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Mitchell’s NJPW Wrestle Grand Slam Tokyo Report! (7/25/21)

Summer in the Tokyo Dome!

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NJPW Wrestle Grand Slam Tokyo

Who steps up to the plate and hits it out of the park?

NJPW returns to the Tokyo Dome for a true summer slugfest! IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Shingo Takagi, defends against THE ACE!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Kickoff – KOPW 2021 New Japan Ranbo with Handcuffs: Chase Owens wins and becomes the new provisional Mr. KOPW 2021.
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: El Phantasmo & Taiji Ishimori VS Mega Coaches; ELP & Ishimori win and retain the titles.
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS Robbie Eagles; Eagles wins and becomes the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.
  • Kazuchika Okada VS Jeff Cobb; Okada wins.
  • IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Tetsuya Naito & SANADA VS Dangerous Tekkers; Dangerous Tekkers win and become the new IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
  • IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS Hiroshi Tanahashi; Takagi wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

KOPW 2021 New Japan Ranbo with Handcuffs!

It’s just as the name says! This is a 22-man battle royal for Toru Yano’s KOPW trophy, but eliminations don’t have to only be by pin, submission or going over the top! If you get cuffed to the ropes or any other part of the ringside area, you’re done! Will #YTR be able to avoid his own wacky way of losing? Or will someone capture the Clown Prince and take his prized possession?

First out is Bullet Club’s Crown Jewel, Chase Owens! He’s still Texas Heavyweight Champion, will he look to add another prize to his collection? Second out is the United Empire’s Dominator, the Great-O-Khan! Will he win this prize for the glory of Will Ospreay? The bell rings and Chase BOOTS Khan right down, stomps him, and chokes him! The ref reprimands and Chase lets off, to try and throw Khan out! Khan holds onto the ropes, pulls Chase’s ear, and gets back in to CLUB the ear! Fans cheer as Khan gets Chase down for a modified kneebar! Chase kicks at Khan but Khan gets that leg. Chase holds off the Boston Crab by pulling Khan’s beard!

The ref reprimands, Chase knocks Khan down, and the countdown is here! The third entrant is… Tomoaki Honma! The Kokeshi is here as Chase digs his boots into Khan’s neck! Chase lets off to stomp Khan at the ropes and then choke him on the ropes. The ref reprimands again and Chase lets off. Chase watches Honma closely as he heads up the ramp. Honma gets in and Chase fires off hands! Honma fires up and fires forearms back! Chase knees low, CHOPS Honma, then whips. Honma holds ropes, boots Chase back, then runs to run Chase over! Fans fire up with Honma and Honma runs, FALLING HEADBUTT!

Khan gets up but Honma knocks him down! Honma runs but Khan avoids the falling headbutt! And now entry number four is here! It’s… Togi Makabe! The Uncaged Gorilla is headed out as Khan has a claw clamped into Honma’s shoulder. Chase and Khan mug Honma but Makabe evens things up! Makabe throws hands on both Khan and Chase, then goes to shove Khan out. Khan holds ropes, Chase clubs Makabe but Honma clubs Chase. Chase rakes Honma’s eyes, kicks Makabe low, then he and Khan double whip. Makabe breaks through the clothesline to double clothesline them! Makabe and Honma coordinate to DOUBLE LARIAT SANDWICH Khan!

The countdown is done again and entry five is DOUKI! El Japones del Mal takes his time as Makabe and Honma stomp down Chase and Khan. Khan gets Honma’s leg for a HEEL HOOK, but Honma gets the ropebreak! Makabe gets Douki as soon as he gets in, and chokes him! The ref reprimands, Makabe lets off, and Makabe drags Douki up to ROCK him with a forearm! Khan CLUBS Makabe, Chase CLUBS Makabe, and then they double whip Makabe. Makabe again breaks the line but runs into double kicks! Khan and Chase throw Makabe over and out and ELIMINATE him! But now entry number six is here, and it’s TIGER MASK!

Chase throws up a Too Sweet to Khan, but Khan ROCKS Chase with an uppercut! Honma goes after Douki but gets dragged into the ITALIAN STRETCH #32! Honma scrambles around, gets Douki under the ropes for a ropebreak, and Khan drags Chase over to the ropes! Khan wants to cuff Chase, but Chase holds it off! Khan stomps Chase down and Chase is spared. The ref finally notices what’s going on with Honma and Douki, and Douki has CUFFED Honma!! Douki ELIMINATES Honma!! Honma himself can’t believe it, and finally Tiger Mask is ringside. Douki claws Khan’s eyes to throw him down and then stomps him in a corner.

Khan resists, the ref counts the ropebreak and Douki lets off. Tiger Mask sobats, whips and tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKERS! Chase gets payback on Khan in the corner, but Khan gets away before he can be cuffed. Chase drags him back, stomps him down, and tries again. Khan kicks the cuffs then drags Chase into a HEEL HOOK! Tiger Mask shoves Douki onto the ropes but Douki fights! Yoshinobu Kanemaru is entry seven and he’ll surely reinforce Douki as fellow Suzuki-Gun members. Khan MONGOLIAN CHOPS Tiger Mask and tries to shove him over! Tiger Mask fights Khan off, Chase goes to throw Douki out! Douki holds on and Kanemaru gets in to kick Tiger Mask!

Kanemaru stomps Tiger down, leaving Chase to drag Douki around. Douki resists but Chase isolates an arm! Chase digs fingers into Douki’s face but Douki gets away. Tiger tries to shove Kanemaru out, the countdown begins again, and entry eight is MINORU SUZUKI! Now Suzuki-Gun is three strong as Kanemaru stomps Tiger mask and Douki goes after Khan. Chase goes after Kanemaru with a headlock punch! Then Chase chokes Tiger Mask! The ref reprimands all the choking around and they stop. Tiger Mask CHOPS Chase, Chase throat chops Tiger Mask! Douki and Khan fight in the ropes but the ref calls for the ropebreak.

Khan and Chase make up for their little spat earlier and watch closely as Suzuki finally hits ringside. Fans clap along with Kaze Ni Nare as Suzuki fires off on Chase! Tiger Mask goes after Kanemaru, Khan gives Douki more Mongolian Chops! Suzuki wants Chase’s arm for the cuffs but Chase holds onto ropes to resist. Khan chokes Douki, Suzuki has Chase in an ankle lock and Tiger Mask headbutts Kanemaru. The ref reprimands Suzuki, he’s in the ropes with Chase. Entry nine is here and it is SHO! High Voltage makes his way out as Suzuki and Khan brawl. Khan Mongolian Chops but Suzuki eggs him on! Then Suzuki uppercuts, throws body shots and has Khan on the ropes.

Sho gets Kanemaru up and goes to get him out. Kanemaru fights back, Suzuki helps him out and they mug Sho. Kanemaru then stomps Chase in a corner, another countdown begins and entry 10 is YOH! Roppongi 3K will be at full force but Suzuki is looking to cuff Sho! Yoh hurries as Sho resists, and he gets in to fire off on Suzuki! Suzuki eggs Yoh on so Yoh keeps throwing forearms! Douki attacks Yoh to help Suzuki, Khan has Chase in a heel hook but Chase has Khan in his own heel hook! Yoh throws forearms, Suzuki slaps Yoh around, then DECKS Yoh with a forearm! Suzuki DECKS Sho, too! Khan and Chase stop fighting with heel hooks, and Suzuki scoops Yoh!

Sho saves Yoh from Suzuki, Kanemaru CLUBS Tiger Mask, and entry 11, the halfway point is… YUJI NAGATA! Blue Justice is here as Suzuki throws hands on Sho. Chase leaves Khan alone to go after Tiger Mask, Douki and Suzuki go after Sho at the ropes. Kanemaru throws Yoh but Yoh holds ropes! Nagata gets in and starts this ageless rivalry with Suzuki! They brawl with forearms back and forth and this feels a lot like the last time these two men in a Ranbo. Suzuki snapmares Nagata and runs to PENALTY KICK! Nagata sits up, into another PENALTY KICK! Nagata sits up again, Suzuki goes to kick but Nagata blocks! Nagata gets up but Suzuki holds off the back suplex!

Entry 12 is SATOSHI KOJIMA! The King of Cozy Style and #ThirdGen teammate of Nagata is here, but Nagata is about to dump Suzuki out! Suzuki holds on, gets on the apron, and looks to drag Nagata out with him! They’re both on the apron and they’re firing off forearms! Kojima goes after Douki then Khan. Suzuki and Nagata are in a SLAP fight, but Suzuki gets Nagata with a sleeper! Kojima fires off machine gun CHOPS on Khan! RPG3K coordinate, aim, and DOUBLE SUPERKICK Suzuki off the apron! RPG3K ELIMINATE Suzuki!! What a shock! Nagata gets back in while Kanemaru goes after Sho!

Khan whips, Kojima reverses and then forearm smashes Khan down! Entry 13 is HIROYOSHI TENZAN! Third Gen is now at full power as Ikari no Mogyu arrives! Kanemaru throws Yoh but Yoh holds onto ropes! Kojima fires off machine gun CHOPS on Chase, Tiger Mask stomps Douki. Yoh drags Kanemaru out to join him but Sho helps Yoh hold on! Khan gets Sho and dumps him out to the apron, and with Sho goes Yoh and Kanemaru, Khan ELIMINATES three at once!! The Dominator feels even more powerful now, but Tenzan goes right at him with haymakers and headbutts! Khan Mongolian Chops but Tenzan gives them back! It’s a Mongolian Chop fight!

Tenzan gets the edge but then they clash with DOUBLE MONGOLIAN CHOPS! And again! Tenzan headbutts Khan down! Nagata stomps Khan, Kojima joins in, and Third Gen mugs Khan! Entry 14 is Bushi! Los Ingobernables de Japon is present on all levels of the card. Third Gen double whips Khan but Khan fights out of the TenCozy combo! Khan shoves Tenzan into Kojima then DECKS Nagata! Khan fires off more Mongolian Chops, then he scoops Tenzan and carries him to ropes! Tenzan gets on the apron and throws hands with Khan! Tenzan headbutts then sets Khan up, Kojima runs in, but Khan slips away! Kojima clotheslines Tenzan and accidentally ELIMINATES him!!

Kojima is in shock and he turns around into forearms from Khan. Kojima fires off on Khan, kicks and KOJI CUTTERS! Off comes the armband and Kojima runs but Khan ducks the lariat! Atomic drop lift puts Kojima on the ropes but Kojima fights back! But Khan BOOTS and ELIMINATES Kojima! Khan has five eliminations all to himself! Nagata fires off on Khan as payback, and has Tiger Mask helping, too. But here comes entry 15, Master Wato! Nagata drags Khan out under the bottom rope to whip him into railing! And BOOT him! Nagata takes advantage of the rules, but Douki has Tiger Mask in a surfboard stretch!

Wato fires off kicks on Bushi, but Bushi throws Wato as Tiger Mask throws Douki. Douki and Wato fall through the middle ropes, they’re still in this. But Bushi and Tiger Mask are alone in the ring right now. They double DIVE to take out Douki and Wato! Chase returns from hiding to SUPERKICK Bushi! Chase has cuffs and drags Bushi over to railing. Khan does the same to Tiger Mask! Khan CUFFS and ELIMINATES Tiger Mask while Chase CUFFS and ELIMINATES Bushi!! And now, entry number 16 is EVIL! The King of Darkness is here as Chase, Khan and Nagata return to the ring. Wait, that’s not Evil, that’s DICK TOGO! Is Dick subbing in for Evil?

Nagata fires off on Chase, has him up on the ropes, but Chase fights back! Douki gets back at Tiger Mask while getting back in the ring. Wato drags himself in, Chase and Dick Low Sweet as Bullet Club now has two members. Khan clamps claws onto Wato and Douki for DOUBLE DOMINATOR SLAMS! Double covers, Khan ELIMINATES Wato and Douki!! Khan has EIGHT eliminations all to himself! That has to be a record! Nagata drags Khan up to throw hands, and here comes entry 17, Tomohiro Ishii! The Stone Pitbull will surely want payback on Dick for what went down in Nagoya. Nagata and Khan spill out of the ring under the bottom rope to brawl!

Dick sees Ishii rushing in, so he bails out! They’re playing cat ‘n’ mouse as they go around the way. Khan fires up to CHOP Nagata. The ref is trying to restore some semblance of order as Ishii gets in to BOOT Chase! Ishii dares Dick to help his friend as he stomps Chase down. Dick baits Ishii into going after him instead, and then rakes his eyes! Entry 18 is YUJIRO TAKAHASHI, so Bullet Club has even more members! Ishii whips Dick hard into railing then goes for cuffs! Dick resists, Tokyo Pimp hustles, and Yujiro clubs Ishii! Dick and Yujiro mug Ishii, stomp him down, and then feed him into the ring where Chase waits. Bullet Club mugs Ishii with stomps!

Khan and Nagata keep brawling on the outside as another countdown begins. Nagata scoops and SLAMS Khan, and entry 19 is YOSHI-HASHI! Ishii’s fellow NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Campion is here! Ishii fights off Bullet Club, throws Dick up and out but Dick holds on! Chase and Yujiro hurry to help Dick while we can see Khan and Nagata trying to cuff each other. The Headhunter hurries to help Ishii as Yujiro stomps Ishii at the apron. Hashi fires off on Yujiro, whips him to ropes, but Yujiro reverses. Hashi dropkicks the legs out! Dick kicks Hashi and rakes his eyes! Dick and Ishii brawl on the apron, and Ishii ROCKS Dick!

Yujiro trips Ishii from the outside and ELIMINATES him! Dick gloats but Hashi knocks him down and ELIMINATES him! At least now they’re even. But Chase goes after Hashi with Yujiro as another countdown begins. Entry 20 is HIROOKI GOTO! The third NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag champ is a little late to help Ishii but he’s just in time to help Hashi! Chase and Yujiro hurry to try and get Hashi up and out but the Fierce Warrior runs in to save Hashi! Goto throws hands and stomps Bullet Club while Ishii chases Dick away with a chair! Khan and Nagata still brawl on the outside as Hashi and Goto leap frog stomp combo! Then Penalty Kick to mule kick! Goto drags Chase up, Hashi has Yujiro, and they buckle bump both men before firing off stomps.

Entry 21 is here, and it is KENTA! Fang Revived lost in Nagoya but he wants to redeem himself in Tokyo! Also, Khan has taken off a corner pad to add a little something to this match. Hashi tries to cuff Yujiro but Yujiro resists. Yujiro kicks but Hashi blocks to club the leg. Khan has Nagata in a standing head ‘n’ arm triangle, against a post! Hashi sees Kenta get in and kicks him first! Hashi CLUBS Kenta, Goto helps out and they double whip, only for Kenta to DECK Hashi! Goto fireman’s carries and puts Kenta on the apron, Hashi runs in, but Kenta ROCKS Hashi with a forearm first! Goto runs in but Kenta dumps him out and ELIMINATES him!

Khan fires off Mongolian Chops and uppercuts on Nagata as Bullet Club regroups. Kenta and Yujiro stomp Hashi but entry 22 is TORU YANO! The provisional Mr. KOPW 2021 is of course the last one out! Meanwhile, Khan CUFFS and ELIMINATES Nagata! That’s NINE just from Khan! Bullet Club mugs Hashi and Chase is ready for Yano, but Yano uses his red chair to JAM Khan in the back! Yano gets Khan’s hands and a pair of cuffs! YANO CUFFS AND ELIMINATES KHAN!! Yano takes down the most dominant man in this year’s Ranbo with ease! Chase goes out to brawl with Yano but Yano POSTS Chase!

Yano gets in to pull Yujiro and Kenta back from Hashi! Hashi mule kicks Kenta and tries to cuff him! Chase CLUBS Yano just as Hashi CUFFS and ELIMINATES Kenta! Hashi CHOPS Chase, gets Yujiro up and whips Yujiro into a corner. Hashi runs in to CHOP Yujiro, then whips him to CHOP! Hashi turns Yujiro, Chase kicks Hashi, and Yujiro BITES Hashi’s hand! Chase and Yujiro mug Hashi in a corner then get his hand! Yano attacks Chase but Yujiro CUFFS and ELIMINATES Hashi! Bullet Club mugs Yano, as it is only Chase, Yujiro and Yano left! Everyone has to watch ringside as Bullet Club double whips Yano to ropes. Yano holds ropes to taunt them!

But Kenta can kick Yano from there! Yujiro runs in, but Yano pulls ropes down to dump Yujiro out and ELIMINATES him! Chase runs in but Yano fights him off! Chase whips, Yano reverses, and Yano goes to undo a buckle pad! Kenta attacks Yano from ropes and holds him in the corner! Chase runs in, Yano gets away and Chase hits buckles! Yano rolls Chase up to cover but Kenta kicks it apart! The ref reprimands but Kenta says it’s fair. Yano kicks Chase, runs but Chase SHOTGUN KNEES first! Cover, Hashi is there and he kicks it apart! Hashi says it’s only fair! Yano rolls Chase up, he’s out of reach, but what happened to the ref?! Who tripped him up?!

Yujiro is back and has the pimp cane! Yano turns around, CANE SHOT! POCKET SAND from Chase! Hammerlock, LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!!! Yano survives but Chase fires up, JEWEL TRIGGER! And then the underhooks, PACKAGE DRIVER!! Cover, Chase wins?!!?

Winner: Chase Owens, by pinfall (NEW Provisional Mr. KOPW 2021)

The trickster got tricked by the tricky Bullet Club! And now Chase adds the trophy to his accolades! Bullet Club taunts Hashi as they keep him cuffed. Chase isn’t done with Yano, either, as he puts him in the modified STF! Young Lions grab at them but Bullet Club knocks them down! Chase lets go when he’s satisfied, and he has his hand raised in victory. But how will Chase choose to redesign Yano’s precious trophy so that it becomes the crown jewel of his collection?

 

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: El Phantasmo & Taiji Ishimori VS Mega Coaches!

The “cutest tag team” in Bullet Club look more like a couple of suspicious hooligans to Ryusuke Taguchi & Rocky Romero! Not only do they want to take these titles from the Headbanger and Bone Soldier Reborn, but they want to expose what is in ELP’s right boot! Will they at least do one of those things before this is over?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if coaches can be champions!

The teams sort out and the ref checks ELP’s boot. There’s nothing he can find suspicious about it, and the Bullet Club Low Sweets. Taguchi and Rocky huddle up and break, and fans rally already, “TA-GU-CHI!” Taguchi and Taiji start, circle, and Taguchi shows his fancy foot work. Taiji avoids the spinning hip attack but Taguchi catches him to a headlock! Taiji fights up and powers out and things speed up. Taguchi runs and runs and runs and HIP ATTACKS! Taiji scrambles, ELP gets in and attacks from behind! ELP whips, Taguchi runs and runs then dropkicks ELP’s dropdown! Tag to Rocky, the Coaches fire off on Bullet Club with haymakers and CHOPS!

The Coaches whip, Bullet Club reverse, but the Coaches hold ropes. ELP & Taiji run in but into BOOTS! The Coaches fake Bullet Club out, to then DOUBLE HIP ATTACK! Fans fire up as Taguchi keeps ELP from running away! Taguchi and Rocky try to take off the boots but Taiji drags ELP out! The Headbanger’s secret, if there is one, stays safe but Taguchi and Rocky dares ELP to get back in. ELP SUPERKICKS a Young Lion out of frustration! Taguchi and Rocky rush out to go after Bullet Club! Rocky throws hands on ELP, Taguchi is after Taiji, and they put both men back in the ring. Fans cheer as this continues, and Taguchi gives Taiji some stink face!

Taguchi and Rocky coordinate with hand signals, and they go corner to corner. Rocky hits a clothesline as Taguchi hits a hip attack, and then they go corner to corner the other way to hit it again! Are they starting up Endless Clotheslines and Endless Hip Attacks?! But Taiji dodges Rocky as ELP dumps Taguchi out! ELP corner clotheslines Rocky, then Taiji hits a back elbow! Taiji sets up as a step, but Rocky uses him to FLYING RANA ELP! Rocky swings on Taiji, Taiji dodges and Taiji CLOBBERS Rocky! Fans cheer that showing of strength and rally up as Taiji brings Rocky up. Taiji cravats to neck wrench Rocky and throw in shoulders. Taiji snapmares and NECK TWISTS!

Tag to ELP, ELP drags Rocky up and scoops to hit a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! ELP goes up the corner and drops an elbow! Cover, TWO! ELP BITES Rocky’s hand! Tag to Taiji, ELP reels Rocky in and Taiji CLAWS Rocky’s back! Tag back to ELP and he climbs up again, mocking the hand signs and dancing that Taguchi does, to jump and CLAW Rocky! Taiji goes up the corner now, ELP has him, and Taiji mocks the dancing, to jump and CLAW! Taguchi gets in to show Taiji how the dance moves are done, but Taiji DECKS him! ELP throws the “stupid idiot” out of the ring. Taiji stands on Rocky’s foot, tags in ELP, and ELP drags Rocky up for a snap suplex. Uno amigo!

