Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 31 Results & Report! (9/19/21)
Now for B Block!
The G1 Climax’s opening weekend wraps up!
After the thrills of A Block’s first round, B Block has its first turn! Who among some of NJPW’s best begins their journey to the 31st G1 Climax finals?
NOTE: NJPW no longer wants to feed AXS TV now that it is with Anthem and Impact Wrestling. But never fear, I will cover NJPW in the spirit of AXS in providing the most important matches of the show.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- YOSHI-HASHI VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo; Evil wins.
- Jeff Cobb VS Chase Owens; Cobb wins.
- SANADA VS Tama Tonga w/ Jado; Sanada wins.
- Hirooki Goto VS Taichi w/ Miho Abe; Taichi wins.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Kazuchika Okada; Okada wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
YOSHI-HASHI VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo!
The Head Hunter is still part of the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions, but he doesn’t want to just #StayGold, he’s going for more! But the King of Darkness wants another shot at the throne! Will Hashi still #GetBackUp when Everything is Evil?
Evil and Dick Low Sweet, then the bell rings and fans rally up already. Evil and Hashi slowly circle, approach, and then Evil kicks low. Evil headlocks, Hashi endures the grind then powers up to power out, and Hashi reels Evil into a headlock of his own! Fans cheer as Hashi grinds Evil down now. Evil powers up, pulls hair, but Hashi grinds the headlock harder. Evil powers out, he and Hashi ram shoulders, but neither falls. Fans cheer as Hashi eggs Evil on. Evil steps to run, kicks Hashi low then runs anyway! But Hashi runs Evil over! Fans fire up for Hashi as he stands tall! Evil gets to ropes and drags himself up, but Hashi runs over to CHOP!
Hashi suplexes to hang Evil out to dry then runs, but Dick trips him up! Hashi points him out and the ref tells him to stay back, but then Hashi bails out to chase Dick. But Evil is waiting and he ambushes Hashi around the corner! Dick plays innocent as Evil stalks Hashi up the ramp. Evil stomps Hashi, the ref checks on Hashi but Evil undoes the blue corner’s buckle pad! The Bullet Club’s favorite strategy comes into play already. Evil brings Hashi around and RAMS him into the timekeeper’s table! Poor Abe-san suffers from Evil’s bullying again! Evil and Dick Too Sweet over being jerks and Evil leaves Hashi behind as he goes into the ring.
Fans rally for Hashi but a ring count can’t start with Abe down, too. Young Lions help Abe reset, a count begins, and Hashi gets up at 8 of 20 to get in at 9. Evil stands on Hashi’s head and digs his heel in, but the ref counts as they’re at the ropes. Evil lets off at 3, drags Hashi up and CHOPS him to a corner! Evil stands Hashi up straight to CHOP him again! And again! And again! Hashi CHOPS back, so Evil rakes Hashi’s eyes! The ref counts, Evil stops and throws Hashi out, and then Dick whips Hashi into railing! Evil keeps the ref busy as Dick throws Hashi into the ring. Evil covers, TWO! Fans cheer Hashi but Evil looms over him.
Fans clap for “GET BACK UP! GET BACK UP!” but Evil hits a FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Evil argues the count but it is fair. Evil kicks Hashi toyingly, then slap shim around. Hashi gets up and stares Evil down, even as Evil throws more slaps. Hashi fires off forearms so Evil knees low. Evil runs, Hashi runs, HEADHUNTER BLOCKBUSTER! Fans fire up while Hashi and Evil are down. Hashi and Evil slowly rise and go to opposite corners. Evil and Hashi run at each other but Hashi shoulders Evil down! Hashi CHOPS, whips and runs in to CHOP Evil again! Hashi whips to CHOP, mule kick and NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!
Hashi keeps his cool as he brings Evil back up. Hashi reels Evil in, but Evil pulls hair again! The ref reprimands but Hashi CHOPS Evil! Hashi whips, Evil holds ropes and bails out but Hashi goes out after him. Evil gets back in and now he dares Hashi to do the same. Hashi gets on the apron and he shoulders into Evil. But Evil plays it up and the ref misses Dick tripping Hashi! Evil goes out to drag Hashi up and RAMS him back into the timekeeper! Abe-san suffers again! Evil brings Hashi around for a BACKBREAKER! Hashi writhes but Evil gets his legs for a SHARPSHOOTER! Hashi endures but the ring count is climbing!
Evil pushes it to 13 of 20 before he RAMS Hashi into more railing! Evil gets in the ring at 17, Hashi springs up at 18 and in at 19.5! Evil is annoyed but he drags Hashi around. Fans rally up but Evil reels Hashi in for a fireman’s carry, DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Hashi survives and Evil is beside himself. Dick coaches Evil up while fans still rally for Hashi. Evil slashes his throat, drags Hashi back up and spins him around, but Hashi fights the STO! Evil still tries, Hashi standing switches but Evil elbows free. Evil whips, Hashi reverses but Evil reverses back! Hashi hits the bare buckles! But then Hashi keeps moving!? And he LARIATS Evil down!!
Fans are fired up as both Hashi and Evil are down and stirring! Hashi rises, Evil follows, and Hashi runs, but Evil blocks the clothesline! Hashi CHOPS, Evil comes back to LARIAT! But Hashi stays up to fire off strikes, and a CHOP! Evil roars and spins, into a SUPERKICK! Hashi powers up and fans rally behind him as he brings Evil back up. Hashi reels Evil in, fisherman but Evil wrenches, EVERYTHING- NO! Hashi wrenches to a takedown! Hashi wants the Fujiwara, Evil resists, so Hashi shifts sides to get the BUTTERFLY LOCK! Evil endures, Hashi leans on the hold, but Evil reaches out with a foot! Hashi shifts position again to a SLEEPER!
Evil is already red but he stands up, into a BACKSTABBER! BUTTERFLY LOCK!! Evil kicks and flails but Hashi has him caught! Evil grabs at the ref, Dick gets in but Hashi is ready and SUPERKICKS him down! Evil is free but he keeps the ref down like a hostage! The ref sits up and realizes he’s being used as a meat shield! Evil shoves the ref at Hashi, Hashi pushes the ref aside and is ready for Evil’s ambush! Hashi catches Evil to a full nelson, spin to pump handle, but Evil pops out of Karma! EVERY- No, Hashi holds off the STO again and still wants the pump handle! Evil fights that so Hashi LARIATS point blank! Hashi changes up the grip, KARMA BACKBREAKER!!
Fans are thunderous now as Hashi gets Evil up in a waistlock. Hashi full nelsons, Evil grabs the ref! The ref SLAPS Evil away and Hashi hits a DRAGON SUPLEX! Evil staggers up, into a LARIAT!! Hashi gets Evil back up, fisherman to KUMAGOROSHI!! Cover, TWO!?! Evil survives all that and fans are almost electric! Hashi tries the full nelson again, spins to KARM- No, Evil shoves Hashi at the ref! Hashi blocks the low blow! But Evil rakes eyes to then LARIAT! Both men are down and fans rally up again! Evil slowly rises, he runs as Hashi stands, LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Hashi survives and shocks Evil but the fans are fired up!
Evil slashes his throat, vows to end this, and he gets Hashi up. EVERY- NO! Armbar takedown to a cover, but Dick is distracting the ref again! The ref tells Dick to go away but Evil LOW BLOWS Hashi!! Evil drags Hashi back up, reels him in, EVERYTHING IS EVIL!!! Cover, Evil wins!
Winner: EVIL, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Yoshi-Hashi earns 0)
The finger gun to Hashi’s throat says it all! The Bullet Club’s most devious duo found a way to shoot down the Head Hunter and now have that all important first win! With Yujiro Takahashi winning to start the A Block, will the House of Torture own the G1 Climax this year?
Jeff Cobb VS Chase Owens!
Great-O-Khan won yesterday for the glory of the United Empire, but now it is up to the Hawaiian Hulk! Will the Crown Jewel break under the pressure? Or will he skip the Tour of the Islands to get a huge first round win?
The bell rings and Chase rushes in, only to get run over! Cobb runs Chase over again and then Chase bails out. Fans cheer while Chase paces around the outside. Cobb waits but Chase dares him to go out after him. Cobb refuses so Chase goes looking under the ring. The ref reprimands, Chase slides in but slides out as Cobb storms over. Chase goes around the way, rolls into the ring, and then uses the ropes as defense as Cobb storms over again. Cobb backs off, Chase circles with him, but then uses the ropes as defense again. Cobb gets annoyed and pushes the ref aside but Chase dropkicks his leg out! Chase CLUBS away on Cobb’s back, then throws elbows.
Cobb shoves Chase away, Chase knees low and throws more clubbing elbows. Chase clamps on a cravat for a neck wrench but Cobb throws a heavy body shot! Chase headlocks, Cobb powers out and runs Chase over! Fans cheer as Cobb stands tall, then things speed up. Chase hurdles, Cobb clotheslines, repeat, then Chase SHOTGUN BOOTS! Cobb staggers and falls out of the ring, and Chase builds speed! But Cobb moves aside so Chase slides out instead. Cobb clinches Chase for an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Chase writhes and Cobb catches his breath while getting in the ring. A ring count starts on Chase as he drags himself up the railing.
Chase gets in at 8 of 20, but Cobb stomps him right on the back. Cobb stalks Chase, drags him up and whips him hard to a corner! Chase falls to his knees but Cobb stomps him down. Cobb stomps Chase more, then double stomps. Cobb drags Chase up to HEADBUTT him down. Fans rally while Cobb steps on Chase. Chase flounders to a corner, he kicks Cobb in the stomach, but Cobb stomps him into the corner. Cobb throws clothesline after clothesline and Chase falls. Cover, ONE! Chase sits up but Cobb snapmares him for a knee to the back! And then another! And then an uppercut to the back! Cover, TWO! Cover again, TWO!
Cobb snarls then mocks Chase’s finger gun. Cobb drags Chase up, lifts him and runs to RAM him into a corner! Then goes corner to corner to RAM him in again, then back the other way! And then one more RAM into the blue corner! Fans fire up, Cobb says bang and he hoists Chase up for a RUNNING BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Cobb is annoyed but fans rally again. Cobb kicks at Chase but Chase throws body shots. Cobb isn’t even bothered and he throws a forearm. Chase stands, Cobb slaps him so Chase throws body shots. Cobb knees low and starts taunting Chase. Cobb scoops, Chase slips out and waistlocks but Cobb bucks the roll up.
