Who is truly the Best of the Super Juniors?

NJPW returns to San Jose, and they’re bringing gold! But will El Desperado keep his newly won IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship? Or will Taiji Ishimori make sure #ItsReborn?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kickoff – Strong Survivor: Zane Jay VS Viento; Zane wins.
• Kickoff – Shane Haste & Bad Dude Tito VS Fred Rosser & Matt Vandagriff; Shane & Tito win.
• NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Gabe Kidd VS Tomohiro Ishii; Time Limit Draw, Gabe retains the title.
• NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: West Coast Wrecking Crew VS Rocky Romero & YOH; WCWC wins and retains the titles.
• 8 Woman Elimination Tag Match: Viva Van, HANAKO, Maika & Mina Shirakawa VS Johnnie Robbie, Trish Adora, Anna Jay & AZM; Viva, Hanako, Maika & Mina win.
• NJPW World Television Championship: El Phantasmo VS Jeff Cobb; Double Count-Out Draw, ELP retains the title.
• Sumie Sakai Retirement Mixed Six Tag: Sumie Sakai, EVIL & SHO VS Hiromu Takahashi, Mayu Iwatani & Yuka Sakazaki; Hiromu, Mayu & Yuka win.
• NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS KUSHIDA; Konosuke wins and retains the title.
• Zack Sabre Jr. VS Hechicero; ZSJ wins.
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS Taiji Ishimori; Desperado wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Gabe Kidd VS Tomohiro Ishii!

WrestleDynasty did not go the way either man wanted. The Mad Man could not best the Best Bout Machine, and the Stone Pitbull could not grab up Konosuke Takeshita’s gold. But will Ishii be able to take a bite out of Gabe? Or will Gabe prove he’s got that dog in him?

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

The bell rings and the fans rally up. Gabe and Ishii stare down, the fans rally a bit more, then both men back up. Ishii and Gabe run up to lock up! The fans cheer as they’re in a deadlock! Gabe pushes Ishii back, but Ishii pushes Gabe back. They end up on ropes, the ref calls the break, but Gabe lets off slowly. Gabe CHOPS! Ishii doesn’t even flinch! Gabe fires a forearm, then clamps on a headlock. Ishii powers up to pry at the hold, but Gabe squeezes tight. Ishii fires body shots, powers up and out, but Gbe RAMS him! And RAMS him! And RAMS him! The fans fire up, Ishii runs, and he RAMS Gabe!

Gabe runs and he RAMS Ishii! Both men run, and they RAM in again! And again! And again! The fans fire up as the shoulders continue to RAM! Gabe pushes Ishii, the two reset, and they RAM! Ishii ducks the lariat, but the SOUTHPAW lands! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer while Gabe snarls. Gabe shakes out the arm, stands over Ishii, and the fans rally up. Gabe scuffs Ishii, the fans boo, but Gabe soaks up the heat. Gabe pretends not to understand why they boo, then he tells Ishii to get up. Ishii stands, Gabe tells off the fans, then runs corner to corner to LARIAT Ishii down! Gabe scuffs Ishii again while the fans boo more.

Ishii stirs, but Gabe does jumping jacks to show off. Gabe puts Ishii on ropes to CHOP, CHOP, and LARIAT! Gabe runs, and he RUNS Ishii over! Cover, TWO! Ishii’s tougher than that but Gabe mockingly applauds. Gabe steps on Ishii’s face, kicks him around, but Ishii stands. Ishii CHOPS, then CHOPS, then CHOPS again! Gabe CHOPS and Ishii staggers back! Ishii flops against the ropes, Gabe flexes, but the fans boo. Gabe tells the fans off again while he flexes more. Gabe goes back to Ishii, and he plays along as fans chant “Gabe Kidd Sucks!” Ishii stands to fire forearm after forearm, but Gabe eggs him on.

Ishii fires more shots, but then Gabe ROCKS him and UPPERCUTS him! Ishii falls to the mat, Gabe talks trash, and Gabe drags Ishii up. Gabe ROCKS Ishii, ROCKS him again, and again! But now Ishii wakes up! The fans fire up as Ishii just takes the forearm shots! Ishii leans into the shots! Then he DECKS Gabe! The fans fire up as Gabe sputters around. Ishii whips Gabe, Gabe reverses, but Ishii bounces off buckles to CLOBBER Gabe! The fans fire up again and rally behind “I-SHI-I!” as he stalks Gabe to a corner. Ishii CHOPS, ROCKS, and repeat! Ishii stands Gabe back up for more CHOPS and forearms!

The ref counts, Ishii lets off, and the fans cheer again. Ishii storms back over to Gabe, kicks him around, but now Gabe gets mad. Ishii slaps Gabe around! Gabe stands and fires a forearm, but Ishii CHOPS! Ishii whips corner to corner, but Gabe comes back, only for Ishii to SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Gabe stays in this but Ishii stands on him. Ishii sits Gabe up to KICK him in the back! Gabe stands right up, and he gets in Ishii’s face. Gabe UPPERCUTS and Ishii staggers back! Gabe CHOPS Ishii in the corner, CHOPS again, and CHOPS again! Ishii gets in Gabe’s face, then puts him in the corner to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP!

Ishii eggs Gabe on, so Gabe turns things around and CHOPS! Gabe talks trash on Ishii, daring him to bring the NJPW fighting spirit! Gabe waits at center, and Ishii storms up to CHOP! Gabe flips Ishii off and CHOPS! Ishii CHOPS again! Gabe CHOPS again! The CHOPS keep going back and forth, the fans cheering Ishii and booing Gabe. “YAY! BOO! YAY! BOO!” Ishii wobbles but he CHOPS! Gabe CHOPS again, and Ishii grits his teeth to stay standing! The CHOPS continue! The fans fire up as these CHOPS just keep going! Ishii gets the edge, but then Gabe bails out! Gabe dares Ishii to fight him on the outside now!

The fans boo but Ishii says get in the ring! Gabe gets in the ring, and he CHOPS! Ishii CHOPS! The CHOPS continue! Both men huff ‘n’ puff but they stay standing! The fans fire up as Ishii CHOPS again! Gabe CHOPS again! The CHOPS just keep going! They might never stop, and the fans are loving it! Gabe finally staggers, and Ishii winds up to CHOP again! Gabe CHOPS, but Ishii CHOPS again! The fans hope they “CHOP FOREVER!” The CHOPS do continue, and Ishii gets the edge! Gabe snarls and CHOPS high! The fans boo but Gabe runs, but into a CHOP! Ishii reels Gabe in, but suplexes first!

But Ishii’s right up! He catches Gabe, spins him, and suplexes back! The fans fire up but Gabe GERMAN SUPLEXES! Ishii GERMAN SUPLEXES! Both men stagger, stagger around, and fall! The fans are thunderous, “This is Awesome!” Gabe and Ishii stir, and Gabe crawls to a corner. Ishii staggers and falls again, but Gabe struggles to stand. Ishii shouts at Gabe from afar, the fans rally up, and Ishii rolls his way back to center. Gabe manages to stand in the corner, so Ishii runs in and LARIATS! Ishii fires up and puts Gabe on the top rope. The fans rally again as Ishii climbs. Ishii tries but Gabe fights the superplex!

Gabe fires body shots, then he BITES Ishii’s ear! The fans boo, but Gabe brings Ishii up for a HANGING NECKLOCK! Gabe drops Ishii, soaks up the heat, then flips everyone off. Gabe dares Ishii to stand, talks trash, then reels Ishii in. But Ishii RISING HEADBUTTS! Gabe is stunned on the top rope, and Ishii climbs up after him! The fans rally up but Gabe again resists! Gabe fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT, but Ishii HEADBUTTS in return! Ishii then stalling SUPERPLEXES! The fans are thunderous and Ishii storms over to Gabe. Ishii sits Gabe up, runs, and SLIDING- NO, Gabe ducks the lariat!

Gabe swings but Ishii blocks! Ishii swings but Gabe blocks! Ishii SOUTHPAW DISCUS LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives, the fans rally up again, and Ishii drags Gabe up for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Gabe survives again but the fans rally behind Ishii. Ishii powers up, runs, but Gabe ducks the lariat! Ishii fights the German Suplex, ROCKS Gabe, but Gabe UPPERCUTS and LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Ishii survives but now Gabe hauls him up, SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Ishii survives again and both men are down. The fans rally up, and Gabe sits up first. Gabe shakes out the stars and storms over to Ishii.

Gabe flips off the fans again, then drags Ishii up. Gabe reels Ishii in, but Ishii backdrops free! The fans fire up but Gabe stands. DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Ishii falls to his knees, but rises again. Gabe LARIATS, but Ishii stays up! Ishii LARIATS, Gabe rebounds off ropes, and he LARIATS! The fans rally as Ishii rebounds to LARIAT! Gabe LARIATS from all sides! Gabe runs, but Ishii LARIATS him down! Gabe’s right up to LARIAT Ishii! Ishii’s right up, but Gabe LARIATS again! Gabe brings down the kneepad, and he runs up, but Ishii blocks the knee! Gabe ROCKS Ishii, and O-KNEE!! Cover, ONE?!?!

The fans go nuts and Gabe is shocked! Gabe gets mad, he runs up again, but Ishii dodges to DRAGON SUPLEX! Gabe rises, Ishii ROCKS him! Gabe rebounds, into Ishii’s LARIAT! Cover, ONE!?!? Gabe rises, the fans boo, but he UPPERCUTS! Ishii HEADBUTTS, then LARIATS! The fans are thunderous as Ishii brings Gabe up, but Gabe suplexes! BRAINBUSTER!! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! The ref checks both men, they’re both okay to continue, and the fans rally up. A down count begins, but both Gabe and Ishii stir at 4 of 10. The fans rally up again, Ishii goes to ropes at 6, but Gabe is the one that stands at 8!

Gabe has the ref stop the count, he wants to finish this with Ishii. The fans fire up and Ishii storms up to Gabe at center. Ishii SLAPS Gabe, but Gabe CHOPS back! Ishii CHOPS again, so Gabe CHOPS again! The CHOP fight returns, but then Gabe winds up to ROCK Ishii! Or not, as Ishii comes back to ROCK Gabe! Gabe eggs Ishii up and he fires another forearm! Ishii ROCKS Gabe back! Gabe snarls and CHOPS! Ishii staggers back to ropes, the fans rally, and Ishii CHOPS! Gabe CHOPS! Ishii staggers, leans on Gabe, but then Gabe DOUBLE CHOPS! Gabe fires CHOP after CHOP and Ishii staggers around!

Gabe CHOPS again! And again! Ishii HEADBUTTS, Gabe HEADBUTTS, they HEADBUTT again and again! Then they both fall back! Fans hope these two “FIGHT FOREVER!” but the show’s only just started! Both men sit up, and they junkyard dog headbutt! The five minute warning hits, but Gabe HEADBUTTS Ishii. Ishii HEADBUTTS Gabe! Gabe SLAPS Ishii, so Ishii SLAPS Gabe! Now it’s a SLAP fight! Both men bob ‘n’ weave, then SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! They both roar, and the SLAPS fire off! Ishii ENZIGIRIS! Both men fall again and the fans fire up! San Jose shows respect for “Both These Guys!”

Ishii SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Ishii roars and powers up! The fans fire up as Ishii brings Gabe in, but Gabe wrenches to LARIAT! Ishii stays up to RUNNING HEADBUTT! Ishii then gets moving, to LARIAT Gabe inside-out! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives and the fans fire up! Ishii rises again, vows to end this, and he drags Gabe up. The fans rally as hard as they can, and Ishii suplexes. Gabe slips free, and has the COBRA TWIST! GROUND COBRA CRADLE! Ishii is stuck, but Gabe pushes him to the cover, TWO!! SLAP! PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!? The fans fire up and Gabe can’t believe it!

Gabe rises, he runs, and COMEBACKER LARIATS! Cover, TWO!??! Ishii survives again and we hit the two minute warning! Gabe drags Ishii around, stomps him, and the fans boo again. Gabe mockingly asks what’s wrong, but Ishii ROCKS him! Gabe ROCKS Ishii back! But Ishii fights the driver to spin and suplex! Gabe fights free, has Ishii again, PILEDRIVER!!! But Gabe clutches his knee, he can’t make the cover! Gabe crawls, but Ishii crawls away, and we’re literally at the last minute! Ishii goes to ropes, but he kicks at Gabe! Gabe rains down fists, then he hauls Ishii up! But Ishii fights the driver! THIRTY SECONDS!

Gabe CLUBS Ishii, DOUBLE CHOPS him, then fires PALM STRIKES! Ishii DECKS Gabe!! TWENTY SECONDS! Ishii hauls Gabe up but Gabe’s a ragdoll! TEN SECONDS!! Ishii suplexes for the BRAINBUSTER!!! But Gabe flounders away! TIME’S UP!!!

Time Limit Draw; Gabe retains the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship

The fans give a standing ovation for these two pushing the opener to its 30 minute limit! Gabe survives, and he grabs a mic to ask Ishii, “What happened?” Gabe wants to keep fighting! If Ishii wants to take Gabe to the limit, then in Chicago, April whenever the F (April 11th), 30 MINUTE IRONMAN MATCH!! BRING IT! They give junkyard dog headbutts and SLAPS even now! Young Lions separate them, and now both men have three months to prepare. Will it truly be a Windy City Riot when these two have one more dogfight?

NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: West Coast Wrecking Crew VS Rocky Romero & YOH!

Royce Isaacs & Jorel Nelson took these titles off the Grizzled Young Veterans at Strong Style Evolved, but now they battle Azucar & Direct Drive! Will the WCWC stay NJPW Strong? Or will Roppongi Revise rewrite this story?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and let’s see who gets wrecked!

