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Mitchell’s NJPW Hyper Battle Results & Report! (4/9/22)
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Mitchell’s NJPW Hyper Battle Results & Report! (4/9/22)

It’s a SIX TITLE MATCH finale!

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NJPW Hyper Battle

What a great way to close out Hyper Battle 2022!

NJPW closes this blast from the past with an explosion of gold! The world title, junior title, world tag titles, junior tag titles, NEVER and KOPW, ON ONE SHOW!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • 8 Man Tag: JadoAce & Guerrillas of Destiny VS Bullet Club; JadoAce & GoD win.
  • Tetsuya Naito & Shingo Takagi VS Will Ospreay & Aaron Henare; Naito & Takagi win.
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato VS El Phantasmo & Taiji Ishimori; Taguchi & Wato win.
  • KOPW 2022 No Ropes Ring Out Match: Toru Yano VS Taichi w/ Miho Abe; Taichi wins and becomes the new Mr. KOPW 2022.
  • NEVER Openweight Championship: EVIL w/ Dick Togo VS Hiromu Takahashi; Evil wins and retains the title.
  • IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI VS Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb; Khan & Cobb win and become new IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS SHO; Desperado wins and retains the title.
  • IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS Zack Sabre Jr; Okada wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato VS El Phantasmo & Taiji Ishimori!

The Funky Weapon exposed the fix in the Headbanga’s boot, and then he and the Way of the Grandmaster took these belts in a fiery Fatal 4! But will the 69 come to an end? Or will Six or Nine shut down the Cutest Tag Team once again?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and the first of SIX title matches begins!

Fans rally up as ELP and Taiji Too Sweet, and then Taguchi and Wato double fist bump. Taiji and Taguchi start and fans rally up as they circle. They tie up, Taiji wrenches to a hammerlock then waistlock, but Taguchi drop toeholds. Taguchi floats to a headlock but Taiji slips out to hammerlock. Taguchi moves around but Taiji keeps on the hammerlock. They stand up, Taguchi wrenches back but Taiji rolls, kips up, cartwheels and wrenches to wrangle Taguchi down! Fans applaud the exchange, and Taiji brings Taguchi over. ELP tags in, climbs up, and he ax handles the arm! ELP wrenches, hammerlocks, and headlocks, but Taguchi slips out to hammerlock back!

Taguchi keeps on the hold and puts ELP in the corner. Tag to Wato, Taguchi hands off the arm for Wato to wrench. Wato headlocks, ELP powers out, things speed up, ELP hurdles and Wato leaps. ELP runs into the back elbow and uppercut but he avoids the sobat. ELP whips, Wato reverses but ELP rolls off his back. Wato runs to RANA! Fans fire up but ELP gets up, SOBAT hits after all! Wato DECKS Taiji for good measure, and he tags in Taguchi. Six or Nine double whip, double drop toehold, and roll to double basement dropkick! Fans fire up as Taiji runs in to get double hip toss, split the wishbone, and double basement dropkicks, too!

Wato bumps ELP off buckles in one corner while Taguchi bumps Taiji off buckles in another corner. They run corner to corner, Taguchi hip attacks Taiji and Taguchi hip attacks ELP. Then they go back the other way! Six or Nine whip ELP & Taiji at each other, but they do-si-do. Taguchi and Wato dodge to then do-si-do, but then Taiji & ELP dodge! Another do-si-do, but Taguchi and Wato tell them to stop! ENZIGURI IN STEREO! Fans fire up as Wato and Taguchi give thumbs up. Taguchi uses baseball signals and Wato brings the Cutest Tag Team up while Taguchi climbs a corner.

Taguchi arms the Funky Weapon, Wato brings Taiji and ELP over but they fight back! Taiji and ELP double whip Wato into Taguchi’s ass! Taguchi doesn’t realize what happened until he looks down! Taguchi sees Wato flop out of the ring, and then he looks back to see Taiji and ELP there. Taguchi turns around and ask they wait. He leaps, but they get clear of the Missile Hip. ELP kicks low and CLAWS Taguchi’s back! ELP and Taiji bring him to the corner, Taiji tags in, and fans rally as Taiji does his dance moves! Taiji jumps down to CLAW Taguchi! ELP and Taiji strut about, ELP tags back in, and fans rally up.

ELP goes corner to corner, somersaults, handsprings, drop steps, and hits a Liger pose to CLAW Taguchi! Cover, TWO! ELP drags Taguchi up, Taiji tags in, and they mug Taguchi. ELP even claws Taguchi on his way out! Taiji drags Taguchi up but Taguchi throws body shots. Taiji knees Taguchi low, whips, but Taguchi reverses. Taiji slips out, slides in, goes back out and shoulders Taguchi away, springboard SEATED SENTON! Cover, TWO! Fans rally but ELP tags in, and he CHOPS Taguchi on the ass! Snapmare and hip attack! ELP is mocking Taguchi but using his signature! ELP fires up, runs, but into a SOMERSAULT HIP ATTACK!

Fans fire up, hot tag to Wato! Wato dodges ELP, DECKS Taiji, then CLOBBERS ELP! Wato KICKS, whips and DROPKICKS! Wato whips ELP corner to corner, runs in but is put on the apron. Wato blocks to GAMANGIRI, but Taiji anchors him! Wato kicks Taiji away, springboards, into a DROPKICK from ELP! Cover, TWO! ELP drags Wato right up, puts him in the corner and tags Taiji. ELP ROCKS Wato, then Taiji snapmares for a NECK TWIST! Wato writhes but Taiji brings him up. Fans rally, Taiji puts Wato up and in a Tree of Woe. Tag to ELP, Taiji runs in to sliding dropkick! ELP runs in to sliding dropkick, too!

Fans rally again as ELP & Taiji both run, to then hop up and stand on Wato’s groin! The ref reprimands, Taguchi runs in but gets DOUBLE CHOPS! Taguchi falls over, Taiji & ELP go out and they each grab a leg. Wato fears for his life as they YANK Taguchi into Wato! And then Wato falls onto Taguchi! Talk about 69… ELP kicks Taguchi out of the ring and he drags Wato up. Wato throws body shots and forearms, then CHOPS! Wato whips corner to corner but ELP goes up and over, ducks and springboards, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO, but ELP handsprings to a LIONSAULT, and FLOPS as Wato moves!

Fans rally, Wato crawls but ELP drags him away. Wato kick ELP away, Taiji tags in, and Taiji gets ahead of Wato to DECK Taguchi off the corner! Taiji stomps Wato, drags him back up, and scoops to SLAM him! Tag to ELP, and ELP kicks Wato around. Taiji adds stomps, but fans rally up for Wato. Cutest Tag Team double whip, but Wato holds ropes! Wato sobats ELP, front kicks Taiji, and brings them both in, COMPLETE SHOT DDT COMBO! Fans fire up while all three men are down and Taguchi returns! Wato crawls over, hot tag to Taguchi! Taguchi HIP ATTACKS ELP, then HIP ATTACKS Taiji!

The Cutest Tag Team end up on opposite ends, and fans rally as Taguchi starts up the Hip Attack Train! One for ELP, then for Taiji, and back again! Baseball slide APRON HIP for ELP! Taguchi aims, springboards, MISSILE HIP for them both! Fans continue to fire up and Taguchi brings ELP up. Taguchi snap suplexes, Uno Amigo! Another, Dos Amigos! Taguchi goes for the third but ELP resists! They fight for suplex control, and Taguchi puts ELP up top! Fans rally, Taguchi moves aside for Wato’s STEP-UP KNEE! Taguchi then goes up top, SUPERPLEX! Wato adds a PENALTY KICK! SLIDING HIP from Taguchi! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally up again as Taguchi tags Wato. Six or Nine brings ELP up to double whip corner to corner. Taguchi hip attacks, Wato BOOTS, and Taguchi returns for another HIP ATTACK! Taguchi sets ELP in the drop zone, Wato is up top, DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, Taiji breaks it! Taguchi returns but Taiji dumps him out! Taiji kicks and whips Wato, runs in and DOUBLE KNEES! ELP Electric Chair Lifts Taiji, ASSISTED CODE BREAKER! Taiji holds Wato down, ELP goes up, MOONSAULT KNEE SANDWICH! Cover, TWO! Wato survives and fans fire up! ELP drags Wato up and over, tags in Taiji, then torture racks Wato.

Taiji springboards, FLYING KNEE, and then he keeps going to TRIANGLE JUMP MOONSAULT onto Taguchi! ELP keeps the rack spinning, for a HUGE SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Taiji returns to cover, TWO!! The fans are all fired up but the Cutest Tag Team is furious! Taiji tags ELP back in, and ELP goes up. Taiji gut wrenches, for CIPHER UTAKI! ELP aims, THUNDER KISS 86!! Cover, Taiji intercepts Taguchi, but Taguchi powers through to break it! Fans fire up again and Taguchi runs, into Taiji’s BOOT! Taiji BOOTS Wato back down! ELP says they’ll end this now! Taiji gets Wato set up and ELP tunes the band!

But Wato blocks Sudden Death?! He sends it at Taiji but Taiji ducks, only for Wato to ROUNDHOUSE him down! Wato then leaps at ELP, JUMPING COMPLETE SHOT! Fans fire up and Wato sees Taguchi at the corner! Hot tag to Taguchi! Taguchi wants ELP to stand up! Springboard, but into an ATOMIC DROP! Taguchi is stuck on ropes, SUDDEN DEATH to the ass! ELP reels Taguchi in, tucks the arms, but Taguchi back drops free! ELP sunset flips but Taguchi rolls through, to jackknife! TWO!! Taguchi hurries back up, ELP gets him for a backslide! TWO, and Taguchi La Magistrols! TWO!! Fans rally up again as Taguchi checks the count.

ELP rushes in, but into a fireman’s carry! ELP sunset flips but the tights come down! Taguchi has red undies on as he sits on the cover! Six or Nine wins!!

Winners: Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

ELP sputters and coughs from having Taguchi’s cheeks in his face! Will he ever get the stench of defeat off him? As for Taguchi & Wato, will they keep winning by the seats of their pants?

 

KOPW 2022 No Ropes Ring Out Match: Toru Yano VS Taichi w/ Miho Abe!

The Producer and the Holy Emperor are taking this wild and sometimes wacky championship trophy to another level, by taking this old school! It’ll be a sumo style match, where there are no ropes, and you win when your opponent gives up, your take their belt belt, or you throw your opponent out! Taichi is so dedicated, he has a kimono and a pillow to sit on! Yano has his signature red folding chair, but also a belt.

As the ropes are removed, Yano gets impatient and nervous, but Taichi practically meditates. Fans applaud as the ring transformation is done, and Miho gives Taichi his nose spray. Perhaps he has allergies now that it’s Spring? Yano and Taichi step up into the ring and fans rally, “Y T R!” “TA-I-CHI!” The introductions are made, the trophy is raised, and Taichi even takes off the pants right away! The belts are strapped on, and it’s time to see who is the Yokozuna of NJPW on top of Mr. KOPW!

Taichi rushes Yano right away! Yano barely holds off, uses the corner post to get away, and fans cheer that first exchange. Yano and Taichi circle, Yano kicks low and whips! Taichi reverses but Yano reverses and back again! They go around and around, they ref almost goes with them! They all get back to center and fans rally up. Taichi and Yano reset, and Yano forearms but Taichi kicks! Forearm, kick, forearm, kick, repeat! Yano then rakes Taichi’s eyes! Yano scoops but Taichi slips off! Taichi waistlocks, Yano switches, Taichi switches, repeat! Yano grabs the ref again, and LOW BLOW MULE KICKS! But Taichi stays up and ENZIGURIS!

Fans fire up as both men are down! Taichi tries to point out what Yano did but it doesn’t really matter now. Fans rally and Taichi slowly sits up. Taichi gets to his feet, fans rally up, and Yano sits up. Taichi kicks but Yano gets under and shoves! Taichi stays away from the edge, so Yano shoves the ref at him! Taichi stays put, Yano runs in, but Taichi moves and Yano shoves the ref OFF the ring! The ref hits railing and is down, Taichi hits AX BOMBER! Taichi powers up and takes his sumo stance, but Yano dodges the elbow! Taichi holds onto the post, and Yano goes to push him off! Taichi rakes Yano’s eyes, and they switch positions!

Taichi tries to CHOKE Yano off the post, but Yano rakes Taichi’s eyes! Taichi staggers away, Yano runs in, but Taichi chokes! Yano arm-drags Taichi away! Taichi gets mad now, he eggs Yano on, and they sumo clinch! Taichi tries to throw Yano but Yano shifts around! They both pull the belts and fans fire up as they’re in a deadlock! Taichi powers up but Yano lifts Taichi! But Taichi turns it with a half nelson and he throws Yano OUT! Taichi wins!!

Winner: Taichi, by ring out (NEW Mr. KOPW 2022)

The Holy Emperor has dethroned the Clown Prince! Yano takes his leave, but will he be back for this trophy soon enough? Speaking of, Taichi accepts the trophy and holds it high! Miho helps Taichi take the belt off and put his robe back on, then Taichi gets the mic.

“I told you I’d win this and bring it to a new stage. And I said I’d take this to the main event. I’ll stay true to my word and do just that.” Fans cheer that sentiment, and Taichi says, “Who is a deserving challenger? Former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, TAKAGI!” Taichi is calling out the Rampaging Dragon! Taichi knows Takagi has time on his hands right now. So Taichi will let Takagi challenge him! Fans like the sound of that, and Taichi says, “Takagi, I can do anything! Even play Kick the Can, ya bastard! I’ll paint KOPW in MY colors, you fools!” What will Takagi have to say about being called out like this?

 

SANADA is here!

The IWGP US Heavyweight Champion is here, clean shaven and with short hair. He lost in the New Japan Cup due to an orbital bone injury, but it seems he’s back to address the crowd. “In March, I suffered a fractured orbital bone at my left eye. I’ve been sidelined since, and not sure of when I’ll return. So as champion, it’s my duty to relinquish this title for now. Not to get ahead of myself, but I’d like the former champion, Tanahashi, to win this belt back.” Fans applaud that idea. Sanada says when he returns, he wants to beat Tanahashi for this belt again! Fans also cheer that idea!

Wait, here comes Will Ospreay! “Are you for real?!” Ospreay says no, and he gets in the ring. Ospreay snatches the mic. “We ain’t doing this again, Bushido. They tried screwing me on my World Heavyweight Championship, they screwed me on my New Japan Cup, and now, you’re trying to do this again?! Don’t think so! Sanada, I’d like to say I’m sorry for your eye injury, but I’m not sorry! Learn how to protect yourself, mate!” So what Sanada is doing right now is surrendering the title to Ospreay, since he’s the one who caved Sanada’s face in! “Give me the United States Championship right now!” Sanada refuses but Ospreay says, “NOW.”

Wait, here comes The Ace! Ospreay says no, go away, shoo! Go away, this is about Ospreay. Give him the US title! But Tanahashi gets in the ring and gets in Ospreay’s face. Ospreay wants Tanahashi to understand he’s doing something so piss off. But Sanada takes the mic from Ospreay, and he gives it to Tanahashi! Tanahashi tells Ospreay, “SHUT UP! Let me tell you something. I have a good idea. We fight for the US Heavyweight Championship at Fukuoka!” Fans really like the sound of that! Ospreay asks if Tanahashi remembers the last time these two faced off. But fans applaud, “Let’s Go, Ace!”

Ospreay says fine! If that’s what Tanahashi wants, Ospreay will see him there! Ospreay grumbles all the way to the back, and Tanahashi tells “Sana-yan. Get well. I’ll be waiting.” Fans applaud that and Tanahashi offers the mic back. Sanada takes it, and says, “OI, Ryogoku! See you next time!” When and where will we see Sanada again? And who will he be chasing for the IWGP US Heavyweight Championship when the time comes?

 

NEVER Openweight Championship: EVIL w/ Dick Togo VS Hiromu Takahashi!

The King of Darkness is also the King of NEVER, as he and the House of Torture still have the Six Man Tag titles. but will the Ticking Timebomb blow that all up? Or will Hiromu have to accept that Everything is Evil?

Hiromu is wearing new black pants, with Evil’s name written all over them! Is this Hiromu getting in Evil’s head? Or a sign that Evil is in Hiromu’s? The introductions are made, the singles belt is raised, and we see if Darkness Falls on Hiromu-chan World!

Dick and Evil Too Sweet but fans rally up for “HI-RO-MU!” The bell rings, but Evil bails right out. Hiromu eggs Evil on but Evil goes looking under the ring. The ref reprimands but Evil still brings out chairs! Hiromu dares Evil to do something then, but when Evil hesitates, Hiromu rushes out after him! Evil hurries to get back in the ring, but Hiromu slides back in, too! Hiromu was a step ahead and fans applaud. Evil eggs Hiromu on, and Hiromu rushes in, but Evil catches him in a clinch! But Hiromu escapes Everything to fireman’s carry! Evil slips out, fireman’s carries back but Hiromu slips out! Hiromu reels Evil in, but Evil escapes before he can steal the STO!

Fans cheer this exchange but Evil bails out of the ring. Hiromu eggs Evil on but Evil talks with Dick. Hiromu isn’t thrown off, he is ready for Evil as he gets in with a kick. Hiromu whips, Evil reverses but Hiromu sees Dick there and slows down. Hiromu also doesn’t let Evil get at him, he goes out to egg Dick on! The ref reprimands Dick and Evil protests, but the ref tells Dick to go around the corner. But Hiromu eggs Dick on more with some “Kiss this!” Dick is furious, especially as Hiromu taunts him with… nipples? But Hiromu then drags Evil out of the ring to RAM into railing! Commentary almost falls over!

Hiromu gets on the apron and he FLYING SHOTGUNS Evil into more railing! Hiromu hurries to the other side and hops back onto the apron, another FLYING SHOTGUN! Fans fire up with Hiromu and he mockingly asks Evil what’s wrong. Hiromu drags Evil up, but Dick barks at Hiromu. Hiromu eggs Dick on, then Hiromu chases him! Dick gets in the ring and Hiromu follows, Evil CLOBBERS Hiromu! The King of Darkness pulled off a trick after all! Fans rally up for “HI-RO-MU!” but Evil drags him up. Evil throws Hiromu out, then goes out after him, to RAM into the timekeeper’s area! Down goes Abe-san!

Evil drags Hiromu up and away while the ref is busy with helping Abe-san. Evil puts a chair around Hiromu’s head and then he gets the other, HOME RUN! Hiromu flops down and Evil leaves him behind. Fans rally up for Hiromu but Evil stands on a corner triumphantly. Dick eggs Hiromu on now but Hiromu gets himself up. The ring count climbs, Evil sits in the middle of the ring as he waits. The count is 10 of 20 and Hiromu drags himself up. Hiromu staggers into the ring at 13! But Evil is there to kick at him and taunt him. Hiromu throws chops but they’re not that strong, so Evil whips him into bare buckles!

The blue buckle pad is gone, the Bullet Club Special comes into play! Evil pushes Hiromu over and covers, but the ref refuses! He’s learned from Red Shoes not to take any of these shenanigans lightly! Evil is mad, he throws Hiromu out and argues with the ref, but Dick taunts Hiromu. Hiromu takes a swing but Dick dodges. Dick then DECKS Hiromu! The ref misses it, Dick puts Hiromu in, Evil covers, TWO! Evil tries again, TWO! Another cover, TWO!! Not even the deep leg hook worked! Fans rally up for “HI-RO-MU!” as he grits his teeth. Evil storms up to Hiromu but Hiromu CHOPS! Evil still isn’t bothered, he rakes eyes and whips!

Hiromu ducks and dodges to RANA! Fans rally up again and Hiromu stands at the ropes. Evil runs in, into a BOOT! Hiromu hooks up a HANGING HEADSCISSOR! Hiromu lets go as the ref counts, and Hiromu RAMS Dick into railing! Commentary almost falls over all over again! Hiromu gets back in to run at Evil in the corner, clothesline! Snapmare and basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up again for “HI-RO-MU!” as both men are down. Hiromu gets up and he hobbles over to drag Evil up by his hair. Hiromu reels Evil in, but Evil fights the suplex by pulling Hiromu’s hair!

