Hiroshi Tanahashi defends the stars ‘n’ stripes!

NJPW visits our nationals capital for a major clash over the IWGP United States Championship! Will the Ace trump THREE challengers at once?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Dark Match: Kevin Knight VS Nick Comoroto; Comoroto wins.
• Ren Narita VS Karl Fredericks; Fredericks wins.
• 10 Man Tag: Tanga Loa, David Finlay, Fred Rosser, Yuya Uemura & The DKC VS Tom Lawlor, Royce Isaacs, Jorel Nelson, JR Kratos & Danny Limelight; Lawlor, Isaacs, Nelson, Kratos & Limelight win.
• Great-O-Khan VS Chase Owens; Chase wins.
• 8 Man Tag: The United Empire VS The Mighty Don’t Kneel & Bad Dude Tito; TMDK & Tito win.
• Brody King VS Minoru Suzuki; Brody wins.
• Eddie Kingston VS Tomohiro Ishii; Ishii wins.
• Jay White & Hikuleo VS Kazuchika Okada & Rocky Romero; White & Hikuleo win.
• IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship Fatal 4 Way: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Will Ospreay VS Jon Moxley VS Juice Robinson; Robinson wins and becomes the new IWGP US Heavyweight Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

Brody King VS Minoru Suzuki!

The House of Black sends their behemoth to represent them and AEW, and to “welcome” the leader of Suzuki-Gun to DC! But can Brody King trump the King of Pancrase? Or will the House of Black learn just how ruthless the Meanest Man in the World can be?

The bell rings and the fans are fired up for Suzuki as he stares down Brody. Brody pushes Suzuki, so Suzuki CHOPS! Brody CHOPS, but Suzuki just shrugs it off. Suzuki CHOPS, Brody CHOPS, and we have a CHOP fight! Suzuki seems to love these. He eggs Brody on, then BOOTS him to get the arm and YANK it! And then Suzuki brings that arm to ropes for a HOTSHOT! Fans fire up and Suzuki baits Brody into a HANGING ARMBAR- Wait, Brody keeps his arm up and he CLUBS Suzuki down! Suzuki falls to the floor but Brody goes out to ROCK him with a forearm. Brody CHOPS Suzuki, and has him against railing to CLUB him!

The ring count starts but Brody CLUBS and CHOPS Suzuki more. Brody has Suzuki against the post, but Suzuki ducks and Brody’s hand SMACKS the steel! We’re at 10 of 20 but Suzuki brings Brody’s arm to railing! Suzuki BENDS the fingers, then drags Brody into the ring at 14. Fans rally as Suzuki tortures Brody’s arm! Brody endures, but Suzuki BENDS those fingers again! They end up on ropes, Brody throws body shots but Suzuki keeps bending fingers! The ref counts, Suzuki lets off at 4 to tell him to shut up. Suzuki then BOOTS Brody, snapmares and runs, to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO!

Suzuki keeps on Brody’s arm and he bends it way back! Suzuki also bends the fingers again! Brody endures as Suzuki twists the elbow, wrist and shoulder for a double wristlock! Brody reaches out with the free arm for the ROPEBREAK! Suzuki lets off to argue with the ref, and then he goes back to Brody. Suzuki knees, Brody shoves and SPLASHES Suzuki in the corner! Brody runs corner to corner and CANNONBALLS! Brody then reels Suzuki in, but his bad hand holds back the bomb lift! Suzuki gets away and he’s grinning! Fans fire up as Suzuki eggs Brody on! Brody snarls and CHOPS, but that’s the bad hand!

Suzuki CHOPS Brody, but Brody CHOPS with the left hand. Suzuki CHOPS, Brody CHOPS but that’s the bad hand again! Suzuki CHOPS, Brody CHOPS, Suzuki laughs, and the CHOP fight continues! Suzuki eggs Brody on so Brody CHOPS with the bad hand! He still hasn’t learned! Suzuki WRENCHES the arm, fans rally up behind him, but Brody throws a forearm! That doesn’t hurt as much, and Suzuki just smiles. Suzuki brings Brody in to throw a heavy forearm. Brody forearms back! Brody eggs Suzuki on so the forearms start flying faster and faster! Brody gets the edge but Suzuki dares him to keep hitting!

