NJPW is on the road to the Forbidden Door!

With NJPW joining AEW in The Forbidden Door, and the All-Atlantic Championship waiting, who steps closer in this mini tournament?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Aaron Henare VS Kosei Fujita; Henare wins.
• 8 Man Tag: Chaos VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
• Six Man Tag: Kazuchika Okada, Ryohei Oiwa & Yuto Nakashima VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; LIJ wins.
• Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI VS Taiji Ishimori & Gedo; Hiromu & Bushi win.
• AEW All-Atlantic Championship Qualifier Tournament: Tomoaki Honma VS Clark Connors; Connors wins and advances to the next round.
• AEW All-Atlantic Championship Qualifier Tournament: Tomohiro Ishii VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Ishii wins and advances to the next round.
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato VS Francesco Akira & TJP; Akira & TJP win and become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.

PLAY BY PLAY

The G1 Climax 32 blocks have been set!

The MASSIVE field of TWENTY-EIGHT entries has been divided into the historic four blocks!

In A Block: Lance Archer; Bad Luck Fale; Toru Yano; Jeff Cobb; Jonah Rock; Tom Lawlor; and Kazuchika Okada!

In B Block: Jay White; Tama Tonga; Tomohiro Ishii; Taichi; Great-O-Khan; Chase Owens; and Sanada!

In C Block: Tetsuya Naito; Zack Sabre Jr; Kenta; Evil; Hirooki Goto; Aaron Henare; and Hiroshi Tanahashi!

In D Block: Will Ospreay; El Phantasmo; Juice Robinson; David Finlay; Yujiro Takahashi; Yoshi-Hashi; and Shingo Takagi!

Who will rise above to become the four pillars of this year’s G1? And who will be the greatest of them all for this historic Climax? Get ready for a blazing hot summer!

AEW All-Atlantic Championship Qualifier Tournament: Tomoaki Honma VS Clark Connors!

The Forbidden Door is open, and on the other side awaits AEW’s newest championship title! But the representative for NJPW has yet to be determined! Will Everyone’s Kokeshi or the Wild Rhino make their way to the next round?

The bell rings and fans rally with clapping already, “KO-KE-SHI!” “CLARK CON-NORS!” Connors and Honma circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. They break, circle and fans rally up again. They tie up, are in another deadlock, but Connors finds a point of leverage. Connors puts Honma on the ropes but Honma turns it around. The ref counts the ropebreak, Honma lets off with a hard smack on the shoulder. Honma eggs Connors on and Connors rushes in, but into a kick. Honma headlocks but Connors pries it open. They struggle for control, and Connors gets the headlock onto Honma! Fans applaud the power, but Honma throws body shots.

Honma powers out, but Connors RAMS shoulders! Honma stays up and growls while he flexes! Fans fire up but Connors dares Honma to try. Honma runs, they RAM shoulders, but neither budges! Connors knees low, runs, but then fakes Honma out and comes in from the other way, and he runs Honma over! Fans applaud the agility and strength and rally up. Connors stalks Honma to a corner and climbs up to rain down fists! Fans clap along as Connors counts and hits from all sides! Connors gets all 10, then lets Honma stagger out, for the AX HANDLES! Cover, ONE!! Fans rally up but Connors stays on Honma.

Connors uppercuts Honma to a corner and Honma kicks back. Connors CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS, then whips corner to corner. Honma BOOTS Connors back, but runs into a knee. Connors runs, Honma dodges, and Honma runs Connors over! Fans fire up with Honma and he runs, KOKESHI FLOPS as Connors moves! Fans rally again, “KO-KE-SHI!” “CLARK CON-NORS!” Connors stomps Honma, CLUBS him down, then brings him up to bump off buckles. Connors CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS, then ROCKS Honma with a forearm! Connors whips corner to corner, runs in and RAMS into Honma!

