NJPW isn’t cooling off just yet!

There may not be gold, but there’s plenty of fire left for NJPW in Kagoshima! Will the Golden Aces trump Henare & Cobb?

NOTE: NJPW no longer wants to feed AXS TV now that it is with Anthem and Impact Wrestling. But never fear, I will cover NJPW in the spirit of AXS in providing the most important matches of the show.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Tetsuya Naito & Shingo Takagi VS Will Ospreay & Great-O-Khan; Naito & Takagi win.
• The Golden Aces VS Aaron Henare & Jeff Cobb; The Golden Aces win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Tetsuya Naito & Shingo Takagi VS Will Ospreay & Great-O-Khan!

Los Ingobernables de Japon may have lost to the United Empire, but they aren’t giving in just yet! Will the tide be turned before The Dragon goes after the Commonwealth Kingpin’s gold?

Naito takes his time with his elaborate entrance gear and Ospreay gives the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship a long kiss before the teams sort out. Ospreay assures Khan he’s got this, and LIJ fist bumps before Takagi steps up. The fans fire up and Ospreay looks to charge, but he lets off. Fans rally strong with “TA-KA-GI! TA-KA-GI!” as he and Ospreay circle. Ospreay toys with Takagi a bit before they tie up, and they go around. Takagi puts Ospreay on ropes, Ospreay turns things around but Takagi turns it back. Takagi pats Ospreay’s shoulder, but then swings a chop! Ospreay dodges, swings a kick, but Takagi dodges that! The two stand off and fans cheer.

Takagi and Ospreay reset, circle, and fans rally up again. Takagi headlocks, Ospreay wrenches to get a headlock, but Takagi powers out. They ram shoulders but neither falls. Ospreay throws a forearm and Takagi fires up already! Takagi forearms, Ospreay returns it, and repeat! Fans rally as they keep going, Ospreay gets the edge and runs. Takagi blocks the boot to DOUBLE CHOP! But Ospreay kips right up! Ospreay mule kicks, rams Takagi but Takagi rebounds to run him over! Ospreay is right back up again to BOOT Takagi down! Takagi rolls away to reset and fans cheer again. Ospreay and Takagi stare down, and Ospreay tags to Khan.

Fans clap for “NA-I-TO!” now, so Takagi tags him in! Naito and Khan circle now, fans continue to clap, and the two approach. Naito fakes Khan out, but Khan CLUBS Naito on the back! Khan runs and runs Naito over, then mockingly asks, “How’s that?” Khan kicks Naito, runs, but Naito kicks and runs to RANA! Fans fire up as Naito drags Khan up by his ponytail! Tag to Takagi, Naito brings Khan over and Takagi climbs up to drop ax handles on the hair! Fans cheer but Red Shoes reprimands. Takagi drags Khan up by the ponytail, whips him and runs him over! Ospreay hurries away before Takagi can swing on him, so Takagi goes back to Khan.

Takagi scrapes Khan with a boot, drives elbows into Khan’s shoulder over and over, then stands him up. Takagi whips, Khan reverses and Ospreay gets a cheap shot in! Ospreay gets away again but Takagi elbows Khan. Takagi whips Khan to a corner then runs in. Khan gets away and goes after Naito, Red Shoes misses Ospreay KICK Takagi in the corner! Ospreay drags Takagi out of the ring and whips him into railing! Khan does the same to Naito as Ospreay throws hands on Takagi! Takagi falls over, Ospreay stands on his head, and Khan whips Naito into more railing! Ospreay gets Takagi in a seated cobra twist, and he BITES Takagi’s ear!

Red Shoes reprimands and counts but Ospreay lets off. Ospreay soaks up the heat from fans, puts Takagi in for Khan, and Khan covers. Red Shoes refuses, he saw all the shenanigans. Khan stomps Takagi, tags in Ospreay, and Ospreay stomps a mudhole into Takagi. Ospreay drags Takagi up and scoops for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Ospreay is annoyed as Takagi gets to ropes. Ospreay gets in Red Shoes’ as Khan chokes Takagi on the ropes! Khan lets Takagi up and Ospreay slaps Takagi around in the corner. Takagi fires back with forearms! Ospreay knees low, bumps him off buckles, tags to Khan, and Khan CLUBS Takagi. Khan climbs up to sit on Takagi’s head!

