NJPW AXS TV Results
Mitchell’s NJPW AXS TV Report: Dominion 2018 Part 3!
AXS TV finishes NJPW Dominion with THE match of the entire event: Best 2 out of 3 Falls, Kazuchika Okada VS Kenny Omega for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship #OneMoreTime! Will the Bullet Club’s Cleaner finally take the title from The Rainmaker? Or will Okada’s historic streak reach 13 successful defenses?
Gifs can be found courtesy of http://frentique.tumblr.com
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: Jushin Thunder Liger, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Rey Mysterio VS The Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- IWGP Heavyweight Championship, Best of Three Falls: Kazuchika Okada VS Kenny Omega; Omega wins and becomes the new IWGP Heavyweight Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW and AXS TV review what has led to this amazing main event!
“The history of professional wrestling changed on January 4th, 2017 at the Tokyo Dome”, for one of the greatest feuds in NJPW was born! The Rainmaker had barely begun his fourth reign as IWGP Heavyweight Champion when Kenny Omega came for the title. Omega was the first foreigner to win the G1 Climax, and was ready to win on NJPW’s biggest stage. Their 46 minute match astounded the world, and even in defeat, The Cleaner established himself as one of the best.
Five months later, they had a rematch just a year ago at Dominion 2017. This time, it would be a 60 minute DRAW that was the pinnacle of pro-wrestling. However, they were not done. Omega wanted Okada a third time, at the G1 2017! They met in B Block’s final, and the at-the-time IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion defeated THE champion. However, the strife within Bullet Club sidetracked Omega, and he not only lost the IWGP USHC, but he almost lost his friends forever.
Meanwhile, Okada won again and again to break the historic title defense record. The Rainmaker now stands at 12, but he remembers his time-limit Draw and G1 defeat to Omega. Okada called him out, and Omega accepted. This is the fourth time around, there will be no time limit, and one man must score twice to win the entire match! Who will prove themselves THE BEST in NJPW, if not the entire wrestling world, today?!
Six Man Tag: Jushin Thunder Liger, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Rey Mysterio VS The Bullet Club’s Cody, Hangman Page & Marty Scurll!
The Ace is joined by two living legends of wrestling to battle the American Nightmare, Problem Solver & Villain for a star-studded showdown! Can Tanahashi, Liger & Mysterio combine and show the younger generation how it’s done?
Tensions run high even before the bell, but the teams keep from breaking out into a brawl. The teams calm down and sort out while we take a quick break.
NJPW on AXS returns as Liger and Scurll start. Scurll trash talks the junior heavyweight legend, but fans are on Liger’s side. Scurll calls out Mysterio? The fans like that idea, so Mysterio tags in! Time for payback from Long Beach. Except Scurll tags out to Hangman. Even Hangman is surprised by that one. Mysterio gets the fans chanting “6 1 9! 6 1 9!” as Hangman comes in. Hangman gets in Mysterio’s face and demands Tanahashi. Mysterio points over to him, and the fans like that, too. Tanahashi tags in, and Hangman stays. They circle, tie up, and Tanahashi gets the wristlock. Hangman reverses the wristlock but Tanahashi reverses back. Hangman reverses back but Tanahashi does it back. Tanahashi gets the hammerlock then the headlock, then back to the hammerlock. Hangman gets his own hammerlock but Tanahashi reverses and gets the headlock again.
Tanahashi grinds Hangman but Hangman powers out, only for Tanahashi to run him over. Tanahashi runs, and Hangman expects him to go over, but Tanahashi drops an elbow! Hangman gets up, angrily floundering to the Bullet Club corner. Cody and Scurll calm Hangman down, and Cody tags in. Fans are mixed over the American Nightmare, but are definitely behind Tanahashi. Tanahashi and Cody circle, but Cody gets some push-ups in. Fans boo as Cody flexes, and Tanahashi himself is not impressed. Cody and Tanahashi circle, but then Tanahashi shows his push-ups off. Tanahashi flexes, and fans like that. They finally tie up, and Cody gets the headlock. Tanahashi powers out but Cody ducks under, only for Tanahashi to throw him with arm-drags.
