Who are the real stars of AEW?

Kenny Omega continues to take a stand against The Elite, and leads Mark Briscoe, “Speedball” Mike Bailey & Kevin Knight in an AEW All-Star 8 Man Tag!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• AEW Women’s World Championship Eliminator: Toni Storm w/ Luther VS Miyu Yamashita; wins and
• 2025 Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Semifinals: Hangman Page VS Kyle Fletcher; wins and will advance to Double or Nothing.
• 8 Man Tag: Kenny Omega, Mark Briscoe, “Speedball” Mike Bailey & Kevin Knight VS Ricochet, Kazuchika Okada & The Young Bucks; win.

PLAY BY PLAY

[Due to scheduling conflicts, coverage will be on delay]

Who goes into Best of the Super Juniors as champion?

With Best of the Super Juniors on the horizon, NJPW has both IWGP Junior Heavyweight and Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships on the line!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Masatora Yasuda; Tanahashi wins.
• Six Man Tag: Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg & Katsuya Murashima VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
• 10 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Shota Umino, Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi, Yuya Uemura & Taka Michinoku; Shota, Ishii, Taichi, Yuya & Taka win.
• 10 Man Tag: Bullet Club War Dogs VS House of Torture; No Contest.
• Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Ryusuke Taguchi VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
• NJPW World Television Championship: Great-O-Khan VS El Phantasmo; ELP wins and becomes the new NJPW World Television Champion.
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita VS YOH & Master Wato; Yoh & Wato win and become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS Templario; Despy wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

After 10 Man Tag: Bullet Club War Dogs VS House of Torture…

Sanada was about to break the rules by giving “Drilla” Moloney a Smash Hit, but David Finlay beats him to it by giving Sanada a SMACK with a cookie sheet! The referee rules this a No Contest because of all the madness! The Rebel doesn’t care, he tells his guys to fetch something! Gedo gets him a TABLE! Evil is furious but Finlay puts the table in a corner. Finlay reels Sanada in, but Evil CLOBBERS Finlay! The House regroups and Dick Togo CHOKES Finlay! Yujiro hits him with the PIMP CANE! Then then Drilla and the boys come back with weapons of their own! The House retreats so Finlay grabs a mic!

“Hey, hey, hey, hey! Where do you House of Torture p*ssies think you’re effing going?! Evil, if I understood you correctly, you want us to up the stakes of the Dog Pound Steel Cage match! You want me to put it all on the line! You wanna make it… Loser Leaves Bullet Club!” The fans are fired up to hear that! Finlay says as the one true leader, CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! Then Evil CHUCKS the guitar case at Evil! And then he CHUCKS the table! The War Dogs want to keep fighting, but The House got what they wanted, so they take their leave for now. Saturday May 3rd, who will truly be THE Bullet Club?

NJPW World Television Championship: Great-O-Khan VS El Phantasmo w/ Jado!

After he and Callum Newman won the vacated IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, The Dominator is now a DOUBLE CHAMPION! But the Headbanga is looking to change that in 15 minutes or less! Will this once again be The ELP Show? Or will Khan continue to conquer NJPW World?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really the star of the show!

The bell rings and the fans rally already. Khan and ELP circle, Khan gets a leg takedown and cover, ONE! ELP and Khan clinch, Khan pushes ELP down but ELP moves around. Khan waistlocks to bridging cover, TWO! Khan backs up to pose with arms behind his back and the fans cheer. ELP stands, Khan eggs him on, so ELP ROCKS Khan with a forearm! Khan shakes that off, comes back, and he ROCKS ELP! The fans rally as the forearms keep going back and forth! They go faster and faster, and then Khan ROCKS ELP again and again! Then MONGOLIAN CHOP! But ELP RAMS down low! ELP pumps up but Khan grabs his hair!

The ref counts, Khan lets go, but ELP has the PURPLE NURPLES! The fans fire up but uh, is Khan enjoying it? ELP stops and Khan swivels his hips! ELP kicks low, TOSSES Khan out, and then takes aim. The fans rally up, ELP PLANCHAS, but Khan dodges! Khan then kicks ELP, scoops and SLAMS him on the apron! ELP writhes and the fans rally up. Khan cools himself off and then pushes ELP into the ring. Khan drags ELP into a BOW ‘N’ ARROW! The fans rally while ELP endures, and ELP fights around to the ROPEBREA!K The fans cheer while Khan lets go, but then Khan stands ELP up, just to hit a fireman’s carry takedown!