Chase dodges, throws forearms, but Cobb swings a haymaker. Chase slides under to ENZIGURI! Cobb falls out of the ring, Chase builds speed again! Chase WRECKS Cobb with the dropkick! Chase puts Cobb in the ring, climbs up top and leaps to missile dropkick Cobb down! Chase kips up and fires up with the fans! Chase aims from a corner, Cobb slowly rises, and Chase runs corner to corner to forearm smash! Then he reels Cobb in for a clothesline! Cover, TWO! Chase gets Cobb up, tries to fireman’s carry but Cobb CLUBS him with elbows. Cobb swings but Chase boots him! HANGMAN’S NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Cobb is still in this but Chase goes back to the corner.
Chase takes aim and says bang, then gets Cobb up and reels him in. Chase tucks the arms but Cobb powers up to get free! Cobb kicks low, EuroUppers then DROPKICKS! Fans cheer Cobb’s athleticism as he and Chase go to opposite corners. Cobb runs in but Chase catches him for a BUCKLE SHOT! Chase runs to JEWEL TRIGGER! Chase gets Cobb up, wrenches and hammerlocks, but Cobb blocks the lariat for a Belly2Belly! Pop-up and OKLAHOMA STAMPEDE! Cover, TWO! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Chase survives being crushed but Cobb isn’t done with him yet! Fans rally and Cobb grins as he gets back up.
Cobb slaps Chase around, throws hands, but Chase just fires up. Cobb gives toying kicks, Chase eggs him on. Cobb throws hands, Chase gives them back! Cobb fires off several forearms, then “reloads” to DECK him! Chase staggers back to his feet and puts some stank on his SLAP! Cobb CHOPS Chase to a corner! Cobb runs corner to corner but Chase dodges the back elbow! Cobb hits buckles, Chase goes up but Cobb trips him up! Chase hits buckles on the way down, Cobb whips but Chase JEWEL TRIGGERS! Hammerlock, JEWEL HEIST!! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives but Chase aims from the corner again. Chase runs in but Cobb blocks the knee!
Chase elbows Cobb, goes to run but Cobb reels him in for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Cobb whips Chase to ropes, TOUR OF- No, Chase slips out to a waistlock! Cobb switches but Chase breaks free to PELE! Cobb staggers, Chase hits a CYCLONE BOOT! But Cobb ROCKS him with a right! Chase rebounds, into a SUPERKICK! Chase rebounds again into a TOUR OF THE ISLANDS! Cover, Cobb wins!
Winner: Jeff Cobb, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Chase earns 0)
The United Empire is 2-0 between Khan and Cobb! Will they be the ones to conquer the G1 this year?
SANADA VS Tama Tonga w/ Jado!
The Cold Skull and the Good Bad Guy are familiar foes from the tag team division, but they’re both after a higher prize this time. Sanada’s been a finalist before, will he make it to the end of the G1 Climax this year? Or will Tama trip him up right out of the gate?
Tama and Jado Low Sweet and Sanada takes off his space vampire duster jacket. The bell rings and fans cheer as the two stare down. Fans rally up, “SA-NA-DA! SA-NA-DA!” and Tama acknowledges that. Tama offers a handshake but Sanada is wary. Sanada reaches out, Tama finishes the handshake for him, and then of course reels Sanada into a headlock! Tama laughs as he grinds the hold but Sanada throws body shots. Sanada powers out but reels Tama in for a headlock of his own. Tama powers up but can’t power out as Sanada holds tight. Tama pulls hair, throws body shots and shoves Sanada. Sanada jumps over the drop down, ducks the elbow and whips to reverse roles.
Sanada again hurdles and ducks and even handsprings through Tama’s hip toss to arm-drag Tama away! Fans cheer while Tama bails out. Sanada builds speed, but he tumbles up and out as Tama slides in. And Jado grabs at Sanada’s feet! Tama runs but Sanada gets free to slingshot up and over! Tama’s baseball slide takes out Jado! Fans cheer for Tama’s misfortune but he gets in to arm-drag Sanada. Sanada arm-drags back and then dropkicks cancel out! Fans cheer as the two stand off, and Tama takes off his padded shirt! The Good Bad Guy is jacked and Sanada takes a moment to show his respect. The two circle and Tama says he respects Sanada, by showing another handshake.
Sanada is of course wary of it, he just fell for the trick last time. But fans still cheer, and Tama gets on the corner to encourage them to get louder. The fans do get louder, and Tama now offers Sanada a turn on the corner. “Dozo, dozo!” Sanada considers it, and then he goes up on a corner! Fans cheer, especially because he shows off the dancing pecs. But then Tama yanks Sanada off the corner to roll him up! TWO, and Tama clotheslines Sanada out of the ring! Fans rally for “SA-NA-DA!” as the ring count starts, but it’s 10 of 20 before Sanada stirs. Tama paces, willing to take a count out, but Sanada gets up at 15! Sanada takes a moment, and then gets in at 19. But Tama stomps him down!
Tama throws Sanada back out, then goes out after him to RAM him into the apron! Tama CLUBS Sanada against the apron, then follows him around the way as Sanada staggers. Tama brings Sanada around to POST him! Sanada falls back, Tama takes a moment to catch his breath and walk around. A ring count starts again and Tama considers his options. The count is 10 of 20 but Tama snap suplexes Sanada to the floor! Tama goes into the ring at 14, Sanada writhes and pounds his fist. Sanada drags himself up and in at 19! Tama drags Sanada up, then suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Tama keeps focus as he drags Sanada back up for crossface forearms!
Tama paces around and even kicks Sanada around. Tama throws down fists but the ref reprimands the closed fists. Tama drops to the cover, TWO! Fans cheer but Tama wraps on a chinlock. Tama grinds Sanada but fans continue to rally. Sanada endures, even as Tama leans on him. Tama thrashes Sanada around, Sanada kicks and fights the hold. Sanada gets to his feet, throws body shots, but Tama throws a forearm. Tama shoves Sanada, runs in but into a boot! Tama comes back, blocks the boot and throws body shots! Tama whips corner to corner but Sanada comes back to dropkick the legs out! Both men are down and fans cheer.
Sanada and Tama slowly stir, then Sanada kips up! Sanada runs in at Tama and rallies with big forearms! Sanada arm-drags, then back suplex BACKBREAKERS! Tama bails out but Sanada PLANCHAS! Direct hit but Sanada gets back in! Sanada aims at Jado and PLANCHAS again! Down goes the Master Heater! Fans fire up and Sanada encourages them to get louder. They get louder but Sanada needs more! The fans give him more and now Sanada is satisfied. Sanada fetches Tama and brings him up to put him in the ring. Tama rushes Sanada but Sanada shoulders into him! Sanada slingshots up and over to sunset flip, but Tama rolls through!
Sanada boots Tama away, trips him up and puts him in Paradise! Fans are fired up for this one as Sanada powers up. Double thumbs up to Milano and he gives them back! Sanada lets Tama suffer a little longer before aiming from the corner. Fans rally up, “PA-RA-DISE! PA-RA-DISE!” but Sanada dropkicks Tama out! Cover, TWO! Sanada keeps on Tama with a fireman’s carry, but Tama flails to get free! Dragon sleeper, but Sanada slips around to suplex! Tama slips out of that to get the TONGAN TWIST! Both men are down but fans fire up! Tama drags himself up the ropes while Sanada goes to a corner. Tama runs in to SPLASH!
Tama brings Sanada around to fireman’s carry but Sanada fights out to waistlock. Tama switches to GERMAN SUPLEX, but Sanada lands on his feet! Sanada runs, ducks and dodges, but Tama POWERSLAMS! Cover, TWO! Sanada survives that fast one but Tama drags him back up. Tama underhooks, lifts, but Sanada fights that off to fireman’s carry! Tama fights that, dragon sleeper, but Sanada powers his way out to arm-drag Tama to a corner. Sanada runs in but into a boot! Tama swings on Sanada but he dodges to QUEBRADA! Sanada gets the dragon sleeper! Tama fights through, suplexes, but Sanada slips through to dragon sleeper again!
Tama drops to then jump up and over to get the dragon sleeper for himself! TONGAN TW- NO! Sanada pommels through to ROCK Tama with a right! Sanada spins but Tama counters to a suplex! Sanada fights that, to get Tama on the ropes, MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down again but fans fire back up! Fans rally as the two stir, and Sanada encourages the fans again. The fans get louder as Sanada and Tama slowly stand. Sanada stalks Tama to a corner, and throws a heavy EuroUpper! Tama stays up but Sanada EuroUppers again! Tama still stays up so Sanada EuroUppers him off his feet! Tama staggers up into a fireman’s carry, TKO! Cover, TWO!!
Tama survives but Sanada vows to end this! Sanada drags Tama up into the dragon sleeper but Tama throws hands to fight it. Sanada holds on, cranks back, SKULL SWING! But Tama spins through to inside cradle, TWO!! Sanada escapes, swings but into Tama’s spin and underhooks! JAY DRILLER!! Cover, TWO!! Sanada survives and Tama is shocked! The ref checks on Sanada but somehow he’s okay. Tama hears voices in his head like The Viper as he pounds the mat. Fans clap along as Sanada slowly rises. GUN STUN- NO! Sanada catches Tama and drops back to SKULL END!! Tama is caught in the body scissors and in the center of the ring!
Fans rally as Tama endures and pops free! Sanada hurries to get the dragon sleeper again, then he drops back down, SKULL END!! Tama endures again but Sanada’s grip is tighter this time! The ref checks on Tama, the arm drops once. The arm drops twice and Sanada hurries to a corner! ROUNDING BODY PRESS onto knees! Cover, TWO!!! Sanada survives his own bad call but Tama takes aim again. GUN- NO! DRAGON- NO! Tama spins through but then Sanada suplexes. Tama twists to GUN- NO!! Sanada blocks the Gun Stun to the dragon sleeper. Sanada shoves, waistlocks, O’Conner BRIDGE! Sanada wins!!
Winner: Sanada, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Tama Tonga earns 0)
The Cold Skull snatches victory from the jaws of defeat! Will he be able to repeat history and take the block again this year? As for the Guerrillas of Destiny, will either Tanga Loa or Tama Tonga be able to turn things around in round two?
Hirooki Goto VS Taichi w/ Miho Abe!
The third of the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions takes on the other half of the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, both aiming for the top of NJPW! Hashi and Ishii both lost, will the Fierce Warrior break the pattern? Or will the Sliest Wrestler in the World make sure the Dangerous Tekkers are 2-0?
Taichi finishes up his lip syncing and Miho helps with his elaborate entrance attire. Taichi shows off his dancing pecs but Goto is not impressed. Taichi taunts Goto with the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team belt, which the Tekkers retained at MetLife. Goto kicks Taichi low and grabs the belt, to give it to Red Shoes. The bell rings and Goto fires off hands on Taichi in the corner! Goto whips corner to corner, runs in and clotheslines! Goto whips to ropes, Taichi reverses but Goto runs him over with a shoulder! Fans cheer as Goto follows Taichi out of the ring. Taichi kicks back, then brings Goto around the way to POST him!
