NJPW AXS TV Results
Mitchell’s NJPW AXS TV Wrestle Kingdom 13 Results, Part 2!
NJPW and AXS give us another two hours from Wrestle Kingdom 13! Kazuchika Okada and Jay White battle to finally settle their score from the Chaos Civil War!
This coverage of Wrestle Kingdom 13 will be as AXS TV broadcasts it.
Gifs can be found on http://frentique.tumblr.com/
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NEVER Openweight Championship: Kota Ibushi VS Will Ospreay; Ospreay wins and becomes the new NEVER Openweight Championship.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships Triple Threat: El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru VS Roppongi 3K VS Bushi & Shingo Takagi; Bushi & Takagi win and become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
- Revolution Pro Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship: Tomohiro Ishii VS Zack Sabre Jr. w/ Taka Michinoku; Sabre Jr. wins and becomes the new Revolution Pro Undisputed British Heavyweight Champion.
- IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships Triple Threat: The Guerrillas of Destiny VS EVIL & SANADA VS The Young Bucks; EVIL & SANADA win and become the new IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
- Kazuchika Okada VS Jay White; White wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW and AXS set the scene for this year’s spectacular event!
The Rainmaker took his place among the pro-wrestling legends in 2018 when he broke the consecutive title defense streak and reigned as IWGP Heavyweight Champion for 720 days. But nothing was the same after Kenny Omega finally took that title from Kazuchika Okada. Okada went on a losing streak, which included The Switchblade, Jay White. As such, White questioned Okada’s leadership of Chaos, and Gedo betrayed Okada! Then White and Gedo upped the ante by joining Tama Tonga’s Bullet Club. Okada found new life through vengeance and that brings us to tonight’s grudge match! Will The Rainmaker reestablish himself? Or will he simply breathe with the Switchblade?
But first, the saga of the NEVER Openweight Championship in 2018 continues into the New Year! Hirooki Goto lost the title to Taichi, but with help from Suzuki-Gun all over the match. The Aerial Assassin, Will Ospreay, wanted to challenge the Sliest Wrestler in the World next, but injury would keep him sidelined. As such, The Fierce Warrior stepped back in and took the title back. But then the Golden Star came out of nowhere, and now Kota Ibushi has his first reign as NEVER Champion! Ospreay makes his return from injury, still aimed squarely at that openweight belt. Can the Aerial Assassin end Ibushi’s short reign in this dream match? Or will the Golden Star shine brightest in the Tokyo Dome?
NEVER Openweight Championship: Kota Ibushi VS Will Ospreay!
The Golden Star has his first taste of being NEVER OPC, but the Aerial Assassin wants his! Will Ospreay’s first time happen at the expense of Ibushi’s?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we begin! Fans cheer for Ospreay and Ibushi as the two stare down from their corners. Then they run at each other for double boots! Both men kick but the other dodges, and things speed up! Ibushi jumps over but Ospreay jumps over to then monkey flip Ibushi out! Ospreay keeps moving to handspring fake Ibushi out, superhero landing! But Ibushi runs in to grab the hands! Ospreay dodges Kamigoye and springboards, but Ibushi manages to hold off the OsCutter! Fans fire up over both men stopping the other’s best shots. Ibushi and Ospreay stare down as they slowly circle. They go again and Ibushi boots low. Ibushi whips but Ospreay reverses, only for Ibushi to fake him out. Ospreay flops on the mat from the missed dropkick, but manages to dodge the standing moonsault.
Ospreay kicks Ibushi then runs, but Ibushi dropkicks him. Ibushi fires the fans up as Ospreay rolls out. Ibushi runs corner to corner, Golden Triangle into a roundhouse! Ospreay aims at Ibushi now, and builds speed to Sasuke Special! Direct hit topples Ibushi over! Ospreay drags Ibushi up and into the ring. Cover, TWO! Ospreay keeps his cool as he brings Ibushi up. He throws a heavy European Uppercut but Ibushi stays standing. Ospreay hits him again, but now Ibushi gets mad. Ospreay CHOPS Ibushi, then again. Ibushi grits his teeth but Ospreay brings him out for a stiff backbreaker. Cover, TWO! Fans cheer while Ospreay toys with Ibushi. Ospreay toys with Ibushi but Ibushi eggs him on. Ospreay slaps Ibushi but Ibushi dares him to do it again. This time Ospreay forearms, but Ibushi gets in his face.
