Will it be #LightsOut in Korakuen?

As they prepare for their NEVER Openweight Six Man rematch, Bishamon & Boltin Oleg take on TMDK in a series of three singles matches! Who leaves Korakuen Hall with all the momentum?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: Shota Umino, Yuya Uemura & Masatora Yasuda VS OSKAR, Yuto-Ice & Daiki Nagai; Shota, Yuya & Masatora win.
• 8 Man Tag: Hontai VS House of Torture; Hontai wins.
• Six Man Tag: David Finlay, Hiromu Takahashi & Gedo VS Callum Newman, Francesco Akira & Jakob Austin Young; Callum, Akira & Jakob win.
• 8 Man Tag: Unbound Company VS United Empire; Unbound Company wins.
• Boltin Oleg VS Hartley Jackson; Oleg wins.
• YOSHI-HASHI VS Zack Sabre Jr; ZSJ wins.
• Hirooki Goto VS Ryohei Oiwa; Goto wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

After Six Man Tag: Shota Umino, Yuya Uemura & Masatora Yasuda VS OSKAR, Yuto-Ice & Daiki Nagai…

The Roughneck & Heat Storm hit the Unbound Young Lion with the LARIAT DRAGON SUPLEX COMBO to get the win, but Yuto gets in Yuya’s face. Then he SMACKS Yuya down and stomps away! Shota is mad now, he goes after Yuto, and they brawl! Shota TOSSES Yuto out, Yuto rages, but it’s Oskar that CLOBBERS Shota! NIGHTMARE SLEEPER! Yuto then drags Yuya out to throw more hands! The ref reprimands, the Young Lions try to get in there, but Yuto whips Yuya, only for Yuya to reverse! Yuto hits railing, but he comes right back! Yuya ROCKS Yuto, then whips him through the gate!

Shota gets free of Oskar but the ref holds him back. Shota dares Oskar to try that again, but Oskar just SPITS at him! The fans boo but Shota throws the heavyweight tag belt back at Oskar. The Knock Out Brothers regroup and fall back, are they barking up the wrong tree with Shota & Yuya? Or will they still get high in Osaka? Shota shouts to Yuya that in Osaka, let’s do it! They shake hands on it! Will the New Beginning be where Shota’s Second Chapter really hits its stride?

Boltin Oleg VS Hartley Jackson!

Bishamon & BARS were runner-ups in the Tornado Ranbo, but then they took the NEVER Openweight Six Man Championships away from TMDK to kick off this Road to the New Beginning! TMDK want their rematch in Osaka, so tonight is about a best of three miniseries to see who really has the edge! Will Boltin be hot as the leadoff hitter? Or will it be Jackson Number One?

The bell rings and the fans rally and duel. The two RAM shoulders, and RAM shoulders, and RAM shoulders again! Oleg and Hartley egg each other on, then they agree to step outside. The fans fire up as they run in and RAM! And RAM again! And RAM again! They shove each other, then decide they gotta go up! The ref reprimands but the fans cheer as both men go to the orange seats! The house lights come up and the fans duel even harder. Oleg and Hartley run in, RAM, and they both stagger back! They run back in and RAM again! And RAM again! Hartley CHOPS, Oleg CHOPS back, and repeat! The ref reprimands but the fans cheer.

Hartley kicks low, UPPERCUTS, then tells fans to move aside!? The fans hurry aside while the ref reprimands, but Hartley reels Oleg in! Hartley aims for the orange seats below them! Hartley suplexes Oleg, but Oleg fights it! Oleg CHOPS Hartley, then POUNCES him onto the orange seats! The fans go nuts as Hartley tumbles! The ref hurries to check Hartley, but Oleg hauls him up from the row. Oleg brings Hartley around the way, and they walk down the steps. Oleg CLUBS Hartley to keep him moving, and they return to the ground level. Oleg then brings Hartley to ringside, but he wants fans to clear out?!

Oleg fires a forearm, then he whips! Hartley reverses and sends Oleg into the railing! The railing holds up to keep the fans safe, but Oleg writhes and rolls away! Hartley catches his breath before he follows after Oleg. Hartley brings Oleg up, and now he whips! Oleg hits more railing! Oleg staggers forward, and Hartley CLOBBERS him! The fans cheer Hartley, but he finally feels that damage from earlier. Hartley leaves Oleg behind for the ring count to handle. Oleg is still down at 5 of 20, then at 10. Oleg slowly rises at 12, and he rolls in at 13. The fans cheer but Hartley is right on Oleg. Hartley and Oleg fight for suplex control!

The fans rally as they go back and forth, and it’s Oleg that suplexes Hartley over! The fans cheer again, and Oleg gets moving! BOLTIN SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Hartley survives but both behemoths are tiring out already. Oleg headbutts buckles to fire up, then he runs to STINGER SPLASH! And gut wrench?! Hartley is too big for that, and he wrenches out to ROCK Oleg, ROCK him again, then CHOP! Hartley whips Oleg to a corner, then runs up to SPLASH! Then he short arm LARIATS Oleg down! The fans fire up again as Hartley gets moving, and he SENTONS! But Oleg catches him!? And gut wrenches him!?

Oleg starts up the Shake, Shake, Shake, and THROW! Oleg kips up and the fans are fired up! Oleg brings Hartley up again, then fireman’s carries him! KAMI- NO, Hartley slips free, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! The fans fire up again as both men stand! Hartley dodges a lariat to GERMAN SUPLEX again! Oleg flounders while Hartley rises up! The fans rally as Hartley winds up and waits on Oleg. Oleg stands, Hartley runs, but Oleg catches him!? BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up again and Oleg has Hartley for a fireman’s carry! Hartley fires elbows, but Oleg holds on! POINT-BLANK KAMIKAZE! Cover, TWO!! Hartley survives and the fans are thunderous!

Hartley sputters as he sits back up, but Oleg just waits on him. Oleg runs the ropes to LARIAT! Hartley stays up, so Oleg runs again! LARIAT! Hartley is still standing, so Oleg fires up and runs again! But Hartley BODY CHECKS! AND SENTONS! The fans are thunderous again while both men are down! Hartley crawls to a cover, TWO! Oleg survives but Hartley is right on him. Short arm LARIAT! Cover, ONE?!? Oleg shocks Hartley and the fans fire up again! Hartley rises, he brings Oleg up, and he HEADBUTTS! Oleg wobbles, but he comes back to HEADBUTT Hartley! Hartley wobbles, but he HEADBUTTS again!

Oleg staggers, but he shakes it off to come back! But then Hartley fireman’s carries, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Oleg survives that sudden turnaround and the fans fire up again! Hartley rises up, runs the ropes, but Oleg DROPKICKS! Hartley rebounds, Oleg fireman’s carries, and he goes to a corner. Hartley grabs the ropes, so Oleg puts him on the top rope! Oleg ROCKS Hartley, then climbs up! The fans are already freaking out, and Oleg CLUBS away on Hartley! Oleg HEADBUTTS Hartley, then hoists him up for the SUPERPLEX!! The fans are thunderous while Oleg crawls to a cover, TWO!!