Brody wants Suzuki to do something, so Suzuki ROCKS him with an elbow! And another! Brody wobbles but leans on ropes, and fans fire up! Suzuki runs, but Brody dodges the boot to GERMAN SUPLEX! Brody shakes the bad arm, gets Suzuki up and reels him in, Canadian Rack! But Suzuki slips off to a SLEEPER! Brody elbows free, runs, but Suzuki follows, gets around, and kicks out a leg for the SLEEPER! Fans rally as Brody endures and starts to turn red! Suzuki spins Brody around, reels him in, and fans fire up more as Suzuki gets the Gotch lift! But Brody is too big, he back drops free! Fans fire up and Brody shakes the bad arm.

Suzuki gets up, he clamps onto Brody, SLEEPER! Brody endures again, fights up, but Suzuki becomes a backpack. Brody THROWS Suzuki off! Brody then gets Suzuki up, reels him in, but Suzuki is after the bad hand! Suzuki laughs as he bends the fingers! Brody breaks free, Suzuki ducks one lariat but not the LEFT! Cover, TWO! Brody snarls and fans rally up as Suzuki gets back up. Brody brings Suzuki up but Suzuki throws body shots. Brody hits back, Suzuki still throws hands, but Brody CLOBBERS Suzuki! Fans rally and duel, Brody brings Suzuki up for another LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Brody drags Suzuki right back up, reels him in, and gets him up! GONZO PILEDRIVER!! Cover, BRODY WINS!!

Winner: Brody King, by pinfall

The House of Black’s heavy powered through and he vanquished Suzuki! Is Brody King the new Meanest Man in the World now?

Eddie Kingston VS Tomohiro Ishii!

The Mad King of AEW and the Stone Pitbull of NJPW meet in another appetizer for the Forbidden Door PPV in June! Will Eddie be able to chip away at the sturdy Ishii? Or will he crumble running into that wall?

The bell rings and these two RAM shoulders! And again! And again! Fans fire up, and Eddie CHOPS! Ishii CHOPS, so Eddie CHOPS again. Ishii CHOPS, Eddie CHOPS, repeat! It’s a CHOP fight! Eddie snarls, fires up and CHOPS again! Ishii CHOPS back, but Eddie CHOPS again! Ishii wobbles and fans fire up, and Eddie runs to RAM Ishii! Ishii stays up, throws a forearm and runs to RAM Eddie! Eddie stays up and he CHOPS again! Eddie runs, RAMS Ishii, but Ishii rebounds to run Eddie over! Fans fire up while Ishii finally feels that stinging in his chest. Ishii goes after Eddie, Eddie throws body shots but Ishii CLUBS him!

Ishii stands Eddie up to CHOP! Fans rally and duel, “Let’s Go, Eddie!” “I-SHI-I!” Ishii DECKS Eddie with a forearm, then looms over him. Eddie pushes Ishii away, gets up slowly, but Ishii is after him again. Ishii eggs Eddie on and fans rally as the two circle. Ishii kicks low, ROCKS Eddie, and Eddie flounders to a corner. Ishii kicks at Eddie, but Eddie gets up in a huff. Eddie throws off the bandage on his face to CHOP Ishii! And CHOP! Ishii shakes his head so Eddie puts some stank on the CHOP! Ishii ROCKS Eddie with a right, then another! Eddie wobbles, but catches Ishii for a COMPLETE SHOT!

Fans rally up as Eddie gets to his feet. Eddie steadies himself and shakes out his head. Eddie clamps onto Ishii’s arm for a shoulder lock but Ishii endures. Fans rally, Ishii fights up but Eddie keeps him down on the mat. Ishii talks trash so Eddie SLAPS him! Eddie eggs Ishii on as fans rally more. Eddie gets the arms for a motorcycle stretch but still Ishii endures. They stand, Ishii fights to turn things around, and fans fire up! Ishii has the motorcycle stretch on Eddie! Eddie endures now, fights to turn things back around, but Ishii keeps the hold on him. Eddie gets the ropebreak and the ref counts.