The ref reprimands, Hiromu breaks free but Evil pokes him in the eye! Evil whips Hiromu but he stops himself! Hiromu then dodges Evil and Evil hits steel! Hiromu fireman’s carries, CORNER DEATH VALLEY, but to the red corner! Fans fire up with Hiromu as he drags Evil up. Another fireman’s carry but Evil slips away and goes outside. Hiromu follows, chases Evil back to the ring, but Evil stays on the apron. Hiromu sunset flips but Evil holds onto ropes! Dick creeps over but Hiromu BOOTS him! Then he POWERBOMBS Evil onto Dick! Fans fire up as Hiromu grins. Fans rally up, “HI-RO-MU!” but Hiromu changes the rhythm to “CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!”

Hiromu builds speed as he makes a full lap around the ring! He comes in, but Evil uses a Young Lion as a shield! Then Evil rakes Hiromu’s eyes, and reels him in, FISHERMAN BUSTER to the floor! They are both down but fans rally back up with “HI-RO-MU!” Evil drags himself up with the railing, and he hobbles over to Hiromu. Evil drags Hiromu up, puts him in the ring, and then he reels Hiromu in for a fireman’s carry. DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives and Evil is furious, but the fans continue to rally! Evil slashes his throat, drags Hiromu up, and EVERYTHING- NO! Hiromu clamps on with a clinch!

Evil CLUBS Hiromu down but Hiromu just gets up to clinch again! Evil grabs Hiromu’s hair and throws him down! The ref reprimands, the fans rally up, but Evil stands on Hiromu’s neck. The ref reprimands more, Evil steps off, and he throws his elbow pad at Hiromu. Evil runs, into a SUPERKICK! Hiromu fires up and the fans are with him! Hiromu runs but Dick trips him up! Evil gets in the ref’s face, Hiromu swings on Dick but into the SPOILER CHOKER! But Hiromu fights the choker off! Hiromu’s free, Evil runs in, but Hiromu dodges and sends Evil into Dick! Evil comes back, drags Hiromu up, but Hiromu wrenches into a pump handle! HIROMU ROLL!

But Dick gets in the ring and distracts the ref!! Hiromu would’ve won by now!! Hiromu lets Evil go, but Evil shoves him into the ref! The ref is down, Dick stomps away on Hiromu! Evil joins in, and then they decide to put one out on Hiromu. They get Hiromu up, but Hiromu fights off Magic Killer! Hiromu then lifts Evil and puts him on Dick’s shoulders, to steal MAGIC KILLER!! Dick can’t believe it! Dick hurries after Hiromu but Hiromu gives him EVERYTHING IS EVIL! Hiromu fires up and the fans are thunderous! Hiromu kicks Dick out, drags Evil back up, fireman’s carry for TIMEBOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!

Evil survives and fans are thunderous again! They rally for “HI-RO-MU!” as hard as they can! Hiromu gets back up, he drags Evil back up but in a dragon sleeper. Evil fights with haymakers, but Hiromu turns him around, for VICTORY ROYALE! Cover, TWO! Hiromu roars and fans fire up again! Hiromu tries the dragon sleeper again but Evil fights free. Evil shoves the ref away before the LOW BLOW MULE KICK! But then Hiromu LOW BLOW UPPERCUTS! Both men are even and fans rally up! Hiromu growls and gets up. Hiromu runs, Evil uses the ref as a shield! Hiromu pushes the ref aside, EVERYTHING-

NO! Hiromu fights it off and tries to steal it, but Evil fights that off! Evil swings but Hiromu spins him around, and wrenches to pump handle, HIROMU ROLL! TWO!! Evil is surprised, too! But Hiromu dodges to HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Fans are thunderous again and Hiromu roars! Hiromu drags Evil back up, dragon sleeper and inverted suplex, but Evil slips off and whips Hiromu into the bare buckles! But Hiromu comes right back?! Into EVERYTHING IS EVIL!!! Cover, Evil wins!!

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

Hiromu’s fury blows up in his face! Evil survives the Timebomb, but will Hiromu try again some day? But wait, here comes Tama Tonga! Evil runs away before the Good Bad Guy even gets in the ring! But wait, here comes Yujiro Takahashi! Tokyo Pimp attacks Tama, bumps him off buckles, then he and Evil stomp away! But here comes Tanga Loa! Silverback scoops Yujiro for APE SHIT!! Evil runs in, into a BOOT! GUN STUN!! Fans fire up and Tama gets a mic to say, “Evil! You betrayed me. I’ll never forget you. It’s time for my payback. I will get my revenge.” Is GoD going to tear down the House?

 

IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI VS Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb!

#BISHAMON was accused of committing the crime of bringing weapons to this “sacred” ring, but the United Empire is not the law! Will the Fierce Warrior & Head Hunter defy the Dominator and the Hawaiian Hulk? Or will Khan & Cobb conquer them and the Heavyweight Tag Division?

The introductions are made, Khan flaunts his certificate of heroism, the belts are raised, and the winners here will define justice!

Khan starts and he offers Goto a handshake. Cobb isn’t sure, but the fans rally for it. Goto accepts the handshake! Fans applaud the sportsmanship, and then Cobb offers a handshake to Hashi. Hashi accepts, fans applaud again, but Goto-Hashi anticipated the cheap shots! They block the kicks, Hashi dropkicks Cobb’s other leg and Goto knees Khan low! Goto CLUBS Khan and the bell rings to get this on record! Goto-Hashi double whip Khan to ropes, then run him over! Hashi runs, hip toss senton! Cobb returns, he blocks Goto’s drop toehold, but Hashi dropkicks the other leg out! Cobb falls onto Khan!

Fans rally up as Goto-Hashi hammer away on Cobb! They CLUB him back down onto Khan! Then they throw Cobb out and drag Khan back up. They hammer him, too! Fans fire up and Hashi stays in with Khan. Hashi CLUBS Khan, but Khan gets up and eggs him on. Hashi CHOPS Khan and Khan drops to a knee! Khan gets up to grab Hashi’s ear! the ref reprimands but Khan CLUBS the air! Khan whips, Hashi reverses but Khan reverses back, and reels Hashi into some kinda snap swinging neckbreaker, with a fisherman hold! TWO, but Khan hurries to toss Hashi! Khan DECKS Goto and Cobb stomps Hashi!

Cobb digs his knee into Hashi while Khan stomps away on Goto by the railing! The ref reprimands and Khan lets off to egg Goto on. Cobb RAMS Hashi into railing, Khan gets in the ring, and Cobb puts Hashi in. Cover, TWO! Fans rally but Khan drags Hashi up and over. Tag to Cobb, they mug Hashi, and then Cobb CLUBS Hashi on the back. Cobb stands on Hashi and uses him as a surfboard! Cobb mocks Goto’s chi hand sign then he steps off. Goto coaches Hashi but Cobb whips him to ropes. Hashi dropkicks the legs! Then gets a leg for a DRAGON SCREW! Fans rally up and Hashi crawls over, but Khan trips Goto off the apron!

Cobb drags Hashi up, reels him in and CLOBBERS him from behind! Khan sends Goto into railing, then Cobb hauls Hashi for a RUNNING SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Fans rally but Cobb drags Hashi up and puts him in the corner. Tag to Khan, Khan sits up on Hashi’s head! Cobb taunts Goto but the ref keeps him back. Khan pulls on Hashi’s arms but the ref counts. Khan hops off and pushes Hashi down, to then put him in the THRONE CRADLE! TWO, but Khan BOOTS Hashi down! Cover, Goto breaks it! Fans rally as Khan warns Goto. Khan wants to make Hashi kiss his boot, but Hashi fights up to throw body shots!

Khan CLUBS Hashi, whips him to ropes, but Hashi hits a BLOCKBUSTER! Fans fire up, Hsahi crawls, hot tag to Goto! Goto DECKS Cobb, but Khan CLUBS Goto! Khan ROCKS and Mongolian Chops! Khan whips, Goto reverses and runs in to MURAMASA! Then BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Fans rally behind Goto as he drags Khan up. Khan breaks free, kicks low and runs, but Goto follows to then LARIAT! Cobb gets in, Goto kicks him and reels him in, but Cobb suplexes Goto instead! Goto slips out but Cobb elbows him away. Cobb gets Khan up, they go after Goto and mug him in the corner. They whip corner to corner, Goto dodges Khan to CLOBBER Cobb!

Goto then fireman’s carries but Khan slips off! Khan waistlocks but Goto backs him into the corner! Hashi runs in, corner clothesline for Khan! Feed to Goto’s kick, and he hooks Khan up, GOTO GOTO HUNT! Fans fire up and they drag Khan back up! Dragon sleeper and leg lift, but Khan kicks Hashi away! Goto fires off knees, and URA GTR! Cover, TWO! Khan survives but Goto keeps focus. Goto dragon sleepers, but Cobb CLOBBERS Goto! Cobb hurries to his corner and fans rally up. Goto and Khan slowly stir, they go forehead to forehead, and they throw forearms! Fans rally as they go back and forth, harder and harder!

Goto gets the edge, Khan staggers but he kicks low! Mongolian Chop! Khan tries another but Goto blocks! Goto knees low, runs, but into a drop sayanagi! Fans fire up and Khan tags in Cobb! Cobb drags Goto up, CHOPS him and throws forearms and uppercuts! Then a DROPKICK! Goto ends up in a corner, Cobb hauls him up to whip into the corner! Then RUNNING BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT FLOPS as Goto dodges! Fans fire up, Goto crawls and tags in Hashi! Hashi dropkicks Cobb’s leg again! Then runs in to clothesline at the corner! Hashi puts the leg on ropes, runs side to side and dropkicks the leg!

Cobb staggers, Hashi turns him, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up more and Hashi whips Cobb to a corner. Hashi runs in to CHOP! And whips Cobb, only for Cobb to TACKLE him into the corner! Khan runs in to clothesline! Cobb hits a back elbow! Feed to Khan’s HITSUJIGOROSHI! Cobb gets the legs, Khan thrashes Hashi, inside the Fubuki, and then they hit MARINE! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, Goto breaks it! Khan CLUBS Goto and throws him out! The Empire coordinates, they drag Hashi up, Cobb fireman’s carries and Khan runs, but Goto trips Khan up! Hashi slips off but Cobb switches!

Hashi fights the suplex, breaks free with an elbow, and he baits Cobb into the fireman’s carry! SUPERKICK and USHIGOROSHI! The Fierce Flash hits, but that’s not all! Bishamon drags Cobb back up and fans rally! Dragon sleeper, leg lift, but Khan HELL STABS Hashi! And BOOTS Goto! Hashi runs back in and LARIATS Khan down! Fans fire up with Hashi and he eggs Cobb on! Cobb stands, Hashi runs, LARIAT! Cobb stays up so Hashi fires off forearms and a CHOP! Hashi whips, Cobb reverses to reel Hashi in, ATHLETIC PLEX! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives and fans fire up again! Cobb hurries and hauls Hashi back up!

Cobb whips, but Hashi LARIATS! Cobb stays up to ROCK Hashi with a forearm! Hashi SUPERKICKS back! Hashi reels Cobb in, for a DESTROYER!! Hashi WRECKS Khan with a dropkick! Goto returns, fans are thunderous, and they get Cobb back up! SHOUTO!! Cover, Khan barrels through Goto to break it!! Fans are thunderous again while all four men are down! Goto snarls and he drags Khan back up. Khan clamps on the IRON CLAW! But Hashi SUPERKICKS Khan down! Bishamon reset and get Cobb up, but Cobb fights free of the leg lift! Hashi tries the pump handle but Cobb fights that, too!

Cobb gets free but Hashi LARIATS, and Goto HEADBUTTS! Hashi rolls Cobb up, TWO!! Hashi gets a KNEEBAR! And Goto intercepts Khan with an STF!! The Empire endures, Khan fights up but Goto still has a SLEEPER! Cobb pries at the hold, Goto throws Khan out and it’s all on Hashi! Cobb kicks with his free leg, fans are thunderous, Khan throws Goto into railing! Cobb gets Hashi’s arm and Khan gets the IRON CLAW on Hashi! Khan drags Hashi off Cobb for the ELIM- NO! Hashi slips out, full nelsons then pump handles, but Khan slips out of Karma! Feed to Cobb’s BIG forearm! IRON CLAW, pump handle?! ELIMINATOR MKII!!

But Goto returns! He fires off forearms on The Empire, and especially on Cobb! But Goto turns around into a Mongolian Chop! Khan runs, but Goto follows! Only for Cobb to fireman’s carry! Khan runs in, IMPERIAL DROP!! Fans are electric as Khan drags Hashi up with the Iron Claw! Feed to TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, the Empire wins!!

Winners: Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

Bishamon loses, Chaos has been conquered! Cobb shouts, “I told you!” and Khan even has his certificate to hold up alongside these belts! Khan gets the mic to say, “Hail us, peasants!” Fans applaud but Khan says, “I can’t hear you! You are in the presence of the NEW tag champions! HAIL US!” The fans do applaud louder, Khan says, “Justice always prevails. Understand? You guys are the bad guys! Bishamon sounds like a punk rock band.

“Hey, what’s with that face? Are you crying? Would pancakes make you feel better? Without the belts, you’re nothing again! Are you asking for another chance? If you beg and plead, perhaps we’ll give you another chance.” But try as they might, they won’t beat Khan and Cobb! They are the United Empire, HAIL THEM! Now that Khan & Cobb have these belts, will the Empire be dripping with gold?

 

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS SHO!

The Rogue Luchador has been ambushed and blindsided and beat up by the Murder Machine time and again, and enough is enough! Will Desperado give it all back to Sho with interest? Or will the House of Torture have even more gold now?

Sho makes his entrance, but then hurries to find a hiding place as Desperado makes his entrance! Sho pounces on Desperado from the bleachers! The tricks start early with Sho, and he POSTS Desperado! Sho grabs the IWGP title but the ref tells him to give it over. Sho says fine, but it’ll be his soon enough! Sho drags Desperado up and into the ring, then the bell sounds to make this official. Sho then just throws Desperado back out! Sho whips Desperado into railing! Desperado staggers and stumbles away but Sho chokes him with a shirt! The ref reprimands, Sho lets go and the ref confiscates the shirt.

Sho stomps Desperado, drags him up and whips him into more railing! Desperado drops to the floor, and Sho hurries to bring out a chair. The ref stops Sho from approaching Desperado with that chair, so Sho lets him have it. But Desperado fires back with forearms! Sho rakes Desperado’s eyes! And whips again, only for Desperado to reverse and send Sho into railing! Desperado then clotheslines Sho over the railing and into the front row! Sho writhes right in front of fans as they rally up! Desperado pours out a bottle of water on Sho’s head! He claims he’s helping Sho refresh himself.

Desperado drags Sho up by his ear, and CHOPS him off his feet! The ref reprimands, he wants this back in the ring, but Desperado stomps away on Sho! Then Desperado dribbles Sho’s head off the floor! The ref reprimands, Desperado stops but also argues with the ref. Desperado then drags Sho up, puts him in, and fans cheer. Desperado drags Sho up as fans rally, and Desperado whips corner to corner hard! Desperado then runs in to clothesline! Sho sits down so Desperado stomps away! The ref reprimands and Sho sputters, but Desperado gives him more stomps! The ref has Desperado back off, but Desperado goes back for more!

Fans rally but the ref makes Desperado let off. Desperado shoves the ref over! Sho gets up and he throws forearms. Desperado doesn’t budge and he just eggs Sho on. Sho throws another forearm but Desperado SLAPS him down! Desperado stands Sho back up, whips him to ropes, but Sho reverses. Desperado holds ropes, Sho runs in but is sent tumbling out! Desperado builds speed, but Sho has the chair! Desperado DIVES into a chair shot! Fans can’t help but yelp as Desperado ends up stuck in the ropes! Sho gets back in, drags Desperado from the ropes and drops him on the mat. Fans rally up for Desperado as Sho looms over him.

Sho goes after the mask! Sho tries to hide it from the ref but he sees! The ref reprimands and makes Sho stop, but Sho shoves the ref down! Sho stomps Desperado, drags him back up, and throws him out of the ring. Desperado staggers to the railing, Sho goes after him with the chair! He JAMS then SMACKS Desperado on the back, then SMACKS the arm! The ref tries to stop Sho but Sho shoves him away to SMACK the arm again! Sho grins but fans rally up. The ref and Sho argue, Sho wrenches Desperado’s arm with a knuckle lock! Sho keeps on the arm, and wraps it around railing to pull on it!

The ref counts, Sho pushes him away again and BOOTS the railing to jam the bad arm! Sho again argues with the ref but he goes into the ring because he wants a count-out. Fans rally as the count climbs, and Desperado manages to sit up at 6 of 20. Desperado stands at 8, hobbles over to the ring at 10 and stands on the apron, only for Sho to BLAST him off! Desperado hits railing and a table! Desperado crashes down and the ref checks on him. Fans rally and Desperado stirs, so Sho goes out to see what’s going on. The ref has Sho stay back, and Desperado slowly sits up. Fans rally up more and Sho taunts Desperado.

Desperado crawls but Sho drags him back to the ring. Fans rally more as Sho looms over Desperado. Sho grabs the bad arm for a DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Desperado endures, even as Sho pulls on the arm! Fans rally hard as ever and Desperado crawls with his free arm and legs, to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts and Sho lets go at 4! Fans continue to rally as Desperado clutches his bad arm. Sho taunts Desperado and kicks at him. Desperado gets up and eggs Sho on. Sho kicks him more but Desperado CHOPS! Sho eggs Desperado on now so Desperado CHOPS again! Sho still eggs Desperado on, then he blocks the chop to rake the eyes!

Sho kicks but Desperado blocks! Desperado CLUBS the leg, ROCKS Sho, and wrenches for an OLYMPIC SLAM! Fans fire up as both men are down again! Sho crawls away but Desperado pursues. Sho goes out of the ring, but Desperado DIVES! The Somersault Suicida hits railings and knocks Milano Collection over! Fans are thunderous for that one! Desperado fires up and fans fire up more, and Desperado hurries to put Sho back in. Desperado drags Sho up, hooks him up, GUITARRA DE LA MUERTA! Cover, TWO! Desperado hurries up top, leaps, FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Sho sputters, Desperado roars and fans fire up again!

Desperado drags Sho up, reels him in, but the bad arm can’t hook Sho’s arms. Sho wrenches out, ducks Desperado’s clothesline, and waistlocks to pop Desperado up, into an ARMBAR! But Desperado hurries to clasp hands! Sho thrashes around and he gets the full extension! But Desperado moves around, only for Sho to reel him into the SNAKEBITE! Desperado endures, reaches back, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Sho lets go at 4! Fans fire up again while Sho grows frustrated. Sho crawls away while fans rally. Sho stands on Desperado’s head but Desperado pushes the foot away. Sho KICKS Desperado in the chest!

Desperado stays up so Sho KICKS him again! And again! Desperado staggers to ropes but he gets in Sho’s face! Sho ROCKS Desperado with a forearm, but Desperado comes back again. Sho ROCKS Desperado again but that’s still not enough! Sho throws another forearm but Desperado just keeps coming back! Sho dares Desperado to try, but then he wrenches the bad wrist! The ref reprimands the finger bending, they end up on ropes and Sho wraps the arm around ropes! The ref reprimands again and counts, but Sho lets off to throw boxing elbows! Sho then runs, and clotheslines Desperado against ropes! Sho keeps moving but Desperado elbows!

Desperado runs, Sho elbows him back! Sho runs, Desperado goes the other way, but Sho uses the ref as a shield! Desperado moves him aside, Sho SPEARS Desperado down! Fans fire up while both men are down again. Sho roars as he gets up, he scoops Desperado but Desperado fights free to ripcord and SPINEBUSTER! Then he turns Sho over to gut wrench, GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO!! Sho survives and Desperado clutches the bad arm, but fans keep rallying. Desperado growls and he drags Sho back up. Desperado fights through the pain to underhook, but Sho shoves free of Pinche Loco, sending Desperado into the ref!

Sho LOW BLOWS Desperado! The fans rally up but Sho crawls to his corner to grab his friend, the wrench! Desperado stands, ducks the wrench, and tucks Sho in for a BASTARD DRIVER! Sho ends up stuck all folded up but Desperado can’t make a cover right now. Desperado gets up, he scuffs Sho, and he grabs the wrench! Fans rally, Desperado considers what he can do with it, and decides to throw the wrench away. Fans cheer the fair play, and Desperado says too bad, Sho. PINCH- NO! Sho fights out, and tucks Desperado in, CROSS ARM PILEDRIVER! Cover, TWO!! But into SNAKEBITE!!

