Will we see some history made tonight?

Hiromu Takahashi wants to repeat as Best of the Super Juniors, but will Yoh get in his way? Will Goto-Hashi or House of Torture win World Tag League?

NOTE: NJPW no longer wants to feed AXS TV now that it is with Anthem and Impact Wrestling. But never fear, I will cover NJPW in the spirit of AXS in providing the most important matches of the show.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: Suzuki-Gun VS Ryusuke Taguchi, Yuto Nakashima & Kosei Fujita; Suzuki-Gun wins.
• Tiger Mask & Ryohei Oiwa VS Taiji Ishimori & El Phantasmo; Ishimori & ELP win.
• 8 Man Tag: Suzuki-Gun VS Toru Yano, Master Wato, Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma; Suzuki-Gun wins.
• 8 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Third Gen VS Bullet Club; Tanahashi & Third Gen win.
• SANADA & Tetsuya Naito VS The United Empire; Sanada & Naito win.
• Shingo Takagi & BUSHI VS Kazuchika Okada & Robbie Eagles; Okada & Eagles win.
• World Tag League 2021 Finals: Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI VS Yujiro Takahashi & EVIL w/ Dick Togo; Goto & Hashi wins and will challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships at WrestleKingdom 16.
• Best of the Super Juniors 28 Finals: Hiromu Takahashi VS YOH; Hiromu wins and will challenge for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship at WrestleKingdom 16.

PLAY BY PLAY

Kenta is on the titantron!

“Tanahashi. No, Tana. No… Hashi! After Hiroshima, I heard your backstage comments. And you flubbed your lines, right? So speak clearly. And when you talk about stipulations, if I let you challenge for the US title… I don’t want to wrestle you. That’s what I want to say, but last time, I got put through a table, and my back’s still not right. So how about this? No Disqualifications, Anything Goes! Under those rules, I’ll do it. I wait for your reply.” What does The Ace have to say to Fang Revived? He gets a mic to say, “I’ll do it. I don’t want my US Heavyweight Championship history to end with a half-assed run.” Challenge accepted! What happens when the stakes are raised between Tanahashi and Kenta?

SANADA & Tetsuya Naito VS The United Empire!

While both teams fell short on the last day of the World Tag League round robin, there’s always a chance they can be in line after WrestleKingdom 16. But with Aaron Henare stepping back and Jeff Cobb stepping in, will this be a very different result from before?

Naito takes his time with his elaborate entrance attire as usual, but Khan and Cobb stay patient. Khan then kneels to offer a knee. LIJ fist bumps, then they attack! Naito throws Cobb out while Sanada throws hands on Khan! The bell rings, Naito keeps on Cobb on the outside while Sanada whips corner to corner. Khan reverses, Sanada goes up and around and ducks and dodges to dropkick a leg out! Sanada drags Khan by his hair, the ref reprimands, but Sanada keeps bringing Khan along. Naito gets in to CLUB the ponytail! Sanada ties Khan up in Paradise! Fans fire up as Sanada holds onto the ponytail and stands on Khan.

Cobb protests, the fans rally up and Sanada encourages the fans to get louder. The fans oblige and Sanada dropkicks Khan out of Paradise! Cover, TWO! Fans rally for “SA-NA-DA!” “L I J!” as Sanada throws forearms on Khan. Khan blocks the rolling elbow to the HITSUJIGOROSHI! Sanada endures, pulls the ponytail, but Khan knees and scoops Sanada for a BACKBREAKER! Cobb gets in to DECK Naito, and then goes out after him on the outside. Khan CLUBS Sanada, Cobb stands on Naito’s back! Khan chokes Sanada, the ref reprimands them both, and Cobb stomps Naito as he lets off. Khan drags Sanada up to whip him into railing!

Khan goes to the ring and lets the ring count start. Sanada stirs, the count reaches 10 of 20 and fans rally harder. Sanada gets in at 16 but Khan’s right on him with a facelock. Khan drags Sanada over, tags Cobb, and the Empire mugs Sanada. Cobb stands on Sanada’s neck, then JAMS his knee into Sanada’s back again and again, before topping it off with an uppercut! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up harder for Sanada as Cobb brings Sanada up. Cobb suplexes and carries Sanada around! Sanada tries to escape but Cobb brings him back up! Cobb then has Sanada on his shoulder to RAM into the corner! Tag to Khan, Khan DECKS Naito, and Cobb stands on Sanada’s arm.

Cobb steps away, Khan dead lift gut wrenches to SLAM Sanada down! Cocky cover, TWO! Fans rally up but Khan stomps around. Khan brings Sanada up to push him towards his boot! But Sanada fights up to throw forearms! Khan kick slow, but Sanada blocks the Mongolian Chop to steal the Mongolian Chop! And again! But Khan HELL STABS! Khan throws haymakers, whips Sanada corner to corner, but Sanada goes up and out and springboards in to dropkick! Fans fire up as Sanada and Khan crawl, hot tags to Naito and Cobb! Naito elbows Cobb, dodges the lariat and fires a forearm! Naito kicks and runs to RANA Cobb down! Cobb bails out, Naito baseball slides him into railing!

