Will the Rainmaker or Dragon have dominion over NJPW after tonight?

Will Ospreay’s injury gives for a NEW IWGP World Heavyweight Champion! But will it be Kazuchika Okada or Shingo Takagi that takes up NJPW’s banner?

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 Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS YOH; Desperado wins and retains the title.
• Kota Ibushi VS Jeff Cobb; Ibushi wins.
• Vacated IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS Shingo Takagi; Takagi wins and becomes the new IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS YOH!

The Rogue Luchador was Mr. Junior Heavyweight when he had both the singles and tag team titles, but Roppongi 3K changed that. Will Direct Drive Yoh completely change things and become the new Mr. Junior Heavyweight? Or will Desperado desperately cling to this title?

The introductions are made, the singles title is raised, and the future of the Junior Heavyweight Division will be decided with Dominion!

The fans rally up as Desperado and Yoh circle. Yoh and Desperado tie up, are in a deadlock, but Yoh gets some leverage to push Desperado to ropes. The ref calls for the break, Yoh lets off, and borrows a move from The Rainmaker with the fake chop to shoulder pat. Desperado shoves Yoh then puts him on ropes. Desperado gives Yoh hard pats on the shoulder, but then grabs an ear! The ref reprimands Desperado but Yoh breaks free. Desperado dodges the haymaker to then kick Yoh in the butt. Desperado taunts Yoh while fans cheer. Yoh keeps his cool and blocks Desperado’s boot! Desperado pokes an eye to avoid the dragon screw!

Desperado gets a headlock to takeover, traps an arm and grinds Yoh. Yoh turns it to a cover, ONE, and Desperado holds on. Yoh gets out and floats to a headlock of his own. Desperado fights up, fans rally as Yoh grinds the hold, but Desperado brings Yoh to a knee to pop out the back. Desperado wrenches an arm to a wristlock, but Yoh rolls and handsprings around to wrench Desperado back! Yoh grinds the wristlock but Desperado reaches for ropes. Yoh keeps him away then hammerlocks to a headlock. Desperado powers out, reels Yoh in to his own headlock, but Yoh returns the power out to get an arm-drag! Yoh has the armlock as fans cheer the exchange.

Desperado fights up, Yoh wrenches, but Desperado rakes eyes! The ref reprimands but Yoh kicks low. Yoh runs but Desperado uses the ref as a shield! Yoh gets past the ref, but he jumps over Desperado’s low dropkick! Fans cheer as Yoh gives back the taunting. Desperado gets up in a huff and whips Yoh. Yoh reverses and hurdles, things speed up and Yoh dropkicks Desperado out of the ring! Fans rally as Yoh watches Desperado rise. Yoh aims, PLAN- NO! Desperado drags Yoh out to whip hard into railing! Desperado drags Yoh up, whips him the other way and into more railing! Yoh falls in a heap while Desperado paces. The ref checks on Yoh but Desperado stands on Yoh’s head!

The ref reprimands, Desperado lets off and goes looking under the ring. Desperado brings out a bucket? Desperado tosses the bucket for the ref to go after, so that he can bring out a chair! Desperado SMACKS Yoh’s leg! The champion is crafty, perhaps he could teach a thing or two to even the Sliest Wrestler, Taichi. The ring count starts, Desperado drags Yoh up and into the ring at 4 of 20. Desperado stomps Yoh’s leg, Yoh gets to ropes, and Desperado paces. Desperado drags Yoh around to put the leg on the ropes. Desperado springboards to DROP DOWN on the leg! Yoh writhes, the ref checks on him, but Yoh refuses to let it end like this.

Desperado talks trash on Yoh, Yoh gives it back and fans rally up. Desperado gets Yoh up and has the leg, for a SHIN BREAKER! And then a KNEE JACKER! And then a SPLASH to the leg! Cover, TWO! Yoh isn’t done yet but Desperado keeps cool. Desperado paces while talking more trash. He drags Yoh back up, but Yoh throws forearms! Desperado doesn’t budge, and he just kicks the shin! Desperado gets Yoh back up but Yoh turns shin breaker into sunset flip! TWO, and Desperado is right after the leg again. Desperado drops a leg on the leg, then ties Yoh up in a BUTTERFLY DEATHLOCK! Yoh endures as Desperado puts pressure on both knees at once!

Fans rally as Yoh throws forearms on Desperado! But Desperado bridges to put pressure on the legs again! Yoh fights his way towards ropes, and Desperado mockingly applauds. Desperado then adds a facelock! Desperado leans back on the leglock, but Yoh gets the ropebreak! The ref counts the break, Desperado says he needs a little help. The ref helps him undo the leglock, then Desperado “trips” and drops knees on the knee! Yoh writhes and clutches the rope but Desperado paces around impatiently. The ref checks with Yoh again but Yoh refuses to stop. Desperado gives Yoh toying kicks and mockingly asks what’s wrong.