The teams sort out and the fans rally behind Rocky. Yoh starts against Jorel and the fans rally behind Yoh now. The two circle, tie up, and Jorel waistlocks, SLAMS, and floats all over Yoh! Jorel slaps Yoh around, drags him up and wrenches, but Yoh drop toeholds. Yoh straddles Jorel to slap him around! Jorel gets away, Yoh says kiss this. Jorel storms up and he puts Yoh on ropes. The ref counts, Jorel lets off, but then he wrenches Yoh’s arm! Jorel hits an ELBOW BREAKER, then a wristlock. Yoh rolls, kips up and wrenches back. Rocky tags in, Yoh hands Jorel off to a wrench! Rocky wrenches, then tags Yoh for another handoff!

Yoh wrenches and wrenches and wrenches, then he tags Rocky. Rocky climbs and drops AX HANDLES on the arm! Jorel clutches the elbow but Rocky & Yoh double whip. They bypass then drop toehold to basement DROPKICK! Royce runs in but into DOUBLE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up as WCWC bails out, and Yoh aims. Rocky builds speed, DIVE onto Jorel and PLANCHA onto Royce! But WCWC catch them both! Stereo stalling suplexes to the floor! The fans boo but Jorel puts Rocky in the ring. Jorel runs and dropkicks the legs out, Royce follows up with a knee to the side! Jorel comes back to cover, TWO!

The fans rally for Rocky but Jorel tags Royce. WCWC stomp Rocky in the corner, then Royce digs his boots in. The ref counts but Royce tags Jorel. Jorel steps in to stand on Rocky! The fans boo and the ref counts, but Jorel steps off at 4. Jorel brings Rocky up but Rocky CHOPS! Jorel UPPERCUTS Rocky, tags Royce, and then runs in, only for Rocky to BOOT him! Rocky BOOTS Royce, cravats, and he kicks off Jorel, only for Royce to block Sliced Bread! Royce flips Rocky around, Jorel runs in, CANADIAN HAMMER CUTTER COMBO! Cover, Yoh breaks it! The fans fire up but Royce TOSSES Yoh!

Royce stalks Rocky, drags him up, but Rocky CHOPS! Royce ROCKS Rocky, then CHOPS! Rocky ends up in a corner, Royce tags Jorel, and then Royce stands Rocky up. Royce feeds Rocky to Jorel’s POP-UP- NO, Rocky DDTS out of the bomb! Rocky dodges Royce, tilt-o-whirls, and DDTS! The fans fire up while WCWC is down! Rocky crawls, Yoh reaches out, hot tag to Yoh! Yoh climbs up to DOUBLE CANNONBALL! The fans fire up as Yoh fires forearms on WCWC! But Royce kicks low! Jorel runs in, Yoh BOOTS him! Yoh sends Royce into Jorel, then he DUMPS Royce! Royce stays on the apron, but Yoh pokes him in the eyes!

Jorel runs up, but Yoh RAMS into Jorel low! Yoh runs to FLYING FOREARM, and then he scoops SLAMS Jorel! The fans fire up for Yoh’s ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO! SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Yoh wants a faster count but the ref says those were all fair. Jorel sputters but Yoh drags him up. Yoh reels Jorel in, suplexes, but Jorel fights it! Jorel suplexes but Yoh fights it! Yoh suplexes, Jorel slips free! Yoh RAMS Jorel into a corner, tags Rocky, and Rocky BLASTS Royce! Rocky comes back to ELBOW Jorel, then Rocky sets up for Yoh. POETRY IN MOTION! Yoh then suplexes Jorel to drape him on the ropes!

Rocky climbs a corner, and hits DRAPING DOUBLE STOMPS! Yoh runs to basement DROPKICK! Rocky covers, TWO! Royce returns to TOSS Yoh! Royce kicks Rocky, whips him to a corner, then runs up, but Rocky dodges! LARIT for Jorel in a corner! LARIAT for Royce in a corner! Rocky keeps going, that’s TWO-EVER! But then Jorel hits a FLYING CUTTER! #PopTheTank! And then CROSSFACE! Royce intercepts Yoh for a TEXAS CLOVERHOLD! RPG Revise endures submissions while the fans rally! Rocky crawls his way over with one arm, but Jorel switches to legs! ANKLE LOCK! But Rocky rolls to send Jorel into Royce!

Royce runs up but Rocky BOOTS him! SLICED ROCKY! Jorel runs up, Rocky catches him, and Rocky sends Jorel to ropes. Jorel rebounds, Yoh is there for 3- NO! Jorel ELBOWS Yoh away! Then he BOOTS Rocky! Jorel CHOPS Yoh, CHOPS Rocky, then says WCWC mother effers! Jorel runs, but into DOUBLE JUMP KNEES! Rocky hits a BACKSTABBER, Yoh reels Jorel in for a FALCON ARROW BOMB! Rocky high stack covers, but Royce breaks it! The fans fire up while all four men are down! Royce and Yoh stand first, and they fire forearms back and forth! Royce fires a flurry, then a ROLLING ELBOW!

Royce runs, but Yoh DROPKICKS him! Rocky gets Royce, whips him, but Royce reverses! Yoh’s SUPERKICK hits Rocky! Yoh panics, but then Royce sends Yoh into Jorel’s BOOT! Royce GERMAN SUPLEXES! Jorel goes to the corner while Royce stands Yoh up. Jorel goes up, and up, and Yoh moves, POP THE TANK hits Royce! Yoh SUPERKICKS Jorel! Rocky shoves Jorel, rebound and 3K!! Cover, TWO!! Jorel survives and RPG Revise can’t believe it! The fans fire up with Yoh & Rocky, and Rocky goes to a corner. Yoh drags Jorel up, Alabama Lifts him, but Royce slips a belt in! The ref grabs the belt from Jorel!

Jorel and the ref fight over the belt, as does Yoh, but then Royce full nelsons and pops Yoh up! HUSH MONEY PLEX! Rocky leaps, but into more HUSH- NO Rocky pops free and DROPKICKS Royce out! Jorel waistlocks, Rocky switches, repeat! Rocky O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Royce BELT SHOTS Rocky with the other belt! Jorel whips and POP-UP POWERBOMBS Rocky, to then CATAPULT him into Royce’s fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY BACKBREAKER COMBO! Double cover, WCWC wins!!

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

It took some trickery, but Royce & Jorel keep these belts around their waists!

8 Woman Elimination Tag Match: Viva Van, HANAKO, Maika & Mina Shirakawa VS Johnnie Robbie, Trish Adora, Anna Jay & AZM!

As WrestleDynasty’s International Women’s Cup proved, women’s wrestling is strong all around the world! And so, eight rising stars from Stardom and AEW align in San Jose! The Hellbent Vixen, the 181cm Wonder Tower, the Crimson Cannon Empress and the Fighting Gravure Idol face Robbie Rocket, The AfroPunk, The Star of the Show & The High Speed Superstar, will it come down to the last woman standing?

The teams sort out and the fans all love Mina. But in the end, Hanako steps to Adora. The fans fire up and the bell rings. The tallest RAM each other again and again, and again, and again! They both roar, both run, and then RAM in again! The fans fire up as Adora runs, but Hanako follows! But all according to plan as Adora LARIATS her at the ropes! Adora then calls in the team and they go to lift Hanako! NJPW Elimination Tag Matches do allow for over-the-top-rope eliminations! But Mina and team hurry to save Hanako! The fans fire up as Mina’s team throw Anna, Robbie and AZM out! Viva & Maika then double whip to DOUBLE TACKLE Adora!

Hanako scoops Mina and stands over Adora for a FLIPPING SPLASH COMBO! Viva joins in, she and Mina run to slide and shimmy! Maika joins in on that last part, and Hanako kinda does, but she feels a bit awkward about it. The fans cheer all the same, and Hanako stands Adora up. Hanako suplexes but Adora resists it! Adora suplexes but Hanako resists! They fight for suplex control, then Adora kicks low. Adora runs but Hanako follows again, and she BOOTS Adora! Hanako runs, Adora tries to get away but she slumps against ropes. Hanako stomps Adora but the ref checks on Adora. The ref calls for a medic to check.

Robbie also checks on Adora, and helps her to the corner. Robbie tags in, but then sees Hanako so she tags Anna. Anna calls out Viva, and Hanako tags Viva in. The fans fire up as these AEW rivals meet again, and they run up! Anna dodges, takes a bow, and fans cheer. Anna dodges, Viva dodges, then Viva rolls and shimmies! But Anna SHOTGUNS Viva down! Anna whips Viva, Viva redirects and redirects, WHEEL KICK! The fans cheer and Viva takes a bow. Viva tags Hanako back in, and Hanako scoops Anna to SLAM! The fans rally as Hanako scoops again, but Anna fights free! Anna shoves Hanako away, tag to Robbie!

Robbie runs in, tilt-o-whirl crucifix takedown! Cover, TWO! Hanako whips Robbie to ropes, but Robbie victory rolls through! TWO! Robbie ducks Hanako’s boot, blocks the heel kick, and she trips Hanako up! Robbie runs and BOOTS Hanako down! The fans fire up and Robbie brings Hanako around. Hanako breaks free to ROCK Robbie! Robbie ROCKS Hanako! Then she backslides Hanako, TWO! Hanako escapes but Robbie KNEES her down! Cover, TWO! Hanako stays in this but the fans rally up. Robbie runs, but Hanako fireman’s carries! SAMOAN DROP! Robbie goes to a corner, Hanako runs up to SPLASH!

Hanako whips corner to corner, Robbie goes up and up, but Hanako catches her Code Breaker! And she turns it into a BIG suplex! The fans fire up and Hanako brings Robbie around. Torture rack and JP COASTER! Cover, Hanako ELIMINATES Robbie! And with Adora getting checked by medics, could Team AZM already be down 4v2? Speaking of AZM, she goes up, up and MISSILE DROPKICKS Hanako! The fans fire up as AZM kips up! AZM runs, tilt-o-whirls, but Hanako throws her away! AZM kicks low, but Maika steps in and snapmares AZM! Hanako drops a KNEE, then she and Maika run to DOUBLE BOOT! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as AZM survives, and Adora’s back! The team still has three! Hanako torture racks, AZM slips free and comes back, LA MYSTICA into AZM SUSHI! AZM ELIMINATES HANAKO! The numbers are even but Viva Van CROSSBODIES from the top! Cover, TWO! AZM goes to a corner, Viva runs in, but AZM slips out! Anna joins in, DOUBLE LEG LARIAT int he corner! Then they run to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! Viva flounders, AZM tags Anna, and Anna runs up, but Viva goes up and over! UP KICK! Viva then hoists Anna up to an Electric Chair Lift! But Anna victory rolls it! ONE!! Anna has the QUEENSLAYER!!

Viva flails but she is caught! Viva TAPS, Anna ELIMINATES her! Team AZM has the lead, and AZM joins Anna. They intercept Mina with kicks, then double whip. Mina reverses to send Anna away, then she kicks AZM! Mina ELBOWS Anna, victory rolls AZM, and has the legs tied up! Anna runs up, but Mina catches her, DDT SNAP LOCK COMBO! The fans are thunderous for Mina, and Mina dares someone to bring it. Adora tags in, Mina kicks her and puts her on the apron. Adora went through the middle rope so she’s safe. Mina fires shots, drags Adora back in, but Adora fires more shots! They go back and forth and the fans fire up!

The shots go fast and furious, Mina ROCKS her! Maika joins in, they work to TOSS Adora! Adora goes up, over, lands on the apron, but DOUBLE SHOTGUNS knock her to the floor! Mina & Maika ELIMINATE Adora! Things are tied again at 2v2, but AZM runs up to ROCK Mina! Mina fights the suplex, so AZM shifts to roll Mina up! TWO, but AZM tries AZM SUSHI! Maika breaks it! Anna CLUBS Maika, whips her, and AZM whips Mina. AZM slides to trip both Mina & Maika, and then Anna DOUBLE BLOCKBUSTERS! Cover on Mina, TWO! AZM drags Mina up, whips her corner to corner, but Mina goes up, only for AZM to SHOVE her over!

Mina lands safe on the apron, fights AZM off, and hurries in to FLYING CHUCK! The fans fire up while Mina has AZM down! Mina goes up the corner, Anna and Maika scrap on the outside, and AZM stands. FLYING SLINGBLADE! Cover, Anna breaks it! Maika TOSSES Anna, and the fans fire up as Mina has AZM. GLAMOROUS- NO, AZM slips free, shoves Mina, but Mina DUMPS AZM to the apron! Mina sweeps the legs, but Anna SHOVES Mina! Mina and AZM fight on the apron edge while Maika goes after Anna! AZM BUZZSAWS Mina, but Mina ducks the Penalty Kick! AZM fights the roll-up!

AZM goes up the ropes but Mina avoids the double stomps! Mina uses a victory roll, but they BOTH fall to the floor! DOUBLE ELIMINATION! Now it comes down to Anna and Maika! The fans fire up as Anna kicks and whips Maika! Anna LEG LARIATS, then runs side to side for another LEG LARIAT! Anna goes the other way, LEG LARIAT! Anna finishes the hattrick and she puts Maika up top. Maika fights back, BOOTS Anna away, then hops in. Maika dodges Anna, runs back in, but into a BUCKLE SHOT! Cover, TWO! Maika survives, Anna grows frustrated, but she runs, into a POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!

The fans fire up as Anna stays in this. Maika fires up and the fans rally. Maika brings Anna up, suplexes, but Anna fights free! Anna wrenches to DANGEROUS HOOK KICK, then BACKSTABBER! Anna goes up and the fans fire up! But Maika hurries to ROCK Anna first! Maika climbs up, fires more shots, then brings Anna up! Stalling SUPERPLEX! The fans are thunderous, Maika covers, TWO!! Anna survives and the fans fire up! Maika vows to end this, and she scoops Anna. Anna slips free, for the QUEENSLAYER!! Maika reaches out, but Anna becomes a backpack! Maika still makes it to ropes, and works ot throw Anna over!

Anna is on the apron, and Maika runs up to LARIAT! Anna holds on so Maika tries again! ROLLING ELBOW! Anna FALLS, Team Mina wins!

