The NEVER Openweight Championship is on the line!

NJPW heats up the New Years Golden Series, and contains the madness, with a Lumberjack Match! Will Tomohiro Ishii get a fair fight with Evil that way?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Preshow – TenCozy & Ryohei Oiwa VS Yuji Nagata, Tomoaki Honma & Kosei Fujita; TenCozy & Oiwa win.
• Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI & YOH VS House of Torture; Goto, Hashi & Yoh win.
• Togi Makabe VS Great-O-Khan; Khan wins.
• Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Suzuki-Gun; LIJ wins.
• Six Man Tag: Toru Yano, Master Wato & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Suzuki-Gun; Yano, Wato & Taguchi win.
• Tiger Mask VS El Phantasmo; Tiger Mask wins, by disqualification.
• Robbie Eagles w/ Tiger Mask VS Taiji Ishimori w/ El Phantasmo; Eagles wins.
• NEVER Openweight Championship Lumberjack Match: EVIL VS Tomohiro Ishii; Evil wins and retains the title.
• Kazuchika Okada & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Tetsuya Naito & SANADA; Naito & Sanada win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Tiger Mask VS El Phantasmo!

The living legend got payback on Gedo, but now he takes on one of his IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship challengers in the Headbanga! Will ELP strike first for the Cutest Tag Team? Or will Tiger Mask be rolling into the title match?

The ref checks ELP, but he promises that he hasn’t loaded up his brand new yellow boots. The bell rings, fans rally and ELP offers a handshake. Tiger Mask rejects that as he circles around ELP. Tiger Mask KICKS away on ELP’s leg and ELP bails out. Tiger goes out to throw ELP back in, and ELP wants a timeout. ELP gets up, but runs into a headlock takeover! Tiger floats to get the leg and stomps on it before putting on a toehold. ELP claws at Tiger Mask’s face but the ref reprimands. Tiger Mask cranks on the leg, ELP tries a chinlock, but Tiger Mask gets up to stomp the leg more. ELP boots Tiger Mask away, and the two reset.

ELP claims something is in his eyes, Tiger Mask storms over, but ELP YANKS him into buckles! ELP celebrates, then comes back to stomp Tiger Mask down. The ref counts, ELP digs his boots in, but ELP lets off at 4. ELP drags Tiger Mask up, ROCKS him with a forearm then whips. ELP hurdles, drops and dropkicks Tiger Mask down! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer and rally up, but ELP stands Tiger Mask up. ELP throws haymakers, whips, but Tiger reverses to hurdle and monkey flip ELP away! ELP comes back, but Tiger fires off KICKS! Tiger Mask elbows ELP in the head, and ELP bails out. Tiger Mask builds speed, to DIVE, into a GAMANGIRI!

ELP celebrates again while Tiger Mask is stuck in the ropes. ELP CLAWS Tiger’s back! ELP shows off his hands to commentary, then goes back to cover Tiger Mask. TWO, so ELP goes after Tiger Mask’s mask! The ref reprimands, ELP lets off, and then he jams his elbow into Tiger Mask’s head. ELP stands Tiger Mask up, scoops him and puts him in a Tree of Woe! ELP stands on Tiger Mask while clapping it up. ELP then struts, goes corner to corner, baseball slide dropkick! Tiger Mask falls out of the Tree, ELP covers, but his feet are on the ropes! The ref sees that, and Tiger Mask gets the ropebreak anyway.

ELP stands Tiger up, knuckle locks and CHOPS, then goes up the ropes to jump around and then strut as he walks the tightrope. Fans clap as he goes back and forth, then makes it to the next corner. But Tiger Mask trips ELP up! ELP gets stuck on the corner, Tiger climbs up and throws hands. Tiger then brings ELP up, underhooks one arm, but ELP resists! Tiger Mask CLUBS and HEADBUTTS ELP! Tiger Mask stands ELP up for a SUPER ARM-DRAG! Fans cheer, Tiger Mask covers, TWO! Tiger Mask keeps cool while ELP crawls to a corner. Tiger Mask runs in and ROUNDHOUSES ELP down!

Tiger Mask drags ELP up, underhooks, but ELP resists. Tiger Mask knees low, whips ELP to a corner, but ELP goes up and over and then dodges to springboard CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! ELP handsprings to a LIONSAULT, but he lands on his feet as Tiger moves! Tiger gets out of the ring, ELP DIVES out onto him! Fans can’t help but cheer as ELP sends Tiger into railing! ELP tries to drag Tiger up but his own back bothers him. ELP still gets Tiger Mask in at 4 of 20, and he goes up top for a springboard SWANTON! Top rope LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Tiger Mask survives and ELP grows frustrated.

