AXS gives a special NJPW encore of Fighting Spirit Unleashed! Will the new NWA Worlds Champion, Cody, also become the new IWGP United States Champion?

This coverage of Fighting Spirit Unleashed will be as broadcast by AXS TV.

Gifs can be found at http://frentique.tumblr.com/

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: ACH, Jyushin Thunder Liger & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Roppongi 3K; ACH, Liger & Taguchi win.
• The Addiction VS Chase Owens & Hangman Adam Page; The Addiction wins.
• Six Man Tag: Chris Sabin, Flip Gordon & Jeff Cobb VS Best Friends & Hirooki Goto; Sabin, Gordon & Cobb win.
• Six Man Tag: EVIL, SANADA & Tetsuya Naito VS Killer Elite Squad & Zack Sabre Jr; Killer Elite Squad & Zack Sabre Jr. win.
• Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kushida VS Gedo & Jay White; Gedo & White win.
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Tournament Semi-Finals: Marty Scurll VS Will Ospreay; Scurll wins and advances to the finals.
• IWGP Tag Team Championship: The Young Bucks VS The Guerrillas of Destiny; The Guerrillas of Destiny win and become the new IWGP Tag Team Champions.
• IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship: Juice Robinson VS Cody w/ Brandi Rhodes; Cody wins and becomes the new IWGP US Heavyweight Champion.
• The Golden Lovers VS Tomohiro Ishii & Kazuchika Okada; The Golden Lovers win.

PLAY BY PLAY

NJPW returns to the States!

This is the third show in America, and we continue where we left off! The Bullet Club faces a new civil war as the Firing Squad looks to overthrow The Elite as Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa take on The Young Bucks for their IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships. The Tongans took the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Championships, will they also take the heavyweight two-man belts? Meanwhile, The Villain and the Aerial Assassin again clash for one more shot at the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship! Who gets the newest win in this storied rivalry? And of course, the American Nightmare wants to be the United States Champion on top of NWA Worlds Champion. Can Cody crush Juice Robinson’s dream and find himself holding two titles?

Six Man Tag: ACH, Jyushin Thunder Liger & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Roppongi 3K!

The main unit, Taguchi Japan, have been a bit overlooked with things like the Bullet Club Civil War and even the turmoil within Chaos happening. But can combining the forces of the mega anime fan, the living legend of Junior Heavyweight wrestling and Boss Taguchi himself put this faction in the spotlight? Or will Rocky Romero lead his boys, Sho & Yoh, to victory in the Six-Man Tag Division?

The Walter Pyramid is thunderous for Thunder Liger already, so naturally he’ll start. RPG3K sorts itself out and send out Yoh. The bell rings and fans rally up as Liger and Yoh circle. Yoh and Liger tie up and are even in strength. Yoh manages to push Liger to ropes, then backs up to fake a chop. He gives a shoulder pat a la Chaos leader Okada. Liger and Yoh circle and tie up again. Liger gets a headlock, and he grinds Yoh to a knee. Yoh powers out but Liger runs him over with a shoulder. Yoh kips up and Liger goes again, only to run into a dropkick. Fans boo, they much prefer Liger. Things speed up and Liger tilt-o-whirls Yoh into a backbreaker! Liger then drags Yoh into the full Mexican Surfobard! Taguchi and ACH come in to intercept Rocky and Sho with ankle locks!

The referee tries to regain order, and Taguchi Japan release RPG3K. Taguchi whips Yoh and then sends ACH in for a big clothesline. Liger goes in for his own, then ACH, then back to Liger. Taguchi takes care of coaching like in baseball. But then he goes in, funky weapon hip attack! They coordinate again, and Taguchi climbs up. Liger whips but Yoh reverses, sending Liger into the funky weapon! And then Yoh gives Taguchi 1000 Years of Death! Taguchi tumbles down while Sho stomps Liger. Rocky takes care of ACH, then RPG3K work together now. Rocky slaps Liger then feeds Liger to Yoh’s mudhole stomps. Yoh tags in Sho and they double whip Liger. They have Liger run, into a drop toehold and low dropkick. Fans boo and jeer them while Sho bumps Liger off Rocky’s boot. Rocky tags in and puts Liger in a corner.

Rocky throws haymakers while mocking Liger, but Liger chops back! Liger backs Rocky up but Rocky dropkicks the legs out. Fans rally up for Liger, but Rocky tags in Sho. Sho takes out Taguchi while Yoh comes in. They whip Liger, then send Rocky in. Liger puts Rocky on the apron, but Rocky grabs Liger. Sho runs in but Liger dodges, Sho hits Rocky down! Liger knocks Yoh down then gives Sho a tilt-o-whirl backbreaker! ACH returns and Liger crawls over, hot tag! ACH rallies on Sho and Yoh and even scares Rocky. Show grabs ACH but ACH powers out to then slingshot onto Rocky! ACH goes after Sho with a sweep and stomps! Shotgun dropkick, then a sweep and SUPERKICK for Yoh! ACH fires up with Long Beach, but Sho slows him down.

Sho whips but runs into ACH’s boot. ACH fires off strikes, then deadlift German Suplex! Bridge, TWO! Fans chant “ACH! ACH!” as he keeps on Sho. He fireman’s carry but Sho fights out. Sho waistlocks but ACH fights out now. ACH whips but misses, Sho waistlocks to German Suplex! Sho can’t bridge, but he does crawl for his corner. So does ACH, hot tag to Rocky and Taguchi! Taguchi leaps but completely misses with his funky weapon. Rocky hits Liger for good measure, then aims at Taguchi. Rocky winds up and gets those forever clotheslines going! He gets three but then gets the hip attack! Taguchi gives hip attacks to Yoh and Sho, then gives forever hip attacks to Rocky, to Yoh and to Sho, repeat! Long Beach fires up as Taguchi flops around. He baits RPG3K but dodges all their dropkicks!

Taguchi throws haymakers then runs, but is caught into a triple atomic drop! Sho feeds him to the double mule kick which leads into his backstabber and double knees! High stack cover from Rocky, TWO! Fans fire up and RPG3K stomps about. Liger drags Rocky out, and Taguchi fights out of 3K. ACH blasts Yoh & Sho with dropkicks, then DIVES onto them both! Taguchi gives Rocky the Dodon Buster! Cover, Taguchi Japan wins!

Winners: Taguchi Japan, Ryusuke Taguchi pinning

A big win for the main unit to open the show! Will Taguchi lead his team to further victories? Will Liger and Tiger Mask W get their own victories for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships?

Backstage interviews.

Rocky Romero knows “A great man once said that our faction is fine.” Chaos is fine, even with some bad eggs and traitors. Yes, he means Gedo! Gedo broke everyone’s hearts when he sided with Jay White! The “rat bastard” will get his soon, and Jay White, Rocky is ready to fight him wherever and whenever! He wants it to be official! Will Rocky get his fight with the Switchblade? Or will Gedo make sure Rocky gets got first?

The Addiction VS Chase Owens & Hangman Adam Page!

Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian may have a deadline with ROH, but they’re hoping to use success in NJPW as a bartering chip. Meanwhile, the Crown Jewel and Problem Solver of the Bullet Club wouldn’t mind finding their own way to titles somewhere. Who will find success as the expense of the others here in Long Beach?

Long Beach is SoCal, so they love “S C U!” The Heavy Metal Rebel starts against his familiar foe and they tie up. Hangman gets the headlock but Kaz powers out. They collide but neither man falls. They tie up again and Kaz gets the headlock. Headman powers out but Kaz dodges and hurdles to bump. Neither man falls again, but Kaz pie faces Hangman. Hangman throws forearms but so does Kaz and the brawl is on! These two still don’t like each other after all they’ve done to each other. Hangman runs but into Kaz’s forearm. Kaz runs but into Hangman’s forearm. Hangman runs but dodges. Kaz dodges, they collide with clotheslines. Neither man falls, even as they go again. They’re still standing, even after a third collision.