ELP gets Rocky up, Dos Amigos! ELP gets Rocky again, but Rocky slips out to CLAW ELP! Rocky duck sunder ELP but ELP tackles him down! ELP drags Rocky away but Rocky ENZIGURIS! But Taiji runs in to KICK Rocky down! Taiji drags Rocky away, ducks the enziguri but the HEEL KICK gets him! Fans fire up as Rocky crawls for his corner, but ELP trips Taguchi before the tag can be made! ELP gets in and CLAWS Rocky’s back! ELP brings Rocky around, tags in Taiji, and they mug Rocky. Fans rally as ELP aims, spins, but Rocky switches to shove Taiji into ELP! The champs dodge Rocky to double back suplex, but Rocky lands on his feet! Rocky DOUBLE RANAS Bullet Club!

Fans fire up as Taguchi returns! Rocky crawls over, hot tag to Taguchi! Taguchi fires up, HIP ATTACK for Taiji! HIP ATTACK for ELP! Repeat! Baseball slide and apron HIP ATTACK for Taiji! Taguchi springboards, FLYING HIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Taiji is still in this and so is Bullet Club, but Taguchi gets Taiji up. Taiji slips out of the suplex, Taguchi standing switches, but Taiji elbows free. Taiji runs, Taguchi follows, but Taiji is ready this time, he catches the Hip Attack to an ATOMIC DROP! Taiji spins Taguchi around but Taguchi fights free with body shots. Taguchi runs, fakes Taiji out and HIP ATTACKS! Fans fire up with Taguchi, “YO YO YO!”

Taguchi goes to a corner, calls upon the powers of Strong Style, “ORAYO!” But Taiji rolls his Bum-a-ye up to a cover! TWO, Taiji mule kicks and whips. Taguchi reverses but Taiji handsprings, wheelbarrows and victory rolls! ONE and Taguchi has the cover, ONE! Taiji pulls the tights as he has the victory roll back, TWO! Taguchi gets up to HIP ATTACK Taiji down! Fans fire up again, Rocky is back and Taguchi tags him in. Rocky runs at Taiji, SLICE ROCKY! Cover, TWO!! Taiji survives, Rocky dropkicks ELP away! Taguchi gets Taiji in the ropes as Rocky goes to the corner, missile dropkick! Taguchi hits a GOURD BUSTER, Rocky covers, ELP breaks it in time!

Taguchi throws ELP out hard, the Coaches regroup as fans rally up. Rocky gets Taiji up, cravats, but Taiji blocks Slice Rocky this time! Rocky slips out, kicks low, whips, but Taiji handsprings to NEURALIZER! Both men are down and fans fire up again. ELP tags in, springboards but Rocky dodges. ELP DECKS Taguchi, goes up and over Rocky and springboards to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! ELP DIVES Out to take out Taguchi, and possibly a cameraman! ELP gets back up to springboard SWANTON, then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Rocky survives the onslaught and ELP can’t believe it! Fans rally up as ELP drags Rocky up and reels him in.

ELP tucks the arms but Rocky RANAS! Cover, TWO!! ELP drags Rocky back up, to a STYLES CLASH!! Cover, TWO?!? Rocky survives and ELP is frustrated. ELP takes aim, BANG, and runs in, V-TRIGGER! ELP reels Rocky in, Electric Chair lifts, but Rocky victory rolls out of it to an ARMBAR! Taguchi intercepts Taiji with a HIP ATTACK! ELP resists but Taguchi has Taiji in OH MY GARANKLE! Taiji scrambles to keep ELP from tapping out!! Taiji rolls to throw Taguchi onto Rocky and break the hold! All four men are down and fans rally back up. Rocky slowly rises, ELP follows, and Rocky throws a forearm! ELP forearms back, but Rocky stays up to KICK the bad arm!

ELP throws off his armbands to ROCK Rocky with a right. Rocky roars and fires up, as do the fans! Rocky fires off forearms, ELP SLAPS him! And SLAPS him! ELP pumps up but Rocky JUMP KNEES! Rocky runs into a mule kick! Taguchi tags in and springboard missile dropkicks! Taiji tags in to springboard FLYING KNEE! Taiji and ELP hurry to get Taguchi back up. They double whip, Taiji runs in to DOUBLE KNEE! ELP gives Taiji a boost, but Rocky springboards back in, DOOMSDAY DEVICE POISON-RANA!! Taiji takes his own partner out and Taguchi covers Taiji, TWO!! Taiji survives but the Coaches coordinate!

Taguchi goes up a corner, says his prayers, and Rocky whips Taiji into the Funky Weapon! Then Rocky uses the Funky Weapon to help with the TORNADO DDT! Taguchi powers up, “ORAYO~!” BUM-A-YE!! Cover, TWO!?! Taiji survives the butt attack but Rocky rolls Taiji into Taguchi’s wheelbarrow! Rocky runs, BLACK HOLE VACATION!! Cover, ROPEBREAK?!! Taguchi miscalculated where the ropes where, but Rocky calls for Strong Zero! Taguchi gets Taiji up in the Alabama, and Rocky goes up top. But ELP shoves Rocky down! Taiji hits a CODE RED! Both Taiji and Taguchi are down as fans rally up. Taguchi bails out to regroup with Rocky, but Taiji hits a GOLDEN TRIANGLE?!

Fans fire up as Taiji hits Kota Ibushi’s form of Quebrada, and then Taiji sets up the Coaches. ELP climbs up, he wants Taiji to send them out further!? Taiji throws ELP and Rocky over the railings into the no man’s land between ringside and the front row! ELP takes aim, walks the tightrope, and SUPER ARIHARA MOONSAULTS!!! Direct hit but it was a rough landing for ELP, too, as he clutches his foot! ELP says his heel and ankle are hurting. Taiji hurries to get Taguchi up and around to ringside while ELP hobbles after. ELP tags in, hobbles over to Taguchi and drags him up. ELP reels Taguchi in with the straitjacket torture rack.

Taiji springboard flying knees Taguchi, for the SPINNING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!?! Taguchi survives and fans fire up again. Taiji gut wrenches Taguchi for CIPHER UTAKI! ELP is up top, THUNDER KISS 86! Cover, Rocky breaks it!? Rocky returns to save his team and the match, and he fires off haymakers on Bullet Club! Rocky DECKS Taiji, fires up, but turns around into SUDDEN DEATH! ELP’s superkick takes Rocky down! Taiji gets Taguchi up, sets him up, ELP gets his foot working, but Taguchi blocks Sudden Death to send the kick into Taiji! Taguchi rolls ELP up, TWO!! ELP hurries, but swings into a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!?

OH MY GARANKLE!! Taguchi keeps ELP back, drops an elbow on the leg, then pulls at the boot! He wants to reveal the secret! ELP drags himself and Taguchi over to gets the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi gets the boot off! What’s inside it?!? The ref checks, but Taiji grabs at the shoe! Taguchi turns around into ELP’s THROAT PUNCH! Underhooks, CR2!! Cover, Bullet Club wins!!

Winners: El Phantasmo & Taiji Ishimori, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

But what about the shoe?! Taguchi was distracted by exposing the mystery and that allowed the champions to retain! Taiji even checks to make sure “it” didn’t spill out. But shouldn’t NJPW still look into what ELP keeps hidden in that heel?

 

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS Robbie Eagles!

The Rogue Luchador was so close to becoming the Junior Heavyweight Double Champion again, but he just missed the mark. The Sniper of the Sky promises to hit the target now that he’s back in NJPW! But will Eagles be outdrawn by Despy in the Dome?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it feels like high noon in the Dome!

Fans rally and Eagles encourages them to get louder. They circle, tie up, and Desperado gets a leg. Eagles gets up but Desperado facelocks as they end up in ropes. The ref calls for the break and the two let off cleanly. They reset, feel out a knuckle lock, but Desperado wrenches Eagles’ bad arm and throws him down. Desperado has a back mount, then floats to get a leg! Eagles gets the ropes and the ref calls for the break again. Desperado lets off at 4, but YANKS the leg then drops a SPLASH on it! Eagles winces and gets to ropes as Desperado mockingly asks if he’s alright. Desperado slaps Eagles around at the ropes, brings him up for a headlock then hits a takeover.

Eagles endures, headscissors back, and pushes up to put on pressure. Desperado rolls to tie Eagles up into a deathlock. Fans cheer the technical exchange as Desperado then floats to a facelock. Eagles fights up to wrench an arm and wristlock. Desperado rolls, wrenches, wristlocks in return, but Eagles rolls and rolls and handsprings to wrench back! Desperado gets in the ropes, steps back in and has Eagles’ arm wrapped in the ropes! Fans cheer the savvy and Desperado kicks the ropes to jam the arm. Desperado whips but Eagles holds ropes. Desperado rakes Eagles’ eyes! The ref reprimands, Desperado whips Eagles but Eagles reverses to go up and around to arm-drag!

Eagles dodges, but his leg jams a bit coming off the ropes. Desperado slaps Eagles around some more then runs, but Eagles gets a rolling takedown to a basement dropkick! Desperado goes to the apron and then out to railing. Fans rally up as Eagles takes aim and builds speed. Eagles fakes Desperado out and jumps back, but he winces as he lands on his feet again. Eagles still eggs Desperado on and draws a line in the sand. Desperado runs in but Eagles kicks low! Eagles CHOPS hard and Desperado goes to a corner. Eagles throws forearms, kicks at Desperado, but lets off to then dig his knee in. The ref counts, Eagles lets off to drag Desperado up.

Eagles whips corner to corner, Desperado reverses and runs in. Desperado blocks the boot, puts the leg on ropes, then dropkicks the bad leg! And then DRAGON SCREWS Eagles out of the corner! Eagles crawls away, the ref checks the leg, but Eagles doesn’t want to quit. Desperado stands on Eagles at the ropes, then stands on the leg! The ref counts, Desperado lets off at 4, and he comes back to get Eagles up for a SHIN BREAKER! And then adds a GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Eagles writhes, Desperado drags him away from ropes and covers, TWO! Desperado gets annoyed but fans rally up for Eagles. Desperado wags his finger and gets Eagles up.

Eagles throws body shots but Desperado rakes his eyes! Desperado runs, but into a knee! Eagles KICKS Desperado down! Eagles fires up to KICK Desperado more! And more! Desperado blocks a kick to kick out the bad leg! Desperado drops a leg on the leg then ties Eagles up with the BUTTERFLY DEATHLOCK! Eagles endures but writhes as Desperado puts pressure on the knees! Fans rally as Desperado moves around and puts more pressure, but Eagles drags himself and Desperado back. Desperado grabs Eagles by the hair but Eagles throws body shots! Desperado falls back to put pressure! Eagles endures to get the ROPEBREAK!

The ref works on undoing the leg lock and Eagles is free, but Desperado drops knees on the bad knee! The ref checks again but Eagles refuses to quit here. Desperado gets Eagles up, whips him corner to corner, but Eagles falls! Eagles can’t run on the bad leg and Desperado is annoyed. Fans rally for Eagles but Desperado drags Eagles up. Desperado CHOPS Eagles to a corner, runs corner to corner but Eagles dodges! Eagles runs in but Desperado puts him on the apron! Eagles’ leg jams again and Desperado knocks him off to the floor! Eagles clutches his knee and Desperado goes out after him. Desperado gets Eagles up to smack off the apron!

The ref reprimands, Desperado taunts the fans, and Desperado gets Eagles up to whip, but Eagles reverses to send Desperado into the apron! Eagles uses the apron to tiger feint kick Desperado, and Desperado tumbles over the railing! Both men are down on the outside and a ring count begins. It’s already 10 of 20 before Desperado gets back up. Eagles stands at 11 and hops in at 12, but Desperado gets back to ringside at 15. Desperado slides in at 17, only for Eagles to springboard and missile dropkick a leg out! Eagles drags Desperado around, ties him up, RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Desperado roars as he endures the pain! Eagles digs in as much as he can as Desperado reaches out!

Eagles thrashes, Desperado flails and crawls, Desperado gets the ROPEBREAK! Eagles lets off but comes back to drop a knee on the knee! Some payback from earlier as Eagles steps through to get a spinning toehold. Eagles then gets an arm and traps it in an omoplata, to then figure four and STOMP the legs! Fans rally up as Eagles covers, TWO! Eagles drags Desperado up, reels him in, but Desperado rakes eyes to avoid the backpack! Eagles elbows Desperado, goes to run, but Desperado reels him in for a back suplex! Both men are down but the fans fire up! Both men slowly sit up, and Eagles shakes out the bad leg.

Desperado crawls over to throw a forearm, and Eagles hits back with one. Desperado forearms Eagles again, but Eagles comes back with another. The two talk trash, “Is that it, Champion?” “Yes, I’m Champion!” The forearms keep flying and both men stand up. Fans fire up as the forearms go faster, but then Desperado kicks Eagles’ bad leg! Eagles stays up and kicks Desperado’s bad leg! Desperado kicks Eagles’ bad leg, Eagles KICKS Desperado’s bad leg! Desperado KICKS Eagles’ bad leg, then drags Eagles up. Eagles KNEES out of the shin breaker! And then ROUNDHOUSES, SUPERKICKS and EN- NO! Desperado ducks enziguri to DECK Eagles!

Fans fire up as Desperado fires up and he gets Eagles in GUITA- No! Eagles fights free, cravats, but Desperado blocks the sliced bread and kicks a leg out! Desperado gets Eagles up for GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO!! Desperado roars with frustration as Eagles survives! Fans rally up, Desperado hobbles up and gets Eagles in the double underhooks! PINCH- RANA! Eagles has a cover, TWO! Eagles wants the leg lock but Desperado boots him into a corner! Eagles hobbles back, into a SPINEBUSTER! And STRETCH MUFFLER! Desperado thrashes the leg, Eagles reaches out, fans rally, and Desperado drags Eagles away for NUMERO DOS!! Eagles endures but he’s caught!

Eagles fights with one free arm, but Desperado rolls him away! But Eagles fights up to sunset flip, TWO!! Eagles trips Desperado, Desperado cradles, TWO!! Eagles school boy bridges, TWO!!! Desperado narrowly escapes, but Eagles dropkicks his leg out! Fans fire up more as both men are down! Eagles rises first and heads and aims his finger gun. Eagles gets Desperado up, cravat, but no sliced bread! ES EL CULERO! TWO!?! Eagles narrowly escapes, avoids Desperado’s dropkick, but Desperado avoids the buzzsaw! Eagles drops to a knee as his bad leg is his support leg, but he blocks Desperado’s kick! Mule kick, but still no sliced bread!

Desperado shoves Eagles at the ref, Eagles stops himself, LOCO MONO and ROUNDHOUSE! Both shots take both men down!! Fans are thunderous as the ref checks on both men. Eagles sits up first and feeds off the rally. Eagles drags himself over to ropes and fires up as he sees Desperado stirring. Eagles aims, SUPERKICK! But he’s not done there, he gets Desperado up, TURBO BACKPACK!! Cover, TWO!?!? Desperado survives again and Eagles grows desperate. Eagles goes up top, fans rally up as he gets his bad leg moving, and Eagles 450 SPLASHES the leg!! RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Desperado roars as he endures the pain!

Desperado drags himself over but Eagles drags him away! Desperado tries again, claws his way over, but Eagles lets go to fire off knees into the bad leg! Eagles drops back down, RON MILLER 2.0!! DESPERADO TAPS?!? EAGLES WINS!!!

Winner: Robbie Eagles, by submission (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)

Everyone is shocked to see this incredible upset! The Sniper of the Sky had a target, hit the mark, and now has the title! The first Australian to hold this title, and the 90th reign, and the 41st champion ever! Will all these numbers add up to Eagles having the most incredible first reign ever?

 

Kazuchika Okada VS Jeff Cobb w/ Great-O-Khan!

The Rainmaker may not have a title, but a 1v1 win over him is a prize in itself! The United Empire’s Hawaiian Hulk has been building momentum pinning the rest of Chaos, will he finally topple the man at the top? Or will the Tour of the Islands be called on account of rain?

The bell rings and fans rally up already for “O-KA-DA! O-KA-DA!” Cobb and Okada stare down, circle, and tie up. Cobb powers Okada towards ropes but the ref calls for the break. Cobb lets off, fakes a punch and then aims at Okada with the hang loose. Okada shrugs that off as he and Cobb circle again. They tie up, Cobb powers Okada back to ropes but Okada turns it around. The ref calls for the break again, Okada lets off, and fakes Cobb out to pat him on the shoulders. But Cobb kicks and throws forearms! Cobb whips, Okada reverses and boots, to snapmare and run to basement dropkick! Fans cheer while Okada brings Cobb back up.

Okada turns Cobb for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE! Okada clamps onto Cobb with a chinlock, grinds him down, but Cobb fights up. Okada knees Cobb in the back, brings him around and bumps him off buckles. Okada wrenches, whips corner to corner, runs in but Cobb dodges to RAM into Okada! Cobb hoists Okada up top, climbs up to join him, but Okada resists and throws forearms. Cobb hops down, but dropkicks Okada down! That’s usually an Okada move! Cobb goes out to fetch Okada, and ROCKS him with a right! Okada staggers away but Cobb brings him up to bearhug and SLAM onto the apron! Okada falls as he clutches his back, and Cobb refreshes the count.

Cobb stands on Okada to use him like a surfboard! The ref reprimands, Cobb hops off, and then Cobb goes to the ring to let the count begin. Okada is still down as the count reaches 8 of 20, but he drags himself at 12. Cobb is annoyed and he storms right up to Okada to stomp him! Cobb drags Okada up, scoops him, and KNEES him in the side! And again! And then he TOSSES Okada away! Cobb drags Okada back up, puts him in the corner, and CHOPS and LARIATS, all in one motion! And again! And again! Okada falls over, Cobb covers, TWO! Cobb is annoyed again but he drags Okada back up. Okada throws a forearm but Cobb doesn’t flinch. Cobb ROCKS Okada in return!

Okada shakes that off to come back with another forearm, but Cobb ROCKS him again! Okada comes right back to fire off forearms, only for Cobb to DECK him with one! Cobb dead lift suplexes! But Okada slips out to waistlock! Cobb elbows Okada away and runs, into a FLAPJACK! Both men are down and fans fire up. Cobb gets up but Okada follows, and Okada fires off forearms. Okada whips, Cobb reverses but Okada ducks and dodges to back elbow! Okada fires up and so do the fans! Cobb gets up, Okada whips him to a corner and runs in to back elbow. Okada kicks and DDT’s! Cover, TWO! Okada keeps his focus as fans rally up again.

Cobb slowly rises, Okada stalks behind him, but Cobb blocks the Alabama lift. Cobb CLUBS Okada, scoops him, runs, but Okada slips off! Cobb ends up in a corner, Okada runs in but Cobb boots him away! Cobb hops up, but Okada dropkicks Cobb down! The receipt has been paid! Khan checks on Cobb while Okada rests in the ring. Fans rally up, Khan fans Cobb with the United Empire towel. Okada goes out to fetch Cobb, and whip him hard into railing. And then BOOT him over the railing! Khan protests and the ref wants Okada to get back to the ring. Okada drags Cobb up to have him draped on the railing, DRAPING DDT! The Rainmaker invokes the Viper here!

A ring count starts as Okada leaves Cobb behind. Okada hobbles and comes back at 8, gets in at 10 of 20, and lets Cobb crawl around a moment before going back out. Okada gets Cobb up and into the ring and fans cheer the sportsmanship. Okada rallies fans with clap-clap-clap-stomp, and then Cobb stands. Okada Alabama lifts but Cobb is big! Cobb slips off, swings a clothesline, but into the MONEY CLIP! Cobb flails around, pries at the hold, but he starts to fade! Okada squeezes tight but Cobb RAMS Okada into a corner! Okada lets go and Cobb runs back in to CORNER CROSSBODY! Cobb lands on the apron as Okada falls over, and Cobb climbs up.

Cobb gets Okada up the ropes!? Okada resists but Cobb CLUBS him! Cobb still wants the superplex but Okada resists! Okada fires off haymakers, Cobb swings but Okada dodges to uppercut! Cobb tumbles down, fans fire up as Okada aims, Okada PLANCHAS but is caught! Cobb pops Okada up to a STALLING, RUNNING SUPLEX! Fans fire up after seeing such strength on display! Khan fans off Cobb as the ring count starts again. Cobb stirs at 5 of 20, rises at 7, Okada stirs at 8. Cobb is in at 10 of 20, Okada rises at 12, but his leg is holding him back! Okada crawls at 15, stands at 17, hobbles at 18, but gets in at 19! Fans fire up as Okada beats the count literally at the last second!