Ibushi hits back with forearms, but Ospreay kicks back. Ospreay runs, but into a huricanrana! Ospreay rolls out again while Ibushi fires himself up. Ibushi goes out to top rope corkscrew moonsault! Direct hit takes Ospreay out! The ring count begins as Ibushi brings Ospreay over. Ibushi puts Ospreay in, then springboards to missile dropkick Ospreay down! Ospreay gets to a corner and Ibushi runs in but misses. Ospreay runs in but Ibushi dodges to roll and GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Ibushi keeps his cool and brings Ospreay up. Ospreay victory rolls, TWO! Ibushi roundhouses Ospreay in the chest. Ibushi whips, but Ospreay handsprings to enziguri! Ospreay catches his breath while Ibushi crawls to a corner.
Ospreay runs in, but Ibushi goes up and over to powereslam! Ibushi hops up quick, but Ospreay tucks him in, Cheeky Nandos! Ospreay keeps going with a roll up, TWO! Ospreay clutches his back while Ibushi checks his nose. Fans rally as Ospreay stands first. Ospreay brings Ibushi up for haymakers, but Ibushi stands up. Ospreay forearms, Ibushi forearms, and Ospreay forearms again. Ibushi staggers but hits back, so Ospreay hits back, too. Ibushi grits his teeth as he throws another forearm. Ospreay and Ibushi egg each other on and they continue to go back and forth. Ibushi gets the edge and rocks Ospreay. Ospreay kicks but Ibushi blocks to CHOP Ospreay off his feet! The champion grins as he staggers back, and we go to break.
NJPW on AXS returns as Ibushi staggers over to Ospreay. Ibushi brings Ospreay up for the powerbomb, but Ospreay pops out of the Last Ride. Ibushi mule kicks him and runs, but into the dropkick-flip and enziguri! Ospreay catches Ibushi’s counter punch and swings through to a powerbomb lift of his own. Ibushi slips out to lift Ospreay, but Ospreay slips out, only to get a roundhouse! Ibushi runs, but into the SPANISH FLY! Both men are down but fans fire up! Ospreay and Ibushi stir as fans duel. They crawl to opposite ends, but Ospreay stands and takes aim. Ospreay hook kicks Ibushi! Then brings him out for the double underhook. Ospreay lifts, but Ibushi escapes with a huricanrana pin! TWO!! But Ibushi doesn’t waste time arguing as he catches Ospreay’s tilt-o-whirl. Ospreay slips out of the long dart, for a snap German!
But Ibushi shakes it off! And he hits a running knee! Ibushi hits somewhere between Shinsuke Nakamura and his best friend, Kenny Omega. The referee checks on a dazed Ospreay but he’s somehow okay to continue. Ibushi roars as he drags Ospreay back up. Ibushi lifts, Golden Star Last Ride! Cover, TWO!? Ibushi is shocked by Ospreay’s survival. But Ibushi won’t stop, as he goes to a corner. He climbs up top, but Ospreay trips him up! Ibushi falls back into the Tree of Woe, so Ospreay SLAPS him! And slaps him, and slaps him. Ibushi slaps back! It’s a slap fight, even while Ibushi is upside-down! Ibushi hits palm strike after palm strike, so Ospreay decides to stomp a mudhole! Ospreay backs off at 4, then staggers about to clear his head.
Ospreay goes back and drags Ibushi up out of the Tree. Ibushi flops against the post, and Ospreay brings him around, wanting a double underhook. Ibushi fights back with elbows, then turns around to club away on Ospreay. Ospreay teeters as Ibushi gives SUPER DOUBLE STOMPS! Ospreay flops out onto the apron, and Ibushi grins through the blood from his mouth and nose. Ibushi walks over and drags Ospreay up, and with a waistlock. Ibushi deadlift SUPER German Suplexes Ospreay! But Ospreay lands on his feet! Ibushi senses it with stunned silence on his face. He turns around, into Ospreay’s Robinson Special! Ospreay fires up, takes aim, and springboards, OSC- No, Ibushi blocks again! And he puts on the straitjacket, for the suplex! Bridging cover, TWO!!
