Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 32 Results & Report! (8/2/22)

Rebel VS Kingpin!

Published

4 years ago

August 2, 2022

Steven Mitchell

Will Will Ospreay finally get the US Championship belt back?

Will Ospreay has been IWGP US Champion this entire G1 Climax, but he finally gets a chance to get the literal belt itself! Will he finally be the Two Belts Kingpin? Or will David Finlay deny him the gold that’s rightfully his?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Bad Dude Tito & JONAH VS Aaron Henare & Jeff Cobb; Henare & Cobb win.
8 Man Tag: Suzuki-Gun VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
Six Man Tag: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & YOSHI-HASHI VS Bullet Club; Okada, Tanahashi & Hashi win.
G1 Climax, B Block: Tomohiro Ishii VS Great-O-Khan; Khan wins.
G1 Climax, A Block: Toru Yano VS Tom Lawlor; Lawlor wins.
G1 Climax, B Block: Tama Tonga VS SANADA; Tama wins.
G1 Climax, C Block: Hirooki Goto VS KENTA; Kenta wins.
G1 Climax, D Block: David Finlay VS Will Ospreay; Finlay wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current standings!

A Block

Kazuchika Okada: 3-0, 6 points
Jeff Cobb: 2-1, 4 points
Bad Luck Fale: 2-2, 4 points
Toru Yano: 1-2, 2 points
JONAH: 1-1, 2 points
Lance Archer: 1-2, 2 points
Tom Lawlor: 0-2, 0 points

B Block

Jay White: 3-0, 6 points
SANADA: 2-1, 4 points
Taichi: 1-1, 2 points
Tama Tonga: 1-1, 2 points
Tomohiro Ishii: 1-2, 2 points
Chase Owens: 1-2, 2 points
Great-O-Khan: 0-2, 0 points

C Block

Hirooki Goto: 2-0, 4 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 2-1, 4 points
Zack Sabre Jr: 2-1, 4 points
Aaron Henare: 1-2, 2 points
Tetsuya Naito: 1-2, 2 points
EVIL: 1-1, 2 points
KENTA: 0-2, 0 points

D Block

Will Ospreay: 2-0, 4 points
David Finlay: 2-1, 4 points
Shingo Takagi: 1-2, 2 points
YOSHI-HASHI: 1-1, 2 points
Juice Robinson: 1-2, 2 points
El Phantasmo: 1-1, 2 points
Yujiro Takahashi: 1-2, 2 points

G1 Climax, B Block: Tomohiro Ishii VS Great-O-Khan!

The Stone Pitbull is 1-2, which is better than the Dominator’s 0-2, but both men are on the bubble! Will Ishii end Khan’s chances of taking the block? Or will it be the other way around as Khan eliminates Ishii?

The bell rings and fans rally up as the two feel out the grapple. Khan reels Ishii into a monkey flip, and he gets the ARMBAR! Ishii fights and gets the ROPEBREAK! Khan lets go quickly and fans applaud that opening exchange. Ishii shakes out the arm while fans rally again. Ishii and Khan circle, feel out another grapple, and Khan cording holds to then go for a leg. Khan forces Ishii down, pushes for a cover but Ishii keeps moving around. Khan floats for a headlock but Ishii slips out. Fans applaud again as the two reset. They tie up, Ishii shoots in for a leg but Khan holds him back. Khan gets around to a waistlock but Ishii switches.

Khan switches back, pushes to a cover, TWO! Khan stays on Ishii and floats around to get Ishii’s arm for a top wristlock. Ishii fights up and rolls around, Khan gets a cover but Ishii slips out to a facelock. Ishii then floats to a waistlock but Khan wrenches free. Khan drags Ishii down for a FUJIWARA ARMBAR, but Ishii reaches out to the ROPEBREAK! Fans applaud and Khan lets off quickly again. Khan waits on Ishii and Ishii gets back up. They go again, Khan shoots in and puts Ishii on the ropes. They end up in a corner, the ref counts, Khan lets off slowly. Ishii SLAPS Khan! Fans fire up as Khan fires forearms!

Khan whips corner to corner, but Ishii comes back to RAM Khan! Khan stays up, he runs, but Ishii ROCKS him! Ishii runs to run Khan over! Fans applaud as Ishii stands tall. Ishii slaps Khan around, then CHOPS him. Khan shakes his head so Ishii CHOPS again. And again! Khan falls against ropes as Ishii mockingly asks what’s wrong. Ishii whips, Khan reverses but Ishii holds ropes to stop himself. Khan runs in but Ishii boots him! Ishii runs in, gets around to a waistlock, but Khan switches. Ishii rolls to drag Khan down to a KNEEBAR! The Pitbull shows he can be technical as Khan endures and fans fire up!

Khan pushes back, stands up, and he gets Ishii for a KNEEBAR! Ishii fights to get around, and he gets a HEEL HOOK on Khan! Khan endures again and he fights up for a STANDING HEEL HOOK! Ishii rolls but Khan waistlocks and deadlifts! Ishii elbows free but Khan runs him over! Fans fire up as both men are down! Fans rally while Khan shakes out his leg and Ishii shakes out his arm. Khan stands first, hobbles his way over and Mongolian Chops Ishii! And again! And then again, but Ishii blocks! Ishii ROCKS Khan but Khan scowls. Khan throws a forearm, Ishii gives it back, and fans rally as they go back and forth, faster and faster!

The forearms keep going and going, but Khan ROCKS Ishii! And then fires off a flurry! Ishii roars to ROCK Khan! Khan roars to ROCK Ishii! Ishii and Khan both roar, but Khan DECKS Ishii! The fans fire up and Khan fires up, too. Khan drags Ishii up, and Mongolian- NO, Ishii dodges! Ishii reels Khan in, but Khan snap suplexes first! Ishii roars and gets up to get around, but Khan slips out of the waistlock! Only for Ishii to snap suplex in return! Fans fire up as Khan rises, but Ishii SWATS the lariat! Khan SWATS Ishii’s lariat, but Ishii ROCKS Khan! Ishii runs in but into an arm-drag! But he’s right back with a FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE!

Khan SHOTGUNS Ishii! Ishii roars and rises, but Khan LARIATS him back down! Fans fire up as both men are down again! Khan gets to a corner while Ishii crawls to the adjacent. Fans rally up as Khan gets up and to the middle of the ring. Khan runs in to clothesline Ishii, then he SLAM DUNKS Ishii on the buckle! Then HITSUJIGOROSHI! Ishii endures the Sheep Killer clutch, and Khan scoops him! Ishii slips off, blocks the boot, and spins Khan around for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Khan sits up in a daze and gets to his feet, only for Ishii to LARIAT him back down! Fans fire up again as both men are on the mat!

Ishii crawls over to Khan and drags him around. Ishii sits Khan up and runs, but Khan BOOTS him down! Khan drags Ishii up to scoop, but Ishii slips off! Ishii dragon sleepers, Khan spins around but Ishii gest around for a DRAGON SUPLEX! Fans fire up again and Ishii roars! Ishii runs, to LARIAT Khan back down! Cover, TWO!! Khan is still in this and fans fire up again! Ishii keeps focus and brings Khan back up. Fans rally as Ishii reels Khan in. But Khan suplexes! Ishii fights that off, but Khan shoots around. Ishii elbows and PELES Khan down! Ishii sits Khan up, runs and SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, TWO!!