Naito puts Cobb in, brings him up and whips him corner to corner. Naito runs in to JUMP KICK, leg sweep and COMBINACION CABRON! Fans fire up and Naito covers, TWO! Naito brings Cobb up, turns him, but Cobb powers it back! Naito CLUBS Cobb down, turns him again, but Cobb powers through again. Naito CLUBS Cobb more and more, tries a third time, but Cobb spins through and RAMS Naito into a corner! Then RAMS him corner to corner! Then back the other way! Then back again! Khan BOOTS Sanada down, Cobb back elbows Naito! Khan clotheslines Naito, then the Empire coordinates, BOOT SUPERKICK SANDWICH!

Khan calls for Fubuki! That’s usually his combo with Henare, but Khan gets Naito for the HITSUJIGOROSHI! Cobb gets the legs but Sanada CHOP BLOCKS Cobb down! Sanada fires off on Khan but Khan knees low and CLUBS Sanada. Khan runs, into Sanada’s fireman’s carry and throw to the dragon sleeper! But Khan iron claws free for the ELIMINATOR! Khan kicks Sanada out but fans rally for Naito. Khan calls for the Imperial Drop! Cobb fireman’s carries Naito, Khan runs, but Naito slips off to shove Cobb into Khan! Naito elbows Khan down and adds a basement dropkick! Naito dodges Cobb to ENZIGURI, and then TORNADO- NO! Cobb blocks with power!

Cobb pops Naito up but Naito RANAS! Cover, LIJ WINS!

Winners: Sanada & Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall

But Cobb goes right after Naito! LIJ just ruined his return to action in Japan! Cobb whips, Naito holds ropes and then dumps Cobb out! Naito runs, but TRANQUILOS! Cobb rushes back in but Naito gets out. Naito tells Cobb to calm down, but will the Hawaiian Hulk chases after him backstage! Is he gonna SMASH LIJ before the year is over?

Shingo Takagi & BUSHI VS Kazuchika Okada & Robbie Eagles!

The IWGP World Heavyweight Champion and the G1 Climax 31 Champion are set to collide at WrestleKingdom to determine the fate of NJPW’s top title! Will Black Mask help the Dragon gain momentum? Or will the Sniper of the Skies help the Rainmaker shoot LIJ down?

The teams sort out, fans rally already, “O-KA-DA!” “TA-KA-GI!” As such, we start with a preview of the WrestleKingdom 16 main event! The two circle, tie up, and Takagi waistlocks. Okada wrenches out to a hammerlock but Takagi headlocks. Okada tries to pry free but Takagi holds tight. Takagi hits a headlock takeover, Okada rolls him to a cover, ONE! Takagi wrenches, hits a quick elbow breaker, then has a wristlock. Takagi YANKS and YANKS then wrenches through. Okada rolls to get a leg and trip Takagi. Okada has a toehold, Takagi uses his free leg to bring Okada down, but Okada fights up to rear mount waistlock.

Takagi powers him to a headlock but Okada headscissors, and Takagi kips free. Fans cheer as the two stand off. Okada and Takagi reset and the fans rally up again, “O-KA-DA!” “TA-KA-GI!” They feel out the grapple, knuckle lock, and then go shoulder to shoulder in a test of strength. Takagi powers up and wrenches the knuckle locks to bring Okada to his knees. Fans rally, Okada rolls back to reverses the knuckle wrench onto Takagi. Takagi moves back and gets the ropebreak. The ref counts, Okada stands Takagi up, but Okada fakes the chop to pat Takagi on the shoulder. Fans cheer for classic Okada as he and Takagi circle.

Okada and Takagi tie up again, Okada headlocks then wrenches to a wristlock. Okada CLUBS the arm, wrenches again, and again has the wristlock. Takagi tries to fight up but Okada wrenches it more. Takagi rolls, Okada wrenches to a hammerlock but Takagi elbows free! Takagi CHOPS, but Okada BOOTS back! Okada ducks the lariat to ripcord, but Takagi fireman’s carries! Okada slips free and fans cheer the new stand off. Okada and Takagi each go to their corners and tag in Eagles and Bushi. Fans rally up as the Junior Heavyweights tie up. Eagles puts Bushi on the ropes, lets off, but Bushi rakes eyes! The ref reprimands and Bushi stops.

