Who will stand atop the NJPW mountain?

The Goto Revolution finally leads NJPW, but will the Fierce Warrior be conquered by The United Empire as Callum Newman goes after the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kickoff – Ryusuke Taguchi & Katsuya Murashima VS Hitamaru Sasaki & Jet Wei; Taguchi & Murashima win.
• Taiji Ishimori & Gedo VS MENTAI KID & Batten Burabura; Taiji & Gedo win.
• YOSHI-HASHI & Master Wato VS Great-O-Khan & Jakob Austin Young; Hashi & Wato win.
• Six Woman Tag: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma VS Starlight Kid, AZM & Yuna Mizumori; Maika, Hazuki & Koguma win.
• El Phantasmo & Boltin Oleg VS Konosuke Takeshita & Rocky Romero; ELP & Boltin win.
• 10 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, YOH, Ryota Chikuzen & TAJIRI VS TMDK; Tanahashi, Yano, Yoh, Chikuzen & Tajiri win.
• 8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Shota Umino, Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi & Taka Michinoku; LIJ wins.
• IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Yuya Uemura; Tsuji wins and retains the title.
• IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS Callum Newman; Goto wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Six Woman Tag: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma VS Starlight Kid, AZM & Yuna Mizumori!

It’s a Stardom Showcase as The Crimson Cannon Empress, The Wildheart & The High Speed Genius take on The Masked Idol, High Speed Bomb Girl & Kumamoto’s Unsinkable Ship! Which side of Stardom shines brightest in Fukuoka?

The trios sort out and Koguma starts against Starlight Kid. The fans cheer and the two circle. They approach, but Koguma dodges to do her bear taunt. But then Starlight CLUBS her! Starlight whips, Koguma whips but Starlight handsprings over. Starlight whips, runs up, but Koguma puts her on the apron. Koguma runs up, Starlight slips under and sunset flips, TWO! Starlight runs up, but into an arm-drag! Starlight comes back to hit a headlock takeover! Koguma headscissors, Starlight kips free, and the two strike their animal poses! The fans cheer as bear and tiger reset. They tie up, Koguma spins Starlight, then goes for the arms!

Starlight fights free of being made to bear pose! But then Koguma kicks low, runs, but Starlight blows past her to springboard and CROSSBODY! Then SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Starlight tags Yuna. Yuna runs up to run Koguma over, then fires up as she keeps moving. But Hazuki jumps in and helps Koguma ELBOW Yuna down! Then they double Yuna into Maika’s shoulder tackle! The fans fire up for the TRIPLE DROPKICK! The ref reprimands but Koguma tags Hazuki in. Hazuki rallies the fans while she stands on Yuna! Then she scrubs her with the boot again and again! Hazuka runs to BOOT WASH her!

Hazuka bumps Yuna off buckles, tags Maika, and the fans cheer as Maika scoops and SLAMS! Cover, TWO! Yuna stays in this but Maika kicks her around. Maika eggs Yuna on, but Yuna rises to CLUB Maika in the chest! Maika comes back to DECK Yuna! Yuna flounders, Maika brings her up and whips her to a corner. Maika runs up but Yuna BOOTS her down, somersaults, and SHOTGUNS! Yuna hurries and she tags in AZM! The fans rally up for AZM as she climbs, then leaps, but into Maika’s arms! Maika throws AZM back, kicks her, and she has Koguma help double whip. But AZM sends Maika into Koguma, and Starlight jumps in!

Starlight hits a TAKEOVER HEADSCISSORS COMBO! Then AZM DOUBLE DROPKICKS Maika & Koguma! The fans fire up for Starlight’s team as she and AZK put Maika & Hazuki at the center of the ring. They coordinate, STANDING MOONSAULT and DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Maika is tougher than that, but AZM drags her into a drop zone. AZM goes up, DIVING DOUBLE- NO, Maika avoids the stomps to then scoop and POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! AZM stays in this but the fans rally behind Maika. Maika drags AZM up, reels her in, and suplexes, only for AZM to fight free! Maika kicks and runs, but into a ROUNDHOUSE!

Maika just roars and comes back! Maika spins AZM, suplexes, but AZM has a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! The fans rally as Maika endures, powers up, and suplexes again! BRAINBUSTER! The fans fire up while both women are down! The fans rally as Maika and AZM crawl, hot tags to Yuna and Hazuki! Hazuki sends Yuna to an open corner, runs up, but Yuna puts her on the apron! Only for Koguma to SPLASH Yuna! Hazuki then goes up and MISSILE DROPKICKS Yuna! Koguma goes up to CROSSBODY! Hazuki hurries to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Yuna survives, but is now in a CROSSFACE! Koguma & Maika intercept AZM & Starlight!

The fans rally while Yuna endures, and then AZM & Starlight break free! They both stomp Hazuki! Koguma & Maika drag Starlight & AZM back out, Hazuki CLUBS Yuna and whips her to ropes. Yuna reverses, Hazuki grabs ropes, then she DUMPS Yuna out! Yuna skins the cat to then LARIAT! The fans fire up with Yuna, she and the others coordinate! TRIPLE DROPKICK at the corner! Yuna then goes out while Starlight goes up! UFO SPLASH! Starlight sets Hazuki up for AZM’s DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Yuna adds the fireman’s carry and TROPICAL VALLEY BOMB! Cover, Maika breaks it! The fans fire up, but Starlight runs in and RANAS Maika!

Koguma runs in and spins Starlight around for a DDT! AZM runs up, Koguma blocks the kick to CUTTER! The fans fire up with Koguma as she and Hazuki coordinate. The “Double Crazy” combo DIVE and CROSSBODY!! Everyone is down at ringside and the fans fire up! Hazuki puts Yuna back in and the fans rally up more. Hazuki springboards and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Yuna survives but Hazuki keeps on her. Hazuki whips Yuna to a corner, Koguma hits a SPLASH, and then Hazuki adds an ELBOW! Maika adds a LARIAT, then she puts Yuna up top! Now we get Triple Crazy as Maika lifts and the others climb!

The fans fire up for the TRIPLE CRAZY BOMB!! Cover, but Starlight Kid breaks it!! Koguma CLOBBERS Starlight, Maika keeps AZM on the outside, and Hazuki drags Yuna up. Hazuki suplexes, Yuna slips free and she trips Hazuki up! Yuna hammerlocks an arm, turns Hazuki over, TROPICAL CRADLE!! TWO!??! Hazuki escapes, but Yuna runs up! But Hazuki spins her to a suplex and stalling BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, Triple Crazy wins!

Winners: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma, by pinfall

A fast ‘n’ furious fight from three rising stars, and it was the Wildheart that finishes it off! Will we see this Triple Crazy trio soon go for the IWGP Women’s and/or NJPW Strong Women’s Championships?

10 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, YOH, Ryota Chikuzen & TAJIRI VS TMDK!

As The Ace’s Final Road continues to roll on, this is quite the unique stop. Sure, he’s teamed with the Clown Prince and Mr. Direct Drive before, but he is now honored to be teaming with The Makai Love Machine and yes, THE Japanese Buzzsaw! Will Tanahashi & Tajiri add to their legends with this epic team-up? Or will Zack Sabre Jr, Ryohei Oiwa, Robbie Eagles, Kosei Fujita & Hartley Jackson prove that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?

Just as always, Tanahashi shows off the abs, the fans cheer, and Yano even adds a “Sugoi~!” The teams sort out and ZSJ calls out Tajiri! The fans fire up as Tajiri accepts. The bell rings, ZSJ and Tajiri circle, and Fukuoka are strongly behind “TA-JI-RI! TA-JI-RI!” Tajiri and ZSJ feel things out, knuckle lock, and ZSJ rolls to then wrench and wristlock. Tajiri seems rather unbothered, and he slips under ZSJ to then trip him and spread the legs! ZSJ reaches back but Tajiri uses his whole body length! ZSJ pushes up, crawls back, wrenches and hammerlocks, then half nelsons to cravat. Tajiri spins through to wrench and trip ZSJ!

Tajiri has the legs, ZSJ resists then hooks Tajiri to trip him. ZSJ returns the leg sprawl, then has a STRETCH MUFFLER! ZSJ uses it as a means to an end so he can have the BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Tajiri pops free and turns ZSJ over to have a headlock. ZSJ slips out the back, they each want the other’s arm, but then ZSJ top mounts. Tajiri pushes ZSJ away and the fans cheer the standoff! Tajiri and ZSJ feel things out, knuckle lock again, and ZSJ turns Tajiri. Tajiri turns that back around but ZSJ has an arm. ZSJ hammerlocks but Tajiri steps through the ropes, then steps back inside, and he has ZSJ’s arm wrapped around ropes!

The fans cheer, but Tajiri shows respect by respecting the ropebreak. The fans applaud, as does ZSJ, and then they tag out to Yoh and Eagles. The fans join in on “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” but Yoh rolls Eagles up! TWO and Yoh kicks low! Yoh whips, Eagles reverses to go up and around to arm-drag! Things keep moving, Eagles hurdles but Yoh dodges to RANA! The fans fire up but Fujita storms in and CHOPS! The Ichiban Sweet Boys double whip, but Yoh ducks the lariats! Yoh kicks and kicks, but the Sweet Boys CHOP and CHOP! They double wrench, and MAX- NO, Yoh fights free! Yoh crisscrosses the Sweet Boys into each other, and DOUBLE BULLDOGS!

Tag to Yano and the fans cheer, only for the Sweet Boys to double kick! They double whip, but Yano grabs the ropes! Yano then sends Fujita into Eagles, and he SLAPS them both on the heads! Yano then unties the buckle pad! The fans fire up, but Sweet Boys DOUBLE ELBOW, split the wishbone, and DOUBLE KICK! The Sweet Boys BLAST Yano’s corner, then Eagles brings Yano to the Mighty corner. Eagles bumps Yano off buckles then tags in Hartley. Big Hartley UPPERCUTS then ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Yano is a bit tougher than that so Fujita tags in. Fujita drags Yano up to CHOP! And CHOP!

Fujita whips Yano corner to corner, runs up, but Yano puts him on the apron! Fujita SLAPS Yano back! The fans rally and Fujita aims, springboard for the MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Yano stays in this and the fans rally up. Fujita tags Oiwa and he drags Yano up. Oiwa whips Yano to ropes, then ELBOWS him down! Cover, TWO! Oiwa stays on Yano but Yano pulls on the mullet! Oiwa kicks free, runs, but into an atomic drop! The fans rally up while both men are down, and Yano tags in Ryota! Ryota CHOPS Oiwa! Ryota eggs Oiwa on, but Oiwa fires a forearm! Ryota CHOPS again! Oiwa fires another forearm!