Daniels and Chase tag in, even though Hangman wasn’t done with Kaz. Chase says it’s okay, but then Daniels throws haymakers and chops. Chase reverses the whip to cravat knee and mule kick. He runs sideways to hit the swinging neckbreaker! Chase runs into the corner but into Daniels’ boot. Daniels hits his own neckbreaker, then tags in Kaz. The Addiction combine for body shot and flipping neckbraeker. Kaz covers, ONE! Kaz keeps between Chase and Hangman, and fans rally for SCU as Kaz throws forearms on Chase. He whips Chase but Chase dodges. Hangman tags in and Chase feeds Kaz to Hangman’s boot. Chase gives a cravat facebuster, then gets Daniels with one.

Hangman comes in to give Kaz a clothesline, then Daniels a clothesline. Kaz runs but into a fireman’s carry, Hangman kicks Daniels. Hangman dumps Kaz, and uses Daniels for the dropsault! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up with Hangman while he keeps on Kaz. He bumps Kaz off the buckles then stomps a mudhole. Tag to Chase, and he stomps a mudhole. Chase puts Kaz into the ropes to forearm him in the back. He does it again, then lifts Kaz for the backbreaker. Cover, TWO! Chase keeps on Kaz and tags in Hangman. They double whip, double elbow, then knee drop and shooting star! Cover, TWO! Hangman rallies up the fans, and he pumphandle deadlifts Kaz for the Fall Away Suplex! Bridging cover, TWO!

Hangman chops Kaz then tags Chase. He holds Kaz in place for Chase to punch. Chase puts on a facelock but fans rally up for Kaz. Chase wrenches hard, but Kaz powers his way up as fans chant “S C U!” Kaz fights back with body shots and haymakers, but Chase kicks low. Chase whips but Kaz slides off his back to then backstabber! Kaz dodges, hot tag to Daniels! Daniels rallies on the Bullet Club boys. Hangman reverses the whip but Daniels slides to STO! Daniels whips but Hangman reverses again, only to end up in the dragon sleeper. Chase runs in, for a urenage DDT combo! The Fallen Angle keeps going as he wheelbarrow slams Chase. Cover, TWO! Daniels keeps his cool as he drags Chase up for another urenage. Then to the corner, but Chase catches him in a roll up! TWO!

Daniels whips Chase. Chase dodges, Hangman slingshots for the Buck Shot! Hangman hits Kaz for good measure while Chase rebound backbreakers Daniels! Cover, TWO! Daniels is tough, it’s how he’s lasted this long in the sport. Hangman goes to the apron but has to fight Kaz off with a roaring elbow. Then the shooting star shoulder, gets a code breaker!! Chase aims at Daniels, but Daniels resists the driver. Kaz comes in but Chase fires off on him. Chase whips Kaz but Kaz reverses. Chase runs into a boot, Kaz scoops and Daniels jumps, Best Meltzer Ever! Cover, The Addiction wins!

Winners: The Addiction, Daniels pinning

SoCal Uncensored is victorious in SoCal! They’ve got a lot of time left, can Daniels & Kazarian make a run for gold before 2018 is out?

Six Man Tag: Chris Sabin, Flip Gordon & Jeff Cobb VS Best Friends & Hirooki Goto!

One half of the Motor City Machine Guns teams with the Captain of Flip Army and the NEW ROH World Television Champion against Chaos’ Trent, Chuckie T & Fierce Warrior! Goto may no longer be NEVER Openweight Champion, but could we see the forging of a new trio for the Six Man Tag Division? Or will this arsenal of honor end that before it begins?

The teams go through their checks with the referee, then sort out who starts. The bell rings and we begin with Sabin and the Kentucky Gentleman. Sabin and Chuckie circle and tie up. Chuckie gets a waistlock but Sabin reverses to a wristlock. Chuckie reverses that onto Sabin but Sabin rolls and handsprings to spin around and wrench the arm to an arm-drag. Things speed up and Chuckie rolls Sabin to a cover, TWO and Sabin has the crucifix cover! TWO and both men stand off. Long Beach loves it already as both men blast their opposing corners! They then get in each other’s face and start brawling with forearms. Goto and Trent come in to brawl with Flip and Cobb! The ref again has a hard time keeping order, but Flip and Cobb throw Trent and Goto out.

Sabin whips Chuckie corner to corner and then Cobb whips Sabin in. Sabin hits the elbow, then Flip goes in for one. However, Sabin isn’t enough to whip Cobb in, so Flip helps. Cobb gets going and hits a big corner splash! Flip shooting stars, then Sabin La Mahistrols, TWO! Chuckie shakes the cobwebs out of his head while Sabin puts him in a corner. Sabin runs but mises, Goto returns to hit a clothesline. Trent hits an elbow and Chuckie a clothesline. Flip comes in but is scooped, long dart cutter! The Best Friends want to hug, but Cobb runs them over! Fans boo, they like hugs. Cobb says they’ll like this more. He builds speed, but runs into Goto’s lariat! Goto keeps on Cobb on the outside, but Sabin stops Goto with a Penalty Kick! But Trent blasts Sabin to then build speed. Chuckie stops him, to hug!

Flip returns but is tossed out onto Sabin. Then the Best Friends build speed to FLY! They hit all three opponents and Long Beach loves it! Chuckie puts Sabin in while Trent flexes. Goto keeps the others down while Chuckie scoop slams Sabin. Tag to Trent, and they build up energy for the most dangerous move in the world… the slingshot foot scrape. But Chuckie adds on his slow-mo senton. The fans love the Fillsbury Flop, but then Goto tags in and he clubs away on Sabin. Goto whips and elbows Sabin down to then drop another elbow. Cover, TWO! Sabin still lives but Goto puts on a chinlock. Fans rally for Sabin as he endures the elbow in the nose and forehead. Goto drags Sabin over and puts him in the Chaos corner.

Tag to Trent, and Trent Northern Lights with bridge. TWO, but Trent keeps between him and the corner. Trent chops Sabin sharply, but Sabin only fires up from it. Sabin chops sharply, so Trent gives another. Tag to Chuckie and he brings Sabin up. Sabin fights back with forearms and chops, but then Chuckie rakes eyes. Sabin can’t see where he’s going, Chuckie tags in Trent. They keep between Sabin and his team, then double whip him corner to corner. Sabin goes up and over and sends Chuckie into Trent and then drop toeholds Chuckie into Trent’s crotch! Chuckie gets Sabin with a kick, but Sabin reverses the bomb into a tornado DDT! Sabin reaches for his corner as fans rally up, he rolls to hot tag in Flip!

Flip leaps over Trent to dropkick Goto. Flip handsprings and mule kicks to PELE! He goes up and FLIES onto Chuckie! Flip fires up and climbs up, to crossbody Trent! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up more as Flip takes aim. Flip runs in but misses. Trent tornado DDT but it’s denied, Flip spring-blades! Flip hurries up top again, for a 450! He bails out as Trent rolls to evade, and turns around into Trent’s shotgun knee! Both men are down but fans rally up. Trent and Flip crawl, hot tags to Goto and Cobb! Cobb rallies on Goto with chops and haymakers! He whips Goto corner to corner then hits a BIG clothesline! Cobb whips Goto again, but Goto dodges. Goto runs and they collide with clotheslines. They collide again, and again, and Goto wins out!

