Will The King of Darkness trump President Ace?

NJPW’s Road to Destruction continues as The House of Torture goes after the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships! Will Darkness Fall on Hokkaido?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Toru Yano & Kazushi Sakuraba VS Masatora Yasuda & Daiki Nagai; Yano & Sakuraba win.
• 20 Man Noboribetsu Ranbo: Shota Umino wins the luxury pass to the Noboribetsu hot springs.
• Six Man Tag: Chaos VS Bullet Club War Dogs; War Dogs win.
• 10 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire; The Empire wins.
• NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture; Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg win and retain the titles.

PLAY BY PLAY

20 Man Noboribetsu Ranbo!

NJPW being in Hokkaido is a special occasion, and while this may be a battle royal, this is a special treat! Noboribetsu is known for its luxurious hot spring resorts, so the winner of this match will get a special VIP pass! Who puts in a hard day’s work to have a relaxing weekend?

First out is a Young Lion, Katsuya Murashima! Could this be his moment to graduate? Second out is his fellow Young Lion, Shoma Kato! Could this be his moment to graduate? The bell rings and the ranbo begins! The two tie up, Shamo headlocks but Katsuya slips out the back. Katsuya has a leg, he brings Shoma down, then waistlocks. Shoma switches, Katsuya switches, repeat, and the two break. The fans cheer and the two reset. They tie up again, Shoma wrenches to wristlock, but Katsuya rolls, wrenches and hammerlocks. Katsuya headlocks but Shoma fires body shots. Shoma powers up but Katsuya grinds the hold!

Shoma fights up, but Katsuya grinds the headlock mover. Katsuya hits a takeover, but here comes entry number 3! As Shoma powers up and puts Katsuya on ropes, the music plays. Katsuya lets go of the headlock, but Shoma CHOPS! Katsuya fires forearms, Shoma fires back, and repeat! The fans rally up because here comes Yuma 24! Hokkaido’s own storms into the ring and he ROCKS Katsuya! And he fires off hands on Shoma, but Shoma hits back! Shoma whips Yuma at the corner, then runs in, but Yuma dodges! Shoma hits buckles, and then Yuma tabletops him! BASEMENT BLOCKBUSTER! The fans cheer as Yuma stands tall.

Katsuya runs up to fire forearms with Yuma, and then Yuma CLAWS eyes! Yuma goes to throw Katsuya out but Shoma CLUBS Yuma! The countdown is back while the Young Lions stomp Yuma. Katsuya then goes after Shoma to fire forearms. Shoma turns it around to fire forearms back! Fourth out is… Tomoaki Honma! Everyone’s Kokeshi is here, and he steps in to fire hands on the Young Lions! Yuma runs up but Honma ROCKS him, CHOPS him, then CHOPS again! And CHOPS again in the corner! Honma whips corner to corner, runs in, and ELBOWS Yuma! Yuma staggers, into a BULLDOG! The fans fire up as Honma calls for it!

Honma runs, but Yuma dodges the Kokeshi! Yuma stomps Honma, drags him up, and CLUBS him! The countdown’s back already, and Yuma stomps Honma to a corner. The Young Lions go after Yuma now, and work to throw him out! Yuma holds onto the ropes, but Honma works with them! Yuma fights them off, and fifth is Tiger Mask! The fans cheer the living legend Super Junior as he hurries into the ring. Tiger Mask is swarmed by the Young Lions! Tiger ROCKS Katsuya, but Shoma whips. Tiger grabs ropes to stop, and Shoma’s dropkick gets nothing! Katsuya covers Shoma! TWO! Tiger kicks Katsuya, then sets him up for Honma!

Honma runs in, but Katsuya slips away, and Honma CLOBBERS Tiger mask! Honma checks on his friend, apologizes, then he CLUBS Katsuya. The countdown is back already, and Honma sets Katsuya up for Yuma. Yuma runs up, Katsuya gets away, and Yuma CLOBBERS Honma! Shoma rolls up Yuma! TWO!! Yuma escapes and here comes number six, Kosei Fujita! Will the Japanese Young Punk prove that while The Might Don’t Kneel, they do like to relax in hot springs? Fujita runs in, dodges Katsuya and CHOPS! Katsuya fires forearms in return, then whips, but Fujita reverses. Katsuya ducks ‘n’ dodges, to run Fujita over!

The fans fire up, but then Fujita’s right up to run Katsuya over! The fans fire up more, and Fujita brings Katsuya up to TOSS him out! Katsuya lands on the apron, but Fujita GAMANGIRIS him down! Fujita ELIMINATES Katsuya! Fujita bails out before Honma gets at him, so Tiger Mask and Honma trade shots. Fujita steps on Katsuya on his way back in, and the countdown is back again. Tiger Mask ELBOWS Honma down, Fujita and Yuma work together against Shoma, but Shoma holds them off. Out seventh is… Jado! The Master Heater high fives fans and hurries in. Honma scopos Fujita and goes for ropes!

Fujita holds on, Yuma tries to help, but Fujita fights free! Fujita goes to lift Honma now! Yuma helps Fujita again while Jado and Tiger Mask are after Shoma. They whip, kick and KICK Shoma! Cover, TWO! Shoma stays in this, as does Honma. Fujita CLUBS Honma down while Tiger Mask KICKS Shoma! Jado brings Shoma up, the countdown is back again, and the old guys keep mugging Shoma. Oh that music is obvious, here comes Ryusuke Taguchi! Or as that cardboard belt says, the Hokkaido PR Champion. Taguchi climbs the corner, leaps in, but into a FLYING FOREARM from Shoma! Shoma TOSSES Taguchi out!

Taguchi is on the apron, Shoma ROCKS him then runs, but Taguchi slingshots in! Taguchi dropkicks a leg, then La Magistrol! Cover, THREE! Taguchi ELIMINATES Shoma! The Young Lions are done, and Honma stomps Yuma. Taguchi, Tiger Mask AND Jado go up to Fujita. Fujita fires forearms but he gets mugged 3v1! The countdown is done, here comes number nine, Francesco Akira! The Nova Fireball slides in, and he dodges Fujita to kick and whip,. Fujita reverses but Akira RANAS! Fujita bails out, Yuma kicks Akira and TOSSES him! Akira lands on the apron, Yuma runs up, but Akira DUMPS him out!

Yuma lands on the apron, he UPPERCUTS Akira, but Akira SUPERKICKS in return! Yuma wobbles, then falls to the floor! Akira ELIMINATES Yuma! Akira steps in, kicks Taguchi, and then scrapes Taguchi on ropes! But Honma and Tiger Mask join in! And Jado, and even Fujita! They all work to lift Akira but he holds on stubbornly! Taguchi climbs up, but he ends up tipping over the top rope! Fujita runs back up to try and push the pile! Fujita then slides out so he can pull Taguchi from the outside! Taguchi is still holding on tight! The countdown is back, and number ten is… Taka Michinoku! Will the Blue Playmaker grab those luxury tickets?

Taguch is still fighting off Honma! He drops to the apron, and now Honma tries to scrape him off! Akira and Fujita fight in another corner, and Fujita throws elbows to back Akira off. Taka fires hands on Tiger, then DECKS him! Fujita turns things around on Akira, Akira hits back, but Jado joins in. Honma kicks Taguchi’s legs out, then KOKESHI FLOPS! Taguchi fires up, wiggles, KOKESHI FLOPS! Honma drags Taguchi up while the countdown is back. Honma scoops and SLAMS Taguchi! KOKESHI FLOPS again! Number 11 is… TOMOYA! The fans fire up as another Hokkaido hero joins the match!

Tomoya fires hands on Honma, suplexes, and he holds Honma up for TEN before the SLAM! Cover, TWO! Honma stays in this, but also bails out, so Tomoya digs his boot into Akira. Tiger KICKS Taka, Fujita CHOPS Tomoya. Tomoya CHOPS Fujita, Fujita CHOPS back! They CHOP back and forth and Tomoya eggs Fujita on! They CHOP and CHOP, and the countdown is back. Akira hoists Fujita up, Tiger Mask has Taka, and number 12 is… Hiroyoshi Tenzan! The fans fire up as another living legend is here! Tenzan storms in, and he locks eyes with Tomoya. Tomoya fires forearms, but the fans hiss with steam for Tenzan.

Tenzan kicks Tomoya, HEADBUTTS him, then Mongolian Chops! Tomoya falls and the fans fire up! Tenzan kicks Tomoya, bumps him off buckles, then goes to push him out! Tomoya holds on so Tenzan CLUBS him! Tomoya hits back, the countdown is back, and number 13 is… TAKASHI IIZUKA! And he doesn’t come from the stage, he comes in from behind the crowd! The fans fire up as this madman storms his way up the aisle! Fans watch out as he goes through the rows, and pushes his way to the stage! Iizuka’s madness keeps him storming through the rest of the crowd! No one in the ring is sure what to make of this!