Ishii lets off, and ducks the chop! Eddie catches the lariat for a takedown! Eddie wants the Fujiwara Armbar but Ishii resists. Ishii rolls but Eddie shifts to get a double wristlock. Ishii clasps hands to resist, then he reaches out for the ropebreak. Eddie lets off and fans rally up. Eddie has Ishii in a corner, wraps an arm around ropes and pulls, then lets off as the ref counts. Eddie CHOPS, CHOPS and MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Ishii just scowls. Ishii puts Eddie in for CHOP after CHOP after CHOP! Eddie turns it back around for more MACHINE GUN CHOPS! And then a BACK HAND! Fans fire up while Eddie rests on ropes.

Eddie catches his breath, gets to his feet and fans rally up again. Eddie brings Ishii up to JAB, CHOP, and whip corner to corner. Ishii rebounds into a back elbow, but ducks the lariat to hit a BIG back suplex! Eddie is dazed but fans rally up again. Ishii brings Eddie up in the corner, whips him corner to corner and clotheslines! Then Ishii suplexes high and hard! Cover, ONE!! Ishii is surprised but he pushes Eddie’s hands away. Ishii kicks at Eddie then eggs him on. Eddie rises slowly, Ishii runs, but Eddie hits a RUNNING NECKBREAKER! Fans rally and duel again, “Let’s Go, Eddie!” “I-SHI-I!” as Eddie gets himself back up.

Eddie shakes out his arms, wraps Ishii up in a Misawa style chinlock, trapping one arm. Fans rally, Ishii endures and kicks forward, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Fans rally, the ref counts, but Eddie lets go at 4. Eddie shakes out his arms, CLUBS Ishii and turns him, but Ishii fights out of the neckbreaker. Eddie SLAPS him! Ishii just glares! Fans chant, “You F’d Up! You F’d Up!” Ishii SLAPS back, Eddie laughs and SLAPS again. They go SLAP for SLAP, it’s a SLAP fight! The fans fire up as the shots come in faster and faster, high, low and from all sides! They slow down, but then speed up again! They both stagger, fans are thunderous and hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!”

Ishii ducks, both men SLAP! Eddie ducks, both men SLAP! They both roar and they both SLAP! Eddie gets Ishii in the SAIDO! Ishii springs up to GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up as both men stagger about then flop over!! DC is thunderous again with both men down on the mat! “This is Awesome!” and it’s only been ten minutes?! Ishii and Eddie slowly rise, and Ishii eggs Eddie on. Eddie gets up but Ishii CHOPS him! And CHOPS! Eddie eggs Ishii on, Ishii CHOPS, but Eddie brings down the straps! Eddie CHOPS, and CHOPS, and then clinches. Ishii fights the scoop, Eddie and Ishii block shots, Eddie hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!

The dueling continues as Eddie gets back up. Eddie drags Ishii up, half nelsons, for a HALF NELSON SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives and no one can believe it! Fans rally up again, hard as ever, and Eddie rises. Eddie powers up his right hand and fans fire up again. Eddie brings Ishii up, spins, but Ishii ducks to ENZIGURI! Eddie stays up to run and LARIAT! Ishii stays up with rage alone! Eddie runs, but Ishii CLUBS the lariat, to GAMANGIRI! Eddie flops down and fans fire up again. Ishii roars as he gets up, fans duel again, and Ishii waits on Eddie. Eddie slowly rises, Ishii runs, but Eddie ducks to run, only for Ishii to LARIAT!

Ishii drags Eddie up, reels him in, but Eddie wrenches out to CHOP! Both men stagger, Eddie reels Ishii in, DDT! But Ishii’s right up!? SLIDING LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Ishii fires up and fans are thunderous again as Ishii drags Eddie by the arms. Ishii gets Eddie up, suplexes, but Eddie blocks! Ishii keeps trying, but Eddie slips out to CHOP! Ishii forearms again and again and again, but Eddie URAKENS! Ishii HEADBUTTS! URAKEN AGAIN!! Fans still hope these two “FIGHT FOREVER!” as it’s only been 15 minutes! Eddie manages to get up and he goes to Ishii. Eddie brings Ishii up, scoops, but Ishii knees free!

Ishii HEADBUTTS, Eddie ENZIGURIS! Ishii rebounds to LARIAT!! Ishii fires up, the fans are electric, and Ishii suplexes for the BRAINBUSTER!!! Cover, Ishii wins!!