Fans are thunderous and Ishii vows to end this! Ishii drags Khan up, suplexes, but Khan fights it again! Khan wrenches to ROCK Ishii but Ishii HEADBUTTS! Khan HEADBUTTS, and Ishii drops to his knees! Khan roars, whips, and reels Ishii in to a BACKBREAKER! HITSUJIGOROSHI LUNA!! Ishii endures the backbreaker rack, and then Khan clamps on the IRON CLAW! ELIMIN- NO, Ishii slips out, spins Khan around, but Khan clamps on the CLAW! Ishii breaks free of that, but the HELL STAB hits! And then IRON- NO, Ishii dodges the fist to HEADBUTT! Ishii runs, but Khan swats the lariat! To scoop and TTD!!

But that’s not enough! IRON CLAW! And then ELIMINATOR!! Cover, Khan wins!!

Winner: Great-O-Khan, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Ishii earns 0)

Khan is finally on the board, and in the biggest way possible! His Eliminator eliminates Ishii from the running! Will Khan make a comeback in the homestretch of the G1?

G1 Climax, A Block: Toru Yano VS Tom Lawlor w/ Royce Isaacs!

The Clown Prince of Chaos got crushed by Bad Luck Fale while The Filthy One has been crushed back-to-back! Neither man is a monster, so there won’t be crushing, but who will still crush it in the second half of the G1?

Yano gets impatient with the check, but the bell rings and fans rally for “TOM! LAWLOR!” He spins and spins and off come the denim shorts! Yano covers his eyes, but it’s okay, Lawlor still has his pseudo-denim tights. Yano asks if it’s okay to look, the Young Lions say yes, and Yano opens his eyes. Yano and Lawlor circle, fans rally up, but Lawlor has Yano wait. Isaacs produces a copy of Whoopie Goldberg’s Sister Act on DVD! #1 three weeks in a row back in 1993! Is Lawlor offering a trade? Yano says no! What? Okay, hold on, Isaacs also has the sequel, Sister Act 2! Two for one is fair, right? Yano says okay!

Fans cheer the DVD trade, but wait! Lawlor opens the case and there’s NO DVD inside! Yano says sorry, that was his display copy. But thanks for the Sister Act 1 & 2! Fans rally up for “Y T R!” “SIS-TER ACT!” But Lawlor changes it back to “TOM! LAWLOR!” So Yano gets fans to clap again, “Y T R!” But then we’re back to “TOM! LAW-LOR!” Yano grabs Lawlor by the hair, but it’s a WIG! Lawlor was looking a bit shaggier than before… And now Lawlor rolls Yano up! TWO!! Yano gets up, dodges Lawlor and rolls him up, TWO! Yano throws down the wig, Lawlor trips Yano! Yano uses amateur wrestling background to avoid the cover and get around Lawlor for a waistlock.

Lawlor rolls but Yano rolls with him to headscissor. Lawlor fights free, they scramble on the mat, high stack but Yano moves around. Lawlor gut wrenches then gets a leg! Yano gets the ROPEBREAK! Fans applaud the technical exchange and Lawlor lets Yano go. Lawlor runs in, Yano dodges and SLAPS him on the head! Lawlor snarls, Yano apologizes but kicks and TOSSES Lawlor out! Fans fire up as Yano spins around, to lower his tights! But he has a second pair of the exact same tights underneath. But Lawlor CLOBBERS Yano from behind! Lawlor stands on Yano’s neck while fans rally up.

Lawlor drags Yano up to cravat and KNEE! KNEE! KNEE! Lawlor fires off more knees, then snapmares Yano into a SHORT ARM SCISSOR! Yano endures and claws at the hold but Lawlor SLAPS his hands away! ARMBAR! Yano scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts and Lawlor lets Yano go again. Yano bails out and finishes taking off his top layer of tights. Lawlor spins, Isaacs takes off his sweat suit to reveal his purple ‘n’ gold plaid, and Lawlor takes off his tights?! Oh, he has a matching pair underneath, just like Yano. Team Filthy flexes and fans fire up. Lawlor fetches Yano, kicks him and forearms him, then whips. Yano reverses and Lawlor hits railing!

Isaacs creeps up but Yano kicks him and straps him to the railing with spare wrist tape! Lawlor CLUBS Yano, but leaves Isaacs to figure out the tape. Lawlor puts Yano in the ring and then takes back his Sister Act DVDs. Lawlor stomps Yano, drags him up, but Yano pulls Lawlor’s real hair! Lawlor elbows Yano, kicks Yano and whips Yano, but Yano reverses to throw Lawlor down! Fans fire up as Yano undoes the blue corner buckle pad! Yano rushes in but he dodges Lawlor, then throws him the buckle pad! Now Lawlor’s in trouble! Isaacs is free from the railing so Lawlor throws him the pad, but Yano kicks Lawlor.

Yano whips Lawlor at the blue corner! But Isaacs puts the pad back in place just in time! Lawlor is safe but Yano runs in, so the pad is taken away! Yano hits bare buckles! Lawlor covers, TWO!! Yano survives his own trap, but Lawlor drags him back up. Lawlor fires forearms, whips Yano to ropes, but Yano holds ropes to taunt Lawlor. Lawlor runs in but Yano dodges to clinch, BELLY2BELLY! Fans fire up as both men are down! Yano goes to his corner and undoes the red buckle pad! He throws that away to then whip Lawlor towards the blue corner. But that’s to fake Isaacs out, and he whips Lawlor into the red corner! Lawlor hits bare buckles!

Fans fire up while Lawlor hobbles. Yano shoves Lawlor into Isaacs, then rolls Lawlor up! TWO!! Fans fire up as Yano hurries to bring Lawlor up. But Lawlor JABS, JABS, JABS, then flips, flops and flies, to JAB again! Lawlor runs but Yano hits an atomic drop and a trip! To CATAPULT Lawlor into bare buckles!! Roll up, TWO!!! Lawlor survives but Yano gets him up again, ONI- NO, Lawlor fights the bomb off, then fires off KICKS! Yano falls but Lawlor whips him at the corner. Yano reverses and Lawlor hits bare buckles again! Fireman’s carry takeover, cover, TWO!! Lawlor swings but into arm hooks. Yano grabs the ref to distract from the LOW BLOW! Backslide, TWO!!!

Yano is upset with the ref and shoves him down! LOW BLOW! But it doesn’t hurt this time?! Yano tries again but it still doesn’t hurt! Lawlor gets Yano’s arms for a KAMI-GOYE! Into a straitjacket! NKOTB!! The Nasty Knee On The Brain!! Cover, Lawlor wins!

Winner: Tom Lawlor, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Yano earns 0)

The Filthy One gets one, and with that, Yano’s done! Oh and by the way, Lawlor was wearing a cup! Will Lawlor make sure A Block gets filthy in the final rounds?

G1 Climax, B Block: Tama Tonga w/ Jado VS SANADA!

The Good Bad Guy has been 50-50 in the G1, so he still has half a chance! Will he be in the black as he takes down the Cold Skull? Or will he be in the red after a Skull End?

The bell rings and fans rally as the two circle. They approach, tie up, and Sanada waistlocks. Tama standing switches, but Sanada wrenches out to wristlock. Tama spins and slips through to waistlock again, but Sanada pries at the hold. Tama goes for a headlock but Sanada turns that right into a hammerlock. Tama headlocks out of that and grinds the hold. Sanada steps on Tama’s leg to bring him to a knee, and Sanada slips out to get a headlock of his own. Sanada hits the takeover, Tama headscissors, but Sanada kips free. Fans applaud the standoff, and even Jado applauds. Fans rally up, “SA-NA-DA!” “GOOD BAD GUY!” as the two reset.

