Takagi JABS! ELP FOREARMS! Takagi YU- NO, ELP begs for mercy from Daddy. ELP says, “Papa!” He wants a hug? Takagi doesn’t trust ELP but the fans want to see the hug. Takagi obliges, and they hug! But then Takagi blocks the dick punch! ELP knees low, whips, but Takagi reverses! ELP goes to the apron, Takagi runs in to BLAST ELP! But ELP lands on the railing!

Yujiro is there, too, he confirms ELP’s feet are on the railing, not the floor! ELP is safe! Takagi stomps Khan while Kenta and Yujiro carry ELP to the ring! ELP is on the apron, he and Takagi start throwing hands! Takagi HEADBUTTS but ELP ROUNDHOUSES! ELP hooks Takagi, Sho runs in, but Takagi BOOTS Sho! Takagi elbows ELP, baits Sho in, and then sends Sho into ELP! ELP wobbles, leg hooked in the ropes! Takagi runs in, ELP holds the ropes! Takagi tumbles to the apron! ELP fires off forearms on Takagi! ELP calls to Sho, Sho runs in again, but Takagi pulls ELP in the way, Sho BLASTS and ELIMINATES ELP!! And that’s it! We have our four!

Winners: Shingo Takagi, Great-O-Khan, Sho & Toru Yano (advance to New Year’s Dash)

The Rampaging Dragon, the Dominator, the Murder Machine, and perhaps by sheer luck, The Producer, all make it to the Fatal 4 Way! Will Takagi pull off the repeat? Will Khan or Sho change the status quo? Or will the Clown Prince return to his former glory?

 

Antonio Inoki Memorial Six Man Tag: Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima & Togi Makabe VS Tiger Mask, Minoru Suzuki & Tatsumi Fujinami!

To celebrate the legacy of the legend that founded this company, six legends in their own right come together for this match! Even THE Tiger Hattori is calling this special match! Who will best embody Inoki’s Fighting Spirit that Burns here tonight?

The teams sort out and Blue Justice steps up against The Dragon. The fans rally up as the two circle. They tie up, clinch, and Nagata puts Fujinami on the ropes. Fujinami turns it around, Hattori calls for the break, and Fujinami lets off clean. Fans applaud as the two reset. They tie up again, Nagata goes for a waistlock but Fujinami switches. Nagata wrenches free to have a wristlock, but Fujinami turns that around on Nagata. Fujinami hammerlocks but Nagata reaches back to facelock. They end up on ropes again, Hattori calls the break, and Nagata lets off. Fans applaud again as the two reset.

Nagata and Fujinami tie up again, and Nagata gets the headlock. Fujinami powers out, Nagata runs Fujinami over, but Fujinami gets back up. Nagata fires off kicks, but Fujinami blocks for a DRAGON SCREW! Fans cheer seeing the move from the man who invented it! Fujinami tags Suzuki and fans rally up as two rivals meet again. Suzuki grins, then SLAPS Nagata, but Nagata SLAPS back! Suzuki SLAPS, Nagata SLAPS, the SLAP fight is on! Fans fire up but Suzuki kicks low. Nagata falls over and Suzuki stomps away on Nagata’s leg! Suzuki then drags Nagata up and puts him in the corner. Suzuki CHOPS, then tags Tiger Mask.

Tiger Mask KICKS Nagata, KICKS and SOBATS! Nagata flounders but Tiger stomps him down. Tiger snapmares Nagata and has the motorcycle stretch. Tiger Mask then ELBOWS Nagata in the head and KICKS him in the back! Nagata gets up, throws body shots, but Tiger puts him in the corner. Suzuki holds Nagata so Tiger can fire off haymakers and KICKS! Tag to Fujinami and he stomps Nagata. Fujinami CLUBS Nagata but Nagata hits back with forearms! Fujinami CHOPS, Nagata throws another forearm, repeat! Fans fire up, Fujinami DRAGON PALMS! Tag to Suzuki and he stomps away on Nagata. Hattori counts, Suzuki stands Nagata up.

Suzuki ROCKS Nagata with forearm after forearm, but Nagata ROCKS Suzuki back! Fans cheer as Nagata eggs Suzuki on. Suzuki fires off more forearms, Nagata wobbles, but Nagata ROCKS Suzuki back! Suzuki swings, into the EXPLODER! Fans fire up as Nagata crawls, hot tag to Kojima! Kojima stomps Suzuki in the corner! And fires off Machine Gun CHOPS! Fans fire up but Suzuki eggs Kojima on! Kojima CHOPS, Suzuki talks trash, so Kojima reloads and Machine Gun CHOPS again! Kojima whips corner to corner, runs in and forearm smashes! Kojima shoves Suzuki aside, fans shout along with Kojima, but Suzuki BOOTS Kojima! Suzuki tells the fans to shut up!

Suzuki drags Kojima up but Kojima fires off forearms. Kojima spins but into a knee! Suzuki whips Kojima to a corner to BOOT! Suzuki snapmares Kojima, runs, but Kojima blocks the kick to CLUB the leg! Kojima then ROCKS Suzuki with a forearm! Suzuki eggs Kojima on and the forearms start flying! Fans rally as they go back and forth, faster and faster! Kojima gets the edge, but Suzuki laughs it off. Suzuki DECKS Kojima! Tag to Tiger Mask, he and Suzuki double whip. They dropkick the legs, then DOUBLE KICK! Suzuki then ROCKS Kojima, Tiger SOBATS and TIGER DRIVERS! Cover, TWO!! Kojima is still in this but Tiger looms over him.

Tiger sits Kojima up to CHOP! Then he CHOPS Kojima while he’s down! And again! Tiger stands Kojima up to ROCK him with a right. But Kojima hits back, to hit the COZY CUTTER! Fans fire up, hot tag to Makabe! The Gorilla BLASTS Suzuki and Fujinami! Then he whips Tiger to a corner for a clothesline! Makabe climbs up and rains down fists! Fans clap along as Makabe goes to ten! Makabe laughs, brings Tiger out, but Tiger fights the Northern Lights! Tiger knees low, whips Makabe to ropes, and Fujinami is there to kick low! Makabe kicks back but Fujinami blocks! DRAGON SCREW! Suzuki intercepts Nagata in the corner!

Suzuki whips Nagata and Fujinami gets a leg, DRAGON SCREW! Kojima kicks, but into a DRAGON SCREW! Fans fire up as Fujinami takes down all three opponents! Suzuki keeps Kojima down with a SLEEPER!, and Tiger catches Makabe in a IRON OCTOPUS! Nagata storms up but Fujinami gets him with a DRAGON SLEEPER! Makabe gets the ROPEBREAK, everyone lets go of the holds. Fans rally up as Suzuki and Fujinami drag Nagata and Kojima out of the ring. Makabe ROCKS Tiger, then runs, but into a crucifix takedown! TWO! Fans rally, Tiger SOBATS, then runs. But Makabe scoops for a POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!

Fans fire up and Makabe slashes his throat. He runs, and he LARIATS Tiger down! Makabe drags Tiger to a drop zone, goes up the corner, but Suzuki springs up after him! Suzuki HEADBUTTS Makabe! Then he THROWS Makabe down! Suzuki bails out, pushes Makabe, and Tiger hops up onto Makabe’s shoulders! Makabe throws Tiger off, drags him back up, but Tiger drops to victory roll! But Makabe sits on it! Makabe’s team wins!!

Winner: Togi Makabe, Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata, by pinfall

A rather shocking end to a fiery match! And in the end, the Gorilla, King of Bread Style and Blue Justice stand tall! But since this was to honor Inoki, no hard feelings here. Everyone shakes hands and bows respect. Suzuki then gives the mic to Fujinami so that he can speak. Fans applaud, and Fujinami wishes everyone a Happy New Year. He says this was a special memorial for Antonio Inoki and is thankful there are so many being a part of it. After this, NJPW will carry on that Fighting Spirit through this incredible card. And he is sure Inoki would appreciate this. “DAAAA~!” Everyone cheers as Inoki’s song plays one more time! Thank you, Antonio Inoki. You will be missed.

 

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Catch 2/2 VS YOH & Lio Rush!

TJP & Francesco Akira may not have won Super Jr. Tag League 2022, but they did beat Direct Drive & The Bad Child in the round robin. Can Yoh & Lio redeem themselves in the rematch? Or will the Public Enemy & Nova Fireball conquer Chaos to start the new year?

As the champs make their entrance, Yoh FLIES out onto them! Direct hit and down they go! Yoh throws TJP into the ring, Lio whips him to ropes, but TJP stops himself! Yoh runs in, TJP boots him away, then boots Lio! The bell rings, TJP rushes Yoh & Lio, but they both dodge him. They come back, TJP dodges Yoh and chases Lio but Lio dodges TJP. Yoh elbows TJP down while Lio runs, Yoh wheelbarrows Lio for the SPLASH! Fans fire up while TJP bails out to regroup with Akira. But Lio slingshots and MOONSAULTS onto them both! Fans fire up as Lio & Yoh drag Akira & TJP up. Lio ROCKS Akira and runs him up the ramp!

Yoh throws hands on TJP, Lio CLUBS Akira, but then TJP whips Yoh into railing! TJP saves Akira from a suplex! Lio kicks, TJP blocks and flips Lio, but Lio lands on his feet. Lio runs in, but into the ALLEY-OOP to the ramp! And that’s an LED ramp, too! Lio clutches his face while Catch 2/2 throws up the crowns. The ring count starts, Catch 2/2 return to ringside and fetch Yoh at 6 of 20. They put Yoh in the ring, but Yoh fires back with forearms and kicks! Yoh runs, but into a SOBAT, KICK, KICK and SHOTGUN! TJP covers, TWO! Things are finally 1v1 and TJP throws off his shirt. TJP drags Yoh up to bump him off buckles.

Tag to Akira and Akira brings Yoh out to DOUBLE CHOP! Yoh staggers to another corner, Akira whips corner to corner while fans clap “CATCH! NI NI!” Akira runs corner to corner to clothesline Yoh! Akira then turns Yoh around and puts him up top. Akira puts Yoh in a Tree of Woe, then he tags in TJP. TJP knuckle locks with Akira to help him go up and up, then walk the tightrope! SPRINGBOARD DROPKICK! Yoh gets knocked out of the Tree and TJP pushes him out of the ring. Yoh staggers, TJP and Akira go to the apron. Akira hops up onto TJP’s shoulders, “Take pictures! Take pictures!” SUPER ELECTRIC CHAIR SENTON!!

Fans fire up as Akira wipes Yoh out at the ramp! Akira drags Yoh up and puts him back in the ring. TJP drags Akira up, bumps him off buckles, and Akira keeps on Lio as he returns to ringside. Fans rally up and TJP scrapes his boot off Yoh. TJP runs side to side to BOOT WASH! Fans fire up and Akira puts Lio in the ring. TJP adds Lio to the corner for another round of face scrubbing! Then TJP runs, into a SPEAR from Lio! Lio crawls to the red corner and calls to Yoh. Yoh crawls his way over as fans rally up, but TJP stops Yoh with a whip! Yoh reverses and DROPKICKS TJP down! Fans fire up as both men crawl, hot tag to Lio!

The Bad Child, forehead busted up, rolls Akira for the SPIN KICK! TJP kicks low and reels Lio in but Lio slips out of the suplex! Lio goes Matrix, handsprings, and KIKCS to ENZIGURI! Fans fire up with Lio and he drags TJP up. Lio whips, TJP reverse but Lio slides to a stop. Catch 2/2 run in, Lio dodges to handspring, DOUBLE BACK ELBOW! Fans fire up again and Lio sees TJP bail out. Lio DIVES to knock TJP down at the ramp! Lio gets in again, and DIVES to send Akira into railing! Lio fires up and fans fire up with him as he puts Akira back in the ring. Akira crawls, Lio pounds the mat. Fans rally up and Lio chicken wings Akira.

Lio turns Akira, for the SPINNING KAMIKAZE! Cover, TWO!! Akira survives the swinging Unprettier, and Lio has to wipe the blood from his eyes. Tag to Yoh, and fans rally up as the Men of the Hour tune up the band! But TJP saves Akira from Yoh’s superkick! Akira SUPERKICKS Yoh! Lio mule kicks TJP to then SPIN HEEL KICK! Akira whips Lio but he uses that for the springboard, only to get stuck in the ropes! Akira drags Lio out into a HALF ‘N’ HALF! But Yoh SUPERKICKS Akira after all!! All four men are down and fans fire up again! Yoh stands first and he drags Akira up. Yoh hoists Akira to the top rope then CHOPS him!

Fans rally as Yoh climbs. Yoh stands Akira up, underhooks the arms, but TJP pulls Yoh away with an Electric Chair! But Lio shoves TJP forward, and Yoh grabs Akira again! ELECTRIC CHAIR SUPERPLEX! And then Yoh rolls through, to FALCON USHIGOROSHI!! And Lio is up top, for the FINAL HOUR!! Cover, TJP breaks it!! Fans are thunderous while Yoh is furious! Lio drags TJP up to throw him out. Yoh & Lio high-three, and fans rally up as they bring Akira up. They double whip, for 3K!! But TJP hits a MAMBA SPLASH on Yoh! And a SHOTGUN dropkick on Lio! TJP roars, fireman’s carries Yoh, DETONATION KICK! Cover, TWO!!

All four men are down again and fans are thunderous! TJP helps Akira up, and hoists him up top. Then TJP drags Yoh up and brings him over. TJP Electric Chair Lifts as Akira adjusts, but Yoh POISON-RANAS TJP! Lio rushes in, Akira jumps but Lio gets under! Lio comes back, SPANISH FLY! Yoh brings up TJP, 3K!!! Cover, Akira uses Lio to break it!! Lio is furious and he staggers over to Akira. Lio drags Akira up but Akira SLAPS him! Lio snarls, and he fires off fast hands and a SUPER FOREARM! Lio runs and springboards, to hit RUSH HOUR! Akira flops out of the ring and Yoh fires up! Fans are with him as he drags TJP up!

Yoh underhooks, for DIRECT- NO, TJP turns that into a cradle! CATCH 2/2 WIN!

Winners: Catch 2/2, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

Yoh is shocked! TJP turns things around at the last second and keeps the belts with the Empire! They are still the best Junior Heavyweight tag team, but will they have to be careful it doesn’t get that close again?

 

IWGP Women’s Championship: KAIRI VS Tam Nakano!

The Pirate Princess became the inaugural women’s champion of NJPW at the Historic X-Over, but she is no stranger to the Shining Stardom Dream. However, this will be the first time they’ve faced each other 1v1, and young Nakano has a lot to prove! Will she shine brightest tonight in the Tokyo Dome? Or will Kairi prove it’s still far too early for Nakano to take the spotlight on the world stage?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly the star of women’s wrestling!

The bell rings and fans rally up. The two circle, feel things out, and then tie up. They go around, Tam powers Kairi back, but Kairi turns it around to put Tam on ropes. The ref counts the break and Kairi lets off. Kairi fakes a chop, to pat Tam on the head. And then she hits Tam with a body blow! Kairi then eggs Tam on, and Tam storms up. Kairi gets around to a waistlock but Tam headlocks. Kairi throws body shots, powers out, but Tam handsprings over the drop down. Kairi runs, Tam dodges, but then Kairi dodges to whip and arm-drag! Tam staggers up, Kairi runs in but Tam goes Matrix to get a roll-up! Kairi rolls through, but Tam basement dropkicks her!

Fans fire up and Tam taunts Kairi with a smile. Kairi grabs Tam by her hair and stands her up. Kairi ROCKS Tam with a forearm, but Tam ROCKS Kairi back! Kairi throws another forearm, but so does Tam! Tam gets the edge, fans fire up, and Tam ROCKS Kairi! Tam runs, but Kairi goes the other way, to SPEAR! Fans fire up with Kairi and she watches Tam go to a corner. Kairi walks the plank, to run and SLIDING D! Fans fire up more as Kairi goes up top! Tam stands, into the KABUKI ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Kairi keeps her cool and she brings Tam up. Kairi Alabama Lifts but Tam fights free! Kairi CHOPS Tam!

Kairi runs, but Tam HEEL KICKS her down! Kairi flops out and now Tam fires up! Fans rally as Tam goes to the corner and climbs! Kairi stands, and Tam SUPER CROSSBODIES! Down goes Kairi and some Young Lionesses! Tam puts Kairi in the ring, drags her up, and reels her into a waistlock. Kairi flails but Tam hits the GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Kairi survives but Tam keeps cool. Tam drags Kairi up, reels her in, and suplexes! But Kairi fights free! DOUBLE HAYMAKERS rock both women! They both roar, Kairi runs in and ducks the roundhouse! But Tam blocks the Uraken! Kairi swings into Tam’s hook and suplex!

Tam holds Kairi up and fans fire up as she slowly turns, for the VIOLET SCREW DRIVER!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Tam can’t believe it but Kairi survives! Tam drags Kairi around, thrashes her and CLUBS her, hammers away on her back, and then aims, to AX KICK! Tam then stands Kairi up, runs, but into the URAKEN!! Cover, TWO?!!? Tam survives the vicious backhand, but Kairi fires up! Kairi drags Tam up but Tam roars! URAKEN AGAIN!! Tam falls over, Kairi climbs up! Fans fire up for the INSANE ELBOW!! Cover, Kairi wins!

Winner: Kairi, by pinfall (still IWGP Women’s Champion)

Tam fought her heart out, but she could not dethrone the Pirate Princess! Kairi’s reign continues to sail, but wait! The lights go out, and a video plays! Someone is stepping out of a luxury sports car. Money? Moné? It’s… THE BOSS! SASHA BANKS! Or rather, MERCEDES MONÉ! She has come here from the WWE to be in NJPW, and she’s going right to the ring! She stares Kairi down, and Kairi holds up the belt. Fans cheer, and Sasha/Mercedes nods. She offers a handshake, and Kairi accepts it. And then Sasha reels Kairi into a Gory Especial! SPIN-OUT DDT! And then she asks for a microphone.

“Kairi~. Aw… Congratulations on making history. I also know a thing or two about making history. I am here in NJPW and Stardom to make some more. Allow me introduce myself. I’m the Standard, the Conversation, the Blue Print and the CEO of this Women’s Division. So Kairi-san, enjoy your IWGP Women’s Championship while you can. Because at The Battle in the Valley in San Jose, I’m gonna leave you bankrupt, b*tch! And you can bank on Moné.” The Boss has struck first! But will she strike new gold in the new year?

 

IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: FTR VS Bishamon!

Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood were once three-belt champions, but they find themselves holding on to their last piece of gold. As for Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi, they are coming off a repeat win in the World Tag League! Will the Fierce Warrior & Head Hunter repeat history again by taking these titles in the Tokyo Dome? Or can FTR #SayYeah to staying on top?

The introductions are made, FTR give the belts a kiss and the belts are raised. Let’s see if FTR is kissing those belts good-bye!

The teams sort out and Hashi starts against Cash. They circle and fans rally up. Hashi avoids Cash as he shoots in, and then the tie up. Hashi powers Cash back and wrenches an arm to a wristlock. Cash reaches out, Hashi keeps him from Dax, so Cash rolls, handsprings and wrenches around to a headlock and takeover! Fans applaud the opening exchange while Hashi kicks around. Hashi fights up to his feet, pries the headlock open but Cash cranks it back on. Hashi keeps trying and prying, and he wraps the headlock onto Cash! Cash powers out and things speed up. Cash drops down, but Hashi comes back to run him over!

