The Ace’s Final Road passes through Chicago!

NJPW returns to Chicago for another Windy City Riot! But will Hiroshi Tanahashi be ready for a battle with Konosuke Takeshita?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kickoff – Strong Survivor: Zane Jay VS CJ Tino; Zane wins.
• TJP VS Tom Lawlor; TJP wins.
• NJPW Strong Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Mina Shirakawa VS AZM; Double Count Out Draw.
• NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: West Coast Wrecking Crew VS Intergalactic Jet Setters; WCWC wins and retains the titles.
• NJPW Strong Openweight Championship Ironman Match: Gabe Kidd VS Tomohiro Ishii; Ishii wins and becomes the new NJPW Strong Openweight Champion.
• Tetsuya Naito & Titan VS El Phantasmo & Rocky Romero; Naito & Titan win.
• David Finlay VS Zack Sabre Jr; ZSJ wins.
• IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS Shota Umino; Goto wins and retains the title.
• Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Konosuke Takeshita; Takeshita wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

NJPW Strong Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Mina Shirakawa VS AZM!

The Fighting Gravure Idol is moving on from Stardom to be truly All Elite! But it’d be made all the sweeter if she was bringing a golden ticket to Mercedes Mone’s title. Everyone wants Mina, but will Mina get what she wants? Or will the High Speed Superstar be the one chasing after the Money Train?

The bell rings and the fans rally already. Mina and AZM circle, the “MINA! MINA!” a bit stronger than “A-ZU-MI! A-ZU-MI!” The two feel things out, then AZM kicks low! AZM whips, Mina reverses, but AZM reverses back to snap scoop, roll, but Mina stuffs the ghost pin to a cover! TWO, AZM runs, but into a victory roll! Mina steps through, but then AZM cradles her, TWO! AZM sweeps, covers, ONE! The fans cheer the standoff! Mina and AZM reset and circle again. They approach, but Mina slides to shimmy and shake. The fans cheer that, but AZM runs up! Mina trips AZM and KICKS her in the back! AZM gets up to kick and snapmare!

AZM winds up and KICKS Mina in the back! The fans fire up, and Mina kicks low to snapmare and KICK AZM! Mina then runs but AZM ducks that kick to roll Mina. Mina rolls through, AZM trips her and runs, DROPKICK! AZM kips up and the fans fire up! AZM drags Mina around, covers, TWO! But AZM has the arm for a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Mina crawls to the ROPEBREAK! AZM lets go quickly and fires Chicago up as she climbs the corner. Mina stands, AZM aims, and AZM MISSILE DROPKICKS! High stack, TWO! Mina stays in this but AZM stomps her down. AZM brings Mina up, but Mina breaks free!

AZM BOOTS first, then whisp Mina to a corner. AZM runs in, but Mina slips out to the apron! AZM ROCKS Mina, runs, but Mina steps in and ENZIGIRIS! AZM staggers, the fans rally up, and Mina runs up. Mina blocks a boot, gets both legs, DOUBLE DRAGON SCREW! Then she SMASHES AZM’s knee off the mat! The fans rally and duel while Mina has the legs. Mina steps over to KNEE JAMMER! The fans duel more as Mina drags AZM around, steps through, but AZM kicks her away! AZM runs up at the corner, but Mina dodges. AZM goes up, Mina dodges again, and FLYING CHUCKS! Cover, TWO, but Mina’s right on the legs! FIGURE FOUR!

The fans “WOO~!” but AZM scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Mina lets go at 4, and Mina drags AZM around. Mina SMASH- NO, AZM headscissors free! Mina ducks the buzzsaw, but the BUZZSAW returns! The fans fire up with AZM and she runs, but into a ROLLING ELBOW! Both women are down and the fans fire up! The fans rally as Mina and AZM stir. They both sit up, and they find each other at center. Mina fires a forearm, but AZM fires back! Mina fires another, eggs AZM on, so AZM fires another! The fans fire up as the forearms fly fast ‘n’ furious! Mina fires a flurry, then winds up, to DECK AZM!

The fans fire up and Mina smiles. Mina drags AZM up, reels her in, and she calls her shot! Mina shimmies, but AZM suplexes! And then she brings Mina up for another suplex! That’s Dos Amigas! Here’s THREE AMIGAS! The fans fire up and AZM covers, TWO! AZM drags Mina to a drop zone and vows to finish this! The fans fire up as AZM climbs, but Mina rises up! Mina roars, and then she ROCKS AZM! Mina climbs, fires forearms, then hooks herself into the ropes. Mina CLUBS away on AZM, but AZM drops down. Mina shifts position, but AZM GAMANGIRIS! AZM pushes Mina into the Tree of Woe! AZM goes up to WOE STOMP but Mina dodges!

AZM flounders and clutches her leg while Mina sits up! The fans fire up as Mina adjusts position again, and she FLYING SLINGBLADES! Cover, TWO! AZM survives but Mina stays fired up! The fans rally as Mina calls her next shot! Mina drags AZM up, dragon sleepers, and suplexes, but AZM slips free! AZM blocks a kick, waistlocks, but Mina fights that suplex to victory roll, and FIGURE FOUR! AZM endures, flails, reaches out, and the fans rally! AZM crawls, drags Mina along, but Mina rolls her away from ropes! Mina thrashes the hold as hard as she can, but AZM still endures! AZM fights her way over, ROPEBREAK!

The ref counts, Mina lets go at 4, and Mina grows frustrated. The fans rally up, Mina drags AZM to her feet, but AZM jumps on to LA MYSTICA! Step over, AZM SUSHI ROLL! TWO!! Mina escapes, AZM runs up, but Mina ducks the kick to roll her! AZM has the arm for RINGS OF SATURN, then the SACRIFICE!! Now it’s NUMERO UNO! Mina endures, fights around, pries at the hold, but AZM shifts again to a ghost pin, SACRIFICE!!! Mina endures, reaches out with her legs, but AZM shifts back into NUMERO UNO!! The fans rally as hard as they can, but AZM pulls on that arm! ROPEBREAK!! Mina escapes by a literal foot!

The fans rally up and AZM drags Mina up. AZM reels Mina in, but Mina pops free! URAKEN! AZM drops to her knees and Mina fires back up! The fans fire up with Mina and she runs, but AZM follows! AZM trips Mina, puts her on the apron, and ROUNDHOUSES! Mina flops to the floor and the fans fire up! The ring count starts already as AZM drags Mina up. AZM ROUNDHOUSES again, then reels Mina in! But Mina fights the driver to lift AZM, KNEE CRUSHER to the floor! We hit 10 of 20, but Mina drags AZM up at 13. Mina puts AZM on the apron, but AZM tiger feint RANAS! And DROPKICKS! We hit 15!

AZM hears 17, rushes in, but Mina YANKS her out! TORANDO DDT to the floor!! TWENTY!! DOUBLE COUNT OUT!

Double Count Out Draw

Chicago is upset! How does a draw help a #1 contender’s match?! Mina and AZM each argue with the ref, Chicago wants to “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” The Young Lions step in, is the real winner here Mercedes Mone now that she doesn’t have to defend her title?

NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: West Coast Wrecking Crew VS Intergalactic Jet Setters!

Royce Isaacs & Jorel Nelson proved they’ll do whatever it takes to have these tag titles, and they might do whatever it takes to keep these titles. Will NJPW Strong still belong to the WCWC? Or will Kevin Knight & Kushida bring these belts to the Best of the Super Juniors?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see which team is the strongest!

Chicago cheers the Jet Setters and boo WCWC. The Jet Setters point that out when they stand on the corner and the fans cheer. Nelson doesn’t help things when he flips Chicago off. The teams sort out and Nelson starts against Kushida. The fans cheer for Kushida as he circles with Nelson. They tie up, Nelson waistlocks but Kushida switches. Nelson sits down and rolls free to then have an arm. Nelson hammerlocks but Kushida switches it onto Nelson to then headlock for the takeover. The fans cheer but Nelson keeps his shoulders up. Nelson fights to his feet, fires body shots, then powers up and out, only for Kushida to RAM him!

Nelson brushes himself off, but Kushida RAMS him again! Things speed up, Nelson drops down, but Kushida runs him over! The fans fire up and Kushida brings Nelson up. Kushida fires hands, then runs, but Isaacs gets a cheap shot in! The fans boo but Nelson CLOBBERS Kushida! Nelson stomps Kushida, runs, but Knight trips him up! Kushida runs to PENALTY KICK Nelson’s arm! Kushida wrenches that arm, has a wristlock, but Nelson CLAWS Kushida’s eyes! Tag to Isaacs and he CLUBS Kushida down. The fans boo but Isaacs stands Kushida up for an UPPERCUT! Nelson whips, Knight tags in and Kushida reverses!

Kushida drop toeholds Isaacs and Knight runs up to UFO SPLASH! Nelson runs up, he kicks Kushida but Knight knees Nelson. Nelson whips Knight but Kushida is at the ropes to give Knight the BOOST! CROSSBODY! Down goes Nelson and the fans fire up! Nelson bails out, regroups with Isaacs, but the Jet Setters DOUBLE PLANCHA! Down goes WCWC and Chicago fires up with the fans! Wait, TJP is hanging out ringside? He has popcorn and offers to share but Knight says not right now. Knight puts Isaacs in the ring, Kushida CLUBS Nelson, and Knight SLIDING SHOULDER TACKLES! Cover, TWO!

Knight stomps Isaacs, then stands him up to CHOP! The fans “WOO~!” and Knight whips, but Isaacs reverses. Nelson catches Knight, Isaacs runs up, but Knight slips free! Isaacs ROCKS Nelson! Isaacs apologizes but Knight waistlocks. Isaacs switches, GERMAN SUPLEXES, but Knight lands out! Knight runs up, but is sent into the ropes! Nelson tags in. and Isaacs feeds Knight to a POUNCE! Nelson BLASTS Kushida, then Isaacs runs in around the way to POUNCE Kushida! The fans boo but Isaacs roars! Kushida is down against railing, Nelson covers Knight, TWO! TJP scoots a little closer to ringside as Nelson UPPERCUTS Knight.

Nelson tags Isaacs, and WCWC pick Knight up for a DOUBLE ATOMIC DROP! Nelson runs to dropkick the legs out, then Isaacs deadlift FISHERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO! Knight survives but Isaacs stomps him from the ropes. Isaacs tags Nelson, then CLUBS Knight. Nelson fireman’s carries Knight, THROWS him to the corner, then feeds to Isaacs’s scoop! BOOT BACKBREAKER COMBO! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Knight stays in this, but Nelson tells them to shut up. Nelson drags Knight up, ROCKS him, but Knight hits back! Nelson ROCKS Knight, ROCKS him again, then has him in the corner.

Nelson tags Isaacs, WCWC mugs Knight in the corner! The fans boo but Isaacs shoves Knight down. Isaacs sucker punches Kushida, then drags Knight around into a chinlock. Knight endures as Isaacs also traps an arm and a leg. The fans rally, Knight fights up, and Knight fires body shots. Knight fires a flurry of forearms, but Isaacs ROCKS Knight! Knight roars, but Isaacs ROLLING ELBOWS! Isaacs suplexes Knight, but Knight cradle counters! TWO, and Knight dodges Isaacs to DROPKICK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Knight and Isaacs crawl, hot tags to Nelson and Kushida! Kushida SHOTEIS Nelson again and again!

Kushida KICKS away on Nelson’s arm, whips, but Nelson reverses, only for Kushida to CROSSBODY! Kushida dodges Nelson to PELE! The fans fire up, but Isaacs talks trash on Kushida. Kushida gives the MASAHIRO FASTBALL! Nelson returns, but Kushida HIP TOSSES then cartwheel DROPKICKS! Nelson goes to a corner, Kushida runs up to SHOTEI! The fans fire up for Kushida as he puts Nelson up top. Kushida SUPER- NO, Nelson stops the steiner! But Knight goes up, UPPER ROOM! The fans fire up and Kushida covers, TWO! Nelson survives but Kushida tags Knight. Kushida Electric Chair Lifts Nelson, but Nelson fights free!

Nelson shoves Kushida into Knight, then kicks Kushida low. Isaacs joins in and they double whip, but Kushida handsprings! But he gets DOUBLE ELBOWS to the back! Nelson SUPERKICKS Knight, then feeds him to Isaacs! POP-UP KNEE! Isaacs suplexes Knight, Nelson joins in, FALCON BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives and the fans fire up! Isaacs & Nelson both kip up and soak up the heat. Isaacs tags back in, then Nelson runs to DOUBLE KNEE Knight! Isaacs ELBOWS Knight, feeds him to Nelson’s POP-UP, but Knight fights! Nelson stops the Rana, Kushida runs in and tilt-o-whirl HOVERBOARD!

Isaacs endures but Nelson powers Knight back up! But Knight turns it into a DDT! Isaacs powers up to throw Kushida off! Then he kicks Knight! But Kushida uses Knight as a step to TORNADO DDT! “This is Awesome!” as Knight says time to go up! Kushida tries to Electric Chair Lift Isaacs, but he’s so big! Knight fires Kushida up, the fans rally as hard as they can, so Kushida puts his back into it! Electric Chair Lift, for the FLY HIGH DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!! Isaacs survives and the Jet Setters are shocked! Isaacs goes to a corner, Knight & Kushida coordinate, LARIAT ENZIGIRI COMBO! Knight then tags Kushida in!

Knight pushes Isaacs out and says it’s time! Kushida has Isaacs, but Nelson snatches TJP’s popcorn to SMACK Knight with it! Nelson then SHOVES Knight down! Nelson waistlocks Kushida, Kushida switches, but they go to the corner! The ref gets caught up in this, and Isaacs LOW BLOW MULE KICKS Kushida! Nelson then POP-UP POWERBOMBS Kushida! Feed to Isaacs for the FULL NELSON GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, WCWC wins!

Winners: West Coast Wrecking Crew, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)

The Hush Money did the job, and the gold stays with Isaacs & Nelson. WCWC rubs it in that they’re on a streak, but will they prove to be the strongest NJPW Strong tag titles of all time?

NJPW Strong Openweight Championship Ironman Match: Gabe Kidd VS Tomohiro Ishii!

It was just earlier this year, NJPW Battle in the Valley, that this War Dog and Stone Pitbull went tooth ‘n’ nail and then to the time limit. That draw has not sit well with either man for over three months, and now they settle the score! This one WILL go to 30 minutes, no more and no less, but who will take the most bites out of the other in this dog fight?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really war ready!