Red Shoes reprimands and counts, but Khan pulls Takagi’s arms back! Khan stops as Red Shoes reaches 4, and he drags Takagi to a cover, TWO! Fans cheer but Khan is annoyed as he drags Takagi back up. Ospreay tags back in, the Empire double whips and double shoulders Takagi down! Ospreay jumps for a big knee drop! Ospreay wraps on a chinlock and grinds Takagi into the mat. Takagi endures and fans build to a rally. Takagi moves around, gets to his feet, but Ospreay shifts to a facelock. Takagi throws body shots but Ospreay knees low! Ospreay bumps Takagi off buckles but Takagi just hulks up! Ospreay bumps him again and Takagi is mad!

Ospreay kicks low, fires off Kowata Kicks, but Takagi gets even more fired up! Ospreay gives more Kowata Kicks but Takagi blocks to shove, elbow, JAB, and fake the lariat to hit a DDT! Fans fire up as both men are down! Ospreay tags Khan and Khan stomps Takagi down before he can reach Naito! Khan waits for Takagi to stand to hit a Mongolian Chop! And another! Takagi blocks the third to use the Mongolian Chop! Takagi fires up but Khan blocks Takagi’s next try, so Takagi JABS and YUKON LARIATS! Fans fire up again as Takagi tags in Naito! Naito throws forearms and kicks and then whips Khan for a back elbow and basement dropkick!

Naito whips Khan to a corner, runs in, rocket kick to COMBINACION CABRON! Naito mocks Khan’s serious pose, then gets Khan up for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Naito drags Khan back up by his ponytail, brings him around and uses it to choke Khan! Red Shoes counts, Naito stops at 3, and then brings Khan up for a waistlock. Khan elbows free, switches, but Naito flails to resist. Khan keeps trying, Naito elbows but into a HALF NELSON FACEBUSTER! Fans rally up, Khan drags Naito up, and Khan whips Naito corner to corner, and follows right up with a rabbit lariat! Khan hoists Naito up into a Tree of Woe, but Naito tries to pull himself up.

Khan makes Naito stay in the Tree, and he digs his boot into Naito’s neck! Red Shoes reprimands, Khan lets off and runs corner to corner, but Naito pulls up! Khan hits the bottom buckle but he gets up to scoop Naito for an atomic FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Naito survives and fans rally up again! Khan drags Naito up, clinches, but Naito fights the lift. Khan Mongolian Chops over and over, then drags him back up for the lift. Naito makes it a DDT! Naito DECKS Ospreay, then hobbles over to Khan. Fans rally as Naito gets Khan up, puts him up top, and climbs up to join him. Naito stands on the very top, for the SUPER STEINER! Cover, but Ospreay breaks it!

Takagi throws Ospreay out hard and goes after him! Naito gets Khan back up, wrenches, but Khan elbows Naito away. Naito fires forearms, whips, and leaps, into the IRON CLAW! Khan makes it a modified abdominal stretch! Fans rally as Naito endures the twisting, but Khan throws in knees! Khan scoops Naito but Naito slips free. Naito dodges a boot, Khan dodges an enziguri. Naito dodges again to SHOTGUN BOOT Khan down! Fans fire up as both men are down! Khan and Naito crawl for their corners, hot tags to Ospreay and Takagi! The Dragon rallies on the Kingpin, BIG scoop slam! Ospreay reverses a whip but Takagi breaks free.

Takagi spins Ospreay through the Gory Especial to a suplex! Cover, TWO! Takagi fires up as Ospreay gets to a corner. Takagi runs in but he blocks a boot and gets through to clothesline! Takagi throws JAB and CHOP over and over and over! Fans rally as Takagi fires off jabs, but Ospreay powers up! Ospreay CHOPS Takagi in return! Ospreay whips Takagi, Takagi reverses, but Ospreay stops from hitting buckles. Takagi runs in but Ospreay puts him up top, and KICKS him into the Tree of Woe! Ospreay goes corner to corner, for a HESITATION DROPKICK! Takagi falls out of the Tree, Ospreay gets him up to a dragon sleeper, SAVING GRACE! Cover, TWO!

Takagi is still in this and fans fire up! Ospreay seethes, but he brings Takagi up to underhook. Takagi blocks the lift and back drops Ospreay away! Ospreay gets up but into an elbow! Takagi snapmares, runs, but Ospreay avoids the sliding lariat. Takagi avoids the kick, waistlocks but Ospreay elbows and whips. Takagi reverses, Ospreay handsprings, but Takagi catches Ospreay for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Ospreay lands on his feet! Ospreay dodges Takagi and hits a ROLLING ELBOW! Fans fire up after that exchange, and Ospreay tags Khan. Khan waits for Takagi to stand as fans rally with “TA-KA-GI!” Takagi stands, Khan runs in but Takagi BOOTS him!