Fans rally while Cash stands back up. The two stare down, but Hashi tags out to Goto. Cash talks things over with Dax, then Cash grabs at Goto. Goto gets away, so Cash tags to Dax. Dax and Goto circle now, and Goto avoids Dax as he shoots in. They tie up, Dax powers Goto back but Goto puts Dax on the ropes. Dax turns it around, the ref calls for the break, and Dax lets off. Dax shoves Goto but Goto shoves Dax. They tie up again and Dax ROCKS Goto! Goto ROCKS Dax, Dax ROCKS Goto, repeat! Fans rally up as the forearms fly back and forth, faster and faster! Dax then CHOPS! Dax ROCKS Goto at the ropes, and again!

Dax runs, but Hashi gets in, Bishamon runs Dax over! Then HIP TOSS SENTON! Cash runs in but Goto sends him right out. Dax goes to a corner, Hashi runs in to clothesline! Hashi feeds Dax to Goto but Dax ROCKS Goto first! Dax ROCKS Hashi, too, but Goto dragon sleepers! Hashi gets the legs! But Dax kicks free! Cash trips and drags Hashi out while Dax suplexes Goto! Goto bails out and fans fire up. Cash builds speed!? Cash DIVES to wipe out Bishamon! Fans fire up and Cash puts Goto in the ring. Dax drags Goto up, hoists him up top, and then CHOPS Goto! Dax climbs up, Cash tags in and goes to an adjacent corner.

Dax has Goto for the SUPERPLEX! Cash FLYING SPLASHES! Cover off Power ‘n’ Glory, TWO!! Goto survives and fans fire up! Cash drags Goto over, tags Dax in, and FTR go to opposite corners now. Goto slowly sits up, FTR runs in to DOUBLE LARIAT SANDWICH! But Goto stays up! Goto ROCKS Dax, ROCKS Cash, but Dax CLUBS Goto and Cash ROCKS Goto! Dax reels Goto in, POWERBOMB, and a roll into Cash’s FULL NELSON SUPLEX! Cash bridges, and Dax jackknifes! But Hashi breaks it!! Fans fire up, but Cash KNEES Hashi out of the ring. Dax drags Goto up, whips him, but Goto KICKS Dax! Goto deflects Cash’s boot to DISCUS LARIAT!

Dax kicks Goto and reels him back in. Goto fights the lift, so Dax stands Goto up to ROCK him! Dax runs, into a fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and fans fire back up! Goto and Dax crawl for their corners, hot tags to Hashi and Cash! Hashi rallies on FTR with forearms and CHOPS! Cash kicks low, whips Hashi to a corner, and then runs in, only for Hashi to dodge! Hashi dropkicks Dax’s legs out and he CHOPS Cash! Hashi reels Cash in, suplexes, but Cash slips free! Tag to Dax, Hashi dodges Cash to SUPERKICK! Dax storms in, blocks the kick to JAB! Dax whips, but Hashi hits the HEADHUNTER!

Fans rally up and Hashi tags Goto. Bishamon calls their shout, they dragon sleeper Dax but Dax kicks free again! Dax ROCKS Goto but Hashi SUPERKICKS! They try the again, but Cash CLOBBERS Hashi! Dax hoists Goto up, BIG RIG!! Cover, Hashi breaks it in time!!! Bishamon survives FTR’s best shot! Cash UPPERCUTS Hashi, then CHOPS him and UPPERCUTS him against ropes! Cash then suplexes, but Hashi fights it! Hashi suplexes Cash, and they tumble out of the ring! Fans are stunned as Hashi clips railing! Dax slashes his throat and he drags Goto up! Dax reels Goto in but Goto fights the lift! Goto back drops Dax away!

But Dax is right up! Dax reels Goto in again, but Goto still resists! Another back drop! But Dax is up again! Goto HEADBUTTS him! Both men wobble, Goto reels Dax in to suplex high and hard! Both men are down, and Goto crawls for his corner. Fans rally, hot tag to Hashi! Hashi fires up, runs, but Dax swats the lariat! Hashi CHOPS, SUPERKICKS, and then full nelsons to the pump handle! Dax slips free but Hashi switches! Dax switches, Hashi switches, but Dax turns around to bring Hashi up, PILEDRIVER!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Hashi survives but Dax doesn’t hesitate! Fans fire up as Dax lifts Hashi again and Cash is up top! MIND BREAKER!!! Cover, GOTO BREAKS IT!!

Fans are thunderous as all four men are down! Cash staggers up and he snarls. Cash runs in but Goto blocks the lariat! Cash CLOBBERS Goto on the return! Cash mule kicks Goto then throws him out. Dax drags Hashi up, whip him, but Hashi fights off Big Rig with an ax handle! SUPERKICK for Cash! Goto returns to clothesline Cash up and out! Dax storms over to Hashi but Hashi holds him against ropes! Goto BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and then Hashi SUPERKICKS! Goto dragon sleepers, Hashi hooks the legs, SHOUTO!!!! Cover, BISHAMON WINS!!

Winners: Bishamon, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

Incredible! Back-to-back World Tag League wins resulting in back-to-back tag title wins! Goto & Hashi are back on top of the NJPW Heavyweight Tag Division! Will they make 2023 as big a year as last year? As for FTR, they are now left with NO belts! They do show respect to Bishamon, but when and where will FTR return to NJPW?

 

NJPW World Television Championship Tournament Finals: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Ren Narita!

NJPW commemorates FIFTY YEARS with an innovative title division! One way or another, history is made tonight, but who will be the one getting their fifteen minutes of fame?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and in the end, there can only be one inaugural champion!

The bell rings and time is counting down already. The two rush in, ZSJ waistlocks but Narita switches. ZSJ switches, Narita switches, but ZSJ spins around for an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Narita quickly sits up and pushes for a cover but ZSJ’s leg guard keeps him at bay. Narita slips around to go for an arm but ZSJ does the same thing. Narita kicks around, rolls through, but ZSJ avoids the Penalty Kick! ZSJ grabs a leg and trips Narita but Narita kicks him away. ZSJ comes back, but Narita ducks the Penalty Kick! Narita stands, he blocks the hip toss and throws ZSJ down, but ZSJ avoids the stomp! Fans applaud this fast and furious start!

The two cool off and circle. Fans rally and duel, “NA-RI-TA!” “Z S J!” The two feel things out, knuckle lock, but then ZSJ rolls to wrench and wrap Narita up in a straitjacket stretch! Narita powers up and puts the straitjacket on ZSJ! ZSJ moves around, bridges back, rolls and we return to a Test of Strength knuckle lock. ZSJ and Narita fight for control, but ZSJ KICKS! Narita eggs ZSJ on so ZSJ KICKS again! Narita KICKS, KICKS, fires off palm strikes then a forearm! Narita runs and BOOTS ZSJ down! Fans fire up this second exchange as Narita paces. Narita stands ZSJ up, reels him in, but ZSJ fights the suplex. ZSJ wrenches and WRINGS Narita’s arm!

ZSJ looms over Narita, stands on his face and grabs an arm. ZSJ steps over, twists the wrist and bends the elbow! Narita endures as ZSJ tortures his arm, but then ZSJ isolates the arm into a top wristlock to STOMP it down! Narita clutches his arm, but ZSJ kicks at him. ZSJ kicks and kicks but Narita just snarls. ZSJ grabs the arm, wrenches it, but Narita fires a forearm! ZSJ eggs Narita on so Narita gives more forearms. ZSJ wrenches the arm to an ELBOW BREAKER, then runs the ropes. Narita OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes! Fans fire up while both men are down! Narita shakes out the bad arm as he and ZSJ go to opposite corners.

Narita stands, runs in corner to corner, and he back elbows! Narita reels ZSJ into a HALF HATCH! Bridging cover, TWO! Fans rally, Narita shakes out the bad arm and brings ZSJ up. Narita ties ZSJ up in a cobra twist but ZSJ pulls on Narita’s bad arm! ZSJ then switches the cobra twist onto Narita! Narita endures, fights through to switch again, but again the bad arm is ZSJ’s target! ZSJ pulls the arm and hits a hip toss! Then a KICK to the back! Narita just scowls and stands up. Narita knees low, snapmares, and KICKS ZSJ in the back! ZSJ frowns, and Narita sits down, daring him to go again! Fans fire up and ZSJ obliges, he KICKS Narita in the back!

Narita grits his teeth and ZSJ eggs him on. ZSJ sits down, daring Narita to bring it! Narita runs to PENALTY KICK! ZSJ writhes and Narita dares him to get up. Fans rally, ZSJ stands and BOOTS! Narita runs to BOOT! ZSJ and Narita both BOOT! And again! And again! Both men fall but ZSJ is up first! PENALTY KCIK! Cover, ONE?!? PENALTY KICK from Narita! Cover, ONE!!! Narita and ZSJ stagger up and we’re only five minutes in! ZSJ EuroUppers! Narita ENZIGURIS! Both men are down again and fans fire back up! Narita and ZSJ stir, Narita drags ZSJ up and throws forearm after forearm! Narita eggs ZSJ on so ZSJ stands up to EuroUpper!

ZSJ EuroUppers again, and again! Narita shakes his head so ZSJ ROCKS him with a forearm! ZSJ swings again, into a FISHERMAN EXPLODER! Bridging cover, TWO!! ZSJ escapes and fans fire up as Narita stands. Narita snarls, drags ZSJ up and holds the wrists as he BOOTS and BOOTS! ZSJ uses his chin to trap the foot! ZSJ drags Narita down into a KNEEBAR! Narita sits up, ZSJ TWISTS the leg, but Narita rolls with it to get the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go quickly and fans applaud again. Narita shakes out the leg now but ZSJ is right on it with stomps. ZSJ kicks at the leg, and then at the arm, and then Narita’s chest!

Narita just takes the kicks and eggs ZSJ on. Fans rally and ZSJ gives Narita space. Narita still eggs ZSJ on so the kicks come back. ZSJ KICKS, but Narita just growls through it! ZSJ eggs Narita on so Narita KICKS ZSJ down! Narita sits ZSJ up to KICK again! Cover, TWO! Fans rally more and Narita roars! Narita drags ZSJ up, has the wrists, and reels ZSJ in for a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Narita still has the wrists, and he uses that to reel ZSJ in again, but ZSJ jumps on for a GUILLOTINE! Narita throws ZSJ down but ZSJ just drags Narita into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Narita fights, ZSJ still has his arm!

Narita pushes forward, kicks at ZSJ’s face, and ZSJ lets go of the arm. ZSJ checks his nose, but Narita swings a BIG forearm! Narita stands ZSJ up but ZSJ wrenches the arm to PELE! ZSJ KICKS the arm, kicks again but Narita blocks! Narita SLAPS ZSJ down! ZSJ sits up in a daze, and Narita drags him into a SLEEPER! ZSJ fights up, fans rally, and ZSJ reaches for ropes. Narita pulls ZSJ away, but ZSJ drops! Narita sits on it, TWO! ZSJ has the arms, EURO CLUTCH! TWO!?! Narita narrowly escapes , but ZSJ BOOTS him! GERMAN SUPLEX! But Narita roars as he rises up! GERMAN SUPLEX! ZSJ is up, but he and Narita both stagger around!

Narita runs, but ZSJ ducks the wheel kick! ZSJ runs in to PENALTY KICK! Narita sits up but ZSJ runs, into a clinch! ZSJ fights the throw and drags Narita down, double wristlock and sunset flip! TWO?!?!?! Narita escapes by a nanosecond!! Fans are thunderous as we now hit ten minutes! Narita staggers up, ZSJ clamps right on! But Narita switches around! ZSJ switches it back! They fight for cobra twist control, but then Narita has a SLEEPER! Into the cobra twist! ZSJ pries free but Narita rolls him to a HEEL HOOK! But ZSJ yanks the arm right into an ARMBAR! NARITA TAPS, ZSJ WINS!!!

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by submission (Inaugural NJPW World Television Champion)

Narita couldn’t endure, he had to #JustTapOut! And in the New Year, ZSJ has a new look and finally has himself singles gold in NJPW! Will ZSJ create a truly historic reign, 15 minutes at a time?

Hold on, TMDK’s Shane & Mikey are back. They applaud ZSJ and join him in the ring. ZSJ says give him a minute, he has to catch his breath. But wait, TMDK aren’t here to challenge ZSJ, they’re here to offer him a spot in the group! After all, Suzuki-Gun is no more, and the Top Dog did leave for WWE. Will the Submission Master be one of the Mighty? ZSJ sets the belt down, takes the shirt, and he puts it on?!? ZACK IS MIGHTY! The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but will they make all of NJPW #JustTapOut?

 

NEVER Openweight Championship: Karl Anderson VS Tama Tonga w/ Jado!

The Machine Gun may be part of the WWE, but he still shows up for the bright lights in NJPW! He’s shot down the Good Bad Guy once before, can he do it again? Or is this Tama’s time once and for all?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if this title stays in Japan or returns to the States!

But wait, Karl takes the belt back. He taunts Tama that the fans aren’t chanting “TAMA! TAMA!” And then Karl CLOBBERS Tama with the belt!! The fans boo but Karl tells the ref to ring the bell. The bell rings and Tama is on the apron, Karl runs to SHOTGUN Tama off the apron! Tama hits railing, Karl goes out after him to fisherman NECKBREAKER Tama on the railing! Karl then hurries back into the ring and wants the count to take care of this! Fans boo Karl but Karl kneels and apologizes. Karl soaks up the heat as the fans boo more, “That’s a beautiful sound, ain’t it?” The count starts, reaches 5 of 20 but Karl wants it to go faster.

Tama crawls back to the railing at 10 of 20 but Karl goes out after him! Karl brings Tama up the ramp to the LED section, and scoops for APE SHIT to the ramp!! Or rather, the Bernard Driver in honor of Giant Bernard. Either way, Karl mocks the fans by trying to start an “ANDERSON!” chant. Fans boo instead, but Tama starts stirring. Karl is annoyed, but then he pounds the ground. Karl wants Tama to stand, and Tama rises. Karl aims, GUN- NO, Tama SLAMS Karl down! Karl writhes down the ramp and fans fire back up! Tama and Karl both crawl towards ringside, and Karl rolls into the ring. Fans applaud as Tama gets in the ring, but Karl goes to the far side.

Karl stands on the apron, Tama hurries out after him. Tama fires body shots but Karl throws forearms! They brawl on the edge, Tama UPPERCUTS, then UPPERCUTS again! Tama calls his shot but Karl denies the Gun Stun to hit a ROCKET KICK! Tama is down but fans rally up. Karl soaks up the heat again while Tama rolls into the ring. Karl slaps Tama around, saying this is just like back in the day. Karl SLAPS Tama, but Tama throws body shots! Tama ROCKS Karl with forearms but Karl ROCKS Tama back! The forearms go back and forth, Tama UPPERCUTS, then ROCKS Karl again! Fans fire up with Tama, but Karl UPPERCUTS right back!

Tama ends up in a corner, Karl whips him corner to corner, but Tama comes back to CLOBBER Karl! Fans fire up, Tama runs in at the corner, STINGER SPLASH! Tama throws more fast hands and forearms! The ref counts, Tama lets off, and then comes back to DROPKICK! Karl leans against the corner but Tama is right on him. Tama whips corner to corner, then runs in to STINGER- NO, Karl dodges! ROCKET KICK! Karl fireman’s carries Tama, and runs for a TKO! Cover, TWO! Karl hurries up top, Jado warns Tama, and Tama stands. Karl leaps, FLYING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Tama survives and fans fire up!

Karl paces around in frustration but he watches Tama. Tama stirs, Karl pounds the mat, and fans rally up. Tama rises again, Karl runs in, GUN- NO, Tama blocks, fireman’s carries, and hits S R C! Karl clutches his gut while Tama goes to the corner now. Tama climbs and fans rally, but Karl UPPERCUTS first! Karl climbs up after Tama, digs his elbow in and JAMS Tama in the head! Then he throws forearms! Tama wobbles but Karl brings him up. Karl goes to the very top, and he calls his shot! But Tama resists the super brainbuster! Tama throws body shots, HEADBUTTS Karl and shoves him away! Tama then adjusts to SUPREME CROSSBODY!

Fans fire up again as Karl is down! Tama climbs back up and takes aim, for SUPREME FLOW!! Cover, TWO!?! Karl survives but Jado keeps Tama focused. Fans drum along as Jado pounds the apron. Tama takes aim, Karl stands up, GUN- NO! Karl blocks it at the last moment! Karl fireman’s carries now, but Tama slips off! Tama swings, Karl ducks, but then Karl swings and Tama ducks! Tama ducks again, redirects Karl, but Karl follows! GUN- NO! Tama blocks it on the run! Tama spins Karl around but Karl UPPERCUTS! Tama PELES! Karl staggers, swings, misses, and Tama goes up, FLYING GUN STUN!!

Fans are thunderous, and OFF COMES THE VEST! Tama is ready, he pounds the mat! Karl rises, Tama aims again, GUN STUN!!! Cover, TAMA WINS!

Winner: Tama Tonga, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Champion)

Redemption and revenge, all for Tama! He gets even with Bullet Club for rejecting him, and he gets even with Karl for taking this belt from him! Will 2023 now be the Year of the Guerrilla?

 

Six Man Tag, Keiji Muto’s Last NJPW Match: Keiji Muto, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Shota Umino VS Los Ingobernables de Japon!

Another legend says good-bye, as THE Great Muta, the Pro-Wrestling Master, wraps up his retirement tour. Will he, the Ace and the Roughneck send him off in style? Or will Bushi, Sanada and Tetsuya Naito be able to hang their hat on something at WrestleKingdom?

The teams sort out and fans already chant for “MU-TO! MU-TO!” Naito takes his time with his entrance attire, and Tanahashi shows off the muscles. Fans applaud, and even Muto approves. And so, Muto insists he start! Fans applaud, and then LIJ fist bumps. Muto waits, and it’s Sanada who insists he start! Naito and Bushi oblige, and fans fire up with the bell. Muto and Sanada circle, and Sanada throws up the Too Sweet in honor of nWo Japan! Muto gives the Too Sweet back, but then Sanada dropkicks the legs out! Sanada dropkicks again, and again, and Muto falls! Sanada drags Muto up to whip but Muto reverses.

Sanada goes up and out, springboards in and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Sanada drags Muto up, scoops and hits a BACKBREAKER! Sanada hurries to the corner, for the ROUNDING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO!! Muto is still in this but he seems rather surprised by Sanada. Sanada whips, Muto rolls under and comes back to dropkick the legs out! Muto then SHINING WIZARDS Sanada down! Fans fire up and Muto drags Sanada up for a POWERSLAM! Now Muto goes up, but Tanahashi hurries over to caution him! He’s no spring chicken, a moonsault might not be the best thing… Muto still wants to, but he listens to reason.

