NJPW PPV Coverage

Andrew’s NJPW Destruction in Kagoshima Ratings & Analysis 9/16/2019

The second major event in the Destruction tour! Will Kota Ibushi be the first person to lose the Wrestle Kingdom contract?

Published

5 years ago

September 16, 2019

Andrew Balaz

The second major event in the Destruction tour! Will Kota Ibushi be the first person to lose the Wrestle Kingdom contract?

Minoru Suzuki and Jyushin Thunder Liger get another chance at one another. With no payoff date in sight, this is still building to a blood feud.

Aside from the obvious about the main event, the semi-main has probably the largest build. Going all the way back to the Southern Showdown tour when Eagles left Bullet Club, ELP has been a polarizing figure. Pushing Eagles out of Bullet Club, beating them both on the way to winning the Super J Cup, and his pointed comments about Ospreay add a lot of heat.

Can the Birds of Prey unseat the Bullet Club?

Let’s find out!

Ratings:

Young Lion Cup: Clark Connors vs Yuya Uemura: Uemura wins via Boston Crab @9:30 – ***
Young Lion Cup: Michael Richards vs Ren Narita: Narita wins via Belly to Belly Suplex Hold @7:20 – ** 1/4
Alex Coughlin, Karl Fredericks, Manobu Nakanishi & Toa Henare vs Shota Umino, Yota Tsuji, Ryusuke Taguchi & Yuji Nagata: Henare wins via Toa Bottom @9:45 – ** 1/2
Tomoshiro Ishii, YOSHI-HASHI, YOH & SHO vs Guerrillas of Destiny, Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale: YOH wins via Small Package @6:50 – ** 1/4
Minoru Suzuki, Zack Sabre Jr, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & DOUKI vs Jyushin Thunder Liger, Tomoaki Honma, Togi Makabe & Hiroshi Tanahashi: Liger’s team wins via DQ @9:20 – ***
SANADA, Shingo Takagi & BUSHI vs Hirooki Goto, Kazuchika Okada & Rocky Romero: Okada wins via Rainmaker @10:10 – *** 1/4
Jay White & Yujiro Takahashi vs Tetsuya Naito & EVIL: EVIL wins via Everything is Evil @11:50 – ** 1/2
IWGP Juinor Tag Team Championship: Bullet Club (Taiji Ishimori & ELP) (c) vs Birds of Prey (Will Ospreay & Robbie Eagles): Bullet Club retains via Bloody Cross/CR2 Combo @23:10 – **** 1/2
Wrestle Kingdom Contract Rights: Kota Ibushi (c) vs KENTA – Ibushi retains via Kamigoye @21:25 – *** 3/4

Analysis:

Young Lion Cup: Clark Connors vs Yuya Uemura – Uemura came into this match winless, and Clark seemed to have this air of arrogance. Between his trunks being a different color and generally more mouthy during the match, it was hard not to root for Yuya. As with most Young Lion matches, they do have a certain mold since they are only allowed to do so many moves. But Yuya showed great heart and Clark showed off a lot of skill…but also a lot of heel potential. Really good basic match.

Young Lion Cup: Michael Richards vs Ren Narita – This match lacked the intensity of the previous match, but it was still the usual kind of Young Lion match. Richards really doesn’t seem to be on the same level as the rest of the competitors. Aside from looking awkward in the ring, he’s got an odd body composition so it just paints a weird picture. Narita won, which keeps a three way tie at the top. But yeah…heavily unimpressed with Richards.

Alex Coughlin, Karl Fredericks, Manobu Nakanishi & Toa Henare vs Shota Umino, Yota Tsuji, Ryusuke Taguchi & Yuji Nagata – Much better than the Beppu match. Tsuji and Alex seem to have a budding rivalry, Shota and Karl seem to be positioning for Alpha. They’re tied at the top of the Young Lion Cup with Narita, and you can see that they have bright futures. Solid enough match, but the Young Lions really shined. Also it was amusing to see Taguchi realize Nakanishi was going to counter the Funky Weapon with a Polish Hammer, so he faked and then threw the move. It was an amusing enough wrinkle.

Tomoshiro Ishii, YOSHI-HASHI, YOH & SHO vs Guerrillas of Destiny, Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale – Oddly paced match. Started with the usual outside brawl and Bullet Club advantage, but this match was to set up a few things. Ishii and YOSHI-HASHI looked to be more on the same page as a team, so they helped the CHAOS team come back into the match. YOH looked like he was about to get sacrificed to the Magic Killer, but SHO spears Loa and YOH gets the Small Package for a surprise win! A Junior tag team member got the pinfall over one half of the Heavyweight tag champs. Well now…interesting.

Minoru Suzuki, Zack Sabre Jr, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & DOUKI vs Jyushin Thunder Liger, Tomoaki Honma, Togi Makabe & Hiroshi Tanahashi – We road a small undercurrent with Sabre and Tanahashi still having some ill will towards one another, but the focus for this was Liger and Suzuki. Liger begged for tags when Suzuki was in the ring and they went back and forth with great fervor and implied hatred. Suzuki however was a little surprising going for the obvious DQ when he hit referee Marty Asami with the chair and then beat down Liger with it. The Young Lions ran in to try and get Suzuki off of Liger, but Suzuki managed to take the mask off. In a show of respect that you don’t see in Western wrestling, nearly all of the Young Lions tore their shirts off to hide Liger’s identity. So a pissed off Liger, with shirts over his head grabs the microphone and vows to get Suzuki back.

– This could be one last return of Kishin Liger. Muta brought out the dark side in Liger a long time ago, and Suzuki is following a similar path. If Liger is retiring at this coming Wrestle Kingdom, I think we should get one more Kishin revival.

SANADA, Shingo Takagi & BUSHI vs Hirooki Goto, Kazuchika Okada & Rocky Romero – Everyone has a rival in this match, this is a great set up for a 6 man. Goto and Shingo are the two bulls jockeying for position, SANADA is trying to prove the G1 win wasn’t a fluke and Rocky just hates BUSHI. Shingo and Goto were the main two to watch during most of the match, because they just kept hitting each other and wouldn’t stop. Okada isn’t one to be shown up though, so he had to make a statement to SANADA. SANADA stared down Okada in Beppu, so Okada returned the favor when he knocked BUSHI’s head off and stared SANADA down during the three count. Very good build.

Jay White & Yujiro Takahashi vs Tetsuya Naito & EVIL – Yujiro and EVIL are along for the ride in this match, but that doesn’t make it uninteresting. Naito and Jay are great together, plus we get the old story of Yujiro and Naito’s old tag team. No Limit was a solid tag team before Naito’s knee injury. But the focus is the upcoming Intercontinental Title match. Naito probably should’ve been counted out at some point, especially after a rough bump on the apron, but still a fun match. Not a ton to breakdown, just a fun match.

IWGP Juinor Tag Team Championship: Bullet Club (Taiji Ishimori & ELP) (c) vs Birds of Prey (Will Ospreay & Robbie Eagles): Words do tend to fail a little bit to encapsulate what happened in this match. The main thread was that Ospreay and Eagles both have issues mainly with ELP. ELP instigated things beautifully and of course there were a ton of high flying spots, but damn it did tell a great story.

Eagles left Bullet Club, so BC wanted to prove it was the wrong call. Birds of Prey pulled off a tandem flip out of the powerbomb, they followed it up with a tandem Tope con Hilos and just a lot good work. Eagles still maintained his Sniper gimmick by focusing on Taiji’s leg as set up for the Ron Miller Special. But ELP managed to break up the hold and throw caution to the wind by hitting a Top Rope Moonsault over the first barricade and into the first row of fans just to try and take Ospreay out of the equation. This really was the Phantasmo show, not to say Taiji didn’t hold his own and isn’t still one of the best Juniors in wrestling today…but the story was all ELP. Phantasmo did just enough to wipe out Ospreay and a combination of finishers from Taiji and ELP kept the belts in Bullet Club’s possession. A damn crazy match.

Wrestle Kingdom Contract Rights: Kota Ibushi (c) vs KENTA – KENTA hits a sudden Yakuza Kick as Ibushi is entering the ring, and then KENTA proceeds to beat Ibushi with the briefcase. Small pause for the doctor to check Ibushi, but the heat KENTA got was amazing. More poignantly since Kagoshima is effectively Ibushi’s hometown. So KENTA is getting multiple layers of heat.

Ibushi says he’s good to go, and KENTA hits the Busaiku Knee for a near fall and then the beatings continued. KENTA took Ibushi to task on the outside, jawed with the fans to big boos, mocked their rallying cries for Ibushi and did fantastic heel work. Grinning and instigating the entire time. Ibushi slid in, and KENTA kicked him out immediately to continue to punishment.

It wasn’t until KENTA started toying with Ibushi in the ring, that we saw that ‘second life bar’ kick in, and Kota tapped into his more sadistic side. This is when the real match started, and it was stiff strikes with crazy exchanges. Slaps, kicks and then a Double Head Kick gave them both a small reprieve. KENTA focused Ibushi’s knee, slapped on a Figure Four and kept his focus true. Ibushi powered through, hit the Stalling Dropkick that KENTA innovated but Shibata made famous, and KENTA was a little insulted. You could tell since he immediately got Ibushi into a situation to show him how to do the Stalling Dropkick correctly.

