NJPW AXS TV Results
Mitchell’s NJPW AXS TV Report: 46th Anniversary Show part 2!
This review of NJPW: 46th Anniversary Show will be as broadcast by AXS TV.
Therefore, all images are courtesy of AXS TV.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Tetsuya Naito VS Taichi w/ Miho Abe; Naito wins.
- Kazuchika Okada VS Will Ospreay; Okada wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
AXS TV and NJPW review what led to tonight’s matches.
The IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Kazuchika Okada, has successfully defended his title ten times, and closes in on the record set by Hiroshi Tanahashi. However, knowing his ally, Will Ospreay, wants to show the power of Junior Heavyweights, he has accepted this Champion VS Champion challenge! Will the leader of Chaos humble the Aerial Assassin?
Meanwhile, Suzuki-Gun’s Taichi takes aim at the leader of Los Ingobernables de Japon, Tetsuya Naito. The World’s Sliest Wrestler wants after the Uncontrollable Charisma over the goading to enter the Heavyweight Division. Naito might eat his words now that Taichi is coming for him, but will he still be Tranquilo through it all?
Tetsuya Naito VS Taichi w/ Miho Abe!
Accompanied by his manager, Suzuki-Gun’s sly performer prepares to make El Ingobernable pay for provoking him. Will Taichi be singing his own praises after tonight? Or will he fall flat during his performance?
But Taichi doesn’t wait for the bell, he blindsides Naito with his microphone stand!
However, the referee didn’t see a thing because he was busy with Miho and other Suzuki-Gun members on the apron. Taichi tosses his mic away to then pursue Naito on the outside. He brings Naito up the walkway, and he rakes the eyes before throwing Naito into guard rails. The bell finally rings, and Taichi brings Naito back to the red corner ramp, going for a powerbomb. Naito blocks so Taichi gives him knees to the head, and then completes the powerbomb!
Taichi leaves Naito for dead on the ramp, and the referee checks on Naito while Taichi returns to the ring. Naito stirs as the 20 count begins. Taichi mocks the Tranquilo while Naito crawls. The count gets halfway before Naito starts getting up on his feet and hurrying to the ring. It gets past 15, Naito manages to beat it at 19! Taichi grins as he rolls over to Naito to further mock his mannerisms. Taichi stands and laughs, then takes his time bringing Naito over for a cocky cover. TWO, but Taichi still laughs. He toys with Naito, then pulls off his hoodie to hit him with it. Taichi taunts Naito, Naito throws a chop, but it doesn’t do a thing. Naito keeps trying, but Taichi is still unaffected. Taichi hits Naito with a spinning back kick, then grins as Naito staggers.
Taichi again rakes the eyes, then takes his time to brush off his shoulders. He takes aim at Naito from across the way as Naito crawls to a corner. Taichi runs in, but into Naito’s boots! Naito boots Taichi away again, then runs out, and gets Taichi into the dragon sleeper and neckbreaker. Naito keeps moving and dropkicks Taichi in the back of the head. Taichi rolls out of the ring while Naito still recovers from the powerbomb. Fans cheer for Naito, but Miho comes over to check on Taichi. Naito rolls out of the ring and fetches Taichi, to then whip him hard into rails. Naito keeps going, throwing Taichi into more rails. Taichi writhes but Naito keeps going, and gets a third whip into the rails! The camera crew moves aside as Naito brings Taichi up in to the ring.
Naito stomps Taichi, then drags him up to put him in a corner. He stomps away more, then spits on Taichi before stomping him again. Naito drags Taichi up and whips him corner to corner, then runs in. He catches Taichi’s boots, and spins him sideways, for a draping dragon sleeper neckbreaker! Naito rolls Taichi over for his own cocky cover, TWO. El Ingobernable is back in the fight while we go to break.
NJPW on AXS returns to see Naito still stomp Taichi. Naito brings Taichi up and gives him a hard back elbow. Taichi ends up in a corner, Naito runs in from the side for the jump kick. Naito lands on the apron, but Taichi immediately swing kicks him down! Naito hits the apron edge then tumbles to the floor. The referee checks on Naito and sees he’s okay to continue. Taichi takes a moment before going out to fetch Naito. He brings Naito up and whips him into railings in return for earlier. He puts Naito back in the ring, then gives him a killer buzzsaw kick. Taichi uses another cocky cover, TWO! Taichi rips off his pants! Now he’s serious. Naito stirs, and Taichi prepares another kick. Naito blocks it, atomic drop, and then runs the ropes for a tornado DDT!
Fans rally for Naito as he slowly stands up. Naito goes over to Taichi in a corner, and hoists him to the top rope. He climbs up to join Taichi, and hits the SUPER Steiner! Cover, TWO! Naito calls for the end, and drags Taichi back up. He wrenches the arm but Taichi counters with a big back suplex! Taichi gets up and waits for Naito. Naito stands on wobbly legs, Taichi clubs him from behind with a clothesline. Naito staggers and rebounds off the ropes, Taichi runs him over with an ax bomber! Cover, TWO, but Taichi keeps going, bringing Naito up for the Taichi-shiki Last Ride!
High stack cover, TWO! Fans are thunderous for Naito, but Taichi is up first. He drags Naito up, and goes to shovel him up onto his shoulders, but Naito hops off the back end to hit Taichi with the Reverse-Rana! Both men are down, and the referee checks on them. They’re both okay to continue, so Miho and Taka Michinoku work to coach Taichi back into things. Naito stirs first, followed by Taichi, and Taichi dropkicks Naito’s legs out. Taichi goes for his Taichi Clutch but Naito slips out the back end. Naito goes for the German Suplex but Taichi blocks and counters with an enziguri! Taichi brings Naito up but Naito suddenly springs the German Suplex on him! Naito brings Taichi back up, for Gloria, the hammerlock sit-out slam!
Cover, TWO! But Naito just fires up, and brings Taichi up a third time. He arm wrenches, tilt-o-whirls, but Taichi throws him off. Taichi blocks Naito’s kick, and shoves the referee aside so he won’t see the low blow kick! Taichi Clutch cover, TWO!! He can’t believe it, and even Gedo, who created the move under his name, seems a bit surprised. Fans rally for both men as they slowly stand. Taichi prepares his kick again, but Naito evades to hit a rolling kick! Both men go down again, but Taichi gets to his blue corner, and his mic stand. Naito slowly stands up, and Taka covers for Taichi again, but Naito sees the mic stand attack coming! He dodges it, to then enziguri Taichi!
Naito takes the mic stand, but now the referee sees. The referee won’t let Naito use the item, so Naito shoves the referee into Taka! Taka goes down hard, and Naito prepares to use the mic stand, but Taichi catches him with another enziguri! Taichi runs in, but Naito pops him up for a low blow in return! Naito picks up the mic stand again, and takes aim, to WHAP Taichi in the head with it!
The microphone breaks off the stand, and then Naito breaks the stand. The referee comes to while Naito brings Taichi up, for Destino!
Cover, Naito wins!
Winner: Naito, by pinfall
Though he is victorious, Naito is not respectful, as he spits on the downed Taichi. Now that he’s in the Heavyweight Division, will the World’s Sliest Wrestler be able to keep up with the world’s most Tranquilo wrestler?
Kazuchika Okada VS Will Ospreay!
It’s Chaos VS Chaos and Champion VS Champion as the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champions fight to see who is both the best within their faction, and best within all of NJPW! Will the Aerial Assassin come through on his word and do what others haven’t? Or will the Rainmaker continue to overcome all who step to him in the ring?
To Ospreay’s surprise, fans sing, “Ospreay~, Ospreay Ospreay Ospreay~! Ospreay~! Ospreay~!” Okada is actually rather amused by it. That aside, both men finish preparations and shake hands, and the match begins.
Okada and Ospreay rush forward but then stop, already having a stand-off. They stare down, then circle and tie up. Okada gets the waistlock but Ospreay the standing switch. Ospreay gets the waistlock takedown and floats over to the facelock. Okada rolls but Ospreay keeps the hold, so Okada rolls again to slip out and get the hammerlock. Okada snaps back to tweak Ospreay’s arm, then they both stand up. Ospreay works his way out of the hold and reverses it onto Okada. Okada works to do the same, with a roll and handspring to the wristlock. Ospreay brings Okada to a knee to reverse the wristlock back, and fans applaud. Okada rolls, gets the ankle pick, then goes after Ospreay’s leg. Ospreay pushes back with a forearm, but Okada still wrenches the knee and ankle.