But then Sanada CLUBS Muto! Sanada whips, but Muto kicks him back! Muto snapmares and runs for the FLASH ELBOW! Fans fire up and Muto tags Tanahashi. Tanahashi drops an elbow of his own! Tanahashi then BLASTS Bushi & Naito! Sanada runs in, but Tanahashi elbows him away to go up and CROSSBODY! Fans fire up with the air guitar, and then Tanahashi drags Sanada up. Sanada ROCKS Tanahashi with a forearm but Tanahashi fires off a strike fest! Tanahashi whips, Sanada reverses and Bushi gets a cheap shot in! Naito dropkicks Tanahashi’s legs out, and Sanada basement dropkicks Tanahashi down!

The ref reprimands but Bushi and Naito hit Muto and Umino! Umino goes own, Muto stays up, but Bushi kicks him off the apron. The ref reprimands LIJ more, but Naito whips Umino into railing! Sanada stomps Tanahashi, then he tags Bushi. Bushi stomps Tanahashi around, then drags him up to turn and NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Bushi stomps Tanahashi then tags Naito. Fans fire up as Naito ROCKS Tanahashi with forearms! Naito has Tanahashi in the corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs in to JUMP KICK! Leg sweep! SWINGING DROPKICK! Fans fire up for Combinacion Cabron! Muto seems curious about Naito’s pose, and Naito raises the LIJ fist.

Muto reaches up, but then decides not to fist bump. Naito stomps Tanahashi, drags him up, but Tanahashi fires off forearms! Naito staggers, fakes a punch and kicks low! Naito whips, Tanahashi reverses but Naito reverses back. Tanahashi ducks the enziguri and he reels Naito in for a REVERSE DRAGON SCREW! Fans fire up and Tanahashi crawls over, hot tag to Umino! Umino goes up top to MISSILE DROPKICK! Fans fire up as Umino intercepts Sanada with a kick. Umino whips, Sanada reverses but Umino holds ropes. Umino BOOTS Sanada, then baits him in. Sanada runs in but into an arm-drag! Umino then runs to RANA Sanada!

Bushi kicks Umino, runs, but into a scoop and DROP, to a BASEMENT UPPERCUT! Umino kips up and fans fire up! Umino whips Naito corner to corner, runs in and UPPERCUTS! Then Umino reels Naito in, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect, but Umino keeps focus. Umino shouts out the legends on commentary as he clamps on an STF! Naito endures, crawls, Bushi & Sanada rush in but Tanahashi & Muto intercept! DRAGON SCREWS IN STEREO! Muto then puts Sanada in a FIGURE FOUR while Tanahashi puts Bushi in the TEXAS CLOVERLEAF! LIJ endures three different submissions!!

Fans rally, Naito crawls forward but Umino pulls back on the STF! Naito reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts and LIJ is let go. Umino drags Naito up and clinches, but Naito fights the lift! Umino kicks low, whips, but Naito reverses to ELBOW! Umino fires up, but runs into an atomic drop! Naito fires off those heavy back elbows, then turns Umino for a NECKBREAKER! Fans rally and Naito crawls, hot tag to Bushi! Fans rally, Bushi climbs, and Bushi MISSILE DROPKICKS! Bushirooni! Umino goes to a corner, Bushi stomps him down. Bushi brings Umino up, spins him around, but Umino wrenches out to spin Bushi! TEST DRIVE!

Umino drags Bushi back up, for an inverted suplex! But Bushi slips out and waistlocks, to feed to Sanada’s DROPKICK! Sanada DROPKICKS Muto off the apron! Tanahashi storms in, he gets around Sanada and turns him for a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Naito full nelsons but Tanahashi breaks free for TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Bushi dodges, Tanahashi blocks one kick and ducks the enziguri, but the HEEL KICK hits! Bushi runs, into a SLINGBLADE! Tanahashi sets Bushi up and Muto fires up, for the SHINING WIZARD!! Fans are thunderous and Umino tops this off with DEATH RIDER!! Cover, Team Muto wins!

Winners: Keiji Muto, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Shota Umino, by pinfall

The legend, the icon and the future of NJPW stand tall! Muto exits the ring quickly, not one for sentiment. But surely, everyone agrees in saying, #ThankYouMuto!

 

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Fatal 4 Way: Taiji Ishimori VS El Desperado VS Hiromu Takahashi VS Master Wato!

The Bone Soldier has been able to hold onto this title for a long time, but now the odds are stacked against him! He has the Rogue Luchador, the Ticking Timebomb and the Way of the Grandmaster coming after him, will one of them take the title? Or will 2023 be REBORN?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if the champion can defy the odds!

The bell rings and Hiromu SHOTGUNS Desperado down while Taiji runs away from Wato! Taiji taunts Wato on the outside, but then Hiromu runs to clothesline Wato in the corner! Hiromu snapmares Wato down but Taiji runs in to dropkick Wato first! Hiromu swings on Taiji but Taiji gets around to a waistlock. Hiromu switches, Desperado slides back in, and Hiromu sends Taiji his way. Desperado lifts Taiji, Hiromu runs in, DROPKICK BACK SUPLEX COMBO! Fans fire up as rivals work together, but then Desperado rakes Hiromu’s eyes! Desperado runs, Hiromu elbows him at the ropes. Hiromu runs but Wato hurdles over!

Wato back elbows Hiromu, back hands, but then elbows and back hands Desperado! Wato runs, but into double kicks! Hiromu & Desperado double whip to double shoulder tackle Wato down! Fans cheer as the rivals end up working together again. Hiromu offers a handshake, but Desperado pokes him in the eyes for a cradle! Taiji breaks the cover, then throws hands on Desperado. Taiji and Hiromu work together now and they mug Desperado in the corner. They double whip Desperado corner to corner, and then Taiji whips Hiromu, only to reel him in for a cradle! Wato breaks that! Wato stomps Taiji, Desperado rolls him! TWO!

All four rivals argue, Desperado CHOPS Wato but Wato ROCKS Desperado! Taiji rolls Desperado while Hiromu rolls Wato! Double covers! TWO!! Fans fire up as all four men stand off! Taiji says forget this and he bails out. But there’s no Champion’s Advantage in a Fatal 4. Taiji continues up the ramp while Desperado and Hiromu go after Wato. They double whip, but while Hiromu sets up for a back drop, Desperado elbows Wato down! Desperado and Hiromu argue, they obviously weren’t on the same page. But they put Wato in a corner, and then double whip him corner to corner. But then both Desperado and Hiromu run in!

Hiromu stops Desperado and they argue again. They each pie face the other, but Hiromu runs at Wato. Wato dodges and Hiromu hits buckles. Wato dodges Desperado then shoves him into Hiromu! DOUBLE BULLDOG! Fans fire up with Wato while Taiji just lounges on the ramp. Wato drags Desperado up to ROCK him with a forearm! And another! Desperado wants Wato to hold on, they can work together with Hiromu, against Taiji! Taiji takes notice, and he says bring it on! Desperado leads the charge up the ramp! Desperado runs in first, but into a HIP TOSS! Hiromu runs in, into a tilt-o-whirl SHOULDER BREAKER!

Wato runs in, Taiji dodges, and the SHOTGUN hits Hiromu and Desperado! Taiji grins as he outsmarts all his challengers! Taiji strolls back to the ring and waits on them to return. With all three challengers outside, there’s a ring count! One of them has to get back to stop Taiji from winning by default! They all hurry, they’re back to ringside by 8 of 20, but Taiji is up top! ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Taiji wipes out all three! The count continues, Taiji slides in at 12. Desperado, Wato & Hiromu stir, but they flounder around past 15! They all stand at 18 and slide in at 19! Taiji covers Desperado, TWO! Taiji is frustrated but the match continues!

Taiji drags Desperado up, whips him to a corner, then runs in. Taiji blocks the boots, puts Desperado in ropes and ENZIGURIS! Then Taiji runs side to side for a SLIDING GERMAN! Fans fire up as Taiji goes up top again. Taiji aims at Desperado, 450, but he has to bail out as Desperado moves! Wato is up top, but Taiji avoids his flying clothesline! Taiji throws a body shot, then whips Wato at Desperado. Desperado steps aside, hits Taiji and whips him into Wato! Desperado rolls Taiji up, TWO! Hiromu leaps at Wato for TRIANGLE HOLD D! And Desperado has the STRETCH MUFFLER, into NUMERO DOS! Dueling submissions are in effect!

Fans rally as Taiji and Wato each endure! Wato is fading, but Taiji fights his way over to ropes! Wato gets a second wind, just as Desperado drags Taiji away! Wato deadlifts Hiromu to POWERBOMB him on Desperado!! Taiji is saved, and fans are thunderous as all four men are down! Taiji clutches a knee as he crawls out to the apron. Wato goes to a corner and stands up. Wato fires up as he has Hiromu alone! Hiromu CHOPS, but Wato CHOPS and CHOPS and KICKS and KICKS! Wato KICKS Hiromu up high, then whips him to ropes. Hiromu reverses, goes around, but Wato dodges to RANA!

Fans fire up as Hiromu bails out. Wato builds speed, but Taiji trips him and drags him out! Taiji hurries but Hiromu SUNSET FLIPS! Taiji flips through the bomb but is sent into the apron! Desperado builds speed, Hiromu gets away, Desperado DIVES to take out Taiji! Wato slides back into the ring to build speed and FLY! Direct hit on Desperado now! Wato drags Desperado and Taiji up but Hiromu is up top! SUPER SENTON!! Fans are thunderous as all four men are down again! The ring count starts now that all four men are on the outside! Hiromu crawls over at 7 of 20, stands at 9, and he drags Wato up. Hiromu puts Wato in at 11 and hurries to get Wato up.

Hiromu fireman’s carries, for a CORNER DEATH VALLEY! And then another fireman’s carry, but Taiji BOOTS him down! Desperado runs Taiji over but Wato BOOTS Desperado! Hiromu dropkicks Wato’s legs out, then dodges Taiji’s clothesline. Taiji comes back with a JUMP KNEE! Desperado storms up but into a body shot! Taiji whips, Desperado reverses to SPINEBUSTER! Wato storms up on Desperado, avoids his haymaker to hit the JUMP NECKBREAKER! Wato roars, he brings Hiromu up, but Hiromu slips out of the scoop! Wato elbows Hiromu, runs, but into POP-UP POWERBOMB! Taiji dragon sleepers Hiromu into BLOODY SUNDAY!

But Desperado drags Taiji away from Hiromu! Taiji fires off fast hands, but Desperado catches the haymaker and spins Taiji around, GUITARA DEL ANGEL!! But that’s not all! Desperado underhooks for PINCHE- NO, Taiji fights off the driver, and Wato SUPERKICKS Desperado down! Wato roars again, and BUZZSAWS Desperado down! Wato fires up more and he brings Desperado up. Wato wrenches, but Desperado slips out, LOCO MONO!! Both men fall, all four men are down, and fans fire up again! The ref checks all four men, they stir, and the fans rally up. A standing count starts, Wato and Taiji crawl to one side.

Desperado and Hiromu go to other corners, the count is 8! Wato staggers up at 9 but leans against ropes. All four men wobble, hobble towards center, and Taiji CLUBS Wato. Wato hits back, Hiromu and Desperado trade CHOPS! Wato and Taiji then hit Hiromu and Desperado! Desperado and Hiromu hit back, so Taiji and Wato hit them again. Desperado rakes Taiji’s eyes, Hiromu SUPERKICKS Desperado! Wato SOBATS Hiromu but he blocks Taiji’s kick. Taiji blocks Wato’s kick, then rakes Wato’s eyes! Taiji whips, Wato reverses, but Taiji handsprings, into a waistlock! Taiji elbows free, but Wato gets around, crucifix takedown, into the MOUSE TRAP DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!?!

Taiji escapes but Wato just roars! Wato climbs up top, fans rally, but Desperado anchors Wato. Taiji BOOTS Desperado off the apron, ROCKS Wato, then climbs up after Wato. But Hiromu adds on! TOWER OF DOOM!! High stack on Taiji, but Desperado breaks it!! Fans fire up after that close call! Desperado and Hiromu crawl to each other, and they start throwing forearms! Fans rally as the rivals go back and forth! Hiromu gets the edge but then Desperado DECKS Hiromu! Hiromu roars, but into LOCO ELBOW! Desperado stands Hiromu up again for another ELBOW! Desperado reels Hiromu in, TIGER DRIVER!!

Desperado holds onto the underhooks, and he rolls Hiromu back to his feet, for PINCHE LO- NO! Hiromu fights free and fireman’s carries! TIMEBOMB!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Desperado survives Hiromu’s best shot, but Hiromu fires up! Hiromu drags Desperado up, dragon sleepers, but has to throw Desperado away as Wato SPRINGBOARD FLYING UPPERCUTS!! Wato drags Desperado back up, hooks him up with chicken wings, TIGER SUPLEX into a MOUSE TRAP DRIVER!!! Cover, Taiji drags the ref out!! Taiji stops Wato from winning! And now he has a chair!! Taiji sneaks up on Wato to SMACK him!

Taiji then fetches the ref, gets him in the ring, and Taiji says BANG! Taiji drags Wato up, reels him in, BLOODY- NO, Wato slips free! And he chicken wings Taiji into the MOUSE TRAP DRIVER!!! Cover, but Hiromu dropkicks it apart!! Hiromu saves this match for himself at the last possible second! Hiromu drags Taiji up but Wato stands! Wato ROUNDHOUSES Hiromu, hooks him up, but Hiromu wheelbarrows! Only for Wato to block it! Wato has the waistlock, Hiromu resists, but Wato hits a HIGH ANGLE GERMAN!!! Bridging cover, TWO!??!! Hiromu shocks everyone by surviving that! Fans are thunderous and Wato roars!!

Wato drags Hiromu up, chicken wings, but Hiromu arm-drags free! Wato comes back, tilt-o-whirls, but Hiromu blocks it! Hiromu shifts, TIMEBOMB MK II!!! Cover, Hiromu wins!!!

Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)

Taiji could not defy the odds, and as close as Wato came, he is still not there yet! Desperado staggers away backwards, will he struggle to find his footing after Suzuki-Gun’s disbandment? As for Hiromu has the trophy, he has the title, does this truly make him the Best of the Super Juniors?

 

IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship: Will Ospreay w/ The United Empire VS Kenny Omega!

Parallel paths and a rivalry that has been building for some time finally comes to a head on NJPW’s biggest stage! Will the Commonwealth Kingpin keep his United Empire strong? Or will the Best Bout Machine continue to live up to that name?

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

The bell rings and the two rush in! Omega avoids the boot and lets things cool down. They circle, feel things out, and Omega shoots in. Ospreay counters with a facelock, they go around and now they collar ‘n’ elbow. They go around more, Omega wrenches out to a wristlock. Omega slaps Ospreay around, then wrenches the arm to avoid Ospreay’s hands. Ospreay rolls, handsprings, and wrenches to WRING Omega! Omega kangaroo kicks back, headlocks for the takeover, and he denies Ospreay the headscissors! Fans rally as Ospreay keeps trying but Omega keeps the headscissor away. Ospreay fights up and powers out of the headlock, only for Omega to run him over!

But Ospreay kips right back up! Fans fire up as the two stare down, and Ospreay talks a bit of trash. Omega shoves, but Ospreay shoves back. Omega slaps Ospreay but Ospreay SLAPS Omega back! Ospreay fires off on Omega in the corner, but lets off as Red Shoes reprimands. Ospreay whips corner to corner, but Omega BOOTS him away. Omega goes up and over, then comes back to RANA, but Ospreay handsprings through, to RANA back! Fans fire out while Omega bails out, and Ospreay goes to ropes to PLANCHA! Direct hit and then Ospreay rains down fists! Fans fire up while Ospreay stands over Omega.

Ospreay brings Omega up to whip him into railing! Omega writhes, Ospreay stands him up and puts him back in. Ospreay aims from the apron, springboards, but Omega catches him and trips him up! Omega then BLASTS Ospreay off the apron and Ospreay hits railing! Now Ospreay writhes as Omega goes out after him. Fans rally, Omega drags Ospreay up, puts him in the ring, and then CLUBS Ospreay on the back. Omega CLUBS Ospreay more, then stalks him to ropes. Omega ROCKS Ospreay in the back, fireman’s carries, and says, “YOU! CAN’T! ESCAPE!” ROLLING SENTON, and then Omega goes up the corner for the MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!

Omega is annoyed but fans rally up. Omega drags Ospreay up but Ospreay pushes him away. Omega CLUBS Ospreay, whips him to ropes, and then hits a BIG hip toss! Omega adds a KICK to Ospreay’s back! Omega stands on Ospreay for a cocky cover but Ospreay pushes him away before a count. Omega kicks Ospreay around, stands on Ospreay again, but Red Shoes doesn’t care for cocky covers. Omega paces around and drags Ospreay up. Omega pushes Ospreay to a corner and digs his boot in! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, Omega lets off at 4. Omega SLAPS Ospreay on the back, whips him corner to corner hard, and Ospreay bounces off buckles!

Omega says “There’s a difference” as he stares into the camera. Omega then goes to the blue corner and he unties the buckle pad! He may not be Bullet Club anymore but he is using their move! Omega struggles with the straps a bit, but Don Callis distracts Red Shoes so that Omega can finish untying it. Omega then drags Ospreay up. Ospreay deadweights it so Omega stomps him down. Omega aims at the bare corner and fans rally up. Omega stands Ospreay up, whips him in, but Ospreay avoids the buckles! Ospreay elbows Omega, ROCKS him, then ROCKS him again! Omega drops to his knees but Ospreay brings him up. But Omega BOOTS Ospreay into the buckles!

Omega hurries to stand Ospreay up, for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Omega is annoyed again but fans rally up. Ospreay clutches his back while resting on the apron, but Omega drags him back in. Omega springboard stomps Ospreay down, then drags him back up. Omega ROCKS Ospreay with a forearm, then knees low! And again! Callis talks up Omega on English commentary as Omega whips Ospreay to ropes. Ospreay catches Omega to a COBRA TWIST! Ospreay grinds Omega down, then stands him up to pull on the facelock! But Omega powers out with a HIP TOSS! Ospreay staggers up, Omega runs in, but into a FLAPJACK HOTSHOT!

Ospreay runs to BOOT Omega down! Fans fire up, and Ospreay drags Omega up to suplex! Omega knees free, suplexes, but Ospreay hits STUN-DOG MILLIONAIRE! Fans rally up again as Ospreay works to loosen his back. Ospreay and Omega rise, and Ospreay ROCKS Omega with forearm after forearm! Ospreay whips, Omega reverses but Ospreay handsprings for the NEURALIZER! Fans fire up as Ospreay goes to the apron. Ospreay springboards, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! Omega survives the flying forearm but Ospreay keeps his cool. Fans rally again as Ospreay stands and Omega checks his jaw.

Ospreay drags Omega up but Omega resists the bomb lift. Ospreay fires off a sharp Kawada Kick, then CHOPS! Ospreay brings Omega in again, but Omega slips out of the bomb to CHOP! Omega runs, but Ospreay TIGER WALL KICKS and ENZIGURIS! Both men are down and fans fire up! Omega crawls to the apron, Ospreay goes out after him. Ospreay drags Omega up, aiming for the floor! Fans rally up, Omega resists the lift, so Ospreay CHOPS him! Omega shakes his head and CHOPS back! Ospreay CHOPS again! Omega is stinging, but he CHOPS back! Ospreay CHOPS but Omega ROCKS him! Ospreay SUPERKICKS!