Desperado gets Yoh up, fans rally, and Desperado reels Yoh in, but Yoh tries to suplex! The leg won’t let him finish, though! Desperado runs, Yoh dodges and Yoh starts rallying with forearms and elbows! Yoh whips, Desperado reverses but Yoh hits FLYING FOREARMS! Both men are down as Yoh clutches the leg. Fans rally up, Yoh drags himself up with the ropes, and Desperado goes to a corner. Yoh runs in and back elbows! Then reels Desperado in for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Yoh keeps cool as he gets Desperado up and reels her in. Desperado blocks the suplex, throws shots at the leg, and gets free. Desperado runs back in, but into a DRAGON SCREW!

Fans cheer as Yoh evens things up with Desperado, and then gives Desperado a SPINNING TOEHOLD! And another! Desperado flails and crawls but Yoh drags him back, for a third spinning toehold! Yoh keeps on the leg, and hooks up the other, for a modified Figure Four! Desperado endures, CHOPS Yoh, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Yoh DECKS Desperado then bridges to put pressure on the hold! Desperado drags himself and Yoh over, and gets a ROPEBREAK! Yoh lets Desperado go free, and fans rally as Yoh stalks behind Desperado. SHOTGUN dropkick to the leg! Yoh gets the leg, but Desperado boots him away! Desperado tries to stand, but he can’t!

Desperado clutches his leg, Yoh gets him up to kick the leg and throw uppercuts. Yoh whips, Desperado reverses into a SPINEBUSTER! STRETCH MUFFLER! Yoh hurries and gets the ROPEBREAK! Desperado thrashes the leg around but the ref counts! Desperado lets go at 4 and now Yoh is feeling the pain again. Fans rally up while both men are down. Desperado and Yoh get to opposite ends, and Desperado drags himself up with the ropes. Desperado hobbles over to stomp Yoh’s leg! Yoh drags himself up with ropes and stares Desperado down. Desperado throws a forearm, but Yoh stays up. Desperado ROCKS Yoh this time, but Yoh still stays up!

Yoh kicks but Desperado blocks to a BACK SUPLEX! Desperado gets Yoh up fast, for a BIG suplex! Cover, TWO! Desperado grows frustrated but fans still rally as he brings Yoh up. Desperado reels Yoh in, hooks him up, but no Guitara! Yoh lands and his leg jams, and Desperado stomps! Desperado drags Yoh back up, whips him, but Yoh reverses. Yoh runs in at the corner but Desperado puts him out on the apron. Yoh ROCKS Desperado, but Desperado trips him up! Desperado whips, You reverses, but Desperado keeps himself from running into railing. Yoh comes running back in to SHOTGUN Desperado into the railing!

Desperado writhes while fans cheer and Yoh gets back into the ring. Yoh watches Desperado, PLANCHA! Direct hit from Direct Drive this time! Yoh keeps moving, adrenaline helps with the leg as he FLIES! Tope conjilo hits at the ramp! Fans fire up with Yoh but he and Desperado are both catching their breath on the outside. The ring count starts, fans rally, and we’re at 10 of 20 before either sits up. Yoh gets going, but we’re at 15 as he gets Desperado up. Yoh puts Desperado in at 17 and fans cheer as he takes aim from the top rope. Yoh leaps and missile dropkicks! Yoh reels Desperado in, FISHERMAN FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Desperado survives but Yoh stays focused.

Yoh brings Desperado up with a half nelson, then goes for the full. Fans rally as he gets Desperado up, but Desperado looks to break free! Desperado uses his leg for the leverage needed, and Yoh ends up in a corner. Desperado runs in, blocks Yoh’s boot and puts it on the rope to SHOTGUN the other leg! Desperado gets the leg to DRAGON SCREW! Both men are down, though, as Desperado catches his breath. Fans rally up as both men slowly get back up. Yoh drags himself to the far side while Desperado gets his bad leg moving. Desperado crawls after Yoh, and both men slowly stand. Desperado throws a forearm, but Yoh gives it back!

Desperado hits Yoh, Yoh hits back! They pick up speed and fans rally with them! Desperado kicks the bad leg, but Yoh kicks Desperado’s bad leg! Desperado mule kicks Yoh’s bad leg, but Yoh just kicks Desperado’s again. Desperado low KICKS the leg out, then dares Yoh to get up. Desperado runs, into Yoh’s COMPLETE SHOT! Yoh drags Desperado up, pump handle, but Desperado powers out and gets Yoh for an OLYMPIC SLAM! Desperado keeps going, GUITARA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO!! Yoh survives and Desperado is furious! Fans fire up as Desperado gets up. Desperado slashes the throat and vows to end it here!