Fans rally up as ELP hobbles up. ELP drags Tiger Mask up to cobra clutch and torture rack. Tiger slips off and sobats! Tiger reels ELP in, underhooks, TIGER DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives but Tiger Mask gets right back up. Tiger Mask drags ELP up to gut wrench, TOMBSTONE! But Tiger Mask isn’t done, he goes to the corner! Tiger Mask goes up top, DIVING HEADBUTT FLOPS as ELP moves! ELP gets to the corner now, climbs up as fans rally, THUNDER KISS 86! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up as Tiger Mask survives! ELP is frustrated, but he goes to the corner. It may not be loaded but he still tunes up the band.

Tiger Mask stands, ELP rushes in, to underhook the arms! Tiger slips out, gets around, crucifix takedown! Cover, TWO! REVERSE DOUBLE ARMBAR!! ELP endures but Tiger bends him way back! ELP kicks and flails, scoots around, but here comes Taiji Ishimori! Taiji attacks Tiger Mask!

Winner: Tiger Mask, by disqualification

Bone Solder goes after Tiger Mask’s mask!! Bullet Club has no shame! The mask comes off!! But here comes Robbie Eagles! The Sniper of the Skies attacks Taiji! A Young Lion covers Tiger Mask with his shirt, ELP goes after Eagles, but Eagles SUPERKICKS ELP out! Eagles helps Tiger Mask get out of the ring without being exposed. But then Taiji attacks Eagles! Their match starts now!

Robbie Eagles w/ Tiger Mask VS Taiji Ishimori w/ El Phantasmo

Taiji rakes Eagles’ eyes, then drags him up to whip. Eagles reverses to go up and around and arm-drag! Eagles then ducks, dodges and RANAS! Taiji staggers up, into a WHEEL KICK! Eagles kips up and fans fire up! Taiji bails out, Eagles builds speed, but Taiji moves out of the way, so Eagles backflips back. Fans cheer while Taiji regroups with ELP. Fans rally up, ELP whispers something to Taiji. Taiji gets in the ring. Eagles stomps him down! Eagles takes Taiji’s shirt off and throws it to the crowd! ELP complains, that wasn’t supposed to be a free souvenir! Eagles stands Taiji up for forearms, then wrenches to whip corner to corner.

Eagles runs in, Taiji puts Eagles on the apron, but Eagles counter punches. Eagles springboards, but Taiji drags him into a fireman’s carry! Taiji swings Eagles for a HOTSHOT on the top rope! The ref checks on Eagles as he sputters, and Taiji undoes the blue corner buckle pad! The Bullet Club Special! Tiger Mask, mask back on, coaches Eagles up. The ring count starts, ELP fans Taiji off but Eagles gets back in at 8 of 20. Taiji stomps Eagles down, wrenches an arm, brings him around and whips him into bare buckles! Eagles falls down, clutching his arm! Taiji looms over Eagles while fans rally up.

Taiji digs his fingers into Eagles’ face, but lets off as the ref reprimands. Tiger coaches Eagles, but Taiji wrenches Eagles’ arm to an ELBOW BREAKER! Then another! Then he RAMS Eagles’ bad arm into the buckles! The ref reprimands, ELP cheers Taiji, and Taiji has Eagles in a neutral corner. Taiji wraps the bad arm around ropes, then he CHOPS Eagles down! ELP and Taiji “WOO~” since they can, and then Taiji stands Eagles up to CHOP him again! Taiji wrenches, whips, but Eagles reverses. Taiji slips out, slips under, goes back out and then shoulders into Eagles. Taiji springboards, Eagles gets under and Eagles springboards to dropkick the leg out!

Both men are down and fans fire up! ELP coaches Taiji, Tiger coaches Eagles, and fans rally back up. Eagles fires up and the fans are with him. Eagles waits on Taiji to sit up. Eagles KICKS and KICKS and KICKS! Eagles runs, to LEG LARIAT! Fans rally up more as Eagles aims at Taiji in the corner. Eagles runs in, DOUBLE KNEES! Eagles rolls back, but Taiji BOOTS him! Eagles 619’s the legs out! METEORA! Taiji sputters now and Eagles covers, TWO! Tiger Mask tells Eagles to go up, so he climbs. Eagles is up top, 450, but he has to roll through as Taiji moves! But Taiji can’t rush in from the bad leg!

Eagles trips Taiji up, but Taiji kicks him away. Eagles kicks, Taiji ducks! Taiji gut wrenches, Eagles slips out to ASAI DDT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up and Eagles rolls Taiji to hook the leg. But the bad arm can’t complete the Turbo! Taiji CLUBS Eagles, Eagles elbows Taiji! Eagles runs, Taiji follows to tilt-o-whirl TAKEDOWN! Into the BONE LOCK!! Eagles endures, fans rally up, and Eagles reaches out. Taiji rolls Eagles away from ropes, then whips Eagles into the POST! Taiji drags Eagles back, hammerlocks and scoops, SHOULDER BREAKER! Eagles clutches his arm while screaming in pain! Taiji covers, TWO!! INTO BONE LOCK!!