Ospreay survives the straitjacket, but Ibushi uses that to turn him over. Ibushi thrusts in, but Ospreay dodges again! Ospreay roundhouses Ibushi, but Ibushi throws a heavy clothesline! Both men stagger, and Ibushi fires off a strike fest. Another clothesline but from Ospreay! Ospreay drags Ibushi to his feet, then double underhooks. He lifts, Canadian rack but Ibushi slips out to a dragon sleeper! Ospreay reverses that onto Ibushi, and lifts, only for Ibushi to land on his feet! Ibushi lifts Ospreay, tucks him in, PACKAGE TOMBSTONE! Cover, TWO!?! Ospreay is superhuman, but Ibushi doesn’t care. Kamigoye misses, hook kick hits! Ospreay takes off the pads, killer backhand! The referee checks on Ibushi but Ospreay doesn’t give him time. Ospreay underhooks Ibushi as he drags him up. Canadian rack, STORMBREAKER!! Cover, Ospreay wins!!
Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall; NEW NEVER Openweight Champion
The Aerial Assassin brings down the Golden Star! Ospreay has his first NEVER OPC reign, will this belt help him reach new heights? As for Ibushi, he needs medical assistance and a back board to get him out of the ring. Did that Stormbreaker do more damage than anticipated? Will the Golden Star rise again to come back for that belt?
Backstage interviews
Will Ospreay says that was his dream match right there. Kota Ibushi is one of the wrestlers Ospreay aspires to be like. But now, Ospreay makes the shift from seeing everyone around him as heroes, and seeing them all as rivals. Ospreay vows to prove he belongs with the heavyweights, and not just another Junior. Will Ospreay use the NEVER Openweight Division to prove superiority over two weight classes at once?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships Triple Threat: El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru VS Roppongi 3K VS Bushi & Shingo Takagi!
Suzuki-Gun’s ace Junior Tag Team have dominated this division for 304 days, and look to become the longest champions in history should they retain here. However, they face familiar foes in Sho & Yoh, and a revamped Los Ingobernables de Japon duo now that the Black Mask teams with the Muscle Dragon. Will history be on the horizon for the champions? Or will they be denied by one of their rivals?
The introductions are made, but Desperado and Kanemaru don’t wait for the belts to be raised! They attack LIJ right away! They throw LIJ out but RPG3K go after them now. The bell rings by default and RPG3K double whip Kanemaru. Things speed up, drop toehold and basement dropkick! RPG3K double dropkick Desperado out, then they dropkick LIJ back out! Sho & Yoh high five and build speed, to DOUBLE FLY! They take out Bushi and Shingo, but then head back into the ring. They aim at Suzuki-Gun but get double kitchen sink knees! Desperado chops and Kanemaru EuroUppers Yoh, then bring him around to whip corner to corner. Kanemaru back elbows then feeds YOh to Desperado, shotgun boot back suplex! Cover, TWO!
Suzuki-Gun keeps their cool as they stomp out Yoh. Kanemaru tags Desperado, and he toys with Yoh. Yoh chops back but Desperado isn’t phased. Yoh chops again so Desperado knees low. Desperado snapmares Yoh for a chinlock. Yoh scrambles to a ropebreak, and Desperado lets up to stomp him out. Tag to Kanemaru and Kanemaru boots Bushi out. Kanemaru drags Yoh up to an open corner and mugs him. He whips corner to corner and runs in, but Yoh dodges! Yoh dragon screws Desperado but Kanemaru kicks him to ropes. Yoh rebounds to SUPERKICK! Both men are down and fans fire up. Hot tag to Sho! Sho hits Shingo then Kanemaru. Sho whips but Kanemaru reverses, only for Sho to come out with a clothesline! Desperado kicks and runs but things speed up, Sho dropkicks Desperado! But Bushi enziguris Sho, and Kanemaru boots Bushi!
Kanemaru stands Sho up but Sho throws forearms. Kanemaru rakes eyes and runs, but Shingo blocks his path. Sho gets Kanemaru with haymakers, and Shingo tag sin off of Kanemaru. Shingo throws Kanemaru out and fans fire up for the giant Junior. Sho throws chop after chop but Shingo isn’t bothered at all. Shingo puts some stank on his CHOP and Sho goes down! Shingo whips, knees, then clotheslines Sho. They stagger, Sho runs but into an elbow, jab and clothesline! Fans fire up for Shingo, and he drags Sho up. Pumphandle and fireman’s carry but Sho slips out. Sho tries to German but Shingo resists. Kanemaru runs in but into Shingo’s boot. Shingo elbows Sho away, then waistlocks Kanemaru. Kanemaru resists, Sho waistlocks Shingo, and Sho gives them a DOUBLE German Suplex!