Cody kicks low, drops for the uppercut, then brings Tanahashi over. Scurll tags in, but Tanahashi gets away to tag Mysterio! Scurll runs but Mysterio dodges, only for Scurll to run Mysterio over with a shoulder. The Villain flaps his wings “Woop woop” before covering, TWO! Scurll goes to put his full weight on him, but Mysterio counters and gets up onto Scurll’s shoulders to then sunset flip. TWO, and Scurll swings, but Mysterio gets under the punch to give a kick. Mysterio whips but Scurll reverses, only for Mysterio to kick him again. Mysterio runs and headscissors Scurll down. Fans fire up as Mysterio tags in Liger. Scurll panics but he’s tossed out by the NJPW legend. Liger builds speed while Tanahashi holds Scurll in place, and Liger hits the baseball slide!
Scurll hits railing, but Tanahashi feeds him to Liger. Liger grabs the legs and gets the arms, for the full surfboard! Hangman and Cody attack Tanahashi and Mysterio to then attack Liger. Scurll is free but the referee reprimands Cody & Hangman as they stomp Liger out. Scurll drags Liger over, and he copies the surfboard. Liger resists when it comes to the arms, so Scurll just stomps the knees. Scurll kicks Liger in the head, then tags in Cody. Cody stomps on Liger, especially the legs. He throws haymakers and kicks, and has Liger in the Bullet Club corner. Cody cartwheels away to blow a kiss to Mysterio. Tag to Hangman, and Hangman stomps Liger’s leg. Hangman brings Liger up, for a back suplex. Cover, TWO, but Hangman hangs on to that leg.
Tag to Scurll, and Scurll hammerlock stomps! Liger writhes in pain while Scurll taunts Mysterio and Tanahashi. Tag back to Hangman, and they take out Liger’s team again. All three Bullet Club members focus on Liger now with a double whip, drop toehold, basement dropkick and Hangman’s standing shooting star! Cover, TWO! Hangman argues with the referee, but fans rally up for the legend. Hangman drags Liger over and tags in Scurll. Scurll kicks Liger while he’s down, then stalks him to a corner. Scurll shouts “He’s no legend to me!” as he whips Liger corner to corner. Liger comse out with a back elbow, but misses the palm strike. Scurll gets Liger with the feint to kick out a leg, then runs, but into a tilt-o-whirl backbreaker!
Both men are down, but fans are fired up. Liger crawls, hot tag to Mysterio! Mysterio springboards in for the seated senton, then runs to whip Scurll. Scurll sunset flips but Mysterio rolls through to kick Scurll down. Mysterio whips but Scurll reverses, but Mysterio tilt-o-whirl headscissors Scurll away. They speed up, quebrada to tilt-o-whirl DDT! Mysterio has the fans all fired up, and he waistlocks Scurll. Scurll standing switches but Mysterio bucks him off. Mysterio mule kicks Scurll, then springboards again, wheelbarrow throw! Scurll’s on the ropes, but Hangman tags in! Hangman slingshots just as Tanahashi tags in, and Mysterio dodges Buck Shot to feed Hangman to Tanahashi’s elbow. Tanahashi springboards for a crossbody, then dropkicks Cody for good measure. Hangman’s boot is caught into a dragon screw, and Tanahashi fires up.
Tanahashi runs, but into the roaring elbow. Hangman lifts Tanahashi, but Tanahashi denies the Rite to hit the swinging neckbreaker! Tanahashi keeps going, but runs into a cheap shot kick. He makes Scurll pay for it, but Hangman kicks and runs, so Mysterio gives that cheap shot back. Mysterio shoulders in, but Hangman knocks his slingshot down. Hangman and Tanahashi collide with clotheslines, but neither man falls. Tanahashi slaps Hangman, but Hangman discus clothelines Tanahashi down! Both men crawl for their corners as fans rally. Hot tags to Cody and Liger! Liger waistlocks and rolls Cody, TWO, small package! TWO but Liger is on Cody with a waistlock.
Cody elbows out, then runs, but into the SHOTEI! Cover, but Scurll breaks it. Mysterio returns but Scurll gets his fingers! Mysterio breaks free and enziguris Scurll. Scurll crawls to ropes, and Mysterio runs. Hangman returns, intercepts, and prepares a bomb, but Tanahashi kicks Hangman in the stomach. Mysterio headscissors and Hangman ends up beside Scurll. Mysterio runs, for a DOUBLE 619!
Scurll rolls out while Hangman flounders, Tanahashi brings him down with a Slingblade! Hangman rolls out while Mysterio wipes Scurll out again. Tanahashi slingshots out to hit Hangman again, and Liger goes after Cody. Liger brings Cody up to the top rope, then climbs for the SUPER Steiner! He keeps going, but Cody escapes. Cody wants Cross Rhodes, and hits it! Cover, Bullet Club wins!!
