NJPW PPV Coverage
NJPW King of Pro Wrestling 10/14/2019
Matt Davis steps back into the spotlight with his review and recap of New Japan’s King Of Pro Wrestling!
Matt Davis steps back into the spotlight with his review and recap of New Japan’s King Of Pro Wrestling!
Welcome to the event everyone has been waiting for since the G1 Climax ended! Annually this show is held in October, and features marquee rivalries coming to ahead as we set the stage for WrestleKingdom. Due to inclimate weather surrounding Typhoon Hagibis, several announced talent were not able to travel to Japan for this show. Due to time constraints of my own I will jumping into the action after the first couple matches with full details and summarizing the openers.
1) El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs SHO & YOH
Originally advertised as a six man tag featuring Zack Sabre Jr, this was turned into a regular tag team match and a preview for next weeks Super Jr Tag League Tournament. El Desperado made his return to NJPW after suffering a broken jaw in May. Suzuki-gun looked like they never missed a beat and picked up the opening win after a Pinche Loco at 10:55
Winners: El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
Rating: **
Thoughts: Average junior tag match between two experienced teams. There was no doubt Desperado wasn’t winning his return. Let’s see what happens next week in the Super Jr Tag. I think these guys have to be favorites after their dominant run with the Tag Titles last year.
2) Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomoaki Honma vs Togi Makabe & Toru Yano
“20th Anniversary Hiroshi Tanahashi NJPW Debut Match”
This was a cool match which was the fourth in a series of anniversary matches for The Ace, honoring his longevity and loyalty to the company he helped rejuvinate over a decade ago. Makabe and Toru Yano have been with him along the way in the company, and Honma is a long time tag parter of Togi Makabe, so seeing the four veterans go at it with low stakes was fun. Tanahashi picked up the win after a High Fly Flow on Yano in under 10 minutes.
Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomoaki Honma
Rating: *1/2
Thoughts: Nothing wrong with it, nothing special about it either. I’m not a huge fan of Tanahashi at this stage of his career. Other people love him, it’s fine. He hit his spots, was a basic tag with NJPW veterans.
3) Tetsuya Naito & Shingo Takagi vs DOUKI & Taichi
Early heel action by DOUKI and Taichi, because everyone hates Taichi. The feud with Naito and Taichi goes way back, when both were juniors. Taichi upset Naito in the G1 this year. With Takagi moving to the heavyweight division, there was a lot of story here and a proving ground for Taichi and Takagi as they tried to earn a reputation as guys that can “go”. Noshigami got a near fall at the end, but Taichi broke it up. Taichi attacked Shingo with his microphone for the rare disqualification finish in under 9 minutes.
Winners: Tetsuya Naito & Shingo Takagi
Grade: *
Thoughts: So far this card has been extremely dull, and outside some excitement that we had near the end of this, there wasn’t much to it. I wished we got some more story. Disqualifications are extremely rare in New Japan, and it really sucks the finish away. No reason Naito couldn’t have gotte a pin on DOUKI and told the same story. As we head towards WK, I have to wonder if they’re building to Naito vs Taichi.
4) KISHIN Liger vs Minoru Suzuki
This is the match we’ve all been waiting for, and where I will begin reviewing the show. For those who need some background on why the title of this match says “KISHIN” and not “Jyushin”: In October 1996, The Great Muta had ripped off Liger’s mask during a match, but Liger stood up and revealed an all white painted face with red streaks, and white body paint, which was a much more aggressive version of Jushin Liger. He named this character KUSHIN Liger. He used the character again in 2006 in a feud with Bad Boy Hido, and again in 2012 against Taichi. In 2019, Minoru Suzuki assaulted Liger during his 30th anniversary, tearing at his mask, telling Liger he did not want to face Jushin, he wanted KISHIN. On September 22nd, the demonic alternative version of Thunder Liger finally returned, attacking Suzuki with a railroad spike, trainers, young lions, and even Hiroshi Tanahashi. Suzuki got his wish, and the match was made for tonight. Jyushin Thunder Liger will be retiring at WrestleKingdom in 2020, this being one of his final single matches.
Kevin Kelly tells us that this match could be considered a blood feud, dating back 17 years. Kelly tells us that Suzuki beat Liger in an MMA match in 2002, which was Liger’s only MMA match in his career. We are told that tonight Jyushin will be wrestling as Battle Liger tonight, which is a different character than either other character we’ve seen leading up to this match, only seeing it in 2012, and only two other times prior to tonight (against Tiger Mask and in 2002 and Hashimoto in 1994). We are told Liger might kill Minoru Suzuki tonight.
They circle around each other, trying to look for any advantage. Liger spits at Suzuki, and lays down on the mat, taunting Suzuki to wrestle him. Suzuki gets on the mat trying to twist him like a preztler and they square away to cheers. Liger into a drop toe hold but Suzuki blocks into a wristlock early! Suzuki is trying to break Liger’s arm, finally Liger gets to the ropes ad Minoru Suzuki is pissed. He lays flat on his mat now, but feigns out and tries to sweep Liger. Liger mounts now, as Suzuki cradles into a leglock but LIier reverses into a TRIANGLE! Suzulo frantic and backs up and gets a break. Liger refuses to break, as the referees warns him several times before breaking. Dropkick rolls Suzuki under the bottom rope. They begin to brawl outside. OW! Liger launches Suzuki chest first at full speed into the barricade. Liger smashes a chair on the cold steel as the referee stops LIger from using it, and Suzuki boots the chair into Liger now. Suzuki crashes Liger into the barricade now, cracking a chair across his back several times and then in the shoulder!
Suzuki wraps Liger’s arm and shoulder around the barricade and tries to break his arm again. Referee breaks it up, and Suzuki berates and chokes the referee. Suzuki begins tearing at the Battle Liger mask to boos. They stand face to face as Suzuki tries to rip it off again as they exchange slaps and chest strikes. On the apron, Suzuki tries to unmask Liger again, and drapes Liger’s arm across the top rope with a cross armbreaker screaming “IM GOING TO BREAK HIS ARM!” swinging back and forth on the ropes to boos. Liger rolling around in a lot of pain. Suzuki is really targeting the arm here.We are reminded that 7 years ago Suzuki wrestled one of the finest wrestling matches ever at King of Pro Wrestling against Hiroshi Tanahashi, but tonight it will be far from that. Huge headbutt drops Liger, before a hard right hand drops him again. Suzuki tells Liger to get up and stops the referee from counting him down. Liger up and open palm strikes, Suzuki with a boot and Liger collapses against the ropes. In the corner, huge boot by Suzuki, LIger blocks the PK! Running forearm chop across the nose and Suzuko shrugs it off and charges out of the corner! FIGHTING SPIRIT!!
Suzuki with elbows and is caught with a hard clothesline by Liger across the jaw to cheers! Capo Kick! Liger tries the Brainbuster into the rear naked choke! Suzuki doesn’t want it to end as he drops a limp Liger, Liger playing possum into a deep octopus double arm bar! Suzuki screaming in pain as Liger twists the shoulder and arm. He’s screaming “ASK HIM!” Suzuki somersaults out of of the hold into the ropes for a break. Liger with a hard kick on the shoulder he just twisted. Twisting armbreaker! Suzuki blocks, but Liger does it again! Suzuki in tremendous amounts of pain. Liger with a third one- NO BLOCKED INTO THE CHOKE! Liger escapes with a snapmare, and Suzuki holds onto the choke on the mat! Liger is fading… Referee lifts the limp arm twice and Liger gets to his feet. Suzuki teases a Gotch, and Liger blocks as the crowd starting to cheer. Liger back body drop! Lou Thesz Press into a pin for two and Suzuki gets out! VERTICAL DROP BRAINSBUSTERRRRRR!!!!! SUZUKI KICKS OUT!!!! ONE OF THE MOST PROTECTED MOVES IN JAPAN!!!! Suzuki kicked out! Liger signals for the end, and Suzuki with a hard dropkick!! Open palm strikes to a prone Liger who can’t protect himself as he stumbles, but roars back with his own fighting spirit! Crowd erupts! Suzuki slaps his own face! This is insane! Liger with his own chest strikes and slaps! Suzuki stares into Liger’s soul and smiles! Suzuki reponds with lightning fast strikes! Liger drops and stands again to cheers, but stumbles before he can connect with a strike. Liger with a slap! Suzuki says more! Forearm! Slap! Slap! Suzuki wants more! HARD STRIKE BY LIGER! Suzuki elbows Liger flat. Referee checking on Liger. Liger up with strikes and they yell in each others face. As hard as anyone can strike, Liger breaks sweat off Suzuki’s chest with an open palm strike, and Suzuki with a quick elbow strike into the Stalling Gotch Style Piledriver. Suzuki gets three for the win in 18 minutes.
Winner: Minoru Suzuki
Grade: ***
Thoughts: I honestly went from super excited about this match to disappointed before the bell rang, as I thought this would be Kishin Liger against Suzuki. Battle Liger still was a good character to use, as they absolutely kicked the crap out of each other here. Big, big difference between what we saw here and Liger’s usual stuff. The crowd loved it, it was reminiscent of older New Japan stuff, and both of them knew that. I can’t believe Suzuki kicked out of the Brainbuster. It’s one of the most protected moves in Japanese wrestling. This match was different for so many reasons, but it wasn’t a epic, so I gave it three stars out of five. Great story, electric atmosphere, great strong style, but it ended a little quicker than I was expecting, and as I mentioned, slightly disappointed that it was Battle Liger and not Kishin.
After the match Minoru Suzuki gets a chair and gets in the ring as the young lions tend on Liger, Suzuki tries to destroy Liger once and for all as he raises the chair above his head, and throws it away. He kneels in front of a prone Liger, and bows down to Liger as the fans erupt with cheers! A moment that this crowd will remember forever. The ultimate form of respect. Suzuki marches away quickly as Liger gets helped to his feet. Liger takes a microphone and says “Suzuki, thank you” and throws the mic down as his music hits for one of the last times. The crowd is chanting “LIGER LIGER” as he walks away.
5) El Phantasmo vs IWGP Jr Champion Will Ospreay
IWGP JR HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
El Phantasmo won the Super J Cup in August, eliminating Ospreay in the semi-finals. Phantasmo has been haunting and attacking Ospreay at every corner. After Ospreay and Robbie Eagles couldn’t beat Phantasmo and Ishimori for thr Jr Tag Titles, Ospreay said Phantasmo will never beat him for the Jr Heavyweight Title. We are told ELP was able to make it to the show as he was training in the NJPW Dojo when the typhoon hit as the Doho was flooded and the moved memorabilia upstairs all night protecting the history of New Japan. Kevin Kelly told us Bullet Club will not be at ringside during this match as Phantasmo wanted to prove he could beat Ospreay by himself and clean. Ospreay won the Best of the Super Juniors in June, and won the IWGP Jr Championship at Dominion, but if Phantasmo can win here, he would be the reigning RevPro Cruiserweight Champion, one half of the IWGP Jr Tag Champions, the Super J Cup and British J Cup winner. He could sweep all the junior accolades with a win here.
Ospreay refuses a handshake as they lock up. Against the ropes, ELP breaks and taps Ospreay on the chest. Armdrag into a headlock into a press, snapmare, both men flip around to cheers, monkeyflip, missed clothesline, hurricanrana by ELP, Ospreay misses a roundhouse kick to cheers and ELP backs up. Ospreay says he was inches away from winning. Ospreay again refuses a handshake. ELP wants a test of strength and Ospreay accepts as they clash together. ELP forces down Ospreay at first but he fights back and drives ELP down into a bridge. They exchange rolls and flips into a double pin. Both escape into mirror bridges, eyes locked. ELP with a slap in the bridge. Both men up and The Aerial Assassin with his own slap! ELP with a knife edged chop! Ospreay with his own and ELP drops! They exchange forearms and ELP stumbles. Ospreay is fighting for his life, as they come to blows. Ospreay accuses ELP of hitting him in the eye as he drops down. ELP says it was an accident and offers his hand and respectfully lifts Ospreay to his feet to cheers before driving Ospreay throat first in the corner to boos! ELP blocks a forearm, and walks the ropes launching Ospreay outside. Handspring into the ropes, backflip into the superhero pose mocking Ospreay!
Ospreay with a quick Pip Pip Cheerio! HANDSPRING BACK FLIP MOONSAULT OVER THE TOP ROPE! Ospreay drags ELP around ringside to cheers. Ospreay tosses ELP into the crowd!! WOW! He tossed him over ten feet into the commentary teams. Phantasmo with a chair shot out of no where! He says “Whoops” (hahahahah). They’re brawling in the crowd now. Commentary is limited. Phantasmo climbs into a stairwell, as Ospreay meets him on the other side. They’re standing ten feet above concrete. Both of them teetering, Ospreay flips but fights back. OSPREAY TEASES THE STORMBREAKER BUT ELP BLOCKS! Ospreay slips and falls down to the walk way below. SUICIDE CROSSBODY DIVE TO THE FLOOR BY EL PHANTASMO!!!!!! ELP drags Ospreay back to ringside and is in complete control.
Cover in the ring, and Ospreay barely kicks out. ELP sends Ospreay chest into the opposite corner and rakes his back. Ospreay put in the tree of woe. Dropkick to the face! Phantasmo fakes another one and drops a boot in the groin. As Phantasmo poses, Ospreay lifts himself up ad nails a german suplex while in the tree of woe! HARD KNIFE EDGE CHOP in the corner by Ospreay! Ospreay blocks a springboard strike with a dropkick to the chest! Twisting handspring kick to the face! Ospreay poses on the corner, misses a moonsault, misses a standing moonsault, nails a standing shooting star, and a second rope moonsault for two! Ospreay tries a Stormbreaker but ELP blocks. Ospreay signals for the Hidden Blade but ELP blocks. They dodge attacks and ELP with an enzuguiri in the corner! Phantasmo with a Frankensteiner and OSPREAY LANDS ON HIS FEET! ELP escapes the dragonsuplex, ducks the hook kick, step up enzo by ELP! Ospreay blocks a move into a cutter, ELP blocks the OsCutter into a reverse airplane spin! Both me down!
On the apron, El Phantasmo in control, Ospreay blocks the CRII as both men fight on the apron. Ospreay blocks the CRII again, and knocks ELP silly with a roundhouse kick! OS CUTTER TO THE OUTSIDE!!! Both men down as the count begins. Ospreay in at 11, ELP in at 19.98! COAST TO COAST BY OSPREAY! SHOOTING STAR PRESS! Phantasmo kicked out at two and a half! Robinson Special connects! OS CUTTERRRRR!!!! Hooks the leg and Taiji Ishimori pulls the referee out to a lot of boos! Ishimori grabs the IWGP Jr Championship, but Robbie Eagles makes the save and destroys Ishimori with a cannonball through the ropes and drags Ishimori to the back!