Eagles endures, fights around, and ROPEBREAK! Taiji lets off quickly and both men are down. Fans rally up, Taiji takes aim and BANG! He hobbles over, drags Eagles up and hooks the arm. Eagles fights off the lift so Taiji KNEES him low! Eagles ducks the lariat, gets around to schoolboy with bridge! TWO, Taiji ROCKS Eagles with a right! Taiji gets Eagles up, Eagles ROCKS Taiji! Taiji fires a forearm, Eagles fires back. Fans rally up as both men keep going. Taiji gets the edge, but Eagles fires off kick after kick! ROUNDHOUSE! Taiji is down and fans fire up! Eagles runs, but has to duck, only to get a JUMP KNEE!

Taiji hops on, Eagles throws him off, but Taiji gets around to waistlock. Eagles standing switches, Taiji elbows free! Taiji roars, but Eagles blocks the boot to CHOP, hook and TURBO BACKBACK! Cover, TWO!! Eagles hurries to get up, SUPERKICK! Eagles goes up, 450 SPLASH onto the legs! Step through, RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Taiji endures, reaches out, ELP tries to push the ropes closer! But Eagles drags Taiji back! ELP tries to get in, but Tiger stops him! Taiji taps, Eagles wins!!

Winner: Robbie Eagles, by submission

Both IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions win their singles matches! Granted, Bullet Club gave Tiger Mask his win in disqualification. But if the Cutest Tag Team can’t beat them separately, what hopes do they have stopping the #FlyingTigers together?

Oh but wait! Here comes Team Six or Nine, Taguchi & Wato! Taguchi did say he wants himself and Wato to be the 69th IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, but what’re they doing out here now? Taguchi gets the mic to say, “Why should this team get a shot after being DQ’d in The Dome? Isn’t that weird?” Taguchi of course means the Triple Threat at WrestleKingdom where ELP’s cheating was finally exposed. ELP & Taiji should be suspended, blocked from challenging! “I’m not just out here to try and be the 69th champions.” But ELP & Taiji accuse him of exactly that! Taguchi defends that’s not true.

Taguchi says he wants a “hot match” between Tiger & Eagles VS Team Six or Nine. But then wait! Another team makes its way out! It’s Desperado & Kanemaru! Taguchi asks them why they’re here. The mic is handed over and Kanemaru wants everyone to just hold on. Don’t forget about him and Desperado now. If Taguchi & Wato get a shot, then so should Desperado & Kanemaru. Eagles is given the mic to give an answer. “I have no idea what any of you losers said, cuz I don’t understand Nihongo. But what we both understand now, is at the Tokyo Dome, WrestleKingdom, we already beat two teams at once. So how about we do it again, with all three of you pairs?”

Three teams versus the champions, a FOUR WAY match! Fans like the sound of that! The challengers don’t like that, but Eagles says the Flying Tigers say YES! A huge gamble from the champions, but will such a win make them the best IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions ever?

NEVER Openweight Championship Lumberjack Match: EVIL VS Tomohiro Ishii!

The King of Darkness is currently the King of NEVER, having both this and the Six Man titles! But a lot of it has been because the House of Torture have played a part in the results. To counteract that, NJPW has the ring surrounded! Will the Stone Pitbull dethrone the King of Darkness now that the playing field is fair? Or will all these extra bodies only ensure Everything is Evil?

Well, given the times we live in, the Lumberjacks are limited to just the House of Torture’s Sho, Yujiro Takahashi & Dick Togo, and then Chaos’ Goto, Hashi and Yoh. The introductions are made, the singles title is raised, and with all the cards on the table, we see if Ishii can trump a King!

But right away, Dick distracts! Evil attacks Ishii, runs, but Ishii withstands the shoulder tackle. Ishii ROCKS Evil, runs Evil over, and Chaos keeps Evil from bailing out. Ishii whips Evil, Evil holds ropes then bails out to House of Torture’s side. Chaos protests but there’s nothing to be done. Ishii dares Evil to get back in, but Evil takes his time. Evil then slides in, kicks Ishii and throws him out, but Ishii gets in as Evil slides put. Ishii ROCKS Evil at the ropes, reels him in and suplexes him back into the ring! Fans cheer but Evil bails out. Chaos is there to put him right back in! Fans cheer again as Ishii kicks Evil to a corner.