The bell rings and we’re on the clock. The fans rally and duel while the two stare down. Then they tie up collar ‘n’ elbow! They’re in a deadlock, they break, and then go again. Another collar ‘n’ elbow, another deadlock, but Gabe uses his height for leverage. Gabe puts Ishii on ropes, the ref counts, but Gabe lets off slowly. Gabe SLAPS Ishii, but Ishii shoves and SLAPS Gabe! Gabe SLAPS, Ishii SLAPS, and it is a SLAP fight! The fans fire up as the SLAPS keep going from all sides, faster and faster! It is fast ‘n’ furious already, and then Gabe ROCKS Ishii! Gabe runs, but Ishii LARIATS! Gabe gets up to LARIAT Ishii!

Ishii is up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And DOUBLE LARIATS with the left arms! And then DOUBLE LARIATS with the right arms! Gabe ducks the enzigiri! Ishii avoids a boot! Ishii spins Gabe to suplex, but Gabe fights free! Gabe reels Ishii in but he fights free! Ishii SLAPS, Gabe SLAPS, they both SLAP! Gabe SAIDOS! Ishii’s right up to LARIAT! But then Ishii falls over, too! The fans fire up while both men are down! Gabe and Ishii stir, the fans duel, and Ishii rises first. Ishii storms over to stand Gabe up to throw a forearm! Gabe snarls and he fires back! Ishii fires another forearm, Gable fires another forearm, repeat!

The fans rally as the forearms keep going, and Ishii fires a flurry! Ishii eggs Gabe on so Gabe SLAPS him! And SLAPS! Ishii roars, Gabe DECKS him with a forearm! The fans fire up while Gabe steadies himself. Gabe kicks Ishii, but Ishii eggs him on. Gabe KICKS Ishii, KICKS again, but Ishii just grits his teeth. Gabe scuffs Ishii, Ishii stands, but Gabe pie faces him. Ishii CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Gabe BITES Ishii’s forehead! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Gabe soaks it all up while flipping Chicago off. Gabe throws Ishii out of the ring, then goes out, but Ishii slides in. Gabe slides in and fires forearms.

Ishii just stays put as Gabe fires more and more forearms! Ishii DECKS Gabe in return! The fans fire up, and now Ishii leans against the ropes. Gabe crawls to the other side, but Ishii storms up. Ishii slaps Gabe around, then CHOKES him on the ropes! The ref counts, Ishii lets off, and Ishii eggs Gabe on. The fans rally and Gabe stands. Ishii kicks at Gabe so Gabe eggs him on. Ishii kicks and kicks, but Gabe CHOPS! The fans “WOO~!” and Ishii CHOPS! Gabe brushes himself off, but Ishii CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Gabe CHOPS and Ishii rebounds, to CHOP! Now the CHOPS go back and forth!

The fans “WOO~” as the CHOPS keep going, and they start picking up speed! CHOP after CHOP after CHOP, neither man is backing down but both men’s chests are turning red! CHOP, CHOP, CHOP, CHOP, they just keep going and the fans are loving this! Gabe CHOPS, Ishii CHOPS, Gabe CHOPS, and Ishii wobbles! Gabe fires up, the fans cheer, and Gabe eggs Ishii on! Ishii CHOPS! Gabe shouts, “I’m a MAD MAN, y’know!” Gabe CHOPS, but Ishii grits his teeth! Gabe CHOPS again, but Ishii CHOPS back! They just keep going, CHOP for CHOP, and the fans fire up again as they pick up speed again!

Gabe then whips Ishii to a corner! The fans boo but Gabe tells them to suck it! Gabe CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS, then he flips Ishii off. Ishii eggs Gabe on, so Gabe CHOPS Ishii down! Gabe stands on Ishii, the fans boo, but Gabe gets on the corner to soak up more heat. Gabe kicks Ishii around, eggs him on, and Ishii stands up. Ishii CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Gabe staggers as Ishii CHOPS him again and again and again! Gabe wobbles, holds onto ropes, but Ishii CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS Gabe down! Chicago fires up for Ishii, and now Ishii rests against ropes. Gabe rises up, flips Ishii off, so Ishii bends that finger! And CHOPS!

Gabe staggers, Ishii CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Fans chant, “CHOP FOREVER!” as Ishii just CHOPS again and again! Gabe CHOPS, eggs Ishii on, but Ishii CHOPS! Neither man is backing down as the CHOPS keep going! CHOP after CHOP, but Ishii gets Gabe up high! Ishii CHOPS Gabe more and more, but then Gabe DOUBLE CHOPS Ishii down! And we pass ten minutes! A third of the way and it’s been mostly chops! The fans rally up as Gabe snarls. Gabe barks, some fans bark back but most boo. Gabe flips off the fans and tells off America in general. Gabe storms over to Ishii in the corner, and CHOPS!

Ishii shakes his head, eggs Gabe on, so Gabe CHOPS! Ishii still shakes his head, so Gabe BITES Ishii’s forehead! The ref reprimands and the fans boo, but Gabe says the clock’s ticking. The fans tell Gabe he’s sick but Gabe doesn’t care. Gabe goes back to Ishii and drags him up. Gabe reels Ishii in for a scoop and SLAM! Cover, TWO! Gabe lifts his leg to “whizz” on Ishii. The fans boo the immaturity, but Gabe T-bags Ishii to double down! Gabe kicks Ishii around, Ishii stands, but Gabe pushes him to the corner. Gabe CHOPS, pie faces, then CHOPS again! The fans rally for Ishii but Gabe shakes his head. Gabe CHOPS Ishii, but Ishii just gets mad!

Gabe ROCKS Ishii with a closed fist! Gabe whips corner to corner, but Ishii comes back to CLOBBER Gabe! The fans fire up as Ishii stands tall! Ishii storms back over to Gabe, drags him up, and reels him in. Gabe fights the back suplex with elbows, but Ishii still SAIDOS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ishii rises, drags Gabe up and over to a corner. Gabe fights the suplex but Ishii fires body shots. Ishii hoists Gabe up top, climbs up, and he fires body shots! Ishii then stands Gabe up, the fans fire up, and Ishii stalling SUPERPLEXES! The fans fire up and Ishii crawls to a cover, TWO! Gabe stays in this but Ishii looms over him.

Ishii drags Gabe up, reels him in, but Gabe fights the lift! Ishii fires Kawada Kicks! We hit 15 minutes, but now Gabe glares at Ishii. Ishii fires a flurry of forearms, but Gabe leans into them! Gabe is doing the Ishii style of backing Ishii down! Ishii fires a forearm, Gabe cusses him out, and repeat, until Gabe UPPERCUTS Ishii! Ishii flops against the ropes, and Gabe staggers around, finally feeling those shots. The fans rally up, and Gabe drags Ishii up. Gabe hoists Ishii up, CHOPS again, then SLAPS Ishii! Gabe climbs up, he brings Ishii to the top, but Ishii fires body shots! Ishii BITES Gabe’s ear! The fans fire up, and Ishii adjusts, SUPER SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB!! High stack, TWO!!

Gabe survives, the score is still zero to zero! Ishii drags Gabe around to sit him up, SLIDING- NO, Gabe ducks the lariat and clinches! T-BONE PLEX! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Gabe rises, he brings Ishii up, and he TOSSES Ishii out! Gabe goes out to bring Ishii up, and he CHOPS! Gabe DUMPS Ishii over the railing! The fans fire up as Gabe hops the railing, and then he stands on some chairs to soak up more heat. Gabe drags Ishii up, but Ishii CHOPS! Gabe CHOPS! The CHOP fight continues again! The fans fire up, and Gabe CHOPS Ishii against the front row! The ref reprimands, Gabe ROCKS Ishii, and we move to another segment!

Gabe rains down fists on Ishii, then BITES his forehead! Gabe gets space, runs up, but Ishii moves! Gabe bowls himself into the chairs! The fans go nuts and Ishii drags Gabe up from the mess he made. Ishii then suplexes, but Gabe fights it! Gabe tries but Ishii fights the suplex! So Gabe DDTS Ishii onto the chairs! Both men are down and the fans rally up. Gabe drags Ishii up, brings him around, “This is Awesome!” as they head back for ringside. We hit 20 minutes, and Gabe CHOPS! Gabe considers his options with just 10 minutes left, and he CHOPS Ishii again. Gabe DUMPS Ishii back to ringside, then hops the railing again.

Gabe puts Ishii in the ring, the fans applaud, and Gabe drags Ishii up. Gabe puts Ishii on the top rope, CLUBS away on him, then brings Ishii up. SUPERPLEX! Both men writhe, but Gabe manages the cover, TWO!! Ishii stays in this, but Gabe goes up to MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives again and the fans fire up! Gabe snarls and shakes his head. He just needs one fall at this point, so he brings down the kneepad! Ishii sits up, into the O- NO! Ishii blocks the knee, but then Gabe blocks the enzigiri! POINT-BLANK O-KNEE!! And then he reels Ishii in, but Ishii wrenches out. Gabe catches Ishii to fire a forearm! And another!

Gabe talks trash, fires more shots, but Ishii HEADBUTTS! HEADBUTTS! HEADBUTTS! Gabe UPPERCUTS Ishii, then gut wrenches for the MADMAN BOMB!! Cover, Gabe scores!

Gabe: 1; Ishii: 0

Gabe finally gets a point on the board, but there’s still time on the clock. Can Gabe run out the remaining seven minutes? Gabe grins as he sits up and taps his imaginary wristwatch. The fans rally as Gabe stands, and Gabe eggs Ishii on. Gabe kicks Ishii at the ropes, CHOKES him, but the ref counts. Gabe argues with the ref, but he goes back to Ishii. Gabe eggs Ishii on, Ishii throws slap after slap, but Gabe DECKS him! Gabe does push-ups while the ref checks Ishii. The fans boo but Gabe soaks up the heat. Gabe waits on Ishii as Ishii stands up. Gabe runs in and LARIATS! Five minutes remain and Gabe grins as he again taps the “watch.”

Gabe drags Ishii up, reels him in, but Ishii fights the driver! Ishii BACKDROPS fere, but Gabe BOOTS him! Gabe reels Ishii in, but Ishii suplexes! Gabe fights free, SLAPS and SLAPS and SLAPS, but Ishii SLAPS! And SLAPS! And SLAPS! Gabe wobbles, but Ishii DECKS him! The fans fire up but time is not on Ishii’s side! Ishii catches his breath, runs up, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives but Ishii roars! Ishii has a bloody nose but he just fires up more! Chicago is with Ishii as he drags Gabe up and brings him around. Gabe suplexes first, but Ishii fights it! Ishii wrenches, but Gabe COUNTER KNEES!

Gabe runs, COMEBACKER into an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Ishii has Gabe’s arm and the fans fire up! Gabe flails, reaches out, but Ishii CLUBS at the grip! ARMBAR!! Three minute warning! Gabe claws at Ishii, fights through, but into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Ishii rains down elbows on Gabe’s head! Ishii squeezes tight as Gabe turns red! Gabe is fading! Gabe is turning purple! The ref checks, Ishii throws more elbows! Gabe stacks and deadlifts Ishii, for a POWERBOMB! But Ishii holds onto the ARMBAR! GABE TAPS!!

Gabe: 1; Ishii: 1

To think Ishii would get a fall by a submission! But there’s two minutes left and we’re all tied up! Gabe flops out of the ring, just hoping to run out the clock! Ishii storms out after Gabe, drags him up, but Gabe guards the bad arm. Ishii still puts Gabe in the ring, but Gabe slips out the side. So Ishii is there to push him back in! Ishii hurries to drag Gabe up, we hit ONE MINUTE LEFT! Gabe ragdolls, but Ishii still hauls him up! Ishii ROCKS Gabe, suplexes, but Gabe blocks! Ishii wrenches to YANK the arm! Ishii whips and YANKS the arm, then reels Gabe in! Suplex, but Gabe cradle counters! TWO!! THIRTY SECONDS and Gabe LARIATS!

Both men are down and the fans rally up as hard as they can! Time is ticking away, we hit TEN SECONDS! Gabe bails out! The fans boo, but Gabe plays defense, and TIME’S UP! Gabe retains!!

Draw; Gabe retains the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship

The fans boo, they want overtime! The ref talks it out with the timekeeper, and Gabe is already calling for someone to bring his belt over. The ref makes the executive decision: SUDDEN DEATH OVERTIME!! The fans are loving this, but Gabe is pissed! Ishii eggs Gabe on, so Gabe storms back into the ring. Gabe says bring it, and they DOUBLE LARIAT! Both men stagger around, but then they DOUBLE LARIAT again! They still stagger around, and they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Gabe gets moving, Ishii dodges, but then Gabe dodges! COMEBACKER!! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives, the fans fire up, but Gabe hurries! PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?

Ishii survives and shocks everyone! Gabe is stunned but Chicago is thunderous! Gabe goes to a corner, he dares Ishii to get up, and Ishii stands. “This is Awesome!” as Ishii blocks the knee! Ishii spins Gabe to DRAGON SUPLEX! But Gabe rises up!? Gabe roars, runs, but into Ishii’s LARIAT!! Gabe still rises up, but Ishii ENZIGIRIS! Gabe flops back over and the fans fire up! Ishii rolls to a corner, the fans rally as hard as they can, and Ishii waits on Gabe. Gabe stands, Ishii runs, LARIAT!! Cover, ONE?!?!? Gabe shakes his head, and he swings, but into a spin, nelson, but Gabe suplexes! BRAINBUSTER! Cover, ONE!?!?!

Chicago is electric as both men defy expectations! Gabe and Ishii run in, Gabe spins to GROUND CROBA TWIST! TWO!! Ishii DECKS Gabe!! The fans fire up again while Ishii leans against the corner. Ishii storms back over to Gabe, reels him in, and hoists Gabe up! PILEDRIVER!! But Gabe’s right up!? POINT-BLANK O-KNEE!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Gabe shakes his head, refusing to believe this! Gabe barks, fans join in, and Gabe has a leg! Ishii fights the lift, but Gabe ROCKS him! Ishii UPPERCUTS! Gabe SLAPS! Ishii HEADBUTTS!!! Cover, TWO!?!!? HOW?!? Ishii doesn’t question it, he just hauls Gabe up, suplexes, and BRAINBUSTERS!! Cover, ISHII WINS!!!!