Omega holds onto ropes to stay standing, but Ospreay goes to the corner! APRON OSC- NO!! Omega holds the ropes to deny the cutter, and Ospreay crashes down! Omega steadies himself, then goes looking under the ring! Ospreay crawls, but Omega drags him back! Omega drags out a table! And he SLAMS it on Ospreay’s back! Omega puts the table on Ospreay’s back, and stomps it down! Fans fire up as Omega goes to the apron, and he DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS the table!! He stomps a hole right through it!! Ospreay writhes and fans are going nuts as Omega picks the wrecked table up. “HERE’S~ KENNY!!”

Omega grins and he stands back up. Ospreay grits his teeth as he sits up, and he keeps Omega from sliding into the ring! Ospreay throws Omega into railing, then he fires off hands from all sides!! Ospreay brings Omega over to suplex him onto the busted table!! Omega writhes and spasms while fans go nuts again! Ospreay goes to the corner, climbs to to the top, and SUPER SKY TWISTERS!!! Direct hit but Ospreay also hits railing! Fans are thunderous as both men are down. Red Shoes checks, Ospreay stands up and his back seems in good enough shape to continue. Ospreay puts Omega in the ring, and then he climbs up again! BLINDSIDE FLYING FOREARM! Cover, TWO!!!

Omega staggers, Ospreay springboards, OSCUT- NO!! Omega blocks, pushes Ospreay, and BLINDSIDE V-TRIGGERS! Then POISON-RANAS! Then fisherman’s for AOI SHOUDO!! Cover, TWO!!! Ospreay barely gets that shoulder up but it keeps him in this! Omega flounders his way to ropes, drags himself up, and fans rally as he calls his shot. Omega drags Ospreay up with a half nelson. Omega has the full nelson, but Ospreay breaks free! Ospreay throws elbows, but Omega CLUBS him on the back! Omega CHOPS Ospreay to a corner, then hoists him up top backwards. Omega CHOPS Ospreay on the back, then climbs up after him!

Ospreay resists but Omega throws down elbows! Omega full nelsons but Ospreay still resists! Omega CLUBS away on Ospreay, has the nelson, and fans fire up as Omega stands on the very top! SUPER DRAGON SUPLEX!!! But Ospreay lands on his feet!!! ROBINSON SPECIAL!! Fans are thunderous, Ospreay springboards, OSCUTTER!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! Omega survives and no one can believe it! Fans rally as hard as they can as both men sit up. Omega crawls to ropes and drags himself up. Ospreay runs in, to HELLUVA KICK Omega against bare buckles! Ospreay then hoists Omega up top, tucks him in, and CHEEKY NANDOS!

And CHEEKY NANDOS again! Ospreay fires off boots but Red Shoes reprimands. Ospreay CHEEKY NANDOS for a third time! Omega flops off the top and to the apron! Fans rally, Ospreay climbs up the corner and brings Omega up to the top rope. Ospreay ROCKS Omega with a forearm, but Omega holds ropes to stay up! Ospreay ROCKS Omega again, but Omega throws a body shot. Ospreay ROCKS Omega again, but Omega throws another body shot. Ospreay hops down to CHOP! Omega flops but holds onto the rope to stay on the apron. Ospreay climbs up again, drags Omega back up, and clinches, only for Omega to throw body shots!

Omega facelocks Ospreay for a TOP ROPE DDT to the bare buckle!!! The United Empire can’t help it, they hurry over to check on Ospreay! Red Shoes reprimands as Akira, TJP, Henare, Cobb and Khan all check on Ospreay. Cobb complains that the DDT should’ve never happened! Fans rally up as Omega sits up. Ospreay also sits up and he is busted open! Red Shoes gets the Empire to return to their seats at ringside. Omega shouts for Red Shoes to count this already. Ospreay stirs but the ring count climbs. It reaches 10 of 20 but Ospreay is at the railing. Ospreay drags himself up at 12, flounders at 14, and the Empire shouts for him to get up!

The fans are thunderous, Ospreay drags himself up again, and he heads for the ring, only for Omega to WRECK him with a dropkick! Omega has the fans rally up and he starts the Terminator Drums! Ospreay manages to stand as Omega builds speed, Omega FLIES!! Direct hit and Omega almost lands on his feet! Omega has a wild look in his eyes while Ospreay reaches out feebly. Omega sets up what’s left of that table and he drags Ospreay up. Omega drags Ospreay over, and SMASHES his face into the table! Omega keeps going until there’s another hole in the wood! Red Shoes reprimands, Omega drags Ospreay back up and into the ring.

Omega drags Ospreay up and reels him in! Omega lifts for a STUFF PILEDRIVER!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Ospreay manages to tip the cover over just enough to escape! Omega is furious, and he rains down fists on Ospreay’s bloody forehead! Red Shoes reprimands but Omega lets off with a scuffing kick. Fans are thunderous again as Ospreay drags himself up. Ospreay has a crimson mask but he refuses to let it end by stoppage! He shoves Red Shoes down, swings at Omega, but into a SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! Omega is telling the Empire this is what Ospreay gets, and he drags Ospreay back up. Ospreay is a ragdoll as Omega hits another SNAP DRAGON!

Ospreay tries to stand but he just flops back over! Ospreay is on the ropes, Omega takes aim, BANG! But Ospreay grabs Omega’s leg to keep him from running! Omega stomps away on Ospreay! Ospreay holds on so Omega rains down palm strikes, then he fires off KNEE after KNEE!! Omega underhooks, lifts Ospreay, JAY DRILLER!!! Cover, ROPEBREAK?!?! Ospreay survives by inches and fans are thunderous again! Red Shoes checks Ospreay, but Ospreay refuses to give in. Omega says BANG, V-TRIGGER!!! Ospreay flops right out of the ring!!! Omega grins as he slides out after Ospreay. Omega drags Ospreay up and puts him in the ring.

Omega wants Ospreay to stand, and the fans rally for as much, too! Ospreay flounders, Omega climbs up the corner, and Omega gloats, only for Ospreay to hit the ropes! Omega falls right on his crotch! Ospreay staggers over, ROCKS Omega with a right hand, then goes up after Omega. Ospreay loses his balance moment but he fires off forearms on Omega! Ospreay slams himself to wake up, and he goes up on wobbly legs. Ospreay manages to reach the top, but Omega slips out and trips Ospreay up! Ospreay gets a face full of steel buckle!! Fans lose their minds as Omega crawls away to the far side!

The Empire shouts at Ospreay, but Omega runs in, to BLINDSIDE V-TRIGGER Ospreay into bare buckles!!! Omega shows no mercy as he hoists Ospreay up top! Omega climbs up, he reels Ospreay in for an Electric Chair Lift! But Ospreay fights back! Only for Omega to pop him for a SUPER CROYT’S WRATH!!! High stack cover, TWO!?!? But Omega pops Ospreay in place for a V-TRIGGER!! Cover, TWO!?!??! Ospreay is still in this, but how?!? Fans are thunderous all over again as Omega looms over Ospreay. Omega drags Ospreay up and V-TRIGGERS!! But Omega won’t let Ospreay fall over, either! V-TRIGGER!!!

Omega still keeps Ospreay up, for another- NO!! Ospreay blocks the V-Trigger! Omega fires off fists but Ospreay just fires up! Omega likes this, and fans are electric! Omega JABS, and JABS, and JABS! Ospreay fires off KAWADA KICKS, a CHOP, then more Kawada Kicks! CHOP, KAWADA KICKS, then CHOP, CHOP! Omega boots the elbow to V-TRIGGER! Omega winds up, but Ospreay slips through the lariat! LIGER BOMB!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?? Omega survives and fans are shocked! Ospreay roars, he drags Omega up and turns him, for the CHELSEA GRIN! Ospreay prepares the arm, for the HIDDEN BLADE! And then another HIDDEN BLADE!

Ospreay runs, goes up the corner, SUPER OSCUTTER!!!! Ospreay crawls to the cover, TWO!?!?!?! Just what are these two made of?!? Fans are electric, Khan waves the Empire’s banner, and Ospreay drags Omega up. Ospreay underhooks, lifts, but Omega slips free! And Electric Chairs, but Ospreay slips around to sunset flip! High stack, TWO, but Ospreay yanks Omega up! STYLES CLASH!!! But Ospreay doesn’t cover, he goes to the corner! Ospreay raises his arm, takes off the elbow pad, and fans are thunderous again! HIDDEN BLADE from the front!! Cover, TWO!?!?!? Ospreay is furious, but he fires back up!

The fans rally as hard as they can and Ospreay drags Omega in. Ospreay underhooks, lifts, and STORM- NO, Omega lands free to V-TRIGGER! But Ospreay HIDDEN BLADES!! Fans are electric as both men are down again! Omega holds onto Ospreay’s wrist, and the two rise again. Omega drags Ospreay up and throws a forearm. Ospreay throws it back! Omega throws another, so Ospreay gives it back! Omega forearms, Ospreay forearms, repeat, and the fans are fired up with every shot! Ospreay gets the edge! But Omega shoots around, STRAITJACKET GERMAN!! Cover, TWO!!! But Omega holds onto the wrists!

Omega turns Ospreay around with the wristlocks, and everyone knows what’s coming! Ospreay SPITS at Omega and dares him to do it! KAMI-GOYE!!!!! But then, Electric Chair, and ONE WINGED ANGEL!!!!! Cover, Omega wins!!!

Winner: Kenny Omega, by pinfall (NEW IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion)

Truly an elite battle of elite wrestlers! But the Cleaner comes out on top to claim this title once again! Will this massive title win be the start of an All Elite Era in NJPW?

 

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Jay White w/ Gedo VS Kazuchika Okada!

Another grand rivalry of NJPW adds a new chapter to its history! The Switchblade has thwarted many a challenger, including the Rainmaker, but nothing lasts forever! Will this still be Jay White’s era? Or will Okada turn his G1 Climax win into a new reign?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we find out who is THE BEST in NJPW!

White mocks Tanahashi by taking off his jacket and showing off the abs. Then White and Gedo get the fans to join in on the Too Sweet. The bell rings and fans rally up as the two stare down. White hears the fans chant for “O-KA-DA!” but tells them to hush. White gets the claps going for “O-KA-DA!” but he means it mockingly. Then he says they’re idiots, so they should just chant it. Fans do chant it, and White says Okada needs to thank White. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and Okada powers White back. White turns it around to put Okada on the ropes, but Red Shoes calls the break. White lets go, but he chest bumps Okada as he lets off.

Fans applaud as Okada keeps his cool. Okada and White reset and circle again. They tie up, are in another deadlock, but Okada pushes White back again. White again puts Okada on the ropes but Okada turns it right back around. Gedo protests, Okada lets off slowly, but White SLAPS Okada! White grins, kicks low, then CLUBS Okada! White bumps Okada off buckles, stomps a mudhole in, then throws haymakers! Red Shoes reprimands, White CHOPS and brings Okada out. White knees low, whips, but Okada reverses to BOOT White down! Fans rally, Okada drags White up and Okada CLUBS White down.

Okada drags White back up, to ROCK him with a forearm! Okada brings White up again, for a NECKBREAKER! Okada kicks White, brings him up, and snapmares him along the ropes. Okada runs but Gedo drags White out to safety. Fans boo but Gedo shrugs. Okada rushes out, White slides back in, but Okada is focused on Gedo! White slides back out but Okada kicks him low! Okada CLUBS White, puts him in the ring, then he storms up on Gedo. Gedo says okay, he’ll stay back! Okada goes into the ring, but White gets around to waistlock and SAIDO! Gedo applauds but he’s the only one as White stands back up.

White grabs Okada’s legs and stomps him in the stomach! And again! White flexes and fans are torn. White kicks Okada around, sits Okada up to fishhook his face, but Red Shoes reprimands. White lets off, “apologizes,” and he drags Okada up. White top wristlocks, then he throws a body shot! White then stands Okada up to ROCK him in the back! Fans rally for Okada but White mocks their clapping. White scoops and SLAMS Okada, covers, TWO! White clamps on a chinlock and he pokes Okada with the Too Sweet. Okada endures, fans rally up, and Okada stands up to throw body shots. White ROCKS Okada with a forearm!

Okada swings, White gets around and reels Okada in for a DDT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally but White kicks Okada out of the ring. White then goes out after Okada, taunts Tanahashi, and he brings Okada up to RAM him into railing! And then into the apron! And then back into the railing! And then back into the apron! White reels Okada in to suplex and APRON GOURD BUSTER! Okada flops right to the floor and White relaxes. White drags Okada up, puts him in the ring, and White brings Okada up to suplex. White hangs Okada out to dry! Okada flops onto the mat, White plays around, and then he drags Okada up for a CORNER HALF HATCH! Cover, ROPEBREAK!

Fans rally while White complains about the slow count. Red Shoes defends his count, so White gets fans to do a call and response of “Too!” “Sweet!” Okada stands, White winds up, and CHOPS! White waits on Okada as he continues the “Too!” “Sweet!” And then the CHOP! White mocks Okada, brings him up, whips him corner to corner, and then swings, but Okada dodges! Okada kicks, but White wrenches out of the DDT! White reels Okada in but Okada back drops free! White stagger sup, swings, but misses! Okada kicks low to DDT! Fans rally up, Okada has White, and he fires off forearms! Okada whips, White reverses but Okada ducks ‘n’ dodges to ELBOW White down!

Okada drags White up, whips again, and FLAPJACKS! Fans fire up while White writhes and clutches his ribs. White goes to a corner, Okada goes to the other. Okada runs in corner to corner but Gedo warns White! White dodges and Okada hits buckles! White RAMS into Okada, and again, and again! And again, and again, and again! Red Shoes reprimands but White shoves him away. Fans boo, but Okada hoists White right up to DROPKICK him down to the floor! Fans rally and Gedo coaches White up. Okada goes out after White and drags him up. Okada brings White around, and then to the ramp.

Gedo storms up after Okada and tells him no. But White spins Okada around! Okada avoids the haymaker and kicks low! Gedo storms up but Okada kicks him low! DOUBLE DDT to the ramp! Fans cheer as Okada gets even with the Blacksmith! Okada fires up and the fans fire up with him, and Okada fetches White. White calls to Gedo but Okada drags White into the ring. Okada climbs up the corner, White stands, MISSILE DROPKICK! Okada drags White back up, wrenches his arm, and clamps on the MONEY CLIP! White endures, throws body shots, and he RAMS Okada into a corner! White gets free, but Okada storms up, only to swing into a COMPLETE SHOT!

White drags Okada up with a deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! White mocks Okada, “Rocking the baby,” but fans rally up. Okada stirs but White goes to the opposite corner. Okada stands, White runs in, and White UPPERCUTS! Then suplexes, for BLADE BUSTER! Cover, TWO! White grows frustrated but the fans continue to rally. White hears that and is annoyed. He drags Okada up, but also stands on Okada’s head. White then stands Okada up, but Okada resists the clinch with elbows! White knees low and Okada drops to his knees. White mocks the claps again, then drags Okada back up. Okada UPPERCUTS, then gut wrenches!

White fights with elbows and body shots! Okada lets go, White FISHERMAN BUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up and White scowls. White drags Okada around, sits him up and clamps on a chinlock. White stands Okada up but Okada rams him into a corner! Okada is free, but White CHOP BLOCKS his leg! White gets the bad leg but Okada kicks with the other leg! White flops back, Okada drags himself up the ropes, and White CHOPS! But Okada doesn’t flinch! Okada stares White down, so White CHOPS again! Okada still doesn’t flinch. White pokes Okada with the Two Sweet, then CHOPS! Okada fires off forearm after forearm!

Okada whips and DROPKICKS White right down! Fans fire up as Okada roars! Okada drags White back up, gut wrenches, but White rakes the eyes! Red Shoes reprimands, White stops, but he has the sleeper! But Okada arm-drags free! Okada runs in, spins White, but White ducks the discus to clinch! But Okada fights off Bladerunner to get the MONEY CLIP! White endures, he pries at the hold, but he’s fading! White gets a second wind to fight back up, so Okada gut wrenches him! SPINNING TOMBSTONE! Okada drags White up again, DISCUS LARIAT! Okada roars again and fans fire back up! Okada sits White up, for the MONEY CLIP!!

White is turning red and Okada leans on the hold! Gedo shouts for White to do something, move anything, and White flails around! White reaches out but he’s starting to foam from the mouth! Red Shoes checks, White gets a third wind to get the ROPEBREAK! Okada lets go in frustration but the fans rally up. White flops out of the ring but Okada takes aim. Okada builds speed, but Gedo stands in the way! Gedo begs Okada not to do this, but fans boo. Gedo then tries a sucker punch, but Okada blocks and DECKS Gedo! Gedo flounders to where White is, and Okada climbs the corner!? SUPER CANNONBALL takes out White AND Gedo!!

Fans are thunderous as Okada stands back up! Okada drags White up to put him in the ring. Okada drags White up, brings him around and scoops to SLAM! White is in the drop zone, Okada climbs up the corner, and he MACHO ELBOWS! And fans fire up because here comes the Rainmaker Pose! Okada brings White up and in, ripcords, but White deadweights it! Fans boo but White smirks. Okada KICKS White down! White chuckles even though Okada kicks him more. Okada won’t let White play possum forever, and he drags White back up. White pushes Okada away, but that forearm is rather weak. Okada DECKS White with his!

Okada eggs White on, and White drags himself to ropes. White stands, steps up to Okada, and he throws another forearm. Still no good, and Okada DECKS White again! Gedo gets in the ring and distracts Red Shoes! But Okada sees White gearing up for the low blow, so he DECKS White first! Okada drags White around by his arm, stands him up, but White BOOTS! And BOOTS! And SPITS at Okada! Okada is furious, but he swings into an URENAGE!! Both men are down again and fans rally up. White crawls after Okada, clamps onto him with a chinlock, and drags him up. Okada throws elbows to fight the sleeper suplex!

Okada has White on the ropes, he throws more elbows, but White SAIDOS Okada up and out of the ring!! Red Shoes checks on Okada but White hurries to drag Okada back up and in! White flounders after Okada, drags him back up, and SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEXES!! Gedo cheers White on but fans rally for Okada. White drags Okada up and back into the sleeper, and hooks the leg! FISHERMAN BACK SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Okada survives and Gedo is frustrated. But White grabs Okada’s arms, tucks them in, BLACK DRAGON BRAINBUSTER!! White grins and slashes his throat! He drags Okada back up, clinches, BLADE- NO, Okada GERMAN SUPLEXES!

Okada keeps the waistlock, drags White up and now has the wristlock. Gedo panics and White reaches for ropes, but Okada hooks that arm! Backslide, White rolls through, but Okada short arm LARIATS! Okada drags White back up by an arm, for another short arm LARIAT! Okada roars, Gedo freaks out, and fans fire up! Okada ripcords, for the RAIN- NO, White ducks, but comes back into the DROPKICK! Okada ripcords, RAIN- NO! BLADE- NO!! Scoop and LANDSLIDE DRIVER!! Okada drags White back up, ripcords again, RAIN- BLADERUNNER!!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Okada survives and shocks everyone!