Bushi whips, Eagles holds ropes to stop. Bushi kicks low, whips but Eagles reverses to go up and around to arm-drag! Eagles then ducks and dodges but Bushi follows to RANA! Eagles bails out, Bushi builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit into the railing! Takagi goes after Okada on the outside to SNAKE EYES off the apron! Bushi takes off his shirt and chokes Eagles with it! Eagles gets to the ropes, the ref reprimands, Bushi lets off at 4. Tag to Takagi, and he stomps Eagles. Takagi slaps Eagles around, Eagles chops back. Takagi doesn’t budge, Eagles throws forearms! Eagles fires more but Takagi DOUBLE CHOPS Eagles off his feet!

Takagi brings Eagles up, suplexes high and hard, then covers, TWO! Fans rally, Takagi keeps his cool, and Takagi wants them to get louder. The fans do get louder, and Takagi whips Eagles to ropes to KNEE him low. Takagi runs, into a knee and KICK from Eagles! Takagi brushes it off, Eagles dodges and RANAS! Fans fire up as Eagles crawls over, hot tag to Okada! Okada fires forearms, then whips. Takagi reverses but Okada elbows him down! Bushi runs in but into a FLAPJACK! Okada whips Takagi to the corner, runs in and back elbows! Then kick to DDT! Cover, TWO! Okada paces while fans rally up. Takagi gets up and throws a forearm! Okada throws a forearm back!

Takagi forearms, Okada forearms again, and Takagi shouts, “OI!” Fans fire up as the forearms keep flying back and forth! Okada gets the edge, then EuroUppers, into a Gory Especial! Okada fights out to get the MONEY CLIP! But Takagi arm-drags free, ELBOWS, JABS, YUKON feint and DDT! Fans fire up with Takagi, he tags Bushi in. Bushi DECKS Eagles, then LIJ get Okada up. They double whip Okada to the corner, Bushi back elbows and Takagi lariats! Feed to the ENZIGURI, then BACKSTABBER SPINEBUSTER COMBO! Cover, Eagles breaks it! Takagi throws Eagles back out and Bushi brings Okada up. FISHERMAN SCREW! Cover, TWO!

Bushi aims from a corner, runs in at Okada, but no Code Breaker! Jackknife and roll-through to the Alabama, then the REVERSE NECKBREAKER! MONEY CLIP!! Bushi endures, crawls, but Okada drags him away! Takagi gets in to CLUB Okada! Takagi fires boxing elbows, then he runs, but Eagles springboards to dropkick the legs out! Eagles keeps moving, BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Fans fire up as Eagles builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and both he and Takagi hit railing! Okada goes back to Bushi, brings him up to gut wrench, but Bushi slips out! Okada ducks the enziguri but not the HEEL KICK! Bushi runs, into the DROPKICK!

Okada drags Bushi back up, scoops and SLAMS, then goes to the corner. Standard formula as Okada hits the MACHO ELBOW! Fans fire up for the Rainmaker Pose! Okada drags Bushi up, ripcords, RAINMAKER!! Cover, Okada & Eagles win!

Winners: Kazuchika Okada & Robbie Eagles, by pinfall

The G1 Climax Champion wins it for Chaos, and he picks up his classic IWGP Heavyweight Championship belt. Takagi has the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship belt and wonders which fans like better. But in the end, will the Dragon prove that HE is the better champion at WrestleKingdom?

World Tag League 2021 Finals: Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI VS Yujiro Takahashi & EVIL w/ Dick Togo!

While the Fierce Warrior & Head Hunter did everything fair and square to get here, the House of Torture used every trick in the book and then some! Will Goto-Hashi be the ones turning the lights out on the Tokyo Pimp & King of Darkness? Or will we all see that Everything is Evil?

Bullet Club Low Sweets, then teams sort out. Hashi starts against Evil and fans rally up. Evil bails out and grabs the trophies! Evil has Dick hold onto one, but it’s all a distraction so Yujiro can attack Hashi from behind! Yujiro DECKS Goto, Evil attacks Hashi! The House of Torture mugs Hashi in a corner, the ref reprimands, but they double whip Hashi corner to corner. Hashi dodges Evil’s clothesline to run Yujiro over! Hashi then kicks and CLUBS Evil, and Goto joins in! Goto-Hashi double whip to double shoulder Evil down! Then they coordinate, hip toss senton! Evil scrambles away, Dick pokes his head in. Hashi runs Dick off, and Goto flanks Dick on the other side.

Goto-Hashi mug Dick, throw him in the ring, and Dick prays for mercy, only to get hammered! Fans fire up as Goto-Hashi goes after Evil now. Hashi CLUBS Evil, drags him up, but Evil rakes eyes! The ref counts, Evil whips Hashi over, and Hashi hits bare buckles! The Bullet Club special is back! Goto runs in, Evil kicks and whips him into buckles, too! Yujiro drags Goto out while fans rally up, and Yujiro POSTS Goto! Evil drags Hashi up, he throws Hashi out, too, then goes out after him. Evil RAMS Hashi into the reeling by timekeeper’s table! Abe-san goes down again! Evil then RAMS Hashi into railing by commentary, gets a chair, and uses the chair to choke Hashi!