Ishii drags Evil up, CHOPS him, then CHOPS him again! And again! Evil rakes the eyes! Evil stops at 4, whips corner to corner, but Ishii reverses. Ishii runs in, but into a BOOT! Evil and the HOT boys quickly untie the buckle pad, and as Ishii runs in, surprise~! Ishii hits bare buckles! The Bullet Club Special returns! The ref reprimands but Evil drags Ishii up to throw him out. The House of Torture jump on Ishii but Chaos goes after them! The Lumberjacks brawl, Goto with Yujiro, Hashi with Sho and Yoh with Dick. Evil goes out, looks under the ring and brings out some chairs. Evil drags Ishii up to put one chair around his head.

Evil has the other chair, HOME RUN! Dick then chokes Ishii while the ref is busy reprimanding Evil! Dick gets away with it, Evil gets back in the ring. Sho and Yujiro fetch Ishii for Evil, then Evil covers. TWO, Evil argue the count. The ref sees Evil has a shirt, so he takes that way before it can be used. Evil whips Ishii into the bare buckles! Ishii writhes, Evil covers, TWO! Evil is frustrated but the fans cheer. Evil scuffs Ishii while fans rally up. Evil drags Ishii up, but Ishii CHOPS back! And CHOPS again! And again! But Evil rakes eyes! The ref reprimands, but the HOT boys drag Ishii out! And they RAM him into railing! And then FLAPJACK him off the apron!

Dick drags Ishii up and puts him in. Evil covers, TWO!! Evil is furious but fans fire up as Ishii survives. Fans rally up, but Evil gets the leg for a HALF CRAB! Ishii endures, fights his way over, and he gets the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Evil lets go at 4. Evil kicks Ishii to the apron and the HOT boys drag Ishii out again. Yujiro whips Ishii at Dick, but Ishii CLOBBERS him! And then Ishii dodges Yujiro to CLOBBER Sho! Ishii CLOBBERS Yujiro and hurries back up to ROCK Evil! Evil rakes Ishii’s eyes again, but Ishii wrenches the hand! Ishii twists the wrist then YANKS the arm. Ishii whips, Evil reverses and gets around, and again Dick distracts!

While the ref is busy with Dick, Evil sends Ishii at Sho! Ishii ROCKS Sho again, then sends Evil into Sho! Sho falls, Hashi distracts the ref so Ishii can send Evil into Dick! Yujiro runs in, but Ishii sends the boot into Evil! Ishii CLOBBERS Yujiro, then SAIDOS Evil! Fans fire up with Ishii while he’s down! Evil tries to run away, but Yoh throws him back in! Evil tries the other side, and he holds railing as Chaos comes for him! Hashi says, “Ready, set!” Chaos HAMMERS Evil! Goto puts Evil in, and Ishii looms over him. Fans rally up as Ishii stalks Evil to the corner. Ishii drags Evil up and CHOPS, forearms, and repeat!

Fans rally as Ishii keeps going, CHOP and forearm again and again! The ref reprimands, Ishii tells him to shut up. Ishii lets off, though, and drags Evil up. Ishii whips Evil, but Evil reverses! Ishii hits bare buckles, but he comes right back to CLOBBER Evil! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Chaos rallies with the fans as Ishii stirs. Ishii gets to his feet and he drags Evil up. Ishii puts Evil up on the top rope, climbs up to join him, but Sho anchors Ishii’s foot! Yoh drags Sho down! Dick tries now, as does Yujiro! Goto and Hashi get them down, but Yujiro and Dick throw them away. The HOT boys regroup, Sho distracts as Yujiro POWERBOMBS Ishii!

Yoh drags Sho back out, Evil gets down, but Yujiro distracts so Dick can get in! Evil and Dick get Ishii up, MAGIC KILLER!! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives and fans fire up again! Evil is frustrated again, the fans rally for Ishii, but Evil gets up first. Evil drags Ishii up, shoves him into the bare buckles, then hoists him onto the top rope. Evil climbs up to join Ishii, to SUPERPLEX! Both men writhe but Evil gets the cover, TWO!! Ishii survives and fans fire up again! Evil gets back up, waits on Ishii, and he runs, but Ishii gets around! Evil switches, shoves him at the ref, but Ishii stops himself. Ishii uses the ref as a shield to deny the low blow!

Ishii kicks, Evil blocks and hands it to the ref, but Ishii blocks the kick! Ishii waistlocks, but Evil grabs the ref to deny the suplex! The ref SLAPS Evil, and Ishii GERMAN SUPLEXES him! Fans are thunderous as both men are down! Ishii gets up, he brings Evil around and puts him in the corner to clothesline! Ishii has Chaos on guard as he puts Evil up top. Ishii climbs, Chaos keeps House of Torture back, Ishii gets Evil up for the STALLING SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO!! Evil survives and Ishii can’t believe it! Both men are down and fans rally back up. Ishii rises, waits on Evil, then runs, but Evil dodges!

