Who’s the baddest man from Gifu now?

Hiroshi Tanahashi’s Final Road passes through Anjo, and he defends his personal honor against the upstart Yuto “Ice” Nakashima!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Katsuya Murashima VS Tatsuya Matsumoto; Murashima wins.
• Taichi & Masatora Yasuda VS Zane Jay & Shoma Kato; Taichi & Yasuda win.
• Six Man Tag: Boltin Oleg, Tiger Mask & Tomoaki Honma VS Great-O-Khan, Callum Newman & Jakob Austin Young; Khan, Callum & Jakob win.
• Six Man Tag: Shingo Takagi, Taiji Ishimori & Gedo VS SHO, DOUKI & Yujiro Takahashi; Takagi, Ishimori & Gedo win.
• Six Man Tag: Shota Umino, Yuya Uemura & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Yota Tsuji, OSKAR & Daiki Nagai; Shota, Yuya & Taguchi win.
• Six Man Tag: El Desperado & Bishamon VS Zack Sabre Jr, Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson; Desperado & Bishamon win.
• NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: YOH, Master Wato & Toru Yano VS EVIL, Dick Togo & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Yoh, Wato & Yano win and retain the titles.
• Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Yuto-Ice; Tanahashi wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

After Six Man Tag: Shingo Takagi, Taiji Ishimori & Gedo VS SHO, DOUKI & Yujiro Takahashi…

Bone Soldier Reborn gets the win by using the House of Torture’s tricks against them, dealing out LOW BLOW after LOW BLOW while the ref is down, then tops it off with BLOODY CROSS on Sho! Then Taiji gets the mic to say tell Sho that he has nothing to do with this, so get outta here! As for Douki, don’t you go running off so soon! Taiji hasn’t forgotten what Douki did to keep the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship! When’s Douki gonna defend that title? Douki says he’s not doing it on Taiji’s time! But then to everyone’s surprise, El Desperado sneaks out here! The Rogue Luchador pats Douki on the shoulder, and completely spooks him!

Despy stalks Douki back to ringside, and gets a mic for himself. “Just a second, I need a minute here. You stole my belt, and ever since then your title matches have sucked. Fujita said the same. Don’t run from me. You have unfinished business with me, that superhuman and Fujita as well!” Douki says shut up, he doesn’t care about a bunch of losers! Douki leaves, but Taiji concludes that whether it’s him, Despy, Fujita, or all of the above, Douki’s defending that title! In the backstage interview, Douki says HE’s not fighting all three of them! They can fight it out in a #1 contender’s match, with SHO as the fourth man!

Japonese Del Mal just made The Murder Machine his scapegoat! But will the pawn play his part and cut off three challengers at once? Or will he just be a sacrifice before the title match?

NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: YOH, Master Wato & Toru Yano VS EVIL, Dick Togo & Yoshinobu Kanemaru!

The Drive of the Grandmaster could not take down #Shouki in the Super Junior Tag League, and now they’re on the defensive as The House of Torture launches another attack on these Six Man titles! Evil wants to be the undisputed NEVER Champion once more, will The Spoiler & The Heel Master help him make that happen? Or can The Joker help trump The King?

The House behaves themselves by not attacking early, but then Evil protests that Aaron Wolf is accompanying Hontai. The introductions are made, the Six Man titles are raised, and we see who NEVER gives up!

The trios sort out, and Hontai attacks! The fans cheer as they turn the tables on The House! Wato TOSSES Kanemaru, Yoh TOSSES Dick, and Yano TOSSES Evil, all as the bell rings to get this on record! But then Evil sends Yano into railing! Kanemaru & Dick turn things around on Wato & Yoh, too, as Dick SMACKS Wato off the apron and Kanemaru sends Yoh into railing! The fans boo but Dick ROCKS Wato with a right, and Kanemaru ELBOWS Wato in the head. They put Wato in the ring, Kanemaru whips him to a corner, and then Kanemaru runs up, but into BOOTS! Wato BULLDOGS and the fans cheer!

Dick kicks and CLAWS Wato, then runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up with Wato as he runs up on Kanemaru. Kanemaru BOOTS Wato now, then DUMPS Wato out! Evil is there to whip Wato into railing while Kanemaru BLASTS Yoh off the apron! Evil then whips Wato hard into more railing! The fans boo but Evil drags Wato up and puts him back in the ring. Kanemaru drags Wato up, suplexes high and hard, then covers, TWO! The fans cheer as Wato stays in this, but Kanemaru TOSSES Wato out! Kanemaru distracts the ref so Evil & Dick can mug Wato. They put Wato in the ring, the ref reprimands, but Kanemaru scoops to SLAM!

Kanemaru tags Evil and Evil drags Wato up by a hand. Evil taunts Wato before he TOSSES him back out! And now Evil distracts the ref so Yujiro Takahashi can JAM Wato up with a chair! The fans boo as The Tokyo Pimp gets in on this, but Dick puts Wato in the ring. Evil drags Wato back up and reels him in, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Evil is upset but the fans cheer. Wato tags Dick and Dick taunts Wato to go crawl for his corner. The fans rally, but then Dick stomps away on Wato. Wato sputters, Dick runs up, FIST DROP! Cover, TWO! Wato toughs it out but Dick stays between him and his corner.

Dick stomps Wato, eggs him on, then JABS! JABS! JABS! Dick flips, flops, and flies, BIONIC ELBOW! “Dick Rhodes” then SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Wato is tougher than that but Dick tags Kanemaru. Kanemaru suplexes Wato but Wato fights it! The fans rally as Kanemaru tries again. Wato suplexes Kanemaru up and over! The fans cheer, but then Evil stomps away on Wato! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Evil CHOPS Wato down! Wato sputters, Kanemaru tags Evil in, and Evil drags Wato up to suplex high and hard! Cover, Yoh breaks it! The fans cheer but Yoh runs away to hide behind Wolf.

Evil tags Dick and Dick eggs Wato on. Wato rises but Dick ROCKS him with a right! And another! And another! Dick then snapmares Wato to SCRAPE his sole off Wato’s face! Tag to Kanemaru, and he also SCRAPES sole off Wato’s face. Kanemaru whips Wato to ropes, but Wato stops himself to KICK back! Wato ROCKS Kanemaru, but Kanemaru blocks the kick to CLUB the leg and CLAW the eyes! Kanemaru whips, Wato reverses, CALF KICK! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Wato and Kanemaru crawl, hot tag to Yoh! Yoh goes up, up, and CANNONBALLS! Then he BLASTS Dick, DECKS Evil, and dodges Kanemaru!

Yoh runs to FLYING FOREARM! The fans fire up with Yoh and he goes back to Kanemaru. Yoh scoops, SLAMS, then ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO and KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Kanemaru survives Yoh’s triple hit combo, but Yoh reels Kanemaru in for a suplex. Kanemaru slips free, pulls hair, but Yoh kicks low. Yoh runs buit inot a cheap shot from Evil! Kanemaru DROPKICKS the legs out! Tag to Evil, he and Kanemaru DOUBLE SMASH the knees! Evil kicks Yoh around, runs, but Yano gets a cheap shot in! Yoh DROPKICKS Evil’s legs out! The fans rally, Yoh hot tags Yano!