ELP grabs the IWGP Jr Championship now, ELP swings, Ospreay ducks, HOOK KICK! ELP is done! HIDDE BLADE MISSES! LOW BLOW BY ELP! Shot with the title to the face! He throws the title outside. ELP to the top, diving splash! Ospreay out at two! Cheeky Nando kick by ELP mocking Ospreay using his own move. Both men up top now. ELP with a spinning reverse fireman carry! Ospreay kicks out again! ELP tries the CRII. Ospreay blocks, BUT ELP NAILS THE STYLES CLASH!!!! OSPREAY KICKS OUT!! V TRIGGER BY ELP! Ospreay reverses the One Winged Angel into a cradle! Kickout! SUPERKICK BY ELP! SPANISH FLY BY Ospreay and both men down!
They’re exchanging blows in the middle of the ring as both men exhausted. They’re empting all they have. ROUNDHOUSE! Forearm! HOOK KICK! ELP is dazed! ROUNDHOUSE! ELP drops to his knees! CANADIAN DESTROYER DDT SPIKES ELP! Ospreay covers and Phantasmo kicks out! Ospreay to the top rope to cheers. Phantasmo kicks the referee into the ropes and Ospreay crumbles. Ospreay blocks the Super CRII on the top rope. Headbutt by ELP! OSPREAY BLOCKS THE SUPER FRANKENSTEINER WITH A POWERBOMB!!!!! Ospreay pulls the elbow pad down…. HIDDEN BLADE! ELP HEAD FELL OFF HIS SHOULDERS! STORMBREAKER! WIN! 28 minutes
Winner AND STILL IWGP Jr Champion: Will Ospreay
Grade: ****1/4
Thoughts: You ever watch a match and know you’re watching a breakout match for someone? Think Kenny Omega against KUSHIDA at Dominion 2015, you knew Omega was going to be special soon. This match was that moment for El Phantasmo. Several iconic moments, the suicide crossbody into the walkway was absolutely insane. You don’t see that too much in Japan, and haven’t in a major professional wrestling promotion in a while. They brought out tributes to multiple famous junior heavyweights through wrestling history. The Hidden Blade at the end was brutal. I really don’t like matches that get dirty, but the very minor interference and cheating didn’t affect this match in the least bit, so it’s okay. What a great match between two guys who work so well together. Ospreay’s offense is just so crisp and devestating. His striking ability is unlike anyone else in wrestling. Not KENTA, not Shibata, not Ibushi, no one can compare to how fast he can strike. The Roundhouse near the end was one of the stiffest shots I’ve ever seen, clean on the ear. Really fun stuff.
6) “CHAOS” Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii, & YOSHI-HASHI vs “Bullet Club” Jay White, KENTA, Yujiro Takahashi
This is going to be another quick review, as six man tag matches are often dull affairs, with some stories, but not much consequence. Not sure why this match wasn’t fourth on the card. If anything, a true definition of a crowd break match. Jay White defeated Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP Championship at Destruction in Kobe on September 22nd, so Bullet Club has some gold around their waists here (coming up short of another in the previous match).
KENTA dominated most of the match, after beating Ishii for the NEVER Open Championship at Royal Quest, KENTA looks to prove a statement to CHAOS and future NEVER Openweight challengers, but it was Hirooki Goto who laid claim to an opportunity as he pinned Yujiro Takahashi with the GTR as KENTA and Jay White looked on in 12 minutes.
Winners: Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii, & YOSHI-HASHI
Grade: **
Thoughts: Average six man tag between two groups of upper mid card guys. You get the usual Bullet Club/Jay White dirty stuff, and KENTA being a prick, but the fans went home happy with this one as Yujiro Takahashi ate the pin. Killed the flow of the show having this here, even if it involves some of the bigger names in the company.
7) Lance Archer vs Juice Robinson
IWGP UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP [vacant]
NO DISQUALIFICATION
This match was supposed to be Jon Moxley against Juice Robinson but Moxley could not travel to Japan due to the typhoon. This match was made instead. Lance Archer stepped into this opportunity due to a strong showing in G1 and the Fighting Spirit Tour. Juice Robinson is a former 2 time IWGP US Champion. Lance Archer is a former 3 time IWGP Tag Team Champion, former 4 time NWA Tag Team Champion (2 with Davey Boy Smith and 2 with Kid Kash), former 2 time GHC Tag Team Champion in NOAH, but he’s never held singles gold in a major promotion. Jon Moxley has now missed AEW’s All Out and NJPW’s King of Pro Wrestling in six weeks time for various reasons.
Archer starts trying a chokeslam, Juice a low blow and with an inside cradle for two! Juice with a spear to the outside! Juice immediately grabs a chair and drives it into Archer’s ribs and back! Juice throws Archer full speed into the barricade!! He posts him! Archer down! Juice tries a cannonball but Archer with a big boot on the outside! Juice blocks a chokeslam, but Archer gets it a second time through a table in the crowd! Archer with a steel chair across the back and holds the US Championship up to cheers. Archer tears off the turnbuckle pads in all the corners as this match is about to get dangerous.
Archer gets a chair and threatens the referee as Juice is still crawling around outside. Archer takes chairs and sticks them between the turnbuckles. He assaults Juice one more time for good measure. Archer gets another table and slides it in the ring as Archer is creating his own Murder House now. EVERYBODY DIES as he assaults the Young Lions at ringside. He puts the tables in the corners that don’t have chairs. Archer throws Juice face first into one of the chairs. Juice Robinson dislocated one of his fingers as he looks to be in a bit of pain, showing the finger to the camera. Archer sends Juice into the second chair, and tries a pin but Juice kicks out. Juice’s nose is now busted open as well. Archer grabs Juice’s arm and walks the top rope half way around the entire ring. Juice finally trips him up to cheers. Juice with a headbutt. Robinson tries a superplex and drops Archer back first!! Juice tries a pin and Archer kicks out! Juice with the Dizzy Jabs! Juice tries Left Hand of God, Archer blocks, RIGHT JAB! LEFT HAND OF GOD CONNECTS! Cannonball through the table! Juice with a pin and Archer kicks out.
Juice plays the crowd, Archer reverses Pulp Friction, POUNCE THROUGH THE TABLE IN THE CORNER! Both men down and dazed. Archer rolls outside and goes under the ring looking for more destruction. Juice is outside throwing chairs in the ring on the other side. Archer is getting more chairs. Both in the ring with chairs, Archer misses a swing, Juice misses, Archer with a right hand through the chair into Juice’s face! Juice is flat out! Chokeslam reversed. EBD CLAW! NO JUICE REVERSES INTO THE JUICEBOX! Hooks the leg and Archer kicks out! Juice is stacking chairs in the middle of the ring. Juice sets Archer and tries Pulp Friction, reversed into a Chokeslam onto the pile of chairs!! Archer piles them back together and grabs Juice as he teases the Blackout off the top through the chairs… MURDER HOUSE OPEN FOR BUSINESS!! Archer pins and JUICE KICKS OUT!!!!! Archer slamming Juice’s head into the chairs. EBD CLAW! Three count in the middle of the ring and we have a new IWGP US CHAMPION in 15 minutes!! Lance Archer has done it! WOW! What a upset!
Winner AND NEW IWGP US CHAMPION: Lance Archer
Grade: **1/2
Thoughts: For a impromptu brawl, this was fun. There was a lot of destruction, several tables went kaboom, several chairs were destroyed, and Juice’s finger and face also had better days. Juice wrestled with a dislocated finger most of a match against an opponent he wasn’t planning on facing. Gritty performance for Juice here. Archer gets a great moment as he has arrived in Japan as a singles star.
8) Kota Ibushi vs EVIL
TOYKO DOME CONTRACT MATCH
Kota Ibushi defeated Jay White in the finals of the G1 on August 12th, guaranteeing an opportunity to face the IWGP Champion at WrestleKingdom. He must defend that opportunity here against who many regard as the spiritual successor to big brawlers like Masahiro Chono and Hiroyoshi Tenzan in New Japan; “The King of Darkness” EVIL.
EVIL attacks at the bell trying to gain an immediate upper hand to head to the Toyko Dome. EVIL with a strong side headlock early on, wearing down Kota. Kota tries to fight out but EVIL locks it in tighter and harder. Ibushi finally escapes, EVIL with a strong shoulder tackle, Ibushi kips up, and EVIL with another side headlock, dragging this one to the mat. Ibushi up, strikes and kicks EVIL hard. He follows up with multiple mid kicks. EVIL blocks another and drives Ibushi upside down over the top rope with a clothesline! Ibushi back first into the ringside barricade crashing in hard! EVIL with a receipt!
EVIL in control in the ring, swinging neckbreaker and Kota kicks out at one easily. EVIL with knee in the back, angling pressure betwee the shoulder blades but Ibushi powers out but EVIL with a double wrist lock and Ibushi can’t escape. Ibushi tries to leverage. He finally outpowers, and EVIL reverses again, dropping Ibushi to the mat, driving the knee in deep. Ibushi with a desperation mid kick! Martial art kick combo, powerslam, into the moonsault and EVIL kicks out! They exchange tie ups, Ibushi misses a springboard kick, and EVIL ties Ibushi in the corner and drives Ibushi into the mat with a stomp to the heart. EVIL tries a bronco buster, and Ibushi counters into his own double stomp! On the apron, EVIL counters a deadlift german ito a cutter across the top rope! EVIL down outside, Ibushi down inside. EVIL wraps a chair around Ibushi’s head and hits a homerun! Its gone! EVIL crushes Ibushi i the corner and is in complete control. Superplex by EVIL, and Ibushi kicks out at two and a half!
EVIL dodges a dropkick at the 10 minute mark, and EVIL stalks the G1 winner, tries a misdirection lariat, but Ibushi with a headscissors! Both men on the top rope, EVIL with a devestating headbutt, but Ibushi with a springboard hurricanrana off the top! Two count! EVIL blocks the Kamigoye. German suplex by EVIL but Ibushi lands on his feet! Both men try hard forearms and are blocked! LARIATTTTTTTTTTTTT BY EVIL! HOOKS THE LEG! KICK OUT!! EVIL connects with Darkness Falls, Ibushi kicks out! Ibushi reverses Everything Is Evil into a roll up, two! KOTA IBUSHI WITH A BASTARD DRIVER!!!! Ibushi can’t make the cover. LAST RIDE! EVIL kicks out at 2.9! SO CLOSE! Shinsuke Nakamura tribute, LARIAT KILLS IBUSHI DEAD ON HIS FEET TURNING HIM INSIDE OUT!! Both men down! PUMPING BOMBER CONNECTS! EVIL hooks the leg, Ibushi kicks out! IBushi blocks Everything Is Evil, wristlock, waistlock briding german! EVIL rolls through, Kamigoye blocked! Half and half suplex by EVIL! Another half and half suplex! EVIL can’t get the pin… The rug was pulled out from Ibushi as he thought he had it won. LARIAT BY KOTA IBUSHI!!! EVIL flips inside out! Kamigoye reversed into Everything Is Evil but Kota blocks, tries a standing Kamigoye, EVIL WITH A HEADBUTT! Kota with a headbutt! High kick! Jumping Knee, KAMIGOYE! EVIL KICKED OUT!!!!!! EVIL KICKED OUT!!! KAMIGOYE AGAIN! That’s it at 24 minutes.
Winner: Kota Ibushi
Grade: ***3/4
Thoughts: This match started so unbelievably slow, it was grueling, but the second half was worth the wait. The winner was basically undeniable, I don’t think we will ever see a G1 winner dropping the contract at King of Pro Wrestling, but if they can give us matches like this, that’s perfectly fine. EVIL dominated this match, one of his best matches of all time. His thunderous powerful offense has begun to find its spot here in New Japan and the crowd just loves him. Ibushi played the come from behind guy well, hitting several quality spots. The last three minutes is just so crisp and exciting.
9) SANADA vs IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada
IWGP HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
This is the seventh singles meeting between these two, with Okada holding a 5-1 all time record against SANADA, but that one loss is what led to this title match, with SANADA all but eliminating Okada from the G1 (after a 6-0 start) with his upset victory over The Rainmaker. The IWGP Championship has not changed hands at KIng of Pro Wrestling since 2014, when Hiroshi Tanahashi beat AJ Styles.
Okada tries to start off hot with a shotgun dropkick but SANADA side steps, both men with bombs right away. SANADA dodges the Dropkick multiple times. SANADA to the top with the Muta Moonsault but misses, Rainmaker misses, Skull End escaped, and both men miss dropkicks as they square away.
Okada tries a waistlock but SANADA controls and gets up. SANADA with a slow pace, trying to gain any advatage. Okada reverses into a wristlock and SANADA reverses into a backlock, headlock by SANADA, both men against the ropes. Okada teases a strike and taps SANADA’s chest. Hard shoulderblock by Okada knocking SANADA off his feet. Slow neckbreaker by Okada, pins, and SANADA kicks out. Okada with a chinlock and SANADA gets to the ropes, dropkick to the ear knocks the challenger outside, and Okada follows. They exchange blows outside the ring. SANADA back first ito the barricade ad boots SANADA into the crowd! Draping DDT and SANADA reverses, twisting suplex off the barricade face first into the floor! SANADA with a fireman carry dropping Okada rib first on the barricade. Okada rolls in at 17. SANADA pins and gets two. Hard crushing back elbow in the corner by SANADA, snapmare into a pin press and gets two. Headlock by SANADA trying to weaken and drain the life from the champion. Okada blocks a splash with a boot, both men exchange maneuvers, SANADA misses the standing moonsault and Okada with an uppercut and both men down…
Okada kips up first, running forearm, forearm, ducks clotheslines, and drops SANADA with a hooking clothesline of his own! Thumping collison in the corner, SPIKING DDT by Okada, into the cover and SANADA kicks out at two. SANADA Flair flops to the apron, but Okada dropkicks him off the apron to the floor into the barricade. SANADA again into the barricade and again with a boot into the crowd. Okada HIGH SPEED DIVING CROSSBODY OVER THE BARRICADE SENDING SANADA INTO THE CROWD!!! Referee starts to count SANADA out… Okada stops the referee from counting SANADA out at 17 as SANADA stumbles into the ring and collapses at Okada’s feet. A hard right forearm drops SANADA. SANADA to his feet trying to fight back but OKada is just too much dropping SANADA again, followed by a powerslam. Okada to the top rope, SANADA up and leapfrogs Okada into a Dropkick! Springboard suicide splash to the floor byh SANADA as the crowd chanting and cheering for the challenger. SANADA plays up the crowd walking around the ring..