Winners: The Bullet Club, Cody pinning
What a shock! The youthful trio defeats the living legends! Though, what’s not shocking is that Cody attacks Liger after the win. But then Mysterio springboards in, hits Cody with a seated senton, then literally kicks Cody out of the ring. The Bullet Club regroups while Tanahashi and Mysterio check on Liger. The bad guys get the win and get away, but will there be payback down the line?
IWGP Heavyweight Championship, Best of Three Falls: Kazuchika Okada VS Kenny Omega!
The finale of Dominion 2018 has the biggest match yet between the two best in NJPW! History is on the line along with the title, will 13 prove to be The Rainmaker’s unlucky number? Or will The Cleaner finally have the grand prize he’s been seeking?
Omega has his friend in the Golden Lovers, Kota Ibushi, in his corner, while Okada has Gedo as always. Of course, it is odd that it’s only Ibushi in Omega’s corner, given how close Omega is with The Young Bucks. But Bullet Club dysfunction aside, Omega must focus on the history-making champion across from him. Red Shoes presents the belt to Omega, does his check of both men, and the bell rings to begin the first fall!
FIRST FALL
Omega and Okada soak in the moment as fans cheer for them. They start to circle, then slowly approach. They tie up, and Omega gets the waistlock. Okada works against it, and gets the standing switch. Omega pries his way out to a wristlock, but Okada rolls through. Okada reverses but Omega reverses back. Omega gets the headlock takeover, but Okada headscissors. Omega pops out and the two stand off. Fans applaud and duel between these two modern greats. Okada and Omega circle again. Omega lunges in, leg takedown to waistlock to facelock. Okada reverses to his own, then brings Omega up. Okada changes to a cravat, then snapmares for a chinlock. Omega moves and works his way out to a grounded armlock. Omega wrenches that arm, but Okada shifts. It becomes a cover, TWO, but Omega chases Okada to the ropes. Omega honors the ropebreak and backs away.
Okada comes back and fans duel again as they circle. They tie up, Okada rolls to get the wristlock. Okada brings Omega to the mat with the top lock, but Omega kip-up to reverse. Omega toeholds and cartwheels to the facelock. They stand up but Okada gets the leg trip. Okada drops an elbow on Omega’s leg, then makes it a shinlock. Omega grinds his forearms into Okada’s face, but Okada doesn’t let go. Okada wrenches back, but Omega grabs the chin to turn Okada. Omega gets the ropebreak, and Okada lets go. They both stand up and circle again. Another tie up, and Okada powers Omega back to a corner. Okada honors the ropebreak, but then fakes a hit to pat Omega on the shoulder. Omega comes back, looking to strike, but gives back two shoulder pats.
Omega then rushes in but Okada dodges the knee. Okada runs in but Omega goes up and over. Omega comes back but is popped up onto the shoulder. Omega slides off and kicks low, to then whip. Okada reverses but Omega holds ropes to avoid the dropkick. Omega dropkicks Okada in the knee, then runs, leap frog, but Okada slips out to wristlock and swing out! Omega ducks the lariat to shovel Okada onto his shoulders! Okada flails and gets to ropes to bring Omega outside with him! They both hit the floor, but are getting up slowly. Ibushi coaches up Omega, and both men stand up to brawl at ringside. Okada hits, Omega hits, then back again.
They pick up speed in their strikes, but Okada gets an edge. Omega still hits back, then whips Okada at the railing. Okada reverses to send Omega into railing! Okada then boots Omega over, into the gap. He then clears space, gets a running start, and FLIES over the railing, but into a V-Trigger! Okada clutches his arm while Omega gets up. Omega drags Okada up, and then takes a piece of railing like a ramp. He scoop slams Okada onto it and chairs! Then they go back to the ring, and Omega covers. TWO, but Omega keeps focus. Fans rally up and duel again. Omega drops elbows into Okada’s shoulder, then covers again, TWO.
Omega runs, for another elbow drop. He stalks Okada as he rolls away. Omega sits Okada up to kick him across the back. Omega toys with Okada a little, then kicks him in the back again. Gedo coaches Okada up, and Okada dares Omega to kick him again. So Omega does, as he kicks Okada’s back twice, then runs for the dropkick to the head! Cover, TWO, but Omega still keeps his cool. He brings Okada up and bump him off a buckle. Omega chops Okada in the corner, then again. He lifts Okada, for a running backbreaker. Cover, TWO! Okada writhes while we go to break.