We also get a great callback to Beppu since G.o.D. comes out to try and help KENTA win, but Ishii and YOSHI-HASHI make the save for Ibushi. Which we all know is more of a way to screw Bullet Club than save Ibushi. KENTA tried to be cheeky and use the Kamigoye for the win, but Kota kicked out. Blocking the Go 2 Sleep, Ibushi hits a Kamigoye with and without the knee pad, to keep his contract.

-After the match EVIL makes his way to the ring to remind everyone that he’s next to try and take the contract.

Overall Score: 8/10

This was a great show. We got to see some of the Young Lion Cup leaders position for superiority, Uemura finally got himself a win and a Junior pinning a Heavyweight. That’s also not mentioning Liger/Suzuki building nicely, Naito/White being great mind games and the last two matches being solid entries.

Junior Tag Team match had so much intensity and general disdain it was great, and the Main Event was damn good. Some people may complain the main event was too much sizzle and not enough steak, but it’s deeper than that. When Ibushi won the G1 someone asked him about the difference between Jay having all of the Bullet Club and he didn’t have Kenny. Ibushi responded with the statement of “I’ve always been alone”.

So the story around KENTA’s turn, is the Bullet Club works as a group. G.o.D. helped KENTA, KENTA returned the favor, G.o.D. tried to interfere again today, but Ishii and YOSHI-HASHI were around to even out the numbers. Ibushi’s next challenger is EVIL, and we all know that L.I.J. is the closest thing in New Japan to a family.

In summation, if you look past the ‘WWE style’ of getting heat and prioritizing character work, there are other threads being pulled that make it something special. Sure, the main event wasn’t extended stiff strikes like Suzuki or Ishii, or workrate, but professional wrestling is made up of many layers.

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

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Mitchell’s Wrestling Satsuma no Kuni Results & Report! (4/29/24)

Kagoshima is fired up!

Published

18 hours ago

April 29, 2024

Steven Mitchell

Who truly run the Junior Heavyweight Division?

With Best of the Super Juniors on the horizon, the IWGP Junior Heavyweight AND Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions must defend their gold! Will Sho and the War Dogs keep Bullet Club’s gold?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Boltin Oleg VS Katsuya Murashima; Oleg wins.
Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Togi Makabe & Tiger Mask VS Just5Guys; Just5Guys win.
8 Man Tag: TMDK VS The United Empire; TMDK wins.
10 Man Tag: The House of Torture VS Shota Umino, El Desperado, El Phantasmo, Hikuleo & Jado; The House of Torture wins.
Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, Yoshi-Hashi & Tomoaki Honma VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney VS Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI; Connors & Moloney win and retain the titles.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion: SHO VS DOUKI; Sho wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney VS Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI!

The War Dogs took these titles back on the Road to New Beginning, and then kept them through Sakura Genesis. But the Timebomb and Black Mask are ready to take their shot ahead of the Best of the Super Juniors! Will Hiromu & Bushi be bringing these titles into the tournament? Or will 100 Proof & 44 Caliber empty the Full Clip to keep their gold?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who wins this shootout!

The teams sort out and Hiromu starts against Connors. They both run in and DOUBLE LARIAT! They stay up and DOUBLE LARIAT again! They still stay up, Hiromu dodges Connors and headlocks. Connors powers up and out and runs Hiromu over! Bu then Hiromu runs Connors over! They get in each other’s face, Hiromu shoves Connors, and then both Drilla and Bushi jump in. Hiromu kicks Drilla first, and Bushi kicks Connors! Hiromu CHOPS Drilla, he and Bushi whip the Dogs at each other, but the Dogs dosido to redirect themselves. Hiromu TOSSES Drilla while Bushi dodges Connors, then Hiromu runs in to clothesline Connors!

Hiromu snapmares Connors, he and Bushi DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Hiromu keeps on Connors with a facelock and tags Bushi in. They mug Connors, then Bushi snapmares to stomp Connors. Bushi brings Connors up but Connors knees low. Connors barks and runs, but into a kick! Then Hiromu dropkicks the legs out and Bushi basement dropkicks Connors down! Hiromu barks at Drilla, Bushi covers Connors, TWO! The fans rally for Bushi, he brings Connors up and CLUBS him to the LIJ corner. Tag to Hiromu, he barks at Drilla while Bushi stomps Connors. Hiromu turns around, Connors UPPERCUTS him!

Connors hot tags Drilla, but LIJ mugs him first! They double whip, but Drilla ducks the clothesline to shove Bushi into Hiromu! Drilla then ripcords Bushi but Bushi ducks the chop to run and RANA! Drilla is right up, but Bushi DROPKICKS him back down! Drilla bails out, the fans fire up as Bushi builds speed, but Connors gets in to SNAP POWERSLAM! Connors runs at Hiromu but is put on the apron! Hiromu runs to FLYING SUNSET FLIP- NO, Connors holds ropes to deny the bomb! And then Drilla gets under to drag Hiromu out, for an APRON POWERBOMB! Hiromu slumps down while Connors growls!

Connors and Drilla go around the corners, coordinate, and run in to SPEAR GORE COMBO Hiromu on the outside!! Drilla roars, Connors throws up the Too Sweet and fans are torn. The ref checks on Hiromu, he’s somehow okay to continue, so the ring count starts. Connors goes out to fetch Hiromu, even as the fans rally up. Connors drags Hiromu through the gate to TOSS him into the crowd! The count passes 15 as Hiromu stirs! Hiromu crawls but we’re already at 18! Hiromu sprints and slides in, SAFE! Drilla chuckles, then he looms over Hiromu to rain down fists! The fans rally for Hiromu, even as Drilla hits him over and over!

The ref reprimands about closed fists so Drilla lets off. The ref checks Hiromu, he’s still conscious so Drilla drags him up by his hair. Connors barks at Hiromu, the fans rally, but the ref still wants to check Hiromu. Hiromu reaches out, shakes his head, and the fans rally as hard as they can. Drilla drags Hiromu back up, bumps him off Connors’ boot, then tags him in. They double whip, double ELBOW, then Connors DROPKICKS Bushi for good measure. Connors taunts the fans cheering on Hiromu, barks at him, then eggs Hiromu on. Hiromu sits up, flounders over, and he drags himself up using Connors’ pants.

Hiromu CHOPS, but Connors doesn’t flinch. Hiromu staggers, CHOPS and CHOPS, but Connors UPPERCUTS! Connors whips, ELBOWS Hiromu down, then covers, TWO! Hiromu stays in this but Connors is annoyed. Connors scrapes his sole off Hiromu’s face! Tag to Drilla and he stomps Hiromu back down. Hiromu growls but Drilla stands him up. Drilla CHOPS, but Hiromu shakes his head. The fans rally up as Drilla eggs Hiromu on. Hiromu CHOPS, but Drilla CHOPS! Hiromu CHOPS, Drilla CHOPS Hiromu down! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Hiromu stays in this, but Drilla sits him up for a chinlock.

Hiromu endures, even as Drilla digs his knee into Hiromu’s neck. The fans rally, Hiromu fights around, fights to his feet, and throws elbows. Hiromu is free but Drilla RAMS him into the corner! Tag to Connors, then Drilla JABS Hiromu! Connors taunts Hiromu, stays out of range, then kicks Hiromu down. Connors reels Hiromu in to snap suplex, then he runs to drop a JUMPING ELBOW! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Connors CLUBS Hiromu. Connors sits Hiromu up for a NECK TWIST! Then he clamps on for a neck wrench! The fans rally as Hiromu endures again. Hiromu fights to his feet, throws elbows and CHOPS!

Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS but Connors HEADBUTTS! Connors runs, but Hiromu dropkicks the legs out! Both men are down, the fans fire up, and Hiromu crawls. But Connors grabs hair and pulls Hiromu back! Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, to DRAGON SCREW! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Hot tag to Bushi! Bushi fires off on Connors, whips, but Connors reverses, only for Bushi to RANA! Drilla gets in to throw hands, but the ref reprimands. Drilla whips Bushi to a corner, runs in, but is sent into the corner! Bushi BOOTS Connors, brings Drilla in, BULLDOG DROPKICK COMBO!

The fans fire up with Bushi, and he blocks a haymaker to spin and DDT Connors down! Cover, TWO! Bushi hurries to SMASH Connors’ knee! Bushi then ties the legs up, CLOVERLEAF KNEEBAR! Connors endures, scrambles, and grabs the ROPEBREAK! Bushi lets go at 4, the fans rally, and Bushi stomps Connors around. Bushi kicks at the leg, then blocks Connors’ leg to kick Connors. Bushi runs, Connors redirects to POUNCE! Both men are down but the fans rally up again. Bushi and Connors crawl, hot tags to Drilla and Hiromu! Hiromu dodges Drilla to fire off forearms! Hiromu whips, ROCKS, and puts Drilla on ropes to KICK it!

