NJPW has a title match, a title opportunity match, and… iron fingers?

NJPW has done some unique things lately, but Wrestling Dontaku 2021 might take the cake! Who takes the Iron Fingers from Hell for their own?

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

• IWGP Heavyweight Championship Right to Challenge match: Tanga Loa VS Zack Sabre Jr; ZSJ wins and the Dangerous Tekkers will challenge Guerrillas of Destiny for the titles.
• Iron Fingers from Hell Ladder Match: Taichi VS Tama Tonga; Taichi wins and owns the Iron Fingers from Hell.
• NEVER Openweight Championship: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Jay White w/ Gedo; White wins and becomes the new NEVER Openeweight Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

IWGP Heavyweight Championship Right to Challenge match: Tanga Loa VS Zack Sabre Jr!

Well this is different. With their tag partners fighting over the Iron Fingers from Hell, it is on the Silverback to face the Submission Master and determine the fate of the tag titles! Will ZSJ make Loa #JustTapOut and earn a title match for both him and the Sliest Wrestler in the World?

The bell rings, Loa and ZSJ circle and fans rally up. They feel out the grapple, Loa calls for a test of strength, and ZSJ knuckle locks but kicks an arm away. Loa shoots in but ZSJ backs off and they reset. ZSJ and Loa approach again, still feeling it out. ZSJ tries to bait Loa in but Loa corners him instead. Loa and ZSJ tie up with collar ‘n’ elbow, and ZSJ slowly but surely uses leverage to push Loa back. Loa eggs him in, then brings him around to ropes. The ref calls for a ropebreak, and Loa lets off. Loa swings, but ZSJ dodges and runs to sunset flip! TWO, ZSJ has a headlock but Loa powers out. Kitchen sink knee becomes a school boy roll, TWO!

ZSJ dodges a boot to get a cobra twist to the ground cobra cradle! TWO, and the two stand off! Fans cheer this opening exchange as things reset again. ZSJ and Loa both grin and fans rally back up as the two circle. Loa wants another try at the test of strength, and ZSJ accepts. They knuckle lock, ZSJ kicks an arm and headlocks. Loa powers out to run ZSJ over! ZSJ rolls to ropes but Loa looms over him. Loa gets ZSJ up to wrench the arm, then wristlocks for the knuckle lock. ZSJ claws at Loa’s face, works on the knuckle lock, but Loa gets his test of strength after all! Loa makes ZSJ drop to his knees as he puts pressure on the wrists.

ZSJ fights up, Loa pushes him back down, but then ZSJ rolls to reverse the wrenching! Loa powers through to turn and flip ZSJ, then reel him in for a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Cover, TWO as ZSJ bridges! Loa sweeps legs, TWO as ZSJ bridges again. Loa hops on, TWO as ZSJ still bridges! Fans cheer the showing of strength, then ZSJ kips up and wrenches through to keylock and wrangle Loa down! ZSJ stomps the arm, but Loa is right up to CLOBBER ZSJ! Loa likes the daring of ZSJ, and brings him up to DECK him again! Loa gets ZSJ up to whip him to a corner, then runs in to clothesline! ZSJ is down and Loa shakes out the bad arm.

Fans rally for “ZSJ! ZSJ!” but Loa drags ZSJ up to scoop and RUNNING POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! ZSJ is still in this but Loa smiles. Loa stalks ZSJ to ropes, stomps him down, then drags him out to the apron. Loa CLUBS ZSJ in the chest, then slides back inside. Loa chokes ZSJ with both hands! The ref counts, Loa lets off, and Loa stalks ZSJ to a corner. Loa stomps ZSJ down, digs his boot in, but lets off as the ref counts. Loa stomps ZSJ one more time before catching his breath. Fans still rally as ZSJ sits up, but Loa is back on him. Loa whips, ZSJ goes up and around to TORNADO DDT! Both men are down and fans fire up!