Desperado moves around, reaches out, but Sho cranks harder on the hold! Fans rally but Desperado is fading! The ref checks, the hand falls once! The ref checks again, Desperado wags his finger as he gets a second wind! Desperado crawls, reaches out, and gets a ROPEBREAK with his foot! Sho lets go in frustration and fans are thunderous again! Sho says he’ll finish this, and he drags Desperado up to reel him in. Sho double pump handles, but Desperado slips out! Desperado tries to reel Sho in but he holds tight, and they almost hit the ref! Sho uses that to LOW BLOW Desperado again! Sho is laughing like a lunatic!

Sho drags Desperado up, but Desperado spins out to LOCO MONO! Fans fire up with Desperado as he roars and pounds the mat! Sho flounders about, Desperado LOCO MONOS again! The ref reprimands about the closed fist but Desperado just underhooks for PINCHE LOCO!! Cover a la the Deadman, Desperado wins!

Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)

The Murder Machine tried so many of his tricks, but he just couldn’t finish the job! Will the House of Torture be disappointed in Sho having nothing to show for his efforts?

As for Desperado, the Young Lions ice his elbow and bring him the belt. The ref helps him stand so he can celebrate this victory. But wait, Taiji makes his way back out to the ring. The Bone Soldier gets in the ring and he gets the mic to say, “Despy. Did you really win? It would have been more interesting if Sho had won. Oh well. You know what me being here means, right?” Desperado scratches his head, pretending to not know. Taiji says he is “always on the hunt for that belt.” Desperado’s mentioned a lot of names, but what does he think of Taiji? Will Desperado defend that belt against someone from another promotion? But before Desperado can answer, the lights go down!

Desperado asks what’s going on. And when the lights come up, we see someone has joined them in the ring! Who is this? He unzips his jacket to show he is with the UNITED EMPIRE! Ospreay has teased there would be a new member, and here he is! This is Francesco Akira, originally from All Japan! He has a lighter, and then he snatches the mic! “See you at the Best of the Super Juniors! BRUCIARE! <You will burn!>” Francesco leaves, and Desperado finally addresses the issue. Francesco Akira’s is a name he mentioned, so Desperado would love to face him since he came all this way. But Francesco did mention the Super Juniors…

And also, didn’t Taiji lose a title match today? Desperado says he would’ve turned down an ordinary challenge, but Taiji is anything but ordinary. “Let’s do it. I’m glad for this. I faced you as a champion, but I didn’t feel like I fit the bill then. This time, I’ll step to you proudly, as champion. Now, play my song as I leave, will you?” The music does play, and the champ takes his leave. Will the Burning Prodigy look to secure yet another belt for the Empire? Will the Bone Soldier do the same for Bullet Club? Or will the Rogue Luchador keep this title with Suzuki-Gun?

 

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS Zack Sabre Jr!

The Rainmaker stands atop NJPW, but the Submission Master was still the one to win the New Japan Cup. ZSJ says he has grown but Okada has stagnated these last few years, and that is why ZSJ will win! Will ZSJ leave here with both trophy and title? Or will Okada find a way to still reign?

The introductions are made, the title is raised, and we see who is truly the face of Strong Style!

Fans rally up, “O-KA-DA!” “Z S J!” at the bell and the two slowly circle. They feel things out, tie up but then break. They circle more, ZSJ rushes in but Okada avoids the leg pick as well as the crawling leg guard. They tie up again, ZSJ gets around to waistlock then drag Okada down and float to a headlock. Okada keeps his shoulders up, fights his way up, but ZSJ floats around. Okada throws ZSJ off but ZSJ has his leg guard up. ZSJ pushes forward but Okada is ready, so ZSJ backs off. Fans cheer the exchange, and rally as the two reset. They feel out knuckle locks, tie up, but ZSJ wrenches and then trips Okada, to stand on an arm.

ZSJ bends that arm back, twists the wrist, but Okada rolls and trips ZSJ back. Okada has a toehold but ZSJ fights back to get a body scissor. ZSJ squeezes, Okada moves around, ZSJ tries for an armbar but Okada pushes to a high stack. ZSJ lets go but Okada has a toehold. ZSJ gets his foot free, turns over, but Okada lets go before ZSJ can reel him in. The fans cheer the newest exchange as the two reset again. ZSJ and Okada circle as fans rally, “O-KA-DA!” “Z S J!” They feel out a new grapple. Okada gets a leg, then he trips ZSJ to have the toehold. ZSJ gets Okada’s other leg, and now we have dueling holds!

But ZSJ quickly cranks the foot with a HEEL HOOK! Okada scrambles and gets the ropebreak! Fans cheer and Okada bails out to walk off the leg pain. The rallying continues while ZSJ waits patiently. Okada takes his time, and he returns before Red Shoes starts the count. ZSJ and Okada circle again, tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, and are in a deadlock. Okada gets a headlock, grinds ZSJ, but ZSJ endures and fights up. ZSJ powers out but Okada runs him over with a shoulder! Fans applaud, and Okada brings ZSJ back up. Okada ROCKS ZSJ with a forearm, then CLUBS him with an elbow.

Okada turns ZSJ, for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! Fans applaud but Okada clamps onto ZSJ with a chinlock. ZSJ endures, pries at the fingers, and fans rally as Okada cranks harder on the hold. ZSJ reaches out, ROPEBREAK with a foot. Red Shoes counts, Okada lets off at 3. Okada then drags ZSJ up to scoop and SLAM! Okada goes to the apron, slingshot but ZSJ avoids the senton! ZSJ catches the haymaker for an armlock! ZSJ uses that to drag Okada up and out, to then clamp on an ARMBAR on the apron! Red Shoes reprimands as ZSJ drags Okada to the floor! Okada can only endure as ZSJ turns him over for a DISARMER!

Okada endures, so ZSJ STOMPS the arm, and fans are all fired up with him! ZSJ goes back into the ring and Red Shoes starts the count. Okada sits up at 9 of 20, gets to his feet at 14, and wants ZSJ to stay back. Red Shoes has ZSJ stay back as Okada rolls into the ring, but then ZSJ rushes right in to knee Okada in the side! ZSJ grabs at the arm but Okada is in the ropes! Red Shoes reprimands but ZSJ twists and tortures the arm to then STOMP it again! Fans applaud the technical savagery and ZSJ gets Okada for a short arm scissor. Okada fights up, ZSJ uses his feet to block Okada’s eyes but Okada still gets a stack cover, TWO!

ZSJ lets Okada free and KICKS him in the bad arm! Fans rally, ZSJ stands on Okada’s shoulder and bad arm, then digs his heels and toes into the muscles. Okada endures but ZSJ turns him over to get a DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Okada endures more, even as ZSJ adds the headscissors for a Tesco Meal Deal! Okada reaches out with his foot and gets the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ shifts his grip but still has to let go. Fans rally up again, “O-KA-DA!” “Z S J!” as ZSJ kicks at Okada. ZSJ toys with “big boy” Okada, but Okada gets up to throw forearms. ZSJ eggs Okada on, Okada throws another forearm, but ZSJ wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER!

ZSJ runs, but into a FLAPJACK! Both men are down and fans rally up! Okada stands, he fires off forearms then whips, but ZSJ reverses. Okada blows through the boot to CLOBBER ZSJ with an elbow! ZSJ goes to a corner but Okada is on him with a whip corner to corner. Okada runs in to back elbow, then he kicks low to DDT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up, “Z S J! “O-KA-DA!” Okada traps ZSJ’s left arm and leg together and puts the other arm in a top wristlock! ZSJ endures, eggs Okada on, and Okada wrenches on the hold more! Okada lets off to then omoplata, and he turns ZSJ over to grind the other arm!

ZSJ moves around and fans rally, Okada flips ZSJ to a cover! TWO, but Okada keeps cool. ZSJ blocks the Alabama lift, steps over and has a standing armlock! ARM TWIST! Both men are down and fans continue to rally. ZSJ sits up to kick at Okada again and again. Okada is just annoyed, but ZSJ keeps kicking. Okada gets up, ZSJ kicks him more, then fires a EuroUpper! Okada ROCKS ZSJ with a forearm, so ZSJ throws a forearm back. Okada forearms again, ZSJ brushes it off and forearms again. The two get in each other’s face, Okada fires several forearms but ZSJ EuroUppers the bad arm!

Okada staggers away, clutching the elbow. Fans fire up, ZSJ runs in but Okada pops him up to the Alabama! But ZSJ grabs the arm to turn Air Raid into IRON OCTOPUS! Okada starts to fade but he powers back up! He powers through to give ZSJ the REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Fans are fired up and they rally again as both men are down. ZSJ and Okada slowly get up, and Okada shakes out the bad arm to gut wrench. ZSJ blocks that, shifts around and has a cobra twist! But Okada switches it back onto ZSJ! ZSJ switches back, and he has the cobra twist locked in! Okada endures, pries free, and hiop tosses ZSJ down!

Okada gets the arm for the MONEY CLIP! But ZSJ slips out and around to put Okada in a straitjacket stretch! Okada endures, arm-drags free and has the MONEY CLIP! ZSJ fights up and arm-drags free, then hooks Okada up into the IRON OCTOPUS! Okada endures, pops free, gut wrenches, but ZSJ slips out! Okada hooks ZSJ up to IRON OCTOPUS! Fans cheer the exchange, but ZSJ crab walks to the ROPEBREAK! Okada lets go quickly and fans continue to rally. Okada drags ZSJ up, scoops and SLAMS him in the drop zone, then goes up top. MACHO ELBOW! But it was the bad arm, so it slows Okada down a bit.

Okada still strikes the Rainmaker Pose! Fans fire up, Okada reels ZSJ in, but ZSJ elbows free. Okada runs in but ZSJ dodges the shotgun! ZSJ leaps on for the GUILLOTINE! But Okada powers out with a back drop! ZSJ gets up in a huff, but Okada blocks the boot and spins ZSJ! ZSJ avoids the discus to runs, and he fakes out Okada’s dropkick! ZSJ leaps with a seated senton, that becomes a TRIANGLE HOLD! Fans fire up while Okada endures! ZSJ squeezes tight and Okada turns red! But he still tries for a stack cover. ZSJ keeps his shoulders up, so Okada deadlift POWERBOMBS! But ZSJ holds on!

Okada stands to stomp away on ZSJ! ZSJ lets go, but he basement dropkicks Okada down! Fans fire up while both men are down again. ZSJ crawls over, gets Okada’s arm and isolates it to STOMP it again! ZSJ then runs, but into Okada’s DROPKICK! Okada roars and fans fire up as he stands ZSJ up! Ripcord, but ZSJ leaps to FLYING ARMBAR! Fans fire up again, ZSJ shifts right into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Then to an omoplata, and he hooks the other arm! CLARKY CAT!! And with a crossface add-on! Okada endures, fans are thunderous, but ZSJ changes it up to JIM BREAKS ARMBAR!!

Okada still endures, ZSJ thrashes him around, but Okada kicks his way to the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go in frustration, and Okada flops out of the ring. Fans rally hard as ever for “O-KA-DA!” “Z S J!” The ring count starts while Okada is still down, but then ZSJ goes out to fetch Okada. ZSJ apologizes to Red Shoes, but he tells Okada to get up. ZSJ KICKS Okada, and Okada sits up. ZSJ KICKS him again and fans rally up. ZSJ eggs Okada on then KICKS him again! Okada sits up but ZSJ gets a running start! Okada blocks the Penalty Kick! Okada stands, and ZSJ SLAPS him! And SLAPS him again!

Okada reels ZSJ in for a gut wrench! TOMBSTONE to the floor!! Fans fire up while both men are down again! Red Shoes starts the count again, it goes to 10 of 20 before either sits up. Okada is up at 12, and he drags ZSJ up at 15. Okada puts ZSJ in at 17 and fans cheer the sportsmanship. Fans rally up again, “O-KA-DA!” “Z S J!” as Okada climbs. ZSJ stands, turns around and Okada hits a BIG missile dropkick! ZSJ tumbles to ropes and Okada scowls. Okada drags him back up, gut wrenches, SPINNING TOMBSTONE! And then DISCUS LARIAT! Okada roars and fans fire up. Okada ripcords, but ZSJ scoops to ZACK DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!?!?

Fans are thunderous as Okada survives ZSJ’s best shot! Both men are down, they slowly stir, but the rallying continues. ZSJ calls to the champion, egging him on. Okada sits up, they go forehead to forehead but Okada drops. ZSJ drags him back up, and EuroUppers hard! Okada stays on his feet, and fans rally up again. Okada comes back to EuroUpper ZSJ. The bad arm can’t give that much and ZSJ is able to shake that off. ZSJ EuroUppers hard, and Okada staggers to a corner. Okada comes back as ZSJ eggs him on. Okada EuroUppers, but again that’s the bad arm. ZSJ EuroUppers hard again, and he starts telling Okada, “Koi yo! <Bring it on!>”

Okada gets up, and he EuroUppers hard! How’s that for bringing it? ZSJ EuroUppers, Okada EuroUppers, ZSJ EuroUppers again! Okada fires forearms but ZSJ PELES the good arm! Then EuroUppers again! And again! And again! Okada runs to SHOTGUN dropkick! ZSJ pops up to PENALTY KCIK! Cover, ONE?! ZSJ runs in, into a gut wrench! But he victory rolls, to EURO CLUTCH! TWO!! Okada escapes, but ZSJ PENALTY KICKS!! Cover, TWO!! But into the FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! ZSJ cranks way back as Okada endures and the fans fire up! Okada reaches out, ZSJ shifts to get that Fujiwara even deeper, with a behind the back grip! But Okada still gets the ROPEBREAK!

Fans rally even harder, “O-KA-DA!” “Z S J!” while both men are down and catching their breath. ZSJ continues to taunt the champion, and ZSJ drags Okada up with a facelock. ZSJ wants to scoop but Okada blocks! Okada CLUBS ZSJ again and again, but then ZSJ EuroUppers! Okada EuroUppers, but into a backslide! ZSJ then rolls through to jackknife, but Okada slips that into a prawn hold! TWO, and Okada scoops! ZSJ slips off, runs, but Okada doesn’t commit to the dropkick cuz ZSJ holds the ropes! ZSJ BOOTS Okada, runs, but then into the DROPKICK! Fans are thunderous and Okada roars!

Okada drags ZSJ up, reels him in, ripcord, but ZSJ gets around to hop on for a SLEEPER! Fans rally as Okada endures, but he’s starting to fade! Okada fights up, throws ZSJ off, but ZSJ BOOTS Okada! ZSJ EuroUppers, but into Okada’s backslide! ZSJ rolls off, ducks the Rainmaker, TORNADO DDT! Scoop and- NO! Okada slips off to scoop, LANDSLIDE!! Okada hurries to ripcord and RAINMAKER!! Cover, Okada wins!!

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

The Submission Master may have won the cup, but he could not stop the rain! Will ZSJ have to wait until he wins the cup again before he becomes world champion and the face of Strong Style?

As for Okada, Red Shoes helps him with the belt, and then he gets the mic. The fans clap, “O-KA-DA!” while he catches his breath, and then he says, “Thank you so much for your hot, hot, hot support today! Zack, we fought for this belt four years ago. Let’s not wait another four years. Let’s keep on fighting. Zack, you’re the best!” Fans applaud that, then Okada says, “I couldn’t win the New Japan Cup, but I was able to beat the victor today. As for the next challenger, I can decide now, can’t I?” Fans also applaud that! Okada says he wants NAITO! Naito beat Okada in the Cup, so Okada has to “right that wrong.” Okada knows he “can’t be tranquilo,” so he wants Naito to show up already!

Fans applaud, “O-KA-DA!” “NA-I-TO!” and Okada looks around. “He left.” Fans can’t help but laugh. Well, even if Naito went home, Okada’s mind is made up! He has to get his payback! But wait, Naito IS here! He just did it on his own time. Fans rally again, “NA-I-TO!” “O-KA-DA!” as Naito joins Okada in the ring. Okada says Naito made him panic. “I beat you in a title match, but you got me back. That mean’s we’re 1-1. Let’s settle this.” Fans applaud that idea, too. Naito gets a mic of his own as fans rally again.

“I would never have guessed that Okada would call me out. I was about to head home. We fought in Sapporo in February, Osaka-Jo Hall in March. This will be our third singles match this year.” Does Okada like facing Naito that much? Naito admits he loves locking up with Okada, too. “You pick the time and place for our third singles match of the year, please.” Naito then drops his mic, leaving to of course head home. Okada says the perfect place is on May 1st, in Fukuoka, “ya bastard!”

Okada says Naito likes to lockup with him, and Okada is in love with Naito’s Destino! “If you think you can give it to me, give it a try!” Okada then says, “How’s that sound? May 1st? This will be our third this year. Perhaps some of you have had your fill. But NJPW fans have large appetites. So look forward to our match on May 1st!” Fans cheer, they do like the sound of that.

Okada then notes, “Today’s April 9th. Let me tell you a personal story. 19 years ago, on April 8th, a 15-year-old Okada entered this business. Today, I kicked off my 20th year with a title defense! We all have our struggles in life. Together, we’re still dealing with COVID. But seeing so many of you here at the venue, wrestling for you is amazing.” Fans applaud that, too. “I know there are still things that make us anxious, but hopefully, NJPW can bring you energy! We’ll work hard to help you blow away your fears. So keep supporting us! This 50th Anniversary year rolls on. I’ll keep bringing the excitement, and I’ll keep making it rain in NJPW!”


My Thoughts:

What a way to end the week of Hyper Battle events! I did skip the first two matches, and I feel only a little bad on not giving JadoAce a chance. Jado, Tanahashi, Tama and Loa finally get that win over Bullet Club, Jado tapping Gedo out with his crossface. And another great detail was that Jado & GoD were joining Tanahashi in the main unit, sort of loosely affiliated part of NJPW where they just wear the NJPW logo shirts. The Face turns are complete, and we did see Tama again later. I should’ve figured Evil would find a way to retain the NEVER Openweight Championship. As great as the match was, Hiromu is apparently still not at a level for such a singles title. But I bet JadoAce/GoD will take those NEVER titles from House of Torture as we roll through the Spring.

We got a really great Junior Heavyweight Tag title match, and it makes sense Taguchi & Wato retain. Their reign has really only just begun, there’s probably a team they’re waiting on, and that’ll probably be really good stuff. Taiji moving on after the singles title was a bit of a surprised, but it seems there’s any number of ways they’re going to delay Desperado VS Kanemaru. Francesco Akira moving over to NJPW from AJPW and joining United Empire was a great surprise, and I think Francesco is the first Italian wrestler in the company. He’s going to have a great showing in the BOSJ 29 for May, who knows if he comes out the winner.

Sanada showing up was also a nice surprise, and sadly it was for the reason I feared but expected: he has to vacate the title. He only just got his first singles title and now it’s gone, but we got great stuff out of Ospreay and Tanahashi as they both stepped up. Commonwealth Kingpin VS Once in a Century Talent, that is going to be a great match and could go either way. And after an awesome IWGP Heavyweight Tag title match, Khan & Cobb winning was a great move. Khan and Cobb have been doing great work in and out of the ring, and NJPW acknowledging Khan legitimately saving a young woman just to make it contrast with his Heel persona is really clever stuff. The United Empire could end up dripping in gold before the summer.

Yano VS Taichi was a great KOPW match with the sumo rules, and another great choice for Taichi to win. Taichi vowing to step KOPW up to another level is pretty cool, and him calling Takagi out was quite the surprise. I suppose this is like if the WWE took their 24/7 Championship and put it on hard hitters like Sheamus or Drew McIntyre. Takagi and Taichi can choose whatever stipulations they want, we know it’ll turn into a slugfest either way, and I can’t wait. Okada VS ZSJ was also awesome stuff, ZSJ continued to show he belongs near the top, but he’s not at the top just yet. Okada winning to call out Naito makes sense, and they had a good interaction. They also have great matches, so having another is only going to be good stuff, I also can’t wait.

My Score: 9/10

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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (6/16/25)

The last spots are on the line!

Published

on

Will this become King of the YEET?