Sho roars but Desperado SPEARS him! Yoh enziguris Desperado and Bushi runs in. Yoh blocks Bushi’s first kick and ducks the enziguri but Bushi comes back with the heel! Sho goes after Bushi with a clothesline! Sho hits Desperado but runs into a spinebuster! Desperado mule kicks and haymakers Yoh, but he runs into RPG3K knees! Sho and Yoh rally on Shingo, poetry in motion! Yoh feeds Shingo tot he backbreaker, and adds the flying knee drop! Cover, TWO! RPG3K keep going, backstabber to shotgun kick! Fans rally up with Sho and Yoh as they stalk Shingo. But everyone else knows what’s coming! Kanemaru and Bushi go after Sho and Yoh, but the SUPERKICKS make them spit their mist into the sky! And then Desperado runs into a double flapjack! But Shingo hits DOUBLE Pumping Ax Bombers!
Shingo drags up Sho, double underhook, Noshigami facebuster, a la a Gory Bomb! But he doesn’t cover, because he wants to end it. He builds up speed, BIG Pumping Ax Bomber! Shingo wants another, and hits a third Pumping Ax bomber! Cover, TWO?! Sho survives but Bushi clears out Yoh to DIVE on him at the railing! Shingo roars and drags Sho up again, pumphandle and lift, to Last of the Dragon driver!! Cover, Los Ingobernables de Japon win!!
Winners: Bushi and Shingo Takagi, Takagi pinning; NEW IWGP Jr Heavyweight Tag Team Champions
LIJ FTW! Tetsuya Naito took the IWGP Intercontinental Championship back from Chris Jericho, and now Bushi and Shingo take these titles from Suzuki-Gun! With the heavyweight tag team titles also on the line, will we have a completely golden faction by the end of Wrestle Kingdom 13?
Revolution Pro Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship: Tomohiro Ishii VS Zack Sabre Jr. w/ Taka Michinoku!
NJPW makes history as a clearly British championship is defended on one of their events! The Stone Pitbull has gone back and forth with the members of Suzuki-Gun over this title, and now it is the actual Brit who challenges him in Japan! And as always, Taka takes up the mic to welcome us to “Zack Sabre Time.” This is the British Heavyweight Championship match, Ishii VS Sabre Jr. Who does Tokyo Dome think wins? Who does Tokyo Dome want to win? Well Taka tells us who will win. “The man that can finish with a join lock at any time from any where.” When he locks on, no matter who it is, they #JustTapOut! He is the Submission Master, he is ZSJ, he is… Zack! Sabrrrre! Junior~!
So Ishii, “C’mon ova here!” The Pitbull arrives, but will he be mad submissive by the submission wizard? Or is Taka’s bark worse than ZSJ’s bite?
Ishii enters the ring and ZSJ gives him a shove. The referee keeps the peace, so that the introductions can be made and the title can be raised. The bell rings, and both men rush each other! Ishii dodges and waistlocks but ZSJ standing switches. Ishii switches back but so does ZSJ. They go around and ZSJ gets the abdominal stretch. Ishii hip tosses out, then drags ZSJ up. ZSJ ducks the enziguri but Ishii narrowly avoids the Penalty Kick. ZSJ hits a EuroUpper, Ishii swings but ZSJ ducks and boots back. Ishii back suplexes ZSJ down! Ishii runs but into ZSJ’s takedown into the armbar! ZSJ wrenches around, wanting a one minute submission, but Ishii moves around. ZSJ wrenches back hard but Ishii uses his legs for the ropebreak! The ref counts and ZSJ lets go at 4, but now he’s missed his one minute match.
ZSJ hammerlock stomps the arm! He may not have gotten one minute but he’ll try for under two. ZSJ drags Ishii around to go after the arm from wrist to shoulder, keylock stomp! ZSJ kicks Ishii but Ishii spits back. More kicks from ZSJ only anger Ishii. Ishii throws forearms with the bad arm. ZSJ goes after it so Ishii uses the good one. ZSJ still gets a deep Fujiwara, into a triangle! Ishii reaches but ZSJ traps both arms! Ishii gets another ropebreak with the legs, and ZSJ lets go. ZSJ keeps his cool as he drags Ishii up for kicks to the back. But Ishii just grits his teeth. ZSJ toys with Ishii now, but that only makes Ishii stronger. ZSJ throws EuroUPpers but Ishii is the one backing him down. Ishii throws the bad arm but ZSJ grabs it again! Northern Lights, float over to the armbar!