NJPW on AXS returns, and fans rally up again for both men. Omega brings Okada up into a half camel clutch. Okada endures as he works his way out. Okada crawls for ropes, but Omega pulls back on him more. Omega gets both arms for a full camel clutch, and rocks back and forth to pull on the spine. Gedo shouts for Okada to fight, and Okada pops out to get the ropebreak. Omega lets go, but he kicks his heel into Okada’s back. Fans rally up again, and Omega brings Okada up. Okada hits Omega with a haymaker, but Omega gives him a blunt chop. Okada hits Omega again, but Omega chops Okada again. Omega even chops Okada’s back as he leans against the ropes. Omega turns Okada around to chop the front, as well. He runs, but Okada catches him in the flapjack!
Both men are down, and fans rally up again. Omega stands first, then drags Okada up. Okada hits with a forearm to the body, then a forearm to the head. Omega swings but misses, and Okada fires off more shots. Okada whips but Omega reverses, but things speed up and Okada runs Omega over with the back elbow. Omega gets to a corner, and Okada whips him corner to corner. Okada back elbows in the corner, then hits a DDT! Cover, TWO, but Okada keeps his cool. Okada grabs Omega for a seated cobra clutch. Omega flails, stands up, and throws Okada off. Okada ends up outside, but he dodges the slingshot. Okada slingshots and hits Omega! Both men go down, but Okada is up first. Okada brings Omega up and into the ring, then climbs up top.
Omega sees him and gets under the jump. Omega runs out, but his kick is blocked nito Okada’s kick. Okada runs, but into the huricanrana! Okada goes back out, but Omega sees him. Omega baseball slides and hits Okada in the back! Okada tumbles over the blue railing and to the floor. Omega gets up as fans drum for the Terminator. Omega aims, springboards, and LEAPS! He wipes Okada out with that insane crossbody! Omega stands first, and brings Okada up. They go back over the blue railing and to the ring. Omega runs, leap frog bulldog! Cover, TWO!
That was so close, but Omega keeps going as he brings Okada up. Omega lifts Okada in the cross-leg fisherman, to brainbuster! Fans rally and Omega powers up. He aims, BANG, and runs, but misses the V-Trigger! Okada gets Omega with a German Suplex on the rebound, but Omega lands on his feet! Omega thrusts, Okada manages to block the knee, but Omega comes back to hit another! Omega goes for but Okada denies the Reverse-Rana by holding ropes.
Okada reels Omega in and hits the German Suplex with bridge! TWO, but barely as Omega simply rolls sideways. Okada holds on, prepares the wristlock, but Omega backs him down to a corner. Omega throws back elbow after back elbow, then hoists Okada up top. He chops Okada for good measure before climbing up. Omega prepares something but Okada resists. Even so, Omega keeps trying. They fight with body shots, but Okada sends Omega down. Omega comes back with a big forearm and rocks Okada to his knees. Omega drags Okada up, and puts Okada up top backwards now. He climbs up and wants the half nelson. Okada resists as Omega tries the full nelson. Okada elbows Omega off, then hops down to the apron. He gets Omega in Tombstone position! APRON TOMBSTONE!! Okada rolls away while Omega writhes.
Fans rally and duel again. Okada rolls away while Omega stands up. Okada blasts Omega off the apron with a dropkick! Omega hits railings ribs first! Red Shoes checks on Omega, but Omega refuses to let this end. Okada comes out to fetch Omega, giving a forearm to that bad spot in the ribs. Fans rally as they go back into the ring. Okada climbs up again, and hits a powerful missile dropkick! Cover, TWO!? Omega refuses to let Okada score even this first fall, that’s how much the title means to him. Okada has Red Shoes check on Omega, but again, Omega refuses to end this. Okada brings Omega up again, scoop slam, then he climbs up top again. He drops the elbow from up top! Okada calls for his namesake more, but Omega catches him with a Snap Dragon Suplex! Okada rolls away while Omega fires himself up.