Ospreay uses his free leg to pry Okada off and goes for the cross armbreaker, but Okada sits up to slip into a waistlock. Okada shifts to a leg, and puts Ospreay’s legs in the figure four knot. He grabs Ospreay’s arms, and flips over into Cattle Mutilation!
Ospreay endures and rolls, but Okada holds on to his arms. They stand up, Ospreay reverses the arm wrench, then hammerlock to headlock. Okada powers out, shoving Ospreay to a corner, but Ospreay comes back. Ospreay goes for an ankle pick takedown but Okada sits on it to cover, ONE into Ospreay’s sunset cover, ONE into Okada’s jackknife attempt but Ospreay turns that back into a sunset! TWO, Okada cradles Ospreay, TWO into Ospreay’s crucifix, TWO! Both men stand up and keep going while fans applaud, Okada wants another jackknife cover. TWO into a bridge out and spin around for the backslide, TWO! Fans really fire up now as Okada slips out of the ring. Ospreay grins at how close he was, and fans are chanting for him now. Okada catches his breath before returning, and fans build to a rally.
They circle in the ring again, tie up, and push each other with shoulders. Okada uses that to roll Ospreay into the double finger grip. Ospreay tries to use power but Okada brings him back in. Ospreay tries one more time, and gets around, but Okada just uses that to spin all the way through to return to the grip. Okada wrenches the hands harder, but Ospreay wants it one more time. They turn, Ospreay flips Okada but Okada lands on his feet and pushes Ospreay down. Ospreay bridges to deny a cover, so Okada sweeps the leg. ONE, but Ospreay goes back to bridging. Okada tries again, ONE but Ospreay is right back up. Okada uses his weight to bring Ospreay down, but TWO and Ospreay gets the bridge back. Ospreay sees Okada wanting to try again, and uses that to monkey flip Okada up and over.
Both men are down and covering each other, TWO as they both get shoulders up. They relax but that returns to the double cover, TWO as they go the other direction. They relax to a third double cover, TWO as they both bridge!
Fans applaud this great exchange. The two roll to their feet. Okada shovels Ospreay over with a double wrist body drop, but Ospreay lands on his feet. Ospreay runs but ducks Okada’s attack to swing a kick, Okada ducks that and goes for the wristlock swing out! Ospreay ducks again, then springboards back, but Okada gets clear. It’s another stand off, and the fans applaud again while we go to break.
NJPW on AXS returns, and the fans cheer as the two champions circle again. They tie up, Okada pushes Ospreay to ropes, and the break is clean, but Ospreay dares Okada to hit him. Okada reels back and Ospreay braces for it, but Okada just pats Ospreay’s shoulders, so Ospreay immediately slaps Okada! Ospreay kicks but Okada blocks, so Ospreay hits a forearm then stomps Okada’s foot. Ospreay shoves Okada down, then runs. Okada gets up, things speed up and Ospreay front flips over Okada. Ospreay turns around but Okada side-steps, Ospreay hits a headscissors on the rebound! Okada rolls out of the ring and Ospreay builds speed, but Ospreay handsprings when he sees Okada move. Okada slips in as Ospreay hits the superhero landing, to then dropkick him out of it! Ospreay ends up all the way in the corner while fans applaud.
Ospreay is down so Okada takes his time to catch his breath. Okada walks over and goes to the outside. He brings Ospreay out to join him, to then scoop slam him on the ground! Okada walks around the corner while Ospreay drags himself up to his feet. But then Okada rockets in from around the other side, and boots Ospreay off his feet!
Referee Red Shoes comes out to check on Ospreay while ordering they bring this back in the ring. Okada slips into the ring to leave Ospreay to the mercy of the 20 count. Ospreay doesn’t stir until 10, and is slow to getting up. The count reaches 16, he beats it at 17. Okada goes over to Ospreay and stands on him. Ospreay keeps pushing him away while fans chant for “Ospreay! Ospreay!” He stands up and hits Okada back with body shots then forearms. Okada kicks low, DDT drives Ospreay down! Cover, TWO, but Okada keeps his cool. Okada has Red Shoes check on Ospreay and his neck. Ospreay is still okay to continue, so Okada brings him up for a neckbreaker. Cover, TWO, but Okada keeps on him with a straitjacket stretch.
Fans cheer Ospreay on but Okada drives his knee into Ospreay’s back. Ospreay uses his legs to get the ropebreak, and Okada backs off. Okada stands over Ospreay, wanting him to get up. Ospreay gets up and headbutts Okada’s stomach, then throws forearms to back him down. Ospreay whips and ducks under Okada’s running chop, but Okada blocks the kick to spin Ospreay around into a boot. Okada whips but Ospreay handsprings, and enziguris! Both men are down but fans are fired up. Okada and Ospreay slowly stand up, Ospreay blocks, kicks and jawbreakers, then roundhouses Okada in the chest. Ospreay runs into the corner for a European Uppercut, then sits Okada down before running out and in for the hesitation dropkick! Okada rolls out of the corner while fans chant for Ospreay. Ospreay goes to the apron, springboards, and clotheslines Okada down.
Ospreay realizes he has an opening, so he poses a moment, then grabs Okada in the dragon sleeper. He lifts Okada but Okada knees out. Okada whips but Ospreay holds ropes to deny Okada’s dropkick, then hit back with one of his own. Standing shooting star, TWO! Fans keep cheering while Ospreay stands up. Okada stirs, but Ospreay takes aim. Okada dodges the Robinson Special, then boots Ospreay out of a corner. Ospreay mule kicks back, then runs, but into the flapjack! Both men are down again, but fans are rallying. Ospreay gets to a corner, Okada comes over and puts him on the top, but Ospreay kicks him away. Ospreay climbs down and runs out, but Okada picks him up and puts him back on the top rope. Okada dropkicks Ospreay down!
Ospreay tumbles to the floor while Okada rests in the ring. Okada exits the ring to fetch Ospreay, then whips him at railings. He runs in and boots Ospreay over the railings! Okada rallies the fans as he gets space. He runs back at Ospreay, but Ospreay uses the railings to launch for a flying forearm!
Ospreay gets back in the ring, builds speed and FLIES!
He takes out Okada with the Sasuke Special! Fans fire up while Ospreay gets Okada up and into the ring. Ospreay fires himself up and brings Okada up in the dragon sleeper. He lifts Okada up for the Bloody Sunday! Cover, TWO, and a close one. Ospreay grits his teeth while getting to a corner. Okada slowly stands, Ospreay takes aim, Robinson Special! He calls for it, springboards, but the OsCutter is blocked into a cobra clutch! Ospreay fades, but then gets a second wind to arm-drag Okada. Okada ends up in a corner, Ospreay runs in, but Okada pops him up into Alabama Slam position, to hit the reverse neckbreaker! But Okada is too tired to make a cover, so he instead gets up and gets back to a corner. Ospreay sits up, Okada knocks him back down with a running EuroUpper! Cover, TWO!
Fans are thunderous but Okada keeps his cool. He brings Ospreay back up but Ospreay unleashes a strike fest! Ospreay then chops away Okada’s clothesline and hook kicks him in the head! Ospreay runs, but into Okada’s dropkick! Okada is in control while we go to break.
NJPW on AXS returns as Okada gets to a corner. Okada climbs up and jumps for a big elbow drop! He then hits his Rainmaker pose, calling for his namesake move. Okada drags Ospreay up but Ospreay fights it off, so Okada rocks him with a right forearm. Ospreay staggers, Okada rocks him again. Okada gives Ospreay a third and Ospreay falls to the mat. Red Shoes checks on Ospreay, Ospreay is okay to continue, and fans continue to cheer for him. Okada takes his time catching his breath, and even toys with Ospreay. Ospreay fires up from the taunting kicks, but Okada keeps them up. Ospreay gets up and gives Okada a forearm, so Okada gives one back. They throw more forearms back and forth and even speed up until they’re hitting each other at the same time.
Okada gets the edge, Ospreay staggers, but then Ospreay slips around to the full nelson. Ospreay goes to heel kick but Okada ducks and retaliates with a EuroUpper. Okada runs but into Ospreay’s flip kick and enziguri! Okada staggers but boots Ospreay again. He runs again, but into Ospreay’s Spanish Fly!