Sanada offers a handshake but Tama isn’t so sure. Fans rally up more and Tama figures why not. They shake hands but then Sanada trips Tama up! Tama kicks Sanada away then avoid the basement dropkick! Tama trips Sanada up but Sanada kicks him away now! Sanada rushes in but Tama arm-drags him! Then again! And dropkicks Sanada down! Fans fire up while Sanada bails out. The ring count starts as Sanada walks around and catches his breath. Fans rally, “SA-NA-DA!” “GOOD BAD GUY!” while Tama dares Sanada to come back. Sanada stays outside so Tama rushes out! Sanada slides in but Tama hurries after him!

Sanada runs in, Tama hurdles then comes back to sunset flip! Sanada rolls through, gets the legs and ties Tama up in PARADISE! Fans fire up while Tama is in the Paradise Lock and Sanada encourages them to get louder. They reach a satisfying volume, and Sanada dropkicks Tama out of Paradise! Cover, TWO! Sanada drags Tama up to CLUB him on the neck! Tama leans against ropes but Sanada CLUBS him again. Sanada brings Tama around to cravat and Tama endures the neck wrench. Sanada KNEES Tama down, then brings him up in the corner. Sanada whips corner to corner, run sin and back elbows! Then snap suplexes! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally up, Sanada looms over Tama, and Sanada CLUBS Tama down! Tama shakes his head and eggs Sanada on. Sanada CLUBS him again but Tama gets up. Tama fires up and eggs Sanada on, and fans rally up behind Tama. Sanada fires off haymakers and a knee! Sanada whips Tama to the corner but Tama comes right back to LARIAT! Fans fire up while both men are down! Tama gets up while fans rally, and Tama waits on Sanada. Sanada stands, Tama rallies with clotheslines and elbows! Then he back suplexes, but Sanada fights it with a headlock! Sanada CLUBS away, runs, but Tama hurdles!

Sanada returns, Tama drops down then DROPKICKS! Fans fire up with Tama and he drags Sanada back up. Tama hits a BIG back suplex, then covers, TWO! Fans rally and Tama paces. Tama brings Sanada back up to CLUB him down, in return for earlier. Tama stomps Sanada, drags him up to CLUB him again, then HEADBUTTS him! Sanada wobbles, Tama HEADBUTTS again! Tama clamps on a SLEEPER, then a dragon sleeper! But Sanada fights it off to arm-drag! Tama UPPERCUTS Sanada and Sanada goes to ropes. Tama whips, Sanada reverses to hurdle, hurdle and DROPKICK in return! Fans fire up as Tama bails out, and Sanada PLANCHAS!

Fans fire up again and Sanada paces while the ring count starts. The count is 5 of 20, then 10 as Sanada returns to Tama. Fans rally as Sanada drags Tama up and puts him in at 15 of 20. Cover, TWO! Sanada keeps cool while fans rally up again. Sanada drags Tama up, fireman’s carries, but Tama fights free to waistlock. Tama shoves Sanada at a corner, runs in, but Sanada elbows him back! Sanada QUEBRADA, but Tama gets under! Tama runs in, into a fireman’s carry! But Tama slips off to TONGAN TWIST! Fans fire up again while both men are down. Tama and Sanada roll away to opposite corners and Jado coaches Tama up.

Tama runs corner to corner at Sanada but the splash hits buckles! Sanada back suplexes, Tama lands on his feet to fireman’s carry! S R C! Fans fire up and Tama goes up the corner! SUPREME FLOW! Cover, TWO!! Sanada survives but OFF COMES THE VEST! Tama watches Sanada rise and he pounds the mat. Fans clap along, Sanada stands and Tama lunges in, GUN- NO, Sanada fights that off, follows and runs, tilt-o-whirl DRAGON SLEEPER! But Tama snapmares free! Sanada ducks the lariat to go up, out and springboard missile dropkick back in! Fans fire up and Sanada brings Tama up to a fireman’s carry! T K O! Cover, TWO!!

Sanada goes up, ROUNDING BODY PRESS onto knees! Tama saves himself just in time, to GUN- SKULL END!! Sanada used a similar counter as Ishii and now has Tama caught! Fans fire up as Tama endures, but the body scissors are in! Tama reaches out, moves around, and manages the ROPEBREAK! Fans applaud as Sanada lets Tama go. Fans rally up again as Sanada and Tama stir. Sanada stands, drags Tama up, and throws a forearm. Sanada hits Tama again and Jado coaches Tama up. Sanada throws another forearm and eggs Tama on. Tama throws fast hands! Sanada forearms, Tama forearms, and Tama eggs Sanada on now.

Sanada throws a forearm, Tama throws a forearm, and the two pace as they grit their teeth. The forearms keep going and fans rally up as they pick up speed! Tama gets the edge then UPPERCUTS Sanada! Sanada staggers, Tama reels him in but Sanada forearms and ROLLING- SUPER FOREARM from Tama! And VELENO! Cover, TWO!! Sanada survives and fans fire up! Tama is shocked, but he focuses as he watches Sanada rise. GUN- NO! Sanada blocks again, to the dragon sleeper! But Tama spins through! So Sanada suplexes! Tama slips out of that, TONGAN TWIST but Sanada handsprings through!

Sanada ROCKS Tama, Tama ENZIGURIS Sanada! GUN- NO, waistlock and O’Conner BRIDGE!! Cover, TWO!!! Tama escapes, to GUN STUN!! Cover, Tama wins!!

Winner: Tama Tonga, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Sanada earns 0)

Sanada couldn’t block them all, and all it takes is one! The Good Bad Guy is moving up the block, will he take over in the final rounds?

G1 Climax, C Block: Hirooki Goto VS KENTA!

The Fierce Warrior and The Worst Intruder Ever are practically opposites in this G1. Will Goto continue his undefeated streak while keeping Kenta winless? Or will Kenta turn things around as he makes Goto sleep?

The bell rings and fans rally up. The two circle, but then Kenta makes heart hands at Goto’s staff? Kenta and Goto tie up, Goto powers Kenta to ropes, and Kenta calls for the ropebreak. Goto pats Kenta’s shoulders as he lets off, but Kenta rakes the eyes! Kenta then powers Goto to a corner to bump him off buckles and fire body shots! Red Shoes counts but Kenta ROCKS Goto as he lets off. Kenta whips corner to corner but Goto comes back to run Kenta over! Fans applaud while Goto brings Kenta up for a headlock and grinds him down. Kenta endures, powers up but can’t power out as Goto holds tight.

Goto hits a takeover but Kenta keeps his shoulders up. Kenta rolls Goto to a cover, ONE! Goto holds onto the headlock but Kenta fights up. Kenta pries the hold open but Goto wraps it on tighter. Kenta pulls hair and throws body shots to get free, then he wrenches and wristlocks Goto’s arm. Goto rolls, wrenches back and has a hammerlock. Goto puts more pressure, but Kenta gets to the ROPEBREAK! Kenta calls for the break, but Goto CLUBS him down! Goto whips Kenta to ropes, Kenta reverses but Goto counters hip toss with a hip toss! Kenta bails out and Goto dares him to come back.