Khan stands ELP up again, for a MONKEY FLIP! Khan drags ELP up for a SAYANAGI! Cover, TWO! ELP stays in this and the fans rally. Khan stays on ELP with the MONGOLIAN CHOPS! ELP falls, Jado coaches him up, and ELP rises again. But the MONGOLIAN CHOPS knock him back down! ELP rises again, MONGOLIAN feint and an UPPERCUT! ELP ends up in a corner, the fans rally behind Khan, and Khan hops up to sit on his throne! The ref reprimands but the fans cheer. The ref counts so Khan hops down and brings ELP out. ELP CHOPS, Khan eggs him on, so ELP CHOPS again! And again! And again!

ELP CHOPS and CHOPS and whips, but Khan reverses. ELP ducks ‘n’ dodges and rolls off Khan’s back to RANA! Khan tumbles, ELP handsprings up, and ELP LARIATS Khan up and out! The fans fire up and ELP aims again, PLANCHA! Direct hit this time and down goes Khan! The fans fire up, and ELP slides into the ring. ELP builds speed and DIVES! Khan hits railing and both men are down at the five minute mark! ELP raises his finger to say one more time, and the fans rally again. ELP rises up, climbs the corner, and from the very top, ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Down goes Khan again! The fans fire up as ELP rises again!

ELP keeps the crowd going and he drags Khan into the ring. ELP then climbs the ropes to SWANTON BOMB, and LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Khan survives the combo but ELP keeps his cool. The fans rally up again, and ELP reels Khan in. But Khan shifts to grab the leg! ELP fights free, Khan waistlocks, and Khan GERMAN SUPLEXES! ELP goes flying and the fans fire up again! Both men stir, and Khan rises to his feet. Khan drags ELP up, clinches, HITSUJIGOROSHI! ELP endures, so Khan shifts to FLATLINER! And then a roll into the IRON CLAW! And from there, ELIMIN- NO, ELP fights free and CHOPS!

ELP runs, dodges, and springboards, but into the IRON CLAW! ELIMIN- NO, ELP flips through! ELP then ducks ‘n’ dodges, goes up and leaps, but into an IRON RIGHT! Then the IRON CLAW, for an ELIMINATOR!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! ELP’s long leg saves him and Khan is stunned! The fans fire up but Khan shoves ELP to the outside. Khan then goes out and he looks under the ring. ELP sputters while Khan brings out some chairs! Khan sets them both down, flat on the floor. The ref reprimands but Khan vows he’s gonna end this! ELP is deadweight, but Khan drags him up and reels him in! POWER- DDT COUNTER!!

Both men fall on the chairs and the fans fire back up! ELP and Khan writhe, and ELP crawls to the railing. ELP sits up but flops over as the ring count starts. ELP stands again at 9 of 20, leaves Khan behind, and Khan is still down at 13! The fans rally, Khan grits his teeth to sit up, but we’re at 17! 18! Khan springs in at 19! ELP is on him and tucks the arm! C R 2!! Cover, TWO!??! Khan survives and the fans fire up! ELP is frustrated, but Jado coaches him back up. We’re at 10 minutes as ELP tunes up in the corner. Khan rises, ELP aims, SUDDEN- NO, Khan blocks the kick and spins ELP to scoop! But ELP slips free to scoop! T T D!! Cover, ONE?!?!

The fans fire up as Khan survives the move he took from Tenzan! ELP throws hands but Khan rises up! ELP SUPERKICKS, but Khan stays up! Khan laughs, then dares ELP to hit him again! SUPER FEINT to a mule kick! Then SUPERKICK! Khan goes to ropes, ELP SUPERKICKS again! And again! And AGAIN! Khan staggers around, ELP goes to the apron and climbs, THUNDERKISS ATTACK! Then he goes back out, back up, THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, ELP WINS!!!

Winner: El Phantasmo, by pinfall (NEW NJPW World Television Champion)

The Headbanga certainly banged Khan’s head with all those kicks! And now, ELP is a TWO-TIME NJPW World Television Champion! No more double reign for Khan, will this be a bad omen for the Empire?