Cobb stands, gets Okada back up, scoops him and RAMS him into a corner! Then OKLAHOMA STAMPEDE! Cover, TWO! Okada survives but the GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT hits! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives again as Cobb shows his reserves run deep! Khan coaches Cobb up as fans rally for “O-KA-DA!” Okada is in a corner, Cobb runs in but blocks a boot. Cobb reels Okada in for an ATHLETIC PLEX! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives yet again! Khan argues the count on behalf of Cobb but Cobb gets up and hobbles over. Cobb drags Okada up, whips him to ropes, but Okada holds ropes. Okada boots back, runs in but Cobb side steps to GERMAN SUPLEX!

Cobb gets Okada up, whips, but Okada SHOTGUN DROPKICKS! Cobb staggers up and fires off forearms and CHOPS! Cobb runs but into another dropkick! The fans are thunderous as Okada roars and gets Cobb up. Okada scoops Cobb but Cobb is too big for that! Okada spins to backslide, Cobb rolls off, LARIAT! Okada holds onto the arm, drags Cobb back up and reels him in, another LARIAT! Okada fires himself up and fans are rallying as he gets Cobb up. Okada wristlocks and ripcords, but Cobb dodges! Cobb scoops Okada to a gut wrench, but Okada fights free to DIS- COBB LARIATS!! Cobb intercepts Okada’s clothesline with one of his own and both men are down again!

Fans return to the thunderous rallying as Okada and Cobb stir. Okada sits up but Cobb follows, and the two stare down. They go forehead to forehead before going forearm for forearm! Okada hits, Cobb hits, and then Cobb slaps Okada on the head. They stand, Okada forearms but Cobb forearms back. Cobb eggs Okada on so the forearms go faster and faster! Fans rally up as the shots keep coming, and Okada gets the edge. Okada EuroUppers, talks some trash, and walks into a CHOP from Cobb! Cobb BLINDSIDE LARIATS! Cobb gut wrenches for the DOCTOR BOMB! Cover, TWO!?! Okada survives and Cobb can’t believe it! Cobb gets Okada up, whips, TOUR OF THE-

NO! Okada slips out and wants to gut wrench! Cobb fights free and SUPERKICKS! Okada staggers, fires up, but runs into a HEADBUTT! Cobb whips again, TOUR OF THE- Wait, Okada slips out again! Okada wristlocks, ripcords, but Cobb ducks to ripcord for a COBB MAKE- NO! Okada Alabama lifts but Cobb sunset flips, only for Okada to sit on it! Cover, OKADA WINS!!

Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall

If you blinked, you probably missed it! Cobb himself is stunned by how Okada just snatched away that victory! Okada says that’s just the different levels they’re on. Will Okada keep reminding us of his worth and make his way back to the top of NJPW? Will Cobb remember all this and pay Okada back next time?

 

IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Tetsuya Naito & SANADA VS Dangerous Tekkers w/ Miho Abe!

Though Los Ingobernables de Japon’s Uncontrollable Charisma and Cold Skull won these titles in Sapporo just two weeks ago, Taichi and Zack Sabre Jr. are back to take them away! Will LIJ pitch a perfect game in Tokyo? Or will the Sliest Wrestler and the Submission Master manage to hit it out of the park?

The introductions are made, Naito is very particular about how the belts are given to Red Shoes, and the belts are raised. Taichi calls out Sanada but Sanada calls out ZSJ and ZSJ tells him he’ll regret it. The elaborate entrance gear is put away, LIJ fist bump, and these two teams slug it out in a seventh inning stretch!

Wait, the teams are sorting out the starting line-ups. Taichi still wants Sanada, Sanada still wants ZSJ and ZSJ wants after Naito. Naito doesn’t mind, and so he and ZSJ start in a rematch from Osaka. Fans rally as the two circle and feel out the grapple. ZSJ wrenches the knuckle lock to a wristlock but Naito rolls and trips ZSJ up. ZSJ shifts to a cradle, ONE, and the two stand off. Fans cheer again as the two go again. ZSJ and Naito knuckle lock, ZSJ drops to get a leg and trip Naito up. ZSJ has a toehold but Naito fights back, so ZSJ shifts to a standing toehold. Naito rolls, trips ZSJ, and he has the toehold now. ZSJ uses his leg to pry Naito off but Naito goes after that leg!

ZSJ goes after Naito’s leg but Naito goes for a cover, but ZSJ headscissors him. Naito kicks but ZSJ pushes up for leverage. Naito bridges, turns around, pops free and rolls ZSJ up into a snapmare then chinlock. ZSJ slips out the back, Naito rolls, wrenches, but ZSJ rolls. Naito avoids the kick and the two stand off again as fans cheer. ZSJ and Naito circle, Naito bows, and then tags out to Sanada. ZSJ asks what the what but he tags out to Taichi. Taichi wants to avenge his loss in Osaka and fans rally up as Sanada shows off the dancing pecs. Taichi isn’t going to fall into that again, but Sanada goes up a corner to show off. Sanada insists Taichi take a turn, and fans seem to cheer that idea.

Taichi again refuses, having done that enough in Osaka. He and Sanada tie up, Sanada wrenches but Taichi gets ropes. Red Shoes calls for the break, Sanada lets off, and Taichi applauds along with the fans. Sanada and Taichi go again, and Sanada wrenches to a hammerlock. Taichi gets to ropes again, and Sanada lets off clean. Fans cheer, Taichi and Sanada circle. They feel out the grapple but Taichi kicks low! Taichi wrenches but Sanada wrenches back! Sanada keeps Taichi from ropes this time, so Taichi rolls, trips Sanada, and CHOKES him! Not even bothering to hide it! Taichi gets Sanada up into the corner and ZSJ tags in.

ZSJ DECKS Naito, Taichi throws Sanada out, and the Tekkers go out after LIJ. ZSJ has a chinlock on Naito, but also a fish hook to the nose! Taichi whips Sanada hard into railing, ZSJ straitjacket stretches Naito and stomps him down. Taichi uses camera cables to choke Sanada! Red Shoes reprimands, counts, but Taichi lets go with only one hand. Taichi puts Sanada back in the ring for ZSJ, and ZSJ gets Sanada up to cravat. ZSJ brings Sanada over to the corner, Taichi tags back in, and Taichi swipes at Naito. ZSJ snapmares Sanada for Taichi to choke him! Red Shoes counts, Taichi lets off, but then chokes him again! Red Shoes counts again and Taichi stops, to TWO HAND CHOKE!

Red Shoes counts, Taichi finally stops choking Sanada, and Taichi stands on Sanada’s neck. Sanada pushes Taichi’s foot away but Taichi gets him up to bump off buckles. Tag to ZSJ, Taichi stomps Sanada and ZSJ drags Sanada out by a leg. ZSJ leg hooks an arm, then shifts to a normal hammerlock. Sanada fights up, ZSJ spins him around and wrenches the arm, but Sanada rolls, handsprings and cartwheels to WRING ZSJ! ZSJ spins, wrenches and wrangles Sanada but Sanada kips up, wrenches, hammerlocks, headlocks, hammerlocks and headlocks to a takeover! ZSJ headscissors, Sanada kips free but ZSJ headbutts low to headlock back.

Sanada powers out then dropkicks ZSJ’s legs out! Taichi runs in but Sanada kicks low and Naito runs in to RANA Taichi down! Taichi bails out, Naito chases after and brings Taichi up to CLUB him down. Fans fire up as Sanada gets ZSJ up to throw him out. Naito whips Taichi into railing, then Sanada gets ZSJ up to put the bad leg around railing. ZSJ fights back with fish hooks but Sanada wrenches the leg! Red Shoes reprimands but Sanada BOOTS the railing to jam ZSJ’s leg! ZSJ falls over, Sanada drags him up and into the ring and drags him to the LIJ corner. Naito tags in, stomps ZSJ’s bad leg, then drags him up to put the bad leg on ropes.

ZSJ fights back but Naito wrenches the leg! ZSJ tries a wristlock but Naito just pulls on the leg! Naito almost has ZSJ falling out of the ring! Red Shoes counts, Naito lets off and ZSJ falls back. Naito gets ZSJ up to kick the leg. Naito whips ZSJ corner to corner, runs in to rocket kick and sweep, and just like Osaka, he feints ZSJ out to dropkick the bad leg! Naito drags ZSJ to a cover, TWO! Naito gets ZSJ up, has the bad leg and tags in Sanada. Fans rally as Sanada hops up to drop an ax handle on the knee! Sanada stands ZSJ up, ZSJ steps over but Sanada still trips him. Sanada steps through, ZSJ boots him away, but Sanada cartwheels around the monkey flip to dropkick ZSJ’s leg out!

Sanada drags ZSJ over to ropes, and Naito helps him keep the leg on the ropes. Sanada springboards to drop down on the leg! Taichi protests but Red Shoes keeps him back. Sanada tags Naito and Naito drags ZSJ around to hook up the legs in the modified Figure Four! Sanada plays defense as ZSJ endures and fans rally up! ZSJ pries at the hold but Naito puts more pressure on. ZSJ gets the ropebreak, Naito lets off, and ZSJ crawls as fast as he can! Naito drags ZSJ up first, has the leg, and hits a SHIN BREAKER! Red Shoes checks on ZSJ but he refuses to quit. Fans rally up as Naito taunts ZSJ and stomps the leg.

Naito gets ZSJ up again but ZSJ headlocks to block. Naito powers through and SHIN BREAKERS again! Naito keeps hold of the leg, taunts ZSJ, but ducks the enziguri. ZSJ reels Naito in to get Naito down for a NECK TWIST! Naito flounders and writhes while fans fire up. ZSJ crawls and tags in Taichi! Taichi runs in to clothesline Naito, whip him and clothesline again, then snapmare and KICK him! Sanada runs in, Taichi dodges to waistlock but Sanada switches. Taichi resists the lift to PELE! Sanada is down but Naito returns to kick and whip. Taichi reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up while Taichi keeps his cool.

Taichi powers up as Naito rises, and Taichi runs, but Naito blocks Ax Bomber, ducks Ax Bomber, and hits an atomic drop to NECKBREAKER! Both men are down and fans fire up again. Naito and Taichi stir, Naito tags Sanada in. Sanada gets Taichi up, throws forearms then whips him to the corner. Sanada runs in but Taichi dodges, and Sanada tumbles up and out. Sanada springboards in, Taichi dodges, but Sanada dodges the Ax Bomber to atomic drop! Taichi falls over, and Sanada gets the legs! Fans fire up as Sanada ties Taichi up in Paradise! Sanada encourages the fans to get louder, and louder, and louder. Sanada dropkicks Taichi out of Paradise!

Sanada goes to a corner, climbs up and waits for Taichi to stand. CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Sanada grabs at Taichi but Taichi kicks him away. Taichi gets up but Sanada comes back, only for Taichi to choke him again! Sanada chokes back! Sanada puts Taichi in a corner, Red Shoes counts, but Taichi powers up to push Sanada back. Taichi choke grips but Sanada choke grips back! Sanada breaks Taichi’s grip but Taichi KICKS a leg! Sanada throws a forearm, Taichi KICKS a leg again! Sanada ROCKS Taichi, eggs him on, and the KICKS and forearms keep going! Fans fire up as they go faster and faster, and Sanada gets the edge! But Taichi KICKS once more!

Both men stay up and catch their breath. Sanada comes back to EuroUpper! Taichi KICKS! Fans cheer as Taichi eggs Sanada on. Sanada EuroUppers but Taichi comes back to KICK! Sanada drops to his knees and fans fire up more! Taichi dares Sanada to get up as fans rally. When he doesn’t get up, Taichi sits Sanada up, but Sanada blocks the buzzsaw! Sanada fires off forearms, spins, but Taichi ENZIGURIS! ZSJ runs in to BLAST Naito off the apron! Taichi gets Sanada up, but Sanada ranas the bomb away! ROLLING ELBOW, to TIGER DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Taichi survives but Sanada keeps his focus as fans fire up.

Sanada goes up top, ROUNDING BODY- No, Taichi moves and Sanada lands on his feet! ZSJ runs in to EuroUpper Sanada down! Naito returns to CLOBBER ZSJ, then basement dropkick! Taichi back kicks Naito, Sanada dropkicks Taichi’s legs out! ZSJ gets around Sanada to spin him, WRING his arm out, but Naito dropkicks ZSJ down! Naito runs at Taichi in the corner but Taichi dodges to GAMANGIRI! Taichi runs at Sanada, Sanada dodges to dropkick Taichi! Taichi rebounds to AX BOMBER!! All four men are down and the fans are thunderous again! Fans rally up as Taichi slowly rises. Taichi fires himself up, and OFF COME THE PANTS!

Taichi aims from the corner as Sanada rises. Sanada sobats first! Taichi fights off the Northern Lights but Sanada fireman’s carries and throws Taichi into the dragon sleeper! SKULL- NO! Taichi rolls out to ROUNDHOUSE Sanada down! Fans fire up again as both men are back down! Taichi rolls and crawls to his corner and ZSJ tags in. ZSJ hobbles around to aim from a corner, and he runs to BOOT Sanada! And he BOOTS Naito just because! ZSJ runs in but Sanada elbow shim away. Sanada Quebrada but ZSJ gets under, but Sanada dropkicks the leg out! LA MAGISTROL but ZSJ blocks! ONE, Sanada has a ghost pin, TWO! ZSJ brings Sanada around to a ghost pin, TWO!!

ZSJ and Sanada get up, ZSJ EuroUppers but Sanada gives it back! ZSJ EuroUppers again, then catches Sanda’s to a backslide, then jackknife! TWO, Sanada dodges to O’Conner Bridge, but ZSJ blocks to a double chicken wing bridge! But Sanada copies ZSJ’s pushdown for a double cover!! TWO!!! Tokyo almost had the flipside to Osaka but Sanada fireman’s carries! ZSJ fights out to get the cobra twist! Sanada endures, hip tosses free, but ZSJ bridges up, only for Sanada to DRAGON SCREW! Both men are down again as fans fire up! ZSJ calls to Taichi as he crawls over. Naito tags in first, though, and he stomps ZSJ’s bad leg.

Naito stomps ZSJ into a neutral corner but lets off as Red Shoes counts. Naito gets ZSJ up, whips, but ZSJ falls over! ZSJ clutches the bad knee but Taichi runs in. Naito kicks Taichi back out, then mockingly asks ZSJ if he’s alright. Fans rally up as ZSJ grits his teeth and stands up. Naito blocks a boot, shoves ZSJ to a corner and blocks the boot again. Naito puts ZSJ in the ropes for a DRAPING BACKBREAKER! Naito gets ZSJ up to NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives but Naito keeps cool. Naito gets ZSJ up but ZSJ hobbles on the bad leg. Naito forces ZSJ to stand, just to kick the bad leg! Fans rally, Naito stomps the bad leg, and ZSJ fights up to his feet.

Naito hammerlocks but ZSJ blocks Gloria by squatting. Naito kicks the bad leg, whips again, but ZSJ reverses. ZSJ catches the flying forearms into an IRON OCTOPUS! ZSJ pulls back on the arm, Naito fights free and CLUBS the bad leg. Naito kicks at the leg, uses the ropes, but ZSJ denies the tornado to PELE the arm! Taichi clotheslines Naito in the corner and ZSJ BOOTS Sanada. Taichi sets Naito up for ZSJ to run in and TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO!! Taichi coaches ZSJ and they set Naito up. Scoop, but Naito fights out, but Taichi BLINDSIDE AX BOMBERS! ZSJ EuroUppers Naito into Taichi’s Alabama lift, but Sanada saves Naito from the combo move!

Sanada whips Taichi out of the ring but ZSJ EuroUppers Sanada. ZSJ BOOTS Sanada in a corner, hobbles and comes back to EuroUpper. ZSJ runs at Naito but he dodges, Sanada runs in to back elbow ZSJ. Sanada feeds ZSJ to Naito’s back elbow, then dropkicks ZSJ into the enziguri! BIG back suplex, rolling jackknife cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives the onslaught and fans fire up again! LIJ gets ZSJ’s legs to DOUBLE KNEE SMASH! Naito wrenches the leg to the SHORT LEG SCISSOR! Taichi runs in but Sanada intercepts, to the FIGURE FOUR! LIJ has dual submissions on the Tekkers! ZSJ endures, Taichi pries at Sanada’s, but Naito thrashes ZSJ’s leg around!

ZSJ fights, scrambles, flails, crawls, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Naito lets go fast, but Sanada keeps Taichi suffering. Red Shoes reprimands, Sanada lets Taichi go, and those two get out of the ring. Naito gets ZSJ to the LIJ corner, stomps ZSJ around, then drags him up the corner. Taichi hurries around the outside to attack! Naito rakes Taichi’s eyes! Sanada dropkicks Taichi off the apron! And PLANCHAS! Those two are down, and Naito gives ZSJ ESPERANZA!! Cover, TWO!?! ZSJ survives but Naito won’t stop there! Naito gets ZSJ up and in another corner. Naito stomps ZSJ while egging him on. Fans rally up as Naito hoists ZSJ up top.

Naito CLUBS the bad leg, climbs up top, and SUPER STEINERS, but ZSJ sunset flips it! Naito slips out but ZSJ gets him in the TRIANGLE HOLD! Naito flails, ZSJ squeezes tight, but Sanada gets back in to stomp ZSJ. ZSJ eggs Sanada on while he holds tight on Naito! Sanada keeps stomping, but Taichi gets in to drag Sanada into SEITEIJYUJIRYOU!! Now Tekkers have LIJ in dual submissions! Naito fights to get up and reach around but ZSJ squeezes as tight as he can! Taichi twists and stretches Sanada, fans are thunderous, and Sanada powers out, only for Taichi to choke grip! CHOKE- NO! Sanada dropkicks Taichi away!

Sanada goes up, ROUNDING BODY PRESS on ZSJ!! Naito is free but Taichi Alabama lifts Sanada for BLACK MEPHISTO! Naito hits Taichi with CORRIENDOSHIKI!! Naito fires up with the fans and he gets ZSJ up! Wrench, but ZSJ scoops to hit ZACK DRIVER!! But ZSJ can’t cover from the bad leg bothering him! Fans rally up as Miho goes nuts! ZSJ stirs but realizes he’s in the wrong corner. A standing count begins on ZSJ and Naito, and is already at 5! ZSJ springs up to stop Red Shoes at 7! ZSJ drags himself over to get Naito. ZSJ gives Naito slaps, but Naito clubs the bad leg! ZSJ kicks at Naito, and kicks, and kicks. Naito gets up to stomp the bad leg again!

ZSJ dares Naito to keep going so Naito stomps it again. ZSJ kicks at Naito with the good leg, then hobbles up to egg Naito on. ZSJ throws a EuroUpper! Naito throws a forearm! ZSJ throws another EuroUpper, so Naito throws another forearm. EuroUpper, forearm, repeat! ZSJ gets the edge but Naito CHOPS! ZSJ EuroUppers again but Naito kicks the bad leg! Taichi runs in to BOOT Naito! Sanada runs in to BOOT Taichi! Taichi goes to boot but Sanada blocks to EuroUpper! Taichi fires up and dodges Sanada to DANGEROUS SAIDO! Naito gets Taichi for back elbow after back elbow! Taichi hits his three point stance, to SUMO FOREARM!! Everyone is down but Taichi fires up!

Taichi shouts to ZSJ and Miho rallies the fans up again. The Tekkers coordinate from opposite ends of the ring and they get themselves up at the corners. ZSJ runs to PENALTY KICK Naito! Cover, TWO!! Taichi gets up and fires up with ZSJ. Taichi staggers up into a corner and roars as ZSJ gets Naito up. But Sanada tackles Taichi while Naito scoops ZSJ for VALENTIA! Sanada smothers Taichi while Naito gets ZSJ up! Wrench, tilt-o-whirl, DEST- NO! ZSJ drags Naito down to the EURO CLUTCH!! TEKKERS WIN!!!

Winners: Dangerous Tekkers, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

The Tekkers are back on top after only a couple weeks!! Taichi & ZSJ are now THREE-TIME tag team champions, and Naito is furious that he got caught! But with how quick the turnaround was from winning to losing these belts, can Naito and Sanada get another shot soon?

But wait! Yoshi-Hashi and Hirooki Goto appear! They are still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions, but are they planning on cutting in? LIJ and Tekkers don’t want Goto-Hashi to get ahead of themselves, this match just ended. What will NJPW management decide to do about Chaos wanting their shot?

 

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS Hiroshi Tanahashi!

Firstly, we here at the Chairshot wish Kota Ibushi a speedy recovery, but also know that he should make sure he is 100% before returning. However, the show must go on! The Dragon wants to be a fighting champion, and The Ace wants to fight and become champion! It’s an epic rematch from their NEVER Openweight Championship match earlier this year, which Tanahashi won! Will Takagi strike out against Tanahashi again? Or will he prove that this time, he’s ready for the Once in a Century Talent?