Hiromu runs, Drilla dodges, but then Hiromu ELBOWS him! Hiromu whips Drilla to a corner, clotheslines him, snapmares and basement dropkicks! The fans fire up with Hiromu, “MOTO! MOTO!” Hiromu drags Drilla up to fireman’s carry, but Drilla slips free. Drilla shoves Hiromu to a corner, runs in but into a BOOT! Hiromu runs but fakes Drilla out to then wrench and facelock. But Drilla suplexes first! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up again while Drilla frowns. Drilla drags Hiromu up and reels him in, but Hiromu fights the lift! Drilla ENZIGIRIS Hiromu, then reels him back in! Canadian Rack, but Hiromu slips free!

Hiromu shoves, wheelbarrows, but Drilla fights it! Hiromu powers through to COMPLETE SHOT after all! The fans fire up while both men are down! Hiromu staggers up, tag to Bushi! Bushi and Hiromu drag Drilla up, double whip and TU LO- NO, Drilla lands on his feet! Drilla gets around Bushi to waistlock, and RAMS Bushi into Hiromu and then them both into a corner! Schoolboy and DROPKICK for Bushi! All three are down and the fans rally again. Drilla crawls over, hot tag to Connors! Connors storms in and aims at Bushi. Bushi rises, into a LARIAT! Connors fires up, brings Bushi around and suplexes.

Bushi fights the lift, to dropkick the bad leg! Bushi dropkicks that leg again! Connors writhes, Bushi gets the legs, CLOVERLEAF KNEEBAR!! Connors flails, endures, reaches out, Hiromu intercepts Drilla into TRIANGLE D!! Connors continues to fight around, reaches for ropes, but Bushi steers him in the other direction! Drilla deadlifts Hiromu to POWERBOMB him onto Bushi!! All four men are down and the fans fire up again! Connors shakes out his bad leg while Bushi stirs. They rise up, and Bushi fires a forearm! And another! Connors fires back, but Bushi fires again! And again! And again! But Connors HEADBUTTS!

Connors wobbles, powers up, and runs, but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! The fans fire up as Hiromu then blocks Drilla’s superkick! Hiromu hands that to Bushi, but then Drilla blocks Hiromu’s superkick! Connors SUPERKICKS Hiromu! Drilla gets free to SUPERKICK Bushi! Connors and Drilla aim, SPEAR GORE COMBO on Bushi!! Connors runs in at Hiromu, into a CORNER BELLY2BELLY! Drilla and Hiromu fire forearms, Hriomu gets the edge but Drilla RLOCKS him! And ripcord CHOPS! Hiromu ROLLING ELBOWS, SUPERKICKS, then fireman’s carries! TIMEBOMB 1.5! Drilla tumbles out and the fans are thunderous!

Hiromu & Bushi get Connors up, double fireman’s carry, but Connors fights free! Connors ROCKS Bushi, Hiromu waistlocks and Bushi returns, SUNSET FLIP GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! Cover, TWO!! Connors survives but Hiromu DROPKICKS Drilla! Bushi roars and goes up a corner! The fans fire up again as Bushi aims! Connors rises, into M- SPEAR!! Connors takes Bushi outta the sky! Drilla anchors Hiromu on the apron, for Connors to POUNCE!! Connors then drags Bushi back up, reels him in, and gives him NO- NO! Bushi turns the No Chaser into BUSHI ROLL!! Drilla drags Bushi right up!! And flips him into DRILLA KILLA!! Connors covers, HIROMU BREAKS IT!!!

The fans are thunderous but Drilla ENZIGIRIS Hiromu into NO CHASER!! The Dogs get Bushi up, and then Connors climbs! Drilla suplexes, for the FULL CLIP!! Cover, the Dogs win!

Winners: Clark Connors & “Drilla” Moloney, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

The War Dogs redeem themselves for failing on the Road to Wrestling Dontaku and are now rolling right into the round robin! Will nothing stop Connors & Moloney from proving they’re the Best of the Super Juniors?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion: SHO VS DOUKI!

When it comes to the House of Torture, shenanigans and underhanded tactics are their bread and butter. And nobody’s been doing it better than the Murder Machine. He literally stole this belt from El Desperado before snatching a win by count-out, and then got really lucky against Yoh. However, he’s finally tasting some of his own medicine! Japones Del Mal took the belt, then suckered him into accepting a title match! With the gold finally on the line, who will prove to be the sneakiest of all?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and wait, Sho takes the mic to say something first. He doesn’t trust what’s going on with Taichi on commentary?! Saying that it’s an unfair advantage!? Sho says Douki should try and win this title fair and square! He’s one to talk! Douki wags his finger, and he brings out the contract he had Sho sign. Douki makes it clear to Sho that this is all by the book. Sho still tries to deny it, thinking this is just an exhibition or something. Then he snatches the contract and EATS it?! Sho, that’s not gonna stop anything! Douki then DECKS Sho, stomps away, and the bell rings!

Douki bumps Sho off buckles, stomps him more, then digs his boot in. The fans rally while Sho suffers, and then Red Shoes counts. Douki lets off, drags Sho up, but Sho claws Douki’s eyes! Red Shoes reprimands and fans boo but Sho whips. Douki reverses and does the splits to get under. Then he rolls back to RANA Sho, and then arm-drag! Sho staggers up, into another arm-drag! Douki dodges Sho, arm-drags to then get a leg, and he SMASHES the knee! The fans fire up while Sho bails out. Douki pursues but Sho kicks him first. Sho whips but Douki reverses to send Sho into railing! The fans cheer and Douki storms up on Sho.

Douki stalks Sho around the way, RAMS him into more railing, then puts the bad leg around railing! Sho wants mercy but Douki BOOST the railing! Sho falls over and the fans rally up. Douki storms up on Sho, drags him up, and puts him in the ring. The fans cheer and Douki stomps Sho at the ropes. Douki stomps the bad leg, then puts the leg on ropes to stand on it! HIP DROP! Sho writhes, the fans cheer, and Douki brings Sho around. Douki drops an elbow on the knee! Douki pulls on a toehold, Sho pulls on Douki’s mask! Red Shoes reprimands, Sho lets go, and then Sho has the ROPEBREAK! Sho shouts about it and Douki lets go.

The fans rally up while Douki stalks Sho. Douki stomps Sho’s legs, drags him back up and whips, but Sho holds ropes to block. Douki tries again, Sho still holds on, so Douki kicks the bad leg! Douki whips, Sho reverses, but Douki holds ropes! Sho runs in but Douki does the splits again, and Sho is sent tumbling out! Douki then goes to the apron, mule kicks Sho, but Sho sends a Young Lion into Douki! Douki falls and the fans boo! Red Shoes reprimands Sho, then checks Douki. Douki clutches his leg, but Sho drags him up and whips him into railing! Sho brings Douki out into the crowd now! And to the very back, to SLAM his leg into the wall!

Douki hobbles right in front of Section H while Sho grabs a chair. Sho digs that chair into the leg! Red Shoes reprimands and fans boo, but Sho lets off. Sho then stomps Douki’s bad leg, talks trash and leaves Douki behind. The fans rally for Douki while Sho gets in the ring. Sho smirks as he waits on the ring count. Douki sits up, shakes out the bad leg, and the fans rally up. The count reaches 10 of 20 before Douki stands. Douki hobbles his way to the aisle and hurries towards ringside. The count passes 15, then passes 17! Douki slides in safe at 19! Sho is upset with Red Shoes’ count, but then he grabs Douki’s bad leg to SMASH the knee!

Douki writhes, Sho wants Red Shoes to call this, but Red Shoes says no, Douki’s still okay. So Sho DDTs the leg! And DDTs it again! And again! Cover, TWO! Douki is still in this and the fans rally up again. Sho drags Douki up, wrenches, and kicks, KICKS and then stomps the leg! Then he kicks, KICKS and stomps the leg again! And again! Sho drags Douki up but Douki fires a forearm! Sho eggs Douki on, Douki throws more forearms, so Sho kicks the leg out! Sho drops into a KNEEBAR! Douki endures now, fights around, reaches out, but Sho uses his shirt for leverage on the leglock! The fans rally, Douki claws at the mat and drags Sho along to the ROPEBREAK!

The fans cheer while Sho lets go in frustration. But then Sho smirks as he looms over Douki, and he stomps the bad leg again. Douki shoves Sho away, fires up and fires off more forearms! Sho kicks the leg! Sho reels Douki in, but Douki fights the lift! Sho kicks the leg, reels Douki back in and hoists him up, but Douki slips free! Only for the bad leg to jam! Sho runs, but Douki dropkicks Sho’s bad leg! Both men are down while the fans rally back up. Sho makes his way to a corner, runs up, but Douki blocks to fire forearms again! Douki whips, Sho reverses, but Douki dropkicks the bad let! Sho scrambles to a corner!

Douki runs in to forearm smash! Douki then brings Sho up, ties up the legs, DOUBLE KNEE BREAKER! Douki runs to SHOTGUN Sho down! Cover, TWO! Sho stays in this but the fans rally behind Douki again. Douki slaps his bad leg into working, then he drags Sho up. Douki turns Sho, but Sho fights the Gory Especial! Douki still tries, but Sho wrenches an arm and bends fingers! Sho kicks and kicks, then he bends fingers again! Douki HELL STABS! Douki runs, Sho gets around to waistlock, but Douki fires elbows! Sho keeps Douki from getting away, but Douki kicks free. Sho blocks a kick, but so does Douki! Sho goes for the eyes!