Loa crawls to a corner, fans rally as ZSJ rises, and ZSJ runs corner to corner to EuroUpper! Loa eggs ZSJ on so ZSJ throws more EuroUppers! Loa fireman’s carries but ZSJ slips out to PELE the arm! And sweep the leg! ZSJ locks Loa’s arm to stomp it again! ZSJ goes after that arm but Loa resists. ZSJ uses a top mount to get leverage, hammerlock and TWIST! Loa writhes but ZSJ won’t leave the arm alone! ZSJ pulls both arms in, hammerlock on one and a deep wristlock on the other! Loa gets a ropebreak with his foot and ZSJ reluctantly lets him go. ZSJ runs in to kick the bad arm, then kick it again! ZSJ eggs Loa on now but Loa tries to get away.

ZSJ wrenches an arm but Loa ROCKS him! Loa runs, into a boot! ZSJ runs and boots again, then boots again! ZSJ runs but into a SPINNING POWERSLAM! Loa’s bad arm keeps him from making the cover, but he gets ZSJ back up! Loa manages a lift but ZSJ shifts to get a GUILLOTINE! Loa stays on his feet, powers back up and suplexes, but ZSJ slips out! PELE to the arm again! Loa still RAMS ZSJ into a corner! Loa stomps away, fans rally up, and Loa drags ZSJ up into a scoop. Loa aims for a corner but ZSJ slips off. ZSJ throws EuroUppers again, even as Loa eggs him on. Loa kicks low, then enziguris but ZSJ ducks it! PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! LARIAT from Loa! Cover, TWO!

Loa gets the CROSSFACE! Loa cranks ZSJ back but fans rally as ZSJ endures! ZSJ moves around, reaches out, and gets a ropebreak with a leg! Loa holds on but lets go as the ref counts. Loa slaps ZSJ around, drags him back up, but ZSJ plays dead. Loa still dead lifts ZSJ to a suplex! And holds him up for a count of 10! For 15! And then the slam! Loa wags his finger, telling ZSJ that wasn’t going to be enough. Loa climbs up, throws up a Too Sweet, and then DIVING HEADBUTTS, but FLOPS as ZSJ moves! ZSJ traps Loa’s head for a NECK CRANK!! ZSJ gets the arm and hammerlocks it! Loa resists as ZSJ goes after the other, but he gets the JIM BREAKS!!

Loa endures as ZSJ pulls way back on the armbar, and powers his way over, to get the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go in frustration as Loa survives. Fans rally back up as both men slowly rise. ZSJ eggs Loa on then PENALTY KICKS! ZSJ runs, gets around Loa’s lariat, but Loa holds off the Iron Octopus! Loa scoops, but ZSJ slips out to trip him, body scissor and EURO CLUTCH!! TWO!! Loa narrowly escapes but fans fire up! ZSJ runs, PENALTY KICK! Loa stays up so ZSJ throws more KICKS! ZSJ runs, into a SPEAR! Loa fires up, gets ZSJ up, POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO!! ZSJ survives and fans fire up again as Loa is beside himself!

Loa aims from a corner, dares ZSJ to get up, and then runs in, but into a ROUNDHOUSE! ZSJ swings another kick, but Loa ducks it to ENZIGURI! Loa drags ZSJ up, scoops him, thumbs down, but ZSJ turns Ape Shit into a crucifix takedown! Cover, ZSJ WINS!

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by pinfall (Dangerous Tekkers are the NEW #1 Contenders)

Loa didn’t need to tap out to lose, he just got caught off-guard! Can ZSJ and Taichi catch Guerrillas of Destiny unaware when the titles are on the line?

Iron Fingers from Hell Ladder Match: Taichi w/ Douki VS Tama Tonga w/ Jado!

One down, one to go! The Submission Master did his part to secure a title match, but now, the Holy Emperor needs his prized weapon back! Will the Good Bad Guy continue to frustrate Taichi and lord this one over him?

The introductions are made, the Iron Fingers are in the bag and raised high above, and one of the more unique ladder matches in wrestling begins!

