Will NJPW truly be tranquilo?

Tetsuya Naito has struck out Kazuchika Okada all over the New Years Golden Series, but will he fail to get NJPW’s top prize off the Rainmaker?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: Tiger Mask, Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
• Tomohiro Ishii & Ryohei Oiwa VS Taichi & DOUKI; Taichi & Douki win.
• Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato VS El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Taguchi & Wato win.
• Satoshi Kojima VS Great-O-Khan; Khan wins.
• 8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Hiroshi Tanahashi, Yuji Nagata & Great Bash Heels; LIJ wins.
• KOPW 2022 Championship Dog Cage Match: Minoru Suzuki VS Toru Yano; Yano wins and is the new (provisional) Mr. KOPW 2022.
• NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: House of Torture VS Chaos; House of Torture wins and retains the titles.
• IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS Tetsuya Naito; Okada wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

KOPW 2022 Championship Dog Cage Match: Minoru Suzuki VS Toru Yano!

The Meanest Man in the World and the Producer have tried to lock the other up all through this New Years Golden Series, and that’s the way to win this match! You put your opponent in the cage and you’re the top dog! Will Suzuki show Yano is all bark and no bite? Or will Yano bare his fangs and take this trophy home?

Yano makes his entrance, and he reveals he has Tomu-kun, PR mascot of Noboribetsu, Hokkaido, on his side! Yano even gets a “HO-KAI-DO!” clap going. And though this isn’t a handcuff match like he wanted, Suzuki still brings cuffs, and even a leash! The ref checks, and it turns out Yano has quite a few hidden cuff keys. Is that all of them? Yano defends that those three are. The introductions are made, the trophy is raised, and we see which dog has its day.

Fans rally up as Suzuki puts aside his leash and cuffs for the time being. Suzuki and Yano circle, feel out the grapple, and Yano shoots in. Suzuki blocks, gets around, but Yano slips out. They go back and forth with waistlocks on the mat until Suzuki gets the ropebreak. Yano lets off cleanly, and the two reset. They feel things out again, Yano gets a takedown! Suzuki turns it around but Yano uses a leg guard, only for Suzuki to make it a heel hook! Yano gets the ropebreak, and now Suzuki lets off clean. Fans cheer the technical exchange as Yano gets up. Yano and Suzuki talk trash on each other, and then Yano throws a forearm!

Fans rally up as the forearms go back and forth, faster and faster! Yano gets the edge but Suzuki laughs it off before he DECKS Yano. Suzuki taunts Yano then drags him up by his ears. Yano breaks free and SLAPS Suzuki over and over on the back! “BAKA ERO!” But Suzuki just stands up with a stone cold look on his face. Suzuki fires off slapping palm strikes! Suzuki SLAPS Yano down, then stomps him out of the ring! Suzuki whips Yano into railing! Yano slumps down but Suzuki brings him up to whip into more railing! And then Suzuki wrenches an arm, hammerlocks it, and brings Yano to the cage!

They go past the cage, and Suzuki throws knees and DECKS Yano. Suzuki goes back to the cage, and he starts pushing it? Fans rally up as he builds up speed, and RAMS Yano with the cage! Yano tumbles further along the ramp, and Suzuki brings the cage back to where it was. Suzuki opens the door and he goes to fetch Yano. Suzuki drags Yano up, ROCKS him with a right, kicks him, then ROCKS him again. They go to the cage, and Suzuki puts Yano in! But then Suzuki gets in with him?! Suzuki rains down forearms then fists. But Yano hits back! They’re brawling inside the cage! Suzuki DECKS Yano again!

Suzuki gets out, slams the door closed, but Yano pushes it open! Suzuki couldn’t fasten the lock and Yano is free! Suzuki kicks Yano, whips, but Yano reverses and Suzuki hits railing hard! Yano gets back in the ring and catches his breath while Suzuki drags himself up. Fans fire up with Yano as he unties a buckle pad! Yano kicks the pad away but Suzuki kicks Yano. Suzuki whips, Yano reverses, but Suzuki stops himself from hitting bare buckles! Yano complains and runs in, but Suzuki moves! Yano hits buckles, then Suzuki BOOTS him! Suzuki snapmares and PENALTY KICKS Yano down! Fans fire up, and Suzuki gets cuffs!