Oleg roars and the fans fire up again! Oleg drags Hartley up, fireman’s carries, and he gets that running start! KAMIKAZE!! Cover, Oleg wins!

Winner: Boltin Oleg, by pinfall

This was practically a title match, for the title of “King of the Monsters!” Godzilla and King Kong ain’t got anything on these guys, and Oleg scores big for Hontai! But Oleg shows great respect helping Hartley to his feet. Will this set the bar for the rest of the battles between champions and challengers?

YOSHI-HASHI VS Zack Sabre Jr!

We saw Oleg score right off the bat, and now the Head Hunter takes on TMDK’s Front Man in round two! Will Hashi show what it is to #GetBackUp? Or will ZSJ make him #JustTapOut?

The bell rings and the fans rally up again. The two circle, feel things out, and clinch. ZSJ facelocks, Hashi wrenches free, but ZSJ waistlocks. ZSJ has the headlock but Hashi puts him on the ropes. The ref counts the break, Hashi and ZSJ let go slowly, but then Hashi changes up the clinch. The ref reprimands and calls for the break again, and Hashi backs away. Hashi then CHOPS! The fans cheer but ZSJ nods and eggs Hashi on. Hashi CHOPS ZSJ again, and ZSJ walks it off. ZSJ pie faces Hashi, pie faces again, and again, so Hashi CHOPS again! The fans cheer while ZSJ staggers, but ZSJ comes back to RAM low!

ZSJ headlocks, Hashi powers up and out, but ZSJ BOOTS him! Hashi rebounds to RUN ZSJ over! The fans cheer while ZSJ checks himself. Hashi also shakes it off, and the two reset. Hashi eggs ZSJ on, then CHOPS him at the ropes! The fans cheer while ZSJ is stinging. Hashi brings ZSJ up to suplex, and he hangs ZSJ out to dry. But ZSJ gets loose to then catch Hashi to a HANGING ARMBAR! The ref counts, ZSJ bends the fingers, but he stops at 4. ZSJ drags Hashi to the apron, to NECK TWIST! The ref checks Hashi but he’s able to continue. ZSJ sits Hashi up to then have a HANGING HEADSCISSORS! The ref reprimands but ZSJ stops at 4.

ZSJ “apologizes” and the fans applaud while ZSJ leaves Hashi behind. The ref again checks Hashi and Hashi is still able to continue, so ZSJ drags him into the ring. ZSJ has the heel hook, then shifts to a toehold so he can go for an arm. Hashi endures as ZSJ shifts to knee on both arm and leg, and he pulls the foot while he twists the wrist! ZSJ then shifts to focus on the arm in a short arm scissor. Hashi still endures, even as ZSJ bends the fingers! Hashi fights around, but ZSJ shifts to have a top wristlock! Then a headscissors! ZSJ digs his elbow into Hashi’s ribs, but Hashi has the ROPEBREAK with his foot! The fans cheer as ZSJ lets go quickly.

The fans rally while the ref checks Hashi again. Hashi clutches his elbow but he isn’t letting this stop him. ZSJ scuffs Hashi, the ref has him step back a moment, and Hashi sits up. ZSJ KICKS Hashi back down! ZSJ then sits Hashi back up just to KICK him again! Hashi gets up to RAM ZSJ, but ZSJ wrenches an arm. Hashi fires a body shot, then a forearm, then a CHOP! ZSJ YANKS the arm, wrenches it, then YANKS it again! ZSJ runs but Hashi dodges the boot! Hashi comes back to BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up while both men are down. Hashi and ZSJ crawl to corners while the fans fire up, and Hashi runs in to ELBOW ZSJ!

Hashi whips, ROCKS, then CHOPS ZSJ! Hashi turns ZSJ but ZSJ fights the neckbreaker! ZSJ UPPERCUTS, runs, but Hashi follows! Hashi trips ZSJ, then drags him out to THROW into railing! The fans rally while ZSJ slumps down! Hashi brings ZSJ up and whips him, but ZSJ reverses! Hashi hits railing! But Hashi comes back to CHOP ZSJ! Hashi brings ZSJ back up, but ZSJ suplexes! Hashi fights that to suplex, for the HEADBUSTER! ZSJ writhes on the floor while the fans cheer. Hashi then roars and the fans are with him! Hashi brings ZSJ up, ZSJ clings to the railing, but Hashi CLUBS him! Hashi puts ZSJ into the ring and the fans cheer.

Hashi storms in, aims from a corner, and runs up on ZSJ to LARIAT! Then he reels ZSJ in for a DDT! And a stiff one! Hashi pushes ZSJ down to cover, TWO! Hashi tries to drag ZSJ up but ZSJ clutches his arm. The ref checks ZSJ, he’s okay to continue, so Hashi stomps ZSJ. Hashi reels ZSJ in but ZSJ grabs a leg to block. Hashi CLUBS ZSJ, but ZSJ slips under and trips Hashi up! SLEEPER! Hashi fights but ZSJ shifts to a DRAGON SLEEPER! Hashi endures, and ZSJ struggles with his grip from his bad arm. ZSJ shifts angle, but the fans rally as Hashi fights around! Hashi rolls things into the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as ZSJ lets go.

The fans rally as ZSJ sits up and eggs Hashi on. ZSJ stomps Hashi, stomps him again, then runs up to PENALTY- NO, Hashi blocks the kick! But ZSJ UPPERCUTS, and then he PENALTY KICKS Hashi down! ZSJ scoops but Hashi hits a REVERSE DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down again! ZSJ rolls to a corner while Hashi sits up. The fans rally again as Hashi rolls his way to the other corner. Hashi and ZSJ rise up, and Hashi runs corner to corner! LARIAT! Hashi roars as he pushes ZSJ down and the fans fire up again. Hashi climbs, but ZSJ springs up to RISING HEADBUTT! Hashi wobbles and ZSJ stands again.

ZSJ HEADBUTTS Hashi, goes up after him, and he bends Hashi’s arm and elbow! The ref reprimands, but Hashi fires shoulders into ZSJ! But ZSJ tries to scoop! Hashi holds onto the ropes, then fires body shots. Hashi adjusts his position now, for a SUPER SUNSET FLIP, and then a RUNNING POWERBOMB! Right into a jackknife bridge! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives and the fans fire back up! Hashi rises to his feet, with ZSJ following. Hashi runs the ropes, but ZSJ BOOTS the lariat! Hashi spins to CHOP! ZSJ blocks the chop and wrenches that arm, but Hashi LARIATS through! The fans are thunderous again!

Hashi drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ scoops! SABRE DRIVER!! But he can’t make the cover! The fans are thunderous while both men are down! ZSJ rises up, wobbles and stumbles, but he finds his way to Hashi. ZSJ drags Hashi back up, hooks a leg, but Hashi pops free! Pump handle, half nelson, but ZSJ fights Karma! ZSJ rolls, but Hashi ROCKS him! ZSJ ROCKS Hashi back! The forearms go back and forth, and ZSJ ROCKS Hashi! Hashi fires back, ZSJ fires again, and they pick up speed! ZSJ fires a flurry, but Hashi SMACKS ZSJ! ZSJ rises to SLAP back! ZSJ wrenches, kicks, but Hashi ducks! Pump handle and KARMA!! But Hashi can’t make the cover!