Connors RAMS his shoulder in again and again, then snapmares Honma for an ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Fans rally again as Connors drags Honma up. Connors CHOPS Honma, CHOPS again, but Honma powers up to CHOP and CHOP and CHOP in return! Connors DECKS Honma with a forearm! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! A deep cover, TWO!! Honma survives and fans fire up again. Connors sits Honma up into a chinlock and he bends Honma back. Honma endures and fans rally behind him. Honma fights up, throws body shots, then ROCKS Connors with a forearm. Honma runs, Connors dodges, and Connors POUNCES Honma!

Fans fire up while Honma is down! Connors aims from the corner and revs up, to run in and- NO! Honma blocks the Spear! Fans fire up, Honma suplexes, but Connors fights free! POINT-BLANK KOKESHI! Honma and Connors are down and the fans fire up again! Connors and Honma slowly sit up, and Honma brings Connors around to bump him off buckles. Honma stomps away on Connors, then fires the fans up. Honma gives Connors face washes with his boot, then runs side to side to BOOT WASH! Fans fire up more and Honma drags Connors up. Honma brings Connors around, scoops and SLAMS him!

Honma runs, fans fire up, but Kokeshi FLOPS again! Connors knows Honma too well for that to land! Fans fire up as Connors drags Honma up. Honma ROCKS Connors with a forearm! Connors keeps wrist control, and he ROCKS Honma back! Honma ROCKS Connors again, but Connors ROCKS Honma again! Honma throws a forearm, Connors throws a forearm, repeat! Fans fire up as they go back and forth, faster and faster! Connors gets the edge but Honma ROCKS him back as he returns it all! Honma keeps throwing heavy shots and Connors staggers! Honma runs, LARIAT! Connors stays up!?

Fans fire up and Honma eggs Connors on. Connors runs to LARIAT! Honma stays up, and both men roar! They both run, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Honma drops and Connors stays on his feet! Fans fire up even more as Connors powers up and runs, but Honma dodges to LARIAT! And then KOKESHI!! Direct hit! Cover, TWO! Connors survives and fans rally even harder. Honma drags Connors up, brings him around and scoop SLAMS him! Honma climbs and fans fire up more! But Connors is up and he SLAPS Honma! Connors climbs up after Honma, brings him up, but Honma fights the superplex!

Fans rally as Honma throws shots and bumps Connors off the buckle. Honma sunset flips, but Connors resists the powerbomb! Honma powers up more, and he pries Connors from the corner! Connors fights free, then ROCKS Honma with a forearm! Honma stays up so Connors ROCKS him again! Honma grits his teeth as he stays on his feet, and he HEADBUTTS then LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Connors is still in this but the fans are fired up for Honma. Honma goes to suplex but Connors blocks. Honma HEADBUTTS again, then shoves Connors to BLINDSIDE KOKESHI! Honma runs, but Connors dodges! SPEAR!!

Fans fire up with Connors and he hauls Honma back up. Connors whips, scoops, POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Honma is still in this but Connors vows to finish this. Connors hauls Honma up, lift, and TROPHY KILLER!! Cover, Connors wins!

Winner: Clark Connors, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

The Wild Rhino stampedes through the living legend and is one step closer to that golden opportunity! Will Connors be able to do the same to whoever meets him in the next round?

AEW All-Atlantic Championship Qualifier Tournament: Tomohiro Ishii VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!

The Stone Pitbull and the Heel Master face off as the other half of this two round tournament! Who wins tonight to come back tomorrow for the finals here in Korakuen Hall?

As soon as Ishii’s intro is over, Kanemaru BOOTS him! Ishii stays up so Kanemaru BOOTS him again. Ishii CHOPS back, the ref rings the bell, and Ishii whips. Kanemaru reverses and breaks grip to trip Ishii for a jackknife bridge! TWO! Ishii gets up, Kanemaru dodges the chop to kick a leg out and jackknife again! TWO, but Kanemaru is right after the leg again. Ishii blocks the takedown, CLUBS Kanemaru and gets him up! Kanemaru slips out of the bomb, and pokes Ishii in the eye! Another trip and another jackknife, TWO!! Ishii narrowly escapes and fans are fired up! Kanemaru hurries to bring Ishii up and throw him out.