Yano goes right to the open corner! Yano takes off the buckle pad, then whips Evil. Evil reverses, Yano stops short. Yano then dodges, Evil stops short, and Yano says darn it. Yano runs in but Evil dodges, Yano hits bare buckles! Yano falls, Evil has the ref check Wato, and then Evil CHOKES Yano using his shirt! The fans boo, Hontai protests, but then Dick DECKS Wato! The House whips Yano to the safe corner, Dick runs in and ELBOWS! Kanemaru ELBOWS! Evil LARIATS! They snapmare Yano, Yujiro distracts the ref, and Dick mocks the “Y T R!” before the DICK CHOP! The fans boo but Evil covers, TWO!

Evil is upset but the fans cheer as Yano survives. Evil says fine, he’ll just end this himself! Evil drags Yano up, but Yano slips free of the STO! Yano shoves Evil at the ref, but Evil spots Yano before the low blow! The fans cheer the standoff, but Yano tries a kick. Evil blocks the kick, hands it to the ref, and then mule kicks! Evil whips, but Yano reverses to THROW Evil down by his hair! The fans fire up as both men crawl, hot tags to Wato and Dick! Wato dodges to fire off forearms! Wato whips, Dick avoids the dropkick, and Dick stomps Wato down. Dick drags Wato up, calls his shot and whips, but Wato avoids the lariat!

Wato shoves Dick to the corner, ELBOW! Yoh jumps in, DRIVE IN MOTION! Then a DOUBLE SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Yoh and Wato roar! They get Dick up, but Dick avoids the High-Low! Dick shoves Yoh into Wato, jackknife bridges Wato, but Yoh breaks it up! Then they get Dick up, but Dick slips around! Dick shoves Yoh at the ref, then winds up, but Yoh BLOCKS the low blow! The fans cheer as Wato then sunset flips! Dick stays up, Yoh SUPERKICKS him into the cover! TWO, but into VENDEVALL!! Dick endures, but Evil YANKS the ref out! The fans boo but then Kanemaru STOMPS Wato!

Yano runs up but Kanemaru DECKS him! Kanemaru TOSSES Wato, and Evil has a chair! But then Wolf steps up! Evil tells him to back off, he’s just a Young Lion here! Evil JAMS Wato, but then Wolf shields Wato! so Evil SMACKS Wolf for it! But then Yoh LOW BLOWS Evil! And he shoves Kanemaru into Dick! DOUBLE LOW BLOW! Yoh uses WHISKEY MIST!! He CRACKS Yujiro for good measure, and Wato SPRINGBOARD UPPERCUTS Dick! Then RECIENTEMENTE!! Cover, TWO, into VENDEVAL!!! Dick endures as Wato thrashes about! DICK QUITS, HONTAI WINS!

Winners: Yoh, Master Wato & Toru Yano, by submission (still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)

The House of Torture tried to stack the deck, but Aaron Wolf was the trump card up the proverbial sleeve! Will Evil look to make Wolf’s career a living Hell soon enough? Or will there be justice served in the NEVER Openweight Division?

Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Yuto-Ice!

The Ace had his Final Homecoming, but he fell short of winning the IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion. But as Tanahashi’s Final Road passes through Anjo on the way to Tokyo Dome, another man from Gifu wants his shot! Is Nakashima’s Ambition getting him in over his head? Or will it be Ice High over the High Fly Flow?

Tanahashi shows off the abs and the fans cheer. The bell rings and the fans rally up. Yuto and Tanahashi step up, the fans strongly behind “TA-NA-H’SHI! TA-NA-H’SHI!” Yuto fires the first forearm! Tanahashi fires back, and they go forearm for forearm! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth, harder and harder, and Yuto just fires up for it! The shots keep going, but then Tanahashi gets the edge. Yuto comes back to BOOT Tanahashi down! The fans applaud, and Yuto storms up as Tanahashi goes to ropes. Yuto fires forearm after forearm in the corner but Red Shoes counts. Yuto HAMMERS Tanahashi until he’s seated, then he backs off.

Yuto argues with Red Shoes while the fans rally. Yuto runs up, only for Tanahashi to ELBOW him away! Then Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! Down goes Yuto and the fans cheer for the air guitar! Tanahashi “throws the guitar” to the fans, but then Yuto CLOBBERS him from behind! Tanahashi bails out, Yuto pursues, and Yuto fires hands! Yuto whips Tanahashi hard into railing! Yuto storms up on Tanahashi, brings him around, and he SMACKS Tanahashi off the apron! The fans rally, but Yuto whips again! Only for Tanahashi to reverse! Yuto hits railing, but he comes back to BOOT Tanahashi down!

The fans rally but Yuto looms over Tanahashi. Yuto drags Tanahashi up, puts him in the ring, and he gets space. Yuto runs back up and KNEE LIFTS Tanahashi into the ring! The fans are torn but Yuto has a smirk on his face as he swaggers back over. Yuto steps into the ring, stomps Tanahashi down, then kicks Tanahashi around. Yuto eggs Tanahashi on while he scuffs him in the face. Yuto then KNEES low, snapmares Tanahashi, and KICKS him in the back! Cover, ONE, and the fans applaud. Yuto sneers, but he brings Tanahashi up to KICK him in the chest! And KICK again! And again! Tanahashi ends up in the corner, and Yuto KICKS again and again!

Tanahashi sits down, Red Shoes reprimands, but Yuto fires up. “BOMBACLAT!” and DOUBLE KNEES! Tanahashi flops over, Yuto kicks him to center then has a cocky cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Tanahashi stays in this, and a chant of “GO ACE!” begins. Yuto paces around Tanahashi, then kicks him around. Tanahashi snarls as he sits up, but Yuto KICKS him! Yuto pie faces Tanahashi, but Tanahashi comes back to ROCK Yuto! And ROCK him again! And again! The fans rally, Tanahashi fires more shots, but Yuto KNEES low! Yuto puts Tanahashi on the ropes, whips him to ropes, but Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS!

The fans fire up with Tanahashi and he looms over Yuto. Tanahashi brings Yuto up, fires the signature Tanahashi strike fest, and he backs Yuto down to a corner. Tanahashi scoops to SLAM! The fans cheer as Tanahashi goes up and SUNSET SENTONS! Yuto sputters from that solid landing, Tanahashi covers, TWO! The fans rally as Tanahashi waits on Yuto. Tanahashi runs, but Yuto follows to ROCK him! Yuto runs, but Tanahashi DROPKICKS the leg! Yuto kicks, but Tanahashi blocks to DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi drags Yuto by his legs, ties them up, but Yuto has the ROPEBREAK! Tanahashi lets go, but he stomps Yuto right after.

The fans rally as Tanahashi stomps Yuto more. Tanahashi stands Yuto up, but Yuto breaks free! DRAGON PALM and Yuto falls! The fans rally behind Tanahashi as he drags Yuto back up. Tanahashi half nelsons, full nelsons, but Yuto CLAWS Tanahashi’s eyes! Red Shoes reprimands but Yuto is still free, and he LARIATS Tanahashi down! Yuto snarls again as he goes back to Tanahashi. Yuto stands over Tanahashi, then rains down PALM STRIKE after PALM STRIKE! Yuto stomps Tanahashi for good measure, but then Tanahashi gets right up! Tanahashi HEADBUTTS Yuto! Yuto drops to his knees, but Tanahashi HEABDUTTS again!