Hashi crawls his way over, manages the cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives because of the delay! The fans rally up even harder now! ZSJ stirs, Hashi slowly crawls, and Hashi makes his way over to ZSJ. ZSJ reaches out for Hashi, and he manages to sit up. ZSJ scuffs Hashi with kicks, then both men stand. Hashi fires a forearm! ZSJ staggers, but he comes back to scuff Hashi with a forearm. Hashi CHOPS ZSJ for it! The fans fire up while ZSJ drops to his knees! Hashi stands ZSJ up, CHOPS him again, then follows ZSJ as he stumbles about. Hashi CHOPS again, but ZSJ rebounds to BOOT! Hashi wobbles, the fans fire up, and ZSJ runs in again to BOOT!

ZSJ runs to- NO, Hashi dodges the boot! SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! Then the SLEEPER?! But into a BACKSTABBER! ZSJ flounders, Hashi hauls him up, KUMAGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! ZSJ survives and the fans are thunderous again! Hashi feeds off the energy, and he rises up to runt he ropes! LARIAT! ZSJ sputters but Hashi isn’t done with him! Hashi waistlocks, full nelsons, then pump handles, KARM- NO, ZSJ victory rolls it! TWO!! ZSJ hurries to TRIANGLE HOLD! Hashi is stuck as ZSJ has a unique angle on it! Hashi fights around, but ZSJ throws down elbows! Hashi still fights up, but ZSJ works to push him back down!

The fans rally as hard as they can as ZSJ powers Hashi into place! ZSJ pries at the grip, but Hashi uses that to stack him! TWO!! ZSJ is up and PENALTY KICSK Hashi down! But Hashi pops right up!? SUPERKICK! Hashi runs, and he LARIATS ZSJ inside-out! Hashi roars again and the fans are thunderous! Full nelson, pump handle, KARM- NO, ZSJ rolls through to have the omoplata! ZSJ then wants the other arm! Hashi resists, even as ZSJ works on the angle! ZSJ grabs the arm and pulls it into place! CLARKY CAT, BAD BALLOON REMIX!! Hashi QUITS, ZSJ WINS!

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by submission

Hashi put up a fight, but he could not #TurnItAllAround! He in fact did #JustTapOut, and now we’re all tied up going into our main event!

Hirooki Goto VS Ryohei Oiwa!

Oleg took the first but ZSJ took the second, so it all comes down to this! Will the Fierce Warrior make sure it is #LightsOut in Korakuen? Or will fail to break The Mullet’s Grip?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. Goto and Oiwa circle, and the dueling sounds pretty even. The two tie up, are in a deadlock, but then Oiwa powers Goto back. Goto turns things around at the ropes, and he lets off with pats on the shoulder. Oiwa rushes up to headlock, but Goto powers up and out. Oiwa RAMS Goto, but neither man falls! Goto runs and RAMS Oiwa, but Oiwa headlocks for the takeover! Goto headscissors, Oiwa kips free, and the fans cheer the standoff. Oiwa and Goto reset, circle, and now Goto headlocks. Oiwa powers up and out, then reels Goto in for a headlock. Goto powers up but can’t power out as Oiwa holds on tight!

The fans rally as Goto endures, and he fights up to pry at the hold. Goto wrenches it open, has the top wristlock, and he powers Oiwa back! Oiwa bridges, then he powers up to get the headlock back! Oiwa grinds the hold while the fans cheer. Goto powers up again, but he still can’t power out as Oiwa holds on tight! Oiwa puts on the pressure while the fans continue to rally. Goto powers up, out, but Oiwa RUNS him over! Oiwa runs, Goto drops down, but Oiwa drops onto him! The headlock is back on as the fans applaud. Goto fights up, pries at the hold again, then fires body shots. Oiwa grinds the headlock again, but Goto fires more body shots.

Goto is free and he whips Oiwa, but Oiwa reverses. But Goto counters the hip toss with a HIP TOSS! Then Goto runs, and he LARIATS Oiwa up and outta the ring! The fans fire up while Oiwa hits the floor! Red Shoes checks and Oiwa is okay to continue, so the ring count begins. Oiwa stirs at 6 of 20, but Goto goes out to fetch him at 8. Goto stands Oiwa up, puts him in the ring, and the fans applaud. Goto then storms up on Oiwa, stands him up, and turns him for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Goto keeps Oiwa down with a headlock of his own now. Oiwa endures, fights up, and he powers up, only for Goto to hold on tight.

The fans applaud while Goto grinds Oiwa now. Oiwa endures and fights up again to power up, only for Goto to hit a BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Goto hurries to clamp right back on with another headlock. The fans rally while Oiwa again endures the grind. Oiwa fights up, pries at the hold, but Goto powers it on tighter. Oiwa RAMS Goto into a corner, Red Shoes counts the break, but Goto CLUBS away on Oiwa’s neck. Goto then ROCKS Oiwa with a forearm, whips him corner to corner, then runs in for a LARIAT! Oiwa falls over and Goto goes up the corner! The fans rally up as Goto aims, DIVING ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO!

Oiwa survives and the fans rally up, but Goto clamps on a chinlock. Goto then pushes Oiwa into the headscissors and he squeezes tight. Oiwa bridges but Goto CLUBS him down. Goto pushes up to put on more pressure, but Oiwa still endures. Oiwa fights around, turns Goto over, and then has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Goto lets Oiwa go. Goto stomps Oiwa, then brings him up. The fans rally as Goto CLUBS Oiwa, then eggs him on. Oiwa kicks Goto low, fires forearms, and Goto eggs him on. Goto KNEES low, CLUBS Oiwa again and again, then runs, but into a SHOULDER TACKLE! Oiwa adds a SENTON!

The fans fire up while both men are down! Goto coughs and sputters while Oiwa checks his chin. Oiwa and Goto go to opposite corners while the fans rally up. Oiwa runs in at Goto to SPLASH! Then he wrenches to whip and DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Oiwa and he storms up on Goto. Oiwa drags Goto up, brings him around, and reels him in. Goto fights the lift, then ROCKS Oiwa with a forearm. Goto runs in at the corner, but Oiwa ELBOWS him away! Oiwa runs, but Goto fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Goto and Oiwa slowly sit up as the fans rally.

Goto brings Oiwa around, and fires a forearm! Oiwa snarls and comes back with a forearm of his own! Goto ROCKS Oiwa, Oiwa staggers to the ropes, and Oiwa comes back to ROCK Goto! Goto ROCKS Oiwa, Oiwa ROCKS Goto, repeat! The fans rally as the forearms go back and forth, fast ‘n’ furious! Oiwa fires a flurry, then runs, but into a clinch! URA G T R! Goto runs, but Oiwa LARIATS him down! The fans fire up while Oiwa staggers to the ropes. Oiwa roars, the fans cheer him on, and Oiwa brings Goto back up. Oiwa reels Goto in, TENZAN PLEX! Cover, TWO! Goto survives but Oiwa drags him back up.