The introductions are made, Takagi has a new, fiercer mask, and the belt is raised as we see if Takagi can live up to that new standard!

Fans rally up, “LET’S GO ACE!” “TA-KA-GI!” as Tanahashi and Takagi circle. They approach, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Takagi gets a point of leverage but Tanahashi pushes back harder. Takagi gets Tanahashi on ropes but Tanahashi turns it around. Tanahashi lets off cleanly and fans cheer. Takagi and Tanahashi circle again, feel out the grapple this time, and knuckle lock for a test of strength! Tanahashi digs in his heels and powers up, but Takagi kicks low to wrench and wristlock. Tanahashi slips in to get a takedown and he ties up Takagi’s legs. Tanahashi floats to a headlock as fans rally, and Takagi fights up to pry the hold.

Takagi hammerlocks, headlocks and hits a takeover, but Tanahashi headscissors. Takagi slips free and fans cheer the stand off. The fans rally again, “LET’S GO ACE!” “TA-KA-GI!” Takagi and Tanahashi go again, Takagi headlocks, but Tanahashi pries at the hold. Takagi holds on tight but Tanahashi throws body shots. Tanahashi whips Takagi, drop toeholds him down and gets a headlock. Takagi endures, fights up, powers up but Tanahashi holds tight. Tanahashi grinds Takagi down, Takagi fights up but again Tanahashi holds tight! Takagi tries again, throws body shots and powers out, but Tanahashi rams shoulders. Takagi rebounds to run Tanahashi over!

Takagi steps on Tanahashi, drops an elbow, then another elbow. Tanahashi avoids the back senton to drop an elbow of his own! Fans fire up as Tanahashi air guitars. Takagi gets to a corner but Tanahashi heads over. Tanahashi throws body shots, whips Takagi corner to corner, but Takagi reverses. Takagi runs in but Tanahashi elbows him away. Tanahashi jumps up to CROSSBODY, but Takagi catches him! Takagi fireman’s carries to a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Fans fire up as Tanahashi staggers. Takagi runs in to clothesline Tanahashi out! Fans cheer as Takagi goes out to fetch Tanahashi, and he encourages them to keep rallying, “TA-KA-GI!” “LET’S GO ACE!”

Takagi stomps Tanahashi, stands on him, but lets off to kick and stomp him at the railing! Takagi paces while Red Shoes says to get this in the ring. Takagi brings Tanahashi around to bump off the apron, and says, “Mada mada mada,” he’s not done yet. Takagi bumps Tanahashi off the apron again, then fireman’s carries to SNAKE EYES off the apron! Tanahashi falls down as fans fire up. Takagi gets back in the ring, the ring count begins, and Tanahashi slowly rises. Tanahashi stands at 6 of 20, staggers over, and gets in at 10 of 20. Takagi stands on and DOUBLE STOMPS Tanahashi at the ropes!

Takagi gets Tanahashi up to whip to ropes and KNEE! Then he runs to RAM Tanahashi against ropes! Takagi gets Tanahashi with a BIG suplex, then covers, TWO! Takagi keeps Tanahashi down with a chinlock. Tanahashi endures as fans rally up. Tanahashi fights up, throws body shots, and fires off fast hands! Tanahashi runs but into the elbow! YUKON LARIAT! Takagi skips his jab to throw Tanahashi off on that one. Takagi gets Tanahashi back up, SNAP SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Takagi keeps after Tanahashi with headlock, trapping an arm at the same time. Tanahashi endures, fans rally up, and Tanahashi scoots around to get the ropebreak! Takagi lets go as Red Shoes counts.

Takagi dares Tanahashi to get up. Tanahashi stands, fires off forearms, but Takagi DECKS him with one! Takagi flexes the muscles then drags Tanahashi back up. Takagi hooks the arms but Tanahashi resists the Gory Especial! Tanahashi fires elbows, but Takagi spins him to DDT him down! Takagi sits Tanahashi up to throw elbows into the shoulder, then he runs, only for Tanahashi to dodge the sliding lariat! Tanahashi dropkicks Takagi’s leg but Takagi stays up and rebounds to kick. Tanahashi blocks to DRAGON SCREW! Takagi crawls to a corner and fans rally back up. Tanahashi rises, hobbles after Takagi and fires off forearms and stomps in the corner.

Tanahashi whips corner to corner but Takagi reverses. Tanahashi comes back for FLYING FOREARMS! Fans fire up with Tanahashi as he gets Takagi back up. Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Takagi, then goes to a corner to hop up. SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Takagi scrambles away but Tanahashi powers up. Tanahashi runs and dropkicks Takagi’s leg out! Takagi gets to ropes but Tanahashi is after his legs. Takagi gets the ropebreak and Tanahashi abandons the cloverleaf for now. Tanahashi runs at Takagi in the corner, but Takagi dodges! Takagi runs in but Tanahashi boots. Takagi blocks that to LARIAT! But Tanahashi comes back to fire forearms!

Takagi ROCKS Tanahashi with forearm after forearm, then JABS and CHOPS on repeat! JAB, JAB, CHOP! Takagi runs corner to corner but Tanahashi follows, to SHOTGUN dropkick Takagi out of the ring! Fans fire up as Tanahashi gets back up. Tanahashi goes up top for ACES HIGH FLY FLOW!! Direct hit and down goes Takagi! Fans are thunderous now as Red Shoes checks on both of them. Tanahashi and Takagi are able to continue so a ring count begins. The count is 10 of 20 as Tanahashi stands, and he puts Takagi in at 15. Takagi gets to a corner but Tanahashi storms over to fire off forearm after forearm after forearm!

Tanahashi gives Takagi a dozen, then goes corner to corner to dropkick! Fans fire up more, and Tanahashi stands back up. Tanahashi grits his teeth as he drags Takagi up and reels him in. Takagi blocks the suplex and throws body shots! Takagi suplexes but Tanahashi resists, to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi gets Takagi back up, another TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And then a third TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Fans are thunderous after that hat trick, and Tanahashi wants Takagi to rise. Takagi flounders up, Tanahashi runs, but Takagi catches slingblade into the Gory Especial, and NOSHIGAMI! Both men are down again and fans rally back up!

Takagi rises, gets Tanahashi in a wheelbarrow, for a WHEELBARROW GERMAN SUPLEX! Takagi gets up again, sits Tanahashi up, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Takagi says there’s still more to come, and he gives Tanahashi toying kicks. Tanahashi gets mad and sits up but Takagi keeps kicking. Tanahashi blocks to dropkick a leg out! Takagi comes back to fireman’s carry, but Tanahashi lands out of the gutbuster drop to GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Fans are electric as Takagi gets to a corner. Tanahashi runs in, but he blocks Takagi’s boot, to DRAGON SCREW again! Tanahashi hoists Takagi up top, SUPER DRAGON SCREW!!! Takagi writhes as fans rally up!

Tanahashi gets the legs for the TEXAS CLOVERLEAF! Takagi is caught as Tanahashi sits deep! But Takagi powers, reaches out, but Tanahashi drags him away and sits even deeper! Takagi powers up, Tanahashi falls over from his own legs tiring out, but Tanahashi stands back up! Tanahashi sits as deep as he can, but Takagi is right there, and he gets the ROPEBREAK! Fans are thunderous again as Tanahashi lets go! Tanahashi stomps Takagi on the apron! Tanahashi stands Takagi up, goes for the leg, but Takagi clubs at Tanahashi. Takagi gets Tanahashi’s leg in the rope, clubs and DRAGON SCREWS Tanahashi back! The Dragon’s Dragon Screw evens things up!

Takagi drags Tanahashi to the apron for an elbow breaker to the leg! Is this another form of knee breaker? And then Takagi CLUBS the leg against the apron! Tanahashi flops to the floor and Takagi hobbles about. Takagi stands on Tanahashi’s leg at the railing but he lets off as Red Shoes reprimands. Takagi wants media to move aside as he gets Tanahashi up. Takagi whips Tanahashi but Tanahashi reverses! Takagi avoids the slingblade and he lifts Tanahashi up! Takagi has Tanahashi draped out backwards, for a TAKAGI GTR!! Fans are thunderous again as both men are down! Red Shoes checks on Tanahashi but he refuses to quit now.

Another ring count begins and Takagi drags himself into the ring at 10 of 20. Tanahashi is still down, and we reach 15! Tanahashi starts to get up at 16, fans rally as he wobbles at 17, and he springs in at 19, into a SLIDING LARIAT! Takagi roars, drags Tanahashi up, pump handle to MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!?! Tanahashi survives and fans are thunderous once again! Takagi gets Tanahashi up at the ropes, then runs for PUMPING BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!?!? Takagi keeps focus as Tanahashi survives again. Fans clap along with “OI! OI! OI!” and Takagi stands. Takagi hobbles back over to Tanahashi, drags him back up, and pump handles for the rack!

Tanahashi resists with elbows to the back! Takagi POINT-BLANK PUMPING BOMBERS! And then boxing elbows! Fans fire up with every shot and Takagi gives Tanahashi a good 20 of ’em! Tanahashi fires up, but Takagi HEADBUTTS him down! Takagi drags Tanahashi back up, pump handles and torture racks, SLINGBLADE?!?! Tanahashi counters and both men are down as the fans keep the thunder rolling! Tanahashi fires up, runs, but Takagi follows to clothesline at the ropes! Takagi runs but Tanahashi gets around! Takagi breaks the full nelson, Tanahashi STRAITJACKET GERMANS! Bridging cover, TWO!! Takagi escapes but Tanahashi fires up again!

Tanahashi runs, to SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO!!! Tanahashi knows he’s close and fans fire up with him as he climbs! Takagi stands, Tanahashi CROSSBODIES! Tanahashi fires up but Takagi grabs a leg. Tanahashi CLUBS Takagi but Takagi holds on, so Tanahashi CLUBS him more! Tanahashi is free, fans rally up and Tanahashi stands Takagi up. Shout out to Kota Ibushi with KAMI-GOYE!!!! Tanahashi goes to the top rope, for HIGH FLY FLOW!!!! Cover, TWO!?!?!? HOW?!?!? HOW?!?!?! The Tokyo Dome is volcanic as Tanahashi rises again. Tanahashi drags Takagi up, full nelsons, but Takagi gets to the ropes! Takagi holds on, Tanahashi pulls him away, but Takagi still resists!

Tanahashi wants the straitjacket again but Takagi knows it, and pump handles to LAST OF THE DRAGON!!!! But Takagi can’t make a cover, he’s so exhausted! Fans build back up to that electric level as Takagi and Tanahashi stir. Takagi slaps himself to get back into this. He even punches himself and headbutts the mat! Takagi throws a forearm, Tanahashi gives it back. Takagi forearms, Tanahashi forearms, repeat as they stand up! Takagi staggers but comes back with another forearm. Tanahashi gets the edge but Takagi hits back. The forearms keep going back and forth, faster and faster, but Takagi gets the edge with about five. Tanahashi uses boxing elbows just like Takagi!

Takagi and Tanahashi roar, TANAHASHI HEADBUTTS!! Tanahashi was paying tribute to Shibata yesterday, was that another one?! But Takagi still gets back up! Tanahashi runs, into an elbow! JAB! YUKON- NO! DRAGON SUPLEX! But Takagi is right back up?! PUMP- NO! ANOTHER DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!!?!! Takagi escapes at the last nanosecond and the fans get back to the volcanic levels! Tanahashi drags himself to the apron, to the corner, and to the top rope. Takagi rises up to join him! Tanahashi throws clubbing hands but Takagi headbutts from below! Takagi finishes climbing, but they start brawling up top!

Tanahashi gets the edge but Takagi holds on to headbutt again and again and again! And AGAIN! Takagi turns around and drags Tanahashi to a top rope fireman’s carry! Tanahashi fights, but Takagi pump handles that arm! SUPER STAY DREAM!!!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! HOW DID TANAHASHI SURVIVE!?! Is there something stronger than a volcano? Because the fans are getting to some new level! Takagi gets Tanahashi up but Tanahashi SHOTEIS! Tanahashi wants another but Takagi ducks to SHOTEI back! Both men wobble, Tanahashi SHOTEIS again! But Takagi ROLLING PUMPING BOMBERS! Both men are down and fans keep that more than volcanic level!

Takagi gets Tanahashi up, pump handle and racks, LAST OF THE DRAGONS!!! Cover, Takagi finally wins!!

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

The third-ever world champion in NJPW stays the third-ever world champion! He’s no one-and-done, he’s a Grand Slam Dragon! Red Shoes raises his hand and hands the belt to him. Tanahashi is helped out of the ring and is very emotional over this loss. Will The Ace be back to try again some day?

Takagi manages to stay standing, and he gets the mic to speak. “Tanahashi Hiroshi. You really are amazing, aren’t you? Your nickname, ‘The Ace,’ is for real. In a way, you probably won tonight. Now we are 1-1, so we have to do this again.” But that doesn’t mean Takagi is skipping Ibushi. Takagi knows it was a tough decision for Ibushi to make. Ibushi can’t wrestle right now, but he surely wanted to, and Takagi appreciates that. But Takagi is “even more certain of one thing. Until Ibushi returns, I can’t lose this title! OI, TOKYO DOME! OI!” Fans get loud as Takagi takes a breath.

Takagi admits he’s a bit bummed. It is what it is because the pandemic isn’t over. They gotta keep practicing social distancing and such. He knows the fans are dealing with it even more than the wrestlers. But don’t forget to remain vigilant and careful. The fans could’ve easily stayed home and watched the Olympics, but they all chose pro-wrestling! Takagi appreciates that choice, and bows to show his respect. Takagi is turning 39 this year, so he’s getting up there, but HIS generation will lead the pro-wrestling world! “So with this IWGP World Heavyweight Championship as my ticket… As the best in NJPW, the best in ALL of pro sports right now… This Dragon will soar to the top of the sports world!” Fans cheer Takagi’s mission, but can he become the best of the best of the BEST?

Wait, why did the lights drop down?! EVIL and Dick are on the titantron! “I wonder which of those punks won. Togo, who do you think won?” Were they not watching…? Dick wags his finger because it doesn’t matter who won. Those good-for-nothings just tarnish the value of the belt. Evil says he’s up next! The King of Darkness has spoken, but then he appears in the ring! That video was all a trick! Evil reels Takagi in for EVERYTHING IS EVIL!! Dick presents Evil with the title as if he’s already won it! Evil stands over Takagi as he holds up the belt! Will Darkness Fall and Evil reign? Or can the Dragon finally get his own revenge on the one who betrayed LIJ?


My Thoughts:

What an awesome event for NJPW to top off the streak from Osaka and Nagoya! The New Japan Ranbo with cuffs was a lot of fun, and Great-O-Khan was doing so well, I almost thought he was going to win. It was hilarious that Yano just handcuffs him like it was nothing. But I could not have seen Yano losing. At the same time, there has been something building between him and Chase Owens, I would love if Yano finds a way to force Chase to put that Texas Heavyweight Championship on the line. The Junior Heavyweight Tag title match was great stuff, but I should’ve known Taguchi would go too hard on solving the mystery and lose the title match. Maybe we get a rematch where we finally see the thing in the shoe revealed.

The Junior Heavyweight Championship was another awesome match, but what a shock that Eagles won! I didn’t think he’d win here, it was his first big thing since coming back and Desperado was on such an awesome roll. But maybe that’s all the reason NJPW needed to do this. Eagles shocks Desperado and could bring this title to other companies. Eagles speaks English so that would make it easier for him to show up and start feuds in Impact or AEW as these companies start to work together. Okada VS Cobb was great, and Okada winning with just a quick pin makes me think these two meet again 1v1, maybe during the G1 Climax at a pivotal moment in their respective runs.

The Heavyweight Tag title match was also awesome, and with Tekkers getting a rematch so soon because a lot of other heavyweight division teams being busy or just out of the country should’ve made it obvious they’d win. Goto & Hashi wanting a turn is really intriguing. LIJ doesn’t want to be snubbed just for losing, maybe we get a contender’s match between these teams, winners face Tekkers at Wrestle Grand Slam MetLife in a few weeks. And then, what a masterpiece we got out of Takagi VS Tanahashi! Higher level title, higher level match, so that makes sense, but when Tanahashi hit Kami-Goye, I almost thought Tanahashi was winning!

Takagi wins, though, because as he says in his promo, he has to face Ibushi first. But Evil making a challenge, clearly NJPW is planning on using this to give Ibushi more time to recover. Evil is a great choice given LIJ hasn’t exactly gotten over him betraying them, and Takagi is definitely going to beat Evil while beating up Dick Togo at the same time.

My Score: 9.5/10

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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (5/5/25)

Penta wants payback!

Published

on

Cero Miedo on Cinco de Mayo!

Penta made sure Judgment Day didn’t win the WWE World Tag Team Championships, and now he’ll make JD McDonagh pay for the WrestleMania screwjob!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • PENTA VS JD McDonagh w/ The Judgment Day; Penta wins.
  • Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS Sheamus; Sheamus wins.
  • Iyo Sky VS Roxanne Perez; Iyo wins.
  • Rusev VS Otis w/ Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri; Rusev wins.
  • WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso VS Seth Rollins w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker; Rollins wins by disqualification, Jey retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Jey Uso is in the concourse.

The fans are all fired up as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion makes his way out into the crowd! Omaha, Nebraska all YEET along, and even Pat McAfee does, no concern for what Gunther might think. Jey high-fives fans on his way to the ground level, high-fives some more fans on the way to ringside, and Jey daps it up with Pat & Cole. Jey then goes to the ring, and the fans continue to bounce while singing along with Day One Ish! Jey then gets a mic while the fans cheer. Omaha even says, “One More Time! One More Time!” Jey thinks about it, and he figures why not! YEET! Jey and the fans bounce again, then Jey goes back to the mic.

Jey says, “The World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso, is now in your citaaay~!” The fans cheer, and Jey says look. He’s here. He knows Logan Paul’s here. So let’s just stand on business tonight! Where you at, Logan!? But instead, “Ladies and gentlemen…” The Wise Man walks out on stage! The fans boo as Paul Heyman continues his introduction, and he says he cam here tonight not to disrespect the World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso. But he dragged himself all the way to Omaha, Nebraska because he wanted to say something straight to the face of the World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso.

Jey tells OG Heyman, “You got a lotta balls stepping to me after what you just did to my family.” Heyman says wow, Jey is going to lecture Heyman about betraying their Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns? Jey says yeah, he’ll talk to Heyman. Day one, Jey saw past him. He warned Roman about him, and he warned CM Punk about him! Well, a shame that no one warned Heyman. Warned him about his best friend, his BFF, his brother in arms, CM Punk. And while he’s at it, keep your damn boos to yourselves while he’s on the mic! Not one of these fans, or Jey, had to live through what Heyman did.

Heyman’s best friend, CM Punk, put him in a position that 100% absolutely guaranteed it would sabotage him! The fans chant for Punk and Heyman mocks them for it. “They chant his name because they don’t know what’s in the dark heart of that man.” Punk put Heyman in a guaranteed lose-lose situation with Roman Reigns. And let’s talk about Roman Reigns for a minute! The fans chant for “O T C!” and Heyman sighs. Heyman says he had a dream with his best friend, CM Punk, while Roman was still playing high school football. Long before Roman thought about following in his father’s footsteps into pro-wrestling.

And while Heyman helped Punk overcome adversity, what’d Roman think he was going to do? Sell him out to Punk? Why? After Heyman built the Bloodline for five years, why would he do that?! The fans boo more but Heyman sighs again. Heyman found a “stray big dog on the island of irrelevancy, and I turned him into the Tribal Chief and the ruler of the WWE Universe. We were the Undisputed WWE Champion for 1,316 days! And I’m not the one that blew it by getting beat by Cody Rhodes after being distracted by Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40! HE lost the title! HE lost the title that I spent five years of my life building him up as the champion!

And then what’d he do? He disappeared. He went back to being a big dog licking his big wounds, and left me in the hands of Solo, and Jacob Fatu and those Tongans, who put me through a table at Madison Square Garden and almost ended MY 40 year career. And he didn’t come back toa venge me, he came back to get his ula fala back! But I betrayed Roman Reigns, right? I betrayed Roman Reigns, who couldn’t handle the fact that I just wanted to help out my best friend live out his dream! No, it’s always Paul Heyman! I’m always the liar! I’m always at fault! I’m the betrayer, I’m the double crosser, I’m always the freakin’ scumbag in this situation! NOT THIS TIME! I’M RIGHT! I’M RIGHT! I’M IN THE RIGHT! And you blame me?! Screw you!! And screw each and every one of you for booing me!”