Kanemaru goes out after Ishii, brings him up again, and throws him into the metal barrier at the bleachers! Kanemaru stomps Ishii, drags him back up, and then POSTS him! Ishii falls over and the ref reprimands but Kanemaru SMASHES the knee on the floor! Fans rally up while the ring count starts. Ishii clutches his knee while Kanemaru leaves him behind. But then Kanemaru slips out of the ring to go back for Ishii at 15 of 20, and shove a Young Lion into him! Kanemaru is back in at 17, but Ishii hurries to his feet! Ishii slides in at 19, but Kanemaru BOOTS him! Ishii staggers, Kanemaru rolls him up, TWO!!

Kanemaru hurries again, scoop and BRITISH FALL! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up and Kanemaru hurries up top. Ishii stands, Kanemaru leaps, but into Ishii’s NORTHERN LIGHTS! Both men are down and fans fire up again! They rally, “I-SHI-I!” “HEEL MAS-TER!” Ishii sits up first and finally takes off his shirt. Ishii looms over Kanemaru, who suddenly wants mercy. Kanemaru goes to ropes but Ishii brings him up by his hair! Ishii CHOPS Kanemaru in the corner, then CHOPS him again! And CHOPS again! And again! Kanemaru snarls, elbows Ishii, but Ishii CHOPS Kanemaru down! Fans fire up but Kanemaru’s back to asking for mercy.

Ishii drags Kanemaru up by his ears, and he whips Kanemaru corner to corner. Kanemaru reverses, runs in and BOOTS, but Ishii just gets in Kanemaru’s face. Kanemaru throws another elbow but Ishii just stares him down. Ishii blocks the fingers to the eyes and gets around for a waistlock, but Kanemaru blocks the lift and throws back elbows. Kanemaru whips but Ishii reverses to SAIDO! Fans fire up while Kanemaru writhes! Ishii mockingly asks what’s wrong, and he stands on Kanemaru’s face! The ref reprimands, Ishii lets off, but he does giving toying kicks. Fans rally up as Kanemaru stands.

Ishii reels Kanemaru in but Kanemaru blocks the suplex! Ishii keeps trying, but Kanemaru stomps his toes! Kanemaru then spins things around and suplexes Ishii! But Ishii’s right back up! And he runs Kanemaru over! Kanemaru flops all the way out of the ring but Ishii pursues. Ishii RAMS Kanemaru into the apron, then shoves him into the ring. Ishii gets back in and he looms over Kanemaru while taunting him. Fans rally, Ishii gives more toying kicks and Kanemaru gets back up. Kanemaru throws shots at Ishii’s leg, but Ishii just stands over him. Kanemaru EuroUppers, but Ishii doesn’t even flinch!

Kanemaru EuroUppers again, but still nothing. Kanemaru kicks the leg, but again Ishii doesn’t flinch! Ishii CLUBS Kanemaru down, and then leans against the ropes, now feeling some of that damage. Fans rally up again and Ishii looms over Kanemaru in the corner. Ishii dares Kanemaru to get up and bring the fight, so Kanemaru drags himself up. Kanemaru EuroUppers, but Ishii CHOPS! Ishii CHOPS again, and again, and then whips corner to corner. Ishii runs in but Kanemaru dropkicks the legs out! Fans fire up while both men are down! Kanemaru gets to ropes while Ishii slowly rises. Kanemaru runs in to dropkick the leg out again!

Fans fire up as Ishii drops, and Kanemaru hurries to get the legs! Kanemaru steps through but Ishii kicks him away! Ishii waistlocks but Kanemaru mule kicks the bad leg! Kanemaru waistlocks, but he avoids Ishii’s back elbow. Kanemaru kicks the leg again, then reels Ishii in. Ishii switches, Kanemaru switches and shoves, and he dropkicks the leg out again! Fans fire up while both men are down and Ishii is writhing! Kanemaru gets back up, he gets after the legs, and steps through for a FIGURE FOUR! Ishii turns it right over!? Kanemaru turns it right back, but Ishii gets the ROPEBREAK! Fans fire up while the ref undoes the leglock.