Oiwa brings Goto around, scoops and SLAMS, then he goes to the corner. The fans rally as Oiwa climbs, and he shouts, “Iku zo!” The fans cheer as Oiwa aims, DIVING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! Goto survives again and the fans cheer! Oiwa feeds off the energy and powers up his arm. Oiwa brings Goto up, winds up, but Goto blocks the lariat! Then he LARIATS back! Both men are back down and the fans fire up again. Oiwa sputters his way to a corner, and Goto goes to the other. The fans rally again as both men rise up. Goto runs in this time, but Oiwa dodges! O’Conner Roll for CHAOS THEORY! Bridging cover, TWO!

Goto survives, but Oiwa holds onto the waistlock! Oiwa then shifts to a gut wrench, DOCTOR BOMB! Cover, TWO! Goto survives yet again and Oiwa pounds the mat in frustration. The fans rally up for Oiwa as he rises again, and he brings Goto around. Oiwa fires up, runs the ropes, and spins for THE- NO! Goto catches Oiwa, spins him around, and suplexes! SHOTEN KAI!! But he can’t make the cover! The fans rally as hard as they can while both men stir. Goto crawls to the ropes, drags himself up, and then powers up! Oiwa rises, into the BUZZSAW! Goto then hurries to fireman’s carry, and G T W!! Cover, TWO!!

The fans are thunderous as Oiwa survives again! Goto shakes that off, powers up again, and he brings Oiwa back around. Dragon sleeper for TRUE- NO, Oiwa catches the GTR! Oiwa hooks the arms, but Goto fights the backslide to get the dragon sleeper back! But Oiwa powers free, O’Conner Roll and deep cover, TWO!! Goto escapes just in time and the fans fire up! Goto and Oiwa run up to DOUBLE LARIAT! Neither man falls, but Oiwa blocks the haymaker! Oiwa spins, but into a HEADBUTT! Goto fires up and facelocks, to then FLIP Oiwa into the G T R KAI!!! Cover, Goto wins!!

Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall

A bit of a bait ‘n’ switch on the attack seals the deal for the Fierce Warrior, and Hontai takes the night, 2-1! But if The Mighty Don’t Kneel, will they simply come back with a foolproof game plan for Osaka?

As for Goto, he gets the mic to tell Oiwa, “Don’t underestimate the veterans.” The fans cheer that, and Goto thanks them all for coming tonight. Goto says on a personal note, February 2nd marks the anniversary of his father’s passing. The fans applaud in condolences, and Goto says he knows his dad is still worrying about him in Heaven. “But there’s no need for that. All of you, don’t worry for me, either.” The fans applaud that, too. Goto promises to make NJPW the most premium promotion there is! The fans like the sound of that!

Goto reminds us that 2026 is just beginning! So follow Hirooki Goto and NJPW to the very end! The fans cheer that, too! Mic drop from Goto, will the Goto Revolution never be stopped?

My Thoughts:

A great night for Road to New Beginning, and apparently the last one that will be broadcast for the world to see. As such, some really good go-home type scenarios for the different stories, and they let the NEVER Openweight Six Man story be the main part of the show. Those results in the best of three all made sense, as Oleg is just an awesome young monster big man, but then ZSJ is still a much better technical wrestler than Hashi. Great win for Goto over Oiwa with the surprise finisher change-up, and a solid promo for Goto to finish the show. We will get a great Six Man title match, and I can’t even be sure who wins. ZSJ and Oiwa should be doing bigger things than these titles, but I don’t see Hartley getting much else. Though perhaps the same can be said for Bishamon & Boltin.

My Score: 8.9/10

Will the United Empire conquer the Unbound Company?

As the battle for power in NJPW continues, Yota Tsuji and his IWGP Heavyweight Championship are being chased by that Smart Bastard, Jake Lee! Will the Gene Blast even make it to Osaka?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Young Lion Cup Final: Shoma Kato VS Katsuya Murashima; Katsuya wins.
• Six Man Tag: Shota Umino, Yuya Uemura & Tiger Mask VS OSKAR, Yuto-Ice & Gedo; Oskar, Yuto & Gedo win.
• 8 Man Tag: Bishamon, Bolten Oleg & Ryusuke Taguchi VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
• Six Man Tag: “Drilla” Dan Moloney, Robbie X & Daiki Nagai VS Great-O-Khan, HENARE & Zane Jay; Khan, Henare & Zane win.
• 8 Man Tag: Hontai VS House of Torture; Hontai wins.
• David Finlay & Hiromu Takahashi VS Callum Newman & Jakob Austin Young; Finlay & Hiromu win.
• Yota Tsuji & Taiji Ishimori VS Jake Lee & Francesco Akira; Jake & Akira win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Six Man Tag: “Drilla” Dan Moloney, Robbie X & Daiki Nagai VS Great-O-Khan, HENARE & Zane Jay!

They may no longer be the War Dogs, but a new name doesn’t change the damage they did in that inaugural Dog Pound Cage Match. At the same time, 44 Caliber says the United Empire might just be a bunch of crybabies who don’t get how dangerous this sport can be. Will Drilla, Robbie and the Unbound Young Lion make the Dominator, the Mauler and the new recruit toughen up? Or will the Empire’s conquest begin here tonight?

Tensions are already high with Daiki wanting right at Zane for how their Young Lion Cup match ended in a blatant disqualification. Daiki grabs Zane by the neck, but Zane returns the favor. The teams have to back both guys up, but then Drilla and Henare get in each other’s face. Zane and Daiki step back up, so they’re allowed to start. The fans rally up with the bell and the forearms start flying! They go back and forth, shot for shot, and Daiki kicks low! Daiki headlocks, Zane powers up and out, and the two RAM shoulders! Daiki runs to RAM Zane again, but Zane stays put. Daiki runs but Zane follows, only for Daiki to sidestep.

Daiki drops down, hurdles over, then CROSSBODIES! The fans cheer and Daiki brings Zane up. Daiki whips, lifts, but Zane fights free with elbows. Zane ROCKS Daiki, Daiki CHOPS Zane! Daiki runs, but Heanare gets a cheap shot in! The fans boo but Daiki runs up on Henare! Henare catches Daiki to a FULL NELSON, then shoves him into Zane’s DROPKICK! Khan BLASTS the Unbound corner, Henare goes after Drilla, and Zane mocks the fans. Zane stomps Daiki, CHOKES him at the ropes, but the ref is busy with Khan sending Taiji into railing while Drilla and Henare brawl. Henare whips but Drilla reverses to send Henare into the railing!

The fans fire up, but Zane stalks Daiki. Daiki fires forearms but Zane fires back! Zane whips Daiki to then HIP TOSS! Cover, TWO! Daiki’s tougher than that and the fans rally up. Zane stomps Daiki, eggs him on, but here comes Drilla! The ref keeps Drilla back, and Zane brings Daiki over to the Empire’s corner. Tag to Henare and he brings Daiki around. Henare CHOPS Daiki off his feet! The fans rally for Daiki while Henare looms over him. Henare drags Daiki up, and CHOPS him back down! Henare runs up on Drilla but Drilla gets clear. Henare drags Daiki back up, but Daiki fires CHOP after CHOP! Henare just CHOPS Daiki back down!