Douki pulls Sho’s arm away, tucks it under the leg, and drops into a modified FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK! Sho endures and fans rally, but wait! Yoshinobu Kanemaru shows up! The Heel Master distracts for just a moment, then he gets in Taichi’s face! Taichi stands up, only for DICK TOGO’S SPOILER CHOKER!! The House of Torture is going after the Holy Emperor! The fans boo as Dick chokes Taichi out! Douki still keeps on Sho but Sho drags Red Shoes down! Yoshinobu storms in to stomp away on Douki! The fans boo but Douki lets Sho go and Yoshinobu drags him up. But Douki suplexes first! Sho sees this and freaks out!

Wait Dick gets on commentary in Taichi’s place!? Sho THROWS Douki into Red shoes! Then LOW BLOWS!! Then he THROWS Douki back into Red Shoes!! Sho hurries away from Douki, and Dick jumps in the ring! Dick stomps away on Douki while fans boo! Sho laughs but here come the other guys! Taka Michinoku & Yuya Uemura run Dick off, but here comes the rest of the House! Evil & Yujiro attack Yuya & Taka! The fans boo and tell them to go home, but they don’t care. Evil & Dick open Yuya’s legs for Yujiro’s FALLING HEADBUTT! Then they get Taka up as Dick climbs, for the DICK CHOP!

The fans boo as Yuya and Taka are down, and then the House drags Douki up. They double whip Douki to a corner, then Dick runs in to elbow! Yujiro BOOTS! Evil clotheslines! They snapmare Douki down, then Dick climbs up! The fans boo, but Douki suffers a DICK CHOP! Sho laughs and waves to Red Shoes. Evil gets Red Shoes in to count the cover, TWO!!! Douki survives and the fans are thunderous! Sho vows to end it now, and he drags Douki back up. Sho reels Douki in, lifts, for the POWER BREAKER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Douki survives again and Sho is furious! Sho drags Douki back up while the fans rally as hard as they can!

Sho brings Douki in, tucks the arms, but Douki fights the lift! And he drops down for the ITALIAN STRETCH #32!! But Sho powers through, tucks the arms again, and STRAITJACKET PILEDRIVERS! Cover, TWO!?!? Douki survives again and the entire House is beside itself! Taichi rises, but he’s cuffed to railing! Sho drags Douki up, says he’s done now, and then pump handles! SHOCK- NO! ITALIAN STRETCH #32!!! Douki has Sho, but Sho fights for ropes! Douki pulls on the hold, Dick gets on the apron! But Taka is back and YANKS Dick down! Douki rolls Sho from ropes for ITALIAN STRETCH!!

Yujiro and Evil get up but Yuya anchors them both! Sho is fading! Sho is turning red!! Who rang the bell!?! Not this crap again!! It was all DICK!! Douki realizes he hasn’t won, and then Evil SHOVES Douki into Red Shoes!! Red Shoes takes a tumble right out of the ring, and the House stomps away on Douki again! The House taunt Douki, but Douki fights back! Evil CLAWS Douki’s eyes! But Taichi has a Young Lion free him! And he hurries to ringside! Evil & Yujiro double whip Douki, Douki grabs ropes, and Taichi runs in to DOUBLE AX BOMBER!! The fans are thunderous as Taichi tells his old friend to keep fighting!

Just5Guys turn the tides on the House by stomping away on Dick! They double whip Dick to a corner, then Taka clotheslines! Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Taichi runs up to clothesline! Then Taka goes up! They get Dick in place for a HAWK CHOP! Dick flounders out, Taka & Yuya PLANCHA out onto Yujiro & Evil! The fans are thunderous as J5G drags the House to the back! Now it’s just Douki and Sho all alone as we hit 20 minutes! Sho crawls for his corner, he wants his Torture Tool! But Douki goes to his corner, and he brings out his PIPE! And Douki’s is bigger! Sho freaks out, wanting to tell Red Shoes about this!

Douki tells Sho to bring it, so Sho swings! Douki dodges, swings, but Sho dodges! Sho swings but Douki blocks, and Sho loses grip on his wrench! Douki JAMS Sho with the pipe, then CHOKES him, into a STEEL DODON NO JUTSU!! Douki gets the pipe outta there, and a spare ref hurries out here! The fans fire up as Douki roars, and he brings Sho back up! Douki reels Sho in, for the SAHARAWI SUPLEX!! Cover, TWO?!? Sho survives but the fans are electric for Douki! Douki pounds the mat, powers up, and he wheelbarrows Sho! Full nelson, SUPLEX DE LA LUNA!!! Bridging cover, YOSHINOBU YANKS THE REF!!

Kanemaru stomps away on Douki as fans boo! Kanemaru goes out, grabs his whiskey and takes a big swig! Kanemaru aims, but Douki HELL STABS! The whiskey mist flies into the air, then Douki DECKS Kanemaru! But wait! Ren Narita shows up! He was staying back just for this moment! Narita has the push-up bar and he slides into the ring! Narita SNATCHES the mask!! And as Douki covers up, Narita JAMS him with the bar!! Then he reels Douki in for DOUBLECROSSER!! The fans boo, but Narita at least puts Douki’s mask back on before he helps Sho cover. Narita gets the second ref, Kenta, into the ring, and tells him to count! The ref sees Sho, counts, and Sho wins!!

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

The most powerful fight Douki’s ever put up is completely besmirched by the most disgusting game the House has ever rigged! Sho is in no shape to get the mic so Narita brings it over. Sho laughs and says he’s just too strong, it’s becoming a problem. The fans boo as Sho this is what Douki gets for making this more than just sparring. Sho leaves the ring with The House but he keeps on talking, saying he’s happy to be leaving Kagoshima anyway. And as for BOSJ up next, Sho’s confident it’ll be a piece of cake at this rate! Narita raises Sho’s hand in victory and the streamers fly! But will Sho really be able to stack the deck each and every round?

My Thoughts:

A really good Satsuma, even if it’s kinda wedged in right before Dontaku. The Junior Heavyweight title matches were both great stuff, made to feel very close, but in the end, I figured Bullet Club was retaining the gold going into the Best of the Super Juniors. Connors & Moloney are a tough team, they even won a big Triple Threat, so them winning here isn’t really a knock on Hiromu & Bushi. Plus, there could be a chance Hiromu gets a strong showing in BOSJ to go after the singles title again.

And boy, they really overbooked the main event there. I was hoping Douki was gonna find a way, but they did a great job making Narita the final card to play. He stayed back and I didn’t even think about him until he showed up, but of course he’s the deciding factor. Sho retains, and he’ll go into the tournament with the title, but I really hope someone gets their golden ticket off beating him in the round robin just to stick it to him.

My Score: 8.7/10

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Coverage

Mitchell’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/27/24)

Rural Revitalization continues!

Published

3 days ago

April 27, 2024

Steven Mitchell

Will Great-O-Khan be setting the table?

It’s Rural Revitalization in Hiroshima for the KOPW Championship! Can Yuya Uemura survive tires, lemons and a table? Or will Great-O-Khan conquer him for the United Empire?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Frontier Zone – Boltin Oleg & Toru Yano VS Rey Paloma & HANZO; Oleg & Yano win.
Six Man Tag: Tiger Mask & Bishamon VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita VS Jeff Cobb & Francesco Akira; Cobb & Akira win.
Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Shota Umino & Tomohiro Ishii VS The House of Torture; Desperado, Shota & Ishii win.
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS Tomoaki Honma & Shoma Kato; Tanahashi & Murashima win.
DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Yoshinobu win.
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo; TMDK wins and retains the titles.
KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan VS Yuya Uemura; Yuya wins and becomes the new KOPW Champion.
10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK w/ Zack Sabre Jr. VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo w/ Jado!

Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls snatched the titles away during the Windy City Riot, but the Guerrillas of Destiny are getting their rematch! Will the Headbanga & Young Guerilla redeem themselves on the Road to Wrestling Dontaku? Or will they see The Mighty Don’t Kneel?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if The Mighty stay NJPW Strong!

The teams sort out and Hysterical Haste starts against ELP. The fans rally up with the bell and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but then Shane cording holds into a wrench and wristlock. ELP rolls, handsprings and wrenches back. ELP keeps Shane from ropes so Shane rolls, kips up, snapmares and KICKS ELP! The fans cheer while Shane shakes out his leg. ELP grimaces as he stands and shakes out the arm. The two reset, tie up, and ELP waistlocks. ELP goes for a chinlock but Shane standing switches. ELP switches, Shane switches again, and repeat. ELP headlocks, Shane powers out, then reels ELP in for a headlock.

ELP powers out, Shane runs him over, and then he sits ELP up to run. ELP drops under, hurdles over, but Shane shoves him. ELP rolls off Shane’s back to RANA! The fans fire up as ELP kips up and fixes his hair. The fans rally for “E L P! E L P!” while Shane is in a corner. Shane comes back to fire a forearm! ELP fires a forearm back! Shane fires another forearm so ELP gives it back. They go back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans rally up! ELP gets the edge, but Shane UPPERCUTS! Shane CHOPS ELP, whips him corner to corner, but ELP goes up and over and keeps moving. ELP fakes Shane out to avoid the dropkick!