ELP waits for Khan to exit before getting the mic. ELP tells Saga, “Arigato gozaimashita.” The fans cheer, and ELP says, “I have one thing that I want to say tonight: Takeshita-chan. I don’t wanna wait until Resurgence. Fukuoka, Dontaku, you are my first challenger, Konosuke Takeshita! And then, Resurgence, we do it for your title, the NEVER title! And you will never beat me again!” Jado translates that The Headbanga is aiming at the Alpha, though he kinda keeps it simple. Will ELP make himself a Double Champion? Or will Takeshita take this title for the Don Callis Family?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita VS YOH & Master Wato!

The Ichiban Sweet Boys fought hard to get these belts, and they’ve fought hard to keep these belts. But with the Best of the Super Juniors around the corner, can The Sniper of the Skies & The Japanese Young Punk stay strong? Or will Direct Drive & Way of the Grand Master find a way to make The Mighty kneel?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who tastes sweet victory!

The teams sort out and Wato starts against Eagles. The fans rally up with the bell, and Eagles encourages them to get louder. Eagles and Wato circle, with Wato getting a strong response from the fans. The fans duel and Eagles nods. Eagles and Wato feel things out, knuckle lock, then Eagles kicks one apart. Eagles wrenches, wrenches, then hammerlock, but then Eagles pushes Wato away. Eagles and Wato reset, tie up again, and Wato headlocks. Eagles powers up and out, but Wato runs him over! The fans applaud, Wato keeps moving, and Eagles drops down, hurdles, but Wato leaps over! Eagles arm-drags! Wato arm-drags!

Wato runs up, Eagles sweeps and covers, ONE! Wato sweeps and covers, ONE! Dropkicks cancel out and both men kip up! The fans fire up, Wato blocks a kick to give a kick. Wato whips, Eagles reverses to go up, around and arm-drag! Eagles keeps moving, he hurdles over Wato and RANAS! The fans fire up, Wato runs in, but Eagles WHEEL KICKS him down! Eagles kips up and the fans cheer! Eagles kicks at Wato, drags him up, and Eagles CHOPS! Eagles blows a kiss to Yoh, CHOPS Wato, then whips. Wato reverses, Yoh slips in, and they bypass Eagles to DOUBLE ARM-DRAG! Fujita runs in, he gets kicks and a DOUBLE BULLDOG!

The fans rally as the Sweet Boys regroup outside. Wato & Yoh aim, DOUBLE PLANCHAS, but the Sweet Boys slide in! Yoh & Wato land safe on the apron, counter punch the Sweet Boys, but then the Sweet Boys DOUBLE DROPKICK in return! Yoh & Wato sit down on the apron now, and Eagles DOUBLE DROPKICKS them both! The fans rally up again as Fujita springboards to SUPER CANNONBALL! Down go Wato & Yoh and the fans fire up with Fujita! Fujita stomps Yoh, then stomps Wato. Fujita fetches Wato and puts him in the ring for Eagles to cover. ONE, but Eagles stays cool. Eagles brings Wato up by his ear!

The ref reprimands but Eagles bumps Wato off buckles. Eagles CHOPS Wato, tags Fujita, and Fujita wrenches to whip Wato into a corner. Fujita runs up to CHOP Wato, and Wato falls to his knees! Wato crawls but Fujita brings him up to CHOP him back down! The fans cheer and Fujita stands Wato up to scoop and SLAM! Cover, TWO! Fujita stays on Wato and stands him up again. Fujita suplexes, but Wato fights free! CALF KICK! Both men are down, the fans rally up, and Wato tags in Yoh! Yoh goes up to CANNONBALL! Yoh then runs to BLAST Eagles off the apron! The fans fire up with Yoh and he brings Fujita around.

Yoh scoops and SLAMS Fujita, takes a moment to soak up the cheers, and then… ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO! SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! Fujita survives the string of attacks but Yoh brings him back up. Yoh kicks Fujita, CHOPS him, then CHOPS again! Yoh wrenches and whips Fujita, but Fujita reverses to sweep the legs! Eagles runs in and KICKS Yoh in the side! Fujita somersault SENTONS, then Eagles basement DROPKICKS! Wato runs in, but he gets DOUBLE ELBOWS, then the Sweet Boys split the wishbone before DOUBLE PENALTY KICKS! The fans fire up while Fujita goes back to Yoh.