Desperado gets Yoh back up, double underhooks, but no Pinche Loco! Yoh wrenches out to JUMP KNEE! Desperado CHOPS, then catches Yoh for a cradle, to the STRETCH MUFFLER! Yoh rolls it over to a cradle, TWO!! Desperado hurries to his feet, but Yoh tackles him for a CALF KILLER!! Desperado endures as Yoh pulls back harder on the leg! Desperado fights, reaches, claws, but Yoh rolls him away from ropes! Yoh has the Calf Killer deep, but Desperado isn’t giving up! Yoh wants the other leg now! Yoh makes it a FIGURE FOUR CALF KILLER! Desperado desperately reaches out and gets the ROPEBREAK! Yoh lets go in frustration but fans stay fired up!

Yoh gets to his feet, looms over Desperado, then brings him up into a half nelson. Full nelson, DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Desperado survives but Yoh fires up! Yoh gets Desperado back up, double underhooks, but Desperado fights free! Yoh blocks the punch but not the HEADBUTT! Now Desperado fires up and fans follow suit. Desperado underhooks, PINCH- NO! Jackknife from Yoh, TWO!!! Desperado barely escapes, both men get up, and Yoh SUPERKICKS Desperado! Desperado stays up to LOCO MONO!! Yoh goes down in a heap but Desperado isn’t done with him! Desperado drags Yoh into position, PINCHE LOCO!!! Cover a la the Deadman, Desperado wins!

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

There won’t be a new Mr. Junior Heavyweight crowned tonight, as Desperado keeps his throne atop the division! But then what is next? Defending against a new challenge? Or trying to take the tag titles back from Roppongi 3K? Sho shows up to check on Yoh, but then Bullet Club’s Taiji Ishimori & El Phantasmo appear! What do they want? ELP and Taiji signal that they’re not here to fight or they already would be fighting. ELP asks for a mic, and he is given one. “Hey, hey, hey, settle down, ya dumb mark. We’re not gonna beat you up, no, no.” Bullet Club has good news! Before those “dumb incels” on NJPW’s websites break the news, he’s gonna steal the scoop!

At Kizuna Road, RPG3K will be the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions no more! “Bullet Club’s cutest tag team are coming for the gold!” And as for Despy, oooh~ boy! Taiji cuts ELP off here, and asks he wait a moment. Taiji stares Desperado down, and tells him that a certain someone (Yoh) jumped the line ahead of Taiji, but Taiji patiently waited. And while Desperado only just defended this belt, he has what Taiji wants. Surely, Desperado remembers, right? Now it’s Taiji’s turn, Despy! Taiji adds that in the end, the Bullet Club will take ALL the belts! Desperado mockingly applauds, and then responds by saying, “Hang on. I just won. I should get the final word here, not you.”

So then, Yoh. You did better than he thought, but in the end, Desperado won. Now Desperado wants to test himself! He looks forward to putting the last nail in the Bone Soldier’s coffin! Will Bullet Club make this a Too Sweet Summer and take over the Junior Heavyweight Division?

Kota Ibushi VS Jeff Cobb w/ Great-O-Khan!

The Golden Star and the Hawaiian Hulk have been going back and forth, hoping to battle for a Grand Slam, but they’ll take it another step up and battle on NJPW’s gateway to summer! Will the Kami-Goye, meant to surpass god, be outdone by a #Cobbigoye?

The bell rings and the two stare down as fans fire up. They slowly circle, then Cobb signals that he’s going to break Ibushi! Things speed up as both men dodge and duck! Ibushi dropkicks Cobb to the ropes, and lets him get up. Ibushi fires off hands but Cobb shields his head. Ibushi keeps trying to get through, so he gives a kick. Cobb blocks it, slaps Ibushi then throws a forearm! Ibushi just scowls and hits back! Cobb forearms again, and now we have a brawl! Fans fire up as they go back and forth, faster and faster! Cobb ROCKS Ibushi, gets the edge and fires off! Ibushi stays up, comes back, but Cobb choke grips. Ibushi breaks free, Cobb ducks the haymakers and tackles Ibushi!

Cobb rains down heavy hands then stomps Ibushi down! Fans cheer the exchange as Ibushi flops out of the ring. Cobb goes out after Ibushi, sitting him up for a CLUBBING shot to the chest! Cobb gets Ibushi up again to ROCK him with a forearm! Ibushi goes to railing, Cobb CLUBS him down! Red Shoes says for this to get back in the ring but Cobb stands on Ibushi’s neck and chest! Cobb lets off, refreshes the ring count, and gets Ibushi up to scoop and throw knees into his ribs! Cobb then adjusts his grip to POST Ibushi! Fans rally for Ibushi while Red Shoes checks on him. Cobb goes into the ring and waits on Ibushi. Ibushi gets back in, but he has a leg guard against Cobb.