Winner: Tomohiro Ishii, by pinfall

Fans give this a standing ovation, because this was a FIGHT! The Stone Pitbull stands tall, as the saying goes, but does need a minute to get to his feet. The Mad King may have lost, but it seems he did win Ishii’s respect. Will these two look to go another round with the Forbidden Door on the horizon?

Lio Rush is here!

The Man of the Hour and DC’s own heads to the ring! Fans cheer as Lio gets the mic, and he says, “Man, does it feel good to be home.” Fans cheer that! Lio says that unfortunately, he is still not cleared to compete. Yet. Lio came here tonight to Washington, D.C. for a reason! That reason is to send a message to a few people in the back, and a lot of people watching at home. That message is, “When I am cleared, the entire landscape of the Junior Heavyweight Division will drastically change at the hands of the one Lio Rush.”

And just to name a few, Lio calls out Robbie Eagles, Taiji Ishimori, Hiromu Takahashi, “You guys are all done. Because your time is dwindling. And my time is slowly approaching.” Mic drop from the Man of the Hour, when and where will we see him take on the Best of the Super Juniors?

Jay White & Hikuleo VS Kazuchika Okada & Rocky Romero!

Bullet Club has started a resurgence, and looks to take over NJPW, AEW and beyond! Will King Switch and the Young Gun shoot down the Rainmaker and Azucar? Or will THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion and Mr. Forever prove this is NOT Jay White’s era?

Fans are already losing their minds just getting to see the Rainmaker, and the teams sort out. White says HE built all this and fans boo, but the Bullet Club section chants, “Too Sweet! WOOP WOOP!” White and Okada start and fans are thunderous with the bell! White says this is because of him, but then fans chant, “O-KA-DA!” White says it doesn’t matter, this is his ring, and that world title will be his belt! But Okada starts throwing forearms! The ref counts as Okada has White in the corner, and Okada pushes the ref aside. White kicks low to bump him off buckles and stomp away! Now White argues with the ref, but Okada ROCKS White!

Okada throws more forearms, whips, and BOOTS White down! Fans fire up, Okada snapmares and runs to dropkick White down! Okada then brings White up, gut wrenches, but White scrambles to get free! Tag to Hikuleo! Okada watches as the towering Leo stares him down. Fans want to see Rocky get in, but Okada points out the height difference between him and Leo. Rocky says he doesn’t care, he wants in! Fans rally for Rocky so Okada tags him in! Rocky steps to Leo and gets face to chest! But Rocky shoves Leo, and again. Leo eggs Rocky on, Rocky keeps shoving, but Leo shoves Rocky down!

Fans chant, “F him up, Rocky, F him up!” Rocky gets up, fans rally, and Rocky throws a forearm! Leo says not good enough, so Rocky throws another. Leo smooths his hair back so Rocky can get a clean hit. Rocky winds up, to poke Leo in the eye! The ref reprimands and White is furious, but Rocky whips. Leo blocks, whips Rocky, but Rocky ducks and dodges to jump up and RANA Leo to a corner! Rocky CHOPS and Leo felt that! Rocky CHOPS, and CHOPS, but Leo eggs him on. Leo then blocks the chop to spin Rocky and CHOP him off his feet! Leo then drags Rocky up to bump off buckles and he tags in White.

White stands Rocky up and throws up the Too Sweet before the CHOP! White stands Rocky back up to Too Sweet CHOP again! Then White talks trash to Okada and distracts the ref, so that Leo can CHOKE Rocky on ropes! Leo DECKS Rocky, the ref has Okada stand down, and White waits on Rocky to get up. White Too Sweet CHOPS Rocky off his feet. Tag to Leo and Leo stomps Rocky around. Leo whips Rocky hard into the corner! Tag to White and he drags Rocky to a cover, TWO! White stays between Rocky and Okada as he clamps on a chinlock. Rocky endures, White bops him in the head with a Too Sweet.