Ryota CHOPS, Oiwa ROCKS him, repeat! The fans rally as Oiwa fires a flurry! ROLLING ELBOW! Oiwa runs, but into a BACKDROP! Fujita runs in, but into a scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! Eagles runs in, into a scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! The fans fire up with Ryota, and he invites Tanahashi in! They double whip Oiwa, then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! And then Ryota says, “Genki de masu!” The fans cheer as Ryota and Tanahashi have energy to spare, and Ryota drags Oiwa up. Ryota reels Oiwa in, but Oiwa fights the lift! Oiwa powers up to BACKDROP Ryota! The fans rally, Oiwa runs, SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally more as Oiwa and Ryota rise. Oiwa whips Ryota to a corner, runs up, but Ryota LARIATS him down! Oiwa is up to LARIAT Ryota! Both me are down now and the fans rally again. Hot tags to ZSJ and Tanahashi! One more meeting between these two after yesterday’s final singles match, and the two dosido in a battle of Cobra Twists! Tanahashi has the COBRA TWIST! ZSJ pries free to have the COBRA TWIST in return! But Tanahashi powers out, has a leg, DRAGON- NO, ZSJ sits down for the ARMBAR! Tanahashi stacks ZSJ, TWO! ZSJ RAMS Tanahashi, snapmares, but Tanahashi UP KICKS!

Tanahashi kicks low, snapmares, and he NECK TWISTS! The fans fire up and Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ catches him to wrench! PELE to the arm! Then a STOMP to the elbow! Tag to Hartley and the fans rally up. Hartley runs corner to corner and SPLASHES Tanahashi against bare buckles! Short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO! The Sweet Boys BLAST Tanahashi’s corner, then they send Tanahashi to a neutral corner. Fujita runs up to CHOP! Oiwa adds an ELBOW! Eagles adds a FOREARM! Then Oiwa scoops Tanahashi to SLAM him! ZSJ NECK TWISTS! Hartley SENTONS! Cover, Tajiri SLAPS Hartley on the head!

Tajiri scurries away before ZSJ can get him! The fans fire up and now Yoh & Yano mug Hartley. They double whip, but Hartley DOUBLE LARIATS! “Jackson Number One!” Hartley fireman’s carries Tanahashi, but Tajiri slips in and dosidos with the ref! GREEN MIST for Hartley!! Ryota runs up and SLINGBLADES!! Tanahashi hurries up top while his team keeps TMDK out! HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, Tanahashi’s team wins!

Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, Yoh, Ryota Chikuzen & Tajiri, by pinfall

Legends working together makes for a classic finish to this match! Will this moment be one to remember as The Ace continues his countdown to the end?

8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Shota Umino, Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi & Taka Michinoku!

As Wrestling Dontaku wraps up the weekend, Tetsuya Naito and Bushi have reached the end of their NJPW run. Will they be victorious one last time alongside Hiromu Takahashi & Shingo Takagi? Or will the Roughneck, Stone Pitbull, Holy Emperor & Blue Playmaker make this parting a bitter goodbye?

For one last time, Naito takes his time with the elaborate entrance attire. It also seems rather clear that Bushi is emotional over this being his farewell match. The fans rally and the teams sort out. The fans call for “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” LIJ fust bump, the fans cheer, and Naito steps up for the team. The fans rally behind him more as he starts against Taichi. The bell rings and Fukuoka cheers even harder for “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” But then Naito tags out to Bushi. The Black Mask has the fans on his side, too, and he circles with Taichi. They approach, Bushi kicks low then runs, but into a BOOT! Taichi runs, but Bushi TOSSES him out!

Bushi DECKS Taka, but Shota & Ishii attack! They double whip, Bushi sends Shota into Ishii, then Bushi DOUBLE RANAS! BUSHIROONI~! Taichi is back but Bushi DECKS him! Takagi sets Taichi up but Taka trips Bushi! The fans boo but Taichi storms in and stomps Bushi. Taichi CLUBS Bushi, whips him corner to corner, then runs up, but into a BOOT! Bushi runs up and RANAS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Bushi stands and he tags in Hiromu. Hiromu BLASTS Ishii, then Takagi tags in! Hiromu & Takagi double whip Taichi to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Then they flex! The fans cheer the side chest.

Hiromu stands Taichi up to CHOP him to the corner. Hiromu whips corner to corner, runs in and LARIATS, then snapmares, but Taichi RIDGE HANDS! Taichi wrenches and HOOK KICKS! Shota BLASTS Takagi because he can, and Taichi tags in Taka. Taka BOOTS Naito down, then stomps Hiromu around. The fans rally but Taka brings Hiromu up. Hiromu CHPOS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Taka gets mad, and he pokes Hiromu in the eyes! Taka whips Hiromu to the corner, stomps and knees him, then tags Ishii. Ishii winds up to CHOP! Hiromu grits his teeth and CHOPS back, but Ishii doesn’t budge!

Ishii CHOPS Hiromu and eggs him on! Hiromu stands to CHOP, but Ishii CHOPS back! Ishii gives more trash talk and more mocking kicks. Hiromu stands to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! The fans fire up as Ishii staggers, but then Hiromu CHOPS again! And again! Ishii ROCKS Hiromu, suplexes, but Hiromu fights free! SUPERKICK! Hiromu roars, reels Ishii in, but Ishii suplexes first! But Hiromu’s right up!? And he dodges Ishii to SNAP GERMAN! Ishii’s right up!? SAIDO! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Ishii hot tags Shota, and Shota BLASTS Takagi again! Shota then runs up on Hiromu, but Hiromu dodges!

Shota hits buckles, hurries after Hiromu, but Hiromu fights the half nelson. Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, and then DRAGON SCREWS! Hot tag to Naito! The fans erupt as Naito kicks and CLUBS Shota again and again! Naito whips to arm-drag Shota! And ELBOW him down! And basement DROPKICK! TakaTaichi attack and double whip, but Naito reverses to send Taka into Taichi! Drop toehold for Taichi and Bushi basement DROPKICKS! Naito kicks and whips Taka, Taka reverses, but Naito reverses back to TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up as Naito poses, then he tags in Takagi. Takagi runs up on Shota, blocks a boot, and LARIATS through!

Takagi keeps moving, but Shota SWATS the lariat! Takagi YUKON LARIATS, but Shota roars as he stays up! Shota fires boxing elbows, but Takagi shakes his head! Takagi fires boxing elbows of his own! He ROCKS Shota, runs, but Shota LARIATS at the ropes! Shota runs, Takagi LRIATS! Takagi runs, Shota dodges, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Shota stays up but the ELBOW and JAB hit! Shota ENZIGIRIS! Takagi SLIDING LARIATS! The fans fire up with Takagi and he whips Shota. Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Shota LARIATS Takagi down! But then Shota falls over, too! The fans fire up while both men crawl.

Taka tags in, he BOOTS Naito and BLASTS Bushi! Taka runs, redirects, redirects, and BOOTS Takagi down! The fans rally up as Taka brings Takagi up. Takagi ROCKS Taka! Taichi runs up to RIDGE HAND! Ishii ROCKS Takagi! Then we get a RIDGE HAND BACKHAND COMBO! SUPER K from Taka!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi is still in this but Taka goes to scoop! Takagi is too big, so Taka pokes him in the eyes! Takagi still ELBOWS! JABS! Taka UPPERCUTS, but Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS! Bushi slips in, as does Hiromu, and they double whip Taka to a corner. Hiromu runs up to forearm SMASH! Bushi adds an ELBOW!

Takagi LARIATS, then he snapmares Taka! Naito is in, LIJ hits a QUADRUPLE DROPKICK!! The fans fire up and Takagi says, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up more as The Rampaging Dragon drags Taka up. Taka fights the lift, and Shota SHOTGUNS Takagi! Hiromu dropkicks Hiromu’s legs! Hiromu dodges Ishii, he and Naito give Ishii TENDEDERO! Taichi runs up, he breaks through the line, but Hiromu sends him into an atomic drop! Takagi BLINDSLIDE BOMBERS! LARIAT in the corner, feed to a SUPERKICK! Naito wrenches Taichi for DESTINO!!! The fans are thunderous after seeing that final Destino!

Bushi then runs in and BLASTS Shota! Bushi keeps moving, for one last DIVE!! Down goes Shota and the fans are thunderous! Takagi has the fans join in for “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi runs, Taka dodges, and Taka BOOTS! Takagi comes back to PUMPING BOMBER! Takagi drags Taka up, pump handles and torture racks, BURNING DRAGON!! Cover, LIJ WINS!

Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, by pinfall

Their final battle in Fukuoka, their final battle with their friends, and their final battle in NJPW, it was all victorious! Naito & Bushi stand with Hiromu & Takagi to celebrate this final win. The fans cheer on “NA-I-TO!” as Naito leads the group in one last LIJ fist bump. The wild ride is over for the Uncontrollable Charisma, and he poses with his team one last time. Burn this moment into your memories, for we may never see Naito & Bushi back in a NJPW ring again.

IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Yuya Uemura!

The Gene Blast may be one of the Reiwa Era Three Musketeers, but the Heat Storm vows to be the face of this new generation. A match meant to happen months ago finally does happen, but who will truly be the frontrunner of the future?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is the true global star!

The bell rings and the fans rally up as Yota and Yuya stare down. Fukuoka duels, but the “YO~TA!” sounds stronger than the “YU~YA!” They circle, feel things out, then circle a bit more. They feel out the knuckle lock, then Yuya rolls. Yota keeps him at bay as they clinch, then they go around. Yuya waistlocks, Yota wrenches free and waistlocks in return, but Yuya switches. Yota headlocks, Yuya rolls him to the mat and headlocks in return. Yota keeps his shoulders up, then fights to his feet. Yuya hits a takeover, Yota headscissors, but Yuya kips up. Yuya is fired up and the fans cheer him on.

Yota stands up and the two reset. They circle while the fans duel, and the two tie up. Yuya wrenches to a hammerlock but Yota switches and full nelsons. Then Yota headlocks and grinds Yuya down. Yuya fights up, pries at the hold, but Yota powers it on tighter. Yuya powers up but Yota squeezes the headlock even tighter! The fans applaud while Yuya endures. Yuya fires body shots, then powers up and out, drops down, but Yota avoids the dropkick! Yota dodges but Yuya arm-drags! And arm-drags again! Yuya has the armlock and the fans cheer again. Yota pulls at the hold, then fights up. Yuya grinds the elbow but Yota reaches for ropes.