Winner: Tomohiro Ishii, by pinfall (NEW NJPW Strong Openweight Champion)

Both men are Ironmen for lasting this long, but it is the Stone Pitbull that came out as the top dog! Ishii stands tall, though he struggles to stand at all right now. Will he and Gabe look to run it back again some day?

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS Shota Umino!

Though it took many years, The Fierce Warrior finally leads the way forward for NJPW, as well as leads Hontai, aka the main unit. And yet, The Roughneck vows to do all of that while only on his Second Chapter. Will this still be the Goto Revolution? Or will Shota have the Paradigm Shift he’s been promising?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who truly leads the way!

The bell rings and the fans rally up while Shota and Goto stare down. Chicago cheers on Goto while he and Shota circle. They tie up, Goto waistlocks, but Shota wrenches free. Shota wristlocks, Goto rolls, then Goto wrenches back. Goto hammerlocks, headlocks, hits the takeover, but Shota headscissors. Goto kips free and the fans cheer the standoff. Shota and Goto reset, feel things out, and knuckle lock. They go shoulder to shoulder for a Test of Strength. The fans rally, Gotoi pushes on the knuckle locks, but Shota fights his way up. Goto kicks and wrenches Shota, but Shota rolls and wrenches to then put Goto on the ropes.

The ref counts the break, Shota slowly lets off, and he pats Goto on the shoulders. The fans applaud the sportsmanship and the two reset. Goto and Shota tie up again, Goto headlocks, and he grinds Shota. Shota powers up but can’t power out as Goto holds on tight. Shota fights up, even as Goto grinds the hold, and Shota fires body shots. Shota powers up and out, Goto runs him over! The fans cheer, Goto runs, but Shota drops. Goto turns hip toss into hip toss, then runs to run Shota over! The fans cheer more, and Goto stomps Shota. Goto puts Shota in a corner, whips corner to corner, then runs up, but he blocks a boot!

Goto puts the leg on the ropes, kicks away on it, then drags Shota out to trip him up! Goto knees on the knee and the fans rally. Shota endures, keeps his shoulders up, then eggs Goto on! Goto digs into the knee more, but Shota fires kicks. Goto twists the foot, then drops an ELBOW on the knee! Shota makes the ROPEBREAK, and Goto lets go. Goto drags Shota and steps through for a KNEEBAR! Shota endures, even as Goto twists his foot! Shota eggs Goto on, so Goto puts on the pressure! Shota falls back, but he keeps his shoulder up. Shota turns over, and finds the ROPEBREAK! Goto lets go, Shota clutches his leg, but Goto stomps him.

Goto CLUBS Shota, CLUBS him again, then fireman’s carries. Shota fights free, waistlocks, but Goto pries the hold open. Shota ducks an elbow to ROCK and CHOP Goto. Shota runs, but Goto follows, only for Shota to dodge! Goto dodges, Shota dodges again, but then Goto dodges! Shota ELBOWS Goto, PELES, then full nelsons. Goto fights that to switch, but Shota elbows free. Shota runs, Goto follows, but Shota catches him to a SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! But Goto rises! Goto fireman’s carries, Shota slips free and shoves Goto, to then dropkick the leg! Shota grabs Goto for a SHIN BREAKER! Shota tries a facelock, Goto fights it, but Shota still turns it for a NECKBREAKER!

The fans boo Shota but he ignores them while checking his elbow pad. Shota paces around Goto, stomps him, then brings Goto around. Shota drops a knee on the knee again and again! Then he DDTS the foot! Goto writhes, the fans boo, but Shota tunes it out as he drags Goto back up. Goto CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Shota kicks Goto’s leg, whips him to a corner, then runs up to UPPERCUT! Shota hooks the leg to FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Goto stays in this and the fans rally up. Shota scowls as he stands over Goto, then he drags Goto up. Shota hooks the leg but Goto fights with elbows!

Goto whips Shota, Shota reverses to wrench and TORNADO DDT! Shota then drags Goto up to suplex, BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Goto stays in this and the fans cheer, but Shota stays focused. Shota drags Goto up, waistlocks, but Goto fights the lift. Goto fires elbows, then shifts to drop toehold and step through, KNEEBAR! Now Goto endures as Shota pulls on the leg! Goto fights around, but Shota twists the foot! The fans rally, Goto fights around, but Shota shifts to an STF! Goto endures again and the fans rally up! Goto fights his way forward, but Shota drags Goto back! S T F! Goto still endures and the fans still rally!

Goto fights his way over to the side and Chicago cheers him on! Goto reaches out, but Shota drags him back again! Shota SMASHES the knee, steps back over, S T F!! Shota is not giving up on this hold while Goto still fights it! Goto crawls, reaches out, and the fans rally up. ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Shota lets go as the ref counts, and we pass 10 minutes. Shota looms over Goto, stomps him, then looms over him again. Shota stands Goto up, but Goto CHOPS! Shota eggs Goto on, so Goto CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Shota kicks low, UPPERCUTS, then whips corner to corner. Goto reverses, runs in, but Shota BOOTS him!

Shota runs, but Goto fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! The fans fire up while both men are down! The fans rally as Goto and Shota rise up. Goto drags Shota up, fires forearms and puts him in the corner. Goto whips corner to corner, runs in, and MURAMASA! Then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Shota stays in this and the fans rally up again. Goto drags Shota up, but Shota fights the fireman’s carry! Shota fires elbows, but Goto fires back! Shota fires another forearm, but then Goto fires another! Goto eggs Shota on, Shota winds up to fire a forearm! Goto fires back, Shota fires again, and the fans cheer Goto while they boo Shota!

The forearms keep going, and then Goto fires a flurry! Goto roars, runs, but Shota POP-UP POWERBOMBS! Both men are down while the fans boo Shota. Shota snarls and drags himself up with the ropes. The fans boo but Shota paces around. Shota drags Goto up, whips him to a corner, then BLINDSIDE SHINING WIZARDS! Goto slumps down, Shota runs and BLINDSIDE DOUBLE KNEES! Shota reels Goto in, for a POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO! Goto stays in this and the fans fire up! Shota waits on Goto as Goto rises up. Shota runs, but Goto catches the lariat to the URA GTR! Goto runs, btu Shota follows to LARIAT!

The fans boo but Shota storms up on Goto again. Shota drags Goto around, hooks a leg, but Goto fights free! Shota wrenches but Goto takes a swing! Shota swats the haymaker away, then ROCKS and CHOPS! Shota roars, the fans boo, but Shota grins as he winds up! But Goto catches Shota to a SLEEPER! Shota endures, reaches out, and we’re at 15 minutes. Shota is fading and Goto sits him down! The ref checks, the hand drops once! The hand drops twice! The ref checks one more time, but Goto lets go so he can PENALTY KICK! The fans fire up while Shota is down! Goto grits his teeth, roars again, and he brings Shota up!

Goto fireman’s carries, and G T W!! Cover, TWO!! Shota survives and the fans fire up! Goto snarls and he takes aim! Shota slowly sits up, BUZZSAW! Goto drags Shota up, dragon sleepers, TRUE G- NO, Shota hooks the arms! Goto fights the backslide, spins Shota around, but Shota HEADBUTTS! Shota runs up to BUSAIKU KNEE!! Cover, TWO!!! Goto survives but Shota roars! The fans fire up and Shota drags Goto back to his feet. Shota hooks a leg, SECOND- NO, Goto slips free, and has the SLEEPER! Then GOTO NI SHIKI!! TWO!! Shota escapes, drags Goto up to fire boxing elbows, and the fans rally up!

Shota winds up, ROLLING ELBOW! Shota runs, but Goto ducks the lariat! Goto runs, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men stay up, so DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Shota roars and runs, but Goto follows! LARIAT! Cover, ONE!! Shota LARIATS, covers, ONE!! Shota hurries to run again, LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives, Shota roars, and Chicago fires up! Shota hauls Goto up, hooks a leg, but Goto fights that to suplex, SHOTENKAI!! Cover, TWO!! Shota survives and the fans are thunderous! Goto rises, roars, and he brings Shota around! Goto dragon sleepers, but Shota fights from below!

Goto grabs that arm, wrenches, but Shota cradle counters, TWO!! Goto and Shota stand, Shota storms up but Goto HEADBUTTS him! Goto snarls, then he HEADBUTTS again and again and again! Goto runs, and he LARIATS Shota inside-out! Goto isn’t done, he dragon sleepers, but Shota fights all the same! Goto grabs that arm again, powers it down, G T R KAI!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!

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

Goto told Shota that they would both show America and the world the true Strong Style of NJPW, and this surely did that and then some! Goto grabs a mic, and in English, he says, “Thank you, everybody!” The fans cheer, and Goto continues to say, “I can not speak English.” The fans chuckle, but they also cheer Goto doing his best anyway. Goto says, “But… I love you all.” The fans cheer that, too! They cheer back, “We Love You! We Love You!” Goto tells Chicago, in Japanese, “I think you get me.” Goto says he knows they know. They know that the G in IWGP stands for, right? The fans cheer, “Yes!”

Okay then, let’s go! Goto has Chicago join him in saying that the G in IWGP stands for… GOTO! In the end, this is STILL the Goto Revolution, so will the G in IWGP forever stand for Goto?

Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Konosuke Takeshita!

The Final Road Connection continues, and while The Ace is on his way out, The Alpha is on his way up! Tanahashi prides himself on never being tired, but will the NEVER Openweight Champion wear him out? Or will Tanahashi’s final match in the USA be his greatest match yet?

Tanahashi shows off the abs, and even in Chicago, they cheer! The fans already chant, “Thank You, Ace! Thank You, Ace!” and Tanahashi nods. The bell rings and the fans fire up as the two circle. Chicago is strongly behind Tanahashi, but there are still Takeshita fans. The two tie up, Konosuke puts Tanahashi on the ropes, but he lets off cleanly. The fans applaud the sportsmanship, and the two reset. They tie up, Tanahashi waistlocks but Konosuke switches. Tanahashi fights the full nelson off, then switches back. Konosuke wrenches Tanahashi to a wristlock, but Tanahashi spins, wrenches, hammerlocks, then headlocks.

Tanahashi hits the takeover, Konosuke headscissors, but Tanahashi kips free and plays the air guitar. The fans cheer and the two reset. Konosuke and Takeshita circle as the fans chant, “GO ACE! GO ACE!” Tanahashi and Konosuke feel things out, knuckle lock, and then Tanahashi kicks low. Tanahashi kicks Konosuke to a corner, stomps his leg, and Tanahashi fires Chicago up. Tanahashi whips, Konosuke reverses, but Tanahashi ELBOWS him away! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up more and Tanahashi storms over to Konosuke. Tanahashi stands Konosuke up, kicks him, but then Konosuke fires a forearm!

Tanahashi kicks Konosuke’s leg, Konosuke fires another forearm, repeat. Tanahashi kicks and kicks, then runs, but Konosuke BOOTS him! Konosuke whips, Tanahashi reverses, but Konosuke TAKESHITA LINES! The fans fire up while both men are down! Konosuke shakes out his leg, but he encourages the fans to get louder. Konosuke brings Tanahashi up, kicks him low, then DDTs! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up but Konosuke keeps on Tanahashi with a chinlock. Konosuke then shifts to a Cobra Clutch and he grinds Tanahashi down. The fans rally as Tanahashi endures and fights around. Konosuke keeps Tanahashi from ropes, but Tanahashi fights up.

Tanahashi fires body shots, but Konosuke CLUBS him down! Konosuke soaks up some heat before he drags Tanahashi up. Konosuke ROCKS Tanahashi, puts him in a corner, then climbs up. Konosuke mocks the fans as they boo, and then he rains down fists! Konosuke goes all the way to nine, winds up, then BITES Tanahashi’s forehead! Konosuke tells the fans to shove it, then he whips Tanahashi to ropes, for a JUMP KNEE! The fans boo more but Konosuke just soaks it up. Konosuke looms over Tanahashi, drags him up, and the fans rally. Konosuke whips Tanahashi to a corner, runs in, and forearm SMASHES!

Konosuke snapmares Tanahashi down, goes up the ropes, but he takes too long soaking up heat, Tanahashi rolls away. Tanahashi runs up, Konosuke leaps over! Konosuke hobbles, and Tanahashi dropkicks the leg! And dropkicks it again! Tanahashi grabs the leg and waves bye-bye before he DRAGON SCREWS it! The fans fire up for Tanahashi while Konosuke bails out. Tanahashi storms over to the apron, but Konosuke fires forearms first! Tanahashi grabs a leg, brings it through the ropes, and he DRAPING DRAGON SCREWS it! Konosuke slumps in the ropes then into the ring while the fans fire up for Tanahashi again.

Tanahashi brings Konosuke up, scoops and SLAMS him into the drop zone, then he goes to the corner! The fans cheer as Tanahashi hops up, but now Tanahashi takes too long soaking in the adoration! Konosuke rises up to BODY BLOW! The fans boo, but Konosuke drags Tanahashi off the corner, and tucks him! BASTARD DRIVER! But that was double-edged given the bad knee! Konosuke slaps his leg into working while the fans rally back up. Konosuke hobbles over, drags Tanahashi up, and clinches, but Tanahashi fights with elbows! Tanahashi then runs, but Konosuke clinches after all! EXPLODER! Cover, TWO!

Tanahashi survives, the fans fire up, but Konosuke calls his shot! The fans boo, but Konosuke hauls Tanahashi up. Tanahashi fights the Blue Thunder with elbows! Tanahashi roars, runs, but Konosuke reels him in! BLUE THUNDER- SLINGBLADE! Tanahashi turns things around on Konosuke and the fans fire up! Tanahashi goes to the corner as the fans chant “GO ACE! GO ACE!” Tanahashi goes up, but Konosuke UPPERCUTS! Konosuke climbs up, the fans boo, but Konosuke grins as he brings Tanahashi to the top. SUPERPLEX! Both men are down, but then Konosuke rises while the fans rally up.

Konosuke slaps his bad leg into working again, and he takes aim from the corner. Tanahashi rises, POWER- DROPKICK to the leg! Konosuke hobbles, takes a swing, but Tanahashi catches him to a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up as Tanahashi hits another TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And then a third- NO, Konosuke suplexes to BRAINBUSTER! Both men are down and we’re just at 10 minutes! The fans fire up as we are one third into the time limit. Konosuke hauls Tanahashi up to suplex, but Tanahashi fights that to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The hattrick is finally complete, and Tanahashi rises. The fans fire up with Tanahashi as he runs!