Kenta paces around the way, lurks near the ring but Goto is watching him. Fans rally, but Kenta eyes Goto’s staff. Goto goes out to CLUB Kenta! Goto whips Kenta into railing! Kenta drops to his knees and Goto CLUBS him down. Goto SMACKS Kenta off the timekeeper’s table. Red Shoes goes out to tell Goto to get this in the ring. Kenta CLOBBERS Goto with the bell!! Kenta hides the evidence then rains down fists! Kenta drags Goto up, reels him in, DDT to the floor! Fans fire up and the ring count starts. Kenta drags Goto up at 4 of 20, brings him around and puts him in the ring at 10. Fans applaud as Kenta wants to finish this in the ring.

Kenta makes more heart hands at the staff, then he stomps Goto down. Kenta drops knee after knee on Goto’s head, then covers. ONE, but Kenta clamps on a chinlock. Goto endures as Kenta grinds him down. Goto fights around and gets the ROPEBREAK! Kenta lets off, to KICK Goto in the arm! Kenta drags Goto up, whips him to ropes, and elbow him down! Cover, TWO! Kenta keeps on Goto with a KICK to the back! Fans rally and Kenta claps along as he steps on Goto. Kenta gets the pace to speed up, and then tells them to stop. Kenta stomps Goto, slaps him around, and taunts Goto. Goto throws a palm strike but Kenta drop toeholds!

Kenta rains down fists on Goto’s head! Red Shoes reprimands but Kenta swears he was using opened palms. Kenta clamps on a chinlock again and he grinds Goto down. Fans rally up, Goto fights up and throws elbows, but Kenta throws him down by his hair! Kenta paces around Goto, kicks at him, and taunts him, too. Goto snarls and gets up but Kenta KICKS him in the chest! Goto growls, Kenta KICKS, so Goto CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Kenta knees low, SOBATS high, and Goto ends up in a corner. Kenta runs in to BOOT! Goto staggers, Kenta runs, but Goto follows! Kenta ducks the lariat, Goto deflects the boot to DISCUS LARIAT!

Fans fire up while both men are down. Goto rises and he has Kenta in a corner. Goto fires off forearms, whips corner to corner, then runs in to MURAMASA! And then BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Goto keeps focus while the fans fire up. Goto drags Kenta up but Kenta blocks the fireman’s carry. Kenta throws elbows, then a BOOT! Kenta runs but Goto tosses him outside! Kenta lands on the apron but Goto ROCKS him! Goto runs in to ROCK Kenta again! Kenta wobbles, Goto runs in again but into a shoulder! Kenta stands Goto up and wants to suplex to the outside! Goto holds onto ropes and fans rally as Kenta keeps trying!

Goto suplexes Kenta up instead! Kenta slips off but Goto elbows him. Goto runs, Kenta follows, Goto dodges but Kenta POWERSLAMS! Fans fire up and Kenta goes to a corner. Kenta climbs, Goto stands, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally but Kenta clamps on an STF! Goto endures, moves around, but Kenta pulls back on the crossface! Goto keeps dragging himself and Kenta along, and fans rally up! Goto reaches out to the ROPEBREAK! Kenta lets off quickly, and he KICKS Goto in the back. Kenta puts Goto on the apron to stomp him on the apron! Kenta then drags Goto up and brings him around. But Goto fires off body shots!

Goto shoulders in but misses, and Kenta KICKS him! Kenta drags Goto out, BRAINKILLER! Fans fire up after the draping DDT, and Kenta slithers back as Goto goes to the corner. Kenta runs corner to corner, to BOOT Goto down! Then again, for the HESITATION DROPKICK! Fans fire up and Kenta hurries out to the apron. Kenta climbs up the corner, COUP DE- NO, Goto avoids the stomps, but Kenta BOOTS him! LARIATS! But Goto stays up! Kenta swings, into Goto’s clinch, URA G T R! And then a LARIAT!! Both men are down and fans rally up again! Goto rises, roars and he brings Kenta in, only for Kenta to ROCK him with a forearm!

Goto ROCKS Kenta back, so Kenta ROCKS Goto again! Goto throws a forearm, Kenta returns it, and fans rally up as they go back and forth! Kenta gets the edge, fires boxing elbows, but Goto HEADBUTTS! Fans fire up while Kenta drops! Goto growls and fires up, and he powers up the BUZZSAW!! Goto then drags Kenta up to the fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! Kenta survives but fans fire up! Goto drags Kenta up, reels him back in for the dragon sleeper, but Kenta slips out! Kenta shoves Goto at Red Shoes! Goto stops himself, but then Kenta CLOBBERS Goto into Red Shoes! Down goes the ref, and Kenta brings Goto around, DDT!

Kenta hurries to Goto’s corner, and he grabs the staff! Fans rally as Kenta brings the staff into the ring. Kenta pets it then swings, but Goto blocks the staff strike! They fight for control, Goto kicks and THROWS Kenta away! Goto holds up his staff, but then Kenta has Red Shoes see what Goto’s doing! Goto tries to explain, but he still throws the staff away. Kenta then blocks Red Shoes’ view of the LOW BLOW! Kenta throws Goto back into Red Shoes! Kenta then grabs Goto’s staff! Fans rally while Kenta pets the staff again. Kenta aims, but Goto sends Kenta into the corner! Goto has Kenta draping out, but Kenta SMACKS Goto with the staff!!

Goto lets Kenta go, but Kenta also falls onto the mat. Fans fire up while everyone is down, but Kenta gets the staff again. Kenta uses the staff to stand, and he aims at Goto again. STAFF STRIKE!! Kenta gets the staff out of the ring, shouts for Red Shoes, and he gets Red Shoes in the ring. Kenta hurries to a corner and climbs up top. COUP DE GRACE!! Cover, TWO!?! Goto survives and Kenta can’t believe it! But Kenta slashes his throat, vowing to end this! Kenta fireman’s carries, GO TO- NO, Goto blocks the leg! Kenta SWATS away on Goto’s face, and then again and again, but Goto ducks to fireman’s carry! G Y- KNEE!!

Kenta hurries to aim from a corner while Goto staggers! Fans fire up, Kenta runs in, BUSAIKU KNEE!! Cover, TWO!?!? Goto survives again and Kenta is furious! Kenta hurries to fireman’s carry, for GO TO- NO, Goto lands on his feet, but falls over! Kenta resets, GO TO SLEEP!!! Cover, Kenta wins!!

Winner: Kenta, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Goto earns 0)

The Fierce Warrior’s first loss is Kenta’s first win! Will this cause C Block to turn upside-down? Or is there still time for Goto to secure a spot in the semifinals?

G1 Climax, D Block: David Finlay VS Will Ospreay!

The Rebel has had two shockers in a row, slaying The Dragon and breaking Rock Hard! Now Finlay is in physical possession of the IWGP US Heavyweight Championship! But we all know that belt rightfully belongs to the Commonwealth Kingpin. Will Ospreay conquer this rebel and finally get that belt back? Or will there be another shocker this deep into the biggest G1 Climax ever?

As Finlay makes his entrance, he sets down the IWGP US Championship in the middle of the ring. And during Ospreay’s entrance, Ospreay drops his Rev-Pro British Heavyweight belt at the ramp to get in the ring and in Finlay’s face! Red Shoes has them back up for the introductions to finish. Ospreay picks up HIS US belt, but Finlay grabs at it, too. Red Shoes also grabs at the belt, but Finlay and Ospreay both shove him away! Ospreay and Finlay start throwing forearms! Fans fire up as the bell rings and the forearms keep going! This is fast and furious! Ospreay ROCKS Finlay, winds up, but Finlay dodges to clothesline Ospreay up and out!