Goto flounders to railing, Taichi heads over and grabs camera wire. Goto blocks the choke and kicks Taichi low! Then Goto chokes Taichi with the cord! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, Goto lets off fast and apologizes. Taichi sputters but Goto sits him up to choke him again! Red Shoes again reprimands and counts, and Goto lets go at 4. Goto says, “Okay,” he’ll stop. Goto brings Taichi up to put him in the ring and fans cheer as this continues properly. Goto stomps Taichi then clamps on claws to the shoulders. Taichi claims choke but Goto whips him to ropes. Goto elbows Taichi down, covers, TWO! Goto clamps back on with a chinlock and even digs a knee into Taichi’s back.
Taichi grabs at Goto, throws hands from below, but Goto drives an elbow into Taichi’s forehead! Goto stalks Taichi but Taichi bails out again. Taichi gasps and sputters at the railing but Goto waits for him to return. The ring count begins and Miho checks on Taichi. Goto goes out to kick Taichi and whip. Taichi reverses to send Goto into railing! Taichi scowls as he drags Goto back up. Taichi has cameras clear out and he whips Goto into more railing! Taichi grabs more camera cord and he uses a lot of it to choke Goto! Red Shoes reprimands, Taichi lets go with one hand. Red Shoes wants Taichi to let go completely but Taichi defies him with a shove.
Taichi drags Goto with the cord and then drops him. Red Shoes reprimands more but Taichi drags Goto up by his hair. Taichi digs Goto’s head into the railing to choke him! Red Shoes starts a ring count, Taichi lets off on Goto at 4 of 20. Taichi takes his time, bringing Goto up at 11 and putting him in the ring at 14. Taichi stands on Goto’s neck but Red Shoes reprimands again. Taichi steps off, fans rally up but Taichi bumps Goto off buckles. Taichi stomps away on Goto’s leg then digs his boots into Goto’s neck again. Red Shoes shakes his head and counts, so Taichi puts his hands up. Taichi’s cleverness is only annoying Red Shoes and he keeps counting.
Taichi stands on Goto with both feet, Red Shoes counts and Taichi lets off. Red Shoes tells Taichi to watch himself and Taichi thanks Red Shoes for the advice. Taichi drags Goto up and brings him around for Kowata Kicks, then tops it off with a hard kick. Goto glares at Taichi so Taichi KICKS him in the chest! Goto eggs him on so Taichi KICKS him down! Taichi smirks then chokes in the cover! Red Shoes notices and has him stop. Taichi does it again and again Red Shoes has to tell him to stop. Taichi says that’s not a choke, THIS is a choke! Red Shoes counts but Taichi lets off, and fans cheer Taichi’s wry wit.
Taichi drags Goto back up, but Goto CHOPS and CHOPS! Taichi choke grips but Goto breaks free to kick low! Taichi two-hand chokes Goto! But Goto two-hand chokes Taichi back! Red Shoes reprimands them both but both men drop to their knees as they keep going! Goto gets the edge and has Taichi on the mat! Red Shoes counts, Goto lets off at 4, and then he argues with Red Shoes that Taichi’s done far more than that. Taichi goes to roundhouse but Goto blocks and pump handles Taichi to then give him a Charlie Horse! Taichi staggers to a corner, Goto runs in to MURAMASA! And BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Goto drags Taichi back up.
Goto fireman’s carries but Taichi chokes his way out of it! Goto knees low, whips Taichi to ropes, but Taichi reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! Both men are down and fans fire up! Taichi and Goto stir, fans build to a rally, and Goto gets to a corner. Taichi runs in to clothesline! Taichi runs Goto corner to corner to clothesline him again, then snapmare to a KICK to the back! Goto sits up and Taichi wraps him up for SEITEIJYUJIRYOU! Goto endures, pries free and arm-drags Taichi away! Taichi comes back, Goto blocks the boot to DISCUS LARIAT! Both men are down again and fans fire back up! Taichi is at the ropes but Goto goes to the opposite end.
Taichi is in the corner, Goto runs in but Taichi dodges to GAMANGIRI! Taichi runs but Goto fireman’s carries to USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down again and fans fire back up! Miho grows worried for Taichi as he checks his arm. Taichi rolls away to ropes as he gets feeling back in left arm. Goto rises as Taichi drags himself up the ropes. Taichi BOOTS but Goto stays up and growls. Goto throws a forearm, but Taichi rebounds to BOOT again! Goto throws another forearm, Taichi comes back to BOOT again! Taichi eggs Goto on now, and Goto throws another forearm! Goto eggs Taichi on so Taichi KICKS Goto’s leg! Forearm, KICK, repeat!
Fans rally up as they pick up speed! Taichi gets the edge with KICKS to Goto’s leg, but Goto blocks the chest kick to CLUB the leg! Taichi sobats, but DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, sot hey DOUBLE LARIAT again! Taichi roars, runs in and DOUBLE LARIAT! Goto staggers but he dodges the next try to LARIAT Taichi down! Goto eggs Taichi on, runs, but into a choke grip! Taichi puts Goto in the corner then ROUNDHOUSES! Choke grip, CHOKE SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives but OFF COME THE PANTS! Taichi aims from the corner, but Goto blocks the superkick! Goto hoists Taichi to the fireman’s carry, Taichi slips out, but Goto evades the saido!
Goto suplexes and stalls for SHOUTEN KAI! Both men are down and fans are thunderous! Miho and the fans rally up as Goto crawls to a cover, TWO!! Taichi is still in this and Miho is relieved. Fans rally up as Goto slowly sits up. Goto roars, gets to his feet and drags Taichi back up. But Taichi hits DANGEROUS SAIDO outta nowhere! Goto flounders around, roars as he stands back up, but Taichi GAMANGIRIS again! Both men are down but Miho leads the rally now. Taichi stands up first and he BUZZSAWS Goto back down! Taichi slashes his throat and Alabama lifts, but Goto sunset flips to get the dragon sleeper! Taichi fights that, but Goto tries again!
Taichi again fights off the dragon sleeper so Goto HEADBUTTS! Taichi falls and fans are thunderous again! Goto drags himself up the ropes, powers up as Taichi rises, BUZZSAW! Goto drags Taichi back up, dragon sleeper but Taichi CHOKES from that position! Goto blocks the lift, throws elbows, but Taichi back suplex CHOKE SLAMS! Cover, TWO!?! Goto survives but Taichi is too tired to be frustrated. Fans rally up hard as ever and Taichi gets himself to a corner. Taichi fires himself up, takes aim as Goto rises, TENSHOU- NO! Goto blocks to SLAP Taichi! Goto fires up, but Taichi comes back with the three point stance and FOREARM SMASH!
Taichi gets Goto up fast, Alabama lift to BLACK MEPHISTO!! Cover, Taichi wins!!
Winner: Taichi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Goto earns 0)
In the blink of an eye, the Holy Emperor turns the tables and takes the win! With all three NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions losing, are they in danger of losing those belts after the G1? As for Taichi, will he and ZSJ take their blocks and make it a Dangerous Tekkers Climax?
Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Kazuchika Okada!
The Ace VS the Rainmaker is definitely main event material, so how fitting that they close out the G1 Climax’s opening weekend! But with Tanahashi still holding onto the IWGP United States Championship, can Okada earn himself a title opportunity on top of two points? Or will Osaka rock ‘n’ roll with love and energy?
Okada is very quick to put aside his newest jacket aside to show off his newest ring gear. Tanahashi takes off his jacket to show off the classic muscles, and of course the IWGP US belt. The belt is put aside, the bell rings and Osaka already fires up for this one. The claps are either “LET’S GO, ACE!” or “O-KA-DA!” but either way, everyone’s clapping along. Okada and Tanahashi circle then approach. They feel out the grapple, then back away to circle more. They tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, Tanahashi waistlocks but Okada pries it open to wrench and wristlock. Tanahashi wrenches and slips through to headlock in return. Fans cheer as Tanahashi grinds Okada down.
Okada fights up, pushes free and gets Tanahashi down for a grounded waistlock. Tanahashi pushes up to slip around and switch with Okada. Okada pushes up but Tanahashi holds on as Okada tries to throw him off. Okada stands up, wrenches to get a hammerlock but Tanahashi drop toeholds and floats to a headlock! Fans cheer this technical exchange as it continues with Okada rolling Tanahashi over. Okada gets free of the headlock to had Tanahashi in one and fans cheer again. Tanahashi fights and rolls Okada to put the headlock back on him! Okada fights up to his feet as fans rally, and he puts Tanahashi on ropes. Red Shoes counts the break, and Okada lets off slowly.
Okada fakes the chop to pat Tanahashi on the shoulder, a classic move. Tanahashi runs in but Okada kicks and headlocks. Tanahashi powers out but Okada runs him over! Things speed up, Tanahashi hurdles but Okada stops to waistlock! Ripcord and RAIN- No, Tanahashi gets under to full nelson! Okada breaks free and comes back, into an arm-drag! But Okada headscissors and Tanahashi kips free! The two fire up as fans cheer for this stand-off! Tanahashi and Okada cool off to reset and the fans rally back up. The two circle again, they tie up, and are in a deadlock. Okada’s height gives him leverage but Tanahashi shifts to get a headlock.
Tanahashi grinds Okada down again but Okada fights back up. Okada powers up but Tanahashi holds tight. Okada throws body shots, powers up but still can’t power out as Tanahashi holds on tighter. Tanahashi hits a takeover and holds off Okada’s headscissors to then trap an arm. Okada endures and moves around. Okada knees Tanahashi in the back, gets his arm free, but Tanahashi pulls back on the headlock. Okada fights back up to his feet all the same, and he pries at the headlock. Tanahashi powers up to keep the headlock on! Okada still endures and powers up yet again. Okada pries the hold open but Tanahashi again uses power to keep it on!
Tanahashi grinds Okada’s head more but Okada keeps fighting. Okada hooks a leg for some leverage as he pries the headlock open again! Okada turns it around and finally puts the headlock back on Tanahashi! Okada hits a takeover and he fights off Tanahashi’s headscissors this time. Tanahashi now endures and fans rally up again. Tanahashi fights to his feet, Okada grinds and grinds the headlock, all in return for what he endured. Tanahashi pries at the headlock now, but now Okada powers it back on tight! Okada shifts to a cravat to snapmare Tanahashi into a chinlock. Okada digs his knee into Tanahashi’s back but Tanahashi still endures.