Iizuka just keeps going, does he even know he’s supposed to go to the ring!? Iizuka completes a full lap, and NOW he’s ringside! The fans fire up as Iizuka storms into the ring, armed with the iron fingers! Everyone stays clear of this insanity! Iizuka eyes Taka but Taka says they’re friends! Suzuki-Gun, remember? Akira waistlocks but Taka switches and shoves Akira at Iizuka! IRON FINGER STRIKE!! Taka TOSSES Akira and ELIMINATES him! Iizuka now eyes Tenzan! The fans fire up and Tenzan tells Iizuka to put the fingers down. Iizuka takes a swing! Tenzan dodges to Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chop! But Iizuka kicks low, and IRON FINGER STRIKES!!

Taka covers Tenzan! Taka ELIMINATES Tenzan!! “Taka” means “hawk” but he’s being a real vulture, picking at those Iizuka takes out! But then Iizuka BITES Taka on the forehead! The countdown’s back, and number 14 is… Taichi! The Holy Emperor rushes in to stop Iizuka from eating Taka! Taichi CLUBS Iizuka, TOSSES him, but that was the second rope! Taichi goes out to stomp away on Iizuka, and then drags him up. He tells Shinpei Nagomi on commentary, and Nagomi asks why Iizuka is doing this! The fans cheer as it seems Iizuka’s senses have returned, but then Iizuka LEAPS over the desk to get at Nagomi!!

The fans go wild as Iizuka rips Nagomi’s shirt away, to reveal he’s wearing “Blue Justice” Yuji Nagata merchandise! Iizuka still hasn’t forgiven Nagomi for being a Blue Justice fanboy back in the day! He’s ripping THAT shirt away, too! Then he THROWS Nagomi into the crowd! Taichi then throws Iizuka back into the ring, Nagomi returns to commentary, and everyone else gangs up on Iizuka and Taichi! Everyone TOSSES and ELIMINATES Taichi and Iizuka! The countdown is back, but Taguchi rolls up Taka! TWO! Taichi gets Iizuka away from ringside, and now number 15 is… Yoshinobu Kanemaru!

The Heel Master jumps in, but Taka and Fujita are right on him! They and Tiger Mask beat Kanemaru down. Kanemaru fights back, CLAWS Fujita’s eyes, and then CHOKES Fujita on ropes. Taguchi sneaks a swig of Kanemaru’s whiskey! The effects are immediate! The countdown returns, and number 16 is… SHO! The House of Torture is building up in this match, but The Murder Machine clearly hides his Torture Tool in his towel. Fujita ends up on the apron, Tiger Mask whips Kanemaru at Fujita, and Fujita RAMS Kanemaru! Kanemaru ROCKS Fujita back, but Fujita stays up to ROCK Kanemaru!

Kanemaru staggers, Fujita slingshots, but Kanemaru shoves the ref at him! Fujita falls to the floor, Kanemaru ELIMINATES Fujita! The fans boo but Sho whips Tiger Mask. Tiger Mask reverses, wrenches, waistlocks, but Sho switches. Tiger Mask fires elbows but Sho CLUBS Tiger Mask. Sho has the arms, but Tiger Mask FLIP KICKS! The countdown is back! Tiger Mask kicks Kanemaru, whips him, but Kanemaru reverses to TOSS Tiger Mask right to the floor! Kanemaru ELIMINATES Tiger Mask! Taguchi runs up at Sho but into an atomic drop! Sho sits Taguchi on the ropes and pulls! The Funky Weapon suffers pain!

Kanemaru runs up to DROPKICK Taguchi! Taguchi tumbles to the floor, The House of Torture ELIMINATES Taguchi! Number 17 is… DOUKI! Japones Del Mal storms in to fire hands on Kanemaru, but Kanemaru and Sho mug him! They double whip Douki to a corner, Sho runs in, but Douki dodges. Kanemaru mule kicks Douki, then holds him up. Sho runs up but into BOOTS! Douki headlocks Kanemaru, jumps up again, and he RANA SNAPMARE COMBOS! Douki then dodges The House, and springboards to DOUBLE BACK ELBOW! The fans fire up with Douki, Honma hurries to cover Kanemaru, ONE!

Douki stomps Honma, drags Kanemaru up, and whips him to ropes. Kanemaru reverses to then dropkick the legs out! Douki goes to ropes, Kanemaru runs in, but Douki BOOTS him! But he also goes up and out to the apron! Kanemaru kicks Douki, runs up, but Douki DUMPS Kanemaru out! Kanemaru kicks Douki, Douki UPPERCUTS Kanemaru! Kanemaru dropkicks the legs out! Kanemaru grabs Douki’s leg, and KNEE SMASHES to the floor! DOUBLE ELIMINATION! A sacrifice play from Kanemaru but we know he wants that IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship over the Noboribetsu onsens!

The countdown is back, and number 18 is… Sanada! The Cold Skull makes his way out here, right as Sho rolls up and ELIMINATES Taka!! Well now Sanada’s the last of Just5Guys! Sanada storms in, Sho gets his wrench! The refs reprimand Sho but Sho keeps trying to hide it! Sanada runs up to TOSS and ELIMINATE Sho! That’s what he gets for breaking rules! But now Sanada finds himself alone with Jado, Honma and Tomoya. The fans rally for Sanada, and the four men feel things out. The countdown is back already? Sanada and Honma tie up, Honma waistlocks but Sanada switches, and number 19 is… Shota Umino!

Honma throws elbows, Jado CLUBS Sanada, and The Roughneck comes in from the crowd! Jado knocks Sanada down, ties him up, but Sanada kicks him away! Shota storms in but Tomoya is right on him! Tomoya and Shota fire forearms back and forth, and Sanada puts Jado in Paradise! Honma is the odd man out watching as Tomoya knuckle locks then CHOPS Shota. Sanada pushes Jado down, Jado verbally quits! Sanada ELIMINATES Jado! Who knew Paradise could hurt? Honma rolls Sanada, TWO! Tomoya goes up the ropes, but Shota trips him up! Shota stomps Tomya, brings him up and TOSSES him out, Shota ELIMINATES Tomoya!

Shota, Honma and Sanada are the only ones in the ring, and Sanada says hold on, that’s 2v1. Shota and Honma still stomp and CLUB him down! But here comes the final countdown! Number 20 is… Zack Sabre Jr?! The G1 Climax Champion brings his trophy to the ring, is he looking to add even more prizes to the collection? ZSJ even throws his TMDK G1 baseball jersey to the crowd! Free souvenir for someone, and ZSJ slides into the ring. Shota digs his boots into Sanada, but the fans fire up as “ZAKKU! ZAKKU!” and Honma feel things out. ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Honma CHOPS, repeat! ZSJ UPPERCUTS again and again, but Honma clinches!

Honma feeds ZSJ to Shota’s UPPERCUT! Honma ROCKS ZSJ, Shota scoops and SLAMS! Shota points to a corner, and Honma goes up! Shota holds ZSJ down, but then ZSJ kicks free and avoids the FALLING KOKESHI! Honma FLOPS, ZSJ clamps on with a headscissors squeeze! ZSJ rolls Honma to getting an arm! Honma TAPS, ZSJ ELIMINATES Honma! Now the final three are ZSJ, Shota and Sanada! The fans rally up as the three stare down. There are equal parts “SA-NA-DA!” “ZAKKU! ZAKKU!” and “SHOTA! SHOTA!” as they circle. They feel things out, they all knuckle lock, but then Shota kicks Sanada!

Shota UPPERCUTS ZSJ, ZSJ UPPERCUTS Sanada, Sanada UPPERCUTS Shota! The UPPERCUTS keep going around like that, from Shota to ZSJ to Sanada, but then Shota hooks Sanada! Sanada fights the backslide but ZSJ shoves them both over! Double cover, TWO!! Shota and Sanada escape, and then Shota cradles ZSJ! TWO!! Sanada rolls Shota to a cradle, TWO!! ZSJ runs up on Sanada, and cradles! TWO!! The fans fire up, ZSJ BOOTS Shota then BOOTS Sanada! ZSJ runs, but into DOUBLE DROPKICKS! The fans are thunderous, and even Shota and Sanada applaud respect. Shota offers a hand, Sanada takes it, to reel Shota into a cradle! TWO!!

Shota escapes, runs up, but Sanada gets around. Shota bucks the O’Conner, TOSSES Sanada, but Sanada lands on the apron! Shota ROCKS Sanada, but ZSJ runs up! Shota dodges, Sanada ROCKS ZSJ, but then ZSJ dodges Shota! ZSJ waistlocks Shota, RAMS him into Sanada, and Sanada falls! ZSJ & Shota ELIMINATE Sanada, but then ZSJ O’Conner Rolls Shota to a BRIDGE! TWO!! Shota escapes, runs up, but ZSJ TOSSES him! ZSJ runs up, Shota RAMS him then slingshots to sunset flip! ZSJ rolls through but Shota underhooks! ZSJ wrenches out to PELE the arm! ZSJ scoops, Shota slips free, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS him down!