Finlay goes out to knee Ospreay low, then throat chop him against railing! Finlay wrenches an arm to an ELBOW BREAKER! Ospreay staggers away, Finlay pursues, but Ospreay CHOPS him! And ROCKS him! Finlay kicks low, SMACKS Ospreay off the apron, and Ospreay staggers away again. Finlay RAMS Ospreay into railing, right in front of commentary! Finlay stands Ospreay up to EuroUpper, and then he puts Ospreay in the ring. Finlay gets in and he drags Ospreay up to snap suplex! Cover, ONE!! Fans rally while Finlay drags Ospreay back up. Finlay snapmares, runs and BASEMENT UPPERCUTS! Cover, ONE!!

Finlay stomps Ospreay’s left hand, then stomps his left foot. Finlay brings Ospreay up to EuroUpper again, then runs in at the corner. Ospreay dodges, runs in but into an elbow! Finlay goes up top, Ospreay CHOPS him down! Finlay tumbles out to the floor while fans fire up! The ring count starts, but Ospreay goes out after Finlay. Ospreay drags Finlay up to whip him hard into railing! Finlay drops to his knees, but Ospreay drags Finlay up to bring around. Ospreay hits an APRON BACK SUPLEX! Fans fire up while Finlay writhes. Ospreay pushes Finlay into the ring, but Finlay throws body shots in return. Ospreay HEADBUTTS Finlay down!

Ospreay paces, drags Finlay up, and scoops to SLAM him down! Ospreay drops a knee right onto Finlay’s chin! Ospreay digs the knee into Finlay’s neck and insists on a count, but Red Shoes says no, that’s a choke. Ospreay lets off, drags Finlay back up, and bumps Finlay off buckles. Ospreay keeps Finlay cornered to CHOP him! Fans applaud while Finlay is stinging. Ospreay snapmares Finlay, omoplatas the arm, and he reaches for the other. Finlay resists but Ospreay still gets the arm to make it a RECLINER! Finlay endures and it becomes a cover, ONE!! Finlay gets free and Ospreay is annoyed. Ospreay gives toying knees against the ropes.

Finlay shoves back, Ospreay KICKS him! Finlay SPITS at Ospreay so Ospreay stomps away! Red Shoes has Ospreay let off, and Ospreay stands on Finlay. Ospreay SPITS at Finlay, but Red Shoes has him step away. Fans rally as Ospreay stands Finlay up. Finlay fires off forearms and EuroUppers, but Ospreay EuroUppers back. Finlay staggers away to ropes, but Ospreay wrenches and whips. Finlay reverses but Ospreay catches him to a Cobra Twist! Finlay endures but Ospreay cranks on the hold. Finlay powers out with a HIP TOSS! Fans fire up and Finlay fires forearms on Ospreay! Ospreay knees low, runs, but into a back drop!

Fans fire up and Finlay rallies on Ospreay with forearm smashes! Finlay whips, Ospreay reverses but Finlay FLYING FOREARMS! Fans fire up more as Finlay hits a HEAD BUSTER! Ospreay staggers to a corner, Finlay runs in corner to corner to EuroUpper! Finlay goes up, FLYING EUROUPPER! Cover, TWO! Ospreay is still in this but Finlay keeps cool. Ospreay throws body shots from below, but Finlay headbutts Ospreay over and over in return! Ospreay gets the ROPEBREAK and Finlay lets off in a huff. Finlay drags Ospreay up, clinches, but Ospreay squats to block. Ospreay throws elbows but Finlay throws knees!

Finlay hoists Ospreay up but Ospreay slips out, only for Finlay to elbow him away. Ospreay ducks the chop to handspring and NEURALIZER! Finlay tumbles out of the ring while fans fire up. Ospreay aims to PLANCHA! Direct hit and down goes Finlay! Fans fire up while both men are down on the outside, and Red Shoes checks on them. They’re okay to continue and Ospreay stands up. The ring count starts, Ospreay drags Finlay up at 4 of 20. Ospreay puts Finlay in at 6, then aims from the apron. Springboard, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! Ospreay calls his shot and fans fire up now. Ospreay prepares the elbow pad but drags Finlay up.

Ospreay reels Finlay in, turns him, but Finlay catches Dream Smasher into a clinch! IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Fans fire up while Ospreay writhes! Finlay clutches his knee, that was a bit double-edged. Finlay grits his teeth as he and Ospreay go to opposite corners. Fans rally, Finlay runs in, BIG EuroUpper in the corner! Finlay stomps a mudhole into Ospreay, then digs in until Ospreay’s hanging out of the ropes! Red Shoes backs Finlay off but fans fire up. Finlay storms back up to Ospreay, brings him up and suplexes him to the top rope. Finlay climbs up, HEADBUTTS, but Ospreay HEADBUTTS!

Fans fire up as the forearms fly again! Finlay gets the edge, he fires up while Ospreay wobbles, and Finlay brings Ospreay up. Ospreay fights back with body shots, then the SUPER GOURD BUSTER! Finlay is down in the drop zone, and Ospreay wants him to get up. Fans fire up as Ospreay adjusts, but Finlay trips him up! Fans rally again as Finlay climbs up after Ospreay. Finlay gets Ospreay up to SUPERPLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up as Ospreay survives and Finlay focuses. Finlay fires up, cravats, ACID- NO, Ospreay throws Finlay to the apron! Finlay throws forearms in return, but Ospreay GAMANGIRIS!

Finlay wobbles, Ospreay goes up and out to APRON OSCUTTER!! Fans are thunderous while both men are down on the outside! Red Shoes checks them both again but somehow they’re okay to continue. Fans rally up, the ring count starts, but it’s already 5 of 20 before either stirs. Ospreay stands at 8, but decides to ditch Finlay. The count is 12 of 20, Ospreay already feels he’s won. Finlay stirs at 15, drags himself up at 16, and stands at 18, but flounders his way in, 19.9!! SPRINGBOARD MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives but Ospreay fires up! Ospreay calls his shot, springboards again, OS- NO!! Finlay blocks!

Finlay spins Ospreay but Ospreay swats the lariat to ROLLING ELBOW! Springboards, OSCUTTER!! But Ospreay has to crawl to the cover! TWO!!! Finlay survives and shocks Ospreay! Fans rally up and Ospreay aims from a corner. The elbow pad is ready, HIDDEN- NO, Finlay ducks to PRIMA- NO, Ospreay HOOK KICK! Springboard, into PRIMA NOCTA!! Cover, TWO!!! Ospreay survives and Finlay is roaring in anger! But fans are thunderous as he cravats, ACID DROP!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Ospreay survives and Finlay is beside himself! Fans are thunderous again as Finlay grits his teeth and gets back up.

Finlay roars and slashes his throat, then brings Ospreay up. Suplex, TRASH- NO, Ospreay slips free to HOOK KICK! Finlay staggers, but he comes back with a LARIAT! Finlay falls on the cover, TWO, and into a ghost pin!! TWO!!! Finlay escapes, but Ospreay V-TRIGGERS!! WHAT?! HIDDEN- NO, Finlay ducks and he backslides Ospreay, TWO, but into deadlift TRASH PANDA!!! Cover, FINLAY WINS!!!!

Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Ospreay earns 0)

A third straight shocker in a row!! Shingo Takagi, Juice Robinson, and now Will Ospreay! Ospreay falls out of first place, can the Kingpin make a comeback?