Omega goes Terminator, takes aim, and builds speed, to FLY! That senton was double edged given Omega’s bad ribs, but he doesn’t care. Omega gets up and brings Okada up. They go back into the ring, and now Omega climbs up top. Omega aims at Okada, for a missile dropkick to the back! Cover, TWO! There’s still no first fall, but Omega looks to change that. Omega has the full nelson, but Okada fights free with back elbows. Okada runs but Omega reels him in for a chop to the back. Omega shovels Okada up, wants the Angel, but Okada hops off. Okada wants the lariat, but Omega kicks it away. Omega V-Trigger, then another shovel. Okada fights it, so Omega pops Okada into a German Suplex! Bridge cover, TWO?! That wasn’t the first fall!? Omega can’t believe it, but that’s how much this means to Okada.
Fans are thunderous as Okada crawls. Omega says BANG, then runs, for the V-Trigger! Then, the shovel, but Okada pops out and dropkicks Omega in the back. Omega’s against ropes, and Okada whips him across the way for the dropkick. Okada fires up, and he brings Omega up again. Wristlock and swing out, but Omega ducks. Omega wristlock and swings Okada out for a V-Trigger! Cover, high stack, TWO!! That was as close to three as could be! Omega drags Okada up while Gedo pounds as hard as he can. Omega has Okada up in double underhook. He lifts, but a headscissor counter throws Omega! Omega comes back, but Okada scoops him into position, Tombstone! Okada won’t cover, he wants his move. He drags Omega up, swing out, but Omega tilt-o-whirls around Okada. Omega tries a sunset, but Okada sits on it! Okada gets the first fall!!
FIRST FALL: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall
It took over 28 minutes to do it, but Okada scores the first point! Omega is now behind the 8-ball if he wants to win this match and the title. Both men are allowed a brief break to regroup, and we go to a television break.
NJPW on AXS returns and both men have returned to their corners. Okada grins, confident in his 1-0 lead. Both men are ready to go, and the bell rings on the second fall!
SECOND FALL
Omega rushes Okada immediately, but runs into a kick. Okada puts Omega in a corner and throws a forearm, but Omega fires off many more in return. Omega clubs away on Okada’s back, but Okada puts Omega back in the corner and onto the top rope. Okada dropkicks Omega down, and Omega tumbles to the floor. Omega staggers while Okada catches his breath in the ring. Okada waits while Omega crawls. Okada goes out to thread Omega through the railings and pull back on his head! Omega can only endure the pain. Red Shoes comes out to get Okada to stop. Okada brings Omega around and clubs that neck. Okada hits the bad ribs, too, then wrenches Omega’s arm before whipping him at railing. Omega stops himself, then mule kicks Okada. Omega uses the rails as a springboard, but Okada shoves him to the front row!
The railings save the fans, but not Omega. Okada catches his breath while Omega writhes. Omega sits up, but Okada is upon him from across the rails. Okada drags Omega out, for a draping DDT to the floor! Both men are down, but Okada from exhaustion while Omega from the damage done. Red Shoes gets Okada to go back into the ring. Okada waits while Omega stands up. The 20 count begins, but Omega returns at 8. Fans applaud the heart of the challenger. Omega hits Okada, but his punches are too weak. Omega chops, and those have a bit more sting. Okada backs down, Omega runs, but into Okada’s boot! Okada backs off to a corner to recover from those chops. Omega sits up, but Okada is on him. Omega swings but ends up in the cobra clutch!
Okada brings Omega to the mat, but Omega won’t quit. Fans rally as Okada wrenches on Omega’s neck. Omega moves around, reaching for ropes. Okada keeps him back, and he wants Omega to quit. Omega refuses, and he gets a second wind. Omega jawbreakers out, then chops Okada again. He runs, but into the headlock, which he counters with a back suplex! Both men are down again, and fans rally up again. Omega follows Okada out of the ring, and back suplexes him on the apron! Okada slumps down while Omega makes his way back up. Omega “borrows” a table from the timekeeper’s area, and throws it on top of Okada. He gets onto the apron, and leaps for a double stomp onto Okada and table!
The table stays solid as it squashes Okada! Omega then sets that table up, as it has more left to do. Omega drags Okada up and over, but Okada throws Omega into a post. Okada and Omega both go back inside the ring, but slowly after all the damage done. Fans rally up with Gedo as Okada scoop slams Omega. Okada goes for a back senton, but Omega puts his knees up! Omega drags Okada up, fireman’s carry, and “You Can’t Escape!” But Okada slips off before the rolling senton, then fireman’s carry for the Heavy Rain! Both men slowly stand, but Okada blasts Omega into a corner with a dropkick! The second fall continues after the break.