Takagi runs but into a hip toss, and KATAGATAMI! Takagi fights the head ‘n’ arm triangle but Khan thrashes him around! Fans rally as Takagi endures and fights up, but Khan SLAMS him back down! Khan squeezes tight but Naito stomps him! Ospreay gets in to ROCK Naito! Ospreay kicks Naito out and regroups with Khan. They get Takagi up, whip him to ropes, but Takagi holds ropes to then send Ospreay into Khan. The Empire avoids the double lariats to BOOT SUPERKICK COMBO! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives and fans fire up even more! Khan drags Takagi up and into the iron claw stretch! Takagi endures as fans rally up, and Ospreay fights with Naito in a corner.

Takagi is fading! Naito gets free, Khan shoves Takagi away, and Khan kicks Naito, only to run into a basement dropkick! Ospreay hits PIP PIP CHEERIO on Naito! Takagi and Ospreay trade shots, Ospreay handsprings for the NEURALIZER! Takagi rebounds to SLIDING LARIAT! All four men are down but the fans are thunderous! Khan gets up first and he prepares the iron claw! Khan clamps onto Takagi, but Takagi slips out. Khan elbows, runs, but Takagi lariats and snapmares, for Naito to basement dropkick! Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS Ospreay out of the ring! Takagi fires up with “OI! OI! OI!” and fans follow him.

Naito gets Khan up, LIJ whips Khan but Khan reverses! Khan BOOTS Takagi, but Takagi whips Khan into Naito’s atomic drop! Takagi blindside lariats and Khan ends up in the corner, for a corner lariat! Naito ENZIGURIS, Takagi runs to PUMPING BOMBER! Fans fire up as Takagi tops it off with a pump handle torture rack, LAST OF THE DRAGONS!! Cover, LIJ wins!

Winners: Tetsuya Naito & Shingo Takagi, by pinfall

The Dominator has been defeated, and the Kingpin clutches to his treasure! Ospreay gets in Takagi’s face with the title, Takagi shoves him. Ospreay ROLLING ELBOWS! Then underhooks for STORM- NO! Takagi slips free, pump handles, LAST OF THE DRAGONS!!! If Takagi hits Ospreay with that at Dontaku, he’ll be the champion! Will Dontaku be where Takagi finally has his moment?

The Golden Aces VS Aaron Henare & Jeff Cobb!

It wasn’t exactly a betrayal, but the Hammerhead breaking up HenarACE out of nowhere had to hurt Hiroshi Tanahashi’s feelings. Will the Ultimate Weapon end up the ultimate tune-up before Tanahashi takes on the Switchblade?

Cobb and Ibushi want after each other already, but Red Shoes has the teams sort out first. Tanahashi shows off the muscles but Ibushi wants to start with Cobb so The Ace steps aside. The bell rings and both Ibushi and Cobb rush in! Cobb avoids a V-Trigger, Ibushi avoids a clothesline, and the forearms start flying! They go faster and faster and the fans rally with them! They go NO GUARD! Ibushi ROCKS Cobb, Cobb ROCKS Ibushi! Ibushi GAMANGIRIS! Fans fire up and Ibushi tags Tanahashi. The Golden Aces double whip and double elbow Cobb, to then KICK and elbow drop! Then they join hands for the double elbow drop! Tanahashi stares Henare down before getting Cobb’s leg.

Tanahashi stomps away then YANKS Cobb’s leg, and comes back to drag Cobb up. Tanahashi wrenches an arm, tags Ibushi, and Ibushi CLUBS Cobb’s arm. Cobb reaches for Henare but Ibushi wrenches and CLUBS the arm again. Fans rally as Ibushi whips and leaps, but into Cobb’s arms! Henare runs in and BLASTS Tanahashi while Cobb RABS Ibushi into the corner. Henare runs in corner to corner to BOOT Ibushi down! The Empire coordinates, and Henare goes after Tanahashi on the outside! Henare even chokes Tanahashi! Cobb DECKS Ibushi but Ibushi glares at him defiantly. Cobb gets Ibushi up for a heavy body shot and a heavier CLUB to the back.