Yota has the ROPEBREAK but Yuya brings him away from the ropes quickly. Yota fires forearm after forearm until Yuya lets go. Yota runs up but Yuya arm-drags! Only for Yota to drag Yuya down, trap an arm, and SACRIFICE the other arm! The fans cheer while Yuya writhes. Yuya shakes out the bad arm but Yota brings him back up. Yuya fires a forearm! Yota grins so Yuya fires more shots! Yota wrenches and serves up SOLE FOOD to the arm! Yuya staggers away to a corner and the fans rally more. Yota storms up on Yuya, puts him in the corner, and he wraps the bad arm around ropes! The ref counts as Yota pulls, so Yota lets go at 4.

Yota brings Yuya out to snapmare, then he has the bad arm in a top wristlock! Yuya endures, the fans rally, but Yota puts on the pressure! Yuya fights forward, reaches out, but Yota pulls on the arm! Yuya still manages the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud as Yota legs go. Yota paces while Yuya shakes out the bad arm. Yota comes back to stomp the arm! Yota then wrenches Yuya, KNEES the arm, then KNEES it again! Yota KNEES Yuya into the corner, then paces again. Yuya stands, Yota runs in, but Yuya BOOTS him away! Yota runs back in, Yuya dodges and CHOPS! CHOPS! CHOPS! The fans fire up as Yuya winds up, but Yota dodges! Yota BOOTS Yuya in the corner!

The fans rally as Yota whips corner to corner. Yuya goes up and over, then arm-drags! And DROPKICKS! The fans cheer while both men are down. The fans rally again as Yuya rises up. Yuya roars, the fans fire up more, and Yuya brings Yota up to wrench and BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Yota stays in this but Yuya stays focused. The fans rally and Yuya brings Yota up. Yoga fights with elbows, then wrenches to YANK the arm! And YANK! And YANK! Yota whips, Yuya reverses, but Yota RANAS! Yuya tumbles out and the fans rally as Yota aims. Yota builds speed, and he DIVES! Direct hit and Yuya is sent into railing!

The fans fire up while Yuya stumbles and falls, and Yota fires back up! Yota has the fans rally more as he takes a lap. Yota comes back for Yuya, puts him in the ring, and the fans applaud. Yota steps in, stands Yuya up, but Yuya fights the suplex! Yota powers through, but Yuya fights free! Yuya CHOPS, then runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while Yota grits his teeth. Yota storms around, goes to a corner, and he aims as Yuya rises. Yota runs in, STINGER SPLASH! The fans fire up while Yota snapmares Yuya down. Yota goes up, up, but Yuya avoids the Marlowe Crush!

Yuya dropkicks Yota’s leg, then has it for a SHIN BREAKER! GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Yuya then hurries to step through, FIGURE FOUR! Yota endures and the fans fire up! Yuya pulls on the main leg but Yota works to turn things over! The fans duel as Yuya fights against that, but Yota does turn the hold over! Yuya endures now, so he hurries to turn things over! Yota uses that to get the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Yuya and the ref undo the hold, and Yuya stands over Yota. Yuya brings Yota up to scoop and SLAM him down! Yuya then goes to a corner, climbs up, only for Yota to GAMANGIRI! Yuya is dazed up top, so Yota climbs up after him!

Yota brings Yuya up, throws forearms, then goes to the very top! But Yuya fires forearms! Yota falls, Yuya adjusts, and Yuya leaps! Yota avoids the crossbody but Yuya rolls through! Yota comes back, Yuya slips around and full nelsons! But Yota powers up to break the hold! Only for Yuya to GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuya runs, but into a BOOT! Yuya comes back and takes a swing, but into the BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER! But Yuya avoids the stomp! Yuya shoves Yota, but Yota DROPKICKS! The fans fire up as Yota keeps moving, and then Yuya DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again!

The two men crawl away to the corners while the fans rally up. Yuya runs in corner to corner, but Yota BOOTS him! Yota runs up, but Yuya clinches! Yota fights free, ROCKS Yuya, and Yuya staggers to the ropes! Yota whips, Yuya ducks ‘n’ dodges but Yota blows past, only for Yuya to get under! URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Yota stays in this and the fans fire up! Yuya shakes out the bad arm, then he stands Yota up for a scoop. Yuya SLAMS, then he fires back up! The fans fire up with Yuya as he climbs again! Yuya is up top, for the FROG SPLASH! But he FLOPS as Yota moves! Yota runs back in, FLYING ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!!

Yuya clasps hands, but Yota breaks the grip! ARMBAR!! Yuya endures, flails, reaches out, but Yota pulls on the bad arm! Yuya fights around, but Yota just keeps after the arm! Yuya uses his core strength to sit up, but Yota PULLS the arm straight! Yuya falls over, fights around, and he turns over. Yota does his best to keep the armbar, even with this mounted angle! Yuya bites his thumb to ignore the pain in his arm! Yuya then reaches out, ROPEBREAK!! Yota lets go in frustration but the fans fire up. Yuya clutches his elbow but Yota paces around. Yota drags Yuya up from the ropes, but Yuya CHOPS! Yota brushes that off, but Yuya CHOPS again!

Yuya can’t put enough power behind the strikes with that bad arm, but he keeps trying! Yota BOOTS Yuya, Yuya drops to his knees, and the ref checks with him. Yuya refuses to let the bad arm cost him again, and he rises up to CHOP! And HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! Yota ROCKS him!! And then KNEES him down! The fans fire up while Yota stands tall! Yota goes to a corner, watches Yuya sputter and rise, GENE- DROPKICK to the leg! Yuya hurries to grab that leg, but Yota fires off forearms! Yuya eggs Yota on, so Yota HEADBUTT! But Yuya still DRAGON SCREWS!! Yuya steps through again, FIGURE FOUR!!

The fans fire up as Yota endures again! Yuya puts as much pressure as he can, Yota pries at the hold, but Yuya thrashes around! Yota reaches out, keeps his shoulders up, and he drags Yuya along towards ropes! But Yuya drags Yota back from ropes! Yuya thrashes as hard as he can, we hit 20 minutes, and Yota still endures! The fans rally harder and harder as Yota fights to turn this over! Yota does, but then Yuya turns it back! But this time, Yuya turns back the other way to keep Yota from the ropes! And then he PULLS on the leg! Yota lunges for the ROPEBREAK!! The fans fire up while the ref again frees Yota.

Yota clutches his leg while he crawls away, but Yuya is right on him! Yuya has the leg, but Yota ENZIGIRIS! Yuya falls, but he also manages to waistlock! Yuya drags Yota up, but Yota fires elbows! Yuya still GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!! Yuya holds onto Yota and the fans fire up! Yuya full nelsons, DRAGON SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO!! Yota survives again and Yuya is furious! Yuya roars, the fans are with him, and he reels Yota in! SAIDO BACKBREAKER! Then he puts Yota in the drop zone! Yuya climbs, the fans rally more, FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO?!?! Yota survives and Yuya is beside himself!

Fukuoka is thunderous as Yuya rises! Yuya brings Yota up, cording holds one arm, swings to get the other, but Yota STUNNERS free! Yota roars, runs, but into a DROPKICK! Yota just comes back, GENE- ARM-DRAG!! Yuya hurries to lock in those arms, but Yota fights off the clinch! They go around and around, and Yota frees an arm! But Yota brings it back in! DEADBOLT SUPLEX!!! Yuya roars, the fans are electric, GENE BLASTER outta nowhere!!! Cover, YOTA WINS!!

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

The Heat Storm was certainly on fire, but Tsuji was volcanic! The gold stays with Yota, will he and those left in LIJ make sure NJPW stays tranquilo?

Speaking of which, the rest of LIJ returns to the ring so they can stand with their guy. Tsuji gets to also have his final photo op with the group as we know it. We also get one last LIJ fist bump with the five of them, and then Naito & Bushi let Yota, Takagi & Hiromu have the ring. Yota hurries to get the mic to tell Naito & Bushi, “Let me have one last word.” The fans applaud, and Naito & Bushi stop to hear him out. “Naito and Bushi leaving could signal the end of Los Ingobernables de Japon. But remember this: We’re ungovernable. We’ll always be connected in our hearts. Until next time.” The fans applaud that! Naito even gives one last fist bump salute.

The fans cheer as the LIJ Era has changed, and Bushi makes sure we see his mask where it says, “Adios.” Then Yota continues to say that he is still IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion, and that he’ll continue to defend the cerulean blue mat of NJPW. The fans applaud, and Yota says he is fortunate to have such a great rival in Uemura. And another in Gabe Kidd. So, who should he defend this belt against next? Well, he said the man’s name, so here comes the Mad Man! The fans bark it up for the War Dog, and Gabe gets right in Yota’s face. Yota says nic eto see him. Should they pick up where they left off?

Gabe takes the mic to say, “You’re an IWGP champion?” No, no, Yota beat Evil and Yuya, but in Osaka… It was a double knockout! Yota never beat Gabe! The fans cheer that point! Gabe says on June 15th… In Osaka Jo-Hall… “Let’s find out who the strongest is!!” The fans love that idea! Gabe heads back out, the fans bark more, and Yota tells Gabe, “Let’s show ’em our NJPW.” The fans also like that, and Yota asks if they’re ready! The fans cheer because they are, but who will make this their Dominion?

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto w/ Yoshi-Hashi VS Callum Newman w/ The United Empire!

The Fierce Warrior finally put the G in IWGP at the New Beginning in Osaka when he won this title. But now, the Prince of Pace is looking to blow right past him as the top guy in NJPW! Will the Goto Revolution stay the course? Or will it be conquered by the United Empire?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really the G of IWGP!

The bell rings and the fans rally strongly for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Callum doesn’t let that bother him, and he runs up to BOOT Goto! Callum fires forearms, whips, but Goto reverses! Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges to build speed, but then Goto dodges! The fans cheer as Goto is at least agile like Callum. They tie up, then they just fire off forearms! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth, faster and faster! Goto gets the edge, headlocks, but Callum powers out. Goto runs Callum over, but Callum kips up to ENZIGIRI! Callum TOSSES Goto out, then PLANCHAS! The fans fire up while Goto goes down!