Yuto said he wanted Tanahashi’s scary side, so here it is! Tanahashi stalks Yuto to the corner, and HEADBUTTS again and again and again! Yuto sits down, but Tanahashi stands him back up, for more HEADBUTTS! Then a DRAGON PALM! Red Shoes reprimands but Tanahashi steps back. Tanahashi stands Yuto up, Yuto pushes free, but Tanahashi blocks the kick! DRAGON SCREW! Yuto shouts in pain as he leans against the ropes! Tanahashi trips Yuto, to GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And then he has the leg again, REVERSE GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Yuto writhes but Tanahashi ties the legs up, for the TEXAS CLOVERHOLD!

Yuto endures as Tanahashi puts on the pressure! The fans rally but Yuto fights forward! Yuto military crawls but Tanahashi bends him back! The fans fire up as Tanahashi sits deep on the hold! Yuto is still fighting, still clawing, still crawling! ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Tanahashi lets go. Tanahashi fires up and wants Yuto to rise. Yuto does stand, into the SLING- NO, Yuto dodges to AMBITION RIGHT!! Yuto runs, ICE HIGH!! Cover, TWO!?! Tanahashi survives but Yuto roars! The fans fire up and Yuto goes to a corner! Yuto reloads the leg while Tanahashi slowly rises. Yuto runs in again, ICE- SLINGBLADE!!

The fans fire up and Tanahashi roars! Tanahashi climbs the corner and aims at Yuto, HIGH FLY FLOW, but onto knees! Yuto saves himself, though maybe a little double-edged. Yuto still loads up again, and as Tanahashi sits up, BLINDSIDE CRUELLA!! But Yuto’s bad leg won’t let him cover! The fans rally harder and harder while both men are down! Yuto and Tanahashi rise up, and they crawl over to each other. They’re forehead to forehead, then they go forearm for forearm! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth, harder and harder, then faster and faster! Yuto bobs ‘n’ weaves to SLAP, SLAP, SLAP! And then again to SLAP!!

Tanahashi wobbles, Yuto winds up, BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives and Anjo is thunderous! Yuto roars as he vows to end this now! Yuto drags Tanahashi but Tanahashi is a ragdoll! Red Shoes checks but Yuto just reaches down, only for Tanahashi to cradle! TWO, and Yuto BOOTS! Yuto runs, into a LARIAT! Tanahashi rarely uses a lariat but he still aces that one! Tanahashi then runs the ropes, SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO! Yuto survives but Tanahashi fires up again! Tanahashi climbs, aims, and HIGH FLY FLOW!! Direct hit and Tanahashi covers, TWO!! Yuto survives and the fans are thunderous again!

Tanahashi just goes right back up, but Yuto stands! So he takes a HIGH FLY ATTACK! Tanahashi reloads again and the fans fire up! HIGH! FLY! FLOW!! Cover, Tanahashi wins!

Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall

Yuto-Ice couldn’t freeze out The Ace, and now he’s the one who needs the icepacks. But with everything he showed here against one of the best ever, is that all a sign Yuto Nakashima will be one of the best yet?

As for Tanahashi, he shows respect to the ambitious Yuto-Ice, and that alone means a lot to Nakashima. Oskar is there to help Yuto to the back, and Tanahashi gets the mic. “NJPW has returned to Anjo!” The fans cheer that, and Tanahashi thanks everyone for being here. “There’s not much time left for me as a wrestler, so I’m glad I could come to Anjo. I’ll do my best to the end!” Tanahashi wants to leave it at that, but the fans cheer him on, so he of course gives us the air guitar concert! But he needs his air guitar first, so Murashima tosses him one! Big pass, and Tanahashi makes the catch! The fans cheer, and the concert begins!

The fans cheer, Tanahashi “throws the guitar” to the fans, but they want an encore! Tanahashi says okay, is there another guitar? Matsumoto finds one now, and he makes an even bigger throw! Tanahashi catches it, and “LASTO!” The fans cheer on the encore, and Tanahashi of course “smashes” the guitar. Tanahashi “clears the ring” and the fans cheer for even more! Tanahashi looks to the fans, they throw one to him, and we get a special Anjo encore! The fans cheer again, and Tanahashi “falls over.” Tanahashi carefully tosses this guitar back to the fan and the crowd cheers. Tanahashi takes the mic to say, “I’m not tired. Let me say that- I’ve never been tired. So I’ll give it my all to the end!”

Tanahashi then promises that from here to the Tokyo Dome, “ANJO…! AISHITEMAAASU~!” BUT THEN A COIN DROPS?! The fans all go nuts because yes, THE RAINMAKER returns to NJPW! And Gedo is with him! A blast from the past right here in his hometown, on HIS birthday! Talk about a Rainmaker Shock. But Okada goes right to the ring and once again stands face to face with his greatest rival. The fans cheer while he grabs the mic, and Okada says, “Tanahashi-san. Congratulations on your retirement. And also, thank you for all your hard work.” The fans do applaud that.

Okada takes a moment before saying, “On January 4th, 2026… If you’d like, I will be your final opponent.” The fans are all fired up for that! Okada adds, “So don’t get tired until then, ya bastard!” Okada then adds that for now, he’ll let Gedo speak. The fans cheer the nostalgia trip, and Okada hands the mic to Gedo. “If the Rainmaker is here, it’ll be the best of all retirements. You know why?” The fans cheer the old line, and Gedo says, “He’s on a whole other level, ya bastards!” The fans cheer again, and Gedo says, “The rain will fall on Wrestle Kingdom 20 in the Tokyo Dome!” Okada strikes his signature pose, but so does Tanahashi!

The fans cheer as The Sun of NJPW and the Rainmaker will truly have one more clash, and it will truly be the final chapter in this storied rivalry! Will The Ace go out on top? Or will it be less a Rainmaker Shock as a Rainmaker Farewell? Okada & Gedo leave, so Tanahashi picks the mic back up. Tanahashi knows they already did this, but how about they do it again? “ANJO…! AISHITEMAAASU~!” The fans cheer, and Tanahashi has his final destination. What will happen on the most historic WrestleKingdom ever?

My Thoughts:

A great New Japan Road event, even with it still mostly tune-ups and filler. Taiji calling out Douki for the Junior Heavyweight title, and then having Desperado and Fujita join in on that was great. That Fatal 4 Way Contender’s match will be great stuff, Sho clearly trying to be Douki’s way out, but I bet Sho takes the loss to whoever will challenge Douki at WrestleKingdom. Douki also might end up in double duty territory unless they choose contenders to face #Shouki in what time we have left before World Tag League.

Great NEVER Six Man title match, especially with Hontai getting on over on The House of Torture with some help from Aaron Wolf. Pretty sure Evil VS Wolf is going to be a thing, but probably not for the NEVER Openweight Championship. That might be too much for a debuting name like Wolf, who is only now making the jump from judo to pro-wrestling. But also, what a great way to shake things up if he went right past Young Lion to established talent. Great stuff in Ace VS Ice, and as I said last week, this was of course Tanahashi’s rebound win after losing to Yota Tsuji. But Yuto really did have a great showing, this means a lot for him going forward.