Suzuki cuffs one of Yano’s hands, but Yano LOW BLOWS! Yano hurries to get a pair of cuffs, and he cuffs one of Suzuki’s hands! Yano stomps Suzuki, and then he cuffs Suzuki’s hands together! Fans fire up and Yano stomps Suzuki more! Yano drags Suzuki up by his hands but Suzuki HEADBUTTS Yano! Suzuki stomps Yano, and then finishes cuffing Yano’s hands! Now both men are restrained! Suzuki’s getting his handcuff match after all! Yano is mad as he and Suzuki circle. Fans rally up and Suzuki DOUBLE CHOPS! Yano DOUBLE CHOPS back! Suzuki DOUBLE CHOPS again, so Yano DOUBLE CHOPS!

It’s a DOUBLE CHOP fight! The fans rally harder and harder, but then Suzuki grabs Yano’s hair to HEADBUTT! Yano rakes the eyes! Yano runs, Suzuki gets around, and Suzuki kicks out a leg to bring Yano to his knees! SLEEPER HOLD! The cuffs are in fact helping now! Fans rally, but Yano reveals he had another set of keys after all! Suzuki stomps Yano and snatches the keys! Suzuki sets himself free and fans fire up again as he goes back to stomping. Suzuki taunts Yano with the keys, plays a little keep-away, and then TOSSES them! Suzuki stomps Yano more and more! Suzuki gets the dog leash! And LASHES Yano with the strap!

Suzuki laughs as he LASHES Yano again! And again! Suzuki drags Yano up, and wraps the strap around Yano’s neck! Suzuki chokes Yano with the strap, then throws Yano over the top rope! Suzuki’s practically hanging Yano!! The fans rally up, “Y T R! Y T R!” and Suzuki lets off as Yano fades. Suzuki then undoes the collar and puts it around Yano’s neck. Then he LASHES Yano with the strap, and stomps him down on the floor. Suzuki even SMACKS Yano with the buckle pad from earlier. Suzuki drags Yano around the way like a bad dog, and chokes him against the railing! Yano is turning purple!

Suzuki gets the bell hammer from the timekeeper and digs it into Yano’s face! Suzuki lets off, drags Yano along again, and they of course return to the dog cage. Suzuki puts Yano inside, but Yano resists as much as he can. Yano keeps his feet out, and somehow he cuffs Suzuki’s hand again! Suzuki struggles, Yano YANKS him inside! Yano gets out of the cage! Suzuki tries, but his cuff is linked to the strap and the strap is linked to the cage!! Yano’s like a magician! Yano throws a Young Lion onto Suzuki! Yano makes sure they’re both in, then he closes the door and LOCKS it! Yano wins!!

Winner: Toru Yano (NEW Provisional Mr. KOPW 2022)

Just call him the Great Yanodini! That was an escape artist level trick and no one can figure it out! Suzuki is pissed either way, but Yano has the trophy! Yano already made has two years under his belt, will he make it a threepeat?

NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: House of Torture VS Chaos!

Evil and Yujiro Takahashi could not take the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships from Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi, and now they and Sho must defend these trios titles from Goto, Hashi and Yoh! Is the House of Torture going to look more like a house of cards? Or will Darkness Fall on the Fierce Warrior, Head Hunter and Direct Drive?

The introductions are barely even made before Evil leads the House of Torture on attacking Chaos! The bell rings to get this on record as Evil throws Goto out, Sho throws Yoh, and Yujiro keeps Hashi in the ring. Yujiro headlocks, punches and CLUBS Hashi down, then stomps him. Yoh sends Sho into railing while Goto POSTS Evil! Yujiro drags Hashi up and knees him low then CHOPS and CHOPS, and whips. Hashi reverses the whip, Goto and Hashi run Yujiro over! They combine, hip toss senton! Yoh then runs in, he does a hip toss senton! Evil gets in but Hashi kicks him and Goto arm-drags him down!

Goto sets up and Yoh leap frogs him to stomp Evil! Goto then sits Evil up to KICK him in the back! Hashi adds a basement SUPERKICK, then Yoh adds a basement dropkick! Sho gets in but Yoh kicks him first. Chaos hammers Sho out of the ring! Chaos then chases after Dick Togo! They get him in the ring, but he bails right out. Only for Ishii to get him! Chaos surrounds Dick and hammers him down! Evil cries for Dick! Hashi gets back in the ring, goes back to Yujiro, but Yujiro powers Hashi to the blue corner, and surprise! Sho moves the pad away and Hashi hits bare buckles! The Bullet Club Special returns!