Evil stands on Hashi’s head while taunting Yano on commentary. Yujiro keeps the ref busy with Goto while Evil puts Hashi in. Evil stands on Hashi’s head again, then tags Yujiro. Yujiro drags Hashi up to throw haymakers. Yujiro CHOPS Hashi in the corner, then reels him in to RAM him into the bare buckles! Evil talks trash, Yujiro snapmares and runs to basement BOOT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up for Hashi while Evil argues the count. Yujiro tags Evil in, Evil has his shirt and he uses it to choke Hashi! Goto protests but the ref keeps him back. Evil covers, TWO! Evil again argues the count but he drags Hashi up to scoop and SLAM! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! A third, TWO!!

Evil is furious with the ref but the count is fair. Fans rally up for Hashi but Evil kicks him around. Evil toys with Hashi, but Hashi gets up. Hashi ROCKS Evil with forearm after forearm, and a CHOP! Evil rakes the eyes! Evil runs, but Hashi dropkicks his legs out! Fans fire up while both men are down! Hashi crawls, hot tag to Goto! Yujiro runs in but Goto runs him over! Goto DECKS Dick, then runs corner to corner to MURAMASA Evil! And BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up, Goto drags Evil up for a fireman’s carry, but Evil fights out and waistlocks. Goto elbows free, runs, but Yujiro is there with his pimp cane!

Evil waistlocks, Goto breaks free, but Evil distracts the ref as Dick trips Goto! Dick and Yujiro RAM Goto into railing, then FLAPJACK him off the apron! Dick puts Goto in, Yujiro drags Goto up and Evil DECKS Hashi! Yujiro whips Goto into the corner, runs in and BOOTS! Evil runs in to clothesline! Then FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Evil is again furious but the fans fire up! Evil gets the legs and steps through, SCORPION DEATHLOCK! Goto endures but fans rally up! Yujiro keeps Hashi out, but Goto powers up! Goto crawls and gets the ROPEBREAK! Fans rally up but Evil drags Goto around. Goto flounders, Evil stands on his head.

Evil stands Goto up, fireman’s carries, but Hashi mule kicks Evil first! Goto slips down and has Evil, Hashi runs, BLOCKBUSTER LEG SWEEP COMBO! Yujiro runs in, dragon sleepers for the REVERSE DDT! Goto gets up but Yujiro kicks and whips him into bare buckles! But Goto comes back to LARIAT Yujiro down! Fans fire up as all four men are down! Goto and Evil stir and go to opposite corners. Goto runs corner to corner but Evil BOOTS him! Evil runs and LARIATS, but Goto stays up! Evil pokes eyes, runs, but Goto gets around to spin and URA GTR! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up for Goto as he drags Evil up.

Goto dragon sleepers, Evil fights and grabs the ref! They go to ropes, Dick has the SPOILER CHOKER!! But Goto fights it! Goto is free, he sends Evil into Dick! Then SAIDO!! Fans are thunderous as Goto and Evil crawl! Hot tags to Hashi and Yujiro! Hashi runs into Yuijro’s BOOT, but he fires off fast hands and a CHOP! Hashi runs to the corner to CHOP! Hashi then whips Yujiro to CHOP again! And mule kick, to turn and NECK- NO! Yujiro BITES Hashi’s hand! Yujir CLUBS Hashi’s arm, throws forearms, but Hashi fires up! Hashi CHOPS Yujiro down! Fans fire up and Hashi stands Yujiro up for a suplex. Yujiro fights, and BITES the hand again! Yujiro reels Hashi in, INCOLLE SLAM!

Yujiro drags Hashi back up, fireman’s carries, but Hashi fights out and waistlocks. Yujiro resists, throws elbows, but Hashi holds on. Yujiro keeps throwing elbows, finally gets free, and runs into a mule kick! Hashi runs but into a fireman’s carry! MIAMI SHINE!! Cover, Goto breaks it! Evil gets in and claws Goto’s face! Evil fireman’s carries, DARKNESS FALLS! Evil kicks Goto out, Yujiro drags Hashi up. Fans rally up but Yujiro reels Hashi in, No Pimp juice! Hashi blocks a boot, Yujiro swats the clothesline but Hashi CHOPS! Hashi LARIATS, then fires up! Hashi runs but into a LARIAT from Yujiro! Yujiro reels Hashi in, PIMP JUICE!! Cover, TWO!! Yujiro can’t believe it!!