Cover, TWO! But Ospreay grabs the arm, and drags Okada up. With wild eyes glaring a hole in Okada, Ospreay clubs him with a clothesline, a bit like a Rainmaker! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay can’t believe it, but he keeps focus as he climbs up top. He stands up and focuses, for the inverted 450!
It hits, Ospreay covers, TWO! And again, Ospreay can’t believe it. Fans chant for Ospreay as he grits his teeth and glares at Okada again. Ospreay rallies the fans, prepares his elbow, Off with His Head! He drags Okada up, runs and springboards, but Okada again denies the OsCutter to lift Ospreay up into a Tombstone piledriver!
But Okada won’t end it there. He drags Ospreay up, swings him out, Rainmake– No, Ospreay flips through into a sit-out powerbomb!
Cover, TWO!? Ospreay is red hot with frustration, but he gets to a corner to take aim again. Okada slowly stirs, Ospreay unloads kicks and springboards for the OsCutter, but Okada dropkicks it out of the sky! Okada pulls Ospreay up, German Suplex and bridge! TWO! Both men are down from exhaustion, but fans are still rallying for Ospreay. Okada stands first, and brings Ospreay up again. He clotheslines Ospreay once, then brings him up again, for another. Okada isn’t done there, he brings Ospreay up, swings him out, but Ospreay dodges to handspring again! Only to get caught for the spinning Tombstone! Okada brings Ospreay up, for THE Rainmaker!
Cover, Okada wins!
Winner: Okada, by pinfall
Two of the best in NJPW, but it is still the IWGP Heavyweight Champion who stands tall. Fans still chant for Ospreay, and though it takes everything he has right now, Ospreay stands up. Okada offers Ospreay a handshake, but Ospreay goes in for the hug.
There is much adoration and respect between Chaos’ top champions as Ospreay also bows to his leader. Ospreay heads to the back while Red Shoes hands Okada his championship belt. With the great showing the Aerial Assassin gave against the Rainmaker, will he one day face him again for the title?
Meanwhile, Okada speaks. “I wanna say three things.” First, Ospreay really is amazing. He loves Ospreay as a wrestler, and also like a little brother. Second, he thanks the fans for supporting NJPW for 46 years. “Year 47 starts tomorrow.” He brings up Tanahashi, but no. Naito? No, not him either. Kenny Omega? No, done that already. But you can count on Okada! Third, there isn’t a third. Gedo isn’t in the ring right now, but today, on this 46th Anniversary, Okada wishes to end their partnership. Huh!? “Of course I’m joking, dumbass!” Gedo is relieved as Okada vows they’ll be together for the 47th, 48th, 49th, 50th, and so on! Gedo & Okada will still make it rain! For the 47th, 48th, 49th, 50th and forever!! While he vows to make it rain forever, will Okada be the IWGP Heavyweight Champion forever?
Backstage interviews.
Ospreay assures everyone this match wasn’t about him showing disrespect to Okada. He just wanted to prove a point that a Junior Heavyweight can still hang with the Heavyweights. He knows he came so close, but that in itself an accomplishment. Ospreay thanks Okada for the lesson. As for Okada, he still feels Ospreay is an incredible wrestler. It’s why he’s the IWGP Jr. Champion. Appearing in the Anniversary Show is a rare privilege, and “competing against each other on such a big stage” will be a great memory for them both. It will definitely be a match fans remember for quite some time. How long will it be before we see Okada VS Ospreay II?
My Thoughts:
A great bit of NJPW action right here. Taichi VS Naito was a solid opener, and showed that while Taichi had people ringside to cheat for him, Naito was confident enough to do it alone. Naito wins because he’s been on a great roll as of late, and Taichi still has plenty of Heavyweight Division matches to make a good record for himself. At the same time, this feud can continue given how Suzuki-Gun and Los Ingobernables de Japon are in a bit of a faction war over various titles. I was surprised there were no post-match interviews for them, but perhaps Naito’s spit spoke for itself. The main event was a spectacular showing of two great champions, and Ospreay definitely shows that a Junior can hang with a Heavyweight. Okada wins because he’s Okada, and will roll right into the next title defense to challenge Tanahashi’s historic streak.
My Score: 8.5/10
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NJPW AXS TV Results
Mitchell’s NJPW AXS TV Results: Power Struggle 2019 Part 2!
Even more gold is on the line!
The struggle for power and glory continues!
As the Super Junior Tag League wraps up, Will Ospreay defends his IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship! Will Black Mask Bushi strike gold?
Coverage of Power Struggle 2019 will be as broadcast by AXS TV
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kazuchika Okada & YOSHI-HASHI VS Kota Ibushi & Hiroshi Tanahashi; Ibushi & Tanahashi win.
- Super Junior Tag League Finals: Roppongi 3K VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru & El Desperado; Roppongi 3K wins the 2019 Super Jr. Tag League.
- NEVER Openweight Championship: KENTA VS Tomohiro Ishii; KENTA wins and retains the NEVER Openweight Championship.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Will Ospreay VS BUSHI; Ospreay wins and retains the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW and AXS TV set the scene for Power Struggle’s second act!
Titles and tournaments are all on the line! After ruining the run in the tournament for the Birds of Prey, the Jet Black Death Mask wants his shot at Will Ospreay’s title! The Aerial Assassin will let Bushi be his third defense, but hopes to fly high to close out 2019! At the same time, the Openweight Division brings the Stone Pitbull back within reach of the Fang Revived. Tomohiro Ishii wants to take a bite out of Kenta for both payback in that Bullet Club betrayal and in taking back the NEVER Openweight title for a sixth time! But first, the Super Jr. Tag League finals see an epic rematch of Suzuki-Gun’s Kanemaru and Desperado and Chaos’ Roppongi 3K! Who will prove themselves the best in their division as we continue on the homestretch to Wrestle Kingdom?
Kazuchika Okada & YOSHI-HASHI VS Kota Ibushi & Hiroshi Tanahashi!
Hold on! The Rainmaker and Golden Star aren’t going to just sit back and wait for Wrestle Kingdom 14’s epic IWGP Heavyweight Championship match! They each find a strong ally to join them in a tag team tune-up match! Will Okada and the Headhunter be trumped by Ibushi and The Ace?
NJPW on AXS jumps right in as Tanahashi has Hashi in the Cloverleaf! Tanahashi sits deep but Okada runs in to fight him off. Ibushi chases but runs into a gut wrench! Ibushi turns it around but Okada fights out. Tanahashi grabs Okada and helps Ibushi lift, but Okada slips out to double dropkick the down! Okada tells Yoshi-Hashi to finish this off! Hashi runs to AX BOMBER Tanahashi! Then he brings him up, fisherman scoop, KUMAGOROSHI! Cover, Okada anchors Ibushi, TWO!?! The Ace survives the Bear Cutter?! Hashi won’t stop now, he brings Tanahashi up, pump handle and half nelson, but gets TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The spinning neckbreaker takes Hashi down and Tana fires up, to run into a CHOP! Hashi SUPERKICKS, whips, but Tanahashi reverses to a SLINGBLADE!
Okada and Ibushi are still fighting outside as Tanahashi goes up top. Tanahashi aims, HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, Tanahashi and Ibushi win!
Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kota Ibushi, Tanahashi pinning
The champion and challenger were too busy with each other in the background, but the Once in a Century Talent gets it done! But with neither Ibushi or Okada in on the ending, who really has momentum going into their monumental main event?
But wait, the lights go down. And on the titantron, it’s someone beating up Tanahashi cosplayers. Who is this mysterious mugger? It’s CHRIS JERICHO!! The Painmaker gives Tanahashi a warning. “Wait and see what I do to you, January 5th in the Tokyo Dome!” Jericho VS Tanahashi, “It’s going to be a classic match.” And Tanahashi’s last! “Sayonara.” Y2J VS The Ace?! What an amazing match! Tanahashi grabs a mic to respond. “JERICHO! Good news! Next year, January 5th in the Tokyo Dome… I’m available.” And it’s official! Tanahashi is ready for that match, but will he be feeling the Judas Effect in the New Year?
Super Junior Tag League Finals: Roppongi 3K VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru & El Desperado!
Former Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions meet once again, and are once again ready to prove which duo is better. But even before getting in the ring, the Suzuki-Gun goons go right after Sho and Yoh from behind! Kanemaru and Desperado beat RPG3K down, and while Desperado beats Sho down, Kanemaru brings Yoh to ringside. Desperado gives Sho a back suplex on the ramp! Yoh is whipped into barriers, and both men writhe in pain. Kanemaru stomps Yoh down but the referee reprimands him and Desperado. Team Suzuki-Gun put Yoh in the ring while leaving Sho for dead. The bell rings and this match finally begins.
