Will Summer Struggle be Too Sweet?

NJPW brings the heat as Summer Struggle passes through Tokyo! Will Korakuen Hall be red hot with the Bullet Club’s “cutest tag team” in separate matches?

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

• Six Man Tag: Robbie Eagles & Roppongi 3K VS Suzuki-Gun; Eagles & RPG3K win.
• Ryusuke Taguchi VS Taiji Ishimori; Taguchi wins.
• Rocky Romero VS El Phantasmo; Time Limit Draw.

PLAY BY PLAY

Six Man Tag: Robbie Eagles & Roppongi 3K VS Suzuki-Gun!

The Sniper of the Sky wants to take the gold from El Desperado, and he’ll team with Sho & Yoh to get the Rogue Luchador in his sights! But can Desperado, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Douki evade Eagles and shock RPG3K?

The teams sort out and Eagles starts with Desperado as a sampler of their potential title match! Fans rally up for Eagles as he and Desperado circle. They tie up, Desperado waistlocks but Eagles switches. Desperado spins through but Eagles wrenches. Desperado rolls, wrenches and wristlocks, but Eagles rolls, spins and drop toeholds! Eagles floats to get an arm. Desperado fights up, Eagles hammerlocks, but Desperado goes through the ropes and then back again to wrap Eagles arm up! The ref reprimands, Desperado lets off at 4, and he whips. Eagles holds ropes to block, so Desperado rakes Eagles’ eyes! Desperado whips, Eagles reverses, goes up and around and arm-drags!

Things speed up, Eagles ducks and dodges to RANA Desperado away! Fans fire up as Eagles KICKS Desperado! And again! Desperado blocks the third, CLUBS the leg, then runs, but into Eagles’ WHEEL KICK! Eagles kips up, tags to Yoh, and Yoh gets Desperado up for EuroUppers. Yoh whips Desperado corner to corner, runs in and back elbows! Yoh then reels Desperado in for a neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Yoh stomps Desperado, but Desperado hits back. Yoh ROCKS Desperado, whips to ropes, but Desperado reverses, and Kanemaru trips Yoh up! Kanemaru drags Yoh out to whip him into railing! And Douki and Desperado are after Sho and Eagles!

Desperado whips Eagles into railing as Kanemaru snap suplexes Yoh! Kanemaru stomps Yoh, the ref reprimands Suzuki-Gun but Desperado grabs the ring hammer. Desperado JAMS the hammer into Eagles’ eye! Eagles writhes, Desperado gets back in the ring, and fans rally as Kanemaru RAMS Yoh into railing. Kanemaru puts Yoh back in the ring for Desperado, Desperado drags Yoh up for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Tag to Douki, Douki stomps Yoh, and Douki drags Yoh up to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Douki stomps Yoh. Douki stands Yoh up, bumps him off buckles, then tags Kanemaru. Douki stomps away and Kanemaru BOOTS Yoh down!

Kanemaru scoops and SLAMS Yoh, then pushes him to the apron. Kanemaru gets the legs for a Boston Crabs in the ropes! The ref reprimands then counts, Kanemaru lets go at 3. Kanemaru stomps Yoh and kicks at him. Yoh gets up and throws forearms! Kanemaru rakes Yoh’s eyes! Yoh falls over, Kanemaru stomps him again. Kanemaru gets Yoh up as fans rally, and he whips him hard into a corner! Kanemaru drags Yoh back up, suplexes, but Yoh slips out to jump over Kanemaru! Kanemaru boots from the corner, runs, but into Yoh’s dropkick! Fans rally up as both men are down, but Suzuki-Gun attacks Yoh!

Douki and Desperado double whip but Yoh shoves Douki into Desperado! Double dropkick! Fans fire up and Yoh heads for the corner, tag to Sho! Sho rallies on Kanemaru, kicks and whips Douki but Douki reverses. Sho holds ropes to stop himself, but Douki runs in. Sho puts Douki on the apron and runs to dropkick Douki off! Kanemaru hits Sho but he stays up! Kanemaru boots, Sho blocks and ROCKS Kanemaru back! Sho runs to run Kanemaru over with a shoulder! Fans fire up with Sho as he stomps around. Sho powers up the High Voltage for a KICK! Cover, TWO! Sho keeps focus as he stalks up behind Kanemaru. Sho waistlock dead lifts but Kanemaru elbows free.