Though he lost the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, Jey Uso has a chance to be King of the Ring, if he can beat Sheamus, Rusev and Bronson Reed!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Stephanie Vaquer VS Raquel Rodriguez VS Ivy Nile VS Asuka;  Asuka wins and advances to the next round.
  • AJ Styles VS JD McDonagh w/ Dominik Mysterio; Styles wins.
  • Liv Morgan VS Kairi Sane; Kairi wins, by stoppage.
  • King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Sheamus VS Rusev VS Bronson Reed VS Jey Uso; Jey wins and advances to the next round.

PLAY BY PLAY

Liv Morgan & Dominik Mysterio are here!

Green Bay is a bit torn as the Bonnie & Clyde of WWE go to the ring together, proudly wearing their belts. And Liv seems extra proud of herself after insulting and then knocking out Nikki Bella last week. Liv grabs the mic to say, “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Monday Night Morgan~! And please make some noise for the most gorgeous man in WWE. He is the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time, Dominik Mysterio~!” The fans make noise, but it isn’t all positive. Dom has the mic and thanks Liv, but tonight is not about him. Tonight is all about Liv! The fans boo again but Liv thanks Dom for that.

Liv says respect is the thing she is out here to talk about. Everyone needs reminding that this is LIV’s division! And when you talk about her division, you talk about HER! See, Nikki Bella had to learn that the hard way, and now she’s home all beat up, watching Liv on her TV, which is where she should be! Wanna know what was worse than that? The fact that Iyo Sky claimed Nikki paved the way for them all. What a joke. No one paved the way for Liv, and especially not Nikki! Liv paved her own way, and she became the history-making, record-breaking, FOUR-TIME WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion!

The fans boo a bit more but Liv asks the fans if they know what that makes her. What it makes her is the greatest WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion of ALL~ TIME! So she is not asking for respect anymore, she’s demanding it! Just like she is demanding for a rematch she never got over the Women’s World Championship. So Iyo, they can do this the easy way or the hard way. Well, here comes Iyo! The fans cheer the Genius as she holds up the Women’s World Championship and goes to the ring. Iyo grabs herself a mic while the fans cheer her on. Iyo tells Liv, “Do everyone a favor, and shut your mouth!”

The fans cheer and Liv is upset, but Iyo says all Liv does is whine and show disrespect. Iyo rants in Japanese a second and the fans appreciate that. But Iyo says Liv disrespected Nikki Bella, and she disrespected Iyo! If Liv wants to fight, then Iyo is right here! The fans cheer that and Liv says okay, okay. She does wanna fight her, but only for the title. But if Iyo is scared because Liv has beaten her more than any other woman in the WWE, then Iyo can just hand the title over, Liv doesn’t mind. Liv smiles and Iyo sneers. Iyo is not handing Liv anything. If Liv wants it, she has to earn it. Liv can’t just steal it like she stole Dirty Dom from Rhea!

Dom says hold on, hold on! The fans boo Dom but Dom says let’s just make this easy for Liv and give her what she wants! Like Dom does every single day! Liv tells Iyo to listen to Dom, he’s smart. Just shine the belt up and hand it over, thanks. Oh, Liv wants it? Yes, she wants it. Iyo says alright, she can have it. Catch! Liv catches the belt, and then she gets a DROPKICK! And a BUZZSAW! Dom is upset but then Iyo ROUNDHOUSES him! The fans fire up as Iyo holds up her title while Dom & Liv run away! Liv still has to face Kairi Sane later tonight in a rematch of their own, will the Pirate Princess just add insult to injury?

 

Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Stephanie Vaquer VS Raquel Rodriguez VS Ivy Nile VS Asuka!

The final Fatal 4 Way for the Queen of the Ring is here, with Alexa Bliss awaiting the winner! But will it be La Primera making big moves in her “rookie year” on Raw? Will Big Mami Cool make up for Liv falling short? Will this tournament soon be American Made? Or will the Empress of Tomorrow have a massive return?

Raw returns and Raquel gets ready backstage. Liv finds her and tells her to win, no matter what. Raquel says got it, then she makes her entrance. Ivy is already in the ring, so that leaves Asuka to make her entrance for the first time in just over a year! The fans fire up to see her back, from classic theme to the face paint. The bell rings, Raquel rushes Asuka and Ivy is after Vaquer! They brawl, and then Ivy and Raquel whip! Vaquer reverses, Asuka CLOBBERS Ivy, and then the two work together against towering Raquel! KICK after KICK, then DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! The fans fire up and chant, “Welcome Back! Welcome Back!”

Asuka and Vaquer tie up, Vaquer ducks a kick to shove, then follow. Vaquer dodges a lariat, sweeps to cover, ONE! Asuka sweeps to cover, ONE! The two standoff and the fans cheer. But Ivy CLOBBERS Vaquer! Raquel puts Asuka in a corner, but Ivy tries to roll Raquel up! Raquel YANKS Ivy up to PUSH her away! Asuka headscissors, but Raquel uses that to POWERBOMB Asuka onto Ivy & Vaquer! Ricky Desperado stands tall while the fans boo, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Vaquer ROCKS Ivy! Vaquer fires more hands, then runs, itl-ow-rhils and rolls Ivy up, TWO! Ivyh swings, but Vaquer spins her and snap suplexes her! But Raquel is up, only for Vaquer to serv eher SOLE FOOD! Asuka is back, Vaquer dodges to mule kick! Vaquer runs and METEORAS Raquel in a corner! Vaquer runs up, blocks Asuka’s boot, and DRAPING DRAGON SCREWS her! Asuka writhes but she goes to a corner. Ivy runs up, but into a BIG back suplex! Vaquer grins as she wraps on the headscissors! The fans fire up for the DEVIL’S KISSES! AH AH AH AH, but then Raquel KICKS Vaquer in the side!

Raquel drags Vaquer up, suplexes, but Vaquer slips free! Vaquer wrenches, snapmares, and now she puts Raquel in the headscissor! DEVIL’S KISSES, but Raquel Electric Chair Lifts! The fans fire up for that feat of strength, but Asuka runs in! Raquel BOOTS Asuka, but Vaquer RANAS Raquel to the apron! And she holds on, for DEVIL’S KISSES on the apron!! AH AH AH AH AH AH AH AH AH AH, YEEEEAH~! The fans fire up and Vaquer smiles. Raquel flounders around, Vaquer climbs and springboards, CROSSBODY! Asuka is in to clinch, chicken wing, but Vaquer fights the rest of the Asuka Lock!

The two fight for control, Vaquer pulls hair but can’t get a grip. Vaquer RAMS Asuka into a corner, Ivy RIDER KICKS Vaquer down! Ivy then fires off on Asuka! Ivy whips Asuka, Asuka KICKS back! Ivy staggers, Asuka runs up, but Ivy dodge! HIP ATTACK for Raquel! Ivy cradles Asuka, TWO! Ivy waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Asuka stays in this and Ivy is surprised! Ivy says she was that close, and talks trash on Asuka while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns once again and Vaquer has Asuka up top. Ivy joins in, Asuka blocks the suplex, but then Raquel joins in! Raquel Electric Chair Lifts both Vaquer and Ivy, and Asuka MISSILE DROPKICKS them all down! The fans fire up as Asuka rises! Asuka KICKS Vaquer, KICKS Ivy, and repeat! Asuka SUPERKICKS Vaquer, then spins to BUZZSAW Ivy! Raquel runs up, Asuka bobs ‘n’ weaves, fires off palm strike after palm strike, and then a SOBAT! And a front KICK! CODE BREAKER! Raquel staggers, Asuka fires up and the fans are with her! Asuka runs up and SOBATS! ROUNDHOUSE for Ivy! Asuka waistlocks, Ivy takes a swing, but gets a POP-UP KNEE for it!

Asuka covers, but Vaquer breaks it! The fans fire up as these two meet again. Vaquer and Asuka smile as they circle. Vaquer dodges a shot to fire of fa flurry! Vaquer whips, Asuka reverses, and Vaquer RAMS Asuka! Asuka fire sup, so the shots keep going! The fans fire up with Asuka, but Vaquer fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! Vaquer runs, Asuka UPPERCUTS her at the ropes! Asuka grins, runs, but Vaquer KNEES her low! Vaquer whips just to reel Asuka in, snap suplex! Vaquer goes to a corner, takes aim, but Asuka runs up! Vaaquer goes up and over, DROPKICKS Asuka, then shakes out her own leg.

Vaquer underhooks, lifts, and TIGER BUSTER! Cover, Ivy drags Vaquer away! Ivy TOSSES Vaquer, scoops Asuka, SWINGING POWERSLAM! Cover, Vaquer breaks it up! Vaquer underhooks Ivy now, but Ivy wrenche sout. Vaquer JAWBREAKERS and ROUNDHOUSES! But Raquel BOOTS Vaquer! Raquel drags Vaquer up, “This is Awesome!” TEXANA BOMB!! Cover, RHEA DRAGS RAQUEL OUT! The fans go nuts for Mami as she waves hi. Rhea BOOTS Raquel, then hits a RIPTIDE to the floor!! Rhea then tosses Raquel back in for someone, anyone! Asuka runs up with the HIP ATTACK! Cover, Asuka wins!

Winner: Asuka, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)

The #EmpressImpact certainly made an impact, but so did Rhea! Will Rhea and Raquel have to run back their own classic feud to put this to rest? Cathy Kelley interviews Asuka in the ring to congratulate her on this huge return win. How is Asuka feeling? Asuka smiles and the fans cheer, and Asuka says, “The fire didn’t die! It’s still alive! I will be the Queen of the Ring! No one is ready for Asuka!!” The fans cheer that! And will this big win help Asuka turn this into The Empress of the Ring? Or will Alexa Bliss “welcome” Asuka back by eliminating her from the tournament?

 

Judgment Day regroups in the clubhouse.

Roxanne Perez talks with Dom, Finn & JD about some things, Raquel ices from her match, and Liv says they need to go talk strategy for fighting Kairi. Raquel says she’s not really cleared for anything more tonight. Liv says oh, okay, she’ll go handle it herself then. Liv storms off, Dom wants to follow her, but JD has Dom hold on. Isn’t Dom supposed to help JD & Finn get the tag titles? Oh, yeah, but AJ Styles has been breathing down Dom’s neck. So JD can handle AJ for him, then they can get the tag titles. Finn agrees, he’ll be out there to have JD’s back. Actually… Finn was supposed to handle Styles last time, but he didn’t, so…

Dom suggests Finn stays back to hold down the fort. Finn frowns, but then he says Dom is right. He will stay in the back. But then Dom should go out there to watch JD’s back and make sure things go well. Dom agrees and heads out with the Irish Ace. Will JD handle the Phenomenal One so Dirty Dom doesn’t have to? Finn meanwhile talks with Raquel about that stuff with Liv. Don’t worry about her, things are going to work out. Raquel thanks Finn for that, and Finn tells Roxie that while Liv said she wants to handle things herself, but Finn has an idea. Finn and Roxie go off to talk, what is The Prince getting up to tonight?

 

Gunther is here!

Green Bay is rather conflicted seeing Der Ring General as World Heavyweight Champion again, but Gunther smiles as he makes his way to the ring. Gunther shows off the belt around his waist, and even eggs the fans on with their cheers and jeers. Gunther even gives the belt a kiss before holding it up, and off goes celebratory pyro! Gunther then grabs himself a mic, and while the fans boo, he says, “At WrestleMania…” The fans boo more and Gunther chuckles. “Look, guys, I’m man enough to admit that at WrestleMania, Jey Uso was the better man. He was the better man for one night! Because on every other single night, I am UNTOUCHABLE!”

The fans boo more, but Gunther just grins. Gunther continues by saying he has heard all the rumors and the chatter about what is next for him. The fans chant, “GOLD~BERG! GOLD~BERG!” Gunther says no, no, definitely NOT that guy! Gunther punked Goldberg out in front of his family, Goldberg learned his lesson! Gunther doesn’t care about rumors, he cares about reality. Seth Rollins has that Money in the Bank contract, and Gunther has what he wants! Gunther tells Rollins that he’ll say this directly to him. “A few weeks ago, you said to me when I win your World Heavyweight Championship back, I’m a target.

“Well, since I’m a target, I wanna make it very easy for you. I am right here! So don’t waste anymore time.” WAIT! GOLDBERG IS HERE?! Green Bay fires up as the living legend steps out on stage, gets his pyro, then storms down to the ring! Goldberg thanks the fans for that, and then he tells Gunther don’t be confused, it is all good. Tonight is Gunther’s night! Tonight, Goldberg is here to celebrate Gunther winning the World Heavyweight Championship. Goldberg’s been there before, he knows how Gunther must feel. So congratulations! But y’know what? Before Goldberg leaves, a few months ago, Gunther started something with Goldberg’s family in Atlanta!

And Goldberg is gonna make sure that he ENDS it, in Atlanta! So July 12th, Saturday Night’s Main Event, “You’re MINE! Because YOU’RE NEXT!” Gunther frowns but the fans all cheer on “GOLD~BERG!” Will Goldberg get himself one more win in his storied career? Or will Gunther make sure July 12th is Goldberg’s last match, period?

 

AJ Styles VS JD McDonagh w/ Dominik Mysterio!

The Phenomenal One has been chasing the WWE Intercontinental Championship for the last few months, and with no spot in the King of the Ring tournament left to him, he’s come back around to try again. But will he be able to trump the Irish Ace? Or will the Judgment Day use their usually dirty tricks to deny him again?

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Styles puts JD in a corner, but JD pulls the hair to put Styles in the corner. The fans rally for Styles as JD lets off. Styles dodges a haymaker to hit a headlock takeover. Styles grinds JD down but JD fights up. JD powers up and out to then reel Styles in for a headlock. Styles powers up and out, but JD RUNS him over! Things keep moving, but Styles trips JD to then float to a headlock. JD rolls to a cover, ONE, and Styles holds on. JD powers up and out, Styles sunset flips, TWO! JD hurries to high stack, TWO! Styles pops JD into the sunset, TWO! Styles arm-drags!

The fans fire up, JD headscissors, but Styles flails. Styles moves around to headstand then jackknife, TWO as JD bridges up! JD powers through to spin Styles for a backslide! Styles rolls through but JD gets away before the Clash! The fans oddly sing for “Dirty, Dirty Dom~!” while JD and Styles tie up. JD kicks low, then stomps away in the corner! JD digs his boots in, the ref counts, and JD steps off. JD soaks up heat, then he stalks Styles to the ropes. JD CHOPS Styles, whips him corner to corner, but Styles catches JD to a COBRA TWIST! JD resists, Styles rolls JD and has the CALF CRUSHER! JD scrambles around, but Styles rolls him away!

Styles pulls on the leg, JD fights the other way, and Dom pushes the ropes forward! The ref reprimands but JD still makes the ROPEBREAK! Dom helps JD out of the ring, but Styles goes out there. Styles storms up on Dom, they go running around the outside! Dom tries to get to the crowd but Styles grabs that vest! JD FLIES in over the barriers to wipe Styles out! Dom applauds and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and JD has Styles in the chinlock. The fans rally, Styles fights up, and Styles fires body shots. JD THROWS Styles down by his hair! The fans boo but JD stands on Styles’ hair! The ref reprimands but JD pulls Styles’ arms to also pull hair! The fans rally for Styles, the ref counts, and JD stops at 4. Just to do it again! The ref counts again, JD stops, and Styles KICKS JD from below! Styles rises to fire off a Phenomenal Blitz, with the LARIAT! And SLIDING FOREARM! The fans fire up while JD goes to a corner. Styles runs and LARIATS, then fireman’s carries for an USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO!

JD stays in this and Styles frowns. The fans rally, Styles reels JD in, but JD wrenches out to HEADBUTT! JD suplexes, for a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives and JD is furious! The fans rally up again as JD brings Styles up. JD puts Styles in a corner, ROCKS him, then hoists him to the top rope. Styles fires hands on JD, but JD CHOPS! JD climbs, Styles fires hands, and JD drops back. JD ROCKS Styles again, climbs back up, but Styles fires body shots! Styles HEADBUTTS and JD falls! Styles steadies himself on the top rope, adjusts, then aims, but Dom gets on the apron! Styles scares Dom off, but JD kicks Styles low!

JD hits a ripcord, but Styles turns that into a headlock takeover! Styles deadlifts JD into the STYLES CLASH!! Cover, Styles wins!

Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall

Dom runs up, Styles dodges! PELE! Dom staggers around, Styles runs up, but Dom puts him on the apron! Styles ROCKS Dom, but Finn rushes out here! Finn gets Dom outta there, but the belt was left behind! Styles picks the belt up and the fans cheer! Will Styles make this title phenomenal? Wait, Finn and Dom coordinate, and JD is up. Judgment Day flanks the ring, but Styles slips right past them all! Styles still has the belt in hand, but will he finally get his shot at it?

 

Sheamus prepares backstage.

The Fella spots The Alpha Academy walking over and asks Natalya, Maxxine & Tozawa what’s the crack. How’s Otis doing? Doing better, he’ll be back soon. But they know Sheamus has a match tonight, so how is he feeling? Natty says from one vet to another, he has to take care of Rusev. No problem there, Natty. Sheamus will bully the bully. Tozawa shouts, “Sheamus! Kick his ass!” The Celtic Warrior nods, will he get revenge for the Alpha Academy?

 

Bayley heads to gorilla.

The Role Model wants revenge of her own on Becky Lynch, but uh, what’s going on over here? New Day stands with Grayson Waller as Waller argues with Austin Theory. A-Town Down Under is falling apart, but will Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods be the reason it all ends?

 

Bayley goes to the ring!

Raw returns as The Role Model makes her entrance, and Green Bay cheers her on. Bayley grabs a mic and says, “Ding dong, Green Bay!” The fans cheer again, and Bayley says it feels so amazing to be back. She missed the fans so much! She smiles as the fans sing and chant for her, and she says we all know that classic quote: You don’t know what you have ’til it’s gone. But every time Bayley gets in this ring, she knows exactly what she has. She knows what it feels like to be here, and she doesn’t take any of it for granted. Every single time she gets an opportunity to be in front of the fans, she revels in it! This is what she was born to do!

The fans cheer, and Bayley says this is what is most important to her, what she puts her heart and soul into every single night. And two months ago, Bayley was stripped of an opportunity. She was robbed of a WrestleMania match! The fans boo, and Bayley says she was robbed of her tag title shot, a division she holds near and dear to her heart. But luckily for her, Bayley doesn’t come in here day in and day out, Raw, SmackDown, NXT, losing sleep and putting her body on the line, just for one night of the year! She doesn’t do it just for the big moments, the titles, or WrestleMania, but for nights like tonight and for people like the fans in Green Bay!

The fans cheer Bayley on more, and she says, “So Becky Lynch… If you think you taking me out for WrestleMania hurt me, if you think it broke me, I want you to know that you’re wrong. It healed me, Becky! It made me better, Becky! That it made me stronger!” The fans cheer again and Bayley paces. Bayley says, “Now, I may have said in the past, hell, right up to WrestleMania, how much it bothers me, how much you’ve been a chip on my shoulder, how you’ve always been just two steps ahead, you’ve always been just two rungs ahead of me and I could never make it there. Yeah, that at at me, Becky!

“But y’know what? I’m climbing that ladder, Becky, and I’m coming straight for you. I’m knocking you down, and I’m taking everything that you took for me! So you better get your ass out here right now!” The fans cheer that! And then here comes Becky! The fans are torn as The Man struts out in Chicago Bears merchandise, holding up her title belt. Becky joins Bayley in the ring and grabs her own mic while the fans boo. Green Bay chants, “Bears Still Suck! Bears Still Suck!” Becky says the Bears still beat Green Bay last time. And Becky has always been a chip on Bayley’s shoulder? No, Bayley, you and Becky are the same!

Becky and Bayley were “never meant to be at the top of this division,” yet here they are! The difference is, Bayley accepts being second fiddle, Becky does not! Y’know, kinda like the Packers. Bayley would rather have her group of friends than a legacy. Becky would rather have a legacy than a group of fake friends! Legacy!? Bayley did build a legacy! She’s a future Hall of Famer! Right, Michael Cole? That’s right! She built her legacy, and is so confident in it, she doesn’t mind helping the locker room. She doesn’t mind bringing people up that need help. Oh, okay, the people, right. Bayley fights for the people~!