Fujita stands Yoh up to CHOP, then CHOP again! Yoh goes to an open corner but Fujita stomps and CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! The fans rally up while Yoh sits down in the corner. Fujita stands Yoh up, wrenches and whips him into the corner. Tag to Eagles and he brings Yoh around. Eagles pulls Yoh’s hair to get him into a Camel Clutch while also starting up a “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” Eagles slaps Yoh around to the rhythm, then scuffs him. Yoh goes to the ropes but he eggs Eagles on.

Eagles eggs Yoh on, so Yoh stands and fires forearms! Eagles CHOPS Yoh down, then stands him up to whip to a corner. DOUBLE KNEES and Yoh sits down! Eagles runs back in, METEORA! Cover, TWO! Yoh stays in this and the fans rally up. Eagles drags Yoh around by a leg, steps through, but Yoh kicks him away! Eagles comes back, but Yoh wrenches and underhooks, only for Eagles to BACKDROP! Yoh sunset flips through, but Eagles rolls free and has the leg! RON MILLER SPECIAL! Yoh endures, reaches out, crawls, but Wato runs in! Fujita intercepts to have the drop toehold! Wato fights the rest and shoves Fujita onto Eagles!

The fans cheer as all four men are down! Wato drags Fujita up but Fujita TOSSES Wato! Fujita CHOPS Wato, and Eagles sits Yoh up. Eagles KICKS Yoh in the back! The fans rally, Eagles tags Fujita, and they drag Yoh up. Yoh fires forearms and kicks! But he gets DOUBLE CHOPS for it! The Sweet Boys double wrench, and MAXXIE- DOUBLE DDT!! Yoh turns things around and the fans rally up! Yoh crawls, hot tag to Wato! The fans fire up more as Wato RANAS Eagles! Then he scoops to BACKBREAKER Fujita! Scoop and BACKBREAKER for Eagles! Wato stands Fujita back up and whips, but Fujita reverses.

Fujita runs up, but into a BOOT! Wato goes out, GAMANGIRIS, then he aims. Springboard and FLYING UPPERCUT! The fans fire up while Fujita bails out and regroups with Eagles. Wato builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit at the ramp and the fans fire up again! The ring count starts, Wato puts Fujita in at 9 of 20, and then he wrenches to hook Fujita up. Fujita fights free, only for Wato to duck his chop! BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Wato stays cool and he waistlocks. Fujita fights with an elbow, switches with Wato, but Wato wrenches, fires strikes, then runs. Fujita dodges the dropkick to PENALTY KICK!

Wato snarls as he stands right up. Wato fires more kicks, but Fujita ducks the roundhouse! GAMANGIRI! Both men are down and the fans rally back up. Wato and Fujita crawl for their corners, hot tags to Yoh and Eagles! They fire forearms back and forth and the fans fire up! Yoh fires a rally, but Eagles knees low! Eagles KICKS Yoh down, then stands him back up. Eagles cravats, Yoh fights free, and Yoh JUMP KNEES! Yoh suplexes but Eagles knees Yoh in the head! Eagles wrenches but Yoh ROCKS him with a right! And a ROLLING ELBOW! The fans fire up while Eagles falls! Yoh tunes up and the fans rally again.

Eagles staggers up, but he blocks the kick! But Yoh fights the Turbo Backpack to USHIGOROSHI! Then ANACONDA VICE!! Yoh shouts out Tenzan and Eagles endures! Eagles fights up to his feet, reaches out, but Wato blocks the ropebreak! ENZIGIRI! ANACONDA SLAM!! Wato BLASTS Fujita while Yoh pulls on the hold! Eagles endures, kicks around, and he fights back up! Yoh lets go to underhook, DIRECT- NO, Eagles wrenches free and cravats, ASAI DDT!! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! Eagles and Yoh crawl, hot tag to Fujita! Fujita runs over to BLAST Wato, then goes out to ASAI DDT!