Ishii rolls around but now ZSJ gets the leg for a standing ankle lock! Ishii rolls through to put on the ankle lock on ZSJ! ZSJ endures a hold now, but stands up to enziguri! Ishii runs and runs ZSJ over! ZSJ ends up in a corner, and Ishii is on him with a CHOP! The bad arm still has some power in it, so Ishii CHOPS again. And again, and again! Ishii suffers double-edged damage now, but he brings ZSJ up for a whip. ZSJ reverses and boots! But Ishii follows to clothesline ZSJ in the corner! Ishii whips ZSJ corner to corner but ZSJ runs back out for a guillotine! Only for Ishii to throw him overhead! Both men are down but fans build to a rally. Ishii checks that arm, and then drags ZSJ up onto the top rope. Ishii climbs up to join him, stalling SUPERPLEX!
But ZSJ survives to grab the arm and tweak it! Ishii writhes and clutches his arm while ZSJ catches his breath. ZSJ crawls back over and grabs the bad arm. He gives it another hammerlock stomp! ZSJ grabs the wrist, then wrenches the elbow. He pulls the arm around for a shoulder breaker! ZSJ kicks but Ishii dodges. Ishii kicks but ZSJ dodges. ZSJ waistlocks but Ishii bucks him off. ZSJ ducks under then hops up but Ishii slips him off. Ishii waistlocks but ZSJ ducks and slides under, then full nelsons Ishii. Ishii breaks free to full nelson ZSJ. ZSJ standing switches to an abdominal stretch! Maybe even an Octopus! Ishii endures and manages to walk towards ropes. Ishii keeps going step by step, so ZSJ shifts to a sunset flip powerbomb! Cover, TWO!? ZSJ can’t believe Ishii escapes!
Fans duel while Taka coaches ZSJ up. Ishii sits up, and ZSJ hits the Penalty Kick! ZSJ catches his breath before dragging Ishii up. He scoops but Ishii elbows out. ZSJ roundhouses Ishii in the chest, then again. But Ishii eggs him on, so ZSJ kicks away. The kicks do nothing! Ishii even takes them willingly. Ishii CHOPS ZSJ off his feet! He drags ZSJ up, powerbomb! High stack, TWO!! ZSJ barely escapes, but Ishii just builds speed. ZSJ roundhouses the clothesline away, then kicks again. Ishii blocks, but walks into a EuroUpper. Ishii still clubs ZSJ’s next kick away, and then headbutts ZSJ down! The Pitbull roars and runs, for the BIG lariat! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives again, and Taka panics. Ishii gets back up and has more to give.
Ishii drags ZSJ up but ZSJ Peles the bad arm! ZSJ wants a suplex but it’s Ishii who lifts. ZSJ slips out to slip on a sleeper hold! Ishii stays standing but ZSJ brings him down with body scissors. Ishii rolls through and out, to run and slide. ZSJ dodges, ducks, rolls and hooks, European Clutch! TWO!! Ishii misses the enziguri and ZSJ tries again, but gets the Sliding D! Ishii lifts, but ZSJ knees out. ZSJ hops on for a guillotine, shifts to a kimura, but Ishii powers out. ZSJ reels Ishii back into the Octopus! Ishii endures, but ZSJ makes it a double, for Hurrah Another Year! Surely This One Will Be Better Than the Last! Ishii endures this March Towards Progress, but he verbally has to quit!! ZSJ wins!!
Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by submission; NEW Rev-Pro Undisputed British Heavyweight Champion
The submission hold with the insanely long name finally breaks the Stone Pitbull! Taka celebrates with the submission prodigy, and personally hands ZSJ the belt. Just as the move’s name suggests, is this New Year going to be better than the stellar 2018 Zack had?
IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships Triple Threat: The Guerrillas of Destiny VS EVIL & SANADA VS The Young Bucks!