Callum fires himself up and the fans cheer. Callum brings Goto up, the fans duel a bit more evenly, and Callum whips. Goto reverses and Callum hits railing! But he comes back to BOOT Goto down! Callum snarls, drags Goto back up, and now Callum sends Goto into railing! Goto comes back but Callum BOOTS him down again! And then PENALTY KICKS! The fans rally, Hashi coaches Goto, but Callum KICKS Goto in the back! Callum puts Goto in the ring, the fans applaud, and Callum sits Goto up again. Callum hits another PENALTY KICK! Callum then goes to the corner and climbs up, calling his shot.

Callum aims, DIVING- NO, Goto dodges! Callum comes back, but Goto dodges! Goto LARIATS, then he clinches for the SAIDO! Callum flounders away and the fans fire up. Callum goes to a corner, Goto runs in, MURAMASA! Then Goto puts Callum up top! Goto climbs up after Callum, just to drag him into a draped position! SUPER DRAPING NECKBREAKER!! Callum flounders out of the ring, Great-O-Khan & Francesco Akira check on him, as does Red Shoes. Callum winches, clutches his shoulder, but he manages to sit up. Callum has speed but Goto is taking advantage of his skinnier frame.

Red Shoes starts the ring count and Goto stays back, which annoys Callum. Callum storms into the ring, but Goto kicks him down! Goto has Callum up for a suplex, and BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Callum stays in this and the fans fire up, but Goto stays right on Callum. Goto drags Callum up, but Callum clutches his shoulder, so Goto lets him be. We’re only five minutes in as the fans rally up, and Goto stomps Callum around. Callum crawls away to a corner but Goto grabs at him. Callum wants Goto to hold on, and Red Shoes has Goto step back. Callum’s neck and shoulder are really bothering him, but Goto just storms up to stomp him!

Goto drags Callum up, snapmares, then clamps on a chinlock. Callum endures as Goto’s knee digs into the back and neck. Goto then ELBOWS Callum in the head, stomps him around, and brings him up. Goto CLUBS Callum’s neck, but Callum CHOPS! The pain in his shoulders holds Callum back, but Goto clinches for a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! And then a GROUND OCTOPUS! Callum endures, reaches out, and the fans rally up. Goto thrashes around but Akira & Khan coach Callum. Callum kicks around but Goto shifts to a headscissor necklock! Callum endures the squeeze, kicks and kicks, and finds the ROPEBREAK!

The fans applaud and Goto lets go in frustration. Goto drags Callum up but he’s a ragdoll again. Goto still brings Callum around, snapmares him back down, then KICKS him in the back! And ELBOW DROPS! Callum sputters but Goto just ELBOW DROPS again! Akira & Khan coach Callum but Goto looms over him. Goto ELBOW DROPS onto Callum’s back! Cover, TWO! Callum toughs it out but Goto is still calm. Goto stands Callum up, kicks him low, but Callum fires a forearm! And another! The pain in the neck holds those back, and Goto CLUBS Callum! Goto runs, but into a DROPKICK! The fans fire up while both men are down!

Khan & Akira coach Callum, Hashi coaches Goto, and both Goto and Callum crawl to the apron. Goto goes to the floor, and Callum smiles. The fans rally as Callum builds speed and FLIES!! Callum does a full 360 to hit Goto and then rolls through more to stand back up at the ramp! The fans are thunderous and Callum fires himself back up! Callum drags Goto to his feet and puts him in the ring. The fans applaud, and Callum hurries back in. Callum aims from a corner while Goto flounders away. The fans rally more, and Callum runs corner to corner. FLYING DROPKICK! Callum then chicken wings for a TIGER SUPLEX!

But the bad neck won’t let Callum bridge! Callum hurries to lateral press, TWO! And we’re just 10 minutes in! The fans rally, Callum fires up with a very Will Ospreay style “OI! OI! OI!” The fans rally behind that, and Callum brings Goto up. Callum reels Goto in, hooks a leg, FIRE- NO, Goto slips free of Firebolt, waistlocks, but Callum fights the lift. Callum runs, Goto follows, but then Callum dodges! Goto dodges, Callum dodges, then Callum hurdles! But Goto fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans fire up for that high speed exchange! Goto has the crowd behind him again as he rises up.

Goto storms up on Callum, stands him up, but Callum fires a forearm! Only to fall to his knees! Callum rises up but Goto DECKS him! Callum is running on fumes, but the fans do rally for him, too. Goto eggs him on and Callum manages to stand. Callum fires a forearm, drops to a knee, but Goto stands him up. Goto DECKS Callum again! Callum shakes out the stars and he snarls! Callum fires another forearm, but Goto DECKS him a third time! Goto eggs Callum on, the fans rally again, and Callum rises. Callum puts his hands behind his back and dares Goto to hit him! So Goto DECKS Callum a fourth time!

Khan & Akira coach Callum on but Red Shoes asks if Callum wants to stop. Callum shakes his head, he’s not gonna stop here. Callum stands again, leans on the ropes, then comes back for more! Callum even SPITS at Goto! The fans boo that, but Goto DECKS Callum for it! Goto watches Callum sputter, and Callum slowly rises again. But then he falls back over! Callum headbutts the mat to fire back up, and the fans rally behind him! Goto winds up and ROCKS Callum! Callum is back to get in Goto’s face! Goto fires a flurry of forearms! Callum CHOPS! Goto feels that one! The fans fire up and Callum roars, but Goto spins him! URA G T R!

Goto goes to run but Callum reels him in! GERMAN SUPLEX! ROUNDHOUSE! Callum runs, but into a fireman’s carry! G T W!! Cover, TWO!! We’re 15 minutes in as Goto stalks Callum to the apron. Goto stomps Callum, then stands him up. But Callum fights the fireman’s carry with elbows! Goto still lifts! Callum flails, slips down, and KICKS Goto! Callum goes up, up, and OSCUTTER 2.0 on the apron!! Both men fall to the floor and the fans fire up! Red Shoes checks, both men are able to continue, so a ring count starts. Khan fans off Callum while the fans rally. The count already passes 7 of 20, then hit 10, but both men are still down!

Callum rises at 13, drags himself in at 17, but Goto is still down! Goto rises up and springs in at 19! The fans fire up as this continues! Callum goes to a corner, runs up, BUSAIKU KNEE! Then he hurries to bring Goto into the drop zone! Callum roars, climbs, and the fans fire up! DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO?!? Goto survives the coup de grace and Callum can’t believe it! Akira & Khan tell Callum to keep going, he’s almost done it! The fans rally and duel as Callum hobbles over. Callum stands Goto up, then runs, but Goto swings, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men stay up, and they DOUBLE LARIAT again!

The fans fire up, Callum returns, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! And again! Callum waistlocks, ripcords, RAINMAKER?!? Cover, TWO!!! Goto survives as Callum shouts out the former leader of Chaos! The fans are thunderous, Callum feeds off that energy, and Callum drags Goto up. Callum calls his shot, springboards, OSC- NO, Goto blocks the cutter! DISCUS- NO, Callum dodges and springboards! OSCUTTER 2.0!!! Cover, TWO!??! But Callum hooks a leg! FIREBOLT!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Goto survives again and the fans are electric! Callum is unsure what to do as we pass 20 minutes, but the fans dueling shakes the arena!

Callum drags Goto up, but Goto wrenches out! Goto spins Callum, dragon sleepers, but Callum slips free! Backslide! Goto rolls through, PENALTY KICK BLOCKED! Goto HEADBUTTS Callum, ripcords, RAINMAKER!!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous again! Goto rises, he brings Callum up, and the fans rally as hard as they can! Goto HEADBUTTS away on Callum, then brings him up to HEADBUTT again! Goto snarls and the fans are thunderous again, as Goto suplexes for SHOTEN KAI!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Callum survives and Goto cannot believe it! The fans duel harder than ever before, and Goto rises again!

Goto roars and focuses his power! Callum sits up, into a BUZZSAW! But then Goto brings Callum around, but Callum drops to victory roll! TWO!! Callum SUPERKICKS, but Goto LARIATS!! Goto stands Callum up, dragon sleepers, but Callum fires shots from below! Goto blocks that arm, traps it, and G T R KAI!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!!

Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)

The Prince of Pace did his best to follow in the Aerial Assassin’s footsteps, but he is still a long way from reaching the top of the mountain. However, if this is how close he came on his first try, will nothing stop Callum Newman from being the future of NJPW?

As for Goto, the belt is put back around his waist, and he watches Callum walk away. Callum takes a moment to bow in deep respect to Goto before he and the Empire leave. Goto then grabs the mic, and the fans cheer him on. “No matter what anyone says, this is MY time!” The fans cheer that! Goto continues, “Who’s my next opponent? As a fighting champion, I’ll take on all challengers!” Wait! Zack Sabre Jr. makes his way back out here! Goto took this title from ZSJ so clearly ZSJ wants a rematch. ZSJ grabs a mic to tell Goto in Japanese, “Good work tonight. That was a fantastic match! Truly fantastic.

“You’ve been on a roll lately! You’re indeed a great champion. But I’m you’re next challenger!” The fans like the sound of that! Goto says, “I accept!” The fans really like that, and the two shake hands on it. Will the Submission Master make sure that- WAIT! Shingo Takagi is here?! He storms into the ring with a mic to say, “Pardon the intrusion!” The fans cheer as Takagi asks, “Mind if I speak my piece? Zack, hold on a moment. OI, GOTO! You really are something. You got a belt, a wife, and kids! And on top of that, you’re in Hontai!” The fans do applaud that with a bit of a chuckle.

Takagi points out that he, on the other hand, has no belt, no wife, no kids. “And now it looks like my faction is done… But that doesn’t mean I need to hang my head. I’ll soar to the top!” The fans applaud, and Takagi says the G in IWGP stands for Goto, right? But oi, oi, oi! You can’t spell “Shingo” OR “Takagi” without a G! He has two G’s, so he wants his shot at the title. At least, he’d like to say that. But he has no objects to Zack. Takagi did lose to ZSJ last time. So then Takagi will wait to challenge the winner of Goto VS ZSJ! The fans like that, too! Takagi says if it’s about G’s, Goto can’t argue Takagi’s point!

The three men all look to each other, and it looks like the deal is struck. Fierce Warrior VS Front Man, and the Rampaging Dragon gets the winner! Who will stand on the summit of NJPW going into the summer? Takagi and ZSJ take their leave, and Goto continues. “Again, thank you very much for coming today!” The fans applaud, and Goto says, “No matter who I’m up against, I will not be defeated. The Goto Revolution is far from over! Follow it until the very end! Let’s end with Goto’s G’s.” The fans chuckle, and Goto says he knows most of the locales had G in their names. But not in Fukuoka…

Even so, Goto still has this IWGP World title around his waist, so no worries there. IKU ZO! The fans cheer, and Goto says, “The G in IWGP is for GOTO!” The streamers fly, and the Fierce Warrior is ready to lead NJPW on! But will things only heat up from here on out?