Wato is down, Fujita hurries back up, and the fans rally. Yoh stands, Fujita springboards, MISSILE DROPKICK! Fujita calls to Eagles and the Sweet Boys stand Yoh up. They double wrench, and MAXXIE BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Yoh survives and the fans fire up again! Fujita coordinates with Eagles again but the fans rally behind Yoh. Feed to Eagles, but Wato makes the save! Only to get CHOP after CHOP! Double whip, but Wato reverses, only to get a HEEL KICK PELE COMBO! The Sweet Boys get Yoh up again, scoop and- NO, Yoh slips free! He shoves Eagles into Fujita! Eagles falls, Yoh SUPERKICKS Fujita away!

Eagles ROCKS Yoh, Yoh ROCKS Eagles, but Eagles BOOTS Yoh! Yoh rebounds to FLYING FOREARM! But Eagles uses Yoh’s trick, I’ll Be Back ROUNDHOUSE! And SUPERKICK! And PELE misses! Yoh full nelsons, but Eagles breaks it and switches, SNAP SAIDO!! The fans fire up as Fujita is back and the Sweet Boys wait on Yoh! Yoh stands, Eagles gives Fujita the boost, FLYING DDT!! Cover, WATO BREAKS IT! Eagles TOSSES Wato, then DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp and the fans fire up! Fujita vows to end this, and he hauls Yoh back up. Fujita suplexes, but Yoh turns it into a cradle!! TWO!! Fujita holds on, to ABANDON-

NO, Yoh slips free, O’Conner Rolls, FIVE STAR CLUTCH DENIED! Fujita pushes Yoh down, has his legs, NEMOS SPECIAL SURFBOARD!! Yoh endures, the fans fire up, but Fujita adds the CROSSFACE! Yoh pries at the fingers! Fujita lets the crossface go, but he still has the legs! Yoh scrambles and claws at the mat, but Fujita grabs the arms! Yoh gets the ROPEBREAK with his mouth!! Yoh bites at the ropes, the ref counts, and Fujita lets go in frustration. Fujita then gets Yoh up with a deadlift! Eagles is up top, but Wato hurries to GAMANGIRI! Yoh RAMS Fujita into a corner. Wato runs in and LARIATS!

Wato sets up for Yoh, POETRY IN MOTION! Wato runs back in, Yoh puts him on the apron, and then Wato tags! Yoh hoists Fujita up, FALCON ARROW! Wato hits a DIVING DOUBLE STOMP!!! Cover, EAGLES SUPERKICKS WATO!! The fans fire up again as this continues! Yoh whips Eagles, Eagles reverses, but Yoh grabs the ropes. Yoh BOOTS Eagles, but Eagles BASEMENT 619s! Then SNIPER DROPKICK to the leg! Eagles runs up, Wato blocks Hyperion! Wato SUPERKICKS Eagles into Yoh’s POISON-RANA!! Eagles tumbles out and the fans fire up for Yoh & Wato! Fujita rises up, into a SUPER- NO, he dodges!

Fujita CHOPS Wato, KNEES Yoh, then uses Yoh as a step to GAMANGIRI Wato! The fans rally, Fujita wrenches Yoh and SNAP GERMANS! Wato flounders and Fujita roars! Fujita waistlocks to deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Wato survives and the fans fire up again! Fujita feeds off the energy and he drags Wato back up. Fujita vows to end this! ABANDON- DROPKICK to the legs! Yoh & Wato coordinate, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS for Fujita! Eagles springboards in, into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS!! The fans are thunderous as Yoh & Wato have Fujita! HIGH LOW LARIAT & LEG KICK!! Cover, TWO?!?!

Fujita survives but Yoh roars! Wato drags Fujita up, feed to Yoh for the suplex! CHASING THE DRAGON!?!? Cover, WATO & YOH WIN!!!!

Winners: Yoh & Master Wato, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

What most certainly is an odd couple makes for a winning combination! The electricity and the torrent, this stormy duo now reigns over the Junior Heavyweight Tag Division! Will they use this massive moment as momentum going into BOSJ 32? Will Eagles & Fujita use that same tournament to rise back up?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS Templario!

The Rogue Luchador is the 2024 Best of the Super Junior winner, finally having his name down in the history books. But he has also been an IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion many times, so he knows how to carry this weight. But the Lion Warrior has been a CMLL World Middleweight and Mexican National Middleweight Champion, so he is no stranger to gold. We saw new Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions crowned, will we see the same happen here? Or will Desperado prove he is still the Best of the Super Juniors?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who enters the tournament as the number one seed!