Winners: Viva Van, HANAKO, Maika & Mina Shirakawa, by ring-out

Empress Nexus Venus stands tall, along with their honorary member in Viva. Will Stardom, NJPW and maybe even AEW soon belong to #ENexusV?

NJPW World Television Championship: El Phantasmo VS Jeff Cobb!

The Headbanga’s 2024 was quite the roller coaster: exiled from Bullet Club; teaming with the Guerrillas of Destiny; being left behind by the Guerrillas of Destiny; and being diagnosed with cancer. But ELP overcame that dreaded disease, and he overcame three opponents at once at WrestleKingdom 19! Will ELP continue to be the star of NJPW World? Or will the Imperial Unit take this title back?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it’s time for the “season premiere” of the ELP Show!

The bell rings and we’re on the clock. ELP and Cobb circle, tie up, and ELP headlocks. Cobb powers up and out, then he RAMS ELP! ELP stays up, sighs, then runs. ELP RAMS Cobb, but Cobb stays put. The fans fire up and ELP goes again, to RAM Cobb! Cobb isn’t impressed so ELP offers him a go. Cobb runs and he CLOBBERS ELP! But ELP kips up! ELP mule kicks, runs, and he RUSN Cobb over! But then Cobb kips up!? The fans fire up, Cobb dodges a superkick to scoop! ELP slips free, kicks and reels Cob in! Cobb fights free, ELP avoids the lariat, and then handsprings up! The fans cheer this opening exchange.

ELP and Cobb reset, then step up to each other. They bump shoulders, then ELP fires a forearm. Cobb doesn’t budge so ELP fires another. And then another! Cobb winds up to DECK ELP! The fans fire up as Cobb drags ELP back up, and TOSSES him across the way! The fans fire up and Cobb says touchdown! Cobb then deadlifts ELP into a suplex! ELP fires knees, drops down, but Cobb holds onto him! Cobb brings ELP back up, and then THROWS him away! The fans fire up and ELP almost cries in pain. Cobb stalks ELP, and drags him back to center. Cobb stomps on ELP, then stands on him! Cobb hangs ten on ELP!

Cobb mocks the ELP rocker fingers, but makes ’em hang loose. Cobb then steps off, and he “apologizes.” Cobb sits ELP up, but ELP CHOPS! And CHOPS! ELP fires forearm after forearm, and he brings Cobb to his knees! ELP winds up to ROCK Cobb again! ELP runs, but Cobb LARIATS ELP inside-out! Cobb drags ELP up, whips him to ropes, then scoops for a TOUR- DDT!! ELP turns things around on Cobb and the fans fire up! ELP and Cobb are both down, but ELP works his way up into a kip up! Cobb goes to a corner, ELP runs up to spin and CHOP! ELP knuckle locks, CHOPS, then goes up, up, jumps around, and around, then FLYING RANAS!

The fans fire up and ELP handsprings again. Then he LIONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Cobb has power to spare but ELP stays cool. ELP brings Cobb up, straitjackets and torture racks, but that’s a lot to lift! We’re past five minutes, and ELP’s back gives up! Cobb RIPCORDS ELP into the ATHLETIC PLEX! Cover, TWO! ELP stays in this and the fans rally up. Cobb tells ELP to get up, then brings him around. Cobb whips, ELP grabs ropes! Cobb runs up, but into a BOOT! ELP runs up, but Cobb URENAGES, and FALLING HAMMERS! Cover, TWO! GACHIMUCHI onto KNEES! Inside cradle, TWO! ELP runs to PUNT, and BUZZSAW!

ELP STOMPS Cobb’s hands! ELP stands Cobb up, straitjackets, and then he fires forearms to the back! ELP torture racks, but Cobb’s still a lot to lift! ELP still gets Cobb up! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE?!?! Cobb rises, into SUDDEN DEATH!! ELP goes to the apron, springboards, THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, TWO!??! ELP hurries to haul Cobb up, but then Cobb jumps up to DROPKICK! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! The fans rally and duel while a standing count starts. Cobb is in one corner, ELP is in the other. Cobb snarls, runs corner to corner, but ELP goes up and over! ELP then ducks ‘n’ dodges to CROSSBODY!

ELP rolls, LIONS- NO, Cobb bails out, but ELP lands on his feet! ELP DIVES onto Cobb, and Cobb goes over the railing! The fans lose their minds and a ring count begins. ELP hurries into the ring at 6 of 20, but then he aims from the ropes! Cobb stands, but he hurries away! The fans boo, but ELP just changes to the corner! ELP uses the post to SUPER THUNDERKISS out into the crowd! The fans lose their minds as ELP wipes out Cobb and Young Lions! A new ring count begins, and both ELP and Cobb slowly stir. ELP borrows a fan’s water to take a drink. Cobb CLUBS ELP at the railing! The count is 10 of 20 as both men try to get over the railing while fighting.

ELP hops the railing, but Cobb reaches under to trip him! ELP SUPERKICKS Cobb away! ELP hurries but then Cobb TOSSSES Zane Jay at ELP!! The count hits TWENTY, it’s a DRAW!!

Double Count Out Draw; ELP retains the title

The fans are going wild, but “episode one” ends on controversy! The fans want overtime, and ELP and Cobb both get in the ring. They clearly want to keep going! The ref says the rules are the rules, 15 minutes is 15 minutes. The fans say “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” but this will just have to be a cliffhanger. ELP tosses the belt aside and shoves Cobb! Cobb shoves him back, but the two stand down. Will they just have to wait for somewhere down the line to settle this plotline?

Sumie Sakai Retirement Mixed Six Tag: Sumie Sakai, EVIL & SHO VS Hiromu Takahashi, Mayu Iwatani & Yuka Sakazaki!

The living legend, the Ray of Sunshine, now reaches her sunset. And to honor the woman who helped build the Women of Honor Division in ROH, and who has held 13 different titles across the world, NJPW has built this star-studded crossover match! Though, why would Sumie Sakai team with the House of Torture? Sumie has known Evil & Sho since they were just Young Lions on excursion, and is hoping to show them the light! Will Sumie’s last match redeem The King of Darkness & Murder Machine? Or will the Ticking Timebomb, the Roaring Icon of Stardom & the Wrestling Magical Girl not even give them that chance?

Wait, who is this supposed Kamaitachi? That was Hiromu’s old persona while on excursion, is this House of Torture poking fun at him? And wait, where’s Evil? This is a Six Person Tag, but Sumie’s team is missing the third person! Hiromu’s entire team makes their entrances first, and still no King of Darkness. Hiromu poses with Mayu & Yuka for a photo op, and NOW Evil runs out here! Even Sumie is shocked as Evil attacks Hiromu from behind! And Sho even kicks the IWGP Women’s Champion! Then they mug Yuka! The fans boo but Evil & Sho soak it up. Sumie tries to reason with them, but Evil grabs a mic.

Evil tells Hiromu that he’s gonna pay for that stunt he pulled in Karatsu, and for thinking he could avoid The House of Torture by taking this tag match! They stand Hiromu up, Sho runs and BOOTS Hiromu down! Evil stands Hiromu up and wants Sumie to join in? Sumie didn’t sign up for this kind of match! Hiromu fights free, but Evil & Sho mug him. They double whip, the bell rings, and Hiromu ducks the double lariats to CROSSBODY Evil & Sho! The fans fire up, Sumie and Mayu run in to brawl, but Yuka joins in! Yuka waistlocks Sumie but Sumie kicks Mayu away. Mayu rebounds, both Sumie and Yuka duck the lariat, so Mayu keeps going to DIVE out onto Sho!

The fans fire up as Yuka goes up and up and CROSSBODIES Evil! The fans fire up as #MaYuKa high-ten. And now Sumie and Hiromu are in the ring! The fans rally up, Sumie is conflicted, but Hiromu gets the fans to cheer even louder. Sumie offers a handshake, Hiromu accepts, and they even hug! But then Sumie stomps Hiromu’s foot! Sumie is still willing to play dirty! Sumie wrenches, Hiromu wrenches, but Sumie rolls, kips up, and wrenches back. Hiromu asks if it’s okay, and Sumie says yes. He rolls, but then she covers! TWO! Hiromu is upset but Sumie rolls him up! TWO! Sumie runs, victory rolls, TWO!!

Hiromu swings, but into a SAYANAGI! ARMBAR! Hiromu flails, hurries to high stack, TWO but Hiromu deadlifts! Sumie slips free, but Hiromu CHOPS! The fans boo but Hiromu is confused. Hiromu CHOPS Sumie again, then whisp. Sumie blocks but Hiromu ROCKS her, puts her on ropes and KICKS the ropes! Hiromu runs but Evil trips him! The fans are torn, but then Sho distracts the ref so that Evil can JAM Hiromu up with a chair! Okay, now the fans boo because this is still not right. Evil puts Hiromu in, and he slides the chair to Sumie! Sho says do it, but the fans say “NO! NO! NO!” Sumie grabs the chair, to throw it away!

Sumie says neener neener to Evil, then stomps away on Hiromu in the corner! The ref counts, Sumie hops up, but Sho brings her down? Sho says this is how you do it! He digs his boots into Hiromu, then scoops to SLAM! Sho then picks Sumie up to SLAM her onto Hiromu! The fans boo but Sho & Evil soak up the heat. They also split the wishbone on Hiromu! The ref reprimands, but Evil throws his shirt at Yuka! Evil insults Yuka, but she throws the shirt back. So Evil KICKS Yuka down! Mayu storms in and throws hands, but Evil kicks her down, too! The ref reprimands Evil, but Hiromu CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS!

Evil CLAWS Hiromu’s eyes! Evil whips Hiromu to the corner, and surprise! Sho takes the blue buckle pad away! The House Special has been served! The fans boo more but Evil hauls Hiromu up for a COBRA TWIST! Sho reaches out, but Hiromu switches with Evil! Sho steps back as Hiromu now uses the rope for leverage! The ref argues with Sho now, as he still has the buckle pad in his possession, and this allows MaYuKa to reach out and link with Hiromu! The fans cheer as Evil tastes his own medicine! Wait, Kamaitachi and Sumie help out! And the fans, too! Evil gets an extra large helping of his medicine!

The fans cheer as Hiromu and everyone else get away with this, “This is Wrestling!” But then Sho kicks Hiromu down! The fans boo but Sho drags Hiromu up and whips him into the bare buckles! Hiromu flounders, Yuka runs in, but Sho kicks her! Sho whips Yuka into the bare buckles! Mayu runs in, Sho kicks her and whips her into the bare buckles! The fans boo more but Sho & Evil regroup. They bully Hiromu in a corner, then whip him corner to corner. They want Sumie to join in, and she tentatively walks over, but then they just kick her! They double whip Sumie at Hiromu, but Hiromu dodges!

Hiromu CROSSBODIES, but is caught! The House throws him back but Hiromu rebounds to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! Evil & Sho stagger, into DOUBLE MISSILE DROPKICKS from MaYuKa! Sumie still attacks Yuka, reels her in, but Yuka fights the suplex to cradle! ROLLING CRADLE! ONE! ONE! ONE! ONE! Yuka finally stops, deadlifts, and FISHERMAN BUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Sumie survives but Yuka sits her up. Yuka runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Sumie survives again and the fans rally up. Yuka drags Sumie up, cravats, snapmare roll, but Sumie ducks the basement kick! CROSSFACE! Yuka rolls free, but into TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!

Sumie fires up but Mayu kicks her! Sumie hits back, but Mayu ROCKS her! Mayu goes to run, but Sumie snatches Mayu’s lucky fox tail! The fans fire up, Sumie taunts Mayu with the tail, but Mayu SOBATS! Mayu whips, Sumie reverses, but Mayu slips out, in, and rolls Sumie for a SHOTGUN! The fans fire up with Mayu while Sumie goes to ropes. Mayu runs and DROPKICKS Sumie against ropes! Cover, TWO! Sumie survives yet again, but Mayu drags her up. The fans rally, Sumie breaks free and dragon sleepers. Yuka CLUBS Sumie into Mayu’s victory roll, TWO! MaYuKa DOUBLE SUPERKICK!

Sumie tumbles out, Sho runs in, but he gets pinballed around by MaYuKa! Sho gets fed up with it and he DOUBLE BODY BLOWS! Sho runs, into DOUBLE ELBOWS! Double snapmare, DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Sho tumbles out, Evil is in, but he gets a DOUBLE SUPERKICK! He stays up, but gets double kicks down low! The fans fire up as MaYuKa DOUBLE- NO, Evil pulls hair to stop the suplex! So Hiromu SUPERKICKS! And now DOUBLE SUPLEX! The fans fire up for Hiromu’s team, and he helps Sumie up. “This is Awesome!” Hiromu says it’s time, and he fireman’s carries! But Sumie slips out to SMASH MOUSE!! Cover, SHO YANKS THE REF OUT!

The fans boo but Sho “apologizes,” since that ruined Sumie’s win. Then why do it? Evil CHOKES Sumie with a shirt!! The fans boo as The House of Torture turns on Sumie! They also beat down Hiromu, the fans tell Evil off, but Evil & Sho put one out on Hiromu. But then Yuka snatches Sho’s “Torture Tool,” and SMACKS him with it! Mayu CLAWS Evil’s eyes! Yuka scoops and hits the TEA TIME DRIVER! Evil pushes Mayu, then whips her at the corner. Mayu avoids the bare buckles, then dodges Evil! Evil hits bare buckles, and Mayu GERMAN SUPLEXES! Hiromu steals EVERYTHING IS EVIL! The fans fire up as Team Hiromu stands tall again!

Hiromu sees Sumie and tells her to rise. The fans rally up for “SU-MI! SU-MI!” but Hiromu helps her. Sumie ROCKS Hiromu! And ROCKS Mayu! And ROCKS Yuka! Repeat! Sumie keeps throwing shots so the new generation eggs her on! Sumie fires more and more shots, but she’s slowing down! The fans fire up as Sumie finds the strength to keep going! Even Kamaitachi is cheering her on! Sumie fires shot after shot after shot, and even some CHOPS, but she finally tires out! The fans cheer the legend on, but now Hiromu brings her around. Yuka hits a ROLLING ELBOW! Mayu hits a SUPERKICK! And Hiromu thanks Sumie, before hitting a HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!