Fans are thunderous as Yujiro gets his pimp cane. Dick distracts the ref, Hashi gets up, but Goto gets in to attack Yujiro first! Goto fireman’s carries, USHIGOROSHI! Then Goto DECKS Dick! Evil gets in to kick Goto and whip him to the corner, but Goto reverses! Evil hits bare buckles, then Goto fireman’s carries, G T W!! Fans fire up with Goto as he calls to Hashi! Goto drags Yujiro up, dragon sleepers, but Yujiro slips around! Goto fights the Fisherman Buster, suplexes, but Yujiro slips out! Only to run into Hashi’s SUPERKICK! Goto and Hashi get Yujiro up, G Y R!! The fans fire up, Goto-Hashi get Yujiro back up, for SHOTO!! Cover, Dick drags the ref out!!

Evil JAMS Goto with a chair, but Hashi stops Evil from hitting Goto again! Dick gets in with the SPOILER CHOKER for Hashi! Evil CHOKES Goto with the chair! But here comes TOMOHIRO ISHII!! The Stone Pitbull returns and he DECKS Evil! And gives Dick a SAIDO! Ishii drags Dick back up to ROCK him with forearm after forearm! But Evil rakes Ishii’s eyes! Evil runs, but Ishii swats his lariat away to HEADBUTT! Ishii runs to LARIAT Evil down!! Fans are thunderous as Ishii gets the ref back in. Hashi runs at Yujiro to LARIAT!! But he’s not done there, he gets Yujiro up to half nelson, only for Yujiro to RAM him into bare buckles!

Yujiro staggers, brings Hashi up, BIG- NO! Hashi shoves Yujiro at Goto to fireman’s carry! SUPERKICK USHIGOROSHI! Goto DECKS Evil to keep him out, and Goto-Hashi gets Yujiro back up! SHO- NO! Yujiro kicks Hashi away, shoves Goto into the ref, and he LOW- NO! Hashi blocks the low blow! Hashi ROCKS Yujiro, Goto HEADBUTTS! Hashi has the full nelson, Goto gets the legs, BLUE THUNDER BOMB NECKBREAKER!! Cover, Goto-Hashi wins!!

Winners: Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi, by pinfall (World Tag League 2021 winners)

Chaos is victorious! The Fierce Warrior & Head Hunter are presented with the trophies, and are heading to WrestleKingdom! Will they take the titles off the Dangerous Tekkers and finally be on top of the Heavyweight Tag Division?

Best of the Super Juniors 28 Finals: Hiromu Takahashi VS YOH!

The Ticking Timebomb’s promise has so far been kept! He made it to the finals and the Junior Heavyweights are the main event! But can he fulfill the last part and become a back-to-back winner of this trophy? Or will Direct Drive pull off an incredible comeback from being bottom of the block to the top of the mountain?

Hiromu’s got a new page for Yoh in the guide book. It seems Hiromu is acknowledging Yoh did great against Sho. The bell rings and fans rally up. Hiromu and Yoh circle, tie up, and Hiromu wrenches an arm to a wristlock. Yoh rolls, kips up, wrenches back, and has the wristlock. Hiromu spins through, wrenches and steps over to hammerlock. Yoh reaches back to get a fireman’s carry takeover to an armlock, but Hiromu moves around to trip Yoh to a toehold. Yoh uses his free leg to bring Hiromu down and get the short arm scissor. Hiromu rolls to ropes and fans cheer as Yoh lets off. Fans rally up as the two reset and circle again.

Hiromu and Yoh approach, Hiromu gets the leg and trips Yoh to tie up the legs. Hiromu floats to get the arms and turn Yoh over for a chicken wing cradle. TWO, but Hiromu holds on. Yoh fights up out of the headlock to get a hammerlock. Yoh shifts to keep Hiromu down but Hiromu gets the leg. Hiromu trips Yoh up, has the toehold again, and pulls back. Yoh tries to fight back with a chinlock but Hiromu pulls back more. Hiromu keeps Yoh from the ropes and then shifts to a standing toehold. Yoh kicks with his free leg but Hiromu puts more pressure on the hold. Yoh crawls backwards to get the ropebreak! Hiromu lets go cleanly and fans cheer the exchange.

Yoh and Hiromu circle again and fans rally up. They tie up, Hiromu headlocks and grinds but Yoh endures. Yoh fights up, pries at the hold, but Hiromu holds tight. Yoh pulls hair, throws body shots and powers out, but Hiromu runs him over. But Yoh kips up! Fans fire up as the two stare down. Hiromu runs, Yoh drops but Hiromu brings him up to whip. Yoh reverses, hurdles, but Hiromu shoves and follows. Yoh drops, sidesteps, drop toeholds but Hiromu avoids the basement dropkick! Hiromu covers, ONE! Yoh sweeps legs to cover, ONE! The two stand off again and fans cheer again. Hiromu and Yoh reset, go forehead to forehead, and Hiromu eggs Yoh on. Yoh SLAPS Hiromu!