The bell rings and the fans rally. Despy offers a handshake, Templario takes it, and the fans applaud the sportsmanship. Despy and Temp circle, tie up, and then break. Then they tie up, and Temp puts Despy on the ropes. Red Shoes counts the break, Temp lets go and pats Despy on the shoulders before he rolls back. The fans applaud and so does Despy as he resets with Temp. They circle again, feel things out, and Despy facelocks to then waistlock. Temp wrenches free to hammerlock, but Despy reaches back to headlock. Temp wrenches free of that, and he wrangles Despy with a top wristlock. Despy fights up, wrenches and wristlocks, then hammerlocks again.

Temp reaches back to headlock for the takeover, but Despy headscissors. Temp handstands, then falls onto Despy for a headlock! Despy rolls Temp to a cover, TWO! Temp tries, ONE, and the two stand up. The fans cheer the standoff, and the two circle again. They feel things out, then Temp trips Despy! Temp runs, Despy stays low but Temp handsprings over! Temp keeps moving and he rolls off Despy’s back. Despy runs, Temp hurdles, but then Despy sunset flips! Temp rolls through but Despy avoids the basement dropkick! Temp avoids the kick, rolls Despy, but Despy rolls through! Despy avoids the knee, Temp avoids the lariat, and the fans cheer the new standoff!

Despy and Temp circle, the fans rally up, and then Despy eggs Temp on. Temp CHOPS and Despy takes a step back. The fans rally, Despy returns and CHOPS Temp! Temp nods, and he CHOPS Despy! Despy CHOPS, Temp CHOPS, repeat! They CHOP, CHOP, CHOP, fast ‘n’ furious, then Temp ROCKS Despy with a forearm! Despy is frustrated but the fans fire up with him. Despy comes back and he CHOPS! Temp CHOPS, Despy CHOPS, and the CHOPS fly fast ‘n’ furious again! The fans fire up as Despy CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Temp winces, but then he fires back up! Temp steps to Despy, and CHOPS! The CHOPS just keep going!

Temp fires a flurry of forearms, then runs, but Despy ELBOWS him! Despy runs, but Temp blows past to go up, up, and springboard MISSILE DROPKICK! Despy tumbles out and the fans rally as Temp builds speed! DIVE and Despy hits the railing! The fans fire up and Temp comes back for Despy. Demp CHOKES Despy with camera cable, then he drags Despy around to bring him into No Man’s Land! Temp SMACKS Despy off the railing, then SLAMS the gate shut on Despy’s arm! The fans are torn but Red Shoes reprimands. Temp drags Despy up to just SLAM the gate shut again! The fans rally while Despy writhes and we pass five minutes.

Temp grabs Despy’s bad arm, bends it against the railing, but Red Shoes reprimands. Temp stops torturing Despy to stand him up. Temp hammerlocks the arm and POSTS Despy! Despy hobbles away, but Temp brings him through the other gate. Red Shoes reprimands, Temp says okay, he’ll stop. But then he SLAMS the gate shut anyway! The fans rally for Despy while Temp throws up the crown. Temp drags Despy up and into the ring, then he stands on the bad arm! Despy grabs at Temp but Temp STOMPS the arm! And SPLASHES it! And SPLASHES! Temp then drags Despy up to facelock and wrench, for an ARM CODE BREAKER!

Despy writhes but Temp covers, TWO! Temp is a bit annoyed but the fans rally up. Despy pushes Temp away but Temp still stands him up. Temp hits Despy with forearm after forearm, but Despy comes back to return those shots! Temp ROCKS and whips Despy, but Despy reverses, only for Temp to ROCK him again! Temp brings Despy’s bad arm through the ropes to pull on the hammerlock! Despy shouts and Red Shoes reprimands, so Temp lets go at 4. Despy writhes and crawls away but Temp storms over to him. Temp stands Despy up to KICK the bad arm! And KICK it again! Despy blocks the next kick, and CLUBS the leg!