SANADA rolls Okada under the bottom rope and gets Okada in the Paradise Lock to cheers! SANADA plays up the crowd who loves is, SANADA sets and dropkicks the quad, freeing Okada, into the pin for two. Both men exchange counters, SANADA misses the moonsault prelude to Skull End, Shotgun Dropkick sends SANADA into the corner! Okada climbs to the top rope.. MISSILE SHOTGUN DROPKICK FROM THE TOP! Powerslam and Okada back to the top rope. Diving elbowsmash! RAINMAKKKKKKEERRRRRRR POSE!!!!!!!! SANADA ducks the Rainmaker into Skull End, Okada escapes, back into Skull End, cradle for two by Okada, SANADA tries a TKO, Okada escapes, Skull End! Okada reverses into a tombstone attempt but SANADA reverses and drops the champion with a spiking tombstone! TKO! Lateral press pin and two and a half! SANADA locks in the Bodyscissor Skull End in the middle of the ring. Okada trying to flail but SANADA trying to drain the life from Okada. Okada slowly fading… Okada slips out but SANADA locks it back in!! Okada is worse for wear, Okada going limp. Okada slips out again, trying to get to the ropes, but SANADA LOCKS IT IN A FULL BODYSCISSORS! NOT TODAY! SANADA YANKS BACK! This match should be over! Okadas’ eyes are fading. Referee checking on Okada. One hand up and down. Two hands up… Okada fights out into a roll up! Two! SANADA continues the ground mount, maintaining arm control. Okada blocks Skull End. OKada trying for leverage, SANADA trying for SKull End, flips and RAINMAKER!!!!!!! Okada took a few extra moments before trying a pin and SANADA kicked out!
Both men on their knees giving each other their all as we approach the 30 minute mark.. SANADA with hard forearms. Okada with an elbow. SANADA with a strike, Both men up. Okada with a hard forearm to the chin. Forearm by SANADA! Back and forth! Faster and harder! Uppercut by Okada! SANADA with an uppercut of his own. Okada with an uppercut. SANADA stumbles Okada with a uppercut! Okada with another! SANADA responds! Okada drops to the mat! Okada ducks a rolling elbow, SANADA ducks Rainmaker, Okada reverses Skull End into his own! Dropkick to back of the head! DROPKICK OFF THE ROPES! SANADA ducks Rainmaker, cutter out of the corner into the SKULL END! Okada fading! His arm dropping limp. SANADA spins the champion and drops in the hooks! Okada looks out! His eyes are grey! SANADA rolls Okada away from the ropes! Referee checking on Okada….. is he out? Okada eyes are closed. Referee asking Okada if he’s still with us. Referee checks the hand… Okada waving a fourth of a inch in a circle. SANADA tries a cover and OKADA KICKS OUT! MUTO MOONSAULT!!!!!! TRIES ANOTHER AND OKADA GETS THE KNEES UP! Both me down! SANADA could have gone to WrestleKingdom right there but he wanted to send a message and paid the price! Okada is out, stumbling around, barely able to grab the ropes, dazed. SANADA first to his feet as the crowd erupts. Okada with a defensive desperation boot, Moonsault into Skull End! Okada reverses into his own Skull End, TOMBSTONE! RAINMAKER BLOCKED WITH A BOOT! Rainmaker ducked! O’connor roll and the crowd is going crazy! TWO! ONLY TWO! RAINMAKER DUCKED! Tombstone reversed into Skull END! SANNADA SPINS THE CHAMPION AROUND, Okada armdrags out! Dropkick at the 35 minute mark! Rainmaker ducked, Okada ducks SANADA’s Rainmaker, popup dropkick! ROLLING ELBOW BY SANADA! OKada blocks the twisting cutter into the tombstone but SANADA tries to choke him, Michinoku Driver by OKada RAINMAKERRRRRRRRRRR GETS THREE! And still IWGP CHAMPION AT 37 MINUTES KAZUCHIKA OKADA!
Winner AND STILL IWGP Champion: Kazuchika Okada
Grade: ****1/2
Thoughts: They were testing the waters here, this was a fantastic match that told an awesome story. For all intents ad purposes if we were grading points, SANADA would be our new champion after this, after countering everything Okada had at every step of the way, completely draining him not once but twice with Skull End. But it wasn’t enough, and the Rainmaker finally connected for the successful defense as we look forward to Kazuchika Okada vs Kota Ibushi. Honestly, I’m not looking forward to that and I don’t think Ibushi will win. I would really love to see these two at it. I loved their New Japan Cup match, I loved their G1 match, and I loved this match. SANADA is often criticized for sandbagging matches, but Okada brings the best out of him. I think we saw the dawning of SANADA here and I think he will win G1 in 2020. Okada is still our champ, SANADA won our hearts and minds.
Overall Show Grade: 6/10
Overall Show Thoughts: King of Pro Wrestling is often regarded as a premier event, citing Minoru Suzuki/Tanahashi in 2012, and Tanahashi/Okada in 2013 as examples of some of the best matches in the modern era, in wrestling period both taking place at this event. Tonight had some amazing matches, but it also had it’s fair share of clunkers. All the tags were less than special, really not moving the meter much.
Top 5 Stars:
1) SANADA
2) Minoru Suzuki/Jyushin Liger
3) El Phantasmo
4) Will Ospreay
5) Kazuchika Okada
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Will this be the mightiest Tag League yet?
It’s time for NJPW World Tag League 2024, and this year already looks mighty good as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Zack Sabre Jr, is in the A Block! Will he and Ryohei Oiwa make everyone #JustTapOut?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Shoma Kato VS Masatora Yasuda; Kato wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jado & Katsuya Murashima VS Taiji Ishimori & The Filip Brothers; Taiji & The Filip Brothers win.
- Six Man Tag: Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg & Tiger Mask VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
- Six Man Tag: Taichi, Douki & Taka Michinoku VS The United Empire; Taichi, Douki & Taka win.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman; Cobb & Callum win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi; Takagi & Tsuji win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens; Bishamon wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA; ZSJ & Oiwa win.
PLAY BY PLAY
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman!
The Roughneck is bringing Everyone’s Kokeshi along for the ride, but this league might already be too much to handle. Can Honma help Shota bring about his Paradigm Shift? Or will they just get conquered by the United Empire?
The teams sort out and Shota starts against The Imperial Unit. The bell rings and Shota runs up to RAM Cobb! And RAM! And RAM! Cobb stays up so Shota kicks low. Shota runs to RAM Cobb, but Cobb rebounds to CLOBBER Shota! The fans cheer while Cobb stalks Shota. Cobb brings Shota up to whip him to a corner. Shota comes back to RAM Cobb! Cobb stays up, so Shota clinches! Cobb fights free with elbows, but Shota dodges a lariat to RAM Cobb! Cobb falls over! The fans fire up with Shota, and he brings Cobb up again. Callum runs in so Shota shoves Cobb aside to catch Callum. Shota shoves Callum at Honma for a shoulder tackle!
The fans fire up as Shota keeps moving and he SOMERSAULT SENTONS Callum! Shota then sets up so he and Honma can tabletop Cobb! Cobb sits up into Shota’s SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Shota tags Honma. The fans rally behind Honma as he CLUBS Cobb. Honma reels Cobb in, but Cobb suplexes first! Cobb SLAMS Honma down, then calls for Callum. Callum rises but Cobb says hold on. The “Cobby Cat” mocks Honma by bopping himself on the head. Cobb then runs to FALLING KOKESHIÂ FLOP! Honma winds up and runs, but Callum is in the way! Cobb runs up, Honma dodges the lariat but Callum tags in.
Cobb dodges Honma, then shoves him at Callum. They pinball Honma around, and Callum BOOTS Honma while Cobb BLASTS Shota! Then Callum & Cobb coordinate to HIGH LOW with a shoulder tackle and leg sweep! The fans cheer and Cobb says You Can’t See Him! Callum stomps Honma, then KICKS him in the back. Honma gets mad but Callum scuffs him again and again. Honma rises, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Callum CHOPS and pretends that hurt his hand. Callum CLUBS Honma down but the fans rally up. Honma rises to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Callum kicks low, reels him in, but Honma fights the suplex!
Honma catches Callum’s lariat to spin and DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Callum and Honma crawl, but Honma hot tags Shota! Shota rallies on Callum with big elbows! Shota whips, Callum reverses, but SHota ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Callum! Cobb runs up, but Shota arm-drags him, then dropkicks the legs out! Cobb bails, Shota fires up, and the fans rally again. Shota whips Callum corner to corner, runs up on him, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Callum in for a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t let that slow him down!
Shota waits on Callum, then runs, but Callum avoids Ignition to hook Shota! Shota fights the backslide so Callum whips him to a corner. Callum runs up but Shota dodges! Shota runs up but Callum goes up and over! Callum keeps moving, but Shota ROCKS him, UPPERCUTS him, and runs! Callum follows to ROCK Shota at the ropes! Callum runs, but then stops to fake out Shota’s dropkick! Shota sits up, but he ducks the Penalty Kick! Shota rolls Callum but Callum rolls through. Shota ROCKS Callum, then spins, but Callum dodges the rolling elbow! DREAMCAST KICK! Shota drops to his knees and the fans fire up!
Callum and Shota crawl, hot tag to Cobb! Cobb runs up to waistlock Shota for a deadlift! Shota fights with elbows, goes to run, but Cobb reels him in for a forearm to the back! Cobb runs, but Shota DROPKICKS him! The fans fire up again and Shota heads for his corner. Hot tag to Honma! The fans rally as Honma CHOPS Cobb, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Honma puts Cobb in a corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs up. Honma ELBOWS Cobb and hits a BULLDOG! The fans fire up as Honma shows Cobb how it’s done! FALLING KOKESHI- NO! Now Honma FLOPS as Cobb moves! Callum runs up to SHOTGUN Shota off the apron!
The fans fire up as Cobb RAMS Honma into the corner! Callum runs up to forearm SMASH! Callum drops down and Cobb LEAPS over to ELBOW Honma! Callum comes back and Cobb pops him up to the apron! ENZIGIRI, then fireman’s carry! Callum climbs, DOUBLE STOMP ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! PENALTY KICK and GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, Shota breaks it! The fans fire up and Shota TOSSES Callum! Cobb kicks Shota, whips, but Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Shota shouts to Honma and the fans fire up again. Honma rises and he storms up on Cobb. Honma & Shota double whip corner to corner!
Honma runs up to LARIAT! Honma feeds Cobb to Shota’s UPPERCUT! Honma LARIATS, Shota clinches, EXPLODER!! The fans cheer and Honma runs, SLIDING KOKESHI! Shota keeps moving, IGNITION! Honma covers, Callum breaks it! Shota stomps Callum out of the ring and leaves the rest to Honma. Honma drags Cobb up, but Cobb fights the suplex! Cobb ROCKS Honma, whips him, but Honma grabs ropes! Honma BOOTS Cobb, and Shota joins in! DOUBLE RUNNING KOKESHI! And then they DOUBLE FALLING KOKESHI! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives but Shota goes after Callum! CANNONBALL to the floor!
The fans fire up again as Honma climbs! FLYING- NO, Cobb catches Honma! SPINEBUSTER, and FALLING HAMMER! Cover, TWO!! Honma survives and the fans fire up again! But then Cobb reels Honma in, for a TOUR OF THE ISLAND!! Cover, United Empire wins!
Winners: Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Shota & Honma earn 0)
A powerful showing from “The Kokeshi Brothers,” but they could not bring down Callum & Cobb. With the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships already on Great-O-Khan & Henare, will The United Empire completely dominate the NJPW Heavyweight Tag Division?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & ???
Los Ingobernables de Japon’s heavy formation is in this block, ready to rampage like twin dragons. If only The Sauce could’ve brought his own monster back. Who will be the substitute for Lance Archer? And can he help heat things up?
Zayne makes his entrance before anyone else, and asks to speak on the mic. A mic is given, and Zayne says, “Kon’nichiwa.” The fans applaud, and Zayne explains that when he was contacted this year for WTL, he was also informed that Lance Archer could not make it. Zayne knew he had to do one thing: find the most “delicious” tag partner he could find. And that man is… RYUSUKE TAGUCHI!? The fans can’t believe the Funky Weapon is joining Zayne in this tournament! And he wears a green version of Zayne’s gear! Are things about to get really spicy now?
The teams sort out, and Takagi is in disbelief. LIJ fist bumps and the fans applaud. Taguchi and Zayne bow, “Itadakimasu,” and Zayne starts against Yota. They circle, tie up, and Yota powers Zayne back. But Zayne powers Yota back! Yota powers up to power Zayne onto the ropes, but Zayne turns things around. The ref counts, Zayne lets off slowly with a pat on the shoulders, but Yota plays with Zayne’s hair. Zayne smirks and Yota grins as the two reset. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Yota headlocks, but Zayne powers up and out. Yota RAMS Zayne but neither man falls. Fans cheer as Yota grins and Zayne plays with his own hair.
Things speed up suddenly, and Zayne sidesteps. Yota bucks the O’Conner Roll, then gets around Zayne. Zayne ELBOWS Yota away to a corner. Zayne runs up to BACK ELBOW and go to the apron in one go! Then he slingshots to RANA! Yota has a rough tumble, but he stands back up. Zayne runs up again, dodges the lariat and waistlocks, only to bring Yota back and run. Yota sidesteps Zayne then drops down, only for Zayne to IMPLODER KNEE DROP! The fans fire up but Zayne keeps moving, STANDING MARIPOSA! The fans cheer more while Zayne grins at Takagi. Zayne brings Yota up, tags Taguchi, and they double whip.
“Funky Sauce” misdirects Yota to hit a BULLDOG then basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer and Taguchi stomps Yota. Taguchi brings Yota up, kicks low, then whips. Yota reverses but Taguchi RANAS! A little slippery, but then Zayne BLASTS Takagi off the apron! Funky Sauce takes aim, Taguchi PLANCHASÂ but flops as Yota moves! Zayne is on the apron but Takagi YANKS Zayne down! The fans rally but Takagi hauls Zayne up to whip him into railing! Yota drags Taguchi up and puts him in the ring. Takagi gets the fans fired up, then he stands Taguchi up. LIJ double whip Taguchi to then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE!
The fans cheer and then Takagi SENTONS! Yota SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! Taguchi stays in this but Yota tags Takagi. The fans rally and duel while Takagi stands Taguchi up. Takagi bumps Taguchi off buckles, RAMS into him again and again, then digs his shoulder in. The ref counts, Takagi steps back, and he snapmares Taguchi down. Tag to Yota and Yota drags Taguchi up. Yota snapmares Taguchi to ROCK him in the back! Taguchi falls back, Yota tags Takagi, and LIJ drags Taguchi up. They DOUBLE ATOMIC DROP! Taguchi hobbles in pain, falls to his knees, and Takagi BLASTS Zayne off the apron!
Takagi gets annoyed with this Funky Sauce, but Taguchi fires off CHOPS! Taguchi runs, but Takagi easily dodges the hip attack! Takagi then suplexes Taguchi high and hard! Cover, TWO! Taguchi survives and the fans fire up. Takagi hears the fans dueling as he stomps Taguchi. Takagi KNEES Taguchi against the ropes again and again, then whips, for another KNEE! Takagi runs, but into a SOMERSAULT HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Taguchi and Takagi crawl, hot tag to Zayne! Zayne jumps in and DECKS Takagi, then he BLASTS Yota! Zayne swats a lariat to fire elbow after ELBOW!