Sho forearms Kanemaru back, runs, but into Kanemaru’s dropkick! Both men are down and fans fire up again. Kanemaru and Sho slowly rise, Kanemaru gets Sho up, scoops and dragon sleeper, British Fall! Cover, TWO! The reverse DDT isn’t enough but Kanemaru drags Sho back up. Kanemaru goes to suplex but Sho blocks! Sho powers up to suplex Kanemaru, but Kanemaru grabs the ref’s shirt! Kanemaru gets free, boots and ENZIGURIS Sho, but Sho stays up to rebound and SPEAR! Fans fire up as both men are down again! Sho and Kanemaru crawl to their corners, hot tags to Desperado and Eagles!

Eagles dodges Desperado to fire a forearm but Desperado gives it aback! They go back and forth, fans fire up, and Desperado staggers, but he comes back to ROCK Eagles. Desperado talks trash, Eagles CHOPS back. Eagles eggs Desperado on, Desperado CHOPS back! Eagles CHOPS, Desperado rakes his eyes! The ref reprimands but Desperado whips corner to corner. Eagles reverses, runs in but is put on the apron. Eagles counter punches, springboards and dropkicks the leg out! Eagles gets the leg, Desperado kicks him away but Eagles comes back. Desperado ducks the Penalty Kick, rolls Eagles then spins him around to GUITARA-

No, Eagles slips out to waistlock! Desperado switches, Eagles resists the lift and elbows free. Eagles runs, gets around, roll up with bridge, TWO! Desperado gets up but Eagles blocks his kick to bring him in, but Desperado refuses to be a backpack! Desperado clubs Eagles, gets him up, but Eagles lands on his feet! Eagles hits a rolling chop block! Fans fire up with Eagles as he runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Desperado and Eagles are down, Desperado clutching a leg. Desperado tags Douki and Douki runs at Eagles to clothesline in the corner! Douki scoops, swings and suplexes Eagles! Bridging cover, TWO! Eagles escapes but Douki stays fired up!

Douki aims from the apron, slingshots in, DAYBREAKER! Cover, TWO, to the ITALIAN STRETCH 32! Suzuki-Gun attacks RPG3K to keep them away! Eagles endures, Yoh whips Kanemaru away and Sho fights off Desperado. Yoh gets in to stomp Douki down! Kanemaru gets in but Yoh feeds him to Sho’s KNEE! RPG3K sees Desperado and they double mule kick him out! Yoh PLANCHAS Desperado, Sho KICKS Kanemaru down! Eagles kicks but Douki blocks to ENZIGURI! Douki hurries to wheelbarrow, but Eagles victory rolls it! TWO, and Douki UPPERCUTS! Douki runs but into a BOOT, ROUNDHOUSE, SUPERKICK and PELE!! What a kick combo!

Eagles rolls Douki back to his feet, TURBO BACKPACK! And then roll to the leg lock, RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Douki taps, Chaos wins!

Winners: Robbie Eagles & RPG3K, by submission

Eagles lets Douki go to stare down Desperado. Desperado wags his finger, saying it is NOT going to happen that way with them. Desperado gets his belt but Eagles draws the proverbial line in the sand. Eagles waits, but Desperado leaves with Suzuki-Gun. How long will Eagles be left waiting for his shot at the Rogue Luchador?

Ryusuke Taguchi VS Taiji Ishimori!

The Mega Coaches want to take the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships from the Bone Soldier and Headbanger, but also want to take the title of “cutest tag team” while they’re at it. Will the Funky Weapon take down Taiji in step one of that plan?

The bell rings and fans rally as Taguchi and Taiji stare down. The two circle, approach, and Taguchi goes for a leg. Taiji blocks, gets around to a waistlock, but Taguchi switches. Taiji switches, Taguchi switches, Taiji scrambles and gets away. Fans cheer the stand off, and the two go again. They feel out the knuckle locks, Taguchi wrenches to bring Taiji down but Taiji trips Taguchi up. Taiji headlocks, Taguchi fights him, gets a headscissor and pushes up for leverage. Taiji endures, moves around, and headstands to pop free. Fans cheer as Taiji grins. Taguchi rolls back to his feet and fans cheer his athleticism!