Cobb crawls but Goto runs in for the windmill heel kick! Then the saido suplex! Cover, TWO! Goto tries but can’t fireman carry. Cobb elbows Goto then waistlocks. Goto fights out but Cobb kicks. Cobb swings but ends up in the dragon sleeper. He slips out to suplex Goto down! Fans fire up as Cobb moonsaults! Goto dodges and Cobb flops. Cobb runs into the clothesline, but both men are down. Goto tags to Chuckie and he corner clotheslines on Cobb. Chuckie vows to kill Cobb for real, but it’s Cobb who suplexes him. Trent saves Chuckie, the Best Friends double suplex Cobb! They keep on Cobb with a double whip, but Cobb brings them into each other, for a double pumphandle suplex!

Cobb is superhuman as he brings Trent up. Trent throws Cobb into Chuckie’s knee, and then hits the tornado DDT! Chuckie wants his Awful Waffle, and somhow manages him up for the driver! Cover, but both Sabin and Flip break it! Goto throws Flip out while Trent drags Sabin out. Chuckie positions Cobb and climbs up, for the MOONSAULT! But it flops as Cobb evades! Cobb clobbers Chuckie, brings down the straps, and takes him for a Tour of the Islands! Cover, Cobb and team win!

Winners: Sabin, Gordon & Cobb, Jeff Cobb pinning

The slapdash trio takes the victory in their first time teaming together. Sabin’s chest is worse for wear, but maybe these three could make a run for trios titles somewhere? However, Goto goes after Cobb, wanting to keep their fight going. The referee keeps the peace and Trent convinces Goto to back down, for now. When will we see the Warrior and the Olympian collide again?

Six Man Tag: EVIL, SANADA & Tetsuya Naito VS Killer Elite Squad & Zack Sabre Jr!

Los Ingobernables de Japon have been struggling as of late. They no longer have the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, Hiromu Takahashi went down with injury back in the G1 Special in San Francisco, and not even the Uncontrollable Charisma managed to repeat as G1 Climax champion. But perhaps there is hope in Six Man competition! Unless Davey Boy Smith Jr, Lance Archer and the Submission Master do something about it.

Speaking of, KES & ZSJ attack from behind without waiting for the bell! ZSJ singles out Evil while KES drag Naito and the Cold Skull out of the ring. The bell rings as ZSJ toys with the King of Darkness. ZSJ runs but Evil dodges to run him over. The brawl continues on the outside and LIJ gets the edge while Evil grinds his shoe on ZSJ’s head. Evil stomps ZSJ while Archer throws a tantrum on the outside. Sanada tags in and clubs ZSJ. He whips but ZSJ catches him into the abdominal stretch! Sanada slips out to put it on ZSJ! ZSJ slips out and they go around and around, but end up in the Suzuki-Gun corner. Davey tags in and stomps away on Sanada. He throws big kicks and knocks Sanada off his feet. Davey throws forearms and whips Sanada. Sanada dodges to dropkick the leg out!

Sanada grabs the legs and arms, and wants the infamous Paradise Lock, but Davey powers out. Davey runs into a kick, then Sanada throws hands. Sanada whips but Archer tags in, for the back drop power slam! Davey hits Naito and Evil, Archer reels Sanada in for a lariat. ZSJ joins in on the outside and they wreck Naito and Evil with railings. Archer drags Sanada up and into a corner for a chop. He runs corner to corner for a big back elbow, then again for another. Archer keeps going for a third elbow! Fans boo and jeer while Davey tags back in. Davey looms over Sanada as he brings him back up. Davey scoops and slams, to then hook a leg for a deathlock snap! He does a couple more, then swivels those hips and says “Up yours, brother!” before bridging!

Sanada endures the modified deathlock, and fans rally up. Davey shifts to add a crossface and then a fish hook to it. He lets go as the ref counts, and Sanada chops back. Davey eggs him on so Sanada chops more and more. Davey clubs Sanada then German Suplexes. He holds on to German again! Davey goes for the hat trick but Sanada slips out! Sanada boots him away then dropkicks him down! Fans fire up as Naito gets up. Archer intercepts but he choke slam is countered with a huricanrana! Naito tags in! Naito rallies and dodges to dropkick Davey in the back. ZSJ comes in but Naito whips him for the jump kick, sweep and swinging dropkick! Naito drags ZSJ up for the neckbreaker, then hits the pose. Fans fire up but Davey waistlocks. Naito fights out and enziguris!

Naito runs but into a belly2belly! Davey crawls and Archer blasts Evil out. KES go after Naito and they whip him corner to corner. Davey clotheslines, Archer elbows, and they combine for the crossbody sidewalk slam! Cover, TWO! Naito toughs it out but KES is on him again. Archer prepares the full nelson but fans rally up. Naito kicks Davey away then sends him into Archer. Tornado DDT for Archer! Both men are down but crawling. ZSJ tags in but so does Evil. ZSJ throws European Uppercuts but Evil throws forearms. They go back and forth, and Long Beach is on Evil’s side. Evil eggs ZSJ on, ZSJ throws more EuroUppers. Evil chops then back sentons! Fans fire up as Evil runs, but ZSJ kicks the clothesline to then Pele the arm! ZSJ hops on for the double wristlock! Evil endures, and then powers out to a suplex!

Sanada hits KES and coordinates with Evil. They double whip ZSJ and hit a back elbow to big clothesline. Naito comes in for a double dropkick sandwich! Naito and Sanada hit KES, slingshot from Sanada takes them both out. Evil has ZSJ, for the STO but ZSJ reverses to the Octopus! Only for Evil to counter into Darkness Falls!! Cover, TWO!! Evil roars and rags ZSJ up, but ZSJ gets around, European Clutch!! Cover, Suzuki-Gun wins!!

Winners: ZSJ & Killer Elite Squad, Sabre Jr. pinning

Another win over Evil and ZSJ is riding high. The Submission Master doesn’t respect spooky Halloween season, nor does he respect ZSJ. And Killer Elite Squad beat up a young lion, just like Minoru Suzuki would! No respect, no mercy, but will there be consequences for these actions?

As for Evil, Naito and Sanada come in to try and encourage their comrade. LIJ will overcome, but what will it take to turn their luck around?

Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kushida VS Gedo & Jay White!

The Ace is the G1 Climax 28 champion while the Time Splitter is headed for another IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship match. Will their momentum be halted by the traitor of Chaos and his new protege?

Tanahashi already has reason to dislike The Switchblade, so before the bell even rings, he and Kushida take the fight to White and Gedo! The bell rings while the brawl is on! Tanahashi gives White EuroUppers before putting him in the ring. White staggers into forearms and body shots. Tanahashi catches White’s kick into the Dragon Screw! Tanahashi stomps on that leg then throws more forearms. He whips White corner to corner but White reverses. Whtie runs into an elbow, but then trips up Tanahshi and sends him to the floor! Gedo hits Kushida while White stomps away on Tanahashi. White even chokes Tanahashi with camera cord! Fans boo and jeer and White lets go to bring Tanahashi up for a chop. Gedo wrenches and rakes Kushida while White chops Tanahashi again.

White puts Tanahashi in the ring and takes aim. He runs in corner to corner for a running EuroUpper, then throws Tanahashi with a big back suplex. Cover, TWO! Fans boo and jeer while White drags Tanahashi up. White chops Tanahashi more, then tags in Gedo. Fans boo while Gedo puts Tanahashi in a sleeper. Gedo also claws at Tanahashi’s face, so the referee tells him to let go. Gedo does, then taunts Tanahashi. He throws hands while fans boo and jeer. Gedo pokes Tanahahsi in the eyes, and the ref reprimands him again. Gedo brings Tanahashi over for a bump off White’s boot. White tags in to scoop and slam Tanahashi. White mocks Tanahashi before dropping the elbow. Cover, TWO!