Takagi blocks the superkick to CLUB the leg! Yota joins in, LIJ whips Zayne, but Zayne KICKS Takagi, mule kicks Yota, and runs, DOUBLE SOMERSAULT KICKS! The fans fire up and Zayne runs at Takagi. Takagi ELBOWS Zayne, BOOTS him, then goes up. Zayne returns to JUMPING STEINERS! The fans fire up while Zayne covers, TWO! Takagi stays in this but Zayne brings him right up. Zayne goes to scoop but Takagi fights it! Zayne CHOPS, scoops, and BAJA- NO, Takagi slips free! SLIDING- NO, Zayne dodges! Zayne mule kicks, runs, but into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKONÂ feint and DDT! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up!
Takagi pounds the mat, the fans rally behind him, and he crawls, hot tag to Yota! Yota fires up and the fans are with him. Yota brings Zayne around to whip, but Zayne stops himself. Zayne dodges Yota, Yota dodges Zayne, and both men kick low! Yota comes back to BOOT! The fans cheer and Yota brings Zayne up again. Yota fireman’s carries but Zayne fights free. Yota ROCKS Zayne first! Yota tries another fireman’s carry but Zayne sunset flips it! TWO, and both men stand! Zayne rolls Yota, BASEMENT ENZIGIRI! Zayne hurries to hot tag Taguchi! Taguchi HIP ATTACKS in a corner! Taguchi goes corner to corner, for another HIP ATTACK!
Taguchi keeps moving, but Yota runs up! Taguchi dropkicks Yota’s legs out! The fans fire up and Taguchi keeps going! Another dropkick to legs, then a LEG SWEEP! Taguchi rolls Yota into the OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Zayne BOOTS Takagi off the apron! Yota scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go but he brings Yota back up. Taguchi traps Yota and Zayne runs in to ELBOW! Zayne then sets up and Taguchi runs, SHOTGUN IN MOTION! Taguchi then brings Yota out to GOURD BUSTER! The fans fire up as Zayne climbs! But Yota KICKS Taguchi away, then GAMANGIRIS Zayne off the corner!
Taguchi kicks Yota, runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Takagi slides in, and he finds the camera, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up as the time has come, and they join in on a chant of “OI! OI! OI!” LIJ whips Taguchi to a corner, then Yota runs in to ELBOW! Takagi whips Yota back in to SPLASH! Takagi adds a LARIAT, then feeds Taguchi to a BOOT! BLINDSIDE LARIAT! SUPERKICK! Taguchi is down, Yota covers, TWO! Taguchi stays in this and the fans fire up. Takagi stands Taguchi up and throws him to Yota for a POWERBOMB! Cover, Zayne breaks it! Takagi drags Zayne up, LIJ mugs him, but he fights back with CHOPS!
The fans fire up but Yota spins Zayne around to facelock, and Takagi wheelbarrows. Yota helps Takagi swing Taguchi down, then up for a BOOSTED WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! The fans fire up and Takagi leaves it to Yota. Yota takes aim and the fans rally. Taguchi rises, Yota runs in, GENE- LEG DROP!? And then La Magistrol! TWO!! Yota escapes in time, but Taguchi spins him to a backslide! TWO!! Yota escapes again! But Taguchi ENZIGIRIS! Taguchi fires up and the fans are with him! But Takagi LARIATS! GENE TRIGGER! PUMPING BOMBER!! And now Yota loads up, for the GENE BLASTER!! Cover, LIJ wins!
Winners: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Zayne & Taguchi earn 0)
The Funky Sauce was hot, but they’re the ones that got burned! Will they be able to spice things up in the second round? Will Takagi & Tsuji keep the tag league tranquilo?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens!
Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi once again clash with The Fang & The Jewel, both sides hungry for gold. Will it be Lights Out in the opening round? Or will someone just #Go2Sleep?
The teams sort out but then Bullet Club just attacks! Chase is after Goto and Kenta is after Hashi, and they put each man in corners. The bell rings to get this on record as Kenta TOSSES Hashi. Chase CHOKES Goto in the corner, then stands on him! The ref reprimands and Chase lets off to bring Goto up. Chase ROCKS Goto, whips him, and Kenta POSTS Hashi! Chase hits a big hip toss then covers, TWO! The fans rally up while Chase stomps Goto’s leg. Chase scrapes his sole off Goto’s face, and Kenta whips Hashi again. Hashi reverses and Kenta hits railing in front of English commentary! Chase ROCKS Goto, CHOPS him, then whips.
Goto grabs ropes to stop, then he BOOTS Chase! Hashi returns and Bishamon DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Then ZENMAI! Kenta returns but Bishamon kicks him first. “Se no!” Bishamon BEATS Kenta like a drum! The fans cheer and Bishamon flexes. Goto then goes back to Chase to stomp and CLUB him down. Goto kicks Chase, Chase shoves Goto and ROCKS him with a forearm! Goto knees Chase low, runs, but Chase TOSSES Goto out! Goto hurries back up, he counter punches Chase, and then counter punches Kenta! Chase slips out to YANK Goto down and THROW him into railing! Kenta intercepts Hashi with a kick!
Kenta whips Hashi away into railing while Chase sends Goto into other railing! The ref reprimands but Chase brings Goto through the gate. Chase has fans move out of the way, but then brings Goto back to ringside. Chase grins as he trolls the fans and pushes Goto into the ring. Kenta CLUBS away on Hashi before leaving him behind. Chase pulls on Goto’s arms then TWEAKS Goto’s neck! Not a twist, but equally painful. Chase tags Kenta while the fans rally for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Kenta pushes Goto into the corner, Goto hits Chase, but Kenta RAMS Goto! The ref reprimands and counts as Kenta RAMS Goto more!
Kenta sits Goto down, and digs his boot in! The ref counts, Kenta stops at 4, and he tags Chase back in. They stomp Goto more, then Chase headlocks for a sucker punch! Cover, TWO! Chase drags Goto up and he bumps Goto off Kenta’s boot. Tag to Kenta and Bullet Club double whips. They DOUBLE ELBOW Goto down then Kenta covers, TWO! Kenta covers again, TWO! Kenta argues with the ref but the count was fair. Kenta drops an elbow, drops another elbow, then covers, TWO! Kenta gets mad at Hashi for no reason, but the fans rally up for Goto. Kenta CLUBS Goto, but Goto fires CHOPS in return!
Kenta knees low, whips Goto to a corner, but Goto reverses. Goto runs up but into a BOOT! Kenta runs but Goto follows! Goto avoids Chase’s cheap shot to LARIAT Kenta! The fans fire up while Goto and Kenta are down! Goto crawls, hot tag to Hashi! The fans fire up as Hahsi BLASTS Chase! Kenta kicks Hashi low then whips him to a corner. Kenta runs up but Hashi CHOPS in return! And mule kicks! And turns Kenta for a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Hashi watches Kenta. Hashi waits on Kenta to rise, then runs up to CHOP! Hashi hoists Kenta up to hang him out to dry! The fans fire up as Hashi runs, and he DROPKCISK Kenta down! Cover, TWO!
The fans cheer Hashi on as he brings Kenta up. Hashi reels Kenta in, lifts, but Kenta fights with fists! Kenta slips free of the bomb, then slips around Hashi to spin and- NO, Hashi suplexes first! But Kenta slips free again, and he spins Hashi around, to SPIKE DDT! Hashi is stood up on his head before falling over, and Kenta tags in Chase. Chase brings Hashi up and fireman’s carries. Hashi fights free of that, but Chase slips around to half nelson, lift, and SWINGING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives but Chase says time to end this! Chase takes aim, C- NO, Hashi dodges the trigger! Chase knees low, runs, but Hashi dropkicks the legs!
The fans fire up whiel both men are down! Chase clutches his leg while Hashi crawls. Hot tag to Goto! Goto runs at Chase to LARIAT in the corner! Goto whips corner to corner, runs up again, but Chase BOOTS him! But Goto comes back! Only for Chase to BUCKLE SHOT and STO, then SENTON! Kenta steps in and Bullet Club drags Goto up. But Goto fires forearms and CHOPS! Kenta SOBATS! Chase KICKS! Kenta ROUNDHOUSES! Goto sits up into the “I HATE YOU!” PENALTY KICK! Cover, but Hashi breaks it! Kenta TOSSES Hashi then goes out after him. Chase drags Goto up and reels him in.
Chase tucks the arms but Goto fights the lift! Goto wrenches out but Chase ROCKS him first! Chase runs, Goto follows, but Chase ENZIGIRIS! Goto stays up, but the C-TRIGGER hits! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives but Chase hurries up! C-TRIGGER POINT BLANK!! And then the tuck for the PACKAGE PILE- NO, Hashi hits a BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up, Kenta BOOTS Hashi! Goto fireman’s carries Kenta but Kenta slips free! Kenta shoves Goto into Hashi, then waistlocks Goto. Goto fights the lift, and then ducks, HIDDEN GAP SUPERKICK for Kenta! The fans fire up as Bishamon regroups.
Hashi drags Chase up, whips him to Goto, but Chase BOOTS Goto! Chase swings on Hashi but Hashi ducks the lariat. Hashi powers Chase to ropes, Goto BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and then Hashi rolls Chase. Goto drags Chase up, Hashi has the legs! Chase BOOTS Hashi away! Chase then slips around to dragon sleeper, to steal G T- NO, Goto drops down to victory roll! Chase stands up, into a SUPERKICK! Goto drags Chase around while Hashi BLASTS Kenta! Dragon sleeper and SHOTO!! Cover, Bishamon wins!!
Winners: Bishamon, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Kenta & Chase earn 0)
Another classic in this storied rivalry, worthy of the titles themselves! Will this first win be the win that leads the Fierce Warrior & Headhunter back to the titles? Can Kenta & Chase borrow a page from Bishamon and #GetBackUp in the next round?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA!
TMDK has a team in each block, doubling their chances of taking this league. But perhaps burying the lead is the fact that THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion is joining in the fun! Will The Front Man & The Mullet rock this league right from the start? Or will the Mad Man and the turncoat Cold Skull get this tournament #WarReady?
The teams sort out but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face. Gabe pushes Oiwa, they start, and they tie up at the bell. The fans rally as Oiwa and Gabe are in a deadlock. They go around at center, then Oiwa digs his heels in to push Gabe back. Gabe turns things around to put Oiwa on ropes, but Red Shoes calls the break. Gable lets off, to then CHOP! Gabe scoops and SLAMS Oiwa, then he goes for legs. Oiwa UPKICKS Gabe, then stands up to scoop and SLAM Gabe! Gabe UPKICKS back, both men get up and go face to face. Then they go forearm for forearm! The fans rally as Oiwa gets the edge, but Gabe CHOPS!
Gabe headlocks. Oiwa powers up and out, and they RAM shoulders! Gabe eggs OIwa on and he runs to RAM Gabe! They both run now, and they RAM shoulders again, and again, and again! Gabe CHOPS then runs, but Oiwa CLOBBERS Gabe! The fans fire up while Gabe bails out. Oiwa eggs Gabe on and Gabe snarls. Gabe shakes the railing in frustration, then he paces around the outside. Gabe cools off, slides in, but then tags Sanada. Sanada steps in slowly, so Oiwa tags in ZSJ. The two rivals circle and the afns rally behind “ZAKKU! ZAKKU!” ZSJ and Sanada feel things out, knuclke lock, and ZSJ rolls to wrench.
Sanada is already frustrated so he kicks ZSJ low! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and then Gabe goes after Oiwa! Gabe CHOPS away on Oiwa while Sanada sends ZSJ into railing! And then more railing! Gabe does the same to Oiwa, and Sanada storms up on ZSJ. Sanada CLAWS ZSJ’s back, a definite attitude change showing. Gabe Too Sweets with Taiji Ishimori on commentary while Sanada pushes ZSJ into the ring. Sanada whips ZSJ to a corner, but ZSJ goes up, under, around, and RAMS into Sanada! ZSJ snapmares, Sanada handsprings through, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS him down! Tag to Oiwa and he BLASTS Gabe!
Oiwa goes back to Sanada and stands him up. Oiwa wrenches an arm, YANKS it, then wrenches to YANK it again. Oiwa tags ZSJ and ZSJ brings Sanada around to wrench, step over, and wrangle into a mounted armbar! Sanada endures as ZSJ bends the fingers and isolates the arm, to STOMP it! The fans cheer, ZSJ tags Oiwa, and Oiwa CLUBS Sanada’s arm. Oiwa headlocks for a takeover, then isolates the arm in an short arm scissor! The fans rally while Sanada endures and kicks around. Sanada reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes calls it, Oiwa lets Sanada go, but then Oiwa brings Sanada up.
Oiwa whips, Sanada reverses, and Gabe trips Oiwa up! Sanda BLASTS ZSJ while Oiwa drags Oiwa out of the ring! Now things spill out into the crowd! Gabe CHOPS Oiwa, then SMACKS him off empty chairs! Sanada BOWLS ZSJ into chairs! Not quite a strike, so Sanada JAMS ZSJ up with a chair! That picks up the spare, and we can hear Gabe’s CHOPS on Oiwa echo out. Gabe stomps Oiwa while Sanada CHOKES ZSJ with a chair! Red Shoes reprimands the War Dogs, but Gabe POSTS Oiwa! Gabe says War Dogs run this, but Red Shoes starts a ring count. Gabe flexes on Oiwa, then drags him up at 7 of 20.
Gabe puts Oiwa in at 10 and Sanada covers, TWO! Oiwa stays in this and the fans rally behind him. Sanada is annoyed but he brings Oiwa up. Sanada CLUBS Oiwa, then bumps him off Gabe’s boot. Oiwa sputters while Sanada tags Gabe in. Gabe drags Oiwa up, mockingly asks where Zack-senpai went, then he UPPERCUTS Oiwa down. Gabe TOSSES Oiwa out, and he BLASTS ZSJ off the apron! Sanada whips Oiwa into railing! Gabe lifts ZSJ bu tZSJ wrenches free to KIMURA! Gabe powers through, to BITE ZSJ on the forehead! Sanada sends Oiwa into more railing, Gabe sends ZSJ through railing and into chairs!
Sanada BOWLS Oiwa into chairs now, there is the strike! Sanada continues to show his new edge as he JAMS Oiwa up with a chair. Red Shoes reprimands so Sanada brings Oiwa back to ringside. Sanada puts Oiwa in for Gabe and Gabe pushes Oiwa to a cover. Red Shoes says no, all the shenanigans were not right. Gabe gets in Red Shoes’ face about that, but Red Shoes stands his ground. Gabe storms around while the fans rally behind Oiwa. Gabe drags Oiwa up, to CHOP! Oiwa wobbles but he rises up. Oiwa CHOPS, and CHOPS, and fires forearms! Gabe DECKS Oiwa with just one! The fans still rally for Oiwa but Gabe stands on Oiwa’s face!
Gabe soaks up the heat, scuffs Oiwa and stomps him around. Oiwa sits up, Gabe runs, but Oiwa reels him in! Gabe fights the waistlock, runs, but into a SNAP GERMAN! The fans fire up while both men are down! Oiwa and Gabe crawl, hot tags to ZSJ and Sanada! The fans fire up as ZSJ dodges Sanada, full nelsons, then spins him to a headlock. Sanada powers out but ZSJ catches him to a COBRA TWIST! Sanada powers out to HIP TOSS, but ZJS UP KICKS! Sanada avoids the Penalty Kick, blocks the boot, but ZSJ steps through the dragon screw to NECK TWIST! And basment DROPKICK! The fans fire up and we’ve only hit 10 minutes!