Evil attacks Yoh, Sho joins in and SMACKS Yoh with a crossbar strap! Yujiro drags Hashi up to throw him out. Yujiro and Dick have chairs and they choke Hashi! The ref is too busy with Evil choking Goto with his staff and Sho smothering Yoh with the crossbar strap! Yujiro gets back in the ring, Evil stands on Hashi’s head while taunting him. Evil drags Hashi up, puts him in the ring for Yujiro, and Yujiro throws down fists! The ref reprimands because of closed fists, so Yujiro stops. Yujiro drags Hashi up, hooks him up, leg sweep FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Yujiro drags Hashi over to tag in Evil.

The House of Torture mugs Hashi, then Evil wrenches an arm. Evil brings Hashi around to wrench more and more, then whip him into the bare buckles! Hashi goes down and writhes, Evil drags him from ropes to cover, TWO! Fans cheer but Evil tags Sho. Sho has the crossbar strap and he SMACKS Hashi with it! Sho then digs his boots in at the ropes, but lets off as the ref counts 4. Fans rally up but Sho kicks at Hashi. Hashi gets up, Sho gives more kicks, but Hashi CHOPS! Sho rakes Hashi’s eyes! The ref reprimands and stops Sho, but Sho tags Evil. Evil throws Hashi out, then gets in Chaos’ face. This is so Dick can JAM a chair into Hashi!

Sho gets Hashi back in, Evil covers, Goto breaks it! Evil tells Goto to get out of the ring, but fans rally up for Hashi. Evil drags Hashi up, but Hashi ROCKS him with a forearm! And another! And another! Evil rakes the eyes again! Evil kicks low, brings Hashi around, and suplexes, only for Hashi to fight it off! They fight for control, fans rally up, but Hashi suplexes Evil up and over! Fans fire up while both men are down! Hashi crawls, hot tag to Goto! Goto runs but Evil dodges to kick and whip! Goto stops from hitting buckles, he DECKS Yujiro and Sho, then sends Evil into buckles! BIG back suplex and the fans fire up!

Goto waits for Evil to stand, and he KICKS him to a corner! Goto whips corner to corner then MURAMASA! To BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Goto drags Evil up, fireman’s carries but Evil pulls hair to get free. Goto ROCKS Evil then runs, into Sho’s cheap shot! Sho holds Goto, Evil runs in, but Goto gets away! Evil stops short of hitting Sho, Goto runs back in but both Evil and Sho get clear so Dick can trip Goto! Dick plays innocent while Evil tags Sho. Sho stomps Goto, drags him up and wrenches to a wristlock. Sho knuckle locks to bend the fingers, and then he brings Goto down. Goto blocks the first kick!

Goto stands up but Sho rakes the eyes! Sho runs, Goto follows but Sho dodges. Goto dodges the kick to DISCUS LARIAT! Fans fire up while both men are down. Goto hurries, hot tag to Yoh! Yoh rallies on Sho with big forearms! Yoh whips, Sho reverses but Yoh ducks and dodges to FLYING FOREARM! Fans fire up as Yoh also DECKS Evil and Yujiro! Yoh aims at Sho, runs in at the corner, but Sho dodges! Sho rakes eyes again, then runs, only for Yoh to go Matrix! Sho blocks the Superkick but Yoh gets around! Yoh full nelsons, Sho breaks free, but Yoh uses that to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!

Sho tries to crawl away but Yoh drags Sho up by his waistband. Yoh goes for the full nelson but Sho grabs an arm for an ELBOW BREAKER! Sho KICKS a leg, but then Yoh blocks for a DRAGON SCREW! Fans fire up as Yoh rolls into the STARGAZER CALF KILLER! Hashi intercepts Yujiro and Goto intercepts Evil, BUTTERFLY LOCK and a SLEEPER HOLD! TRIPLE submissions! And Ishii keeps Dick from slipping in! Evil is tapping but too bad he’s not legal! Yoh pulls Sho back more, Sho gets the ROPEBREAK! The House of Torture is saved, but Goto and Hashi stomp Evil and Yujiro outta the ring.