The Bullet Club Civil War has all but faded out, but when it comes to tag team titles, the war never ends! Will Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa prove to be the superior brother tag team? Will the Superkick Party bring these titles over to All Elite Wrestling? Or will Los Ingobernables de Japon be completely golden after this epic match they themselves petitioned for?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we begin with Nick Jackson and Tama Tonga. Fans duel all sorts of ways as things speed up. Tama keeps up with Nick, but then confuses him with an offer to shake hands. Nick doesn’t trust that Tama’s turned over a new leaf, and that hurts Tama’s feelings. Nick tags to Matt, so Tama offers LIJ a handshake. LIJ take it, but it’s also a tag! Tama didn’t realize until Evil throws him out! Evil goes around to hit Loa while Sanada goes after the Bucks. Evil brings Matt to the stage to scoop slam him on that notoriously bad back. Matt clutches his back while Evil gets all the distance he can. Evil runs all the way down, to run Matt over! Evil drags Matt back to ringside and puts him in.
Matt flounders to GoD’s corner and Loa tags in. Loa runs into Evil’s boot but Evil runs into a scoop slam! Cover, TWO! Loa drags Evil up and tags in Tama. GoD mug and neckbreaker Evil down. Loa hits The Bucks, then Sanada. Tama scoop slams Evil and Loa climbs up top. Tama climbs the other end, but the Bucks trip him up! Only Loa leaps for the flying headbutt onto Evil. Matt tags in off of Tama, and the Bucks double team Loa with the alley-oop dropkick. The Bucks headscissor dropkick Sanada, then go after Evil. They double whip corner to corner but Evil puts Matt on the apron. Nick blocks the boots to hit Evil with a draping neckbreaker, and Matt adds the senton atomico!
Sanada returns but Matt sends him down to wreck him with a dropkick. Matt skins the cat while Nick gives Evil a gutbuster, Matt runs in for the swinging neckbreaker backbreaker! The Bucks fire up and fans fire up with them! Matt covers, TWO! He keeps his cool and brings Evil up for haymakers. Matt whips Evil but Evil reverses, only for Matt to sunset flip over. But Matt doesn’t cover, he gets the Sharpshooter! Nick intercepts Sanada and throws him out, to then triangle corkscrew senton onto him! Evil endures but the GoD rush in. “Good Guy” Tama tells Loa to wait in the corner, despite Matt being very vulnerable right now.
Loa gives Matt fair warning, but then they help Evil by pushing the ropes closer to him! Evil gets the ropebreak, the “good guys” still get away with something. The Bucks see through it all, and double DIVE onto GoD! Matt goes back to Evil and tunes up the band. Evil blocks the superkick but walks into the roaring elbow. Matt runs but Evil follows to clothesline Matt down! Both men are down but head for their corners, hot tag to Sanada! Cold Skull hits GoD but The Bucks go after him with a double whip. Nick runs but misses, Sanada dropkicks Matt’s leg out. Sanada gets Nick in the Paradise Lock! Sanada sees Matt coming and drop toeholds him into his brother’s butt! Tama returns but Sanada whips him around and hurdles again and again to dropkick him down!
Sanada slingshots out onto Loa! Then again onto Tama! Matt slingshots but Sanada dodges, to slingshot onto Matt! He gets a hat trick, then dodges Matt’s moonsault! Sanada slingshots for a fourth time! Fans fire up for the Cold Skull’s impressive athleticism! Sanada puts Matt in the ring, then whips him corner to corner. Matt reverses but runs into an elbow. Sanada jumps but Matt slips through the moonsault DDT for Sliced Bread into a dragon sleeper! Sanada reverses that and wants Skull End! Nick springboards to hit Sanada with a Blockbuster! But that also causes Matt to take an inverted DDT! Nick aims at Tama but the kick is blocked, Tongan Twist hits! Evil SUPERKICKS Loa, then swings on Tama. Tama counters but Evil counters back, and uses Loa for help in Magic Killer!
Loa grabs Evil, BIG German Suplex! Loa dodges Matt, German but Matt slips through, Matt SPEARS Loa! Matt climbs but Sanada stops him. LIJ go after Matt together, but GoD go after them. Nick tags in moments before Matt goes for a ride in the Tower of Doom! Nick climbs, to 450 Splash onto Sanada! But Nick hits so hard he rolls all the way out of the ring. The referee was not safe from that Tower of Doom, either, so he is down. Jado in his skeleton paint jumps in with the kendo stick, but “Good Luck” Fale tells him to stop. Nick springboards at Fale, but gets caught with one hand! Fale wants to pull the pin, but Matt saves Nick and they SUPERKICK Jado! Fale runs the Bucks over, but then Evil clotheslines Fale out!