Cobb kicks Ibushi in the side, headbutts him down, then headbutts him down to the mat! Fans rally as Cobb brings Ibushi up. Ibushi fires off body shots but Cobb CLUBS him! Cobb runs, but Ibushi JUMP KICKS! Fans fire up with Ibushi and Ibushi wants a standing moonsault, only for Cobb to trip him up! Cobb stomps Ibushi down, then drags him back up. Cobb pops Ibushi up to RAM him into the corner! Cobb whips Ibushi corner to corner hard, and Ibushi bounces off buckles! Deep prawn hold, TWO! Ibushi survives but Cobb keeps his cool. Cobb drags Ibushi into a waistlock and has a rear bearhug! Ibushi gets ropes to avoid the bridging cover.

Cobb stomps Ibushi but Ibushi holds onto ropes with his legs. Cobb stands on Ibushi, Red Shoes reprimands, but Cobb lets off. Ibushi eggs Cobb on so Cobb stomps and headbutts and CLUBS Ibushi! Cobb wraps on a chinlock, but Ibushi endures as fans rally up. Ibushi has the ropes, so Cobb lets off to drop a knee into Ibushi’s back. Cobb even hits a FALLING HEADBUTT to the spine! Cover, TWO! Cobb clamps back on with the rear bearhug and squeezes. Ibushi grits his teeth, so Cobb drives his knee in again and again, then throws an uppercut to the back! Cover, TWO! Cobb grows frustrated with Ibushi but fans still rally up.

Cobb pushes Ibushi over to then stand on his back! Ibushi is Cobb’s surfboard as Cobb salutes Khan. Cobb steps off to use the United Empire towel to wipe some sweat, as well as show off the merch. Cobb goes back, Ibushi kicks at him but Cobb stomps him down. Ibushi gets up and eggs Cobb on, so Cobb SLAPS him down! High stack cover, TWO! Ibushi SLAPS Cobb before falling over, and Cobb KNEES him into the corner for it! Red Shoes checks on Ibushi but he is okay to continue. Cobb gets Ibushi up but Ibushi fires off forearms! Cobb just headbutts back, then reels Ibushi in for a short-arm LARIAT! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT onto knees!

Both men are down as Cobb gasps and sputters. Fans rally up as Cobb goes to a corner. Ibushi fires himself up and gets to his feet. Ibushi runs in at the corner but Cobb dodges. Cobb runs back in but Ibushi goes up and over! Cobb hits buckles, then Ibushi fires off a strike fest! Ibushi KICKS Cobb down then STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Fans rally for “I-BU-SHI!” as he fires up. Ibushi waits for Cobb to get up, but Cobb ducks the roundhouse to back suplex! Cover, TWO! GACHIMUCHI! Cover, TWO!! Ibushi survives and both men are down again. Cobb sits up first but fans still rally for “I-BU-SHI!” as he brings Ibushi up.

Cobb whips Ibushi to ropes, Ibushi holds those ropes and BOOTS back! Cobb runs in but Ibushi dumps him out! Fans rally up as Ibushi aims, PLANCHA is caught! Cobb pops Ibushi up but Ibushi fights free! Ibushi is on the apron, he punches Cobb away then mule kicks him! ARIHARA MOONSAULT!! Direct hit at the ramp and fans are fired up! Ibushi mocks Cobb’s hang loose as he gets up. Khan coaches Cobb as the ring count climbs. We’re already at 10 of 20 as Ibushi gets in. Cobb crawls over and the count is 15 as he flounders to the apron. Cobb gets in at 17 but Ibushi scrapes him back out to the apron.

Ibushi drags Cobb up the corner?! He tries to dead lift but that’s a lot of man! Cobb clubs Ibushi then headbutts him down! Cobb climbs up now, and he drags Ibushi up to the top! Cobb CLUBS Ibushi, Ibushi throws a hard body shot! Ibushi springboard SUPER STEINERS!! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives and fans fire up as Ibushi vows he’s gonna break Cobb! Ibushi goes to a corner, and calls upon the powers of the King of Strong Style! BOMAYE!! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives again and Ibushi is surprised! Ibushi still has his best to give, and he has Cobb’s wrists! Ibushi sits Cobb up, but Cobb reels Ibushi in for an OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY!

Ibushi flounders to a corner while Cobb gets up. Both men are in opposite corners, Cobb runs corner to corner to back elbow! And then RUNNING BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Ibushi is still in this and fans rally up again. Cobb stalks Ibushi back to the corner, grabs at a leg, but Ibushi kicks with the other. Cobb has both legs, and he YANKS Ibushi up into his arms! Ibushi fights free but leaps into a fireman’s carry! F 5 THOUSAND!! Both men are down and Ibushi looks in a daze. Cobb crawls to a cover, TWO!! Ibushi survives but his eyes still look glazed over! Fans rally up as Cobb hobbles around Ibushi. Cobb drags Ibushi up, reels him in, TOUR OF THE- NO! Ibushi slips out to ROUNDHOUSE!