Tanahashi stomps the mat and fans rally up behind him. Tanahashi fights up, throws body shots and is free! He runs but into Okada’s elbow! Okada takes a moment to catch his breath and pace around. Fans still rally, Okada stands Tanahashi back up and turns him for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Okada clamps right back onto the chinlock! Tanahashi fights back up, throws body shots and runs, but then ducks an elbow! Okada blocks the kick to BOOT Tanahashi, then Okada snapmares and runs for the basement dropkick! Okada stands on Tanahashi with the Rainmaker pose for a cover, ONE! Fans rally but Okada clamps on another chinlock.
Tanahashi pries the hold but Okada pulls back on it. Tanahashi fights to his feet again, throws more body shots, then runs, ducks and kicks. Okada blocks again, but Tanahashi blocks the boot to DRAGON SCREW! Fans cheer as both men are down. Tanahashi pounds the mat as fans rally up, and he fires forearms off on Okada. Tanahashi whips, Okada reverses but Tanahashi comes back with flying forearms! Okada sits up but Tanahashi is on him with a scoop and SLAM! Tanahashi goes to the corner and the second rope, SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi keeps his cool as Okada sits up again.
Tanahashi runs, but then he turns around to dropkick a leg! Tanahashi runs, blocks Okada’s boot and DRAGON SCREWS again! Tanahashi gets both legs and ties them up, but Okada gets the ropebreak before the Cloverleaf. Tanahashi lets Okada go to stomp the legs. Okada bails out, Tanahashi follows after and puts him back in. Fans cheer as Tanahashi runs and dropkicks Okada’s leg out again! Okada bails out again but Tanahashi follows after. Tanahashi CLUBS Okada, but Okada hits back and bumps Tanahashi off apron. DDT to the floor! The Ace just got spiked! Fans rally and clap, “LET’S GO, ACE!” “O-KA-DA!” again as Okada grits his teeth.
Okada gets up and hobbles over to Tanahashi. Okada puts Tanahashi in the ring and fans cheer. Tanahashi slowly rises but Okada brings him up. Tanahashi fires off forearms, then runs, but into a FLAPJACK! Okada stalks Tanahashi, Alabama lift and REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Fans keep rallying as Okada watches Tanahashi go to the corner. Okada runs corner to corner but Tanahashi dodges the back elbow! Tanahashi runs in but Okada puts him up top! Okada then dropkicks Tanahashi down to the floor! Fans rally hard as ever as a ring count starts. Tanahashi stirs at 6 of 20 but Okada goes out at 7. Okada has cameras move aside and he brings Tanahashi up.
Okada whips Tanahashi into railing! And then runs in to BOOT, but Tanahashi blocks! DRAGON SCREW! Okada clutches his leg while Tanahashi crawls away. Tanahashi gets up to the apron, and then climbs up the corner! But Okada intercepts him with haymakers and clubbing forearms! Okada drags Tanahashi onto his shoulder, but Tanahashi fights free! Tanahashi ROCKS Okada with a forearm, brings the bad leg through the ropes, and DRAPING DRAGON SCREWS! Okada falls, Tanahashi climbs back up, ACES HIGH CROSSBODY!! Both men are down on the outside but fans are thunderous! Red Shoes checks on both men, but they’re both okay to continue.
A ring count begins as Tanahashi slowly rises at 4 of 20. Tanahashi drags himself in at 10, but Okada is still down. Okada sits up at 13 but he’s pretty dazed. The count is 15 of 20, Okada stands at 17, and Okada slowly gets in at 18! Fans cheer as this continues but Tanahashi runs in corner to corner. Okada pops Tanahashi up to the Alabama, but Tanahashi fights that to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And then TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT again! Then a third TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The Ace has a hat trick but he’s not done there! SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives but Tanahashi fires up as he goes back to the corner. Tanahashi climbs again, Okada stands, HIGH FLY FLOW CROSSBODY!
But Okada rolls through to get the arm! MONEY CLIP!! Tanahashi endures, Okada holds on tight and fans rally up as hard as they can! Tanahashi fights up to his feet, reaches for ropes, but Okada brings him around with a BACK2BACKBREAKER! And back to the MONEY CLIP! Tanahashi endures all over as Okada leans on the hold. Fans are thunderous as they rally but Tanahashi is turning red! Red Shoes checks, Okada puts on more pressure, but Tanahashi gets a second wind! Tanahashi kicks forward to get the ROPEBREAK! Okada lets go and fans cheer Tanahashi’s resolve. Okada keeps his cool as he hobbles over.
Okada gut wrenches but Tanahashi blocks! Tanahashi throws body shots and gut wrenches Okada! Okada blocks that and it is a battle of gut wrenching! Okada CLUBS Tanahashi’s lower back, then ROCKS him with a forearm! Tanahashi still blocks the gut wrench! Tanahashi throws elbows, fast hands, and then gut wrenches through! But Okada slips off, so Tanahashi tries again. Okada gets Tanahashi up, SPINNING TOMBSTONE! But Okada isn’t done there, he drags Tanahashi back up and wristlocks! Ripcord, Tanahashi ducks the Rainmaker to sunset flip! But Okada sits on it for his own cover, TWO!!! Tanahashi barely escapes!
Okada aims from a corner, runs and SHOTUGN DROPKICKS! Both men are down again, with Tanahashi in a corner from that shot. Fans rally up hard as ever and Okada stands again. Okada drags Tanahashi up, scoops and SLAMS, and standard formula, he goes to the corner. Okada climbs, leaps, MACHO ELBOW! But he doesn’t cover here, he gives us THE Rainmaker Pose! Fans are thunderous again as Okada wristlocks and ripcords, but Tanahashi gets around to waistlock back! Tanahashi ripcords but Okada won’t let him steal the Rainmaker! Okada ripcords and spins, but into a SLINGBLADE!! Fans are electric as Tanahashi runs, to SLINGBLADE AGAIN!
Tanahashi fires up as Okada is in a drop zone! Tanahashi goes to a corner, climbs up top, HIGH FLY FLOW onto knees!! Okada saves himself at the last second, but is too tired to capitalize! Fans are electric again as both men are down! Okada crawls to the cover as the time limit is drawing ever closer. Okada gets Tanahashi up with wristlock, short arm LARIAT! Okada holds on, gets Tanahashi back up and LARIATS again! Okada roars and fans fire up again as he brings Tanahashi around. Okada drags Tanahashi back up, wristlock and ripcord, but Tanahashi inside cradles! TWO!!! Okada narrowly escapes, but he runs right into a GERMAN SUPLEX!
Tanahashi hurries to get Okada in the full nelson, for a DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Time is running out as both men roar! They fire off forearms back and forth and fans are rallying with them! No guard, no hesitation, but Okada and Tanahashi do wobble. But then they fire up and DOUBLE FOREARM again and again! And again and again! Okada gets the edge and he roars, but Tanahashi SHOTEIS! Tanahashi runs into the DROPKICK! Okada hurries, gut wrench to SIT-OUT TOMBSTONE!! Okada hurries to get Tanahashi up again, ripcord to RAINMAKER!!! Cover, Okada wins!!
Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Tanahashi earns 0)
With literal seconds to spare, the Rainmaker closes the deal! Okada may have just gotten the most important win of the block! Will the Once in a Century Talent be able to get past this loss and still make a run for the top?
Okada once again closes out the show by getting the mic. “OSAKA!” Fans cheer for the cheap pop. “This match against Tanahashi might count the same as any other league match, but facing him here in Osaka means a lot more than that to me.” And also, “this wasn’t the same Kazuchika Okada you’ve seen recently. The Rainmaker is BACK!” Fans cheer that! Okada continues by saying that the fans shouldn’t worry. He knows “the world isn’t in the best state right now. But now that the Rainmaker is back, NJPW will be firing on all cylinders, and the world will be better for it!” But were the fans satisfied with Blocks A and B over this weekend? The fans cheer, because they sure were!
Well you can’t be satisfied yet, ya bums! Things are just beginning! Whether it’s the fire of pro-wrestling or the G1 itself, the Rainmaker is ready to scorch the Autumn! Okada thanks the fans, and promises to make it rain all over this G1 Climax! With a shot at the US Championship in his back pocket, will Okada make it back to the top of NJPW?
Here are the current B Block standings!
Kazuchika Okada: 1-0, 2 points
EVIL: 1-0, 2 points
Jeff Cobb: 1-0, 2 points
SANADA: 1-0, 2 points
Taichi: 1-0, 2 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 0-1, 0 points
Hirooki Goto: 0-1, 0 points
Tama Tonga: 0-1, 0 points
Chase Owens: 0-1, 0 points
YOSHI-HASHI: 0-1, 0 points
My Thoughts:
The G1 Climax is off to an awesome start with this opening weekend. A Block perhaps had the stronger start just on Yujiro Takahashi getting the upset over Kota Ibushi, but B Block came really close. For a moment, I thought Yoshi-Hashi was going to get a shocker over Evil, but Evil of course has Dick there to help him cheat and win. At the same time, I’m sensing that House of Torture is going to be built up during the G1. Sho’s getting wins over new Young Lions in the matches I’ve been skipping, and Yujiro and Evil have strong starts to their G1 runs. Meanwhile, the rest of Bullet Club is struggling as Chase and both Guerrillas of Destiny lose, further sewing seeds for a new civil war.
The United Empire is definitely looking strong through the G1, and I’d love if this at least gave them license to challenge the Dangerous Tekkers in the late Fall to early Winter. The singles titles are either spoken for, or absent in the case of Jay White and the NEVER Openweight singles title being in the States for New Japan Strong and Impact Wrestling. But Khan & Cobb taking on the Dangerous Tekkers seems like a lot of fun just thinking about it. Taichi and Goto have a great match but Taichi wins to stay strong alongside ZSJ, so the Tekkers will definitely come out of the G1 looking strong, as well, and they might be eager to freshen things up after defeating Chaos AND LIJ.
Sanada gets a great win off Tama Tonga, and I really hope we get to see more from him as a singles guy. As I’ve said before, he seems to be stuck in the Heavyweight Tag Division right now, but he could make a good run of things this year. At the same time, maybe he is one of the ones to check off a win from Tanahashi? Tanahashi VS Okada was as great as we all expected, and I like that they pushed it close to the time limit to tease a draw. A draw would’ve really made things interesting, and I almost wish NJPW had done that, but I suppose they can’t just outright handicap they’re top two entries in B Block from the start. Okada winning and proclaiming THE Rainmaker is back is all logical moves, but just as easily as he could get to the finals, he could just miss it by someone being a spoiler.
My Score: 9.2/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
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Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Everyone is showing raw emotion!