Tama and Taichi rush each other, Taichi KICKS, Tama forearms, repeat! They go back and forth, fans fire up as they pick up speed, and Taichi gets the edge with his KICKS! Tama SUPER FOREARMS but Taichi is up to AXE BOMBER! Fans fire up as Taichi CHOKES Tama! Tama turns it around to rain down rights! Taichi turns it back around with more choking! Tama turns it around again for more ground ‘n’ pound, but Taichi just turns it back around again! Tama claws at Taichi’s face, the two back off, and fans cheer the stand off! Taichi fixes his hair and fans build to a rally. Tama hears it, “TA-I-CHI! TA-I-CHI!”

Tama and Taichi realize how close they are to ladders, so they both go out and fetch a ladder! There’s a new stand-off now that both men know the other is “armed,” and they circle around the outside of the ring. They wait on the other to make the first move, and then they both slide in with their ladders! Taichi and Tama clash with their steel! They’re in a deadlock and back off. They go again, battering ram versus battering ram! Taichi disarms Tama, but Tama dropkicks Taichi’s ladder into him! Taichi is down, clutching his arm, and Tama sets his ladder up! It’s a bit short, though, can he reach the bag? Tama tries from the very top and can just brush against the plastic!

Tama can’t bring the bag down like that, though, and he hops down. Tama sees the big ladders outside, and stomps Taichi down! Tama rains down some rights, then gets his ladder and puts it in a corner. Tama goes back to Taichi and throws more punches. Tama drags Taichi up, throws body shots, then aims. Tama whips but Taichi blocks! Tama throws forearm after forearm, then whips again. Taichi reverses but Tama blocks! Taichi tries to send Tama at the ladder but Tama won’t budge! So Taichi rakes Tama’s eyes! Taichi then whips but Tama reverses, and Taichi CRASHES into ladder! Fans fire up as Tama staggers and Taichi writhes.

Fans rally again for “TA-I-CHI!” as Tama stands him up. Tama sets Taichi against the ladder, then runs to SPLASH him against it! Taichi falls over and writhes even more! Tama drags Taichi around to cover but this is a ladder match! Tama wants the ref to make an exception, but nope! Tama gets Taichi’s ladder up and puts it in the opposite corner. Fans rally while Tama paces, and Taichi kicks at him from below. Tama throws forearms, gets Taichi up and whips him at his own ladder! Taichi stops himself, then dodges, sending Tama’s SPLASH into the ladder! Tama staggers back, into a back drop into his own ladder! Tama clutches his ankle, that was a rough way to hit a ladder!

Tama rolls out of the ring, Jado is there to check on him. Fans rally as Taichi stands, and he gets one of the ladders. Taichi throws it out of the ring, and then the same for the second ladder. Taichi seems to also understand these are not tall enough to win. Taichi hobbles over to where Tama is, brings him up and whips him into railing! Tama falls over, Taichi brings one of the short ladders over, and undoes the safety hinges? Taichi makes a ladder bridge! Fans fire up as Taichi brings Tama up and over with Kowata Kicks! Taichi gets Tama up, lines up the shot, but Jado creeps over! Taichi backs Jado off with a glare, but then Tama ROCKS Taichi with a forearm!

Tama throws more hands and even drops elbows! Tama gets the other short ladder, brings it around the way, but Douki stops him from tossing it at Taichi! Tama CLOBBERS Douki for that, but Taichi kicks Tama! Taichi shoves Tama into railing, then gets the second short ladder. Tama stands up, Taichi aims and CLOBBERS him with it! Fans fire up as Taichi fetches one of the tall ladders! Taichi puts the tall ladder in the ring and points to the fingers! Taichi stands the ladder up, starts to climb, but Jado shots out Tama. Taichi didn’t position the ladder well, he can’t reach the bag! Tama grabs Taichi and anchors him! Taichi clubs Tama, Tama clubs Taichi’s leg!

Tama climbs up but Taichi keeps throwing down hands. Tama CLAWS Taichi’s back, and CLAWS it again! Fans rally as the two fight up high, and Taichi elbows Tama down! Taichi adjusts his position on the rung, to LEAP, into a GUN STUN!! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Tama rolls to the ladder and uses it to drag himself up. Fans rally as Tama positions the ladder directly under the bag. Tama climbs, reaches out, but DOUKI springboards in to dropkick Tama off the ladder! Douki checks on Taichi but Jado is here! KENDO STICK SMACK! Down goes Douki! Jado kicks Taichi out of the ring, and then to make it even harder on him, Jado has tape!