The ref checks on Ishii but he’s okay to continue somehow. Kanemaru hobbles over, brings Ishii up, and has the leg for a SHIN BREAKER! But Ishii just gets mad! Kanemaru kicks the leg and again but Ishii eggs him on! Kanemaru runs but Ishii blocks the boot! KNEE JAMMER! Kanemaru hobbles and Ishii Alabama Lifts, for the FIGURE FOUR KNEE CRUSHER! But that’s double-edged because it was on Ishii’s own bad leg! Both men writhe and fans fire up! Fans rally, Ishii gets himself to a corner and he waits on Kanemaru. Kanemaru rises, Ishii runs, but Kanemaru boots the lariat! And the other arm, to LARIAT!

Ishii stays up so Kanemaru runs to LARIAT again! Ishii is still up, so Kanemaru runs again. Kanemaru dodges Ishii’s lariat to LARIAT Ishii down!! Fans are thunderous as both men are down again! Kanemaru gets Ishii up to scoop and SLAM, then he goes to a corner! MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Ishii is still in this but Kanemaru gets the legs! FIGURE FOUR!! Ishii endures again, pries at the hold, and fans are thunderous! Kanemaru thrashes to put on the pressure, and now Ishii is caught! Ishii drags himself and Kanemaru, but Kanemaru drags Ishii back! Fans are thunderous as Ishii thrashes and reaches out!

Kanemaru puts on more pressure but Ishii still endures! Ishii gets the ROPEBREAK! Fans applaud as the ref again undoes the hold. The fans rally, “I-SHI-I!” “HEEL MAS-TER!” Kanemaru drags Ishii up, kicks the bad leg, and reels him in, SHIN BREAKER! Kanemaru kicks the bad leg, kicks Ishii in the head, then runs, but into a forearm! Kanemaru BOOTS back, but Ishii rebounds and runs Kanemaru over! Fans are still fired up while both men are down. Ishii sits up and gets the bad leg moving while Kanemaru gets to a corner. Ishii runs in, and corner clotheslines! Ishii roars and fans rally more.

Ishii hoists Kanemaru up top, climbs up after him, and STALLING SUPERPLEXES!! Kanemaru writhes and Ishii has to crawl to the cover, TWO!! Kanemaru is still in this and fans fire up again! Ishii growls and brings Kanemaru back up. Ishii reels Kanemaru in, but Kanemaru fights free! Kanemaru kicks the bad leg but Ishii ROCKS him! Ishii runs, but Kanemaru sends the ref into Ishii! The ref gets run over, and then Kanemaru dropkicks the bad leg! Kanemaru hits a SPIKE DDT!! Fans rally up and Kanemaru slowly makes his way to his corner. Kanemaru gets his whiskey! Kanemaru takes a big swig, then brings Ishii up, but Ishii headbutts low!

The whiskey mist sprays overhead, and fans fire up as Ishii ENZIGURIS Kanemaru back down! Ishii roars, the fans rally up and the ref is back up. Ishii runs but Kanemaru dodges the lariat! Ishii dodges the dropkick to the leg but Kanemaru dodges the sliding forearm! Kanemaru ENZIGURIS Ishii, but Ishii rebounds to LARIAT! Kanemaru flounders around, Ishii covers, TWO!! Fans fire up again and Ishii roars! Ishii brings Kanemaru back up, reels him in, suplex, but Kanemaru fights free and wrenches, to shove Ishii at the ref! Ishii stops himself, but then turns things around by using the ref as a shield!

Ishii shoves the ref at Kanemaru, but Kanemaru shoves him back! Ishii pushes the ref aside but swings into arm hooks. Ishii blocks the backslide but Kanemaru mule kick LOW BLOWS Ishii! Kanemaru then shoves Ishii and victory rolls! TWO!?! Ishii survives and fans are thunderous again! Kanemaru gets to a corner, he aims at Ishii as he climbs, DEEP IMPACT!!! Cover, TWO?!?! HOW!?! Fans are thunderous as Kanemaru drags Ishii back up! Kanemaru suplexes, but Ishii knees free! Kanemaru kicks, BOOTS, but Ishii HEADBUTTS! Both men are down again! Fans are electric as Ishii slowly rises and watches Kanemaru.