The New Day’s no longer positive, Drew McIntyre’s back for revenge, and Rhea Ripley battles Raquel Rodriguez, all on one Monday Night Raw!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 8 Man Tag: The Miz & The Final Testament VS The Wyatt Sick6; win.
- WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Opening Round Triple Threat: Lyra Valkyria VS Zelina Vega VS Ivy Nile; wins and advances to the next round.
- Anything Goes: Rhea Ripley VS Raquel Rodriguez; wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
The New Day arrives backstage.
Xavier Woods wants high fives but no one is accepting. Kofi Kingston says hey to Natalya & The Alpha Academy, but they don’t return it. Their verbal shaming of Big E has not sat well with anyone, will Woods & Kofi figure out who’s really in the wrong here?
Gunther is here!
Wichita, Kansas is a little torn as Der Ring General heads to the ring, dressed rather casually compared to other times, but he seems to have gotten over those multiple Coup de Grace double stomps from last week. Gunther grabs a mic, smiles as the fans both cheer and jeer, and he says, “As everybody has seen, quite obviously Finn Balor has made a grave mistake. And whether he deserves it or not, he now has my undivided attention. And I guarantee you right now, Saturday Night’s Main Event will not end up like Survivor Series for me.” But before he can continue, The Prince makes his way out here!
Finn, accompanied by The Judgment Day, also gets a mixed reaction from Wichita. But Finn tells Gunther that Gunther could’ve just given him the title match like he deserved. But instead, Gunther tried to mess with Finn by giving it to someone who didn’t deserve it, like Dirty Dom. The fans boo more but Finn says let’s be real! Finn is the only reason Gunther is still World Heavyweight Champion! And hearing what he said, Gunther is right about one thing: SNME will be NOTHING like Survivor Series. Because at Survivor Series, Gunther retained the title thanks to Finn. And at SNME, Gunther loses the title because of Finn!
And after eight long YEARS, Finn Balor walks out as the NEW World Heavyweight Champion! The Judgment Day applauds but the fans boo. Gunther tells Finn he’ll set one thing straight: Finn did NOT earn his title match. Finn’s audacity of claiming any responsibility of GUNTHER being champion is what did it. But Gunther gets it, Finn is frustrated. Eight years ago, Finn was the first-ever Universal Champion. And at that point in Gunther’s career, he looked up to Finn. Gunther respected Finn. But over the time, that respect kept fading and fading. Not because Gunther chose to, but because Finn chose to cut corners.
Finn chose to take shortcuts! Finn chose to hang out with a bunch of weirdos in a clubhouse! The fans cheer that but Gunther also adds that Finn chose to play second fiddle to Damian Priest. Finn gets heated, JD McDonagh keeps him back, and Gunther says, “So here we are now. Standing across from each other with no respect left. And I figuratively and literally am looking down on you. Eight years ago, you were the best in the world… for one night. I am the best in the world RIGHT NOW and for THOUSANDS of days to come! And this title proves it!!” The fans do cheer that.
Gunther tells Finn there is one reason he wont’ leave Saturday as World Heavyweight Champion: Finn is NOT on Gunther’s level, and he never will be! Finn chuckles, and then The Judgment Day storms up to the ring! Gunther stands his ground, but here comes Damian Priest! Finn and his boys are shocked but The Punisher is storming down the ramp! Priest DOUBLE LARIATS JD & Carlito, KICKS and THROWS Dom aside, then fires hands on Finn! The fans fire up as Priest then THROWS Carlito down, and gives JD SNAKE EYES off railing! Finn goes after Priest now, and he sends Priest at the ring. Priest stops himself and fires hands on Finn
Priest puts Finn in the ring, and Gunther is there to CHOP him down! Priest SUPERKICKS Finn out of the ring! But then Gunther LARIATS Priest! The fans are torn as Gunther rains down fists on Priest, the guy who tried to help him! Gunther says he does not need help, and he TOSSES Priest out! Gunther storms out, clears off the desk, and now the fans are really fired up! Gunther brings Priest over, but Finn SLINGBLADES Gunther down! The Prince ends up saving Priest and he DROPKICKS Gunther into steel steps! But then Finn SMACKS Priest off the desk! Finn puts Priest in, climbs a corner, just to COUP DE GRACE Gunther!!
Judgment Day rushes Priest but he TOSSES Dom, throws JD into Carlito, then gives JD a FLAPJACK! SUPERKICK for Carlito! Dom throws hands, but Pries tis just pissed. Finn CLOBBERS Gunther on the outside, then hurries into the ring to save Dom! FINAL CUT! The Judgment Day mugs Priest now while fans boo. The boys set Priest up and Finn runs in, SHOTGUN! Priest hits buckles and falls! Judgment Day mugs Priest more while Finn goes up! COUP DE GRACE for Priest!! Finn wants more, his boys set Priest back up, COUP DE GRACE!! The fans boo even harder, but Finn wants another! Finn hits a third COUP DE GRACE on Priest!!
Wichita boos but Finn eyes the world title. Finn grins as he picks it up. Will Finn be a DOUBLE CHAMPION after Saturday Night’s Main Event? Or can Der Ring General stand against all of Judgment Day?
Judgment Day regroups backstage.
They’re all very excited after taking Gunther and Priest at the same time, and in steps Adam Pearce. He has to hand it to them. Another Monday, another night Judgment Day is causing chaos. But he is here as a courtesy to Finn. Pearce spoke with Gunther, and that conversation has brought about a change to Saturday Night’s Main Event. Huh? It will be Gunther VS Finn… VS PRIEST!! Finn is furious but then he says fine. Because it’ll make it even more satisfying when Finn beats both Gunther and Priest to become the NEW World Heavyweight Champion! The Judgment Day agrees, but Pearce has something else to say.
Since Finn is so worried about the other champions, here’s an opportunity to lead by example. Next week on Raw, Finn & JD will face the War Raiders again, for the tag titles again, and the best part? The rest of Judgment Day is BANNED FROM RINGSIDE! Pearce leaves, Judgment Day is furious, but the Liv says Finn should relax. He’s got everything under control. Though, she was wondering if Finn’s got any advice for Raquel’s match tonight. They wanna listen to Finn so they’ll win. Finn says yeah, Sis, just give him a couple minutes. Finn heads out, JD follows, and Liv says she feels good about tonight. Will Judgment Day be (not) fine?
8 Man Tag: The Miz & The Final Testament VS The Wyatt Sick6!
The Hollywood A-Lister’s sins came back to haunt him, but he aligned himself with men who are without conscience. But will any of them be conscious after facing Uncle Howdy and the new Wyatt Family? Or will Kross make Bo Dallas #FallAndPray?
The fans fire up for the Wyatts, and Bo talks to the rocking chair to say this is for the family. Then with a “Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah~!” Bo and the Wyatts rush the ring! The fans fire up as the brawl is on and the bell rings! Lumis scares Miz and slithers after him while Gacy has Akam, Rowan has Rezar and Bo of course goes after Kross! The Wyatts manage to LARIAT the AOP up and out of the ring, then Bo CLOBBERS Kross! Bo clinches but Miz drags Kross out to safety! The Final Testament regroups while Raw goes to break.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Will heads for the Tokyo Dome?
Gabe Kidd & Sanada won A Block handedly while Naito & Hiromu came out of B Block’s chaotic finale, but only one team can win World Tag League!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Tiger Mask VS Daiki Nagai; Tiger Mask wins.
- Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls VS Shoma Kato & Katsuya Mursahima; Shane & Mikey win.
- Bishamon VS The Filip Brothers; Bishamon wins.
- Six Man Tag: The United Empire VS Taichi, Taka Michinoku & DOUKI; Taichi, Taka & Douki win.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club; LIJ wins.
- 10 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg, Tomoaki Honma & Jado VS The House of Torture; The Houes of Torture wins, by disqualification.
- Six Man Tag: TMDK VS Shota Umino, Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi; TMDK wins.
- 2024 World Tag League Finals: Gabe Kidd & SANADA VS Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi; Naito & Hiromu win.
PLAY BY PLAY
10 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg, Tomoaki Honma & Jado VS The House of Torture!
The Ace, The Joker & The Rook are joined by a couple knights of NJPW to stand against The King of Darkness and his army of scumbags! With WrestleKingdom on the horizon, which side of this war wins this crucial battle?
But as The House makes their entrance, Team Ace turns the tables by going after them first! The fans cheer as Tanahashi goes right after Evil and The House panics! Yano brawls with Narita, Oleg and Jado take care of Kanemaru and Yujiro, and Tanahashi headlocks Evil. Tanahashi brings Evil to ringside to POST him! Evil falls but Tanahashi drags him back up to wrench and whip into railing! The fans cheer more and Tanahashi CLUBS Evil. Tanahashi whips Evil at more railing, and Evil hits so hard that he tumbles up and over! The rest of the team keeps The House down all around ringside while Tanahashi fetches Evil.
Tanahashi brings Evil into the ring, then follows, and finally the bell rings! The fans cheer as Tanahashi stalks Evil to a corner. Tanahashi stomps Evil, throws forearms, and the ref counts. Tanahashi shoves the ref! The President is getting really rough with his employees, but he stalks Evil. Tanahashi drags Evil up to fire a BODY BLOW! And another! Tanahashi whips, Evil reverses, and then Evil gets in the ref’s face so Dick Togo can trip Tanahashi up! Then the House rushes in and BLASTS Team Ace off the apron! The ref reprimands everyone but Evil CHOKES Tanahashi with the tag rope!
The fans boo but The House beats up on Team Ace, and then Evil throws away the evidence of his crime. Dick passes the mic to Evil, and Evil grabs it so he can shout in Tanahashi’s face about just giving up now and sparing himself the embarrassment at WrestleKingdom! Tanahashi tells Evil he’ll never surrender, and the ref reprimands Evil. Evil stops choking Tanahashi and throws the mic away. Evil tags Narita and the Souled Out Son of Strong Style stomps away on Tanahashi’s legs! Narita then clamps on a KNEEBAR! Evil and Yano shout at each other, but Tanahashi fights his way to the ROPEBREAK!
The ref counts and Narita lets go at 4. Narita stomps Tanahashi more, then he tags Tokyo Pimp. Narita & Yujiro have the legs, and they split the wishbone! Yujiro then drops an elbow on the bad leg! Yujiro taunts Tanahashi, then ROCKS him with a forearm! Tanahashi ends up on ropes, so Yujiro ROCKS him, then CHOPS him! Yujiro stands Tanahashi up, Narita & Sho anchor Tanahashi in place, and Yujiro BOOTS him! The ref reprimands everyone but Yujiro snapmares for a cover! TWO, the fans rally, but Kanemaru tags in. The Heel Master YANKS the leg, then whisp Tanahashi to ropes. Kanemaru dropkicks the leg out!