Evil uses the ref as a shield, Ishii moves him aside and dodges the lariat, but Sho gets in! Sho SPEARS Ishii into the ref! The ref goes flying out of the ring and now the House of Torture stomps away on Ishii! But Chaos gets in to brawl with them again! Dick CLUBS Sho, Goto KNEES Sho but Sho throws Goto out. Yujiro throws Hashi out, and Dick has Ishii with the SPOILER CHOKER! Ishii turns purple, Evil gets the singles belt! But Yoh DECKS Evil! Yoh then DECKS Dick! Sho gets in, Yoh SUPERKICKS him! Yoh drags Sho up, underhooks, DIRECT DRIVE! But Dick LOW BLOWS Yoh! And then tuck shim in, PEDIGREE!

Goto kicks Dick to fireman’s carry! Hashi adds a SUPERKICK, then Goto throws Dick into position for SHOUTO! Goto catches Yujiro, Hashi helps out, but Yujiro fights free! BIG JUICE for Goto! Hashi full nelsons, pump handles, KARMA for Yujiro! But Evil BELT SHOTS Hashi! Evil resets, aims for Ishii as he rises, but Ishii LARIATS through the belt!! Fans are thunderous again and Ishii gets the ref back in the ring. Ishii roars and powers up the arm! Ishii stands Evil up, runs, but Evil blocks the lariat! Evil whips Ishii at the bare corner but Ishii stops himself! Ishii dodges and Evil hits buckles! Ishii full nelsons, DRAGON SUPLEX!

Ishii crawls over, sits Evil up, runs and SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, TWO!?! Ishii roars more, fans keep cheering him on, and Ishii drags Evil up. Evil suplexes, but Ishii fights to wrench out. Evil catches Ishii for a HALF ‘N’ HALF! Then a DRAGON SUPLEX! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous all over again! Evil gets up, staggers over, and he drags Ishii up. Fireman’s carry, but Ishii slips off! Ishii SWATS the lariat, HEADBUTTS, but Evil HEADBUTTS and ROLLING ELBOWS! Then a DISCUS LARIAT!! Both men are down again and fans rally back up! Evil roars and wants Ishii to get up. Ishii stands, Evil runs, LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!?!?

Evil is beside himself as Ishii is still in this! Fans rally hard as ever, and Evil slashes the throat! Evil drags Ishii up, spins him around, EVER- NO! Ishii powers out and LARIATS! Evil stays up, runs in, DOUBLE LARIATS! Neither man falls, they both go again, DOUBLE LARIATS! ENZIGURI from Ishii and both men go down! Ishii roars as he rises up, and fans fire up behind him. Ishii waits on Evil to stand, then he runs to LARIAT!! Cover, TWO?!?! Evil survives but Ishii won’t let that deter him! Ishii drags Evil up, reels him in, suplex for the- NO! Evil slips out, wrenches, EVERY- NO! Ishii gets around, Evil spins him, hooks him, EVERYTHING IS EVIL!!! Cover, Evil wins!!!

Winner: Evil, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Champion)

In the end, the King of Darkness stays the King of NEVER! He finished the Stone Pitbull off on his own, will he always be Double NEVER Champion? Or will Chaos get its revenge in the Six Man title match?

Kazuchika Okada & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Tetsuya Naito & SANADA!

The Rainmaker and the Ace haven’t had much luck against Los Ingobernables when it’s 3v3, but it was always the third man who took the loss. With just a week left in the New Years Golden Series, can the IWGP World and US Heavyweight Champions turn their luck around in 2v2? Or will things still be tranquilo going into those title matches?

Everyone’s elaborate entrance gear is put aside, with Naito of course taking his time. Okada and Tanahashi are patient, and then Tanahashi shows off the muscles for the fans. Fans cheer, and the teams sort out. LIJ fist bumps, and the Cold Skull starts off with Tanahashi. The two circle as fans rally up, “Let’s Go, Ace!” “SA-NA-DA!” The two tie up, Tanahashi waistlocks but Sanada switches. Tanahashi switches back, Sanada pries free to wrench to a wristlock. Tanahashi endures, drops, and gets a leg takedown to tie up the legs. Tanahashi then floats to a headlock and grinds. Sanada endures and fights up.

Sanada throws body shots, powers up, but can’t power out as Tanahashi holds tight. Tanahashi grinds the headlock, but Sanada fights up again. Sanada steps on Tanahashi’s leg to pry out of the headlock, and then puts the headlock on Tanahashi! Tanahashi throws body shots, but Sanada holds tight now as Tanahashi tries to power out. Fans cheer the exchange, but Tanahashi powers up again. Sanada hits a headlock takeover but Tanahashi headscissors. Tanahashi holds tight, Sanada can’t kip free, but he moves around. Sanada headstands, turns things over, and rolls back to get a BOSTON CRAB on Tanahashi!