Henare then fireman’s carries for a WASTELAND SLAM, then a SENTON! The fans rally for Daiki while he sputters, but Henare drags Daiki up. Henare bumps Daiki off buckles, tags Khan in, and Khan drags Daiki up by his hair. Khan Mongolian Chops Daiki down, then cocky covers, TWO! The fans cheer but Khan clamps on the IRON CLAW! Daiki endures and the fans rally harder! Daiki kicks and kicks and kicks his way to the ROPEBREAK! Khan shoves the ref back while he still squeezes Daiki’s head! Drilla stomps Khan, but Henare BODY BLOWS Drilla! Henare TOSSES Drilla, then goes out to whip, but Drilla reverses again, sending Henare back into railing!

The fans rally up, and Drilla DECKS Zane, too! Khan drags Daiki up but Daiki fires forearms! But Khan BITES Daiki’s forehead! The ref counts, the fans boo, but Khan spits on Daiki. Khan runs, but into a DROPKICK! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Daiki crawls, hot tag to Robbie! Mr. Extreme HANDSPRING KICKS Zane off the corner! Then he LARIATS Khan! Khan stays up, so Robbie LARIATS again! Robbie fires up, runs again, but runs into the IRON CLAW! The fans rally for Robbie and he fights up to club the arm! Robbie SOBATS, then builds speed to handspring and- NO, Khan catches Robbie!

Khan shoves Robbie, Robbie slips out to the apron, then he SLAPS Khan! And ASAI MOONSAULTS onto Zane! The fans fire up again and Robbie gest back up. He GAMANGIRIS Khan, goes up, up, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Khan flounders, Robbie pushes him to a cover, TWO! Khan survives but the fans rally up for Robbie! Robbie brings his kneepads down and he brings Khan back up. Robbie fireman’s carries, but Khan uses the IRON CLAW to get free! Khan fires KNEE after KNEE into Robbie, then he whips Robbie, only for Robbie to handspring, go Matrix, and then PELE! Both men are down and the fans fire up again!

Robbie and Khan crawl, hot tags to Henare and Drilla! The fans fire up as they start throwing big forearm shots back and forth! Henare roars, Drilla eggs him on, so Henare ROCKS Drilla! Drilla roars and the shots are fast ‘n’ furious! Henare fires a flurry, then a BODY BLOW! Henare fires up, the fans boo, but Drilla hurdles over Henare, drops down, then DROPKICKS! The fans fire up with Drilla and he runs corner to corner to RAM Henare in the corner! Then he suplexes Henare high and hard! Cover, TWO! The fans rally even harder for Drilla and Robbie joins in. They double whip but Henare grabs ropes.

Henare ROCKS Drilla, BOOTS Robbie, but he runs into a POP-UP SPINEBUSTER! Then Robbie climbs up onto Drilla, stands on his shoulders, and the fans fire up for the DIVING BODY PRESS! Daiki tags in and gets in Zane’s way while Drilla hits a MACHO ELBOW! Daiki goes up, DIVING HEADBUTT!! Cover, but The Empire breaks it! Drilla & Robbie go after Khan & Zane, then Drilla and Khan fire forearm after forearm! The fans fire up as Drilla CHOPS! Khan CHOPS! Drilla CHOPS! Repeat! Khan fires a flurry of forearms, but Drilla gets under to ripcord and CHOP! Khan sputters, Drilla runs, but the IRON RIGHT hits low!

Khan runs, but Robbie steps in! TIGER WALL KICK! then handspring, LETHAL INJECTION X! Zane runs up but Robbie BOOTS him and skins the cat in one go! But Zane DROPKICKS Robbie down! Zane fires up, but Daiki CLOBBERS him! The fans fire up as Drilla then WRECKS Zane with a dropkick! Daiki fires up again and he has Henare for a suplex! Henare fights it, even as Daiki tries again and again! Henare fires body shots, so Daiki fires forearms in return! Henare and Daiki go back and forth, shot for shot, but Daiki fires a flurry! Henare spins to CHOP! Daiki SLAPS Henare! Daiki runs, but into a LARIAT!

Henare snarls and he drags Daiki up. Henare winds up to BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Then he drags Daiki up again, reels him in, and Khan BOOTS Drilla away before the BEAST BOMB! Cover, the Empire wins!

Winners: Great-O-Khan, Henare & Zane Jay, by pinfall

The Mauler did indeed toughen up, and he takes the first victory here tonight! But will #Khanare be able to do the same when it is them and the #WarDragons 2v2 in Osaka?

David Finlay & Hiromu Takahashi w/ Gedo VS Callum Newman & Jakob Austin Young!

Speaking of that infamous Dog Pound Cage Match, the Rebel takes the heat, and maybe even the credit, for how it ended and what it did to the foundation of the Empire. But with Unbound Company already down a point, can the famously dysfunctional duo start the comeback? Or will the Prince and #DangerousJAY trump the Savage King and defuse the Ticking Timebomb?

Given the animosity here, neither side waits for a bell! Callum and Finlay brawl on one end while Hiromu and Jakob brawl on the other! The fans fire up as Finlay sends Callum into railing! Hiromu whips but Jakob reverses, sending Hiromu into railing! Finlay pursues Callum around the way to then CLAWS his face! Things now spill out into the crowd! Finlay ROCKS Callum, and things move backstage! Jakob meanwhile opens the way into the orange seats! The fans cheer as they go up into the bleachers and the house lights come on. Hiromu CHOPS Jakob, and then Finlay beats Callum down as they come up the stairs!

The fans fire up as Finlay UPPERCUTS Callum and Hiromu brings Jakob along. Finlay ROCKS Callum, then he coordinates with Hiromu. They send Callum and Jakob into each other! The fans cheer as Finlay headlocks Callum, and even twists Callum’s nose! Hiromu has Jakob in a headlock and leads him down the other stairs. Finlay CLUBS Callum’s nose, then brings him into the ring. The fans cheer as the bell sounds, and this is finally on record as Hiromu sends Jakob into railing! Callum scrambles to the apron and the ref has Finlay stay back a moment. Callum rolls back in, so Finlay stomps him down!

Finlay digs his boot in, stops as the ref counts, and Callum sputters. Finlay ROCKS Callum, then barks as he puts Callum in a corner. The fans bark along, and Finlay fires LARIAT after LARIAT on Callum! The ref reprimands and counts but Finlay stops at TEN! The fans cheer and Hiromu jokingly asks if everything’s okay. Finlay brings Callum around, suplexes, but Callum slips free. Finlay ELBOWS Callum, ROCKS him, then runs, but Callum trips him! And KNEES him right in the side! Finlay sputters but Callum drags him over. Callum tags Jakob and Jakob BLASTS Hiromu! Jakob then uses his shirt to CHOKE Finlay!

The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Jakob just brings Finlay around to ROCK him. Jakob whips, Finlay reverses, and Finlay ELBOWS Jakob down to the SENTON! The fans fire up while Finlay brings Jakob over. Tag to Hiromu, they mug Jakob, then Hiromu has the ref watch Callum. Hiromu whips Jakob into a FOREARM from Finlay! Hiromu laughs and says that was good. Then he has the ref check Callum again! Hiromu whips Jakob again and Finlay DECKS Jakob again! Callum is upset but the fans cheer. Hiromu says one more! Callum gets mad and now the ref has to keep him back!