Cobb taunts Ibushi, stomps him and CLUBS him again, but Ibushi continues to glare at him defiantly. Cobb CLUBS Ibushi in the chest, covers, TWO! Cobb drags Ibushi up with a chinlock, tags in Henare, and the Empire mugs Ibushi. Fans are thunderous for “I-BU-SHI!” as Henare throws headbutts. Ibushi eggs Henare on and then fires off forearms. Henare knees low, runs, but Ibushi dropkicks him down! Fans fire up as both men are down! Tanahashi rallies the fans as he drums the buckle pad, and Ibushi makes the hot tag! The Ace fires off on Henare, then whips, but Henare reverses, only for Tanahashi to flying forearm!

Tanahashi sees Cobb step in, so he gives him a DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi blocks Henare’s kick for a DRAGON SCREW! Fans are thunderous for Tanahashi as he scoops and SLAMS Henare to a drop zone. Tanahashi hops up to the second rope, for the SOMERSAULT SENTON! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi keeps his focus, builds speed, but Henare avoids the Slingblade to waistlock. Tanahashi switches, shoves Henare to a corner, and runs in, only for Henare to flapjack snake eyes! Henare KICKS Tanahashi’s leg out, then drags him up with a DEAD LIFT FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Cobb BLASTS Ibushi, Henare covers, TWO!

Cobb keeps after Ibushi on the outside with a rain of fists, but fans rally up, “LET’S GO, ACE!” Henare gives Tanahashi ground ‘n’ pound while Cobb whips Ibushi into railing. Henare gets a KNEEBAR! Tanahashi endures and fans rally, and Tanahashi drags himself over to the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Henare lets go at 4 and tags in Cobb. Cobb stomps Tanahashi down, then he and Henare get Tanahashi up for double headbutts! Cover, TWO! Cobb tries again, TWO! Cobb is upset but Tanahashi fires up! Cobb JAMS his knee into Tanahashi’s back, then basement EuroUppers! Cobb gets Tanahashi up for a reverse scoop, and a BACKBREAKER!

Cobb mocks the air guitar by using Tanahashi as a guitar, and Cobb dares Ibushi to do something about it. Red Shoes keeps Ibushi back, Henare tags in, and the Empire mugs Tanahashi. Henare goes after Tanahashi’s bad leg, then fires off forearms. Tanahashi eggs Henare on, fires forearms in return, but Henare KICKS the leg out! Henare puts the leg on ropes to dig his boots in! Red Shoes counts and Henare stops, to then drag Tanahashi over. Henare pulls on the foot, steps through and has a HEEL HOOK! Ibushi gets in as Cobb keeps egging him on, but Red Shoes has him stand down. Tanahashi drags himself over and gets another ropebreak!

Henare lets him go, Tanahashi grits his teeth as he gets to a corner. Tanahashi gets up, Henare runs in, and Henare blocks Tanahashi’s boot! Henare brings Tanahashi out for a DRAGON SCREW! Cover, TWO! Henare grows frustrated but the fans rally, “LET’S GO, ACE!” Henare tags Cobb, and Cobb stomps Tanahashi more. Cobb brings Tanahashi up to headbutt, but Tanahashi stays up! Cobb headbutts again and again but still Tanahashi stays on his feet! Tanahashi goes to a corner, Cobb whips him corner to corner, but Tanahashi comes back to dropkick Cobb’s leg! Henare runs in to BLAST Ibushi off the apron!

Cobb gets Tanahashi up, reels him in, and mocks the fans clapping for Tanahashi as he suplexes. Tanahashi fights that off to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Both men are down, fans rally up and Ibushi is back on his corner! Tanahashi crawls over, hot tag to the Golden Star! Ibushi BLASTS Henare, fires off on Cobb, but Cobb reverses the whip. Henare is there to hit a cheap shot! The Empire double whips, but Ibushi dodges the double clothesline to DOUBLE PELE! Fans fire up again as Ibushi focuses on Cobb. Ibushi kicks but Cobb ducks it, only for Ibushi to STANDING SKY TWISTER! Cover, TWO! Ibushi gets the wrists, sits Cobb up, but Cobb avoids Kamigoye to waistlock!

Ibushi elbows free, runs, but into a bearhug and OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Cobb sees Ibushi go to a corner and runs in for the LEAPING back elbow! Cobb scoops Ibushi for a RUNNING BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up as Ibushi is still in this, but Cobb is back up. Cobb has a cut on his nose and a bit of blood but he doesn’t let that bother him as he gets Ibushi up. Cobb reels Ibushi in but Ibushi slips out, only for Cobb to ROCK him! Ibushi mule kicks, Cobb SUPERKICKS! Ibushi ROUNDHOUSES and both men are down again! Tanahashi and the fans rally for Ibushi as he crawls, hot tag to Tanahashi! The Ace runs but Cobb turns the Slingblade into an ATHLETIC PLEX!