Jado tapes Taichi to railing! Is he copying Yano or something? Tama gets up and Jado says this is his chance! Fans rally for Taichi but Tama stomps him against the railing! Tama tells Taichi to say good-bye to the fingers forever! Tama goes into the ring, goes back to the ladder, but almost tips it over! Tama steadies himself and the ladder, then begins the climb! Fans rally for Taichi but Tama laughs and shakes his head. Wait, ZSJ is here! ZSJ gets past Jado and then shakes the ladder to mess with Tama! Tama begs no, ZSJ looks like he’s backing off, but then ZSJ pushes the ladder over! Tama crashes down, Jado gets in, but ZSJ snapmares Jado for a NECK CRANK!

Fans fire up as ZSJ goes out to free Taichi from the tape! ZSJ coaches Taichi up and fans fire up as ZSJ helps him back in the ring! Taichi crawls to the ladder, stands it up, and begins his climb! But Loa attacks ZSJ! Loa gets in and CLUBS Taichi back down! Loa stomps Taichi, folds the ladder and puts it in a corner. Loa drags Taichi up and reels him in, but ZSJ gets in to forearm away on Loa! Fans fire up but Loa DECKS ZSJ! Loa gets ZSJ up, scoops and hits APE SHIT!! Better late than never, right? Loa mocks Taichi and gets him up, to LARIAT! Loa drags Taichi up, reels him back in, and lifts, but Douki returns to make the save!

Loa isn’t really hurt by Douki’s attack, but then Douki ENZIGURIS! Douki fires up, runs, but Loa blocks his rana to swing him around… Wait, not the corner ladder? POWERBOMB through Taichi’s LADDER BRIDGE!! Douki might be broken, just like the ladder! Jado hobbles over to coach Tama back up, and tells the Guerrillas to hit Magic Killer! Loa gets the other short ladder back in the ring, then he fetches Taichi. GoD drags Taichi up, lines up the shot, but Taichi fights free! FOREARM for Tama, SUPERKICK for Loa! Tama kicks but Taichi blocks, to LOW BLOW!! Fans are thunderous as everyone is down! Taichi grits his teeth as he slowly gets back up.

Taichi grabs a ladder, fires up and gets to his feet! Off come the pants! Jado gets in, and he KENDO STICK SMACKS! Taichi doesn’t even flinch! Taichi gets Jado and SLAMS him on the ladder! Taichi goes back to the tall ladder as the fans rally hard as ever! Taichi stands the ladder up, climbs up again, but Tama is back! Tama hurries to anchor Taichi! Tama drags Taichi down but Taichi choke grips, for a SUPER CHOKE SLAM!! Both men are down again and fans fire back up! Taichi roars as he goes back to the ladder! Taichi climbs, reaches the top, and grabs for the bag! Tama has the short ladder and he CLUBS Taichi over and over with it! Tama hits a HOME RUN with it!!

Taichi flops down, Tama hobbles around and goes out to get something from under the ring! Tama has a TABLE! Tama puts the table in the ring, sets it up, and is a chair away from making this a TLC match in NJPW! Taichi tries to climb, Tama clubs him again! Tama gets Taichi off the ladder in bomb position, but Taichi fights the bomb itself! Taichi gets back to the ladder! Taichi SMACKS Tama off the rungs, then climbs again! Taichi reaches the top but Tama climbs up the other side! They brawl, and then they both choke grip! Tama breaks free, throws hands, and climbs up! Tama wants the bag, but Taichi rakes his eyes! Taichi wants the bag, but Tama rakes his eyes!

Tama clubs Taichi, Taichi hits back. Fans rally as they brawl, Taichi grabs Tama’s hand to keep it from grabbing! Tama throws headbutt after headbutt, then lines up another shot! SUPER GUN- NO!! Taichi lets Tama falls through the table all alone!! Taichi is all alone on the ladder! Fans are thunderous as he stands back up, reaches inside the bag, and brings out the fingers! Taichi wins!!