NJPW on AXS returns and both men are slowly stirring. Okada goes after Omega and drags him over to the center of the ring. Okada climbs up again, but slowly. Omega gets up and throws hands on Okada. Omega chops Okada again, then climbs up to join him. They stand up, and Omega uses the cross-leg fisherman for the SUPERPLEX! The crash landing hurts them both, but Omega feeds off the fans’ rally. He stands up and dares Okada to stand. Okada slowly stirs, and Omega is upon him with forearms. Omega whips but Okada reverses, only for Omega to reel him into the fireman’s carry. “You Can’t Escape!” Rolling senton, then the moonsault, but onto knees! Okada hits the running European Uppercut! Now Okada stands first, and he stares at that table Omega set up. He calls his shot as he brings Omega up.
Okada whips and goes to back drop, but Omega flails and lands on his feet. Omega runs, dodges, and hits a running DDT! Okada ends up on the apron, and Omega calls the shot for the table. Omega joins Okada on the apron, and ignores Red Shoes as he begs Omega not to do this. Omega brings Okada up with a waistlock, but needs the Young Lions to pull the railing back. Okada holds onto ropes for dear life as Omega pulls for the German Suplex. Omega keeps trying but Okada keeps holding on. Omega clubs Okada’s back, then tries for the full nelson! Okada resists, but Omega clubs him until he gets the hands free. Okada elbows back, and Omega hops down, but then tries the electric chair! Omega wants the Angel but Okada slips out to wristlock swing! Omega ducks under again, to Reverse-Rana Okada on the floor!
Both men are down again, but Omega gets up to get in the ring. Red Shoes checks on Okada. Okada is still moving, and the 20 count begins. Gedo shouts for Okada to move, but the count passes 10 before Okada crawls. Okada turns himself around and flounders to the ring. He beats the count at 19, but Omega hits a V-Trigger! Then, electric chair, but Okada reverses! Jumping Tombstone! Okada wants to keep going, wristlock and swing, but Omega counters with a yurinagi! Fans are fired up all over again as both men slowly stir. Omega sits up first, then crawls over to Okada. Okada slowly sits up, and the two glare as they stand up. Omega hits first with a forearm, but Okada comes back with his own. Omega hits again, but Okada still comes back with another.
Now Omega chops Okada, and it echoes out. Okada forearms, and they go back and forth, faster and faster. Omega ducks, gets around, Snap Dragon! But Okada springs up to dropkick Omega back! Omega staggers, and Okada whips. Omega reverses to dropkick Okada! They both get up, get running, and Omega counters Okada’s dropkick into a sit-out powerbomb! Omega rolls Okada over, not for a cover, but for another V-Trigger! Then he hauls Okada up, double underhook, but Okada back drops out of it! Omega sunset flips but Okada sits on it, TWO!!
Okada EuroUppers, then runs, but into another V-Trigger! Omega grabs Okada, double underhook, piledriver! Cover, TWO!? Okada will not allow Omega to tie this up, no matter what. But Omega takes aim again, BANG! He runs, V-Trigger! Then, the electric chair, One-Winged Angel! Cover, Omega scores the second fall!!
SECOND FALL: Kenny Omega, by pinfall
After 19 minutes, The Cleaner ties it up at 1-1! We go to break while both men regroup for the third and final fall!
THIRD FALL
NJPW on AXS returns with the bell, and Omega immediately V-Triggers Okada in the head! Omega hurries to haul Okada up for another, but Okada slips out! Okada gets Omega with the wristlock and swing, RAINMAKER! The lariat connects, but Okada falls away from Omega. He can’t make the cover, he’s missing his chance. Fans are thunderous as Okada crawls over to try, TWO! Okada and Omega stir as fans rally up again. Okada sits up, but Omega follows. They get to their feet, but Okada is on Omega first. Okada tries but Omega blocks the gutwrench scoop. Okada tries but Omega counters into his own gutwrench. Both men fight for control, but neither will make it easy for the other.