Tag to Henare, and the Ultimate Weapon aims at Tanahashi. SHINING WIZARD to snapmare and KICK! Henare seethes as he looms over Tanahashi. Tanahashi sits up, Henare hits a PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! Henare only gets angrier as Tanahashi gets up again. Henare aims from a corner, runs in, RAMPAGE SPEAR!! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives and Henare is shocked! Henare powers up and drags Tanahashi up. Henare fisherman’s to the fireman’s carry, but Tanahashi turns the toss into a SLINGBLADE! Fans are thunderous again as Tanahashi crawls, hot tag to Ibushi! Ibushi fires off a strike fest on Henare! Henare CROSS COUNTERS!

Ibushi ducks to CROSS COUNTER! ROUNDHOUSE from Ibushi, and he vows to end this! Fans fire up as he gets Henare’s wrists! Henare resists, Cobb CLOBBERS Ibushi! Cobb fireman’s carries Ibushi, kicks Tanahashi and adds him to the pile! Tanahashi slips off, then Ibushi. Ibushi shoves Cobb and Tanahashi dumps him to the apron. SHOTEI followed by a BOOT send Cobb down! The Golden Aces drag Henare up but he fires off big hands and elbows on them both! BODY SHOT! Henare runs, but into a V-TRIGGER! KENNY~! SLINGBLADE from Tanahashi! Fans are electric as the Golden Aces coordinate! ACES HIGH CROSSBODY!

Tanahashi calls for Ibushi to end this! Ibushi sits Henare up, KAMIGOYE!! Cover, the Golden Aces win!!

Winners: The Golden Aces, by pinfall

Ibushi’s return to the main event is a success! Tanahashi looks at his former protégé, are there any lingering regrets in The Ace’s heart? As for Ibushi, he and Cobb egg each other on, more than ready for a 1v1 showdown! Red Shoes has them stand down, the fighting is over for tonight. Cobb knows Ibushi is going to speak, so he sticks around with a ringside seat, that he confiscates from the timekeeper. Ibushi gets the mic, and says, “Thank you, thank you, thank you, Cobb-san. Jeff Cobb is a phenomenal athlete. He’s absolutely a world-class pure athlete.” Ibushi remembers Ryogoku, and now he wants Cobb 1v1. What does Cobb say to that? Ibushi asks, “Please,” and Cobb is handed the mic.

Cobb understands what Ibushi wants, and says, “F*** YEAH!!” Cobb takes his leave, and Ibushi continues to say, “That sounds good to me.” But there isn’t much time left before Dontaku, huh? Hopefully NJPW will put this together as soon as possible. That said, Ibushi wants Tanahashi to say something to his hometown. Ibushi knows they all want to hear even just a little from Tanahashi. Tanahashi is handed the mic and says, “NJPW has returned to Kagoshima!!” Fans cheer for that! Tanahashi thanks the fans for coming these past two nights, and knows “we still have a lot to get through.” But please, let pro-wrestling “be one of those things that helps you get through this.”

Tanahashi thanks the fans again, and hands the mic back to Ibushi. Ibushi agrees with every word Tanahashi just said. That is why Ibushi always says this, “from nothing and nobody… I will never quit, I will never lose, I will never give up and I will never betray you!” Ibushi again thanks the fans for being here, and it’s on to Dontaku! Will Ibushi build himself back up at the expense of the Empire’s Hulk? Will Tanahashi be ready to defend his NEVER Openweight Championship?

My Thoughts:

A good event, but the first night of Wrestling Satsuma seemed much more important given it had the title matches. This was definitely the night for the dedicated fans, and those who are big fans of Ibushi since Kagoshima is his hometown. Naito & Takagi VS Ospreay & Khan was very good, and I’m surprised that not only did LIJ win, but that Takagi got to stand tall! Though, that really hammers home that Takagi’s not winning at Dontaku. Ospreay will find a way to keep the belt, even if he has to cheat, just to keep Takagi from getting the top title in NJPW.

The Golden Aces VS the other half of the Empire was also very good, but again definitely more for the hometown hero appeal. Ibushi VS Cobb is going to be a great match, but I would think Ibushi wins so that he can build his way back to the world title. The G1 Climax will return, but Ibushi’s already won back-to-back and been in the finals the last three years. It’d be way too much to think he’d be in his FOURTH G1 finals, so he might get his rematch before then, and possibly win the belt back. Though, even that scenario seems like a lot too soon.

My Score: 8.8/10