Winner: Taichi (rightful owner of the Iron Fingers from Hell)

The Dangerous Tekkers swept the night! Taichi almost doesn’t even believe he gets to have the fingers back. The referee has to tell him he won these, and Taichi humbly accepts. ZSJ gets Taichi the mic so he can speak on this moment. “With this, he’s done. It’s over. It’s over now, so the least you can do is play his music.” And as such, NJPW plays Takashi Iizuka’s theme. Taichi dedicates this to Iizuka, and together with ZSJ and Douki, celebrates this moment. Taichi has the Iron Fingers back once and for all, but now, can he and ZSJ take the tag titles back?

NEVER Openweight Championship: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Jay White w/ Gedo!

This match has been building for quite some time, and now we see it come to blows! Will the Once in a Century NEVER give up and NEVER lose to the Switchblade? Or will King Switch trump The Ace?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if it will be a #TTO or #JTO to end night one!

White shows off the abs and fans do cheer the physique. White and Gedo then Low Sweet before Tanahashi shows off the pecs! Fans cheer that physique, too, but now their bodies will be put to the test! Fans rally with “LET’S GO, ACE! LET’S GO, ACE!” and that gets on White’s nerves. White bails out of the ring then gets back in the ring then circles with Tanahashi. They approach, White talks some trash, but Tanahashi says it won’t be like last time. Tanahashi dodges a kick to get a leg, but White gets the ropebreak first. Tanahashi lets go cleanly and fans cheer. White and Tanahashi circle and tie up, and are in a deadlock as Tanahashi stands firm.

Tanahashi then pushes White back towards ropes, and gets him against them. Red Shoes calls for the break, Tanahashi lets off to flex, but White puts Tanahashi on the ropes. White lets off to flex now, but Tanahashi drop toeholds him into ropes! Tanahashi headlocks, White tries but can’t power out and fans cheer! White gets up and tries again but Tanahashi stays clamped on tight! Tanahashi hits a headlock takeover, White keeps his shoulders up, and White gets up to his feet. White pulls hair to put Tanahashi in a corner, then whips him corner to corner. Tanahashi reverses, runs in but White dodges. White runs into Tanahashi’s elbow, then Tanahashi crossbodies!

Fans fire up and Tanahashi does air guitar before he flexes on White. White swings but into Tanahashi’s headlock! Tanahashi grinds but White gets him up to straddle him on ropes! Red Shoes reprimands as Tanahashi topples to the floor! White mockingly applauds, then he goes out to fetch Tanahashi. White drags Tanahashi up and suplexes for an APRON GOURD BUSTER! Tanahashi clutches a leg, White SLAMS it on the apron! White throws elbows on each leg, then SLAMS the leg on the apron again! White shows off the dancing pecs before he slithers back into the ring. Fans rally for Tanahashi but White just smirks. White stalks Tanahashi, stands on a leg then stomps it down.

White does the same to the other leg! Gedo cheers as White kicks Tanahashi to a corner. White talks trash, stomps Tanahashi, then RAMS his shoulder into him again and again! White throws forearms, more stomps to the legs, then brings Tanahashi around for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer as Tanahashi survives! White gets the leg and steps through, for the Butterfly Stretch! Tanahashi endures but White shoves him down. White keeps on the legs but Tanahashi throws forearms. White thumbs Tanahashi’s eyes! Red Shoes reprimands, White stops, and White turns over to make this a modified deathlock!

Tanahashi endures and fans rally up while White pushes up for more leverage! White even does push-ups just to show off! Tanahashi drags himself over to the ROPEBREAK! White tells Red Shoes he needs help undoing the hold, so Red Shoes gets the legs unhooked. White thanks Red Shoes, then gets Tanahashi under the ropes for a CATAPULT GUILLOTINE! Tanahashi writhes as Gedo cheers White on. Fans still rally for Tanahashi but White talks more trash. Tanahashi gets up and throws forearms. White kicks the legs, Tanahashi throws more forearms, repeat! Tanahashi fires off a strike fest and ROCKS White!