Shota sits up, into a PENALTY KICK! Shota rolls back to his feet! UPPERCUT! ZSJ falls and the fans fire up! Shota rises, the fans duel, and Shota takes aim. ZSJ rises, Shota runs up, BLAZE BLADE! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives but Shota roars! The fans fire up again and Shota drags ZSJ up. ZSJ slips around, COBRA TWIST! Shota endures, the fans rally, and Shota powers up to head for ropes. ZSJ puts on the pressure but Shota still has the ROPEBREAK, and he hip tosses ZSJ out! ZSJ lands on the apron, ROCKS Shota, then has a SLEEPER! ZSJ drags Shota up, bends him back against ropes, but Shota JAWBREAKERS!

Shota DROPKICKS, but ZSJ holds on! Shota runs, UPPERCUTS, and ZSJ falls! Shota wins!!

Winner: Shota Umino (wins the Noboribetsu hot springs pass)

The G1 Climax Champion tried to take another prize for his own, but in the end, it is The Roughneck who will be relaxing this weekend! Will Shota be refreshed and ready for the coming Autumn season?

After Six Man Tag: Chaos VS Bullet Club War Dogs…

While Gabe Kidd gets the win off a brainbuster, The War Dogs aren’t done with Hirooki Goto, Yoshi-Hashi or Tomohiro Ishii! The beatdown begins, Young Lions run in, but they get beat up, too! David Finlay even gives on a FALCON ARROW to the floor! Gabe gets a mic to have them cut the music, and he says, “Hey, Goto! My tag team partner is in a effin’ hospital bed because o’ you three p*icks! Oi! Kobe, Gabe Kidd VS Hirooki Goto, let’s go, b*tch!” The NJPW Strong Openweight Champion has called out the Fierce Warrior! Will Gabe avenge Jake Lee by taking Goto apart?

Hashi and Finlay will also still fight for the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship, will The Rebel tear the Headhunter’s head off to stay golden? Or could Chaos take those titles away from the War Dogs and put them in the pound?

10 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire!

While we just saw this showdown, with Tetsuya Naito and team standing tall, that will not intimidate Great-O-Khan and his forces. Will Khan, Cobb, Henare, Callum & Jakob turn the tide on this Road to Destruction? Or will Bushi, Hiromu, Shingo, Yota y Naito keep things tranquilo?

The entrance attire is put aside, though Naito still takes his time. The teams stare down, Takagi with Henare given their coming NEVER Openweight Championship, and Cobb is dismissive of Yota since he already beat him in their NJPW World TV Championship match. LIJ makes everyone wait on the fist bump, but then The Empire attacks! The bell rings, and Khan stomps Naito down while the rest of The Empire throws LIJ out of the ring! Things even spill out into the crowd! Khan taunts Naito with hands behind his back, then he drags Naito up. Khan whips to then SAYANAGI! Cover, TWO! Naito stays in this, and the teams stop fighting on the outside.

Khan clamps onto Naito with the IRON CLAW SLEEPER, but Naito flails! Khan spins him, for the ELIMIN- NO, Naito slips free, tilt-o-whirls, but Khan denies Destino! Khan slips free, then picks Naito up, to RAM him into a corner! Khan puts stank on the Mongolian Chops! And then more Mongolian Chops! Khan then fakes Naito out to UPPERCUT! The fans rally as Khan has Naito in the corner, and sits on his throne! The Empire sit on the apron just like Khan, and the fans rally as Khan pulls the arms. Khan hops down, brings Naito around, and he tags in Callum. The Empire mugs Naito, then Callum CLUBS him.

The fans applaud and Callum whips. Naito reverses but Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges and builds speed! Naito avoids the boot and Hiromu gets a shot in! Bushi sunset flips and rewinds into Naito’s basement dropkick! Khan protests but then Hiromu tags in. Hiromu & Naito double whip Callum, to DOUBLE LARIAT! Hiromu covers, TWO! The fans rally, Hiromu CHOPS Callum to a corner. Hiromu CHOPS again! Hiromu CHOPS again, whips, and runs in to LARIAT! Snapmare, but Callum is up to hip toss and QUICK DRAW! The Empire goes after LIJ from the outside now! The brawling again spills into the crowd!

Fans fire up as Takagi and Henare trade shots and even HEADBUTTS! Takagi and Henare fire fast hands, and then somewhere else, Khan BOWLS Naito into chairs! Strike! The fans cheer as Khan stands tall over Naito! Khan then CHOKES Naito with a chair! The ref reprimands everyone everywhere, but Cobb then RAMS Yota into railing! A ring count starts, Callum brings Hiromu back into the ring at 7 of 20. Then he KNEE-BOARD SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Callum brings Hiromu up into a chinlock, and he squeezes tight while the fans rally. And we’re just at five minutes! Callum shifts around, stomps Hiromu, then brings him up.

Callum UPPERCUTS Hiromu to the corner, then tags in Jakob. Jakob bumps Hiromu off buckles, UPPERCUTS him, then whips corner to corner. Jakob runs up to forearm SMASH! Then he whips the other way, to CHOP! Jakob brings Hiromu out for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and duel, “HI-RO-MU!” “JA~KOB!” Jakob wrenches and whips Hiromu into the corner, tags Cobb, and then ELBOWS Hiromu on his way out. Cobb brings Hiromu around, taunts Takagi, then HEADBUTTS Hiromu down! Cobb deadlifts Hiromu into a suplex! Cobb taunts LIJ as he carries Hiromu, and Hiromu shouts for help! Cobb SLAMS him down first!

Cobb stays between Hiromu and the corner, taunting the team to help Hiromu. But Hiromu gets up to CHOP! And CHOP! Cobb just frowns. Hiromu CHOPS again, but Cobb KNEES low! Cobb whips, Hiromu RAN- NO, Cobb stops that, lifts Hiromu up, but Hiromu slips free! Hiromu runs and CROSSBODIES, but he bounces right off Cobb! The fans cheer and Cobb taunts Yota. Cobb drags Hiromu back, but Hiromu slips under! SUPERKICK! Cobb stays up, but Hiromu slips under again, hot tag to Yota! The fans fire up as Yota dodges, then kicks and whips Cobb. Cobb reverses, but Yota RANAS! The fans fire up and Cobb goes to a corner.

Yota runs in to STINGER SPLASH! Yota keeps moving, but Jakob gets a shot in! Jakob & Callum storm in, double whip, but Yota ducks the line to shove Jakob into Callum! Yota then fireman’s carries Jakob and THROWS him at Callum! Those two bail out, Cobb storms up and kicks low. Cobb suplexes, but Yota slips free! Yota hits a COMPLETE SHOT, then covers, TWO! Yota fires up and the fans are with him! Yota drags Cobb up, fireman’s carries, but Cobb blocks the lift! Cobb CLUBS Yota, but Yota kicks low. Yota runs, into an URENAGE! And FALLING HAMMER! Cover, TWO! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!

The fans fire up as Yota stays in this, but Cobb storms over. Cobb drags Yota up, fireman’s carries, but Yota slips free. Yota goes to a corner, Cobb runs in, and Cobb blocks the boot! Cobb throws Yota up and over to then get under! Gory Especial, but Yota fights free! Cobb SUPERKICKS! Yota stays up, Cobb runs up, but Yota blocks the lariat! BACKBREAKER! COMPLETE SHOT! STOMP! Both men are down after the Gene Combination and the fans fire up! Cobb and Yota crawl, hot tags to Henare and Takagi! The fans fire up as Rampaging Dragon RAMS Face of Fury! They RAM shoulders again, and again!

Takagi ROCKS Henare with a forearm, whips him to a corner, but then blocks a boto! Takagi LARAITS, but Henare puts him in the corner to fire fast hands! Henare HEADBUTTS, whips corner to corner, and LARIATS! Henare roars, but now Takagi turns things around to JAB and CHOP on repeat! The fans fire up, Takagi lets off to run, but Henare SWATS the lariat! Takagi spins to YUKON LARIAT, but Henare stays up! They go forehead to forehead and the fans fire up! Takagi and Henare HEADBUTT again and again! Then Takagi CHOPS! Henare KICKS! The fans fire up as Takagi grits his teeth, and he comes back to CHOP!

Henare growls and the fans fire up more. Henare storms up to KICK! Takagi fires ridge hand chops, then an open hand CHOP! Henare KICKS, Takagi blocks, but Henare ELBOWS free, then KICKS Takagi down! Takagi’s right up and he CLOBBERS Henare! The fans fire up with “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi runs up but Henare ELBOWS him, goes up and FLYING CHUCK! But Takagi stays up, runs, but Henare LARIATS! But Takagi’s up again! PUMPING BOMBER! Henare’s right up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men fall and the fans fire up again! Takagi and Henare stir, hot tag to Bushi! Bushi kicks and whips, then he dropkicks legs out!

