The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but the Rainmaker doesn’t quit!

NJPW Burning Spirits kicked off with a MIGHTY main event, but now Kazuchika Okada & Hiroshi Tanahashi look to redeem themselves in a rematch!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Minoru Suzuki VS Bad Dude Tito; Suzuki wins.
• 8 Man Tag: Chaos VS House of Torture; Chaos wins.
• Six Man Tag: The United Empire VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
• Six Man Tag: Ryusuke Taguchi, Master Wato & The DKC VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
• KUSHIDA & Jado VS Taiji Ishimori & Gedo; Kushida & Jado win.
• Shingo Takagi & BUSHI VS El Phantasmo & KENTA; ELP & Kenta win.
• Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Suzuki-Gun; LIJ wins.
• Kazuchika Okada & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS JONAH & Shane Haste; Okada & Tanahashi win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Suzuki-Gun!

Tetsuya Naito is still getting on the nerves of Zack Sabre Jr, but the 8 Man Tag victory last Friday helped cheer him up. But now stepping down to a Six Man, will Naito, Sanada and Hiromu be able to turn the tide? Or will ZSJ, Taichi & El Desperado be anything but tranquilo?

The trios sort out and fans are chanting–yes, chanting because they can do that now–for “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” They also cheer for Taichi’s dancing pecs. LIJ fist bumps, and Naito starts. He calls out ZSJ, and ZSJ accepts! Wait, he steps out? Suzuki-Gun is giving Naito some of his own trolling, but Naito gets fans to chant, “ZACK SA-BRE! ZACK SA-BRE!” ZSJ goes to the apron, but then hops down to stretch out his arms. Naito and the fans still chant “ZACK SA-BRE!” but ZSJ keeps Naito waiting. Taichi steps up now, and fans are dueling, “LET’S GO, TAICHI!” “ZACK SA-BRE!” Taichi teases now, but finally steps in!

The bell rings and fans fire up! Naito and Taichi stare down, slowly start to circle, but then Taichi backs off to talk with ZSJ. Taichi and Naito circle again, but Naito swings on ZSJ! ZSJ gets away and fans applaud, but Taichi CHOKES Naito! The ref reprimands, ZSJ tags in, and ZSJ digs his fingers into Naito’s face! Taichi distracts the ref so Desperado can get in on that, but Suzuki-Gun lets off. ZSJ snapmares and puts on headscissors! Naito endures as ZSJ pushes up, and then mocks Naito’s tranquilo! Taichi keeps the ropes from Naito but the ref reprimands. Taichi stops messing around and Naito gets the ROPEBREAK!

Fans cheer as Desperado tags in. ZSJ digs his elbows into ribs, and Desperado stomps Naito! Desperado CLUBS Naito, whips, but Naito holds ropes to block! Desperado rakes Naito’s eyes! Taichi CHOKES Naito! The ref reprimands, Desperado lets off but Hiromu protests. Desperado kicks Naito, whips him, but Naito reverses, and Sanada KICKS Desperado at the ropes! Naito ENZIGURIS, Hiromu SHOTGUNS! Sanada and Hiromu BLAST the Dangerous Tekkers off the corner! They go out after them and Hiromu RAMS ZSJ into railing! Sanada drags Taichi up while fans rally for “NA-I-TO!”

Naito drags Desperado around, and then pulls on the mask tassels for the SURFBOARD! Desperado endures, the ref reprimands, but Naito lets go with only one hand! The ref reprimands and counts more, Naito switches hands! The ref counts again and Naito lets go at 4. Naito tags Sanada and fans rally up. Sanada CLUBS Desperado, whips him corner to corner, then runs in to back elbow! Sanada snap suplexes and fans fire up. Cover, TWO! Fans rally for “SA-NA-DA!” but Desperado throws body shots and forearms! Sanada EuroUppers Desperado right off his feet! Tag to Hiromu and fans now cheer him on as he runs at Desperado, corner clothesline!