Becky used to fight for the people, but the people stopped fighting for her, so that’s why Becky stopped fighting for them! So hey, here’s a secret: The people stopped fighting for Bayley, too. Where’s the proof? It was when Bayley got taken out of WrestleMania and Becky stepped in, and no one gave a DAMN about Bayley! No one cared that Bayley was no longer there, they all cheered for Becky! Bayley asks if Becky can hear herself. She sounds like an idiot! The fans can see it! Becky is so insecure! Becky is so worried about what everyone thinks! She took an entire YEAR off, and she worried about whether fans would cheer or boo, and that’s why Becky took Bayley out!

Becky didn’t know if the fans would care, so she had to make it a surprise! And 24 hours later, it still didn’t sit right. Becky probably couldn’t sleep that night, and then she went and took Lyra out, too, because Becky couldn’t hack it if the fans weren’t going to cheer. Becky says they did cheer for that, too. Bayley asks Becky if she forgot how it is to fight for everything. To fight for WrestleMania, for championships. Or maybe is Becky’s too far up her own ass that she doesn’t know what it is like anymore. Becky says no, she has forgotten what the struggle is like. But has Bayley forgotten what championship gold feels like?

The fans boo but Bayley says maybe she has. Remind her. C’mon, stop hiding and get over here! Becky says no, she’s not turning her back to Bayley. Becky snakes away saying Bayley’s the sneaky one. But if Bayley wants a match, they can have a match. But not here in Green Bay! And not even for the title! See you in Columbus, Ohio! Then Becky SLAPS Bayley! So Bayley DECKS Becky!! The fans fire up as The Man scurries away! Bayley smiles, will she get to do that all over again when she and Becky throw down?

 

Backstage interview with Jey Uso.

Cathy Kelley is now with Main Event Jey and says it was a bit of a setback last week, losing the world title to Gunther. But how important is it he moves forward with this King of the Ring match tonight? Jey says it is very important. He won his first world title from Gunther, he has Gunther’s respect. Then Gunther won it back, so Gunther got Jey’s respect. So as far as Jey sees it, that makes them 1-1. Gunther can look past Rollins, look past Goldberg, but they’ll run it back one day. If that means winning KOTR, then say less. Four letters, one word, uh uh… YEET! But then, will Jey also make that one word, “King?

 

Nick Aldis is backstage.

The SmackDown General Manager is here, and he meets with AJ Styles. Aldis thanks Styles for handing over the Intercontinental Championship, and Aldis will make sure it is returned to Dom in a timely fashion. But good news! Styles has a chance to get this title permanently. It is now official for Night of Champions! Dom VS Styles for the Intercontinental Championship! Styles thanks Aldis for that and heads out. Then Bayley steps in and Aldis says he heard all that out there. So speaking of making it official, Becky VS Bayley will happen. But Aldis is putting a little twist on it. As he sees it, WrestleMania was when Becky took Bayley’s title match.

So now, Bayley is owed a title match in return. Next week, Raw in Columbus, it will be Becky VS Bayley for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship! Bayley thanks Aldis and says this is why she always liked him. But then Lyra Valkyria walks over. The Morrigan welcomes Bayley back, and congratulates her on the title match. Bayley says she’s just trying to do what’s best for her. She is sorry that she didn’t get back to Lyra on the texts or calls, it was a rough two months. But it wasn’t personal. Lyra gets it, this is what is best for Bayley. But Lyra just wants Bayley to know, if Bayley wins the title, then Lyra will do what’s best for Lyra and come after her for it.

Lyra heads out, and things have really escalated. Will the Role Model tear down The Man, only to battle someone else who was once a friend?

 

Liv Morgan VS Kairi Sane!

The greatest women’s tag team champion of all time has been having a hard time against the Pirate Princess. A loss because Roxie and Raquel argued, then Raquel takes a loss because Iyo got the better of Liv, and then the losses in the Queen of the Ring tournament, no wonder Liv lashed out against Nikki. But will Liv take her frustrations out on Kairi in this rematch? Or will Kairi only add to the misery with another defeat?

Raw returns and Liv is back in the ring. The bell rings, Liv runs up, but Kairi dodges! Kairi then blocks a kick, trips Liv, and floats to a headlock. Liv scrambles to the outside and clutches her arms. Is Liv still hurting from things last week? The ref has Kairi wait while the medics check Liv. Liv’s arm is definitely the concern, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns, and unfortunately, that rough landing from the takedown did in fact jam up Liv’s arm, she cannot continue. Kairi wins by stoppage, but will Liv’s misery only continue in and out of the ring?

 

Backstage interview with Sami Zayn.

Cathy Kelley is with the Honorary Uce and she congratulates him on advancing in the KOTR. Friday Night SmackDown will see Sami take on Randy Orton, how is he feeling? Sami isn’t sure. He feels he’s talked about the World Heavyweight Championship so much lately, and now somehow, the opportunity is here. Sami has had the chance a few times to challenge for that title, but something about this time feels different. Karrion Kross walks in and says, “Oh, this is so disturbing! It feels… different? There’s absolutely nothing different about this! Sami, you know you’re an insane person, right?

“You know what an insane person does? They do the exact same thing every day, expecting a different result. Lemme explain to you what’s going to happen. You’re going to go to Friday Night SmackDown, and you’re going to compete against one of the most diabolical people this business has ever seen, a guy who knows how to in, The Viper, Randy Orton. And then, you’re gonna lose! And he’s gonna go on to become a FIFTEEN-TIME World Champion, and you are gonna stay at zero.” Sami smiles and says, “You think I’m crazy? You know what I think you are? I think you’re a coward. I think you hide back here, and you talk, and you hide in the shadows, and you lurk, and you talk in riddles.

“Why? You don’t go out there, because maybe all the big talk when you go out there, maybe you can’t back it up?! Maybe you don’t have the courage to talk a big game, and maybe you fall on your face, and you don’t have the courage to go back out there, cuz trust me, I’ve talked a big game, I’ve gone out there, and I’ve lost, and I have the courage to pick myself back up and go out there again. Can you say the same? I didn’t think so. So I’m done listening to you talk, you understand me? Right now, my focus is the King of the Ring, that’s my priority. But I’m telling you now, the second that’s done, the second that’s done, I am going to Adam Pearce.

“And you and me, we’re gonna have this match once and for all.” Kross says, “It’s about time.” Mr. Doomsday leaves, has Sami just sealed his doom?

 

Jey Uso enters through the concourse.

The fans young and old are fired up as Jey asks them to play his music! Four letters, one word, UH UH… YEET! Jey heads down the bleachers, and fans show off the new foam YEET hands! Will Jey get his hands on that ticket to the next round? Or will someone else have that semifinal match with Cody Rhodes?

King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Sheamus VS Rusev VS Bronson Reed VS Jey Uso!

Raw returns and Rusev makes his entrance. Following that, The Celtic Warrior enters, leaving the Colossal Aussie for last. Paul Heyman accompanies Bronson, but why is Heyman holding Rollins’ MITB briefcase…? The bell rings and Bronson goes after Sheamus while Rusev goes after Jey! They end up in the corners, Rusev stomps a mudhole into Jey but Sheamus dodges Bronson. Sheamus CHOPS and ROCKS Bronson, but Bronson hits back! Bronson HEADBUTTS Sheamus, then SHOVES Sheamus up and out of the ring! Bronson goes to the apron but Sheamus CLUBS a leg out! Sheamus sends Bronson into barriers!

Rusev keeps beating Jey down, and Bronson sends Sheamus into steel steps! Then into barriers! Rusev drags Jey up to fire body shots on those wrapped-up ribs. Rusev shoves Jey, runs up, but Jey DUMPS Rusev out! Rusev is right up to ROCK Jey, but Bronson YANKS Rusev down! Bronson and Rusev brawl now, and Bronson HEADBUTTS! Bronson whips, Rusev reverses, and Bronson is sent into steps! Jey then DIVES out onto Rusev! The fans fire up and YEET with Jey, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Bronson is beating up on Jey now. Bronson fireman’s carries Jey but Jey slips free! Jey ROCKS Bronson, counter punches, “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey pops, locks, and puts some stank on the HAYMAKER! The fans fire up as Jey mule kicks, then UPPERCUTS! Bronson blocks the next kick, but Jey DRAGON WHIPS! Bronson tumbles out, Sheamus slides in, btu Jey SUPERKICKS Sheamus! Rusev is back, Jey SUPERKICKS him! Rusev wobbles, Jey SUPERKICKS again! Rusev is still up, Jey runs, but Rusev LARIATS! The fans fire up, Sheamus and Bronson brawl, and Bronson whips. Sheamus reverses to POST Bronson!

Sheamus runs up on Bronson, but Bronson DUMPS Sheamus into the crowd! The fans fire up with Sheamus at their feet, and Bronson gloats. But Sheamus rises up to get Bronson’s arms! Sheamus gives Bronson BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! The fans count along, Sheamus goes TEN! The fans fire up and Sheamus adds another TEN, so that’s TWENTY! The fans fire up with Sheamus, but Jey SUPERKICKS Sheamus at the barriers! But Bronson runs up, only to be sent into barriers! Jey lines up a shot, “UCE! OH!” Jey runs in, but Rusev is there to CLOBBER him first! Rusev roars, the fans are torn, but Rusev goes to the ring.

Sheamus is there, and the fans rally up as these former friends are 1v1. The fans cheer for “RUSEV DAY!” as the forearms fly! They fire hands, haymakers, body shots, and then Sheamus fires off with forearms! Sheamus whips, Rusev ducks ‘n’ dodges to WHEEL KICK! The fans fire up and Rusev watches Sheamus flounder. Rusev runs in at the corner, but Sheamus BOOTS him! Rusev just roars! Rusev runs back in, Sheamus scoops Rusev to POWERSLAM! The fans rally as both men rise up. They throw more haymakers, and the fans duel, “Let’s Go, Sheamus!” “RUSEV DAY!” Bronson CLOBBERS both men because he’s just that big!

Wait, Sheamus and Rusev get up, just to brawl with each other! So Bronson SPLASHES them both in the corner! Jey BOOTS Bronson from the corner! Jey CROSSBODIES, but Bronson catches him! WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM!! Bronson roars, the fans boo, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns once again, and Rusev sputters from being thrown onto the announce desk! Sheamus leaves Rusev behind to go after Jey. The fans rally for m ore tables, but Sheamus and Jey fire haymakers! They go shot for shot, then it is fast ‘n’ furious! Sheamus blocks the kick, ducks the Dragon Whip, and fireman’s carries! Jey fights free to the apron, but now Sheamus has Jey on the ropes! Jey fires elbows to stop the Bodhrain, and he GAMANGIRIS! Jey hurries inside, but Sheamus gives him an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! But Bronson runs up to HEADBUTT Sheamus down! Bronson wobbles, but he brings Sheamus back up.

Bronson reels Sheamus in, says thumbs down, but Sheamus fights the lift! Sheamus fireman’s carries Bronson!? The fans go nuts for that alone! And then, WHITE NOISE!! Right on the Slim Jim logo! Cover, TWO!! Rusev hurries to stomp Sheamus, and he URENAGES Sheamus onto Bronson! Rusev snarls, the fans are torn, but they do agree, “This is Awesome!” Rusev sees Jey in a corner, runs up, but into a SUPERKICK! Bronson is back up, Jey SUPERKICKS him! And he SUPERKICKS Sheamus! Jey aims again, SUPER- NO, Rusev blocks to ROUNDHOUSE Jey! And then ACCOLADE!! Jey endures, the fans fire up, but Jey gets an arm free!

Rusev traps that arm again, pulls on Jey’s back, but Jey keeps fighting! Sheamus gives Rusev a KNEE CAPPER! Rusev flounders away, Bronson is up but he gets a KNEE CAPPER! MACHKA KICK for Sheamus! Sheamus BROGUES Rusev! Cover, SENTON from Bronson! Bronson hurries up a corner while Sheamus is in the drop zone! The fans are going nuts, TSUNAMI onto Sheamus!! Cover, JEY BREAKS IT!! The fans fire up and Heyman is stunned, but Jey keeps this one going! Bronson snarls, runs up, but Jey dodges! And SPEARS!! Jey topples Bronson, but he hurries to the top rope!

The fans are thunderous, but oh no, h ere comes Bron Breakker!! Bron SHOVES Jey off the corner, and he laughs at Jey! The fans bark, but wait! SAMI ZAYN is after Bron! Sami won’t let them screw Jey over! He POSTS Bron! Sami then lines up a shot, runs in, but Bron catches Sami first! And he military presses Sami to TOSS him onto and over the desk!!! But wait, PENTA FLIES ONTO BRON!! The fans are thunderous as #CeroMiedo gets payback on Bron! But Bronson gives Jey a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!! Bronson hurries up top, takes aim, but then L A KNIGHT is here! And he SHOVES Bronson off the top, YEAH!!

The fans are going nuts as Jey hurries to SUPERKICK Bronson! And then SPEAR!! Jey hurries back up like he wanted, and he gives Bronson an USO SPLASH!! But Jey won’t stop there, he knows Bronson is tougher than that! So Jey hits another USO SPLASH!! Cover, JEY WINS!!

Winner: Jey Uso, by pinfall

The Mega Star smiles as he screws over the guys who screwed him over, and now Main Event Jey Uso is moving on! But wait! Seth Rollins storms out here now! He is furious that his plan has been foiled! Rollins throws off his Chicago Bears colored jacket and tie, rolls up his sleeves, and has Jey all to himself in that ring. Except CODY RHODES is here! The fans are thunderous as the American Nightmare makes sure Rollins can’t make a move! The fans sing along with Cody’s song while Cody stares down with Rollins. Green Bay is losing their minds as Rollins is about to explode with anger, but then that anger subsides…?

Rollins lets Cody and Jey have their moment, and Rollins’ team regroups on the ramp. The Wise Man says this is the right move, because now Cody and Jey are going to be opponents in the semifinals. Jey and Cody look to each other, knowing that in order to get back to the top, they must go through the other. They shake hands and the fans cheer. But will Cody and Jey be able to stay friends after battling it out next week in Columbus?


My Thoughts:

A great Raw with more great build for Night of Champions. Judgment Day ties stories together, with a very good promo from Liv & Dom with Iyo to hype up a possible title match. Unfortunately, Liv legitimately dislocated that shoulder in her match with Kairi. Hopefully for her sake and everything else going on, it isn’t serious and she can still be on TV. And even if not, there is a way to keep the story going in Judgment Day if they were to have Roxanne Perez step in and help defend the tag titles with Raquel in place of Liv. Maybe half the reason Judgment Day loses those titles is because Roxie and Raquel can’t get along while Iyo & Kairi can.

Great Fatal 4 Way for Queen of the Ring, and nice touch with Rhea going after Raquel. Asuka winning is a great way for her to return. Asuka VS Alexa will be really good but I can’t be sure who wins that when there’s also Jade and Roxie on the other side. But I feel like the Women’s Division has a more open title story than the Men’s, because the main thing is that Naomi is Miss Money in the Bank and can cash-in to “ruin” things for whoever is Queen of the Ring and the champion they’re challenging. Though with that, Jade Cargill is probably still the favorite, especially when she towers over Roxie and Alexa, and could overpower Asuka.

Good stuff with Styles VS JD and how he outsmarted the Judgment Day boys. Aldis being here to make matches was a bit of a surprise, but good on him to make a match for Night of Champions. Styles VS Dom could probably go either way, but it’d be a great moment if Finn screws Dom over in that match. Very good promo from Bayley and Becky, and I appreciate Lyra feeling just a touch disrespected with Bayley getting her title match first. Making the title match for next week is fine, Becky VS Bayley will definitely get ratings and be a great match, but I wonder if something involving Lyra is made for Night of Champions. I only count four matches with KOTR, QOTR, Cena VS Punk and now Styles VS Dom.

Gunther had a good promo, and while he said he doesn’t put stock in rumors, the rumors were true and Goldberg is back. That match not being for Night of Champions is a touch surprising, but I suppose having Goldberg as the hometown hero for Saturday Night’s Main Event works out better. Remember what happened the last time Goldberg had a high profile match in Saudi Arabia? And even without that, two weeks is not enough time for Goldberg to get ready, both in kayfabe and shoot. Pushing it to just under a month is better for Goldberg, and I would certainly hope Gunther retains. Remember the last time Goldberg just suddenly had a title match against a younger talent?

Great promo from Sami with Kross, but I feel like it foreshadows Sami not winning KOTR. Though how great would it be if Sami becomes KOTR, takes the title off Gunther like he did with the Intercontinental Championship, and then Sami and Kross feud over the world title. That aside, also good stuff with the promos going into tonight’s main event. And while I figured Jey would win, they did a great job with the overbooking to help it. Great stuff from Sheamus and Rusev as they’re starting a feud, and then of course LA Knight showed up to screw Bronson Reed. Bron Breakker going Knight and then Penta joining in, that was also great stuff, perhaps we get Penta & Knight VS Bron & Bronson as part of something.

Cody protecting Jey is good stuff, and Rollins standing down works so well. Rollins understands what we should all understand: Cody and Jey will battle, the winner of that is probably the favorite to be King of the Ring, but Rollins could make it to where they’re still challenging him. Cena VS Punk at Night of Champions is the first real tease of where Rollins can strike, because Rollins can’t resist screwing his most hated enemy in Punk and the guy who is retiring anyway in Cena. Then if that doesn’t work out and Rollins still has the briefcase, he could go after Gunther during his match with Goldberg at SNME. Or he just waits until SummerSlam when KOTR challenge whoever it is, and we get the next best “heist of the century.”

My Score: 8.8/10

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Mitchell’s NJPW Dominion Results & Report! (6/15/25)

Who leads the revolution?

Published

on

Who makes NJPW their dominion?

NJPW returns to Osaka-Jo Hall, and Hirooki Goto defends the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against Shingo Takagi! Will the Fierce Warrior slay the Rampaging Dragon?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Kickoff – Shoma Kato & Katsuya Murashima VS Daiki Nagai & Masatora Yasuda; Kato & Murashima win.
  • 8 Man Tag: Bullet Club VS House of Torture & “Don Fale”; The House of Torture wins.
  • El Phantasmo & Shota Umino VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa; ZSJ & Oiwa win.
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Yuya Uemura; Tanahashi wins.
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: YOH & Master Wato VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru Douki; Sho & Douki win and become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
  • IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Callum Newman & Great-O-Khan VS Taichi & Tomohiro Ishii; Taichi & Ishii win and become the new IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
  • NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Boltin Oleg; Oleg wins and becomes the new NEVER Openweight Champion.
  • Dog Collar Chain Deathmatch: David Finlay VS EVIL; Evil wins.
  • IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Gabe Kidd; Gabe wins and becomes the new IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion.
  • IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS Shingo Takagi; Goto wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

8 Man Tag: Bullet Club VS House of Torture & ???

While their leaders will battle in a Dog Collar Chain Deathmatch later tonight, Chase Owens, Clark Connors, “Drilla” Moloney & Taiji Ishimori will wage war with Ren Narita, Yujiro Takahashi, Sanada, and the newest member of the House. But will it not matter who Evil recruited? Or could new blood be just the thing to turn the tide?

Sanada walks out in a very odd body suit. It’s like he wants to walk out here in a leopard speedo but not really. Also, he’s now the “Cold Blooded Snake,” so clearly he is still evolving. But then, who is this mystery partner? Wait, is that Bad Luck Fale?! A founding member of Bullet Club has now betrayed Bullet Club!? And now he’s “Don Fale?!” Then is this the dawn of a new era in NJPW?

The brawl is on as Taiji, Connors & Drilla rush Sanada, Ren & Yujiro, but Chase wants to know why Fale, why? Chase and Fale were tag partners and friends! But Fale grabs Chase by the neck! Connors rushes in and CLUBS Fale, but Fale BODY BLOWS Connors! Drilla attacks Fale, but Fale BODY BLOWS and BODY BLOWS, and then TOSSES Drilla! Taiji fires off but Fale BODY BLOWS him, too! The bell rings to finally put this on record as Fale steps on Taiji in the corner! The fans rally, Fale drags Taiji to the ropes, and Fale stands on Taiji for the Bullet Club Massage! Or, perhaps the House of Torture Massage now!