Tanahashi powers out of the crab to cover, TWO! Sanada sunsets, TWO! Both men get up, Tanahashi arm-drags to an armlock! But Sanada reaches up to headscissor! Tanahashi kips free, and fans cheer again as they stand off. Sanada and Tanahashi back away to their corners, Tanahashi tags in Okada. Okada wants Naito, so Sanada tags in Naito. Fans cheer as we go from US title to world title preview. Naito and Okada stare down as the fans rally, “O-KA-DA!” “NA-I-TO!” The two circle, tie up, and Naito gets an arm. Naito then shifts to the waistlock, but Okada pries free to wrench back.

Naito rolls, wrenches back, but Okada rolls to get a leg takedown. Okada drops an elbow on the leg then has the toehold. Naito fights back with a chinlock and grinds his forearm into Okada’s face. Red Shoes reprimands but Naito gets up and around for a headlock. Okada fights up, pries the hold, but Naito clamps on tighter! Okada fights up, pushes Naito to ropes, and Red Shoes calls the ropebreak. Naito lets off and Okada backs up. Okada fakes the chop, but then pats Naito’s shoulders. And then kicks the knee! Okada gets the leg, elbows the knee, then puts the leg on ropes. Okada pulls on the leg, then kicks the rope!

Okada runs, but Naito dropkicks his legs out first! Naito drags Okada to ropes, STOMPS the leg, then puts the leg back on to STOMP it again! Tag to Sanada, LIJ splits the wishbone! Sanada DECKS Tanahashi but Okada bails out. Naito slides out to fetch Okada and he kicks the leg. Red Shoes reprimands but Naito puts Okada in for Sanada. Cover, Red Shoes refuses to count because of the shenanigans. So Sanada stomps away on the bad leg, then puts the leg on ropes. Fans rally, but Sanada jumps up to hip drop on the leg! Sanada SMASHES the knee on the mat, then tags Naito back in.

LIJ drags Okada to DOUBLE KNEE SMASH! Okada clutches both legs now, but Naito steps through for a TRAILER HITCH! Okada endures the leg hold but Naito drags him away from ropes! Naito lets off the hitch, to stand up for an inverted  Indian Deathlock! And SNAP! Okada endures again, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Sanada tags in, Naito lazily lets off the leglock, and Sanada drags Okada up. Sanada bumps Okada off buckles, fans rally and Sanada wraps the leg around ropes! Red Shoes counts, Sanada lets off at 3. Sanada stalks Okada, drops an elbow on the bad leg, then another. And then another!

Sanada has the toehold but Okada endures. Okada crawls around, and he gets the ROPEBREAK! Naito steps in to stand on Okada’s head! Red Shoes counts, Naito backs off at 3. Sanada drags Okada up, Okada ROCKS him with a forearm! And another! And another! Sanada kicks the bad leg, then kicks it again. Sanada whips Okada to a corner, blocks the boot, and then trips Okada! Fans cheer as Sanada ties Okada up, but Okada boots him away. Sanada kicks back, runs, but into a FLAPJACK! Both men are down and fans rally up. Okada crawls, hot tag to Tanahashi! The Ace gets Sanada up to fire off fast hands!

Tanahashi whips, Sanada reverses but Tanahashi hits FLYING FOREARMS! Tanahashi DECKS Naito, too! Sanada runs in but misses in the corner. Tanahashi comes back, blocks the boot, and has the leg for a DRAGON SCREW! Fans fire up, “Let’s Go, Ace!” Tanahashi scoops Sanada to SLAM him into the drop zone. Tanahashi goes up for the SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Tanahashi waits on Sanada to stand. Tanahashi runs, but Sanada gets around to waistlock. Tanahashi backs Sanada into a corner, runs corner to corner, but Sanada dodges! Sanada comes back, but blocks the boot!

Sanada wants the Dragon Screw but Tanahashi boots him away! Tanahashi runs, into a RANA from Sanada! Both men are down but fans rally up. Sanada crawls over, hot tag to Naito! Naito throws fast hands and kicks, then whips. Naito elbows Tanahashi down then basement dropkicks! Naito gets Tanahashi back up, turns him, but Tanahashi powers through. Tanahashi turns Naito for the NECKBREAKER! Fans rally as both men stir. Hot tag to Okada! Okada fires off forearms, then whips. Naito reverses but Okada elbows Naito down! Okada drags Naito up, whips him corner to corner and then runs in, but Naito dodges!