Rocky reaches back, powers up, and he throws body shots. White CLUBS Rocky down, drags him back up, but Rocky wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! Fans fire up but White keeps Rocky from Okada. Rocky ROUNDHOUSES, but White DECKS Okada! Fans boo but White grins. Rocky kicks but White blocks to CLUB the knee and CHOP again! Tag to Leo and he stands on Rocky on the apron. The ref reprimands and counts, Leo stops at 4. White taunts Rocky, “This is your big moment!” Then White CHOKES Rocky with the camera cable! White lets go before the ref sees and Rocky flops to the floor.

White claims he got tangled up in the cord. Fans rally for Rocky as White puts him in for Leo, and Leo covers, TWO! Leo drags Rocky up, fireman’s carries, but Rocky fights free! Rocky KICKS a leg, then KICKS it again. Leo shoves, scoops Rocky and SLAMS him! Leo runs but Rocky avoids the splash! Fans fire up while both men are down, and they crawl for their corners. White just gets in to go after Okada but Okada DECKS White first! Rocky crawls, reaches out, but Leo drags Rocky away! Rocky ENZIGURIS Leo! Fans are fired up again but Leo stomps Rocky down. Leo drags Rocky up, scoops him, but Rocky spins around to DDT Leo down!

Fans fire up again and Rocky crawls for his corner! Hot tag to Okada! The Rainmaker rallies on Leo, whips, but Leo reverses. Okada CLOBBERS Leo with a back elbow! Fans fire up with Okada and he gets Leo with a scoop. Leo fights, CLUBS Okada and whips him to a corner. Leo runs in, Okada dodges the splash, then scoop SLAMS Leo down! Fans fire up again and Okada waits on Leo. Leo stands, Okada tries the Alabama lift but Leo CLUBS him down. Leo short arm but Okada ducks to uppercut! Okada ducks and dodges but Leo BOOTS him! White tags in and paces around. He soaks up cheers and jeers before the Too Sweet CHOP!

White CHOPS again, and again, and Okada drops to his knees. White brings Okada up but Okada throws forearms! Okada uppercuts, White CHOPS back! White runs in to uppercut at the corner, then BLADE BUSTER! Cover, TWO! White is furious, that was barely a kickout! The ref says it was fair, so White wraps on a sleeper! Okada fights the suplex with elbows, but White swings. Okada ducks the chop, gets the arm, MONEY CLIP! White RAM SOkada into a corner, runs back in but Okada pops him up to the Alabama! REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Rocky grabs Leo’s leg but Leo kick shim away. Leo rushes in but is sent into railing!

Okada scoop SLAMS White then goes to the corner. Fans fire up as Okada climbs, and hits the MACHO ELBOW! And of course, fans are thunderous for the Rainmaker Pose! Okada gets White up, ripcords, but White ducks to clinch! BLADE- No! Okada slips free but White CHOPS! White whips, Okada reverses and Okada DROPKICKS White down! Fans fire up with both men down! Okada clutches his ankle but he and White get up. Tag to Rocky, and Rocky ducks White to dropkick Leo down! Rocky returns to clothesline White! Then he DIVES to take out Leo! Rocky then gets back in, dodges White and clotheslines again!

Rocky keeps going, the FOREVER CLOTHESLINES start up, but are interrupted as White rushes out! Rocky dodges to go up the corner and leaps, TORNADO DDT! Fans fire up while both men are down! Rocky gets up, goes to a corner and Okada gets in. They aim at White, BOOT and SOBAT, then Okada hangs White out to dry! Rocky climbs the corner, leaps in, MISSILE DROPKICK! Okada SENTONS, Rocky PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO! Rocky gets an ARMBAR!! But Leo stomps it apart! Okada fires off on Leo but Leo choke grips! Leo choke grips Rocky, too! Okada and Rocky CLUB the arms, but only Okada gets free!

Rocky calls for Okada and Okada BOOTS Leo’s arm! Rocky SLAPS Leo, Okada clotheslines Leo out of the ring! Fans fire up as Okada gives it to Rocky to finish! But Rocky turns around into the clinch! BLADE- NO, Rocky slips out to roll White up! TWO!! White escapes, but Rocky ROCKS him with a right! Cravat, SLICED- NO! White turns that into the clinch! But Rocky turns that into a backslide, TWO!! White escapes again, swings but misses! JUMP KNEE! White wobbles but he blocks Rocky’s kick. White ducks the enziguri but not the HEEL KICK! Rocky ROCKS White again, cravats, SLICED ROCK- NO! White powers out to BLADERUNNER!! Cover, Bullet Club wins!!