Kanemaru stomps Yoh then drags him into an open corner. He whips Yoh corner to corner but Yoh dodges! Yoh dropkicks Desperado but Kanemaru kicks low. Kanemaru whips but Yoh dodges and hits back with flying forearms! Fans fire up behind Yoh, and he blocks a kick from each man! Double dragon screws send Team Suzuki-Gun down! Desperado bails out so Yoh goes after Kanemaru. Sho is in view, crawling his way down the ramp, but Yoh throws hands on Kanemaru. Kanemaru boots back but Yoh dumps him out! Yoh PESCADO! Fans fire up with Yoh again as he stomps Kanemaru down more. Sho is getting closer as Yoh puts Kanemaru in the ring. Yoh drags Kanemaru up to throw forearms. Sho wills himself towards the ring as Yoh stomps away on Kanemaru. Yoh wrenches and whips corner to corner, then runs in, but Kanemaru puts Yoh on the apron.
Yoh forearms back but Desperado anchors a foot! Kanemaru boots Yoh down! Desperado brings Yoh up to whip into railing! Kanemaru keeps on Yoh while Desperado sees Sho. Kanemaru whips Yoh into railing, and with Yoh hanging over the edge, Kanemaru hops up to drop a guillotine leg drop! Yoh flops over and Desperado whips Sho hard into railing on the other end! Sho is writhing and screaming as the referee starts a ring count. Desperado mocks the RPG3K fans while hearing the ring count. Yoh hurries, he’s at ringside at 18, but in at 19.5! Kanemaru stomps and grinds Yoh down with his boot, but lets up at 3. He drags Yoh up to feed to Desperado’s boots. Desperado tags in now and “wonders” where Sho is right now. He drags Yoh up for a big scoop slam, but Sho finally makes it to the RPG3K corner. Desperado taunts Sho while grinding Yoh down.
Desperado sucker punches Sho! But Yoh fires back with haymakers! Desperado knees low and whips him into the Suzuki-Gun corner. Kanemaru tags in, scoop slams Yoh fast, then drags him up for a suplex! Cover, TWO! Yoh is barely hanging in as we go to break.
NJPW on AXS returns as Desperado tags back in. He drags Yoh up, but Yoh suplexes Desperado! Both men are down and fans are rallying up. Kanemaru runs in to boot Sho down! And then whip him into railings again! Yoh can’t do anything to save his friend, and then Kanemaru drags him down. Desperado stands on Yoh as Kanemaru dropkicks him! Desperado covers, TWO!! Fans cheer as RPG3K lives. Desperado drags Yoh up and tags Kanemaru. Team Suzuki-Gun mug Yoh then double whip. Yoh ducks, sends Desperado at Kanemaru, catches Kanemaru and kicks Desperado, DDT Complete Shot combo! Fans fire up and Sho is back on the apron! Sho and fans rally, Yoh crawls over, hot tag to Sho!
Sho fires off forearms on Kanemaru then whips. Kanemaru reverses but Sho reverses back to kick, kick and SUPERKICK! Sho hits Desperado down for good measure before going back to Kanemaru. Sho dead lifts Kanemaru in a waistlock! But Kanemaru elbows free! Kanemaru kicks and runs, but Sho runs him over! Sho grits his teeth to get through the back pain. He brings Kanemaru up to throw big forearms then whips, but Kanemaru reverses. Kanemaru grabs the ref to distract as Desperado gets a CHAIR SHOT in! Sho goes down hard and Kanemaru laughs as he tags Desperado back in. SPEAR takes Sho down! Desperado drags Sho up, Kanemaru dropkick-starts the side slam! Cover, TWO!! Sho survives but Desperado is right on the leg, STRETCH MUFFLER! Kanemaru whips Yoh into railing again as Sho suffers! Desperado keeps him from the ropes and just goes after that leg with ferocity!
But something is happening in the background! Someone goes crashing into more equipment, and as Sho goes for ropes, Kanemaru SPITS WHISKEY! The ref missed it! Yoh gets back in, but Kanemaru intercepts! Sho endures as Desperado also has an arm! Yoh powers up to barrel Kanemaru into them! Sho is freed but the damage is done. Desperado vows to end it as Yoh gets sent into more barriers. Desperado underhooks but Sho breaks out to use that super strength to back drop Desperado! Desperado comes back with stomps and a CHOP. He runs, but Yoh is back, RPG3K KNEES! Yoh drags Desperado up, suplex to Sho for the Canadian rack. Kanemaru trips Yoh and Desperado knocks Sho down! Desperado suplexes, Sho slips out and waistlocks! Desperado flails desperately, but Sho is just too strong!! German Suplex hits!!
Sho fires up and the fans do, too! Sho drags Desperado up again, powerbomb lift, pop-up BACKBREAKER! Sho crawls to the cover, but Kanemaru breaks it! Kanemaru stomps away on Sho then clubs him down. Kanemaru whips and corner clotheslines to then throw Sho down. Kanemaru hops up, Sho stands, but he gets clear! Yoh returns, Kanemaru turns around into 3K!! Fans are thunderous as Yoh fires back up. Desperado is alone as Yoh stomps it out. Fans rally and Desperado flounders over. But Desperado denies a 3K for him, kicking and throwing hands! He throws Sho into Yoh! But Sho blocks the clothesline, only for his clothesline to feed into an inverted half-nelson gutwrench! Spin-out Powerbomb!! Cover, TWO!?! Sho survives!? Desperado is furious! He drags Sho up again, underhooks, but Sho resists! Sho fights against Pinche Loco so Desperado knees low.
Sho fires back with forearm from all sides! But Desperado rakes eyes and ROCKS Sho with that right! Desperado runs, into Sho’s LARIAT! Sho powers up and Yoh returns. Sho drags Desperado up, tucks the arms under for double pump handles, but Desperado lands on his feet to headbutt back! But Yoh is back, 3K OUTTA NOWHERE! Cover, ROPPONGI 3K WINS!!
Winners: Roppongi 3K, Sho pinning; 2019 Super Jr Tag League Champions
That’s a THREE-PEAT! And they’re clearly emotional over this amazing and historic victory. They take the trophies, and with a win over the current Junior Heavyweight Tag Champions, they surely have a chance at the titles again! Will the New Year be golden for RPG3K? But speaking of the champions, El Phantasmo and Taiji Ishimori strike! Bullet Club won’t let Chaos celebrate! Fans boo as Bone Soldier drags Yoh up for ELP to SMASH with the belt! And then they do the same to Sho, with a punch to the balls! Ishimori Electric Chairs Sho and ELP says BANG, a FULL METAL DOOMSDAY! Wrestle Kingdom has their Junior Heavyweight Tag title match, but will Bullet Club put a stamp on their title reign?
NEVER Openweight Championship: KENTA VS Tomohiro Ishii!
This all started when it was revealed in treacherous fashion that Mr. Takeover was the newest part of Bullet Club’s arsenal. Bullet Club also helped Kenta take that title off the Stone Pitbull, which only soured the taste in the Pitbull’s mouth. Will Ishii bare his fangs against #FangRevived and get payback for it all?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and tensions already run high on this golden grudge match. Said match will begin after the break.
NJPW on AXS returns with the bell and fans are on Ishii’s side as he and Kenta tie up. They are in a deadlock but Ishii manages to get Kenta to ropes. Kenta turns it around, and SLAPS out of the break! But Ishii slaps back! And they start slapping back and forth! It’s a slap fight! Kenta steps it up to forearms but Ishii responds in kind. They talk trash and throw more forearms. Kenta turns, boots but Ishii rebounds to forearm. Kenta rebounds and boots, Ishii rebounds to forearm again. Ishii runs but Kenta follows to boot. Kenta runs but Ishii runs him over! Fans cheer as Kenta is sent rolling. Ishii toys with Kenta and drags him up to CHOP. And CHOP! Ishii whips but Kenta grabs ropes to bail out, but Ishii is right on him! Ishii puts Kenta in and rains down rights, which the fans like to see!