My Thoughts:

An awesome event for Wrestling Dontaku’s finale, and we’re already building towards Dominion next month. I was rather surprised that the Six Woman Tag was so quick. Well, I feel like a lot of Stardom matches on a NJPW show end up like that… But the 10 Man Tag with Tanahashi’s team beating TMDK, and then the 8 Man Tag of LIJ winning, both of those matches felt just as fast/short. I suppose on some level, they did it because we all had a feeling who was winning. Tanahashi’s team wins because he also had special guests Tajiri and Ryota, so that was just a great moment for some longstanding legends.

LIJ winning was apparently to also commemorate their last match as a faction. With Titan being their CMLL member, we only have Hiromu, Takagi and Tsuji. I suppose a trio isn’t necessarily a faction, but I’m surprised they just sprang this dissolution on us. Great match from Yota VS Yuya, but I think they dragged it out a bit at the start. It got hot by the end, and Yota retaining was a great move. Gabe Kidd calling his shot is also a great move, he and Yota are going to have a great rematch from their time limit draw. And then awesome main event from Goto VS Callum, with Callum looking great even in defeat. Callum is definitely on his way, maybe he’ll really build up his power level in the G1 Climax this year.

Great promo to close, with Goto, ZSJ and Takagi establishing the next couple of title shots. I think Goto VS ZSJ has been made for Resurgence this Friday, so they’re getting that right out of the way so Takagi can face the champion at Dominion. At the same time, they kinda have to because Best of the Super Juniors is going to dominate May. Resurgence would be a wild place for a title change since it’s in the US and it’s a true PPV, so I’m not liking ZSJ’s chances.

My Score: 9.1/10

Who will win the Bullet Club: Civil War?

The War Dogs and House of Torture battle inside the brutal Dogpound Steel Cage to determine who is truly Bullet Club 4 Life!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kickoff – Katsuya Murashima VS Daiki Nagai; Murashima wins.
• 8 Man Tag: Hontai VS TMDK; Hontai wins.
• 8 Man Tag: Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi, Yuya Uemura & Taka Michinoku VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; Ishii, Taichi, Yuya & Taka win.
• Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Ryusuke Taguchi VS The United Empire; Bishamon & Taguchi win.
• NJPW World Television Championship: El Phantasmo VS Konosuke Takeshita; Time Limit Draw, ELP retains the title.
• Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr; ZSJ wins.
• Shota Umino VS Shingo Takagi; Takagi wins.
• Dogpound Cage Match, Losers Leave Bullet Club: War Dogs VS House of Torture; War Dogs win and expel House of Torture from Bullet Club.

PLAY BY PLAY

NJPW World Television Championship: El Phantasmo w/ Jado VS Konosuke Takeshita w/ Rocky Romero!

The Headbanga just got this belt back form Great-O-Khan, and he’s already going double or nothing with AEW’s Alpha! ELP is putting his title on the line tonight before he and Konosuke battle for the NEVER Openweight Championship at Resurgence. Will ELP come to regret upping the ante?

The introductions are made, ELP’s belt is raised, and we see if it stays ELP’s belt!

Tensions are high as belts are put aside. ELP and Konosuke talk trash, but then an ALPHA ELBOW knocks ELP out of the ring! Jado protests, Rocky distracts the ref, and Konosuke builds speed to FLY! While still wearing his jacket! The fans duel, Konosuke puts his jacket aside, and Konosuke puts ELP in the ring. The bell finally rings, and Konosuke goes up top! ELP runs up, Konosuke leaps over and kicks low. Konosuke whips, ELP reveres, but Konosuke ducks ‘n’ dodges and TAKESHITA LINES! The fans fire up and Konosuke brings ELP around. Konosuke suplexes, but ELP slips free and rolls Konosuke up, TWO!

Konosuke goes to a corner but ELP CHOPS! CHOPS! And CHOPS! The fans ‘WOO~” and ELP whips, but Konosuke reverses. ELP goes up and over, keeps moving, then ducks ‘n’ dodges to springboard CROSSBODY! Somersault to LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Konosuke stays in this and the fans rally up. ELP drags Konosuke up and has a straitjacket on the arm. Konosuke fights the lift with elbows, then wrenches free. Konosuke whips but ELP rolls off Konosuke’s back! ELP RANAS, then handsprings so he can LARIAT Konosuke up and out! The fans fire up again as now ELP builds speed! But Rocky gets Konosuke clear!

The fans boo and ELP storms out to glare at Azucar. But that lets Konosuke run up and CLOBBER ELP from behind! The fans boo but Konosuke and Rocky soak up the heat. Rocky talks trash, then Konosuke storms over to ELP. Konosuke stands ELP up to POST him! ELP slumps down to the floor, but he manages to stand up again. Konosuke stalks him around the way, then pushes him into the ring. Konosuke aims from the apron to slingshot SENTON! Konosuke taunts Jado but Jado coaches ELP. ELP sits up to CHOP! Konosuke eggs ELP on, so ELP CHOPS again! Konosuke stands ELP up so he can CHOP ELP down!

Konosuke stands ELP up again to wrench and whip corner to corner hard! ELP bounces off buckles and flops to the mat. Konosuke then stands on ELP at the ropes! The ref counts, Konosuke steps off at 4, and the fans rally. Konosuke puts ELP in a corner to whip him corner to corner again, and just as hard! ELP falls, Konosuke covers, TWO! ELP stays in this and the fans applaud, but Konosuke clamps on with a cobra clutch! ELP endures, fights around, but Konosuke thrashes him! Konosuke has the body scissors but the fans continue to rally. ELP reaches out with his free arm, but Konosuke hooks it with a leg! So ELP reaches out with a leg for the ROPEBREAK!

The fans cheer and ELP crawls his way to a corner. Konosuke makes his way over, stands ELP up, but ELP ROCKS Konosuke! And ROCKS him again! And again! But Konosuke ROCKS ELP in return! ELP staggers all the way back to the corner as we reach five minutes! Konosuke runs in and KNEES ELP down! Konosuke stands ELP back up, whips him corner to corner a third time, but ELP doesn’t bounce off the buckles. Konosuke runs up, but ELP ducks, and Konosuke’s jump knee hits buckles! Konosuke tumbles up and out to the floor! The fans fire up and ELP builds speed, to DIVE! Direct hit and Konosuke goes over the railing!

The fans fire up and Jado coaches ELP. Rocky gets in ELP’s face, but now Jado creeps up on Rocky. Rocky turns around, sees Jado, apologizes, but then ELP KICKS Rocky, and TOSSES him over railing, onto Konosuke! ELP goes back to the ring, and the fans rally up as ELP aims from the ropes! The fans join in with “E! L! P!” SUPER THUNDERKISS ATTACK!! Down go Rocky and Konosuke!! The fans are thunderous and ELP can’t believe he made it! ELP drags Konosuke up to dump him back to ringside. The fans rally again as ELP puts Konosuke on the apron. ELP hops up, reels him in, and hooks the arms!

The fans fire up, but Konosuke fights free! Konosuke ROCKS ELP, then KNEES him in the face! ELP sputters, Konosuke reels him in, BLUE- NO, ELP grabs the ropes to block! ELP throws down elbow after elbow, then rolls into the ring. ELP RAMS Konosuke, goes up the ropes, but Konosuke drags him into a shoulder rack! ELP CLUBS Konosuke’s legs, slips down and POSTS Konosuke! Then he reels Konosuke back in! Konosuke fights the underhooks, so ELP lifts for an APRON PILEDRIVER!! Both men hit the floor and the fans fire up again! The ref checks, Konosuke is able to continue, so the ring count begins.

Both men crawl around at 5 of 20, but ELP stands first. Konosuke tries but flops over at 8. ELP rolls in at 10 but Konosuke is still down at 12! Konosuke sits up but is still down at 15! We hit 17! 18! 19! Konosuke springs in at 19.99!! The fans cheer as this continues, but the clock is still on ELP’s side. ELP stands Konosuke up to ROCK him with a forearm! ELP eggs Konosuke on, and Konosuke ROCKS him back! ELP comes back to ROCK Konosuke again! Konosuke snarls while ELP eggs him on. The forearms fly again and again, but ELP wobbles! Konosuke fires more shots, even boxing elbows, but ELP ENZIGIRIS!

ELP runs, but Konosuke BOOTS him! Konosuke whips, ELP reverses, TAKESHITA LINE meets DROPKICK! ELP then springboards, into the ALPHA ELBOW! RAGING- CRADLE COUNTER! TWO!! SUDDEN DEATH!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous again! ELP rises, he goes to a corner, and he tunes up the band! Konosuke rises, but then he drops! Sudden Death denied, but ELP reels Konosuke in! But Konosuke Alabama Lifts! And then he swings ELP around, into the BASTARD DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!!! ELP survives and the fans fire up again! The fans rally and duel, Konosuke stalks ELP, and he puts ELP on the top rope.

Konosuke climbs up the corner as we hit the three minute warning. Konosuke lifts ELP but ELP fights with fists! ELP adjusts his position, and from the post, he SUNSET FLIPS and RUNNING POWERBOMBS!! Cover, TWO!!! Konosuke survives, but ELP reels him right in! Tuck and C R SPINNING DRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Konosuke survives the CR3 and we hit two minutes left! ELP goes to the apron, climbs the ropes, but he’s a bit wobbly! Konosuke grabs him for a fireman’s carry! ELP fights free, shoves Konosuke, then dodges the lariat to springboard, but into a BLUE THUNDER BOMB?!?! Cover, TWO!!!

ELP survives that sudden turnaround, but Konosuke drags ELP right up. ELP wrenches free, slips around to waistlock, only for Konosuke to standing switch! Konosuke hops up, but ELP slips out the back, and then ELP hops on for a POISON-RANA!! The fans fire up and ELP throws off the elbow pads! ELP runs, but Konosuke slips around, hops on, POISON-RANA!! Konosuke runs, but ELP dodges! ONE MINUTE LEFT, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men roar, but then both men fall over! The fans rally as hard as they can, and both men rise as fast as they can! ALPHA ELBOW! Then the POWER DRIVE- RANA! Cover, TWO!