Ishii runs, SLIDING LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Ishii roars, drags Kanemaru back up, and suplexes! Kanemaru slips out, and dropkicks the bad leg! Ishii manages to stay up, and he spins Kanemaru around, but Kanemaru kicks the leg again! Kanemaru suplexes, but Ishii fights it off! Ishii suplexes, to the BRAINBUSTER!!! Cover, Ishii wins!!

Winner: Tomohiro Ishii, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

The Heel Master tried so hard to break the Stone Pitbull but he just couldn’t do it! Ishii stays strong, but will the damage done by Kanemaru make it hard from him in the next round? Or will Ishii be able to survive even the Wild Rhino?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato VS Francesco Akira & TJP!

Six or Nine may have lost to the United Empire in Six Man Tag action, but these titles are all about 2v2 matches! Will the Funky Weapon & The Way of the Grandmaster continue down this New Japan Road with the gold? Or will the Nova Fireball & Public Enemy take these prizes for the glory of the Empire?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if a rebellion can survive on this New Japan Road!

Fans notice Taguchi giving a sneak preview of the red undies that are underneath his green tights. He even offers Red Shoes a chance to check but Red Shoes trusts those are safe, just as long as Taguchi keeps them covered. The teams sort out, TJP steps up against Taguchi and fans rally up already. “T J P!” “TA-GU-CHI!” They circle, tie up, and TJP waistlocks. Taguchi pries free to wrench and wristlock, but TJP rolls and wrenches and cartwheels to slip through and wristlock back. Taguchi wrenches back, but gets tangled up and goes the other way around. TJP keeps Taguchi in the wristlock, even as he goes the other way.

Taguchi rolls, kips up but messes up. Taguchi keeps trying but keeps failing and falling down. So Taguchi spins around, makes TJP spread his legs, and that opens his vertical base so Taguchi can wrangle him with a wristlock! Fans applaud the technical creativity as Taguchi grinds the hold. TJP spins, reels Taguchi in, SIDEWINDER HEADSCISSOR! But Taguchi reaches to headscissor back! Taguchi holds tight but TJP moves around. TJP headstands, but Taguchi spikes him! Fans applaud but TJP tries again. Taguchi spikes him again! TJP still tries while fans rally up. TJP hops and hops and handsprings free!

Taguchi avoids the Penalty Kick but TJP avoids the hip attack! Taguchi stares TJP down and fans applaud the exchange. TJP handsprings up and Taguchi somersaults. They tag out to Akira and Wato and fans fire up. Akira gets the fans on the “A! KI-RA!” rhythm as he circles with Wato. Wato and Akira tie up, are in a deadlock, but Wato uses leverage to put Akira on ropes. Red Shoes counts the break, Wato lets off, but tries to take a shot! Akira dodges, gets around, puts Wato on the ropes now, but again Red Shoes counts the break. Akira lets off with a sharp shove! Fans fire up and Akira eggs Wato on, “Are we fighting or what?”

Wato ROCKS Akira, so Akira ROCKS Wato back. Akira talks trash but Wato ROCKS him again! Akira ROCKS Wato, Wato ROCKS Akira. The forearm go faster and faster back and forth and the fans rally up. Akira gets the edge, then CHOPS Wato! Akira headlocks, Wato powers out then hurdles. Wato back elbows, uppercuts, but Akira ducks the sobat! Akira knees low, whips Wato to ropes, but Wato reverses to SOBAT after all! Fans fire up, Wato brings Akira up and around to scoop and SLAM! Elbow drop and cover, TWO! Fans rally and Wato keeps cool as he brings Akira up. Wato KICKS him in the back, and KICKS him again!