The fans boo more but Jey isn’t sure what to think. The fans chant “You Suck! You Suck!” and call Heyman an a-hole, but Jey takes a moment. Jey asks if Heyman is okay. In fact, is Heyman done? Jey has another question: What does this have to do with Jey? Heyman smirks and says that he does owe an apology. It has nothing to do with Jey. Not that part. He didn’t come out here to talk Roman and Punk. Here is the thing Heyman did come out here to talk with Jey. See, Jey won that title because he wanted that title> But that title is all about power and control. And honestly, Jey doesn’t know how to wield that. Jey doesn’t understand that!

Jey thinks coming out here to YEET with the audience and putting on the best in-ring performance is all it takes. But that’s not what this title is about. So while Jey needs in his heart and wants to be a champion… Seth Rollins has to be a champion. Rollins has to have that power, that control, and Bron Breakker… Well, that is just stage one of the plan. Stage two is the World Heavyweight Championship. But Heyman is out here tonight to do Jey a favor. And we all know how well Heyman’s favors work out> Jey gets to sign his own death warrant. Jey gets to chose the night he loses the World Heavyweight Championship.

Because Seth Rollins hereby challenges Jey to the World Heavyweight Championship! Rollins pinned Roman Reigns at WrestleMania, Rollins deserves to be #1 contender! Jey gets to pick the time and the place, because Rollins will fight Jey for that title any time, and any place. Heyman drops his mic then takes his leave. Jey tells Heyman to hold on, OG. Omaha, can you help him out? Jey asks if Heyman just said “any time,” and “any place,” “any where,” for the world title, against Seth Freakin’ Rollins? Then it’s on TONIGHT! FOUR LETTERS! ONE WORD! UH, UH… YEET!!

Jey had Logan Paul on his mind, but now he is daring the Visionary to put up or shut up! Will Jey turn the tables on Rollins? Or is Jey playing into Rollins’ hand?

 

Heyman returns backstage.

He finds Rollins & Bron, and Heyman smiles. Heyman says, “He fell for it> I cannot believe he fell for it! He wants to do the match tonight! You were so right!” Rollins asks you know what he loves. He loves to say< “I told you so.” And he tells Heyman, “I told you so.” Heyman says that is true. Bron says Seth Freakin’ Rollins, World Heavyweight Champion… Heyman asks if Bron understands what is going on. Roman Reigns prepared Seth Rollins at Mania, and Rollins pinned the biggest star in the main event. CM Punk prepared with unbridled passion for Rollins at Mania, and Rollins not only beat Roman & Punk, Roman & Punk lost to Rollins in the main event.

Jey Uso is a great champion, don’t take that away from him. He made Gunther tap out! Gunther! Jey is no easy day in the park. But Jey wasn’t focused on Rollins, he was distracted by Logan Paul! And now he has no time to prepare for Rollins. But Rollins is fully focused on Jey because there’s no one left. Rollins is a sniper, and he has Jey in his sights. And tonight, we get handed the keys to the kingdom when the ref hands that World Heavyweight Championship to Seth Freakin’ Rollins…! Bron can see the vision now, but will we all see Rollins burning down the YEET Era?

 

PENTA VS JD McDonagh w/ The Judgment Day!

The Intercontinental Championship Fatal 4 Way at WrestleMania only went well for “Dirty Dom” because he had an Irish Ace up his sleeve! JD is back, but will Penta make him pay for the part he played? Or will The Judgment Day be able to screw Penta over again?

Raw returns and JD is in the ring. The bell rings, JD and Penta circle while Carlito & Finn Balor watch from ringside. The fans rally for #CeroMiedo as Penta throws it up. But JD kicks low! JD headlocks for the takeover, but Penta headscissors. JD kips free, arm-drags and has the armlock. Penta headscissors again, JD kips free, and then he waistlocks. Penta ELBOWS free, runs, but JD drop toeholds! Penta avoids the basement dropkick, but JD avoids the Penalty Kick to roll Penta up! TWO and JD returns. Penta again avoids a kick but the STANDING MOONSAULT hits! Cover, TWO! Finn argues the count but JD CLUBS Penta.

JD stands Penta up to bump him off buckles, then he CHOPS! Penta CHOPS JD in return! And CHOPS again! Penta runs up to KICK JD’s leg out! The fans cheer while JD hobbles away. Penta CHOPS again, then KICKS the leg out again! The fans fire up with Penta while JD goes to another corner. Penta storms up, but JD puts him in the corner, only for Penta to dodges and CHOP! JD sputters, Penta swaggers, and Penta KICKS the legs out! Cover, TWO! Finn wants a timeout but there’s no such thing here. Penta drags JD up, whips him to a corner, but JD BOOTS in return! JD ELBOWS Penta down, then drags him up to bring him around.

Penta blocks the buckle bump, GAMANGIRIS, then CHOPS! JD leans back, Penta climbs, but JD SLAPS him! And SLAPS! JD shoves Penta down, kicks him, then goes to the apron. Penta blocks the boot, then ENZIGIRIS in return! The fans fire up, but Penta tells Finn to stay back. Finn says he’s just standing nearby. JD fireman’s carries Penta to APRON DEATH VALLEY! JD is in control and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and JD has Penta up top. JD pulls Penta into the Tree of Woe, then runs corner to corner, but Penta sits up! JD slides into the POST! Penta is free of the Tree, and then he runs to handstand and SWINGING DROPKICK! JD gets feet right to the face and Penta covers, TWO! JD stays in this but the fans rally behind Penta. Penta fires up, and he counter punches JD! Penta bobs ‘n’ weaves to CHOP, then ROCK JD! Penta fires forearm after forearm, whips, but JD reverses. Penta KICKS in return! Penta runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, SLING-DOG! Cover, TWO! Penta hurries to stand JD back up and JAB!

Penta puts JD against the ropes to CHOP! The fans fire up and Penta whips. Penta scoops JD to BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! JD stays in this but Penta fires himself back up! The fans fire up but Finn distracts on the apron! That lets Carlito pull no Penta’s mask! Penta breaks free to GAMANGIRI! JD runs up but Penta TOSSES him out! Penta climbs, the fans fire up, “CERO! MIEDO!” SUPER CROSSBODY! Down go JD and Carlito! Finn freaks out but the fans rally up behind Penta. Penta puts JD in, but Finn creeps up! JD distracts the ref and Finn YANKS Penta down! Finn puts Penta in, but the ref DOES see it!

The fans fire up as the ref now EJECTS Finn & Carlito! The fans cheer whiel Finn & Carlito freak otu! They apologize, but it’s too late for that! Penta goes up a corner, but CHAD GABLE is here?! Gable grabs at Penta, Penta kicks him away, then Penta leaps over JD! Penta dodges JD to then FLY out onto Gable! Penta drags JD up but JD hits a JAWBREAKER! JD goes up, up, MOONSAULT FLOPS as Penta moves! MEXICAN DESTROYER!! Cover, Penta wins!!

Winner: Penta, by pinfall

Despite all the extra help on the outside, JD could not win! Cero Miedo is victorious, but when will Penta be Numero Uno?

 

Adam Pearce talks with Grayson Waller.

The Raw General Manager says the Aussie Icon wanted a match, so here’s his match. Yeah, but he didn’t know it’d be against him! Austin Theory finds Waller and Waller says good timing. Waller was talking with Pearce about how Waller’s been a bad friend to Theory, wanting a singles match for himself, but that’s selfish. Waller wants Theory to have the match, it’d be great for him. Okay, Theory is down! Pearce asks if Waller is serious, and Waller says he is! Well, if that’s what they want, fine. Theory has a singles match now. It’s official! Great! But who is it against? Uh, well, it’ll be better as a surprise, but they better get to the ring. #AllDay, remember?

Waller hurries away and Theory wonders what kind of surprise it could be. Well, everyone is wondering that. Who will Waller pass over to Theory to avoid getting brutalized?

 

Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS ???

Raw returns as A-Town Down Under is already in the ring. And who is Theory’s opponent that was meant for Waller? It’s SHEAMUS! Monday Night Raw is once again Fight Night Raw as the Celtic Warrior is back again! Will Theory regret taking this banger?

The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally, the two tie up, and Theory waistlocks. Sheamus throws Theory away and the fans cheer him on. Theory brushes that off, resets with Sheamus, and then Theory kicks low! Theory throws hands, puts Sheamus in a corner, but Sheamus ROCKS Theory! Sheamus UPPERCUTS, but Theory ELBOWS back! Sheamus fires a BODY SHOT, an UPPERCUT, then whips. Theory goes up and over, rolls, comes back, and he DROPKICKS Sheamus down! Waller says that’s his best friend right there! But then Sheamus CLOBBERS Theory! The fans fire up, and Sheamus storms up on Theory.

Theory ELBOWS Sheamus, whips, but Sheamus reverses to scoop, IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up as Sheamus says one more time! IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Sheamus goes for the legs but Theory kicks at him! Theory reels Sheamus in and throws some hands, but Sheamus stomps Theory down! The fans cheer as Sheamus turns Theory over for a CLOVERLEAF! Theory crawls and has the ROPEBREAK! Sheamus lets go, Theory rolls out, and Waller checks on his friend. But Sheamus climbs up! SUPER FLYING LARIAT! Down goes Theory! The fans fire up, and Sheamus finds a fellow Ginger! The fans cheer more while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and the fans rally behind Sheamus. Theory CLUBS Sheamus and throws hands, but Sheamus shoves him and eggs him on! Theory BOOTS Sheamus, but Sheamus just eggs him on more! Theory runs, but into a scoop and POWERSLAM! Theory flounders to the apron and Sheamus storms his way over. Sheamus stands Theory up and Waller stays back, but Theory HOTSHOTS free! Theory slingshots and somersaults, but into the KNEE CAPPER! Cover, TWO! Theory survives but Sheamus stays cool. The fans rally while Sheamus catches his breath, and then Sheamus goes to the apron.

Sheamus glares at Waller, Waller backs away, and Sheamus climbs. Theory avoids the flying lariat but Sheamus comes back! Theory dodges and Sheamus POSTS himself! Theory SUPERKICKS, somersaults, and BLOCKBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up for Sheamus while Theory goes back outside. Theory checks his jaw, shakes out the stars, and Theory climbs. Sheamus ROCKS Theory, fires body shots, and Sheamus climbs. Sheamus brings Theory up, tucks him in, WHITE NOISE! The fans fire up and Sheamus smiles as he’s clearly enjoying this. “This is Awesome!” as Sheamus rises up again.

Waller coaches Theory as Theory crawls to the apron, but Theory asks why Waller did this to him! Sheamus stands Theory up, and the fans cheer on the BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! The fans count along, Sheamus goes past TEN, and Theory slumps down at FOURTEEN! The fans fire up, Waller is worried, and Sheamus goes to a corner. The fans cheer Sheamus on, and we get a BROGUE! Cover, Sheamus wins!

Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall

The Celtic Warrior made quite the return, and Theory is surely regretting subbing in for Waller. Will A-Town Down Under have a meltdown because of this?

 

BREAKING NEWS for Backlash!

Penta was so close at WrestleMania, and he got through JD here tonight, so now he will be challenging Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship!

Judgment Day regroups in the clubhouse.

They’ve clearly heard the news, and JD storms in asking what happened out there. The ref kicked them out? And why did Gable go out there? That wasn’t on any of them. JD says then Penta and Gable need to get it ASAP! Dom says Penta will be handled at Backlash, but as for Gable- Wait, who is this walking into the clubhouse? It’s A J STYLES! The Phenomenal One nods to Finn, Finn nods back, but Carlito asks how Styles even got here. Oh, R-Truth told him where they were. Plus, it wasn’t that hard to find. But he’s not here to fight or cause trouble. Styles just wants to give a friendly warning. Whether it is Dom or Penta, Styles is after that title.

Dom says whatever, old man. Wow, oh, so hurtful. But Styles tells Dom that it doesn’t matter who wins, he want the title! And then he’ll beat Dom up either way. Dom says this is crazy. Who knew being a champion was this hard. Penta, Styles, his hands are full! Wait, Finn has history with Styles. Can’t he handle Styles for Dom? Oh, what? Now Finn cleans up Dom’s messes for him? Nah, just messing with you. Finn’s got this. They fist bump, but will Judgment Day (not) hold it together without Liv around?

 

Chad Gable is backstage.

“Freakin’ luchadores. Bloody my nose?” The New Day walk over and Gable says it is not the time for this. Kofi Kingston says hold on, hold on, hear them out. They saw what went down, and that was awful. And they know that it is around time American Made got some respect around here. Xavier Woods says the War Raiders are already talking about getting a rematch, but New Day beat the bejeezus out of them, so that’s a no. What the New Day thinks is that opportunities need to start coming back to American Made. Gable likes what they’re saying. Give him some more ideas like that. But then Becky Lynch pushes through.

Woods tells The Man it was messed up how Lyra Valkyria treated her. Becky thanks him for that. Becky heads to the ring, what will she have to say here in Omaha?

 

Becky Lynch goes to the ring.

Omaha is torn as The Man has a mic in her hand. Becky says The Man has come around to Omaha, and she’s baffled by the bit of boos and “You Suck” chants she’s getting. Wait, wait, wait. She is very confused. The fans are treating her like she’s the bad guy here? No, she’s the victim! Okay, okay, she took out Bayley, fine. But when she came out to WrestleMania, everyone lost their minds! A woman in the crowd cried tears of joy! No one asked where Bayley was, because no one cared, Bayley is garbage! Becky took out the garbage! The fans were happy the garbage was taken out, but then Becky took credit for it and everyone got mad she took out the garbage!

That’s not what they should say when someone takes out the garbage! You tell that person, “Thank you for taking out the garbage! And what’s more than that, I also took out the recycling! Because that’s what Lyra is! She’s less offensive than garbage, but she’s still garbage! And what is garbage about her is her attitude. She doesn’t have a dream if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t have a title if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t make history if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t even have a freakin’ fiancé if it isn’t for me!!” The fans boo, but Becky says she still gets all this disrespect! But wait, here comes Lyra! Becky says this is what she’s talking about!

Lyra has a mic and asks, “Did you actually just call me recycling? You’re the Queen of Recycling! You’ve been recycling the same moves and the same tired old act for years! But that’s fine, Becky, you do you, I don’t care. What I have a problem with is you acting like you had anything to do with my success. The one thing I want to drive into your skull more than my foot is that you didn’t make me!” The fans cheer, and Lyra says she’ll catch Becky up. Becky went on holiday, and everyone here got better. Becky went on holiday, and Lyra made history of her own. Lyra holds up the Women’s Intercontinental Championship and the fans cheer.

Lyra says, “Oh, but you’re what this championship needs, right? That’s what you said. That’s rich, considering I’ve defended it more times than days you’ve shown up to work this year.” The fans cheer that zinger! Becky paces but Lyra says she sees it now. Lyra sees it so clearly. Becky shattered glass ceilings and Lyra is forever grateful. But Becky left all that broken glass on the ground and the rest of the Women’s Division were supposed to just follow behind because Becky never had any intention of taken anyone to the top with her. Becky says okay, okay, Lyra is right. Becky was gone, and everyone had the best year of their careers.

But that’s only because they didn’t have Becky around to compare themselves to! The fans boo but Becky says no, she didn’t help anybody because she doesn’t like anybody. She didn’t help anyone because her job isn’t to help anyone, it is to beat everyone! And Becky is very, very good at her job! She’s the greatest to ever do it! That’s not just her saying it, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED said so! The fans do cheer that, but Becky tells Lyra it doesn’t matter how great she thinks she is or how great she’ll become, because she will always be the moment after Becky! Wow… Sports Illustrated, huh? Lyra is wrong, she’ll take it back. Please, continue listing the achievements.

What can we say? Becky’s first SmackDown Women’s Champion, first woman to win the main event of WrestleMania, and the first Women’s Intercontin- NO! Wait! That’s Lyra! Becky frowns while the fans cheer, and Lyra says Becky must hate it. Becky must hate that this is Lyra’s first ever. But get used to being second. Becky throws hands but Lyra hits back! The fans fire up as these two brawl, and then Lyra hits a SPINEBUSTER! Becky gets up, Lyra is right on her, but Becky puts her in ta corner! Lyra dodges, RAMS into Becky again and again, then things spill outside! Lyra sends Becky into barriers! And apron! And barriers again!

The fans fire up but refs rush out! Omaha says, “LET THEM FIGHT!” but Becky gets free and throws off her jacket! Becky then gets in the ring and tells everyone, “You see this disrespect?! You see this disrespect?!” Lyra gets free and is back for more! The fans fire up, Becky clinches, but Lyra slips free to fireman’s carry! NIGHTWING DRIVER!! Lyra stands tall over Becky, title in her hand! Will this be the scene this Saturday for Backlash?

 

Iyo Sky VS Roxanne Perez!

The Genius Women’s World Champion won big last week on NXT alongside Jordynne Grace, but now The Prodigy is back in hopes of returning the favor. Will Roxie prove she’s ready for Raw? Or will Iyo show being a prodigy only gets you so far?

Raw returns and Iyo makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally. The two circle, tie up, and Iyo pushes Roxie back. Roxie puts Iyo on ropes, Iyo turns that around, and the two go around. Iyo clinches, Roxie wrenches, but Iyo headlocks. Roxie powers up and out but Iyo runs her over! Things speed up, Iyo ducks ‘n’ dodges, then whips Roxie. Roxie cartwheels over the dropdown, then SLAPS Iyo! Roxie takes a bow, then dodges Iyo to bail out. Iyo pursues, they go back in the ring, and Roxie dodges again to roll back! Roxie RANAS, but Iyo handsprings through! The fans fire up, things keep moving, and Iyo handsprings again!

Roxie dodges, but Iyo comes back to SHOTGUN! Roxie tumbles out, Iyo builds speed, but Roxie is back to dropkick the legs out! Iyo writhes, but Roxie grabs the leg to stomp it and SMASH it! Roxie wants both legs but Iyo BOOTS her away. Iyo runs, but Roxie puts her on the apron. Iyo ROCKS Roxie first, but Roxie grabs a leg! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Roxie builds speed and DIVES! Down goes Iyo at the ramp! The fans boo but Roxie puts Iyo in. Iyo gets moving and she DIVES! Direct hit on Roxie at the ramp! The fans fire up with Iyo, and Iyo hurries to put Roxie in. Iyo aims, springboards, but Roxie SLAPS her down!

Roxie grabs Iyo’s leg, drags her to a corner, and STOMPS the knee against the crossbar! Iyo clutches her leg and slumps to the floor while Roxie leaves her behind, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Iyo has Roxie up top, for a SUPER ARM-DRAG! The fans fire up while both women are down! Iyo slaps her leg into working, then she crawls her way over. Omaha is behind Iyo as she ROCKS Roxie! Roxie ROCKS Iyo, but Iyo ROCKS Roxie back! The forearms keep going, Iyo fires a flurry, then she winds up to SHOTEI! Roxie staggers, runs up, but Iyo FLAPJACKS! And BUZZSAWS! Cover, TWO! Roxie toughs it out but Iyo goes to the apron. Roxie runs up, but Iyo blocks her punch to HOTSHOT the arm! Iyo climbs, Roxie stands, MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up while Roxie flounders, and Iyo kips up!

Iyo goes wild, so do the fans, and all aboard the SHIN- NO, Iyo’s leg bothers her! Roxie runs up, wheelbarrows, but Iyo rolls through to STOMP 182! Cover, TWO! Roxie survives and Iyo is frustrated! The fans rally, Iyo waistlocks, and she deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridge, but then a roll through! Roxie fights the second try to SAIDO! Iyo and Roxie stand, Roxie runs up, but Iyo wrenches and hooks her up! TIGER BACKBREAKER! Iyo says time to end this! Iyo CHOPS Roxie, hobbles to a corner, and climbs up! OVER THE MOONSAULT but Roxie moves! Iyo lands out but that jams up the leg! Roxie runs to SPIKE RANA!

Roxie roars, runs, and hits the HANDSPRING KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO!! Iyo survives the Guillotine Knee as taught to Roxie by Meiko Satomura, and Omaha rallies up more. Roxie fires hands, SOBATS, then runs to hop on! Iyo handsprings through, but Roxie blocks the kick! DRAGON SCREW! Roxie then has the arm, LA MAGISTROL BRIDGE! TWO!! Iyo bridges, TWO!! Roxie has the body scissors, O’Conner Roll, TWO! Iyo rolls Roxie up, TWO! Roxie has a lateral press, TWO! Iyo sunset flips! TWO! Roxie high stacks, TWO! Iyo sunset flips again, IYO WINS!!