Kanemaru hurries to step through, FIGURE FOUR! The House BLASTS Team Ace again! The ref reprimands and the fans rally up while Tanahashi endures. Honma clears Evil out, and he runs to FALLING KOKESHI on Kanemaru! The fans cheer as Tanahashi is saved, but Narita goes after Honma! The fans boo as Narita TOSSES Honma, but Kanemaru tags Sho. Sho stomps the leg, then DDTS the foot! The fans rally for Tanahashi but Sho scuffs him around. Tanahashi stands up and he fires forearms! Sho CLAWS Tanahashi’s eyes, but Tanahashi CLAWS Sho’s eyes! The ref reprimands them both, but Tanahashi blocks a kick! DRAGON SCREW!
The fans fire up as Tanahashi crawls over, hot tag to Oleg! The fans fire up as BARS CLOBBERS Sho! Evil gets away before Oleg can get him, and Yujiro attacks from behind! Yujiro & Narita double whip, but Oleg CLOBBERS them both! Kanemaru kicks and whips, but Oleg reverses to scoop Kanemaru! Oleg SMACKS Sho using Kanemaru! Then Oleg SLAMS Kanemaru, and gut wrenches! The fans fire up for the Shake, Shake, Shake! GUT WRENCH PLEX! Oleg kips up and the fans fire up! Oleg then deadlifts Sho for the gut wrench. But Sho bends fingers and wrenches free! Sho runs, SPEARS, but he bounces right off of Oleg!
The fans fire up and Oleg deadlifts Sho again! Shake, Shake, Shake! GUT WRENCH PLEX! And another kip up! The fans fire up with Oleg and he runs to BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! Oleg drags Sho right up into his arms, then pops him to a fireman’s carry! But Sho CLAWS Oleg’s eyes! Sho slips free, but Oleg kicks Sho! Sho runs to dropkick Oleg’s legs! Sho whips, and TADA! Bare buckles! Oleg suffers The House Special, and Evil DROPKICKS Tanahashi! Sho & Evil double whip Oleg into the bare buckles! Oleg hobbles forward, into a DOUBLE- NO! Oleg fights to DOUBLE SUPLEX them first! The fans fire up and Oleg crawls, and Tanahashi is adamant about getting in!
Oleg isn’t sure about it, but he tags Tanahashi back! Tanahashi fires a strike fest on Evil, and goes an extra round before the SHOTEI! Tanahashi runs to SLINGBLADE! The fans fire up while Tanahashi stalks Evil to a corner. Tanahashi stomps a mudhole into Evil but the ref counts. Tanahashi is not stopping! He SHOVES the ref away! Tanahashi’s rage is getting the better of him as he UPPERCUTS Evil! Tanahashi goes corner to corner, runs back in, but Evil sends him into the ref! And then The House attacks again! Dick stomps away on Tanahashi while Evil recovers! The fans boo and tell Dick to go away!
Narita brings in chairs! Dick stomps Tanahashi more, and the House has all their favorite items! Dick has his Spoiler Choker, Narita with his pushup bar, Sho with the “Torture Tool,” Yujiro with the pimp cane, and Kanemaru with his whiskey bottle. The fans boo as Evil stands on Tanahashi’s face and The House closes in. Evil drags Tanahashi up, and Dick clamps on the SPOILER CHOKER! And then The House CLOBBERS Team Ace with all their weapons! Evil takes aim, but Tanahashi BOOTS him first! Tanahashi THROWS Dick away, but Evil JAMS him up! Tanahashi blocks the chair shot! Tanahashi kicks low, and he SMACKS away on Evil!
The fans fire up as Tanahashi breaks the chair on Evil’s back! Narita runs up, Tanahashi JAMS him first! And then he JAMS Yujiro! And he JAMS Kanemaru! And he JAMS Sho! Then Tanahashi uses the frame to SMACK Evil! The ref is back, he tells Tanahashi to stop, but Tanahashi shoves the ref again! Tanahashi’s rage explodes as he beats Evil down with the chair! Team Ace is DISQUALIFIED!!
Winners: The House of Torture, by disqualification
Tanahashi keeps beating Evil to serve justice, but Young Lions rush in and stop him! Evil writhes, but Tanahashi gets a new chair! Tanahashi SMACKS Evil again and again! His team isn’t even sure what to do, so they let him just BASH away on Evil! Tanahashi tells Evil this is what he gets! One more chair shot! AND THEN ANOTHER! Evil scrambles out of the ring, and Young Lions have to get in Tanahashi’s way to stop the beating! Tanahashi drops the chair to grab the mic, and he shouts, “EVIL, YOU BASTARD! Shut up about my retirement! Oi, oi, you want me to leave so badly? I get it. You want it a year earlier, huh?
“Then in our match on January 4th, I’ll put my career on the line right then!!” The fans are shocked, but Evil says good! And there’s no going back now that he said it! But Tanahashi adds that Evil won’t be able to rely on his goons! It will be a LUMBERJACK MATCH! Now YOU remember that!! Team Ace and The House will wage war once again in the Tokyo Dome! And given Evil only won tonight because Tanahashi lost his cool, will Tanahashi dish out his final justice?
Six Man Tag: TMDK VS Shota Umino, Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi!
Zack Sabre Jr. took the pin when he and Ryohei Oiwa faced Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma in the tournament, so an IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match is set for WrestleKingdom! Will the Roughneck burn The Front Man again with the help of Funky Sauce? Or will we see even now that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The teams sort out and after Shota stares at the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, and his paper replica to compare, he steps up to the champ. The bell rings and the fans cheer as we get this WK19 preview. Shota and ZSJ stare down, the fans rally up, and it sounds pretty even between “SHOTA! SHOTA!” and “ZAKU! ZAKU!” Shota and ZSJ get their fans even more fired up, and then the two circle. They feel things out, knuckle lock, but then ZSJ rolls to wrench. Shota wrenches back and he WRINGS ZSJ out! ZSJ UPKICKS, and the two reset. The fans cheer and the two circle again. Shota avoids a leg pick but ZSJ avoids an enzigiri!
Shota avoids the Penalty Kick, then spins ZSJ to underhook! ZSJ flips that but Shota fights the scoop! ZSJ avoids the uppercut but Shota blocks the uppercut! Shota wants the backslide but ZSJ spins that around, only for Shota to arm-drag! But ZSJ headscissors! Shota kips free and the fans cheer the standoff! Shota dares ZSJ to take the leg, but ZSJ just pushes the foot away. The two reset and feel things out again. They knuckle lock, go forehead to forehead, but then each man kicks a knuckle lock apart. ZSJ and Shota back off, and ZSJ dares Shota to bring it. Shota steps back up, they go forehead to forehead, and then ZSJ offers a free shot.
Shota says no, the champ should take the free shot. ZSJ decides to tag in Oiwa instead. Shota says fine, and he tags Taguchi. The fans rally as Taguchi and Oiwa circle. They tie up, Oiwa headlocks, but Taguchi pries the hold. Oiwa clamps on tighter but Taguchi fires body shots. Taguchi powers up and out, but Oiwa runs him over! Things speed up, Taguchi hurdles and DROPKICKS Oiwa down! Cover, TWO! Fujita slides in but Zayne intercepts! Zayne kicks the Japanese Young Punk and then throws him out! Funky Sauce double whip Oiwa to then BULLDOG and BASEMENT DROPKICK! The fans cheer and Taguchi stalks Oiwa.
Taguchi HIP DROPS Oiwa again and again, then uses the ropes to go up, out, and slingshot back in, but he hip drops onto Oiwa’s knees! Taguchi hobbles away and Oiwa storms up to whip. Taguchi reverses, runs up, but Oiwa pops him up onto the top rope! Taguchi is stuck right on the Funky Weapon! The ref checks but Oiwa SHAKES the ropes! Taguchi suffer, then he slowly tilts to one side! Oiwa gut wrenches Taguchi off the ropes! Tag to ZSJ and ZSJ UPPERCUTS the butt! Then he UPPERCUTS the butt again! And again! Taguchi falls over and ZSJ tags Fujita. Taguchi backstrokes towards his corner, but Fujita stomps him down!
Fujita drags Taguchi up, CHOPS him, then whips him to a corner. Fujita runs up and CHOPS again! Fujita snapmares Taguchi to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! Taguchi stays in this and the fans rally up. Fujita drags Taguchi up, but Taguchi CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Fujita CHOPS back! Fujita runs, Taguchi jumps, but Fujita CHOPS the hip attack! Taguchi hobbles away while Fujita says he’s too smart for that. Fujita runs, but Taguchi somersaults to HIP ATTACK! Hot tag to Zayne and he fires forearms on Fujita! Zayne whips, hip tosses, then STANDING MARIPOSAS! The fans fire up while Zayne brings Fujita up.
Zayne fires more elbows, then a mule kick! Zayne runs to ROLLING AX KICK! Fujita goes to a corner, Zayne runs in, but Fujita BOOTS him away! Fujita hops up but Zayne comes back to JUMPING DRAGON RANA! The fans fire up and Zayne storms over to Fujita. Zayne scoops and B AJA BLASTS! Cover, TWO! Fujita survives but the fans rally behind Zayne. Zayne brings Fujita up, straitjackets, but Fujita fights free to CHOP! Zayne BOOTS! Fujita kicks but Zayne ducks! Fujita rolls off Zayne’s back and runs to GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up while both men are down! Fujita and Zayne crawl, hot tags to ZSJ and Shota!
The fans fire up as ZSJ BOOTS Shota, and Shota ROCKS ZSJ! Shota eggs ZSJ on so ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Shota UPPERCUTS in return! They UPPERCUT back and forth, harder and harder! The fans rally as they now go faster and faster! ZSJ gets the edge with UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT, but Shota roars! Shota UPPERCUTS again and again, ZSJ roars, but Shota UPPERCUTS him down! Shota hurries to FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota stays fired up! Shota clinches ZSJ but ZSJ fights the lift! ZSJ goes for the arm but Shota waistlocks. ZSJ spins around to FACELOCK GUILLOTINE!
Shota endures and stays on his feet, even as ZSJ has the body scissors! The fans duel as ZSJ thrashes, but Shota powers through to suplex ZSJ up and over! Both men are down and the fans fire up again. Shota rises, then he brings ZSJ up to dragon sleeper. ZSJ spins and PELES the arm! But Shota blocks a roundhouse to PELE! But ZSJ PENALTY KICKS! Both men are down again and the fans rally more! ZSJ and Shota crawl, but ZSJ tags in Oiwa! Oiwa runs in at the corner to DROPKICK! Oiwa has the single leg but Shota fights off the suplex! Oiwa swings but Shota clinches, so now Oiwa fights free!