Konosuke sunset flips! TWO and ELP high stacks but then rolls Konsouke through, tucks the arms, but Konosuke BACKDROPS and SITS on the cover! TWO!! Under 20 seconds, POWER DRIVE KNEE!! Cover, ONE?!? Konosuke hurries to get the kneepad off, 10 seconds, but ELP LARIATS first!! ELP covers, ONE?!?! ELP tucks Konosuke in, but TIME IS UP!!

Time Limit Draw; ELP retains the title

Maybe ELP survived by the skin of his teeth, but maybe Konosuke was saved by the bell! At the very least, ELP denies Konosuke from becoming a two-time double champion. However, ELP is now the challenger to Konosuke’s NEVER Openweight Champion. They both have just SIX DAYS to prepare, will Konosuke NEVER let ELP be a double champion?

Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr!

The Final Road leads The Ace to face one of his best young rivals in the Front Man. Will President Tanahashi show that he is still just as mighty? Or will he #JustTapOut?

As usual, Tanahashi shows off the abs and the fans cheer. The bell rings and the fans rally up for Tanahashi. Tanahashi and ZSJ circle, feel things out, then knuckle lock. They break, but come back to try again. They knuckle lock, then clinch, and ZSJ waistlocks. Tanahashi switches but ZSJ drop toeholds. ZSJ hooks up the legs, then floats to a facelock, but Tanahashi rolls. ZSJ rolls away and the fans cheer the opening exchange. The fans rally again as the two reset. Tanahashi and ZSJ step up, feel out another knuckle lock, and they go shoulder to shoulder in a Test of Strength. ZSJ bridges back, spins and wrenches to then wristlock.

Tanahashi cravats in return, but ZSJ wrenches an arm. Tanahashi powers his way back to the cravat, but ZSJ spins and wrenches again. Tanahashi reels ZSJ back in for the cravat! ZSJ bridges, wrenches, but Tanahashi again has the cravat! The fans rally but ZSJ puts Tanahashi in the corner. The ref calls for a break, ZSJ lets go, and he pats Tanahashi on the shoulders. ZSJ then runs up, only for Tanahashi to ELBOW him away! Tanahashi goes up, up and CROSSBODIES! Tanahashi air guitars and the fans cheer! ZSJ goes to ropes but Tanahashi storms up to throw a body shot! Tanahashi whips but ZSJ reverses, only for Tanahashi to block!

Tanahashi dropkicks low but ZSJ avoids it! ZSJ then clamps on for the NECK TWIST! And then another NECK TWIST! Tanahashi writhes but ZSJ clamps on for a third NECK TWIST! The fans rally while the ref checks Tanahashi. Tanahashi is able to continue so ZSJ stands him up. ZSJ UPPERCUTS, but Tanahashi fires up! ZSJ UPPERCUTS again, and Tanahashi goes to the corner. ZSJ UPPERCUTS, then he knuckle locks to wristlock. ZSJ forces Tanahashi down to a knee, then has the MOUNTED ARMBAR! ZSJ SLAPS Tanahashi in the side, and he gets the other arm! Tanahashi fights but ZSJ has the DOUBLE ARMBAR!

ZSJ pushes Tanahashi down, has a leg, and Tanahashi is in a pretzel knot of a cradle! TWO!! Tanahashi escapes and the fans fire up! ZSJ scuffs Tanahashi, eggs him on, and Tanahashi sits up. ZSJ KICKS Tanahashi, eggs him on some more, then KICKS again! Tanahashi staggers to the ropes but ZSJ KICKS him against the ropes! Tanahashi spotters, ZSJ looms over him, but Tanahashi rises to fire forearms! ZSJ UPPERCUTS in return! ZSJ whips, Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS in return! The fans fire up with Tanahashi and he storms up to fire fast hands! The fans chant “GO ACE!” as Tanahashi ROCKS ZSJ!

Tanahashi scoops ZSJ to SLAM him into the drop zone! Tanahashi then goes up the ropes, SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! The fans rally, Tanahashi waits on ZSJ to rise, and Tanahashi runs, but into a BOOT! ZSJ runs up, but into a BOOT! Tanahashi runs up, but into a BOOT! ZSJ runs up, but he blocks the boot! DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi writhes and the fans rally, but ZSJ goes to the far side. ZSJ runs corner to corner and UPPERCUTS! ZSJ snapmares, KICKS, and Tanahashi writhes! ZSJ aims from the corner again, and runs up to PENALTY- NO, Tanahashi blocks! ZSJ throws some slaps but Tanahashi just stares him down.

ZSJ slaps again and again, but Tanahashi leans into the shots! Then DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi keeps the leg, to GROUND DRAGON SCREW! ZSJ has the leg to REVERSE DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi seethes while ZSJ writhes and the fans rally up! Tanahashi waits on ZSJ, but ZSJ grabs the arms! Tanahashi fights the backslide, flips the hooks, but then ZSJ flips them back! The two fight for control, and Tanahashi has the BACKSLIDE! TWO, and Tanahashi has the TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi stands ZSJ up again, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi brings ZSJ back up, but ZSJ scoops! Tanahashi fights free to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!

The fans fire up for the hattrick while both men are down. Tanahashi rises and the fans rally behind him. Tanahashi waits on ZSJ to rise, then he runs, but ZSJ scoops! ZACK DRIVER! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Tanahashi and ZSJ roll to opposite ends, and ZSJ shakes out his bad leg. ZSJ scoots his way to Tanahashi but Tanahashi is on the apron. ZSJ drags Tanahashi up, wrenches and PELES the arm! Tanahashi drops to his knees on the apron but ZSJ goes out after him! Only for Tanahashi to grab a leg! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi steps inside, has the other leg, and DRAPING DRAGON SCREWS!

Tanahashi powers up again and the fans rally! Tanahashi runs, and he SLINGBLADES ZSJ down! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this but Tanahashi stays focused. Tanahashi goes up and the fans cheer for the HIGH FLY ATTACK! ZSJ is back down so Tanahashi goes back up! HIGH FLY FLOW onto knees! ZSJ reels Tanahashi into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Tanahashi flails, ZSJ squeeze tight, and ZSJ slaps his own leg into working! Tanahashi endures, fights up, pushes through and turns Triangle Hold into the Cloverhold! Tanahashi works to step over, but ZSJ fights that to reel Tanahashi back into the TRIANGLE HOLD!

The fans rally as Tanahashi endures again! ZSJ sits Tanahashi down, ARM- NO, Tanahashi high stacks ZSJ to a cover! TWO!! ZSJ escapes, and he UPPERCUTS! Tanahashi DRAGON PALMS, then full nelsons! But ZSJ drops down to victory roll, only for Tanahashi to roll it back! TWO!! ZSJ escapes, scoops, but Tanahashi cradles! TWO!! ZSJ escapes again, Tanahashi slips around and O’Conner Rolls, JAPANESE LEG ROLL! TWO!! ZSJ has a SLEEPER! Tanahashi rolls back, ZSJ rolls through, and he still has the SLEEPER! Tanahashi fights up, reaches out, and the fans rally as hard as they can, but Tanahashi is fading!

The ref checks, but ZSJ spins Tanahasi around! Scoop and SABRE DRIVER!! Cover, ZSJ WINS!

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by pinfall

The final time between these two goes to The Front Man! The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but ZSJ does sit with Tanahashi to show his respect. The Final Road still has many stops to go, what other final showdowns will we see for The Ace?

Shota Umino VS Shingo Takagi!

Ever since The Roughneck started this Second Chapter, he’s had a new attitude, and he’s picked a fight with a Rampaging Dragon. Shota vows that one way or another, he will lead Hontai and all of NJPW. Will this be where his Paradigm Shift truly begins? Or will Takagi keep things tranquilo for Dontaku?

Takagi seems to anticipate something, as he’s bringing a chair with him to the ring. The ref warns him about that, but then Takagi pushes him aside! And he CHUCKS the chair at Shota! Shota dodges but Takagi fires off Shota in the other corner! The fans rally, the ref reprimands, and Takagi stops to put his jacket aside. The bell rings but Shota turns things around on Takagi to fire forearms! Takagi turns things back around to fire forearms of his own! Takagi then JABS, JABS, JABS until Shota sits down! The ref reprimands but Takagi pushes him aside again. Takagi whips corner to corner, runs up, but blocks Shota’s boot.

Shota avoids Takagi’s lariat, runs and RAMS shoulders, but Takagi doesn’t budge! Shota runs, RAMS Takagi again, then runs and RAMS him again! Takagi whips Shota out of the ring, but Shota slips back into the ring. Shota sends Takagi out, Takagi bumps into railing, and the fans rally up. Shota follows Takagi around the way, but Takagi ELBOWS and HEADBUTTS Shota! Takagi CLUBS Shota, then pushes him into the apron. Takagi whips, Shota reverses, and Takagi hits railing again! The fans rally while both men catch their breath. Shota storms over to Takagi, drags him up, and puts him in the ring.

The fans applaud and Takagi gets moving! Takagi RAMS Shota, Shota rebounds and he finally runs Takagi over! The fans rally and duel, and Shota watches Takagi go to a corner. Shota runs in and UPPERCUTS! Shota then hooks a leg, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, ONE! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t let it bother him. Shota drags Takagi up but Takagi fights the lift. Shota CLUBS away on Takagi, brings him up and turns him, but Takagi fights free. Shota runs up but into the ELBOW! JAB! And feint to the JAB again! Then YUKON LARIAT! The fans fire up, Takagi runs, and he LARIATS Shota up and out!

The fans rally as Takagi goes out after Shota. Takagi stands Shota up, then whips Shota into railing! Then he brings Shota around the way to SMACK him off the timekeeper’s table! Takagi grabs a chair, SMACKS Shota on the back, then CHUCKS the chair at Shota’s head! The ref reprimands while Shota slumps down, and the fans are a bit torn. Takagi kicks at Shota while he’s down, the ref reprimands more, so Takagi drags Shota up and back to ringside. Takagi puts Shota in the ring, has the fans rally more, and then winds up as Shota stands. Takagi runs in and LARIATS! Shota slumps back down but Takagi eggs him on.

Takagi kicks at Shota, but Shota kicks back! Takagi eggs Shota on more so Shota kicks more. Takagi kicks at Shota again, then even slaps him! Takagi CLUBS Shota, and Shota stands up in a huff. Shota fires a forearm, but Takagi shakes his head. Shota fires another forearm, but Takagi still shakes his head. Shota fires a third, but Takagi short arm LARIATS! And short arm LARIATS! And short arm LARIATS! Takagi reels Shota in and POWERBOMBS! Cover, TWO! Shota stays in this but Takagi stays cool. The fans rally and Takagi gives Shota more scuffing kicks. Shota scowls but Takagi stands him up.