Kenta slips out to a corner and uses the ropes as a defense. Red Shoes tells Ishii to stay back, but Kenta pokes the eyes! Kenta kicks low and DDT’s Ishii down! Kenta rains down rights of his own then walks it off. Fans rally for Ishii but Kenta stomps him down. Kenta swiftly kicks Ishii in the chest and then the leg and back tot he chest. He boots Ishii to a corner and starts slapping. Ishii just eggs him on! Kenta slaps but Ishii wants more! So Kenta gives more. Ishii slaps back and the slap fight is on again. Kenta SLAPS Ishii down! And then more! Kenta goes corner to corner while Ishii flounders and falls. Kenta drags Ishii up and turns him for a neckbreaker, cover, TWO! Kenta drops knees over and over, then pulls down the knee pad, to hop over and scuff Ishii’s face. Fans boo the Low Sweet as Kenta stomps Ishii more.
Kenta toys with Ishii now, but Ishii just gets annoyed. Kenta kicks him around, but Ishii powers up to throw hands. Kenta knees low then runs, but Ishii stays up after the boot! Ishii dodges another boot and ducks the clothesline, but Kenta fights off the waistlock. Ishii forearms then ducks the clothesline to get Kenta into a suplex! Both men are down and Kenta goes to a corner. Ishii is up and after Kenta with CHOPS! He won’t let Kenta sit down, he stands him up for more CHOPS! And again he makes Kenta stand to take the CHOPS and forearms! Forearm, CHOPS, repeat! Then a whip corner to corner, and Kenta bounces off buckles into a spinning powerslam! Cover, TWO! Ishii keeps his cool as he keeps on Kenta. Ishii waistlocks but Kenta gets to ropes. Red Shoes calls for a ropebreak but Kenta has to elbow Ishii off.
Kenta gives Ishii forearms then eggs him on. Ishii forearms back and we have another back and forth. Ishii says he doesn’t feel Kenta’s shots! Ishii rocks Kenta then runs but into the kitchen sink knee! Kenta made him feel that one. Kenta kicks Ishii while he’s down then stomps him on the apron. Red Shoes reprimands Kenta so he lets up. Kenta brings Ishii up and through the ropes, for kicks to the chest. Then he has him draped, for the DDT! Ishii writhes but Kenta covers, TWO! Kenta is ice cold as he brings Ishii up. Ishii fires forearms again, but Kenta kicks away on the legs! Kenta back kicks then runs corner to corner, a soaring boot! And then corner to corner again, flying basement dropkick! Classic Kenta as he continues up top, DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives the coup de grace and we go to break.
NJPW on AXS returns and Kenta gives Ishii more swift kicks to the chest. But Ishii powers up again! Ishii just takes the kicks to feed off them! Kenta keeps trying but Ishii bluntly CHOPS Kenta down! Red Shoes reprimands, Ishii needs to watch how high he aims. Ishii goes after Kenta with CHOPS again but those are still up high! Ishii wants these to hurt! Red Shoes has to back Ishii off, but Ishii doesn’t care. Ishii drags Kenta up to hoist him to the top rope. Ishii climbs to join Kenta, and lifts him way up! He even holds him there before the SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO!! Kenta survives but he’s spitting up a little bit of blood. Ishii keeps going, powerbomb lift but Kenta slips out. Ishii ducks Kenta’s back hand and gets a German Suplex! Kenta is up but gets another German! Ishii runs, Sliding D into an armbar! Kenta turns it over for Game Over!
Ishii endures the modified LeBelle Lock as Kenta cranks back! Fans rally but Kenta loses grip. Kenta goes after him again but Ishii refuses to quit. Ishii wriggles around, rolls Kenta over but now he’s in a triangle hold. Kenta then cranks back to get the Game Over again! Ishii endures, unable to see with Kenta’s hands over his eyes. But Ishii feels around with his legs and gets the ropebreak! Kenta lets go in frustration. Kenta backs off as Ishii crawls his way up the ropes. Kenta comes back to knee him into ropes! Then runs again, building up speed, but he sees Ishii’s counter attack coming and boots it away. Kenta also ducks the southpaw lariat to GERMAN SUPLEX! Kenta runs to Penalty Kick, but Ishii catches it! Only for Kenta to BOOT him with the free leg!
Both men are down again and fans build to a rally. Kenta aims from a corner, runs at Ishii, PSYCHO KNEE! But Ishii rises!? Kenta ROUNDHOUSES him down! But Ishii sits up again! Fans are firing up as Kenta runs and builds speed, another Psycho Knee! Cover, TWO!?! Ishii still lives and Kenta can’t believe it! Kenta drags Ishii up into the fireman’s carry, but Ishii pops out to a dragon sleeper! Kenta slips around and suplexes but Ishii fights that off. Kenta dodges the clothesline and fires forearms but Ishii spins to LARIAT! The southpaw hits but Ishii rests in the red corner. Kenta gets up to kick and forearm Ishii, then slap away on his head! Ishii stands right up to stare him down. Kenta forearms but Ishii just steps into them! Ishii backs Kenta down with every strike to then DECK Kenta!! That was as loud as it was hard!
Ishii wants Kenta to stand and Kenta slowly rises. Ishii runs in, corner clothesline to a whip to another clothesline. Kenta manages to reverse the whip but still gets a clothesline! Ishii drags Kenta up, lift and powerbomb! High stack, TWO! Ishii sits Kenta up, SLIDING D! Cover, TWO!! Kenta still lives but Ishii is firing up! Ishii drags Kenta back up, suplexes, but Kenta slips out to a sleeper! Ishii powers out, Kenta clotheslines back but Ishii doesn’t budge! Ishii clotheslines back but Kenta stays up. Both men run, Ishii’s clothesline takes out Kenta! Then the suplex, but it’s Kenta’s Falcon Arrow! Kenta is down and too tired to make a cover, but fans are rallying up again. Kenta rises first but Ishii follows. Ishii fires off elbows from all sides, but Kenta LARIATS back! Kenta drags Ishii up, Penalty Kick!
Kenta slashes the throat and fireman’s carries Ishii, for GO- NO! Ishii lands on his feet, suplexes, but Kenta slips out. Both men fight for suplex control, Kenta cradle counters, TWO! They both stand fast and Kenta back hands, but Ishii PELES! Kenta rebounds, Psycho Knee! Both men are down again but fans are still rallying. Both men stand and Kenta boots but Ishii blocks. Kenta gives the right hook then palm strike after palm strike. Ishii gives one back! Ishii runs into the fireman’s carry! GO TO SLEEP!! But Kenta doesn’t want to end it here?! He pulls the knee pads off and drags Ishii back up. Another fireman’s carry, GO TO SLEEP AGAIN!! Cover, Kenta wins!!
Winner: KENTA, by pinfall; still NEVER Openweight Champion
It wasn’t even about needing another, it was about wanting to do damage. The Bullet Club kept their hands clean of this match, and Kenta sends the Stone Pitbull to the back of the line by himself. Will #FangRevived continue to sink his fangs into NJPW?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Will Ospreay VS BUSHI!
The Aerial Assassin and fellow Bird of Prey, Robbie Eagles, were on a great run in the Super Jr Tag League, but the masked wrestler of Los Ingobernables de Japon didn’t care about any of that. He spat the green mist that screwed Ospreay over and then staked his claim to this match. Will Bushi pay for the mist spray? Or will Ospreay define his reign with another win over another rival?
The introductions are made, but the belt isn’t raised before Ospreay shotgun dropkick blasts Bushi down! Red Shoes hurries to ring the bell as Bushi bails out, and the match officially begins with Ospreay’s PESCADO! Down goes Bushi and Ospreay fires up! Ospreay drags Bushi up, whips him into railing, and Bushi hits hard. Ospreay gets the fans fired up as he drags Bushi up again for big haymakers. Ospreay puts Bushi back in the ring and he drags Bushi up for forearms and CHOPS! Ospreay whips, Bushi holds ropes and boots back, then huricanranas Ospreay out. Bushi slingshots to huricanrana again! Bushi evens things up and catches his breath as we go to break.
NJPW on AXS returns as Ospreay has made his way to the gap. Red Shoes checks on him but he’s okay to continue. Bushi goes and fetches Ospreay to then whip into railing hard! Ospreay writhes but Bushi is ice cold as he stomps Ospreay down. Bushi puts Ospreay in the ring and finally takes off his shirt, to use it to choke Ospreay! Red Shoes reprimands but Bushi lets up with just one hand at 3. Ospreay gets to ropes so now Red Shoes counts the ropebreak, Bushi lets go at 3. Bushi drags Ospreay up to knock him down! Bushi hooks a leg for the STF! Ospreay endures as Bushi cranks back on the crossface portion of the match. Ospreay powers up but Bushi hooks his face! Ospreay still gets the ropebreak and Bushi lets go reluctantly.