Hiromu whips Jakob again, and Finlay DECKS him again! The fans cheer as Finlay and Hiromu get away with one, and Hiromu pretends his arm hurts. Tag to Finlay and Finlay says, “Moikai!” Callum is pissed but the ref keeps him back, and that lets Finlay whip Jakob so Hiromu can DECK him! The fans cheer while Hiromu and Finlay flex. Finlay stands on Jakob at the ropes, the ref reprimands, and Finlay says he was wiping his shoes. Finlay steps off to stand Jakob up, and he UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Tag to Hiromu, and Finlay CHOKES Jakob while Hiromu steps in. The ref reprimands but Hiromu CLUBS Jakob.

Hiromu CHOPS Jakob in a corner, whips corner to corner, then runs in, but Jakob dodges! Callum GAMANGIRIS! Jakob then BLASTS Finlay off the apron, Callum goes around the outside to get him, and Jakob TOSSES Hiromu out while Finlay is sent into railing! Jakob goes out to whip Hiromu into railing! The fans boo while Hiromu staggers away and Callum CHOKES Finlay against railing! The ref reprimands but Callum HEADBUTTS as he lets off. Jakob rolls into the ring while Hiromu hobbles away, but Callum whips him into railing! The fans boo again but Callum pulls Hiromu’s hair while taunting them all.

Callum puts Hiromu in and Jakob covers, TWO! The fans rally for Hiromu but Jakob tags Callum in. The Empire mugs Hiromu, then Callum ROCKS him! Hiromu flops down in the corner but Callum digs his knee in! The ref counts, Callum stops at 4, then he argues the count. Callum apologizes, but he keeps the ref from seeing him dig his heel into Hiromu’s groin! The fans boo and Finlay protests, but the ref stops Finlay, allowing Calllum to grind his foot into Hiromu’s cherry bombs! The fans boo again but Callum gets away with it. Callum mockingly asks if Hiromu is okay, then stands him up to wrench and CHOP!

Callum CHOPS again and he whips Hiromu into the corner. Tag to Jakob and Callum mockingly asks Gedo to help Hiromu. Jakob sends Hiromu out, and now Zane Jay gets in on this! The fans boo but Zane gets away with it. Zane puts Hiromu in, and Callum takes something from Hartley Jackson on commentary and throws it away! The fans boo more but Jakob still keeps Hiromu away from Finlay. Jakob whips Hiromu hard into the corner, then tags Callum. Callum clamps on a chinlock and he stares Finlay down while he does. Hiromu fires body shots, powers up and out, but Callum just BLASTS Finlay! The fans boo again but Hiromu bails out the side.

Callum is annoyed but he follows Hiromu. Hiromu runs away and around the corner! Callum hurries back into the ring to intercept Hiromu! The fans boo as Hiromu falls short of tagging Finlay! Callum drags Hiromu back, steps on Hiromu, and soaks up heat. The fans rally up for Hiromu again and Hiromu rises up. Callum hushes the fans, and he KICKS Hiromu in the chest! The fans boo but Hiromu eggs Callum on. Callum winds up to KICK again! Hiromu sputters but he pounds the mat. Hiromu fires up and rises to his feet. Callum kicks, but Hiromu blocks! And he blocks a punch, DRAGON DOUBLE SCREW! The fans fire up while both men are down!

Callum grits his teeth while he sits up, but Hiromu hot tags Finlay! Finlay rallies with shoulder tackle after shoulder tackle! Finlay whips, Callum reverses, but Finlay CLOBBERS Callum! Callum tumbles to a corner, but Finlay runs in and UPPERCUTS! Finlay fires haymakers, stomps a mudhole in, but the ref counts. Finlay stops, then he brings Callum up, BROKEN ARROW! The fans cheer while Finlay flexes, and he covers Callum, TWO! Callum hits from below but Finlay pulls Callum’s ear. The fans rally as Finlay clinches, but Callum fights with elbows! Callum ROCKS Finlay, but Finlay ROCKS Callum! Callum goes to a corner but Finlay eggs him on.

Callum shakes it off and comes back to ROCK Finlay! Finlay nods and ROCKS Callum! The fans rally and Callum KICKS Finlay! Finlay UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! But Callum wrenches to RAM, WRING, and run! SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO! Finlay survives and the fans fire up again. Callum stays focused as he reels Finlay in, but Finlay fights the suplex! The fans rally, but Callum fires knee after knee! Callum then hooks a leg, FIRE- NO, Finlay slips free, clinches, IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Both men are down and the fans fire up! The ref makes sure both men are okay to continue while they stir.

Hot tags to Jakob and Hiromu! Hiromu dodges, the CHOPS fire off again and again, and Hiromu CHOPS to whip. Jakob reverses but Hiromu RANAS! The fans fire up again as Hiromu runs corner to corner! LARIAT, snapmare, and basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer Hiromu on as he fireman’s carries, but Jakob slips free. Hiromu switches, Jakob fires elbows, but Hiromu CHOPS again! Hiromu runs, but Callum trips him! Gedo protests but Jakob hits ANARCHY! Cover, TWO! Hiromu is tougher than that and the fans rally up again. Jakob & Callum push Hiromu to a corner, then double whip corner to corner.

Jakob runs in and ROCKS Hiromu! Callum adds a forearm SMASH of his own! Jakob BOOTS Hiromu while Callum builds speed, and Callum BOOTS Hiromu down! Jakob adds a SHINING WIZARD of his own! Cover, but Finlay breaks it! The fans cheer, but Callum TOSSES Finlay out! Jakob snarls and he brings Hiromu up. Jakob cravats, heads for a corner, but Hiromu slips free! Hiromu then wrenches and spins Jakob, but Jakob fights the suplex! Jakob wrenches out to ROCK Hiromu! Jakob runs, but into a scoop, SHOULDER BUSTER, and FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Jakob survives but the fans continue to cheer Hiromu on.

Hiromu rises again and the fans rally up more. Hiromu waits on Jakob, then he runs the ropes, but Jakob ROCKS Hiromu! Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Jakob stomps a foot the KNEES Hiromu! Jakob runs, into the HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Both men are down and the fans rally again! Hot tag to Finlay! Finlay then THROWS Hiromu into Callum! And then whips him into Jakob! Finlay adds an UPPERCUT! Then he brings Hiromu around to whip, but Hiromu reverses! Finlay CANNONBALLS Jakob! Good enough for Finlay, but then he brings Hiromu up! CANADIAN HAMMER SPLASH onto Jakob! Cover, TWO!

Jakob survives the dysfunctional attack but the fans still cheer Finlay & Hiromu. Finlay reels Jakob in, but Callum SPITS on Finlay! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Callum mocks the Too Sweet. Finlay runs up but Callum dodges! Callum runs up but Finlay dodges! Callum rebounds to JUMP KNEE! Callum keeps going, but Finlay LARIATS him up and out! But Jakob rolls Finlay up! TWO, and Jakob kicks low! Jakob runs, but Finlay TOSSES him out! Finlay drags Hiromu up, reels him in, and POWERBOMBS him out onto Callum & Jakob! The fans are thunderous while Hiromu is barely even conscious!