Okada showing up was an awesome surprise, and it was a lot of fun seeing Gedo in the throwback bandana and all that. Tanahashi VS Okada: One Last Time is definitely the right move for Tanahashi’s retirement, even with Okada out of NJPW and a champion in AEW. Who knows, by January, Okada might actually drop the Unified Championship to Takeshita or something. Tanahashi losing his retirement match would be tradition, but it’s not like Okada would be hurt losing to one of the best ever. Plus, WrestleKingdom 20 is a historic milestone, it should have a historic and celebratory moment to punctuate it.

My Score: 8.8/10

Hiroshi Tanahashi’s Final Homecoming in Gifu!

As The Ace Final Road reaches the homestretch, Hiroshi Tanahashi has one last title match in his own hometown of Gifu! But will he win?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: Boltin Oleg, Shoma Kato & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS Katsuya Murashima, Masatora Yasuda & Zane Jay; Oleg, Kato & Matsumoto win.
• Six Man Tag: Hiromu Takahashi, Gedo & Daiki Nagai VS Robbie Eagles, Kosei Fujita & Hartley Jackson; Eagles, Fujita & Jackson win.
• 8 Man Tag: El Desperado, KUUKAI, Tiger Mask & YAMATO VS Ryusuke Taguchi, Dragon Dia, KUSHIDA & Yuki Yoshioka; Taguchi, Dia, Kushida & Yoshioka win.
• 10 Man Tag: Hontai VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
• 8 Man Tag: Shingo Takagi, Clark Connors, OSKAR & Yuto-Ice VS The United Empire; Takagi, Connors, Oskar & Yuto win.
• 2025 Super Junior Tag League Finals: SHO & DOUKI VS Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X; Sho & Douki win and can name their next challengers.
• IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Hiroshi Tanahashi; Yota wins and retains the title.
• IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Hirooki Goto; Takeshita wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

After 10 Man Tag: Hontai VS The House of Torture…

Master Wato took WHISKEY MIST and a BELT SHOT in the defeat, and after The House adds on, The King of Darkness has something to say. “OI! You stupid losers! You don’t deserve to have the NEVER titles! The next challengers are me, Dick & Kanemaru! Then I will be the true DOUBLE NEVER CHAMPION!” The fans boo, but then Kanemaru sets Yano up for Evil! Evil has the belt, but AARON WOLF steps in! Just like before, the judoka Young Lion THROWS Evil! The House is in retreat, and Wolf holds up THE NEVER Openweight Championship! Will The King be so focused on pawns that he gets caught in checkmate?

2025 Super Junior Tag League Finals: SHO & DOUKI VS Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X!

The Murder Machine & Japones Del Mal indeed used every trick in the book to lie, cheat and steal the top spot in A Block. Meanwhile, the Bone Soldier & Mr. Extreme scratched, clawed and fought their way back from an early setback to win B Block! But will #Shouki just rig the game again? Or will Taiji & Robbie get through it all #ByGrace?

Well, while Sho & Douki don’t attack Taiji & Robbie, Sho does insist on speaking. “Oi, you know we won every match easily to get to the Super Junior Tag League Finals, and now we have to fight here? Where are we? What town is this?” Gifu boos being trolled as Sho asks if this is Shiga or what. This can’t be Gifu, the worst town in Japan! The fans boo that even more! Sho says Taiji & Robbie think they’re superheroes or whatever, but standing before them is a true wrestling god in Douki! They should have no problem winning this! Then Shouki attacks! But Taiji & Robbie block the kicks! The fans cheer as Taiji & Robbie throw hands in return!

The bell rings as things spill outside! Taiji whips Sho into railing! Robbie whips Douki into railing! Then Robbie brings Douki through the gate and into the crowd! Robbie CHOPS Douki and the fans cheer. Robbie has fans clear out as he and Douki go deeper into the crowd. Robbie BOWLS Douki into chairs for a STRIKE! Taiji BOWLS Sho into chairs for a STRIKE! Robbie CLUBS Douki, Taiji POSTS Sho, and the fans cheer. Robbie & Taiji regroup, put Sho in the ring, and they double whip to the ropes. They DOUBLE ELBOW Sho down, then wheelbarrow VICTORY SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Sho survives but the fans rally behind Taiji.

Taiji stalks Sho to the ropes, Sho wants mercy but he gets stomps instead! Taiji bumps Sho off buckles, CHOPS him, and the fans cheer again. Taiji brings Sho around and CHOPS again! Sho sputters, the fans applaud, and Taiji whips corner to corner. Sho reverses, Douki trips Taiji in the corner, and then Sho slides out. Shouki YANK Taiji into the POST, right on the Bone Soldier! Robbie runs over but Shouki mugs him first. Then they pick him up and POST him right up the X! Then Shouki PULLS Taiji and PUSHES Robbie against the post for extra torture! The ref reprimands, Shouki stops, and Robbie flops to the floor.

The fans boo as Douki takes Robbie into the crowd, and Sho whips Taiji into railing! Douki takes Robbie all the way to the back where extra staff sits, and he SMACKS Robbie off their table! Sho brings Taiji into the crowd, but Taiji ROCKS Sho! Sho CLAWS Taiji’s eyes! Sho BOWLS Taiji into chairs! STRIKE! The fans boo again and the ref reprimands, but Douki CLUBS Robbie with someone’s umbrella! Sho POSTS Taiji again! Sho puts Taiji in the ring, covers, TWO! Taiji toughs it out and the fans cheer, but Sho tags Douki. Douki drags Taiji to center so he can run and DOUBLE STOMP! Taiji writhes, Douki covers, TWO!

The fans applaud as Taiji stays in this, but Douki TOSSES him out! Douki distracts the ref so Sho can JAM Taiji up with a chair! The fans boo but Sho shrugs, acting like nothing happened. Sho puts Taiji in for Douki to cover, TWO! Tag to Sho, and Shouki double gorilla presses Taiji for a DOUBLE GUT BUSTER DROP! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer Taiji on, but then Shouk put him in the ROWBOAT STRETCH! The ref counts, Douki lets go, but then he WRECKS Robbie with a dropkick! Sho still pulls on Taiji’s arm and leg but Taiji endures. Taiji turns to alleviate pressure, fights his way over, but Sho pulls harder! Taiji still makes the ROPEBREAK!

The fans cheer but Sho holds on! The ref counts, Sho lets go at 4, and he talks trash on Taiji. Sho stomps Taiji, scuffs him, and taunts him. Taiji stands up to fire forearms on Sho and Douki back and forth! But then Sho CLAWS the eyes! The ref reprimands, but Taiji CLWS Sho’s eyes! The ref still reprimands, but Taiji whips Sho. Sho reverses, but Taiji handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Taiji crawls, hot tag to Robbie! Robbie runs to BOOT Douki, then he fires forearms on Sho! Robbie CHOPS Sho, and the fans bark with the War Dogs! Robbie whips, Sho reverses, but Robbie goes up and over!

Robbie rolls and DROPKICKS, then handsprings! The fans fire up with Robbie, and he fireman’s carries Sho. Sho slips fere, shoves Robbie to ropes, but Robbie stops himself. Sho runs up, Robbie DUMPS Sho out, and then Robbie NO TOUCH HANDSPRING KICKS! Then he DIVES! Down goes Sho into the railing! X says L F G and the fans fire up with him! Robbie drags Sho up, puts him in the ring, but Douki kicks low! Douki whips, but Robbie uses the post to Tiger Wall Kick Douki down! The fans fire up again and Robbie feeds off that energy. Robbie storms in, fireman’s carries, but Sho fights and flails!