Fans rally up as the two circle again. They tie up, Taguchi headlocks and grinds Taiji down. Taiji fights up, throws body shots and powers out. Taguchi runs Taiji over! Things speed up and Taiji hurdles but Taguchi leaps. Taguchi side steps to dropkick Taiji out of the ring! Taguchi runs and fakes Taiji out, then rolls back to swivel those hips! Taiji keeps his cool as fans rally up, “TA-GU-CHI!” Taiji wants Taguchi to come get him but Taguchi tells Taiji to get back in. Taiji goes in but backs off as Taguchi rushes him. It’s a bit of a stand-off, but Taguchi rushes out and slides! Taiji slides back in! Taiji turns the tables and asks Taguchi to get in.

Taguchi steps up to the apron but Taiji shoves Red Shoes away so he doesn’t see Taiji kick the ropes, and the ropes get Taguchi in the groin! Taguchi falls and Taiji grins again. Taiji goes out to fetch Taguchi, gets him up and whips him into railing! Taguchi falls over again and Taiji goes back to the ring. Fans rally up for “TA-GU-CHI!” as a ring count begins. The count gets to 10 of 20 before Taguchi starts to rise. Taguchi gets up at 13 and in at 14! Fans cheer but Taiji drags Taguchi up to throw haymakers. Taiji cravats to neck wrench but Taguchi endures. Taguchi throws body shots but Taiji cranks the neck more. Taiji throws in shoulders, snapmares and NECK TWISTS!

Taguchi writhes but fans rally up. Taiji drags Taguchi up, scoops and puts Taguchi in a Tree of Woe! Taiji digs his knee into Taguchi’s chest, but lets off to go corner to corner. Fans rally as Taiji says BANG and runs back in, to then stomp and stand on Taguchi’s groin! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, Taiji lets off and Taguchi falls out of the Tree. Taiji gets Taguchi back up but Taguchi throws more body shots. Taiji CLUBS Taguchi, throws haymakers, then runs, only to fake out Taguchi’s dropkick! Taiji runs again, but into the FUNKY WEAPON! Taguchi and Taiji are both down as fans fire up again! Taiji writhes but Taguchi rises!

Taguchi gets going, HIP ATTACK at the ropes! And again! And then slide to an APRON HIP ATTACK! Taguchi has the hat trick, covers, TWO! Fans stay fired up for Taguchi as he gets Taiji back up. Taguchi snap suplexes, uno amigo. Another snap suplex, dos amigos! Taiji slips out of tres but Taguchi switches. Taiji elbows free, runs, but Taguchi follows to HIP- ATOMIC DROP! Taiji counters the Funky Weapon and gets Taguchi in a waistlock. Taguchi elbows free, runs in place to fake Taiji out! Taiji follows no one, and runs into the HIP ATTACK! Taiji falls out of the ring, Taguchi goes to the corner to TRIANGLE PLANCHA! Direct hit and the fans fire up even more!

Taguchi gets up and gets Taiji up to put him in the ring. Taguchi aims, springboards, and FLYING HIP ATTACKS! Taiji flounders, Taguchi covers, TWO! Taguchi goes to a corner and calls upon the powers of the King of Strong Style! “ORAYO!” Taguchi runs in, but into a roll up! TWO!! Taiji kicks low, whips Taguchi but Taguchi reverses, only for Taiji to NEURALIZER! Direct hit with the flying enziguri, and both men are down again. Fans rally up, both men go to opposite corners, and Taiji runs in, but blocks boots! He puts Taguchi in the ropes, ENZIGURI, and then he runs side to side to SLIDING GERMAN! Fans cheer that athleticism as Taiji covers, TWO!

Taiji grows annoyed but he gets Taguchi up. Taiji turns Taguchi, BACKBREAKER, then a roll to omoplata! YES LOCK! Taguchi endures, fans rally up, and Taguchi reaches out with legs. Taguchi gets a ropebreak with a foot! Taiji lets off and growls as he gets back up. Taiji stands Taguchi up, gut wrenches, but Taguchi turns that to OH MY GAH ANKLE! Taguchi leans on the ankle lock but Taiji reaches out! Taguchi drags Taiji from ropes but Taiji drags Taguchi back down! YES LOCK!! Taguchi endures again, can see ropes but can’t reach ropes! Taguchi moves around, gets free but Taiji rolls him from ropes, only to get caught in OH MY GAH ANKLE!!