As for Finlay, he grabs the IWGP US Championship belt back, and then gets a mic. “Ospreay, Ospreay. I don’t care where, I don’t care when, but the next time you defend this championship, you defend it against ME!” Finlay then throws the belt back at Ospreay, and tells him that until then, every time Ospreay looks at that belt, every time he picks it up, every time he puts it on, he has to remember that he is holding onto Finlay’s title! Fans applaud that sentiment. Finlay then says, “Did anybody think that I was gong to beat Juice Robinson? Maybe. Did anybody think that I was going to beat Shingo Takagi? Probably not.

“Did anybody think that I was gonna beat Billy Goat, Will Ospreay? HELL NO! Yet here I am, leading the D Block with six points! So do you believe me now when I say that this is my year? Do you believe me now when I say this is my time? Do you believe me now when I say I am winning the G1 Climax? Because this IS my year, this IS my time, and I am winning the whole damn thing! So expect me!!” Finlay is all fired up and so is this block! Will Finlay make sure 2022 becomes the Year of the Rebel?

Here are the NEW standings!

A Block

Kazuchika Okada: 3-0, 6 points
Jeff Cobb: 2-1, 4 points
Bad Luck Fale: 2-2, 4 points
JONAH: 1-1, 2 points
Lance Archer: 1-2, 2 points
Tom Lawlor: 1-2, 2 points
Toru Yano: 1-3, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

B Block

Jay White: 3-0, 6 points
Tama Tonga: 2-1, 4 points
SANADA: 2-2, 4 points
Taichi: 1-1, 2 points
Great-O-Khan: 1-2, 2 points
Chase Owens: 1-2, 2 points
Tomohiro Ishii: 1-3, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

C Block

Hirooki Goto: 2-1, 4 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 2-1, 4 points
Zack Sabre Jr: 2-1, 4 points
Aaron Henare: 1-2, 2 points
Tetsuya Naito: 1-2, 2 points
EVIL: 1-1, 2 points
KENTA: 1-2, 2 points

D Block

David Finlay: 3-1, 6 points
Will Ospreay: 2-1, 4 points
Shingo Takagi: 1-2, 2 points
YOSHI-HASHI: 1-1, 2 points
Juice Robinson: 1-2, 2 points
El Phantasmo: 1-1, 2 points
Yujiro Takahashi: 1-2, 2 points

My Thoughts:

A great event as the G1 Climax continues! Great stuff out of Khan VS Ishii, and hilarious stuff out of Yano VS Lawlor. I didn’t think both Ishii and Yano would fall on the same day, and then fall out of the running, but now the Pitbull and the Producer will just have to settle for being spoilers in their blocks. Though chances are, that’s the same role Khan and Lawlor will be filling as they’re still lagging behind the front of the pack. A great match out of Tama VS Sanada, and a rather surprising finish with Tama getting the win. But it seems Tama is making the big push in his singles career, and at some point, he is going to take on Jay White, so he’ll need all the momentum he can get against the Switchblade.

A great match out of Goto and Kenta with not only the story of their block rankings adding drama, but apparently Kenta has a new obsession in Goto’s special staff. Kenta gets the win to really shake things up, which you definitely want this deep into the tournament. And in another awesome match, Finlay gets another wild shocker of a win. His promo pretty much puts it into words: most didn’t expect Finlay getting far, and yet he is the D Block leader. The US Championship story continues to grow in complexity, that is big for NJPW as they are still pushing for a presence in the US fandom, and this also shakes things up in the D Block to where anything can happen.

My Score: 8.8/10

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Up Next

Mitchell’s AEW Dark Results & Report! (8/2/22)

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Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (8/1/22)

Coverage

Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (3/12/26)

Student VS Teacher!

Published

42 minutes ago

March 12, 2026

Steven Mitchell

Will the Fallen Goddess destroy Maya’s World?

The ROH Women’s World Champion has a bone to pick with her former trainee! Athena steps back onto the Proving Ground against Maya World!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

ROH Pure Championship: Lee Moriarty VS Josh Woods; wins and
Scorpio Sky w/ Christopher Daniels VS Bryan Keith w/ “Big Bill” Morrissey; wins.
ROH World Six Man Tag Team Championship Proving Ground: Shane Taylor Promotions VS QT Marshall, Aaron Solow & Nick Comoroto; win(s) and
Open Challenge: Sammy Guevara & The Beast Mortos VS ???; win and
Mixed Six Tag: The Premier Athletes VS ???
ROH Women’s World Television Championship: Red Velvet VS Hyan; wins and
ROH Women’s World Championship Proving Ground: Athena VS Maya World; wins and

PLAY BY PLAY

[Due to scheduling conflicts, coverage will be on delay]

About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

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Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW New Japan Cup Results & Report! (3/12/26)

The second round heats up!

Published

3 hours ago

March 12, 2026

Steven Mitchell

A truly BIG main event for the New Japan Cup!

As the New Japan Cup continues on, the second round only gets bigger! Boltin Oleg battles Henare in a massive main event!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

OSKAR & Yuto-Ice VS Chase Owens & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Oskar & Yuto win.
“Drilla” Dan Moloney & Daiki Nagai VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa; ZSJ & Oiwa win.
Six Man Tag: Hontai VS House of Torture; Hontai wins.
Hartley Jackson & Kosei Fujita VS Callum Newman & Zane Jay; Hartley & Fujita win.
Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS The United Empire; The Empire wins.
Yuya Uemura & Tomoaki Honma VS Yota Tsuji & Shingo Takagi; Tsuji & Takagi win.
2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Ren Narita VS Satoshi Kojima; Narita wins and advances.
2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Boltin Oleg VS HENARE; wins and advances.

PLAY BY PLAY

2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Ren Narita w/ The House of Torture VS Satoshi Kojima!

The Souled Out Son of Strong Style cheated the Holy Emperor in the first round, but now he runs into the King of Bread Style in the second! Will Ren just keep stacking the deck? Or will the Cup be very cozy?

Kojima makes his entrance undisturbed, then Ren makes his entrance, already showing his hand with Don Fale, Chase Owens & Dick Togo accompanying him. The introductions barely finish and Ren attacks! The fans boo but Ren TOSSES Kojima out! Ren argues with the ref, which lets the House mug Kojima! They whip Kojima into railing, then they put him in the ring. Ren storms over to stomp away on Kojima at the ropes! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Ren stops at 4. Ren runs, BOOTS Kojima, then runs again to BOOT him again! Ren runs again, but Kojima dodges to then RUN Ren over! The fans cheer and Kojima makes the pecs dance!

Kojima fires up as he storms over to Ren in the corner. Kojima fires off MACHINE GUN CHOPS! The fans cheer but the ref counts, only for Kojima to unload the whole clip! Kojima whips corner to corner, but Ren grabs the ref! This lets Dick CLOBBER Kojima and TOSS him out! That lets Chase whip Kojima into railing! And then Fale BODY BLOWS! The fans boo but the House plays dumb. Ren goes out after Kojima, brings him around, and whips him into more railing! Kohima slumps against the railing, but Ren wraps the leg around them! The House distracts the ref from seeing Ren grab a chair! Ren SMACKS Kojima’s leg!