That was double-edged and Despy shakes out the bad arm, then Temp grabs said arm! But Despy ROCKS Temp with his good arm! Temp JUMP ELBOW STRIKES! Temp whips, Despy reverses and SPINEBUSTERS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Temp crawls away to a corner while the fans rally, and Despy rises. Despy runs in, blocks a boot, and he KICKS Temp’s other leg! Despy then has that other leg for a SHIN BREAKER! Temp hobbles around, Despy runs up, but Temp puts Despy on the apron! Despy HOTSHOTS Temp down! Despy drags Temp to the outside, SMACKS him, then whips, only for Temp to reverse! Despy hits railing hard!

Despy staggers, Temp RAMS him into railing in front of commentary! Temp fires up and the fans rally with him. Temp whips, Despy reverses and FLAPJACKS Temp off the apron! Despy then slides in, builds speed, and DIVES! Direct hit and Despy grazes the railing! The fans fire up for Despy as he shows he’s okay, but then he falls back to catch his breath. We hit ten minutes while Red Shoes checks both men. They’re both okay, so Despy sits back up. Despy huffs ‘n’ puffs as he stands back up, and the fans rally again as he brings Temp to his feet. Despy puts Temp in the ring, but Temp gets back on the apron.

Despy meets Temp there, and Despy mentions how he doesn’t like fighting on the edge. Even so, he CHOPS Temp! Temp CHOPS in return! Despy CHOPS again, and again, and again! Despy brings Temp in, but Temp suplexes first! APRON GOURD BUSTER! Despy falls, and this is why he hates the apron edge! Temp slides in, builds speed, and Temp SASUKE SPECIALS! Down goes Despy and the fans fire up! Red Shoes checks both men again, and they’re still in this. A ring count starts, both men are still down at 5 of 20, but Temp sits up at 6. Temp stands at 8, hobbles over to Despy and stands him up at 10. Temp puts Despy in at 11 and the fans applaud.

Temp takes a breath, then aims from the apron. The fans rally as Temp climbs the corner, tightrope walks, and CROSSBODIES into a SPEAR! Despy’s antiair wasn’t the cleanest but it did the job! Despy has Red Shoes move aside, and Despy goes up a corner! But Temp hits the Templarooni! Temp then ROCKS Despy, goes to the outside, and he climbs back up the corner. Temp CLUBS Despy, ROCKS Despy, then fires more shots. Temp stands on the very top, brings Despy up to join him, and SUPER DUPER STEINERS!! Despy flounders away but Temp is also down! The fans fire up while both men writhe!

Temp crawls his way over to Despy, manages the cover, TWO!! Despy survives and the fans fire back up! Temp is too sore to be upset, and the fans rally again. Temp fires himself back up, drags Despy up, and fireman’s carries. Despy fights free, but Temp SOBATS! Front KICK! ENZIGIRI! Fireman’s carry and GUT BUSTER- NO, Despy blocks to GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And then STRETCH MUFFLER! Temp flails and reaches out while Despy thrashes the leg! Temp fights his way forward, but Despy grabs an arm! Temp fights off Numero Dos to reach out, ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Despy lets go in frustration.

Despy fires himself back up as we hit 15 minutes, and he drags Temp into the gut wrench! Temp fights free, for an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Despy fights back by clasping hands and pushing up, and he wants Temp’s leg! Temp slips around to use his leg in hooking Despy’s arm into a hammerlock! Temp then gets Despy’s legs and ties them up, and he shows off his llave techniques with this modified Deathlock Bow ‘n’ Arrow! Despy flails with his one free arm, but Temp traps Despy’s legs with his leg. Temp grabs that free arm, and pulls it back so he can RECLINE on it! Despy is completely caught, but he flails and thrashes around to get his arm free!

Despy uses his core muscles to move forward and crawl around! Temp gets the free arm back for another RECLINER! Despy is caught but he refuses to quit! Despy shakes around, pops free, and has the ROPEBREAK!! The fans cheer while Temp lets go in frustration. Despy slowly rises, but Temp reels him in for a fireman’s carry! GUT BUSTER DROP! Cover, TWO!! Despy survives and the fans rally up again. Despy drags himself up with the ropes but Temp is right on him. Temp RIPS at Despy’s mask, but Red Shoes reprimands! Temp stops that and spins Despy around, but Despy fights the lift!