ELP goes to ropes to LIONSAULT but Shane moves! ELP sits up but avoids the Penalty Kick! The two stand off and the fans cheer! Shane and ELP reset, and Leo reaches out. ELP tags him in and the fans rally up. Shane tags Mikey, and he circles with Leo. They get face to face, and Mikey pie faces Leo! They tie up, Leo shoves Mikey away, but Mikey comes back. They tie up, Mikey headlocks but Leo lifts. Mikey thrashes the hold, Leo powers out and they RAM shoulders! Leo eggs Mikey on so Mikey runs and they RAM shoulders! Leo runs, Mikey ELBOWS him! Mikey runs, Leo runs him over! The fans fire up as Leo flexes.

Leo drags Mikey up, suplexes, but Mikey fights it! Mikey tries to suplex but Leo’s so tall! Leo suplexes, Mikehy slips free to waistlock, but Leo RAMS him into a corner! Leo runs in, Mikey dodges, only for Leo to LARIAT outta the corner! Tag to ELP and the Guerrillas get Mikey up. ELP BLASTS Shane while Leo whips Mikey to a corner. Leo SPLASHES, ELP clotheslines, then feed to the SIDEWALK SLAM and FALLING AX HANDLE! The Guerrillas high-five, ELP covers, TWO! ELP brings Mikey up but Mikey fights the suplex! Mikey powers out, whips, but ELP BLASTS Shane! ELP dodges Mikey, waistlocks, but Mikey swings. ELP ducks, into a DDT!

The fans fire up while Mikey shoves ELP over and tags in Shane. Mikey brings ELP up to TOSS him out, and then Mikey BLASTS Leo! Shane whips ELP into railing! Shane flexes, fans applaud, and Shane drags ELP up. APRON BACK SUPLEX! Shane shoves ELP in, covers, ROPEBREAK! The fans rally as ELP stays in this but Shane grabs one of ELP’s hands. Shane stretches out the arm to then KICK ELP in the shoulder! Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires forearms! Shane shoves ELP but ELP ELBOWS Mikey! ELP fires off on Shane, whips, but Shane reverses and Mikey trips ELP up! Shane basement dropkicks ELP and he spins around into a HAYMAKER from Mikey!

ELP flops to the floor, Mikey claims the apron is slippery, but the referee reprimands him all the same. The ring count starts but Mikey puts ELP in at 4 of 20. Shane covers, TWO! Shane keeps ELP down with body scissors. ELP endures, reaches out, drags Shane along as he crawls over, and the fans rally up. Shane grabs ELP’s arm and brings him into a cover, TWO! Shane whips ELP away into The Mighty corner! Tag to Mikey, he sends Shane in, but ELP puts Shane on the apron! ELP BOOTS Mikey, ROUNDHOUSES Shane, then runs, but Mikey catches him! Mikey RAMS ELP back into the corner!

Mikey taunts Leo then digs boots into ELP. The fans rally up and ELP throws body shots. Mikey eggs ELP on so ELP CHOPS! ELP tries to get under but Mikey grabs a leg and drags him back! Tag to Shane, and Shane stomps ELP down. Shane kicks ELP around, kicks him more, but ELP fires off hands! Shane back drops ELP up and away! The fans rally while Shane drags ELP back to a cover, but Leo breaks it! Shane drags ELP back, tags Mikey in, and TMDK mug ELP. ELP sputters, Mikey tags Shane back in, and Shane sucker punches Leo! Mikey hoists ELP up but ELP BOOTS Shane! ELP backs Mikey into the corner, then goes up and over Shane!

Shane runs into Mikey but Mikey still pursues ELP. Mikey drags ELP back but ELP ENZIGIRIS free! The fans fire up, but Shane gets ELP’s legs! ELP BOOTS Shane away, hurries up again, but Mikey BLASTS Leo first! Mikey then brings ELP around to back suplex! ELP lands on his feet, but Shane back suplexes! ELP still lands on his feet, then he ducks under TMDK to hot tag Leo! The fans fire up as Leo UPPERCUTS Shane, swings on Mikey, but Mikey dodges, only for Leo to BOOT him! Leo scoops Shane for SNAKE EYES and a BOOT! The fans fire up with Leo while Shane and Mikey go to opposite corners.

Leo runs in to SPLASH Mikey! Leo keeps going but Shane BOOTS him! Shane runs up but Leo ELBOWS him down! Leo runs to drop the JUMPING ELBOW on Shane! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Leo watches Shane stir. Shane rises, Leo choke grips! GODS- NO, Shane slips free and Mikey fires a forearm! Shane UPPERCUTS, Mikey LARIATS, but Leo stays up! Shane runs to LARIAT! Leo roars, but TMDK double kick! TMDK reels Leo in, but Leo DOUBLE SUPLEXES them instead! The fans fire up and Leo watches TMDK bail out. Leo tags ELP and ELP goes up. Leo helps him walk the tightrope, to ARIHARA MOONSAULT TMDK down at the ramp!

The fans fire up again, and Leo goes out to get Shane in. ELP & Leo get Shane up to CHOP, straitjacket torture rack, and then Leo runs. BOOT into the spin, BRAIN SALAD! Cover, Mikey breaks it! Mikey fires forearms on Leo & ELP, runs, but ELP hurdles so Leo can DDT! Mikey bails out, the fans fire up, and ELP tunes up the band. Shane rises, into SUDDEN- NO, Shane dodges! Shane runs up, but into Leo’s hands! ELP aims, but Shane pulls Leo into SUDDEN DEATH! Shane UPPERCUTS ELP and DROPKICKS Leo! Shane KICKS ELP, BOOTS him, then reels him in for an INVERTED EXPLODER! Cover, TWO!!

ELP survives and Shane is surprised! The fans fires up, Shane and ELP rise, and ELP staggers to a corner. Shane puts ELP up top, ROCKS him with a right, then climbs up. Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires body shots! ELP HEADBUTTS Shane down but Mikey tags in! Shane goes up, ELP sends him back down, so Mikey UPPERCUTS! Mikey gives Shane the boost, and they get ELP for the SUPERPLEX BOMB COMBO! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives but Mikey powers up and runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives again and the fans fire up! Mikey grows frustrated, he drags ELP up and reels him in.

ELP slips free of the Blue Thunder to kick and tuck the arms! But Mikey trips ELP to jackknife bridge, TWO! ELP rolling clutches! TWO and Mikey has the cover! TWO and ELP ghost pins, TWO!! Mikey escapes but ELP dodges! ELP DROPKICKS Mikey down and the fans fire up! Both men crawl, hot tag to Leo! Leo runs to BLAST Shane, then he turns to look at Mikey. Mikey eggs Leo on, then fires forearms! Leo ROCKS Mikey with just one! Mikey fires another flurry, but Leo ROCKS Mikey again! Leo eggs Mikey on and the fans rally. Mikey kicks low, ROCKS Leo, then runs, but into a scoop! Tag to ELP before the POWERSLAM!

ELP goes up to SWANTON BOMB! And then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up, ELP tags Leo back in, and they tune up the band again! Mikey rises, but Shane trips Leo! Mikey ROCKS ELP, Shane UPPERCUTS ELP! Feed to the scoop but ELP slips free! ELP shoves Mikey into Shane, and Leo grabs them both! But both Shane & Mikey fight free of the choke slams! Shane KNEES, Mikey FOREARMS, but then ELP fires off on TMDK! ELP runs, but into a double trophy lift! THUNDER- DOUBLE DDTS!! ELP turns things around on TMDK, and the fans are thunderous! Mikey stands up into SUDDEN DEATH! ELP PLANCHAS onto Shane!

GODSEND for Mikey! ELP then climbs up the ropes, then climbs onto Leo! SUPER THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, but Shane barrels through ELP to break it!! The fans are thunderous again but ELP is frustrated. ELP fires off on Shane, runs, but Shane LARIATS! Shane dodges Leo but runs into the POWER TRIP! GOD- NO, Mikey rolls Leo up!! TMDK WINS!!

Winners: TMDK, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)

Leo is furious! He is sure Mikey pulled tights there! He stomps at Mikey, pushes past ELP and goes after Mikey on the outside! Mikey and Leo push each other around, but there’s nothing Leo can do about this one. Will he and ELP just have to fight their way back up to the top? As for TMDK, will they continue to rock ‘n’ roll through the ranks with all this gold?

KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan w/ Callum Newman & Francesco Akira VS Yuya Uemura w/ Taka Michinoku & Taichi!

It’s Rural Revitalization 2: Hiroshima Style! The Dominator just managed to make it past Tanga Loa, will he make it through the Heat Storm? Or will KOPW soon belong to Just5Guys?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who can put in the work!

This first round is Mazda tire carrying. Each man has a big orange cone placed in their corner, so they simply have to go fetch the tires from the stacks outside. Whoever gets four tires first wins the round! The bell rings, Yuya kicks Khan then heads for ropes, but Khan reels him in for a BIG back suplex! Khan goes out now, hurries up the ramp, and grabs two tires at once! The fans cheer and Khan gets those tires in the ring. Then he goes back for more! A risky move but that means four tires are on play. Yuya DROPKICKS Khan and here’s where the risk is involved! Yuya aims to PLANCHA but Khan chucks a tire!