Jakob gets in to kick, but he runs into an ENZIGIRI! Hiromu BLASTS Khan, BOOTS Cobb, and LIJ focus on Henare. They double whip Henare to a corner, then Bushi ELBOWS! Hiromu LARIATS! Yota SPLASHES! Snapmare, Naito joins in, QUADRUPLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Bushi covers, but the entire Empire breaks it! The fans fire up, LIJ throws The Empire out! Bushi goes back to Henare, the fans rally, but Callum runs in to BOOT Bushi! Hiromu SUPERKICKS Callum! Cobb CLOBBERS Hiromu! Yota V-TRIGGERS Cobb! Khan BOOTS Yota! Naito ELBOWS Khan, ENZIGIRIS him down, but Henare CLOBBERS Naito!

Takagi storms in but Henare backs him down, and then NATIVE KNEE in the corner! Henare roars, but Bushi storms up! Henare blocks a kick, ducks the enzigiri but not the REWIND HEEL! Henare still BODY BLOWS then KICKS Bushi down! Henare roars, and he clamps on the ULTIMA NELSON!! Bushi endures, but Henare grinds him down! Bushi reaches out, fans rally, but Bushi TAPS! The Empire wins!

Winner: The United Empire, by submission

The Face of Fury breaks the Black Mask, and he stares down The Rampaging Dragon. Henare holds up the NEVER Openweight Championship, but will that be the case after Kobe? Wait, Henare gets a mic to talk to Takagi! “You want this NEVER belt? You want this?! You’ll get it in KOBE!” Henare now makes it official, and there’s no going back! Will Henare prove he’s the strongest NEVER Champion there’s ever been? Similarly, Khan stares Naito down, their IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match also set. Will The United Empire completely dominate? Or will it be LIJ that brings the Destruction in Kobe?

NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture!

It was quite the surprise when the Ace of the Universe became the President of NJPW. However, that didn’t change who Tanahashi was as a person or as a wrestler. He still fought his way to these titles alongside his good pal, The Producer, and the young yet talented #BARS! However, The King of Darkness doesn’t care about earning anything, just taking everything! Will he, Yujiro Takahashi & Dick Togo show Everything is Evil’s? Or will they fail to stop The Ace, The Joker & The Rook?

Well, seeing as how Yano is pretty much Mr. Hokkaido PR, he not only brings Tomu-kun back to NJPW, he is honored by literally being given his flowers from two young kids dressed up as the Red Oni & Blue Oni from the Japanese folktale, The Red Oni Who Cried. Yano thanks them, and the champions pose with the kids for a great photo op. With that, the introductions are made, but The House attacks from behind! The fans boo but there’s nothing that can be done! Red Shoes rings the bell while Yujiro TOSSES Oleg and Dick TOSSES Yano! Evil stomps Tanahashi, then he and Dick SMACK Tanahashi with the bouquets!

The fans boo more but Evil then CHUCKS the bouquet to the crowd! Dick sprinkles petals on Tanahashi, then Evil stomps Tanahashi. Dick & Yujiro stand Tanahashi up and hold his arms back. Evil CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CLAWS Tanahashi’s eyes! Red Shoes reprimands and fans boo, but Evil just taunts them. Dick & Yujiro whip Tanahashi corner to corner, then run in. Tanahashi ELBOWS Dick then goes up to CROSSBODY! The fans rally but Evil grabs Tanahashi’s arms. Yujiro runs up, Tanahashi BOOTS him then ELBOWS Evil! Tanahashi dropkicks Yujiro’s leg out, the blocks a kick to DRAGON SCREW Evil!

The fans fire up and Tanahashi tags Oleg! The fans fire up as Oleg ROCKS Dick, whips him to a corner, then he sends Yujiro in! Yujiro runs into Dick, then Oleg CHOPS Evil! Oleg whips Evil in and The House is three deep in the corner! Boltin runs in, Evil & Yujiro get outta there, so Dick takes the SPLASH! Yujiro & Evil go after Oleg, double whip, but Oleg comes back to CLOBBER them both! The fans fire up and Oleg tags Yano. Yano fires up, and he unties a buckle pad! Yano turns around, Evil kicks low, but the pad protects Yano! Yujiro kicks but again, the pad protects Yano! Red Shoes reprimands, so Yano throws the pad to Evil.

Evil drops the pad and he stomps on it! Yujiro joins in, and Yano dives on the pad to protect it! But that just gets Yano stomped by Evil, Yujiro & Dick! The fans boo, but then The House BLASTS Oleg & Tanahashi off the corner! They mug Yano more, and get the pad out of the ring. Evil brings Yano up, wrenches his arm, and tags in Dick. Dick CLUBS Yano’s arm, then clamps onto the arm with a cording hold. Dick arm-drags Yano down, then has a top wristlock. Yano endures, the fans rally, but Dick drops knees on the arm! Cover, TWO! Yano stays in this and the fans rally up, but Dick stomps Yano around.

Dick sits Yano up to KNEE him in the back! And again! Cover, TWO! Dick is annoyed but he tags out to Yujiro. Yujiro drags Yano up, and RAMS him into the bare buckles! The fans boo as Yano drops to his knees, but Yujiro snapmares him. Yujiro drops a leg, and elbow, and then a headbutt! Cover, TWO! Yano stays in this but Yujiro tags Evil. Evil drags Yano up, taunts Tanahashi, and he fishhooks Yano’s nose! Red Shoes reprimands, so Evil whips Yano into the blue corner, but surprise! The blue buckle pad is gone! Yano suffers the Bullet Club Special, and Evil laughs as he kicks Yano out. Dick drags Yano up, and Yujiro has his pimp cane!

Evil distracts Red Shoes, and Yujiro CANE SHOTS Yano low! Dick puts Yano in, Evil covers, but Red Shoes is busy with Tanahashi & Oleg. Evil shouts at Red Shoes but Red Shoes covers his ears. Evil tags Yujiro, Yujiro sits Yano up and basement BOOTS! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Yujiro covers again, TWO! Wait, who rings the bell? Oh, of course it was Evil! Red Shoes says no, that doesn’t count. Yujiro drags Yano up and the fans rally. Yujiro CLUBS Yano, but Yano pulls hair! Yujiro breaks free, kicks low, then whips, but Yano reverses for the hair pull takedown! Both men crawl, hot tag to Oleg!

The fans fire up as Oleg CLOBBERS Yujiro! Evil & Dick attack, reel Oleg in, but Oleg DOUBLE SUPLEXES! Yujiro runs up, Oleg blocks the boot to OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Oleg then gut wrenches for the Shake, Rattle and THROW! And a kip up! The fans fire up with Oleg, and he storms up to whip Yujiro corner to corner. Oleg runs in to SPLASH! And then Oleg scoops, SLAMS, and goes up, up, and VADER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Yujiro survives but the fans fire up behind Oleg. Oleg drags Yujiro up, fireman’s carries, and KAMI- NO, Yujiro BITES a hand! Red shoes reprimands, Yujiro stops, and dragon sleepers!

But Oleg powers through to suplex! Yujiro slips free and REVERSE DDTS! Hot tag to Evil! Evil runs up to BLAST Tanahashi first! Evil stands on Oleg’s arm, then drags him up. Dick goes up to to AX HANDLE Oleg’s arm! Evil wrenches and has a motorcycle stretch! Oleg endures as Evil digs his forehead into the shoulder blades! The fans rally, Oleg powers up, and he works on turning the hold! Evil holds on, keeps the hold on Oleg, but Oleg still fights! Oleg tries the other direction now, and he turns things, only for Evil to turn right through! Evil pulls the arms, but Oleg powers up and out! Evil staggers, comes back, and mule kicks!

Evil runs, into a SHOTGUN! Oleg and Evil are down and the fans fire up! Oleg crawls, hot tag to Tanahashi! The fans fire up as President Ace runs, to CLOBBER Evil! The fans fire up again as Tanahashi scoops Evil to SLAM him into the drop zone! Tanahashi goes up, and SUNSET SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Evil stays in, the fans rally for Tanahashi, and he runs, but Evil gets in Red Shoes’ face while Dick SMACKS Tanahashi with the blue buckle pad! Tanahashi staggers, Evil trips him and steps through, SCORPION DEATHLOCK! Dick & Yujiro keep Oleg & Yano on the outside while Tanahashi endures! The fans rally, and Tanahashi powers back up!

Tanahashi fights his way forward, reaches out, and finds the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Evil lets go at 4, and Evil taunts Tanahashi. Evil slaps Tanahashi around, brings him up, and fireman’s carries. But Tanahashi fights free to waistlock! Evil switches, Yujiro is there, but Tanahashi switches! Tanahashi sends Evil into Yujiro, then spins Evil around to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Tanahashi and Evil crawl, hot tags to Dick and Yano! The fans fire up as Yano dodges Dick, and SLAPS him on the head! But then Dick kicks low! Dick hammerlocks, headlocks, then punches!