ZSJ drags Sanada up, UPPERCUTS him, then UPPERCUTS again! Sanada blocks the next to spin and suplex, but ZSJ says no to the Magic Screw! NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Sanada escapes but ZSJ stays focused. ZSJ stands Sanada up to scoop, but Sanada slips free. ZSJ fights the waistlock, runs, but into a dropkick to the legs! Sanada then DROPKICKS ZSJ down! Sanada fireman’s carries but ZSJ slips free, to have the IRON OCTOPUS! The fans rally while Sanada endures, and Sanada powers out to have a leg! DROPPING DRAGON SCREW! ZSJ clutches the leg and Sanada takes aim! SHINING-
NO, ZSJ ducks, but Sanada catches him to a backslide! ZSJ rolls through to NECK TWIST! Tag to Oiwa and Oiwa BLASTS Gabe off the apron! Oiwa goes back to Sanada and brings him up. Oiwa whips Sanada to ropes, ELBOWS Him down, then ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada! Oiwa deadlift GUT RWENCH PLEXES! Cover, Gabe breaks it! Gabe CHOPS away on ZSJ and Oiwa, but ZSJ blocks! Oiwa DOUBLE CHOPS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS! ZSJ & Oiwa DOUBLE DROPKICK Gabe down! The fans fire up with Oiwa and he clamps onto Sanada with a SLEEPER! Sanada endures and fights up, but Oiwa thrashes him around!
Sanada still fights to his feet, slips around the back, and shoves Oiwa to ropes. Gabe trips Oiwa up! Oiwa kicks at Gabe but Sanada kicks ropes to jam Oiwa up! Sanada suplexes Oiwa into the MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down but the fans rally up again. Sanada crawls over, tag to Gabe, and Gabe storms right up on Oiwa. Gabe UPPERCUTS Oiwa right down! Gabe then puts Oiwa in a corner to fire off forearm after forearm! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, but Gabe digs his boots in while talking trash. Gabe shoves Red Shoes aside so he can keep stomping away on Oiwa! The fans rally and Red Shoes backs Gabe off.
Gabe seethes but the fans continue to rally for Oiwa. Oiwa grits his teeth as he sits up, but Gabe ROCKS him with another shot! Oiwa still looks up defiantly at Gabe, so Gabe fires shots! Gabe says Oiwa’s not worthy of being his NJPW Strong Openweight Challenger. Gabe says Oiwa’s just some “weak ass kohai!” Gabe SPITS on Oiwa, but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face! Gabe fires slapping strikes, blocks a shot, then SLAPS Oiwa again! Oiwa spins to DOUBLE CHOP Gsbe down! Sanada runs up and kicks low! Sanada whips, Oiwa reverses, but Sanada reverses back, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada!
Gabe runs up, ZSJ BOOTS him first! Gabe runs back in, slips out of the scoop, and he scoops ZSJ for EMERALD FLOWSON!! But Oiwa spins Gabe! Gabe avoids The Grip, runs, but into a LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Oiwa is frustrated but the fans rally behind him. Oiwa hauls Gabe up, ANACONDA PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives again but Oiwa roars! Oiwa drags Gabe up, reels him in, but Gabe fights the gut wrench! Gabe CLUBS Oiwa on the back, then he gut wrenches! Oiwa fights back, wrenches out, and he blocks a lariat to spin. Gabe HAYMAKERS, and SAIDOS!! Gabe crawls his way to the cover, TWO!!
The fans are thunderous as Oiwa survives! Gabe snarls and he drags Oiwa up. Gabe says this is the end. But Oiwa fights the suplex! Oiwa suplexes, but Gabe fights it! Oiwa still tries, but Gabe slips out to waistlock. Sanada DROPKCIKS Oiwa, Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe & Sanada work together to DOUBLE SUPLEX! Gabe suplexes again, BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, ZSJ BREAKS IT! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and tells Gabe to finish this! ZSJ RAMS Sanada, they brawl outside, and Gabe slashes his throat. Gabe drags Oiwa up, reels him in, but Oia slips through the gut wrench to backslide! TWO, and Gabe UPPERCUTS!
Gabe runs, but ZSJ is back! He BOOTS Gabe but Gabe SLAPS ZSJ! ZSJ KICKS the haymaker away to then ROUNDHOUSE Gabe! Sanada’s in to dragon sleeper! ZSJ arm-drags free, but Sanada comes back to SHINING WIZARD! Sanada then drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ scoops first! ZACK DRIVER!! ZSJ and Sanada flop out of the ring, leaving Oiwa and Gabe to rise up. They run at each other, to DOUBLE LARIAT! neither man falls, they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Gabe UPPERCUTS! Oiwa PALM STRIKES! Gabe PALM STRIKES, CHOPS, JABS, rebounds, into a roll-up! Hig stack, TMDK WINS!!
Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa, by pinfall
Gabe is in shock! He gets right in Red Shoes’ face but Red Shoes says it was a fair count! Gabe then goes after Oiwa to CLOBBER him! The fans boo and Young Lions rush in, but Gabe eggs Oiwa on! So Oiwa obliges and they brawl among the fans! The Young Lions rush in to separate the two, but Gabe gets loose to CLOBBER Oiwa! They scrap, ZSJ joins in, and he pulls the two apart. Gabe kicks a chair in frustration, then goes into retreat. Wait, Oiwa chases Gabe to the ramp and beats him down! Young Lions again scramble in to stop this, but it just heads to the back! Sanada shrugs it off, will the #ColdWarDogs just have to try harder in the next round?
As for the winners, well, they’re no longer ringside so there won’t be any in-ring closing words. Backstage interviews begin, Gabe promises Oiwa will be put in the ground! Will the Mad Man show The Mullet what it takes to be NJPW Strong? As for ZSJ, he gathers himself, and tells NJPW Media that he doesn’t know where The Mullet went. Actually, no, he has an idea: The Mullet must be smashing the s*it outta Gabe. “Roy The Mullet” is the next NJPW Strong Openweight Champion! Oiwa will hit Gabe so hard, his legs will turn into trombones! As for ZSJ, there is something rare happening in this year’s WTL, isn’t it?
Yes, it’s that the IWGP World EFFIN’ Heavyweight Champion is involved, as this should be! The first time the world champion’s been in this tournament in roughly a decade! ZSJ said he was gonna be a different kind of world champion for NJPW, and that he promises to take NJPW back to the top! Now obviously, a conflict of interests, as this tournament is Shane Haste’s & Mikey Nicholls’ to win, but ZSJ won’t give the boys an easy ride. ZSJ is dreaming~ of an all TMDK World Tag League finals! Then who knows, maybe Zack & Roy get the job done.
But ZSJ knows the Tokyo Dome is coming soon. And Shota Umino wants to be ZSJ’s challenger. ZSJ says he will be keeping his eyes wide open for Shota. ZSJ says he’ll have a DOUBLE main event in the Tokyo Dome, it’s in the bag. What about you, Shota? The Front Man heads out, having put the pressure on his challenger, but will all of NJPW soon belong to TMDK?
Here are the A Block standings!
Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 1-0, 2 points
Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman: 1-0, 2 points
Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji: 1-0, 2 points
Bishamon: 1-0, 2 points
Gabe Kidd & Sanada: 0-1, 0 points
Kenta & Chase Owens: 0-1, 0 points
Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-1, 0 points
Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma: 0-1, 0 points
My Thoughts:
A great start to World Tag League 2024, with just A Block opening things tonight. I will say those tune-up matches were interesting. Even though David Finlay is the Global Champion, it’s Taiji Ishimori that has apparently become Bullet Club’s international ambassador. Taiji brought Robbie X into the group, now he teamed with The Filip Brothers, Tome & Stevie, who knows who else Bone Soldier will recruit. Taiji’s team beating Tanahashi’s team, House of Torture cheating and beating Tanahashi’s friends, this is all putting the pressure on The Ace, meaning The Ace will win out at WrestleKingdom 19.
Shota Umino teaming with Tomoaki Honma, I wonder if this is to hold Shota back somehow. He is apparently still heading for WrestleKingdom and a world title match with ZSJ, so it’s not like Shota needs to win WTL, but I guess NJPW just wants Shota to give the fans a good time alongside a fan favorite like Honma. Also, Callum & Cobb have a fun new shirt for their team-up. I figured Zayne would need to improvise now that #MonsterSauce is no longer happening, and Taguchi was a great surprise choice. But #FunkySauce making its debut against a team as strong as Takagi & Tsuji was a shame because of course LIJ was winning that. Maybe Zayne & Taguchi can pull off a spoiler victory later on, but I don’t see Funky Sauce going that strong.
Bishamon VS Kenta & Chase really was an awesome match, and it is so surprising how Chase has grown in just the past couple years. Great win for Goto & Hashi, though, as they’re clearly the solid utility choices in the tag division. And what an awesome main event, with Sanada bringing out the most Heel stuff he’s done perhaps ever. A bit jarring really, but that’s just kinda old fashioned Heel turns for ya. Great win for TMDK, though, and definitely an unorthodox way of closing by having Oiwa and Gabe brawl all over ringside and into the back.
While ZSJ says it is big for the world champ to be in this tournament, which I do agree with on some level, it also makes some of the A Block action seem secondary. Gabe and Oiwa having their grudge was kinda the main motivator behind this match, and then it’ll be similar when Shota & Honma VS ZSJ & Oiwa happens. There is the added drama of, “What if someone pins ZSJ? Will they get a world title match before WK19?” Maybe Shota solidifies his WK title match by being the one that pins ZSJ in their match, but it all just feels like more flash than substance. No one else is going to pin ZSJ, Oiwa probably takes whatever losses their team will take, so A Block’s story suffers for it.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed Results & Report! (11/8/24)
Who is truly NJPW Strong?
The Japanese Young Punk takes on the Mad Man!
NJPW visits Lowell Memorial Auditorium to have a battle of young stars! Will Gabe Kidd be NJPW Strong? Or will Kosei Fujita rename this all NJPW Mighty?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Strong Survivor Match: Matt Vandagriff VS Seabass Finn; Vandagriff wins.
- David Finlay VS Kevin Knight; Finlay wins.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls VS Grizzled Young Veterans; Grizzled Young Veterans win and become the new NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions.
- Lio Rush VS Mustafa Ali; Lio wins.
- Best 2 Out of 3 Tag Match: Fred Rosser & Tom Lawlor VS West Coast Wrecking Crew; WCWC wins.
- NJPW Strong Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Anna Jay VS Trish Adora VS Hazuki VS Koguma; Hazuki wins and will challenge Mercedes Mone for the title.
- Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS The Kingdom; Takagi & Tsuij win.
- Ryohei Oiwa VS KENTA; Ryohei wins.
- Zack Sabre Jr. & Bad Dude Tito VS Shota Umino & Tomohiro Ishii; Shota & Ishii win.
- AEW International Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS TJP; Konosuke wins and retains.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Gabe Kidd VS Kosei Fujita; Gabe wins and retains.
PLAY BY PLAY
Grizzled Young Veterans speak.
James Drake says, “On November 8th, NJPW Strong comes to Lowell, Massachusetts. And the match is set. It’s gonna be the Grizzled Young Veterans VS TMDK for the Openweight Tag Team titles.” Zack Gibson says, “In this job, perception is reality. The wrestling world is oh so very fickle. And without tag titles around your waist, it is almost impossible to get any respect in this job. TMDK, you have something that we want, and quite frankly at this point in our career, we need. On November 8th, those titles are coming home with us.”
So when GYV take those titles and expose TMDK for what they really are, the question is: How long is Zack Sabre gonna wanna hang out with you? After all, he’s got GYV’s numbers. Mr. Mayhem & Liverpool’s Number One want to tear The Mighty down, but will they find that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls VS Grizzled Young Veterans!
If tag titles bring respect, then TMDK already lost some respect at Power Struggle. Will they lose all respect if they drop the blue belts tonight? Or will Hysterical Haste & Mad Mikey be mightier than the grizzled Gibson & Drake?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and time to #GritYourTeeth!
The teams sort out and Shane starts against Gibson. The fans rally up as the two circle. They tie up, Shane waistlocks, then spins Gibson to a headlock. Gibson rolls to a cover, ONE, and Shane holds the headlock. Gibson wrenches and arm-drags Shane to an armlock. Shane endures the grind but Gibson bends fingers! Shane fights up, reaches for ropes, but Gibson keeps him back. Shane rolls, kips up, breaks free and snapmares Gibson for a basement dropkick! The fans fire up while Shane flexes. Shane wrenches Gibson, tags Mikey, and TMDK double wrench to RAM Gibson down! Then they split the wishbone!
Mikey brings Gibson up, bumps him off buckles, then CHOPS! Mikey bumps Gibson off more buckles, CHOPS again, then brings Gibson out. But Gibson fires a forearm! Mikey fights back, they go back and forth, and then Mikey CHOPS Gibson off his feet! Gibson is frustrated but Mikey snapmares him into a chinlock. Gibson endures, fights up, but Shane tags in. TMDK whips Gibson to the corner, Shane runs up to UPPERCUT! Mikey runs up but Gibson puts him on the apron! Gibson BOOTS Shane, ELBOWS Mikey, then runs up on Shane. Shane dodges a shot to CHOP! Gibson still headlocks, Drake tags in as Shane powers out.
Gibson whips Shane to drop down, Darke sweeps the legs! Gibson basement dropkicks! Shane bails out, Gibson fetches him, Drake slingshots! PLANCHA BACKBREAKER COMBO! The fans fire up and Drake clamps onto Shane. Drake RAMS him into railing! The fans rally while Drake shoves Shane down. The ring count starts, Drake drags Shane up and puts him on the apron. Drake CLUBS Shane, then slides in. Drake stomps Shane’s arms, then stomps him on the back. Shane fires body shots but Drake CLUBS Shane down. Drake drags Shane back iup, whips him to an open corner, and LARIATS! BULLDOG!
Drake taunts Mikey, then drags Shane over to tag Gibson. GYV double whip Shane to a corner, then Drake ELBOWS him! Gibson LARIATS Shane then feeds him to the WHEEL KICK! The fans fire up while Gibson brings Shane back up. Gibson short arm LARIATS, then covers, TWO! Mikey is a half second behind but he still stomps Gibson! The ref reprimands, Gibson protests, but the fans rally up. Gibson clamps onto Shane and grinds him down with a headlock. Shane endures as Gibson pushes up with his legs. Gibson grinds the hold but Shane still fights up. Shane fires body shots, but Gibson fires forearms.