The fans boo but Ren SMACKS Kojima off the apron. Ren then whips Kojima into railing again! Ren puts the leg around railing again, and he pulls on the foot! The fans boo but the ref is too busy with the House. The ref finally sees Ren and counts. Ren stops at 4, kicks Kojima, then rolls into the ring. Kojima hobbles and falls but the fans rally behind him. The ref starts a ring count while Kojima clutches his knee. Kojima rises at 9 of 20, and rolls in at 12. The fans applaud but Ren stomps Kojima down! Ren then drags Kojima to the corner, and he bends the leg against the post! The ref counts, Ren stops at 4, but he SLAMS the leg into the post!

The fans boo but Ren stalks Kojima in the ring. Ren drags Kojima around, stomps away on the leg, then turns him over for a HALF CRAB! Kojima endures, reaches out, and makes the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Ren holds on until the ref counts 4. The fans boo Ren but he tells them to shut up. Ren then soaks up the heat before he drags Kojima up. Ren puts Kojima in a corner, and he wraps the leg around ropes! The fans boo again, the ref reprimands and counts again, but Ren stops at 4. Ren stomps the bad leg, then he goes corner to corner, only for Kojima to dodge! Kojima fires off MACHINE GUN CHOPS again!

The fans cheer as Kojima empties another clip! Kojima whips corner to corner, then runs up to FOREARM SMASH! “ICCHAZO, BAKAYAROU~!” The fans fire up as Kojima goes up, COZY ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Ren survives but Kojima stays on him with a flurry of forearms, then the ROLLING ELBOW! Kick and DDT! Kojima rises up, brings Ren around, and cravats. Ren fights with body shots, then ducks the lariat to leg roll and KNEEBAR! The fans rally for Kojima as he endures! Kojima reaches out, fights around, but Ren pulls on the leg! Then Ren drags Kojima from the ropes to KNEEBAR again! Kojima still endures as the fans rally up!

Kojima fights his way over, rolls and rolls, and he has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Ren lets go in frustration. Ren huffs ‘n’ puffs and drags Kojima up to BLIZZARD PLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Kojima survives and Ren is frustrated again but the fans cheer. Ren vows to end this now, and he goes up the corner. Kojima stands, but he avoids Hell’s Guillotine! Kojima kicks and cravats, COZY CUTTER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Kojima rises, and he throws off the elbow pad! The fans cheer as Kojima runs, but the ref is used as a shield! Then Ren SHOVES Kojima into the ref!

The ref tumbles out of the ring, and the fans boo as The House rushes Kojima! They mug Kojima at the ropes! Then they bump Kojima off buckles, whip him corner to corner, and Dick runs in for the ELBOW! Chase adds as forearm SMASH, then Fale SPLASHES! They snapmare Kojima, Dick goes up top, DICK CHOP! The fans boo but Ren stomps Kojima! Dick takes the timekeeper’s table?! Dick puts that in for Chase to set up in a corner! Ren stands Kojima up, and clinches again, but Kojima fights with elbows! Chase CLUBS Kojima, then Fale holds him up. Chase runs, but Kojima BOOTS him away! Kojima sends Fale into Chase!

The fans cheer as Chase falls, and Kojima RAMS Fale out of the ring! But Ren has his pushup bar! Kojima LARIATS it away?!? The fans fire up as Kojima kicks and BRAINBUSTERS! Cover, but the ref is still down! Kojima is frustrated, but he just powers up the arm! COZY- NO, Ren dodges, kicks, and DOUBLE- NO! Kojima stops the facebuster to then COZY LARIAT! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Kojima crawls, the ref is back, and we have a cover! But Chase YANKS the ref out! The fans boo again, but now Dick uses the SPOILER CHOKER on Kojima! The table is now repositioned to be in the drop zone!

The fans boo as the House puts Kojima on the table, and Fale goes up! DIVING SPLASH down through the table!! The fans boo but the House hides the evidence! Now they get the ref back in, and Ren hits the DOUBLE CROSSER!! Cover, Ren wins!

Winner: Ren Narita, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Another night, another way for the House of Torture to cheat. Ren adds Kojima to the growing list of names, but will the NEVER Openweight Champion never stop his evil ways?

2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Boltin Oleg VS HENARE!

The big man from Kazakhstan already has the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships, and the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship, but he’s on a roll here in the Cup! Will he be able to put the Mauler behind BARS? Or will Henare conquer Boltin in the name of The United Empire?

The bell rings and the big men RAM shoulders! And RAM again! And RAM again! The fans fire up as the forearms start flying! Henare ROCKS Oleg again and again, then runs to RAM Oleg! Oleg stays up to ROCK Henare! Oleg runs and RAMS Henare, but Henare stays up! So now both men run and they RAM shoulders again! The fans cheer as these two go forehead to forehead, then return to going forearm for forearm! Shot for shot, back and forth, and the fans rally up again. Henare gets the edge, but Oleg CHOPS him! Henare ROCKS Oleg, runs, but Oleg drops down, and jumps up to SHOULDER TACKLE!

Henare is down, Oleg runs the ropes, BOLTIN SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Oleg stays on Henare and RAMS him into the corner! Oleg RAMS Henare again and again, then CHOPS! Oleg winds up to CHOP again, but Henare just snarls. Oleg CHOPS again, but Henare puts him in the corner to CHOP and CLUB on repeat! Oleg fires forearms in return, but Henare CHOPS again! The fans applaud as Henare whips corner to corner, but Oleg reverses! Oleg runs in, Henare dodges, and Henare comes back to RAM Oleg! Oleg rebounds, but into a WHEEL KICK! Henare adds a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Oleg toughs it out, but Henare KICKS him in the back!

Oleg writhes, but Henare winds up and KICKS again! The fans rally as Henare then runs to RUGBY KICK! But Oleg rolls through! Oleg ducks ‘n’ dodges, then CLOBBERS Henare right outta the ring! Henare stumbles into the railing then falls down! The fans fire up, and Oleg goes out to fetch Henare. Oleg CLUBS Henare, CLUBS him again, but Henare fires a body shot! Henare SMACKS Oleg off apron, then whips him into railing! The fans cheer while Oleg slumps down. Henare storms up on Oleg, wrenches and whips him again, but Oleg reverses! Henare hits railing! The fans rally up, Oleg storms over, and Oleg whips Henare, only for Henare to reverse!

Oleg hits railing, but he comes back! Only for Henare to fireman’s carry! SNAKE EYES off the railing, then Henare LARIATS Oleg up and over! The fans cheer while legs in front of the fans. Red Shoes checks on Oleg and he’s okay to continue. Red Shoes says to get this back in the ring, but Henare goes looking underneath it. Henare brings out chairs! Red Shoes reprimands but Henare tells him to shut up! Henare goes to Oleg, growls at the fans, and he CLUBS Oleg. Henare ROCKS Oleg in the back, then reels him in. But Oleg fights the suplex! Oleg tries but Henare fights the suplex. Oleg scoops Henare to SLAM him on the apron!

The fans cheer as Oleg huffs ‘n’ puffs, then he climbs up to join Henare. Oleg suplexes, but Henare lands safe in the ring! Henare RAMS down low, but Oleg ROCKS Henare back! Henare ducks the shot to full nelson! Oleg fights the nelson but Henare HOTSHOTS Oleg! Oleg wobbles, Henare runs, and Henare BLASTS Oleg off the apron! Oleg crashes into railing, as well as the chair pile on the floor! The fans rally for Oleg while he’s down, but Henare goes to fetch him. Henare fireman’s carries to WASTELAND SLAM and SENTON! The fans are torn as Henare snarls. Henare drags Oleg up and into the ring, but Red Shoes refuses to count the cocky cover!