Taguchi drags Taiji from ropes, then DROPS on the knee! Taiji endures, crawls, reaches, but he gets the ropebreak! Taguchi holds on until Red Shoes counts, then he stomps the bad leg. Taguchi gets Taiji up, has the leg, and hits a SHIN BREAKER! Then runs to dropkick the leg! Cover, TWO! To OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Taiji endures again, Taguchi twists and leans on the leg as hard as he can, but Taiji keeps crawling! Taguchi drags Taiji back into chicken wings, but Taiji slips out to facelock! Taguchi fights that off but Taiji reels him in. Taguchi ducks the clothesline to get around to chicken wing! DODON- Taiji victory rolls!

But Taguchi sits on it! TWO, and Taiji has the cover! WITH TIGHTS! TWO, and Taguchi has the cover back!! TAGUCHI WINS!!

Winner: Ryusuke Taguchi, by pinfall

Best of the Super Juniors 27 revisited, and avenged! Taiji used Taguchi’s tights to win then, Taguchi turns it around on him here! And then he rubs those cheeks into Taiji’s face to add insult to injury!! Taiji is humiliated AND disgusted, but El Phantasmo attacks Taguchi! Bullet Club makes Taguchi pay for his cheeky attitude by mugging him! But Rocky Romero rushes out to get them back! He throws Taiji out, then ELP! Rocky builds speed to FLY! Direct hit and all three crash into railing! And since they’re all here, the bell rings on the main event!!

Rocky Romero VS El Phantasmo!

Rocky gets up, Taguchi coaches him and stomps Taiji down. Taguchi and Rocky coordinate as they get Bullet Club up and bring them around. Rocky bumps ELP off apron, Taguchi headlocks Taiji and drags him away. Taguchi opens the gate and takes Taiji back out the entry way! Fans cheer as Rocky gets ELP 1v1! Rocky stomps ELP to a corner, stomps him in the corner, and pulls his shirt over his head! ELP is blind as Rocky CHOPS him! ELP staggers about, paws at his shirt, but Rocky CHOPS him again! Rocky gets ELP up, rips his shirt off him and stomps him to ropes. Rocky throws hands, whips to ropes, and elbows ELP down!

Fans cheer as Rocky dares ELP to get up. Rocky slaps ELP, ELP SLAPS Rocky! Rocky kicks ELP, ELP CHOPS! ELP gets up but Rocky CHOPS him back down! ELP gets to a corner, Rocky gives a thumbs up to fans. Rocky gets ELP up to whip corner to corner, then waits for ELP to come back, for the back drop! Rocky then runs and RANAS ELP away! The fans fire up more as Rocky sees ELP leave. ELP goes through the gate, is he giving up? ELP catches his breath as Rocky gets fans to rally up again. ELP decides to see this through and gets on the apron. He has Rocky give him space and then goes in, only to go right back out. ELP says he’s smarter than us, but Rocky slides out after him.

ELP gets back in and Rocky chuckles. Rocky slides in as ELP lounges, and ELP applauds like Rocky was doing him a favor. They circle, tie up with knuckle locks, but ELP kick slow. ELP CLUBS Rocky, pulls on his ear, then ROCKS him with a forearm. ELP ROCKS Rocky again, whips to ropes, but Rocky reverses. ELP sunset flips but Rocky stays up to get an arm, ARMBAR! ELP scrambles and rolls and gets away, and he gets mad at production crew in his way. Rocky waits on ELP but ELP mocks the fans rallying. ELP slides in to bait Rocky but slides out, much like Taiji with Taguchi. And again, as Rocky slides out, ELP slides in. ELP does a few jumping jacks to mock Rocky.