Hiromu grins and SLAPS back. Yoh SLAPS, Hiromu, SLAPS, it’s a SLAP fight fast and furious! Fans fire up as they keep going, then Hiromu CHOPS! Yoh CHOPS, Hiromu CHOPS again, so now it’s a CHOP fight! Yoh stings from that last one, but he CHOPS again. Hiromu CHOPS, Yoh CHOPS, back and forth until Hiromu CHOPS Yoh off his feet! Hiromu drags Yoh up by his hair and talks a little trash to egg him on. Yoh CHOPS, Hiromu CHOPS, and the CHOP fight starts up again! Hiromu CHOPS and Yoh is stinging again! Hiromu whips him to the corner, Yoh reverses then runs in, but Hiromu BOOTS him! Hiromu gets a HANGING HEADSCISSORS!

Red Shoes reprimands and counts, Hiromu stops at 4 to drag Yoh out and RAM him into railing! Hiromu goes to the apron, fans fire up, and Hiromu FLYING SHOTGUNS Yoh down! Fans rally up, Hiromu drags Yoh up and into the ring. Cover, TWO! Hiromu drags Yoh up, Yoh CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Yoh then forearms and runs, into a CHOP that knocks him down! Cover, TWO! Hiromu keeps cool while fans rally up again. Hiromu drags Yoh up, CHOPS him again, but then Yoh blocks the whip. Hiromu CHOPS Yoh again, but again Yoh blocks the whip. Hiromu CHOPS a third time, eggs Yoh on, and fans rally up.

Yoh CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS but Hiromu CHOPS back! We’re back to the CHOP fight! Yoh CHOPS and gets the edge! Yoh wrenches and whips Hiromu now, but Hiromu reverses, only for Yoh to FLYING FOREARM! Hiromu gets up first, though, as Yoh is still stinging in his chest. Hiromu brings Yoh up but Yoh throws more forearms. Hiromu CHOPS Yoh off his feet again! Hiromu dares Yoh to get up and fans rally. Hiromu runs, Yoh drops and sidesteps to then drop toehold and he hits the basement dropkick this time! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, Yoh checks his stinging red chest, and Yoh brings Hiromu up. Hiromu slips out of the suplex but Yoh elbows him away.

Yoh runs, but into the fireman’s carry! Yoh slips of as Hiromu heads for the corner, but Hiromu dodges as Yoh runs in. Hiromu clotheslines then pushes Yoh down to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up while Hiromu drags Yoh up. But Yoh suplexes to FALCON ARROW first! Cover, TWO! Yoh grits his teeth and fans fire up again! Yoh stalks Hiromu, reels him in for the full nelson, but Hiromu breaks free and elbows back! Yoh blocks the superkick to forearm and run, into a pop-up! Yoh RANAS out of it, Hiromu ends up on ropes, Yoh gets a leg! DRAGON SCREW! Jackknife roll to CALF KILLER!

Hiromu endures the “Star Gazer” and crawls around. ROPEBREAK! Yoh thrashes before he lets off at 4. Fans rally up more, Yoh stomps Hiromu down. Yoh drags Hiromu to center but Hiromu kicks at him. Yoh staggers away, but he comes back to get the leg again. Hiromu SLAPS Yoh, catches him to a spin and RANA, into D!! Yoh is in the triangle hold but he fights and moves around. Fans rally as Yoh gets to his feet and heads for ropes, but Hiromu squeezes tighter! Yoh reaches a foot out, for the ROPEBREAK! Hiromu lets Yoh go and Yoh sputters as fans rally. Hiromu drags Yoh up, fireman’s carries, but Yoh slips off!

Hiromu mule kicks, front kicks and fireman’s carries, CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Hiromu fires up, and he drags Yoh up to fireman’s carry again. Yoh fights to get free, and he ducks the back elbows and forearms! Hiromu wheelbarrows but Yoh denies the Complete Shot to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Yoh fires up and fans rally with him! Yoh drags Hiromu up and underhooks the arms. Hiromu fights free, ducks the forearm and rolls Yoh up, TWO! Cradle, TWO! Yoh uppercuts, Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs but Yoh JUMP KNEES! Yoh runs, into a POP-UP POWERBOMB! But Hiromu can’t hold the cover! Fans are thunderous as they rally for both men!

Hiromu sits up and crawls over to Yoh. Hiromu brings Yoh up, Yoh throws a forearm. Hiromu throws a forearm back, and now we have a forearm battle! They go back and forth, faster and faster, and fans rally up! Hiromu gets the edge, ROCKS Yoh, and then runs, into Yoh’s back elbow! Yoh runs, into Hiromu’s back elbow! Hiromu fakes Yoh out but Yoh whips him, only for Hiromu to avoid the dropkick! Yoh gets up but Hiromu DECKS him! Cover, ONE!! Yoh DECKS Hiromu, covers, ONE!! Hiromu dodges and CLOBBERS Yoh! Cover, ONE!! Hiromu whips, Yoh reverses and dropkicks this time! But Hiromu gets up and fires up!