Tanahashi whips, White reverses, but White kicks into a DRAGON SCREW! Fans fire up and then rally as White goes to a corner. Tanahashi stands, White follows, and White hobbles into another strike fest! Tanahashi whips, White reverses, but Tanahashi hits FLYING FOREARMS! Fans fire up with Tanahashi and he brings White around for more forearms. Tanahashi EuroUppers White into a corner, then dropkicks him down! Tanahashi scoop SLAMS White, then hops up the corner. SOMERSAULT SENTON! Cover, TWO! White is still in this but the fans still rally for Tanahashi. Tanahashi dares White to stand, then fires up as he runs, to dropkick a leg out!

Tanahashi knew White was expecting Slingblade and faked him out! Tanahashi gets White’s legs but White kicks him away. White hobbles up but Tanahashi waistlocks. White elbows free, grabs hair, but Tanahashi breaks free! White kicks low to DDT Tanahashi down! Tanahashi goes to a corner, White runs in, but into another dropkick to the legs! White falls out of the ring, Tanahashi fires the fans up and then goes to the apron. White trips Tanahashi up! White SLAMS Tanahashi’s leg against the post! Then he SLAMS the other leg! Tanahashi crawls back to center and White mocks the fans rallying up again. White walks off his own leg pain before going into the ring.

Tanahashi gets him at the ropes! White fights Tanahashi off, but steps into a whip! Tanahashi has White in the ropes for a DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! White flops back down, Tanahashi goes back out and climbs up top! ACES HIGH CROSSBODY! Direct hit and both men are down! Fans are thunderous as Red Shoes checks on both men. They’re both okay so a ring count begins. Tanahashi sits up at 4 of 20, gets to his feet at 9 of 20, and brings White up at 15. Tanahashi puts White in and fans cheer that he wants to finish this properly! Tanahashi runs as White stands, but White is ready for the Slingblade! White waistlocks, Tanahashi elbows free and tries again, but again White gets around.

Tanahashi elbows free again, runs, but still no Slingblade! White holds tight with the waistlock, but Tanahashi stomps White’s foot! Tanahashi runs but into a COMPLETE SHOT! White waistlocks, dead lifts and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Fans fire up as both men are down again. White drags Tanahashi up and reels him in but Tanahashi fights. White waistlocks, Tanahashi elbows again, but into a SNAP SAIDO! White drags Tanahashi back up, fisherman lift, but Tanahashi fights that off to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi drags White back up, but White suplexes! Tanahashi fights that again for another TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!

Tanahashi gets White up but White sprawls to block. White grabs Tanahashi’s leg as an anchor, and Tanahashi lets him go, to get White’ sleg! GROUND DRAGON SCREW! White hobbles into a third TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi fires up and the fans are thunderous! Tanahashi runs, but White ducks the Slingblade! White catches Tanahashi for an URENAGE! Both men are down again and fans build to another rally. White gets Tanahashi into position, sleeper hold, SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEX! That was a nasty Triple S, but White grins as he hobbles around. White vows to end this, and he drags Tanahashi by a leg, for a GROUND DRAGON SCREW!

Gedo tells White to make Tanahashi suffer, and White gets both legs. Tanahashi kicks and kicks but White still figure-fours the legs! White steals Tanahashi’s Texas Clover Hold!! Fans rally as Tanahashi endures and claws his way over, only for White to drag him far, far away! White lets Tanahashi go to step through for HIS move, the TTO!! Tanahashi endures the inverted figure four that White loves to call “Tana Tapped Out,” but he isn’t giving in yet! Tanahashi drags himself over, reaches out, and gets the ROPEBREAK! White holds on until Red Shoes counts, and lets go at 4. Fans rally up again as White drags Tanahashi into another sleeper hold.