Gibson reels Shane in, but Shane fights the suplex! Gibson still tries but Shane suplexes Gibson up and over! The fans fire up while both men are down! Gibson crawls, hot tag to Drake! Drake slips around Shane to stand in his way, only for Shane to DROPKICK him down! The fans fire up and Shane crawls around. Drake grabs a foot, but Shane kicks him away! Tag to Mikey! DOUBLE LARIATS on GYV! Mikey LARIATS Drake in a corner, LARIATS Gibson in the other! Drake runs up, is sent into Gibson, and Mikey DOUBLE LARIATS again! Mikey fireman’s carries Drake but Drake slips down. Drake ducks an elbow but ends up in a DDT!
Mikey BLASTS Gibson off the apron! Mikey hurries to SLIDING LARIAT Drake! Cover, TWO! Drake survives but the fans rally up. Mikey says time to blow it up! MIKEY- NO, Drake slips free to ENZIGIRI! Mikey staggers back, Shane tags in! Drake fireman’s carries Mikey, but Mikey slips free! Feed to the UPPERCUT, then the BACK SUPLEX NECKBREAKER COMBO! Cover, TWO! Shane hurries to FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Drake survives and the fans rally up again. Shane hurries to bring Drake around but Gibson YANKS Mikey down! Shane grabs at Gibson, but Drake rolls him up! TWO!
Shane KICKS Drake, BOOTS him, and hits an INVERTED EXPLODER! The fans fire up as Shane aims from a corner. Drake blocks the Shane-ing Wizard! DRAGON SCREW! Tag to Gibson and GYV get Shane up. Drake reels Shane into a dragon sleeper, and then Gibson suplexes Drake?! ASSISTED STUNNER! And then BACKSTABBER! Cover, MIKEY BREAKS IT! The fans fire up but Drake ROCKS and TOSSES Mikey! Gibson snarls, and he vows to end this. Tag to Drake and GYV drag Shane up again. They mug Shane with shots to the face, and even talk trash, before Drake BOOTS Shane down!
Gibson talks trash on the fans, they boo him but Gibson tags back in. Gibson lifts Shane while Drake climbs, but Mikey makes the save! TMDK shoves Gibson, Drake leaps over, but into the POWERBOMB URENAGE COMBO! AKA the Power Bottom! Gibson runs up but into a scoop! TANK BUSTER!! Cover, TWO?!? Gibson survives and TMDK says they’ll just up the ante! The fans fire up as Mikey scoops and Shane climbs. Gibson slips free, shoves Mikey at Shane but Shane leaps over! Shane’s knee jams! And Drake drags Mikey outta the ring! But Shane cradle counters Gibson! TWO!! Gibson escapes but Shane fireman’s carries!
Gibson scrambles free, shoves Shane, but Shane BOOTS back! But now Drake grabs Shane! Gibson distracts the ref while Drake CHOKES Shane with a towel! Drake HOTSHOTS Shane for good measure! The fans boo but Drake storms in. Gibson & Drake set up, GRIT YOUR TEETH!! Cover, GYV WIN!!!
Winners: Grizzled Young Veterans, by pinfall (NEW NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
Is this truly the TMDK Era? Hard to say now that Shane & Mikey have lost all their belts going into World Tag League season! But then, will NJPW now belong to GYV?
Best 2 Out of 3 Tag Match: Fred Rosser & Tom Lawlor VS West Coast Wrecking Crew!
The name is a bit of a misnomer. Think of this as more a Three Stages of Hell Tag Match, because every fall escalates the violence! This first fall is a TABLES Tag Match, first team to break a table with just one of their opponents takes it. The second fall is a Submission Tag Match, meaning only tap outs, no pins. And if need be, the third fall will be a rather unique combination of LAST MAN STANDING STRAP MATCH!! What won’t Team Dirty Work do to end this with Royce Isaacs & Jorel Nelson?
The fans rally for “FILTHY! FILTHY!” even before the bell, and then the brawl is on! The fans fire up as Lawlor has Nelson and Rosser has Isaacs. Lawlor stomps Nelson into a corner while Rosser CLUBS and TOSSES Isaacs. Lawlor does the same with Nelson then Dirty Work goes out after them. The brawl continues, the fans rally up, and Rosser gives Isaacs SNAKE EYES off the railing! Lawlor CHOPS Nelson down and the fans fire up. Lawlor whips Nelson into railing, but Isaacs ROCKS Rosser back. Isaacs CLUBS Rosser while Lawlor sends Nelson into more railing! But now Isaacs sends Rosser into railing!
Nelson hits Lawlor back and sends him into railing! Isaacs fires knees, and Nelson brings out a table! Rosser is sent into more railing, then Isaacs stomps him down. Nelson JAMS Lawlor with the table, then stands it up near the stairs. Lawlor hurries up those stairs to go to the ramp. Nelson follows, but Lawlor CHOPS! The fans on this upper deck fire up as the action comes closer, and Nelson SUPERKICKS Lawlor! Nelson tells fans to move, even this poor old lady! The fans do move, and Nelson BOWLS Lawlor into chairs! Rosser ELBOWS Isaacs in the head, but Nelson runs into the ring to then WRECK Rosser with a dropkick!
WCWC regroup, and the fans rally for “OLD LADY! OLD LADY!” to encourage the nice old lady who stood up to Nelson. Wait, Nelson takes a camera to film Rosser’s pain up close. Isaacs sets up another table! Nelson stomps Rosser but Rosser hits back! Isaacs CLOBBERS Rosser! Nelson CATAPULTS Rosser to Isaacs, but Rosser CLOBBERS Isaacs back! Rosser BOOTS Nelson, LOW BLOWS Isaacs, and the fans fire up! Rosser trips Isaacs, then CATAPULTS Isaacs into the POST! The fans cheer as Rosser goes back for Nelson. They’re on the apron, APRON BACK SUPLEX! Then BACK SUPLEX to the floor for Isaacs!
The fans fire up as Rosser has wrecked the wrecking crew, but is not done with them! Rosser brings Nelson to his table by the ramp! Rosser CLUBS Nelson, puts him on the table, and Lawlor wants a high-five from the nice old lady. She tentatively gives one, and the fans cheer! Lawlor then DIVING FOREARM SMASHES Nelson through the table! First fall goes to Team Dirty Work!
Dirty Work: 1; WCWC: 0
The fans fire up as Lawlor & Rosser get in the ring, ready for round 2! Isaacs fetches Nelson out of the wreckage and the fans rally up. WCWC get in the ring, and the bell rings on the submission match! Rosser fires forearms and CHOPS on Isaacs, whips him to ropes, but Isaacs reverses. Rosser CLOBBERS Isaacs, snapmares him, then drops a leg! And then another leg! Cover but Rosser forgot, this is submissions only. So Rosser clamps on a chicken wing! Isaacs fights off the crossface but Lawlor waistlocks. Isaacs switches, Lawlor switches, Rosser runs in, SHOULDER TACKLE RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP COMBO!
The fans rally up as Dirty Work work together. Lawlor sends Rosser at Nelson, HIP ATTACK in the corner! Lawlor RAMS Isaacs, Rosser LARIATS! They bring Isaacs out to DOUBLE FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! Isaacs is caught, but Nelson grabs at Rosser. Nelson drags Rosser from the ring to send him into railing! Lawlor lets off of Isaacs to go for Nelson, but Nelson slides in! Nelson builds speed, but then stops just to flip everyone off. Lawlor slides back in, but then right back out, he tricks Nelson! Nelson runs away from Lawlor, and the cat ‘n’ mouse game leads Lawlor into a POUNCE from Lawlor! Lawlor hits railing!
The fans boo as Isaacs roars, but Nelson puts Rosser in the ring to beat on him! Nelson HEADBUTTS Rosser, Isaac stomps Rosser, and WCWC have Rosser isolated. They get Rosser up for more mugging, and then they double wrench. They double atomic drop, then Nelson dropkicks a leg out! Isaacs deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES! The fans boo but WCWC decide on what holds to use. Nelson grabs a leg, ANKLE LOCK! Isaacs plays defense as Lawlor stirs, but Rosser BOOTS Nelson away! Isaacs hurries to hoist Rosser up, SPINEBUSTER! Isaacs rains down forearms, and only stops when his arm gets tired!
The ref checks Rosser, and Rosser is busted open! And busted open something fierce, that crimson mask is quickly becoming a sleeve of red down Rosser’s arm! Isaacs shows no mercy as he stomps Rosser now! Isaacs hammers away on that bloody wound! The fans that aren’t in shock are booing WCWC hard. Rosser sputters from behind his own crimson mask, and WCWC drag him up. Isaacs whips Rosser to a corner, then he sends Nelson in. Rosser BOOTS Nelson! Isaacs runs up, but he blocks the boots! Isaacs ties up Rosser’s legs, YANKS him from the corner, and turns over, TEXAS CLOVERLEAF! Nelson adds a CROSSFACE!!
The fans freak out as Rosser is stuck in a double submission!! But Lawlor jumps onto Isaacs for a SLEEPER! Isaacs RAMS Lawlor into a corner, and Nelson lets off Rosser to run in. Lawlor puts Nelson on the apron and ELBOWS him down! Lawlor has Isaacs for a TACKLE and FALLING HAMMER! Lawlor staggers while the ref checks Rosser. The fans rally for Dirty Work as Lawlor climbs up. Lawlor has Nelson, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him up with a wristlock! They go to the very top, SUPER ROLLING KEYLOCK! And then a roll through for the KIMURA!! Nelson endures, clasps hands, but Rosser has Isaacs! CROSSFACE CHICKEN WING!
Isaacs fights Rosser’s hold, and he breaks free to switch things around! DEATHLOCK STF!! Lawlor SLAPS away on Nelson, but Rosser is sputtering from all the blood coming out of his forehead!! Lawlor pulls on Nelson’s arm, but he sees Rosser is fading! Lawlor lets Nelson go to STOP Rosser’s hand from hitting the mat!! Lawlor won’t let Rosser give up, but Nelson SHOTGUNS Rosser down!! The ref checks Rosser again, Rosser is OUT, WCWC scores the second fall!
Dirty Work: 1; WCWC: 1
The fans boo, but now we’re all tied up. That means that for the first time in NJPW, and perhaps anywhere in wrestling, we’re about to see a Last Man Standing Strap Match! But Rosser can barely stand as it is! The refs won’t let this start until Rosser is up, but WCWC isn’t waiting any longer! They push the extra refs aside, Nelson beats up on Lawlor while Isaacs stomps Rosser! The fans boo, the main referee reprimands, but WCWC keep beating Team Dirty Work! Isaacs LASHES Lawlor, only because he’s not strapped to Rosser. Speaking of, Rosser runs up to CLOBBER Isaacs! Isaacs CHOKES Rosser with the strap! Nelson adds his boot!
Lawlor runs up but he just gets another LASHING and STOMPING! Isaacs CHOKES Rosser, Nelson drags Lawlor out of the ring to beat on him, and then Isaacs CLOBBERS Rosser! Nelson CHOKES Lawlor on the apron! Isaacs adds on! The ref reprimands, this fall can’t actually start if Isaacs isn’t attached to Rosser! Isaacs doesn’t care, he LASHES Lawlor again! The fans boo, the rest of the refs reprimand, but then Nelson LARIATS Lawlor down! Rosser grabs at Nelson but Isaacs LASHES Rosser down! Isaacs CHOKES Rosser with the strap, and then Nelson LASHES Lawlor. The fans boo as Nelson hops the railing to YANK Lawlor into it!
WCWC stand Lawlor up so Isaacs can LASH him! Rosser CLOBBERS Isaacs again! Isaacs comes back to CLOBBER Rosser! Nelson hops back over the railing and he drags Lawlor into the ring. Isaacs joins Nelson so that they can bring Lawlor up. Rosser flounders but WCWC LASH Lawlor, then PILE- NO, Lawlor fights the lift! Lawlor ELBOWS Isaacs, ROCKS Nelson, then whips Nelson into Isaacs! The fans fire up as WCWC is down! Rosser is back, he pounds the mat, and the fans rally! Rosser ROCKS Nelson, LARIATS Isaacs, repeat! Rosser has new life and the fans are thunderous! Rosser grabs the strap from Isaacs to ROLLING ELBOW!
Rosser is finally secured in the strap, and NOW this fall can begin! The fans fire up as Dirty Work fires off hands on WCWC! They DECK WCWC, then put them in corners for CHOPS and LARIATS over and over! Then Dirty Work sends WCWC at each other for a major meeting of the minds! Lawlor fireman’s carries Nelson, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Rosser has Isaacs, GUT CHECK!! Both Isaacs and Nelson are down so a count can begin! The fans count along, WCWC is down at 5 of 10! Rosser and Lawlor lean on ropes as they watch, and Nelson stirs. Nelson and Isaacs are both down at 8, but they stand at 9!
Lawlor goes after Nelson to STRAP COBRA CLUTCH! Rosser has Isaacs for the same! The fans fire up as WCWC suffers! Lawlor & Rosser let go to DOUBLE ROLLING ELBOW! And then a KNEE for Nelson! Fireman’s carry and a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER for Isaacs! The fans are fired up again as WCWC is down! The count begins again, we pass 5 of 10 again, and only Nelson is stirring. We hit 7, then 8! 9! But then Nelson rolls out of the ring! He stands so that saves Isaacs, too! Isaac rolls out, Rosser BOOTS him! Lawlor PENALTY KICKS Nelson! The fans rally about the table, and Lawlor says sure, why not.
Rosser CHOKES Isaacs on the mat, Nelson and Lawlor brawl on the apron edge. Nelson BOOTS Lawlor, then brings him around. Nelson hoists Lawlor up top, cravat hold, but Lawlor uses the STRAP COBRA CLUTCH!! The fans fire up as Nelson flails! Isaacs gets away from Rosser to CHOKE Lawlor! Rosser tries to pry Isaacs away! Isaacs lets go, and ends up in the CROSSFACE CHICKEN WING! But Nelson fires elbows on Lawlor! No more cobra clutch, but now it’s Isaacs suffering! Nelson uses the strap to bring Lawlor around, and SUPER CUTTERÂ down through the table!! The fans lose their minds over that one!
A standing count starts on Nelson and Lawlor, and Rosser realizes what happened! Rosser lets Isaacs go to try and help Lawlor, but Isaacs anchors Rosser with the strap! They tug-o-war, with Rosser gaining ground inch by inc. But we’re at 8 of 10! NINE! NELSON STANDS, LAWLOR DOESN’T! Lawlor is ELIMINATED! Rosser shouts to Lawlor, but Nelson LOW BLOWS him! The fans boo, but Rosser has to now fight on his own. WCWC are bloody, hard to tell if it’s theirs or Rosser’s. Nelson goes looking under the ring while Isaacs stomps away on Rosser. Nelson brings out chair after chair and puts those in the ring!
But Rosser NUT CLAWS Isaacs! But Nelson SMACKS Rosser with the chair!! As if Rosser wasn’t in a bad way before… Isaacs lifts Rosser and Nelson goes up. FULL METAL BIG MONEY!! That piledriver drops Rosser and the count begins. The fans boo but Rosser is down at 5 of 10! And at 7! WCWC nod to each other, they feel it’s done! Rosser is down at 8! At 9! TEN!! WCWC wins!!