Okada clubs Omega with double ax handles. Omega swings a hand, but Okada blocks to give a EuroUpper. Omega manages to slap Okada, but Okada gives another EuroUpper. Okada brings Omega up for another EuroUpper, and Omega staggers to ropes. Okada whips, but Omega’s stumble saves him from Okada’s dropkick. Omega gets up and fans are rallying behind him. Omega drags Okada up, lifts, but Okada resists. Okada holds on against whatever Omega has planned. Omega clubs away with forearms and palm strikes. Okada goes limp enough for Omega to try again. Omega lifts, but Okada fights out of the powerbomb. Okada goes to huricanrana, but Omega blocks it with strength! Omega improvises, and takes a page from a former Bullet Club leader, STYLES CLASH!! A truly phenomenal idea as Omega rolls Okada over for the cover. TWO!?!
Okada survives, grabbing the rope for good measure. Fans chant “AJ Styles!”, remembering who that move represents. Omega gets to a corner while Okada crawls the other way. Omega takes aim at Okada, runs corner to corner, V-TRIGGER! But he’s not done, as he goes for another electric chair. But Omega’s legs and back give out, he collapses while Okada falls into buckles. Okada rests against the buckles while Omega fires himself up. Omega uses the corner for help in shoveling Okada up. Fans are thunderous once more as he has Okada up. But Okada slips down, prepared for the Tombstone! But then Omega slips around and lifts Okada for the same! Wait, he changes it up, cradle piledriver!! Cover, TWO!!?
Even Ibushi is shocked at how close that was! But again, this is all for pride, history and the title. Any one of those is reason enough not to quit. Ibushi coaches Omega up and to keep focus. Omega gets up again and positions Okada before climbing up top. Phoenix Splash, FLOPS! Okada comes back with a dropkick to the back. Okada drags Omega up again, gutwrench scoop, but Omega slips out again. V-Trigger knocks Okada down! Omega drags Okada back up, for another V-Trigger. Then another! Omega backs up, but Okada blocks the third one, and counters with a dropkick! Okada gutwrenches but his back won’t let him, so he dropkicks Omega again. He drags Omega up, wristlock and RAINMAKER– But there’s no power behind it…! Okada and Omega slump to the mat, running on fumes.
Fans have not stopped, they are still thunderous for both men. Red Shoes begins a count, and the two men begin to stir. The count stops at 7 as both men crawl over to each other. Okada weakly clubs Omega, and Omega weakly forearms Okada. Okada throws Omega’s face to the mat, but Omega forearms Okada back. Omega hits, Okada hits. Omega slaps, Okada slaps! Now Omega headbutts, and it’s almost double-edged. Omega stands up and drags Okada up with him. Okada RAINMAKER outta nowhere! It wasn’t the full form, but that was still good enough to clobber Omega. Okada has the wrist as he drags Omega up again, for another RAINMAKER! Omega is down, but Okada can’t make the cover from exhaustion. Okada comes back around too late, but he grits his teeth as he drags Omega up one more time.
Omega is dazed as Okada swings him out, but then GERMAN SUPLEX! They fall sideways, no bridge to cover. But Omega holds on to the waistlock as fans rally up again. Omega drags Okada up, for another German! But Omega doesn’t try for the bridge there, he wants more. He drags Okada up again, but Okada standing switch to GERMAN Omega! But the bridge is lopsided, no cover. Okada doesn’t care, he returns to his wristlock control. He drags Omega up, swings out, but Omega dodges! SNAP German! Omega tries again but Okada elbows out. Reverse-Rana! Omega uses all he has left just to stand while Okada rests against ropes. Red Shoes comes over, and Omega uses him. BANG, but into a dropkick!
Okada still has something left as he drags Omega back up. He wristlocks, swings out, but is reeled into a sudden One-Winged Angel!! But Omega can’t cover, even as Okada groggily crawls to ropes. Okada is out of it, but Omega still gets up. Fans are thunderous as Omega gets running again… V-TRIGGER!! Then, electric chair, ONE-WINGED ANGEL!! Cover, Omega WINS!!!
Winner: Kenny Omega, by pinfall; NEW IWGP Heavyweight Champion
He has done it!! Omega wins in an amazing comeback from behind, and has ended Okada’s historic reign! This war for the ages was a total of 65 minutes, the most memorable 65 minutes anywhere in wrestling, and it ends with Omega becoming the 66th heavyweight champion! We go to break while both men recover before the championship presentation.