Robbie drops down, but he just does a squat with Sho! Robbie rises back up as the fans rally, ROLLING SENTON! Then a STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Robbie tags Taiji, and they get Sho up. They double whip Sho corner to corner, Robbie runs up, but Sho BOOTS him! Taiji runs up, he blocks Sho’s boots, and he puts Sho in the ropes. Robbie ENZIGIRIS Sho for Taiji to SLIDING GERMAN! Robbie STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Taiji covers, TWO! Sho survives but the War Dogs are still on him and the fans fire up. Feed to the lift, BLOODY- NO, Sho slips free to SHOVE Robbie into Taiji!

Sho DUMPS Robbie out, slips around Taiji, but Taiji standing switches. Sho bends Taiji’s fingers! The ref reprimands, Taiji kicks low, and Taiji runs, but Sho grabs the ref! Douki CHAIR SHOTS Taiji at the ropes! The fans boo but Sho tags Douki. Sho shrugs, claiming he doesn’t know what happened. Douki ROCKS Taiji in the corner, then Sho puts Taiji up top! Sho lifts Taiji from the corner, Douki climbs up, ASSISTED SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO, but into ITALIAN STRETCH #32! The fans rally as Taiji endures, but Douki pulls on the hold! Taiji reaches out, but Douki rolls him from the ropes!

Douki keeps on ITALIAN STRETCH #32, but Taiji still endures! The fans rally but Taiji is fading! Taiji fights to the side but Douki pulls on the hold again! Sho distracts the ref so that he misses the ROPEBREAK! The fans boo but then Douki rolls Taiji away. ITALIAN STRETCH 32!! Sho plays defense against Robbie now! But Robbie jukes and gets in! Robbie stomps Douki! Taiji is saved but Sho & Douki mug Robbie now! They DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX, but Robbie lands out! And he goes Matrix to DOUBLE PELE! The fans fire up again and Robbie gets moving! Handspring, but Douki stops the cutter!

Douki shoves, Robbie dodges and waistlocks, but Douki ELBOWS free! Robbie reels Douki back in, but Douki uses the British Escape! Robbie ducks the enzigiri! Then Robbie BACKFLIPS over Douki to have the deadlift, but Douki CLAWS free! Robbie swings, Douki counters with the HELLSTAB! Douki runs in, Robbie dodges, and Robbie blocks a kick! Robbie KICKS that leg, the DREAMCAST KICK in the corner! Feed to Taiji for the gut wrench! Robbie goes up while Taiji hits CIPHER UTAKI! X EXPRESS!! Cover, SHO YANKS THE REF OUT!! The fans boo but Sho hurries to get his Torture Tool! Robbie chases Sho, Sho gets in the ring, but then Robbie blocks the shot!

Robbie SOBATS Sho! Robbie handsprings, but into a SPANNER SHOT!! The fans boo but Taiji JUMP KNEES Sho! The fans fire up while Sho tumbles out. Taiji waits on Douki, who has the belt! Taiji dodges Douki, ZIGZAG! BONE LOCK!! Douki flails, reaches out, but Taiji kicks from the ropes! But Douki makes it a ghost pin! TWO!!! Taiji escapes in time and kicks low! Taiji whips, but Douki knocks the ref down! Taiji still pops Douki up for a LOW BLOW!! Taiji uses Douki’s tactic against him! Taiji then steps up, but Douki shoves Taiji to the ropes! Taiji BLOCKS the sheet smack! Taiji takes that sheet to SMACK Sho!!

The fans fire up as Sho tastes his own medicine! Robbie then adds a TOP ROPE MOONSAULT! But then Douki rolls Taiji! Taiji rolls through, STF BONE LOCK!!! Douki flails, reaches out, but Taiji pulls back on the hold! Douki fights, Taiji rolls him, and then lifts him! BLOODY- NO, Douki fights free, whips Taiji at the ref, and then Douki takes his mask down!? BLOOD MIST!! Then LOW BLOW!! Douki rolls Taiji, DOUKI & SHO WIN!!

Winners: Sho & Douki, by pinfall (2025 Super Junior Tag League Champions)

Just when Taiji had accounted for every trick, there was another one up the proverbial sleeve! And now, controversial as it was, Sho & Douki will go down as the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champions that SWEPT Super Junior Tag League! They take the trophies from the ref with very little gratitude or respect, and Douki takes the mic. The fans boo but Douki says, “Oi, just as you see, we won every single match! Completely perfect, completely flawless! There can be no complaints about us!” The fans boo because that’s not true. But Douki says he is IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, and now Super Junior Tag League Champion!

Douki says he is flawless! He is the BEST OF ALL NJPW! More like the worst! But then will nothing stop The House of Torture from stacking the deck and cheating out everyone who dares step to them?

IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Hiroshi Tanahashi!

The Gene Blast only just took this title from Gabe Kidd, but he’s more than honored to defend it against one of the true greats. Will The Ace be high on this, the night of his Final Homecoming? Or will he bust and miss out on the jackpot?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Tanahashi flies high over Gifu one last time!

The bell rings and the fans rally up for “TA-NA-H’SHI! TA-NA-H’SHI!” already. The two circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Tanahashi waistlocks, Yota switches, but Tanahashi switches back. Yota pries free to then facelock, but Tanahashi wrenches free. Tanahashi wristlocks, but Yota spins through to wrench in return. Yota hammerlocks, Tanahashi drop toeholds and floats to a headlock, but Yota fights back up. Tanahashi hits the takeover, but Yota headscissors! Yota holds tight, even CLUBS Tanahashi in the side, but Tanahashi fights around. Tanahashi pops free to have a modified DEATHLOCK!

The fans applaud but Yota endures, so Tanahashi floats to a headlock. Yota endures the grind, fights to his feet, and fires body shots. Yota powers up but can’t power out as Tanahashi holds tight! The fans rally, Yota fights back up, and he brings Tanahashi down to a knee. Yota slips out the back, puts on the headlock now, but Tanahashi endures the grind. Tanahashi pries the hold open, but Yota powers it back on! Yota hits the takeover, Tanahashi headscissors, but Yota kips free. Tanahashi air guitars and the fans applaud. Yota and Tanahashi reset as the fans get even louder for “TA-NA-H’SHI! TA-NA-H’SHI!” The two circle, then tie up.

It’s another deadlock, but then Yota uses his height for leverage. Yota puts Tanahashi in the corner, the ref calls the break, and Yota lets off with a pat on the shoulder. The fans applaud the sportsmanship, but then Yota runs up! Tanahashi ELBOWS him away, goes up and CROSSBODIES! The fans cheer as Tanahashi air guitars again, only for Yota to DROPKICK him! The fans boo but Yota grins. Yota paces around, then he brings Tanahashi up. Yota whips Tanahashi into the corner, then stomps him down. The ref reprimands, Yota stops, and Yota stands Tanahashi up, just to RAM him into the corner again and again!