Winner: Iyo Sky, by pinfall

Roxie is shocked! She tried to match speed with speed and move for move, but she just couldn’t keep up with the Genius! But then Roxie gets in Iyo’s face! Roxie offers a handshake? The fans aren’t so sure, but Iyo takes it. They both bow, and surprisingly, there is now respect here between them. But wait! GIULIA ATTACKS! It was all just so the Beautiful Madness could slip in! Roxie grins and they mug Iyo like they have before! Giulia ties up Iyo’s legs, has the arms, and sets Iyo up for a SUPERKICK and SURFBOARD STOMP!! Rhea Ripley is in Australia, she can’t save Iyo! Giulia sets Iyo up again, for another SUPERKICK and another SURFBOARD STOMP!!

Roxie and Giulia stand over Iyo, will these former NXT Women’s Champions soon run Monday Night Raw?

 

Rusev VS Otis w/ Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri!

Bulgarian Brute no more, he has been REDEEMED! And now, he feels it is his divine appointment to “fix” all those on Raw who were once like him. Will that mean #TheDozer is going to go through baptism by fire? Or will he simply be crushed?

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two big men circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and they break. The fans rally more as the two tie up again. Another deadlock, but Rusev manages to power Oits bac. Otis powers Rusev back, the fans duel, and the big men break again. Rusev nods, perhaps liking what he is seeing already. They tie up again, and Rusev KNEES low, CLUBS Otis and fires hands in the corner! The ref counts, Rusev stomps a mudhole, but stops as the ref gets in there. Rusev storms up on Otis, stands him up, and whips him, only for Otis to reverses. Rusev returns to LARIAT! Otis stays up and shakes his head!

Rusev LARIATS, Otis stays up, so Rusev runs. Otis dodges with a roll! Otis then comes back and he LARIATS Rusev! Rusev stays up, but now Otis runs, and Otis LARIATS again! Rusev shoves Otis, Otis ducks ‘n’ dodges, but the WHEEL KICK comes outta nowhere! The fans are torn while Rusev stands tall, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Otis is down on the outside. Tozawa & Maxxine check Otis and coach him up, but Rusev storms outside. Rusev kicks at Otis, stands him up, but Otis EXPLODER Rusev over the desk! The fans fire up as Otis has more to give! Otis shoves the Hydration Station aside, then drags Rusev up to whip him hard into steel steps! Otis puts Rusev in the ring, but then drag shim out to fire clubbing arms! But then Rusev ducks, Otis’ arm hits POST! Rusev aims, but Otis ducks, so Rusev’s kick hits POST! Otis then CLOBBERS Rusev! Otis puts Rusev in the ring, storms in after him, and SPLASHES in the corner!

Rusev sputters and Otis runs up again! But Rusev MACHKA KICKS him down! Rusev roars and he shouts, “RUSEV! CRUSH~!” Stomp and ACCOLADE!! Otis endures, but he’s turning red! Otis shouts for Maxxine and Tozawa, but he TAPS! Rusev wins!

Winner: Rusev, by submission

Rusev continues to make Otis suffer by holding on, but Tozawa storms into the ring! Tozawa tells Rusev he can’t do that to his friend! They’re gonna fight right here and right now! The fans fire up as Tozawa rips his shirt away! Rusev says hold on now. Rusev did what he came here to do, and he spares Tozawa for tonight. But that’s just to lower Tozawa’s guard! Ruzev storms back in and GUT WRENCH POWERBOMBS Tozawa onto Otis!! The fans boo but Rusev shows no mercy! He POSTS Otis!! Then he drags Otis back in, and sends him into another POST! Otis falls out of the ring, Rusev goes out to drag him back in!

Rusev hits another MACHKA KICK!! And then he turns Otis back over, and he clamps the ACCOLADE back on!! The fans boo but that only makes Rusev want to do this more! Pearce, refs, and security rush out here! They tell Rusev to let go, but he waits until Otis is OUT! The fans boo, Natalya is here to console Maxxine, and Pearce reprimands Rusev. Will Rusev not care what he must do to “redeem” Monday Night Raw?

 

Raw returns and Adam Pearce is in the ring.

The General Manager hopes that they can get this show back on track. That said, please join him in welcoming to the ring… Pat McAfee! Omaha fires up as Pat hops off the desk, grabs a mic, and joins Pearce in the ring. Pearce also welcomes out Pat’s opponent for Backlash… DER RING GENERAL, GUNTHER! The fans are less excited as Gunther makes his way to the ring. Gunther and Pat keep their eyes on each other as Gunther fetches his own mic. Pearce wants to remind them that they’ve gone over this. They will NOT have what happened two weeks ago happen again. Get what you want out verbally, because Saturday, the time for talk is done.

Pearce says the floor is theirs, but keep it professional. Pearce then steps aside so Pat and Gunther can stare down. The fans cheer Pat on but Gunther says, “Well first of all… Do not worry. I’m not gonna do anything tonight, I’m not going to spoil that for myself. Because luckily for you, unlike you and your friend out there, I am professional.” The fans chant “You Tapped Out!” at Gunther, and he tells them to shut up! He’ll get back to that later, don’t you worry! Pat says he heard Gunther mentioned being professional. And Pat’s friend, Michael Cole, that is a walking, talking GOAT right there! The fans cheer that!

Pat tells Gunther, “For 28 YEARS, every single week of his life, except for three times, he has dedicated to traveling the world for this company. 28 years straight, 52 weeks a year, for this company!” The fans cheer that, too! Pat says Maggle has earned the right to have an opinion. And since that opinion pissed Gunther off so bad, Gunther flipped a switch and felt he had to attack a 60-year-old man, Pat will give Gunther an opinion of the man he’s standing in front of. Pat says it is apropos to be here in Omaha, Nebraska. When he thinks Nebraska, he thinks of the Cornhuskers! Pat shouts out Coach Rhule and his players in the crowd.

Pat says he can’t wait to watch the boys in the Fall rise to the top! And when Pat’s in Omaha, he also thinks of their steaks. Nobody beats this town’s meat! NOBODY! The fans chant “BEAT THE MEAT!” Pat says right across from this very arena is a baseball field that has hosted the NCAA World Series since 1950! The fans cheer that, and Pat says this city is a symbol of working hard and dreams coming true. And Pat feels “dreams” is a good word. They both have that in common. Pat might be from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the USA, and Gunther might be from Vienna, Austria, both men grew up with the same dream.

They both grew up wanting to be in this business, idolizing the superstars of yesterday, and spent hours and hours in front of TV watching pro-wrestling, thinking that is what they were put on this earth to do! The problem with Gunther is, he was at this for 20 years. He has been a champion for 80% of his WWE career. He’s jaded! This is no longer a dream but a job for Gunther. For Pat, every time he walks into an arena, he gets jacked up about life, baby! The fans cheer that! Pat says he thinks about 12 year old Pat, the kids out there in the crowd like him, dreaming in the upper rows to get in this ring and let a-holes like Gunther know that they don’t like what Gunther’s about.

And what Gunther’s about right now, as opposed to the Waltering around stage… Gunther doesn’t want it anymore. He’s too comfortable. It happened against Sami Zayn, it happened against Jey Uso, and it’ll happen with Pat. Pat will prove to Gunther and the fans that this Gunther… is SAWFT. The fans fire up for that! Gunther paces a moment, then he stares Pat down as he says, “Did you enjoy your little daughter’s birthday last week? Two years, right? It’s cute. I bet it was a very special day for you. Because for me, Saturday is a very special day, and you just got me into the right mood for it!

“Because it’s my first match since WrestleMania, and I’m going to show up sharp, I’m going to show up prepared, I’m going to show up more focused than every before. Don’t you worry that I’ll overlook you. Don’t worry that I’ll underestimate you. I promise you, you have my full and undivided attention. Because on Saturday, that bell is going to ring, and I’m going to beat you up! I’m going to MAUL you! I’m going to grab you by the head, and DRIVE it into this mat! I’m going to CHOKE YOU OUT until you drop like a wet towel! Tonight, by my grace, you are untouchable. But on Saturday, trust me when I say this! On Saturday, only the grace of GOD can lift my arms off your throat!”

Gunther shoves his mic into Pat, then he storms off. Der Ring General is ready to reload and unleash his full arsenal upon Pat, will Pat survive to even be part of next week’s show?

 

WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso VS Seth Rollins w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker!

To what Pat McAfee just said, perhaps Gunther did underestimate Main Event Jey Uso, but Jey also managed to bring something out of himself that even he didn’t know was there. But that confidence was preyed upon to give The Visionary his shortcut back to this title. Will Rollins and his A-Team make the plan come together? Or will we bookend the show with some YEET?

Raw returns as Jey makes his entrance, and from the ramp this time. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly in control!

The bell rings and Jey’s first defense begins. The fans rally behind Jey while he and Rollins stare down. Omaha gets the “YEET! YEET! YEET!” going and Jey is fired up. Jey is already undoing his wrist tape, he wants to throw down! Rollins slowly steps forward, the two tie up, and Rollins waistlocks. Rollins headlocks, spins, hammerlocks, headlocks again and hits the takeover to ghost pin! TWO, and Rollins laughs at how close he had Jey. The fans duel with “YEET!” and “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Jey and Rollins circle, tie up, and Rollins headlocks again. Jey powers up and out, but Rollins runs him over! Cover, ONE!

Rollins sweeps the legs to cover, ONE! Jey kicks, Rollins blocks, and then Rollins ducks the Dragon Whip! Rollins lounges on the top rope and the fans boo. Jey is annoyed but he keeps his cool. Rollins swaggers up, but Jey UPPERCUTS him down! Jey just suckered Rollins! “YEET!” Rollins says okay, and he shoves Jey. Jey shoves back! Rollins shoves again, Jey shoves again, so Rollins CHOPS! Jey fires a haymaker, Rollins fires back, and the fans are torn! “YEET!” wins out but Rollins mule kicks low! Jey avoids the stomp, but Rollins kicks low again. Jey fights off the Pedigree, but Rollins bails out to avoid the superkick!

The fans are torn but Bron & Heyman walk over to check with Rollins. Rollins says it’s alright, Jey is good. Jey is champion for a reason. Rollins goes to the apron, has Bron relax, and then he steps inside. The fans rally behind Jey as Jey and Rollins circle. They feel things out, but then Rollins kicks low! Rollins CLUBS and stomps away on Jey, then stands him back up to bump him off buckles! Rollins stomps a mudhole in, digs his boot in, but the ref backs him off. Heyman sings along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” and Rollins stalks Jey to the ropes. Rollins drags Jey up, “You think you’re on my level?” Rollins whips, Jey ducks ‘n’ dodges, and then UPPERCUTS!

Jey runs, Rollins blocks the kick, but the DRAGON WHIP hits! Jey runs and LARIATS Rollins up and out! Jey then DIVES, and Rollins is sent over the desk! The fans fire up while both men are down! Heyman & Bron are worried, but Raw goes to break.

Raw returns once more, and Rollins slithers into the ring. Rollins runs corner to corner at Jey, and Rollins forearm SMASHES! Jey falls to his knees but the fans still cheer him on. Rollins says the fans are just like Jey, they just don’t understand. Rollins brings Jey up, but Jey ROCKS Rollins! And ROCKS him again! And again! “YEET!” But Rollins kicks low! Rollins fires off in the corner, the ref counts, and Rollins keeps trying as the ref backs him off. The ref reprimands, but Rollins just goes back to Jey. Rollins puts Jey up top, CHOPS him, then climbs. The fans rally as Rollins brings Jey up, and Jey fires body shots!

Jey HEADBUTTS Rollins down and the fans cheer! Rollins stands, Jey leaps, but Rollins gets under! Jey keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but then Rollins runs! DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! The fans fire up while both men are down again! “This is Awesome!” as Rollins and Jey go to opposite ends. Rollins storms up, but Jey counter punches again! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Rollins wobbles, Jey pops, locks ‘n’ winds up to DECK Rollins! Then SAMOAN DROP! The fans fire up again as Jey shakes out the stars. “UCE! OH!” HIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Heyman is relieved and Jey grows frustrated.

Rollins slowly rises up, but Jey is there to fireman’s carry! Rollins fights the Samoan Drop and slips out of the ring. Jey pursues, they go around the way, and Rollins slides in. Jey drags Rollins back out, but Rollins BOOTS Jey into barriers! Rollins builds speed and he DIVES! Direct hit and Jey hits barriers! Rollins puts Jey in, goes to the apron, and springboards, into a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!! The antiair didn’t end this and the fans can’t believe it! The fans again declare, “This is Awesome!” as Jey and Rollins stir. Rollins rises, Jey aims from a corner, and Jey runs up, but into a KICK! Rollins fireman’s carries, then pops Jey around!

Rollins aims, runs up and BUCKLE BOMBS!! Jey falls, Rollins climbs, and the fans fire up! FROG SPLASH FLOPS as Jey dodges! Jey runs and SPEARS into a PEDIGREE!!! Cover, TWO!! Rollins is furious and Heyman is shocked, but Jey is showing that championship grit! Heyman coaches Rollins up while he goes to a corner. Rollins nods, he knows he has Jey in his crosshairs. Rollins runs back up, but Jey avoids the stomp again! SLEEPER!! Jey has Rollins like he has Gunther, but Rollins throws Jey away! Jey hurries to get moving! SPEAR!!! Cover, TWO!??! Jey is stunned and the fans are shocked, but Bron has a huge smile seeing Rollins’ own grit on display.

Omaha again declare “This is Awesome!” and Jey rises back up. Jey hobbles to a corner and climbs up. Rollins stirs, rises, and he anchors a foot! Jey tries to get free but Rollins CLUBS him! Rollins climbs up now, HAMMERS Jey, but Jey HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Rollins falls back, but into the ref! Bron grabs at Jey! Jey BOOTS Bron off into the Hydration Station! But that lets Rollins get up and SUPER DUPER PLEX! Roll through and FALCON ARROW! Rollins aims from a corner now, and he CURB STOMPS!!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Jey survives and Omaha is thunderous! Bron, Heyman, Rollins, none of them know how this is possible!

Rollins goes to Bron, whispers something to him, but wait! SAMI ZAYN is here?!? Even after what happened last week!? Bron hurries to the ramp, ready to fight Sami. But wait, Sami LEAPS in from the crowd! The fans fire up as Sami fires hands on Bron! Sami POSTS Bron, then Jey SUPERKICKS Rollins! And a SPEAR!!! Jey hurries up top and Sami cheers him on! USO SPLASH!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! HOW?!?! Omaha has no idea what to make of that, and neither does Sami! Sami coaches Jey, Heyman coaches Rollins, and the fans rally back up. But Bron SPEARS Sami!!! Bron then slithers away to hide while the fans boo!

Jey asks what happened to Sami and he goes outside to check. Heyman distracts the ref, Bron SPEARS Jey!!! The fans boo even more, and Bron drags Jey up to put him in the ring! CURB STOMP!!!! Rollins crawls to the cover, laughing all the way, but C M PUNK is here?!?! Omaha goes nuts seeing Punk back! Punk CHUCKS a chair at Bron’s face! Then he gets int he ring! Rollins and Punk brawl, there goes the title match!

Winner: Seth Rollins, by disqualification (Jey Uso retains the title)

Punk SMACKS Rollins with the chair, JAMS him up, then SMACKS him again! Bron slides in, but Punk SMACKS away on him! Rollins tries to get back in but Punk runs him off! The fans are thunderous for Punk as he and Sami stand tall! Jey gets back up, and clearly the battlelines have been drawn! Will Rollins’ vision for Monday Night Raw fall apart?


My Thoughts:

A great Monday Night Raw as the go-home to Backlash, but everything with the world title match was both great and curious. No Logan Paul here in Omaha is a mixed bag itself. From the story side, he should’ve, so he and Jey could’ve had a face-to-face. But as a person, I was glad we didn’t have to endure Logan being smug. And quite the audible bringing Heyman out to talk with Jey. Heyman’s passion was great, really adds some stuff to help us understand his side. And I like that they “suckered” Jey into this match. It was definitely an awesome match, even with the overbooking that eventually threw it out.

Sami and Punk showing up was all fine in story, but after what happened last week, I feel like Sami shouldn’t have come back so soon. But that aside, Jey, Sami and Punk make for a good unit to counter Rollins’ team. Though, Rollins will need another member who can wrestle since Heyman won’t be of any use. Here’s hoping it is Austin Theory given how Theory is upset with Waller after that switcheroo. Good return for Sheamus, though I feel like Sheamus has done more returns in the last 12 months than just about anyone ever. Here’s hoping Sheamus still gets in on the Intercontinental Championship story.

Speaking of, great match from Penta VS McDonagh, even with the overbooking. A bit surprising Penta overcame all that to win, but it works since now Dom and Penta are now set for an Intercontinental Championship. And there is room on the card as it doesn’t seem Jey VS Logan is happening for Backlash. Makes me wonder if they started us on a Jey VS Logan feud before they were really ready, as Backlash “isn’t big enough” for Logan’s “star power.” I like that Styles also got in on this, Styles VS Finn is going to be awesome, and can certainly set up the winner as the next challenger. It really depends on what happens with Dom VS Penta.

Gable getting involved as also good, given how he and Penta had their confrontation last week. New Day had a good promo with Gable to gas up American Made. That is to say, New Day is using American Made as a shield against The War Raiders, but it’ll only help Erik & Ivar earn their rematch. Great return match for Rusev with Otis looking strong even in defeat. Rusev doesn’t waste time teasing he’s a Tweener, he goes right to blindsiding Tozawa and beating Alpha Academy down. Not sure who is next for Rusev, as there aren’t as many Faces not really tied into anything on Raw. Maybe whatever WWE Draft we get moves Rusev to SmackDown, or at least moves some names from SmackDown and NXT to Raw so Rusev can face fresh meat.

Great promo from Becky and Lyra to help hype Becky VS Lyra. Good brawl, but now Lyra standing tall makes me think Lyra loses the title. Becky can start on some sort of second Grand Slam or something like that, but also she and Lyra will be 1-1 and the rematch for the Women’s Intercontinental title can be the tiebreaker at like MITB or SummerSlam. Iyo VS Roxie was a great match, but of course Giulia showed up. No reinforcements with Rhea promoting Crown Jewel: Perth, and sadly, Dakota Kai being hurt and now released, no Damage CTRL to help either. But the Heels did need a moment where they stood tall, and one of them could even get a world title shot.

And honestly, Pat and Gunther had an awesome promo to hype their match. Pat put over Maggle, he put over Nebraska, and quite perfectly framed this story as the hungry dreamer in Pat himself and the complacent veteran who has already done so much. Gunther’s response was also great, because now he’s angry enough to get that hunger and that fire back. I would think Gunther wins, as he needs the rebound from WrestleMania and Pat doesn’t really need much. But Pat can get a moral victory of sorts by lasting longer than Gunther or any of us expect. Pat can just keep getting up after every chop, have a false finish or two, but ultimately lose because his body can’t come through for his fighting spirit. Respect for Pat but momentum for Gunther, that’s the best outcome.

My Score: 8.9/10

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Mitchell’s NJPW Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (5/4/25)

It’s a Wrestling Dontaku Weekend finale!

Published

on

Who will stand atop the NJPW mountain?

The Goto Revolution finally leads NJPW, but will the Fierce Warrior be conquered by The United Empire as Callum Newman goes after the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Kickoff – Ryusuke Taguchi & Katsuya Murashima VS Hitamaru Sasaki & Jet Wei; Taguchi & Murashima win.
  • Taiji Ishimori & Gedo VS MENTAI KID & Batten Burabura; Taiji & Gedo win.
  • YOSHI-HASHI & Master Wato VS Great-O-Khan & Jakob Austin Young; Hashi & Wato win.
  • Six Woman Tag: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma VS Starlight Kid, AZM & Yuna Mizumori; Maika, Hazuki & Koguma win.
  • El Phantasmo & Boltin Oleg VS Konosuke Takeshita & Rocky Romero; ELP & Boltin win.
  • 10 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, YOH, Ryota Chikuzen & TAJIRI VS TMDK; Tanahashi, Yano, Yoh, Chikuzen & Tajiri win.
  • 8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Shota Umino, Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi & Taka Michinoku; LIJ wins.
  • IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Yuya Uemura; Tsuji wins and retains the title.
  • IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS Callum Newman; Goto wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Six Woman Tag: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma VS Starlight Kid, AZM & Yuna Mizumori!

It’s a Stardom Showcase as The Crimson Cannon Empress, The Wildheart & The High Speed Genius take on The Masked Idol, High Speed Bomb Girl & Kumamoto’s Unsinkable Ship! Which side of Stardom shines brightest in Fukuoka?

The trios sort out and Koguma starts against Starlight Kid. The fans cheer and the two circle. They approach, but Koguma dodges to do her bear taunt. But then Starlight CLUBS her! Starlight whips, Koguma whips but Starlight handsprings over. Starlight whips, runs up, but Koguma puts her on the apron. Koguma runs up, Starlight slips under and sunset flips, TWO! Starlight runs up, but into an arm-drag! Starlight comes back to hit a headlock takeover! Koguma headscissors, Starlight kips free, and the two strike their animal poses! The fans cheer as bear and tiger reset. They tie up, Koguma spins Starlight, then goes for the arms!