Fans are thunderous as Red Shoes checks both men. White crawls over as Gedo says he just needs one more good shot. White sits Okada up and clinches him. But Okada CLUBS White from below! White just stands Okada up, to short arm LARIAT! White is copying Okada now as he drags Okada back up, for another short arm LARIAT! Fans rally as Okada stirs, but White copies the Rainmaker Pose! White says it’s time, and he ripcords, for the BLADE- NO! Okada sips out, ripcords, RAINMAKER!!!! Cover, TWO!?!?? Gedo is going nuts as White somehow survives! White sputters, Gedo pounds the mat to wake him up.

White and Okada stir, and White crawls over to Okada. Okada sits up, he and White are forehead to forehead. Okada throws a forearm! White throws it back! Okada nods and throws another forearm! White flounders, but he comes back to throw another forearm! Gedo fires up, White calls Okada a coward, but Okada and White are forehead to forehead again. The forearms start flying, and White keeps talking trash! Okada grins, White fires up, but Okada ROCKS him! White CHOPS back! And CHOPS again! Gedo likes this as White CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Okada falls over and fans fire up more!

White drags Okada up but Okada pushes him away. White CHOPS Okada back down! White keeps telling Okada he’s a coward, and that Okada isn’t going to take this from him! But Okada DECKS White with a forearm! Okada drags White up to ROCK him with forearm after forearm! White flops into the ropes and falls over! Okada eggs White on, White drags himself back up, and the two storm up to each other. White forearms, Okada forearms, repeat, and the fans rally harder with every shot! Okada UPPERCUTS! White wobbles, but Okada brings him around for another UPPERCUT! Okada UPPERCUTS again, but White clinches!

But Okada fights free! Ripcord ENZIGURI! Okada then drags White up, gut wrenches, but White slips free! BLADE- NO, Okada ripcords! NO, White ripcords, Okada STEALS BLADERUNNER?!?! Fans are going nuts and Okada drags White back up! Okada gut wrenches for a SPINNING POWERSLAM!! Fans are thunderous as Okada roars! Okada ripcords, for the RAINMAKER!!!! Cover, OKADA WINS!!!

Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall (NEW IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)

The New Year starts with the end of the Switchblade Era! And once again, The Rainmaker reigns! White grabs the title belt, refusing to give it up. Red Shoes grabs the belt and makes it clear White lost. White reluctantly lets go, and the belt is officially given to Okada. When and where will White come back for the top title in NJPW?

As for Okada, he applauds White, and goes to get the mic, but Shingo Takagi gets it first! Takagi tells Okada to hold on! Takagi wishes to interrupt. “Okada, congratulations on becoming the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.” But Takagi didn’t come all the way down here just to say that. One year ago to this day, Takagi lost that title to Okada, and Takagi hasn’t forgotten that. Takagi made up for it with my KOPW reign last year, and he had more than a fitting resumé in 2022. Okada, anyone who watched that match knows how great and strong you are. And the fans definitely got their money’s worth tonight.

Takagi says that this is something worth an even higher ticket price: him challenging Okada for that title! That’s pretty straightforward, so how about they do this on February 11th? AKA New Beginnings in Osaka! And Takagi promises to have the KOPW Championship on top of it! Takagi drops the mic and waits on Okada to respond. Okada picks the mic up, and tells Takagi that he should just get the hell out. Fans cheer for “O-KA-DA!” and Okada says, “TOKYO DOME~! Thank you for your hot, passionate support.” Okada says this was a truly amazing night, and he thanks the fans so much for that.

Okada says he and Jay White fought on another grand stage in NJPW, and White does lead their series 4-1, so Okada knows he’ll have to fight even harder to claw back that difference. But Okada thanks everyone for watching NJPW’s 50th anniversary year, and he gets a bit emotional seeing so many fans in the crowd. Okada asks Antonio Inoki what he thinks about tonight’s matches. Was he watching tonight? Okada hopes Inoki sees that his fighting spirit is here and will continue to burn, so please watch over NJPW as we enter year 51. There is plenty more for NJPW to do the next 50 years and beyond. Inoki, we hope the lights are bright enough for you to see in Heaven.

Okada says as long as the fans support and love NJPW, NJPW will keep fighting for them. And Okada will be the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion and continue to make it rain~! Okada drops the mic and fans cheer, but will the Rainmaker be ready for the Rampaging Dragon in Osaka?


My Thoughts:

Just an incredible event for NJPW to cap their year while starting this new year. I suppose I didn’t need to skip the Young Lion showdown at the very beginning, that was a three minute time limit match, and it looked pretty competitive and fast paced from what I skimmed through. But the New Japan Ranbo was a lot of fun, and what a surprise that Takagi entered that. I’m also surprised Taichi didn’t make the final four, but I do like that they’re giving Khan and Sho a spot in that Fatal 4. I don’t see Sho winning that, it has to be anyone else in that match to win. And that was a really fun Six Man Tag to honor Inoki, though I feel like Makabe getting that pin was semi-botch.

Great match from Catch 2/2 VS Yoh & Lio, and a great finish with TJP snatching that win away. The United Empire is still holding onto those Junior Heavyweight titles, that’s the bit of gold they have and they might be holding onto those for quite some time. Great match from Kairi VS Tam, but I figured Kairi was going to win. And as I had heard the talk of Sasha Banks showing up here, I wasn’t surprised that she confronted Kairi. Sasha calling out Kairi is fitting, but that Gory Especial to DDT is not a good finisher. I didn’t even realize she did the DDT at first. And Sasha’s in NJPW, she can copy a finisher she saw in WWE so long as it isn’t a move someone in NJPW or Stardom already uses. And now I have a reason to put Battle in the Valley on my calendar.

FTR VS Bishamon was a great match for the heavyweight tag titles, but I had a feeling FTR was dropping the belts. This was the time for something that big, and with what’s building for them in AEW, it gives FTR a strong story of having to build back up from nothing after such a great 2022. FTR will beat up Austin & Colten Gunn to get going again, and Goto & Hashi will carry these belts into the various New Beginnings events to give some NJPW teams their chances. Aussie Open wasn’t spotted anywhere tonight, maybe they make a big splash by getting those belts this year.

Great match from ZSJ VS Narita, and while it’s a lot to keep up with when typing it, I really like the pace of the NJPW World TV Division. It truly is a “don’t blink or you’ll miss something,” “thank goodness for rewind technology” type of thing. ZSJ winning is the right choice, he has deserved a singles title for a long time and he is so good as a literal wrestler that he can make this pace work. But the real big development was him joining up with The Mighty in the wake of Suzuki-Gun disbanding and Jonah Rock returning to being Bronson Reed in WWE. ZSJ can help bring TMDK to another level and really establish them as a force in NJPW.

Tama VS Karl was a great match, but with Karl getting busier in WWE, it just makes sense Tama wins the NEVER Openweight title. Tama himself has been deserving of more in a singles run, he can get that going this year and finally come into his own as a singles guy. And it’s not like Guerrillas of Destiny is out of tag team wrestling, as Hikuleo has joined the fold and can team with Tanga Loa when Loa returns from injury. Hell, the three brothers can even go for the NEVER Openweight Six Man titles if they want and reign together. And we got another really fun tribute match with Muto’s team winning over LIJ. I know Naito had been teasing this was his last WrestleKingdom, but this didn’t feel like that. Naito can easily say he’s changed his mind and try everything all over again.

That Fatal 4 Way was great stuff, too, with everyone playing off the rivalries and odd team-ups really well. They really made it look like Wato was gonna get it there with how strong he was before the end, but Hiromu winning out makes sense. He set the record for Best of the Super Junior tournament wins, he has definitely put in the work to be worthy of the title. Ospreay VS Omega for the US title was NUTS! I did not think they were going to go that hard, but what a way for Omega to take that title off of Ospreay. Omega now has the potential to a be a dual champion with the AEW World Trios Championship ladder match next Wednesday, that would be pretty wild.

And of course, another great world title match between Okada and White. In terms of excitement and shock factor, Ospreay VS Omega did better. But the storytelling of Okada and White is a large part of their strength. They know each other so well, the countering back and forth was great, and in the end, of course Okada ends up on top. Okada is still NJPW’s number one guy, they will always circle back to him because of how good he is and how much the fans love him. Now, Takagi showing up to call Okada out was rather surprising, but Takagi being that confident is rather fitting. IWGP World Champion VS KOPW Champion for the first time ever would be really cool, that’ll be big for their Osaka show no matter who wins. At the same time, I think Okada retains, no way his newest reign is only a month and change.

My Score: 9.6/10


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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (3/18/24)

Talk about a Big Time Raw!

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Will The Man be the Last Woman Standing?

Becky Lynch and Nia Jax want to finally put this to an end, so tonight on Raw, it will be a Big Time Last Woman Standing match! Will the Irresistible Force force the WrestleMania 40 match to change?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: #DIY VS The Creed Brothers; DIY wins and advances to WrestleMania.
  • Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance; Candice & Indi win.
  • Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh VS Ricochet; Ricochet wins.
  • Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The Awesome Truth VS Indus Sher; The Awesome Truth wins and advances to WrestleMania.
  • Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The New Day VS The Alpha Academy; The New Day wins and advances to WrestleMania.
  • Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch VS Nia Jax; Becky wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Jey Uso is here!

North Carolina State University fires up and bounces along with Main Event Jey, and Pat McAfee plays a dangerous game standing on the armchairs! From Bret VS Owen to Matt VS Jeff, we’re about to get Jey VS Jimmy in the third-ever Brother VS Brother WrestleMania grudge match! Jey gets the mic as fans chant “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey welcomes us to Monday Night Raw, and wants us to check this out. He knows his brothers are somewhere in the building. He knows The Bloodline’s in the building. He knows how the Bloodline rolls! SO Big Brother Jimmy, where you at?! Where you at, Uce!?

Jey waits for someone to show up somewhere, and the crowd spots them first! Fans boo as Jimmy & Solo make their way from the back of the stands. Jimmy gets a mic and goes to the apron while Solo paces around the outside. Fans chant “YEET! YEET! YEET!” again as Jey puts the sunglasses aside. The Usos stare each other down, the fans now chant “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jey wants to say something, hesitates, but then says these two would always get to it but they always knew how to shake right back to this. But now it’s different. Regardless of what happened, the bad blood between them, Jey misses his brother. He does.

Jey knows Jimmy will say what he wants, but Jey doesn’t talk to him no more, doesn’t ride with him no more, doesn’t even see him no more! Jimmy can just come back. Jimmy says he never left! He protected Jey! Jey’s so dumb, he can’t see it! Jimmy is protecting Jey! It was Jey’s idea to leave The Bloodline, but Jimmy helped because he is Jey’s brother. So yeah, Jey leaves, and what happens? Lil’ Bro becomes the BIGGEST star on the Raw roster! Lil’ Bro becomes the top merch seller! Lil’ Bro goes off to become a tag team champion without Jimmy, but with CODY RHODES!? Who left who, Uce?

Jey forgot Jimmy! Everything Jey did that was big was cuz of Big Bro Jimmy! Everything! So listen loud and clear. The biggest moment in Jey’s career, the BIGGEST moment, is because of Jimmy! Jimmy stares Jey down, but Jey says no. Jey’s biggest moment in his career is going to be his dream match at WrestleMania 40: Jey VS Jimmy, and Jey knocks the yeet out Jimmy’s ass! Jey DECKS Jimmy, DECKS Solo off the apron, but then Jimmy SUPERKICKS Jey down! The fans boo but now Solo storms in and looms over Jey. Solo drags Jey up so Jimmy can look him in the face and tell him that Jey needs to get it right! JIMMY made Jey!

But here comes Cody Rhodes! The fans fire up as Cody DECKS Jimmy, then gets in to springboard and CODY CUTTER Solo!! The American Nightmare said he was gonna be a Bloodline Hunter, and he made sure they didn’t take out Jey! Cody tells The Bloodline it is only a matter of time before they lose it all at WrestleMania! Will Jey prove that younger or older doesn’t matter when he is the BETTER brother?

 

Adam Pearce is on the phone.

He’s telling Nick Aldis to stop being a hypocrite, telling Pearce to keep his roster in check when this is happening. But then Paul Heyman walks over and Pearce says he’ll call Aldis back. Pearce then asks Heyman what was all that, and Heyman says he owes Pearce an apology. He is sorry. That was not authorized by The Final Boss nor The Tribal Chief, and certainly not by Heyman. Jimmy & Solo went into business for themselves so Heyman apologizes. But listen, Pearce knows that there have been flight delays all day. Even private jets like theirs. Heyman is barely even dressed for TV, let alone has his make-up!

Pearce says those two were ready. Yeah, well, they got in on a different flight. But Roman Reigns is a chief of his word. Those two are already gone, out of the arena, and Pearce has Roman’s word. Call his bluff, put out a search party. Pearce knows Heyman is here on official business, which Heyman will handle, and then be gone. That is it. But when Heyman does his official business… everyone will be caught off guard. “And Mr. Pearce, sir, that’s not a prediction. That’s a spoiler.” The Wise Man heads out and calls Roman, but just what is Heyman teasing?

 

Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: #DIY VS The Creed Brothers!

Unlike SmackDown’s mini-tournament, Raw and Adam Pearce say it’s win and you’re in! Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano want one more shot at Judgment Day, but so do Julius & Brutus! Will the Sicilian Psycho & Johnny Wrestling prove that when it comes to Mania Moments, you gotta do it yourself? Or will the Creeds be bringing golden tickets to the Diamond Mine?

Raw returns as The Creeds make their entrance. The teams fist bump to show respect, then the teams sort out. Julius starts against Ciampa, they circle and tie up. They’re in a deadlock, Ciampa goes for a waistlock but Julius facelocks. Julius wrangles Ciampa to the mat, flips him over, ONE, and Ciampa keeps moving. They trade facelocks, gator roll, and Julius gets another lateral press. ONE, but Julius gator rolls Ciampa around. Ciampa fights up, puts Julius on ropes, and the ref counts. Ciampa lets off, then CHOPS! Julius shoots in for the takedown! Julius has a leg, Ciampa fights but Julius turns him for the ANKLE LOCK!

Ciampa scrambles to the ROPEBREAK, and Julius lets off cleanly. Ciampa bails out, shakes it off, and he gets back in. They go again, Julius hits a fireman’s carry takeover! Tag to Brutus, and Julius feeds Ciampa to another fireman’s carry takeover! Brutus cording holds but Ciampa endures. Ciampa fights up, but Brutus facelocks. The fans rally as Brutus switches and rolls Ciampa. Ciampa fights up, headlocks, then ROCKS Brutus! Brutus DECKS Ciampa, then whips him to ropes. Ciampa ducks ‘n’ dodges, tag to Gargano! Ciampa slides, CHOPS, Gargano LARIATS and Ciampa JAWBREAKERS! Wrench and LARIAT!

Julius runs in, Gargano kicks and Ciampa gives him the boost for SLICED BREAD! The Creeds bail out, but DIY DOUBLE PLANCHA! Down go the Creeds, and DIY applaud and pat themselves on the back. The fans fire up and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Ciampa has Julius in a chinlock. The fans rally, Julius fights up to throw body shots, but Ciampa hits a back suplex! Julius lands out of it, but Ciampa elbows him away. Ciampa drop toeholds Julius, gets legs, but Julius BOOTS Ciampa away! Hot tags to Gargano and Brutus! Brutus rallies on DIY, TOSSES Gargano, then blocks Ciampa’s kick to get under and POWERBOMB him! Brutus sees DIY regroup, then he runs in to SPLASH them both! O’Conner on Ciampa, but Gargano runs up! NORTHERN LIGHTS! Brutus has a DOUBLE BRIDGE, TWO!! Tag to Julius and he gut wrench SLAMS Brutus on Ciampa!

Brutus helps Julius flip up and over to SPLASH onto Ciampa! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Julius drags Ciampa up. Ciampa throat chops! A bit dirty but Ciampa wants that win! Ciampa storms up on Julius, but Julius basement stalling suplexes!! The fans are thunderous, Gargano runs in, but Brutus intercepts! Brutus suplexes Gargano now, stalls, and then the Creeds SLAM and kip up! Then they both STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Ciampa stays in this for DIY but the Creeds keep cool. Julius stomps Ciampa, tags Brutus, and they KNEE Ciampa around! Then they DOUBLE GUTBUSTER! Ciampa sputters but Brutus tags Julius in.

Julius drags Ciampa up, tags Brutus back in, and Brutus climbs. Julius Electric Chair Lifts, but Gargano makes the save! Gargano ROCKS Julius, Brutus ROCKS Gargano! Ciampa BOOTS Brutus, Gargano swings on Julius but is sent into Ciampa! Ciampa pushes Gargano back so he can ELBOW Julius! DIY set up again but Brutus stops the Sliced Bread! Julius DECKS Ciampa, KNEE into the WIDOWMAKER! Julius scrapes Gargano out, Brutus POUNCES Ciampa over the desk! Pat fires up with Brutus and so do the fans! The Creeds say they run this now, and then Brutus drags Ciampa up while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Julius has Ciampa in a chinlock. Ciampa fights up, and he JAWBREAKERS free! Ciampa ELBOWS Brutus down, BOOTS Julius, then runs up, only for Julius to catch him and toss him back! But then Ciampa catches Julius for a REVERSE DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down and crawling! Hot tag to Gargano! Gargano slingshots to KICK Julius, then he CLOBBERS Brutus! ENZIGIRI for Julius, then he runs to DOUBLE KNEE Brutus! BULLDOG LARIAT COMBO! The fans fire up with Gargano while Julius ends up in another corner. Gargano runs in but is put on the apron!

Gargano GAMANGIRIS Julius, SUPERKICKS Brutus, then SLINGSHOT SPEARS Julius! Cover, TWO! Julius survives but Gargano puts him in a corner. Gargano CHOPS, then hoists Julius up top. Tag to Ciampa, Ciampa CHOPS Julius while Gargano DIVES onto Brutus! Ciampa CHOPS Julius again, goes up top, and fireman’s carries! Ciampa then tucks Julius in for the SUPER AIR RAID CRASH! Cover, TWO!! Julius survives again and shocks Ciampa! The fans are just as stunned, but Ciampa and Julius sit up. Ciampa stands, and he CHOPS! And CHOPS! Julius sits back up as Ciampa puts some stank on the CHOP!

Julius brings the straps down! Julius fires a forearm, Ciampa hits back, and the fans fire up as the shots keep going! They go faster and faster, harder and harder, meaner and meaner! The fans fire up as this just turns into a brawl of haymakers and SLAPS! Ciampa then gets around, ripcord and HAYMAKER! ROLLING- TACKLE from Julius! And then the ANKLE LOCK!! Ciampa reaches out, moves around, but Gargano runs up! Julius kicks him, then gets him up with one arm to POWERBOMB! Then it’s back to the ANKLE LOCK on Ciampa! Brutus gets in to get Gargano for an ANKLE LOCK of his own!

The fans are thunderous as DIY endures! Ciampa and Gargano fight, turn things over, SICILIAN CROSSFACE and GargaNO Escape!! The fans are thunderous as The Creeds power up and lift both DIY! They fireman’s carry, then TOSS DIY into each other!! The fans are thunderous as Julius goes up to MOONSAULT onto Ciampa! Brutus MOONSAULTS, too! Cover, TWO?!?! Ciampa survives and the fans are loving this! Julius tags back in, Brutus climbs up! “This is Awesome!” as Julius Electric Chair Lifts Ciampa! But Ciampa VICTORY ROLLS to get under the Brutus Ball!! Cover, Brutus tips it! Gargano TOSSES Brutus then SUPERKICKS Julius!! Ciampa has the cover, DIY WINS!!