Wato KICKS Akira a third time, then runs. Akira follows, TJP tags in, and Akira gets around. Wato standing switches, shoves Akira at TJP, but TJP whips Akira back at Wato for a tilt-o-whirl headscissor! Wato bails out but Taguchi rushes in, TJP is the step for Akira to go up and SHOTGUN Taguchi down! Six or Nine regroup outside, fans fire up and the Empire builds speed. Taguchi and Wato avoid the baseball slide dropkicks and get back in the ring, to DOUBLE PLANCHA! Direct hit on both Akira and TJP! Fans fire up and Wato fist bumps Taguchi. Wato puts Akira in, tags Taguchi, and they double whip Akira.

They double drop toehold Akira for the double dropkicks! Red Shoes reminds them TJP is legal just as TJP slides in. Taguchi and Wato get TJP for a double hip toss! And double dropkicks again! Fans fire up and Taguchi sits Akira and TJP together against the ropes. Taguchi gives them a DOUBLE STINK FACE! Wato shimmies his hips and Taguchi does the same to grind in those cheeks. Fans rally, Wato whips Taguchi in, DOUBLE HIP ATTACK! Taguchi keeps going, DOUBLE HIP ATTACK! Then again, but the Empire holds the ropes open! Taguchi takes a tumble, Akira drop toeholds Wato onto ropes!

Akira runs, TJP triangle jumps out to the apron, DROPKICK SANDWICH! Fans fire up while Wato flops out of the ring! The claps are back, “A! KI-RA!” “T! J P!” “EM! PI-RE!” as Akira builds speed. TJP holds the ropes down and Akira FLIES to take out Six AND Nine! Fans fire up and Akira puts Taguchi in for TJP. TJP scrapes his sole on Taguchi’s face then covers, TWO! TJP hurries to drag Taguchi to center and tie up the legs, INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Fans rally, TJP SNAP LOCK ELBOW DROP! And then again! And then the MUTA LOCK! Taguchi endures, crawls, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts and TJP lets off at 4.

TJP tags Akira, then he drags Taguchi up to snapmare him down. Akira runs and TJP gives him the Electric Chair Lift, for the ASSISTED SENTON! Cover, TWO! Fans rally but Akira rains down fists on Taguchi. Red Shoes warns about closed fists but Akira brings Taguchi up. Fans rally more as Akira hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, Wato breaks it! Akira knees Wato low and throws him out. Akira then complains to Red Shoes to do his job. Akira bumps Taguchi off buckles, tags TJP, and the Empire double whip to sobat, KICK, KICK and LEG LARIAT! Cover, TWO! TJP keeps on Taguchi with a chinlock but fans rally up again.

Taguchi endures, fights up, throws body shots, and is free! But TJP keeps him from Wato by grabbing tights! Akira gets in and distracts Red Shoes, so that he doesn’t see the hot tag to Wato! Wato goes after TJP but Red Shoes stops him! TJP drags Taguchi away, stomps him down, and tags in Akira. The Empire stomps Taguchi, then Akira DECKS Wato! Akira brings Taguchi up, bumps him off buckles, and digs his knee into Taguchi’s head! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, Akira lets off to tag TJP. Fans rally more, “TA-GU-CHI!” “A-KI-RA!” “T J P!” as Akira snapmares Taguchi down. TJP slingshot sentons but Taguchi moves!

Taguchi BOOTS TJP, dodges Akira to triangle jump and dropkick Akira down! Fans fire up again as Taguchi crawls, but TJP gets a leg! Taguchi kicks TJP away, crawls again, but Akira yanks Wato down! Taguchi is stranded as TJP drags him away and rains down fists! TJP drags Taguchi up, puts him in a corner and stomps. TJP gives Taguchi face washes over and over, and fans fire up as he goes side to side. But into a HIP- ATOMIC DROP! TJP saw the hip attack coming and he tags in Akira. The Empire double whip Taguchi, but Taguchi hip attacks through the double clothesline! Taguchi kicks TJP and reels him in, then does the same to Akira, DOUBLE DDTS!