Shota ROCKS Oiwa, spins, but Oiwa ROCKS Shota! Oiwa runs, into a clinch! EXPLODER! The fans fire up while both men are down! The fans rally, Shota and Oiwa crawl, hot tag to Taguchi! Taguchi calls to Zayne and then BLASTS Fujita! Funky Sauce whips Oiwa to a corner, then Zayne sends Taguchi in. HIP ATTACK! Taguchi goes up, Zayne RANAS Oiwa into the butt! Backslide, roll through, KETSUYE! Cover, TWO! Oiwa survives but Taguchi signals for that. Taguchi and Zayne use the power of Strong Style, and then “ITADAKIMAAAS~!” Oiwa stands, into a DOUBLE HIP ATTACK SANDWICH! Cover, Fujita breaks it!
Zayne ROCKS Fujita, he and Taguchi double whip, but Fujita ducks the lariats to shove Zayne into Taguchi! Zayne blocks a kick but not the DRAGON WHIP! Shota dropkicks Fujita’s legs! ZSJ BOOTS Shota! Shota roars, but ZSJ BOOTS him again! ZSJ whips, Shota reverses and TORNADO DDTS! ZSJ flounders away and the fans fire up with Shota! Shota tells Taguchi to finish it off, and Taguchi runs at Oiwa! And he sliding kicks! Oiwa tumbles, Taguchi grabs the leg to OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Oiwa endures, reaches out, but Taguchi drags him back! Oiwa gets up to LARIAT! Both men are down and the fans fire up!
Oiwa fires up and he brings Taguchi around. Oiwa whips, then clamps on a SLEEPER! But Taguchi slips right out! Taguchi has the headlock, but Oiwa slips out to hit a BIG atomic drop! Taguchi hobbles and Oiwa clamps on the SLEEPER! Taguchi flails but he’s fading already! The fans rally and Oiwa spins Taguchi, for THE GRIP!! Cover, TMDK wins!
Winners: TMDK, by pinfall
The Mullet gets the better of The Funky Weapon, but Shota still dares ZSJ to go for the leg. ZSJ ignores Shota’s bait and just gives him the paper belt. “This is the closest you’ll get to the effin’ title.” ZSJ SLAPS Shota with it! Shota says don’t be rude to the kids! A fan made that for him. Shota dusts off the paper belt, and claims that he’s gonna get the real deal soon enough. ZSJ says yeah, sure. ZSJ will make Shota a real nice toy belt himself so he can keep dreaming. ZSJ mockingly puts something together using his old wrist tape! Shota says wow, thanks. With not even a month left, who will win out when the real belt is on the line?
2024 World Tag League Finals: Gabe Kidd & SANADA VS Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi!
It’s the moment of truth as The Mad Man & Cold Blooded take on The Uncontrollable Charisma & Ticking Timebomb. There is still a lot of uncertainty regarding the tag titles given Henare’s knee injury, but for right now, it’s time to answer one question: Who will be the 2024 World Tag League Champions?
As Naito enters the ring, Gabe stays right at the center, but Naito completely ignores him. Then Naito takes his time with his entrance attire, as always, but Gabe and Sanada both stay calm. Gabe paces but Sanada keeps his eyes closed. Hiromu fires up Kumamoto and Naito finally does away with the pants. The teams finally sort out, and Gabe eggs on “the Junior.” Hiromu grins, then he fist bumps Naito, and yes, it seems Hiromu and the NJPW Strong Openweight Champion will start! The bell rings and both men run in! They DOUBLE LARIAT, but it’s Hiromu who falls! Hiromu gets up to CHOP, but Gabe CHOPS!
The fans fire up as the CHOPS go back and forth already! Hiromu backs down, but for only a moment! Hiromu CHOPS again, so Gabe CHOPS again! The CHOPS go back and forth, but Hiromu backs down again. Gabe eggs him on so Hiromu CHOPS! Gabe CHOPS again! Hiromu clutches his chest but he CHOPS again! Gabe CHOPS again, then braces himself. The CHOPS keep going, then they get forehead to forehead. Gabe winds up to CHOP! Hiromu drops back, and Gabe kicks at him. Gabe eggs Hiromu on so Hiromu CHOPS, CHOPS and CHOPS! Gabe spins to CHOP! Hiromu backs down, but runs up to LARIAT!
Gabe stays up, so he and Hiromu both run, but to take out Naito and Sanada! Then Hiromu runs up to kick Gabe low! Hiromu CLUBS Gabe, CHOPS, and Gabe feels that one. Hiromu whips, Gabe reverses, and Sanada gets a cheap shot in! The fans boo and Red Shoes reprimands, but the War Dogs double whip. Hiromu grabs ropes to stop, and Naito runs in! Naito CLOBBERS Sanada and Hiromu kicks Gabe! LIJ mugs Gabe then double whips, to DOUBLE CHOP! Then they DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Gabe flounders away while the fans cheer. Hiromu tags Naito and Naito storms up on Gabe.
Naito CLUBS Gabe again and again, then snapmares for a chinlock. Gabe endures the knee in his back, even as Naito digs it in deeper. Naito then shifts to have a headscissors! Naito pushes up to put on the pressure, but Gabe still endures. Naito lets Gabe go and Hiromu sits in the ropes. Hiromu assures Red Shoes it isn’t what he thinks, but then Naito bumps Gabe off Hiromu’s boots! It WAS what it looked like! The fans cheer but Red Shoes reprimands, and Naito tags in Hiromu. Hiromu CHOPS Gabe to a corner, then CHOPS again! Naito joins in and they double whip Gabe corner to corner. Gabe comes back, Naito drops down and Hiromu CROSBODIES!
Sanada storms in but Hiromu CROSSBODIES! Hiromu goes out and chases down Gabe, CROSSBODY! Hiromu keeps moving, and Naito sets Sanada up for the CROSSBODY! The fans fire up with Hiromu as he goes back to the ring. Gabe storms around in frustration, then pushes his way to No Man’s Land. He eggs Hiromu on, so here he comes! But Sanada was lurking! He attacks first, then sends Hiromu into chairs! Naito and Gabe brawl, and Naito CLUBS Gabe around. Fans are told to move aside, and Naito whips. Gabe reverses and he BOWLS Naito into chairs! Not quite a strike but Gabe just flips off the fans.
Sanada is beating Hiromu down somewhere in the upper deck, and Gabe drags Naito back up. Gabe UPPERCUTS Naito, but Hiromu fights back against Sanada! Sanada CLAWS Hiromu’s face! Hiromu stops the suplex, then suplexes Sanada! Sanada fights that, and he CLAWS Hiromu’s face again! As for Gabe, he BITES Naito’s forehead, then SMACKS him down! At least they’re at ringside. But then Gabe looks under the ring, and he brings out a table! Gabe sets the table up, but Naito fires forearms on Gabe! Gabe SMACKS Naito again! Gabe hauls Naito up to POWERBOMB through the table!!
The fans go wild as Gabe looms over Naito. Gabe slides in and mocks Naito’s pose! The fans are torn but most boo. Red Shoes reprimands Gabe, and it seems Sanada has retuned to ringside, with Hiromu somewhere in the crowd. A ring count starts, but Gabe SPITS at Naito! The count is 7 of 20 and the spotlight shows Hiromu is still so far away! We pass 10, then 12! Hiromu hobbles at 15 and he’s finally in the aisle! Hiromu runs and slides in safe at 19! The fans cheer but Gabe drags Hiromu up. Gabe CHOPS Hiromu in the corner, then CHOPS again! And then JABS! Tag to Sanada and he CLAWS Hiromu’s back while Gabe talks trash on Naito.
The fans rally for Hiromu but Sanada stomps him in a corner. Sanada digs his boot in, but he stops as Red Shoes counts. Sanada drags Hiromu up, TOSSES him out, and Gabe quickly runs Hiromu back to the back of the crowd and up the bleachers! Gabe ROCKS Hiromu with a straight right hand! Then SMACKS him again! Hiromu flops over and Gabe leaves him behind again. The ring count returns while Hiromu sputters. The fans cheer Hiromu on as he’s up, but he’s still so far away at 10! Then 15! Hiromu returns at 18 to slide in at 19.5!! Sanada is on Hiromu, but Hiromu dropkicks the legs out! But Naito isn’t at the corner!
Sanada tags Gabe and he stomps away on Hiromu in the corner! Red Shoes reprimands but Gabe drags Hiromu up. The fans rally for Hiromu, but Gabe whips him hard into the corner! Gabe eggs Hiromu on, saying he’s not “Despy” or Douki. Hiromu rises up to CHOP! Gabe snarls but Hiromu CHOPS again! Hiromu roars and he CHOPS! Gabe finally wobbles, but he keeps Hiromu from Naito! Gabe throws Hiromu down by his hair, then he WRECKS Naito with a dropkick! Gabe mocks the tranquilo and the fans boo. Gabe tags Sanada and the War Dogs bring Hiromu up. The fans rally but the War Dogs double whip, only for Hiromu to DOUBLE CROSSBODY!
Hiromu crawls, reaches out, but Sanada keeps him from Naito! Hiromu breaks free, blocks a kick, and a punch! Sanada CLAWS Hiromu’s eyes! Sanada runs but Hiromu bolts for the corner! Hot tag to Naito! Naito kicks and fires off on Sanada, but Gabe CLUBS him! The War Dogs double whip, but Naito reverses to send Sanada away! Then he sends Gabe into Sanada! Gabe falls, Naito dodges Sanada to arm-drag! And ELBOW! Naito keeps moving, basement DROPKICK! Gabe ROCKS Naito! Gabe whips, Naito reverses and runs up to ELBOW him down! Sanada runs up but is sent into the corner! Naito blocks boots to put Sanada in ropes, DRAPING NECKBREAKER!
Naito hurries to stand Sanada up, turn him, and stall for the NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up as Naito does the pose himself. Cover, TWO! Sanada is tougher than that but Naito drags him up. Naito dragon sleepers for another NECKBREAKER, and then it’s the LEG HOOK NELSON! Sanada endures as Naito puts on the pressure, and Sanada kicks around. Naito puts on more pressure, but Sanada has the ROPEBREAK! But of course Naito claims he needs a little help. Red Shoes counts, Naito lets the hold go, and he brings Sanada to a corner. Naito drags Sanada up, reel shim in, but Sanada stops Esperanza! So Naito BOOTS him!