Hiromu brings Sumie around, TRIPLE cover, TWO?!?! Sumie still lives!! The fans are thunderous and Hiromu is all smiles. Nothing less from this absolute legend! Even the ref pounds the mat to rally behind Sumie! Yuka drags Sumie up, wrenches and hammerlocks to then lift her. Yuka spins for the MAGICAL MERRY-GO-ROUND! Sumie is in the drop zone and Mayu goes up! MOONSAULT! Hiromu drags Sumie back up, fireman’s carries, and swings Sumie for the TIMEBOMB 1.0!!! TRIPLE cover, Team Hiromu wins!

Winners: Hiromu Takahashi, Mayu Iwatani & Yuka Sakazaki, by pinfall

It’s a standing ovation as everyone shows their love, respect, and gratitude to Sumie Sakai! Sumie stirs, and she takes a moment to let the moment soak in. The fans chant, “Thank You, Sumi!” Sumie sits up in the corner, and she wants to thank her opponents for this match. Hiromu helps Sumie stand, as does Mayu, and the fans cheer some more. Sumie sits back down, but the others say she can’t go just yet. The ring announcer returns to say that Sumie has finished her last match. The fans cheer and give another standing ovation as Rocky Romero, Yoh, and more come out. The mic is then handed to Yuka.

Yuka tells Sumie, “Our history together may have been short, but it’s thanks to your presence that I can see these wonders. From the bottom of my heart, thank you very much! I look forward to learning from you from here on.” Yuka bows in deep respect and Sumie returns that bow. The mic is handed to Mayu, and she loudly says, “KONBONWA~! <GOOD EVENING~!>” Is this why she’s the Roaring Icon? Mayu admits, “I didn’t think I’d be here with a mic in hand, so I didn’t have anything prepared. Sumie-san, you’ve always put everyone else’s happiness ahead of your own. From now on, put your own happiness first and foremost.”

Mayu continues to say, “Sumie-san’s smile makes me so happy! Seeing your smile is number one!” Mayu says in both English and Japanese, “Thank you so much!” The fans cheer as Mayu bows and Sumie returns it, and then Mayu hugs her. Hiromu has the mic now, and he says he doesn’t have much to add to what Mayu & Yuka “expressed so beautifully.” Hiromu simply thanks her and says he looks forward to working with her in the future. Also, does she remember this jacket of his? “Meeting you, Devitt, Yuki & Princess have been the treasures of my life.” The fans cheer while Sumie tears up a bit.

Hiromu says the memory of those four people is in this jacket, and now he wants her to have it. The fans cheer as Hiromu adorns Sumie with the denim jacket covered in art, and they again chant, “Thank You, Sumie!” Sumie is then given a bouquet of flowers, and she stands so that she may speak. Sumie says that life can be hard, but it can also be good, and bad. She was crying so much, but today, she is the happiest wrestler in the world! The fans cheer that! Sumie says that is because everyone made her that happy. She thanks them all, and she loves them all! And with that, she drops the mic, and she welcomes the others back into the ring!

The fans again chant “Thank You, Sumi!” as she, Hiromu, Mayu, Yuka, Kamaitachi-chan, Rocky, ELP, Fred Rosser, Jeff Cobb, Yoh, TMDK, Team Mina and Team AZM, former ROH timekeeper Amy Rose, and even the Young Lions and the ref, all join in for a grand photo-op! Then they say hip, hip, HOORAY as they throw Sumie up in the air! Sumie then bows to all of them in thanks. And to wrap the retirement ceremony, the ring bell sounds ten times. Truly, #ThankYouSumie for everything!

Sho and Evil complain backstage.

The Murder Machine grumbles, “Why did they team us with that country bumpkin? I only did this because I wanted a shot at Hiromu! The ring was rampant with no-good country losers! Why’d you bring me to such a place?” Sho crawls away, and the King of Darkness says, “That punk (Hiromu) is on a roll now. Whatever. Either way, I’m not going back to Japan. Goodbye, New Japan! Got it? Remember it!” Wait, is Evil telling the truth? Is he effectively quitting NJPW? To do what?

NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS KUSHIDA!

The Don Callis Family’s Alpha became a double champion and stayed a double champion through the big Tokyo Dome weekend, but now he’s being called out by the Time Splitter. Kushida has done all he can as a Junior Heavyweight, can he prove he’s ready for more? Or is Don Callis right in saying Konosuke is the best bell-to-bell wrestler today?

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

The bell rings and the fans rally up already. Konosuke and Kushida circle slowly, feel things out, then tie up. Kushida waistlocks, Konosuke turns around for a facelock, and they end up in a corner. The ref counts the break, Kushida lets off with a pat on the side, and the fans applaud. The two reset, circle again, and Kushida rolls. Konosuke keeps his distance, Kushida has a leg guard, but Konosuke still grabs a foot. Konosuke steps over as Kushida turns over, but Kushida slips out the back. They clinch, Kushida slips around to a waisltock, but Konosuke’s height helps him fight the drop toehold. Kushida still grapevines the leg to bring Konosuke down.

Kushida floats to a headlock, Konosuke fights up, but Kushida hits a takeover. Konosuke headscissors, Kushida kips free, and roles reverse as Konosuke hits the headlock takeover but Kushida headscissors. Konosuke kips free, the two stand off, and the fans cheer the exchange. Kushida and Konosuke reset and the fans duel. Konosuke offers a handshake, but Kushida isn’t so sure. How much has Callis influenced Konosuke? Kushida steps up and takes the handshake. But then Konosuke kicks low! Very much, it seems. Kushida fights the waistlock with elbows, then headlocks, only for Konosuke to power him to ropes.

Konosuke powers up and out, Kushida RAMS him, but Konosuke RUNS Kushida over! The fans fire up and Konosuke runs, but Kushida KICKS the leg! And KICKS it again! Kushida runs, but into a BOOT! Konosuke whips, Kushida reverses, but Konosuke TAKESHITA LINES! The fans fire up while Kushida bails out, and Konosuke pursues. Konosuke wrenches Kushida and whips him into the railing! The ring count starts but Konosuke CLUBS Kushida on the back. Konosuke then CHOKES Kushida on the railing! The ref reprimands, Konosuke stops, and the ring count is 10 of 20. Konosuke says be patient, but Kushida RAMS him into the apron!

Kushida hops up to MOUNTED ARMBAR, and he falls back to YANK Konosuke into a standard ARMBAR! The ref reprimands all the same, then counts, but Kushida lets go at 4. Konosuke hobbles away, the fans fire up with Kushida, and Kushida pushes Konosuke into the ring. Kushida then grabs the arm and wrenches it. Kushida puts Konosuke in a corner, and he grinds the hand against the ropes! The ref reprimands, Kushida lets go and Konosuke falls over. Kushida stands on the bad hand, then stomps it! The fans are torn while Konosuke goes to ropes. Kushida grabs Konosuke’s arm to wrangle him again!

Kushida traps the bad arm, then has the good arm, and he pushes down on them both. The fans rally as Konosuke endures, and Kushida falls back to DOUBLE SNAP LOCK! Konosuke hobbles to a corner, but Kushida goes up and has the arm! TORNADO ARMBAR DDT! Then a BRIDGING HAMMERLOCK! Konosuke endures but Kushida moves around and around. Kushida drags Konosuke by that bad arm, for another BRIDGING HAMMERLOCK! Konosuke endures, Kushida turns him, but Konosuke CLAWS Kushida’s eyes! Kushida lets Konosuke go and Konosuke goes back to the corner.

Kushida runs up, Konosuke puts him on the apron, and Konosuke bumps Kushida off the buckles! The fans rally, but Kushida climbs the corner! Kushida aims, and he FLYING KNEES the bad arm! Konosuke clutches the elbow and triceps, but the fans fire up as Kushida has the arm again. Kushida RAMS the shoulder, wrenches the arm, and hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Kushida wants the Kimura but Konosuke scoops him! And SLAMS him! The fans fire up, but Kushida KICKS away on Konosuke’s leg! That just pisses Konosuke off! He STOMPS Kushida right down! The fans fire up and Konosuke shakes the bad arm.

Konosuke aims from a corner, Kushida sits up, and Konosuke runs in, but Kushida blocks the knee! ANKLE LOCK! Konosuke endures, crawls, and he reels Kushida in, to LARIAT from below! Both men stand, Konosuke LARIATS Kushida from above! The fans fire up while both men are down! Konosuke rises, he drags Kushida up and reels him in, but Kushida fights the Blue Thunder! Kushida KICKS away on the bad arm! Konosuke CHOPS in return! Kushida fire sup to KICK the leg! And then KICK the leg! And then another KICK to the leg! Konosuke sits down, Kushida runs, but Konosuke avoids the Penalty Kick!

Konosuke rolls Kushida, Kushida rolls through, TANAKA FASTBALL! Konosuke swings back, but Kushida ducks to PELE! The fans fire up while Konosuke leans on ropes. Kushida whips, Konosuke reverses, but Kushida handsprings! But into the BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Kushida survives as Konosuke couldn’t use his bad arm to push Kushida down! The fans rally up, Konosuke goes to the corner, and he climbs! SUPER SENTON FLOPS and Kushida has the ARMBAR! Konosuke clasps hands, Kushida CLUBS away at those hands, and Kushida breaks the grip! Konosuke hurries to stack Kushida! TWO, and Konosuke deadlifts Kushida!

The fans fire up and Konosuke powers through to a fireman’s carry! And he pops Kushida into the tuck, BASTARD DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Kushida survives and the fans fire up again! The fans rally and duel while Kushida flounders to the apron. Konosuke slashes his throat, vowing to END Kushida! Konosuke drags Kushida up, scoops him, but Kushida fights with elbows! Kushida is free, but Konosuke runs up! Kushida hops down, Konosuke hits POST! Kushida then SWEEPS the legs and Konosuke lands on the apron! Kushida hops up, APRON KNEE SMASH! Then KNEE SMASH from apron to the floor!

The fans lose their minds and the ring count starts. Kushida refreshes the count so he can step through, and he has a FIGURE FOUR! Konosuke endures, the ref reprimands, but Kushida is letting the ring count climb! Konosuke grabs at the apron skirt but he can’t get a good grip. The count is 10 of 20, the fans rally as hard as they can, and Kushida puts on as much pressure as he can! We’re at 15! 16! 17! Kushida lets go at 18! Konosuke scrambles, he slides in at 19.999!!! PENALTY KICK!! PENALTY KICK to the arm! Kushida then goes up a corner and leaps, FLYING SPIKE-RANA!! Cover, TWO!!! The fans fire up and Kushida brings Konosuke up!

Kushida hooks a leg, BACK TO THE FUTURE!! Cover, TWO?!?! Konosuke survives and the fans are thunderous! Kushida grows frustrated but “This is Awesome!” The fans duel while Konosuke shakes out his bad arm. Kushida rises, waits on Konosuke, and then runs up to jump on! HOVERBOARD KIMURA!! But Konosuke powers through!? RAGING- NO, Kushida slips free, TANAKA- ALPHA ELBOW!! Konosuke’s fastball hits first, and he reels Kushida in! POWER- NO, Kushida sunset flips, just to get the ANKLE LOCK!! Konosuke gets the ROPEBREAK, but Kushida PENALTY KICKS th earm! And then SHOTEI!

Konosuke roars, so Kushida runs again! Konosuke blocks the Shotei, but Kushida SOUTHPAW SHOTEIS!! And then RIGHT-HAND SHOTEIS!! Konosuke is right up?! LARIAT!! Cover, ONE?!?!? Kushida shakes his head and Konosuke is shocked! The fans are thunderous as Konosuke rises! Konosuke drags Kushida up, powers up, and- SHOTEI from Kushida! Konosuke winds up again to ALPHA ELBOW!! Konosuke drags Kushida up, reels him in, and RAGING FIRE!! Cover, Konosuke wins!

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

Kushida never gave up, but Konosuke never let up! Konosuke hits the homerun and keeps the Openweight Championship! Konosuke still shows Kushida respect, then takes the mic. “Hey, to those watching back in Japan, listen up. Now that I’m part of NJPW, there’s someone I have to face!” In English, Konosuke tells everyone to listen up. “Chicago! April 11th! HIROSHI TANAHASHI!” The fans like where this is going! “OI, Tanahashi… Your last US match… I challenge you! That date marks the end of The Ace. I will show you who is The Alpha.” The fans fire up for that one! Will Konosuke ruin Tanahashi’s final time in the United States? Or will the Final Road not end so soon?

Zack Sabre Jr. VS Hechicero!

The Front Man is IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, but he looks to clear up some blemishes on his record. The Alchemist of Lucha snatched a win in CMLL’s Arena Mexico last June, but ZSJ got his payback last August under Rev-Pro’s roof. These two incredible technical geniuses finally have their tiebreaker, will Hechicero #JustTapOut? Or will he be owed a golden ticket instead?

The bell rings and the fans rally up with “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” ZSJ and Hechi feel things out, then knuckle lock. ZSJ rolls to wrench the hold, but Hechi manages double cording holds and a leg trip! But ZSJ headscissors in return! Hechi rolls that to have a take on Napalm Death, but ZSJ scoots back and slips free of that. The fans cheer this opening exchange and the two go again. They feel things out, Hechi steps on ZSJ’s foot, then grabs the other leg for spinning toehold! ZSJ waistlocks but Hechi fires elbows. Hechi has a double wristlock, then shifts to an ANKLE LOCK! ZSJ fights so Hechi spinning toeholds again!