Hiromu snapmares, runs and basement dropkicks! Cover, TWO! Fans rally for “HI-RO-MU!” and he drags Desperado up. Hiromu suplexes but Desperado fights that! Desperado tries to suplex but Hiromu fights that! Fans duel as Desperado gets Hiromu up! Hiromu flails, wrenches free and ROCKS Desperado! Hiromu fireman’s carries, Desperado fights free and shoves Hiromu away, to then SPINEBUSTER on the rebound! Fans rally while both men are down! Hiromu and Desperado crawl to their corners, hot tags to ZSJ and Naito! Naito dodges the boot but swings into a full nelson! ZSJ uses that to turn Naito around for EuroUpper after EuroUpper!

ZSJ whips, Naito reverses and arm-drags! Naito then atomic drops, shoves and runs in, JUMP KICK! Leg sweep, COMBINACION- CRAVAT! ZSJ catches Naito, snapmares and rolls then snapmares again for a NECK TWIST! And basement dropkick! Fans fire up with ZSJ and he drags Naito by a leg. ZSJ has a toehold, then deathlock for the BUTTERFLY DEATHLOCK! Naito swings haymakers but ZSJ stays out of reach! ZSJ then bridges back! Fans rally as Naito endures, so ZSJ stands up! Sanada storms in and CHOPS ZSJ off his feet! But that also hurts Naito’s legs! Sanada apologizes and the ref tells him to exit.

Sanada drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ ducks the forearm to get a COBRA TWIST! Cobra Butterfly Chimera! Both men endure but the ref reminds ZSJ that Sanada isn’t legal. ZSJ throws Sanada out, drags Naito around and gets both arms! For Yes! I Am a Long Way From Home! Naito endures and fans rally up! ZSJ shifts things around, hammerlocks and rolls, but Naito gets the ROPEBREAK! The ref helps separate them and fans rally again. ZSJ struts a bit, then he stomps Naito’s leg! ZSJ boots Naito down, stomps the leg, then stomps it again. ZSJ drags Naito up, has the leg, but Naito fights the lift with clubbing elbows!

ZSJ still lifts but Naito sunset flips! TWO and ZSJ has a prawn hold! TWO as Naito sunsets again! TWO!! ZSJ escapes, RAMS into Naito but swings into a spin and kick, NECKBREAKER! Fans rally up and both men crawl for their corners, hot tag to Sanada! Sanada DROPKICKS ZSJ down, drags him up and cravats for a neck wrench! ZSJ endures, Sanada snapmares him, but then ZSJ bridges up! ZSJ snapmares Sanada, Sanada bridges up to snapmare again! ZSJ bridges to snapmare but Sanada handsprings through! ZSJ headlocks, Sanada powers out, but ZSJ catches Sanada into a COBRA TWIST!

Fans fire up as Sanada endures and ZSJ pulls on the hold! Sanada powers free with a hip toss! Sanada gets ZSJ’s legs and starts tying him up! ZSJ is slippery, though, Sanada can’t keep hold of the arms. ZSJ then drags Sanada down, traps his head and NECK TWISTS! Fans fire up as ZSJ tags in Taichi! Taichi drags Sanada up, gives him Kowada Kicks, but Sanada snarls. Sanada fires a forearm, but Taichi KICKS his leg! Sanada forearms, Taichi KICKS, repeat! Faster and faster, back and forth, but Taichi gets the edge with those KICKS! Fans fire up but Sanada EuroUppers! Taichi roars and the pecs start dancing!

Taichi CHOPS Sanada, but Sanada’s pecs dance! Sanada comes back, but into Taichi’s SOBAT! Taichi runs, Sanada gets around to full nelson, spin, suplex, MAGIC SCREW! Hiromu DECKS Desperado off the corner and goes out to CLOBBER ZSJ! Desperado hits Hiromu back while Sanada drags Taichi up. Sanada scoops and hits a BACKBREAKER! Sanada goes up the corner to ROUNDING BODY- NO, he has to land out as Taichi moves! Desperado SPEARS Sanada! Hiromu SUPERKICKS Desperado! ZSJ kicks but Hiromu blocks! Hiromu blocks the punch, too, but ZSJ wrenches free to PELE the arm!

Naito runs in to dropkick ZSJ’s legs! Taichi AX BOMBERS Naito down! Fans fire up, Taichi and Sanada sumo clinch! YAGURANAGE! Fans are thunderous, because OFF COME THE- NO! Sanada waistlocks and traps the arms! O’Conner Roll LOW BRIDGE! LIJ wins!!

Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, by pinfall

Just as Taichi was about to unleash his full power, Sanada snatches away the victory! Will this help the Cold Skull get hot in the Fall? As for ZSJ and Naito, Naito “helps” with the ice pack, but that was more like digging into his knee! Naito tosses ZSJ the ice pack but ZSJ throws it back at Naito! Will ZSJ be too hot tempered during this Burning Spirits tour?

Kazuchika Okada & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS JONAH & Shane Haste!

The Rainmaker lost to the Top Dog in the G1 Climax, and then his team lost in the first main event of Burning Spirit because The Mighty Don’t Kneel. However, there is still time before the Declaration of Power, can Okada and The Ace make The Mighty fall?

Tanahashi of course loves that fans finally get to cheer, as does Okada. But even Jonah gets in on the cheering as he flexes, and Shane gets some chants as he struts. Tanahashi shows off the muscles, and fans get to cheer for them. The teams sort out, and Okada starts against Jonah in another appetizer for their coming 1v1 rematch! “O-KA-DA!” circles with “JO-NAH! JO-NAH!” They tie up, Jonah puts Okada on the ropes, then fakes punch to pat Okada on the shoulder. A very Okada move, but Okada keeps his cool. They tie up again, but Jonah stays put as Okada tries to push him! Okada knees low, headlocks but Jonah powers up and out.

Jonah and Okada RAM shoulders, and Okada staggers back! Fans fire up as Okada runs again, RAMS Jonah again, but again staggers back! Fans rally up and Okada tries again. Okada RAMS Jonah, Jonah staggers back but rebounds to run Okada over! Fans fire up for the power, and Jonah drags Okada up. Tag to Shane but Okada gets away. Fans rally as Shane calls out “TAN-HA-SHI!” Okada obliges and tags him in! Fans fire up as Ace and the joker circle. Shane flexes and shows off the physique, and then he ties up with Tanahashi. Tanahashi waistlocks, Shane switches, but Tanahashi switches back, only for Shane to slip out and wrench an arm.

Shane headlocks, Tanahashi pries free to get a top wristlock, but Shane endures. Tanahashi wrenches, wristlocks, but Shane rolls, kips up, flips and snapmares to basement dropkick! Shane does his own air guitar! Then he slaps the bass! Shane bumps Tanahashi off buckles, whips him corner to corner, then runs in, but into an elbow! Tanahashi goes up and CROSSBODIES! Fans fire up as Tanahashi air guitars! Tanahashi runs at Jonah but Jonah ROCKS him first! Shane then reels Tanahashi into a waistlock, SNAP BACK SUPLEX! Shane sucker punches Okada then drags Tanahashi up to throw him out. Tag to Jonah and Jonah is right after Tanahashi!

Jonah stands Tanahashi up to HEADBUTT him down! Jonah then puts Tanahashi back in the ring and he taunts The Ace. Fans rally, “GO ACE! GO ACE!” and Tanahashi sits up! Jonah drags Tanahashi up to DECK him! Shane taunts Tanahashi, Jonah drags him up and Shane tags in. The Mighty mug Tanahashi, then Shane snap suplexes. Cover, TWO! Fans rally but Shane KICKS Tanahashi in the side! And again! And again! And with both feet! Shane taunts fans with the stanky leg, then he drags Tanahashi up again. Tag to Jonah, Shane scoops and SLAMS Tanahashi! “That’s power!” But then Jonah scoops Shane to SLAM him on Tanahashi!

Jonah flexes and fans cheer the power. Jonah taunts Tanahashi and Okada to tag, but fans rally with “GO ACE!”  Fans duel, “GO ACE!” “JO-NAH!” as Jonah clamps onto Tanahashi with a rear bearhug. Tanahashi endures as Jonah thrashes him around and the fans continue to duel. Tanahashi throws back elbows, runs, but into a BIG elbow! HIP DROP! Jonah paces around while fans rally, and Jonah air guitars. Jonah drags Tanahashi up, whips him into the Mighty corner, then SPLASHES! Tag to Shane and Jonah whips him in to UPPERCUT! Shane kicks Tanahashi down, stomps him, but Tanahashi eggs him on!