Both men stagger, Yoh runs, into the OVERHEAD Belly2Belly into the corner! Fans are thunderous again after that fast and furious exchange! Hiromu goes to ropes and drags himself up. Hiromu goes out to the apron and drags Yoh out to join him. Yoh resists the fireman’s carry, throws elbows, but Hiromu powers up! Yoh fights free, but Hiromu blocks his superkick! Hiromu ROCKS Yoh, fireman’s carries, APRON DEATH VALLEY!! Yoh flops to the floor and fans rally up again. Hiromu catches his breath in the ring while the ring count starts. The count reaches 10 of 20 before Yoh sits up. Yoh pushes himself up at 13, crawls over at 15 and stands up on the apron at 17.

Hiromu runs to SUNSET FLIP, but Yoh RANAS Hiromu into railing!! Yoh gets in the ring and builds speed to FLY!! Direct hit and down both men go! The ring count restarts but Sho appears?! Sho SHOVES Red Shoes down! And he DECKS the Young Lions! The Murder Machine won’t let Yoh be the stronger RPG3K! Sho SHOVES Yoh into railing, then reels him in and tucks the arms, CROSS-ARM PILEDRIVER to the floor!! Sho talks trash to Hiromu that now Hiromu has a chance against Yoh. Hiromu tells Sho to shut up! Hiromu gets up and gets in Sho’s face, but Sho bends the fingers! Sho RAMS Hiromu into railing, and then brings him around for a CROSS-ARM PILEDRIVER to the floor!!

Sho has leveled the BOSJ finalists, and he drags Red Shoes around the way. Sho wants Red Shoes to say this is a no contest! Red Shoes tells Sho to shut up! Red Shoes tells Sho to leave but Sho gets the mic to say this is a no contest! Thanks for coming! No one believes Sho, of course, even as he angrily tells them to go home already. But wait, here comes Goto! And Hashi! Chaos still has a bone to pic with Sho and fans cheer as Sho runs away. Naito & Takagi also appear on behalf of Hiromu. But is Sho right? Will this have to be ruled a no contest or something? No, because Hiromu and Yoh are still able to continue! Hashi gets Yoh water and Hiromu is forcing himself to get up.

Fans are thunderous for these two as they crawl to the ring! Yoh and Hiromu use the apron skirt to drag themselves up and in! The BOSJ finals are going to continue! Yoh crawls to one corner, Hiromu is in the other. Hiromu and Yoh use the ropes to drag themselves up, and Yoh runs in to SHOTGUN Hiromu down! Yoh fires up and Goto-Hashi cheer him on! Yoh runs, but Hiromu SHOTGUNS back! Hiromu drags Yoh up as LIJ rallies behind him! Hiromu runs corner to corner but he fakes Yoh so he can elbow and SHOTGUN again! Hiromu drags Yoh up, fireman’s carries, and swings, but Yoh sunset flips! TWO, and Yoh hurries to roll Hiromu up! TWO, Yoh O’Conner Rolls for FIVE STAR-

NO! Hiromu fights off the clutch to full nelson! Yoh breaks free, Hiromu GERMAN SUPLEXES him down! Hiromu fires up and fans are thunderous again! Hiromu runs, Yoh handsprings but Hiromu blocks a superkick to give a SUPERKICK! Fireman’s carry, but Yoh fights. So Hiromu throws Yoh to a dragon sleeper. Yoh fights the inverted suplex so Hiromu standard suplexes. But Yoh knees free, only for Hiromu to scoop and dragon sleeper. Yoh again escapes the inverted suplex, ducks an elbow, but Hiromu spins Yoh to suplex! Yoh fights that to wrench, but Hiromu headbutts! Yoh HEADBUTTS back! Both men drop to their knees and the fans are electric!

Hiromu still has Yoh’s wrist, reels him in, but Yoh dodges, only for Hiromu to LARIAT him on the return! Hiromu drags Yoh up, suplexes, VICTORY ROYALE! Cover, TWO!! Yoh survives and fans are electric all over again! Hiromu gets up, drags Yoh around to dragon sleeper, inverted suplex, but Yoh escapes again! Hiromu bucks the O’Conner but Yoh blocks the superkick to DRAGON SCREW! Fans rally as hard as ever, Hiromu goes to a corner. Yoh runs in to back elbow! Yoh hoists Hiromu up top, climbs up to join him, but Hiromu fights back. They brawl up top, forearm for forearm, and Yoh falls! Hashi coaches Yoh up and he GAMANGIRIS Hiromu!