The ref counts, Yota stops at 4, and he cravats Tanahashi to snapmare, then body scissors! The fans rally as Tanahashi endures the squeeze. Yota grins as he also traps an arm, but Tanahashi fights around. Yota pushes Tanahashi over to then have the CAMEL CLUTCH! Tanahashi still endures and the fans still rally behind him. Tanahashi gets an arm free, reaches out, but Yota lets go to then scoop and SLAM Tanahashi! Yota runs, SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Tanahashi stays in this, but Yota stays cool. Yota rises while Tanahashi sputters, and Yota shrugs as the fans continue to cheer The Ace.

Yota stands Tanahashi and Tanahashi fires forearms! Tanahashi fires shot after shot, but then Yota ROCKS him with just one! Yota eggs Tanahashi on, and Tanahashi fires his signature strike combo! Tanahashi whips, Yota reverses, but Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS! The fans fire up as Tanahashi rises again, and he brings Yota up. Tanahashi scoops to SLAM Yota to the drop zone! The fans cheer as Tanahashi goes up and SUNSET SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Yota is tougher than that but Tanahashi is not deterred. The fans rally, Tanahashi waits on Yota, and Tanahashi runs to SLING- NO, Yota slips around to waistlock!

Tanahashi fights the lift, throws elbows, but then Yota clinches! FLATLINER! Both men are down and the fans rally up again. Yota stands and brings Tanahashi around for a BOSTON CRAB! Tanahashi endures as Yota sits deep! The fans rally harder and harder as Tanahashi pushes up! But Yota pushes him back down! Tanahashi fights back up, crawls forward, and he makes the ROPEBREAK! Yota lets go while the fans cheer, but Tanahashi goes to a corner. Yota storms over and stands Tanahashi up. Yota winds up to CHOP! Tanahashi is stinging, but then he eggs Yota on. Yota CHOPS again! Tanahashi still eggs him on, so Yota CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS!

Then Yota fires KNEE after KNEE into Tanahashi! Yota roars, goes corner to corner, and GENE TRIGGER! Tanahashi falls, Yota lines up another shot, and Yota goes up the corner! MARLOWE- NO, Tanahashi dodges the crush! Tanahashi runs up, blocks the superkick, and he DRAGON SCREWS the leg! Yota is down but so is Tanahashi, and the fans rally up again. Tanahashi huffs ‘n’ puffs and rises up again, but Yota also stands. Tanahashi eggs Yota on, and then he fires a forearm! Yota fires back! They go forearm for forearm, then Tanahasih eggs Yota on again. Yota fires a flurry of forearms! Yota eggs Tanahashi on!

Tanahashi fires a flurry of forearms! The fans fire up with Tanahashi, but Yota comes back to fire another flurry! Tanahashi fires another flurry of his own! Yota fires even more forearms! Tanahashi fires even more forearms! Yota winds up, but then he staggers! The fans fire up as Yota is literally on the ropes. Tanahashi waits on Yota, and Yota comes back to CHOP! Tanahashi grits his teeth to stay on his feet! The fans fire up as Tanahashi roars, but then Yota runs up! Tanahashi dodges then reels Yota in, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi runs, SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO! Yota survives but Tanahashi goes to the corner!

Tanahashi climbs, but Yota GAMANGIRIS first! Yota then climbs up to join Tanahashi, and brings him to the very top, for a SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO! Yota has the legs again! BOSTON CRAB! Yota sits deep on the hold! Tanahashi endures and the fans rally harder and harder! Tanahashi powers up to pushup, but Yota just pushes him back down! The fans rally as hard as they can but Yota has the hold on deep! Tanahashi grits his teeth as he pushes up again! There’s still power inside The Ace, and the fans are thunderous as he fights his way over! Yota puts one more push into the Boston Crab, but Gifu still cheers Tanahashi on!

Yota gets a different angle, it’s almost a WALLS OF JERICHO! Tanahashi refuses to give in, so Yota drops the legs, waistlocks, and deadlifts for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Yota roars, the fans can’t help but cheer that feat of strength, and now Yota takes aim. Tanahashi rises, into the GENE- DROPKICK! Tanahashi hits the legs, Yota hobbles, and Tanahashi full nelsons! Yota breaks free, but Tanahashi has the STRAITJACKET GERMAN! Bridging cover, TWO! Yota escapes and the fans fire up with Tanahashi! Tanahashi runs the ropes to SLING- NO, Yota steals SLINGBLADE! A rough shot but Yota covers, TWO!!

Tanahashi survives but Yota drags Tanahashi to a corner! Yota goes up the corner?! Yota aims to steal HIGH FLY FLOW, but FLOPS!! Tanahashi steals GENE BLASTER!! Cover, but then Tanahashi lets off because his arm hurts that bad. Tanahashi roars as he rises back up! Tanahashi climbs as the fans cheer him on, and now Tanahashi HIGH FLY FLOW on Yota’s back! Tanahashi pushes Yota over, goes back up, but Yota rises! Yota seems to dare Tanahashi to do it, HIGH FLY ATTACK hits!! Tanahashi then goes up top and HIGH FLY FLOW FLOPS as Yota moves! Yota reloads, GENE BLASTER!!! But Yota can’t cover, either!!

The fans are thunderous while Yota and Tanahashi both sputter on the mat! Gifu is as loud for Tanahashi as they’ve ever been, but Yota rises first. Yota leans against the ropes, Tanahashi stands at center, and Yota storms up on him. Tanahashi DRAGON PALMS, but Yota just grins! AND HEADBUTTS!! Yota staggers back, but then he loads up in the corner! Tanahashi rises in a daze, into the GENE BLAST- CRADLE!!! TWO!!! Yota escapes, runs up again, but into a fireman’s carry! TWELVE-SIX!! Tanahashi busts out a classic, and then goes back up top! HIGH FLY FLOW BUT ONTO KNEES!! Yota turns things back around on Tanahashi!

Yota aims again, Tanahashi rises, and GENE BLASTER!!! Cover, YOTA WINS!!!

Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (still IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion)

The Ace put his all into this, but he still fell short against the Reiwa Musketeer. Yota takes a moment to drink some water, then he gets the mic. “Tanahashi-san… I’ve said it an awful lot: If not for you and those words that day, I would not be standing on this cerulean blue. I have always, always been chasing after you, and tonight, for the very first time, I was able to beat you. I don’t plan on being The Ace, I don’t plan on every being Hiroshi Tanahashi. I plan on surpassing everything that you have been. But it’ll be okay, you can leave NJPW to me. So, I will wrap this up by saying this is a repayment of a debt we owe to you. I want these fans to hear your voice.”

The fans cheer as Yota hands the mic to Tanahashi. Tanahashi tells Tsuji, “This is Gifu, this is MY show, and I lost! And yet you give me the microphone. But yes, I will talk. Tsuji, on that day in Jiyugaoka, I am so, so glad I said what I said to you. But I have a lot of responsibility as the person that changed your life. And so, it is my responsibility to say to you, the ball is in your court now. And so, it has been awhile since I’ve been here in Gifu, and I thank all of you for being here tonight. The last 25 years, you have given me so much support, thank you so much. And this was my last match here in Gifu… Here come the tears…

“It is tough. There have been difficult times. But I am so proud of being a pro-wrestler from Gifu!” The fans cheer, and Tanahashi says that he just wanted to say this as a winner, but this will be his last chance to say it! GIFU! AISHITEMASU~! The fans cheer, but wait, who is this swaggering out? Yuto Nakashima? Why is Yuto-Ice stepping on Tanahashi’s moment? Yota takes his leave with a smile to his War Dogs/Unaffiliated teammate. Yuto then steps into the ring so he can take the mic. “Oi, sorry to interrupt and all, but I’ve got somethin’ to put to you. It took a long, long time for me to be here, and I went through an awful lot of crap to get here.