Loa returns and brawls with Evil. Evil kicks back, Sanada returns, but Tama saves Loa as he SPEARS Sanada! Loa lifts Evil for a big suplex, and everyone’s down! GoD go after Matt in the corner, suplex but Matt fights out. Nick uses Tama as a step stool to SUPER STEINER Loa! And then the Bucks see Sanada fly in, Double SUPERKICKS! Fans fire up with The Bucks again as they drag Sanada up. Matt gut wrenches, Nick springboards, but into a Gun Stun! Sanada counters the tombstone to Skull End, and Evil catches Tama for Everything Is Evil! Matt endures the hold but Sanada feeds Matt to Evil, true Magic Killer!! Sanada hurries up top for a moonsault! Cover, LIJ win!!
Winners: Evil and Sanada, Sanada pinning; NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions
Back-to-back World Tag League winners are also back-to-back Wrestle Kingdom 13 winners! Los Ingobernables de Japon are truly golden! Is 2019 truly the year of Tranquilo in NJPW?
Kazuchika Okada VS Jay White!
This grudge match has been a long time coming. The Switchblade could’ve been Bullet Club Elite when Kenny Omega recruited him, but White turned on The Cleaner instead. The Switchblade could’ve been Chaos forever, but he didn’t want to be under The Rainmaker. White warned Okada that a day would come when they’d fight for power, but Okada simply laughed it off. “That’s when he sealed his fate.” White beat Okada in the G1 and then beat him down after Okada failed to take the IWGP Heavyweight Championship challenging rights from Tanahashi. And what made it even worse is that Gedo betrayed his long time friend. The mastermind and the Switchblade vow to bring the Cutthroat Era to life, but will The Rainmaker show everyone he’s far from finished?
Fans are fired up for Okada now that he’s back in his classic look. The bell rings and Okada makes sure White hears the fans are on his side. Gedo says Tokyo is stupid, and White bails out to taunt Okada. Okada chases him down but White stomps him out. The ref backs White off and fans boo. Okada comes back with forearms and elbows. Okada runs but things speed up. White hurdles Okada but runs into his boot. Okada snapmares and calf kicks White down! Okada drags White up and clubs him more. Gedo coaches White but Okada drops White with an elbow. Okada whips White but White reverses. White kicks Okada and throws him into buckles! White stalks Okada and saido suplexes him out of the ring! Okada crashes down and White climbs up to pose.
White goes out to fetch Okada and whip him into railing! Okada falls to his knees, and White refreshes the ring count. White brings Okada up again to ram him into more barriers, then the apron, then back to the rails! White trash talks Makabe on commentary before ramming Okada into the apron again. The ref tells White to bring this back to the ring, but White back talks him. White drags Okada up and into the ring, then takes aim from across the way. Okada crawls to a corner, White runs in for a EuroUpper. White throws Okada with another saido suplex then covers, TWO! Gedo complains that count was slow, but White drags Okada up for a seated cravat. White makes it a cover, TWO!
White clubs Okada then puts on another cravat. Okada endures as fans rally up. Okada feeds off the energy and elbows his way out. White clubs Okada but Okada forearms back. Fans fire up as Okada gets an edge, but White slaps him! Okada runs in but White dodges to slap him again! White snapmares Okada but Okada SLAPS White! Okada glares down at White as he gives him another slap. Okada kicks White at the ropes then whips. White reverses but Okada dodges and speeds up for a big back elbow! Fans fire up with Okada while White flounders. Okada whips White corner to corner, then runs in for another back elbow. Okada kicks and DDTs White down, cover, TWO! White crawls away while Okada keeps his cool. Okada brings White up for heavy forearms, and White begs for mercy. The ref backs Okada off, but White sucker punches!
White grabs Okada for a half hatch but Okada rams him into the corner. Okada puts White up top then dropkicks him down! Fans fire up for classic Okada as he goes out to fetch White. Okada returns the favor and whips White to barriers, then runs to boot him over! Gedo attacks Okada, but it does nothing! Gedo tries to reason with Okada, but Okada throws him over to join White! Okada gets space and fans rally up. Okada runs all the way back to FLY onto both Gedo and White! Tokyo Dome is thunderous for The Rainmaker! Okada drags White up as the ring count begins. White flops to the floor but Okada drags him back up. Okada puts White in, then stalks him to the far side.