Naito whips corner to corner but Sanada goes up and out, and even to the floor! Naito slides out but Sanada goes to the apron. Naito hurries back up, but Sanada KICKS ropes to jam Naito up! The fans boo and Red Shoes reprimands but Sanada tags Gabe. Gabe drags Naito up, has him in a corner, and CHOPS! HEADBUTTS! Repeat! Gabe wobbles a bit, but he rolls back and returns to LARIAT! Then SAIDO! Naito gets flung, Gabe hurries to cover, TWO! The fans fire up but Gabe drags Naito right up to suplex and BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Naito survives but Gabe seethes. The fans rally for Naito as hard as they can, which annoys Gabe.
Gabe drags Naito up, reels him in, but Naito fights the lift! Gabe CLUBS Naito but still Naito fights! Gabe DOUBLE CHOPS Naito’s back, then powers through! But Naito powers out and throws those heavy back elbows! Gabe SPITS at Naito! Naito SLAPS Gabe! Gabe rebounds, Naito dodges, tilt-o-whirl CRADLE! TWO!! Gabe SMACKS Naito, reels him in, “I’m a MAD MAN, y’know!” But Hiromu SUPERKICKS him first! Sanada DROPKICKS Hiromu! Naito dropkicks Sanada’s legs! But Gabe KNEES Naito down! Hiromu fireman’s carries Gabe! TIMEBOMB 1.5! Sanada runs up, into a wrench and FACLON ARROW!
Sanada flounders out and Hiromu brings Gabe over to Naito! BOOSTED TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up and Naito brings Gabe back up! Wrench and tilt-o-whirl, DESTINO!! Cover, SANADA YANKS RED SHOES OUT!! The fans boo Sanada but he just soaks up the heat. Hiromu goes to the apron and he CROSSBODIES Sanada down! Hiromu helps Red Shoes up, Naito wrenches Gabe again, DESTIN- NO! TOMBSTONE!! Gabe and Naito are down and the fans rally even harder! There is some dueling in here, but the “GABU! GABU!” is still overwhelmed by the “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” Both men stir while Red Shoes returns.
Gabe clutches his neck while rolling away from Naito. Naito changes course and rolls for his corner, hot tags to Sanada and Hiromu! Hiromu dodges Sanada’s boot but Sanada blocks the lariat! Dragon sleeper, but Hiromu spins that around! Sanada fights the suplex so Hiromu dropkicks a leg out! Hiromu KICKS and fireman’s carries, and flips Sanada into the dragon sleeper! Sanada spins that around, but Hiromu fights a suplex! Hiromu suplexes but Sanada slips free to dragon sleeper! SKULL END! Hiromu endures but Sanada drops back into the body scissors! The fans rally and Hiromu fights around!
Sanada squeezes as tight as he can and Hiromu is fading! Red Shoes checks, Hiromu faintly comes back to life, but Sanada goes to his old ways! Sanada goes up and up to ROUNDING BODY PRESS, but onto knees!! Hiromu saves himself and the fans rally up! Hiromu feeds off the energy to fire back up. Hiromu runs to HIROMU- NO, Sanada dodges the lariat, but the HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER still finds him! Fireman’s carry, TIMEBOMB 1.5!! Cover, TWO!! Sanada survives and Hiromu grows frustrated. The fans rally up behind him and Hiromu drags Sanada up. Hiromu fireman’s carries but Sanada slips free.
Sanada waistlocks but Hiromu switches. Sanada grabs at Red Shoes, Red Shoes gets away, and Hiromu avoids the low blow kick! Hiromu SUPERKICKS Sanada, then runs, but Sanada slips around! Sanada shoves Hiromu at Red Shoes and Red Shoes almost ends up falling out of the ring! Sanada whips Hiromu to POP-UP LOW BLOW! And then O’CONNER BRIDGE!! Cover, NAITO YANKS RED SHOES OUT!! Naito returns the favor and grins at Sanada. Gabe storms in with a chair! Naito runs and shoves Hiromu out of harm’s way! Naito then dodges Gabe to POP-UP LOW BLOW!! Another bit of returning the favor!
The fans are thunderous as Gabe writhes and rolls out of the ring. Naito drags Sanada up, Hiromu helps, BOOSTED TORNADO- NO! Sanada slips free, but Naito sends him into a SUPERKICK! ENZIGIRI! HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! The fans fire up with Hiromu as he fireman’s carries Sanada, for the OG TIMEBOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?! Sanada survives and shocks everyone! Hiromu roars and the fans are with him! Hiromu clinches in a dragon sleeper, but Gabe BITES Hiromu’s face! Gabe DECKS Naito, then he drags Hiromu up. Hiromu CHOPS, CHOPS , and CHOPS! Gabe just UPPERCUTS!
Gabe scoops and SLAMS Hiromu, then goes up the corner! MAD MAN MOONSAULT! Gabe calls to Sanada to get Hiromu, and Sanada goes up! ROUNDING BODY PRESS!! Cover, TWO!!! Hiromu survives and Sanada is furious!! Red Shoes defends his count and the fans are electric for Hiromu! Gabe reels Hiromu in, PILEDRIVER!! Feed to the DEAD- NO, Naito CLUBS Sanada! Naito dodges Gabe, comes back, DESTINO!!! SHINING WIZARD from Sanada!! Sanada hauls Hiromu up but Hiromu pump-handles! HIROMU-CHAN CRA- NO! SHINING WIZARD!! Sanada roars, fans are torn, but he drags Hiromu up.
Sanada clinches, DEAD- NO, Hiromu slips free, wrenches, pump handle, HIROMU-CHAN CRADLE!!! LIJ WINS!!!!
Winners: Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (World Tag League 2024 Champions)
Sanada cannot believe it, but Kumamoto absolutely loves it!! The War Dogs tore through A Block, but it was the team that survived the extra Triple Threat match that takes the whole thing! What does this mean for the combination of Gabe and Sanada in the future? Is there a future for them?
As for LIJ, Naito drags himself into the ring, crawls over to Hiromu, and master and student hug it out! Red Shoes brings them the trophies, and LIJ sets them side by side before they stand back up. Naito gets his hat back on while Hiromu rests on the mat again. And after a little water to refresh themselves, Naito gets the mic. “Buenas noches, KUMAMOTOOOO~!” The fans cheer, and Naito says, “The way things work, it should be Hiromu, the main event winner, on the mic right now. But it looks like he took some damage. In that case, I’ll say my part first.” The fans applaud that.
Naito thanks all the fans that came out to the Grand Messe Kumamoto for the WTL Finals. “Gracias, amigos.” The fans cheer that, and Naito adds that he won the main event here back in April of 2018. He sent a message to all the fans here that night. Does anyone remember what he said about “having the courage to take that step?” The fans applaud as it seems they do. Naito says, “Make no mistake, we won the World Tag League thanks to Hiromu.” The fans applaud again, and even chant for “HI-RO-MU! HI-RO-MU!” Naito says that Hiromu’s refusal to give up under any circumstance made Naito feel he had to take that step, too.
“And that step brings me to that singles match we were set to have before the pandemic.” Fans are intrigued hearing that. Naito says how about doing it January 4th in the Tokyo Dome? The fans cheer for Hiromu in support of that idea. Hiromu takes the mic now and asks if it takes Naito that long to take a step. The fans chuckle, and Hiromu stands. Hiromu says thanks to that, they were able to enter WTL and win it all. Hiromu thanks Naito for that, both arigato and gracias. The fans applaud, and Hiromu reviews the idea: January 4th, WrestleKingdom, Naito VS Hiromu. “The answer is, of course…! Let’s do it.”
The fans cheer as the match is now set! Hiromu thanks Naito for letting him know this is how he felt! “It’s important to say what we feel, isn’t it? Everyone, do you have something you want to say as well? It could to a friend, a lover, a parent, a teacher, a senpai, a kouhai! I’m reminded once again how important it is to share what we are feeling. Naito-san, do you mind if I tell you something, too?” The fans are again intrigued. “Naito-san, thank you for teaching me how to be a wrestler!” Hiromu bows and the fans applaud. Hiromu then says January 4th can’t come soon enough! “Everyone, we only live once, so enjoy it to the fullest!”
First, think of the life you wanna live, and then enjoy it to the fullest! And during that time, if pro-wrestling can bring you even a bit of joy, Hiromu will be satisfied! So then, let’s have more… The fans echo back, “Moto!” Moto! Moto! Moto! Moto! Moto! Moto! Moto! Moto! Moto! Moto! Moto! Moto! MOTO fun in life enjoying pro-wrestling together~! The confetti goes off as the WTL winners must take a different route for WrestleKingdom. Will it be teacher or student who proves themselves the better man in the Tokyo Dome?
My Thoughts:
An awesome finale to WTL 2024, even with a lot of the other matches just kind of filler since there weren’t tag titles to be defended here and a lot of WrestleKingdom 19 stuff to be set up. I made sure to do the 10 Man Tag because it of course fed Tanahashi VS Evil, but I certainly didn’t see it happening that way. Tanahashi going wild because of all the frustration he has with Evil was some great stuff, and a Lumberjack match is a great move so that Tanahashi’s allies, aka all of The House of Torture’s enemies, are gonna be ringside with them. But moving up the retirement stipulation is a shock. Was saying 2026 would be when Tanahashi retires just a smokescreen so this would be more shocking? Or is this the smokescreen to put more drama on a match we’re pretty sure Tanahashi still wins?
The Six Man Tag of TMDK VS Shota & Funky Sauce was really good, and a really good win for Oiwa there. This was all still just secondary to building heat on Shota and ZSJ, but it was rather funny for Shota to have that paper (and I think soft foam?) belt and ZSJ mocking him with the wrist tape. If Shota ends up winning, I think NJPW is guilty of making him their “Super Cena,” their “Cena Wins LOL” guy, and that’s a disservice to Shota and especially Zack. Zack needs to make it through a WK with that belt, let Shota fight his way back up through the New Japan Cup or something.
And awesome, incredible main event with the WTL finals. I figured Naito & Hiromu were winning, just because Gabe’s got his NJPW Strong title and the Kenny Omega match for that Tokyo Dome weekend. Not sure what it means for Sanada, but I don’t think he’s leaving War Dogs already (as funny as that would be). And I suppose with Henare’s knee in question, they’re just going to leave the Heavyweight Tag Team Championship match for another time. Naito VS Hiromu, the World Champ VS Junior Heavyweight Champ match we never got four years ago for the anniversary show, is a great move for WK19. There’s no place better than WK for a match like that, and they can’t wait on this match with Naito having said he’s getting closer and closer to retiring.
That said, maybe Hiromu wins to put him over and get him into that next level where he’s going for big titles. Granted, NJPW is literal about the “heavyweight” part of the World Heavyweight Championship, and I don’t know if Hiromu’s going to be able to pull off a 205+ frame. He’s already ~195, he’s already 35, but hey, maybe he can get a short reign in just so he can say he was on top of both weight classes in his career.
My Score: 9/10
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TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
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