Yujiro BOOTS Oleg off the apron, then Dick & Evil mug Yano! They double whip Yano to a corner, then Dick runs in to ELBOW! Yujiro runs in to BOOT! Evil runs in to LARIAT! Evil snapmares Yano, and both he and Yujiro get a leg. But wait, there’s no one to distract Red Shoes from what they’re attempting! So Evil just shoves Red Shoes down! Dick is up top, and he hits the DICK CHOP!! Evil calls for Red Shoes while Dick covers, TWO!! Yano survives and the fans fire up! Evil is mad at Red Shoes, and gets in his face while Dick uses the SPOILER CHOKER! The fans boo as Yano suffers, but then Yano fights up!

Yano THROWS Dick away, and then atomic drops Evil! The fans fire up, and Dick begs for mercy! Tanahashi & Oleg get in, they and Yano mug Dick! They double whip Dick to a corner, then Yano ELBOWS! Tanahashi SPLASHES! And Oleg SPLASHES!! Snapmare, and wait, now Oleg & Tanahashi set Dick up! Red Shoes says don’t do it, but Yano’s up top! The fans fire up, but Red Shoes stands in the way! Yujiro SHOVES Yano down onto Red Shoes, and they fall onto Tanahashi! And here come Kanemaru & Sho! We knew the whole House was here, and now they’re beating up on Tanahashi and team!

The fans boo as Yano gets stomped 4v1! The fans tell them to go home, but that’s not happening. But Yano hulks out of Kanemaru’s grip and sends him into Yujiro! Then he dodges Sho to throw him down! Dikc kicks, he and Evil whip, but Yano holds ropes to taunt Dick! Yano sends Dick into Evil, but they block his low blows! WHISKEY MIST from Kanemaru! MAGIC KILLER from Evil & Dick! Cover, TANAHASHI BREAKS IT! The fans fire up but Evil TOSSES Tanahashi! Yujiro stomps Oleg, but Dick kicks Yano! Dick underhooks, PEDIGREE!! Dick goes up top, but Oleg returns! Oleg UPPERCUTS Dick, but Dick SMACKS Oleg off bare buckles!

But Oleg stays up! He fireman’s carries Dick off the top! KAMIKAZE!! Tanahashi is up top, to HIGH FLY FLOW!! The fans are thunderous as Oleg CLOBBERS the WHOLE House of Torture!! Yano hurries to drag Dick up, for the ONIGOROSHI!! Cover, Yano’s team wins!

Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)

The forces of Evil failed because justice always prevails! Will the House of Torture ever learn their lesson? But before Tanahashi’s team can get the mic, Sho grabs it to say, “Oi! Oi! You’re doing this all wrong! OI! Don’t get it twisted, this doesn’t make you strong! You’re only as good as these bums in Noboribetsu! Why a title match in a crappy hick town like this?” The fans boo Sho blaming them for the loss. But Sho says they should do this again, in a much better town! Then we’ll see who is the best! With that, Sho rushes back into the ring, takes a swing, but Tanahashi dodges to SHOTEI! Sho goes down in a heap and the fans cheer!

Tanahashi picks up the mic, and he tells Sho that if that’s an official challenge, then consider it accepted! Tanahashi will just have to beat Sho, too. The fans cheer as the match is set, and The House of Torture retreats. Will going back to the drawing board be what The House of Torture needs to win?

After that, Yano takes the mic to say that he’d like to hear what everyone has to say. So then, here you go, Boltin! Oleg takes the mic and he says, “Thank you everyone! I’m so happy to win here tonight, and I’ll keep fighting hard!” The mic is then handed to Tanahashi, and the fans cheer for him. Tanahashi takes a deep breath before shouting, “NJPW is back in Noboribetsu!” The fans cheer that! Tanahashi also thanks them for selling out the show tonight. With their support, our Toru Yano became sightseeing ambassador, and Tanahashi is grateful for Yano’s support. If this continues, Yano might even get a promotion. The fans like the sound of that!

Tanahashi finishes by thanking everyone again, and the mic goes back to Yano. “Thank you, everyone, for coming tonight. I’ve been working to promote Noboribetsu for the last five years. So this is all thanks to me!” Yano says no, in all seriousness, it is thanks to all of you, even the mayor and city hall, that they packed this place out. So he is thankful to them, the Noboribetsu International Tourism Convention, and President Ace! “It’s been 39 YEARS since we last came here, but until the next one? I think just one year! And if you keep coming here, we’ll keep coming to you! I’m feeling good, so when I ask who the ambassador is, you answer, ‘Yano Toru!'”

The fans applaud, they’re ready to join in. Okay, so who is the ambassador of Noboribetsu? “YA-NO TO-RU!” Yano shrugs and the fans cheer. Will Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg still be champions when NJPW returns to Hokkaido? How much will change in the next year for NJPW?

My Thoughts:

Another great night for NJPW, especially with this being their return to Noboribetsu in almost 40 YEARS. But it was also kind of the finale for Road to Destruction, as the remaining dates are in Hokkaido, and none of it will be televised. Might have to do with Hokkaido being mountainous and rural, this tends to happen every so often with NJPW’s touring. But that aside, this was all good stuff. Yano did double duty, though he did let Sakuraba do a lot of the heavy lifting in that opening tag match. Very fun Ranbo match, even with just a silly prize on the line. I found it rather hilarious that ZSJ wanted in on this match, and I kinda wanted him to win the prize, but I suppose the G1 was enough, let someone else have this onsen weekend getaway.

A shame about Jake Lee getting legit hurt the other night in that Six Man Tag, but it made sense for War Dogs to avenge that loss with a win tonight. Hashi VS Finlay is already on the Kobe card, but adding Goto VS Gabe is good stuff. It doesn’t even have to be for the NJPW Strong Championship, it’ll be gritty all the same. And with it being non-title, that actually allows it to be 50-50 odds. Another really good 10 Man Tag from LIJ VS Empire, and very good win for The Empire.

While I don’t see Khan taking the top title off Naito, it feels like anything could happen with the NEVER title since Henare has the momentum going into the match. And while the plan for the TV title was Ren Narita, seems his arm is rather beat up so he’s taking time to recover. Maybe Yota gets his rematch with Cobb already. We could get quite the night just out of these LIJ VS Empire singles matches.

And of course, a lot of fun in the NEVER Openweight Six Man main event, though the House of course tried to cheat. I almost thought Yoshi-Hashi was gonna hop off commentary to help Yano, but no, he stayed put to watch. Great win for Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg so that they could send Noboribetsu home happy, and promise that they’ll return again next year. It is good that they’re getting sellout crowds in NJPW again, perhaps worries over COVID and such are lessening over there so that people can feel more confident about being out in public. NJPW is rebuilding, even with their bigger names having left for AEW, here’s hoping they get hot again.

My Score: 8.8/10

Douki and Taiji Ishimori run it back!

During Best of the Super Juniors, Taiji Ishimori defeated Douki, but Douki’s the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion! Time to see who is truly best!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kickoff – Masatora Yasuda VS Daiki Nagai; Time Limit Draw.
• Tomoaki Honma & Tiger Mask VS Shoma Kato & Katsuya Murashima; Honma & Tiger Mask win.
• Taka Michinoku VS Francesco Akira; Akira wins.
• Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita VS SANADA & Taichi; Sanada & Taichi win.
• 10 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg, Shota Umino & Ryusuke Taguchi VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
• Six Man Tag: Chaos VS Bullet Club War Dogs; Chaos wins.
• 10 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire; LIJ wins.
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: DOUKI VS Taiji Ishimori; Douki wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita VS SANADA & Taichi!

The Front Man is preparing for his IWGP World Heavyweight Championship opportunity, and what better way than to face two men he’s very familiar with? Will ZSJ and the Ichiban Young Punk take down The Cold Skull & The Holy Emperor? Or will ZSJ lose to a rival and an old friend?

The teams sort out and, eventually, it is a reunion of the Dangerous Tekkers! The fans cheer with the bell, and ZSJ circles with Taichi. They tie up, are in a deadlock at center, but Taichi powers ZSJ to ropes. Taichi lets off slowly, but with pats on the shoulders. The fans applaud the clean break and the two reset. ZSJ and Taichi approach, and Taichi BOOTS! ZSJ says okay, and he BOOTS back! Taichi BOOTS again, ZSJ rebounds to BOOT! Taichi rebounds to BOOT! ZSJ rebounds but Taichi BOOTS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS! ZSJ tries to steal Ax Bomber, but Taichi gets under to DANGEROUS- NO, ZSJ fights the saido!