Tanahashi SLINGBLADES Konosuke down! Cover, TWO! Konosuke is still in this but he’s also in the drop zone! Tanahashi goes up and the fans fire up! Konosuke stirs but Tanahashi is up top! HIGH FLY FLOW! Cover, TWO?!? Konosuke survives and Tanahashi is shocked! The fans rally up and Tanahashi brings Konosuke around. Tanahashi half nelsons, then full nelsons, but Konosuke breaks free! Only to end up in a straitjacket! But Konosuke REAR HEADBUTTS free! And ALPHA ELBOWS! And BLUE THUNDER BOMBS! The fans boo as Konosuke hurries up a corner, and he steals HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, ONE?!?!?

The fans are thunderous as Tanahashi refuses to lose to his own move! Konosuke is shocked, but he goes back to a corner. “GO ACE!” echoes out through Chicago as Konosuke powers up! POWER- NO, Tanahashi dodges, and SHOTEIS! Konosuke flops over and the fans fire up again! Tanahashi drags Konosuke up, but Konosuke winds up! SHOTEI from Tanahashi again!! The timing on that counter strike was incredible, and Tanahashi looms over Konosuke. The fans rally as hard as they can for “GO ACE!” Tanahashi drags Konosuke up, telling him to fight! Tanahashi YANKS Konosuke up, and Konosuke ALPHA ELBOWS!!

Konosuke winds up while the fans boo, and Konosuke runs, but into a full nelson! Konosuke breaks it, but Tanahashi STRAITJACKET GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!! Tanahashi hurries to full nelson, DRAGON SUPLEX!! But Konosuke’s right up!? Tanahashi dodges and SLINGBLADES again!! The fans are thunderous as Tanahashi climbs! Konosuke is up already, but Tanahashi HIGH FLY ATTACKS! And he goes back up! Chicago is electric for the HIGH FLY FLOW, but onto knees!! Konosuke saves himself and the fans boo, but this is now past 15 minutes! Konosuke and Tanahashi stir with another 15 minutes left on the clock!

Konosuke and Tanahashi sit up, and Tanahashi fires a forearm! Konosuke fires back! Tanahashi fires a forearm and the fans cheer! Konosuke fires a forearm and the fans boo! The forearms go back and forth, “YAY! BOO! YAY! BOO!” Tanahashi SHOTEIS! The fans fire up, Tanahashi feeds off that energy, and he fires a forearm! Konosuke fires back, the shots go back and forth! “YAY! BOO! YAY! BOO!” The shots go fast ‘n’ furious and the fans just cheer in general! Konosuke ROCKS Tanahashi, ROCKS him again, then fires boxing elbows! And a ROLLING ELBOW! Tanahashi drops to a knee, Konosuke’s elbow pads come off! Tanahashi rises, into an ALPHA ELBOW!!

Konosuke keeps Tanahashi from falling, but vows to end this! RAGING- CRADLE COUNTER! TWO!!! POWER DRIVE KNEE!! But both men are down! Konosuke rises while Tanahashi stirs, and the fans rally up as hard as they can for “GO ACE! GO ACE!” Tanahashi rises, Konosuke runs up from the corner! POWER DRIVE KNEE!! But that’s not good enough for Konosuke! Konosuke goes back to the corner, he demands Tanahashi gets up. Tanahashi sits up, into another POWER DRIVE KNEE!! But Tanahashi still has spirit, and the fans fire up again! Konosuke is frustrated, but he decides to top it off! A third POWER DRIVE KNEE!!!

Konosuke tells Tanahashi that HE isn’t satisfied with this! Get up, Tanahashi! Tanahashi slowly sits up, Chicago desperately rallies, but Konosuke aims from the fourth corner! POWER DRIVE KNEE!!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! Tanahashi survives, Konosuke is shocked, and Chicago is electric again! Konosuke lets Tanahashi rise up, and then winds up to ALPHA ELBOW! Tanahashi falls back, Konosuke powers up once more, and we hit 20 minutes. Tanahashi sits back up, he stares Konosuke down, but Konosuke runs up, DOUBLE POWER DRIVE KNEE!!! And then RAGING FIRE!!! Konosuke is hesitant, but he still covers, and Konosuke wins!!

Winner: Konosuke Takeshita, by pinfall

There were clearly mixed feelings in the end, but as Tanahashi’s last opponent here in the United States of America, Konosuke has the honor of defeating Tanahashi on his last NJPW Strong show. The other stars on the card appear ringside now as Konosuke offers a hand to Tanahashi. Tanahashi takes it, and Konosuke shows his respect and gratitude to The Ace. The fans applaud, and they again chant, “Thank You, Ace! Thank You, Ace!” Konosuke takes his NEVER Openweight Championship and exits the ring. Konosuke gets into it a bit with El Phantasmo, but Konosuke now has to focus on the AEW Owen Hart Foundation Tournament.

As for Tanahashi, the fans and NJPW wrestlers cheer him on as he sits up. Tanahashi stands, grabs the mic, and in English, he says, “Thank you, thank you. Thank you for coming!” The fans cheer more, and Tanahashi continues in English, “I am NJPW President now. I want to do wrestling forever.” The fans cheer that! “But, but… But… I retire next year. Please don’t worry for NJPW, because look! Look! Look!” Tanahashi points to all the stars around ringside and the fans cheer again. Tanahashi says he will make NJPW number one in the world! The fans cheer for “NEW JAPAN! NEW JAPAN!” Tanahashi thanks them again.

Tanahashi says, “Arigato,” and the fans say it back. Tanahashi says he will miss them, he will miss the American fans, and thanks us all very much. Do they know his Aishitemasu? Let’s do it slowly. Okay, finally, AISHITEMAAASU~! The fans cheer, and the Final Road will continue. Who will be the next stop on The Ace’s retirement tour?

My Thoughts:

A great event for NJPW, especially as Tanahashi’s last match in the US. Tanahashi VS Takeshita was an awesome main event, and Tanahashi looked incredible, even though he lost. That decision was the right one as it put Konosuke over and Konosuke is clearly a rising star in all of pro-wrestling. Also I think they teased ELP moving up to the NEVER title given his interaction with Takeshita. Takeshita is going to have a great match for Collision, and he’ll surely move forward in the Owen Hart Cup to face Ospreay for another awesome match.

Good stuff even in the matches I skipped, and good to hear Zane Jay is moving up from NJPW Strong and the Academy to prime NJPW in Japan. I think there was a botch on the finish to ZSJ VS Finlay, or at least a close call that was too close and kinda muddied things. Great actual finish, and a great win for ZSJ overall. Great match from Mina VS AZM, but I’m surprised they went with a double count-out. They didn’t say anything here, but I wonder if a Triple Threat for the NJPW Strong Women’s title happens. That way, they could get the title off Mone without her taking the pin so as not to hurt her power rankings.

Great tag match from WCWC VS Jet Setters, and good Heel win for WCWC. But it also makes sense that the Jet Setters didn’t win the titles, as Kevin Knight is shifting from NJPW to AEW. And even without that, these titles probably wouldn’t be tangled up in the Best of the Super Juniors in May anyhow. Granted, Resurgence is right before the tournament, but I wouldn’t think a rematch for the titles would be possible just because of logistics. Resurgence is in California, but Knight & Kushida can’t actually travel through time to make it back to Japan in time for the opening night matches.

Gabe VS Ishii was a great Ironman match, but it’s kinda funny how the 30 minutes didn’t even settle things. Sudden death overtime was great, and Ishii winning is honestly a bit surprising. But that’s also awesome, and it works on both sides: Gabe will be more involved with this Bullet Club Civil War now, and Ishii has already been hanging out stateside given his appearances in AEW and ROH. Ishii can help create more crossover between AEW, ROH and NJPW through this Strong Openweight title, giving some young stars their time to shine.

And great world championship match from Goto VS Shota, though it seems even Chicago is savvy to Shota’s Face persona not working and treating him as the Heel. Great win for Goto, and while we didn’t get more from Shota on screen, I kinda hope Shota starts actually getting on that turn. Or at least an outward change to fit the new attitude, like new gear. Change out the all white for all red, put on some sunglasses, that could work with the short haircut.

My Score: 8.9/10

Who truly leads the NJPW revolution?

Hirooki Goto finally has THE top title in NJPW, but David Finlay looks to take it for his own! Will the Fierce Warrior fail to stop The Rebel?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kickoff – Katsuya Murashima VS Daiki Nagai; Murashima wins.
• Yuya Uemura VS SANADA; Uemura wins.
• NJPW World TV Championship: El Phantasmo VS Great-O-Khan; Khan wins and becomes the new NJPW World TV Champion.
• Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Shota Umino; Shota wins.
• NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: The House of Torture VS Bullet Club War Dogs; The House of Torture wins and retains the titles.
• NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Ryohei Oiwa; Takeshita wins and retains the title.
• IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman; Cobb & Callum win and become the new IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
• IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS EVIL; Tsuji wins and retains the title.
• IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS David Finlay; Goto wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Yuya Uemura w/ Just4Guys VS SANADA!

It used to be Just5Guys, but the Heat Storm went down with injury, and the Cold Skull showed how Cold-Blooded he really was. Will Yuya make this War Dog pay for his crimes? Or will Sakura Genesis start with a Skull End?

The bell rings and the fans rally behind Yuya as he stares down with Sanada. They circle, feel things out, then tie up. Yuya wrenches, wristlocks, then hammerlocks, but Sanada reaches back to headlock. Yuya pries the hold open and puts the headlock on Sanada. Yuya hits the takeover, but Sanada rolls him to a cover, ONE! Yuya holds on, the two stand up, and Yuya wrenches again. Sanada rolls, kips up, and cartwheels to then handspring and wrench Yuya! Sanada hammerlocks, headlocks, spins to hammerlock again, but Yuya switches that onto Sanada. Yuya then spins through to hammerlock, headlock, cravat and snapmare, but Sanada handsprings through!

The fans cheer this great opening exchange, and the two reset. Sanada and Yuya circle, the fans rally up, and the two feel things out. They knuckle lock, then Yuya kicks an arm to wrench the other. Sanada kicks free to wrench back, but Yuya wrenches again. Sanada wrenches through, wrenches again, but Yuya wrenches right back! Sanada reaches for ropes but Yuya keeps him back. Sanada rolls but Yuya rolls with him! The fans cheer, and Sanada tries again. Sanada rolls, but Yuya rolls with him! The fans cheer again, but Sanada fights up to snapmare. But Yuya holds on and he wrenches again. Sanada tries another snapmare, but Yuya still holds on.

Yuya wrangles Sanada, traps the arm, and SNAP LOCKS it! The fans cheer while Sanada clutches his arm. Yuya runs and basement DROPKICKS! Sanada bails out, shakes out the arm, and the fans rally up. Yuya waits on Sanada while he paces around the outside. Sanada slides in but Yuya knees him first. Yuya whips, Sanada reverses, but Yuya goes up and over! Yuya arm-drags Sanada, then DROPKICKS him down! The fans cheer and Yuya fires up! Sanada goes to a corner, Yuya runs corner to corner, and he CHOP LARIATS! Yuya then reels Sanada in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Sanada stays in this but the fans rally behind Yuya.

Yuya looms over Sanada, brings him up, and clinches, but Sanada fights back with elbows. Yuya CHOPS! The fans cheer while Sanada sputters, and Yuya whips. Sanada reverses again to hurdle, hurdle, and DROPKICK! Yuya falls and goes to the outside, but Sanada PLANCHAS! Down goes Yuya and the fans still fire up! Sanada brings Yuya up, headlocks and brings him around the way, to then whip Yuya hard into railing! Yuya sputters while he leans against the railing. The fans boo but Sanada soak up all that heat. Sanada opens the gate and brings Yuya out into the crowd! The fans are told to back up, but Sanada SMACKS Yuya off Milano Collection AT-san!

The fans boo this unorthodox way of weaponizing the surroundings, but Sanada isn’t done! Sanada drags Milano out of his seat, the fans cheer Milano on, and Sanada stands Yuya up. Yuya CHOPS Sanada, and Sanada falls onto Milano! Milano suffers further damage and embarrassment, but Sanada CLAWS Yuya’s face! Sanada then THROWS Yuya down onto Milano! The fans boo more, but Sanada drags Yuya up. They go past English commentary, and Sanada brings Yuya back to ringside. Sanada puts Yuya in the ring, but then has him on the apron! MAGIC SCREW to the floor! The ref reprimands but Sanada doesn’t care.

Taichi checks on Yuya, and he glares at Sanada. Sanada storms over to drag Yuya back up, and he puts Yuya in the ring. The fans cheer while Sanada drags Yuya back up. Sanada puts Yuya on the ropes, for another MAGIC SCREW! Sanada mocks the fans cheering for Yuya, then he drags Yuya into the dragon sleeper! Yuya endures, and he arm-drags free! Sanada comes back, into Yuya’s SWINGING ARM-DRAG! And the URENAGE! The fans fire up while both men are down! Yuya crawls his way over, and he fires back up! The fans are with him as he goes to a corner! Yuya climbs, then watches Sanada stand.

Yuya leaps, but Sanada gets under! Yuya rolls through, but Sanada comes back! Yuya ducks the Shining Wizard, and he ENZIGIRIS! Sanada staggers, but he ENZIGIRIS! Sanada waistlocks, Yuya switches, GERMAN SUPLEX! Sanada lands on his feet! Tilt-o-whirl and dragon sleeper! Sanada holds on tight for the SKULL- NO, Yuya rolls back and pops free! Yuya catches one arm, then swings Sanada around, but Sanada catches Yuya! DEAD- NO, Yuya slips out of Deadfall, only for Sanada to shove him into the ref! The fans boo, but Sanada pops Yuya up to LOW BLOW! The fans boo more while Yuya drops to his knees!

Sanada goes to a corner, then runs up, SHINING WIZARD! Sanada isn’t done as he drags Yuya to the drop zone! Sanada goes up, ROUNDING- NO, Yuya dodges, and he RANAS! Then ARMBAR!! Sanada TAPS, Yuya wins!!