Rocky keeps his cool, gets back in, but ELP slides back out, only for Rocky to be faking him out! ELP is surprised and Rocky kicks him low! Rocky CHOPS ELP and brings him around the way to bump off the apron. Rocky brings ELP back around to call his shot, “BRAINBUSTER!” But ELP blocks the suplex! Rocky throws body shots and gets the snap suplex to the floor! Fans fire up while ELP twitches. Rocky refreshes the ring count and gets ELP back up. Rocky brings ELP around, and YANKS him into the post! Fans cheer while Red Shoes reprimands. Rocky apologizes, puts ELP in, and fans cheer. But ELP ROCKS Rocky at the apron!

ELP gets Rocky up to CLUB him, and then brings him to the corner. ELP tries to Jeff Cobb this, but Rocky won’t allow the dead lift superplex! Rocky wrenches and HOTSHOTS ELP’s arm! Fans fire up for Rocky as he climbs up, drags ELP up to join him, and hits an ELBOW BREAKER! And another! Red Shoes reprimands but ELP CLAWS Rocky’s back! ELP scoops Rocky for a CORNER BACKBREAKER! Rocky falls to the apron while ELP is down on the mat catching his breath. ELP drags Rocky in, drops knee after knee into the back, then drops both knees! Cover, TWO! Rocky is still tough as nails and ELP is annoyed.

ELP gets Rocky up, wrenches and whips corner to corner hard, and Rocky bounces off buckles. ELP dusts off his hands, handsprings just to show off, and he covers. TWO, and fans cheer Rocky’s resilience. ELP jams his knee into Rocky’s back then clamps on a chinlock. ELP JAMS his elbow into Rocky’s face and Red Shoes reprimands. Rocky gets to ropes, ELP kicks him in the back over and over, toying with Rocky. Rocky gets mad, sits up, but ELP kicks him more. Fans rally, Rocky gets up but ELP kicks him hard in the ribs! ELP CLAWS Rocky’s back and Red Shoes reprimands again. But ELP does it again the corner! And again!

ELP knees Rocky in the head, whips him hard corner to corner, and Rocky again bounces off buckles. Fans rally for Rocky but ELP stands him up. ELP scoops to hit a BACKBREAKER, and makes it a backbreaker stretch! Rocky endures as he’s bent back across ELP’s knee, and fights out with knees of his own! Fans rally, Rocky hobbles but runs, only to run into a tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Rocky barely kicks out but fans rally up hard as ever for him. Rocky gets to a corner while ELP sneers. ELP gets Rocky up again, throws haymakers, making a point of having one finger out. ELP then palm strikes Rocky before he whips. Rocky reverses and sends ELP tumbling out of the ring!

Fans fire up as Rocky gets to the apron. Rocky aims at ELP, and hits a FLYING KNEE! Down goes ELP but Rocky also crashes and burns! Fans fire up more as Rocky gets ELP up. Rocky brings ELP around and through the gate, to scoop and LAWN DART ELP into the post! ELP writhes and clutches his shoulder as fans rally hard as ever. Rocky gets ELP up and in, then gets ELP up. ELP pushes him away but Rocky slaps and stomps him down. ELP spits on Rocky, so Rocky stomps him harder! Rocky gets ELP up, throws forearms but ELP gives them back. Rocky KICKS ELP in the arm and ELP falls! Rocky throws ELP through ropes, hooks him up and KICKS him again!

Rocky rallies the fans up, goes to the second rope, leaps, and then just lands to CLAW ELP’s back! Talk about a receipt! ELP flips Rocky off but Rocky grabs that arm to KICK and KICK and KICK ELP! Rocky goes back to the corner to second rope missile dropkick for real this time! ELP falls to the floor, fans rally up and Rocky paces as he waits. The ring count climbs, ELP gets up at 5 of 20 but Rocky goes out after him. ELP RAMS Rocky into the apron! ELP pushes Rocky, gets him up and RAMS him into the post! Rocky falls in a heap now and ELP goes back to the ring. Red Shoes checks on Rocky but he’s okay to continue. The ring count starts again but ELP goes out after Rocky.