Winners: West Coast Wrecking Crew, 2-1 falls
The fans boo but the “Three Stages of Strong” truly pushed all four men to their limits. Nelson takes the mic to say, “G Y V!! GYV, bring yo asses to the stage right now!” The fans boo as WCWC is already calling out the new champions! Gibson & Drake walk out, rather annoyed by this. But Nelson tells them, “Nice to meet you.” This is the West Coast Wrecking Crew, and now, officially, according to them… Wait, the mic cuts out. The fans chant, “We Can’t Hear You!” Nelson is pissed so he grabs a new mic. “Just like NJPW to put the Wrecking Crew down! Just like NJPW to give us a mic that don’t work!”
The fans boo harder but Nelson seethes. Nelson says this noise means nothing to them. But those tag team championships mean everything! That is what they live for, breathe for, and just ended the careers of Rosser and Lawlor tonight! Nothing personally, but GYV has what WCWC want. And so on December 15th, Long Beach, California, those belts WILL belong to the West Coast! The fans boo but GYV says challenge accepted. Will Isaacs & Nelson show Gibson & Drake that Strong Style has evolved? Or will they just have to grit their teeth?
Mercedes Mone speaks.
Via video message, she says, “When you’re Two Belts Mone, you’ve got a target on your back. And when you’re The CEO, everyone wants to get rich and jump on the Money Train. Koguma, Hazuki, Anna Jay, Trish Adora, all want the opportunity to face me at NJPW Strong Style Evolved, December 15th, in Long Beach, California~! So you better say hello to The CEO, because one of you ladies will get the opportunity at the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship. And when you step into the ring with me, well, you become a star. Because money always changes everything.”
As if the title wasn’t motivation enough, will Mone’s message fire up The Queenslayer, The AfroPunk, The Wildheart and The Little Bear in this Fatal 4?
NJPW Strong Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Anna Jay VS Trish Adora VS Hazuki VS Koguma!
The bell rings and the fans rally up. The four approach, feel things out as they circle, and then Koguma dodges to do her bear ear pose. The fans cheer, Adora and Anna shrug, and the four reset. Then Koguma dodges again! It’s #KumaTime all the time! The fans cheer “KUMA! KUMA!” Koguma gets Anna to join in? Adora and then Adora shrugs and gives in! They all “Kuma! Kuma!” around Hazuki, who knows all about this being Koguma’s tag partner. Hazuki sits down to say no with the X arms but the others all bear ear pose! Anna & Adora stomp Hazuki for being a sore sport! They whip, and use Koguma to DROPKICK Hazuki!
Then Anna & Adora DOUBLE SUPLEX! They DOUBLE MOTORCYCLE STRETCH Koguma! Hazuki runs in, Adora ROCKS her! Now we get STEREO MOTORCYCLE STRETCHES! Hazuki & Koguma endure, crawl forward, and DOUBLE ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Anna & Adora let go. Anna & Adora whip Hazuki & Koguma to corners, then run up, but Hazuki & Koguma dodge! They STEREO SPLASH, then send Anna & Adora to center. Hazuki & Koguma both climb up, and the fans fire up for the MISSILE DROPKICK and CROSSBODY! Team Fukuoka W Crazy puts Anna & Adora on ropes and the fans rally up.
FWC stand on Anna & Adora, then scrub and scrub and scrub! They both run, and they both BOOT WASH! The fans fire up while Adora flops out of the ring. FWC double whip Anna to DOUBLE ELBOW her down, then stand her back up for another whip! Drop toehold, SENTON, and SPLASH! The fans fire up as FWC surround Anna. They run back up, but Anna dodges! Dropkicks cancel out, and then Anna DOUBLE DROPKICKS them! Anna whips Hazuki to a corner, then whips Koguma into her. Adora is back, Anna ROCKS her and sends her in! TRIPLE LEG LARIAT! The fans fire up as Anna has Koguma up top!
Anna DANGEROUS JAY KICKS, then ICONOCLASMS! Cover, TWO! Koguma survives but Anna drags her up. Anna has the Gory Especial, but Koguma sunset flips! TWO, and Anna hurries after Koguma. Anna whips, Koguma slides out, and Adora slides in! Alabama Lift, and the Air Raid STRETCH! Anna endures #FUBAR and the fans fire up! Anna fights free, Adora wrenches and reels her in, SWINGING BACKBREAKER! Cover, but Koguma is up top! DIVING SPLASH breaks it up! Koguma covers Anna, but Hazuki is up top! Koguma moves as Hazuki SUPER SENTONS! Anna takes the hit and the fans fire up!
Hazuki and Koguma now stare down as teammates. They run up, Koguma dodges, and then runs back in! But now Hazuki dodges! Hazuki victory rolls but Koguma rolls, and they roll, roll, roll! Koguma has the cover, ONE!! Hazuki is up fast and the fans rally up. The two reset, stare down, and Hazuki fires a forearm! Koguma fires a forearm back! Koguma eggs Hazuki on and the fans rally. Hazuki storms up to ROCK Koguma! Hazuki eggs Koguma on now, and Koguma comes back to ROCK Hazuki! The forearms go back and forth, Koguma gets the edge! Koguma runs, but Hazuki BOOTS her down! The fans fire up with Hazuki!
Hazuki drags Koguma up, runs, but Koguma dodges to CUTTER! Hazuki staggers up, and both women swing! They both ROCK each other! Adora is in, DOUBLE LARIAT TUBMAN!! The fans fire up as Adora scoops Koguma to the fireman’s carry. Koguma fights to the apron but Adora DECKS her! Koguma falls on Anna Jay! Hazuki rolls Adora up, TWO!! Adora hurries to haul Hazuki up, REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Hazuki survives and Adora can’t believe it! The fans rally up, Adora rises, and she drags Hazuki up to her feet. But Hazuki fires forearms! The fans fire up as Hazuki HAMMERS away on Adora!
The ref wants Hazuki to stop so he can check Adora. Adora is still conscious but Hazuki roars and runs. But Adora gets her in the BASEMENT GERMAN SUPLEX! But Hazuki rises?! So Adora HIGH ANGLE GERMANS! Bridging cover, TWO!! Hazuki survives, but Adora pumps up! LARIAT- NO, Hazuki slips around to sunset flip, high stack, roll through! LA MAGISTROL! HAZUKI WINS!!
Winner: Hazuki, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship)
The High Speed Genius takes this fast ‘n’ furious victory for her own! Adora can’t believe it, and neither can Hazuki’s teammate. But will Hazuki kick it up a notch when she meets Mone? Wait, speaking of, Mone is here! Her video message was a diversion, because The CEO walks out in person! The fans fire up for their Massachusetts Mercedes as she goes right to the ring. Mone grabs a mic and the fans cheer more. Mone dances as they chant, and then says, “We can’t have NJPW in Lowell without the NJPW Strong Women’s Champion, Mercedes Mone! It’s been awhile since I’ve been in Lowell. So Lowellllll~! Thank you for saying hello to your C E O.”
The fans cheer more, and Mone tells Hazuki, “That was one hell of a win, wasn’t it? You just beat three of the very best. But on December 15th at Strong Style Evolved, you’re gonna get the greatest of all time.” Hazuki snatches the mic! Hazuki tells Mone, “This belt will be mine!” Then she shoves the mic back at Mone! The fans fire up for that! Mone says, “You think so, huh? You think this belt’s gonna be yours? Well, Lowell, maybe I should show her a little preview of December 15th!” Mone swings on Hazuki and Hazuki hits back, the fans fire up for this bonus brawl! The forearms keep going, but then Mone spins Hazuki for a BACKSTABBER!
Mone throws off her jacket and wags her finger. Mone holds up her NJPW Strong Women’s Championship, and has been wearing her TBS Championship the entire time! Will Mone make it through 2024 with all her gold? Or will her busy schedule (Full Gear on November 23rd, Strong Style Evolved on December 15th) catch up to her?
After Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS The Kingdom…
The Rampaging Dragon & Gene Blast got quite the fight out of Matt Taven & Mike Bennett, but everything was tranquilo after Los Ingobernables de Japon took the win. Respect was shown, everyone was heading out, but then the lights turn off! Tsuji looks around, this seems to be about him. Someone’s in the metal shop, forging a blade…? Tsuji is their target as they STAB a picture of him! And when the lights come back on, JACK PERRY ATTACKS! The Scapegoat is back in NJPW and he’s beating up on Tsuji! What’s this about?! The fans boo as Jack POSTS Tsuji! The fans tell Jack off as he SMACKS Tsuji around some more!
Jack gets a mic, pushes Tsuji into the ring, and then aims from a corner. Tsuji rises up, into the GLASS JAW BREAKER!! Jack finally picks up the mic to say, “I didn’t come here for these people, I came here for you. Now, I’ve got a lot on my plate coming up, but there’s a very special day that I’ve put aside on my calendar, just for you. And that day… is January 5th! In the Tokyo Dome! I challenge you at WrestleDynasty!” The fans are torn, but Tsuji grins! So Jack takes aim again! But here comes Shingo Takagi! Jack goes from Scapegoat to chicken as he runs away. The fans mock Jack for that, but he splashes them with water.
Jack soaks up the heat as he makes his exit, but will he even be the Face of TNT come the New Year? Or will the sins he’s committed catch up to this false prophet of pro-wrestling?
AEW International Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS TJP!
While this match is taking place in the USA, this is still an international crossover as The Alpha returns to NJWP! Will Konosuke become the Alpha of the world? Or will he be conquered by The United Empire?
Wait, the lights go out? Konosuke looks to the ramp, but when they come up, ASWANG TJP is here! Konosuke turns around, into the BLOOD MIST!! TJP DROPKICKS Konosuke out of the ring, then he WRECKS Konosuke with another dropkick! TJP aims from the apron, and he CANNONBALLS Konosuke down! The fans fire up and TJP drags Konosuke up. TJP puts Konosuke in, climbs up, and the bell rings! Konosuke staggers to his feet, for a CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Konosuke goes to a corner, TJP runs in to KNEE him down! TJP scrubs Konosuke’s face while the fans rally up! TJP runs side to side, but Konosuke bails out!
TJP slows down and waits on Konosuke. Konosuke is furious but he waits before storming back in. TJP storms up but Konosuke bails back out. The fans taunt Konosuke with “F DON CALLIS!” The ring count starts, Konosuke slides in, but then slides back out. Konosuke dares TJP to come get him. TJP slides out, Konosuke slides in, but TJP hurries to the apron. Konosuke ROCKS TJP, goes to ram TJP, but TJP catches him into a ROPE OCTOPUS! The ref counts, TJP lets go at 4, and then he slingshots to sunset flip! Konosuke stays up, drags TJP up by his neck, and he SLAMS TJP down! TJP flounders to ropes, but Konosuke brings him up.
Konosuke whips, but TJP goes Spider-Man! Konosuke runs in, TJP slides under and trips Konosuke up! TJP ties up the legs, the fans rally up, and TJP SNAP locks the legs! And SNAP LOCKS again! TJP then shifts around and grabs Konosuke’s hand to BITE the fingers! The ref reprimands, TJP stops to shift around, and he traps one arm to pull on the other. But Konosuke powers out! TJP runs up, Konosuke dodges him, and POP-UP POWERBOMBS! Cover, TWO! TJP survives and Konosuke grows frustrated. Konosuke wipes his eyes, still stinging from the mist, and he SLAMS TJP into the drop zone.
Konosuke climbs up the corner, the fans fire up, and he SUPER SENTONS! Cover, TWO! TJP stays in this but Konosuke just gets more upset. Konosuke drags TJP up, wrenches and whips him hard into a corner, and TJP falls in a heap! Konosuke storms back up, brings TJP to his feet, and CHOKES him in the corner! The ref reprimands, but Konosuke stops to then smother TJP with elbows! The fans boo but Konosuke whips TJP to ropes. Konosuke ELBOWS TJP, then covers, TWO! Konosuke clamps onto TJP’s arm and grinds it down. The fans rally and TJP fights up. Konosuke wrenches and wristlocks but TJP rolls and wrenches.
TJP cartwheels, drops, and TWISTING HEADSCISSORS! But Konosuke headscissors back! TJP handstands, bridges, and pops free to have a cover. ONE and Konosuke deadlifts TJP to the Canadian Rack, and shifts it into a GORY STRETCH! TJP endures but Konosuke throws him down! The fans fire up while Konosuke paces. Konosuke drags TJP up, puts him in a corner, and then whips corner to corner again. TJP hits buckles so hard, he goes up, out and to the floor! Konosuke goes out to fetch TJP, and RAM him into railing! Commentary braces for more but Konosuke puts TJP back in the ring.
Konosuke stalks TJP, stand him up, then ROCKS him in the back! TJP goes to a corner, Konosuke whips him corner to corner, but TJP goes up and over! TJP waistlocks, Konosuke switches and back suplexes, but TJP lands on his feet! TJP grabs Konosuke with a dragon sleeper, FINAL CUT! Both men are down and the fans fire up! The fans rally up and TJP rises. Konosuke goes to ropes, TJP runs up to atomic drop! And then a whip, only for Konosuke to reverses. TJP jumps onto ropes, but feels unsteady so he hops back down to UPPERCUT Konosuke down! The fans rally as TJP hurries to bring Konosuke back up.
TJP whips Konosuke to a corner, runs in and ELBOWS! TJP sits Konosuke down, and he does some more scrubbing! The fans rally as TJP goes corner to corner, for the BOOT WASH! The fans are torn, Lowell has a lot of AEW fans, but TJP stands Konosuke up. TJP turns Konosuke for a NECKBREAKER! TJP then hurries to a corner and climbs up. MAMBA- NO, Konosuke moves! TJP lands out, Konosuke waistlocks, but TJP wrenches to MAGISTROL DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives but TJP stays calm. The fans duel as TJP aims. TJP starts up the “CATCH! 2/2!” and then runs in, but Konosuke ducks!
TJP blocks a boot, but not the second BOOT! Konosuke reels TJP in to SNAP GERMAN! TJP is up in a corner, he goes up and over Konosuke! TORNADO DDT! Both men are down and the fans fire up! TJP stirs and Konosuke reaches for ropes. The fans rally up and Konosuke sits up. TJP also rises, and they go forehead to forehead. Then they go forearm for forearm! Konosuke stands TJP up, ROCKS him again and again, but TJP holds the wristlock. Konosuke ROCKS TJP again, fires boxing elbows, then ROLLING- TJP BOOTS and SUPERKICKS! But Konosuke reels TJP in! BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up as TJP survives! Konosuke pounds the mat in frustration, then he stalks TJP to ropes. Konosuke drags TJP up, reels him in, and lifts, for a LAST- RANA!! Cover, TWO! Konosuke has the cover, TJP shove the ref! MORE BLOODY MIST!! The fans boo as TJP resorts to an extra sneaky move, but TJP takes aim! HIDDEN BLADE?!? Cover, TWO!!! Konosuke survives but TJP hurries to a corner! TJP climbs, aims, MAMBA SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives and TJP can’t believe it! The fans fire up while TJP goes back to a corner. TJP watches Konosuke rise and reach out blindly.