“And it took me a long time and a lot of effort to be here, despite it all! So, Tanahashi, let’s have a singles match! And since you’re not tired, how about we do this next Saturday night? Just up the road in Anjo, Aichi, so all the folks here in Gifu have a short drive! What do you say? We gonna do it or not?” Tanahashi takes the mic back to say, “Oi, Nakashima… I am your senpai, both in school and in Gifu. So for you, my adorable kouhai, I’m sure we can get this done.” Yuto says you heard the man! It’ll be Ace VS Ice in Anjo! First time, last time, and Yuto will bring out the scariest Tanahashi we’ve ever seen! Let’s get high! BOMBAKLAT!

The fans fire up for this showdown if Gifu OGs! But will Yuto’s ambition get him beat? Or will Ice trump Ace in Anjo?

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Hirooki Goto!

The Alpha won the G1 Climax, then took this title from Zack Sabre Jr. in the Ryogoku Sumo Hall, only to be confronted by the Fierce Warrior. Goto wants the rematch he didn’t get because of injury, Konosuke is giving him that opportunity now, will the Goto Revolution also return? Or will Konosuke still be THE Alpha of wrestling?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is fiercest of all!

The bell rings and the fans rally up for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Konosuke shrugs that off as he and Goto circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Goto powers Konosuke to the ropes. Red Shoes calls the break and Goto backs off. The fans applaud the clean break and the two reset. They tie up again, and Konosuke powers Goto to the ropes. Red Shoes calls another break, and Konosuke winds up to CHOP! The fans applaud while Goto paces. Goto fires a forearm, Konosuke fires back, and they go forearm for forearm! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth, then they tie up! Konosuke headlocks but Goto powers up and out.

Konosuke RAMS Goto, Goto rebounds and he RUNS Konosuke over! The fans cheer and things get moving. Konosuke stays low, but Goto counters hip toss with hip toss! Goto runs to RUN Konosuke over again! The fans cheer but Konosuke bails out to cool things down. Goto waits on Konosuke, and Konosuke takes his time walking around the outside. Goto pursues, Konosuke slides in, and now Konosuke waits on Goto. Goto goes to the apron but Konosuke fires forearms! Konosuke brings Goto up to suplex, but Goto blocks! Konosuke still tries but Goto ocntinues to fight. Then Goto tries to suplex!

Konosuke lands safe on the apron, but Goto tries again! Konosuke fights the suplex, fires body shots, then kicks low! APRON DDT! The fans applaud while Goto is down, but Konosuke isn’t done! DRAPING DDT to the floor! The fans are stunned seeing that and Red Shoes checks Goto. Goto is still in this so Konosuke drags him up. Konosuke whips Goto into the railing! Then he runs up to BOOT Goto! Goto flops down and the fans rally up while a ring count starts. Konosuke stands Goto up at 5 of 20, puts him in at 7, and the fans applaud. Konosuke covers, TWO! Goto is tougher than that, but Konosuke rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS!

Konosuke then clamps on with a rear facelock, and he grinds Goto down. Goto endures, fights around, but Konosuke grinds him more! Goto turns and reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Konosuke lets go to bring Goto around. Konosuke ROCKS Goto with a forearm and Goto goes to a corner. Konosuke throws ELBOW after ELBOW into Goto! Goto sits down, and Konosuke KNEES him again and again! Red Shoes counts, Konosuke backs off, and fans are torn as Goto sputters. Konosuke eggs Goto on and watches him rise. Goto snarls, but Konosuke boots him! Goto eggs Konosuke on, so Konosuke BOOTS again!

Goto CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Konosuke clamps onto the bad arm, wrenches it, and then has the armlock, for an ARM BULLDOG! The fans are torn again but hopefully Goto’s arm is not. Konosuke drags Goto up, wrenches again, and he armlocks for another ARM BULLDOG! Goto writhes but Konosuke keeps close. Cover, TWO! Goto toughs it out and the fans applaud, but Konosuke puts that arm in a top wristlock. Goto endures, fights around, and the fans rally. Goto rises but Konosuke KNEES low! And KNEES low again! Konosuke wrenches, clamps onto the arm, but Goto BODY BLOWS!

Goto fights but Konosuke ELBOW BREAKERS! And SAI- NO, Goto fires elbows! But Konosuke won’t let him run away! Goto ELBOWS free and the fans cheer! Goto runs in at Konosuke, but into a BOOT! Konosuke runs, but Goto blows past him and LARIATS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Goto stalks Konosuke to a corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs up for a MURAMASA! Then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Konosuke survives but Goto fires back up. The fans cheer him on as he fireman’s carries, but Konosuke fights it! Konosuke throws down elbows, then fires ELBOW after ELBOW, and ROLLING ELBOW!

Konosuke runs, but Goto follows! Only for Konosuke to clinch and EXPLODER! Goto tumbles and the fans fire up again! Goto goes to the apron and Konosuke takes aim. Konosuke runs in and BOOTS Goto to the floor! Goto sputters at the ramp, and now Konosuke builds speed! Konosuke FLIES! Down goes Goto at the ramp! The fans fire up while both men are down, but Konosuke rises. Konosuke shouts, “IKU ZO! <LET’S GO!>” and the fans fire up with him! Konosuke drags Goto up, puts him in, and the fans applaud. Goto goes to a corner, but Konosuke takes aim again. The fans rally up for the forearm SMASH!

Konosuke whips, Goto reverses, but the TAKESHITA LINE hits! The fans rally up and Konosuke snarls. Konosuke vows to finish this, and he reels Goto in. RAGI- NO, Goto fights the suplex! Goto suplexes now, and BRAINBUSTER! Shoutout to The Stone Pitbull, but Goto and Konosuke are both down. Konosuke manages to roll to a corner first, but Goto runs in and LARIATS! Goto runs corner to corner, Konosuke follows! HELLUVA KICK! BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives Konosuke’s tribute to El Generico and the fans fire up! Konosuke drags Goto back up, but Goto fires a forearm!

Konosuke fires back, and the forearms go back and forth again! Shot for shot, then Goto ROCKS Konosuke! Konosuke sits down, but he shakes out the stars going around his head. Konosuke fires up, the forearms go back and forth again, but then Konosuke fires his elbow combo! But Goto ROCKS him first! Goto runs, but into a BOOT! Then waistlock! Goto switches, GERMAN SUPLEX, but Konosuke lands out!? BOOT! Konosuke runs, but into a fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Konosuke flounders to ropes while the fans fire up! Goto brings Konosuke up, dragon sleepers, but Konosuke SMACKS Goto!