Winners: DIY, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)

Julius can’t believe it! He kicked out at 3.1, but a loss is a loss! And for the first time ever, DIY is going to Mania! Will Philadelphia soon be historic for a DIY championship victory?

 

Judgment Day meets backstage.

Rhea Ripley is with Dominik Mysterio, Finn Balor & JD McDonagh, but also Andrade. Dom says he’s always liked Andrade’s style, but things have changed since the last time he was in the WWE. The Judgment Day runs Raw now. Rhea says yeah, and they don’t extend invitations to just anyone. Judgment Day is very exclusive. JD says very exclusive. But if Andrade continues to impress them, they’ll see about making things happen. And Finn says he just heard that Andrade has a match next week, so the Judgment Day will be watching him. Sounds good. See you next week. But then in steps Damian Priest.

The Punisher says hello to El Idolo, and El Idolo says hello to Senor Dinero. Andrade heads out, will he quite literally win his way into the club? But as for Priest, Finn asks him what he was up to. Priest was getting a closer look at that DIY VS Creeds match. DIY won, but whatever, they can handle those guys. But JD, they thought he could handle Ricochet last week, and run the gauntlet, and then go to WrestleMania to bring even more gold back to Judgment Day. JD says he did he belonged in there. But also, he battered Ricochet, who got lucky at the end there. Right, Finn? Finn hesitates, and Rhea says Priest is right on this one.

Ricochet made a fool out of JD! A fool? Yes. A fool? Yes. That’s why tonight, Dom will make it right. Right, Dom? Yeah, Mami. Let’s go talk to Pearce to make it official. Dom & JD head out, and the others are confident Dom’s got this. But does he, though? Or will the One and Only have two wins over Judgment Day in as many weeks?

 

Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance!

The Poison Pixie certainly lived up to that name last week when she bullied Maxxine Dupri as part of beating her and Ivy Nile last week. Will Candice’s toxic tongue strike again? Or will the party not be stopped by her harsh vibes?

The teams sort out and Candice starts against Kayden. Candice rushes up, Kayden gets around and O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Kayden springboards to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Kayden stalks Candice, Candice ELBOWS her away then tags Indi. Kayden dodges Candice to SUPERKICK, but Indi BOOTS Kayden! Cover, TWO! Indi drags Kayden up, tags Candice back in, and they mug Kayden. Candice CLUBS away on Kayden, fires off furious fists, then covers. TWO, and Candice grows frustrated already. The fans rally, Candice steps up but Kayden avoids the senton! Tags to Katana and Indi! Katana blasts past Indi, comes back and BULLDOGS!

Katana keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then SHOTGUNS Indi to a corner! The fans fire up as Katana stomps away on Indi! Indi shoves Katana, Katana runs corner to corner to A-LIST LARIAT! Katana shoves Indi down, runs up, but into a back suplex! Katana lands out, but her leg jams! The ref and Kayden check, then the ref keeps Indi back. Indi says okay, and she stays by Candice. But Candice tags in to WRECK Kayden! And she SLAMS Katana’s leg into the post!! HALF CRAB and DEEP! Katana taps, Candice & Indi win!

Winners: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, by submission

Candice smiles and celebrates with Indi, but Indi doesn’t want to. Candice says a win is a win, but just what is going on in her toxic mind?

 

Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring.

NC State fires up again as The American Nightmare walks down the ramp, and this time the fans can sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro then gets the mic. “In less than three weeks time, I will stand opposed for the second year in a row, in the main event, with the lights on brightest, I will challenge for the WWE Undisputed Championship, against the greatest champion in all of sports, The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. And this Friday on SmackDown, Roman and I are going to have a little conversation, if you will. But there are… complications. Factors, elements, combustible elements, namely… The Rock.”

Fans boo but Cody says The Rock took to Instagram on Friday, and followed it up with “extremely entertaining” concert. Too bad The Rock didn’t wanna be here tonight. Something Cody took from the Instagram post: The Rock referred to himself as “Our Favorite Heel.” A bit of an inside term, but we’re not dumb, we know that means he’s the “bad guy.” Cody has known Heels. Bobby Heenan, Arn Anderson, Michael Hayes, “Superstar” Billy Graham, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair! Fans “WOO~” and Cody says he doesn’t think The Rock is a Heel. He’s just an assh*le. The fans go nuts hearing that!

Cody doesn’t want Rock getting upset, he doesn’t want the “seven bucks team” to get upset, he doesn’t want anyone getting emotional. Cody knows how Rock feels about emotions, he poked fun at Cody tearing up at discussing “finishing the story” with good friend, Michael Cole. There’s no crying in pro-wrestling, Jimmy Dugan, we get it. But hasn’t The Rock been crying behind the scenes this whole time? Once that hashtag came out, once fans chanted something else, The Rock cried to his buddies on the TKO board and said “Hey, this is gonna be some good PR for The Rock! I need to save WWE!” God knows, look at this house. They sure needed “saving,” huh?

The fans cheer but Cody says Rock wanted great PR. Until it wasn’t. TKO said OMG yes, put on the Gucci shirt, get those muscles looking big. It’s because they are Yes People, they are enablers, they won’t dare tell The Rock like it is, so Cody’s going to. Cody tells The Rock, “You’re a lot of things. You’re a lot of wonderful things. You are the Braham Bull, you are The Great One.” Cody still has shoes with The Rock’s logo on it! The Rock is the only guy Cody honestly feels is a Mount Rushmore wrestler. But he is also a terrible salesman, a carny succubus, and for those who don’t get what that means, The Rock is “a whiny b*tch!”

Fans lose their minds again but Cody says The Rock has been convinced otherwise. But don’t think that for two seconds this locker room needs The Rock more than The Rock needs it! That’s a rule of wrestling, nobody is bigger than the business! And sure, Cody brought up his mom, so it is fair game for The Rock to use that. But Cody knows The Rock’s mom. Here’s what Cody will tell us about The Rock’s mom. She is a wonderful lady, salt of the earth, she helped Cody chop Kevin in a dark match. Cody has nothing but respect for The Rock’s mom, something The Rock should’ve echoed back towards Cody’s mom.

But see, The Rock was talking about whipping Cody, handing a bloody weight belt to Cody’s mom, and normally someone as powerful as The Rock, Mama Rhodes would tremble. But The Rock doesn’t know Cody’s mom. Cody was more scared than she was, because she ain’t scared of nothing. This is the same woman who once jumped out of her chair at a Willie Nelson concert and beat up an undercover cop! She ain’t afraid of The Rock! Cody has been asked, April 6th, biggest tag match of all time, Rock & Roman VS Cody & Seth. Seth Rollins, the World Heavyweight Champion, a man The Rock should respect because that man has carried The Rock’s company!

How will Cody get past that match? How will April 7th look? Will it be a fair fight? Cody can tell us honestly… He doesn’t know. Cody does not know if it will be Bloodline Rules or not. Hell, he might not #FinishTheStory. “But Dwayne… What do you know? How can you be so sure of your own self, right?” The Rock hasn’t been in the ring in real action in years! April 6th, the bell is gonna ring, and what happens then? Is The Rock gonna bring The Great One, the hero we all had growing up? Is he bringing that #BigDwayneEnergy? Or is it gonna be LDS, Little D*ck Syndrome?! The fans chant “L D S! L D S!”

Cody says The Rock has referred to himself as The Final Boss. Kudos for that nickname, maybe he really is that. Maybe Cody is too naive to see it. But at WrestleMania, Cody doesn’t think The Rock will be The Final Boss. At WrestleMania, he’s just Roman’s side chick. But then ladies and gentlemen, his name is Paul Heyman, and he serves as The Wise Man to Your Tribal Chief, the reigning! Defending! Undisputed! WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion, Roman… Reigns! And as Special Counsel to the Bloodline, Heyman is here to say to Cody that the ideals that Cody and Heyman share are far greater than the interests on which they conflict.

By example, don’t you hate it when someone comes out to demand an apology? Not that Cody’s done that, but Heyman is still going to do that. Heyman came out here with some “friends” of his, and he apologized. For a Wise Man, that was pretty freakin’ stupid. One: because it didn’t work. Two: because it was just dumb. And for that, Cody, to you and the fans, Heyman humbly apologizes. Cody says whoa, whoa, whoa. He didn’t ask for an apology, and he certainly knows Heyman wants permission to be in the ring. Heyman is a Hall of Famer starting this year, if he wants into the ring, be Cody’s guest.

Heyman thanks Cody for that but he’s fine on the apron. He carries with him a message from The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. Talk about Heels… You may think of Heyman anything negative you want, and that might be understanding the obvious. Heyman is not trustworthy, but Roman is a chief of his word. Heyman assures that this Friday on SmackDown, Roman will be face to face with Cody. American Nightmare, Tribal Chief, challenger and champion. And when they are face to face, there will not be a single other member of The Bloodline in sight. Except for Heyman, but he is no physical threat.

Heyman holds the title belt, the beads, whispers things in Roman’s ear, such as his love and respect. But Cody has Roman’s word that if he shows up on SmackDown, Roman will show up alone. Cody says Roman shows up alone, no Bloodline outside of Heyman, it’s a deal. They good? Heyman has some jet lag, he forgot one little point. And don’t boo him, he’s talking to Cody! Cody says yes they’re booing, and he’s about to go full Homelander and rip Heyman’s throat out if he doesn’t get to the point. Fans like the reference. Heyman composes himself and says if Roman Reigns shows up alone this Friday on SmackDown, then Cody must show up to SmackDown alone, too.

Cody steps closer to Heyman and Heyman is a bit nervous. Cody tells Heyman, “Deal!” They shake hands, and Heyman smiles. The Wise Man negotiated a purely one-on-one meeting between his Tribal Chief and American Nightmare, but can we trust Heyman was telling the truth about Roman telling the truth?

 

Nia Jax speaks.

“You know what I’ve realized? Becky Lynch has never beaten me. And after tonight, she never will. Because after I break her face again, I will be taking her spot at WrestleMania. I will finish business with Rhea Ripley, and not only will I walk out the Last Woman Standing, but I will become Women’s World Champion.” The Irresistible Force is ready for the Big Time, but will she A-Nia-late her?

 

Cody Rhodes returns backstage.

And Jey says there he go! But real quick, Cody can’t be going to SmackDown alone. Cody says he gave them his word. But The Bloodline isn’t gonna play fair! They’re all gonna be there! If Cody needs Jey, Jeys’ got him. Cody hears that, but he knows what he’s dealing with. They shake hands and Jey heads out. Will Cody be able to have that fair, one-on-one meeting? Or does Jey have a point about The Bloodline?

 

Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh VS Ricochet!

It seems Pearce agreed to the idea that Dirty Dom should try and clean up The Irish Ace’s mess. Will Dom be able to get revenge on Ricochet? Or will Ricochet be the One and Only person holding their head high tonight?

Raw returns and Dom has made his entrance. The bell rings, Dom and Ricochet circle, and they tie up. Ricochet waistlocks, Dom fights the lift and grabs ropes. The ref counts, Ricochet lets off, but Dom ELBOWS him away! Dom fires hands, soaks up the heat, then storms up, but into haymakers! Ricochet CHOPS, kicks then flexes on Dom. Ricochet whips, Dom reverses, but Ricochet goes up and over. Ricochet ducks ‘n’ dodges to then handspring back elbow! The fans fire up while Dom bails out! JD is there to coach Dom up, but Ricochet runs in! JD gets Dom to safety, but Ricochet handsprings to hero land!

The fans fire up, Ricochet then goes to ropes to TORNILLO PLANCHA! Direct hit on Dom and Ricochet tells JD to back off. Ricochet puts Dom in, Dom distracts the ref, but JD grabs Ricochet’s leg! Ricochet kicks JD away, but then Dom WRECKS Ricochet with a dropkick! Dom soaks up the heat and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Dom has Ricochet up top. Dom climbs but Ricochet throws body shots! The fans rally behind Ricochet as he sends Dom staggering. Ricochet hops down as Dom comes running back, and Ricochet GAMANGIRIS him away! Ricochet then springboards, but Dom trips him up! Ricochet flops to the mat, then Dom kicks and FACEBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Ricochet is still in this and JD argues the count. Dom looms over Ricochet, scuffs him around, then mockingly cheers him on. Fans boo but Dom brings Ricochet up. Dom gives some Latino Heat, then suplexes! Uno Amigo, but fans boo.

Dom gets Ricochet up but Ricochet suplexes Dom instead! And then fireman’s carry, DYNAMITE KICK! Cover, TWO! Dom is still in this and JD coaches him but the fans rally for Ricochet. Ricochet stands, storms up on Dom, but Dom shoots around to roll him up! With tights! TWO, Ricochet blocks a kick and KICKS Dom down! Ricochet hurries up top, the fans fire up, but Ricochet has to bail out of the 450 as Dom moves! Dom runs in again, but into a SUPERKICK! JD gets on the apron, so Ricochet triangle jump DROPKICKS! But then Dom DROPKICKS Ricochet onto ropes! Dom dials it up but Ricochet ducks!

Dom spins around, into the RECOIL!! Cover, Ricochet wins!

Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall

But then JD runs in! Ricochet dodges, goes up and around, BOOTS JD away, then BOOTS him again! Ricochet even flips up and out of the ring at the same time! Ricochet gets the better of Judgment Day again, just how disappointed is Mami going to be in her Latino Heat this time?

 

Sami Zayn is backstage.

He finds Chad Gable and wants to talk with him. Last week’s match, that was an honor. Sami hasn’t been pushed like that in a long time, it could’ve gone either way. Gable says yeah, it was great. Thanks. Is Gable alright? Yeah, he’s fine. Kinda feels like not… Gable says he’s fine, so leave it at that. C’mon, man, how many years have they known each other? Sami knows when something’s bothering Gable, so he should just say it. Gable says look, last week, the WrestleMania opportunity, the whole thing, it just meant more to him. Sami says he’s been hearing Gable say that for weeks, and it is really unfair.

Does Gable really think he’s the only one this title opportunity matters to? Sami has a family, too! Sami’s kid cries when Papa loses a match, too. Sami has people he’s let down and is trying to make proud. After all the years put into this, Gable can’t tell Sami what matters more because he doesn’t know Sami like that. Gable has Sami calm down, and says he knows all that. But it isn’t all about that. Then what is all this? Gable says Sami can’t beat Gunther. Gable then leaves, and Sami is at a loss for words. Is this bitter side of Gable only going to get worse as we go down this Road to WrestleMania?

 

Adam Pearce is in the ring.

Raw returns with the GM by a table, and he welcomes us to a contract signing to make official the Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship for WrestleMania! The fans cheer, and Pearce introduces first, the challenger, Sami Zayn! The Great Liberator makes his entrance and the fans sing along with his song. Sami still looks troubled by what Gable said just moments ago, but he still high-fives fans and gets in the ring. Then Pearce introduces the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time, Der Ring General, GUNTHER! The fans boo as Gunther walks in, having reached Day 647!

Gunther smiles as Sami watches him make his way down the ramp and into the ring. Pearce says we know how this works, but Gunther says before we proceed, let us call this what it is: the most important contract signing for the most important match in the history of this championship. And why, why, why is the challenger dressed no better than any of the bums in the audience? Fans boo but Sami just shrugs that off. Sami gets a mic to say that Gunther keeps sitting there all smug, and it’s really starting to piss Sami off. Gunther thinks this is just another day at the office, that he’ll steamroll through Sami like any other contender.

But with all respect to Gunther, he really has. He has beaten everyone that has come his way, and has done it on his own. Gunther doesn’t believe Sami can do it. A lot of people didn’t believe Sami at many points in his career. They didn’t believe he’d even make it to WWE, let alone win championships and main event a WrestleMania. And if you ask The Usos, they didn’t believe Sami would be one of the guys to end the longest tag title reign in WWE history, but he did! And one year later, he will make history again by ending the longest Intercontinental title reign in WWE history! Sami signs his part and pushes the contract over to Gunther.

The fans cheer Sami on but Gunther waits it out. Gunther tells Sami, what Sami should do is listen to his new friend, Gable. Gable doesn’t believe Sami can win. The people here cheer Sami, they probably even love Sami. But even they don’t believe Sami can win. And y’know, when Gunther looks Sami in the eyes, and if Sami was honest with himself, even Sami doesn’t believe he can win. So what Sami is doing right now is standing on Gunther’s doorstep and begging him to get the beating of a lifetime on the Grandest Stage of Them All! So whatever Sami has to do, from training to believing, just keep doing that. Because at WrestleMania, Sami’s dreams will meet reality.

Gunther grins and signs his part, and it is now official! Gunther then stands, title on his shoulder, and takes his leave. The fans boo, but then Sami tells Gunther to wait. Gunther steps back inside to hear Sami as Sami turns around. Gunther looks in Sami’s eyes and believes Sami doesn’t believe? Sami stands to get in Gunther’s face and dares him to look again. Get a good long look, because these are the eyes of the man who will take you down at Mania! The fans fire up, and now Sami leaves first. Gunther still just grins, but will Sami use a Helluva Kick to wipe that smile off his face?

We follow Sami as he storms backstage, right past DIY and The Awesome Truth. Truth asks what’s up with Sami, but The Miz says that is the mindset of WrestleMania right there. That’s what they need. DIY wishes Awesome Truth luck. Awesome Truth knows DIY is into the ladder match, and they are gonna have their own qualifier. Miz & Truth just need to beat… Indus Sher. Jinder Mahal tells Veer & Sanga to warm up for the match. They head out, and Truth says he feels sorry for whoever has to face those guys. Miz stares at Truth, and he has DIY hold off. Miz will explain. The Awesome Truth heads to gorilla, their match is next!

Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The Awesome Truth VS Indus Sher w/ Jinder Mahal!

Miz wants a remix of the theme song but Truth says to just follow his lead. NC State knows what’s up, but will the Awesome Truth finally reach the top of the tag division 13 years after they first teamed? We’ll see, after the break!

Raw returns as Indus Sher makes their entrance, the Modern Day Maharaja by their side. The teams sort out and Truth starts against Sanga. The fans echo “WHAT’S UP?!” but Sanga roars! Truth is scared now so he tags Miz. Truth fires Miz up, Miz runs up and dodges Sanga to fire off haymakers! Miz kicks, whips, but Sanga blocks! Sanga whips and CLOBBERS Miz! Jinder nods as Sanga then scoops Miz and brings him over. Veer tags in, Sanga SLAMS Miz, then Veer ELBOW DROPS! Indus Sher say “NAMASTE!” but the fans say “WHAT’S UP!?” with Truth. Veer HIP DROPS Miz, then looms over him.

Veer eggs Miz on, drags him up with shoulder claws, and then steps over Miz for the neck wrench! Miz endures as Veer still digs a claw into his shoulder. The fans rally for Miz, Miz fights up and throws body shots! Miz reaches out but Veer knees low! Veer SHOVES Miz to the corner, runs in, but Miz BOOTS! Miz ELBOWS Sanga, but Veer catches him! Veer puts Miz back int he corner, but Miz ducks the boot to tag Truth! Truth dodges Veer and starts up the shoulder tackles! Truth gets around Veer to SPIN-OUT BOMB! The fans fire up as Truth shouts out Cena with “You Can’t See Me!” Truth runs to Five Knuckle Shuffle!