Fans rally, Sho gets to a corner, and Yoh runs in. Back elbow and then Yoh puts Sho up top! Yoh climbs but Sho slips under! Sho brings Yoh up but Yoh fights free of the bomb! Sho LARIATS, but Yoh basement dropkicks! Yoh runs, but Sho uses the ref as a shield! Then JUMP KNEE to SNAP GERMAN! Sho hurries to get Yoh back up, reels him in, but YOH suplexes for a FALCON ARROW! Both men are down and fans rally up! Yoh and Sho crawl, hot tags to Hashi and Yujiro! Hashi rallies on Yujiro, whips him but Yujiro reverses. Hashi hits buckles but comes back to CHOP Yujiro! And then mule kick to turn, NECK-

NO! Yujiro elbows free of the neckbreaker, but Hashi dodges the clothesline to come back and BLOCKBUSTER! Fans fire up and Hashi dares Yujiro to get back up. Hashi then throws a strike fest, and runs, but Evil swipes him! Yujiro gets Hashi for a dragon sleeper, but Hashi spins around, only for Yujiro to BITE his hand! Hashi CLUBS Yujiro, but Yujiro blocks the kick to throw Hashi down, sliding dropkick! Evil gets in to DECK Goto, and then Sho gets in. The House of Torture gets Hashi up to double whip him to a corner. Sho runs in to forearm smash! Yujiro runs in to BOOT! Evil runs in to clothesline! Feed to Yujiro’s FISHERMAN BUSTER!

Evil shouts at the ref while he and Sho play defense. Yujiro covers, TWO!! Hashi survives, Goto and Yoh drag Evil and Sho out to RAM them into railing! Ishii stops Dick, but Yujiro gets the pimp cane! The ref sees that and stops Yujiro! Goto gets in to kick Yujiro! Fireman’s carry, but Yujiro slips off! HIDDEN GAP! HEAD BUSTER and SUPERKICK! Yoh stops Sho then PLANCHAS him down! Goto-Hashi are clear, they get Yujiro up, SHOUTO!! Cover, Dick drags the ref out!! Ishi CLOBBERS Dick but Sho CLOBBERS Yoh! Evil uses a chair on Hashi! And on Goto! And even on Ishii!

Evil throws the chair away, Dick gets in. They drag Hashi up, set him up, MAGIC KILLER! Evil hurries to fetch the ref as Yujiro crawls over to Hashi. The ref sees the cover, counts, TWO!!! Hashi survives and Evil is furious! Fans rally up but Evil drags Hashi up. Yoh gets in and SUPERKICKS Evil down! Yoh rallies Hashi but Yujiro throws Yoh into a corner. Yujiro drags Hashi up and ROCKS him with a forearm! Yujiro runs, into Goto’s fireman’s carry! Yoh and Hashi both SUPERKICK! DOUBLE FIERCE FLASH!! Fans are thunderous, and now Goto-Hashi get Yujiro back up. Hashi full nelsons, but Yujiro boots Goto away!

Sho drags Goto out and Evil distracts the ref while Yujiro LOW BLOWS Hashi! Sho CLOBBERS Hashi with the wrench!! Yujiro hurries over, he drags Hashi up, BIG JUICE!! Cover, House of Torture wins!

Winners: House of Torture, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)

By hook and by crook, Evil and his boys hold onto these titles! The King of Darkness stays the King of NEVER, will he and the House of Torture ever run out of tricks?

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS Tetsuya Naito!

The Rainmaker has battled the Uncontrollable Charisma in tag matches, trios matches and even 8 Man matches, and he’s zero for all of them! But now, THE top title of NJPW is on the line, and that is where Okada shines. Will Okada finally strike Naito out? Or will this be a home run and a huge title win for the leader of Los Ingobernables de Japon?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and of course Naito takes his time with his entrance gear. Okada is patient, and finally the bell rings. Time to see who is truly the best in NJPW!

Fans already applaud and rally as the two stare down. “O-KA-DA!” “NA-I-TO!” Okada approaches but Naito stays put. Naito starts to circle with Okada, then goes back and forth, forward and back. They tie up, Okada gets around but Naito gets the arm to make the standing switch. Okada drop toeholds and has a waistlock, but Naito moves up. Okada pushes him over and ties up the legs. Naito endures, Okada floats but Naito slips out to have a hammerlock. Okada reaches out with a leg and gets the ropebreak. Red Shoes calls it and Naito lets off with a pat on Okada’s back. Fans cheer while Okada bails out.