White drags Tanhashi up to bump him off Gedo’s boot. Fans rally for The Ace but Gedo mule kicks him in the gut. Gedo embraces the heat, but Tanahashi hits back with body shots! Tanahashi swings on White but White gets away. Gedo whips Tanahashi but runs into the elbow. Tanahashi jumps up for the crossbody! Gedo manages to defend slightly and both men are down. Hot tag to Kushida! Springboard ax handle for Gedo, handspring kick for White! Kushida boots Gedo away then swing kicks him. Kushida climbs up and leaps over Gedo, to come back into Gedo’s kick. Gedo runs but into the arm-drag and cartwheel dropkick! Kushida aims from a corner and rolls, for the DDT! Float over to the cross armbreaker! Gedo resists as he rolls Kushida, but Kushida rolls him for the kimura! White breaks that up then takes out Tanahashi.

White helps Gedo to their corner and then tags in. He embraces the heat as he drags Kushida up for a chop. White chops more, but then Kushida dodges. Kushida runs into a boot but slips out of the suplex, only to get another chop. White whips but Kushida handsprings for the back elbow! Hot tag to Tanahashi! Tanahashi rallies on White, then whips corner to corner. White reverses but Tanahshi comes back with a forearm! Tanahashi has fans fired up, but White counters the slingblade. Tanahashi gets out of Blade Runner for Twist ‘n’ Shout! The Ace runs but into a chop, yet still gets a slingblade! Cover, but Gedo breaks it. Kushida throws Gedo out but gets a thumb in the eyes. Tanahashi goes up while White is still down. But White grabs the ref while Gedo uses brass knuckles to sucker punch Tanahashi!

Gedo rocks Kushida with that brass fist, then White lets go of the ref. White brings Tanahashi up, Blade Runner! Cover, White & Gedo win!

Winners: Gedo & White, Jay White pinning

The Switchblade and his new sinister mentor use every trick in the book to steal this from The Ace. White grabs the microphone and the Wrestle Kingdom contract briefcase, to ask Tanahashi and the world–once Long Beach stops booing–“What are you waiting for?” Fans switch to “F*ck you, Switchblade!” but White just blows kisses in return. He tells them to shut up since they paid to see him. But what is Tanahashi waiting for? He won the G1 only to give Okada a shot at the briefcase the very next event?! White beat them BOTH in the G1 so he has a right to the contract! So White asks again, “What are you waiting for? What is NJPW waiting for?”

They’re all scared that White will win again, and the company can’t afford not having Tanahashi in the main event. At the very least, they can’t stand having two gaijin in the main event! White says this is inevitable! We will all #BreathewiththeSwitchblade in the new era! White wants what Tanahashi has, will Gedo help him reach the top by any means necessary?

Backstage interview.

White says he’s taking that briefcase. Tanahashi knows it, NJPW sees it, fans see it! Everyone sees it. Gedo adds that Tanahashi was finished a long time ago, so are Tanahashi’s days numbered?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Tournament Semi-Finals: Marty Scurll VS Will Ospreay!

The Villain and The Aerial Assassin may be competing to reach the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight title again, but they’re also continuing their war that has been waged all around the world! Will Scurll or Ospreay move on to challenge The Time Splitter for the vacant title?

There is no love lost between these archenemies, but they still wait for the bell. The belt is shown to remind them what they’re after, and the bell rings to send these two at each other! SPANISH FLY OUTTA NOWHERE! Cover, TWO! Ospreay almost ends it there, but Scurll bails out. Ospreay builds speed to Sasuke Special! He puts Scurll in then climbs up, Shooting Star! Cover, TWO!! This is too fast, too furious, but its’ not over yet. Ospreay runs but Scurll bails out, so Ospreay DIVES! Ospreay doesn’t give Scurll a moment’s rest while fans are thunderous. He puts Scurll into the ring then springboards for a big clothesline! Scurll wants a breather but Ospreay won’t give him it. Ospreay instead kicks away on Scurll’s chest.

Scurll catches on to then SLAP Ospreay! Ospreay kicks Scurll again, but runs into the EuroUpper. Scurll hits another, then goes to the apron for the SUPERKICK! The Villain finally has time to breathe while fans chant “Too Sweet! Woop Woop!” Scurll brings Ospreay up and onto the apron to slam his chest on the edge. Scurll has the fans on his side as he brings Ospreay up. He ducks the enziguri to stomp Ospreay’s back neck! Scurll chops Ospreay off his feet once, twice, three times! Fans cheer as Scurll wrenches Ospreay’s neck with a cravat. Scurll throws knees, then snapmares and dropkicks Ospreay’s neck again. Cover, TWO! He kicks Ospreay while he’s down, then stands on Ospreay’s head.

Fans rally as Scurll stands Ospreay up for more chops. Scurll chops again but now Ospreay grits his teeth. Scurll kicks him in the face, then tweaks his neck! Ospreay is on the ropes, and Scurll stands on his head! The ref reprimands Scurll and Scurll lets up at 4. Scurll flexes and fires the fans up. He whips but Ospreay handsprings to enziguri! Both men are down but Ospreay’s neck still bothers him. Fans duel as both men slowly stand. Ospraey sweeps Scurll’s legs then runs in, but misses the dropkick. Scurll blocks one kick but gets the enziguri, then the elevated 619! Ospreay catches his breath and checks his neck while fans rally up. Ospreay slingshots but Scurll shoves and swing kicks. Scurll goes out to whip Ospreay into barriers.

Scurll chops Ospreay again, and again. He drags Ospreay to the apron, but Ospreay fights back. They brawl with forearms and chops, Ospreay kicks, but Scurll still chops. Back and forth but Ospreay gets the edge. Scurll runs but manages to hold off the Spanish Fly. Both men get flashbacks to their previous encounter. Scurll puts Ospreay in but Ospreay mule kicks. Ospreay sees his chance, runs and SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB!! The fans lose their minds while both men are down and out. Ospreay stands first as the ring count reaches 13. He puts Scurll in at 15, wanting to win in the ring. Ospreay aims, Robinson Special spin kick! He calls for it, springboards for it, but ends up in a backslide form it! Roll through, but SUPERKICK!

Both men are down again but fans are loving it. Fans rally up as a new count begins. Scurll stands at 5 and goes over to Ospreay. Scurll butterflies but Ospreay resists. Ospreay turns around and kicks Scurll, to butterfly him. Scurll slips out to chop but Ospreay fires off strikes. Ospreay runs and kicks to then clobber Scurll with a clothesline! Scurll is down but Ospreay isn’t through with him. He drags Scurll up to a corner, then to the top rope. Ospreay chops Scurll then climbs up to join him. Ospreay and Scurll stand all the way up, but Scurll trips Ospreay up! Scurll then adjusts to SUPER STEINER! Then he runs to flip Ospreay with that lariat! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives and Scurll can’t believe it. Fans still love it as they build back to a rally.

Scurll drags Ospreay up for another chop. Ospreay grits his teeth as he stays standing. Scurll chops him again but Ospreay still keeps himself up. Scurll chops again, but Ospreay won’t back down. Ospreay chops Scurll, Scurll chops Ospreay, and now Ospreay fires off strikes. Scurll ducks the kick to give the uppercut, bu t runs into the flip kick and enziguri! Suplex, but into CHICKEN WING!! Ospreay is stuck in the middle of the ring, but rolls it back! Cover, TWO, and then Mahistrol! TWO! Scurll powerbombs and high stacks, TWO, butterfly but Ospreay slips out. Full nelson but Scurll breaks out, only for Ospreay to hook kick him! Both men are down but Long Beach is thunderous!