The fans rally up, TJP runs in, ONE BY- LARIAT!! Konosuke hits TJP first! Konosuke clears his eyes, brings TJP up, and RAGING- NO, TJP knees free! TJP ducks ‘n’ dodges, tilt-o-whirls, but Konosuke powers TJP into the tuck! BASTARD DRIVER!! And then wheelbarrow- NO, TJP victory rolls! TWO!! Konosuke escapes, TJP SOBATS! TJP runs, into a BOOT! Konosuke runs, into a THESZ PRESS! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke escapes and TJP is beside himself! The fans fire up again as Konosuke runs up. TJP goes up and over, but no tornado this time! ALPHA ELBOW! TJP drops to his knees, and Konosuke brings him to the corner.
Konosuke hops up the ropes, drags TJP up to join him, and the fans fire up in anticipation! SUPER RAGING FIRE!! Cover, Konosuke wins!
Winner: Konosuke Takeshita, by pinfall (still AEW International Champion)
TJP tried to take down part of The Don Callis Family on behalf of Will Ospreay, but he just couldn’t stop The Alpha’s power. Konosuke stands tall with the title, ready to compete anywhere and everywhere. Konosuke grabs the mic as the fans cheer him on, and he says, “SHUT UP!” Konosuke says in Japanese, then English, that he is the GREATEST International Champion already! Konosuke wants to defend this title in the Tokyo Dome! The fans like the sound of that! So, who’s next? The fans mockingly reply, “GOLD~BERG!” but Konosuke asks the locker room, who is next!?
“Come and take it! Who’s next!?”
No response, so Konosuke says NJPW has a bunch of cowards. WAIT! Shingo Takagi makes his way out here! The fans fire up as the NEVER Openweight Champion makes his way back to ringside to meet Konosuke face to face. The fans tell Konosuke he messed up, and Takagi has the mic to say in Japanese, “Allow me to interrupt. Takeshita… That was one hell of a match. It looks like you’re very much in top form. You wanna do this? Interesting. I’m game! The AEW International Champion or NEVER Openweight Champion, let’s find out who’s stronger!” The fans seem to understand enough of that to like it!
And so Takagi says January 4th, Tokyo Dome, WRESTLEKINGDOM! Wait, not Dynasty? Takagi wants to do this on the even BIGGER show in the Tokyo Dome?! There are more questions than answers now, such as, will this end up Winner Takes All with both belts on the line? And what about Strong Style Evolved? WAIT! Tomohiro Ishii makes his way out here! He seems to stare down both Takeshita and Takagi, could the Stone Pitbull be getting greedy? Will he want the AEW International, NEVER Openweight, and even Chris Jericho’s ROH World Championships all before the year is out?
NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Gabe Kidd VS Kosei Fujita!
The champion will tell you himself, he’s a Mad Man! But The Japanese Young Punk doesn’t sweat it, he’s just crazy enough to challenge him! Will this War Dog show Fujita is NOT #WarReady? Or will Fujita show that no matter what, The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see how strong you have to be to be NJPW Strong!
The bell rings and the two get forehead to forehead. The fans fire up already as “Gabe-senpai” talks a lot of trash on his kohai, Fujita. Gabe pushes Fujita, Fujita pushes back, and the two tie up. They go around on ropes, the ref counts, and Fujita lets off slowly. Fujita CHOPS, and he eggs Gabe on. Gabe brushes that off to tie up with Fujita. Gabe puts Fujita on ropes, the ref counts, and Gabe lets off slowly. Gabe talks more trash, and he SLAPS Fujita! And then CHOSP! And CHOPS! Gabe suplexes, Fujita wrenches out and CHOPS! Gabe swings, Fujita dodges, and the CHOPS fly! Gabe suplexes again, but Fujita slips free.
Fujita spins Gabe around to DOUBLE CHOP! Fujita whips, Gabe reverses, but Fujita ducks ‘n’ dodges! RAN- NO! Gabe brings Fujita up, but Fujita slips out the back! Fujita runs and SHOTGUNS Gabe down! The fans fire up with Fujita as he watches Gabe bail out. Fujita builds speed, but Gabe hurries away. Fujita hops out to the apron to PENALTY KICK Gabe down! The fans fire up again and Fujita wants Gabe to stand. Fujita QUEBRADAS! Gabe lets that bounce off him, and he BRAINBUSTERS Fujita to the floor! The ref checks Fujita while he writhes, and Gabe isn’t much better. The fans lose their minds as Gabe sits up with a snarl.
The ring count starts but Gabe drags Fujita up. The count is 8 of 20, but Gabe CHOPS Fujita. Gabe then stands Fujita up, UPPERCUTS, and we hit 12. Gabe refreshes the count at 13, then tells people to move! Gabe brings Fujita over, CLUBS away on him, then CHOPS him against post! The timekeeper and even commentary have to move, as Gabe TOSSES Fujita over railing! Fujita tumbles over the table and into some chairs! The fans boo but Gabe soaks up the heat. Gabe then grabs a mic so he can talk trash. He tells off the people of Lowell, mocks the Massachusetts accent, then insults everyone’s moms.
Gabe says Fujita can F off, too. Ref, count him out! The fans boo while Gabe mockingly yawns. The count starts, the fans boo, but Gabe soaks it all up. Fujita stirs at 6 of 20, crawls out from behind a desk at 10, and goes to the railing. Fujita flops over the railing at 13, but is down again at 15. Fujita rises at 16, flounders at 18, and springs in at 19! Gabe is on Fujita with CHOPS and LARIATS at the ropes! Gabe runs to CLOBBER Fujita, SENTONS, cover, TWO! Fujita survives but Gabe snarls. Gabe goes out to grab the mic again?! Gabe says one more thing: F KENNY OMEGA! He slapped Omega around, made him look like a b*tch!
The fans boo but Gabe mocks Omega’s finger gun, to make it a middle finger. Gabe stomps Fujita around, scuffs him with kicks, but the fans rally for Fujita. Gabe SLAPS Fujita, but Fujita stands up. Fujita fires forearms but Gabe just eggs him on. Fujita fires a flurry, but Gabe ROCKS Fujita with just one! Fujita sits back but the fans rally up again. Gabe is annoyed by that, but Fujita returns fire! Gable UPPERCUTS Fujita! Fujita rebounds to CHOP! The fans fire up, but Gabe fires a forearm! Fujita CHOPS! Forearm! CHOP! Repeat! The fans rally as these two pick up speed! They just go back and forth and the fans are thunderous!
Gabe finally backs off from the stinging in his chest, but then he comes back to CHOP Fujita! Fujita shakes his head, Gabe eggs him on, and Fujita CHOPS! And CHOPS! Gabe grimaces, but he CHOPS Fujita off his feet! The fans rally, Gabe KICKS Fujita in the side! Gabe demands Fujita stands up. This is NJPW! What was all that time in the dojo for? Fujita stands to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Gabe ends up in a corner, so Fujita CHOPS, SLAPS, and repeat! Then CHOP!! Fujita roars, the fans are with him, but Gabe BITES Fujita’s face!! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Gabe scoops and SLAMS Fujita!
Gabe flips everyone off, but now he has to steady himself. The fans tell Gabe off in return but he just brushes it off. Gabe goes back to Fujita, scuffs him again, the fans insult Gabe’s boots. Gabe says Fujita should’ve stayed in the dojo. Gabe CHOPS Fujita on the back! Gabe tells Fujita to unleash that fighting spirit! Gabe DOUBLE CHOPS Fujita on the back! That just pisses Fujita off! Gabe SLAPS Fujita, but Fujita stares him down! Gabe SLAPS, then SPITS! Fujita DECKS Gabe!! The fans are thunderous as Gabe sputters to a corner! Fujita KICKS and stomps away on Gabe in the corner! Gabe puts up his guard, the ref tries to back Fujita down, but Fujita SHOVES the ref!
Fujita fires off on Gabe, the ref tells Fujita to stop! Fujita shoves the ref down again! Gabe runs up, Fujita gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Gabe rises, takes a swing, but Fujita GERMAN SUPELXES again! Bridging cover, TWO! But Fujita holds on! Fujita deadlifts Gabe, but Gabe fires elbows! Fujita still holds on, and he deadlifts for the GERMAN SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO!! Gabe survives and Fujita is furious, but the fans are thunderous! Fujita drags Gabe up to suplex, but Gabe blocks it! Fujita fires body shots, then tries another suplex. Gabe still fights, so Fujita SLAPS him! Fujita reels Gabe back in, but Gabe still fights the supelx!
Gabe SLAPS, HEADBUTTS, but Fujita ducks the lariat! Gabe comes back to SLAP Fujita, SLAP him again, but Fujita fires forearms! And a CHOP! Gabe rebounds, Fujita dodges, but the SOUTHPAW LARIAT hits! Fujita gets folded up! High stack cover, TWO!!! Fujita lives and the fans are thunderous! Gabe drags Fujita up, SLAPS Fujita again, but Fujita slaps back. There’s nothing there, and Gabe SLAPS again. Fujita still throws hands but Gabe just SLAPS him again! Fujita throws more shots, but Gabe ROCKS him, and FACEBUSTER! Then SAIDO!! Gabe brings down the kneepad to show his Oni tattoo!
Gabe runs up, but Fujita LARIATS!! Gabe is flipped inside-out and the fans are thunderous! Fujita roars, he brings Gabe up, but Gabe suplexes! BRAINBUSTER!! “I’m a MAD MAN, y’know!” But Fujita says ABANDON HOPE!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous again! Fujita and Gabe stir, and the fans rally for “FU-JI-TA! FU-JI-TA!” The Japanese Young Punk roars and goes back to Gabe. Gabe throws weak chops now, and Fujita hits back with palm strikes! Fujita roars, runs, but Gabe LARIATS! Gabe runs but into a GAMANGIRI! Gabe flops out of the ring, but Fujita goes to the apron! QUEBRADA!
The fans fire up as Gabe falls down this time! Fujita puts Gabe back in, then aims from the apron. Springboard, MISSILE DROPKICK! Gabe flounders around, Fujita suplexes, ABANDON HOPE!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Gabe survives by a literal foot! Fujita snarls, drags Gabe up, and he hoists Gabe to the top rope. Fujita CLUBS Gabe and the fans rally again. Fujita waistlocks but Gabe holds ropes! Gabe fires elbows, but Fujita still tries! Gabe REAR HEADBUTTS! Fujita falls back but Gabe wobbles up top. Gabe steadies himself, stands on the top rope, and he MOONSAULTSÂ BUT FLOPS as Fujita moves!
Fujita runs in, GAMANGIRI! Then the facelock, but Gabe powers up to POP-UP POWERBOMB! High stack, ONE?!?! Gabe is stunned as Fujita says F YOU! Gabe O-KNEES Fujita down!! Cover, TWO!!! Fujita rises, but into a PILEDRIVER!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Gabe is seething but this is what he wanted out of Fujita! Gabe drags Fujita up, and JUMPING PILEDRIVER!!! Cover, TWO!?!?!? Is Fujita even human!? Gabe MADMAN BOMBS!!! Cover, Gabe wins!!
Winner: Gabe Kidd, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Champion)
Gabe seethes, but this was him bringing out the best in Fujita like he wanted to see. And yet, Gabe still overcomes that fighting spirit and… Wait, he drags Fujita back up! The fans boo, but here comes RYOHEI! The Mullet fires hands with the Mad Man! ROLLING ELBOW! Gabe flounders away, he wants mercy from Ryohei, but wait! KENTA slithers out here to CLOBBER Ryohei! The Fang is furious over his loss earlier, and now he stomps away on Ryohei! Gabe & Kenta beat up on TMDK’s young punks! Bullet Club double whips but Ryohei KICKS Kenta, ELBOWS Gabe away, and LARIATS Kenta up and out! Then Gabe gets THE GRIP!!
Ryohei gets the mic to tell Gabe in Japanese, “You think I’m gonna sit on the sidelines when you go after one of ours?” Gabe says speak English! Oh, English? Okay! Ryohei says he’s the next challenger, mother effer! Gabe’s shocked but he did ask for that. Ryohei says he’s next because TMDK is his team, and The Mighty Don’t Kneel! The fans cheer that! Will The Mullet succeed where the Japanese Young Punk fell short? Or will no one be #WarReady for The Mad Man?
My Thoughts:
A great night for NJPW, but I wish I had more time for it. Them doing these NJPW Strong shows on Fridays is always rough given there’s WWE SmackDown and AEW Rampage. Speaking of Rampage, we got more overlapping between NJPW and AEW: The Kingdom lose to LIJ here while winning a Triple Threat on Rampage, and then Lio Rush wins two matches on the same night. But at least they planned ahead with Mone so that she didn’t have an appearance on Rampage while she was here to go after Hazuki. Great Fatal 4 Way to determine a contender, and I figured it would be a Stardom wrestler, not an AEW wrestler, that won here. While Mone is more likely dropping the NJPW title than she is the TBS title at this point, I don’t see her losing to Hazuki.
While I didn’t cover it, great showing from Kevin Knight against David Finlay, but of course Finlay won. Finlay is still Global Heavyweight Champion, set to face Tsuji for that belt. Apparently Tsuji’s gonna be real busy, with Jack Perry showing up to attack and set up a match with him. I feel like Garcia should win the title off Jack first. If Jack faces Tsuji while still TNT Champion, it heavily tips their match in Jack’s favor. But if Jack isn’t a champion, then Tsuij can win and he won’t be owed a title match or anything.
The Three Stages of Strong was wild, I couldn’t help but want that one on record. And at one point, Veda Scott on commentary said just what I was thinking, they really subverted expectations in those first two falls. WCWC are big buff boys who should’ve won the Tables match, but didn’t. And both Rosser and Lawlor have submission finishers, but they lose the submission match. A tag team Last Man Standing match is a rather big brain stipulation, not sure they needed straps. Rosser got busted open hard way and certainly not planned, but it added a lot of drama to how that match finished, and it was a big win for WCWC.
WCWC then calling out the Strong Tag Champs was a fitting move. GYV VS TMDK was great stuff, and a great win for GYV. I suppose Shane & Mikey losing the IWGP Tag titles did open the way for them to lose more belts, and it’s fine since GYV have been stateside and can defend the Strong titles more often. Shane & Mikey will be in World Tag League for sure, and might win out to get their rematch. At the same time, look at how big they’re doing the Junior Heavyweight Tag title scene where former champs get a rematch anyway.
TMDK got a lot of other stuff tonight, though Bad Dude Tito was of course taking that loss. That builds Shota up as he and ZSJ are going to battle over the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship next. And then Ryohei got a great win over Kenta that also played out later. Awesome title matches to close, but I figured the status quos would be kept there. Konosuke VS Takagi is going to be awesome no matter what titles are on the line, and it seems like Ishii wants to at least face the winner. Gabe VS Fujita was great, and Ryohei coming after Gabe was also good stuff. Feels like Gabe & Kenta VS Ryohei & Fujita is a tune-up tag match waiting to happen, and who knows how Ryohei VS Gabe goes when it happens.
My Score: 9/10
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