Konosuke stands, swings, but into an URA GTR! Goto runs, and LARIATS! The fans fire up, because that’s all with the bad arm! Goto then dragon sleepers, but Konosuke snapmares free, and NECK TWIST! Then chicken wing and crossface, PLUS ULTRA CLUTCH!! Goto endures, reaches out, and the fans rally up! But Konosuke has the body scissors, too! Goto is fading, but the fans just get louder and louder for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Goto gets a second wind to kick his way around, for the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Konosuke lets go. Konosuke shakes out his arms and stands to bring Goto up.

Konosuke hoists Goto to the top rope, then climbs up to join him. The fans rally again as Goto fights the suplex! Goto fires body shots, then he ROCKS Konosuke with a forearm! Konosuke steps back, but comes back, STEP-UP KNEE! The fans fire up for that, and Konosuke climbs the corner again! But still Goto resists! Goto fires more body shots, more forearms, but Konosuke fires back! They brawl up top, then Goto HEADBUTTS again and again! Goto reels Konosuke in!? The fans are already worried as Goto hops on for a SUPER CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives and Gifu is thunderous again!

Goto and Konosuke rise up, and Goto roars! BUZZSAW!! But Konosuke rolls back, runs up, but into another fireman’s carry! G T W!! Cover, TWO!?!? Goto doesn’t stop to fret, he dragon sleepers and G- NO, Konosuke spins that around! Reverse suplex, then the tuck! BASTARD DRIVER!! Then deadlift WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! But Goto’s right up!?! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, they go again, Konosuke LARIATS Goto down!! Cover, TWO!!! Goto survives and the fans are thunderous as we hit 20 minutes! Konosuke roars, the fans rally, and Konosuke hauls Goto up for a facelock. RAGING- NO, Goto slips free!

Goto dragon sleepers, but Konosuke slips through to hook the arms! Goto spins the would-be backslide back into a dragon sleeper! G T R!!! But Goto can’t make the cover!! The fans rally, Goto crawls to finally cover, TWO!!! The delay saves Konosuke, if just barely! The fans rally almost as hard as they did for Tanahashi, and Goto dragon sleepers again! Konosuke throws hands from below, but Goto grabs that arm, powers it into place, and drags Konosuke up! G T- NO, Konosuke pops free to jump up, POISON-RANA!! WAGAMAMA KNEE!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? But Konosuke doesn’t stop, he just reels Goto in!

LAST RIDE POWERBOMB!!! Konosuke throws Goto so hard, Konosuke stumbles back! But he hurries to high stack cover, TWO!!!! Goto survives and the fans are electric! Konosuke grits his teeth, goes to a corner, and he brings down the kneepad! The fans rally for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” as loud as they can, and Goto rises at center. Konosuke runs in, BARE BONE- NO!! Goto blocks that knee!! Konosuke CLUBS at Goto again and again, gets free, then off comes his elbow pad! But Goto ducks the elbow to spin Konosuke, and DISCUS LARIAT!! Not quite a Rainmaker but surely the message was sent! And now the suplex, for SHOTEN KAI!!! Cover, TWO!?!??!

Gifu is about to erupt with how Konosuke survived! “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” echoes out as Goto rises up. Goto roars, vowing to finally put this away! But then Konosuke swings! Goto HEADBUTTS first! Then RIDGE HAND CHOPS!! Goto drags Konosuke up, winds up, URA- NO, Konosuke wrenches free! ALPHA ELBOW!! WAGAMAMA KNEE!! Konosuke roars, because now he brings Goto up for the RAGING FIRE!!!!! Cover, KONOSUKE WINS!!!

Winner: Konosuke Takeshita, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)

That was certainly the fiercest battle we could have ever seen from both men, but the world (title) still belongs to The Alpha! Is this the end of the Goto Revolution? Or just a detour in the road back to the mountaintop?

As for Konosuke, Red Shoes helps him put on the belt, and Konosuke gets the mic. “Goto. Goto! Hold on a moment. Listen to me from here. Goto… I don’t think our pro-wrestling philosophies have ever aligned, and I doubt they ever will. But for the career of Konosuke Takeshita, I’ll borrow ever so slightly from the Goto Revolution.” The fans applaud that, and Konosuke continues with, “So now, we’re one and one. For delivering a proper IWGP battle, I humbly thank you.” Konosuke offers a handshake, and Goto accepts! The fans cheer that! Goto takes his leave, should we all start preparing for the tiebreaker?

Konosuke continues by saying, “Now that I’ve defended the IWGP title in Gifu, this belt will next be defended on January 4th, in the Tokyo Dome. If you’re brave enough to fade me in the Dome, step up to me right now!” The fans like the sound of that. Who walks out to accept the open challenge? IT’S YOTA TSUJI!! The IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion, cleaned up and in a suit, heads down to the ring. The fans like what they see as Yota now stands in front of Konosuke and picks up his own mic. “Oi, Takeshita! Your next challenger is ME!” The fans applaud that already.

Yota continues, “Someone once said, ‘Be foolish.’ Unfortunately, I’m not fool enough to try to retire Tanahashi. BUT! For the sake of IWGP and NJPW, I’ll be plenty foolish. That is my resolve!” The fans applaud again, and Yota tells Takeshita to fight him in the Tokyo Dome! Konosuke nods and says, “Yota Tsuji, message received loud and clear. Tsuji, to face me in the Dome… Are you ready? If you’ve got the guts, put that belt on the line, too!” The fans really like the sound of that! Yota looks to his Global Heavyweight title, and he says, “Of course, Takeshita. Are YOU ready? Because I am.” The fans applaud as the mic drops, and both men hold up their belts!

As if WrestleKingdom 20 wasn’t already a historic milestone, it just became an instant classic! We have two months left, will there be a NEW Dual Champion with the New Year?

My Thoughts:

A great event here as the first, last and only Hiroshi Tanahashi Final Homecoming. A lot of good stuff in those tune-up matches, and I do like that they’re giving Aaron Wolf, a legit judo talent, a sort of shortcut from Young Lion to established guy with how he’s going after EVIL and that NEVER Openweight Championship like this. Maybe Evil wins the trios titles to then drop the singles title to Wolf, which would be wild but certainly welcomed because fans love to hate Evil. And despite my expectations, Unaffiliated and War Dogs are still working together, even with them splitting the difference in their matches tonight.

Great tournament finals for Super Junior Tag League, and I’m actually rather shocked Sho & Douki won. Granted, they cheated again, but Taiji knowing all their tricks except the last one was a great detail. #Shouki is now allowed to choose their challengers, and I feel like they could set up a Finger Poke of Doom by choosing their fellow House of Torture teammates, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Dick Togo. At the same time, NJPW Management might/should veto that choice, so who knows how that goes. There’s a lot of time still, and Douki still has the singles title to worry about, too, can’t wait to see what goes on there.

And of course, just awesome stuff from both singles titles tonight. Gifu was hoping against hope that Tanahashi would win the Global title and take it to WrestleKingdom, but no, even Tanahashi sees that’s not the way to do this. Tanahashi VS Nakashima, Ace VS Ice, that’s some fun stuff right there, but feels like Tanahashi can win that to get his momentum back going towards WK20. Konosuke VS Goto was epic stuff, and an awesome win for Konosuke. Konosuke VS Tsuji for both titles is very surprising, but I hope NJPW isn’t booking themselves into a corner. Both guys are great, but Konosuke still goes back and forth between NJPW and AEW, feels like NJPW would/should want their dual champion to be the full-timer…

My Score: 9.1/10