Fans know “This is Awesome!” as both men stir. Ospreay stands first and calls for the end. He butterflies but Scurll powers him up to a corner. Scurll climbs up, but Ospreay slips out to tuck him in, CHEEKY NANDOS! Ospreay has a wild look in his eye as he climbs up top again. He steadies himself, but Scurll trips him up! Scurll sits Ospreay up and chops his back. Scurll climbs up, and wants the chicken wing up there! Ospreay fights out of it, but ends up in the tiger underhook! SUPER TIGER SUPLEX!! Cover, TWO!? HOW?! But Scurll just clobbers Ospreay again, before giving him the side package driver! Scurll isn’t done yet, Graduation Butterfly slam! Cover, Scurll wins!!

Winner: Marty Scurll, by pinfall; advances to the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship match

The Villain defeats the Assassin, and will now face Kushida! King of Pro-Wrestling will see a new IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion, but will it be Taguchi Japan or Bullet Club that claims it?

Backstage interview.

Scurll congratulates himself, and says that three things are guaranteed: Death, taxes, and Scurll beating Ospreay. Tonight was no different. Ospreay loses again and again, because he’s “full of it.” The truth is, when it’s 1v1 between these two, Scurll will always win. But enough about that, Scurll is tired and wants to go home to his dog Winston. Kushida, your time is up! Scurll claims that belt because he is the biggest start in the Division! No one buys Kushida merch, Opsreay merch or even Hiromu merch. They buy Scurll’s merch! Scurll will win and take it all the way to Tokyo Dome for an even better entrance than before! Thank you, get him some water, bye bye!

IWGP Tag Team Championship: The Young Bucks VS The Guerrillas of Destiny!

This is Bullet Club Civil War 2, and it’s even more intense than before. While Cody and Omega were fighting for the top, everyone else had to choose a side. Matt & Nick Jackson eventually chose Omega’s side, but the BC OG and his brother were a bit more cryptic about where they stood. When things finally settled between The Elite, that was when they decided to strike! This splinter cell known as the Firing Squad wants it all for themselves, and doesn’t care what they have to do or who they have to hurt to get it. Will Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa gun down the Bucks? Or will the Superkick Party be too much to stop?

Naturally the Godfather of Destiny, THE King Haku, accompanies his sons to the ring. As for the California natives, they’re going it as just the two of them, wearing gear that shouts out to the Golden Elite, aka the fabulous four that are The Bucks, Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi. Long Beach is of course on the side of “The! Elite! The the Elite!” the belts are raised but Tama tosses them down! Tension mounts as the teams sort out. Brother Nick starts against brother Tama and we begin. Fans chant “Young Bucks!” but Tama simply scowls at the fans. Some fans shout support for “G O D!” and that invigorates Tama.

Tama ties up with Nick, and Tama gets the headlock. Nick powers out but Tama runs him over. Tama runs but Nick keeps up with him, but both men dodge dropkicks to cancel out with dropkicks. They trash talk forehead to forehead, then start shoving. Matt shoves Tama so Loa shoves Matt. It’s a lot of shoving that turns into a brawl. But the GoD tank it all and then clobber the Bucks down. The GoD double whip but the Bucks slide and kick. The Bucks run, double alley oop dropkick! Fans fire up as The Bucks focus on Tama. They whip then kick, to sweep and dropkick! Matt handsprings to headscissor Loa for Nick to dropkick! Fans fire up again and continue to chant “The! Elite! The the Elite!”

Tama hits back but Nick clubs him down. Nick brings Tama over and tags in Matt. They double whip and hip toss to handspring and dropkick. Matt’s back is bothering him again… He still covers, ONE! The ref checks on Matt but Matt won’t quit for that. He tags Nick and Nick kicks Tama. Nick checks on Matt but Tama attacks them both! Tama whips Nick while Loa takes out Matt on the outside. Loa focuses on that bad back as he scoops Matt for a running powerslam! Tama tosses Nick out and the GoD supporters rally up again. Loa whips Matt around while Tama headbutts Nick. Tama whips Nick into railing while Loa fetches a table. Loa puts the table up while Tama stands on Matt’s chest.

The referee reprimands the GoD but they don’t listen. They instead put Matt in the ring. Tama whips Nick but Nick reverses, sending Tama into barriers! Nick then hurries and saves Matt from certain doom, and then knocks Loa down. Loa misses the table, but Nick takes aim again to FLY! Nick sends Loa into railing right near commentary with JR and Kevin Kelly. Nick puts Loa back in, but Tama is back. The GoD get kicks from Nick, including the spinning roundhouse and shining wizard! Nick wants the bulldog but is fed to a lariat! Loa hits Matt but Matt hits back. Matt hits Tama, too, then climbs up! Matt, bad back and all, gets tossed into the table!! Fans boo and jeer but Loa plays innocent.

Tama goes after Nick and whips, Loa comes in and they work together to give body shots and the jumping neckbreaker. Loa adds the leg drop, but they’re not done here. They each climb up a corner and aim at Nick, diving headbutt to frog splash! Cover, TWO!! Nick survives but the GoD are confidently in control. Tama drags Nick up for elbows to the chin, neck and shoulder. He fires off elbow after elbow, then stops only to put Nick in the corner. Tag to Loa and the God continue to mug Nick. Loa picks Nick up to ram him into buckles. Loa and Tama grin as they keep Nick isolated in their corner. Now Loa lifts Nick in a stalling suplex to show off his strength. He slams Nick down hard, then covers. TWO, but Loa keeps his cool.

Loa makes Nick look at the empty corner. Matt stirs in the wreckage while Tama tags in. Double headbutt, but Nick fights back. Tama headbutts as Nick throws haymakers, and Nick gets free of the GoD corner. Nick kicks but Tama waistlocks. Matt crawls for his corner but Nick Penalty Kicks Loa. Nick shoulders into Tama to slingshot facebuster, handspring Asai onto Loa! Nick gets back in the ring and crawls for his corner. Matt crawls there, too, but Tama splashes on Nick before the tag can be made. Tongan Twist, Tama’s take on the Cross Rhodes! Cover, TWO!! Nick survives, but now Loa tags back in.

The fans duel again as Loa has Nick on the ropes to choke him out. The referee reprimands him so Loa lets up at 4. Loa encourages the dueling chants, then scoops Nick for a slam. He tags Tama, and the GoD know they have control. Nick fights back but Tama waistlocks and suplexes. Nick slips out but his kick is blocked. Tongan Twist but Nick slips through to SUPERKICK! Both men are down and father Haku looks concerned. Fans fire up as Nick and Tama crawl for their corners. Hot tag to Matt! Matt fires off haymakers, about all he can do with a bad back. Loa comes in but gets hands, too. Loa fires up with the strikes and Tama clobbers Matt. The GoD double whip but Matt comes back with leaping lariats!

Matt fires up, the adrenaline helping with his back pain. He chops and forearms away on Loa, but Loa still takes it all. Matt whips but Loa reverses. Matt holds ropes and baits Loa in to dump him out. SUPERKICK for Tama! Somehow Matt gets moving to dropkick Loa out. Matt climbs back in to shoulder Tama. Slingshot to sunset flip, into the Sharpshooter! Matt gets the Cease, but can he hold onto it? Loa clubs Matt off the hold, then drags Matt up. The GoD coordinate, throwing hands, dropkick, and a scoop slam onto knees! Cover, TWO!! Matt barely gets out, and Tama taunts him more. Tama doesn’t believe the Bucks are good enough for Heavyweight wrestling. He slaps Matt, but runs into Matt’s SPEAR!

Fans rally and both men stir. Tama and Matt crawl, hot tags to their brothers! Nick springboards but is caught! Loa spins Nick around but Nick slips out. Nick shoves and shining wizard to the back. He sits Loa up, but Tama puts Nick on the apron. Nick kicks Tama then springboard stomps. Somersault to backstabber! Nick calls for the Party! Tag to Matt and the Bucks aim together. Loa stands, blocks Nick’s kick but takes Matt’s SUPERKICK! Nick SUPERKICKS Tama, then they both SUPERKICK Loa! Cover, TWO!! The party isn’t over yet, but “The! Elite! The the Elite!” still have more to give.