Fans fire up with Ibushi as he gets the wrists again! KAMIGOYE!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Cobb survives the move to surpass gods?! Ibushi takes off the knee pad as Khan shouts at Cobb to get up! Ibushi gets Cobb by the wrists again, for SAVAGE KAMI- NO! Cobb dodges, rolls, COB- NO! Ibushi jumps to guillotine but Cobb tosses him away! Cobb has Ibushi’s wrists for the COBBIGOYE!!! Everyone’s going nuts but Cobb can’t make the cover! Khan shouts at Cobb to get up while the fans rally for Ibushi, who might be in a different dimension! Cobb drags himself over, covers, TWO!! Ibushi still lives and Cobb can’t believe it!

Fans rally up as Cobb drags himself over to ropes. Cobb uses the ropes to stand up, and he goes back to a corner. Cobb slaps some sense into himself before going after Ibushi. Dead lift, but Ibushi cradles! TWO, Ibushi leaps at Cobb but into his pop up! Ibushi makes it a METEORA! Ibushi has the wrists, SAVAGE KAMIGOYE!!!! Cover, Ibushi wins!!

Winner: Kota Ibushi, by pinfall

The Golden Star God manages to topple the Empire’s titan! But it is still going to be a long road back to the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship he created. Who will be holding onto that title when Ibushi comes back for it?

Vacated IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS Shingo Takagi!

Though the Commonwealth Kingpin conquered the Dragon once again, it was not without its cost. Will Ospreay’s neck injury forced him to give up this title, and now his biggest rivals are fighting to take his place! Will the Rainmaker return to the top? Or will Takagi finally win the big one?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and one way or another, we get only the third man ever to hold this title!

Okada and Takagi stare down as fans clap, “O-KA-DA!” “TA-KA-GI!” Takagi approaches but Okada stays by ropes. They circle, feel out the grapple, and Okada backs away again. Takagi is patient as he and Okada go again. Takagi and Okada feel things out, then tie up. Takagi waistlocks, but Okada drops to a knee to then wrench and wristlock. Takagi rolls, wrenches back, and has the wristlock now. Okada rolls, trips Takagi and has the leg for a toehold. Takagi pulls hair but Red Shoes reprimands. Takagi uses his free leg to bring Okada down, but Okada holds off the armbar. Okada gets up inside the leg guard, but Takagi moves around.

Okada stands, manages a cover, ONE, but Okada facelocks. Takagi fights up, pries free and wrenches to a hammerlock. Okada moves around but Takagi wrangles him to the mat. Takagi SNAPS the hammerlock, then grinds Okada with a cording hold. Okada gets up, powers Takagi to ropes, but Takagi powers Okada back. Takagi drop toeholds then floats to a facelock and grinds Okada down. Okada endures, slips out and has the hammerlock to give back the SNAP. Fans rally as Okada SNAP locks again. Takagi endures, Okada half nelsons to get a cover, TWO! Okada holds onto the hammerlock, shifts to a headlock to grind Takagi back down, then hits the takeover.

Fans build to a rally as Takagi turns Okada to a cover, ONE! Okada keeps the headlock, Takagi tries again, ONE! Okada holds on, Takagi fights up and puts on a side bearhug squeeze. Okada grinds the headlock and thrashes Takagi around! Takagi throws body shots but can’t power out of Okada’s grip! Takagi pulls hair, puts Okada on ropes and uses that to power out. Okada rams Takagi but Takagi rebounds to run him over! Fans fire up as things speed up, and Okada hurdles to arm-drag Takagi. Takagi headscissors, Okada kips free but Takagi arm-drags back. Okada returns the headscissors but Takagi kips free and the fans cheer as the two stand off.

Fans rally up as Okada and Takagi reset. “O-KA-GI!” “TA-KA-DA!” The two circle, Takagi eggs Okada on, but Okada dares Takagi to hit him first. Takagi shoves, Okada throws forearms! Okada whips Takagi, Takagi reverses and runs but into Okada’s BOOT! Okada follows Takagi to ropes, brings him up, and reels him in for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! Okada keeps cool as he clamps onto Takagi with a chinlock. Takagi endures as Okada bends him back against a knee. Takagi reaches around but Okada pulls him back harder! Fans rally as Takagi grabs at Okada’s hair. Red Shoes reprimands but Takagi scoots forward and gets a ropebreak with a leg.

Okada lets go and paces as Takagi gets to a corner. Okada brings Takagi up, Takagi throws forearms and knees. Takagi clubs then CHOPS Okada! Takagi runs, but Okada goes to hip toss. Takagi blocks, throws a body shot then throws Okada down! Okada avoids the back senton to drop a senton, onto knees! Takagi stalks Okada, runs in and clotheslines him out of the ring! Fans cheer and Takagi goes out to fetch Okada. Takagi gets the fans fired up, brings him up, and RAMS him into the apron! “Mada, mada, mada,” Takagi isn’t done yet! He reels Okada back in to RAM him again! Okada falls over in a heap and Takagi refreshes the count.