Henare argues with Red Shoes but Red Shoes says it needs to be a serious cover. Henare drags Oleg up, but Oleg fires forearms! Henare CHOPS Oleg, then snapmares him. Henare runs to RUGBY KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Oleg toughs it out. Henare stalks Oleg, and has the half nelson! Oleg fights the full nelson, but Henare RAMS him into a corner! Henare runs up, but Oleg dodges the knee! Oleg scoops, but Henare slips free! ULTI- NO, Oleg fights the nelson again and RAMS Henare into buckles! Henare BOOTS Oleg, but Oleg scoops to SLAM! The fans fire up while both men are down, then rally up as they rise.

Oleg whips Henare to the corner, runs in and SPLASHES, then whips corner to corner. Oleg runs in again, and another SPLASH! Oleg goes to gut wrench but Henare CLUBS free. Henare ELBOWS Oleg, goes up, but Oleg catches his crossbody! Then Shake, Shake Shake, and THROW! Oleg kips up and the fans fire up! Oleg scoops Henare again, to SLAM him into the drop zone! Oleg goes up, up, and VADER BOMBS! Cover, TWO! Henare survives but the fans rally up again. Oleg drags Henare up, fireman’s carry, but Henare fights free! Henare has to catch his breath, so Oleg CHOPS him! Oleg then suplexes Henare, but Henare fights it!

Oleg still tries, but Henare slips free! Oleg again fights the nelson, but Henare ducks an elbow! Henare spins Oleg for the suplex! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Oleg rolls away to a corner, but Henare rises up. Henare runs in, LARIAT! Then a whip to the ropes, but Oleg holds ropes! Oleg BOOTS back, runs up but into the scoop, SPIN-OUT BOMB! Cover, TWO! But now Henare has the ULTIMA WEAPON! The fans rally up as Oleg endures the full nelson! Oleg fights up, up, but Henare puts on the pressure! The fans rally as Oleg is fading! Oleg gets a second wind to get the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Henare holds on!

Red Shoes counts, Henare lets go at 4, and Henare argues with the ref. Oleg sputters while Henare paces. Henare aims from a corner as Oleg stands, and Henare runs in for the- NO, Oleg fights the Rampage! FACELOCK GUILLOTINE! Oleg squeezes tight, but Henare wrenches out to ROCK Oleg! The fans rally again as Henare fires off fast hands from all sides! Then he SMACKS Oleg, and winds up to BODY BLOW! The fans for Oleg while he’s down, but Henare stands him up. Henare runs, LARIATS, but Oleg stays up! Henare runs again, and LARIATS! Oleg staggers to a corner, Henare runs in, and LARIATS again!

Oleg just fires up!? Oleg shoves Henare, LARIATS, then they DOUBLE LARIAT! They DOUBLE LARIAT again but no one falls! Oleg runs, but into the SAMOAN DROP! Oleg roars as he rises up! Henare ducks ‘n’ dodges, but runs into a clinch! BELLY2BELLY! Both men stand, and Henare hits a RAMPAGE outta nowhere! Cover, TWO!! Oleg survives and the fans fire up again! Henare is frustrated, but he watches Oleg crawl to the corner. Oleg drags himself up with the ropes, and Henare runs in! NATIVE KNEE! The fans are torn as Henare roars, and he brings Oleg back up. Henare puts Oleg up top, then ROCKS him!

Henare goes up, up, and SUPERPLEXES! The fans fire up while Henare crawls to cover, TWO! Oleg survives and the fans cheer again! Henare huffs ‘n’ puffs and stands Oleg up, but DROPKICKS him away! The fans fire up, and Henare returns to RUGBY KICK! Oleg rolls through, and he catches the Native Knee! POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO! Henare survives and the fans fire up again! Oleg shakes it off and stands back up. Oleg RIPCORDS Henare right up from the mat! Henare fights free of the fireman’s carry, and he CHOPS! Oleg comes back to CHOP Henare! The fans cheer as both men wobble. Henare comes back to CHOP!

Oleg CHOPS Henare! Henare drops to a knee from that one, but now Oleg eggs him on. Henare grits his teeth, stands up, and CHOPS! Oleg CHOPS, Henare CHOPS, repeat! Henare LARIATS but Oleg stays up! Henare LARIATS again, and then DOUBLE LARIATS! Both men lean on each other while the fans fire up! Henare and Oleg hold onto the other’s waistband as they throw LARIATS back and forth! The fans fire up as the shots keep going! Oleg gets the edge, then he stands Henare up to CHOP! Henare drops to his knees! The fans fire up as Oleg stands Henare up, but Henare HEADBUTTS! Oleg roars, but Henare LARIATS him down! Cover, ONE?!?

The fans are stunned but Henare just gets moving, and he BLINDSIDE LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Oleg survives another shot and Henare is beside himself! Henare hurries to drag Oleg up, but Oleg fights the lift! The fans rally but Henare’s own back won’t let him lift Oleg. Henare changes the plan with a HEADBUTT! And he roars as he reels Oleg back in! But Oleg fireman’s carries! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Henare survives and the fans fire up again! Oleg drags Henare up, fireman’s carries, and he goes to the corner. Henare fights free to be on the corner! Oleg ROCKS Henare, then he climbs up!

The fans rally, but Henare fires body shots. Oleg ROCKS Henare, then adjusts position! Fireman’s carry, but Henare fires hands! Henare slips back, and HEADBUTTS Oleg down! Henare now adjusts position, and he leaps into a fireman’s carry?!? POINT-BLANK KAMIKAZE! Then Oleg fireman’s carries again, runs and KAMIKAZE!! Cover, OLEG WINS!

Winner: Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

It was a battle of big meaty men slapping meat, but Henare was out-hossed tonight. What will it take for Henare to break through and reach that next level?

As for Oleg, he grabs the mic, and he tells Henare, “Thank you for your hard work!” The fans cheer that! Oleg tells Henare thank you, and he hopes they can do this again. Oleg then tells the fans, that to be honest, this was his first main event singles match. He will be sitting cross-legged for a moment, and he says for his first New Japan Cup, his first 1v1 main event, from the bottom of his heart, he is very happy right now. The fans cheer that! Oleg says especially today, the only thing that really matters is that he got to win in a NJPW ring, against a strong Māori warrior like Henare.

Oleg knows he hasn’t been doing this that long, just three years. But that’s amazing, isn’t it? He knows he has a hard time with Japanese, but for these three years, he’s been a professional wrestler! He’s been professional wrestling! It’s been a real fight in this ring, it’s always high risk in this sport, and everyone is fighting and doing their best. To be in the same ring as them, he is very thankful. The fans cheer that, too! Oleg says thanks for NJPW letting a man from Kazakhstan wrestle on this cerulean blue. “OGA! OGA! OGAAAA! <Oh, yeah! Oh, yeah! Oh, yeeeeah!>” Oleg is all fired up, but will he soon put the Cup behind BARS?

My Thoughts:

Another great night for the New Japan Cup, kicking off a very busy weekend for this tournament. Good tune-ups, but a lot of those matches had the same results as last time. Very good stuff from Narita VS Kojima, but naturally, the House cheated. Great match from Oleg VS Henare, and great win for Oleg. Oleg is getting a great push between having tow titles and now going into round three of the tournament. Given he has those titles, I don’t see Oleg going much further, and maybe the person he loses to gets their title shot.