Winner: Jay White & Hikuleo, by pinfall

The Switchblade cuts down Rocky, but Okada gets in his face. White says he’ll be the new champ, but Okada says no. But then Leo CLOBBERS Okada! Bullet Club stomps away on Okada and there’s no back-up for the Rainmaker! White rains down fists, and chokes Okada with his wrist tape! White throws off the tape, then throws up a Too Sweet before he gives Okada BLADERUNNER! White snatches the world title and holds it up over Okada. Will this be the future of NJPW soon enough?

White says Leo gets to add on? This is White’s gift to the Young Gun. But wait, Tanga Loa runs in! Leo’s own brother is here to tell him not to do that. Leo throws up the Too Sweet? Loa says no, not after what Bullet Club did to Guerrillas of Destiny. Blood over Bullet Club! But Leo still leaves with White. Will Leo go against the family? Or will Loa get through to his brother?

IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship Fatal 4 Way: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Will Ospreay VS Jon Moxley VS Juice Robinson!

The Cold Skull had to give up this title because of injury, and it was supposed to be The Ace VS The Commonwealth Kingpin at Wrestling Dontaku. But COVID interfered, and Tanahashi defeated Tomohiro Ishii in a brutal battle. Ospreay is back for what he feels is rightfully his, but the Maniac and the Bullet Club’s newest fixer are a bit of a wrench in those plans. Will the United Empire finally have something to celebrate tonight? Or will the Once in a Century Talent defeat three top talents all at once?

The introductions are made, and there is a special guest: Tiger Hattori! Fans cheer for the now retired but still iconic referee of NJPW as he enters the ring. Tanahashi shows off the muscles, then hands the belt to Hattori-san. Hattori presents the belt to each challenger and then raises it high. Fans are already fired up for this star-studded showdown!

Ospreay CLOBBERS Mox at the bell, they spill outside, and that leaves Tanahashi and Juice in the ring. Juice rushes in but Tanahashi dodges, dodges, and then fires back. Tanahashi whips, Juice reverses and DECKS Tanahashi! Moxley RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS Ospreay into railing! Tanahashi gets up, sends Juice out of the ring and PLANCHAS! Direct hit and down goes Juice! Moxley ROCKS Ospreay, follows him to the ramp, and fans fire up with Tanahashi. Moxley CHOPS Ospreay up to the stage! Juice whips Tanahashi into railing! Moxley CHOPS, Ospreay kicks low and reels Moxley in, only for Moxley to back drop him onto the stage!

Juice runs to CANNONBALL, into railing as Tanahashi dodges! Tanahashi hurries back into the ring and fans rally up for him and Moxley. Moxley sees Tanahashi in the ring egging him on, and fans fire up as Moxley gets back in. They go forehead to forehead then start throwing forearms! They go back and forth, fans fire up, and Tanahashi fires up! Moxley and Tanahashi keep trading shots, and Tanahashi wobbles! Moxley CLUBS Tanahashi, brings him up, but Tanahashi JAWBREAKERS! Tanahashi fires off fast hands and fans fire up again. Tanahashi scoops to SLAM Moxley, then he goes to the corner! But Juice pulls hair to drag Tanahashi down!

Fans boo but Tanahashi DECKS Juice! And then Ospreay FLIES in to wipe Juice out! Fans fire up but then Moxley clotheslines Tanahashi in the corner. Moxley rains down fists, stopping at 9 to BITE Tanahashi! Moxley runs but Ospreay springboards, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Then Ospreay gets Tanahashi up to throw him out, he covers Moxley, TWO! Ospreay keeps on Mox with a CHOP! And another CHOP! Ospreay whips, scoops, and SPINS for the BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Moxley gets up but Ospreay throws forearms. Moxley shoots in to HALF NELSON SUPLEX! Fans fire up as Moxley hits another HALF NELSON SUPLEX!