Takagi brings Okada up, brings him around the way, and CLUBS him as he goes. Takagi has media move aside, and then whips Okada into railing! And SNAP suplexes Okada to the floor! Fans fire up with Takagi and he stands on Okada’s ribs! Fans rally but a ring count starts so Takagi lets off. Takagi drags Okada up at 10 of 20, puts him in at 13, and fans cheer as he slingshot KNEE DROPS in! Takagi digs his knee in, but Okada has the ropes so Takagi lets off. Takagi takes his time getting Okada back up, and he KNEES him against ropes! Takagi whips, and KNEES Okada again, to then run and RUN Okada over!

Fans cheer as Takagi brings Okada back up. Takagi reels Okada in to suplex high and hard! Takagi then drags Okada into a body scissor squeeze! Okada endures, Takagi adds a chinbar, but Okada pries at the fingers. Takagi adds more to the squeeze, but Okada works on an escape. Okada reaches out with one arm but Takagi grabs it! Okada reaches out with the others and fans rally as he gets a ropebreak with his foot! Takagi lets Okada go, to drop the back senton! Takagi mockingly asks what’s wrong. Fans rally up and Takagi gives Okada toying kicks. Okada gets mad, Takagi throws haymakers! Okada throws forearms back, but Takagi tanks them!

Takagi kicks, Okada blocks to boot and scoop! Takagi blocks the gut wrench, to gut wrench Okada for a POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Okada grits his teeth as he survives but fans rally up. Takagi kicks Okada, stands on his back and digs his heel into in as he steps over. Takagi drags Okada back up, reels him in for a front bearhug, and squeezes the ribs tight. Okada endures as fans still rally, and Okada CLUBS Takagi on the back. Takagi shifts his grip to a waistlock but Okada fights off the back suplex. Takagi CLUBS Okada, then reels him in for a back suplex! Okada lands on his feet and things speed up! Okada hits a BIG back elbow to knock Takagi down!

Fans rally as both men are down again. Takagi sits up and Okada goes to a corner. Takagi runs in but Okada boots. Takagi powers through but Okada schoolboys and BASEMENT UPPERCUTS! Okada gets Takagi up for forearm after forearm! Okada whips Takagi corner to corner, runs in and back elbows! Okada kicks low and hits the DDT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up and Okada gets the clap-clap-clap-stomp going. Takagi gets up and Okada wants the Alabama lift, but Takagi blocks! Takagi digs his elbow into Okada’s back then CLUBS him! Okada goes back to a corner, Takagi runs in but Okada dodges! Okada hoists Takagi up top and DROPKICKS Takagi to the floor!

Fans rally up as Takagi is down on the outside. Okada catches his breath before going out to fetch Takagi. Okada has media move aside as he whips Takagi into railing, then runs in to BOOT Takagi up and over! Okada then drags Takagi out onto the railing for a DRAPING DDT!! The Rainmaker looks a bit like The Viper there, but both men are down as fans rally back up. A ring count starts as both men stir, and we’re at 8 of 20 as Okada stands. Okada gets in at 11, but he leaves Takagi outside. Takagi stands at 15, hobbles over and is in at 17, only for Okada to fireman’s carry and HEAVY RAIN! To the MONEY CLIP!! Takagi hurries and gets the ropebreak!

Okada lets Takagi go and paces around while fans rally. Okada stands Takagi up, scoops and SLAMS him, and then per the formula, goes to the corner. Okada climbs, but Takagi runs in! Okada leaps up and over but runs into the elbow, JAB and YUKON LARIAT! Fans fire up with Takagi as he gets back up. Takagi hobbles over to Okada, brings him up, but catches the clothesline to the Gory Especial! Okada fights that off and elbows Takagi into the MONEY CLIP! Takagi stays standing and reaches out, but Okada goes to backslide! Takagi makes that a Gory Especial for NOSHIGAMI! Okada is down but Takagi is too tired to cover here!

Fans build to another rally as Takagi reels Okada into a wheelbarrow. WHEELBARROW GERMAN into the corner! Okada hits buckles hard but again Takagi can’t make a cover here! Fans rally up while Okada is in a daze. Red Shoes checks on him but Takagi says it’s time! Takagi reels Okada in, headbutts away on the back, then gets the torture rack! Takagi thrashes Okada around in the submission hold, then hits a GUTBUSTER! Pump handle to SOL DE JAPON! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives and fans rally up but Takagi keeps his cool. Okada goes to a corner while Takagi fires himself up. Fans follow the “OI! OI! OI!” as Takagi takes aim.