Despy CLUBS Temp’s legs, then CHOPS him again and again! But Temp V-TRIGGERS Despy down! Temp then wheelbarrows and GERMAN SUPLEXES in one go! Cover, TWO!!! Despy barely survives and the fans fire up! Temp stays cool as he drags Despy back up. Temp fires up, CLUBS Despy, then brings him up, only for Despy to slip free! PINCHE LOCO!! But Despy can’t make the cover! Despy crawls, falls on the cover, TWO!! Temp survives thanks to the delay, but the fans rally up for Despy. Despy feeds off that energy and he brings Temp back up! Despy underhooks again, for a JAY DRILLER!

Despy holds on and he drags Temp back up, but Temp fights the underhooks! Temp ROCKS Despy, ROCKS him again, but he’s also running out of steam! Despy stands Temp up, but Temp fires more haymakers! Despy LOCO MONOS, then underhooks! PINCHE LOCO!!! Cover, DESPY WINS!

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

Templario proved he is a warrior with the heart of a lion, but it just wasn’t enough to take down the Rogue Luchador! Will the BOSJ be his way back to the title?

As for Despy, he grabs the mic to say, “There’re this many people in Saga? It’s a nice building, but I didn’t think there’d be enough people to fill it.” The fans laugh and Despy tells Templario,” Amigo, thanks for coming. I’ve very pleased to have faced you. Do you nkow about this? The rookies here are called ‘Young Lions.’ A rookie lion. You’re the Lion Warrior, aren’t you? The lion is the mark of NJPW. You’ve got the same symbol. I think I’ve found a good friend. Do you agree? Muchas gracias.” The fans applaud and Temp nods in agreement. Despy asks if Temp has something to say, and then hands him the mic.

The fans applaud, and Templario says, “I’ve dreamt of this day for years. I came a long way for this. I’m so grateful to NJPW. You’ll forever be in my heart. I’ll return anytime you’d have me. Japan is a home for me now. Thank you.” The fans applaud, and Despy shakes Temp’s hand. Temp takes a bow and then leaves with the United Empire. Despy takes the mic again and translates for the fans. That is how special NJPW is to the world! The fans applaud that, and Despy says it is great to see people work their asses off to be here. Despy is also glad so many traveled to little Saga just to fill the arena. The fans again laugh at being such a small town.

Despy says if he’ll stop, it’ll go dark and someone will call him out. Can he finish with no interruptions? Well, Despy is again grateful to have faced such a great wrestler in such a venue, and also… This is the last time he’ll see Naito & Bushi in the ring, huh? Well, anybody who’s a fan will know we’ll see them again down the road. The fans applaud that. “Hasta la vista, amigos! Gracias!” The fans applaud, and now Despy heads into the tournament as the one to beat! Streamers fly, but will Despy still be the Best of the Super Juniors in 2025?

My Thoughts:

Another great “detour” on this Road to Wrestling Dontaku, just like Wrestling Redzone a few days ago. Good stuff in the tune-ups, and I like that War Dogs VS House of Torture ups the ante. But if it comes down to “Winners are THE Bullet Club,” I feel like the War Dogs have to win. The House of Torture could’ve and should’ve just been a faction all their own at some point before this, so this can be their out. Plus, the War Dogs are great Tweeners that the fans certainly accept as the Faces in this story, they should win to be undefeated in their own signature “Dog Pound” match.

Great title matches here, and I’m a little surprised that ELP won the NJPW World TV Championship back. But at the same time, Khan already checked off the accomplishment of being a double champion, and I suppose it’d be too American pro-wrestling to make Khan do double headers on a show. Khan can focus on the tag titles, ELP can face all sorts of people with the TV title, it’s just best for NJPW business. The Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship match was awesome, and I’m rather surprised Yoh & Wato won. Great for them, as Wato hasn’t had a lot on his list of accomplishments, so a second tag title run is a nice addition.

And of course, awesome main event from Despy and Templario. Despy winning makes sense, though, he’s going to attempt a back-to-back BOSJ tournament win, and having the title with him also adds some drama to every match he’ll have. Everyone always puts up their best against the champ in hopes of getting some golden tickets, and Despy definitely likes being the guy with the target on his back.

My Score: 9/10