Moxley gets Ospreay up again, GERMAN- Ospreay lands on his feet! Ospreay CHOPS but Moxley reels him in for an X-PLEX! Fans fire up again as Moxley covers, TWO! Moxley sits Ospreay up but Ospreay claws eyes! The ref reprimands but can’t do much more. Ospreay whips, Moxley reverses, but Ospreay handsprings into a chair shot from Juice! Juice then brings that chair into the ring to JAM Tanahashi! Moxley clotheslines Juice out of the ring, then runs to DIVE! Direct hit and Juice hits railing! Fans fire up as Moxley drags Juice up and into the ring. Moxley gets the chair and sits it up.

Moxley brings Juice up, brings him in, but Juice blocks the suplex! Moxley throws body shots but Juice still blocks. Juice throws body shots, turns things around, and snap suplexes Moxley onto the chair! Juice gets the chair, staggers to a corner, and he undoes a buckle pad so he can wedge the chair in. Juice goes back for Mox but Moxley CHOPS him! And CHOPS, and ROCKS and CHOPS again! Moxley goes on repeat, but Juice whips him into the chair! Moxley flounders but Juice BITES Moxley! The ref can only reprimand but Juice wants blood! Juice lets off and insults fans, to then run and CANNONBALL Moxley!

Juice doesn’t cover, he gets his chair back. Moxley is bleeding, just like Juice wanted. But Tanahashi gets in to kick Juice! Tanahashi fires off forearms then whips corner to corner. Juice reverses, runs in but into an elbow! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! Fans fire up as the Ace air guitars, but Ospreay pulls hair! Tanahashi blocks the kick and sends it into Juice! Tanahashi DRAGON SCREW CHAINS them both! Fans fire up, but then Moxley CUTTERS Tanahashi outta nowhere! But Ospreay ROUNDHOUSES Mox! Springboard, OS- NO! No cutter! Moxley kicks low, underhooks, but Juice runs in! Moxley kicks Juice first, DOUBLE DDT!

Moxley builds speed but Tanahashi gets in to SLINGBLADE! All four men are down and fans fire up again! Ospreay bails out and gets help from the United Empire. Fans declare, “This is Awesome!” as Ospreay starts looking under the ring. He brings out a TABLE! Fans love that, but Juice POUNCES Ospreay into railing! Juice gets Ospreay up and whips, but Ospreay reverses and Juice hits railing hard! Tanahashi blocks Moxley’s kick to DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi gets Moxley’s leg for a GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Moxley writhes but Tanahashi gets both legs tied up! TEXAS CLOVERLEAF here in DC!

Fans rally as Moxley endures! Tanahashi sits deep on the hold, but Ospreay sets up in a corner! Off comes the armband, but Juice trips Ospreay and throws him out over railing! Ospreay falls onto the timekeeper’s table, and Juice gets the title belt! BELT SHOT to Tanahashi!! Fans boo but Juice soaks it all in. Juice has the belt again, another BELT SHOT to Tanahashi! Cover, Moxley breaks it and throws Juice out! Ospreay 450 SPLASHES onto Tanahashi! But Moxley throws him out! Moxley covers, Juice throws him out! Cover on Tanahashi, TWO!! Fans are loving this but Juice is shocked!

Juice pounds the mat but fans rally for Tanahashi. Juice wags his finger and says it’s done. He’s gonna break Tanahashi! Juice drags Tanahashi up, reels him into a torture rack, but Ospreay SUPERKICKS! And HOOK KICKS! Moxley run sin, Ospreay slips around hi,, but Moxley slips out of the lift to PILEDRIVER!! Then he gets Tanahashi, PARA_ NO! Tanahsahi slips out to SLINGBLADE Moxley down! Tanahsahi roars, fans are thunderous, and Tanahashi goes up top! HIGH FLY ATTACK! But Juice gets the arms! PULP FRICTION!! But Ospreay springboards, OSCUTTER for Juice! PARADIGM SHIFT for Ospreay!

But Ospreay stays up!?! But Moxley ducks Hidden Blade to KING KONG LARIAT!! And then DEATH RIDER!!! Cover, TWO!?!? But into the BULLY CHOKE!!! Ospreay is caught, he’s turning purple, Moxley squeezes as tight as he can! Ospreay fights up, but he fades! The ref checks, Tanahashi hurries up top! Ospreay gets a second wind, but Tanahashi hits HIGH FLY FLOW on them both!! Tanahashi hurries right back up, but Juice anchors a foot! Juice grabs at Tanahashi’s head, rakes the eyes, then LEFT HAND OF GOD!! Juice then fireman’s carries, but Tanahashi fights free! SHOTEI! SHOTEI! LEFT HAND OF GOD!