Takagi runs corner to corner but into a BOOT! He still hits a CORNER LARIAT! Takagi steadies himself, and Okada looks to be in a daze as Takagi stands him back up. Takagi CHOPS, JABS, CHOPS, JABS, repeat! Red Shoes warns about the corner ropebreak but Takagi throws headbutt after headbutt! Red Shoes pulls Takagi away, Okada SHOTGUNS! Takagi sits up but Okada is after him at the ropes with forearm after forearm! Red Shoes warns Okada, and Okada lets off, to get the MONEY CLIP! Takagi gets the ropebreak, Okada holds until Red Shoes counts 4. Okada drags Takagi back up, CLUBS him, then kicks him.

Okada runs, Takagi LARIATS at ropes! Takagi runs, fakes out Okada’s dropkick, but Okada catches the sliding lariat to MONEY CLIP!! Fans fire up, Takagi powers out but Okada gut wrenches to the SPINNING TOMBSTONE! And then, MONEY CLIP!! Okada squeezes tight and fans fire up again! Takagi endures, gets a second wind and fights to his feet! Takagi reaches for ropes but Okada uses a BACK2BACKBREAKER to stop him! MONEY CLIP!! Takagi is stuck all over again, and Okada drags him from ropes! Takagi throws haymakers with his free arm but Okada squeezes tighter! Takagi is fading! Red Shoes checks on him, but Takagi refuses to give up like this!

Takagi gets a third wind, scoots for ropes, but Okada is squeezing the tightest yet! Takagi uses a last gasp to get the ROPEBREAK! Fans fire up as Okada has to let Takagi go! Takagi flops out to the floor as he catches his breath, and Okada stays in the ring as he catches his. Okada slowly rolls out to fetch Takagi. Okada drags Takagi up, gut wrenches, but Takagi holds railing to block! Okada keeps trying, and he CLUBS Takagi on the back! Takagi still holds railing to block the tombstone! Okada CLUBS Takagi again, KICKS him, but swings into a knee and pump handle! MADE IN JAPAN to the floor!! Fans fire up again as both men are down on the outside!

Okada sputters as Red Shoes checks on him. He’s somehow okay to continue, and a ring count begins. Both men stir, Takagi sits up at 7 but crawls after Okada. Okada sits up at 12, Takagi hits his head on the railing to fire himself up?! We’re at 15, Takagi goes into the ring! Okada hurries but stumbles at 17! Okada staggers up and in at 19.5!! Takagi is frustrated that Okada survives, but he refocuses as fans rally up. Okada goes to a corner while Takagi slaps sense into himself. Takagi glares at Okada as he aims from the other corner. Takagi goes corner to corner to CORNER PUMPING BOMBER! Okada somehow stays on his feet after that!

Takagi fireman’s carries and takes Okada up the corner!? Okada fights free, but Takagi reels him back in! SUPER LEGEND FALCONRY!! Takagi has to crawl to the cover, TWO!! Okada survives and Takagi can’t believe it! Fans build to another rally as Takagi sits Okada up. Takagi runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Takagi gets Okada back up, wrist clutch, but Okada clubs Takagi to hold off the torture rack! Okada stomps Takagi’s feet, clubs him more, but Takagi hits POINT BLANK PUMPING! Takagi fires off boxing elbows then ROCKS Okada! Takagi sits Okada up again, but runs into Okada’s dropkick! Fans are thunderous as Okada gut wrenches, for a TOMBSTONE!!!

Okada is fired up, as he wristlock ripcords, PUMPING BOMBER FROM TAKAGI!?!? Takagi counters Okada’s lariat with his own and fans are thunderous! Okada and Takagi stir as fans continue to rally. A standing count begins, Okada and Takagi slowly rise, and Takagi gets to ropes as Okada sits up at 6. Okada and Takagi go forehead to forehead, then start throwing forearms. Okada hits first, Takagi hits back, then they stand up. Okada roars and he hits Takagi again. Takagi roars and steadies himself before he hits Okada back. Okada forearms, Takagi forearms, repeat, faster and faster! The fans rally as they keep going!

Takagi slows down and Okada gets the edge! Takagi snarls and fans fire up! Takagi gives more boxing elbows, going past 10 to about 20 before he ROCKS Okada! Okada grits his teeth to stay on his feet! They’re forehead to forehead again before Okada throws EuroUppers! Takagi staggers, Okada gives him another EuroUpper! Takagi fires up but swings into a spin, but he blocks Rolling Rainmaker to hit a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Takagi gets back up, fans fire up with him, and he runs, but Okada ducks! Backslide, but Takagi rolls through, into the RAINMAKER!! Okada hits his lariat, but holds onto Takagi’s arm! Okada fires up, stands Takagi up, RAINMAKER AGAIN!