Starlight fights free of being made to bear pose! But then Koguma kicks low, runs, but Starlight blows past her to springboard and CROSSBODY! Then SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Starlight tags Yuna. Yuna runs up to run Koguma over, then fires up as she keeps moving. But Hazuki jumps in and helps Koguma ELBOW Yuna down! Then they double Yuna into Maika’s shoulder tackle! The fans fire up for the TRIPLE DROPKICK! The ref reprimands but Koguma tags Hazuki in. Hazuki rallies the fans while she stands on Yuna! Then she scrubs her with the boot again and again! Hazuka runs to BOOT WASH her!

Hazuka bumps Yuna off buckles, tags Maika, and the fans cheer as Maika scoops and SLAMS! Cover, TWO! Yuna stays in this but Maika kicks her around. Maika eggs Yuna on, but Yuna rises to CLUB Maika in the chest! Maika comes back to DECK Yuna! Yuna flounders, Maika brings her up and whips her to a corner. Maika runs up but Yuna BOOTS her down, somersaults, and SHOTGUNS! Yuna hurries and she tags in AZM! The fans rally up for AZM as she climbs, then leaps, but into Maika’s arms! Maika throws AZM back, kicks her, and she has Koguma help double whip. But AZM sends Maika into Koguma, and Starlight jumps in!

Starlight hits a TAKEOVER HEADSCISSORS COMBO! Then AZM DOUBLE DROPKICKS Maika & Koguma! The fans fire up for Starlight’s team as she and AZK put Maika & Hazuki at the center of the ring. They coordinate, STANDING MOONSAULT and DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Maika is tougher than that, but AZM drags her into a drop zone. AZM goes up, DIVING DOUBLE- NO, Maika avoids the stomps to then scoop and POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! AZM stays in this but the fans rally behind Maika. Maika drags AZM up, reels her in, and suplexes, only for AZM to fight free! Maika kicks and runs, but into a ROUNDHOUSE!

Maika just roars and comes back! Maika spins AZM, suplexes, but AZM has a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! The fans rally as Maika endures, powers up, and suplexes again! BRAINBUSTER! The fans fire up while both women are down! The fans rally as Maika and AZM crawl, hot tags to Yuna and Hazuki! Hazuki sends Yuna to an open corner, runs up, but Yuna puts her on the apron! Only for Koguma to SPLASH Yuna! Hazuki then goes up and MISSILE DROPKICKS Yuna! Koguma goes up to CROSSBODY! Hazuki hurries to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Yuna survives, but is now in a CROSSFACE! Koguma & Maika intercept AZM & Starlight!

The fans rally while Yuna endures, and then AZM & Starlight break free! They both stomp Hazuki! Koguma & Maika drag Starlight & AZM back out, Hazuki CLUBS Yuna and whips her to ropes. Yuna reverses, Hazuki grabs ropes, then she DUMPS Yuna out! Yuna skins the cat to then LARIAT! The fans fire up with Yuna, she and the others coordinate! TRIPLE DROPKICK at the corner! Yuna then goes out while Starlight goes up! UFO SPLASH! Starlight sets Hazuki up for AZM’s DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Yuna adds the fireman’s carry and TROPICAL VALLEY BOMB! Cover, Maika breaks it! The fans fire up, but Starlight runs in and RANAS Maika!

Koguma runs in and spins Starlight around for a DDT! AZM runs up, Koguma blocks the kick to CUTTER! The fans fire up with Koguma as she and Hazuki coordinate. The “Double Crazy” combo DIVE and CROSSBODY!! Everyone is down at ringside and the fans fire up! Hazuki puts Yuna back in and the fans rally up more. Hazuki springboards and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Yuna survives but Hazuki keeps on her. Hazuki whips Yuna to a corner, Koguma hits a SPLASH, and then Hazuki adds an ELBOW! Maika adds a LARIAT, then she puts Yuna up top! Now we get Triple Crazy as Maika lifts and the others climb!

The fans fire up for the TRIPLE CRAZY BOMB!! Cover, but Starlight Kid breaks it!! Koguma CLOBBERS Starlight, Maika keeps AZM on the outside, and Hazuki drags Yuna up. Hazuki suplexes, Yuna slips free and she trips Hazuki up! Yuna hammerlocks an arm, turns Hazuki over, TROPICAL CRADLE!! TWO!??! Hazuki escapes, but Yuna runs up! But Hazuki spins her to a suplex and stalling BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, Triple Crazy wins!

Winners: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma, by pinfall

A fast ‘n’ furious fight from three rising stars, and it was the Wildheart that finishes it off! Will we see this Triple Crazy trio soon go for the IWGP Women’s and/or NJPW Strong Women’s Championships?

 

10 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, YOH, Ryota Chikuzen & TAJIRI VS TMDK!

As The Ace’s Final Road continues to roll on, this is quite the unique stop. Sure, he’s teamed with the Clown Prince and Mr. Direct Drive before, but he is now honored to be teaming with The Makai Love Machine and yes, THE Japanese Buzzsaw! Will Tanahashi & Tajiri add to their legends with this epic team-up? Or will Zack Sabre Jr, Ryohei Oiwa, Robbie Eagles, Kosei Fujita & Hartley Jackson prove that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?

Just as always, Tanahashi shows off the abs, the fans cheer, and Yano even adds a “Sugoi~!” The teams sort out and ZSJ calls out Tajiri! The fans fire up as Tajiri accepts. The bell rings, ZSJ and Tajiri circle, and Fukuoka are strongly behind “TA-JI-RI! TA-JI-RI!” Tajiri and ZSJ feel things out, knuckle lock, and ZSJ rolls to then wrench and wristlock. Tajiri seems rather unbothered, and he slips under ZSJ to then trip him and spread the legs! ZSJ reaches back but Tajiri uses his whole body length! ZSJ pushes up, crawls back, wrenches and hammerlocks, then half nelsons to cravat. Tajiri spins through to wrench and trip ZSJ!

Tajiri has the legs, ZSJ resists then hooks Tajiri to trip him. ZSJ returns the leg sprawl, then has a STRETCH MUFFLER! ZSJ uses it as a means to an end so he can have the BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Tajiri pops free and turns ZSJ over to have a headlock. ZSJ slips out the back, they each want the other’s arm, but then ZSJ top mounts. Tajiri pushes ZSJ away and the fans cheer the standoff! Tajiri and ZSJ feel things out, knuckle lock again, and ZSJ turns Tajiri. Tajiri turns that back around but ZSJ has an arm. ZSJ hammerlocks but Tajiri steps through the ropes, then steps back inside, and he has ZSJ’s arm wrapped around ropes!

The fans cheer, but Tajiri shows respect by respecting the ropebreak. The fans applaud, as does ZSJ, and then they tag out to Yoh and Eagles. The fans join in on “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” but Yoh rolls Eagles up! TWO and Yoh kicks low! Yoh whips, Eagles reverses to go up and around to arm-drag! Things keep moving, Eagles hurdles but Yoh dodges to RANA! The fans fire up but Fujita storms in and CHOPS! The Ichiban Sweet Boys double whip, but Yoh ducks the lariats! Yoh kicks and kicks, but the Sweet Boys CHOP and CHOP! They double wrench, and MAX- NO, Yoh fights free! Yoh crisscrosses the Sweet Boys into each other, and DOUBLE BULLDOGS!

Tag to Yano and the fans cheer, only for the Sweet Boys to double kick! They double whip, but Yano grabs the ropes! Yano then sends Fujita into Eagles, and he SLAPS them both on the heads! Yano then unties the buckle pad! The fans fire up, but Sweet Boys DOUBLE ELBOW, split the wishbone, and DOUBLE KICK! The Sweet Boys BLAST Yano’s corner, then Eagles brings Yano to the Mighty corner. Eagles bumps Yano off buckles then tags in Hartley. Big Hartley UPPERCUTS then ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Yano is a bit tougher than that so Fujita tags in. Fujita drags Yano up to CHOP! And CHOP!

Fujita whips Yano corner to corner, runs up, but Yano puts him on the apron! Fujita SLAPS Yano back! The fans rally and Fujita aims, springboard for the MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Yano stays in this and the fans rally up. Fujita tags Oiwa and he drags Yano up. Oiwa whips Yano to ropes, then ELBOWS him down! Cover, TWO! Oiwa stays on Yano but Yano pulls on the mullet! Oiwa kicks free, runs, but into an atomic drop! The fans rally up while both men are down, and Yano tags in Ryota! Ryota CHOPS Oiwa! Ryota eggs Oiwa on, but Oiwa fires a forearm! Ryota CHOPS again! Oiwa fires another forearm!

Ryota CHOPS, Oiwa ROCKS him, repeat! The fans rally as Oiwa fires a flurry! ROLLING ELBOW! Oiwa runs, but into a BACKDROP! Fujita runs in, but into a scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! Eagles runs in, into a scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! The fans fire up with Ryota, and he invites Tanahashi in! They double whip Oiwa, then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! And then Ryota says, “Genki de masu!” The fans cheer as Ryota and Tanahashi have energy to spare, and Ryota drags Oiwa up. Ryota reels Oiwa in, but Oiwa fights the lift! Oiwa powers up to BACKDROP Ryota! The fans rally, Oiwa runs, SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally more as Oiwa and Ryota rise. Oiwa whips Ryota to a corner, runs up, but Ryota LARIATS him down! Oiwa is up to LARIAT Ryota! Both me are down now and the fans rally again. Hot tags to ZSJ and Tanahashi! One more meeting between these two after yesterday’s final singles match, and the two dosido in a battle of Cobra Twists! Tanahashi has the COBRA TWIST! ZSJ pries free to have the COBRA TWIST in return! But Tanahashi powers out, has a leg, DRAGON- NO, ZSJ sits down for the ARMBAR! Tanahashi stacks ZSJ, TWO! ZSJ RAMS Tanahashi, snapmares, but Tanahashi UP KICKS!

Tanahashi kicks low, snapmares, and he NECK TWISTS! The fans fire up and Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ catches him to wrench! PELE to the arm! Then a STOMP to the elbow! Tag to Hartley and the fans rally up. Hartley runs corner to corner and SPLASHES Tanahashi against bare buckles! Short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO! The Sweet Boys BLAST Tanahashi’s corner, then they send Tanahashi to a neutral corner. Fujita runs up to CHOP! Oiwa adds an ELBOW! Eagles adds a FOREARM! Then Oiwa scoops Tanahashi to SLAM him! ZSJ NECK TWISTS! Hartley SENTONS! Cover, Tajiri SLAPS Hartley on the head!

Tajiri scurries away before ZSJ can get him! The fans fire up and now Yoh & Yano mug Hartley. They double whip, but Hartley DOUBLE LARIATS! “Jackson Number One!” Hartley fireman’s carries Tanahashi, but Tajiri slips in and dosidos with the ref! GREEN MIST for Hartley!! Ryota runs up and SLINGBLADES!! Tanahashi hurries up top while his team keeps TMDK out! HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, Tanahashi’s team wins!

Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, Yoh, Ryota Chikuzen & Tajiri, by pinfall

Legends working together makes for a classic finish to this match! Will this moment be one to remember as The Ace continues his countdown to the end?

 

8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Shota Umino, Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi & Taka Michinoku!

As Wrestling Dontaku wraps up the weekend, Tetsuya Naito and Bushi have reached the end of their NJPW run. Will they be victorious one last time alongside Hiromu Takahashi & Shingo Takagi? Or will the Roughneck, Stone Pitbull, Holy Emperor & Blue Playmaker make this parting a bitter goodbye?

For one last time, Naito takes his time with the elaborate entrance attire. It also seems rather clear that Bushi is emotional over this being his farewell match. The fans rally and the teams sort out. The fans call for “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” LIJ fust bump, the fans cheer, and Naito steps up for the team. The fans rally behind him more as he starts against Taichi. The bell rings and Fukuoka cheers even harder for “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” But then Naito tags out to Bushi. The Black Mask has the fans on his side, too, and he circles with Taichi. They approach, Bushi kicks low then runs, but into a BOOT! Taichi runs, but Bushi TOSSES him out!

Bushi DECKS Taka, but Shota & Ishii attack! They double whip, Bushi sends Shota into Ishii, then Bushi DOUBLE RANAS! BUSHIROONI~! Taichi is back but Bushi DECKS him! Takagi sets Taichi up but Taka trips Bushi! The fans boo but Taichi storms in and stomps Bushi. Taichi CLUBS Bushi, whips him corner to corner, then runs up, but into a BOOT! Bushi runs up and RANAS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Bushi stands and he tags in Hiromu. Hiromu BLASTS Ishii, then Takagi tags in! Hiromu & Takagi double whip Taichi to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Then they flex! The fans cheer the side chest.

Hiromu stands Taichi up to CHOP him to the corner. Hiromu whips corner to corner, runs in and LARIATS, then snapmares, but Taichi RIDGE HANDS! Taichi wrenches and HOOK KICKS! Shota BLASTS Takagi because he can, and Taichi tags in Taka. Taka BOOTS Naito down, then stomps Hiromu around. The fans rally but Taka brings Hiromu up. Hiromu CHPOS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Taka gets mad, and he pokes Hiromu in the eyes! Taka whips Hiromu to the corner, stomps and knees him, then tags Ishii. Ishii winds up to CHOP! Hiromu grits his teeth and CHOPS back, but Ishii doesn’t budge!

Ishii CHOPS Hiromu and eggs him on! Hiromu stands to CHOP, but Ishii CHOPS back! Ishii gives more trash talk and more mocking kicks. Hiromu stands to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! The fans fire up as Ishii staggers, but then Hiromu CHOPS again! And again! Ishii ROCKS Hiromu, suplexes, but Hiromu fights free! SUPERKICK! Hiromu roars, reels Ishii in, but Ishii suplexes first! But Hiromu’s right up!? And he dodges Ishii to SNAP GERMAN! Ishii’s right up!? SAIDO! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Ishii hot tags Shota, and Shota BLASTS Takagi again! Shota then runs up on Hiromu, but Hiromu dodges!

Shota hits buckles, hurries after Hiromu, but Hiromu fights the half nelson. Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, and then DRAGON SCREWS! Hot tag to Naito! The fans erupt as Naito kicks and CLUBS Shota again and again! Naito whips to arm-drag Shota! And ELBOW him down! And basement DROPKICK! TakaTaichi attack and double whip, but Naito reverses to send Taka into Taichi! Drop toehold for Taichi and Bushi basement DROPKICKS! Naito kicks and whips Taka, Taka reverses, but Naito reverses back to TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up as Naito poses, then he tags in Takagi. Takagi runs up on Shota, blocks a boot, and LARIATS through!

Takagi keeps moving, but Shota SWATS the lariat! Takagi YUKON LARIATS, but Shota roars as he stays up! Shota fires boxing elbows, but Takagi shakes his head! Takagi fires boxing elbows of his own! He ROCKS Shota, runs, but Shota LARIATS at the ropes! Shota runs, Takagi LRIATS! Takagi runs, Shota dodges, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Shota stays up but the ELBOW and JAB hit! Shota ENZIGIRIS! Takagi SLIDING LARIATS! The fans fire up with Takagi and he whips Shota. Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Shota LARIATS Takagi down! But then Shota falls over, too! The fans fire up while both men crawl.

Taka tags in, he BOOTS Naito and BLASTS Bushi! Taka runs, redirects, redirects, and BOOTS Takagi down! The fans rally up as Taka brings Takagi up. Takagi ROCKS Taka! Taichi runs up to RIDGE HAND! Ishii ROCKS Takagi! Then we get a RIDGE HAND BACKHAND COMBO! SUPER K from Taka!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi is still in this but Taka goes to scoop! Takagi is too big, so Taka pokes him in the eyes! Takagi still ELBOWS! JABS! Taka UPPERCUTS, but Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS! Bushi slips in, as does Hiromu, and they double whip Taka to a corner. Hiromu runs up to forearm SMASH! Bushi adds an ELBOW!

Takagi LARIATS, then he snapmares Taka! Naito is in, LIJ hits a QUADRUPLE DROPKICK!! The fans fire up and Takagi says, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up more as The Rampaging Dragon drags Taka up. Taka fights the lift, and Shota SHOTGUNS Takagi! Hiromu dropkicks Hiromu’s legs! Hiromu dodges Ishii, he and Naito give Ishii TENDEDERO! Taichi runs up, he breaks through the line, but Hiromu sends him into an atomic drop! Takagi BLINDSLIDE BOMBERS! LARIAT in the corner, feed to a SUPERKICK! Naito wrenches Taichi for DESTINO!!! The fans are thunderous after seeing that final Destino!

Bushi then runs in and BLASTS Shota! Bushi keeps moving, for one last DIVE!! Down goes Shota and the fans are thunderous! Takagi has the fans join in for “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi runs, Taka dodges, and Taka BOOTS! Takagi comes back to PUMPING BOMBER! Takagi drags Taka up, pump handles and torture racks, BURNING DRAGON!! Cover, LIJ WINS!

Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, by pinfall

Their final battle in Fukuoka, their final battle with their friends, and their final battle in NJPW, it was all victorious! Naito & Bushi stand with Hiromu & Takagi to celebrate this final win. The fans cheer on “NA-I-TO!” as Naito leads the group in one last LIJ fist bump. The wild ride is over for the Uncontrollable Charisma, and he poses with his team one last time. Burn this moment into your memories, for we may never see Naito & Bushi back in a NJPW ring again.

 

IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Yuya Uemura!

The Gene Blast may be one of the Reiwa Era Three Musketeers, but the Heat Storm vows to be the face of this new generation. A match meant to happen months ago finally does happen, but who will truly be the frontrunner of the future?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is the true global star!

The bell rings and the fans rally up as Yota and Yuya stare down. Fukuoka duels, but the “YO~TA!” sounds stronger than the “YU~YA!” They circle, feel things out, then circle a bit more. They feel out the knuckle lock, then Yuya rolls. Yota keeps him at bay as they clinch, then they go around. Yuya waistlocks, Yota wrenches free and waistlocks in return, but Yuya switches. Yota headlocks, Yuya rolls him to the mat and headlocks in return. Yota keeps his shoulders up, then fights to his feet. Yuya hits a takeover, Yota headscissors, but Yuya kips up. Yuya is fired up and the fans cheer him on.

Yota stands up and the two reset. They circle while the fans duel, and the two tie up. Yuya wrenches to a hammerlock but Yota switches and full nelsons. Then Yota headlocks and grinds Yuya down. Yuya fights up, pries at the hold, but Yota powers it on tighter. Yuya powers up but Yota squeezes the headlock even tighter! The fans applaud while Yuya endures. Yuya fires body shots, then powers up and out, drops down, but Yota avoids the dropkick! Yota dodges but Yuya arm-drags! And arm-drags again! Yuya has the armlock and the fans cheer again. Yota pulls at the hold, then fights up. Yuya grinds the elbow but Yota reaches for ropes.

Yota has the ROPEBREAK but Yuya brings him away from the ropes quickly. Yota fires forearm after forearm until Yuya lets go. Yota runs up but Yuya arm-drags! Only for Yota to drag Yuya down, trap an arm, and SACRIFICE the other arm! The fans cheer while Yuya writhes. Yuya shakes out the bad arm but Yota brings him back up. Yuya fires a forearm! Yota grins so Yuya fires more shots! Yota wrenches and serves up SOLE FOOD to the arm! Yuya staggers away to a corner and the fans rally more. Yota storms up on Yuya, puts him in the corner, and he wraps the bad arm around ropes! The ref counts as Yota pulls, so Yota lets go at 4.

Yota brings Yuya out to snapmare, then he has the bad arm in a top wristlock! Yuya endures, the fans rally, but Yota puts on the pressure! Yuya fights forward, reaches out, but Yota pulls on the arm! Yuya still manages the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud as Yota legs go. Yota paces while Yuya shakes out the bad arm. Yota comes back to stomp the arm! Yota then wrenches Yuya, KNEES the arm, then KNEES it again! Yota KNEES Yuya into the corner, then paces again. Yuya stands, Yota runs in, but Yuya BOOTS him away! Yota runs back in, Yuya dodges and CHOPS! CHOPS! CHOPS! The fans fire up as Yuya winds up, but Yota dodges! Yota BOOTS Yuya in the corner!

The fans rally as Yota whips corner to corner. Yuya goes up and over, then arm-drags! And DROPKICKS! The fans cheer while both men are down. The fans rally again as Yuya rises up. Yuya roars, the fans fire up more, and Yuya brings Yota up to wrench and BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Yota stays in this but Yuya stays focused. The fans rally and Yuya brings Yota up. Yoga fights with elbows, then wrenches to YANK the arm! And YANK! And YANK! Yota whips, Yuya reverses, but Yota RANAS! Yuya tumbles out and the fans rally as Yota aims. Yota builds speed, and he DIVES! Direct hit and Yuya is sent into railing!