Takagi reels Shota in, pump handles, but Shota fights the lift! Takagi fires knees, but Shota slips around! Takagi fires elbows, then runs, but Shota dropkicks the leg! Takagi still kicks, but Shota blocks and DRAGON SCREWS! Shota turns Takagi over, steps through, STF! Takagi scrambles forward to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Shota lest go in frustration. Shota stands, brings Takagi up, and he half nelsons. Takagi fights that with elbows, then he RAMS Shota into a corner! Takagi fires elbow after elbow then ROCKS Shota! But Shota headbutts the buckles in a very Takagi way! Shota runs up, dodges, SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF!

Takagi is up, he dodges Shota to SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! But Shota is back up to GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up as Shota runs up, but Takagi SWATS the lariat, and BLINDSIDE LARIATS in return! Takagi whips, Shota reverses and TORNADO- NO, Takagi denies that to ELBOW Shota! Takagi goes up the corner, TORNADO DDT! Shota staggers to his feet, but into the YUKON LARIAT! The fans fire up and Takagi hurries to bring Shota around. Pump handle and MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!! Shota survives and the fans fire up! Takagi is a bit surprised, but he stands up and has the fans rally again.

Takagi brings Shota around, pump handles, but Shota fights the torture rack! Shota CLUBS Takagi again and again, but Takagi LARIATS! Shota wobbles but shakes his head! Shota comes back, so Takagi LARIATS again! Shota stays on his feet, so Takagi winds up to LARIAT! Shota roars, Takagi JABS and HEADBUTTS, then SLIDING LARIATS! The fans fire up and Takagi brings Shota up. Takagi whips, Shota reverses, TORNADO DDT! Takagi is right up, but Shota LARIATS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Shota rises up as we reach ten minutes, and the fans rally again. Shota storms back over to Takagi and brings him up.

Shota reels Takagi in, and hits a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Takagi survives but Shota just fires up more! The fans rally and Shota brings Takagi back up. Shota reels Takagi in, but Takagi sprawls to fight the suplex. Takagi wrenches out, but Shota ROCKS him! Takagi goes to a corner, checks his jaw, and then comes back to egg Shota on. Shota ROCKS Takagi, ROCKS him again, but Takagi fires boxing elbows in return! Takagi winds up to ROCK Shota! Takagi eggs Shota on some more and the fans rally back up. Shota nods and fires up! Shota fires boxing elbows of his own, then ROCKS Takagi! Shota runs, but Takagi follows to LARIAT!

Takagi runs but Shota follows to LARIAT! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! Shota LARIATS! Takagi is up to PUMPING BOMBER! But he can’t make the cover! The fans fire up as both men go to corners! Takagi runs in, but Shota meets him! DOUBLE LARIATS! Shota SWATS a lariat to DROPKICK! Takagi comes back, Shota dodges, but then Takagi dodges! SHOTA LARIATS THROUGH!! Cover, ONE?!?! Takagi is still fighting but Shota gets moving! SHOTA BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi is still in this but Shota just fires up more! Shota aims from a corner, runs up, BUSAIKU KNEE!! But that’s not all! Scoop and SECOND-

NO, Takagi fights through to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans rally while both men are down again! Shota goes to ropes, as does Takagi. They stand back up, biting the ropes even! They both run up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Then DOUBLE LARIATS again! Shota HEADBUTTS! Shota runs up, Takagi puts him in the ropes! TAKAGI G T R!! Then a pump handle and rack, BURNING DRAGON!! Takagi runs, and he PUMPING BOMBERS!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Shota survives and the fans are thunderous! Takagi brings Shota up, pump handles and torture racks again, for LAST OF THE DRAGON!!! Cover, TAKAGI WINS!

Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall

Shota’s Second Chapter still hasn’t quite turned things around, and he even has a bloody nose from that last impact. But has he learned what it takes to be an IWGP World Heavyweight Champion from a former champion like Takagi? Will Takagi find himself on the path back to that title soon enough?

Dogpound Cage Match, Losers Leave Bullet Club: War Dogs VS House of Torture!

For quite some time, there has been tension between the many branches of The Club. In some ways, this dates back to when Jay White led the Firing Squad. But things really escalated this year, when the New Beginning in Osaka became the beginning of the end! David Finlay leads Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors, “Drilla” Dan Moloney & Taiji Ishimori against Evil, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Sho, Ren Narita, and the newest traitor, Sanada! This will be the final battle, but who will prove they are THE Bullet Club?

Well, while they’re not directly in the match, Yujiro Takahashi & Dick Togo are still ringside, because they’re as much part of this as the others. Even that aside, Evil and the boys are already armed. The King of Darkness has a chair while everyone else has their signatures, like the whiskey bottle, “Torture Tool,” pushup bar and guitar. The War Dogs are just as prepared, as there are kendo sticks, baseball bats, a trashcan full of other goodies, and Drilla is even wearing an ammo belt of silverware! But then The Rebel ups the ante by locking the cage door! No one in or out, except by the Dogs climbing the cage from all sides! The Dogs close in, the bell rings, and the war is on!

The fans fire up as Finlay goes after Evil, Gabe has Narita, Drilla has Sanada, Connors has Kanemaru and Taiji has Sho. Finlay shoves Evil into the cage, then into a POST! Gabe uses a kendo stick, but Narita takes that from him to SMACK him down! Only for Finlay to be all over Narita! Evil JAMS Finlay with a chair, puts him in the ring, and then Narita JAMS Connors and Gabe with that chair! Finlay and Evil brawl, Finlay HEADBUTTS and Evil CHOPS! Finlay kicks Evil, TOSSES him back out, but Evil JAMS Finlay with a kendo stick! Evil SMACKS Finlay with the stick, then Connors brings Narita into the ring.

Connors whips but Narita reverses, Connors hits buckles hard! They go back outside, so Taiji puts Sho in. Taiji stomps Sho, Evil SMACKS Connors, Finlay throws hands on Evil! Taiji SMACKS Sho around, Drilla CLAWS Narita’s face and SMACKS him with another kendo stick. Things spill back outside, Drilla JAMS Sho up! Gabe SMACKS Narita! The fans rally for Gabe, but Sanada CLAWS Taiji’s eyes! Gabe puts Narita in the ring and the fans rally for the Mad Man. Gabe bumps Narita off buckles, then CHOPS again and again! The fans bark with every CHOP, and Gabe grabs himself a chair! Gabe winds up, and he CHUCKS the chair at Narita’s face!

Narita falls out of the ring and the fans fire up for Gabe! Gabe then goes out, only for Narita to HEADSHOT him with the chair! Narita SMACKS Gabe on the back! Taiji and Sho get back in the ring, and Taiji ROCKS Sho! But Sho CLAWS Taiji’s eyes! Sho has his tool, but Taiji dodges the attack! Taiji then kicks low, whips, but Sho reverses. Taiji handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! Kanemaru DROPKICKS Taiji! Connors JEEP FLIPS Kanemaru! Narita BOOTS Connors! Gabe UPPERCUTS Narita, then hits the SAIDO! Evil LARIATS Gabe! Finlay hits an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Sanada suplexes for the MAGIC SCREW!

Drilla steps in but Sanada KICKS the ropes! The fans boo as Sanada gets Drilla down low! But then Sanada has the legs! Drilla kicks free of the Paradise Lock, then DUMPS Sanada to the outside! Sanada gets up, ROCKS Drilla, then steps inside, only for Drilla to KICK the ropes! The fans cheer as Sanada tastes his own medicine! Drilla then hits a SPINEBUSTER, and the fans bark with Drilla. Drilla reels Sanada in, Canadian Racks, but Sho LOW BLOWS! The fans boo, but then Sanada grabs one of Drilla’s forks! Sanada STABS Drilla in the forehead! Sho hands out the forks, but Sanada DIGS his into Drilla’s forehead!

The fans boo and Red Shoes reprimands, but that’s all he can do. Evil undoes the red corner’s buckle pad while Kanemaru and Sho each DIG their forks into Drilla! Evil is untying more buckle pads while the others keep the War Dogs down. We’re now in a four corners of danger situation! Connors returns, but he’s sent into steel buckles! Drilla is bloody already, but Kanemaru bumps him off buckles! Sho TOSSES Connors out while Sanada DIGS his fork into Drilla’s wound! The fans boo as Drilla suffers! Finlay is back but Evil kicks him low, then POSTS him hard! Finlay falls out of the ring, writhing while clutching his shoulder!

Sho digs Connors’ face into the cage, and Dick is there to DIG a fork into Connors’ forehead!! The fans boo as Dick JABS away on Connors! Evil and Sanada stand over Drilla in the ring, these two working together like the old days. Kanemaru SMACKS Taiji with a buckle pad! Sanada bumps Drilla off buckles, then BITES at the wound! That’s Cold Blooded to say the least! Evil stomps Connors, then Kanemaru takes a turn standing on Drilla’s neck! Kanemaru steps off to run up and BOOT Drilla in the corner! Evil uses the barbed wire from Connors’ hat to DIG at Drilla’s forehead! Drilla roars in anger, but Evil CHOKES Drilla with Dick’s Spoiler Choker!

The fans boo but Evil tells them to shut up. Taiji is thrown into the cage! Evil hits a FISHERMAN BUSTER on Drilla! Cover, TWO!! Drilla is still in this and Evil is furious. The fans cheer but Sho storms in. Gabe CHUCKS a table! Narita dodges and they brawl! Sho BITES Drilla’s forehead! Sho then digs his boot into the forehead, and so does Evil! Drilla pushes them back but Narita SMACKS Gabe’s face off the table again and again! Narita then BULLDOGS Gabe through the table! Gabe is stuck against the wood while Evil laughs at his pain. Drilla continues to be tortured by the House of Torture but the fans rally for him.

The House whips Drilla into a corner! Then Sho hits a LARIAT! Kanemaru adds an ELBOW! Narita adds an ELBOW! Sanada adds an ELBOW! Evil LARIATS, then he snapmares Drilla. Sho & Narita hold Drilla open, Kanemaru climbs up with a kendo stick, but the Dogs make the save! The fans rally, Connors dodges Kanemaru to SPEAR! The kendo stick goes flying! The Dogs each have a man, and they climb up to rain down fists! The fans bark as we go al the way to TEN! That’s a total of FIFTY right there! The Dogs then TOSS the House out, and Finlay keeps Sho in the ring. Sanada is sent into the steel, and then the Dogs make sure everyone is lined up.