ZSJ cravats, even with his leg trapped, but Hechi pushes him down. ZSJ manages to slips his long leg up and around, and now he has Hechi’s leg for a step-over toehold! ZSJ grabs the other leg for a STRETCH MUFFLER, going for his Napalm Death! Hechi fights back by bending ZSJ’s fingers, and the fans duel between them. ZSJ rolls back, keeps on one leg, and he hits his own spinning toehold! ZSJ ties up both legs but Hechi goes for one of ZSJ’s! ZSJ resists, Hechi reaches up to get an arm! Hechi has a spladle, TWO! ZSJ rolls Hechi into an INVERTED FIGURE FOUR! Hechi scoops back, to get ZSJ in an INVERTED BOW ‘N’ ARROW!

ZSJ fights to scoot back, they knuckle lock and stand, then ZSJ trips Hechi! ARMBAR! Hechi uses his legs to get at ZSJ’s legs, but ZSJ pulls on Hechi’s leg for a toehold! They both crank on the leg locks, but ZSJ slips up and around to then trap an arm! Hechi rolls, tries to stack ZSJ, but they end up in the ropes! The ref calls the break, Hechi lets off slowly, and the fans cheer. But then Hechi stands on ZSJ’s neck! The fans boo, but Hechi steps away, letting know he could’ve if he wanted to. The two reset, the fans fire up, and they tie up again. Hechi trips ZSJ, jackknife bridges, but then rolls to headscissor and squeeze!

The fans rally while ZSJ endures. ZSJ bridges back, moves around, pops free, and has the NECK TWIST! Hechi writhes but ZSJ reels him back into a headscissors. Hechi endures, ZSJ puts on the pressure, but Hechi rolls over. Hechi pushes ZSJ down so he can pop out the back, and then Hechi ties up the legs in an INVERTED DEATHLOCK! Hechi then grabs an arm, to SNAP ZSJ into a sideways surfboard! ZSJ reaches back, and he bends Hechi’s fingers! ZSJ gets up to SNAP the fingers! ZSJ playing this like a Villain and the fans rally up. Both men back away and reset. They feel things out, but Hechi KICKS low!

Hechi wrenches, pump handles, and rolls ZSJ! Hechi ties ZSJ up in his own version of Paradise, and then rolls ZSJ into a pretzel knot! ZSJ endures, slips free, and grabs Hechi’s arm! Hechi goes for the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as the two reset again. The fans duel again as ZSJ and Hechi circle. ZSJ rolls but Hechi avoids the leg pick. Hechi facelocks, ZSJ spins around, but Hechi goes for an arm. Hechi steps over, loops around and drags ZSJ into an INVERTED MOTORCYCLE STRETCH! Hechi bridges to put on the pressure, but ZSJ shifts around to high stack! Hechi lets go of the arms but ZSJ gets the legs, MODIFIED FIGURE FOUR!

The fans cheer while Hechi endures, and he TWISTS one of ZSJ’s feet! A simple yet effective counter, and now Hechi ties ZSJ’s legs up in a FIGURE FOUR! ZSJ SLAPS Hechi, Hechi SLAPS ZSJ, repeat! The fans fire up as these two SLAP fight while still locked up! Hechi bails on the leg lock to get in ZSJ’s face. The ref has them back up as ZSJ is in ropes, but Hechi CHOPS! The fans fire up and want “OTRA! OTRA!” Hechi kicks ZSJ, then CHOPS! ZSJ nods, and says, “Mada mada.” Hechi CHOPS, ZSJ UPPERCUTS, and then ZSJ fires more UPPERCUTS! ZSJ runs, Hechi follows, SLEEPER at the ropes!

ZSJ pries free, wrenches, but Hechi blocks the Pele! Hechi has ZSJ in the ropes, but ZSJ uses that for a DRAPING LEG LOCK NELSON! Hechi fights free, and he puts ZSJ’s leg in the rope to STOMP it! The fans fire up as both men continue to show vicious innovation! Hechi and ZSJ shake out their sore limbs while catching their breath. They then runs in, Hechi scoops to BACKBREAKER! ZSJ goes to ropes, but runs back in, only for another scoop! ZSJ slips free, and has the IRON OCTOPUS! Hechi endures and pulls on a leg! Hechi shifts ZSJ into an Alabama Lift, and swings him for BANGARANG! The fans fire up while both men are down!

Hechi drags ZSJ back by his legs, but ZSJ slips out the back to trip Hechi! ZSJ hooks the legs, grabs the arms, and goes up, up and ROMERO SPECIAL! The fans fire up, but Hechi fights free! Hechi has ZSJ’s legs for a TWIST and FIGURE FOUR! ZSJ grabs at the legs but Hechi kicks him! The fans rally as ZSJ endures, moves around, and pulls on his own leg in hopes of getting free. Hechi KICKS ZSJ down, then pulls on the leg! ZSJ sits up, Hechi KICKS him again! ZSJ fights around, grabs Hechi’s hand, but Hechi kicks him! ZSJ falls back, but he has the ROPEBREAK! The fans duel again while Hechi lets go.

Hechi sits ZSJ up against the ropes, CLUBS away on him, then runs to SPLASH against the ropes! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this and the fans rally up again. Hechi clamps on a SLEEPER, and he drags ZSJ up. Hechi hooks a leg to FLIP-OVER SHIN BREAKER! ZSJ flounders to the ropes, Hechi storms over, and he wraps ZSJ’s arm around the ropes! The ref counts, Hechi lets go at 4, and then Hechi drags ZSJ up. Hechi dragon sleepers and he inverted suplexes ZSJ to the top rope! But then ZSJ has a SLEEPER on Hechi! Hechi throws hands from below, then pulls on the arm to ELBOW BREAKER!

Hechi UPPERCUTS the bad arm, then climbs up, but ZSJ has him in a TOP ROPE OCTOPUS! The fans fire up but the ref counts. ZSJ lets go at 4, but Hechi throws hands! ZSJ hits back, the fans duel again, but ZSJ ROCKS Hechi! Hechi hops down, but comes back for a SUPER STEINER!! The fans fire up while ZSJ tumbles away! Hechi runs up, sunset flips, but ZSJ rolls through to PENALTY KICK! Both men are down again and the fans rally up. ZSJ drags Hechi up, UPPERCUTS, then UPPERCUTS again! Hechi gets around to waistlock, then he wrenches to CHOP! ZSJ wobbles, Hechi wrenches and whips.

ZSJ reverses, Hechi grabs ropes and avoids the dropdown! Then he gator rolls ZSJ by a leg, for a POINT-BLANK KNEE! The fans fire up while both men crawl away. ZSJ is in the corner, Hechi roars, and the fans fire up. Hechi runs in, ZSJ dodges, but Hechi goes up and out! Hechi HOTSHOTS ZSJ, goes up and SPRINGBOARD FLYING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this and the fans rally up again. Hechi and ZSJ both rise, and Hechi kicks ZSJ. Hechi eggs ZSJ on, kicks him, then runs. ZSJ BOOTS the lariat, wrenches an arm, and PELES! ZSJ then scoops Hechi, ZACK DRIVER!! Cover, TWO! But into an ARMBAR!!

Hechi clasps hands, fights around, but ZSJ shifts to hammerlock that arm, and he goes for the other! CLARKY CAT!! Hechi endures, reaches out, but ZSJ grabs a leg! ZSJ moves around to then shift right for a STF!! Hechi has the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go but the fans are thunderous! “This is Wrestling!” ZSJ storms up on Hechi, grabs an arm, but the ref reprimands as Hechi is still in the ropes. ZSJ STOMPS the arm! Hechi writhes but ZSJ comes back to grab that arm again. ZSJ drags Hechi up, wrenches, wrenches, but Hechi slips under to HEADBUTT! Hechi runs, goes up the ropes, and MISSILE DROPKICKS!

The fans fire up as ZSJ ends up in a corner. Hechi runs in, and he STEP-UP KNEES! High stack, TWO!! ZSJ survives and the fans fire up more! Hechi drags ZSJ around, hammerlock sone arm and stands ZSJ up! CONJURO BACKBREAKER!!! The fans fire up again as Hechi crawls to the cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives but Hechi is too tired to be upset! The fans rally as hard as they can as Hechi and ZSJ slowly rise. Hechi brings ZSJ up, tucks him in, and he wants the reverse Gory Especial! The fans freak out as Hechi marches around with ZSJ on his back! VERTA- NO, ZSJ sits up with core strength!

Hechi fights the victory roll, and he ELBOW DROPS ZSJ’s lower back! Hechi hurries to hook ZSJ up, but ZSJ switches the Cobra Twist onto Hechi! Hechi fights free, hits a HIP TOSS, and then gets space. But ZSJ UP KICKS him! Hechi returns to basement DROPKICK! ZSJ basement DROPKICKS! Hechi basement DROPKICKS again! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! “This is Awesome!” as both men run in! Hechi kicks, ZSJ kicks, then both men BOOT! The two go to ropes, the fans rally up, and ZSJ runs in! ZSJ slips free of the scoop but Hechi victory rolls, to DOUBLE STOMP INVERTED MONKEY FLIP ZSJ!!

REAR NAKED CHOKE, but ZSJ slips free! EURO CLUTCH!!! TWO!!! Hechi has the ARMBAR!! ZSJ shifts, Hechi powers him down, they roll, and Hechi yanks ZSJ into an Oklahoma Roll! TWO, ZSJ steps over, LA MAGISTROL! TWO, Hechi has the arms again! ROLLING CRADLE, but ZSJ slips free to jackknife, PRAWN HOLD! ZSJ WINS!!!

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by pinfall

Truly, this is what they mean by “blink and you miss it!” Thankfully this is the age of streaming and being able to rewind! But in the end, ZSJ snatches away the tiebreaker win, truly establishing himself as perhaps the best today! But both ZSJ and Hechi still want more from the other, when and where will we see these two take it to a fourth round?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS Taiji Ishimori!

WrestleKingdom 19 was The Rogue Luchador’s win, but not the way he wanted it. And then he enters the Lucha Gauntlet for WrestleDynasty, and loses because of the golden bull’s eye on him! Will Desperado prove he is still the Best of the Super Juniors? Or will the Bone Soldier be victorious by God’s Grace?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it’s time to end this Battle in the Valley!

The bell rings and the fans rally up already. Despy and Taiji stare down, circle, then feel things out. Taiji waistlocks, Despy spins around but they end up on ropes. The ref counts, Taiji lets off slowly, and he promises a clean break. Taiji pats Despy on the shoulders, then backs off. The fans cheer, and Despy says okay then. They tie up, Taiji waistlocks, but Despy wrenches free. Taiji uses ropes to flip through and he hammerlocks in return. Despy goes to ropes, steps through, then steps back in to wrap Taiji’s arm around the ropes! The fans cheer, the ref counts, but Despy shifts to a headlock.

Taiji powers up but can’t power out as Despy holds on tight! Despy hits a headlock takeover, Taiji headscissors, Despy kips free, and Taiji jumps over the sweep! Taiji headlocks, Despy powers out to headlock back. Taiji powers out, then he arm-drags Despy! Things speed up, but Taiji avoids the arm-drag! Taiji headlocks and grinds Despy down. Despy fights up but Taiji cravats for the neck wrench. Despy breaks free, but the cravat is back! Despy breaks free again, but again Taiji cravats. Despy snapmares free, then he RUNS Taiji over! The fans cheer while Despy “fixes” his neck. Despy stands Taiji up and whips corner to corner.

Taiji reverses, runs up, but Despy put shim on the apron. Taiji blocks a shot, RAMS Despy, then slingshots, into an UPPERCUT! Despy builds speed and DIVES, into a GAMANGIRI! Taiji takes Despy down and the fans are torn. Taiji drags Despy up, wrenches him to a hammerlock, then he POSTS Despy’s shoulder! The fans boo but Taiji acts like he doesn’t know why. The ref checks Despy, and Taiji removes the blue buckle pad! Taiji hides that fact while Despy rises up. The fans rally, Despy rolls into the ring, and Taiji storms up on Despy. Taiji CLUBS Despy, Despy fires forearms, but Taiji CLUBS him again.

Taiji whips Despy into the bare buckles! Now the ref sees and he reprimands Taiji! The fans boo but Taiji grins while he acts like he can’t hear them. Taiji stalks Despy, drags him up, and wrenches an arm. Taiji whips Despy just to WRING him out! Despy writhes, then he rolls away to ropes. Taiji storms over, and he wraps the bad arm around ropes! The ref counts, Taiji lets go at 4, then he has the arm again! The ref counts again, Taiji lets go at 4 again, and he backs off this time. The fans boo but Taiji drags Despy up by the bad arm. Taiji snapmares Despy, then PULLS on the arm! Despy writhes but he fights up.

Taiji stops the stack by powering Despy back down! Despy fights back up, but Taiji wrangles him again! Despy fights, rolls, but Taiji slips under to hammerlock the bad arm. Taiji half nelsons the other arm but Despy fights around to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Taiji lets go at 4, and the fans rally up again. Taiji steps on Despy’s hand, then CLUBS Despy down. Taiji stands Despy up, hammerlocks the arm, but Despy fights the scoop! Despy fires body shots, the fans cheer him on, and he scoops, only for Taiji to hit a double wristlock takedown! Taiji has the double wristlock but Despy scrambles to the ROPEBREAK!

The ref counts, Taiji lets go, and Despy bails out. Despy leans on railing and the fans cheer him on, but Taiji fetches Despy into the ring. Despy fires forearms but Taiji KICKS the bad arm! Despy falls back, but he stands up, only for Taiji to hammerlock and POST him! The fans boo more, but Taiji just soaks it up. Taiji brings Despy around again, hammerlock and scoop, SHOULDER BUSTER! Despy writhes but Taiji aims from the corner. Taiji runs up, but into an ELBOW! Taiji BOOTS the bad arm, whips, but Despy reverses. Taiji handsprings, but into a BIG back suplex! The fans fire up for Despy while he goes to a corner.

Despy waits on Taiji, Taiji rises, and Despy runs in. Despy ELBOWS Taiji in a corner, then suplexes for a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Taiji stays in this but the fans rally behind Despy more. Despy drags Taiji up, whips him to ropes, but Taiji reverses to RAM the arm! Taiji WRINGS Despy out, then he soaks up the heat. Despy goes to a corner, Taiji runs in, but Despy dodges! Despy blocks a kick, puts the leg in the ropes, then he dropkicks the other leg! And he DRAGON SCREWS it, too! Taiji writhes now but Despy hauls him up, SHIN BREAKER and DRAGON SCREW! Then a LEG DROP on the knee!