Okada takes his time returning, feels out the grapple with Naito, and they knuckle lock. Naito wrenches through to have a top wristlock, and he works to wrangle Okada to the mat. Okada keeps his shoulders up, moves around and gets up, but Naito wrenches to another hammerlock. Okada reaches back to headlock, then gets his arm free. Naito pries free, gets a headlock and takeover, but Okada headscissors. Naito kips free, Okada headlocks to the takeover but Naito headscissors. Okada kips free, Naito goes tranquilo, but Okada basement dropkicks him! Fans cheer, Naito checks his face and Okada brings him up.

Okada ROCKS Naito with a forearm, then CLUBS him with an elbow. Naito leans against ropes, Okada brings him out and turns him, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans applaud and Okada wraps on a chinlock. Naito endures, pries at the hold, but Okada cranks and pulls Naito back. Naito kicks forward and gets a ropebreak. Fans applaud as Okada lets off cleanly. Naito bails out, Okada pursues and CLUBS Naito on the back. Okada puts Naito in, kicks and scoops him to SLAM, then Okada goes to the apron. Slingshot, but Naito avoids the senton and Okada rolls through. Things speed up, Naito arm-drags and basement dropkicks Okada down!

Okada grits his teeth and clutches his knee while fans cheer. Okada bails out, Naito goes out the side and fans clap, “NA-I-TO!” “O-KA-DA!” Naito runs in around the way, but Okada avoids the dropkick! But Naito atomic drops, turns Okada and NECKBREAKER to the floor! Both men are down but fans rally up. Naito gets up while Red Shoes checks Okada. Okada’s okay to continue and Naito gets in the ring. Red Shoes starts the ring count while fans continue to clap, “O-KA-DA!” “NA-I-TO!” Okada is up at 11 of 20 and in at 13. Naito stomps Okada at the ropes, focuses on the knee, but then stomps Okada’s back.

Naito brings Okada up for a cravat neck wrench. Okada endures, moves around and gets to the ropes. Red Shoes calls for the ropebreak, so Naito lets off, to kick the bad leg! Okada falls down, but Naito brings him back up. Naito CLUBS away on Okada, and CLUBS him all the way down. Naito brings Okada up, dragon sleeper for BACKBREAKER, into the LEG HOOK NELSON! Okada endures while Naito tranquilos. Fans rally, Okada works to move around, but Naito thrashes the hold. Okada keeps reaching out, but Naito pushes the hold as hard as he can! Naito then drags Okada back!

Okada kicks, but he’s starting to fade! Naito lets him go to cover, TWO! Fans cheer but Naito keeps focus. Naito drags Okada up but Okada ROCKS him with a forearm! Naito grins and eggs Okada on, so Okada ROCKS him again! And again! Naito winds up, but he dropkicks Okada’s leg! Fans cheer the faint, Naito runs in at the corner, but Okada pops him up to an Alabama! Naito fights that off, ROCKS Okada with forearms, then whips Okada to a corner. JUMP KICK and leg sweep, swinging- Alabama catch, REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Okada gets Naito on that one but both men are down as the fans cheer again.

Fans rally, “O-KA-DA!” “NA-I-TO!” Naito and Okada slowly sit up, but Okada stands and throws forearms. Okada whips, Naito reverses but Okada CLOBBERS Naito with a back elbow! Okada drags Naito up, whips him to a corner, then runs in but into boots! Naito runs in, but into the FLAPJACK! And a big one! Cover, TWO! Okada keeps cool and fans rally again. Okada goes to the apron, drags Naito up, kicks him and APRON DDT’s! Naito gets spiked and then flops down! Okada drags Naito out along the apron, DRAPING DDT to the floor! Red Shoes checks on Naito while Okada catches his breath.

Naito clutches his neck but he’s okay to continue. Red Shoes starts a ring count while both men are down on the outside. Okada gets in at 9 of 20, but Naito is still down at 15. Fans rally up harder, Naito crawls over and gets in at 19! Okada brings Naito up, for another DDT! Cover, TWO! Naito is still in this but Okada keeps cool. Okada drags Naito up, wrenches the arm and has the MONEY CLIP! But Naito gets the ropebreak right away! Red Shoes counts, Okada lets off at 4. Okada brings Naito up, scoops and SLAMS him, then goes to the corner. Okada climbs, but Naito gets under the jump! Naito runs in but into a back elbow!