Moxley runs to SHOTGUN Juice off the apron! Missed the table but that’s okay, Moxley is going after Tanahashi now! Fans are thunderous again, but Tanahashi fights the underhooks! Tanahashi throws body shots, then APRON SLINGBLADES!! Tanahashi gets the table in position, he throws forearms to put Moxley on it, then he hurries back to the corner! Fans are already going nuts as Tanahashi climbs! HIGH FLY FLOW through the table!!! Fans lose their minds, but Juice rolls Ospreay up! TWO!! Juice is pissed, but he runs into a SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay powers up his arm as he aims from the corner!

Juice gets up, HIDDEN- NO! Juice uses the ref as a shield! Then he LOW BLOWS Ospreay! Torture rack, SPINNING BURNING HAMMER! Cover, Juice wins!!

Winner: Juice Robinson, by pinfall (NEW IWGP US Heavyweight Champion)

The United Empire tries to point out Ospreay had a ropebreak but the ref missed it. But either way, Bullet Club adds more gold to their collection! And speaking of, Jay White, Hikuleo & Chase Owens come out to celebrate with him. And per NJPW tradition, the winner gets the mic to talk! “You guys love Jon Moxley. PBBBBT! The Ace of the Universe, my ass! All you piss ant marks act like the whole world shines outta Will Ospreay’s ass! You say he’s the best in the world? Well he can’t beat me! Not only did I beat Moxley, not only did I beat Tanahashi, not only did I beat Ospreay, I beat them all at the same time!”

Juice says no more “flamboyant bullsh*t,” he’s ROCK HARD! Call him the Booster, because he’s the boost that Bullet Club needed. You thought it was call in 2013, 2014, 2017, 2019, 2020? Well, you idiots haven’t seen anything yet! Because Juice is a THREE-TIME IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion! He’s Juice Robinson, dammit! And he’s Bullet Club. It had to change, and it won’t ever, because Bullet Club is oh so so so TOO SWEET~! Will Bullet Club make sure all of pro-wrestling enters their era?

My Thoughts:

This was a great event for NJPW, especially given it was a major return to the States for the “main roster,” if you will. I did skip the first half in terms of coverage, it was mostly stuff based on NJPW Strong, which I haven’t had the time to keep up with. But I did like that we saw a bit of the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team story going, where Chase took on Khan 1v1. Seems it is finally Chase’s time to be a big shot, much like how Yoshi-Hashi finally got his dues last year. I also like that we got to see the United Empire have its NJPW Strong members join Cobb & Henare against the reunited TMDK (Shane Haste, Mikey Nicholls & Johan Rock) and now honorary member, Bad Dude Tito. I really hope we get Cobb VS Jonah 1v1, that would be awesome to see.

I’m glad I kept the other matches in the second half, because Brody VS Suzuki was great stuff, and Eddie VS Ishii was probably match of the night given the fans’ energy. Brody winning was a surprise, but I suppose it was evened out by Ishii beating Eddie so that NJPW and AEW are even in these showdowns (not including the dark match with Comoroto). These could feed into the Forbidden Door in a really fun way. I would love if the House of Black took on Suzuki-Gun or LIJ in a Six Man Tag. We also got great stuff out of the tag match, but I figured Rocky would take that loss as White is going to have momentum going into the world title match with Okada. Loa coming out to confront Leo is a great follow-up on the GoD VS Bullet Club story, I would love if Leo turns to join his brothers.

That Fatal 4 Way was pretty wild stuff, to where there just weren’t enough cameras to catch it all. But I had a feeling the Fatal 4 Way aspect was so Tanahashi could lose without taking the pin. I did like that Ospreay has another complaint against NJPW officiating with the apparent ropebreak not being seen. There may be no disqualifications from violating ropebreaks, but ropebreaks are still to negate pinfalls and tapouts from counting, so it’s fair. And Juice getting the win here, we’ll certainly see a rematch of some sort for Dominion.

My Score: 9/10