ZSJ wrenches, Taichi avoids the Pele but ZSJ avoids the buzzsaw! The fans cheer as the two stand back. They know each other well, so ZSJ gives a bow of respect and tags out to Fujita. The fans rally, Taichi tags Sanada, and Sanada circles with Fujita. They tie up, Sanada powers Fujita right to ropes, but Fujita turns things around. The ref calls the break, Fujita lets off, to CHOP! Sanada storms up, he ties up with Fujita again, and Sanada puts Fujita on ropes this time. The ref calls a break, and Sanada lets off, only for Fujita to CHOP! The fans applaud, Fujita kicks low and headlocks, but Sanada powers up and out.

Fujita comes back to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Fujita eggs Sanada on, so Sanada dropkicks a leg! Sanada whips, Fujita ducks ‘n’ dodges, and GAMANGIRIS! Sanada falls, the fans fire up, and Fujita shakes out that leg. Sanada goes to a corner, Fujita runs up, and CHOPS! Fujita snapmares then runs to PENALTY KICK! Cover, ONE! Sanada is tougher than that but Fujita waistlocks. Fujita deadlifts, but Sanada fires elbows. Sanada is free but Fujita CLUBS him! Fujita runs, but Sanada DUMPS him to the apron! And then DROPKICKS him down! Fujita hits railing, Sanada hits ZSJ! Taichi heads over and he brings Fujita around.

Taichi whips Fujita into railing! The ref reprimands but Taichi brings Fujita around and into the ring. Sanada covers, TWO! The fans applaud, but Sanada stomps Fujita. Sanada stomps Fujita again, then tags Taichi. Taichi stomps Fujita now, drags him up, and snapmares to KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud, and Taichi brings Fujita up. Taichi scuffs Fujita with kicks, then gives him Kawada Kicks! Fujita stands to CHOP! Taichi eggs him on so Fujita CHOPS again! Taichi pie faces Fujita so Fujita CHOPS! Taichi wrenches to HOOK KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud, ZSJ coaches Fujita, but Taichi stays between them.

Taichi drags Fujita up, CLUBS him, then whips him. Fujita reverses to CHOP! Taichi SOBATS! Fujita HEEL KICKS! Taichi rebounds to AX- NO, Fujita ducks and gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up while both men are down! Fujita and Taichi stir, crawl, hot tags to Sanada and ZSJ! The fans fire up as ZSJ dodges Sanada, full nelsons, then spins Sanada to snapmare, only for Sanada to handspring through! Sanada headlocks for the takeover, but ZSJ headscissors, stands, and TWISTS! The fans applaud while Sanada grimaces. ZSJ brings Sanada up, Sanada breaks free, but ZSJ RAMS him low. ZSJ headlocks, Sanada powers out, but ZSJ turns hip toss into a backslide!

Sanada rolls through but ZSJ catches him, NECK TWIST! SNAP HALF HATCH! Basement DROPKICK! The fans cheer while ZSJ looms over Sanada. ZSJ drags Sanada up, but Sanada fights the scoop! Sanada clubs free, fireman’s carries, but ZSJ slips free. Sanada fights the nelson but ZSJ ducks the elbow to UPPERCUT! ZSJ runs, but Sanada dropkicks the legs out! The fans cheer, and Sanada brings ZSJ up. MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down again and the fans rally. Sanada kips up and the fans cheer! Sanada aims from a corner, runs up, but ZSJ ducks the Shining Wizard! But Sanada blocks the Penalty Kick to DRAGON SCREW!

Sanada runs up again, SHINING WIZARD! The fans fire up and Sanada brings ZSJ around. Clinch and- NO, ZSJ slips free, to IRON OCTOPUS! Sanada endures, Taichi storms in and he CLUBS ZSJ! Fujita MISSILE DROPKICKS! Taichi bails out, Fujita slides out, and he kicks Taichi low. Fujita coaches ZSJ up and the fans rally. ZSJ drags Sanada up, but Sanada UPPERCUTS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS back! Sanada UPPERCUTS again! ZSJ brushes that off to UPPERCUT! Sanada UPPERCUTS, ZSJ UPPERCUTS again and again! But Sanada catches him to a backslide! TWO as ZSJ rolls to the side! ZSJ changes things to backslide, TWO!!

Sanada and ZSJ roll, DOUBLE BACKSLIDE! TWO!! ZSJ has it again, TWO!! The fans fire up after so many close calls, and the two fight up again. ZSJ backslides once more, TWO!!! Sanada just barely escapes, but ZSJ BOOTS him! ZSJ waistlocks, Sanada switches, but ZSJ bucks the O’Conner! Sanada runs up, into a scoop! But Sanada slips free to clinch, DEADFALL!! Cover, SANADA & TAICHI WIN!!

Winners: Sanada & Taichi, by pinfall

A stunner in Sendai! The Cold Skull gets the pin on the G1 Climax Champion! Then, should Zack Sabre Jr. succeed in Kobe, does that mean Sanada will be next in line? Wait, Sanada gets the mic to speak, and in English! “Hey, Zack. Do you remember last time? You beat me in my hometown. So next month, Royal Quest in London, I will beat you in your hometown!” ZSJ says challenge accepted! The fans cheer, because title or no title, we see these rivals add another chapter to their story! Will the Cold Skull potentially become The Gold Skull once again? Or will ZSJ show The Mighty Don’t Kneel, no matter where they are?

10 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire!

Monday was rough for Tetsuya Naito, Bushi, Hiromu Takahashi, Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji as they all lost to The United Empire. However, we now know Destruction in Kobe will be even bigger! Takagi will challenge Henare for the NEVER Openweight Championship on the same night Naito defends his IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against Great-O-Khan! Will LIJ rise back up? Or will they be conquered again but all at once?

Wait, Yota is wearing his green lucha mask again. He did that when teaming with just Bushi at some point. As such, he has Abe-san introduce him as, uh, “Torato,” is it? All the entrance attire is put aside, and Cobb stares down “Torato,” though perhaps a bit confused by the antics. Cobb tells the team he is stepping up, so they oblige. LIJ fist bump, and the fans applaud as Yota steps up. The fans rally with the bell, and Yota has a lot more pep being this Torato character. Cobb isn’t amused, so he knees Yota low! Cobb whips, Yota ducks ‘n’ dodges to then flip and RANA! The fans fire up and Cobb goes to a corner.

Yota runs in, but Cobb stops the Monkey Flip to put Yota up top. Yota BOOTS and FLYING ARM-DRAGS! Yota RAMS Cobb, runs, ducks ‘n’ whips, but Cobb RANAS?! And then he FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES! Cover, TWO! Cobb goes after the mask! The ref reprimands, so Cobb ELBOWS Yota in the head! Tag to Callum Newman, and the Empire double whips Yota. They run Yota over, then Cobb sits him up to YANK the mask away! Callum PENALTY KICKS, Cobb GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Yota stays in this, and Yota covers his face even though we’ve seen it. Cobb THROWS the mask away! But the ref catches it and the fans cheer!

Callum stands Yota up, fires forearms, and he CLUBS Yota. The ref thinks about putting on the mask, but no, it smells in there. Callum CLUBS Yota, whips him, but Yota reverses. Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ builds speed, only for Hiromu to trip him up! Yota basement dropkicks Callum, then LIJ blasts The Empire! The fans rally as the brawl goes on outside. Yota drags Callum up, snapmares, and stomps him. Yota paces while Callum rises, and Yota bumps Callum off buckles. Tag to Bushi and he stomps Callum. Bushi whips, then dropkicks the legs out! Cover, TWO! Callum hobbles, Takagi gets a shot in, and Bushi stomps Callum.

Tag to Hiromu and the fans fire up. Hiromu CHOPS Callum, CHOPS again, then whips corner to corner. Hiromu runs up to LARIAT, then snapmare and basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up more as Hiromu ties up the legs, modified FIGURE FOUR! Callum endures but Khan storms in to stomp Hiromu! Naito grabs Khan by the ponytail and TOSSES him out! The ref reprimands everybody, and Hiromu snapmares Callum. Tag to Takagi and LIJ split the wishbone! Takagi drags Callum up, reels him in, and suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Callum toughs it out but Takagi keeps him from the Empire.

Takagi stands Callum up but Callum fires forearms! Takagi winds up, but Callum blocks the shot to HEEL KICK! Callum roars, runs, but Takagi LARIATS! Takagi runs but Callum follows to BOOT! Takagi rebounds to run Callum over! Callum kips up to ENZIGIRI! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Henare is all fired up on the apron, too! Takagi and Callum stir, hot tag to Henare! The Face of Fury runs Takagi over, BLASTS Naito & Yota, but Bushi & Hiromu slide in. Hiromu CHOPS, he and Bushi double whip, but Henare breaks the line to DOUBLE LARIAT! The fans fire up and Henare runs at Takagi. Takagi BOOTS! Henare still LARIATS!