Okada hits the Rainmaker pose, gets Takagi up and wristlocks, but Takagi ducks Rainmaker proper to STEAL RAINMAKER?!? Fans are thunderous again as Takagi uses Okada’s formula to power up his own lariat! Both men are down, Takagi heads back for Okada and gets him back up. Takagi runs and runs and PUMPING BOMBERS!! Cover, TWO!?!? Okada survives, but this is what being on top of NJPW means to him! Takagi roars and fans fire up with him again! Takagi gets Okada up, wrist clutch and torture rack, but Okada flails free! Wristlock, but Takagi ducks the lariat! Takagi fireman’s carries, but Okada slips off to dragon sleeper, and gut wrench!

Takagi fights free to underhook, TIGER SUPLEX!! Okada wobbles, Takagi runs to SLIDING FOREARM! Okada is in a daze again as Takagi gets him back up! Wrist clutch, torture rack, LAST OF THE DRAGON!!! Cover, TAKAGI WINS!!!!

Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (NEW IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)

Even Takagi is in shock! The Dragon just conquered THE Rainmaker, and now has THE greatest treasure in all of NJPW! Is this the dawning of a new era? After Takagi is able to stand again, Red Shoes helps him with the belt, and Takagi’s ascension is complete. Takagi then gets the mic to speak. “The IWGP belt is right here. This isn’t a dream, this is reality. And allow me to introduce myself: I am THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Shingo Takagi!” Takagi knows a few months ago, he lost to Will Ospreay. He took that loss very hard, but his heart was still beating. Takagi has been through a lot, but with this result, he’s proven he’s back on top!

Takagi says this is not the end goal, this is just the start! Takagi has a lot left to do. We’ve all been through so much, but like a dragon, Takagi has become not only the pinnacle of NJPW, but of all pro-wrestling! And uh, this belt is a bit loose, can someone help with that? Yota Tsuji gets in to help the new champ adjust the strap. Little higher up. There we go. Takagi says that there are still some rough times ahead, and there are some delays because of it, but that’s why Takagi has to do what he has to do, and why he has to bring us his power and energy. It is to inspire us to keep going. He says this is where he’d usually stop but he does have one more thing to say.

Takagi beat Okada now, and he knows who  he wants next! He was also here tonight, so why not call him out? Surely the fans know who he means. “OI! IBUSHI! GET OUT HERE!” The fans cheer as the Dragon wants to see the Golden Star face-to-face! And here he comes! Ibushi being the man who created this belt, this just makes sense! Takagi welcomes Ibushi, and says that life’s a funny thing, isn’t it? Takagi has the title Ibushi imagined. Ibushi once called Takagi out but tables have turned. Takagi says there’s just one thing he has to say to Ibushi: “Are we fighting over this title or not?” Fans cheer as Ibushi gets a mic for himself.

“It doesn’t matter when or where, let’s go!” That’s the answer Takagi was hoping for! Takagi says he and Ibushi are going to have “The kind of murderous match only the two of us can have!” The summer has just hit triple digits with this one! Will the Dragon surpass the gods of NJPW? Or will Ibushi be the first to hold this title twice?

My Thoughts:

What an event! And while I didn’t cover the entire thing, Andrew Balaz always has us covered. The 10 Man Tags are standard filler fare for NJPW, and I feel disappointed in myself that I didn’t check Road to Dominion more closely. That is where they put the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships AND the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships. LIJ did not win against Chaos, but they might be shifting gears towards the latter titles after facing Douki & Tekkers today. I just feel like Sanada deserves more than just being tag title guy. With one less midcard title, I suppose Sanada could get the NEVER Openweight Championship in an epic with Hiroshi Tanahashi, but maybe for now he’s satisfied with being involved in all these title scenes.

Anyway, to what I did cover. Desperado VS Yoh was great stuff, but I figured it wasn’t time for Yoh to be Mr. Junior Heavyweight. Bullet Club’s Junior Heavyweights calling out everybody is cool, but I don’t see Bone Soldier getting both belts, either. He and ELP might get the tag titles off RPG3K, or he might get the singles title off Despy, but I don’t see Taiji reaching double champ level. Ibushi VS Cobb was awesome stuff, and I always like when someone steals someone else’s moves. That also fed well in the Okada VS Takagi match. But it was great story that Cobb hits his take on the Kamigoye, only to not capitalize on it. Ibushi wins and as we know, he’s ready for the world title.

Okada VS Takagi was strong for a long stretch and then exploded into that thunderous level. I honestly didn’t think Takagi would win, but it is amazing that he did. It shows Okada has the humility to put Takagi over, it shows NJPW has faith in Takagi and confirms that Takagi has reached this level. Takagi boldly calling Ibushi out was a great move, that match is going to be another epic, and you can toss a coin and get this one. Takagi being a one and done would be a shame but Ibushi is also a high level wrestler. I think we’re all just going to be happy to see this big match over the summer somewhere.

My Score: 9.4/10