Yuya falls back, Khan gets the tires in then drags Yuya out. Khan CLUBS away on Yuya against the apron, then uses a tire to bind Yuya’s legs! Khan CLUBS Yuya more, and Khan even ties Yuya up in the ropes! Khan sacrifices two tires to trap Yuya! The fans cheer the creativity, and Khan STOMPS Yuya on the apron before heading for more tires. Yuya works to get free as Khan brings two more tires to the ring. Khan sets those tires in, Yuya gets free, but Khan has stacked two tires. Then three, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Yuya takes the tires off Khan’s cones, leaving him with just one. Yuya goes out to get the last tires remaining!

Yuya brings tires to his cone, then clears out some space. Yuya has two tires, steals Khan’s one, but then Khan grabs Yuya for an IRON CLAW SLEEPER! Yuya fights free, but Khan Mongolian Chops him down! Khan throws the tires off Yuya’s cone, then throws the cone! We’re back to zero and zero, and Khan whips Yuya into a corner, to then clothesline him! The fans fire up as Khan climbs up and sits on his throne! Khan then hops down to Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian CHOP! Yuya sits down, Khan takes a tire, but then THROWS it at Yuya! Yuya goes up and over and AX HANDLES Khan down!

The fans rally as Khan grabs tires and cone, and he starts stacking! Yuya has two, then three! He just needs to find one more! Yuya grabs one from outside, but Khan reels him in! Khan DECKS Yuya, then undoes some of the stack. Khan confiscates a tire, makes sure it’s nice and bouncy, but also works up quite the sweat. The fans rally as Khan aims and takes a swing, only for Yuya to counter tire with tire! They clash again, and again! Then they set up for TIRE SUMO! And again, TIRE SUMO! They run in again, and Khan RAMS Yuya! Yuya is disarmed, and Khan CLOBBERS him with the TIRE SUMO!

The fans fire up while Yuya is down and Khan grabs tires. Khan says he’s not done with Yuya yet. Khan starts stacking tires at the center of the ring, then drags Yuya up. Khan clinches Yuya into HITSUJIGOROSHI! Yuya endures, even as Khan throws knees! Khan then scoops to SLAM Yuya on the tires! That’ll leave some skid marks! Khan then drags Yuya off the stack, brings him up and around, to then put a tire around his head. And then another! Yuya’s two tired to stand but Khan makes him! Khan throws a BODY BLOW, then he TRIPS Yuya into a TIRE DDT! The fans fire up while Khan grabs the other tires.

Khan stacks tires on his cone, that’s two. Khan hurries to find other tires on the outside, and he has a third. Khan considers his options, and takes one of the tires from Yuya. But Yuya clings to the tires, so Khan stomps him! Yuya refuses to let go of the tires! Khan stomps Yuya more but Yuya defends the tire with his body! Khan claws at Yuya, they tug-o-war over the tire, but Khan pulls on Yuya’s ear! Yuya kicks low, kicks again, then SMACKS Khan with the tire, and DROPKICKS Khan down! The tire goes tumbling out of the ring while Yuya fires up! Yuya takes Khan’s tires, hurries them over to his cone, that’s three right there!

Now Yuya has to hurry and find another! Yuya goes outside, grabs the tire, but Khan intercepts! They tug-o-war again, but then Khan RAMS Yuya into a corner! Khan takes this tire, that’s one. Khan finds tires on the outside and brings them in! Yuya hurries to cover tires again! Khan stomps Yuya, still stacks three, so it’s all down to this seventh tire! Yuya and Khan tug-o-war yet again, the fans rallying behind them! Khan grabs Yuya’s arm, but Yuya slips around to a SLEEPER! Khan fights up but Yuya squeezes tight! Yuya then CLUBS away on Khan, runs, but into a TIRE SWEEP! And a BASEMENT DROPKICK!

Khan grabs the final tire, but Yuya schoolboys him away! Yuya rolls through, snatches the tire, and complete his stack! Yuya wins the first round!

Khan: 0; Yuya: 1

Just like with Tanga Loa, Khan drops the ball in the first round! But then, will history repeat itself here as we prepare for the second round?

The tarps are set down, the table is set, and it’s time to eat up some Hiroshima lemons! Khan makes sure the people watching at home and around the world understand that Hiroshima lemons are the best, which probably means they’re the most sour. Khan puts on his bandana and takes his seat at the table. He and Yuya get some wet wipes to clean their hands, and it all comes down to who finishes their one lemon first. Ready, set, EAT! Yuya starts fast and that face shows how sour these are. Khan says hold on, and he just takes a HUGE bite! Yuya is suffering but Khan is reveling in the sourness! Khan’s already halfway through!

Yuya can barely keep the lemon in, but Khan’s eaten it all up! Can he get it all down before Yuya? Khan is chewing and chewing, Yuya is practically shaking from how sour it all is! Khan keeps going and… Yes, Khan has it all down! Khan wins!

Khan: 1; Yuya: 1

Khan now lets his body feel the stinging sweetness, and he says it was delicious! But then, that leaves us with this third and final round. And this time it’s a TABLES match! Who will be feeling sour and sore after this one?

The bell rings, both men rush in, Yuya dodges to fire haymakers! Yuya whips, Khan reverses but Yuya CLOBBERS him! Khan gets up, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Khan bails out, Yuya aims and PLANCHAS! Direct hit at the ramp, and the Heat Storm fires back up! The table is there, so Yuya drags Khan right up! Yuya goes to suplex but Khan blocks! Khan fights with body shots, turns things around, but Yuya fights the suplex! They fight for control, but Khan RAMS Yuya into the apron! The fans rally, Khan drags Yuya back up, and whips him into railing! Yuya tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land!

Khan storms out after Yuya and he asks fans move aside. Young Lions help the fans clear out while Khan drags Yuya up. Khan brings Yuya around and reminds everyone, No Disqualifications! Khan BOWLS Yuya through chairs, and that’s definitely a strike! The fans cheer Khan as he stands on chairs, but then asks more fans to move aside! Khan stomps Yuya, stomps a chair onto Yuya, then tosses that chair aside. Sorry to whoever had that seat… Khan then drags Yuya up and brings him around, but Yuya throws body shots! Khan Mongolian Chops Yuya down! Khan drags Yuya back up, and BOWLS him into more chairs!

Yuya is stuck on the seats, that wasn’t quite a strike. But Khan stacks chairs on Yuya to pick up the spare. Khan SMACKS chair with chair! Yuya sputters while fans applaud, and Khan goes back to fetch Yuya. Taichi and Taka are there but so are Newman and Akira. The Empire keeps the two out of five guys at bay while Khan drags Yuya to the back of the crowd. Khan whips Yuya into the emergency exit! Khan then SLAMS railing down on Yuya, and then SMACKS railing with railing! Khan talks trash while Taka and Taichi coach Yuya up. The ref checks Yuya, but he’s somehow able to continue, so Khan drags him up.

Khan brings Yuya around to drag him through the chairs! Khan brings Yuya back to ringside, then into the ring. The fans applaud, and then Khan goes looking under the ring. Khan eventually finds another lemon! Khan takes a big bite and uses the citrus to power up! Then he DIGS the lemon into Yuya’s face! The citric acid burns but the fans fire up! Khan goes to fetch the table from outside, puts it inside, and then sets it up in a corner. The fans rally up as Khan stalks Yuya. Khan drags Yuya up, reels him in to scoop, but Yuya slips free! Khan avoids hitting table, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Yuya whips Khan into the blue corner, then DOUBLE CHOPS again!

The fans fire up and Yuya grits his teeth. Yuya roars, brings Khan up and reels him in for a BIG back suplex! The fans rally again and Yuya brings Khan up. Yuya clinches, but Khan fights the lift! Yuya still tries, but Khan fights it to a head ‘n’ arm clinch. Yuya gets around, headlocks, but Khan pops out to waistlock. Yuya fights being pushed around, then switches to get an arm. Khan clinches but so does Yuya. They fight for control, and Khan’s SAYANAGI takes Yuya down! The fans fire up and both men stir. Yuya flops out of the ring, but Khan crawls in pursuit. Khan drags Yuya up, then RAMS him into railing!

Yuya writhes, Khan goes looking under the ring, and he brings out another TABLE! Khan SMACKS Yuya with the table, then stands the table up at ringside. Khan drags Yuya up, SMACKS him off the apron, then climbs up. Khan drags Yuya up onto the apron, Mongolian Chops, then regular CHOPS! Khan UPPERCUTS, then clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan scoops but Yuya fights free! Yuya DROPKICKS! Khan holds onto ropes to stay up, but Yuya hurries to run! Yuya LARIATS, but into the IRON CLAW!! Khan drags Yuya up and over, ELIMINATOR- NO, Yuya grabs ropes to fight that off! Khan kicks low, winds up, but Yuya traps the arm!