Despy has Taiji in the INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Taiji endures, but he also has to keep his shoulders up. Taiji CHOPS away on Despy, and Despy “falls,” putting pressure on the hold! Taiji endures, reaches out, and he drags himself closer to ropes. But Despy makes the hold part CALF KILLER! Taiji still gets the ROPEBREAK! Despy lets go, the fans fire up, and Despy brings Taiji around. Taiji throws hands but there isn’t much to them. Despy taunts Taiji, then stomps the bad leg! Despy gut wrenches, but Taiji slips free! Taiji sends Despy to a corner, then he blocks boots! Taiji puts Despy in the ropes, ENZIGIRIS, then runs side to side, SLIDING GERMAN!

The fans are torn while Despy writhe. Taiji goes to the apron and he has Despy out there with him. The fans boo but Taiji wrenches the arm, and WRINGS it onto the apron! The ref reprimands but Taiji just soaks up the heat from San Jose. Taiji walks off the pain in his legs and lets the ring count climb. Despy sits up, but his left arm just hangs there. Despy stands at 6 of 20, and uses the railing to YANK the arm back into place. Despy slides in at 12 of 20, but Taiji goes COAST2COAST! Taiji is fired up but the fans are torn as he brings Despy up. Taiji wrenches the arm but Despy fires body shots. Despy is free, but Taiji scoops him! CIPHER UTAKI!

Despy sputters, Taiji clutches his knee, but Taiji crawls to the cover, TWO! The fans rally up while Taiji slaps his leg into working. Taiji goes to the apron, then climbs a corner. Taiji aims for a 450- NO, he has to roll through as Despy moves! Then Despy CHOP BLOCKS the bad leg! STRETCH MUFFLER! Taiji endures, but Despy rolls him from the ropes! Taiji uses that roll to get the chicken wing! BONE LOCK!! Despy endures, fights around, and the fans fire up! ROPEBREAK! Taiji lets go in frustration but the fans cheer. Taiji rises, takes aim, and BANG! The fans boo but Taiji drags Despy up. But Despy fights the underhooks!

Despy fires a forearm, Taiji fires a flurry! Despy DECKS Taiji with an elbow! The fans fire up and Despy drags Taiji back up. Underhooks and- NO, Taiji wrenches out to JUMP KNEE! Despy goes down in a heap but Taiji roars! The fans boo but Taiji brings Despy back around. But Despy wrenches out, spins Taiji, and underhooks! PINCH- NO, Taiji BACKDROPS and BRIDGES! TWO as Despy bridges up! Underhooks are still in, but Taiji fights the lift! Despy just hits a FACEBUSTER! And then he rolls through to haul Taiji up, for PINCH- NO, Taiji sunset flips! TWO!! Despy escapes, but now is in the BONE LOCK!!

Despy fights around, reaches out, but Taiji rolls him away from ropes! BONE LOCK!!! Despy endures, the fans rally as hard as they can, and Despy fights around! Despy reaches out, but Taiji rolls him away again! Then underhooks, BLOODY CROSS!!! But the bad knee holds Taiji back! Taiji crawls to the cover, ROPEBREAK!! Despy survives by a literal foot and Taiji is beside himself! Taiji again says BANG, and he drags Despy back up. The fans rally, even start to duel, but Despy RAMS Taiji into the bad buckles! Taiji writhes from tasing his own medicine, and the fans rally up again! Despy and Taiji go to opposite corners, then stand.

Taiji runs up to tilt-o-whirl, but no Mystica! GUITARA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO!! Taiji survives but Despy fires up! The fans are with Despy as he drags Taiji back up. Despy underhooks to PINCH- LA MYSTICA!? BONE LOCK!!! Despy scrambles, Taiji rolls him away! But Despy slips through to STRETCH MUFFLER!! NUMERO DOS!! Taiji endures, reaches out, and he uses core strength to sit up! But Despy fights the Destroyer! He tucks Taiji in, for a DUDE BUSTER!! Cover, TWO!!! Taiji survives and the fans are thunderous! “This is Awesome!” as Despy drags Taiji up. Taiji pushes free, and he throws a punch, but there’s nothing to it!

Despy drags Taiji up, underhooks him, JAY DRILLER!! Despy holds on, and he drags Taiji up for the PINCHE LOCO!! Cover, DESPY WINS!

Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)

It was quite the Battle in the Valley, but it seems Taiji could not use grace as a cheat code to win. Will he just have to fight even harder if he wants to be champion again?

As for Desperado, he has the belt on his shoulder as he gets the mic. In English, he thanks everyone for coming to the show. But he also admits his English is not so good, sorry. Despy does not some fans were cheering Suzuki-Gun, but uh, Suzuki-Gun is over. But Despy still respects Minoru Suzuki, and no matter what, Suzuki-Gun is still number one. Okay, you guys? The fans cheer that! But again, Suzuki-Gun is done, so this time, cheer NJPW, okay? The fans also cheer that. Despy thanks them, and says NJPW is ICHIBAN!! The fans cheer again, and Despy leaves it at that. The first defense is done, who will be next for the Rogue Luchador?

My Thoughts:

An awesome Battle in the Valley, and it partly makes me feel bad I missed Strong Style Evolved, I would’ve liked to see WCWC VS GYV for those tag titles. Now, obviously these titles were all retained, but as I’ve said in the past, keeping the status quo is fine so long as it’s done in great matches. Gabe VS Ishii opening was a surprise, but seeing them go the full 30 minutes was an awesome way for Gabe to retain the title. And now Windy City Riot having a 30 minute Ironman match is going to be awesome stuff. Though something about that is interesting, because if they didn’t lose a fall in 30, there’s a chance we get like one fall with just minutes to spare and then time runs out before the other guy can tie the score.

Great openweight tag title match, getting a win over Yoh & Rocky is great for WCWC as they’re still a younger team. But at the same time, it was with a great Heel cheat spot, that’s totally fine. The 8 Woman Tag was a lot of fun, but a little scary there with Adora needing a moment. She perhaps just got the air knocked out of her from all those combo moves. But Team Mina, which was basically her faction of Empress Nexus Venus from Stardom, was a good choice for winning. Mina only just lost the Rev-Pro Women’s title, she needed a rebound. But Anna Jay got to look strong as her team’s final woman, maybe Anna can get herself to a NJPW women’s title.

ELP VS Cobb being a draw of its own kind was great stuff, mostly because Cobb threw another man to take out ELP. I’m sure they’ll have a rematch, maybe part of prime NJPW programming, and maybe ELP gets a win. The Sumie Sakai Mixed Six was such a fun match, a very unique way of doing a retirement match but also a unique Mixed Six. The House of Torture got some comeuppance while Sumie got to look superhuman, and Sumie taking all those big moves before losing is a great way in-ring to show her respect. Then we got a great retirement ceremony, this all honestly could’ve closed the show, but this is still a NJPW event so NJPW things need to main event.

Konosuke VS Kushida was great, great win for Konosuke and certainly a great first match for Kushida in an openweight division. Konosuke calling out Tanahashi for Windy City Riot is wild, and that is going to be a stellar match. ZSJ VS Hechicero was world title worthy, maybe even main event worthy, but it makes sense this was second-to-last since it wasn’t for the title. Great win for ZSJ, making him 2-1 with Hechi, and it’d be great if they could arrange the next match for Forbidden Door: London. And then a great main event from Desperado and Taiji. Great storytelling of how both men know each other given their rivalry, but then great win from Desperado. Despy making his closing promo a shoutout back to Suzuki-Gun was great, and I’m sure a prime NJPW event will be where Despy finds a new challenger.

My Score: 9/10

What’s next for NJPW?

Zack Sabre Jr. is STILL IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, but he already knows Hirooki Goto has the next shot! TMDK VS Chaos in the main event!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kickoff – Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata VS Shoma Kato, Katsuya Murashima & Daiki Nagai;  Tenzan, Kojima & Nagata win.
• Special Exhibition: Josh Barnett VS Boltin Oleg; Time Limit Draw.
• 10 Man Tag: El Phantasmo, Jado, Shota Umino, Master Wato & Tomoaki Honma VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
• 8 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, Tiger Mask & Togi Makabe VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
• Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS SANADA & Clark Connors; Sanada & Connors win.
• El Desperado & KUSHIDA VS Taiji Ishimori & KENTA; Desperado & Kushida win.
• 8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
• Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi VS Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi; Naito & Hiromu win.
• 8 Man Tag: Chaos VS TMDK; Chaos wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Special Exhibition: Josh Barnett VS Boltin Oleg!

The War Master made his return to NJPW with the Ranbo, and he had quite the confrontation with his former student. Will Barnett show Boltin he still has a lot to learn? Or will Barnett end up behind BARS?

The bell rings and we’re on the clock. The fans rally as Boltin and Barnett circle. They feel things out, tie up, clinch, and go around. They break, clinch again, and Oleg gets a leg to bring Barnett down. Oleg powers to a cover, Barnett slips out, but Oleg hurries to waistlock. Barnett rolls, but Oleg gut wrenches! Barnett still rolls free, and the fans cheer this exchange. The two go again, clinch, and Barnett goes for an arm. Oleg powers Barnett down, floats around to stay on Barnett, and the two stand again. Barnett manages a double wristlock takeover, but Oleg slips out to go for legs. Barnett fights that so Oleg floats to a facelock.

Barnett slips out of the hold and the fans cheer. Oleg and Barnett go again, clinch, and they fight for control. Oleg throws Barnett down and the two reset again. Oleg and Barnett feel out another grapple, and Oleg gets around to waistlock. Oleg drags Barnett down to go for an arm, then he shifts to an armbar! Barnett has the ROPEBREAK, and Oleg lets go slowly. The fans applaud as the two reset again. They clinch, Barnett goes for a throw, and he has it on the third try! But Oleg hurries to float around and get Barnett’s back. Barnett turns that to a lateral press, TWO! Oleg fights but Barnett keeps him grounded with a wristlock.

We hit the two minute warning as Oleg rolls and rolls, and he goes for the wristlock. Barnett moves around, manages a headscissor, then a leglock! Oleg rolls to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Barnett lets go. The two hurry to their feet and go again. They go around in the clinch, then Oleg goes for a leg. Barnett fights that off with a cravat! Oleg pushes free of that, then he and Barnett tie up again. One minute left, Barnett clinches but Oleg powers him to ropes. The ref calls the break, but the two come off the ropes. Oleg waistlocks, and he brings Barnett down, but Barnett headscissors! Barnett has an arm to keep Oleg grounded!

Oleg fights around, we hit 30 seconds but Barnett puts on the pressure! Oleg endures, the fans rally, and we are under 20! Oleg slips free, and he manages a gut wrench! GUT WRENCH PLEX! at 10 seconds! And then a fireman’s carry! But Barnett slips free to a SLEEPER! TIME’S UP!

Time Limit Draw

It was hard to say who was saved by the bell there, but Barnett shows his student respect with a handshake and a hug. Barnett makes sure to get the mic so he can tell Oleg, “Yesterday, it wasn’t the Ranbo for us. It was a test for you to see if you would come here today, and meet me in this ring. You showed up. That’s the first part, you passed that part. Then, you wrestled your ass off tonight. I told you I was gonna go for that arm, but you learned. So congratulations, you’re now moving up. This is not the end. I’ll take you as high as I can, which means I’mma make you a champion some day, I promise you.”

The fans applaud, and Oleg takes the mic to respond. In Japanese, Oleg apologizes, as his English isn’t so good. But Oleg does tell Barnett that Barnett does know some Japanese, so Oleg will use that to tell him at the Ranbo, it was amazing to see him back and to take him on. Oleg is also honored to train under Barnett, to have this match here, and is looking forward to where they go next. Student and teacher head out, what heights will Oleg reach in the New Year?

After the 10 Man Tag…

While the United Empire won against El Phantasmo, Shota Umino and team, Great-O-Khan felt the need to add insult to injury! He not only beats down The Roughneck on the outside, but he takes those fan-made replica belts, AND RIPS THEM UP! The fans boo Khan being a villainous dictator, and Shota is the angriest of all! Shota rushes in there, but he gets mugged by The Empire! Young Lions step in but they can’t save Shota or the gifts that Khan destroyed. Will Shota make sure Khan pays for this with his blood, sweat and tears?

After the 8 Man Tag…

The House of Torture found a way to cheat Hiroshi Tanahashi’s team, but what else is new? And speaking of not all that new, they beat down Tanahashi & Yano, basically calling them out for a NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championship match! But with that, here comes Boltin! Boltin runs off The House, but The House is getting away with stealing two of the three titles! Sho gets on the mic to talk trash on The Ace, the Joker & The Rook, and says that if they want their belts back, “Catch us if you can!”

The Murder Machine, Tokyo Pimp, Heel Master & Souled Out Son of Strong Style run away, leaving President Ace to consider his next course of action. Will Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg once again put The House behind BARS? Or will Tanahashi’s Final Road get a lot rockier from here on out?

Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS SANADA & Clark Connors!

Speaking of the New Japan Ranbo, The Holy Emperor and Cold Blooded had a confrontation that also cost them both the #1 contender’s spot. But at the same time, Sanada did cost Taichi the Global Heavyweight Championship just a few months ago. Will Taichi get a semblance of revenge? Or will Sanada and 100 Proof take down Taichi and the Blue Playmaker?

Well, the tables are turned as TakaTaichi goes after the War Dogs before the bell! The fans fire up as Taka brings Connors away, and then Taichi SMACKS Sanada off the timekeeper’s table! Taichi CLUBS Sanada, brings him back to the ramp, and CLUBS him again! The fans rally for Taichi as he moves railing aside, and has fans clear out. Taichi whips but Sanada reverses, STRIKE! Sanada even takes someone’s umbrella to JAM Taichi up! The fans boo but Sanada leaves Taichi behind. Connors has also turned things around on Taka, and then puts him in the ring. Connors talks trash, the fans boo, but the bell rings to finally get this on record.