The fans fire up while Yuya stumbles and falls, and Yota fires back up! Yota has the fans rally more as he takes a lap. Yota comes back for Yuya, puts him in the ring, and the fans applaud. Yota steps in, stands Yuya up, but Yuya fights the suplex! Yota powers through, but Yuya fights free! Yuya CHOPS, then runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while Yota grits his teeth. Yota storms around, goes to a corner, and he aims as Yuya rises. Yota runs in, STINGER SPLASH! The fans fire up while Yota snapmares Yuya down. Yota goes up, up, but Yuya avoids the Marlowe Crush!

Yuya dropkicks Yota’s leg, then has it for a SHIN BREAKER! GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Yuya then hurries to step through, FIGURE FOUR! Yota endures and the fans fire up! Yuya pulls on the main leg but Yota works to turn things over! The fans duel as Yuya fights against that, but Yota does turn the hold over! Yuya endures now, so he hurries to turn things over! Yota uses that to get the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Yuya and the ref undo the hold, and Yuya stands over Yota. Yuya brings Yota up to scoop and SLAM him down! Yuya then goes to a corner, climbs up, only for Yota to GAMANGIRI! Yuya is dazed up top, so Yota climbs up after him!

Yota brings Yuya up, throws forearms, then goes to the very top! But Yuya fires forearms! Yota falls, Yuya adjusts, and Yuya leaps! Yota avoids the crossbody but Yuya rolls through! Yota comes back, Yuya slips around and full nelsons! But Yota powers up to break the hold! Only for Yuya to GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuya runs, but into a BOOT! Yuya comes back and takes a swing, but into the BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER! But Yuya avoids the stomp! Yuya shoves Yota, but Yota DROPKICKS! The fans fire up as Yota keeps moving, and then Yuya DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again!

The two men crawl away to the corners while the fans rally up. Yuya runs in corner to corner, but Yota BOOTS him! Yota runs up, but Yuya clinches! Yota fights free, ROCKS Yuya, and Yuya staggers to the ropes! Yota whips, Yuya ducks ‘n’ dodges but Yota blows past, only for Yuya to get under! URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Yota stays in this and the fans fire up! Yuya shakes out the bad arm, then he stands Yota up for a scoop. Yuya SLAMS, then he fires back up! The fans fire up with Yuya as he climbs again! Yuya is up top, for the FROG SPLASH! But he FLOPS as Yota moves! Yota runs back in, FLYING ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!!

Yuya clasps hands, but Yota breaks the grip! ARMBAR!! Yuya endures, flails, reaches out, but Yota pulls on the bad arm! Yuya fights around, but Yota just keeps after the arm! Yuya uses his core strength to sit up, but Yota PULLS the arm straight! Yuya falls over, fights around, and he turns over. Yota does his best to keep the armbar, even with this mounted angle! Yuya bites his thumb to ignore the pain in his arm! Yuya then reaches out, ROPEBREAK!! Yota lets go in frustration but the fans fire up. Yuya clutches his elbow but Yota paces around. Yota drags Yuya up from the ropes, but Yuya CHOPS! Yota brushes that off, but Yuya CHOPS again!

Yuya can’t put enough power behind the strikes with that bad arm, but he keeps trying! Yota BOOTS Yuya, Yuya drops to his knees, and the ref checks with him. Yuya refuses to let the bad arm cost him again, and he rises up to CHOP! And HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! Yota ROCKS him!! And then KNEES him down! The fans fire up while Yota stands tall! Yota goes to a corner, watches Yuya sputter and rise, GENE- DROPKICK to the leg! Yuya hurries to grab that leg, but Yota fires off forearms! Yuya eggs Yota on, so Yota HEADBUTT! But Yuya still DRAGON SCREWS!! Yuya steps through again, FIGURE FOUR!!

The fans fire up as Yota endures again! Yuya puts as much pressure as he can, Yota pries at the hold, but Yuya thrashes around! Yota reaches out, keeps his shoulders up, and he drags Yuya along towards ropes! But Yuya drags Yota back from ropes! Yuya thrashes as hard as he can, we hit 20 minutes, and Yota still endures! The fans rally harder and harder as Yota fights to turn this over! Yota does, but then Yuya turns it back! But this time, Yuya turns back the other way to keep Yota from the ropes! And then he PULLS on the leg! Yota lunges for the ROPEBREAK!! The fans fire up while the ref again frees Yota.

Yota clutches his leg while he crawls away, but Yuya is right on him! Yuya has the leg, but Yota ENZIGIRIS! Yuya falls, but he also manages to waistlock! Yuya drags Yota up, but Yota fires elbows! Yuya still GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!! Yuya holds onto Yota and the fans fire up! Yuya full nelsons, DRAGON SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO!! Yota survives again and Yuya is furious! Yuya roars, the fans are with him, and he reels Yota in! SAIDO BACKBREAKER! Then he puts Yota in the drop zone! Yuya climbs, the fans rally more, FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO?!?! Yota survives and Yuya is beside himself!

Fukuoka is thunderous as Yuya rises! Yuya brings Yota up, cording holds one arm, swings to get the other, but Yota STUNNERS free! Yota roars, runs, but into a DROPKICK! Yota just comes back, GENE- ARM-DRAG!! Yuya hurries to lock in those arms, but Yota fights off the clinch! They go around and around, and Yota frees an arm! But Yota brings it back in! DEADBOLT SUPLEX!!! Yuya roars, the fans are electric, GENE BLASTER outta nowhere!!! Cover, YOTA WINS!!

Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (still IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion)

The Heat Storm was certainly on fire, but Tsuji was volcanic! The gold stays with Yota, will he and those left in LIJ make sure NJPW stays tranquilo?

Speaking of which, the rest of LIJ returns to the ring so they can stand with their guy. Tsuji gets to also have his final photo op with the group as we know it. We also get one last LIJ fist bump with the five of them, and then Naito & Bushi let Yota, Takagi & Hiromu have the ring. Yota hurries to get the mic to tell Naito & Bushi, “Let me have one last word.” The fans applaud, and Naito & Bushi stop to hear him out. “Naito and Bushi leaving could signal the end of Los Ingobernables de Japon. But remember this: We’re ungovernable. We’ll always be connected in our hearts. Until next time.” The fans applaud that! Naito even gives one last fist bump salute.

The fans cheer as the LIJ Era has changed, and Bushi makes sure we see his mask where it says, “Adios.” Then Yota continues to say that he is still IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion, and that he’ll continue to defend the cerulean blue mat of NJPW. The fans applaud, and Yota says he is fortunate to have such a great rival in Uemura. And another in Gabe Kidd. So, who should he defend this belt against next? Well, he said the man’s name, so here comes the Mad Man! The fans bark it up for the War Dog, and Gabe gets right in Yota’s face. Yota says nic eto see him. Should they pick up where they left off?

Gabe takes the mic to say, “You’re an IWGP champion?” No, no, Yota beat Evil and Yuya, but in Osaka… It was a double knockout! Yota never beat Gabe! The fans cheer that point! Gabe says on June 15th… In Osaka Jo-Hall… “Let’s find out who the strongest is!!” The fans love that idea! Gabe heads back out, the fans bark more, and Yota tells Gabe, “Let’s show ’em our NJPW.” The fans also like that, and Yota asks if they’re ready! The fans cheer because they are, but who will make this their Dominion?

 

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto w/ Yoshi-Hashi VS Callum Newman w/ The United Empire!

The Fierce Warrior finally put the G in IWGP at the New Beginning in Osaka when he won this title. But now, the Prince of Pace is looking to blow right past him as the top guy in NJPW! Will the Goto Revolution stay the course? Or will it be conquered by the United Empire?

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

The bell rings and the fans rally strongly for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Callum doesn’t let that bother him, and he runs up to BOOT Goto! Callum fires forearms, whips, but Goto reverses! Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges to build speed, but then Goto dodges! The fans cheer as Goto is at least agile like Callum. They tie up, then they just fire off forearms! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth, faster and faster! Goto gets the edge, headlocks, but Callum powers out. Goto runs Callum over, but Callum kips up to ENZIGIRI! Callum TOSSES Goto out, then PLANCHAS! The fans fire up while Goto goes down!

Callum fires himself up and the fans cheer. Callum brings Goto up, the fans duel a bit more evenly, and Callum whips. Goto reverses and Callum hits railing! But he comes back to BOOT Goto down! Callum snarls, drags Goto back up, and now Callum sends Goto into railing! Goto comes back but Callum BOOTS him down again! And then PENALTY KICKS! The fans rally, Hashi coaches Goto, but Callum KICKS Goto in the back! Callum puts Goto in the ring, the fans applaud, and Callum sits Goto up again. Callum hits another PENALTY KICK! Callum then goes to the corner and climbs up, calling his shot.

Callum aims, DIVING- NO, Goto dodges! Callum comes back, but Goto dodges! Goto LARIATS, then he clinches for the SAIDO! Callum flounders away and the fans fire up. Callum goes to a corner, Goto runs in, MURAMASA! Then Goto puts Callum up top! Goto climbs up after Callum, just to drag him into a draped position! SUPER DRAPING NECKBREAKER!! Callum flounders out of the ring, Great-O-Khan & Francesco Akira check on him, as does Red Shoes. Callum winches, clutches his shoulder, but he manages to sit up. Callum has speed but Goto is taking advantage of his skinnier frame.

Red Shoes starts the ring count and Goto stays back, which annoys Callum. Callum storms into the ring, but Goto kicks him down! Goto has Callum up for a suplex, and BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Callum stays in this and the fans fire up, but Goto stays right on Callum. Goto drags Callum up, but Callum clutches his shoulder, so Goto lets him be. We’re only five minutes in as the fans rally up, and Goto stomps Callum around. Callum crawls away to a corner but Goto grabs at him. Callum wants Goto to hold on, and Red Shoes has Goto step back. Callum’s neck and shoulder are really bothering him, but Goto just storms up to stomp him!

Goto drags Callum up, snapmares, then clamps on a chinlock. Callum endures as Goto’s knee digs into the back and neck. Goto then ELBOWS Callum in the head, stomps him around, and brings him up. Goto CLUBS Callum’s neck, but Callum CHOPS! The pain in his shoulders holds Callum back, but Goto clinches for a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! And then a GROUND OCTOPUS! Callum endures, reaches out, and the fans rally up. Goto thrashes around but Akira & Khan coach Callum. Callum kicks around but Goto shifts to a headscissor necklock! Callum endures the squeeze, kicks and kicks, and finds the ROPEBREAK!

The fans applaud and Goto lets go in frustration. Goto drags Callum up but he’s a ragdoll again. Goto still brings Callum around, snapmares him back down, then KICKS him in the back! And ELBOW DROPS! Callum sputters but Goto just ELBOW DROPS again! Akira & Khan coach Callum but Goto looms over him. Goto ELBOW DROPS onto Callum’s back! Cover, TWO! Callum toughs it out but Goto is still calm. Goto stands Callum up, kicks him low, but Callum fires a forearm! And another! The pain in the neck holds those back, and Goto CLUBS Callum! Goto runs, but into a DROPKICK! The fans fire up while both men are down!

Khan & Akira coach Callum, Hashi coaches Goto, and both Goto and Callum crawl to the apron. Goto goes to the floor, and Callum smiles. The fans rally as Callum builds speed and FLIES!! Callum does a full 360 to hit Goto and then rolls through more to stand back up at the ramp! The fans are thunderous and Callum fires himself back up! Callum drags Goto to his feet and puts him in the ring. The fans applaud, and Callum hurries back in. Callum aims from a corner while Goto flounders away. The fans rally more, and Callum runs corner to corner. FLYING DROPKICK! Callum then chicken wings for a TIGER SUPLEX!

But the bad neck won’t let Callum bridge! Callum hurries to lateral press, TWO! And we’re just 10 minutes in! The fans rally, Callum fires up with a very Will Ospreay style “OI! OI! OI!” The fans rally behind that, and Callum brings Goto up. Callum reels Goto in, hooks a leg, FIRE- NO, Goto slips free of Firebolt, waistlocks, but Callum fights the lift. Callum runs, Goto follows, but then Callum dodges! Goto dodges, Callum dodges, then Callum hurdles! But Goto fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans fire up for that high speed exchange! Goto has the crowd behind him again as he rises up.

Goto storms up on Callum, stands him up, but Callum fires a forearm! Only to fall to his knees! Callum rises up but Goto DECKS him! Callum is running on fumes, but the fans do rally for him, too. Goto eggs him on and Callum manages to stand. Callum fires a forearm, drops to a knee, but Goto stands him up. Goto DECKS Callum again! Callum shakes out the stars and he snarls! Callum fires another forearm, but Goto DECKS him a third time! Goto eggs Callum on, the fans rally again, and Callum rises. Callum puts his hands behind his back and dares Goto to hit him! So Goto DECKS Callum a fourth time!

Khan & Akira coach Callum on but Red Shoes asks if Callum wants to stop. Callum shakes his head, he’s not gonna stop here. Callum stands again, leans on the ropes, then comes back for more! Callum even SPITS at Goto! The fans boo that, but Goto DECKS Callum for it! Goto watches Callum sputter, and Callum slowly rises again. But then he falls back over! Callum headbutts the mat to fire back up, and the fans rally behind him! Goto winds up and ROCKS Callum! Callum is back to get in Goto’s face! Goto fires a flurry of forearms! Callum CHOPS! Goto feels that one! The fans fire up and Callum roars, but Goto spins him! URA G T R!

Goto goes to run but Callum reels him in! GERMAN SUPLEX! ROUNDHOUSE! Callum runs, but into a fireman’s carry! G T W!! Cover, TWO!! We’re 15 minutes in as Goto stalks Callum to the apron. Goto stomps Callum, then stands him up. But Callum fights the fireman’s carry with elbows! Goto still lifts! Callum flails, slips down, and KICKS Goto! Callum goes up, up, and OSCUTTER 2.0 on the apron!! Both men fall to the floor and the fans fire up! Red Shoes checks, both men are able to continue, so a ring count starts. Khan fans off Callum while the fans rally. The count already passes 7 of 20, then hit 10, but both men are still down!

Callum rises at 13, drags himself in at 17, but Goto is still down! Goto rises up and springs in at 19! The fans fire up as this continues! Callum goes to a corner, runs up, BUSAIKU KNEE! Then he hurries to bring Goto into the drop zone! Callum roars, climbs, and the fans fire up! DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO?!? Goto survives the coup de grace and Callum can’t believe it! Akira & Khan tell Callum to keep going, he’s almost done it! The fans rally and duel as Callum hobbles over. Callum stands Goto up, then runs, but Goto swings, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men stay up, and they DOUBLE LARIAT again!

The fans fire up, Callum returns, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! And again! Callum waistlocks, ripcords, RAINMAKER?!? Cover, TWO!!! Goto survives as Callum shouts out the former leader of Chaos! The fans are thunderous, Callum feeds off that energy, and Callum drags Goto up. Callum calls his shot, springboards, OSC- NO, Goto blocks the cutter! DISCUS- NO, Callum dodges and springboards! OSCUTTER 2.0!!! Cover, TWO!??! But Callum hooks a leg! FIREBOLT!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Goto survives again and the fans are electric! Callum is unsure what to do as we pass 20 minutes, but the fans dueling shakes the arena!

Callum drags Goto up, but Goto wrenches out! Goto spins Callum, dragon sleepers, but Callum slips free! Backslide! Goto rolls through, PENALTY KICK BLOCKED! Goto HEADBUTTS Callum, ripcords, RAINMAKER!!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous again! Goto rises, he brings Callum up, and the fans rally as hard as they can! Goto HEADBUTTS away on Callum, then brings him up to HEADBUTT again! Goto snarls and the fans are thunderous again, as Goto suplexes for SHOTEN KAI!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Callum survives and Goto cannot believe it! The fans duel harder than ever before, and Goto rises again!

Goto roars and focuses his power! Callum sits up, into a BUZZSAW! But then Goto brings Callum around, but Callum drops to victory roll! TWO!! Callum SUPERKICKS, but Goto LARIATS!! Goto stands Callum up, dragon sleepers, but Callum fires shots from below! Goto blocks that arm, traps it, and G T R KAI!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!!

Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)

The Prince of Pace did his best to follow in the Aerial Assassin’s footsteps, but he is still a long way from reaching the top of the mountain. However, if this is how close he came on his first try, will nothing stop Callum Newman from being the future of NJPW?

As for Goto, the belt is put back around his waist, and he watches Callum walk away. Callum takes a moment to bow in deep respect to Goto before he and the Empire leave. Goto then grabs the mic, and the fans cheer him on. “No matter what anyone says, this is MY time!” The fans cheer that! Goto continues, “Who’s my next opponent? As a fighting champion, I’ll take on all challengers!” Wait! Zack Sabre Jr. makes his way back out here! Goto took this title from ZSJ so clearly ZSJ wants a rematch. ZSJ grabs a mic to tell Goto in Japanese, “Good work tonight. That was a fantastic match! Truly fantastic.

“You’ve been on a roll lately! You’re indeed a great champion. But I’m you’re next challenger!” The fans like the sound of that! Goto says, “I accept!” The fans really like that, and the two shake hands on it. Will the Submission Master make sure that- WAIT! Shingo Takagi is here?! He storms into the ring with a mic to say, “Pardon the intrusion!” The fans cheer as Takagi asks, “Mind if I speak my piece? Zack, hold on a moment. OI, GOTO! You really are something. You got a belt, a wife, and kids! And on top of that, you’re in Hontai!” The fans do applaud that with a bit of a chuckle.

Takagi points out that he, on the other hand, has no belt, no wife, no kids. “And now it looks like my faction is done… But that doesn’t mean I need to hang my head. I’ll soar to the top!” The fans applaud, and Takagi says the G in IWGP stands for Goto, right? But oi, oi, oi! You can’t spell “Shingo” OR “Takagi” without a G! He has two G’s, so he wants his shot at the title. At least, he’d like to say that. But he has no objects to Zack. Takagi did lose to ZSJ last time. So then Takagi will wait to challenge the winner of Goto VS ZSJ! The fans like that, too! Takagi says if it’s about G’s, Goto can’t argue Takagi’s point!

The three men all look to each other, and it looks like the deal is struck. Fierce Warrior VS Front Man, and the Rampaging Dragon gets the winner! Who will stand on the summit of NJPW going into the summer? Takagi and ZSJ take their leave, and Goto continues. “Again, thank you very much for coming today!” The fans applaud, and Goto says, “No matter who I’m up against, I will not be defeated. The Goto Revolution is far from over! Follow it until the very end! Let’s end with Goto’s G’s.” The fans chuckle, and Goto says he knows most of the locales had G in their names. But not in Fukuoka…

Even so, Goto still has this IWGP World title around his waist, so no worries there. IKU ZO! The fans cheer, and Goto says, “The G in IWGP is for GOTO!” The streamers fly, and the Fierce Warrior is ready to lead NJPW on! But will things only heat up from here on out?


My Thoughts:

An awesome event for Wrestling Dontaku’s finale, and we’re already building towards Dominion next month. I was rather surprised that the Six Woman Tag was so quick. Well, I feel like a lot of Stardom matches on a NJPW show end up like that… But the 10 Man Tag with Tanahashi’s team beating TMDK, and then the 8 Man Tag of LIJ winning, both of those matches felt just as fast/short. I suppose on some level, they did it because we all had a feeling who was winning. Tanahashi’s team wins because he also had special guests Tajiri and Ryota, so that was just a great moment for some longstanding legends.

LIJ winning was apparently to also commemorate their last match as a faction. With Titan being their CMLL member, we only have Hiromu, Takagi and Tsuji. I suppose a trio isn’t necessarily a faction, but I’m surprised they just sprang this dissolution on us. Great match from Yota VS Yuya, but I think they dragged it out a bit at the start. It got hot by the end, and Yota retaining was a great move. Gabe Kidd calling his shot is also a great move, he and Yota are going to have a great rematch from their time limit draw. And then awesome main event from Goto VS Callum, with Callum looking great even in defeat. Callum is definitely on his way, maybe he’ll really build up his power level in the G1 Climax this year.

Great promo to close, with Goto, ZSJ and Takagi establishing the next couple of title shots. I think Goto VS ZSJ has been made for Resurgence this Friday, so they’re getting that right out of the way so Takagi can face the champion at Dominion. At the same time, they kinda have to because Best of the Super Juniors is going to dominate May. Resurgence would be a wild place for a title change since it’s in the US and it’s a true PPV, so I’m not liking ZSJ’s chances.

My Score: 9.1/10

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