Yuya traps the other arm, takes aim, but Khan fights the Deadbolt with all his might!! The fans are thunderous as Yuya still tries! Khan BITES Yuya’s ear! And then POSTS him! But Yuya runs up, into a BOOT! Yuya falls back, Khan sits down, and the fans rally again! Khan undoes his hand tape, ends up pushing the table over, and then he folds it all up. Khan puts the table in the ring, pushes Yuya aside, and then he sets this table up again, in the blue corner. Yuya goes up top to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as Yuya roars! Yuya has his choice as he hauls Khan up. Yuya traps the arms, but Khan makes it a BELLY2BELLY!

But Yuya rises back up! Yuya runs in, gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Khan’s right up! Khan LARIATS Yuya down! The fans fire up as Yuya is right back up, and URENAGES! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! Khan flounders around, he and Yuya crawl to center, and Yuya fires a forearm! Khan gives it back! Both men stand, and Yuya fires a haymaker! Khan comes back to forearm! Yuya wobbles, but he comes back to HAYMAKER! Khan staggers, wobbles, but comes back to FOREARM! Both men stagger, but Yuya fires another haymaker! Khan fires a flurry of forearms, but Yuya haymakers!

Khan ROCKS Yuya, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! But Khan throws an IRON RIGHT! The fans fire up again as Yuya falls! Khan roars with Monster Rage and he hauls Yuya up! IRON CLAW, and then ELIMIN- NO, Yuya slips free! Yuya wrenches, traps the arms, DEADBOLT SUPLEX through the table!! YUYA WINS!!

Winner: Yuya Uemura, 2-1 (NEW KOPW Champion)

Yuya slammed the Deadbolt shut on Khan and now he takes the title from him! The Heat Storm is rising, how hot will he make the KOPW Division through the Summer?

10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs!

These factions have been battling all over this Road to Wrestling Dontaku, but now they will fight ’til the last man! Will there be a roll call for Bushi, Hiromu, Takagi, Yota y Naito? Or will this alliance with the Good Looking Emperor, Jake Lee, help David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney shoot down LIJ?

Wait, it seems Naito has brought backup of his own? It’s SLYLY! The dragon-like mascot of Hiroshima Toyo Carp, and half-brother to the Philadelphia Phillies’ Phillie Phanatic! Well, Naito does love him some baseball. Tensions are running high, and Finlay throws his shirt at Yota. Yota balls that shirt up, and throws a fastball over the plate! The teams sort out, Finlay pushes Yota around and Gabe talks trash on Takagi. Red Shoes gets them all to settle down, and the War Dogs bark and put up the Too Sweet. Jake joins in at the end there. LIJ mocks the barking before they fist bump, and the fans cheer.

Things finally sort out and Finlay starts against Yota. The fans fire up behind “YO~TA! YO~TA!” at the bell, and Yota makes sure Finlay hears that. Finlay gets on the corner but the fans all boo. The two circle, tie up, and Yota uses his size to put Finlay on ropes. Finlay turns that around to grind forearms in Yota’s face and push him around. Finlay then backs up to SPIT at him! The fans boo but Yota CHOPS Finlay in return! The fans cheer, Yota headlocks, and Yota grinds Finlay down. Finlay powers up and out to headlock back, but Yota powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, Yota rebounds to run Finlay over!

The fans fire up, things speed up, but Finlay bails out. The fans boo but Finlay says he’s got time. Yota barks at Finlay but Finlay just mockingly applauds. Finlay returns, kips up just to show off, but then Hiromu wants in! Yota tags Hiromu, Finlay tags Drilla. Hiromu fires forearms on Drilla, whips, to ROCK, trip, KICK the ropes, then run and SHOTGUN Drilla down! The fans fire up while Hiromu barks. Hiromu runs corner to corner to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! The fans fire up but Connors runs in to knee Hiromu low! Connors barks, runs, but Hiromu kicks low! Bushi dropkicks legs out so Hiromu can basement dropkick!

The fans fire up but Drilla fires hands and CHOPS on LIJ. Hiromu CHOPS back, he and Bushi double whip to TU LO SABE! Cover, TWO! Drilla stays in this but Hiromu fires Hiroshima up. Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Drilla slips free to RAM Hiromu into the corner! The Dogs mug Hiromu while Jake Lee runs up to BLAST Naito! Finlay and Connors help out in mugging Yota and Bushi! Things have pilled out into the crowd in multiple areas while Naito fights back! Jake kicks Naito, then whips him hard into railing! Naito tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land! Gabe and Takagi throw HEADBUTTS back and forth!

Finlay snatches a phone? He’s taking pictures of Jake stomping away on Naito! But then Yota attacks Finlay! Finlay POSTS Yota, a ring count starts, but the Dogs just keep beating LIJ down! Drilla finds his way back to ringside, Hiromu manages to make his way in! Hiromu crawls in at 17 but Drilla is there to stomp him! Drilla bumps Hiromu off Finlay’s boot! Drilla tags Jake in, they mug Hiromu, and Jake digs his boot in while Finlay pulls Hiromu’s hair! Red Shoes is busy getting everyone to stop brawling! Jake lets off but Hiromu fires off CHOPS! Jake just kicks low, whips, and then HIP TOSSES Hiromu down!

Hiromu staggers up but Jake clamps on a SLEEPER! Tag to Finlay and they mug Hiromu in the corner. Red Shoes reprimands and counts, the fans boo, and Finlay lets off at 4. Finlay soaks up heat, then he takes Hiromu’s Kamaitachi mask and THROWS it to the crowd! Finlay then BLASTS Yota off the apron! The Dogs CHOKE Hiromu more, mug him while Finlay argues with Red Shoes, then Finlay brings Hiromu up. Finlay fireman’s carries and goes to dump Hiromu! Hiromu clamps onto ropes, Bushi runs in to make the save! Connors goes after Bushi so Takagi makes the save! But Connors goes after Takagi now!

Finlay puts Hiromu on the apron but Hiromu rolls back in, SAFE! The fans cheer while Finlay is frustrated. Finlay storms up on Hiromu in a corner but Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS! Finlay knees low, whips corner to corner hard, and Hiromu flounders all the way back to where he started! Finlay drags Hiromu up and over, the fans still cheering him on, but Connors tags in. Connors BLASTS Naito off the corner, then snap suplexes Hiromu down! Connors runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Hiromu stays in this but Connors stays on him with a seated full nelson. The fans continue to rally for “HI-RO-MU!” as he endures!

Hiromu fights around, even as Gedo barks at him to give up. Hiromu still gets the ROPEBREAK! Finlay pushes the foot away and that distracts Red Shoes, allowing Drilla to join in and stomp Hiromu! Drilla & Connors double whip but Hiromu gets around to lift Connors and throw him at Drilla, FORCED RANA! The fans fire up but Connors keeps Hiromu away from his corner! Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, to DRAGON SCREW! The fans rally again while both men are down! Hot tag to Naito! Naito rallies on Connors, BLASTS Drilla, swings on Jake, but Jake gets away. Connors CLUBS Naito, whips, but Naito reverses to arm-drag!

Naito atomic drops, runs, and ELBOWS Connors down, to then basement dropkick! The fans fire up while Naito stares Jake down. Naito covers Connors, TWO! The fans rally, Naito drags Connors up and dragon sleepers, for the NECKBREAKER! And then, LEG HOOK NELSON! Connors endures but Gabe stomps Naito! Gabe BLASTS Takagi, the rest of the Dogs attack, and Gabe stomps away on Naito! Gabe tells off the fans but the fans boo. Red Shoes reprimands so Gabe steps away, and Connors drags Naito up. Connors UPPERCUTS, whips, but Naito reverses to TORNADO- NO, Connors powers out!

Connors dodges Naito, redirects and POUNCES! Naito is down but the fans rally up. Naito and Connors crawl, hot tags to Takagi and Gabe! The fans fire up for the NEVER Openweight Championship appetizer! They RAM shoulders, Takagi ROCKS Gabe then runs to RAM him! Gabe rebounds to RAM Takagi, but Takagi rebounds to RAM Gabe! Gabe fires a forearm, whips Takagi to a corner then runs in to clothesline! Takagi says that’s not enough, so Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe says he’s a madman, then whips, only for Takagi to reverses. Takagi runs in, blocks a boot, and clotheslines through! The fans fire up with Takagi, but Gabe shoves him!

Takagi kicks and CLUBS away on Gabe, but Gabe BITES Takagi’s forehead! Red shoes reprimands, but Takagi spins Gabe around to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Gabe’s still in this but the fans rally behind “TA-KA-GI!” Takagi looks around, “Oi, Hiroshima! TOKI GA-” NO, Gabe CLOBBERS Takagi! It isn’t his time yet, and Gabe stands Takagi up to HEADBUTT again and again! Then Gabe suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi’s tougher than that but Gabe shakes his head. Gabe scuffs Takagi, eggs him on and runs, but Takagi blocks the Rebounder to HEADBUTT! Gabe HEADBUTTS! Both men shake their heads, and then Takagi HEADBUTTS!