NJPW on AXS returns…
Okada is still dazed, and Omega can barely move much himself. Ibushi helps Omega sit up, but on the ramp are Omega’s other friends, the newly crowned IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, The Young Bucks! Matt & Nick Jackson slowly make their way down the ramps as Omega checks on Okada. Fans cheer this show of respect, as well as this incredible accomplishment. Ibushi helps Omega stand so that the announcement can officially be made. The Bucks enter the ring as Omega is presented with the belt. They bring it in for hugs! The Bucks are so proud of their friend for finally achieving this accolade. Even Ibushi joins in!
Okada is helped away by Gedo and a Young Lion, having left it all in the ring. Meanwhile, Red Shoes hands Omega the title belt, so that he may truly celebrate this moment. With Ibushi and the Bucks by his side, Omega puts on the belt to truly feel like he’s champion.
Omega gets a microphone, and speaks to the crowd in Osaka. “I guess I’ll do my best to speak a little Japanese.” Omega says these past ten years, he’s done so much. His ultimate goal was always this IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Omega thought that if he ever got the belt, he’d leave Japan. But now, in the middle of this match, he saw pro-wrestling’s future. Wrestling has truly evolved. And because of that, as the leader, the champion of NJPW, he will take the next step and move forward. He is champion, the Young Bucks are champions, and “Bu-san” Ibushi is the “strongest and handsomest tag team partner”. They can do anything, so let’s all go together!
But of course, this is a worldwide promotion, so Omega speaks some English. Today was a miracle. So many people tell Omega he’s not the best, he’s a waste of time, he should fit in or take a payday, should stay calm and Tranquilo. But that’s not Omega’s way. Omega’s way is to make his own rules and live the way he wants. With everyone beside him, especially his best friends, “we can truly do anything.” “But alas”, after that hour-plus long main event, Omega is tired and almost died, so this is where he bids us adieu. “Thank you so very much. Good bye, mwah, and good night! BANG!” The confetti fires and rains down on this #GoldenElite.
But then, Cody reappears? The Bullet Club dysfunction is still happening on the side, and clearly Cody looks annoyed. Cody leaves without a word or a gesture of respect. Will he be aiming for the Cleaner again in the near future? That is something to worry about when the time comes. For now, Omega’s friends hoist him up onto their shoulders to celebrate!
Backstage interviews.
Omega says he defeated the greatest wrestler on modern Earth. Okada is the “total, complete package”, the man who carried NJPW to this point. But this is as far as Okada can go with it. Omega sees NJPW’s future, its evolution and the evolution of all pro-wrestling with it. He has so much more to do now that he is IWGP Heavyweight Champion. Omega will do his best to fill Okada’s shoes as he writes a new chapter, a new legacy, for NJPW. Even after putting his body through Hell, Omega wants more. Where will NJPW go and what heights will they reach with Omega at the helm?
My Thoughts:
I’m practically speechless after that main event, but I’ll do my best to form words. Dominion 2018 raises the bar on not just the other wrestling promotions around the world, but on NJPW itself, to where I’m not sure how they’re going to outdo this. Okada VS Omega Part 4 alone puts everyone else on notice for what a Match of the YEAR candidate really looks like. And thinking about it, Dominion was a great event for Bullet Club as a whole, with the trio of Cody, Scurll & Hangman defeating Liger, Mysterio & Tanahashi, then the Young Bucks checking off the Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, and of course, Omega winning THE Heavyweight Championship. The only thing missing is an end to the civil war. Perhaps one more time for Cody & Omega will do it, but it’d have to be something truly decisive, and no less than for the title.
My Score: 9.6/10
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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
Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
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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
Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
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The Wrestling Observer is reporting that WWE has been conducting releases and asking some non-top-tier performers to accept pay cuts,...
TNA Impact Viewership Rises to 209,000; 18-49 Rating Stays at 0.03
TNA Impact averaged 209,000 viewers on AMC last week, a 19.4% increase from the prior week but still the show’s...
Oba Femi Defeats Otis to Launch Weekly Open Challenge on WWE Raw
Oba Femi defeated Otis to kick off his new weekly open challenge on WWE Raw, picking up a key victory...
NJPW Announces Main Event for New Japan Road: Ignition to Dominion on May 6
New Japan Pro-Wrestling has revealed the lineup for the May 6 New Japan Road: Ignition to Dominion show, with the...
Kraneo Announces Departure From CMLL
Kraneo has announced his departure from CMLL in a video posted by his nephew, Hijo de Alebrije, on Instagram. The...
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Alexa Bliss Addresses Dark Side Update After Her 2025 WWE Return
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Will Kroos Shocks WWE NXT with Explosive Debut
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