Okada whips, Naito reverses and uses ropes for the TORNADO DDT! Fans fire up as things are even! Both men are down again and fans rally. Naito sits up, Okada follows. and the two get up. Naito fires off strikes, whips Okada to ropes, and hip tosses for the basement dropkick! Naito gets Okada right back up for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Naito makes sure his neck is fine before bringing Okada up. Naito kicks the leg then throws back elbow after back elbow. Okada staggers while clutching his neck, and Naito runs in. Naito blocks a boot to fire off more back elbows! Red Shoes counts, Naito keeps throwing elbows then CLUBS Okada down!

Red Shoes gets Naito to let off, and Naito apologizes. Naito brings Okada up and hoists him up the corner backwards. Naito brings Okada into a DRAPING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Okada’s still in this and fans rally up. Naito drags Okada up, hammerlocks and half nelsons, but Okada elbows free. Naito throws back elbows again and again! Naito then runs, but Okada BOOTS him down! Fans fire up while Naito and Okada are down again. Naito shakes out the cobwebs while Okada sits up. Okada gets to his feet and brings Naito up. Naito blocks the gut wrench so Okada CLUBS him down!

Okada gut wrenches through, Naito kicks and flails and CLUBS the bad leg! Okada blocks a kick, spins, but Naito blocks, only to swing into the MONEY CLIP! Fans rally as Naito endures, but Okada squeezes the hold tight! Naito stays up and arm-drags free! Naito kicks, whips, but Okada reverses to DROPKICK Naito down! Fans cheer that picture perfect dropkick! Okada gets the arm again, MONEY CLIP! Naito endures and kicks around as fans rally up. Okada cranks the hold, Naito reaches out, but Okada drags him away! Okada squeezes even tighter but Naito refuses to quit! Naito flails, fans rally harder, but he’s fading!

Red Shoes checks, Naito gets a second wind, and he fights his way to the ROPEBREAK! Okada lets go in frustration while fans fire up. Fans rally again, “O-KA-DA!” “NA-I-TO!” Okada drags Naito up, scoops and SLAMS him again, then goes back to the corner. Okada goes up top, MACHO ELBOW! Fans fire up for the Rainmaker Pose! Okada drags Naito up, ripcords, but Naito arm-drags Okada into the PLUMA BLANCA! Now Okada endures and fans rally again! Okada kicks around but Naito thrashes the hold! “O-KA-DA!” “NA-I-TO!” Okada powers his way over to the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Naito lets go.

Naito puts Okada up top, climbs up to join him, and SUPER STEINERS! Fans fire up while Okada tumbles and Naito gets himself back up. Naito encourages the fans to get louder so they do! Okada slowly gets up, Naito runs in, but into an uppercut! Naito ENZIGURIS, then hops up the corner. Naito reels Okada in, ESPERANZA! Okada is reeling from that rolling cutter and Naito takes aim! Naito runs in, CORRIEN- NO! Back drop to prawn hold cover, TWO!! Naito gets free, but Okada fireman’s carries, T K- DESTINO!! Naito drags Okada back up, wrench and tilt-o-whirl, but no Destino! LARIAT!!

Both men are down and fans are thunderous! Naito and Okada stir but Okada crawls his way over to get Naito’s wrist. Okada drags Naito up as fans again clap, “O-KA-DA!” “NA-I-TO!” Short arm LARIAT! Okada takes a breath, drags Naito up again, and short arm LARIATS! Okada roars and fans fire up behind him! Okada brings Naito up to waistlock, ripcord, but Naito throws a back elbow! And another! Fans rally hard as ever as the two lean on each other. Naito throws again, but into a scoop! TOMBSTONE!! Okada brings Naito up, ripcord, RAIN- NO! Naito gets under to hook and LIGHTNING SPIRAL!

Fans are thunderous again as Naito gets up. Naito runs in, tilt-o-whirl, CORRIENDO SHIKI DESTINO!! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives but Naito is not deterred! Naito drags Okada up, reels him back in and scoops to SLAM him! Naito goes to the corner?! Naito goes up, to STARDUST PRESS!! Cover, TWO!?!? Naito brings back a classic and yet Okada survives!! Fans are electric and Naito gets Okada up. Wrench, tilt-o-whirl, but Okada blocks! Okada scoops, Naito turns that around into his scoop, but Okada steals DESTINO!! Cover, TWO!!! Naito survives Okada’s take on his move and fans are electric again!