Wait, Finlay goes up the corner!? The fans fire up, but Hiromu rises up! Hiromu hits Finlay low, but then smiles as he lines up the shot. Hiromu goes up, up, and brings Finlay in! The fans fire up but Finlay resists! Finlay fires body shots, then DECKS Hiromu onto Callum & Jakob! The fans cheer as Finlay follows through on his plan, SUPER CROSSBODY! Down go Callum & Jakob a third time and the fans are loving it! Finlay puts Jakob in, hauls him up, CANADIAN HAMMER! Cover, but Callum breaks it! And he kicks Hiromu! Callum reels Hiromu in, lifts, but Hiromu flips free! Hiromu then dodges to wheelbarrow and FLATLINER!

The fans fire up, and Finlay slashes his throat, promising to end this! Finlay suplexes Jakob, but Jakob knees free! Jakob ROCKS Finlay, but Finlay ROLLING ELBOWS! Finlay hauls Jakob back up, suplexes, OVERKILL!! Cover, Finlay & Hiromu win!

Winners: David Finlay & Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall

Finlay saw Callum “steal” that move last time, so he stole it back! But while the message is sent, there are still 10 days left to prepare. Will Osaka be the end of the Prince? Or will it truly be the New Beginning of Callum’s era?

Yota Tsuji & Taiji Ishimori VS Jake Lee & Francesco Akira!

Even with the faction warfare, having a championship always puts a target on your back. And in this case, having BOTH the IWGP (World) Heavyweight and IWGP Global Heavyweight Championships puts the biggest target possible on Yota’s back! We are ten days away from the New Beginning in Osaka, but will the Gene Blast even make it there? Or will the Smart Bastard bring him down already?

Before things get started, Yota grabs the mic. “Oi, Jake. You’ve shown your resolve. But I will say that there is no lying in this ring, and your true self will be revealed. Do you have the resolve to lay it all out there? Then let’s see it!” Yota and Taiji do the new Unbound fist bump and the teams sort out. Jake steps up to Yota to give us a preview of their title match. The fans cheer for Yota and Jake pretends to conduct them like a choir. The fans boo that but he just conducts the booing, too. Jake then signals they be silent. Jake and Yota circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Jake’s height is leverage enough to push Yota to the ropes.

Red Shoes calls the break but Yota turns things around. Yota slowly backs away, and the fans applaud the sportsmanship. Jake smirks, then storms up, but Yota BODY BLOWS! Yota runs, but Jake RUNS him over! Jake runs, Yota ducks the kick to roll Jake, and BOOT him down! The fans cheer while Yota brings Jake back up. Yota whips Jake, but Jake RANAS! The fans cheer, that’s impressive for someone so tall. Jake takes a bow while stands up. Yota backs off to tag Taiji, so Jake tags Akira. Bone Soldier and Crown of Fire tie up, go around, but Akira pulls hair to put Taiji on the ropes! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, but Akira lets off.

Akira gives a shove, then mocks the Too Sweet. Akira turns it into a middle finger, then he kicks Taiji low! Akira again pulls hair and he puts Taiji in the corner. Red Shoes reprimands, Akira stops to talk trash on the fans, and then Akira whips corner to corner. Taiji reverses, runs up on Akira, but Akira puts him on the apron. Taiji blocks a shot, RAMS Akira low, then springboards to SEATED SENTON! Taiji TOSSES Akira, Yota goes after Jake, and Unbound Company sends the Empire into railing! And then into more railing! And even more railing! Yota brings Jake into the crowd to sit him down and fire ELBOW after ELBOW!

The fans rally, then Yota takes a sweat next to Jake. Yota then drags Jake back up to ROCK him with a forearm! Jake staggers around, and Taiji ROCKS Akira, too! We return to the orange seats as Yota brings Jake along. The fans cheer as Yota ROCKS Jake! The house lights come back up, and Jake takes a seat. Yota CHOPS Jake, then brings him along to CHOP again! Jake almost falls into the row behind him! Yota stands Jake up, but Jake whips Yota into the door! Yota ends up in the hallway and Jake leaves him behind. Jake is stinging, and pretends to cry in front of the fans. Taiji has Akira in the ring and CLAWS his face.

The fans rally as Yota follows Jake, but Taiji ROCKS Akira. Taiji whips Akira, but Akira grabs ropes! Akira drop toeholds Taiji, and Jake CLAWS Taiji’s face! Jake taunts the fans but Akira hits Taiji with a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! This time, Jake sends Yota into railing! Jake distracts Red Shoes while Akira unties the blue buckle pad! Now the Empire is stealing the Bullet Club Special! Red Shoes reprimands but Akira CHOPS Taiji. Akira whips Taiji into the bare steel! Akira soaks up the heat, then covers, but Red Shoes refuses because of the shenanigans. Akira gets in Red Shoes’ face, but Red Shoes warns him.

Akira brings Taiji up, he tags Jake in, and Jake stomps a mudhole into Taiji! Jake changes up the rhythm again and again, but he still lets off as Red Shoes reprimands. Akira mocks the fans cheering Taiji, but that just makes the fans cheer Taiji on more. Jake stands Taiji up but Taiji fires body shots! Taiji CHOPS, Jake kicks and whips, but Taiji DROPKICKS the legs out! The fans cheer and Taiji crawls, hot tag to Yota! The fans fire up as Yota hurries in and fires forearms on Jake! Yota whips, Jake reverses and KNEES low! But Yota CLUBS that leg! The fans rally again while Yota grins. Yota runs, but Akira KICKS him!

The fans boo, but Akira hurries away before Yota can get him. Jake then CLAWS Yota’s eyes! Red Shoes reprimands but Akira joins in and double whips Yota. AKira sends Jake in, but Yota dodges to ROCK Akira! Yota runs up on Jake, but Jake puts him right up top and in the Tree of Woe! Jake CHOPS Yota, then holds him down for Akira to DROPKICK! Jake BLASTS Taiji, Akira dumps Yota out of the Tree, and Akira goes out to send Taiji into railing! Jake then brings out the black latex glove! Jake puts the glove on so he can fishhook Yota’s mouth! BAD VIBRATIONS~! The fans boo and Red Shoes reprimands but Jake mocks their disgust.

Jake stands Yota up to put him on ropes on the other side of the ring! Jake again fishhooks Yota’s mouth to disgust the fans. The fans boo, but Jake fakes throwing the glove at them. Tag to Akira and he drags Yota up. Akira CHOPS Yota, brings him around, and whips, only for Yota to block! Akira still tries but Yota ROCKS him! Yota runs, but Akira mule kicks! Akira THROWS Yota down by his hair, then CHOKES him! Red Shoes reprimands and counts but Akira stops at 4. Akira then lines up a shot, runs in at Yota, and UPPERCUTS! Yota sputters but Akira brings him back up to headlock. Akira tags Jake and Jake mocks “Yota-sama.”