ELP TOSSES Rocky over railing! Red Shoes reprimands but ELP just wants him to count again! The count restarts, Rocky crawls at 5 of 20, gets back to ringside at 10 but stumbles. Rocky stands at 15 as ELP gloats, and Rocky flounders into the ring at 18! ELP is annoyed and he goes up the corner. ELP dares Rocky to stand, and he does, FLYING CLAWS! ELP stomps Rocky down, and again. ELP digs his boot in, pulls Rocky back and has a partial camel clutch. Rocky endures, and BITES one of ELP’s hands! Red Shoes reprimands, Rocky stops biting but ELP digs fingers into Rocky’s eyes! Red Shoes reprimands again but ELP stalks Rocky.

ELP slaps Rocky around but Rocky throws a forearm! ELP hits back, they go back and forth, and Rocky fires up! Fans fire up with him as he fires off forearm after forearm! ELP swings, Rocky dodges, comes back, tilt-o-whirl DDT! Fans fire up again as Rocky and ELP are both down. Rocky gets up first, drags ELP up, and CHOPS him! Rocky whips ELP corner to corner, runs in and corner clotheslines! Rocky keeps going, and he starts up the Forever Lariats! But ELP dodges, spins Rocky with a half straitjacket to torture rack, but Rocky slips off! Rocky drags ELP down for an ARMBAR! ELP clasps hands, fans rally, but ELP rolls back to get an ANKLE LOCK!

ELP has a unique grip as he twists Rocky’s arm, but Rocky reaches. ELP drags Rocky away, leans on the ankle, but Rocky fights up to kick. ELP ducks the enziguri but not the mule kick! Cover, TWO! Rocky gets ELP up, puts him in a corner and gets him up top. Rocky throws forearms, climbs up to join ELP, and fans rally as he stands ELP up. ELP resists, Rocky CLUBS him, but ELP throws body shots. ELP CLUBS Rocky back, CLAWS him again, then adjusts. ELP double underhooks, but Rocky fights back! Rocky headbutts and headbutts again! ELP wobbles, Rocky gets him back up, and SUPER STEINERS!! Fans fire up as Rocky aims from the corner! Rocky runs, SLICE ROCKY!! Cover, TWO!!

ELP survives but Rocky is too tired to be frustrated. Fans rally up, Rocky fires up and gets ELP up. ELP SLAPS Rocky again, but Rocky laughs. ELP SLAPS Rocky again but still Rocky laughs! ELP SLAPS Rocky, Rocky SLAPS back! And fires off fast hands, and a back kick! ELP doubles over but Rocky gets him back up to cravat. SLICED- No! ELP turns that into a gut wrench, for CIPHER UTAKI!! ELP borrows a move from Taiji and covers, TWO!?! Rocky survives but ELP aims from a corner. Rocky sputters as ELP climbs up top. ELP aims, leaps, but Rocky moves! Thunder Kiss FLOPS, and Rocky powers up! BUM-AYE?! Rocky borrows from Taguchi!

But Rocky won’t end it here, he gets ELP back up! Rocky hooks the chicken wings, DODON- NO, the back gives up! ELP gets Rocky around, reels him in, but Rocky Alabama lifts! Shout out to Trent with a CRUNCHY!! Cover, TWO!?! ELP survives the power of Roppongi Vice Best Friends! Rocky keeps his focus as fans fire up again. Rocky grits his teeth, fires himself up, and aims at ELP in the corner. Rocky runs in to clothesline! And he goes again for another! But ELP follows to clothesline! ELP runs, Rocky dodges and LARIATS ELP inside out! Cover, ONE?!! Rocky just fires up more, runs again, to LARIAT again! Cover, TWO!?!? ELP barely survives and fans are thunderous now!

Rocky gets ELP up, reels him in for a cravat, but ELP puts Rocky on the top rope! ELP CLUBS Rocky, climbs up behind him, but Rocky elbows him. ELP CLUBS then rakes Rocky’s eyes! Rocky still fights ELP, cravats, but ELP gives Rocky a PURPLE NURPLE! And then CLAWS his back again! ELP half straitjackets, torture racks, and spins for the NECKBREAKER! ELP crawls to the cover, TWO!! Rocky survives and fans fire up again! According to the ring announcer, they’re running out of time! They’re at 25 minutes of the 30 minute limit! ELP aims from a corner, but Rocky ducks Sudden Death! Rocky rolls ELP, cover, TWO!! Rocky cradles ELP, TWO!!