Bushi stomps Ospreay then drags him up, but Ospreay fires forearms back. They brawl with forearms now, and Bushi clubs Ospreay down. Bushi runs into a BIG Pop-Up Flapjack! Ospreay can breathe and recover as Bushi crashes down. Fans rally and duel as Ospreay drags himself up by ropes. Ospreay drags Bushi up for forearms then whips but Bushi reverses. Ospreay dodges, handspring, flying enziguri! Cover, TWO! Ospreay doesn’t stop, he wants the fans to get loud. The fans respond and Ospreay heads to a corner. Ospreay springboards, Pip Pip Cheerio flying forearm! Cover, TWO! Ospreay keeps his cool as he drags Bushi up again. Ospreay reels Bushi in, underhooks and lifts but Bushi resists. So Ospreay kicks away, only for Bushi to catch a leg. Bushi rakes eyes, runs, but into the dropkick-flip and enziguri!
Bushi bails out and fans fire up as Ospreay builds speed! But Bushi gets in to block the Sasuke Special. Bushi drags Ospreay out through the ropes and jumps, BOOSTED draping DDT to the apron! Ospreay hits so hard but both men are down on the outside. Bushi gets up and leaves Ospreay behind in the 20 count. The count passes 10 as Bushi stomps Ospreay, but Bushi does put Ospreay back in at 13. Fans applaud Bushi doing this the right way, and Bushi stomps Ospreay before putting him in a corner. Bushi whips corner to corner then runs in for double knees! He pushes Ospreay down and hops up, missile dropkick sends Ospready down! Bushirooni! Bushi keeps going, fisherman swinging neckbreaker! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay lives and this match continues after the break.
NJPW on AXS returns and Bushi heads up top. Ospreay rises and Bushi leaps, but Ospreay gets under. Ospreay dodges Bushi in the corner but is hung up on the ropes! Bushi CHOPS then hops up again, to SUPER STEINER! But Ospreay lands on his feet?! Bushi swings into the Half ‘n’ Half! Ospreay fires himself up and the fans follow. Bushi is outside, Ospreay SASUKE SPECIALS! He just manages to hit his target! Ospreay grits his teeth to ignore the pain in his neck as he goes back to Bushi. He puts Bushi in and takes aim from the red corner. Bushi sits up, ROBINSON SPECIAL! The spin kick hits but Ospreay moves through his formula. Ospreay springboards, but Bushi blocks the cutter to shove Ospreay into Red Shoes! Ospreay checks on the ref but he has to continue the match.
Ospreay drags Bushi up, but Bushi wants to spit! Ospreay covers Bushi’s mouth! Then he kisses Bushi!? Because he steals the mist to spray at Bushi!! Bushi flails and Ospreay grins and winks. ROUNDHOUSE rocks Bushi! Red Shoes is reviving and Ospreay shouts for him to hurry. Ospreay springboards, but Bushi uses Red Shoes as a shield to take the OSCUTTER! Ospreay just assassinated the referee! And no one knows what to say! Ospreay looks around but where did Bushi go? He finds him by commentary, and drags him up. Bushi goes to low blow but Ospreay blocks and whips. Bushi reverses it but Ospreay stops himself. Ospreay and Bushi go to the ring, Ospreay gets Bushi with a springboard dropkick! Ospreay heads up top, aims at Bushi, SHOOTING STAR onto knees! And the BLACK MIST RETURNS! Bushi still had some left to use on Ospreay!
Fans rally as Red Shoes is still down. Another ref hurries in to take Red Shoes’ place, just as Bushi hits a DESTROYER! Cover, TWO!?! Ospreay lives and Bushi can’t believe it! But Bushi just heads up top again. He waits for Ospreay to stand, and leaps into a roundhouse! Both men are down again but a Young Lion gets Ospreay water. Ospreay splashes his eyes clean and then aims from a corner. HOOK KICK! Then the armband comes off, HIDDEN- NO! Bushi ducks the back hand, runs at Ospreay but his monkey flip is blocked! So Bushi springs up to SPIKE-RANA! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay escapes and blocks a kick, ducks the enziguri but not the rewind mule kick! Bushi runs, into a SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO!! Now Bushi survives but Ospreay is not done yet! Ospreay slashes the throat, drags Bushi up and underhooks, but Bushi slips out to backslide! And bridge! TWO!!
The fans are thunderous as Ospreay pops Bushi up, but gets a CODE BREAKER! Bushi vows to end it and he goes up top again. Ospreay rises, Bushi leaps, MX!! Cover, TWO?!? Ospreay survives Bushi’s modified Code Breaker!? We pass 15 minutes as Bushi heads back to the corner. He’s up again, but leaps into a CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives but Ospreay takes aim from the corner. HIDDEN BLADE! Ospreay isn’t done with Bushi yet, he hops up the buckles, SUPER OSCUTTER! But he holds on?! And rolls Bushi around, underhooks, STORM BREAKER! Cover, Ospreay wins!!
Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall; still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion
A third defense on this run but Ospreay has run the table in 2019! Best of the Super Juniors, Super J Cup, Super Jr Tag League, what more is there for Ospreay to do? Perhaps we’ll hear from Ospreay after the break.
NJPW on AXS returns as Ospreay has the mic.
He wants to know, “Are you having fun?” Ospreay wonders if there’s anyone else who wants a shot at Ospreay. He beat Shingo Takagi, El Phantasmo, Ryusuke Taguchi, Rocky Romero, Sho and Yoh, Amazing Red, Bushi, and even his pal, Robbie Eagles. “God damn, I’ve beaten everyone.” Who is left in NJPW to challenge him!? Anyone from anywhere! This is your chance!! Ospreay hears fans wanting Hiromu but “he ain’t here.” So then, until someone steps up, “get a look, Osaka. Forever, IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. Thank you very much.” The Aerial Assassin heads out but the lights go down! “TIME BOMB will blow up soon.” The Time Bomb is coming back?! The countdown says 62 days, but then the screen changes. That’s not Daryl but a very similar cat on screen. And he lights the fuse. A new countdown begins!
3, 2, 1! BOOM! Hiromu Takahashi IS BACK!! He and his cats head to the ring! But before he gets in, he makes sure the cats are under careful watch at commentary. Hiromu then has a ball running himself into the railing! And then up the ramp to take a tumble! “This is it!” This is what Hiromu has been missing. This is what Hiromu has been wanting! Ospreay puts the belt on the mat to welcome Hiromu back! Fans cannot believe what they’re seeing as Ospreay dares Hiromu to get in the ring. Hiromu hops up onto the apron, and walks into the ring, to get up on the ropes and soak up the adulation! But then he does turn his attention to Ospreay as he gets himself the mic. “I am Hiromu Takahashi!” And he thanks them all so much for waiting. “Now that I’m back, we’re gonna have even more, more, MORE fun in NJPW! You can rest assured of that.”
But surely they’re a bit worried, right? “Can he really do it?” “He just came back, isn’t he being a little cocky?” “He’s just gonna change his style anyway.” Heh. Hiromu grins as he says “Who besides me would challenge a beast like him!?” Fans agree, “Nobody, that’s who!” So just watch and see. Hiromu jumps and hits the mat with his back! Then runs into buckles and throws himself around, showing that he can still be as reckless as ever! He may be physically alright, but he still might not be mentally all there… But fans still support him as he bridges up. “Mic please.” Ospreay gets Hiromu the mic. “Congratulations, Will Ospreay. Now, you are the most strongest Junior Heavyweight wrestler.”
But then Hiromu sits up to say, “But Hiromu is back!” And he challenges Ospreay, for Wrestle Kingdom! If you didn’t do the math on that countdown, that’s where it was all headed. And then he licks the title…? Ospreay grins, one of his favorite rivals has returned. And even gives him a hug. And as Hiromu makes his way out, he has one more thing to say to Ospreay: “Thank you meow.” Will Ospreay remain the most dominant Junior Heavyweight when he finally gets a rematch against the most chaotic?