Tag to Yujiro and he drops a leg, brother! And then another leg! Cover, TWO! Yujiro CHOKES Taiji as a cover, the ref reprimands, and Yujiro stops at 4. Tag to Ren and he BLASTS the Bullet Club corner! Ren bumps Taiji off buckles, SCRAPES Taiji’s face off the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. The fans rally for Taiji while Ren TOSSES him! Ren distracts the ref, which lets Fale whip Taiji hard into the railing! Yujiro drags Taiji up to put in the ring and Ren covers, TWO! Taiji stays in this, Drilla glares at Ren, but the ref has Drilla back down. Taiji fires hands on Ren, but Ren CHOKES Taiji! Ren puts Taiji in the corner, but stops as the ref counts 4.

Tag to Yujiro and Sanada distracts the ref. Ren snapmares Taiji and holds him open! But as Yujiro lines up the shot, Taiji UP KICKS Ren! Yujiro kicks low, whips, but Taiji handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down! The fans rally, hot tag to Connors! Connors CLOBBERS Ren, CLOBBERS Yujiro, KICKS ropes to jam up Sanada, and the fans fire up! Connors runs to ELBOW Ren in one corner, then runs to ELBOW Yujiro in the other! Connors reels Ren in and snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! The fans rally behind Connors and they bark it up. Connors aims at Yujiro, but Fale drags him out!

Fale whips Connors into railing! Chase gets in Fale’s face but the ref has them both back down. Drilla pushes Fale, so Fale whips Drilla into railing! Wait, Connors has Wheel-san! Connors CLOBBERS Fale with Wheel-san! The fans fire up and Connors hurries back into the ring. Connors whips Yujiro to SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Tokyo Pimp toughs it out but Connors vows to end it! Connors drags Yujiro up, but Yujiro BITES Connors’ hand! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but then Connors ROCKS Yujiro! Connors runs up, but Yujiro FLAPJACK HOTSHOTS Connors! And then he BOOTS Connors!

Yujiro runs, but Connors goes the other way! JEEP FLIPPER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Yujiro and Connors crawl, hot tags to Sanada and Drilla! GORE OUTTA NOWHERE! The fans fire up as Drilla shows off his dancing pecs and drags Sanada up. DRILLA- NO, Sanada slips free! Drilla HEADBUTTS, Sanada drops, but Drilla blocks the sneaky low blow! Drilla whips and SPINEBUSTERS! The fans fire up and bark with Drilla, then he drags Sanada back up. Gut wrench and DRILLA- NO, Sanada BOOTS the ref! Sanada then slips free, reels Drilla in, and MAGIC SCREW! The fans rally but the House goes after Bullet Club on the outside!

Sanada grabs his guitar! The fans boo as this Cold Blooded Snake steps inside. Chase stops Sanada! He takes the guitar, gives it to Drilla, then sets Sanada up. Drilla takes aim, but then Chase LOW BLOWS Drilla?!? The fans don’t understand! Why did the Crown Jewel do that?! NO WAIT, he’s joining the House, too!?? SMASH HIT from Sanada to Drilla!! It wasn’t just Fale as Mr. X, there was a MOLE inside the club! Sanada covers Drilla, the House wins!!

Winners: The House of Torture, by pinfall

Taiji asks why, Chase, why, but he just gets a LOW BLOW for it!! The old guard of Bullet Club is leaving them all behind to join up with Evil! Then is there nothing to stop this from being a HOT boy summer?

 

Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Yuya Uemura!

The Ace Final Road continues to make connections, and that leads to his first and last 1v1 match with the Heat Storm. Will Tanahashi continue to ride high on his retirement tour? Or will Yuya only get hotter with the summer?

The bell rings and the fans rally for Tanahashi already. Tanahashi and Yuya circle, feel things out, and tie up. Tanahashi waistlocks, Yuya switches, and repeat. Tanahashi trips Yuya but Yuya switches. Tanahashi switches, Yuya switches, repeat, and then the two separate. The fans applaud this opening exchange, and the two reset. They circle, tie up, and Yuya wrenches to hammerlock then headlock, then he spins through to hammerlock, headlock, and hit the takeover! Tanahashi headscissors, Yuya kips free, but now Tanahashi hits a headlock takeover. Yuya headscissors. Tanahashi kips free, and Yuya headlocks.

Tanahashi fires body shots, powers out, but Yuya slides under! Yuya arm-drags! Tanahashi arm-drags, and he has the armlock! The fans rally, Yuya tries to headscissors but Tanahashi fights that off. Yuya rises up, Tanahashi grinds the arm, but Yuya wrenches and SAYANAGIS! Yuya then steps over to SNAP LOCK the arm! The fans rally while Yuya runs, and he basement DROPKICKS the arm! Tanahashi clutches the elbow and the fans rally more, but Yuya drags him up. Yuya wrenches the arm, wrenches again, then snapmares for Short Arm Scissors! Tanahashi endures, even as Yuya puts on the pressure.

Tanahashi turns, clasps hands, and he kicks his way over. Tanahashi reaches out but Yuya turns him back to keep on the scissors! The fans rally as Tanahashi continues to endure, and Tanahashi fights to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Yuya lets go, and the fans applaud. Yuya brings Tanahashi up but Tanahashi fires forearms. Yuya wrenches the arm! Tanahashi fires more forearms, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Cover, TWO! The fans rally while Yuya stands Tanahashi up. Yuya wrenches and whips, but Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS! And then he ELBOWS Yuya, whips him to ropes, and BACKDROPS him!

The fans fire up and Tanahashi storms over to Yuya. Tanahashi drags Yuya up to scoop and SLAM into the drop zone! The fans cheer as Tanahashi goes up the corner, SUNSET SENTON! A rough landing but Tanahashi stands back up. The fans rally and Tanahashi waits on Yuya. Yuya slowly rises, Tanahashi builds speed, but Yuya dodges the slingblade! Tanahashi blocks a kick, and waves bye before he DRAGON SCREWS the leg! Tanahashi resets and runs again, SLING- NO, Yuya slips through to trap the arms! Tanahashi kicks at Yuya’s legs, whips, but uses that to reel Yuya in for a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!

The fans fire up with Tanahashi and he tries once again. SLINGBLADE! Down goes Yuya and Tanahashi covers, TWO! Yuya stays in this and the fans rally up. Tanahashi hurries up the corner, aims, but Yuya stands. Tanahashi hits a HIGH FLY- NO, Yuya dodges the High Fly Attack, and now he goes up top! FROG- NO, Tanahashi dodges the Frog Splash Attack! The fans fire up while both men writhe. Yuya clutches his arm, the same arm that he injured all those months ago, and the fans rally. Tanahashi crawls his way over, drags Yuya up, and he fires a forearm! Yuya comes back with a forearm of his own!

The two stand, Yuya fires up, and the fans fire up with him! The forearms go back and forth, the fans cheering both men! Tanahashi eggs Yuya on, so Yuya fires a flurry! Tanahashi fires a strike fest! Yuya goes to a corner, Tanahashi storms up and whips corner to corner. Yuya goes up and over, then arm-drags! And ARMBAR! Tanahashi clasps hands and the fans rally! Tanahashi fights around, but Yuya pulls on the arm! Yuya CLUBS Tanahashi’s grip and has the ARMBAR! Tanahashi has the ROPEBREAK, but Yuya drags him up into a cording hold! Tanahashi DRAGON PALMS, then DRAGON SUPLEXES!

The fans fire up with Tanahashi builds speed. But Yuya catches him for a RANA! Then ARMBAR! Tanahashi stacks the cover, TANAHASHI WINS!!

Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall

Yuya doesn’t realize it as he goes for a cover of his own, but he missed the kick-out by a thin margin! Tanahashi shows Yuya respect with how close that was. But is this really the only time Yuya gets to test himself against one of the best ever? Or will Tanahashi’s Final Road bring them back around before the year is over?

 

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: YOH & Master Wato VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru!

Direct Drive & The Way of the Grandmaster surprised a lot of people taking these titles off of the Ichiban Sweet Boys, but now some familiar foes come around to take these titles from them. We saw the House of Torture add new members, will they be adding new gold as well? Or can Yoh & Wato keep it fresh like Ziploc?

Wait, Sho grabs a mic. And he talks trash about how in Best of the Super Juniors, Wato lost in a “terrible effort” against Kanemaru, and yet he managed to hurt Kanemaru in the process! Sho also talks trash on Osaka, too, saying Kanemaru is above competing here in Wato’s hometown. The fans boo but Sho says these two don’t even have the right to call themselves proper champions! But don’t worry, Sho has a replacement for Kanemaru! Wait, really? Sho drops the mic and the House has yet another new member! It’s… DOUKI?! What?! Back from injury, and yet he’s turned to the dark side! Will Japones Del Mal make things very, very bad for Yoh & Wato?

Oh, of course Sho & Kanemaru still have to attack from behind! The shock of this return was the perfect distraction! Sho TOSSES Yoh out, Kanemaru kicks Wato out for Douki to RAM into the railing! Douki stomps Wato, drags him around, and then SMASHES the knee off the floor! Sho talks more trash but Douki puts Wato in the ring. The bell sounds so this is finally a match!

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: YOH & Master Wato VS SHO & Douki!

The fans boo as Douki and Sho stomp away on Wato, and the ref reprimands. One in, one out! Douki & Sho say hold on, and they stand Wato up to double whip. Wato grabs ropes, and he BOOTS Sho, ELBOWS Douki, and RAN- NO, Sho stops the rana and Douki basement DROPKICKS! Then they SMASH both knees off the mat! Yoh rushes in and fires off on Douki & Sho! Yoh CLUBS Douki, but Sho BODY BLOWS Yoh! Sho & Douki whip Yoh into bare buckles! Kanemaru still does his part in bringing out the House Special! And then Douki distracts the ref so Sho can hold Yoh open! Kanemaru climbs up, and that bad arm isn’t even hurt! Kanemaru uses it to DICK CHOP!

The fans boo as the House gets away with stooping even lower than usual! Douki brings Wato up but Wato fires body shots. Douki TOSSES Wato out, and he distracts the ref so Kanemaru can SMASH Wato’s knee on the floor! Then Sho SMASHES Wato’s knee off the floor! Then they DOUBLE SMASH the knees off the floor! The fans boo as Sho & Kanemaru mug Wato, then Sho drags Wato to his feet. The ref reprimands, Sho puts Wato in, and Douki DDTS a foot! And then Douki turns Wato over for the HALF CRAB! Wato endures, reaches out, and Sho keeps Yoh down on the outside! Wato crawls forward, but Douki drags him back!

Douki sits deep on the leg and the fans rally harder! Wato endures, pushes up, and he reaches out again! ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Douki holds! The ref counts and Douki lets go at 4. Douki kicks Wato and taunts him. Wato grits his teeth but Douki stomps him. Wato rises up to throw body shots and chops but Douki laughs them off. Wato fires a forearm but Douki kicks low! Douki clamps onto a leg but Wato CLUBS away on him! Douki kicks the bad leg, runs, but Wato manages a scoop and BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Wato crawls, but so does Douki, and Sho tags in first!

Sho BLASTS Yoh from the corner, then he drags Wato back. Douki KICKS Wato’s bad leg! The ref reprimands and the fans boo, but Douki watches Wato go to the corner. Douki runs in, Wato dodges, and he BOOTS Sho! Wato sends Douki into Sho, then he DOUBLE BULLDOGS! The fans fire up while all three are down! Wato crawls, hot tag to Yoh! The fans fire up as Yoh rallies on Sho & Douki with forearm after forearm! Yoh whips Sho into the bare buckles! Then he whips Douki into the bare buckles! Then Yoh PLANCHAS onto Kanemaru! Yoh then whips Kanemaru into railing! Yoh roars and the fans fire up with him!

Yoh goes up a corner, takes aim, and he CANNONBALLS into Sho! Cover, TWO! Yoh drags Sho up, brings him in, but Sho bends fingers! Yoh ROCKS Sho, turns him, but Sho still bends fingers! The ref reprimands but Sho whips. Yoh avoids hitting bare buckles, then he dodges Sho. Sho avoids hitting buckles but Yoh kicks low. Yoh runs but Sho uses the ref as a shield! Then he SPEARS Yoh down! Both Sho and Yoh are down but Sho crawls over, tag to Douki! Douki runs up on Yoh to LARIAT in a corner! Douki scoops and SLAMS Yoh, then runs to DOUBLE STOMP! Then Douki WRECKS Wato with a dropkick!

Douki goes outside and SMASHES Wato’s knee off the floor! The fans boo Douki as he swaggers around the way. Douki aims at Yoh, DAY- NO, Yoh ducks the Daybreak to UPPERCUT! Yoh runs, but Sho trips him up! The ref reprimands but Sho holds Yoh up. Douki runs, but Wato trips him up! The fans cheer and Yoh breaks free. Yoh sets up for WATO IN MOTION! Down goes Sho, and then Wato runs to BOOT Douki down! Wato fires up and the fans cheer as he FLIES! Down goes Douki at the ramp! Wato hobbles but he fires up even more! The fans cheer their hometown hero and he puts Douki back in the ring.

Yoh tags Wato in and then brings Douki up! FALCON ARROW! Kanemaru distracts the ref, Sho RAMS Yoh into the ref! Kanemaru SHOVES Wato down, Sho sends Yoh into bare buckles! The fans boo as now Kanemaru gets his whiskey bottle and Sho gets his Torture Tool! They aim at Wato & Yoh, but Wato & Yoh dodge! Kanemaru & Sho avoid colliding, but they take DOUBLE SUPERKICKS instead! Wato & Yoh aim at Douki, the fans rally up, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! The fans fire up as Wato helps the ref back to his feet. Yoh suplexes Douki, but Douki slips free, and he shoves Yoh into the ref! Sho LOW BLOWS Yoh!

WHISKEY MIST for Wato! The fans boo but Sho has the Torture Tool! Sho CLOBBERS Yoh with it! The fans boo and Wato hobbles up, but Sho spins him around for Douki’s #DeathPipe! HOMERUN to the legs!! The fans boo but Sho laughs as he brings Wato around. Sho puts Wato on the ropes, holds the bad leg out, and Douki goes up! FLYING DEATH PIPE STRIKE!! Wato writhes, the fans boo more, but there’s nothing to stop Douki from putting Wato in the PARADISE FIGURE FOUR!! Sho keeps Yoh back, Wato TAPS, the House wins!!

Winners: Sho & Douki, by submission (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champions)

The Young Lions try to stop Douki from inflicting more damage, but Sho & Kanemaru TOSS them all out! The House mugs Wato, adding insult to injury! Douki beats Wato down with the pipe! Yoh tries to go after him but Sho CHOKES him with the wrench! Douki then CLOBBERS Yoh! Sho is now a DOUBLE champion, and Douki holds gold after his first match back! How much more will the House stack the deck?

 

IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Callum Newman & Great-O-Khan VS Taichi & Tomohiro Ishii!

The United Empire has gone through changes, and they are calling for NJPW to do the same. But is the future here with the younger generation? Or will the Holy Emperor & Stone Pitbull prove old dogs can still learn new tricks?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if past or future is our present!

The teams sort out and Taichi starts against Callum. The bell rings, the two run up, and Taichi BOOTS! Callum BOOTS back, and Taichi eggs him on! Callum fires a forearm, Taichi fires a ridge hand chop, and repeat! They go back and forth, then they add KICKS to the mix! Callum fires a flurry, whips, but Taichi reverses. Callum BOOTS Taichi, Taichi SOBATS and ROUND KICKS! Callum falls but kips up to DROPKCIK! Taichi is up and the two tie up! They scrap, end up in the Empire’s corner, and Khan tags in. The Empire mugs Taichi, Mongolian Chop to a PENALTY KICK! Ishii storms in but Callum BOOTS him!

Khan grabs Ishii’s leg and THROWS him down! Callum DOUBLE STOMPS Ishii, then Callum rains down forearms on Taichi! The ref reprimands so Callum stops and steps outside. Khan drags Taichi up and KNEES him low! And KNEES him again! Khan MONKEY FLIPS Taichi, then fireman’s carries for the SLAM! Khan stands Taichi up again for a SAYANAGI! Cocky cover, TWO! The fans rally as Khan drags Taichi up, his tearaway pants already starting to tear away. Khan CLUBS Taichi into the corner, then hops up to sit on his throne! The fans applaud, the ref reprimands, and Khan hops down,

Khan brings Taichi around to Mongolian Chop him down! Cover, TWO! Ishii coaches Taichi up while the fans rally, but Khan gives Taichi mocking kicks. Khan then BLASTS Ishii off the apron! Khan mockingly asks Taichi what’s wrong, then slaps him around. Taichi fires RIDGE HAND after RIDGE HAND! Khan winds up but Taichi CHOPS him first! Taichi reaches out but Khan keeps him from the corner. Khan UPPERCUTS and whips, but Taichi reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down, but Taichi manages to tag Ishii! Ishii ROCKS Khan, then dodges Callum to send that BOOT into Khan!

Ishii whips Callum into Khan at the corner, then runs up. Callum dodges so Ishii LARIATS Khan! Callum returns but Ishii dodges, so Callum forearm SMASHES Khan! Ishii RUNS Callum over, then suplexes Khan high and hard! The fans fire up and Ishii looms over Khan. Ishii drags Khan up to CHOP! And CHOP again! Khan staggers but he shakes his head. Khan blocks the next chop to wrench, ELBOW BREAKER, and then KNEE the arm! Mongolian Chop to the arm! Ishii CHOPS, though a bit double-edged. Ishii runs, but into a SAYANAGI! Khan holds that bad arm out for Callum to PENALTY KICK into the ARMBAR!!

Ishii endures and the fans rally up! Ishii kicks around, fights his way over, and manages the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Khan lets go, and Khan tags Callum. The Empire double whip just to YANK Ishii’s bad arm, CLUB it, BOOT Ishii, then KNEE him down! Cover, TWO! Ishii toughs it out but Khan drags him back up for a waistlock. Callum runs, but Ishii BOOTS him away! Ishii ELBOWS Khan, then ducks so Callum’s ROUNDHOUSE hits Khan! Ishii then GERMAN SUPLEXES Callum! Callum tumbles away and the fans rally up! Ishii crawls, hot tag to Taichi! The fans fire up and Taichi runs corner to corner.

Taichi BOOTS Callum, and the fans rally behind him. Taichi runs, Callum avoids the Ax Bomber, swats the return, then BODY BLOWS! Callum KICKS Taichi to a corner, but Taichi comes back to AX BOMBER! The fans fire up, and OFF COME THE PANTS! Taichi aims at Callum, winds up, but Callum ducks the buzzsaw to roll Taichi up! TWO, and Callum ducks a backhand! Taichi avoids the spin kick! Taichi reels Callum in for a DANGEROUS SAIDO!! Cover, TWO!! Callum survives and the fans fire up! Taichi feeds off that energy and takes aim. Callum rises, but Khan rushes in! Khan stops the Tensho Jujihou to THROW Taichi down!

Ishii runs in, Khan blocks the lariat and runs to LARIAT Ishii! Khan picks Taichi up and RAMS him into a corner! Khan then clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan climbs up the corner and he drags Taichi up to join him! Taichi fights with ridge hands! Khan falls, but Callum DROPKICKS Taichi to the floor! The fans fire up and Khan brings out the Monster Rage! Khan PLANCHAS Ishii down!? Callum builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit on Taichi and Callum rolls through! The fans fire up while all four men are down on the outside! Callum rises first and he puts Taichi in the ring. Callum climbs the corner and DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!!

Taichi survives and the fans fire up! Khan keeps Ishii on the outside while Callum rises up. The fans rally more and Callum roars! Callum brings Taichi up, BLOODY- NO, Taichi slips out and back suplexes! Callum lands out, and feeds Taichi to a KNEE from Khan! Callum ROCKS Taichi, then coordinates with Khan. ROLLING ELBOW IRON RIGHT COMBO!! Callum then drags Taichi up, hooks up the legs, FIREBOLT!! Cover, ISHII BREAKS IT! The fans fire up, and then Khan CLOBBERS Ishii! Khan throws up the crown, then he fireman’s carries Taichi! Callum says crowns up, runs the ropes, but Ishii CLOBBERS him!