Henare fireman’s carries, RUNNING SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up and Henare snarls. Henare half nelsons, but Takagi fights the full nelson! Takagi fires elbows, Henare ducks and ROCKS Takagi! Henare runs, RAMS Takagi, but Takagi rebounds! They RAM shoulders, neither falls, and the fans fire up! Takagi and Henare fire forearms back and forth! The fans rally up, Takagi JABS, JABS, and CHOPS! Henare KICKS! Henare KICKS again, but Takagi stays up! Henare roars, KCIKS, but Takagi blocks! So Henare ELBOWS and HEADBUTTS! And RUGBY KICKS! But Takagi’s back up to LARIAT!

The fans fire up with Takagi’s “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi runs in but Henare ELBOWS! And FLYING CHUCK! Takagi stays up, runs, but Henare LARIATS first! Takagi’s right back up! PUMPING BOMBER! Henare and Takagi crawl, hot tags to Khan and Naito! Naito ELBOWS, Khan fireman’s carries for a takeover! Kahn avoids the basement dropkick and goes for a leg! Naito slips free, but runs into a SAYANAGI! Cover, TWO! Khan poses with hands behind his back as Naito stands. Mongolian Chop! Mongolian Chop! Mongolian fake and UPPERCUT! Khan says he’s too smart. Khan puts Naito in a corner, to sit on- NO, Naito slips out!

Khan kicks, Naito blocks and puts him in ropes! DRAPING NECKBREAKER! Naito drags Khan up, mocks the “Ohh…!” and NECKBREAKER! Naito poses, the fans fire up, and then Naito mocks Khan’s pose. Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Naito brings Khan around. Naito fires forearms, whips, but Khan reverses. Naito reverses back to TORNADO- NO! Khan stops the DDT, but Naito fights the bearhug! Khan ducks the enzigiri, then clamps on a SLEEPER! Naito flails, but it becomes an IRON CLAW! ELIMI- NO! Naito arm-drags free! Atomic drop! ENZIGIRI! Khan staggers, Naito runs up, but into a clinch! BELLY2BELLY!

The fans fire up while both men are down, and we hit 10 minutes. Khan crawls now, hot tag to Jakob Austin Young! Jakob fires hands, whips, but Naito reverses. Jakob dropkicks a leg, grabs it, and DRAGON SCREWS! Jakob keeps moving, SHOTGUN! Jakob kips up and fires up, then he runs in at the corner to CHOP! Jakob turns Naito for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Jakob calls in the Empire and they BLAST the LIJ corner! Cobb whips Naito to a corner, then he sends Jakob in to forearm smash! Callum ENZIGIRIS from the outside! Henare LARIATS, then feeds Naito to the ATHLETIC PLEX!

Jakob adds a basement dropkick! Cover, LIJ breaks it up! The fans fire up, but the Empire TOSSES LIJ back out! There’s more brawling on the outside, and someone gets sent into railing hard! Henare beats up on Takagi while Jakob ENZIGIRIS Naito! Cravat and JAKOB’S- NO, Naito shoves Jakob into the corner first! Yota SPLASHES! Hiromu LARIATS! Bushi ELBOWS! Feed to a DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Rolling jackknife bridge! Khan breaks it! Bushi TOSSES Khan, there’s more brawling, and Bushi DIVES! Down goes Khan! Naito and Hiromu get Jakob up, ASSISTED TORNADO DDT! And then PLUMA BLANCA!! Jakob taps, LIJ wins!

Winner: Los Ingobernables de Japon, by submission

Naito holds until he’s satisfied, and there’s still action going on outside the ring! The ref gets everyone to stand down, and while Cobb is taunting Yota with the NJPW World TV Championship, the fans are chanting “O-KHAN! O-KHAN!” It seems the KOPW Champion is also the People’s Champion now! Naito is amused, but we still have 18 days left. Will the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion prove he is still tranquilo? Or will all of NJPW soon belong to the United Empire?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: DOUKI w/ Just5Guys VS Taiji Ishimori!

Japones Del Mal may have lost to The Bone Soldier in Best of the Super Juniors, but he was the one to take this title from El Desperado back on July 5th! Will Douki still have the gold on this Road to Destruction? Or will Taiji make sure #ItsReborn?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s truly the Best of the Super Juniors!

The bell rings and the fans fire up for “DOUKI! DOUKI!” Douki and Taiji circle, tie up, and Douki waistlocks. Taiji wrenches, wristlocks, and he keeps Douki from ropes. Douki rolls, wrenches back, and wristlocks. Taiji rolls, slips through, wrenches and wristlocks in return. But Douki reaches back to jump and flying-mare! Then he trips Taiji, keeps moving, and jumps the dropdown to headlock. Taiji powers out to headlock back, but Douki powers out to hurdle. Taiji leaps over, but Douki gets around and waistlocks. Taiji switches, Douki elbows free, but Taiji keeps him from running. Douki British escapes, mule kicks, but Taiji ducks the jump kick!

Taiji whips Douki, Douki reverses, but Taiji handsprings to NEUTRALIZER KICK! The fans fire up while Douki bails out. Taiji takes aim, then goes up and up to GOLDEN TRIANGLE! Direct hit and the fans fire up again! Taiji rises, shakes out his legs, then drags Douki by his arm. Taiji drags Douki up, hammerlocks, then POSTS him! Taiji leaves Douki behind to grab the bell hammer! Red Shoes sees that and stops Taiji. Taiji throws the hammer away, Red Shoes fetches it, but Taiji uses a chair to JAM Douki up! Just5Guys protest but Taiji puts the chair around Douki’s arm, to SLAM the arm into the POST!

The fans are torn while Douki clutches his arm, but Taiji leaves Douki behind while Red Shoes checks. Taiji undoes the blue buckle pad, the Bullet Club Special is in play. Red Shoes starts the ring count, Douki shakes out the arm and the fans rally. Douki is still down at 10 of 20, but J5G coach him up. Douki stands at 15 and rolls in! The fans cheer, but Taiji storms over with a grin on his face. Taiji stomps Douki’s arm, then drags him up to wrench that arm. Taiji wrangles Douki with a top wristlock, and he digs his knee into the arm. Douki kicks around, Taiji wrenches and hammerlocks, to RAM Douki into bare buckles!

Red Shoes reprimands, Taiji shrugs, and the fans applaud. Douki clutches the arm while Taiji paces. Taiji drags Douki up, but Douki fires shots! Taiji fires back, but Douki fires more! Taiji CLUBS Douki down, and the fans rally up again. Taiji looms over Douki, kicks him, stomps him, but Douki roars and rises! Douki CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS, but Taiji just BOOTS the bad arm! Douki drops to his knees, but Taiji drags him up. Taiji wrenches and whips Douki to then WRING the arm out! Taiji clamps on with a COBRA CLUTCH! Douki endures, fights around, and reaches out, only for Taiji to drag him back!

Taiji ripcords, RAMS, and COBRA CLUTCH, into a takedown! Taiji has a modified triangle hold now! Douki endures, the fans rally, and J5G coach Douki to keep fighting. Douki kicks forward to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Red Shoes counts, and Taiji lets go at 4. Douki clutches his arm again, but Taiji grins as he stands back up. Taiji drags Douki to his feet, gut wrenches, but Douki slips free to roll Taiji up! TWO! Douki drags Taiji up, but Taiji wrenches out to CODE BREAKER on the arm! Douki falls back and clutches the arm again! The fans rally for Douki but Taiji grins again. Taiji brings Douki up to wrench the bad arm.

Taiji whips but Douki reverses! Taiji hits bare buckles now! Douki runs to RANA! Taiji bails out, but Douki DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp and the fans fire up again! J5G coaches Douki up again while he and Taiji stir. Douki drags Taiji up, but Taiji fires body shots! Taiji facelocks, but Douki RAMS him into the apron! Douki runs up, Taiji pops him up, but Douki rebounds to TORNADO DDT to the floor! Taiji writhes but the fans fire up with Douki! Douki drags Taiji up and into the ring, then brings him around. Scoop and SAHARAWI SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Taiji stays in this but Douki keeps his focus.

Douki drags Taiji up, hooks the arms, but Taiji fights the Gory Especial! Taiji RAMS Douki into buckles, flips the hooks, but Douki fights! Taiji spins Douki around to CLAW his face! Red Shoes reprimands but Taiji lets off. Taiji runs up but Douki BOOTS him! Douki goes to the apron, RAMS into him, then slingshots, into a CODE BREAKER! The fans rally up but Taiji rises first as we hit 10 minutes. Taiji drags Douki up, scoops him, and CIPHER UTAKI! Cover, TWO! Douki survives and the fans fire up! Taiji is annoyed but he drags Douki up and turns him, for a NECKBREAKER off the knee! Douki writhes and Taiji goes to a corner.

Taiji climbs up, aims, and 450- NO, Taiji has to roll through as Douki moves! Douki catches Taiji into the Bow ‘n’ Arrow Rack! Douki spins, RENEIDA FACEBUSTER! And then Douki rolls Taiji into a ghost pin! TWO!! Taiji escapes, but into the ITALIAN STRETCH #32!! The fans are thunderous now as Taiji endures! Douki pulls as hard as he can, but Taiji stays on his feet! Taiji fights around, but Douki drags him away from ropes! ITALIAN- NO, Taiji steps through, BONE, NO, Douki ghost pins again! Taiji fights it to have a cover, TWO!! Ghost pin again, TWO!! ITALIAN STRETCH #32!! The fans are thunderous again as Taiji endures!