Connors takes his time taking off his nice new fur jacket, but Taichi’s already back! Sanada kicks Taichi, then sends him into railing! Connors stomps away on Taka, drags him up, and CHOPS him! Taka staggers, Connors eggs him on, so Taka comes back. Taka eggs Connors on, so Connors CHOPS again! Taka staggers, but he comes back for more! Connors CHOPS again! The fans fire up with Taka, and then he pokes Connors in the eye! The fans cheer while Connors staggers away. Taka stomps Connors around, but Connors ROCKS Taka! Taka fakes an eye poke to kick the shin! Taka runs, but Sanada gets a cheap shot in!

Taka staggers around, Connors runs to JEEP FLIPPER! Sanada BLASTS Taichi off the apron! The fans boo but the War Dogs stalk Taka to their corner. Connors bumps Taka off buckles, then tags Sanada. Sanada CLAWS Taka’s back, then ignores the fans as they boo. Sanada brings Taka around, snapmares, and then clamps on a chinlock. Sanada has the ref watch Taichi, but then he uses wrist tape to CHOKE Taka! Fans boo, but Sanada hides it in the headscissors! The ref checks Taka but Taichi says something’s not right! The ref checks but Sanada’s quite the magician. The ref finally sees the trick and reprimands!

Sanada lets Taka go, the fans rally, but Sanada tags Connors. Connors stomps Taka around, then CHOKES Taka! The ref counts, Connors lets go and “apologizes,” but the fans rally again. Connors clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Taka down. Taka endures, and he pries at the hold, only for Connors to CLUB him down! Connors stands Taka up to CHOP him again! Connors whips, Taka reverses and wrangles Connors into a JUST FACELOCK! But Sanada stomps Taka! Sanada whips, Taka reverses and wrangles Sanada! JUST FACELOCK! But Connors stomps Taka, then he BLASTS Taichi! Connors CLUBS Taka again, then talks smack.

Connors runs, but Taka goes the other way! Connors avoids the boot to knee low! But Taka CALF KICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Taka and Connors crawl, hot tags to Sanada and Taichi! The fans fire up as the two run up, but Sanada dodges an Ax Bomber! Sanada kicks and whips, but Taichi comes back to BOOT! The fans fire up as Taichi gives Sanada some Kawada Kicks. Taichi whisp, Sanada reverses, but Taichi comes back. Sanada blocks the boot, trips Taichi, but Taichi fights against Paradise! Sanada comes back, kicks and whips, but Taichi reverses to wrench and DANGEROUS HOOK KICK!

The fans fire up, and Taichi BOOTS Connors for good measure! The fans rally for Taichi, and he paces around. Taichi drags Sanada up, but Sanada takes a swing! Taichi gets around, DANGER- NO, Sanada fights the saido! Sanada CLUBS away on Taichi, then whips, only for Taichi to reverse. But Sanada dropkicks the legs! Then he DROPKICKS Taichi out of the ring! Sanada storms up to the ropes, PLANCHAS, and down goes Taichi! The fans boo but Sanada soaks that up. Sanada drags Taichi up, puts him in the ring, and the fans rally again. Sanada stands Taichi up, fireman’s carries, but Taichi fights free!

Taichi swings, but Sanada catches him! Taichi fights the Skull End, so Sanada shifts to a waistlock. Taichi fights the suplex to then PELE! The fans fire up while both men are down! Taichi rises again, and OFF COME THE PANTS! The fans fire up but Connors grabs Taichi’s hair! Taichi RIDGE HAND CHOPS Connors! But then Sanada CHOKES Taichi using the pants! Dragon sleeper, SKULL END, but Taichi rolls free! AX BOMBER!! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Taichi and Connors crawl, hot tag to Taka! Taka runs up to BOOT! Taka runs again but Sanada gets around! O’Conner BRIDGE, but Taka flips it to JUST FACELOCK!

The fans fire up but Connors runs in! Taka kicks his legs out to get him in a TRIANGLE HOLD! Taichi then takes Connors for a SEITEI JUJIHOU! Taka CLUBS away on Sanada, pulls way back, but Sanada fights to the ROPEBREAK! Taka lets go, whips Sanada to a corner, then SHINING WIZARDS! CALF KICK! BOOT! SUPER K!! Taka covers, TWO!! Taichi keeps Connors on the outside while Taka fires up! The fans rally behind Taka as he scoops Sanada! But Sanada slips free, only for Taka to SHOTEI! Taka runs, but Sanada shoves him at the ref! POP-UP LOW BLOW!! The fans boo, but Sanada has Taka in the SKULL END!!

Now Connors keeps Taichi out of the ring! Taka endures, but he TAPS! War Dogs win!

Winners: Sanada & Clark Connors, by submission

Cold Blooded indeed to cheat his former friends. But then Sanada grabs some beer from ringside, and he pours it all over Taka’s face! Taichi is pissed and he shoves Connors away! Taichi storms into the ring, but Sanada bails right out. Taichi grabs a chair and pursues! The War Dogs fall back while Young Lions do their best to stop Taichi! When and where will the War Dogs settle things with Just4Guys?

After El Desperado & KUSHIDA VS Taiji Ishimori & KENTA…

The Time Splitter gets the win for his team by making The Fang Revived tap out to the Hoverboard! But now, Kushida gets the mic to speak. “Konosuke Takeshita! You also know ‘the world,’ so please, ‘teach’ me. I want the NEVER-” But then Taiji snatches the mic! Taiji says he’ll get to Kushida later. But DESPY! You know what Taiji wants, right? Put the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship on the line against him! “Come, let’s play.” The fans like the sound of that! Desperado takes the mic, and he says Taiji’s getting better on the mic.

But sure, why not? After all, Taiji and the six other guys in that gauntlet ganged up on him! Desperado will do it wherever, dome or no dome, so long as he can beat Taiji. The fans like the sound of that! And so now it is official! El Desperado VS Taiji Ishimori for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, and Kushida VS Konosuke Takeshita for the NEVER Openweight Championship, Saturday, January 11th, BATTLE IN THE VALLEY! Who leaves the Golden State with the gold?

After the 8 Man Tag: LIJ VS War Dogs…

Los Ingobernables de Japon comes away with the win as Titan forces Gedo to tap out to Llave Enmortal, but the rest of the teams still had some fire in them. Yota Tsuij and Gabe Kidd have a stare down, and Yota simply holds up the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship as a silent dare for Gabe to come after him. As for Drilla Moloney, he grabs the mic to shout at Shingo Takagi! Drilla tells Takagi that he’s a HEAVYWEIGHT now! “Rampaging Dragon, huh? Dragon’s aren’t real!! The only thing that’s real is me, and my dogs! Show me WTF you’re about, Takagi!” Another challenge has been issued, when and where will Takagi take on 44 Caliber?

Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi VS Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi!

The Uncontrollable Charisma & Ticking Timebomb were so close and yet so far from winning those IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships last night, but the chase is never ending. Will Naito & Hiromu stay tranquilo and head back for the titles? Or will they get burned by the Funky Sauce?

Hiromu brought back that ridiculous costume, and he still struggles to get out of it. But that aside, the teams sort out, and Taguchi makes sure his neck is alright before he steps up. Zayne says that’s fine, he and Taguchi are friends. And he’s friends with Red Shoes. See? Matching shoes! Taguchi feels awful, he should’ve thought of that. LIJ fist bump, the fans cheer, and Hiromu steps up against “Funky.” The bell rings, the fans rally, and Taguchi tests the waters with some big kicks. Hiromu stays back, then the two tie up. Hiromu headlocks, but Taguchi pulls hair. Red Shoes reprimands, Taguchi powers up and out, then drops down.

Taguchi bypasses Hiromu, and bypasses, and bypasses! Hiromu slides out and says timeout! He knows that trick too well to fall for it again. The fans cheer, but Taguchi slides out! Taguchi chases Hiromu back into the ring, and then he bypasses him again! But then Taguchi drops under the CROSSBODY! Hiromu flops, but Taguchi may have overdone it there. Zayne BLASTS Naito off the apron, then he stomps Hiromu. Zayne calls to Taguchi, stomps Hiromu again, and then gets ice for Taguchi. Taguchi ices the groin, then he hobbles over to help Zayne double whip Hiromu. Zayne then blows past Hiromu to BULLDOG! Taguchi adds a basement DROPKICK!

The fans cheer but Taguchi still ices his groin. Zayne puts Hiromu in a corner, he and Taguchi double whip. Taguchi whips Zayne in, but Hiromu dodges! Zayne hits buckles, Naito trips him up, and Hiromu dodges the hip attack! Hiromu runs up on Zayne to CROSSBODY! Naito brings Taguchi up, and feeds him to a CROSSBODY! The fans cheer and Hiromu brings Taguchi back up. Hiromu wrenches Taguchi, tags Naito, and Naito CLUBS Taguchi’s arm. LIJ double whip Taguchi, atomic drop, and then dropkick to the legs! Naito basement DROPKICKS Taguchi, covers, TWO! Taguchi stays in this but Naito cravats for the neck wrench.

Taguchi endures as Naito puts on the pressure, and then Hiromu tags in. LIJ mugs Taguchi, and Hiromu CHOPS Taguchi to a corner. Hiromu whips corner to corner, runs up and LARIATS, then snapmares to run and basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Taguchi stays in this but Hiromu tags Naito back in. The fans rally while LIJ stands Taguchi up. Taguchi fires off CHOPS on them both! Hiromu kicks low, Naito kicks, then Hiromu CHOPS! LIJ double whips, Taguchi ducks the lariat to HIP- DOUBLE ATOMIC DROP! Taguchi staggers around, LIJ double whip him again, but he DOUBLE HIP ATTACKS!

The fans fire up while Taguchi and LIJ are all down! Taguchi rolls to hot tag Zayne! Zayne fires off forearms on Naito, whips him to ropes, and hip tosses! STANDING CINNAMON TWIST! The fans fire up and Zayne stands Naito up. Zayne suplexes, but Naito fights that! Naito suplexes, Zayne fights that! Zayne tries again, Naito slips around to waistlock, but Zayne powers Naito to a corner! Naito holds on, Zayne tries again, but Naito sends Zayne into buckles! Naito goes up to FLYING RANA! The fans fire up and Naito brings Zayne around. Zayne CHOPS and ROCKS Naito, but Naito SPITS at him! Naito whips, but Zayne reverses, only for Naito to reverse back!

TORNA- NO! Zayne stops the DDT, then scoops Naito, but Naito wrenches the hair! Red Shoes reprimands but then Zayne BITES Naito’s fingers! Zayne rolls, wrenches, and ENZIGIRIS! Naito staggers away and the fans rally up. Hot tag to Taguchi, and he BLASTS Hiromu off the apron! Funky Sauce double whip Naito corner to corner, then Taguchi CORNER HIPS! Zayne uses Taguchi to LEAP FROG SHOTGUN! Then Taguchi helps Zayne roll to his feet, for Zayne to whip him in, HIP ATTACK! Then CANNONBALL! The fans fire up as Zayne & Taguchi drag Naito to the cover, TWO! Naito stays in this and the fans rally.

Funky Sauce get Naito up, ROLLING AX KICK SIDEWALK SLAM COMBO! Cover, but Hiromu breaks it! Zayne TOSSES Hiromu, Taguchi chicken wings Naito! But Naito rolls back, only for Taguchi to sit on the cover! TWO, but into OH MY GAH ANKLE! Someone is sent into railing outside, and Naito rolls free! But Taguchi stays back, and he BLINDSIDE KETSUYES! The fans fire up as Taguchi calls upon the powers of Strong Style! “ORYA~!” KETSU- NO, Naito sends Taguchi into the corner! Hiromu LARIATS, Naito UPPERCUTS, Hiromu SUPERKICKS, and Naito ENZIGIRIS! HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!

Hiromu CLOBBERS Zayne while Naito hits the ROLLING JACKKNIFE BRIDGE! TWO!! The fans fire up as Hiromu helps Naito with the BOOSTED TORNADO DDT!! Taguchi flounders, Naito drags him back up, wrench and DESTINO!! Cover, LIJ wins!

Winners: Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall

They may have lost that Triple Threat last night, but Naito & Hiromu are still World Tag League winners for a reason. Will this be just the thing they need to get back to the tag titles? Wait, Naito gets the mic, and he says, “Buenas noches, OTA-KU~! The IWGP Tag Team Championship Three Way at The Dome… Hiromu and I couldn’t become the champions. I don’t want to say that they didn’t beat us. That’d be lame of me. The new IWGP Tag Team Champions, The Young Bucks, please accept our request for a title shot!” The fans like the sound of that! Naito doesn’t know if The Bucks are watching this or not, but he looks forward to their answer, cabron!

Naito has called out Matthew & Nicholas, the ball is in their court! Will The Bucks make LIJ wait very long?

8 Man Tag: Chaos VS TMDK!

Hirooki Goto is the NEW #1 Contender to the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship after winning the New Japan Ranbo. That has him aimed squarely at Zack Sabre Jr, so both men have brought their teams to back them up. Will the Fierce Warrior, Headhunter, Azucar & Direct Drive build momentum for the New Year? Or will The Front Man, The Mullet and the NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions prove this year is mighty?

The teams sort out and Yoh calls out Fujita. Wait, is that why Yoh has arm straps and his hair’s styled like that? Is he trying to be a Japanese Young Punk? The bell rings, the fans rally up behind both “FU-JI-TA!” and “YO-OH! YO-OH!” Yoh and Fujita take their time circling each other, then they tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Yoh’s height is leverage to push Fujita back. They end up on ropes, Yoh lets off slowly, and then he fakes a chop to pat Fujita on the shoulders. The fans cheer, the two tie up again, and now Fujita pushes Yoh right to the ropes. Red Shoes calls the break, Fujita lets go, and he smooths Yoh’s hair, to then give him a kiss on the forehead.