Yoh climbs back up, stands Hiromu up, and hits a SUPERPLEX! Roll through to GHOSTBUSTER!! Yoh is all fired up and the fans are with him! Yoh drags Hiromu up, reels him in to underhook, but Hiromu slips out! Hiromu wrenches, and gets a cradle! TWO!! SUPERKICK from Hiromu to Yoh! Hiromu runs corner to corner, into YOH’S SUPERKICK!! Yoh staggers but he’s all fired up! Yoh full nelsons to DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!?!? Hiromu escapes but Yoh doesn’t let that slow him down! Yoh gets Hiromu back up, underhooks the arms, DIRECT- NO! Hiromu arm-drags to roll and fireman’s carry!? TIMEBOMB!!! Cover, TWO?!??

Yoh survives and no one can believe it!! Fans are volcanic as both men are down and we pass 25 minutes! Hiromu forces himself up and he crawls over to Yoh. Hiromu drags Yoh up, runs, but Yoh ducks the lariat to LARIAT Hiromu! Yoh-san Bomber?! Hiromu is dazed and Yoh crawls his way over. Yoh drags Hiromu up, Hiromu SLAPS him! Then catches Yoh for D! But Yoh PRAWN HOLDS! TWO!! HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! Yoh sputters and Hiromu sits up, still a bit groggy. Hiromu drags Yoh up, reels him in and tucks the arms, D DRIVER!!! But Hiromu doesn’t cover, he just fires back up! Hiromu drags Yoh up, runs, HIROMU-

NO!! Yoh O’Conner Rolls to FIVE STAR CLUTCH!! TWO!?!?! SUPERKICK from Hiromu and then he runs, HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! Hiromu gets Yoh back up, brings him around, dragon sleeper to inverted suplex! TIMEBOMB II!!!! Cover, HIROMU WINS!!!

Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (Best of the Super Juniors 28 winner)

The promise was kept! Hiromu repeats as BOSJ Champion! Takagi gets in to check on Hiromu while Goto-Hashi are there for Yoh. Yoh may not have won, but did he prove he belongs at the top of the Junior Heavyweight Division?

As for Hiromu, he is presented with the trophy, and Takagi helps get him the mic. Hiromu thanks Takagi and Naito for being here. “OI, SHO! You tried to ruin this final! But you couldn’t get it done! It’s not your job to shut Yoh’s mouth. And it’s not my job to shut Yoh’s mouth. It’s not my place to put him where he was, it was Yoh who put himself here. OI, DESPERADO! It’s just like I promised! I won Best of the Super Juniors back to back! And so I’ll make it official right here and now. The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship that’s on your shoulders, I’m challenging for it! And I will win, and I will return to the center of this division!”

Fans clap for “HI-RO-MU!” as he takes a moment to let this moment sink in. “In NJPW, it’s not just the wrestlers that matter. It’s the staff that work around the clock. But the most important thing are the people in the stands. The most important thing is everyone coming into the buildings, watching at home and around the world. You are the most important thing to this industry.” And Hiromu vows to keep busting his ass for amazing matches here in NJPW. From here on out, every single person in NJPW is Hiromu’s rival! Even Takagi and Naito! Hiromu won’t lose to them! The Juniors will be the main event!

So that’s why they’ll have more, more, more, MORE, MORE, MORE, MORE FUN! Hiromu makes history here tonight, will he do it all over again at WrestleKingdom?

My Thoughts:

I skipped covering half the show, and while the results were all pretty much expected, there were great after match moments. For one, as I included, Kenta calling out The Ace. Then in the aftermath of Tiger Mask & the Young Lion VS the Cutest Tag Team, we got Eagles making the save as ELP and Taiji were beating up Tiger Mask, only for Eagles to also get beat down. Then Taguchi made the save, just so he could then knock Tiger Mask & Eagles down and stake a claim at the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team titles on behalf of himself and Rocky Romero. We could be in for a Triple Threat Tag for the titles at WrestleKingdom and that could be some great stuff.

Then the half I did cover, that was some great stuff. LIJ VS United Empire was really good, and the quick win definitely opens this up to another match, maybe a Six Man of Naito, Sanada & Bushi taking on Khan, Cobb & Henare. Bushi taking the loss to Okada in their tag match makes a lot of sense. Okada is building momentum, Takagi is kept strong, those two are going to have a great match at WrestleKingdom.

And of course, the finals for World Tag League and Best of the Super Juniors were great stuff, especially the BOSJ. Ishii showing up to help Goto-Hashi thwart House of Torture’s cheating was great, and I hope we get that NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag rematch before Goto-Hashi go against Tekkers for the top titles. Sho showing up to try and ruin the finals was a nice touch, his feud with Yoh is far from over. Hiromu reaches a historic level not even some legends like The Great Sasuke or Jushin Thunder Liger reached, and if they have him win the title at WK16, Hiromu could truly be seen as the BEST Junior Heavyweight in NJPW history.

My Score: 9.1/10