Douki thrashes Taiji around, pulls has hard as he can, and Taiji is turning red! Taiji falls over, but he shakes his head. Taiji fights his way back up, but Douki just pulls that much harder! Red Shoes checks, but Taiji fights and falls into the ROPEBREAK! Douki lets go in frustration, but the damage was done. Douki sits up, and the fans rally more as he goes to the apron. Douki watches Taiji rise, and then slingshots to DAYBREAK!! Taiji gets spiked and the fans fire up! Douki covers, TWO!!! Taiji survives and Douki is stunned! The fans fire up more, and Douki roars! Douki drags Taiji up, fireman’s carries, MARI- NO, Taiji slips free!

Taiji LA MYSTIC- NO, Douki slips through, moves around, SEATBELT, ONE!! Taiji has the SEATBELT!! TWO!!! Douki escapes, Taiji runs up, but Douki dodge! HELL STAB! Douki runs into the JUMP KNEE! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! Both men stir, and Douki crawls to a corner. The fans are with him but Taiji stalks Douki. Taiji brings Douki up at 15 minutes, and hammerlocks, to POST him in the blue corner! Then Taiji hammerlocks, half nelsons, and scoops, for a SHOULDER BUSTER! Douki clutches that arm, and the fans rally harder, but Taiji takes aim from the corner.

Taiji runs up, but Douki wrenches! And he slips down, but Taiji jackknife bridges! TWO as Douki bridges up! Douki spins Taiji, Gory Especial! Taiji slips free to arm-drag! Douki comes back, Taiji spins him around, and sends him at Red Shoes! Red Shoes is in the ropes, Taiji whips, POP-UP LOW BLOW MULE KICK! Taiji gets away with it, and now he runs, CRUCIFIX DRIVER!! BONE LOCK!!! The fans are thunderous as Douki endures! Douki fights around, but he can’t see where the ropes are with Taiji’s arm in his face! The fans rally as hard as they can, Taichi calls to him, and Douki fights his way over! But Taiji kicks ropes to keep the hold!

The fans are electric as Douki endures all over again! Taiji pulls on the hold, but Douki powers his way over! Douki claws at the mat, and he finds the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Taiji lets go in frustration! Douki sputters, Taiji pounds the mat in frustration, and Taiji drags Douki up. Taiji brings Douki around to scoop and SLAM, then claims he’s gonna flip and finish this! Taiji runs, handsprings, SUPERSTAR- NO, Douki waistlocks first! GERMAN SUPLEX! But Taiji lands out! Taiji swings, into a SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX!! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! J5G coaches Douki up, and he slowly turns over.

Douki and Taiji each crawl around, going to their corners. Douki and Taiji drag themselves up with ropes, then both run in! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither falls, so DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! They’re both still standing, so Taiji LARIATS at ropes! Taiji then runs, but Douki dodges and LARIATS!! The Douki-san Bomber hits, and Douki fires up! Douki wheelbarrows Taiji, but Taiji victory rills it! Taiji wheelbarrows, and full nelsons!? But for a FULL NELSON FACEBUSTER! And then BONE LOCK!! Douki endures, fights, and J5G call to him! We hit 20 minutes while the fans are thunderously behind Douki!

Douki fights around again, reaching out and clawing his way over, but Taiji lets off to drag him away! And then up, into BLOODY- NO, Douki slips free! Douki blocks the knee to HELL STAB! And then IMPALER DDT!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Taiji survives and the fans are electric! Douki roars, and he grabs the legs! Wheelbarrow, full nelson, SUPLEX- NO, Taiji fights free, so Douki ENZIGIRIS! Taiji falls over, Douki drags him back up. Torture rack, and SWINGING SIDE SLAM!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Taiji survives again and the fans are thunderous! Douki pounds the mat, the fans are behind him, and he roars!

Douki has the legs, wheelbarrow and full nelson! But Taiji fights out again! LA MYSTIC- NO! Douki blocks that, tucks to the wheelbarrow! SUPLEX DE LA LUNA!!! Bridging cover, DOUKI WINS!!

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

Both men brought out every move in their arsenal, but in the end, Douki managed to outdraw The Bone Soldier! Will Taiji have to fight up from the bottom if he wants to be back on top of the Junior Heavyweight Division?

As for Douki, Red Shoes brings him the belt, and Douki stands tall with his friends. Douki then gets the mic to say, “I just faced the strongest challenger in Taiji Ishimori, and I WON!” The fans cheer that, but then Douki says he knew that half of them were cheering for Taiji, though. Douki knows he isn’t like Taiji. Douki is younger, doesn’t have the career resumé like Taiji, but today, here in Sendai, in Sun Plaza Hall, where Douki made his NJPW debut, he won. The fans cheer that, too.

Douki reviews that just this year alone, he defeated Hiromu, Desperado, and now Ishimori. “No one can complain anymore! I am the strongest Junior Heavyweight Champion!” The fans cheer that, Douki drops the mic, and the streamers fly! And then, Sanada & Taichi lift Douki up onto their shoulders in celebration! J5G then exit so Douki can soak up the spotlight, but YOSHINOBU KANEMARU jumps into the ring! He was on commentary the whole time, and this is why! He attacks Douki from behind! Then he grabs the belt to CLOBBER Douki with it!! The fans boo, but The Heel Master brings in chairs!

Kanemaru puts one chair on Douki’s leg, then CON-CHAIR-TOS it!! Douki writhes, the fans boo, but now Kanemaru grabs the mic! “Oi, you flimsy champion! It’s not your division yet!” Kanemaru then claims the boos from the fans are in agreement that Douki sucks. The fans boo more because that’s not true. But then Kanemaru tells Douki, “Your next challenger… is me.” Well as if that wasn’t obvious. But then Kanemaru stomps away on Douki! He even throws the belt down onto Douki! J5G returns so Kanemaru bails out, the damage done. Kanemaru really is a scumbag, doing this to an old friend. But will Douki get even with him soon enough?

My Thoughts:

Another great event for NJPW on this Road to Destruction tour. It’s a good thing I decided to cover ZSJ & Fujita VS Sanada & Taichi, otherwise I would’ve missed out on that great upset and the news of Sanada wanting to face ZSJ for Royal Quest 4. It will still be a great match even if there’s no title on the line, but I would love if they decided to shake things up here. ZSJ could win in Kobe, return home as THE guy in NJPW, and then have an epic against one of his best rivals to give that London crowd something to remember that night for. ZSJ would get his first defense in, and he could give the former champion (presumably Naito) a rematch for WrestleKingdom or something.

I figured House of Torture would cheat to win so that’s why I skipped it. And with that win, I would think House of Torture’s fate is sealed, they’re going to lose the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championship match on Saturday the 14th. And given that, I would think Tanahashi VS Evil happens as a 1v1 match for Kobe to settle this “President Ace VS King of Darkness” story. And then I probably should’ve covered Chaos VS War Dogs, because something happened to take Jake Lee out early, and then Gabe Kidd took the pin because he was perhaps legitimately rattled. But they did a big brawl to kinda muddy the math ahead of Yoshi-Hashi VS David Finlay for the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship in Kobe.

Really fun 10 Man Tag, and I figured LIJ would win this to keep even with The Empire. The energy really died when Jakob got in, though, he’s perhaps a little too new for the fans to really care about. Plus, it basically signaled the end of the match. But it sounds like even with Ren Narita getting in on things last time, Cobb and Yota will run it back. This also gives some momentum to Takagi ahead of battling Henare for the NEVER Openweight Championship, but there’s a lot of time still for the math to go any which way.

And then awesome stuff with the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. That was an awesome match, and a part of me is surprised Douki retained. Though, as I’ve said before, this is all NJPW appreciating and rewarding the hard work and loyalty Douki has shown over the years, and the fans also really like Douki, too. But then, with Kanemaru on commentary, I just felt something was gonna happen. I thought he’d try to help Taiji cheat but no, he let Taiji do this alone. And then Kanemaru goes and attacks Douki, setting up a match between them. Kanemaru tried to take the title off other former friend, Desperado, but failed, so who knows how this one works.

Also, it feels like the Junior Heavyweight Division is spinning its wheels, as we’ve already had plenty of J5G VS House of Torture, what with Douki VS Sho having also already happened. Master Wato AND Yoh are both out with injuries, I am sure they would’ve been more involved otherwise. And the Junior Heavyweights in LIJ (Hiromu, Bushi and even Titan) are busy doing other things, so unless they do crossover with AEW or CMLL, I’m not sure who else is supposed to be a challenger past this point. Though, such a crossover would be fun given WrestleDynasty is coming.

My Score: 8.9/10