Naito dropkicks the bad leg! Naito stomps the leg, Red Shoes reprimands and has Naito back off. Naito shoves Red Shoes away! But Okada pops Naito up to the top rope, to dropkick him down! Naito tumbles out to the floor and fans fire up! Fans rally while everyone is down! Red Shoes returns and Okada goes out after Naito. Okada drags Naito up, reels him in, and hits a DDT to the floor! Okada leaves Naito behind and Red Shoes goes to check on him. Naito is still in this and fans keep rallying. A ring count starts, Naito stirs at 3 of 20. Naito sits up at 14 of 20, stands at 17, and is in at 19! Okada is right on him, another DDT!

Okada paces and kicks at Naito. Naito sit sup, Okada slaps him around and even talks trash. Naito gets up as fans rally, and Okada scoops! Naito slips out the back to dropkick the leg! And then NECKBREAKER! Both men are down again but fans still rally. Okada gets up, hobbles over, and he brings Naito up. Naito throws a forearm but Okada gives it back. Naito hits another forearm, Okada gives it back. Fans rally as they pick up speed and go back and forth! Okada gets the edge, but Naito kicks. Okada blocks, spins Naito and BOOTS him! Okada Alabama lifts, Naito flails to deny the rest. Naito CLUBS Okada, Okada back drops but Naito arm-drags!

Okada rushes back in, Naito catches Okada, TORNADO DDT! Sanada gets in to DECK Tanahashi! Naito gets Okada up and puts him on the tope rope. Naito goes up to SUPER STEINER! Okada slowly rises, fans rally, and Naito runs in, into an uppercut! But Naito ENZUGIRIS back! Naito whips, Okada reverses but Naito FLYING FOREARMS! Naito hurries to get Okada up, wrench and tilt-o-whirl, DESTI- NO! Okada slips through, but Naito ducks the lariat, only to run into the DROPKICK! Both men are down again but fans rally back up. Okada and Naito crawl, hot tags to Tanahashi and Sanada!

Sanada rallies on Tanahashi, arm-drags him, then waistlocks for an atomic drop! Sanada trips Tanahashi, and ties him up in Paradise! Fans fire up and Sanada encourages them to get louder. The fans get louder and louder, and Sanada dropkicks Tanahashi out of Paradise! Sanada drags Tanahashi back up, fireman’s carries, but Tanahashi fights free! Tanahashi waistlocks, Sanada switches, but Tanahashi elbows free. Tanahashi runs, but Sanada dropkicks the leg! Tanahashi dropkicks Sanada’s legs! Tanahashi kicks again, but Sanada blocks to a DRAGON SCREW! Sanada hobbles up, but Tanahashi gets his leg, DRAGON SCREW!

Fans fire up as Naito runs in, Tanahashi gives him a DRAGON SCREW! Everyone’s done again and fans fire up! Okada sets LIJ up and shouts to Tanahashi. Tanahashi hurries to the corner, goes up and ACE’S HIGH FLY ATTACK! Direct hit and down goes everyone! Red Shoes checks on everyone, and somehow they’re all okay to continue. Fans rally up, “Let’s Go, Ace!” “O-KA-DA!” “SA-NA-DA!” “NA-I-TO!” The ring count climbs, Okada and Tanahashi are up at 10 of 20 but Tanahashi drags Sanada up at 14. Tanahashi puts Sanada in at 16 and fans cheer as this continues.

Tanahashi drags Sanada’s leg through the ropes, DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi dropkicks the leg, then DRAPING DRAGON SCREWS again! Sanada flops into the ring, Tanahashi drags him to center and ties up the legs. TEXAS CLOVERLEAF! Sanada endures, Naito wants in but Okada keeps him out! Naito clubs away on Okada, fans rally as he gets in, but Okada catches up! MONEY CLIP! LIJ endures dueling submissions! Tanahashi sits deep on the hold and Naito is fading in the Money Clip! Fans rally, Sanada powers up and heads for ropes! Tanahashi drags him back! Okada keeps Naito down, but Sanada gets a second wind and the ROPEBREAK!

Fans are thunderous as the dream team has to let LIJ go! Tanahashi waits on Sanada as he rises. Tanahashi fires up and runs, but Sanada follows to O’Conner Roll, bridge denied! Tanahashi steals SKULL END! But Sanada rolls through, and gets Tanahashi in SKULL END!! Now Naito keeps Okada out! Tanahashi endures, Okada CLUBS away on Naito, but Naito still keeps Okada on the apron! Okada BOOTS Naito into railing, then gets in to CLOBBER Sanada! Sanada kicks and throws Okada out, and fans fire up! Sanada drags Tanahashi back up, scoops him, BACKBREAKER! Sanada goes to the corner, ROUNDING BODY-

NO! Sanada has to land on his feet as Tanahashi moves! Tanahasi runs in, into a fireman’s carry! Sanada throws Tanahashi into the dragon sleeper! But Tanahashi turns around to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi holds on, drags Sanada back up, but Sanada puts Tanahashi on the ropes! MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down and fans are thunderous again! Sanada crawls over, hot tag to Naito! Naito hobbles over to Tanahashi, drags him up and throws back elbow after back elbow! Tanahashi drops, but Naito stands him back up. Naito throws more back elbows, but Okada coaches Tanahashi.