Winner: Yuya Uemura, by submission

Sanada tried to steal this one like he did with Taichi, but Yuya powered through! Justice has been served, will Sanada see where he went wrong? Will the Heat Storm rise to the top and prove he’s the future of NJPW?

NJPW World TV Championship: El Phantasmo w/ Jado VS Great-O-Khan w/ The United Empire!

The Headbanga knew the United Empire was coming for his gold, but his match with “Captain” TJP was just to soften him up for The Dominator! Will Khan bring this gold back to the Empire? Or will this still be the ELP Show?

It seems the United Empire is bringing a special guest! It’s the man who designed the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship belt, Masami Obari! Obari-san puts up the crown with the Empire, and joins Francesco Akira & Jakob Austin Young in Khan’s corner. Is this a sign Obari could also be designing something special for Khan? That aside, the match introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really the Face of NJPW World!

The bell rings and we’re on the clock. ELP BOOTS Khan and Khan bails out! ELP builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit  into railing and the fans fire up! ELP hauls Kahn up while fans duel, and ELP TOSSES Khan over railing! Fans move back as ELP ROCKS Khan with a right! ELP then goes into the ring, up the ropes, and fans join in as he says, “E! L! P!” SUPER CROSSBODY into the crowd! Direct hit and ELP ends up taking a seat! ELP smiles and high-fives the fans, then hurries to his feet. The fans rally behind ELP as he drags Khan up and CHOPS him! Khan flops over the railing and ELP gets fans to join in on “One more time!”

ELP hops over railing, drags Khan up, but Khan fights the suplex! Khan scoops, and SLAMS ELP on the railing! ELP flops to the floor while fans fire up again! Khan drags chair after chair out from under the ring, and he sets them up nearby. The ref reprimands but Khan shoves him aside. Khan has created a makeshift table using the chairs, and he drags ELP up! ELP slips free, kicks low, and he reels Khan in! But the bad arm won’t let him lift! Khan hauls ELP up, and he APRON SPINEBUSTER! The fans fire up while ELP sputters on the floor. Khan drags ELP into the ring, covers, TWO! ELP stays in this but Khan scoops him back up for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!

Khan pushes ELP around, gut wrenches him, and then GUT BUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Khan doesn’t let up, he gut wrenches for a GUT WRENCH PLEX! Cover, TWO! ELP is still in this and Khan is a bit surprised. The fans rally and duel, but the “O-KHAN! O-KHAN!” side seems stronger. Khan storms up but ELP fires a body shot! There wasn’t much behind it, and Khan taunts ELP. ELP rises to fire a forearm, but that’s the bad arm! Khan smirks but the fans rally again. ELP fires a forearm, but Khan Mongolian Chops him down! The “O-KHAN!” side again outdoes the “E L P!” ELP still rises to throw a chop, but there is still little behind it.

Khan brushes himself off, takes a swing, but ELP catches him, wrenches, straitjacket and- NO, the bad arm won’t let him lift Khan into the torture rack! ELP goes to a corner, but Khan Mongolian Chops him! The fans are torn but Khan hops up to sit on his throne! But then ELP slips right out and GAMANGIRIS! ELP climbs up to get Khan, but Khan GROIN CLAWS?! The fans boo and somehow the ref missed that! Khan scoops ELP from that position, but ELP slips down! ELP slingshots back up, then SUPER STEINERS! The fans fire up while both men are down! ELP rises back up, goes right up top, and THUNDERKISS 86 onto knees!!

Khan drags ELP into a roll up, TWO!! ELP survives, but Khan clamps on with the HITSUJIGOROSHI and then clinches for the FLATINER! Then the IRON CLAW! Khan drags ELP up for the ELIMIN- NO, ELP flips through! ELP then ducks, goes up the corner, and FLYING TORNADO DDTS! The fans fire up while both men are down again! ELP kips up and the fans cheer! ELP tunes up in the corner, Khan rises, SUDDEN- NO, Khan shoots around to IRON CLAW BACKBREAKER, then a spin, and Khan ROCKS ELP with an elbow! ELP BOOTS in return! Khan roars, blocks a kick, but not the ENZIGIRI!

Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Time is running out and that favors ELP. Khan crawls over to ELP, the two sit up, and Khan fires a forearm! ELP snarls and fires a forearm in return! But the bad shoulder doesn’t help. Khan fires a forearm, so ELP winds up and fires back! Khan fires another forearm, but ELP shakes his head. Both men stand, and ELP storms up to Khan. ELP rips the shoulder tape away! Khan eggs ELP on, so ELP SLAPS, SLAPS, and fires palm strikes! Then a HEADBUTT! ELP runs, but Khan dodges! Khan returns, ELP dodges! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, and ELP stays up!?

The fans fire up and ELP calls to Jado. Jado takes ELP’s hand and helps POP that shoulder! ELP storms up on Khan, fires forearm after forearm after forearm, then he ROCKS Khan on the ropes! The fans rally, ELP whips, and ELP DROPKICKS! Then ELP handsprings and the fans fire up more! ELP drags Khan up, straitjacket and torture rack! ELP spins for the BRAIN SALAD! Cover, TWO!! Khan survives but ELP vows to end this! The fans fire up as ELP tucks the arms. Khan wrenches out to IRON RIGHT! But SUDDEN DEATH returns! ELP hurries to tuck Khan in, and C R 2!! Cover, TWO?!? Khan survives and the fans are thunderous!

ELP isn’t sure what to make of this, but we’re past 10 minutes. ELP drags Khan to the drop zone, goes up the corner, but Khan bails out. The fans boo but ELP hops down. The ring count starts, but ELP goes out the side! ELP storms up on Khan as we pass 5 of 20! Jado stops Khan from using a chair! So Khan sends Jado at ELP! ELP stops Jado from running into him, and now ELP has the chair! Khan wants mercy, Jado tells ELP not to use the chair. ELP drops the chair, but the IRON RIGHT hits! We’re at 12 of 20 as Khan scoops ELP! T T D on the chair structure!! Khan rolls in at 17, ELP is down at 18! 19! 20!! KHAN WINS!!

Winner: Great-O-Khan, by count out (NEW NJPW World Television Champion)

Khan grins as his master plan worked out! TJP weakened ELP, then the chairs came into play like Chekov’s Gun. Khan has conquered another title, but what will he have in store for his “season” as NJPW World TV Champion?

Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Shota Umino!

The Ace continues down the Final Road, but the Roughneck is just starting his Second Chapter. However, after losing to David Finlay, could Shota be embracing a darker path? Or can President Tanahashi still show him the light?

Tanahashi is partially cosplaying Terry Bogard from Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, and joining him is top cosplayer, Momo Momoto. Get your copy of Fatal Fury on April 24th! That aside, Shota makes his entrance, and despite his new edge, he still wears his shining white pants and jacket. The jackets are put aside, and Tanahashi shows off the abs. The fans cheer, and the bell rings. The fans rally for Tanahashi but Shota tunes it all out. They tie up, Tanahashi waistlocks but Shota wrenches. Tanahashi wrenches back, but Shota rolls, slips through, and hammerlocks. Tanahashi reaches around, and he elbows Shota into a headlock.

Shota powers up, but Tanahashi holds tight! The fans cheer and Tanahashi grinds the hold, but Shota fights back up. Shota fires body shots, powers up and out, but Tanahashi RAMS him! Shota rebounds and runs Tanahashi over! The fans fire up again while Shota shakes out the stars. Shota drags Tanahashi up, whips him to a corner, then runs in, only for Tanahashi to BOOT him away. Tanahashi goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES! Tanahashi bounces off and plays air guitar. The fans cheer while Shota goes to a corner. Tanahashi runs in but Shota dodges! Tanahashi hits buckles, Shota runs back in, but Shota blocks Tanahashi’s boots!

Shota brings Tanahashi out of the corner to DRAGON SCREW! The fans rally while Shota paces around Tanahashi. Shota stomps Tanahashi’s legs, then stomps them again. Shota drops knee after knee on Tanahashi’s knee, then shifts into a toehold. Tanahashi endures as Shota shifts around to get a different angle. Tanahashi keeps his shoulders up, then works on his escape. Shota pulls on the leg, but Tanahashi has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Shota lets go, and he stands Tanahashi up to grab the leg again. Tanahashi fights the lift with elbows, then he runs, only for Shota to dropkick the legs out!

Shota hurries to stand Tanahashi back up, and he has the leg for a SHIN BREAKER! Tanahashi falls, Shota steps over, S T F! Tanahashi endures, reaches out, crawls forward, and the fans rally as he drags Shota along. Shota shifts to have the leg and he drags Tanahashi back! KNEE SMASH into the mat! Back to the STF! Tanahashi endures again but the fans continue to rally! Tanahashi fights to the side, reaches out, but Shota pulls on the crossface! Tanahashi still manages the ROPEBREAK! Shota lets go while the fans cheer, and Tanahashi crawls to a corner. Shota storms over, stomps Tanahashi’s leg, then stomps it again, and again!

Shota digs his boot in but the ref counts, so Shota steps off. Shota stands Tanahashi up to fire a forearm! And another! And another! Tanahashi turns things around to fire forearm after forearm! Shota turns things around to fire forearm after forearm! Tanahashi turns things back around for more forearms, but then so does Shota! Tanahashi turns things around again for another round of forearms! Shota shoves Tanahashi and eggs him on! The forearms fly back and forth, then Shota gets the edge! Shota bumps Tanahashi off buckles, ROCKS him, then ROCKS him again! Shota eggs Tanahashi on while the fans fire up!

Tanahashi rises up, and Shota fires another forearm! Tanahashi leans into it! And he leans into another! And another! Shota throws a flurry, but Tanahashi swings! Shota ducks to SHOTEI in return! Tanahashi wobbles, Shota kicks, but Tanahashi blocks it, to DRAGON SCREW! The fans fire up while Tanahashi rises. Tanahashi drags Shota up, fires a strike fest, then whips. Shota reverses, Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS! The fans fire up with Tanahashi and he drags Shota up. Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Shota down into the drop zone! Tanahashi goes up, SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Shota survives that solid impact and the fans rally up again!

Tanahashi waits on Shota, then he runs to SLING- NO, Shota slips around to half nelson! Tanahashi runs to ropes, bucks the nelson, but Shota ELBOWS and ENZIGIRIS! Tanahashi staggers, roars, but swings into the HALF ‘N’ HALF! Tanahashi’s back up, but runs into another HALF ‘N’ HALF But Tanahashi’s up again!? Shota gets him for a third HALF ‘N’ HALF! Bridging cover, TWO!! Tanahashi escapes and the fans are thunderous! Shota rises and now he waits on Tanahashi. Tanahashi slowly stands up, Shota runs the ropes, but Tanahasih slips under and spins Shota for TWIST ‘n’ SHOUT! And then another TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!

Tanahashi roars as he brings Shota back up, but Shota fights the hattrick! Tanahashi fires body shots, Shota fires them back! Shota hooks the leg, SECOND- NO, Tanahashi fights the driver! But Shota fights the twist! Shota wrenches, swings, but into a full nelson! Shota breaks that, but ends up in a STRAITJACKET GERMAN! Bridging cover, TWO!! Shota escapes and the fans are thunderous again! Tanahashi gets moving, and he SLINGBLADES! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi hurries right up top! The fans fire up while Shota stands, HIGH FLY ATTACK! Shota is down, so Tanahashi goes back up!

The fans fire up as Tanahashi aims again! HIGH FLY FLOW FLOPS as Shota moves! Shota aims from the corner, fire in his eyes as Tanahashi rises. BLINDSIDE BUSAIKU KNEE!! Shota rises again while the fans rally as hard as they can for Tanahashi! Shota roars as he goes back to the corner! Tanahashi rises, into a BUSAIKU KNEE!! Shota isn’t done, as he drags Tanahashi up, hooks the leg, and SECOND- CRADLE from Tanahashi! TWO!!! Shota escapes in time! Both men stand, both men roar and run in! Shota dodges to then LARIAT!! Cover, TWO?!?! Tanahashi survives and Shota is furious, but the fans are electric!

Shota drags Tanahashi back up, reels him back in, and he hooks that leg! SECOND CHAPTER!!! Cover, SHOTA WINS!

Winner: Shota Umino, by pinfall

Whether light or dark, good or evil, that might just be a matter of perspective. What is clear is that Shota’s Second Chapter just punctuated a major part of Tanahashi’s last chapter! But wait, Shota wishes to speak. The mic is handed over, and the fans cheer Shota as he kneels by Tanahashi. “Tanahashi-san… I have just one decision, one option. I will lead Hontai here in NJPW!” Shota takes a bow of respect to President Tanahashi, but will he really lead the main unit when he is not yet atop the mountain? As for Tanahashi, he now has a week to prepare for his next match, that being with Konosuke Takeshita! Will The Ace be ready for The Alpha?

NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: The House of Torture VS Bullet Club War Dogs!

The Bullet Club Civil War continues to rage on, and now Ren Narita, Yujiro Takahashi & Sho must put up their gold against Gabe Kidd, “Drilla” Dan Moloney & Taiji Ishimori! Will the House use all the tricks in the book to keep these titles? Or will the War Dogs be bringing gold and bodies back to the pound?

The introductions are made, the NEVER belts are raised, and we see who is truly Bullet Club Prime!

The War Dogs TRIPLE SHOTGUN! Yujiro & Ren fall out of the ring, Sho takes a TRIPLE SUPERKICK! The fans fire up as Taiji and Gabe go up the corners, to DOUBLE ASAI MOONSAULT! Down go Yujiro & Ren and the fans fire up! The bell rings and Drilla drags Sho up. Gabe & Taiji set up Yujiro & Ren, Drilla SPLASH MOUNTAINS Sho out onto them!! The fans are thunderous and Drilla is all fired up! Gabe drags Ren out into the crowd to UPPERCUT! Taiji fires hands on Yujiro, Drilla has Sho, and it is chaos all around the arena! Drilla BOWLS Sho into chairs! Gabe does the same to Ren in some other segment!

Taiji SMACKS Yujiro off the timekeeper’s table! The fans rally, the ref reprimands, but Drilla drags Sho back to ringside. Drilla DECKS Sho, but Ren JAMS Gabe up with a chair! Ren has Gabe behind commentary and SMACKS him off a desk! Gabe falls back, Sho CHOKES Drilla, and then Sho puts Drilla in the ring. The fans boo but Ren POSTS Gabe! Sho stomps Drilla around, then tags in Yujiro. Sho stomps Drilla more, and the House all joins in. They drag Drilla up, whip him to a corner, then Sho runs up to forearm SMASH! Yujiro runs up to BOOT! Ren runs up to ELBOW! Ren snapmares Drilla down, then distracts the ref from seeing Yujiro’s FALLING HEADBUTT LOW BLOW!