The fans fire up as Taichi slips free of Khan, shoves him at Ishii, and Ishii LARIATS! Ishii blocks Callum’s boot to HEADBUTT! DOUBLE GIRI COMBO!! The fans are thunderous as Taichi stands Callum up! Alabama Lift, but Khan has a SLEEPER on Ishii! Callum fights free, kicks off Ishii, and TORNADO DDTS Taichi! Khan GERMAN SUPLEXES Ishii away! The fans rally up while Callum watches Taichi runs. Callum runs in, V-TRIGGER! Callum runs again, but into a FOREARM! Callum V-TRIGGERS again! Taichi roars and runs in, but into a SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO!! The fans are thunderous while Callum is furious!

Callum shakes his head, mostly to shake out the doubt. The fans rally even harder for Taichi as Callum runs. Springboard and OSC- TENSHO JUJIHOU!! Alabama Lift, Ishii ROCKS Callum into the BLACK MEPHISTO BRAINBUSTER!!! Khan returns but into a TENSHO JUJIHOU!!! Taichi roars because he’s not done with Callum! BLACK MEPHISTO!!! Cover, TAICHI & ISHII WIN!!!

Winners: Taichi & Tomohiro Ishii, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

The United Empire could not conquer the past, and now Taichi & Ishii reign! This perhaps makes up for how Douki betrayed Just4Guys to make them Just3Guys, but perhaps they can just join Hontai now? As for the Empire, what are they to do after losing what little gold they had?

 

NJPW announces the participants in G1 Climax 35!

Naturally, Hirooki Goto is in, but will he still be world champion? Joining him in A Block will be: Boltin Oleg; Yuya Uemura; Yota Tsuji; David Finlay; Evil; Sanada; and Hiroshi Tanahashi in his FINAL G1! B Block has: El Phantasmo; Shota Umino; Shingo Takagi; Zack Sabre Jr; Great-O-Khan; Gabe Kidd; Ren Narita; and Konosuke Takeshita to represent AEW & DDT Pro! The remaining spots are up for grabs as part of play-in matches during the New Japan Soul tour! Two on June 23, the other two on July 4th, who will be lucky enough to be chosen for this opportunity?

 

NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Boltin Oleg!

The Alpha of AEW is back, and though he is planning for a big summer, he has a big title defense to start it off! Will Konosuke keep this title going into G1 Season? Or will he be put behind BARS?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if things NEVER change!

The bell rings and the two run up to tie up! Konosuke headlocks, Oleg powers up and out, and they RAM shoulders! Oleg rebounds to RAM Konosuke, Konosuke rebounds to RAM Oleg, then Konosuke BOOTS Oleg! Konosuke whips, Oleg reverses, but Konosuke RAMS Oleg! Oleg rebounds to CLOBBER Konosuke! The fans fire up with Oleg and he runs at Konosuke in the corner! SPLASH! Oleg keeps moving, but Konosuke meets him with a JUMP KNEE! The fans duel while Oleg bails out. Konosuke builds speed and FLIES! Down goes Oleg at the ramp and the fans fire up! Konosuke rises and the fans cheer him on.

Konosuke drags Oleg up and into the ring. Konosuke brings Oleg to the apron, but Oleg blocks the suplex! Konosuke powers through to FALCON ARROW Oleg into the ring! The fans rally and Konosuke climbs up. He gets the fans fired up, and then SUPER SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Oleg is still in this and the fans applaud. Konosuke paces around while Oleg rises. Konosuke brings Oleg around as the fans rally for “BO-RU-TIN!” Oleg fights the back suplex and throws elbows. Konosuke keeps Oleg from running and ROCKS him in the back! Konosuke shoves Oleg to the ropes and ROCKS him in the back again!

Konosuke whips, Oleg reverses but Konosuke TAKESHITA LINES into a fireman’s carry! The fans fire up and Konosuke panics! Oleg F5s Konosuke to the outside!! The fans fire up as Konosuke crashes down! Oleg crawls to the apron and then storms up on Konosuke at the ramp. Oleg ROCKS Konosuke, but Konosuke hits back! Oleg ROCKS Konosuke again, and they go further up the ramp. Konosuke ROCKS Oleg in return, but then Oleg ROCKS Konosuke again! They’re up on stage now, and the ALPHA ELBOW knocks Oleg down! The fans fire up while Oleg sputters and rises again. Konosuke uses the full length of the stage for a running start!

Oleg meets Konosuke for DOUBLE LARIATS! Oleg CHOPS, then he gut wrenches! The fans fire up for the Shake, Rattle and THROW down the ramp! Konosuke tumbles all the way from the D to the N in “DOMINION!” The fans fire up for Oleg as he hobbles after Konosuke. The ref finally starts a ring count, as is his discretion, and Oleg rolls into the ring at 7 of 20. Konosuke stands at 10, hobbles his way over, and rolls in at 14. The fans applaud as this continues, and then Oleg runs up, jumps up, and VADER BOMBS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and Oleg drags Konosuke up. Oleg runs, but Konosuke ROCKS him!

Oleg swings, but into a cording hold! ALPHA ELBOW! Konosuke hauls Oleg up for BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! But right into a BOSTON CRAB! Konosuke sits deep on the hold, wanting to take Oleg down with a “Young Lion” hold! The fans rally for Oleg and he fights around! Oleg reaches out, powers up, and almost throws Konosuke off! Oleg pushes forward to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Oleg is freed. But Konosuke runs and LARIATS Oleg down! Konosuke vows to end this now, and he reels Oleg in. But Oleg blocks the suplex! Konosuke tries, but Oleg lifts him first! But Oleg’s back gives out!

Konosuke waistlocks for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Konosuke grows frustrated but the fans still rally behind Oleg. Konosuke goes to the corner and climbs up. Konosuke fires up and the fans cheer. Konosuke reaches the top, but Oleg ROCKS him first! Oleg climbs up after Konosuke now! Konosuke fires body shots, then LARIATS Oleg off the corner! But Oleg rises!? And he ROCKS Konosuke again! The fans fire up as Oleg climbs up, and he drags Konosuke onto his shoulders for the fireman’s carry! SUPER DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives and now Oleg grows frustrated!

The fans rally as Oleg tries another fireman’s carry! Konosuke flails and slips down to have a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! Oleg endures as Konosuke squeezes tight, but the fans rally up! Oleg gets a second wind, Konosuke CLUBS away on him, but Oleg BACKDROPS free! Both men rise, and they DOUBLE LARIAT! Oleg ROCKS Konosuke, Konosuke ALPHA ELBOWS Oleg!! Konosuke drags Oleg up, but Oleg fireman’s carries through! The fans fire up as Oleg hits a POINT-BLANK KAMIKAZE!! Cover, TWO?!? Konosuke survives and the fans fire up! Konosuke and Oleg both catch their breath before they rise again.

Konosuke ROCKS Oleg, Oleg ROCKS Konosuke, repeat! The forearms keep going back and forth and the fans rally up! Oleg gets the edge, but then Konosuke ALPHA ELBOWS again! Konosuke pulls off his elbow pad, winds up again, but Oleg DECKS Konosuke!! Oleg roars, the fans fire up, and Oleg runs! Konosuke dodges, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Konosuke runs, but Oleg LARIATS through!! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives and the fans fire up again! Oleg rises, he fireman’s carries Konosuke, but Konosuke slips down to waistlock! Full nelson, and DRAGON SUPLEX!! But Oleg stirs!? Konosuke hurries to ALPHA ELBOW again!!

Oleg falls in a heap but Konosuke isn’t done! He vows to end this, and he stands Oleg up, but Oleg SHOTGUNS! Konosuke ruses, POWER- NO, Oleg stops the knee attack and fireman’s carries! KAMIKAZE!!! Cover, OLEG WINS!!

Winner: Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Champion)

His first singles championship, and it comes off the incredibly accomplished Konosuke Takeshita! Oleg shows The Alpha respect, but this title is now going to be with Oleg for the G1! Will Oleg be the one to define the NEVER fighting spirit?

 

Dog Collar Chain Deathmatch: David Finlay w/ Gedo VS EVIL w/ The House of Torture!

If tonight has shown us anything, it’s that the Dog Pound Cage Match barely settled anything! The War Dogs may be THE Bullet Club now, but the House of Torture has been making moves in the shadows. But can The Rebel still put the King of Darkness down? Or will we have to admit that Everything is Evil?

Well, given this is a No Disqualification match, Evil is putting all the cards on the table by having all nine of his henchmen at ringside! Finlay makes his entrance, and it seems he only has Gedo with him. To be fair, his dogs got beat up in the 8 Man Tag, and Gabe Kidd has to focus on his own goal of the Global Heavyweight Championship. Wait, Finlay has Gedo go to the back? Evil chuckles, surely Finlay doesn’t think he can win 1v10. Wait, the rest of the dogs are still here! Connors, Drilla & Taiji walk with Finlay, but they’re still outnumbered 2:1. Even so, five War Dogs step up to the stacked deck of 10.

Finlay has the chain, and he has his boys throw up the Too Sweet. Osaka barks for the War Dogs as Finlay puts his collar on. Evil has his boys put one out, and he smirks as he picks up his collar. Evil puts it on, the factions stay outside, and the bell rings. The fans rally as Finlay and Evil gather up slack, and they circle as they get closer. The tug-o-war gets tenser, but Evil lets some slack go so the distance stays the same. The two feel things out using the slack as a weapon. Evil takes swipes, and then he stands on the chain! Finlay uses that trick against Evil and trips him up! Finlay rains down fists, but Evil scrambles out of the ring!

Finlay quickly reminds Evil that they’re stuck together by reeling him back in! Finlay CLUBS away on Evil, the fans and the War Dogs fire up, and then Finlay throat chops Evil in the corner! And throat chops again! Finlay climbs up to rain down fists, then he wraps the chain around the post! Finlay CHOKES Evil, then RAMS him! Finlay wraps the chain around the post again and he pulls! Payback for when Evil did this in the dog pound! Finlay stomps Evil, CHOKES him, but Evil refuses to give up. Finlay fires point-blank LARIATS again and again and again, all the way to TEN! The fans cheer while Evil sputters.

Finlay lets Evil out of the corner, gathers up some slack, and he LASHES Evil on the back! Finlay then TOSSES Evil over the top rope, and HANGS him! The warring factions keep each other at bay, and then Finlay lets Evil drop to the floor! Finlay takes his time going outside, but Evil YANKS the chain and FLINGS Finlay into railing! The Rebel crashes down and the ref checks him. Evil has the ref check him, but this is a distraction! The House swarms Finlay! The War Dogs rush in, but again, this is a 2:1 ratio, the House beats up on the War Dogs! Evil drags Finlay into the crowd! The fans fire up but they clear out of the way as Evil PUNCHES Finlay!

Evil CHOKES Finlay with the chain! The ref reprimands but there’s nothing more he can do. The factions brawl more at ringside, and oh look, the blue buckle pad is gone! The House Special is waiting while Evil BOWLS Finlay into chairs! The fans clear out a bit more as Evil looms over Finlay. Evil ROCKS Finlay, talks trash, then drags him back to ringside. Evil throws more headlock punches, then he stands on Finlay’s head! The ref reprimands, Evil steps off, and Evil drags Finlay up. Finlay is busted open, but Evil GAGS Finlay with the chain! Finlay flails, fans have to move aside, and Evil CHOKES Finlay on the railing!

The fans boo Evil and rally for Finlay, but Evil brings Finlay back to the ring. The House has thoroughly beat down the War Dogs, and Evil GAGS Finlay again! Finlay can only suffer as Evil wraps the chain around his head a bit more, then BOOTS him down! Evil drags Finlay up, then SMACKS him off bare buckles! The fans boo and the War Dogs coach Finlay on. Evil tells them to shut up, and then he puts Finlay in a Tree of Woe! The bare buckles make that hurt more. Evil’s collar comes undone, and he “complains” to the ref! That’s all a distraction so Dick and the House can CHOKE Finlay using the chain!

The fans boo, the ref does reprimand about the chain detaching from Evil’s collar, but Evil claims it was totally by accident. Finlay is freed from the Tree, the ref grabs the chain, and he reattaches it for Evil. Finlay coughs and sputters while Gedo protests, this has to be because of something Evil did to the chain. Evil whips Finlay hard into more bare buckles, because the House undid one of the neutral corners! And then the same on the other neutral corner! Evil laughs at Finlay but Gedo and the dogs coach Finlay up. Evil whips Finlay back into the House corner and Finlay falls in a heap. Evil says the ref should just call it.

Finlay refuses to let Evil win like that, so Evil whips him at the red corner! Finlay avoids hitting those bare buckles, then he dodges Evil! Evil avoids hitting the bare buckles, but Finlay YANKS the chain and LOW BLOWS Evil! Finlay storms up on Evil, and now Evil is sent into bare buckles! The King of Darkness tastes some of his own medicine! Finlay gathers up the slack and LASHES Evil again and again! Ren, Yujiro & Sanada get on the apron, but Finlay BLASTS them all down! Finlay then stands Evil up to CHAIN PUNCH! The fans fire up and Evil looms over Evil. Finlay drags Evil up, reels him in, and POWERBOMBS him out onto the House!

The fans fire up as The King of Darkness is used to wipe out about seven of his pawns! Finlay goes outside again, and he wraps up his fist again. Finlay says no more games, and he punches away on Evil’s forehead! The fans bark, Finlay shouts, “WAR DOGS~!” and the fans cheer! Finlay fetches Evil, whips him hard into railing, then laces through a corner. Finlay reels Evil in with the chain and has him against the corner! Finlay then runs around Evil to wrap him up! Evil is trapped, and Finlay fires away with HAYMAKERS! Finlay BITES Evil’s forehead, then spits out that awful taste. Finlay unwraps Evil by running around the other way, only for Evil to YANK Finlay into POST!

Finlay is in a daze, and Evil brings out chairs! Evil has Dick distract the ref. No Disqualification or not, Evil wants to escalate things! He puts the chair around Finlay’s head, and then YANKS him into the POST!! Finlay falls in a heap while the fans boo Evil! The ref checks on Finlay, and somehow Finlay is still able to continue. Evil drags Finlay up with the chain, reels him into the ring, and Evil LASHES Finlay now! Finlay writhes but Evil LASHES him again! Finlay flounders but Evil LASHES him again! The fans rally for Finlay but Evil drags him up, to LARIAT! Finlay staggers around, Evil LARIATS again! Finlay leans on Evil, then slumps down.

The fans rally for Finlay but Evil wraps his arm in chain. Evil winds up and stands Finlay for the CHAIN LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives and the fans fire up! Evil brings Finlay back up, fireman’s carries, and DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!!! Finlay is still in this and the War Dogs rally the fans! Evil is annoyed but he vows to end this now. Evil drags Finlay up, reels him in, EVERY- NO, Finlay slips free and suplexes! INTO OBLIVION!! The fans fire up as Finlay turns this around! Both men are down, but Finlay uses the chain to bring Evil over. Finlay reels Evil in, lifts, and BUCKLE BOMBS!! Evil falls in a heap from hitting off bare steel!

Finlay shows no mercy, and he POWERBOMBS again! Finlay wobbles but then leans against the ropes. Evil sputters, the House is worried, but Finlay is on Evil again! POWERBOMB!! Finlay staggers, but even the War Dogs want more! Finlay storms over to Evil, uses the chain to CHOKE him, then turns around. But Evil reels the ref in and CHOKES him! Evil and the ref fall, and Finlay realizes what happened. Finlay says that won’t spare Evil, and he KNEES Evil down! Finlay says Evil wanted this, now he’s gonna pay! Finlay stands Evil up to KNEE him down again! The fans cheer Finlay on as he drags Evil back up.

Finlay reels Evil in for another KNEE! Finlay slashes his throat and vows to end this! The fans fire up and bark with Finlay. Finlay wraps his knee with the chain, but Dick uses the SPOILER CHOKER! Gedo gets in and uses the chain to CHOKE Dick! Sanada CLUBS Gedo! Connors CLUBS Sanada! Sho hits Connors with the Torture Tool! Drilla kicks Sho low and reels him in, DRILLA- NO, Ren uses the PUSHUP BAR! Taiji fires off hands on Ren, but Yujiro uses the PIMP CANE! Finlay CLOBBERS everybody, but Chase is in! Finlay SMACKS that traitor, then goes after Ren! WHISKEY MIST! DEATH PIPE!! Chase gives Finlay a C-TRIGGER!!

The fans boo as all these traitors help Evil! They even bring in a table! They CHUCK the table right at Finlay’s head! Then they set it up near a corner, and Fale climbs up!?! Finlay is put on the table, and Fale DIVING SPLASHES through the table!! The fans boo as Finlay is completely wrecked! Evil makes sure the collar is back on as if nothing happened. Evil calls for the ref, then he wraps the chain around Finlay’s neck! Evil CHOKES Finlay, a new ref comes in as a replacement, and Evil uses the chain to help with the SCORPION DEATHLOCK!! Finlay endures as Evil bends him back and pulls on the chain!!

The fans boo but Finlay can only endure! Bloody forehead, bloody back, and he’s PASSING OUT!! EVIL WINS!!

Winner: Evil, by submission

The King of Darkness let The Rebel have the name, “Bullet Club,” because clearly he wants what matters more: POWER! The House of Torture is a force of nature at ten men strong, will no one stop them from taking over NJPW?

As for Finlay, the medical team is brought in, and they bring a backboard and stretcher. Will their boss dog ever be able to bark again?

 

IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Gabe Kidd!

When these two battled last, it went to a time limit draw, and obviously everyone was left wanting more. But will sixty minutes be enough this time around? Or will the Gene Blast and Mad Man fight forever?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and these two finally run it back!

Gabe surprisingly shows respect by offering a handshake. Yota accepts and the fans cheer. The bell rings and the two slowly circle. The fans duel, with plenty of “YOTA!” and “GABU!” Gabe then SMACKS Yota, SAIDOS, and Yota tumbles out! “I’m a Mad Man, y’know!” Gabe runs and FLIES! Down goes Yota and the fans fire up! Gabe goes back to Yota, drags him up and into the ring, and the fans cheer. But then Yota BLASTS Gabe off the apron! Yota runs to FOSBURY FLOP! Direct hit and the fans fire up again! Both men are down from bringing out the big moves early, and a ring count begins. Both men stir at 8, and Yota rises at 10 of 20.

Yota brings Gabe up at 13 but Gabe fights the scoop! Yota fights the driver, we pass 15! And then 17! Yota fights the suplex, both men hear 19 and they LEAP in! The fans cheer as these two avoid a rather quick draw. The two then tie up, Gabe headlocks, and Yota powers up and out. Gabe RUNS Yota over, then things speed up. Yota bypasses then HIP TOSSES Gabe, and adds a basement DROPKICK! The fans rally while Gabe goes to ropes. Yota storms up but Gabe CHOPS! Gabe fires forearms and UPPERCUTS! Gabe whips, Yota reverses and hit a KITCHEN SINK KNEE! Gabe sputters but Yota brings him up for a scoop and SLAM!

Yota runs, and he SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! Gabe shakes his head, he’s tougher than that, but Yota stays calm. Yota storms over to Gabe, stands him up, and CHOPS him back down! Gabe huffs ‘n’ puffs and rises up, but Yota fires a forearm. Gabe fires back, they trade shots, but then Yota BODY BLOWS! Gabe falls in a heap and sputters again. Yota brings Gabe back up, then runs to RUN Gabe over! The fans cheer and Yota pushes Gabe to a cover, TWO! Gabe shakes his head and the fans applaud but Yota grins. Yota brings Gabe up, ROCKS him, and has him in a corner. Gabe eggs Yota on so Yota CHOPS him!

Yota stands Gabe up, RAMS into him again and again, but Red Shoes reprimands. Yota snapmares Gabe, then wraps on body scissors! Gabe endures the squeeze, fights off the chinlock, and he eggs Yota on again. Yota fires a forearm, Gabe SLAPS, and repeat! Yota SLAPS Gabe now! Gabe sputters and Yota turns scissors into a top mount so he can CHOP Gabe! Gabe snarls and grabs at Yota, but Yota CHOPS him again! Yota paces, then he scuffs Gabe. Gabe sits up with a scowl, but Yota scuffs him again. Gabe gets in Yota’s face, so Yota fires forearms. Gabe tells Yota off but Yota fires a flurry! Then he DECKS Gabe!