My Thoughts:
I did not realize this was going to be TWO HOURS when I started putting this together. But what a great two hours it was! We got the bonus tag match of Okada & Yoshi-Hashi VS Ibushi & Tanahashi. Looking at that match, it was obvious Hashi was taking the pin. And it was very smart to give the pinfall to Tanahashi. This way, Okada and Ibushi stay even because neither is gaining momentum off a finish. Then Jericho calling Tanahashi out, that is an instant classic right there. With two months to go, I really wonder if Jericho is still AEW World Champion by then. Much like how ROH didn’t let Jeff Cobb be world champion during the G1 to lose and make them look bad, I’m not sure AEW wants their top champion to look bad losing a non-title match. Even with Tanahashi being a great staple of NJWP, pretty sure Y2J won’t be Le Champeon by then.
The Super Jr Tag League finals were great! RPG3K and the Kanemaru-Desperado combo make for great rivals, and what a great achievement for RPG3K to be triple tag league winners. That is an amazing thing for those two. I still remember their excursion to ROH as the Tempura Boys, and those boys have grown so much since then. I would be really surprised and perhaps disappointed if they didn’t beat Bullet Club for those tag titles at Wrestle Kingdom. That would be big, and I think the Junior Tag Division could use something like that. The NEVER Openweight Championship was another great and stiff match for Ishii and Kenta, and that’s great. It was also telling that Kenta didn’t need to cheat. He is being allowed to be as strong as he deserves to be, so that’s a plus.
And then we get a double dose of greatness out of the main event. The match itself was incredible, so much story went into Ospreay VS Bushi. I love that black mist spot, I have never seen someone steal the mist like that! Ospreay winning makes a lot of sense, he has just been on a tear. Plus, it was the perfect set up for him to count his wins in 2019 and that cues the shocking and totally amazing return of Hiromu Freakin’ Takahashi! It is so great to see him again, to know he’s back in wrestling shape, and to get one more Ospreay VS Hiromu match at Wrestle Kingdom. As it stands, there is no predicting who wins. Ospreay has amazing momentum, but Hiromu never truly lost the title since he went out with injury. Either way, their match will be “even more, more, MORE fun,” as Hiromu put it, than everything up to this point.
My Score: 9.1/10
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NJPW AXS TV Results
Mitchell’s NJPW AXS TV Results: Power Struggle 2019 Part 1!
Does Hirooki Goto Breath with The Switchblade?
Is the Cutthroat Era rising again?
With everyone chasing the same goal of becoming a dual champion, Jay White has a head start as THE IWGP Intercontinental Champion! But does Hirooki Goto end that tonight?
Coverage of Power Struggle 2019 will be as broadcast on AXS TV.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- IWGP Intercontinental Championship: Jay White VS Hirooki Goto; White wins and retains the IWGP Intercontinental Championship.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW and AXS TV set the scene for Power Struggle’s beginning!
The freshly minted IWGP Intercontinental Champion looks to hijack Tetsuya Naito’s destiny by becoming the first dual champion in NJPW first. However, for The Switchblade to usher in the new era, he must get through the Fierce Warrior of Chaos! The 2019 record between them is tied, so this tiebreaker is golden! Who leaves Osaka leading the race towards history?
IWGP Intercontinental Championship: Jay White VS Hirooki Goto!
There’s no point in delaying the inevitable! Does White’s journey to history begin now? Or does Goto deny it outright?
Introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this tiebreaker on the road to destiny begins after the break.
NJPW on AXS returns and fans rally up for Goto already. White and Goto circle, but then White slips out of the ring. The classic strategy is in effect already, and Goto demands White gets in. White takes his time returning, and circles with Goto to actually tie up. Goto puts White on the ropes but lets up, only for White to pie face and slip away again. White wants Goto to stay back and the ref keeps Goto in the ring. White gets up and in again, dodges a clothesline and headlocks. Goto powers out, but White grabs ropes and slips out a third time. White laughs until Goto gives chase. They go into the ring, White runs but Goto is ready and they bump shoulders. Neither budges so White tries again. Still nothing, so he tries a third time. White bumps Goto, Goto staggers back, but White gets out of the ring before Goto can return.
Goto gives chase again but White slips back in the ring. White stomps Goto as he slides back in then fires off clubbing forearms. White runs but Goto runs him over! Fans cheer this bit of karma on White. But White puts Goto in a corner to CHOP! Goto turns it around to fire off furious forearms! The ref backs Goto off but Goto throws White into buckles! Goto drags White up and snapmares him to a swift kick to the back! White scrambles but Goto drags him back for another kick! White writhes and Goto brings him up for ropes. Goto whips, White holds ropes again but he boots this time. Goto clotheslines White out anyway! Goto goes out but Gedo gets a cheap shot in! The ref reprimands Gedo but Goto glares at the traitor. White attacks from behind but the forearms barely do a thing. Goto DECKS White with a right!
Goto tells the ref to keep Gedo back, which he does. But this all distracts Goto from seeing White pick up a chair! White JAMS the chair into Goto’s back! White tucks the chair back under the ring and then plays innocent. The ref wants them to get this back in the ring, but White brings Goto up to RAM into railing! And again! The ref reprimands White but he just takes Goto around the way. White says hi to Katsuyori Shibata on Japanese commentary, before snap suplexing Goto into the railing! Shibata stands and the ref has to keep him at bay now. White hurries off into the ring to rest, and the ring count begins. The count climbs to 5, then 10 of 20. Goto stirs at 11 and crawls at 14. Goto rises at 17 and hops in at 18! But White is on that battered back with knee drop after knee drop!
White grabs a leg and turns Goto over for a Half Crab! Goto endures as White sits down deep. Fans rally up while Gedo taunts Goto. Goto powers up and crawls, reaches, and gets the ropebreak! But White holds on until the count of 4! Goto winces but White keeps the ref’s attention. Gedo yanks the blue corner’s buckle pad in the distraction! White whips Goto that way, and Goto hits bare buckles hard! Goto goes down, White covers, TWO! The Fierce Warrior won’t fall so easily, and we go to break.
NJPW on AXS is back and White is back on Goto with a chinlock. White digs his knee into Goto’s back, but Goto endures. Goto works his way up to his feet and fights back with body shots. White clubs Goto’s back to then throw him down by his hair! White drags Goto up but Goto blocks the suplex. Goto hits back with body shots again, but now White blocks the suplex. White clubs Goto’s back over and over, and over and over! But Goto fires up! Only for White to rake his eyes, and throw him down by his hair again! White soaks up the heat but Osaka rallies for Goto. White drags Goto up, dodges Goto’s retaliation and rocks him with a right. Goto stays on his feet, and dares White to hit him harder! White throws a BIG right forearm, but Goto still wants more! White throws another, and starts growing annoyed with Goto’s fighting spirit.
White throws forearm after forearm after forearm after forearm after forearm, but none of them slow Goto down! So White just keeps throwing more, and then adds European Uppercuts! Goto comes back with ONE BIG forearm and floors White! Goto whips White but White reverses, but Goto blocks the hip toss to give a hip toss! Osaka comes alive for Goto ash e runs at White. But White catches and EXPLODER SUPLEXES Goto out of the ring! The ref checks on Goto after he crashes and burns, but White adds on by whipping Goto. Goto reverses to send White into railing! Goto clotheslines White over! White is down in the gap but Goto goes after him. Goto drags White back to ringside, to whip into railing on the far side! White writhes but Goto won’t stop, he whips White back the other way! White falls to his knees but Goto drags him up to put into the ring.
Fans rally up as Goto catches his breath. Goto runs in, windmill kick in the corner! SAIDO SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! White survives but Goto is not deterred. Goto drags White up again but White clamps onto a leg. Goto clubs White then drags him up into a fireman’s carry. But White rakes eyes! White gets to the apron and holds onto the ref as he “apologizes.” Goto staggers over, White shoves the ref at Goto! Goto pushes the ref out of the way but White hotshots Goto! White slides in, DDT drops Goto! White watches Goto crawl while also getting himself to a corner. White runs corner to corner, BIG EuroUpper! Fireman’s carry, Death Valley DDT! Cover, TWO! White is frustrated but Osaka rallies up again.
White gives toying kicks and slaps to Goto, and then brings Goto up. Goto blocks the suplex and suplexes back, but his back holds him back. Goto still resists White’s suplex, spins out, but White forearms away! White whips but Goto reverses to reel White in, but White dodges to CHOP! White runs but Goto follows, White dodges to run again but Goto still follows. White dodges again, but Goto keeps going, only for White to follow now. Goto dodges now, only to run into a Complete Shot! DEAD LIFT GERMAN! White grits his teeth, but Goto is up to German Suplex him back! Goto keeps moving, LARIAT! Both men are down as we go to break!