The fans boo but Tokyo Pimp covers, only for Gabe to break it! Ren kicks Gabe back out, then Yujiro tags Ren in. The Souled Out Son of Strong Style storms up, but Drilla RAMS him into the corner! Gabe tags in, Taiji BLASTS the House, and now Taiji handsprings so he and Drilla can NEURALIZER HART ATTACK! Then CATAPULT into a HAYMAKER! Drilla lifts Ren into the Electric Chair, and Gabe goes up, up, and DOOMSDAY DEVICE!! Cover, Sho & Yujiro break it! The House brawls with the War Dogs, they go back and forth with forearms, but then the House just CLAW eyes! But the Dogs bark and CLAW eyes in return!

Taiji & Drilla whip, but Sho & Yujiro grab ropes! They TOSS Taiji, but Drilla sends Yujiro into Sho! GORE for Yujiro! Sho dodges Drilla to SPEAR! But Taiji springboards back in, SEATED SENTON! Ren BOOTS Taiji! Gable gets around Ren to ripcord, HAYMAKER, and Ren wobbles! The fans are thunderous, Gabe roars, and Gabe runs, only for Ren to dodge! Gabe rebounds, but into the NECKBREAKER DROP! Everyone is down, and this is just the first five minutes! Ren crawls to the corner, he tags Sho in, and Sho laughs as he stomps Gabe down. Ren and Sho stomp Gabe, digs their heels in, and soak up the heat.

Sho & Ren CHOKE Gabe, have him on the ropes, and then they double whip. Gabe DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up as the anti-hero stands tall! Gabe barks, the fans join in, and Gabe runs to COMEBACKER LARIAT on Sho! Taiji returns, Gabe tags Drilla. Taiji gut wrenches Sho for CIPHER UTAKI, and Drilla deadlifts Sho! But Yujiro & Ren drag Gabe & Taiji outta the ring! Sho slips free to shove Drilla into the ref! The fans boo, but t hen Sho LOW BLOWS Drilla, and shoves him back into the ref!! The fans boo even more, but now Ren has his pushup bar! Ren CLOBBERS Gabe! The House regroups and they haul Drilla up.

Ren & Yujiro hold Drilla up while Sho has his “Torture Tool!” But then Sho spots something! CLARK CONNORS & SANADA are here! 100 Proof CLOBBERS Yujiro & Ren! Then he dodges Sho to UPPERCUT! Sanada… is in Astro Boy boots? What? But he has his guitar, and he aims at Sho! BUT HE SMASHES DRILLA?!?! Sanada gets the ref in the ring, Sho covers Drilla, House of Torture wins!!

Winners: The House of Torture, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)

The Cold Blooded snake does it again!! He ditched LIJ for Just5Guys, then he betrayed J5G to be Bullet Club 4 Life! Only to now betray the War Dogs and join the House of Torture!! Sanada unzips his jacket to confirm it, he’s wearing a “House of Torture is Real Bullet Club” shirt!! But then he and the House run away as Gabe gets back up! Is this Sanada’s final form? Is this going to be the deciding battle in the Bullet Club Civil War?

NJPW announces the field for the Best of the Super Juniors 32!

The fastest moving round robin tournament is on its way back! And in this year’s field, it will be: last year’s winner, El Desperado; “Funky Weapon” Ryusuke Taguchi; Mr. Direct Drive, YOH; “The Way to the Grandmaster,” Master Wato; “The Time Splitter,” KUSHIDA; “The Jet,” Kevin Knight; “The American Shinobi,” Ninja Mack; “Japanese Young Punk,” Kosei Fujita; “The Sniper of the Skies,” Robbie Eagles; “The Ticking Timebomb” and perhaps the most decorated winner of all, Hiromu Takahashi; “The Black Mask,” BUSHI; “The Crown of Fire,” Francesco Akira; “The Bone Soldier Reborn,” Taiji Ishimori; “100 Proof,” Clark Connors; “The Murder Machine,” SHO; “Heel Master,” Yoshinobu Kanemaru; a wild card from CMLL; Dragongate’s Dragon Dia; DDT Pro’s MAO; and AEW’s Nick Wayne!

So that’s TWENTY in all, two blocks of 10, and it all begins May 10th! Desperado is on commentary and is very excited about those crossover names. But will he go back to back? Or will another prove they are the Best of the Super Juniors?

NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Ryohei Oiwa w/ TMDK!

The Alpha became a double champion to start the year off strong, but he has since hit a speedbump. Kenny Omega is now AEW International Champion, but Konosuke still has gold to defend. Will Konosuke keep this title as he also prepares for the Windy City Riot? Or will The Mighty Mullet get a grip on some gold?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who NEVER gives in!

The bell rings and the fans rally up. The crowd seems split down the middle as Konosuke and Oiwa circle. They feel things out, back up, then tie up collar ‘n’ elbow. Oiwa waistlocks, but Konosuke switches. Oiwa switches back, but Konosuke grabs a leg and trips him. Oiwa goes for an arm, Konosuke rolls back, and Konosuke floats to a facelock. The two stand, they’re on the ropes, and the ref counts. Konosuke lets off slowly, pats Oiwa on the shoulders, and the fans applaud. Oiwa and Konosuke go again, and Konosuke grabs an arm. Konosuke wrenches to wristlock, but Oiwa rolls, wrenches and wristlocks in return.

Konosuke rolls, Oiwa wrangles him, and Oiwa STOMPS the arm! The fans applaud, and Oiwa top wristlocks Konosuke. Konosuke arm-drags free, headlocks for the takeover, but Oiwa headscissors. Konosuke kips free, Oiwa headlocks for the takeover, but Konosuke headscissors. Konosuke hooks a leg to stop the kip up and he has the cradle! TWO and both men hurry to their feet. Oiwa headlocks, Konosuke powers up and out, then he drops down to jump over. But Oiwa drops on the monkey flip for a cover! TWO, and Konosuke bails out! Oiwa hurries out after him, headlocks again, but Konosuke powers up and out.

Oiwa whips Konosuke to send him hard into railing! The fans cheer, Oiwa drags Konosuke up, and Oiwa whips Konosuke, only for Konosuke to reverse! Oiwa hits railing, then Konosuke runs up to BOOT Oiwa! But Konosuke goes so hard, he falls over the railing! Konosuke gets back up while Oiwa is still down, and he drags Oiwa up. Konosuke puts Oiwa in the ring, the fans applaud, and Konosuke springboards! Oiwa dodges, runs up and ELBOWS Konosuke in the corner! Oiwa whips Konosuke to a corner, then runs up to ELBOW him again! Oiwa fires up, the fans are with him, and he whips corner to corner just to YANK the arm!

The fans applaud the savvy, and Oiwa clamps onto Konosuke’s arm. Konosuke endures as Oiwa grinds the shoulder. Konosuke fights up, Oiwa wrenches and wristlocks, but Konosuke powers up, only for Oiwa to wrangle him to the mat! Oiwa hammerlocks that arm, cording holds the other, and he rolls Konosuke up, TWO! Oiwa keeps Konosuke down with a double wristlock! Konosuke fights up, but Oiwa RAMS him into the corner! Konosuke drops to his knees but Oiwa drags him back up. Oiwa clamps onto the arm again, but Konosuke fights against it. Konosuke eggs Oiwa on so Oiwa puts on the pressure! Only for Konosuke to scoop and SLAM!

But Oiwa holds on and drags Konosuke down! Oiwa pulls on the arm with that keylock, but Konosuke fights up to his feet. Oiwa whips Konosuke to a corner, Konosuke stops himself and ELBOWS Oiwa back. And ELBOWS him again! Konosuke goes up, but Oiwa DROPKICKS him first! Konosuke falls against the buckles, and Oiwa goes out to grab the bad arm! The ref reprimands but Oiwa climbs up to throw down elbows. Oiwa then has a facelock, and the bad arm, but Konosuke fires body shots! Konosuke HEADBUTTS Oiwa! The fans rally as both men adjust their position, and Konosuke has Oiwa on the very top!

Konosuke fires up for the SUPER DUPER PLEX! The fans are thunderous while both men are down! Konosuke clutches the bad arm, but he still rises back up! Konosuke drags Oiwa up, reels him in, but Oiwa fights with elbows! Oiwa wants the arm, Konosuke rolls through! Oiwa dodges the lariat to SNAP GERMAN! And then he waistlocks for another GERMAN SUPLEX! Konosuke stands, Oiwa runs up, but into an EXPLODER! Oiwa rises up, swings again, but into the BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Oiwa survives and the fans fire up! Konosuke huffs ‘n’ puffs and stands back up, daring Oiwa to do the same.

Oiwa stands, and Konosuke fires a forearm! Oiwa snarls and fires one in return! Konosuke fires another forearm, Oiwa staggers, but he stays up. Oiwa comes back to fire a forearm! The forearms go back and forth, the fans rally up as they go harder, but then Oiwa wrenches and YANKS the arm! Oiwa wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER, then another ELBOW- NO, Konosuke has a SLEEPER! Oiwa slips free to put the SLEEPER on Konosuke! Konosuke shifts, powers up and out, and they RAM shoulders! Both men rebound, and Konosuke JUMP KNEES Oiwa down! Konosuke fires up, hauls Oiwa up, but Oiwa SAIDOS!

The fans fire up while both men are down! Oiwa rises, the fans rally, and Oiwa goes to a corner. Oiwa climbs up, takes aim, and DIVING SPLASHES onto knees! Cradle, TWO!! Oiwa is free, and he runs up to HEADSCISSOR TAKEDOWN! Cover, TWO! Oiwa and Konosuke DOUBLE LARIAT! They stay up, Konosuke BOOTS Oiwa’s next lariat, then dodges the other! But he runs into a LARIAT all the same! The fans fire up and Oiwa waistlocks! Oiwa then spins Konosuke, but Konosuke dodges The Grip! Konosuke waistlocks, Oiwa switches, Konosuke switches back, and O’Conner CHAOS THEORY! Bridging cover, TWO!!

Oiwa survives and the fans fire up! Konosuke grits his teeth and rises back up. Konosuke aims from a corner, Oiwa rises, POWER- NO, Oiwa catches Konosuke to a DOCTOR BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Oiwa hurries to clamp on the keylock! Oiwa drags Konosuke into SHANKLY GATES!! Konosuke endures being bent and twisted while the fans rally up! Konosuke shifts around, reaches out, but Oiwa puts all he can onto the hold! Konosuke still manages the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Oiwa lets go in frustration. Konosuke rises, but Oiwa waistlocks! Konosuke holds onto the ropes with one hand, but Oiwa pulls him free! GERMAN SUPLEX! Konosuke lands out!?

Konosuke runs up, dodges a lariat, and then DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men rebound, and Konosuke LARIATS through! Konosuke hurries to suplex, RAGIN- NO, Oiwa fights the fire, but Konosuke suplexes for a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, ONE?!!? Oiwa shows some true grit, and Konosuke is impressed! Konosuke storms up to ROCK Oiwa, then ROCK him again! Oiwa wobbles but Konosuke ROCKS him again! Konosuke spins, but so does Oiwa! Oiwa ROLLING ELBOWS first! SLEEPER! And then THE GRIP misses! ROLLING ELBOW from Konosuke! Elbow pad off, ALPHA ELBOW hits!! And then RAGING FIRE!!! Cover, Konosuke wins!!

Winner: Konosuke Takeshita, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Champion)

While The Mighty Don’t Kneel, Oiwa could not withstand The Alpha’s arsenal! Konosuke keeps this title around his waist, and now he must prepare for April 11th. Will Konosuke be ready for the Once in a Century Talent?

IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman!

The leader and, uh, other leader(?) of Los Ingobernables de Japon won the World Tag League, and eventually won these titles off the Young Bucks. But the United Empire wants to take back what they never truly lost! Will the Imperial Unit & Prince of Pace avenge Aaron Henare? Or will things in the Heavyweight Tag Division stay tranquilo?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if the Empire gains more gold!

Naito takes his time with his elaborate entrance attire, as is his wont. The pants are put aside, the teams sort out, and after the LIJ fist bump, Hiromu starts against Callum. The bell rings, the fans rally, and Hiromu stares down Callum. Hiromu vibes with the chants for “HI-RO-MU! HI-RO-MU!” The two tie up, are in a deadlock, and they go around. Callum uses his height to put Hiromu on the ropes, but then Hiromu turns things around. The ref counts the break, Hiromu lets off, but Callum avoids the chop! Callum whips, Hiromu reverses, but Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges, but then so does Hiromu! Hiromu RANAS, Callum handsprings through!

Callum runs up, Hiromu dodges and RANAS again, but Callum still handsprings through! But Hiromu spins Callum, only for Callum to fight the suplex! Hiromu CHOPS, Naito jumps in, and they double whip! But Callum BOOTS through Tendedero! LIJ tries again, Callum ducks this time, and he runs again, only for LIJ to avoid the boot! TENDEDERO! Naito & Hiromu hit Cobb with TENDEDERO! Cobb is furious but Hiromu goes after Callum. Hiromu drags Callum over to bump off buckles, then he tags Naito. The fans rally for Naito while he cravats Callum. Callum endures the neck wrench, Hiromu puts his boots in, and Naito sends Callum into them!

The fans applaud while Naito brings Callum up. Hiromu joins in and picks Callum’s legs up, DRAPING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Naito tags Hiromu, then drags Callum up for a CHOP! Hiromu CHOPS Callum in the corner, whips corner to corner, then runs up to LARIAT! Snapmare and Hiromu gets moving, but Callum dodges to basement DROPKICK! The fans rally up, Callum rolls and hot tags Cobb! The fans cheer as Cobb brings Hiromu up, reels him in, and then SLAMS him down by his waistband! Cobb steps on Hiromu but dares Naito to come in. GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT on Hiromu’s back!