Matt tries to lift Loa but his back won’t allow it. Nick helps out, and then Matt hits the rolling senton! Nick adds the 450, More Bang for Your… but Matt’s back is slowing him down! Matt manages the climb, and moonsaults for that Buck! Cover, TWO!! Matt’s bad back is again interfering, so Nick helps him scoop Loa. Nick springboards, into a GUN STUN!! Loa hits the gutbuster drop on Matt! Cover, TWO!?! How?! Tama tags back in, GoD coordinates, but Matt fights out. SUPERKICK for Loa, SUPERKICK for Tama! But then GUN STUN 3D!! Cover, the GoD WIN!!

Winners: Guerrillas of Destiny, Tama Tonga pinning; NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions

An incredible effort from The Young Bucks was NOT enough! Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa now hold these titles and the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Championships. King Haku celebrates with his sons as they become the most decorated tag team in NJPW today. Will the Bucks be back for revenge? Or will it even matter should the Firing Squad win the war?

Backstage interview.

Tama says that before he answers the “stupid ass questions,” he has a question. Who was surprised by today? None here, they’re smart reporters. But go ahead and ask those dumb questions. How do they feel winning the titles? The same as every day. They grew up with wrestling. This isn’t just a game. Haku has been there for their lives. It’s another day on the job. Will they continue to roll on like it’s another day at work as they make this the Tongan Era of NJPW? Or will the war not go their way in the end?

IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship: Juice Robinson VS Cody w/ Brandi Rhodes!

The Flamboyant One scratched and clawed to get his first singles title, and the dream finally came true at the G1 Special in San Francisco. Titles matter so now Juice matters! But will Juice’s dream matter to the American Nightmare on his journey to add even more gold to his collection? Or will Juice retain his title while earning himself a spot in line for Cody’s NWA Worlds title?

The IWGP US belt is raised, the bell rings and we begin! Fans are divided, but Cody gives fans what they want. He takes his shift off, then decides to toss it to… Brandi. Cody circles with Juice and Cody hears the fans. He and Juice tie up, and Cody gets the walstock. They go around and Cody gets the wristlock. Juice reverses the lock but Cody gets to ropes. Juice lets him go and fans applaud the sportsmanship. Cody and Juice circle and tie up. Juice gets the drop toehold and the facelock. Cody gets up tot he waistlock but Juice backs him to a corner. Juice snapmares Cody to a chinlock and shifts around. Cody gets a foot but Juice gets ropes. Cody lets go, but then chops Juice! Juice barely flinches! Cody chops again but Juice fires up.

Juice chops back, Cody chops again and Juice chops again. Cody gets the headlock but Juice powers out. Cody slides under to give the uppercut! Things speed up but Cody ducks the crossbody! Juice rolls out of the ring, but Cody builds speed. Cody FLIES, but into a belly2belly! Brandi checks on her husband while Juice catches his breath. Juice fetches Cody but Brandi touches him. He shoves her a little too hard, and she fakes a teeth injury. Cody gives Juice an inverted DDT, and look! Brandi is fine! She and Cody kiss and she takes a bow for her amazing performance. Cody puts Juice in the ring and then aims from the corner. Cody springboards but misses the elbow! Juice crawls and Cody gets to a corner.

Juice hits a big corner clothesline! He runs back in for another! He then signals to go for a ride, and runs corner to corner. Cody grabs Red Shoes, and Brandi swipes at Juice. Juice backs Brandi off, and still shoulders into Cody. Cody kicks and then clotheslines to complete shot! Cover, TWO!! He tries again, TWO! Cody keeps focus on Juice while Juice slowly stands. Juice snapmares and lifts Cody up. Juice turns him around but Cody backslides, TWO! Roll up, TWO! Cody runs into the heel kick! Fans fire up for Juice as Cody gets to a corner. Juice glares as he runs in corner to corner for the BIG Cannonball! He drags Cody up and around, powerbomb lift, but Cody headscissor counters to send Juice into buckles!

Cody argues with the ref while Brandi rakes Juice’s eyes! Cody clotheslines Juice out, but Juice stays on the apron. So Cody runs, but misses the Beautiful Disaster! Juice climbs, flies, crossbody connects! But Juice takes a moment to cover, TWO! Juice clutches those ribs, but he keeps on Cody. Juice grabs Cody in the double underhook but Cody breaks free. Cody also breaks free of the waistlock to then trip Juice up and put on the Figure Four! Juice endures the legendary leg hold, and works to turn things around. Cody keeps the hold on as he elevates, but then Juice goes to roll it over. Fans rally as the two fight for control of the hold. Juice uses his size and strength and gets the reversal! Cody quickly grabs ropes, and the hold must break.

Brandi helps Cody get a sip of water. Cody takes off his weight belt, but Red Shoes takes it so he can’t use it as a weapon. Cody spits the water in Juice’s face! Then springboard for the Beautiful Disaster! Cover, TWO!? Juice survives the spit-take screwjob! But Cody unwinds the dirty bird, and drags Juice up. Juice backs Cody into a corner, then goes corner to corner. Cody goes up and over but Juice fakes out the slam. Juice turns Cody but Cody escapes. Juice escapes, turns, PULP FRICTION! But Cody gets out thanks to Brandi! The referee reprimand Mrs. American Nightmare and she backs off again. Cody recovers while the 20 count starts up. But Juice won’t settle for a win this way, he wants to win in the ring. He drags Cody up, but Cody gets him with CROSS RHODES!

Both men are down, and another 20 count must begin. Juice stirs but the count is already at 10. The count climbs to 15 as Cody stirs. Cody and Juice stand and both get in at 19! Both men crawl around towards each other. Cody throws a haymaker, but Juice comes back with one. Cody hits Juice, Juice hits back. They go back and forth with jabs, faster and faster and faster! Juice gets the edge, but Cody pokes the eyes, then SUPERKICKS! Fans rally up as Cody has the arms. He turns Juice, and hits Dinn’s Fire!! Cover, TWO!? Juice survives?! Cody is too tired to be frustrated, but he also works on another idea. Cody climbs up top, but Juice trips him up! Juice climbs up to join Cody, throwing big haymakers. Juice stands Cody up, for a SUPERPLEX!! But cradle counter! CODY WINS!?

Winners: Cody, by pinfall; NEW IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion

Was it Cody’s pin!? It’s hard to tell but the referee gave it to Cody, and the referee’s decision is final. Cody is now the dual NWA Worlds and IWGP US Champion! Brandi gets an assist but the records will only show Cody winning, will Juice come back to get even with Cody? Or is Cody going to move on and up to even bigger and better?

Backstage interview.

Cody says “let’s get serious”! The IWGP US Championship means the world to NJPW, because it’s the youngest title. They wanted a heritage that matters, so Cody can speak on that. Juice is what the NXT staff called “one of Dusty’s kids.” Well guess what: Cody is one of Dusty’s ACTUAL kids! This title belongs to Cody now! It was very personal, for everyone who said Juice was getting better, that he was some kind of master. Cody is the one everyone should be talking about! He brought us in, and is a dual champion for it.

As for Juice, he’s always respected Cody. And Juice said stuff. They come from different places, and Juice wants to clarify his statements. Juice said he was the American Dream, but he apologizes to the Rhodes Family for possibly offending him. He is not claiming to be Dusty, there was only ever one Dusty. Juice loved Dusty so much, so it was not meant as an insult or anything of the sort. Juice simply meant he was living the American Dream to be where he is today. He simply hopes that a little of who Dusty was has influenced him and has made him better for it. This class act from Juice certainly is a sign of that. Will Juice be back for that title? Or will he again have to scratch and claw for another shot?