Jinder is not happy now as Truth fireman’s carries! But Veer slips free! Truth drop toeholds to the STF!! The fans fire up but Sanga stomps Truth! Miz fires off kicks on Sanga, then body shots! Truth joins in, they mug and whip Sanga, to DOUBLE DROPKICK! Sanga staggers around, Veer runs up, but into a full nelson! Truth and Miz combine for a SKULL CRUSHING LIE DETECTOR!! But Sanga whips Miz away! Miz WRECKS Jinder with it, but Sanga runs up! Sanga knocks Miz down, Miz anchors Sanga, Sanga ELBOWS Truth, Truth falls onto Veer for the cover! Awesome Truth wins!!

Winners: The Awesome Truth, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)

The fans fire up, and Truth doesn’t even realize what happened! Miz celebrates with Truth and Truth puts it together! They’re now one of the six in the ladder match! Will this combination of teamwork and luck be just what they need to take those titles from Judgment Day?

 

Sami confronts Gable now.

Sami tells Gable to tell him why. Why what? Why does Gable think Sami can’t beat Gunther? Well you just saw why! With Gunther, it isn’t just physical, it is mental. Sami made his career out of being the underdog that crawls his way out of any hole he’s in, right? Just like last week! Sami found the window of opportunity to get out of a bad situation any time he can. Gunther’s on a different level! You gonna sit and wait for that window to appear? It doesn’t happen with Gunther! He’s a different beast, a different animal. If Sami doesn’t change his mentality, then he can’t beat Gunther. Gable leaves Sami with a lot to think again. Is there a way Sami can change enough to defeat Der Ring General?

 

CM Punk speaks.

“Do I plan at being in WrestleMania? WrestleMania is in Philadelphia, what’re the first four letters in Philadelphia? Phil. You can’t have WrestleMania Philadelphia without Phil. Whether I’m invited or uninvited, Punk will be there.” And next week in Chicago, Punk returns to Raw! Will the Second City Saint find a way to be part of the biggest WrestleMania ever?

 

Drew McIntyre is here!

The Scottish Terminator, or as his new shirt says, “The Savior of WrestleMania,” makes his way to the ring, NC State a bit torn about seeing him. But then Seth Rollins is here, too!? McIntyre is upset but the fans sing along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as The Visionary struts his way out. Rollins swaggers right past McIntyre in his green storm pattern suit, and steps into the ring first. McIntyre frowns as he follows Rollins in, and sits in a corner. The fans continue to sing, which Rollins revels in for a moment. Rollins has the mic to then say, “RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA~! Welcome to Monday Night Rollins~!

“And Drew, hah, sorry, I didn’t even see you there. I was too busy, uh, y’know, soaking up the spotlight, right?” McIntyre has a mic to say, “Alright, here we go.” Here goes what, Drew? McIntyre says no, no, get it all out of your system, he knows Rollins has more! McIntyre can stay in the back while Rollins enjoys the spotlight, because after WrestleMania, that spotlight’s all McIntyre’s. Hey, hey, c’mon. Rollins is here with an honest cause. Rollins doesn’t like McIntyre, he thinks he’s stupid, a hypocrite, has said a lot of dumb things lately, but Rollins is here to admit that one thing McIntyre said is absolutely right and he wants to say it to McIntyre’s face, right here in Raleigh, in front of the fine people.

Now, they always say the first step to recovery is the hardest, so bare with Rollins. He has been working on this all week, but… “My name is Seth Freakin’ Rollins, and I’m a spotlight junkie.” The fans chant “Spotlight Junkie!” and also sing, but McIntyre says everything is just a joke to Rollins, isn’t it? Look at Rollins! He’s a parody of himself at this point. But honestly, McIntyre doesn’t care. He tried reasoning, he gave the answers, and now he only cares about their match and the world title. And you wanna know the real punchline, funny man? “What?” McIntyre says they say that because they’re happy McIntyre sidelined Punk, thanks for remembering!

But the punchline is when McIntyre beats Rollins for that title. The fans chant for “C M PUNK!” but McIntyre says don’t be ridiculous. Punk’s waiting until next week to return because he’d never show up in a place like Raleigh. The fans boo but McIntyre says see, they’re booing Punk! Punk is only getting off his couch to be at his local arena. Rollins tells McIntyre to shut up already. Oh, seems McIntyre got Rollins’ attention. Rollins takes off the sunglasses to say yeah, McIntyre has his attention. Because this isn’t a joke! When Rollins says he is a junkie, it isn’t a joke! He’s been doing this for 20 YEARS! Just like McIntyre!

And every time Rollins comes out of the curtain, that’s his fix. And it gets better and better every single time. Rollins comes out here, lays it all on the line, and it just gets better and better! When he hears the fans sing the song so loud, Rollins can barely speak, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” That’s Rollins’ fix! That is the spotlight he craves, and y’know what? Rollins wants the spotlight as bright as it can possibly be. So yeah, McIntyre’s been busy online entertaining people with memes, so he hasn’t been listening to Rollins. So Rollins will get this through McIntyre’s thick skull: Night One, Rollins takes the biggest star in Hollywood and his side chick, and makes them his b*tches!

Then on Night Two, the biggest spotlight possible will be shined down on McIntyre and Rollins and the World Heavyweight Championship! McIntyre says all hail the savior, Seth Rollins! This is what McIntyre wanted! The passion and desire, not the stupid laughing and dancing. Rollins had McIntyre all the way to the finish. Rollins has done this 20 years, just like McIntyre. They’ve given their lives to this industry, and that is what the title is about! The wrestlers’ title, the workhorse championship! Rollins had McIntyre with him until he mentioned the bigger spotlight and how Rollins pins one of the biggest stars in the world.

Why can’t it just be about Rollins’ hard work to make that title, and all of McIntyre’s hard work to get this chance? Why can’t that be the reason they’re getting the biggest spotlight!? Rollins has had his priorities all backwards, McIntyre has been giving him all the answers. McIntyre said he is over the BS, and all he cares about is Rollins making it to the ring on Night Two. And if Rollins can’t walk, then McIntyre will wheel him down. If not, McIntyre will carry Rollins down. At Mania, McIntyre doesn’t get the moment he deserves. He gets the moment he has bloody EARNED. The fans do cheer that!

Rollins smirks and says, “Ah, Drew. There it is. That’s right, you wanna call me a spotlight junkie, but you want the spotlight just as bad as I do, don’t you? You’re an addict, just like I am. And you’ve been begging for spotlight for the past four years, because you won the WrestleMania main event. You did, back in 2020, in an empty warehouse. And all we’ve been hearing from Drew McIntyre for the past four years was how that wasn’t good enough. You’ve been whining and complaining and bitching and moaning that you deserve better, that you deserve more. The problem is, Drew, when everybody came back around, and the lights got bright again, what happened? You fumbled the ball.

“And that’s the difference between you and me. When the lights are the brightest, I shine, baby. I shine bright. And at WrestleMania 40, the lights are gonna be as bright as they have ever been. And you are gonna find out you are not as good as you think you are.” Rollins drops the mic, but this time McIntyre smirks. The verbal battle continues, but who will put their money where their mouth is once this one finally happens?

 

Becky Lynch speaks.

“I’m a wanted woman, and I don’t even have the title. Yet. But we’re less than three weeks away from WrestleMania, so why would I risk it all? Because I don’t know anything else. All I know is taking risks. All I know is fighting. And all I know is tonight, I’m gonna be the Last Woman Standing.” Becky is fired up to finally do what she hasn’t done in the most extreme way possible. Will she be the immovable object to Nia’s irresistible force?

 

Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The New Day VS The Alpha Academy!

Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods have been W, W, E, World, Tag, Team, CHAMPIONS~, but they’ve never been a part of a title match as big as this Six Pack Ladder challenge! Will they look to be part of history once again? Or will Akira Tozawa & Otis say “A THANK YEW~!” for this golden opportunity?

Raw returns as the Academy makes their entrance. The teams sort out and Woods starts against the tree trunk, Otis. The fans rally for “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Otis and Woods tie up, but Woods kicks low then headlocks. Otis powers up and out then runs Woods over! Otis storms up on Woods, GUT RAMS him back down, then brings him back up. Otis GUT RAMS Woods again, then runs to CLOBBER Woods! Otis swivels his hips, the fans echo “Oh~ yeah!” Otis tags Tozawa and the Academy mugs Woods. Tozawa brings Woods around but Woods CHOPS! Woods tags Kofi, he and Kofi double whip Tozawa but Tozawa holds ropes!

Tozawa fires hands, dodges Woods then BOOTS Woods down! Kofi kicks low, whips Tozawa to a corner, but Tozawa BOOTS Kofi away! Tozawa goes up to FLYING RANA! The fans fire up as Tozawa sees New Day regroup outside. Tozawa runs to DIVE! Direct hit on both New Day, and Otis joins in for “A THANK YEW~!” The Academy stands tall as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Tozawa fights a chinlock. Tozawa reaches for Otis but Woods back suplexes. Tozawa lands out to then DROPKICK Woods down! The fans rally as Woods and Tozawa crawl, hot tags to Otis and Kofi! Otis CLOBBERS Kofi, CLOBBERS him again, then whips him to ropes. WRECKER ELBOW! Woods runs in, Otis dodges, to LARIAT! Otis sees Kofi leap off the corner, and catches him for a WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM! Otis rips the shirt off, winds up the hips, and then starts up the CATERPILLAR! ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Kofi survives but Otis hurries to step on him! Tag to Tozawa, and Otis goes up!

Otis VADER BOMBS but FLOPS as Kofi moves! Tozawa hurries up top while Kofi SUPERKICKS Otis! Kofi turns around into the CROSSBODY from Tozawa! Cover, TWO! Tozawa SUPERKICKS Kofi but Woods tags in! Woods GAMANGIRIS Tozawa, then steps in to TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Tozawa toughs it out but Woods grits his teeth as he goes to the corner. Woods climbs, but Tozawa rises! Tozawa throws body shots, Woods CLUBS Tozawa! Tozawa throws more hands and climbs up! The fans rally as they brawl up top! Tozawa brings Woods up but Woods fights the lift! Woods throws body shots in return!

Woods shifts position to get under Tozawa for a fireman’s carry! But then Tozawa pops up to SUPER STEINER!! Tozawa rips off his shirt, climbs back up top, SUPER SENTON!! Cover, Kofi breaks it! The fans fire up but Otis drags Kofi out! Otis whips Kofi at steps, Kofi goes up and jumps off the steps to TORNADO DDT to the floor! Kofi hurries back up to the apron but Tozawa SCREW HIGH KICKS him down! Tozawa dodges Woods, pop-up, but Woods blocks the rana to then SPINNING POWERBOMB! Woods sees the WrestleMania sign, hurries up the corner, and he tightrope walks! LIMIT BREAK ELBOW!! Cover, New Day wins!

Winners: The New Day, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)

The New Day are the ones saying A THANK YEW~ as they put their names down for the Six Pack Ladder Match! Will they once again climb to the top of the WWE Tag Team Division and bring home those championships?

 

Liv Morgan confronts Becky Lynch.

Becky asks if she’ll have to watch out for Liv as well. Well, you should always #WatchMe, but no, not tonight. Nia is all Becky’s. Liv just wants Becky to kick Nia’s ass. Liv leaves, will Becky kick ass and then some?

 

Cody walks with his dog, Pharaoh, backstage.

Rollins finds him and brings up Friday. One on one? One on one. Rollins nods and says he loves Pharaoh’s bandanna. The Visionary trusts the American Nightmare can handle himself, but will we be able to trust The Tribal Chief?

 

Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch VS Nia Jax!

From the origins of “The Man” in WWE to the aftermath of Elimination Chamber: Perth, these two have battled, but never as brutally as this! They’re able to go anywhere and do anything, but who will be the Last Woman Standing this close to WrestleMania 40?

The bell rings and the two rush in! Becky DROPKICKS Nia and Nia goes to a corner. Becky runs in but Nia puts Becky on the apron. Becky ROCKS Nia, goes up a corner, then leaps to MISSILE DROPKCIK! Nia stumbles and tumbles out of the ring, so Becky WRECKS her with another dropkick! Becky then goes to the apron for a FLYING FOREARM! Nia stays up, Becky tries again, but Nia dodges! Fireman’s carry and Nia POSTS Becky, to then SAMOAN DROP her into barriers! The ref counts as Becky is down, but she stands at 4 of 10. Nia CLOBBERS Becky and wants the count! The count climbs but Nia is impatient.

Nia clears off the desk, Becky stands at 5 of 10, and she leans against barriers. Becky comes back with body shots and haymakers, but Nia ROCKS her with a forearm! Becky staggers away as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and Becky is bringing out a table! The fans fire up as Becky sets that up ringside. There’s been a lot of chaos during the break according to commentary, from chairs to kendo sticks to even a copy of Becky’s book, The Man: Not Your Average Average Girl! But Nia storms over to stop Becky and SMACK her off the desk! Nia puts Becky in the ring, takes that table for her own and sets it up. The table doesn’t cooperate and fans boo, but Nia goes for chairs instead. She slides those in the ring, Becky manages to stand at 7 of 10, and she grabs at those chairs. Nia ditches the table, it just doesn’t wanna work.

Nia storms in but Becky JAMS her with a chair, SMACKS her with it, then clinches! Nia fights the slam, fireman’s carries Becky, and FULL METAL SAMOAN DROPS!! Becky writhes from hitting chairs but Nia looms over her. Nia soaks up the heat as she counts along. Becky flounders to ropes and drags herself up at 7! Nia sits a chair up, fans want a table, but Nia scoops Becky. Becky slips around to a SLEEPER! Nia RAMS Becky into buckles again and again until Becky lets go. But then Becky BULLDOGS Nia off the chair! Nia is down for the count now, and Becky leans against ropes to stay up herself.

Nia stirs at 5, stands at 8, but Becky is up top! Becky leaps, into a CHAIR SHOT! Nia SMACKS Becky again and again and again! The fans boo but Nia finally stops. Nia puts that chair aside and goes out to get some kendo sticks! Nia puts those in, but Becky grabs one! Nia snatches it from her to SMACK! And SMACK! And SMACK! Becky sputters and staggers, Nia clinches and scoops! Nia SLAMS Becky onto chairs! Then Nia runs to drop the leg, brother! Nia wants the count and the count begins! Becky sputters as we reach 5 of 10. Becky grabs that kendo stick but Nia SMACKS Becky with a chair! And again!

Nia kicks Becky around, then uses the chair to take a seat on Becky’s body!! The fans boo as the count begins, but Becky SMACKS Nia with the kendo stick! And again and again and again, even in the butt! Nia stands up, into more shots! Becky stands and she fires away until Nia scurries out of the ring! Becky pursues but Nia CLOBBERS her! Nia pulls the steel steps apart now, and takes that top half to RAM Becky down! Becky flounders, Nia hauls her up and puts her in the ring. Becky’s on the apron and Nia takes aim! Nia runs up, APRN LEG DROP only gets apron! Becky avoids disaster, then has Nia by the steps! DDT onto the steel!

Nia is down again and the count begins. Nia stirs at 5 of 10, sits up at 6, but Becky SMACKS her off steps! Nia falls over again and the count resets. Becky hurries to go looking for things while Nia rises again. Becky has a new table! The fans fire up as Becky gets that in the ring. Nia stands at 7, staggers after Becky, and Raw goes back to break.

Raw returns once again and Nia mugs Becky against barriers! Nia puts Becky on a table, and surprise! There’s a ladder set up now! Nia climbs the ladder?! She also demands Pat support the ladder. But Becky gets off the table so now Nia has no reason to be up there. Nia storms after Becky, but gets a FIRE EXTINGUISHER BLAST!! The fans fire up as Becky cools Nia off, then JAMS her with the canister! Becky puts Nia in the ring, and there’s a table waiting in a corner! Becky lines up the shot, and runs in, but Nia SAMOAN DROPS Becky through the table!!! Both women are down in the wreckage and the count begins!

Nia flounders away from the wreckage but she still needs to stand. Nia is up at 5, and she isn’t satisfied with this! She drags Becky all the way to another corner and puts her in the drop zone! Nia climbs up, for the A-NIA-LATOR!! Nia shouts for the count, the count begins, and Nia storms around as she points to the Mania sign. Becky is still down at 5 of 10, only starts stirring at 7, and she slumps out of the ring to stand up! Nia is furious, goes out after Becky, and kicks things aside to keep after her. Nia asks if Becky’s vision is blurry. Nia fireman’s carries Becky up the steel steps and along the apron, aiming for that other table!

The fans freak out but Becky fights with elbows! Becky CLUBS away on Nia and the fans are thunderous! Becky then clinches, for a MANHANDLE SLAM through the table!!! Both women are down int he wreckage again, and the count begins! Becky sits up at 4 while fans are still losing their minds! We pass 5 of 10, then 7! Nia sits up at 8 and stands at 9! But then she slumps back over! The count starts again, Nia flounders around and stands at 5. Becky goes up the ladder! Becky sees Nia approaching the desk, and then SUPER MAN’S LEG DROP through the desk!!! The fans lose their minds again while both men are down in more wreckage!

The count is 5 of 10! Becky flounders and crawls, drags herself up at 9, but Nia is still down! BECKY WINS!!

Winner: Becky Lynch

The Man conquers truly one of the most intense challenges in her career! But then here comes one of the most intense champions! The fans fire up as Rhea Ripley makes her way out, Women’s World Championship in hand. She goes right to the ring and looks at Becky. Rhea “congratulates” Becky for winning, but then Becky gets in Rhea’s face! The fans fire up, and now there are no obstacles in the way of Mami VS The Man! Who will be the champion after WrestleMania 40?


My Thoughts:

A great Raw right here, though the in-ring action kinda dipped down until that awesome Last Woman Standing main event. This is one of the times I wish they’d done picture in picture so we as the TV audience could see even more action. Great win for Becky, of course, but I also like that Becky had a moment with Liv just before, and of course she had a moment with Rhea to close out the night. Great promos with Sami and Gable that also blended into the contract signing from tonight. And I suppose Gable has a point that Sami, the comeback kid, can’t do that when Gunther has an arsenal of moves that would be “finishers” given all the different ways Gunther has won over the years.

And speaking of that contract signing segment, I really liked the segue they did in following Sami so that he’d cross paths with Awesome Truth at gorilla and we’d get their segment going into their match. WWE has been doing some really creative stuff in this newest era where Vince is truly out and apparently even Kevin Dunn has moved on. Awesome Truth had a really fun but also really quick tag match with Indus Sher, and then New Day VS Alpha Academy was solid stuff, but DIY VS Creeds was such an awesome match. For a moment, I thought Creeds were gonna take this one but DIY still found a way, and I like that DIY is in. Honestly, I’m liking that the HHH favorites are getting in, because we also have New Catch Republic on the other side that can still win into the match.