Cobb mocks the LIJ fist with a hang loose, then he ROCKS Hiromu. Cobb whips Hiromu corner to corner, but Hiromu runs back to CROSSBODY! Cobb catches Hiromu, and swings, but Hiromu slips free! Hiromu ducks ‘n’ dodges to RAN- NO! Cobb stops that and he lifts Hiromu  up! But Hiromu pops free to DDT! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Hot tag to Naito! Naito fires hands on Cobb, kicks and CLUBS him, but Cobb just frowns. Cobb swings, Naito dodges to waistlock, but Cobb switches. Cobb shoves Naito, but Naito grabs the ropes. Cobb runs up, Naito BOOTS him, but Cobb eggs him on.

Naito fires forearms, but Cobb runs up, but into an atomic drop! Naito runs, ELBOWS Cobb down, then basement DROPKICKS! The fans rally, Naito BLASTS Callum off the apron, then whips Cobb. Cobb reverses, but Naoto BOOTS him! Naito goes up, and hits ESPERANZA! Cobb flounders, stands up, and Naito CORRIENDO SHIKI- ATHLETIC PLEX! The fans fire up as Cobb turns things around on Naito, and now he crawls to hot tag Callum! Callum runs corner to corner to JUMP KICK Naito! And then he brings Naito around to suplex, but Hiromu runs in! Hiromu dropkicks Callum’s legs out! Cobb “JOHN CENA!” SHOULDER TACKLES!

Naito wrenches Cobb, reels him in, and TORNADO DDTS! Cobb flounders away, Naito catches Callum and feeds him to a SUPERKICK! CORRIENDO SHIKI DESTINO!! Cover, TWO!! Callum survives and the fans fire up! The fans rally, Naito drags Callum up, and Hiromu waits on Naito. Hiromu gives Naito the boost, but Callum stops the DDT! Callum and Naito switch, Naito feeds Callum to Hiromu for a dosido and roll-up! Callum rolls through, but runs into TENDEDERO! Naito wrenches, throws elbows, then wrenches again! DESTI- NO! Callum stops it, so Hiromu SHOTGUNS Callum into the DESTINO!! Cover, Cobb SHOVES Hiromu down to break it!

Cobb waistlocks and deadlifts Naito, but Naito fights with elbows! Cobb lets go to SUPERKICK Naito, then reels him in for a TOUR OF THE- CROSSBODY from Hiromu! The fans fire up with Hiromu, and he drags Cobb up. Hiromu fireman’s carries Cobb!? But Cobb slips free, and he TOSSES Hiromu out! Cobb calls to Callum, then he scoops Naito. But Hiromu SUPERKICKS Cobb to save Naito! And he SUPERKICKS Callum! But Callum stays up, dodges a lariat, and he GERMAN SUPLEXES Hiromu! Callum runs, but into an OVERHEAD SUPLEX into buckles! Hiromu fires up, the fans are with him, and he brings Callum back up.

Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Callum slips free! Feed to a POP-UP POEWRBOMB! Cobb hurries to TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Hiromu flounders away, but Naito runs up! But into a TOUR OF- DESTINO!! Callum runs up, ducks ‘n’ dodges, springboard, OSCUTTER 2.0!! And then the fisherman, for FIREBOLT!! Cover, TWO!?!? Naito survives and Callum is shocked! But Callum hurries to stand Naito up, reel him back in, but Naito wrenches out! Naito fires elbow after elbow, but Callum ducks! Callum ELBOWS Naito, but Naito SPITS at Callum! Callum CHOPS, Naito ELBOWS, and Naito ROLLING KICKS!

Naito hurries to get Callum back up, wrench, and DESTIN- NO!! Callum blocks to flip Naito into a TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!!! Cobb roars, and he tells Callum to get this done! Cobb scoops, Callum aims, LAWN DART KNEE SHOT!! The fans are thunderous as Callum adds the BLOODY SUNDAY!!! Cover, COBB & CALLUM WIN!!!

Winners: Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

The Empire once again conquers the Heavyweight Tag Division, and Callum finally has gold here in NJPW! Khan waves the banner as he also wears the NJPW World TV Champion, is this Sakura Genesis just the beginning of The United Empire completely conquering NJPW?

IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo!

The Gene Blast took this title off of David Finlay, then kept it from Gabe Kidd, but now, amidst the Bullet Club Civil War, it is the House of Torture’s King of Darkness that wants this title. Will Evil rub it in The Rebel’s face that he has Finlay’s creation? Or will Yota be the one to keep things tranquilo tonight?

Evil & Dick don’t wait for the introductions, they attack Tsuji on the outside! They beat him down, drag him up, and put him in the ring! Evil stomps away on Tsuji and pulls the jacket off him, but that’s not YOTA Tsuji! That’s Yota’s older brother! The Tsuji brothers used this trick before, and it worked out again! Yota runs in and CLOBBERS Dick! Evil takes a swing but Yota BODY BLOWS first! The fans fire up as Yota BOOTS Evil down! Yota grins, then helps his brother up. The fans cheer as they both smile, and then Yota holds up the title. Yota hands that to the ref, the bell rings, and Evil suddenly wants mercy?

The fans rally for Yota and he eggs Evil on. Evil offers a handshake, but then goes for the eye poke! But Yota blocks with the classic one hand prayer! And then he pokes Evil in the eyes! The fans cheer, Yota runs, but Evil distracts the ref and Dick trips Yota up! The fans boo but Dick pretends his hands are clean. Evil kicks Yota around, but then Dick goes after Yota’s brother! Dick drags Elder Tsuji away from ringside and Evil mockingly says goodbye. Then he RAMS Yota into the timekeeper! Abe-san suffers again and the fans boo. Evil grabs the mic while he digs his boots into Yota, and he tells Yota that he wasn’t gonna get away with that cheap trick!

Evil talks trash on Yota, “Are you ready to fall like cherry blossoms off the tree?” Evil then laughs and stomps Yota down. Evil slips into the ring, the ref checks Yota, and Yota says he’s fine. Yota hobbles into the ring, but Evil pushes him down. Evil stomps away on the bad leg, then drops an elbow on the knee! Yota endures as Evil pulls on the leg, but Evil digs his elbow in. Yota drags Evil along to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Evil lets go at 4, and Evil distracts the ref again so Dick can SLAM Yota’s leg on the apron! Dick then hits a DRIVE-BY DROPKICK! Yota staggers away, the ref reprimands Dick, and Dick backs away.

Evil again argues with the ref, and Dick puts Yota in for him. Evil ties up the legs, and he salutes as he has Yota in a BLUE JUSTICE FIGURE FOUR! Evil mocks Yuji Nagata, and says HE is justice now! Yota endures, reaches out, and drags Evil along again. The fans rally as Yota keeps fighting his way over, and he has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Evil holds on so the ref reprimands. Evil lets go of Yota, then tells Yota to just quit now. Evil stands on the bad leg, but the ref has him back off. Yota grits his teeth and clutches the bad leg, but the fans rally behind him. Evil drags Yota up, but Yota fires a forearm!

Yota fires another forearm, and another, but Evil kicks the bad leg! Evil whips, but Yota can’t even make it to the ropes! Evil grins, and he grabs the bad leg to SMASH the knee on the mat! The ref checks on Yota but Yota refuses to let it end here. Evil stands on the bad leg, then he drags Yota up. Evil whips Yota into a corner, then runs up, but Yota BOOTS him! Evil tries again, and he blocks a boot, only for Yota to reel him in! DOUBLE STOMP! But that was double-edged given the bad knee! Yota falls over, shakes out the leg, and he tells the ref he can continue. Yota fires up and walks off the pain, and the fans rally as he goes after Evil.

Yota fires forearm after forearm, then whips. Evil reverses, but Yota RANAS! The fans fire up while Evil tumbles out of the ring! Yota fires up again, and he builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit and Evil hits railing! The fans fire up while both men are down! Dick is lurking nearby, but Yota stands up and fires up again! The fans cheer Yota on, and he drags Evil up. Yota puts Evil in the ring, the fans cheer again, but Dick is creeping! Dick grabs a leg, but Yota BOOTS him away! Yota ROCKS Evil, then slingshots and somersaults! Yota keeps moving, and he runs Evil over! Then SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! Evil stays in this but Yota stays focused.

Yota drags Evil up, brings him around, and stomps him down. Yota goes to the corner, jumps up, up, but Evil dodges! No Marlowe Crush, and the leg jams again! Evil CHOP BLOCKS the leg! Both men are down and the fans rally up. Evil grins while Yota grits his teeth, and Evil stands first. Evil drags Yota around, stomps the bad leg again and again, then turns Yota over to SMASH the knee! Yota writhes and crawls to a corner, but Evil winds up the arm. Evil runs in, LARIATS, then FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Yota stays in this and the fans fire up. Evil tells the fans to shut up, and then he talks more trash on those cheering for Yota.

Evil drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the fireman’s carry! Yota throws elbows, but Evil LARIATS! Yota stays up, and he glares defiantly at Evil. Evil LARIATS again, and Yota drops to a knee! Evil winds up, runs, but Yota blocks the lariat to ROCK! And SUPERKICK! But Evil CLUBS the knee, ROCKS Yota, ROLLING ELBOWS, then winds up to LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives and the fans fire up! But Evil has the legs, for the SCORPION DEATHLOCK! Yota endures as Evil sits deep on the iconic hold! The fans rally as hard as they can, and Yota powers up! Yota fights forward, claws at the mat, but Evil sits back down!

The fans rally more as Yota still endures! Yota shouts in pain, but he also powers up again! Yota fights forward, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Evil lets go at 4, and paces in frustration. Evil then smirks as he drags Yota by his arm. Evil wants the ref to ask Yota, but Yota refuses to give in. Evil stands on Yota’s head, then drags him back up. Evil slaps Yota around, but Yota fires short headbutts into Evil’s chest. Evil laughs, fireman’s carries, but Yota flails free! But the leg jams! Evil kicks the bad leg, then whips Yota! Evil goes to the corner and comes back, but into the BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER! CURB STOMP!!

The fans fire up as the Gene Combination hits! Yota sits back and clutches the bad knee, and tries to get it working again. Yota rises, fires back up, and he roars! The fans rally behind him and Yota drags Evil up to CLUB him back down. Yota goes to the corner, then goes up, up, and wait! Kanemaru has Elder Tsuji hostage! The distraction lets Evil CHOP BLOCK Yota off the corner! The fans boo but Dick CLOBBERS the ref!? Dick stomps away on Yota while Kanemaru puts Yota’s brother in the ring! Evil grins as now he, Kanemaru & Dick stomp away on the Tsuji brothers! Dick ROCKS Yota and has him in the corner.

Dick & Kanemaru double whip Yota, then Dick runs in for an ELBOW! Kanemaru adds an ELBOW, and Evil adds a LARIAT! They snapmare Yota, hold him up, and Dick goes up top! DICK CHOP!! The fans boo, but the Tsuji brothers are put together for a DOUBLE SPOILER CHOKER! The fans boo more, but here comes Shingo Takagi! He CLOBBERS Kanemaru, CLUBS Dick, then DECKS Dick! Takagi gets Yota’s brother out of there, but Kanemaru CLAWS Takagi’s eyes! Kanemaru runs, but into the ELBOW! JAB! And YUKON LARIAT! The fans fire up for the Rampaging Dragon, “TOKI GA KITA!”

But Evil LOW BLOWS Takagi! Evil laughs at Takagi, but Yota LOW BLOWS Evil!! The fans cheer as now things are even! The fans rally up behind Yota and he hobbles over to Evil. Yota drags Evil up, reels him in, but Evil fights the suplex! They fight for control, and Evil suplexes Yota, but gets STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! And then Yota suplexes for the ORANGE CRUSH!! Cover, TWO!! Evil survives and Yota roars! The fans fire up with Yota as he takes aim from the corner. Evil rises, but he sends the ref at Yota! Then Evil kicks low, and uses the ref to help with MAGIC KILLER! But that sends the ref tumbling!

The fans rally while Evil grins. Evil rises, he brings Yota up and runs, to LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives and the fans are thunderous! Evil is furious but he drags Yota to his feet. Fireman’s carry and DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives and the fans fire up again! Evil is even angrier now, but he slashes his throat and vows to end this! Evil drags Yota up, spins him around, EVERY- NO, Yota slips free and clinches! Evil fights free, but GENE BLASTER OUTTA NOWHERE!! Cover, TWO?!?! Evil survives but Yota just goes to the corner! Yota rises up, takes aim again, and the fans fire up as Yota roars!

Evil rises, Yota runs up, GENE- NO, Evil sends him into a corner! Dick drags the ref out! Evil has Yota up, Dick takes aim, but Yota ducks! POCKET SAND hits Evil!! The fans fire up as Yota DECKS Dick! Kanemaru is back, and he dropkicks Yota’s legs out! Kanemaru calls to Evil, then he gets the whiskey! Evil stands Yota up, but Yota ducks again, WHISKEY MIST hits Evil in the face!! Takagi is back to PUMPING BOMBER Kanemaru!! Yota reloads, runs up, and GENE TRIGGERS! Yota goes up, up, and MARLOWE CRUSH!! Yota roars and the fans are thunderous! Evil rises, into the GENE BLASTER!!! Cover, YOTA WINS!!

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

The King of Darkness could not claim his throne, and that is TRUE justice! Will the House of Torture simply focus on battling with the War Dogs?

As for Yota, Takagi helps him stand, and Yota grabs the mic. The fans cheer, and Yota says, “I am the ray of hope to the new era of NJPW. But, how about you?” Wait! Yuya Uemura is here! Yota continues by saying, “Can you be the sun to light up this NJPW ring? OI, UEMURA!” Yota turns around to see Yuya there. Yota invites him in, and Yuya steps inside. Yota tells Yuya, “My next challenger is you.” The fans cheer, and Yuya takes the mic to say, “It’s not the belt that motivates me right now. To erase the memory of that day, I want to fight the Tsuji of today!” The fans cheer that! Yuya then says, “I, the Heat Storm, will be the one to light up pro-wrestling and everyone here!”

The fans cheer and Yuya gives the mic back to Yota. Yota smiles and says, “Oi, Uemura. Are you ready?” The fans cheer as Yota drops the mic. Gene Blast or Heat Storm, who will be forged in gold when these two collide?

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto w/ YOSHI-HASHI VS David Finlay w/ Gedo!

The Fierce Warrior finally leads the charge as THE champion here in NJPW, and he was even given the reins of Hontai by Hiroshi Tanahashi himself. But The Rebel does things his own way, from taking over Bullet Club to finally winning the New Japan Cup. There is only room for ONE world champion here, so will the G in IWGP still be for Goto? Or will the Savage King finally reign supreme?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who truly leads the revolution!