The fans cheer and Yoh is flustered. Fujita eggs Yoh on, Yoh runs up but Fujita dodges. Fujita kicks, whips, but Yoh reverses. Yoh drops down, drop toeholds, then he basement- NO, Fujita avoids the dropkick! Yoh avoid the Penalty Kick, and the heel kick! Fujita avoids a lariat, Yoh avoids the backhand, and the fans fire up as the two reset. Fujita blows a kiss and Yoh is “shot through the heart!” Yoh composes himself and tags in Rocky Romero. The fans rally up as Fujita tags in Eagles, and Eagles circles with Rocky. They tie up, Rocky powers Eagles back to the ropes, but lets off slowly. Rocky rolls back and gives some Latino Heat.

The fans cheer, but then Eagles trips Rocky! Things speed up, Rocky hurdles but Eagles leaps over. They keep going and Eagles arm-drags! Rocky arm-drags! Rocky evades an arm-drag to UPPERCUT! The fans cheer while Eagles is in a daze, and Rocky tags Goto. The fans rally up as Goto & Rocky double whip, but Eagles reverses to crisscross! Eagles kicks Goto, then WHEEL KICKS Rocky! Hot tag to ZSJ! The fans fire up as ZSJ UPPERCUTS Goto again and again! ZSJ whips, Goto grabs ropes, and Yoshi-Hashi tags in! Goto BOOTS ZSJ, then Bishamon DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLES! Then Hashi runs for ZANMAI! Yoh runs in, ZANMAI! Rocky runs in, ZANMAI!!

The fans fire up for that hattrick, and then Chaos says, “Se~ no!” DRUM BEAT! The fans fire up as Chaos all flexes! Red Shoes reprimands, the fans cheer “GO-TO-O!” but Hashi stands ZSJ up. Hashi CLUBS ZSJ, CLUBS him again, then wrenches. ZSJ wrenches back and then wristlocks! Hashi ends up in the TMDK corner and Ryohei Oiwa tags in. Oiwa kicks Hashi, wrenches his arm and YANKS it! Oiwa RAMS then whips Hashi, but Hashi dropkicks the legs! Hashi keeps moving, BLOCKBUSTER! The fans cheer and Hashi ROCKS Oiwa. And ROCKS him again! Oiwa goes to a corner, so Hashi CHOPS him!

Oiwa eggs Hashi on so Hashi CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Hashi whips corner to corner, runs up, and CHOPS again! The fans cheer while Oiwa sputters. Hashi turns Oiwa, but Oiwa wrenches out to top wristlock! Oiwa wrangles Hashi, isolates the arm and STOMPS it! Oiwa tags ZSJ, then BLASTS the Chaos corner! ZSJ drags Hashi up, wrenches an arm, and Oiwa adds on. They both top wristlock and wrangle Hashi, but then Fujita & Eagles step in! Eagles & Fujita get the legs for toeholds while Oiwa & ZSJ keep on the wristlocks! Red Shoes reprimands but the fans cheer this quadruple hold combo!

TMDK then rotates, Fujita & Oiwa with legs while ZSJ & Eagles have arms! And then rotate again, and rotate again! Red Shoes reprimands more but he also has to keep Chaos from storming in. Red Shoes counts all four TMDK members, and they all let off at 4. ZSJ tags Fujita and Fujita stomps Hashi’s arm. Fujita drags Hashi up, whips him to a corner, then CHOPS! Hashi sits right down and the fans fire up! Fujita stands Hashi up to snapmare, and he runs to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! Hashi stays in this and the fans rally up. Fujita BLASTS Rocky, but Rocky’s right back to fire hands! Eagles gets in and stomps Rocky out!

Fujita & Eagles double whip Hashi, double ELBOW, then split the wishbone before DOUBLE KICKS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and duel while Fujita brings Hashi up. Fujita whips Hashi to the corner, then CHOPS! Tag to Oiwa, and Oiwa brings Hashi around for a headlock takeover. Hashi endures, fights up, but Oiwa grinds the hold. Hashi fires body shots, then CHOPS! Hashi headlocks and he grinds Oiwa down. Oiwa wrenches out, headlocks again, but Hashi powers up, only for Oiwa to hold on tight! Hashi fights up, lifts Oiwa, but Oiwa thrashes the hold. Hashi powers free this time, but Oiwa runs him over!

The fans fire up as Hashi rises, but then Oiwa headlocks for the takeover. Hashi headscissors, Oiwa kips free, and Oiwa ROCKS Hashi! Oiwa ROLLING- SUPERKICK from Hashi! Both men go to ropes, Oiwa fires up, but Hashi LARIATS him down! The fans fire up while both men fall! Hashi and Oiwa crawl, the fans rally up, hot tags to Goto and ZSJ! Th efans fire up as ZSJ dodges Goto then fires UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT! ZSJ whips, Goto reverses, and Goto LARIATS! Goto whips corner to corner to MURAMASA! Then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up and Goto storms around. Goto brings ZSJ up, but ZSJ double wristlocks!

ZSJ wrenches the arm, but Goto fires forearms! ZSJ wrenches and PELES! ZSJ SWEEPS the legs, and the fans rally up again. ZSJ PENALTY- NO, Goto blocks that kick, he knows it well from Shibata. ZSJ fires forearms, but Goto fireman’s carries! But ZSJ slips free, and he hooks Goto up in the IRON OCTOPUS! TMDK BLASTS Chaos off the apron, and Goto falls into a GROUND OCTOPUS! Goto endures, fights around, but Rocky DOUBLE STOMPS ZSJ! Eagles kicks Rocky then TOSSES him out! Eagles keeps after Rocky on the outside while ZSJ stands up. ZSJ KICKS Goto, then KICKS, then KICKS again!

ZSJ runs but Goto follows, and he LARIATS ZSJ down! The fans fire up and Goto snarls. Goto rises, the fans are behind him, and he dragon sleepers! But ZSJ slips down, victory roll, EURO CLUTCH! TWO!! Goto escapes, but ZSJ PENALTY KICKS! Goto rises to run up, but into a full nelson! Goto fights that, so ZSJ GERMAN SUPLEXES! Goto rises up again! They DOUBLE LARIAT, and ZSJ staggers! DOUBLE LARIATS, and ZSJ staggers again! Goto roars, runs, but ZSJ ROUNDHOUSES the lariat away! But then Goto LARIATS after all! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! ZSJ and Goto stir, crawl, and hot tag to Fujita and Yoh!

The fans rally as Yoh and Fujita fire forearms back and forth! Yoh ROCKS Fujita, ROCKS him again, and again! Yoh whips, Fujita reverses, and Eagles gets a KICK in! Yoh DECKS Eagles, Fujita ROCKS Yoh! Fujita whips, Yoh reverses, and Rocky gets a KICK in! Fujita DECKS Rocky! Yoh and Fujita storm up to each other, Yoh shoves Fujita around, and the forearms start flying! Eagles and Rocky storm in, and they fire forearms with each other! The fans fire up, Red Shoes reprimands, but Rocky CHOPS Eagles! Yoh ROCKS Fujita, but Fujita turns things around on him! Eagles does the same with Rocky, and they each CHOP Rocky and Yoh!

TMDK whips RPG Revise, but RPG Revise dosido! TMDK dodges, but then RPG Revise dodges, and they LARIAT in the corners! Then they trade, but TMDK dodges! CHOP for Yoh and DOUBLE KNEES for Rocky! Eagles feeds Rocky to Fujita’s SOBAT! Eagles UPPERCUTS, then Eagles & Fujita SUPERKICK HEEL KICK COMBO! Rocky falls, the fans fire up, and TMDK drags Yoh up. They double wrench and lift Yoh, but Yoh fights free! Yoh fires shots on them both, then runs, but into a GAMANGIRI! Fujita fires up and the fans are with him! Tag to Eagles, he and Fujita stand Yoh up to wrench, lift, MAXXIE BOMB! Cover, Hashi breaks it!

Fujita whips but Hashi reverses, out goes Fujita! Oiwa runs up, Hashi dodges, but then Oiwa dodge! Oiwa LARIATS Hashi down! The fans fire up as Oiwa gets Hashi out of the ring. Eagles goes corner to corner at Yoh, but Yoh pops him up to the apron! Eagles kicks low, then springboards, SNIPER DROPKICK to the legs! But Yoh denies Eagles the figure four! Goto corner LARIATS, then feeds Eagles to Yoh’s FALCON GOROSHI! Cover, but ZSJ YANKS Yoh back! Goto goes after ZSJ and they fire forearms back and forth! The fans fire up while ZSJ eggs Goto on! The shots go faster and faster, harder and harder!

ZSJ ROCKS Goto, whips, but Goto reverses to fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Goto stomps ZSJ out of the ring, leaving Yoh and Eagles to rise up. Yoh pounds the mat, the fans rally, and Yoh vows to end this. Yoh brings Eagles around, underhooks, DIRECT- NO, Eagles fights the lift, wrenches, schoolboy BRIDGE! TWO!! Yoh runs up but into a scoop! Fujita is in, but Rocky saves Yoh from the Sweet Buster! Rocky shoves Eagles into Fujita, but Fujita fights off RPG Revise! Fujita runs, into the 3K!! Eagles runs up, but Rocky gets around to BACKSTABBER! Yoh gives Eagles the FALCON ARROW!

The fans fire up and RPG Revise tune up! Eagles stands, staggers, and Rocky reels him in, 3- NO, Eagles hits Yoh first! Eagles runs up, Rocky blocks Eagles’ kick, and he sets Eagles up. Yoh runs in, but Eagles slips free, SUPERKICK hits Rocky! Yoh freaks out, Eagles trips him and steps through! But Yoh cradle counters! TWO!! Eagles escapes, and he ROUNDHOUSES! SUPERKICKS! ENZI- NO, Yoh ducks! Yoh tunes up fast, and he SUPER- NO, Eagles mule kicks the leg! Then TRIG- NO, Yoh ducks that and GROUND COBRA CRADLES! Cover, CHAOS WINS!!

Winners: Chaos, by pinfall

Eagles can’t believe it, but Rocky is thrilled! RPG Revise just got a win over the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions! Will Yoh & Rocky look to take those titles off the Ichiban Sweet Boys? But speaking of titles, ZSJ quite literally rubs the world title in Goto’s face. We also have Hashi and Oiwa still scrapping on the outside, and then Eagles gives a shove to Yoh. Rocky gets in Eagles’ face, Fujita and Yoh seem to at least keeping things to trash talk, and now Young Lions have to get in between Hashi and Oiwa as they CHOP each other! Hashi CHOPS Oiwa and he goes staggering away! Hashi storms up, Oiwa gets in Hashi’s face, and ZSJ wants his guys stand down.

Easier said than done as Fujita & Eagles hold up the tag titles to taunt Yoh & Rocky. And then Hashi and Oiwa trade CHOPS again! Oiwa even adds some SLAPS! But then Hashi CHOPS Oiwa, and Oiwa almost falls back! Oiwa runs up to fire forearms! ZSJ is frustrated but Oiwa fires LARIATS! Hashi CHOPS again, then eggs Oiwa on. The fans sound like they’re on Oiwa’s side, and Red Shoes has everyone separate. But then Oiwa gets loose to go after Hashi again! Oiwa fires forearms but Hashi CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Oiwa roars, despite his chest being so red! Hashi CHOPS him again and again, and this goes up the ramp!

Oiwa CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS but Hashi doesn’t care, he just CHOPS back! And CHOPS again! Talk about chaos! Oiwa tries to scoop Hashi! Young Lions stop him, but Hashi fights free to ROCK Oiwa! Red Shoes reprimands, but then Yoh gets on the mic! “Hey! Hey! Stop! Stop the fighting! Stop!” The fans cheer him being het voice of reason. Yoh says they are ruining New Year Dash! If they wanna fight so bad, just do it in the ring. Yoh then says that CHAOS won the night! The fans cheer that, and Yoh says that “2025 will belong to Chaos. Everyone already knows that Chaos is truly the strongest.

“Isn’t that right, Goto-san? Goto, who won an IWGP World title shot, don’t you agree?” The fans cheer as Yoh offers the mic. Goto picks up his title contract and takes the mic to say, “I won this! I finally made it back to this point.” The fans applaud that. Goto says he WILL challenge for the title… in OSAKA! The fans cheer that, too, and Goto says “No matter how many times you get beat, if you don’t give up, you aren’t defeated. The battle has only just begun. In the year 2025, join the Goto Revolution!” The fans are ready, will The Fierce Warrior finally stand atop the mountain? Or will ZSJ make him #JustTapOut?

My Thoughts:

A great New Year Dash, and though I skipped the matches, they still had meaningful moments after so this was a really packed show. Barnett saying he wants to bring Oleg to a title, which of course means singles title, I have a bad feeling that the House of Torture will win those NEVER Openweight Six Man titles off Oleg, Yano & Tanahashi. Barnett will then take Oleg to like the NEVER Openweight singles title or maybe the NJPW Strong Openweight title. Kushida calling out Konosuke Takeshita for the NEVER title is wild, that and Desperado VS Taiji Ishimori this Saturday at Battle in the Valley will be some awesome stuff.

Drilla calling out Takagi after LIJ won against the War Dogs was pretty wild, too. Takagi VS Drilla 1v1 will be great stuff, can’t wait to see who wins out. Naito & Hiromu of course rebound but that was a really fun match against Funky Sauce. Naito calling out The Bucks is great, but I think that’ll be saved for New Beginnings in Osaka, Battle in the Valley is too soon to waste that title match on. And clearly, Goto wants New Beginnings in Osaka to be where he battles ZSJ. Great 8 Man Tag that also helped set up Hashi VS Oiwa 1v1 and then TMDK VS RPG Revise for the Junior Heavyweight titles. Those will all be great matches, and a Chaos VS TMDK faction warfare story is some good stuff to carry NJPW through to the Spring.

My Score: 8.9/10