The Golden Lovers VS Tomohiro Ishii & Kazuchika Okada!

The Best Bout Machine has had his run-ins with both the Stone Pitbull and the Rainmaker. It was the previous encounter with Okada that Kenny Omega finally became THE IWGP Heavyweight Champion in their amazing best 2 out of 3 falls match. Then in his most recent run-in with Ishii, Omega managed to tough it out to retain that title. Now he meets both men again with his best friend, Kota Ibushi by his side. As for Okada, he ended his partnership with Gedo after not winning the G1 Climax, only for Gedo to betray him! How will the Rainmaker and Pitbull snap back from this newest setback when going against two of the best?

Long Beach chants for the Golden Lovers but Okada isn’t bothered. Okada volunteers to start, and Kota does the same. The bell rings and fans are already fired up for Rainmaker and Golden Star. They slowly circle and approach. They tie up and Okada gets a waistlock. Ibushi reverses to a wristlock, but Okada rolls and reverses back. Okada shifts to a hammerlock but Ibushi reverses that. Ibushi gets a headlock but Okada works against the hold. Ibushi keeps it and gets the takedown but Okada gets the headscissors. Naturally Ibushi pops out, then he ducks the clothesline, but Okada ducks the kick. Okada wants the Rainmaker but Ibushi narrowly avoids it! The two stand and stare down and fans applaud. Okada tags Ishii and Ishii wants Omega. Ibushi obliges and tags Omega in.

We get a rematch of Destruction in Hiroshima already as these two stare down. They circle and fans settle down. The two tie up, Omega gets a headlock. Ishii powers out and collides shoulders with Omega. Neither man falls, and Omega runs. He bumps Ishii then forearms on the rebound. Omega boots but misses. Ishii bumps, Omga bumps, Ishii runs Omega over! Ishii hits Ibushi for good measure, and hard. Omega throws forearms but Ishii doesn’t back down. Ishii steps forward as Omega throws more forearms, and then rocks Omega with one solid shot. Ishii drags Omega up for elbows tot he neck. He grabs Omega in a facelock, but Ibushi comes in to kick Ishii. Ishii gives forearms but Ibushi does his best Ishii by not flinching.

Ibushi swings but Ishii whips. Ibushi reverses and things speed up, Ibushi kicks, Omega hits the Kotaro Krusher! Cover, TWO! Omega tags to Ibushi. Ibushi throws Ishii down to kick, and kick, and kick! Ishii just fires up, to chop Ibushi back. Ibushi kicks, Ishii chops. Another kick, another chop. Kick, chop, repeat! They hit harder, and Ibushi gets an edge. Ibushi runs but into the shoulder! Okada tags in and he considers his options. He sticks to Ibushi as he scoops and slams. Okada goes to the apron for the slingshot senton, then he finger guns at Omega. Omega wants to get in but Red Shoes keeps him back. Okada goes back to Ibushi to bump him off buckles. Okada stomps a mudhole into Ibushi, then drags him back out for a neckbreaker. Cover, TWO, but Okada keeps his eyes on Omega as he brings Ibushi back around.

Tag to Ishii, and they double whip. Double shoulders run Ibushi over and then Ishii hits Omega for good measure. Omega gets in and scraps with Ishii fast and furious! Ishii gets the better of Omega and throws him out. Okada goes after Ibushi while Ishii throws Omega right into railing. Then into more railing! Ishii stomps Omega out then drags Ibushi up. He whips Ibushi hard into barriers, then tags to Okada. Okada brings Ibushi up but Ibushi fights out of the Chaos corner. Ishii stops that, then Omega snapmares and dropkicks Ibushi hard! Okada tags Ishii and Ishii looms over Ibushi. Ishii toys with Ibushi but Ibushi only gets angry. Fans rally as Ishii headbutts Ibushi. Ibushi fires off forearms, but Ishii headbutts again. Ishii runs but into a big dropkick! Both men are down and fans rally up. Hot tag to Omega!

Omega climbs up quick to crossbody Ishii down! He swings on Okada but Okada gets away. Omega goes back to Ishii but Ishii is ready with forearms. They trade forearms back and forth, neither man slowing down. Omega chops LOUDLY, and then lifts Ishii in the fireman’s carry. “You Can’t Escape!” But Ishii does, to chop Omega. Ishii whips but Omega dodges to hit the running DDT! It was a bit wild, but Omega covers, TWO! Omega gets to the corner, runs in, but Ishii dodges. Ishii runs into a boot, but catches Omega into the powerslam! Fans duel as both men crawl for corners. Ishii hot tags to Okada! Okada runs at Omega but misses, Ibushi missile dropkicks! Omega huricanranas Ishii out, and the Golden Lovers have the fans fired up. They call for it, run corner to corner, CROSS SLASH! Direct hits, and fans fire up again.

Omega puts Okada in and Ibushi is there. The Golden Lovers coordinate, “You Can’t Escape!” Rolling senton, shooting star, moonsault and moonsault! Double cover, TWO!! Okada survives and the Lovers can’t believe it. Omega brings Okada up but Ishii runs Ibushi over. Ishii saido suplexes Omega, then spins Ibushi around. But Ibushi suplexes Ishii! Okada blasts Ibushi with the dropkick! Fans are thunderous as everyone but Okada is done. Okada and Omega stand, just as Okada likes it. Fans like it, too, and now we have a brawl! They throw forearm after forearm, but Okada uses a EuroUpper. Okada runs, but into a chop! Omega whips but Okada reverses, but Omega holds ropes to avoid the dropkick. Okada avoids V-Trigger but Omega dodges Rainmaker. Omega scoops but Okada slips out, only to get the Snap Dragon Suplex!

Omega locks, loads, BANG, but Ishii intercepts. Ishii and Omega exchange blocks and counters, Omega gives Ishii the Death Valley! But Okada gives Omega the dropkick! Okada drags Omega up and reels him out, but Ibushi blocks the Rainmaker! Ibushi fires off strikes, Omega V-Triggers, Ibushi German Suplexes! Ibushi slingshots onto Ishii, and Omega runs to V-Trigger Okada! Omega won’t end it ehere, he hoists Okada up again. One Winged Angel deneid, but so is the Tombstone. Omega gets the tombstone, but Ishii trips up Ibushi. Okada gets the control, and the Tombstone! Ishii adds his sliding lariat, Okada covers, but Ibushi breaks it!! This is wild but it’s far from over. Okada calls for it, brings Omega up for it, but is denied Rainmaker into a BIG urenage! Both men are down but “This is Awesome!” Long Beach is thunderous as both men crawl for their corners.

Ishii and Ibushi tag in, but Ibushi boots only for Ishii to roar. They trade close range forearms back and forth faster and faster. Ibushi reels back for a big one, then fires a strike fest. He roundhouse kicks Ishii off his feet! Then, KNEE-SAULT! Cover, TWO?! Ishii barely survives and Ibushi can’t believe it. Omga drags Ishii up, powerbomb to German suplex! But Okada breaks the cover! Omega throws Okada out, and Ibushi calls for knees. The Golden Lovers sit Ishii up, but Okada fights them off. Okada DDT’s Ibushi, boots Omega, then whips. Omega turns the dropkick into a sit-out powerbomb! Ishii and Omega trade moves, Ishiii headbutts Omega down. Ibushi and Ishii trade moves, Ibushi PELES Ishii! All four men are down but the fans are at a fever pitch! The fans chant “New Japan!” for the great promotion that is giving us this match.