Fans rally up, Naito stares Okada down, but he throws more back elbows on Tanahashi! Tanahashi drops, Naito stands Tanahashi back up to whip him into the corner. Naito runs in, but just gets the legs in the ropes! DRAPING BACKBREAKER! Sanada gets in to DECK Okada! Naito stands Tanahashi up, and whips him to the corner. Sanada runs into back elbow, then feeds to Naito’s elbow. Dropkick, atomic drop, back suplex, ROLLING JACKKNIFE! TWO!!! Tanahashi survives the LIJ combo! Naito drags Tanahashi up, but Okada rushes in. Naito kicks Okada, whips, but Okada reverses to DROPKICK!

Sanada gets in and fireman’s carries Okada, T K O!! Tanahashi stands up, dodges Sanada and SLINGBLADES him down! Tanahashi whips Naito, Naito reverses but Tanahashi SLINGBLADES! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi fires up, fans fire up with him, and he goes to the corner. Tanahashi is up top, HIGH FLY FLOPS as Naito rolls out of the way! Fans rally up again as Naito aims from the corner. Tanahashi slowly rises, Naito runs in, CORRIENDO- NO! Tanahashi slips free to SHOTEI! Sanada ROCKS Tanahashi, but Tanahashi gets around to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi runs, Naito turns slingblade into LIGHTNING SPIRAL!

Okada ripcords, but Naito ducks! CORRIENDO SHIKI DESTINO!! Naito drags Tanahashi up, VALENCIA! Naito isn’t done, he wrenches and tilt-o-whirls, DESTINO!! Cover, LIJ wins!!

Winners: Tetsuya Naito & Sanada, by pinfall

The Uncontrollable Charisma just took out the top two champions in NJPW! And even when 2v2, LIJ still has the dream team’s number! Does this mean Naito as world champion is inevitable? Or can the Rainmaker and Ace manage to survive on their own?

Naito gets the mic to say, “Buenas noches, Osaka!” He thanks the fans for being here for their first Osaka event of 2022, and for supporting him and LIJ. “Gracias, amigos!” Naito points out that “the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion said that this would be a key point for him. But the team of Sanada and Tetsuya Naito just won. In fact, Okada is 0-9 in these previews. Now, all the smarks talk about how the guy who wins all these, loses the title match.” But of course he and Sanada want to be perfect through this whole thing. Naito wants the fans to know that until the title matches February 19th and 20th, TRANQUILO! Assen na yo!

Naito hopes to see everyone again for the back-to-back cards in Osaka Jo Hall, and says that there is of course only one way they can end this event. “Bushi, Sanada, Hiromu, Takagi, y Naito. Nosotros… Los Ingoberrrrrrrnables! DE! JA! PON!!” The mission is clear: Pitch a perfect game against Okada and Tanahashi! Will LIJ prove the smarks are wrong on this one?

My Thoughts:

Another very good event for NJPW here. More good stuff even in the matches skipped, such as Khan getting another win over a veteran, LIJ being perfect on the night, and Suzuki almost putting Yano in his own dog crate before he handcuffs two Young Lions together out of anger. I like that with the Junior Heavyweight Tag champions back to back on the card, they let it play into the results. And then what a great surprise, things have just escalated for the Golden Series with a FATAL 4 TAG for the titles. This is definitely a way to take the titles off #FlyingTigers without Eagles or Tiger Mask looking weak. I’m just not sure if we’re getting Taguchi fulfilling a dream or Desperado returning to Mr. Junior Heavyweight Double Champion status.

As far as crowd reactions go, I feel like the NEVER Openweight title match was more the main event, but I understand putting the top champions at the top of the card over a firmly midcard title. Everything went as expected with these two factions, but I did not think Evil would retain this singles title. I thought the Six Man belts would stay with House of Torture, and that might still happen, so maybe NJPW is sticking with Evil as Mr. NEVER for right now. I honestly can’t see what would come of Chaos getting the Six Man titles back with Goto, Hashi & Yoh do other than bolstering the resumes.

And then we got another great match out of Okada & Tanahashi VS Naito & Sanada, and Naito was right to get meta in his promo. Anywhere else, all this math would mean the champs retain. Okada VS Naito and Tanahashi VS Sanada could probably go either way since NJPW doesn’t use the same go-home math American promotions do, but I’m still leaning towards both retaining. It seems Sanada still isn’t there as a personality to get a singles title, but I feel like him being the strong, silent type was supposed to be the point.

My Score: 8.7/10