Finlay brings Sho up to the top rope! Red Shoes and the fans freak out for the SUPER DUPER PLEX onto the group! Talk about a dogpile! The fans rally up again while all ten men are down! Gedo says c’mon, boys! Kill ’em all! The fans bark and the dogs rise up. Connors manages to stand, and he gets his baseball bat! Connors stalks Kanemaru, stands him up, and puts him in the ring. Kanemaru has a kendo stick, but Connors takes aim! Swing and a hit! No more kendo stick! Kanemaru panics and begs for mercy! Connors calls his shot, but Sho grabs the bad! Kanemaru kicks Connors, Sho JAMS Connors up with his bat!

Sho JAMS up Taiji, then Kanemaru SMACKS Connors with a chair! BRITISH FALL onto a chair!! Cover, Taiji breaks it! Sho JAMS Taiji with a chair now, then aims! HEADSHOT!! Bone Soldier flops out of the ring, and Sho CHOKES Connors with his bat! Connors fights up but he’s fading already! Kanemaru takes a big swig, then runs up, but Connors ducks! WHISKEY MIST hits Sho! Connors has the bat again, and he JAMS Kanemaru! Connors then hurries to aim from a corner, DOUBLE SPEAR!! The fans are thunderous, and Connors hurries to get that whiskey! Connors takes a swig just to mist it into the air, and he tells his guys to get up!

Taiji climbs, Connors HEADBUTTS Sho, but wait, Dick & Yujiro try to stop Taiji. Gedo runs up to DECK Dick and SMACK the Tokyo Pimp! The fans fire up as Taiji, bloodied himself, hits an ARIHARA MOONSAULT on Sho & Kanemaru! But then Evil CLOBBERS Connors and DECKS Taiji! Finlay is up to CLOBBER Evil! Evil is in the ring, he has the shillelagh! Finlay dodges to fire off forearms! ROLLING ELBOW! Finlay has his shillelagh back!! The fans fire up as Finlay gives it a kiss, but Evil CLAWS Finlay’s eyes! Evil whips but Finlay reverses, and now Evil hits POST! Finlay reels Evil in, FULL METAL BUCKLE BOMB!!

Finlay reels Evil back in, slashes his throat, and OVER- NO, Evil fights the Overkill! Finlay fights free of that, but then avoids Everything is Evil! GUN STUN!! Shoutout to the OGs of Bullet Club! Then INTO OBLIVION!! Cover, Narita YANKS Red Shoes out of the ring! The fans boo but Narita just grins. Finlay BLASTS Narita off the apron for it, then paces around. Everyone else is down, but Finlay grabs a chair before he goes outside. Finlay dares Evil to get up, and Evil stands, so Finlay CHUCKS the chair at him! Finlay pushes things aside, such as the busted table, to bring out a fresh table! The fans rally as Finlay sets this one up by a corner.

Gedo tells Finlay to end this! Finlay says he’s gonna end this! Finlay reels Evil in, but Dick POCKET SANDS through the cage!! The fans boo but then Dick KICKS Gedo! Dick climbs up and in so he can help Evil mug Finlay! Gedo tries to climb, but Dick & Evil shove Finlay into the cage! Gedo falls, and now Finlay is put on the table! Dick goes up, but Gedo meets him! They brawl at the top of the cage, and Gedo DECKS Dick! Finlay gets up to CLAW Evil’s face! Now Gedo hops inside, and Finlay puts Dick on the table! The Blacksmith goes hardcore as he FROG SPLASHES onto the table! Dick, Gedo and table fall over, and the fans cheer Gedo on!

Finlay goes after Evil with the shillelagh, but Evil fights it off! Yujiro hops in, and he has a big steel chain! Yujiro CLUBS Finlay down using it, then wraps it around Finlay’s neck! Yujiro CHOKES Evil while Evil BREAKS the shillelagh! Evil uses one of the jagged ends to DIG at Finlay’s face!! The fans boo but Finlay is bloodied. Evil wraps the chain around his fist to punch Finlay over and over! Evil BITES at Finlay’s wound while Yujiro brings out a new table! And another new table! These are set up side-by-side, and then Evil goes back for Finlay. Drilla is back and LOW BLOWS Yujiro! And he LOW BLOWS Yujiro!

Drilla chases Sanada into the ring, dodges his Smash Hit, and hits the GORE! Drilla has the guitar and the fans fire up! Drilla gives Sanada the SMASH HIT!!! The fans go wild for Drilla, and he shows off the busted guitar! Drilla then grins as he has Sanada all alone. Drilla drags a bloodied Sanada to the apron, reels him in, and he aims for those tables! Drilla lifts but Sanada fights! Sanada fireman’s carries, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER through the table! Drilla is down in the wreckage, but now a bloodied Gabe and Narita find each other in the ring! Gabe ROCKS Narita, but Narita ROCKS Gabe! Gabe is like a zombie as he keeps coming back for more!

The fans rally as the shots go back and forth between Mad Man and Souled Out Son of Strong Style! Gabe fires shot after shot, but Narita BITES Gabe’s face! Narita pushes Gabe down, then drags him back up, only for Gabe to HEADBUTT Narita down! Narita falls over and writhes, but Gabe is hungry for more! The fans rally as Gabe winds up, and Gabe runs to COMEBACKER LARIAT!! Narita is in a daze from being flipped upside-down, but Gabe vows to end this! Gabe goes outside, looks under the ring, and he brings out a table wrapped in barbed wire! The fans fire up as the Mad Man ups the ante!

Gabe has to be careful with how he handles this thorny bit of furniture, but he manages to put it in the ring and stand it up. Gabe slashes his throat and the fans fire up again. Narita takes a swing, Gabe dodges once, but Narita JAMS him up the second time! Narita, crimson mask worst of everyone’s, drags Gabe up. Narita GRINDS Gabe’s face against the barbed wire!!! The fans freak out, as does Red Shoes, but Narita stops and grins through his own blood. Narita then stands Gabe back up, and CLUBS him onto the table! Narita has Gabe prone, then he goes up the corner. Narita climbs, but Gabe rises and UPPERCUTS!

The fans rally up again as Gabe ROCKS Narita! Gabe adjusts the table’s position, then climbs up after Narita. Gabe says Narita did this to himself. Gabe HEADBUTTS Narita, then reels him in! Narita fights with body shots, but Gabe fires forearms! They brawl up top, there’s blood dripping onto the camera… Gabe wobbles, but he HEADBUTTS back! Gabe then double checks his math, and he shouts, “I’m a MAD MAN, y’know!!” SECOND ROPE PILEDRIVER down through the barbed wire table!!!! Cover, WAR DOGS WIN!!!!

Winners: War Dogs, by pinfall (House of Torture is exiled from Bullet Club)

Wait, Evil has cuffed Finlay to the cage! He’s got a dog collar around Finlay’s neck! Evil doesn’t care if he lost the war, he wants to rid the War Dogs of their leader!! Evil throws the chain over the top, then climbs out so he can CHOKE Finlay!! Evil is trying to hang Finlay!! The others rush over so Evil retreats. The King of Darkness is no longer Too Sweet, but will this only make the House of Torture more dangerous?

As for the Dogs, Finlay is freed of the collar but they need keys for the cuffs. Keys are found, and Gedo helps free Finlay from the cage. Bruised, battered, bloodied, but triumphant, the War Dogs regroup in the ring while the rest of the House flees. Finlay shows off the barbed wire table Gabe used to end this, and Drilla pours out Kanemaru’s whiskey in celebration. Gabe throws up the Too Sweet, but he also has the mic to tell them to turn the music off. The fans cheer as the Dogs stand tall, and Gabe barks. The fans bark along, and then Gabe says, “They wanted to try and take it from us. They wanted to try and take it from us.

“How can you take it from us when this is our effing lives?! This is the house that WE built! WE made Bullet Club popping! This is the number one Bullet Club, and you wanna take it from us!? You will say thank you, you will say effin’ thank you!” Gabe DGAF! You can bring up AJ Styles, Kenny Omega, Jay White, F THEM! THIS is Bullet Club now! The fans cheer that! Gabe says THIS is the best Bullet Club that has ever been! F Yota Tsuji and Yuya Uemura,  these are the guys saving NJPW! Every day! And if you ain’t down with that, then you ain’t a dawg for real! Gabe throws down the mic and The War Dogs celebrate!

Will no one from nowhere in the wrestling world ever stop this Bullet Club? Will the wrestling world soon belong to the Dogs?

My Thoughts:

A great event here to kick off Dontaku weekend. A lot of good tune-up stuff, with Ishii’s team winning their 8 Man Tag to mostly build Yuya Uemura going into his match with Yota Tsuji. They’ll have a great Global Heavyweight Championship match but I feel like Tsuji retains. Bishamon & Taguchi won their match, but I can’t be sure the go-home math now favors Callum Newman in the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match tomorrow. It’d still be pretty wild if Callum won, but I’m still favoring Goto.

Great NJPW World TV Championship match, especially because of the time limit draw. ELP and Konosuke are now going into the NEVER Openweight Championship match at even, which makes me think Konosuke retains his title. Part of that is how Takagi stared Konosuke down after Shota VS Takagi. I’m a touch surprised Takagi won because of how Shota’s been running hot. Perhaps it lends itself to Shota’s story of growing up and learning how to truly be that top guy and living up to expectations rather than them writing him as if he’s just magically there. This can pay off in the long run so that fans can accept Shota and not feel he was shoved down their throats, a la a “Super Cena” type story.

We got a great match from Tanahashi VS ZSJ in their final match against each other, and ZSJ going over was the right call here. ZSJ himself is working his way back up after losing the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship and then missing out on the New Japan Cup this year. This last win over Tanahashi can certainly propel ZSJ up to the world title, and he can go out there tomorrow to challenge the winner of Goto VS Callum. Then a great main event, where everyone learned from the original Dogpound match to hold back a touch. It was still plenty violent and chaotic, but they let the ring stay in one piece so we don’t end up with another injury like Alex Coughlin got.

And War Dogs winning fits, as the House of Torture always felt like it should’ve been its own faction from the start. Evil, Sanada and the boys can focus on House of Torture merch, and the feud doesn’t even have to end given we’ll be seeing Sho, Kanemaru, Connors and Ishimori in Best of the Super Juniors, meaning they will encounter each other at some point.

My Score: 9/10