ELP gets up, swings into Rocky’s backslide, TWO?!? ELP barely escapes in time but Rocky goes after him, EuroUpper! ELP BOOTS Rocky, runs, but into a KNEE! Rocky ROCKS ELP with an uppercut, then cravats for SLICED BREAD!!! Cover, TWO?!?! ELP survives but fans are thunderous again as Rocky gets him back up. Rocky reels ELP in, but ELP stomps a foot! ELP loads up, hard mule kick! Rocky doubles over, ELP seethes and gets him up to underhook the arms. But Rocky tries to rana free, only to end up in a STYLES CLASH!! Cover, TWO!?!? Rocky survives because ELP is not phenomenal! ELP gives Rocky some Danielson stomps and then goes to a corner.

Fans rally up for Rocky as we enter the two minute warning! ELP aims, but Taguchi is back! Taguchi coaches Rocky but distracts ELP. ELP stomps, we’re at the final minute! Taguchi wants to throw in the towel, but ELP snatches it out of the air to throw it away! ELP BOOTS Rocky down then covers, TWO!! TIME’S UP!??! It’s a DRAW?!

Time Limit Draw

ELP can’t believe it! He didn’t lose, but he didn’t win! But he still wants to finish this off! Taguchi blocks Sudden Death to get OH MY GAH ANKLE!! ELP is tapping but it doesn’t matter now! Taiji returns but Taguchi gets him with the HIP ATTACK! ELP bails out and Taiji flounders away, Bullet Club regroups as fans rally up for “TA-GU-CHI!” The Funky Weapon defends his fellow player-coach, but is Rocky in any shape for a tag title match down the line? Taguchi gets a mic to say, “Oi! Ishimori! Phantasmo! My good men. I’ve reason to believe not all is what it seems. Phantasmo, sir, I daresay something is afoot. Something very peculiar indeed.”

If something wasn’t suspicious about ELP’s boot, then why would Rocky be feeling so bad? ELP and Taiji start to leave as Taguchi says he has “a good mind to expose what’s in that right foot of yours at the Tokyo Dome!” He wants them to heed those words. He vows those two “will be vanquished at the Dome,” and the Mega Coaches will hold those titles. Also Taguchi is talking very formally, it’s hard to understand what he’s up to. “One moment, my good people.” Taguchi checks on Rocky, and wait, is ELP taking something out of his boot? Is he hiding the very thing Taguchi suspects is inside?!

Taguchi apologizes, Rocky is “indisposed,” so he can’t share his thoughts. Taguchi will “soldier on alone,” and apologizes for “not having anything wittier to say. But rest assured, my good man Rocky and I will rescue those belts at the Dome. And we’ll reveal what that dastardly Phantasmo is hiding in that boot of his.” He hopes the fans will support the KING of Coaches forever, and says they love everyone very much! Seems Taguchi gave himself and Rocky field promotions. But will these players become kings, coaches and champions at Wrestle Grand Slam in Tokyo?

My Thoughts:

A pretty good event for generic Summer Struggle 2021, and I know I skipped a lot this week as well as this event. But as usual, there were Young Lions to take the loss as Bullet Club builds towards the NEVER Openweight Six Man titles, and then Bushi takes a loss for LIJ so Suzuki-Gun’s Dangerous Tekkers build back towards the coming IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships rematch. The Six Man I did cover was really good, and Douki takes the loss for Suzuki-Gun here so Eagles can be strong going into the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. Then we got some great stuff out of Taguchi VS Taiji, especially them revisiting their BOSJ 27 match with that finish.

We got a great transition from Taguchi VS Taiji to the main event, and Rocky VS ELP was an awesome match. Especially with how they pushed it to a time limit draw. The irony is that ELP could’ve let Taguchi throw in the towel and ELP would’ve won so “the cutest tag team” and the Mega Coaches could’ve been tied, 1-1. But now, Mega Coaches lead the series at 1-0-1 and despite the champs not saying a thing, NJPW’s own site shows they’re getting a tag title match for Wrestle Grand Slam Tokyo on 7/25. That card is stacked now with the KOPW New Japan Ranbo that is also like a kickoff match, all the Junior Heavyweight gold, the Heavyweight Tag, THE world title and even Okada VS Cobb in a grudge match of sorts.

My Score: 8.4/10