The bell rings and the fans rally for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Red Shoes doesn’t even bother taking the measure, it is very clear Goto holds the crowd. Goto and Finlay circle, feel things out, and tie up. Finlay has the arm, hammerlocks, but Goto switches that onto Finlay. Goto headlocks, hits the takeover, but Finlay headscissors. Goto kips free, the two stand off, and the fans cheer. Finlay and Goto reset, circle again, and Finlay smirks as the crowd continues to cheer on Goto. They tie up again, are in a deadlock right at center, but Goto’s slight height advantage helps push Finlay back a couple steps. Goto puts Finlay on the ropes, and Red Shoes calls the break.

Goto and Finlay slowly let off, and Goto pats Finlay on the shoulders. But then Finlay ROCKS Goto with a cheap shot and headlocks! The fans boo and Red Shoes reprimands, but Finlay grinds the hold. Goto powers up and out to then headlock Finlay in return. Finlay powers up but can’t power out as Goto holds tight! The fans cheer, Finlay fights up, and Finlay fires body shots. Finlay powers up and out, but Goto runs him over! The fans cheer and Goto looms over Finlay. Things get moving, and Finlay drops down, hurdles over, but runs into a HIP TOSS! Finlay hurries to his feet, but Goto TOSSES him out! Finlay tumbles into the railing!

The fans cheer and Goto eggs Finlay on. Finlay storms in but Goto kicks and CLUBS him! Goto CLUBS Finlay more, whips him, but Finlay reverses. Goto ducks ‘n’ dodges but then Finlay ducks to kick low! Finlay runs, but into a BACKDROP! The fans cheer while Finlay writhes. Goto stomps Finlay, then CLUBS him again. Goto CLUBS Finlay more and Finlay falls against ropes. Goto brings Finlay up, but Finlay fireman’s carries to HOTSHOT, then RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Goto is tougher than that but Finlay stays focused. Finlay rains down fists, but Red Shoes reprimands about the closed fists.

Finlay lets off, and he throws up the Too Sweet while the fans boo. Finlay stands on Goto but Red Shoes doesn’t like the cocky cover. Finlay argues with Red Shoes, but Red Shoes won’t budge. Finlay clamps onto Goto for a neck wrench, but he also fishhooks Goto’s nose! Red Shoes reprimands, and Goto kicks forward to get the ROPEBREAK! Finlay lets go with just one hand but Red Shoes counts. Finlay CLUBS Goto down at 4! The fans rally for Goto while Red Shoes reprimands Finlay. Finlay drags Goto up and whips Goto hard into the corner! Gedo tells Goto to give up, but Finlay whips Goto hard into the other corner!

The fans boo but Finlay shrugs, then flexes. Finlay grins and covers Goto, TWO! Goto is tougher than that, but Finlay drags Goto up. Goto CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! But Finlay throat chops! Finlay whips, but Goto reverses, and then Goto runs up, but into BOOTS! Finlay runs, but Goto follows and LARIATS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Gedo coaches Finlay but Goto brings him up for forearms. Goto whips corner to corner, then runs in, only for Finlay to FLAPJACK him off the buckles! Finlay then runs and LARIATS Goto and himself out of the ring! That was a rougher landing for Finlay and Red Shoes checks on him.

Finlay shakes out the bad hand, and he drags Goto up. Finlay RAMS Goto hard into railing! The fans boo but Finlay soaks up that heat. His hand seems to be alright as he waves to the fans. Finlay then dumps the belt off the timekeeper’s table! Finlay throws the tablecloth at the fans, then sets that table up near ringside. Finlay brings out a second table, and he places it right next to the first. Gedo tells Goto to give up now, and Finlay refreshes the ring count. Finlay brings Goto over to the tables, reels him in, and POWER- NO, Goto fights free! Goto RAMS Finlay into railing! Both men are down and the fans fire up!

Gedo coaches Finlay but Goto stomps him down. Goto stomps Finlay more, then whips him hard into the railing! Finlay falls to the floor but Goto stomps him. Goto drags Finlay up to CLUB him, but Finlay fireman’s carries! And POSTS him! Gedo loves it but the fans are torn at best. Finlay storms through the gate, but Red Shoes says to keep this near the ring. Finlay pretends not to hear that, and he hoists Goto up! But Goto RANAS out of the bomb and POSTS Finlay at the same time! The fans fire up while both men are down! The ring count starts again and Goto crawls his way over to Finlay by 7 of 20.

Goto stands at 9, and he drags Finlay up at 12. Goto puts Finlay in the ring and the fans cheer. We’re only ten minutes into this but Goto fires up. Goto fires forearms, then whips corner to corner. Goto runs up, MURAMASA! And then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Finlay is tougher than that, but the fans continue to rally for Goto. Goto drags Finlay up, fireman’s carries, but Finlay slips free to roll Goto up! High stack, TWO! Finlay basement UPPERCUTS! Goto sputters and rolls away to a corner. Finlay goes to the other and barks. There are fans who join in, and Finlay runs corner to corner, but into a BOOT! Finlay still LARIATS!

Finlay LARIATS Goto in the corner again and again! Finlay then clinches, but Goto fights with elbows! Finlay fires a forearm, Goto fires back! Finlay fires another forearm, but Goto fires back! The fans rally as Finlay wobbles already! Finlay fires another shot, Goto fires another shot, and they go back and forth! The fans rally but Finlay gets the edge! ROLLING- NO, Goto catches Finlay to an URA GTR! Goto runs, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Finlay runs, Goto follows, but Finlay dodges to LARIAT through! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives and the fans fire up again! Finlay is annoyed but he watches Goto crawl to a corner.

Finlay runs in, and he UPPERCUTS! Then Finlay suplexes to TOSS Goto away! The fans boo but Finlay flexes and swaggers around. Cover, TWO! Goto is still tougher than that, but Finlay seems more amused than anything. Finlay sits Goto up and makes him look to the camera. Finlay fires crossface forearm after crossface forearm! Gedo tells Goto to just give up! Finlay fires more forearms, then stands over Goto. Finlay again taunts Goto’s kids like he did months ago, and the fans boo Finlay more. The fans continue to rally behind Goto, and Finlay clinches for the BACKBREAKER! Then he reels Goto in for a CANADIAN HAMMER! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Goto survives! Gedo tells Finlay to keep on Goto, and Finlay pushes Goto to the apron. They’re near the tables! Finlay goes to the apron and tells the kids to say goodbye to daddy. Finlay reels Goto in, lifts him up, but Goto fights free! Finlay BOOTS Goto, stomps him on the apron, but Red Shoes reprimands. Finlay hauls Goto up and reels him in again, then mocks the tears. The fans boo, but Goto fireman’s carries Finlay! The fans fire up for the DEATH VALLEY DRIVER through the tables! Only one table breaks properly but Finlay suffers all the same! The fans are thunderous while both men are down!

Red Shoes checks and Finlay is somehow okay to continue. A ring count begins, the fans continue to cheer for “GO-TO-O!” and he rise sup. Goto heads for Finlay at 7 of 20, but reaches him at 13. Goto drags Finlay up at 14 and puts him in at 15! The fans cheer as Goto wants to win this the honorable way. Goto rolls in, drags Finlay up, and fireman’s carries for the G T W!! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives and the fans rally up again. Gedo pounds the apron to rally for Finlay but the crowd is still with Goto. Goto rises, hobbles around, and he roars! The fans cheer as Goto aims, BUZZSAW! Finlay flops back but Goto drags him up!

Goto dragon sleepers, but Finlay spins through! Goto fights the suplex, but so does Finlay! Got suplexes, Finlay slips free and then SNAP OVERKILL!! Cover, TWO!!! Goto survives as Finlay couldn’t get the full impact! The fans rally as hard as they can while both men are down! Finlay grits his teeth, clutches his back, and crawls back to Goto. Finlay drags Goto up, reels him in, and hoists him up for a BUCKLE BOMB! But Goto comes back! Finlay dodges the lariat to POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! Goto survives again and Finlay grows frustrated! We hit 20 minutes and yet this feels like far less time! Finlay snarls as he drags Goto back up.

Finlay puts Goto on the top rope, then fires forearms. Finlay climbs while the fans rally more, and Finlay hoists Goto up. Goto fires body shots! Then he ROCKS Finlay with a forearm! Finlay drops back, but runs up and ROCKS Goto again! Finlay climbs to fire off more forearms, but Goto fires back! Goto HEADBUTTS Finlay again and again! Goto tucks Finlay in and the fans are already going nuts! Goto rises up to SUPER SUNSET BOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! Finlay survives and the fans are thunderous! Goto roars and he brings Finlay back up, only for Finlay to suplex, INTO OBLIVION!! Cover, TWO!?!?

Finlay staggers around, completely shocked! But he vows to end this now! Finlay drags Goto up, suplexes and OVER- NO, Goto cradle counters! TWO! Finlay holds on, suplexes again, OVER- NO!! Goto blocks the knee! Finlay fires furious fists and forearms, but Goto just HEADBUTTS him! Goto snarls and the fans are thunderous again! Finlay sputters, Goto stands him up to fireman’s carry! But Finlay sunset flips! Goto rolls through, into PRIMA NOCTA!! Finlay hauls Goto up, but Goto suplexes!! SHOTEN KAI!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Finlay survives and the fans are electric! Gedo himself is going nuts!

Goto hauls Finlay up, dragon sleepers, G T- NO, Finlay hooks the arm! The two fight for the backslide, but Goto spins Finlay through! G T R!!! But he’s not done! ANOTHER G T R!!!! Wait, Goto still isn’t done?!? Talk about overkill as Goto hammerlocks an arm, and gives Finlay the G T R KAI!!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!

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

The fans erupt for “GO-TO-O!” as he crushes the dream of the would-be king! If Finlay fought this hard just to fall short, how much harder must he fight to truly stand atop the mountain?

As for Goto, Red Shoes & Yoshi-Hashi help put the belt back on the champion while the fans cheer. Goto then gets the mic to say, “This is no Cinderella fairytale. This is reality!” The fans cheer that! Goto tells his son and daughter, “Thank you for fighting alongside me.” The fans applaud, and Goto continues to say, “No matter how many times you get beaten, if you don’t give up, then you don’t really lose. Children, you’ll face many adversities in life. But never back down!” The fans applaud that, too, and Goto tells everyone thanks for coming today. “Next up is Chicago in America. I know who I want to face.”

The fans are intrigued, and Goto tells Shota Umino to come out! Now the fans aren’t so sure about this. Goto says he knows Shota is watching, so please, come on out. The Roughneck returns, and Goto invites him into the ring. Shota takes off his jacket and hat, then steps into the ring to be face to face with Goto. The fans boo, so Shota hops back down. Goto says no, hold on, he’s not done talking. Goto wants Shota to step into the ring, so Shota does it for Goto. Goto knows Shota has “freed himself from doubt.” Then, they’ll fight with this belt on the line. The fans are again torn, but Goto tells Shota that they can show America a REAL NJPW match! What’s he say to that?

Goto holds out the mic, and Shota takes it. The fans are torn, with plenty of boos but also plenty of cheers. Shota tells Goto, “First of all, congratulations on your defense. Daddy’s pretty cool, isn’t he? Let’s show the world the power of NJPW’s Hontai.” The fans do applaud that, and Shota says, “I’ll give you everything I’ve got to take that belt.” Shota drops the mic to shake Goto’s hand, then he heads out. As for Goto, he continues to say that “The Goto Revolution isn’t just limited to Japan. The Goto Revolution continues, make sure you follow me! The G in IWGP, you’ve caught on, haven’t you? Let’s do this! The G in IWGP stands for GOTO!”

And with that, The Fierce Warrior is moving forward! Will he continue to lead NJPW and its new era? Or will the Paradigm Shift Shota speaks of just be a week away?

My Thoughts:

A great event for NJPW, Sakura Genesis is certainly one of the biggest nights on their calendar now. We got some great matches and some great story developments all over the place, really bringing some intrigue into the rest of the year and maybe even beyond. Great win for Yuya over Sanada, and then perhaps Sanada had about enough of being a War Dog, because he finally did what I knew he would and turned to the House of Torture. Great stuff in that on its own, and per Finlay’s backstage comments at the very end of the night, we’re getting another “Dog Pound Steel Cage match” for the blowoff.

The original was with United Empire, and that one got a little too wild, aka it ended Alex Coughlin’s in-ring career, so let’s just hope they don’t go as wild as they did that time. Either way, that blowoff will be great stuff, and it makes sense that no high level title is in either faction because this feud doesn’t really need it. Speaking of which, great stuff  in the Global Heavyweight Championship match, with the Tsuji brothers pulling that old bait ‘n’ switch trick again. And of course the House had to get involved there, only for Shingo Takagi to counter that. Great win for Yota, and Uemura beating Sanada, Yota VS Yuya is going to be some great stuff, too.

I’m rather surprised we got new champions in Great-O-Khan and the Cobb Callum combination. Clearly, rumors of Cobb’s departure were greatly exaggerated. Surely Cobb & Callum will have a very good reign, as will Khan as NJPW World TV Champion. The most curious thing is that Obari the belt designer is with them. The most Bullet Club War Dogs did to the titles they held was put white straps on them. Perhaps Obari will give the Empire their own custom green? Or some new face plates to mark this new era of NJPW? His design for THE IWGP World title was a bit out of the norm at the time it was introduced, but it isn’t the worst so he could probably give the tag titles a fresh start.

Great match from Konosuke VS Oiwa, but I figured Konosuke would win so that he has momentum going into Windy City Riot next week. Great match from Tanahashi VS Shota, and it’s only a little surprising Shota won. After all, Shota is still one of the Reiwa Era Musketeers, NJPW still has high hopes for him despite the audience’s feelings. Likewise, a great main event from Goto VS Finlay, and a great win for Goto. Goto sure has his own high expectations for Shota, and their match at Windy City Riot could also be a measure of where Shota’s going both in story and in character. Chicago’s a tough town, they might not care for Shota even if he does start getting edgier.

Shota told Tanahashi he wants to lead Hontai and essentially be the face of NJPW, and becoming world champion would help do that. I just don’t think a show down in America is going to be where any of that happens. Shota may have to prove himself through the G1 Climax instead.

My Score: 9/10