NJPW on AXS returns as White drags Goto up. Goto elbows out of the sleeper, but White forearms him in the lower back. White grabs Goto again but Goto standing switches to throw White down by his hair, across Goto’s knee! Turnabout’s fair play! White and Goto crawl to opposite ends. Gedo is on White’s side but Osaka is on Goto’s. Goto runs in but misses in the corner, snap saido from White! White staggers and drags Goto over at the 20 minute mark. White hoists Goto up top and throws a forearm. White climbs to join Goto, but Goto resists the superplex with body shots. Goto headbutts White a few times, then drags White in. Goto stands up but White claws at his face! White clubs away on Goto, positions himself on the very top, SUPERPLEX! White rises fast and drags Goto up, but Goto gets him into the fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI!
Both men are down, but Osaka is rallying up again. Goto drags White up and into the dragon sleeper, but White drops to snapmare free. White clubs away on Goto, Goto fireman’s carries to the dragon sleeper! But White fights out with wild hands, only for Goto to suplex him up! White fights free, but swings into the dragon sleeper! White slips out, but Goto denies Blade Runner by pulling hair! Goto powers White down into position, headbutts away, but Gedo distracts the ref! LOW BLOW UPPERCUT! White sneaks it in and Osaka boos! Gedo backs off and White drags Goto up into the sleeper hold, SLEEPER SUPLEX! But White isn’t done there, he drags Goto up, only for Goto to HEADBUTT! And now, Goto drags White up, reels him in, fireman’s carry, but White elbows free. So Goto headbutts again! Goto has White up, for Reverse GTR!
But Goto is not done! He drags White up, suplexes, SHOTENKAI! Cover, TWO!? White survives and shocks Goto, but does not discourage him. Goto drags himself up as Osaka rallies again. Gedo distracts but gets DECKED! Goto has to catch his breath, but he fires up as he focuses his power. White ducks the kick, but walks into a fireman’s carry. White slips out again, has Goto in a dragon sleeper but flips him around, in position, but still no Blade Runner as Goto slips out! Goto has dragon sleeper, but White slips out, spins Goto around, SLEEPER SUPLEX! But Goto is up!? BUZZSAW! Fireman’s carry, G T W!! The fusion of Ushigoroshi and GTR! Cover, TWO!?! White survives?! But that only fires Goto up more! Dragon sleeper, TRUE GTR!! Cover, but Gedo YANKS the referee out!! Goto had this won and Gedo knew it!
Gedo laughs as he gets in the ring. He stalks Goto, but here comes SHIBATA! Shibata may not be an active competitor, but he can be an enforcer! Shibata gets rid of Gedo and tells Goto to finish this! Then he puts Gedo in a sleeper! Goto drags White up, but KENTA attacks!! The Bullet Club’s Fang Revived strikes while there’s no authority! He drags Goto up, fireman’s carry, GO TO SLEEP! Then he BOOTS Shibata on the way out! Fans boo but Bullet Club gets away with more shenanigans! The referee returns, and Kenta whips Shibata into railing! And then fires off vicious kicks! White drags Goto up despite being dead weight, for BLADE RUNNER! Cover, White wins!!
Winner: Jay White, by pinfall; still IWGP Intercontinental Champion
Or rather, Bullet Club won this match. Shibata risked a lot getting involved and paid for it at the hands of Kenta. White benefits the most by keeping his half of history going. Will White fight his way from here to another chance at the IWGP Heavyweight Championship? We will hear from The Switchblade after the break.
NJPW returns as Jay White speaks.
“Osaka~…!” The fans boo as White says he’ll keep this short. “I did what I said I was going to do, and Goto is done. Finished! Career over!” White promised this would happen. Goto lived up to be the embarrassment he always was. But White is the one who “single-handedly” sold out Madison Square Garden! White is the Last Rock ‘n’ Rolla, “and that’s rrrreeal!” White is still your IWGP Intercontinental Champion! “But wait, there’s more!” White again vows to be the first-ever dual Intercontinental AND Heavyweight Champion! And not the first night of Wrestle Kingdom, no, no. He vows to be on the second night of Wrestle Kingdom 14 to go right up against the winner of Kota Ibushi VS Kazuchika Okada! Which means Ibushi and Okada should “come on down!”
White waits, and wonders where the top two guys have gone. But wait, it isn’t Ibushi or Okada that comes out, it’s NAITO! Fans cheer as Tetsuya Naito walks to the ring. White thinks Naito is here to congratulate White on winning tonight and soon becoming the first-ever- Naito stops White right there by snatching the mic. Naito says, “Holding the IWGP Intercontinental and Heavyweight titles at the same time. The first man to accomplish this tremendous feat… Will be me.” So sorry about this, but Naito will need the Intercontinental Championship back. White understands what Naito’s up to and wants the mic back. But Naito isn’t giving it over. And now Ibushi heads out! The G1 Climax 29 winner, the Right to Challenge holder, and yet another man who declared himself the future historic dual champion, enters the ring!
Ibushi takes the mic to tell Naito and Jay that it’s been a while since he’s been in the ring with them. And Ibushi agrees about the double champion. Last January, Ibushi choose NJPW, “looking to change my life.” But there is someone out there who doesn’t agree with them. That is OKADA! Ibushi and Naito wait, but White “begs” Okada as an “old friend from Chaos” to appear. Well maybe Gedo should ask, he’s an older friend than White. Gedo doesn’t want to. But even so, Okada does appear! The Rainmaker makes his way to the ring, joining the three men who want his title as part of their mission. Okada gets on the mic to ask, “What did you say?” Ibushi wants to be a double champion, Naito wants to be a double champion and White wants to be a double champion. “What the hell are you thinking!?”
Okada holds up his belt, because he is proud to fight for THE IWGP title! THE title in NJPW! An IWGP Heavyweight Championship match, or a double title match? Okada repeats this question. Fans like the former, and aren’t so sure about the latter. So Okada asks again! IWGP Heayvweight Championship match? YAY~! Double Title Match? Boo~! Well, that’s still more than Okada expected. “So, on the subject of the Tokyo Dome… Naito, there was an election recently, wasn’t there?” Should they let the people vote for what they want to see? Naito considers it, and there’s a bit of a stand off. White takes up the mic and says, “That’s enough. All of you **** off, I want my confetti, this is my night!” Okada takes his leave, as does Ibushi. White refuses to accept Naito’s challenge. Naito reluctantly leaves and White says he wants to be announced as both the Intercontinental and soon to be FIRST-EVER DOUBLE CHAMPION! And then get the confetti!
But Naito stops on stage as Gedo explains to the ring announcer. The announcer does as White says, and White gets his confetti. Naito watches on, still aiming for his part of history. However, will that poll Okada mentioned go a way White doesn’t want? Is there going to be an even more historic match on the horizon?
My Thoughts:
A pretty good episode to start NJPW Power Struggle on AXS, though perhaps not the most exciting. Osaka wasn’t as loud as I would’ve expected, but as the usual order of AXS encores, the last part is usually first just to get the vies and ratings. Osaka might’ve been tired from action earlier in the night, but at the same time, the usual pace of a Goto and/or White match isn’t usually what excites. The story was all there, though. White is good at trolling and playing the long game, but things did liven up for the fans as the match reached the end. However, White beating Goto because of Bullet Club should’ve been obvious. It’s good ol’ fashioned Heel tactics, but perhaps too typical. Shibata getting involved was surprising, too. Is this them testing the waters to see if he’s getting better? It would be quite the amazing moment in wrestling if he came back from the head injury that took him out.
What was really intriguing was White being confronted by Naito but also getting the two men he wanted in Ibushi and Okada. Wrestle Kingdom 14 being two nights this year, there’s a chance we get both Naito VS White for the Intercontinental and Ibushi VS Okada for the Heavyweight title, and then each winner moves on to night two for THE historic match. Okada trying to get Osaka to respond to his question clearly took a couple times to get fans to respond, but I was really surprised NJPW fans weren’t as enthusiastic about a double championship match. I almost thought there’d be a Fatal 4 Way Winner Takes All, but NJPW doesn’t like matches that are more than 1v1 like that. The two separate title matches leading to the dual champion match is more likely, and would make for a good reason as to why WK14 is a two day event.
My Score: 8.3/10
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