Gabe HEADBUTTS! Takagi HEADBUTTS again and again, but then Gabe HEADBUTTS again and again! Takagi fires a forearm, Gabe gives it back, repeat! The fans fire up as the shots go back and forth! Gabe gets the edge, but Takagi fires boxing elbows! Gabe CHOP! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! Gabe UPPERCUTS and YUKON LARIATS! But Takagi’s right up to LARIAT!! Gabe rises and shouts! Both men run in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And again! Gabe fires palm strikes, talks trash, but gets a JAB, HEADBUTT, and a PUMPING BOMBER take takes both men up and out! DOUBLE ELIMINATION!!

Fans go wild as Takagi’s sacrifice play makes things 4v4! Bushi and Drilla jump in and Drilla fires off shots! Drilla ENZIGIRIS, ripcords, but Bushi dodges to RANA! And DROPKICK! Drilla bails out but Bushi builds speed, only for Connors to SNAP POWERSLAM! Drilla gets in, he and Connors get moving, SPEAR GORE COMBO!! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives but the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions coordinate. Connors BLASTS Naito off the apron before he climbs a corner, and Drilla gets Bushi up. Drilla suplexes, but Bushi slips free! Bushi shoves Drilla into Connors, then runs back in to CODE-

NO, Drilla blocks and aims for ropes! Bushi slips free, dodges Drilla, but Drilla ducks the enzigiri, only for the REWIND HEEL to hit! Bushi whips Drilla up and out and to the floor, Bushi ELIMINATES Drilla! We’re 4v3 in LIJ’s favor, but then Connors SPEARS Bushi! Connors says this is it, and he reels Bushi in for- NO! Bushi turns No Chaser into a backslide! BUSHI ROLL! Bushi ELIMINATES Connors!! The Black Mask singlehandedly handles the tag champs and the fans fire up! But then Finlay CLOBBERS Bushi and rains down fists! Finlay roars in rage, then he drags Bushi up. Canadian Rack, but Bushi slips free to backslide!

Finlay rolls through to UPPERCUT! Jake BLASTS Naito, BLASTS Yota, and then Finlay gets Bushi up! Finlay POWERBOMBS Bushi to the outside, onto Naito and the rest! Finlay ELIMINATES Bushi! We’re back to 3v2 as Finlay still has Jake but LIJ still has Naito, Hiromu and Yota. And speaking of Yota, he gets in to brawl with Finlay! Yota whips, Finlay reverses but Yota flipping RANAS! Then he BLASTS Jake! Yota runs corner to corner to STINGER SPLASH Finlay! Yota keeps moving, he runs Finlay over to then run and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Yota as he smiles and paces around.

Yota brings Finlay up and fireman’s carries, but Finlay slips free. Yota kicks, runs, but Finlay ELBOWS him down, then SENTONS on top! Finlay barks as he aims at Yota. Yota rises, Finlay runs in, and UPPERCUTS at the corner! Then clotheslines! Then FALCON ARROWS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Yota but Finlay grows frustrated. Finlay drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Finlay CLUBS away on Yota, tries again, and he has Yota up, but Yota fights free of the bomb! Yota fires forearms, but Finlay UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Finlay runs, but Yota backslides to KNEE Finlay down!

The fans fire up again as we pass 20 minutes, and Yota drags Finlay up. Yota goes up and up but Finlay shoves him over! Yota’s on the apron, he and Finlay brawl! Yota ROCKS Finlay, but Finlay gets in Red Shoes’ face! Jake grabs at Yota, Yota kicks him away, but Finlay BLASTS Yota down and ELIMINATES him! The fans boo but the Dogs have made this 2v2! Finlay and Jake stand together, and they dare Naito & Hiromu to join them. Naito and Hiromu oblige as they step inside. Naito stares Jake down, Hiromu stares Finlay down, and they start swinging! The fans fire up, but then Finlay fireman’s carries Hiromu! Finlay aims for ropes!

Naito gets past Jake to save Hiromu, but then Jake BOOTS Naito down! Jake scrapes Naito out of the ring and goes after him, but Hiromu fireman’s carries Finlay! Hiromu runs at ropes and dumps Finlay out! Finlay stays on the apron but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Finlay holds onto ropes and wobbles, but Hiromu builds speed! Hiromu DIVES and SUNSET FLIPS, but Finlay still holds on! Finlay throws down hands, gets back inside, he’s SAFE! Hiromu is also safe because he went through the second rope. Hiromu runs back in, but avoids Blue Thunder to wheelbarrow! But Finlay turns that into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER!

Hiromu writhes, the fans rally as hard as they can behind him, but Finlay drags Hiromu up. DOMINATOR! Cover, Naito breaks it! Jake stomps Naito and TOSSES him out! It was all second rope so Naito’s safe, but Finlay talks trash on Hiromu. Finlay drags Hiromu up, reels him in, suplexes, but Hiromu slips free! Finlay UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! Flashback to the 23rd! Hiromu just takes UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT from Finlay, but he doesn’t stop! Then he SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, but into another UPPERCUT! Finlay gets Hiromu up, but Hiromu RANAS Finlay up and out to ELIMINATE him!!

The fans are thunderous as The Rebel is shocked! Hiromu mocks him, but then Jake runs in! Hiromu gets under the boot to get under Jake! Jake fights Hiromu off, snarls, and then runs up! Hiromu dodges to kick a leg! Hiromu runs, but Jake kitchen sink knees! Jake takes aim, runs up, and FACE BREAK SHOT! Hiromu tumbles up and out and to the floor, Jake ELIMINATES him! And now, at 25 minutes in, we’re down to just Jake and just Naito! Naito slowly rolls into the ring as the fans rally behind him. Jake watches Naito stand, and the two stare down. Jake runs in but Naito dodges to fire off forearms!

Naito whips but Jake reverses to KNEE low! Jake fires up but fans boo as he stands Naito up. Jake reels Naito in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Naito protects the plate but Jake is aiming another heater! Jake waits as Naito stands, then winds up to choke grip! But Naito throws back elbows to get free! Naito then wrenches, TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Naito rises, he drags Jake up, and he throws those heavy back elbows! Jake crawls around, Naito brings him up, and Naito throws more heavy back elbows! Jake wobbles and staggers to the corner but Naito is right on him.

Naito brings Jake around for even more heavy back elbows! Jake falls over, the fans fire up, and Naito aims from the corner. Naito drags Jake up and in, but Jake BOOTS Naito down! Naito dangles off the apron! Red Shoes keeps the War Dogs from interfering, and Naito stands up. Jake aims, runs in, but Naito avoid the FBS! Naito drags Jake ot the apron, Jake elbows him back! Jake runs up, but into an ELBOW! Naito goes up and over, sweeps the legs, then BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICKS! Jake falls, LIJ wins!!

Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, Naito as the lone survivor

It came down to the bottom of the ninth, technically speaking, and Naito just hit the walk-off homer! Jake is stunned and Finlay is frustrated, but Yota just smiles back at him. Finlay and Yota will have it out as part of Wrestling Dontaku Night One, who will be smiling then?

As for LIJ, they regroup in the ring and have their hands raised. Slyly’s even still hanging around! But uh, he’s a little too chunky to get in the ring, so he just settles for pumping up the crowd like he does at baseball games. Naito gets the mic to say that it was three months ago, the Splash Strong series back in January, since Naito was last in Hiroshima. Naito would like to thank the fans from coming here tonight, “Gracias, amigos.” The fans cheer, and Naito continues by saying, “Hiroshima is my second home. I really long to have a match at Mazda Stadium.” The fans love the sound of that!

Naito does preface that him saying that doesn’t mean there’s anything planned. So please, tranquilo, be patient, and look forward to the day that finally happens. So, shall they do it? The fans cheer again! So then, for the first time in Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall in a year and eight months, is everyone ready? The fans cheer because they sure are! Well then, the only way to close The Road to Wrestling Dontaku here in Hiroshima… Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Slyly! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRNABLEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!! Slyly gets in on the roll call! Will all of LIJ have success as we reach Wrestling Dontaku next week?

My Thoughts:

A great event to conclude Road to Dontaku before getting to Wrestling Dontaku itself. An unfortunate change in the card, Sanada fell ill and could not compete, so his match alongside Taichi against Tanahashi & Tomoaki was changed into Tanahashi and a Young Lion VS Tomoaki and a Young Lion. Hopefully Cold Skull gets well soon. Great tag title match from TMDK VS GoD, and while I figured TMDK was going to retain, I didn’t think it’d be in a shady way like holding tights. While ZSJ VS Cobb for the NJPW World TV title is still to come, I doner of GoD shift gears and ELP becomes a singles guy so Leo and Loa can team up. Then ELP can challenge ZSJ in a battle of initials while the Brothers Guerrilla get to take on Shane & Mikey.

Great Rural Revitalization again, they managed to pull off great comeback spots each round. I was very surprised Yuya won out, I felt like Khan could’ve done one more Rural Revitalization before losing. But at the same time, Yuya feels like the unofficial fourth Reiwa Musketeer behind Narita, Shota & Tsuji. Yuya getting a title, any title, ahead of the others is good stuff for him, and could even bring about a feud with one of the Musketeers for the Summer. And then a great 10 Man Elimination Tag. I again really like that NJPW allows over the rope eliminations even in a tag match like this to really mix things up. Jake Lee not winning out for the War Dogs is really surprising, but I feel like that means Jake will defeat Naito 1v1.