White drags Tanahashi up, but Tanahashi blocks the suplex. White CHOP BLOCKS Tanahashi’s leg! White drags Tanahashi back up but Tanahashi throws elbows! Tanahashi PALM STRIKES White, reels him in, full nelsons, but White resists the suplex! Fans rally, White breaks free, but Tanahashi reels him back in! White breaks the nelson again, but Tanahashi shifts to a STRAITJACKET GERMAN! Bridging cover, TWO!! White survives but Tanahashi gets him up. Tanahashi whips, White reverses, but Tanahashi reverses to SLINGBLADE! The fans are thunderous but Gedo is on the apron! Tanahashi BLASTS Gedo down, then goes up a corner!

Tanahashi aims, but White is up, HIGH FLY FLO- White catches Tanahashi’s crossbody! Tanahashi slips out of the Bladerunner to get a full nelson! White breaks the nelson, reaches down to trip Tanahashi, and gets the TTO back!! Tanahashi endures all over again! Fans rally as Tanahashi powers up, drags himself over, but White drags Tanahashi back! Fans rally even harder now as Tanahashi turns to his side. White turns him back, but Tanahashi turns it over! White turns it back, and the pressure is back on Tanahashi! Tanahashi powers his way over and gets the ROPEBREAK! White has to again let go reluctantly, and is beside himself as Tanahashi is still in this.

The fans are thunderous again as White grabs at Tanahashi. Tanahashi holds the ropes, White stands on Tanahashi’s head. Red Shoes counts, White backs off but goes after the legs again. White demands Tanahashi let go of ropes, but Red Shoes counts White. White lets go and tries to keep his cool, then gets Tanahashi up. Tanahashi gets White’s leg for a DRAGON SCREW! Both men are back down, and fans build to another rally. Tanahashi stands, White crawls, Tanahashi gets White up but White gets a leg! DRAGON SCREW! White gets up at the ropes, walks off the pain, and hobbles after Tanahashi. Tanahashi kicks White’s leg out!

Tanahashi gets his bad leg working, fans still rally for him, but now White kicks Tanahashi’s leg out! Move for move, damage for damage! Tanahashi and White slowly rise, White trips Tanahashi for a GROUND DRAGON SCREW! White steps through but Tanahashi kicks him into ropes! White hobbles back but Tanahashi trips him, GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Again, they mirror each other! Fans are thunderous and not stopping as each man grabs at the other’s leg. Tanahashi and White circle around on the mat, stare down, and Tanahashi evades, only for White to match him. They each have the other’s foot, and now it’s a stand-off.

Who lets go first? They agree to both let go and reset, and fans cheer this bit of sportsmanship. White and Tanahashi approach, White throws a forearm but Tanahashi gives it back. White forearms, Tanahashi forearms back, repeat. They throw forearms as they slowly rise, and White eggs Tanahashi on. White throws a forearm, Tanahashi forearms back, White CHOP BLOCKS! White kicks Tanahashi’s leg, stomps it, then has the ankle for a GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi can’t even writhe, he just clutches the leg. Tanahashi crawls to a corner, White scowls and runs in, to EuroUpper! Tanahashi falls, White catches his breath, and he comes back to EuroUpper Tanahashi back down!

White eggs Tanahashi on and the fans rally again. Tanahashi drags himself up, White runs in and EuroUppers Tanahashi back down! White dares Tanahashi to stand but Tanahashi is struggling to even sit up! The fans haven’t given up on Tanahashi but White drags him from the corner. White drags Tanahashi up and watches him wobble. Tanahashi gets a leg but White pulls hair. White ROCKS Tanahashi, Tanahashi dropkicks but White avoids it! White eggs Tanahashi on, and Tanahashi stands again, but his palm strike isn’t strong enough! White dodges and lets Tanahashi fall over. Tanahashi is furious with himself and forces himself to stand.

White toys with Tanahashi, pushes him around, and Tanahashi LARIATS White down! That’s what White gets for getting cocky! Both men are down and the fans continue to rally with thunder. White kicks at Tanahashi but Tanahashi grabs a foot. Tanahashi and White get up, White hops to a corner and kicks at Tanahashi. Tanahashi blocks the other boot, for a DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi stands up, stalks up behind White, and whips him to ropes. White reverses, reels Tanahashi in, but Tanahashi turns Bladerunner into SLINGBLADE! Tanahashi is fired up again and he gets moving, ANOTHER SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO!!