Jake stomps Yota, but Yota gets up to fire forearms! The fans rally as Yota ROCKS Jake again and again! Yota whips, but Jake GAMANGIRIS! Jake then mocks Yota like the court jester he is. Yota goes to ropes, Jake runs up, and he KICKS Yota in the back! Jake then reels Yota in for a BIG atomic drop! Jake grabs the legs, he turns Yota, but then just stomps Yota in the gut! Jake covers, TWO! Yota is tougher than that and the fans applaud. Jake tags Akira and Akira scuffs Yota. Akira taunts Yota being the double champion and eggs him on. Yota gets mad now and he winds up. But Akira CLAWS Yota’s eyes!

Red Shoes reprimands, but Akira runs, only for Yota to scoop and BACKBREAKER! But Jake runs in just to BOOT Yota down! Jake taunts Taiji and the fans, then runs in at Yota again! Jake blocks a boot, but not the STOMPS! The fans rally up while Yota rolls for his corner! Hot tag to Taiji! The fans fire up as Taiji runs up and SHOTGUNS Akira to a corner! Taiji keeps moving and he DOUBLE KNEES Akira! Snapmare and NECK TWIST! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Taiji again but Yota joins in. They double whip Akira to a corner, and Taiji UPPERCUTS! Yota LARIATS! Yota then sets Akira up on the ropes and Taiji runs, LEAPFROG ATTACK!

The fans cheer while Akira falls. Taiji covers, TWO! The fans cheer Taiji on more as he brings Akira up. But Akira fights the gut wrench! Akira fires elbows, SPEED- NO, Taiji slips free to gut wrench after all! CIPHER- NO, Akira blocks it to a cover, TWO! Akira mule kicks, Taiji BOOTS, but Akira ENZIGIRIS! Taiji stays up and DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men rebound, and Taiji LARIATS Akira inside-out! The fans fire up again as Taiji gut wrenches, CIPHER UTAKI! Cover, TWO! Akira survives but Taiji stays cool while the fans rally again. Taiji stalks Akira, but Akira asks for mercy. Taiji drags Akira up but Akira grabs at Red Shoes!

Red Shoes shakes free, Taiji is annoyed, but Akira wheelbarrows to STOMP 182! Jake then BLASTS Yota off the apron! Akira and Jake coordinate and they get Taiji up. They double whip, but Taiji crisscrosses them! Akira falls, Taiji CLAWS Jake’s eyes, then Taiji whips. Jake reverses, but Taiji handsprings, RED DOT GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up while Jake falls down! Taiji rises and he drags Akira up. Taiji whips Akira into the bare buckles! Then he whips Akira into the POST! Taiji brings Akira around to hammerlock and scoop, SHOULDER BUSTER! Akira writhes and the fans fire up behind Taiji!

Taiji aims from a corner, waits on Akira, then runs in, LA MYSTIC- NO, Akira slips free to shove Taiji into Jake’s KNEE! Then HIGH ANGLE GERMAN! Bridging cover, but Yota STOMPS Akira! BODY BLOW and KNEE LIFT on Jake, but Jake blocks the superkick! Yota fights the waistlock, then catches Jake to the FLATLINER! And then GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up with Yota and he runs up on Jake in the corner! GENE TRIGGER! Yota then goes up, up, and MARLOWE- NO, Jake moves aside to KNEE LIFT! Jake then runs in, FACE BREAK- NO, Yota dodges! Yota dumps Jake out to BOOT him down!

Yota keeps moving, and he DIVES onto Jake! Both men go down and the fans fire up again! Akira runs up on Taiji, but Taiji ducks the Nova Fireball! LA MYSTICA!! BONE LOCK!! Akira endures, reaches out, crawls forward, but Taiji rolls him away! Akira CLAWS Taiji’s eyes! Red Shoes reprimands but Akira is still free. Akira argues with Red Shoes, then shoves him aside. But Taiji JUMP KNEES Akira! Then KNEE DROP MOONSAULT!! Cover, TWO! A shoutout to Speedball but Akira survives! Taiji says BANG and brings Akira up! BLOODY- NO, Akira lands out, LA MAGISTROL! But Taiji stuffs it! TWO!!

Akira gets up, NOVA FIREBALL!!! Jake keeps Yota out with a double wristlock! Akira brings Taiji up, hooks the leg, CROWN FALL!! Cover, Empire wins!

Winner: Jake Lee & Francesco Akira, by pinfall

The Empire not only goes 2-1 on the night, but they won the main event, and that’s what matters most! Is this a bad omen for how things will go for Unbound Company in Osaka? Or can the rest of this Road to the New Beginning help them turn things around?

As for the Empire, Akira grabs the mic, and someone says, “In Japanese!” Akira hushes the fans, and says in English, he and Jake have come a long way. From their All Japan Pro-Wrestling days to today, main eventing NJPW in Korakuen Hall. Akira knows Jake better than anyone here! Jake is a former AJPW World Champion, a former Pro-Wrestling NOAH World Champion, and SOON… the NEW IWGP Heavyweight Champion! Fans are torn on that, but Akira says as for him, he has his target clear in his mind. Akira just showed Taiji what he’s all about, because he beat Taiji fair and square here in Korakuen.

But in Osaka, Akira plans to beat Taiji and Hiromu so bad that he will make an example out of them. And now, to all of their “delusional fans,” and especially to the Junior Heavyweights in the locker room, Akira is here now! The fans cheer that, and Akira says, in Japanese, that surely these fans don’t know English. They should study up! The fans do laugh at that, but they also boo as Akira hands the mic to Jake. Jake says that perhaps he’ll speak Japanese then. “But I don’t plan to ramble on. But it does seem as if my views on YouTube have skyrocketed. You’ll understand once you watch.”

But Jake asks them, “Why am I challenging for the IWGP title? To confirm my own worth.” The fans do applaud that. Jake says there are ups and downs, but that’s life. Let’s enjoy the bitter and the sweet and keep on living. “So then, until we meet again. Hello, good evening, and goodbye. That’s life!” The Smart Bastard has said his piece, but will he hit the Japan Grand Slam? Or can Yota still strike him out in Osaka?

My Thoughts:

A great return to the Road to New Beginning series, and heavily dominated by the faction feud of Unbound Company VS United Empire. Getting a look at the Unbound Company shirts/logo tonight, not nearly up to following Bullet Club or LIJ. For one, the font is very basic, very businesslike, not at all what I was expecting. Also, part of the logo is breaking handcuffs/shackles. I get that it references “unbound,” but they’re also “Unbound Co.” like a corporation. Not sure how that works. Hopefully this is just the first logo and they work on it as things go along.

Shirts aside, Unbound Company being on the ropes after going 1-2 on the night is actually favorable math for them going into Osaka. I would think Yota survives to keep the top title, and then maybe War Dragons win against Khan & Henare, and then Finlay suffers a loss to give Callum something to hang his hat on. Especially if Callum is going to make his move to be THE leader of United Empire and go for a top title for himself. Plus, last I heard, David Finlay was still on his way out of NJPW. And if that’s true, Finlay would definitely follow tradition and take the loss on his way out. The question is, will Finlay be #AllElite or join Lexis King’s faction of second generation stars in NXT?

My Score: 8.8/10