Judgment Day had good stuff tonight, too. Good group promo with Andrade to tease El Idolo possibly joining, but who knows if he does. Depends on how things go for Priest. He was watching the qualifiers, he’s not worried, but maybe he should be. Granted, he still has the MITB briefcase, he could go from losing the tag titles to taking the world title, who knows how the Judgment Day’s story is going to go as we move past Mania. Dom VS Ricochet was a really good match, and Ricochet winning was the right move to keep this feud going. I think there’s going to be Ricochet VS McDonagh next week as a rematch from the gauntlet, that’ll be great stuff, too.

Candice’s Heel turn slow burn continues as she takes advantage of the “hurt” leg. Indi also does a good job of being very conflicted about this. There’s a WWE YouTube exclusive where Ivy Nile confronts Candice so that’ll be a match, and then maybe when Candice again goes too far, Indi steps in and we get a match of Candice VS Indi at some point. Good little update promo from CM Punk, he’ll have a great homecoming moment in Chicago, but also probably McIntyre coming after him. McIntyre had a great promo segment with Rollins, and with all these continued moments where the other person gets the mic drop moment, it feels like McIntyre has to win the title.

And of course, great stuff with the Bloodline story even on Raw. Jey and Jimmy have great promos in their confrontation, and of course it turns into a brawl. Good segue from that to Heyman being here, and Heyman confronting Cody during Cody’s great promo segment. Cody really went off on The Rock, that was some wild stuff. But the supposed promise of “one on one and no one else aside from Heyman” might be kept, and we get a strong promo segment on SmackDown in a foreshadowing of the fair-and-square 1v1 match. Or it is a trap and that’s more a foreshadowing of Bloodline Rules where they can do whatever they want. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.

My Score: 8.9/10


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Mitchell’s NJPW New Japan Cup Results & Report! (3/18/24)

The semifinals are here!

Published

on

We’re just one step away from the Cup!

Cold Skull faces The Fierce Warrior, and Gene Blast faces The King of Darkness, and when the smoke clears, we will have our New Japan Cup finalists!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Boltin Oleg & Shoma Kato VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Mikey Nicholls; ZSJ & Mikey win.
  • Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Tomohiro Ishii & Togi Makabe VS Just5Guys; Just5Guys win.
  • Tanga Loa & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Great-O-Khan & Callum Newman; Loa & Taguchi win.
  • Six Man Tag: YOSHI-HASHI, Toru Yano & Hiroyoshi Tenzan VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
  • 8 Man Tag: Shota Umino, El Phantasmo, Hikuleo & YOH VS The House of Torture; Shota, ELP, Leo & Yoh win.
  • Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire; LIJ wins.
  • 2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: Yota Tsuji VS EVIL; Tsuji wins and advances to the finals.
  • 2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto; Goto wins and advances to the finals.

PLAY BY PLAY

2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: Yota Tsuji VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo!

The Gene Blast overcame the tricks Ren Narita tried, but that’s because the House of Torture was saving all the good stuff so they could slay the Rampaging Dragon. Will the deck be even more stacked to make sure Everything is Evil’s? Or will Yota be one step away from LIJ VS LIJ at Sakura Genesis?

Well, Dick is making his way out here, but where is Evil? Oh, there he is. No tricks just yet it seems. But then Yota DIVES onto Evil! The fans fire up but Dick attacks Yota! Dick whips, Yota stops himself, and then scoops Dick for a BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Yota wants the bell. The ref says yes, ring the bell, and this is on the record! Yota stomps and CLUBS Evil, then whips, but Evil reverses! Yota hits railing, and then Evil whips him into more railing! Evil CHOKES Yota against the railing, Yota fights back, but the ref gets knocked aside! Evil puts Yota in so he and Dick can stomp away!

The fans boo but here comes the rest of the House already! Narita, Yujiro, Kanemaru and Jack all stomp away on Yota, but here come Bushi & Hiromu! It’s a replay of yesterday as LIJ fights off the House, but the numbers are still against them! The ref rushes in to tell everyone to stop! Evil shoves the ref out of the ring, Yota fires off on him, but Evil CLAWS Yota’s eyes! The House CHOKES LIJ, but the ref says stop! The bell rings, but what is the decision!? NO CONTEST!?

No Contest

What does this mean!? Someone has to advance, right? The finals aren’t until the 20th, how can there be a no contest? The House started this, where’re the consequences?! Yota gets up but Evil TOSSES him back out! LIJ regroups and Yota asks for a mic. Yota tells Evil that he’s sick and tired of this! They ARE gonna finish this match! The fans like the sound of that! All the refs come out, including Red Shoes, to discuss how this will be handled. For starters, they tell all the extras to get outta here! LIJ is cool with that, and Hiromu tells the House to come along. Evil says fine, and Jack, Kanemaru, Narita, Yujiro and even Dick reluctantly exit.

The announcement is officially made, and the bell rings! Yota and Evil rush in, Evil kicks low but Yota CLUBS away on Evil! Evil CLAWS the eyes! Evil kicks, runs, RAMS, but Yota rebounds to run Evil over! Then run and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Yota fires up and the fans are with him! Evil bails out but the fans rally for Yota. Evil wants Yota to stay back, then he slides in, only to slide right out! Yota runs out after Evil, but Evil kicks him! Evil RAMS Yota into the timekeeper! Abe-san and his table go flying! Evil gets the mic to tell Yota that this is what he gets! The fans boo but Evil tells them off, too! Evil stomps Yota then soaks up the heat.

Evil unties the blue buckle pad himself, then waits in the ring. The ref checks Yota and the fans rally up again. The Young Lions help Abe-san while Yota drags himself up. Yota slides in, the fans cheer, but Evil pulls on Yota’s hair! Evil wrenches the hair, then wrenches it again! And again! Evil CLUBS the hair! The ref reprimands but Evil just dusts off his hands. Evil covers, but the ref refuses to count! Evil is furious but he’s the one up to no good! The ref still says no, so Evil stands on Yota’s head. The fans rally up, Yota rises, and he grins as he winds up to ROCK Evil with a forearm! And ROCK him with another!

Yota ROCKS Evil again, but Evil whips him into the bare buckles! Yota falls and the ref reprimands about the missing buckle pad. Evil stomps Yota, covers, TWO! The fans cheer but Evil is annoyed. Evil scuffs Yota, taunts him, and drags him up. Evil CHOPS, Yota drops to his knees, but Evil stands him back up. Evil CHOPS again and Yota grits his teeth as he drops to his knees! Evil stands Yota up again, to fake the chop to CLAW the eyes! The ref reprimands, Evil lets off, and then Evil stands on Yota in a corner. The ref counts, Evil lets go of the ropes but that’s not the problem! Evil steps away, drags Yota up but claims he’s dead weight.

The ref checks, Evil stands Yota up and wrenches an arm. Evil whips Yota into a corner, runs in, but into a BOOT! Evil runs in again, blocks the boot, but Yota brings Evil in for the STOMP! The fans fire up while Yota rests on the mat. The fans rally up and Yota rises again. Evil’s in the corner, runs out, but into the BACKBREAKER! COMPLETE SHOT! STOMP! The fans fire up again as Yota stands back up. Yota runs, to CURB STOMP!! Yota roars and the fans fire up again! Evil flounders while Yota aims. Yota runs in, but the ref is used as a shield! Evil kicks Yota low, then uses the ref in MAGIC KILLER!

All three men are down while the fans rally up again. Evil stands, he brings Yota up, and the ref also rises. Evil whips Yota into the bare buckles, then clotheslines him in! Then FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, but Evil lets off?! Evil wants to torture Yota but it’s hard to say if Yota is still even in this. Yota opens his eyes, rises up, but Evil fireman’s carries! DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives, the fans fire up, but Evil is furious! Evil slashes his throat and vows to end this now! Evil drags Yota up, spins him around, but Yota fights the STO with elbows! Evil kicks low, whips again, but Yota stops from hitting buckles!

Evil runs in, Yota dodges and Evil hits the buckles! SUPERKICK!! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! We’re only ten minutes into this new match but this is on top of the madness from earlier. Evil drags Yota up, but Yota ROCKS Evil! Evil fights Yota’s fireman’s carry and CLUBS him, but both men wobble. Evil LARIATS, but Yota stays up! The fans fire up but Evil swings to LARIAT again! Yota drops to a knee, but he grins through the pain! Evil says alright, and he throws off his elbow pad. Evil runs to LARIAT! Yota grits his teeth to stay up! V-TRIGGER! Yota brings Evil in, suplexes, ORANGE CRUSH! Cover, TWO!!

Evil is still in this but the fans rally behind Yota again. Yota rises, drags Evil up, and then goes to the corner. Yota goes up and up and Evil moves the ref into the way! The ref takes the FLYING CURB STOMP!!! And now the House returns! The fans boo as Kanemaru, Dick, Yujiro, Narita & Jack all stomp away on Yota again! The fans tell them to go home, again, but these guys don’t care! They just put one out on Yota. They whip Yota to a corner, then DIck runs in to ELBOW! Kanemaru ELBOWS! Yujiro BOOTS! Jack SPLASHES! Narita ELBOWS! Then they snapmare and set Yota up! Dick climbs for the DICK CHOP!!

The fans boo but the House applauds their own dirtiness. But here come Bushi & Hiromu again! But they just get mugged again! They set Hiromu up for the DICK CHOP, while Bushi gets a JACK CHOP! The House then slithers away before a replacement ref rushes out here. Evil drags Yota up, winds up and runs, to LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!!! Yota survives and the fans are thunderous! Evil is at a loss for words, but he slashes his throat! He vows to end it for real, and he reels Yota in. EVERYTHING IS- Yota flips through!? And HEADBUTTS!! The fans fire up as Yota reels Evil in for a fireman’s carry! 70 CROSS!! Cover, TWO!!

Evil survives the swinging spinebuster and the House cheers! Yota drags himself to a corner, drags himself up with the ropes, and roars as he takes aim! Evil rises, but Yujiro distracts! Dick runs in, but gets a V-TRIGGER! The ref sees Dick, but misses the LOW BLOW! Then Evil RAMS Yota into the ref! That’s the second ref this match! Narita gets his push-up bar! The others set Yota up, but here comes SHINGO TAKAGI! The Rampaging Dragon has seen enough, and he’s still pissed from yesterday as it is! He dodges Narita to PUMPING BOMBER! Kanemaru & Yujiro kick Takagi, double whip, but he DOUBLE PUMPING BOMBERS!!

Jack gets in, but he gets ELBOW, JAB and YUKON LARIAT! Evil runs up but Takagi SWATS Evil’s lariat to JAB! Then feed to Hiromu’s SUPERKICK! Hiromu & Takagi set Evil up for Bushi’s BLACK MIST!! Evil can’t see, the PUMPING BOMBER turns him inside-out!! The fans are thunderous as LIJ helps Yota up! Red Shoes hurries out here, and Yota aims at Evil! GENE BLASTER!!! Cover, Yota wins!!!

Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

The House of Torture ran out of tricks, and now there is light at the end of the tournament! Will Yota do LIJ proud and bring home the Cup?

 

2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto!

One down, one to go. Yota Tsuji has made it through, now we see who joins him in the finals! Will the Cold Skull or Fierce Warrior be the one that steps closer to former glory?

The bell rings and the fans duel between “GO-TO-O!” and “SA-NA-DA!” Red Shoes measures the levels, and it seems to slightly favor Goto. Goto and Sanada circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Goto gets some leverage to put Sanada against ropes, but he lets off slowly. Goto pats Sanada on the shoulders and the fans cheer. The two reset, circle again, and tie up again. It’s another deadlock, but again Goto finds a way to put Sanada on ropes. Sanada turns things around, lets off slowly, and also pats Goto on the shoulders. The fans applaud and the two reset again. They feel things out, knuckle lock, then move to a clinch.

They fight for control, Sanada starts pushing Goto towards a corner but Goto slips away. They feel things out, knuckle lock again, then break. They tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, Goto waistlocks, but Sanada wrenches to wristlock. Goto rolls, wrenches, wristlocks, but Sanada spins, wrenches, only for Goto to roll! Goto gets a leg to trip Sanada up, and he has a toehold. Sanada fights back with a chinlock but Goto pulls on the leg. Sanada uses his free leg to hook Goto into an ARMBAR, but Goto clasps hands! Goto moves around, pops free, then headlocks. Sanada fights up, Goto grinds the headlock, but Sanada throws body shots.

Sanada powers up and out, but Goto runs him over! The fans rally as things speed up, and Goto counters hip toss with hip toss! Goto runs and he clotheslines Sanada up and out! The fans fire up and Goto slides out after Sanada. Goto stomps Sanada, drags him up, then CLUBS him on the neck! Sanada staggers, Goto CHOPS him, then kicks him, then CLUBS him! Goto whips but Sanada stops himself from hitting railing! Goto runs in but Sanada drop toeholds him into the railing! Goto goes down in a heap, but Sanada opens the gate. Sanada brings Goto through, then to the crowd! PILEDRIVER to the bare floor!

The fans are stunned but Red Shoes reprimands. Sanada leaves Goto behind and slides into the ring. The fans rally for Goto as the ring count begins. Goto crawls at 5 of 20, finds his way to ringside at 10, but still hobbles and crawls. He stands at 17 to slide in! The fans cheer, but Sanada stomps Goto. Sanada drags Goto up, CLUBS him on the neck, then brings him back up to CLUB him again. Goto CHOPS! And CHOPS! Sanada eggs Goto on so Goto CHOPS again! Goto whips, Sanada reverses to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Sanada keeps cool and sits Goto up into a chinlock. Goto endures and the fans rally again.

Goto kicks forward, reaches out, but Sanada cranks on the hold! Goto keeps fighting, and has the ROPEBREAK! Sanada lets go cleanly, but then he stomps Goto while he’s down. Sanada then stands Goto up to CLUB him on the neck. Goto CHOPS in return! And CHOPS, and CHOPS, and has Sanada in a corner! Goto CHOPS again, then whips corner to corner. Goto runs in, but Sanada BOOTS first! Sanada runs, Goto follows, and Goto LARIATS Sanada down! The fans fire up and Goto rises, clutching his neck. Goto stands Sanada up to fire off forearms, then he whips corner to corner. Goto runs in, MURAMASA!

Sanada wobbles, into the SAIDO! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up while Goto grits his teeth. Goto drags Sanada up, fireman’s carries, but Sanada fights free! Sanada waistlocks, Goto throws elbows, then runs. Sanada hurdles, hurdles, and DROPKICKS! Goto tumbles out of the ring, Sanada PLANCHAS him down! The fans fire up and Sanada encourages them to get louder. The fans get louder and Sanada appreciates it. Sanada then goes back for Goto, brings him up and puts him in the ring. Sanada fireman’s carries but Goto throws elbows! Sanada turns around into Goto’s fireman’s carry, but then slips out into the dragon sleeper!

But Goto arm-drags free! Sanada kicks low, runs, but Goto follows! Sanada dodges this time, runs again, but Goto still follows! Sanada sidesteps this time, but Goto holds ropes to avoid the hurdle! Goto runs in, but Sanada fireman’s carries! T K O! Cover, TWO! Goto is still in this and the fans rally up! Sanada goes up the corner, ROUNDING BODY- NO, Sanada has to land out as Goto moves! Sanada runs in, but into the fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! They cheer on “GO-TO-O!” but the “SA-NA-DA!” chants are still there. Red Shoes checks them both, and both men slowly rise.

The two crawl towards each other, and Goto fires a forearm! Sanada shakes his head, eggs Goto on, so Goto throws another! Goto eggs Sanada on, so Sanada fires a forearm! Goto fires a forearm back, and the two stand. Sanada UPPERCUTS! Goto comes back to forearm! Sanada UPPERCUTS again, and Goto drops back to a knee! The fans rally, Goto stands again, and he forearms! UPPERCUT, forearm, repeat! Goto growls, fires a flurry of forearms, and he ROCKS Sanada! Sanada drops to his hand and knees but Goto powers up! Goto KICKS but Sanada blocks! Goto fires more forearms, then waistlocks, but Sandaa fights free!

Sanada runs, but Goto fireman’s carries! And he throws Sanada into the dragon sleeper! But Sanada turns around and suplexes, for MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Sanada roars as he rises up, and he aims from a corner. Sanada wants Goto to get up, and Goto sits up, into the SHINING WIZARD! Sanada then dragon sleepers, for the SKULL END!! Goto endures, flails, reaches out, but he’s caught in the body scissors! Goto fights around but he’s fading! The fans rally, Goto’s hand drops! Sanada lets him go to then climb! ROUNDING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Goto survives but Sanada storms around. Sanada drags Goto up, reels him in and clinches, but Goto slips free to shove Sanada away! Sanada forearms, ROLLING- HEADBUTT from Goto! The fans fire up and duel, and Goto drags Sanada up. But Sanada breaks free! Goto HEADBUTTS again! Sanada falls back down and Goto steadies himself. Goto roars, the fans are with him, and Goto sits Sanada up. Goto runs to PENALTY KICK! Shoutout to Shibata and the fans fire up more! Sanada grits his teeth as he sits back up but Goto takes aim! BUZZSAW! And then he hauls Sanada up to dragon sleeper! G T- BACKSLIDE COUNTER! TWO!!!

Sanada and Goto hurry up, Sanada dodges to O’Conner BRIDGE!! TWO?!!? Goto escapes and shocks everyone! Sanada resets, runs in, SHINING WIZARD!! The fans are thunderous as Sanada roars and drags Goto back up! Clinch and DEAD- NO, Goto slips around to ripcord and fireman’s carry! G T W!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Sanada survives but Goto is all fired up! The fans are thunderous as Goto dragon sleepers for G T R!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!!!

Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

Don’t call it a comeback, Goto’s been here for years! Sanada’s hopes of being IWGP World Heavyweight Champion again have been delayed, how long must he wait for another chance?

As for Goto, he’s going back to the New Japan Cup Finals for the first time since 2016, and his seventh overall! But before he can get the mic to speak, Yota makes his way back out here. Yota steps into the ring and he gets the mic first. Yota tells Goto, “In order to open the door to a new era, we must do this.” The fans applaud that, and Yota continues by asking Goto, “Are you ready?!” Yota drops the mic at Goto’s feet, and Goto stands up to speak. “I also have something I want to show you. As a three-time New Japan Cup Champion, I will show you my strength.” The fans like the sound of that!

The Fierce Warrior stares down with Gene Blast, a true generational showdown on the horizon! Will Goto return not juts to former glory, but finally ascend to top of NJPW? Or will Yota make it LIJ VS LIJ for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship?


My Thoughts:

A great semifinal round for this tournament, with quite a surprising main event. Sanada VS Goto was great stuff, and while I felt Sanada wasn’t winning the Cup, I didn’t think he’d be out this round. Yota VS Evil was rather creatively put together, too. I did not think the House would get so involved that at first it was a No Contest but then they restart under a ringside ban. Takagi making sure Yota won was good stuff, too, maybe we can get Takagi VS Evil for the NEVER Openweight Championship if they’re not gonna circle back to more Shota Umino VS House of Torture stuff.

Goto VS Yota is going to be great stuff, and Goto is clearly a top utility guy. He’s had so many New Japan Cup finals appearances, certainly among the most ever, but I don’t think he gets a fourth Cup win against Yota, one of the “new era Musketeers” that NJPW clearly loves. Yota VS Naito is definitely the title match for Sakura Genesis.

My Score: 8.9/10


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