Fans fire up while all three are down, and Wato is back! Hot tag to Wato, and he rallies on TJP! Then he whips TJP to ropes and dropkicks him out of the ring! Fans fire up, Akira gets in and kicks Wato. Akira whips but Wato RANAS Akira out! The Empire regroups and Wato builds speed to FLY! Direct hit and fans fire up with Wato! Wato hurries to get Akira up and into the ring, then aims from the apron. Wato springboards, FLYING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally again and Wato fires up! Wato brings Akira up, waistlocks, but Akira throws elbows! Wato still lifts, but Akira throws more elbows!

Akira victory rolls, but Wato blocks to deadlift HIGH ANGLE GERMAN! Bridging cover, TWO! Fans fire up while both men are down. Wato gets up again, he brings Akira up and around to reel him in. Wato scoops but Akira slips out! Akira reels Wato in but Wato slips out of Speedfire to waistlock! Akira resists the lift, Taguchi runs in, and Akira slips away! HIP ATTACK hits Wato! TJP gets back in, he gives Akira a boost, DOUBLE SHOTGUN! TJP pushes Taguchi out of the ring then whips Wato at Akira. Akira chicken wings Wato, TJP mule kicks! GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Wato survives and Akira can’t believe it!

Fans are thunderous while Akira is furious! Akira drags Wato by his hair to the Empire’s corner and tags TJP in. TJP fireman’s carries Wato to ROLLING SENTON! Akira runs but Taguchi HIP ATTACKS him down! Wato SHORYUKENS TJP on the top rope! Wato climbs up after TJP and fans fire up again. Wato stands TJP up and reels him in, but TJP resists! TJP throws elbows and then hops down, Akira goes up! SUPER SPANISH FLY! Or maybe Italian Fly? TJP is back up top again, MAMBA SPLASH! Cover, Taguchi breaks it!! Fans are thunderous as all four men are down!

TJP pushes Wato out of the way to get Taguchi up. Taguchi throws forearms on TJP then on Akira, repeat! Taguchi runs, into double mule kicks! Akira runs, gets a wheelbarrow boost for a CODE BREAKER! TJP springboards to FLYING FOREARM! Fans are thunderous as TJP brings Wato up. TJP reels Wato in, fireman’s carries, but Wato blocks the Detonation Kick to wrench, reel and MOUSE TRAP DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! TJP survives but Wato is too tired to be shocked. Wato crawls his way to his corner as Taguchi calls out to him! Hot tag to Taguchi! MISSILE HIP! Taguchi DECKS Akira for good measure, then calls upon the powers of Strong Style!

Fans fire up as Taguchi aims. “ORYA~!” Taguchi runs in, BUM-A-YE!! Cover, TWO!! TJP survives and fans fire up again! Taguchi looms over TJP as fans rally as hard as they can. Taguchi chicken wings TJP, but TJP blocks the lift! TJP switches, shoves Taguchi at a corner, but Taguchi goes up! Taguchi RAMS TJP into his ass again and again! Taguchi fires up, goes up, but Akira tucks him in! CHEEKY NANDOS! TJP Electric Chair Lifts Taguchi and Akira climbs! But Taguchi slips off to shove TJP into Akira! Chicken wings, DODON BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! TJP survives, but OH MY GARFUNKLE!!

Taguchi has the ankle lock and fans rally as TJP endures! TJP reaches, Akira gets in, but Wato intercepts! RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP, into a BUTTERFLY STRETCH! The Empire endures double submissions but TJP fights up! TJP rolls, trips Taguchi, and has the leg! Wato hurries but Akira keeps him away with a GUILLOTINE! PINOY STRETCH for Taguchi!! Now Six or Nine endures double submissions and fans are thunderous! Wato powers up and SPINEBUSTERS Akira onto the Pinoy Stretch! Fans are thunderous as all four men are down again! Akira and Wato get out while Taguchi and TJP stir.