White survives but Tanahashi is red hot as he goes up top! Tanahashi aims at White as he stands, HIGH FLY FLOWBODY! Direct hit but Tanahashi is only getting started! Tanahashi’s back up top, for the HIGH FLY FLOW to the LEGS!! Fans are volcanic as Tanahashi gets White’s legs, for the TEXAS CLOVER HOLD!! Will it become the #JTO?! White reaches, almost gets the ropes, but Tanahashi drags him away! White endures as Tanahashi sits DEEP! Gedo gets on the apron, Red Shoes sees him, but he doesn’t see White tapping out all over!! Tanahashi realizes what’s happening literally behind his back, and lets White go to get Gedo’s leg! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW!

Gedo falls down, Tanahashi gets White again! White cradles, TWO!!! Tanahashi survives White’s fix, and runs in, but into a backslide! White uses the ropes!! TWO!! Red Shoes missed it but Tanahashi escaped it! Tanahashi has a leg again, but White reels him in! But still no Bladerunner! Tanahashi has the nelson but White resists with all his strength! White reaches, Tanahashi keeps him from ropes, but White gets Tanahashi in position! BLADERUNNER!! WHITE WINS!!!

Winner: Jay White, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Champion)

It wasn’t a tap-out but the tried and true Bladerunner that helps The Switchblade cut down Tanahashi! White is given the belt, and then the mic to speak. He first hushes the crowd, reclines back, and says the clapping is more insulting than silence. White says, “Tana, old friend, what’ve you been going on about recently?” He saw it on Yota Tsuji’s shirt, something like “Nevermind, never quit, never give up.” Whatever that is, right? So dumb. Well, Tana doesn’t have to say that anymore because this title has nothing to do with him anymore! Never quit? Tana just lost so that’s quitting! Tana gave up!

Tana may not want to admit it, fans don’t want to admit it, but it’s time to hang the boots up and quit. White did what he promised and took this title from Tanahashi, so Tanahashi can stop now. And speaking of this belt, “Life is just made up of moments, and you have to hold onto them, because they come and go.” You need to see every last moment. And for everyone watching, this moment right here that you have just been a part of, you’ve just been a part of HISTORY, make sure you cherish this moment.” Because this makes White the first ever to hold the IWGP US, Intercontinental, Heavyweight and now NEVER Openweight Championships in his career! That makes White “the one REAL Belt Collector!” If anyone wants to dispute that, you know where to find him.

Everyone knows who White is. He’s the “Last Rock ‘n’ Rolla, the NUBMER ONE ASSET in all of pro-wrestling,” and is the reason NJPW sold out Madison Square Garden! White is the NEW NEVER Openweight Champion, and the first ever Quadruple Crown! “Anybody who steps in this ring with me, will BREATHE… with the Switchblade! Because now it is more evident and more true than ever, it is now STILL! MY! ERA!!” King Switch has spoken, and perhaps even issued a challenge to the world. Will anyone step up to refute his claims?

My Thoughts:

Another great event for NJPW, and certainly leading into a huge event tomorrow. ZSJ VS Loa was a great match and it works well that it essentially was finished with a roll-up and not a finisher because that keeps both sides strong going into the coming tag title match. I haven’t been watching NJPW that long, but long enough to know NJPW doesn’t have many ladder matches. This was a very good ladder match by any standard, even with it being for a non-traditional prize. It was overbooked with Jado, Douki, ZSJ and Loa getting involved, but it just made sense to do that. Taichi wins and this match now feels more like a loving tribute to Iizuka, and that’s pretty cool.

The NEVER Openweight title match was awesome, it really helped elevate this belt so that it feels on par with the IWGP belts. I did appreciate that the story was Tanahashi starting to struggle and break down by the end, as has Tanahashi’s overall story been these last few years. White winning was a bit of a surprise to me, I thought Tanahashi was going to pull this off, but I suppose White can do more with this belt right now and freshen some things up. White making history as having the four major singles titles is definitely big, and a claim to fame in his own right. I can’t be sure who he’ll defend this against first, but the open possibilities makes it fun.

My Score: 9.2/10