Yota smiles and paces while Gabe slowly sits back up. Gabe shakes out the stars, but Yota fires even more forearms. Gabe powers Yota to the ropes! Yota HAMMERS Gabe, but Gabe SHOVES Yota up and out! Yota tumbles to the floor but is otherwise okay, so a ring count begins. The fans rally, Gabe sits cross-legged, but Yota is still down at 10 of 20. Yota stands at 13, rolls in at 15, and Gabe says F YOU! LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Yota survives and the fans cheer but Gabe is annoyed. Gabe barks, the fans join in, and Gabe stands Yota up. Gabe winds up to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP as he has Yota against ropes! Gabe then LARIATS and CROSSBODIES!

Yota tumbles away and Gabe snarls. Gabe runs in at the corner and LARIATS! Then he clinches to EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Gabe shakes his head and paces around Yota. Gabe runs, but Yota ducks the lariat to COMPLETE SHOT, then deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! Gabe tumbles to a corner, the fans rally up, and Yota growls. Yota runs corner to corner to V-TRIGGER! Gabe falls, Yota grins, and Yota goes up, up, and MARLOWE- NO, Gabe dodges! Gabe runs up, but into a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Gabe is still in this but Yota stays focused. The fans rally and duel as Yota brings Gabe up.

Yota reels Gabe in, suplexes, but Gabe blocks! They fight for suplex control now, and Gabe fires a body shot! Gabe then hangs Yota out to dry and BOOTS him! Gabe goes up the corner now, and he GUILLOTINE SENTONS! Not the best hit and Gabe may have taken as much damage as Yota on that. Gabe crawls over to bring Yota up, and he SAIDOS! Cover, TWO! Yota is still in this and the fans cheer. Both men are down but Gabe sits up. Gabe shakes his head, he doesn’t care about that. He eggs Yota on and dares him to bring the fight! Gabe SLAPS Yota, then eggs him on more. Yota CHOPS in return and the fans fire up!

Yota eggs Gabe on, then catches him for the BACKBREAKER, FLATLINER and STOMP! The fans fire up as the Gene Combination hits! Yota watches Gabe bails out, so Yota builds speed again! Yota DIVES and down goes Gabe! But Gabe’s right up to BOOT Yota! Gabe runs up, but Yota pops him up! Gabe mule kicks, then goes up, up, and ASAI MOONSAULT! Direct hit and then Gabe inverted suplexes into a gut wrench! TOMBSTONE on the floor!! Gabe and Yota are both down while the fans fire up! Gabe rises and the fans cheer him on! Gabe puts Yota in the ring, hauls him up, and suplexes for the BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!

The fans cheer as Yota stays in this, but Gabe frowns. Gabe grabs Yota’s legs and GIANT SWINGS him! Gabe borrows from his new friends in the Death Riders, and then he turns Yota over for a BOSTON CRAB! Gabe wants to use that Young Lion hold to humiliate Yota! The fans rally as Yota endures and powers up! Yota storms his way forward, but Gabe drags him back and sits deep! The fans rally more as Yota powers up again! Yota grits his teeth and fights forward, but Gabe sits deeper! Yota still manages the ROPEBREAK! Gabe lets go in frustration, and he stomps and kicks Yota at the ropes. Red Shoes reprimands but Gabe eggs Yota on.

Gabe tells Yota that this is NJPW, so get up! Yota rises, and he fires a forearm. Gabe shakes his head so Yota fires more shots. Gabe says they’re still not good enough, and he CHOPS in return! Yota sputters, the fans rally, and Gabe waits on Yota. Yota rises to fire a forearm, Gabe CHOPS again, and Yota staggers back. Yota storms up to fire a forearm, but Gabe gives that back. The forearms go back and forth, speed up even, and the fans rally. Yota fires a flurry, then a CHOP! Gabe felt that one! Gabe still comes back and fakes a chop to JAB! Red Shoes reprimands about closed fists but Gabe kicks and CHOPS Yota!

Yota stands to HEADBUTT! Gabe falls right over! Yota waits on Gabe, winds up, but Gabe catches him to a nelson! Yota breaks it but ends up in a COBRA TWIST! The fans fire up, Yota reaches out, but Gabe rolls Yota up! TWO, and Gabe SMACKS Yota! Gabe reels Yota in, but Yota Alabama Lifts! DEADEYE! Yota then reels Gabe in, lifts, and hits a PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives and Yota grows frustrated but the fans love it! Yota runs to CURB STOMP Gabe, then he goes up the corner! The fans fire up for the MARLOWE CRUSH!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives and the fans cheer again. Yota roars and the fans duel again!

Yota aims from a corner as Gabe rises. GENE- KNEE!!! Gabe roars, KICKS Yota in the face, then reels him in! LEG TRAP PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Yota survives and no one can believe it! The fans rally up again and Gabe roars! Gabe brings his kneepad down and takes aim at Yota! O- NO!! Yota pops Gabe up for a KNEE of his own! And then a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives and the fans rally up again. Yota goes to a corner, Gabe stands, GENE- LARIAT!! Gabe counters again, and then he hauls Yota up! Yota fights the driver, wrenches, but Gabe SMACKS him! Yota V-TRIGGERS!

Gabe rebounds, Yota dodges, but then Gabe rebounds again, COMEBACKER!! The fans are thunderous and Gabe aims from the corner! O- GENE BLASTER!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Now Gabe survives and the fans are electric! Yota roars and he reloads! Gabe stands, into the GENE- NO! Gabe facelocks, PARADIGM SHIFT?!?! And then the LEG TRAP DRIVER!!!! Cover, GABE WINS!!!

Winner: Gabe Kidd, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion)

The Mad Man used The Maniac’s move and made himself a champion! Gabe has been saying he wants to restore the feeling of Strong Style in NJPW, but did he prove he can also be elite?

After being presented the belt, Gabe grabs the mic. “Tsuji, wait, wait, wait.” Gabe hobbles over to his rival and the fans applaud. Gabe tells Yota that NJPW in the 1990s, it was Hashimota and Mutoh. In the 2000s, it was Tanahashi and Nakamura. And then the late 2010s, it was Okada and Omega. But now, with 2025, it will be them, Tsuji and Kidd!! Gabe wants Tsuji to understand, he will see him again later. Gabe then asks if anyone minds that he speaks English. No, let’s be real. It is very public what happened to him, the struggles he has been through. “Getting sectioned in a side checker hospital, not wanting to live anymore…”

But none of that matters now, because he is now the GLOBAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION! The fans cheer Gabe on as he holds up the belt. Gabe revels in that praise, and then says that he wants challengers now! Who is it gonna be? OI! HIROSHI TANAHASHI! Get out here, ya bastard! The fans cheer Tanahashi on, and Gabe says hurry up, get out here. Here comes The Ace! The fans cheer as Tanahashi makes his way back out here, and Gabe holds the ropes open for the President. The fans applaud, and now they’re face to face in the ring. Gabe says this is Tanahashi’s Final Road. Then let’s go, President! They’ll fight one last time!

The fans cheer that idea! Will Tanahashi and Gabe light it up even before entering the G1? Will the Mad Man regret gambling with The Ace?

 

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto w/ YOSHI-HASHI VS Shingo Takagi!

The dream finally came true earlier this year at the New Beginning in Osaka as the Goto Revolution dethroned Zack Sabre Jr. Goto was handed the banner of Hontai by Hiroshi Tanahashi, and then Goto overcame ZSJ again in their rematch. But now, this former ungovernable has come back to regain former glory! Will this become the Takagi Revolution? Or will the Fierce Warrior slay this Rampaging Dragon?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who makes this their Dominion!

The bell rings and the fans fire up already. The dueling is strong between “GO-TO-O!” and “TA-KA-GI!” The two feel things out, knuckle lock, then clinch, only to separate. They go again, then separate, and the fans continue to rally. The two tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, and Takagi powers Goto to the ropes. Goto turns things around on Takagi, lets off slowly, and pats Takagi on the shoulders. Takagi rushes Goto and kicks low! Takagi CLUBS Goto, clamps on a headlock, but Goto poewrs up and out. GOto headlocks inr eturn, but now Takagi powers up and out. They RAM shoulders and Takagi just brushes it off.

Takagi runs to RAM Goto, but Goto grits his teeth. Goto and Takagi egg each other on, then Goto runs. Goto RAMS Takagi, Takagi rebounds and RAMS Goto! Goto rebounds and RAMS Takagi again, and both men stand their ground. The fans rally as Goto fires a forearm and Takagi fires a CHOP, then repeat! They both throw forearms now, but then Goto knees low, snapmares, and KICKS Takagi in the back! Takagi stands to CHOP! The fans fire up and Takagi whips. Goto reverses, Takagi blocks the hip toss, and Takagi THROWS Goto down. Goto avoids the senton and he hits a takeover. Takagi headscissors, Goto kips free, and the fans cheer the standoff.

Goto and Takagi reset while the fans rally. They approach, and Takagi offers a handshake? Goto is wary, but Takagi promises a clean fight. Goto accepts the handshake, but then Takagi KNEES low! Goto fights the pump handle, dragon sleepers, but Takagi arm-drags free. Takagi bypasses Goto, but Goto counters a hip toss with a hip toss! Goto then RUNS Takagi over! Takagi bails out and goes to the crowd. Takagi dares Goto to come get him, but Goto tells Takagi to get in the ring. Takagi stretches out his arms and legs, then steps back to the apron. Red Shoes has Goto stay back, but then Takagi steps in and Goto attacks!

Goto CLUBS away on Takagi in the corner, then he whips Takagi to ropes. Goto ELBOWS Takagi down, then ELBOW DROPS! Takagi sputters, Goto drops an ELBOWS on the back! Cover, ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud and Goto brings Takagi up. Goto digs his knee into Takagi’s back as part of the chinlock. Takagi endures, but Goto ELBOWS him in the head! Red Shoes reprimands but Goto stomps Takagi around. Goto and Takagi trade forearms but Goto stomps Takagi in the corner. Goto whips corner to corner, runs in and LARIATS! The fans fire up with Goto and he headlocks, but Takagi fights off the bulldog!

Goto fires knees, but Takagi shoves Goto away! Goto comes back, but into the ELBOW! Takagi goes up and reels Goto in, TORNADO DDT! Takagi then runs up and LARIATS Goto up and out of the ring! The fans cheer, then they duel while Goto is down on the outside. Takagi goes out to fetch Goto, and he brings Goto around the way to whip hard into railing! Yoshi-Hashi has to stay back as Takagi storms over that way. Takagi brings Goto around to SMACK him off the apron! Takagi then fireman’s carries for a SNAKE EYES off the apron! Takagi doesn’t stop, he brings Goto to the ramp! Snap suplex onto the ramp! Right on the N and I!

Goto writhes, clutching his leg, and Red Shoes has Takagi stay back. Takagi waits, and Goto is okay to continue. Takagi stomps Goto, drags him up, and Takagi brings Goto to the ring. Takagi then drops an ELBOW of his own! And a SENTON! The fans applaud and rally up again. Takagi brings Goto up, puts him on the ropes, and KNEES him low! And KNEES him again! Takagi backs off as Red Shoes reprimands, and then Takagi whips to KNEE Goto again! Takagi runs to RUN Goto over! The fans fire up and Takagi flexes. Takagi drags Goto back up, reels him in, and suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO!

Takagi looks to the camera, but then says not yet. Takagi wraps on the body scissors! Goto fights around as he endures the squeeze. Takagi clamps on a chinlock, Goto still fights, so Takagi shifts to make it part COBRA TWIST! The fans rally as Goto still endures and still fights around! Goto kicks his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, but Takagi holds on! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, so Goto lets go at 3. Takagi stands while the fans rally. Takagi kicks Goto around, then stands him up. Goto fires CHOP after CHOP, but Takagi RIDGE HAND CHOPS, and RIDGE HAND CHOPS, then DOUBLE CHOPS!

Takagi has Goto in the corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs in, but blocks a boot! Takagi LARIATS through and the fans fire up! Takagi stands Goto up to JAB, CHOP, and repeat! The fans rally with every JAB, then Takagi CHOPS! Takagi then whips Goto back the other way, but Goto reverses. Goto runs up but into BOOTS! Takagi runs, Goto follows and LARIATS! The fans cheer while both men are down. Goto rises as the fans rally and duel again. Goto storms over to Takagi in the corner, fires forearms, then whips corner to corner. Goto runs in and MURAMASA to the SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Takagi stays in this and the fans cheer.

The dueling continues as “GO-TO-O!” rises and storms over to “TA-KA-GI!” Goto scoops, Takagi slips free to the apron, but Goto ELBOWS Takagi. Goto runs up but Takagi RAMS him! Takagi looks to the floor and nods. Takagi brings Goto up but Goto DECKS him! Takagi goes to the floor and leans on the railing. Goto rolls out to go after him, but Takagi RAMS Goto into the apron! Takagi has media clear out, and he whips Goto. Goto stops from hitting railing, then he picks Takagi up! Goto has Takagi on the railing, for a DRAPING SHOTO to the floor! The fans fire up and Red Shoes checks both men. They’re both able to continue, and Goto rolls into the ring first.

The ring count is climbing, Takagi is still down at 7 of 20. Takagi stirs, rises up, and he uses the railing to stand at 11. But then he falls back! Takagi rises again at 15, and he slides in at 17! The fans applaud, and Goto storms his way over. Goto stomps Takagi, brings him up, but Takagi fires a forearm! Goto fires back, but then Takagi CHOPS! Goto ROCKS Takagi, Takagi HEADBUTTS Goto, repeat! Takagi then runs, but Goto catches him to URA GTR! Goto runs and LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Takagi stays in this and Goto snarls. The fans rally and Goto brings Takagi up. Takagi fights the fireman’s carry and CLUBS away on him!

Takagi ELBOWS, JABS, and YUKON LARIATS! The fans fire up while Goto is down! Takagi drags Goto back up while the fans rally, but Goto takes a swing! Takagi catches him, spins him, and hits a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Takagi then runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Goto stays in this and the fans applaud. Takagi shouts to Osaka and says, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up as Takagi stands Goto up and pump handles. Goto fires elbows and gets free, to then fire forearms! Goto runs, but Takagi follows to LARIAT at the ropes! And SAIDO! Goto stands?! But Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON- NO, Goto fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI!

The fans fire up again while both men are down! The dueling begins again and is strong as ever. Goto stands first, he runs, but DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Takagi drops to his knees while Goto staggers back, and the fans rally up again. Takagi and Goto DOUBLE LARIAT again! Goto roars, runs, but Takagi swats a lariat to BLINDSIDE LARIAT, then PUMPING BOMBER! Takagi hauls Goto up to POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO! Goto stays in this and the fans fire up. Both men slowly rise up, and Takagi fires up with “OI! OI! OI!” The fans join in, Takagi runs corner to corner and LARIATS! The fans fire up while Goto sputters.

Takagi roars, the fans fire up more, and Takagi puts Goto up top. Takagi climbs up but Goto fires body shots! Goto shoves Takagi down but Takagi fires ridge hands! Takagi climbs up again, but Goto fires forearms! Takagi HEADBUTTS, Goto HEADBUTTS, and they keep going back and forth! Goto then pushes Takagi down so he can climb up, SUPER KAI TEN!! High stack cover, TWO!! Takagi survives that super sunset bomb and the fans are thunderously dueling! Goto fireman’s carries, G T W!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives again and the fans rally up more. Goto roars and drags Takagi into a dragon sleeper!

But Takagi spins it around! Takagi squeezes tight, but Goto drops down! Takagi holds on, but Goto fires hands from below! Goto is free, runs up, but Takagi puts him in the ropes! Takagi hits the DRAPING GTR! And then he pump handles to hit MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!?! Goto survives and the fans are thunderous again! Takagi drags Goto up, runs, and PUMPING BOMBER! The fans are thunderous as Takagi stands Goto up, pump handles and torture racks, BURNING DRAGON!! Cover, TWO!??! Goto survives and the fans are electric! Takagi is beside himself but the fans continue to duel between them!

Takagi rises and he goes over to Goto. Takagi pump handles again but Goto fires elbow after elbow! Takagi POINT-BLANK LARIATS! The fans fire up while both men stay up, and Takagi LARIATS again! Goto drops to a knee, but Takagi brings him back up. Goto fires forearms! Takagi fires boxing elbows! Goto HEADBUTTS into a FOREARM! But then Goto and Takagi DOUBLE HEADBUTT! Goto fires up, but Takagi JABS! And HEADBUTTS! And POINT-BLANK- NO, Goto catches Takagi to facelock! Takagi fights the suplex, and then he suplexes! But Goto fights that and suplexes, SHOTEN KAI!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous!

Goto and Takagi stir, the fans rally as hard as they possibly can, and Goto rises first. Goto goes to a corner, roars, and he powers up! Takagi sits up, into the BUZZSAW! But then he springs up!? But Goto LARIATS Takagi back down!! Osaka is erupting as Goto dragon sleepers! But Takagi fires hands! So Goto grabs the arm, only for Takagi to somersault clutch! TWO, and SLIDING D!! Both men are down again, and the fans duel as hard as they can! Takagi roars, and then he drags Goto back up! Takagi pump handles, torture racks, but Goto slips down! G T R!!! Goto has to crawl to the cover! TWO?!?!?

The fans are electric as Takagi survives! Goto is almost foaming at the mouth, but he brings Takagi up for HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! And yet Takagi rises!? Takagi says he’s not done yet, but Goto HEADBUTTS him! And then URA SWING into G T R!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!!

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

The Fierce Warrior reveals he is still growing and evolving as he busts out a brand new take on his classic finisher! The Rampaging Dragon has been slain, but can he rise back up in the heat of the G1?

As for Goto, Hashi helps put the belt back around his waist, and Goto shows Takagi respect by holding out his hand. Takagi stands up, applauds Goto, and then shakes his hand. The fans applaud, will these two run it back soon enough? As Takagi makes his leave, Goto grabs the mic. The fans cheer Goto on, and he says, “The Goto Revolution is all about the will of a veteran.” The fans cheer, and Goto says that in a sense, Takagi is part of that revolution. Goto tells Takagi not to give up. “You’ll find yourself a nice wife. You have to create your own future.” The fans chuckle but they do applaud Goto supporting Takagi both professionally and personally.

Goto says, “As for me, it is my mission to create the future for NJPW!” The fans applaud, and Goto adds, “The Goto Revolution is far from over.  Please keep following me until the very end!” The fans applaud again and Goto says they will close with Goto’s G’s. “Let’s go, Osaka-Jo!” The fans cheer, and Goto says, “The G in IWGP stands for Goto!” With that, Goto puts down the mic and the streamers fly! If the Goto Revolution is keeping the G in IWGP, will the Fierce Warrior also make the G1 into the Goto 1?


My Thoughts:

A great night for NJPW, a very packed show, even though I skipped ELP & Shota VS ZSJ & Oiwa. Bullet Club and House of Torture sure had a big night tonight, with “Don Fale” defecting from Bullet Club and apparently bringing Chase Owens with him, and Douki replacing Kanemaru to not only have a shocking return but to take those titles off Yoh & Wato. And then all of this factors into that dog collar match to help Evil win, showing the House of Torture is the new big bad faction everyone has to worry about.

Tanahashi VS Uemura was very good, and a part of me figured Tanahashi would win to stay strong as he goes into the second half of his final year. Oleg VS Konosuke was great stuff, especially for Oleg to win the NEVER Openweight title. Konosuke is still going to be in the G1 but I wonder if after that, Konosuke focuses more on AEW related story, especially since things will sort out between the Continental & International Championships. Yota VS Gabe was great, but that flying senton was perhaps a spot Gabe hadn’t practiced, he really overshot it. Gabe winning was still the right move after how strong he’s been going and is becoming NJPW’s favorite anti-hero. Gabe VS Tanahashi will be great stuff, but I would think Gabe retains the title.

And the main event was awesome, both guys still very popular and still going strong. Goto retaining made sense, there’s still a lot he can do as champion. He will definitely be tested in the G1, with every match being the other guy giving their best against him. But I don’t expect Goto to win the whole thing, or maybe even A Block, with quite a few top names in there. Tanahashi might make a good push, it could be between him and Goto since this is Tanahashi’s last G1.

My Score: 9/10

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