Okada drags White up and scoop slams him down. He points for the corner and climbs up top. Okada aims, Macho Elbow! But he’s not done there. Rainmaker Pose! The pose returns, and Okada drags White up for the wristlock. White fights out, and gets Okada with a complete shot to deadlift German Suplex! White gets to ropes while Okada stirs. Fans rally for Okada but White drags Okada up for a big urenage! Cover, TWO!! Okada barely survives and White can’t believe it. White drags Okada right up, but Okada fights out of Bladerunner. White drags Okada up by his hair for a point blank lariat! But then White fakes something being in his eye, so that Gedo can put chairs in the ring!
Gedo distracts the ref now and White fetches the chair. Okada stands, and White swings, but Okada ducks! He sends White into Gedo! Okada dropkicks White, then whips him for the dropkick! He swings White out, but White dodges the Rainmaker for the half nelson suplex! Both men are down but White is up first. White fisherman lifts for the Kiwi Crusher! Cover, TWO!? White’s old finisher didn’t do it, so how about his new one? He lifts Okada, but Okada slips out of the Bladerunner. Okada scoops White for the Tombstone! But Okada can’t cover from exhaustion! Fans reach a fever pitch for their favorite star! Both men stir, and crawl over to each other. Okada boots White, but White CHOPS back. Okada grits his teeth, but turns around into White’s strike fest! White whips but Okada reverses, only for White to fake him out!
White drags Okada up again, but Okada backslides the Bladerunner! ONE and things speed up, Okada hits another dropkick! Okada poses again, drags White up, and swings him out. White dodges again but Okada grabs ropes to deny the suplex. Okada elbows White away but walks into White’s grip. Okada again escapes Bladerunner, to scoop. But White reverses the gut wrench to his own, but then shifts. Okada escapes, swings White out, but White escapes again. White lifts but Okada slips out, reels White in for a spinning Rainmaker! Okada poses a third time, is third time the charm? He drags White up, swings him out, BLADERUNNER?! Cover, White wins!!
Winner: Jay White, by pinfall
Impossible! The Switchblade wins against THE Kazuchika Okada?! White caps off his first year in NJPW with truly the biggest win of his career! Is this truly the Cutthroat Era’s beginnings? Will everyone Breathe with The Switchblade in 2019?
Backstage interviews
Jay White knows there’s a language barrier, but everyone should know what a round of applause is, right?! So give it up for the winner! “Look at how easy I just disposed of Okada, the leader of Chaos!” But he did it before so it’s nothing new. The fans have watched the evolution of Jay White. White played by the rules yet he gets no respect. But that’s fine, because next year, White is going to have something around his waist. White could go on vacation and come back to take the top title, “because it’s that easy for me.” White does what he says he’s going to, so everyone needs to open their eyes. The Cutthroat Era begins, and all anyone can do is breathe with the Switchblade. White vows this is his year, his era, will NJPW just have to accept that?
My Thoughts:
Another great two hours, and this one was jam packed with four amazing title matches and an incredible grudge match main event. I did not expect Ospreay to win the title, but there is talk that Ibushi’s working through injuries so this may be to give him time off. Ospreay’s story of wanting to compete with all weight classes is great, too, as that is what the Openweight Championship should be for. I am really glad to see all the members of LIJ have belts now, both Triple Threat tags were awesome. Obviously Hiromu Takahashi has his serious injury that puts his career at risk, so it’s very sad that we might never get a six-man LIJ moment.
ZSJ VS Ishii was incredible, and ZSJ winning the British Heavyweight Championship just makes sense. I would love if there was a rematch between these two, ZSJ’s technical skills and Ishii’s plain old fashion toughness are always great against each other. And perhaps the biggest surprise of this entire Wrestle Kingdom is that Jay White won the blow-off between him and Okada! Okada truly returning as the Rainmaker was incredible in itself, but to think White would defeat even that form of Okada. White has truly had an amazing couple of years since graduating from NJPW Dojo and being a Young Lion. His time in ROH as the Kiwi of Search and Destroy to his return to NJPW with this Switchblade persona, White has evolved into this great Heel, and him challenging for any title in 2019 will be a great story.
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)
TUESDAY - 4 Corners Podcast (sports)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
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SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - 30 Mindless Minutes
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Attitude Of Aggression Podcast: The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history) Unidentified History (Ufology) & Game Gone Wrong (Game of Thrones Universe)
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Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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