TJP tags Akira then gets Taguchi back up. The Empire double whip corner to corner, then TJP feeds Akira in. Taguchi dodges Akira to DYNAMIC DROPKICK TJP! Taguchi stands, into a ROUNDHOUSE from Akira! Akira runs, into an ENZIGURI! Fans are thunderous again while both men are down! Taguchi crawls, reaches out, hot tag to Wato! Wato climbs up a corner, leaps, BIG missile dropkick! Fans fire up and Wato aims, SCREW HIGH KICK! Cover, TWO!! Akira survives and fans fire up again! Wato shakes his head, he goes back to the apron. Wato climbs up again, R P- NO, Akira moves!

Akira runs in, wheelbarrows, victory roll, STOMP 182! Fans fire up again and Akira gets to a corner. Wato sits up in a daze and Akira runs in, FIRE- NO, Wato ducks! Sunset flip, ONE, BUTTERFLY STRETCH!! Akira is caught but TJP MAMBA SPLASHES the hold apart!! Akira flops onto a cover, TWO?!!? Wato survives and no one can believe it! Fans are thunderous as TJP brings Wato up and Akira gets to a corner. TJP Electric Chair Lifts, but Taguchi anchors Akira! Wato fights off TJP’s shoulders while Akira kicks Taguchi away. Wato rushes at Akira but Akira ARIHARA MOONSAULTS Taguchi down!! Fans are shocked, and TJP DETONATION KICKS Wato!

TJP hauls Wato back to the Electric Chair! Akira is back up top, LEANING TOWER CUTTER!! Cover, THE EMPIRE WINS!!

Winners: The United Empire, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

No more 69, no more Six or Nine! The Nova Fireball and Public Enemy become the SEVENTIETH IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions! Will the Funky Weapon and Way of the Grandmaster ever be back to try again?

Aaron Henare joins Akira & TJP to celebrate this victory for the Empire, and Akira is fired up to say the least. Fans clap and TJP has the mic to chant along, “A! KI-RA! A! KI-RA!” TJP says, “Hajimemashite. TJ-desu. <Nice to meet you. This is TJ.>” Fans applaud him using Japanese, and he continues to say, “Nice to meet you, this is the United Empire! We are the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions!” TJP admits, he’s tired. It’s hot under these lights, he’d like some water please. And he admits he’s in a bit of pain. But that is why he is a CHAMPION! TJP then hands the mic to Akira and Akira says, “Korakuen Hall! A! KI-RA! A! KI-RA!”

Fans clap along and Akira says he wants more. He is finally champion in NJPW, alongside TJP, and does apologize for his limited Japanese. But Akira says, in Italian, it has been fun representing his country in NJPW, and to demonstrate his ability to the world. For that he thanks NJPW, the United Empire, and his teammate, TJP. Akira then shifts to English to say this IS the United Empire, TJP and Akira, thank you all very much, “Arrivederci! <Until we meet again.>” The Empire continues the celebration, will they soon be toasting total domination?

My Thoughts:

Another very good event for NJPW and again I did skip those non-crucial tune-ups. Okada had two Young Lions, his team wasn’t winning. But I almost missed the G1 Climax announcement, I had to back up a bit. And I only just realized that if they’re having 28 people in four blocks, that means each block has someone on a bye every round. I kinda hope those four guys who aren’t doing anything have tag matches or something to keep them tuned up, and I might consider covering those as well, given just how star-studded they’ve made this tournament.

The AEW All-Atlantic Championship related matches were great stuff, especially Ishii VS Kanemaru. But in the end, I figured it was going to be Ishii winning against Kanemaru, but Kanemaru looked so close to winning this one. But Ishii VS Connors is a great match, I totally expect Ishii to win again, and then he’s a great addition to the Fatal 4 Way, but I still see Miro winning to keep this belt in AEW. The Junior Heavyweight Tag title match was awesome stuff, and as fun and as great as Taguchi & Wato have been, this title change makes all the sense. The Empire is rising up so they should definitely have more belts. Their battles with Bullet Club across these different divisions will be legendary, I’m really looking forward to it.

My Score: 8.8/10