Okada rolls out of the ring but both Golden Lovers stay in with Ishii. Ishii and Ibushi brawl again with slapping palm strikes. Slap for slap, they do NOT stop! Ibushi rocks Ishii but Ishii rocks Ibushi, but Ibushi comes back with a clobbering clothesline! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives again and this match still goes on. Ibushi stands, he wants to end this. He takes both wrists but Ishii dodges the knee. Ishii spins Ibushi, clubs him and suplexes! Ibushi lands on his feet to kick, run, but get flipped by the lariat! Cover, TWO!! Ibushi survives again but Ishii drags him back up. Ishii suplexes but Ibushi slips out. Ibushi lifts but Ishii headbutts. Ishii sends Omega into Ibushi then German Suplexes. Okada returns to hit a big back elbow on Ibushi, then feed him to Ishii’s forearm. Okada dropkicks and Ishii powerbombs! High stack cover, TWO!? HOW?!

Omega puts Okada into railings, and Ibushi stands to block Ishii’s lariat. Ibushi kicks, stuns Ishii, then straitjacket suplex! Bridge cover, TWO! Ibushi grabs the wrists but Ishii headbutts first. Omega roundhouses Ishii but Ishii fires an enziguri! Ishi runs, into a V-Trigger and roundhouse! Omega boots Okada back out, and now the knee pads come down! The GOlden Lovers take Ishii, for GOLDEN TRIGGER!!! Cover, Golden Lovers win!

Winners: The Golden Lovers, Ibushi pinning

Omega & Ibushi finally end this match with victory! The Best Bout Machine and Golden Star would love to climb up and challenge for the tag team titles, will they get their dream? Or does Omega have to worry about a singles challenge first?

The Young Bucks, though they lost, return to celebrate. Hangman and Scurll also appear, these members of the Bullet Club unified as a unit. Omega takes to the mic so that he can speak.

“Well, it was not a perfect record for the Bullet Club tonight.” But even the best have their off nights. Omega is sorry to see Matt & Nick lost their belts. But secondly, Omega peeked at the “dark match” to see some empty seats. However, he sees familiar faces and is so happy for them to be here watching “The! Elite! The the Elite!” Now this worldwide movement is just part one of the plan. There’s more to come, and there will be another big show in about a week or so. King of Pro-Wrestling is coming.

Omega says that when he and Ibushi revived their promise, it left the company and some fans disappointed. Fans want to see THAT match. IBushi, they had their promise for tag titles. But NJPW fans around the world want to see them go again. So what to do about that? Omega wants another match with Ibushi, at King of Pro-Wrestling! But wouldn’t you know, Cody hops in to take the mic. Cody wants to help everyone out here. He can shoulder some of the burden. Do fans want Omega VS Ibushi? Sounds like fans do. But what about this? Omega and Cody are friends, and Cody is trying with Ibushi. So KPW, Ibushi VS Cody VS OMEGA!! A Triple Threat?! Omega understands that the Mastermind behind All In has a genius idea.

Fans will get what they want and Bullet Club will do things their way. “Let us rewrite history”, and show the beauty of professional wrestling! That Triple Threat match is ON! It won’t be personal, it won’t break promises, it will simply show the originality, the beauty and the originality of pro-wrestling. But we’re out of time, so let’s say adieu. The Elite will change the industry for sure. So good bye, MWAH, and good night, BANG! The Golden Star and the American Nightmare both challenge the Cleaner for his IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Can Omega retain against his friends? Will Cody claim a third world title? Or will Ibushi shock them both by taking that title for his own? No matter what, the Elite and the fans win!

Backstage interviews.

Okada knows this was his first time against the Golden Lovers, but they’re truly a great team. Omega again proves tougher than expected. Omega felt even stronger than before. He is improving now that he is champion. Okada has to admit Omega is very strong.

As for the Lovers, work never stops. Omega and Ibushi are going to change the world. This was a step in the right direction. The Golden Lovers are showing the beauty and grace of tag team wrestling. This special match-up was an appetizer. Tag Team wrestling isn’t’ dead, it’s only evolving. 2018 is ending but 2019 is coming, and the Lovers are only just getting started. As for the triple threat, that’s complicated, but they’ll give it their all. Omega translates for those without subs.

They can’t make the rules, they only dodge one bullet to get hit by another. Omega must avenge his losses, such as against “Bu-san” and then the man he won’t get to main event with no matter what. You take lemons and make lemonade. Cody changes expectations, but Omega sees the opportunity in it. We’ll see something never before seen in NJPW. A triple threat of three faction members, this is a once in a lifetime moment. This isn’t personal, but it is about proving who is the best. Who will prove that come King of Pro-Wrestling?

My Thoughts:

What an incredible night for NJPW, and it was so good of AXS to get us this now rather than later and in parts. The first ever NJPW in America trilogy is complete and it was all glorious. Just like the previous two, this event was great from start to finish, no matter who you were rooting for. And as Omega says by the end, this was all set up to show that tag team wrestling still has a place in the world. Taguchi Japan VS RPG3K was really fun and it was good to see Taguchi get the win, both team and the man himself. I also look forward to seeing if Liger and Tiger Mask are the ones to finally get those IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag titles away from Suzuki-Gun.

It makes sense for The Addiction to win, they’re more experienced, and while their contract countdown is primarily an ROH story, ROH and NJPW are so close-knit now I’m sure there’s a way SCU can use that relationship to their advantage. I really like the combination of Sabin, Flip and Cobb. Also while ROH TV is behind, clearly Cobb got that World TV title already. I was surprised to see Cobb’s team win, but it seems to help fuel a story between Goto and Cobb. I can’t be sure if Goto wins the ROH WTVC, but maybe Goto just wants to fight Cobb because he’s a strong opponent. Suzuki-Gun beating LIJ was a bit of a surprise, for it to end the way it did. There’s obviously a story building for Evil and ZSJ on top of LIJ teasing a new member, perhaps we’ll get more of that at KPW.

Gedo & White winning also makes sense because of how crafty they are as Heels. It also brings around White VS Tanahashi for the WK13 title match contract, and that is going to be great. White very well could win with Gedo being there on top of White knowing how to cheat so well, as we saw all over the G1 Climax. At the same time, Kushida loses momentum so that his future opponent comes in stronger. Scurll VS Ospreay was great, and it makes some sense for Scurll to win. The Bullet Club is still very important to NJPW, and with Scurll’s contract lasting a touch longer than others, him being given a title would be reason to stay.

The IWGP Tag Team title match was great, especially with story. It is a good change in the overall Bullet Club story for GoD to take those belts. The Bucks can work on a comeback story with GoD but I bet the Golden Lovers will take those belts from GoD. Cody is really making large strides as 2018 comes to a close. He gets the NWA Worlds Championship, as far as ROH TV goes he’s still one of their trios champions, and now he’s IWGP US Champion. Cody VS Juice was great with the undertones of Dusty Rhodes being there, but Cody does make some sense that you add to the US title’s legacy by throwing in a name like his. Cody might be trying to weasel his way to the very top with his triple threat suggestion, but that triple threat really will be great to watch.

And speaking of great to watch, that tag team main event was something else. The dynamics of the match-ups, such as Omega VS Okada, Omega VS Ishii and Ibushi VS Ishii to revisit their recent matches from the G1. Ibushi really surprised me with how he stood toe to toe with Ishii in their brawling segments. I also liked the pairing of Ibushi VS Okada, that was some good stuff. It works so well for the Golden Lovers to have won for the many different stories that tie into it. Okada is still trying to come back from his recent down trend, and Golden Lovers winning obviously helps set up the triple threat. I just hope we get a winner before the Firing Squad decides to do something about them. Then give us a Six Man match, Firing Squad defending the NEVER Openweight trios titles against Golden Lovers & Cody.

My Score: 9/10