Okada slowly gets up, and he drags Naito back up. Waistlock, ripcord, but Naito ducks to GERMAN SUPLEX! Both men get up, Okada roars! But Naito hits a ROLLING KICK! Naito whips, Okada reverses, Okada catches the flying forearm to ripcord! Naito ducks the lariat and runs, but into the DROPKICK! Picture perfect again! But Naito’s right back up!? But he runs into a gut wrench! Naito fights free, tilt-o-whirls, MICHINOKU DRIVER from Okada! Okada gets Naito up, ripcord and RAINMAKER!!! Cover, Okada wins!!

Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)

And in the bottom of the ninth, when it mattered most, the Rainmaker wins! Did Naito’s win streak through the Golden Series only jinx him? And even though he lost and can barely move, he still fist bumps Okada out of respect. With the New Japan Cup coming, will Naito find a way back to this title?

Red Shoes helps Okada put the belt on, and Okada strikes the Rainmaker pose again. Okada then gets the mic to tell Naito, “A worthy opponent, a worthy battle, for the 50th anniversary year! Thank you!” Okada raises the fist, and fans cheer as Naito responds with a raise of the fist back. Okada then thanks all those who came to the show for giving him their passionate support. Okada knows a couple years ago, more people were able to come out and see the show. And, that people were able to cheer loudly for the wrestlers. “That pushed our fight then, but it’s no different today. We were able to have a hot match today because of your enthusiasm. Thank you!”

Fans cheer again and Okada continues with, “Two years ago, right here, I mentioned Inoki’s name. Since then, I’ve been able to speak with him, and he’s sent us video messages. I think NJPW and Inoki are pressing forward, day by day. Even during this pandemic, I can wrestle in front of an audience. Even with masks on, you can root for us. Thanks us moving forward, step by step. That’s why we’re here now. There’s no way of knowing when things will be completely normal again, but let’s take it as it comes.” The fans’ enthusiasm powers the wrestlers’ fight, and hopefully that fight gives fans energy back. So please, continue to support them!

Okada brings up that March 1st is the Anniversary Show. And then right after, on March 2nd, the New Japan Cup begins. “The champ will lead the way, right?” For the 50th Anniversary, the Heavyweight and Junior Heavyweight champions will be there. So Okada will be facing the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, El Desperado, won’t he? Fans like the sound of that! It is tradition that they fight, but Okada hopes NJPW still considers him for the New Japan Cup. Fans also like the sound of that!

Okada takes a breath, then says that this may be the 50th year, but it’s still only February. “We’ve still got a long way to go. We’ll do our best to make every match even more exciting for all of you. We won’t let up our fight, so keep rooting for us enthusiastically. Please stick with NJPW. Thank you very much!” Fans cheer again, and Okada finishes with, “I’ll see you all next time we’re back in Sapporo. And I’ll make it rain in Sapporo again!” Fans cheer as Okada still stands tall atop NJPW! Will the Rainmaker really enter the New Japan Cup, win it, and determine his own fate? Or will another in the massive field of FORTY-EIGHT take hold of the future?

My Thoughts:

Another great event and also a great finale to this New Years Golden Series NJPW came up with. As with yesterday, I skipped the non-title matches, but there was an adjustment from the original plan. Since Tenzan couldn’t compete, Kojima left his Six Man Tag to face Great-O-Khan and give Khan another win over a Third Gen veteran. Outside of that, things were pretty much as expected. The KOPW 2022 match was great stuff, and I’m a bit surprised Yano won. Yes, the KOPW trophy is basically Yano’s world, but that was quite truly a magic trick Yano pulled to win. Maybe Suzuki comes back around, maybe Yano has yet another fresh challenger, but we’ll have to wait and see what the New Japan Cup field looks like.

The NEVER Openweight Six Man title match went as I expected. House of Torture won because they’re all a bunch of sneaky bastards. Evil will still be Mr. NEVER, again the New Japan Cup will probably be the priority so he’ll hold onto his titles in the background. And then we got an awesome main event, as expected for Okada, Naito and a world title match. Naito bringing up the streak during the Golden Series was the very moment it was foreshadowed that he’d lose here. You never mock the go-home math. Okada wins, and he gives us a great promo. Okada always seems to know what to say.

As for what’s next, Okada VS Desperado will be a great champions VS champions match at the Anniversary Show. I think it’d be pretty cool if Okada was in the New Japan Cup, but I don’t think he should win it. If anything, he should put over whoever is going to win it in the end, so that they can have a title rematch over the summer.

My Score: 8.8/10