Shane stomps a mudhole into Tanahashi at the ropes but Red Shoes counts. Shane lets off and fans rally again. Tanahashi fires body shots but Shane ROCKS and UPPERCUTS Tanahashi back! Shane stomps Tanahashi then digs his knee in. Okada protests, but that only distracts Red Shoes from seeing Jonah push Shane down to dig into Tanahashi more! Though he ends up squishing Shane a bit, too. Shane tags Jonah in but fans rally for Tanahashi. Jonah drags Tanahashi up, but Tanahashi throws body shots! Jonah doesn’t flinch, he just eggs Tanahashi on. Tanahashi throws more shots, but Jonah HEADBUTTS him down!

Jonah runs to SPLASH, but FLOPS as Tanahashi moves! Fans fire up as Tanahashi crawls, hot tag to Okada! Okada rallies with forearms, then whips. Jonah reverses but Okada ELBOWS him! Jonah stays up, but Okada kicks him on the rebound for a DDT! Okada DECKS Shane, too! Jonah staggers up, Okada goes to scoop, but Jonah’s too big! Jonah CLUBS Okada, whips him, but Okada holds ropes. Okada drop toeholds Jonah onto ropes, then runs to basement dropkick! Fans fire up as Okada flexes now, and Okada tries to scoop again! Jonah’s still too big! But Okada gets a foot off the ground! Jonah scoops Okada first!

Okada slips off, shoves Jonah to a corner, then waits on the rebound. Okada scoops Jonah!! Only to fall over with the weight! Jonah covers, TWO! Fans fire up as Okada survives and gets to a corner. Jonah runs in at Okada to clothesline! And then scoop for a SLAM! Jonah sits Okada up then runs, to BASEMENT SENTON! Cover, TWO! Okada survives being steamrolled but Jonah drags Okada back up. Jonah runs, but Okada ducks the lariat to UPPERCUT! Okada then catches the haymaker to a MONEY CLIP! Jonah flails but he drops to a knee! Fans rally as Okada puts on the pressure, but Jonah fights up!

Jonah powers Okada back, but Okada uses that to send Jonah into the corner! Okada runs corner to corner, but into the BODY PRESS! Jonah tags Shane and he drags Okada up. Shane fires off EuroUppers then runs in at the corner to UPPERCUT again! Shane whips, Okada reverses but Shane comes back to DROPKICK! Fans fire up as Shane runs in again, FLYING CALF KICK! Okada is down, Shane keeps moving, CANNONBALL! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up for “O-KA-DA!” as Shane suplexes. Okada slips free, waistlocks, but Shane elbows free. Shane uppercuts, runs, but into a DROPKICK! Fans rally up while both men are down!

Okada crawls over to his corner, hot tag to Tanahashi! The Ace runs and FLYING FOREARMS Shane! Shane stands up into the fast hands! Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Shane, then goes up the corner! SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, “GO ACE! GO ACE!” and Tanahashi runs, into a BIG elbow from Shane! Jonah gets in, TMDK double whip Tanahashi to a corner. Shane runs in to UPPERCUT! Jonah runs in to SPLASH! Jonah scoop SLAMS Tanahashi, then Shane hops onto his back! MIGHTY SPLASH!! Cover, Okada breaks it! Fans fire up but Jonah throws Okada out. The Mighty regroup but fans rally for “TAN-HA-SHI!”

Jonah sets Tanahashi up and Shane takes aim. But Tanahashi ducks and the ROUNDHOUSE hits Jonah! Tanahashi blocks Shane’s kick to DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi kicks Jonah, and tries to suplex! Jonah is too big, but Okada joins in! Fans fire up as they DOUBLE- NO, Jonah fights that to DOUBLE- NO, Okada and Tanahashi both fight that! Tanahashi and Okada DOUBLE SUPLEX JONAH!! The fans are thunderous, and Tanahashi runs, SLING- SAIDO! Cover, TWO!! Shane is furious and the fans are thunderous as he drags Tanahashi up. Fireman’s carry, but Tanahashi slips off to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!

Tanahashi fires up, runs, and SLINGBLADES! Cover, TWO! Shane is still down as Tanahashi goes up! Shane stands and fans rally for the HIGH FLY ATTACK! Tanahashi goes back up, to HIGH FLY FLOW!! Tanahashi & Okada win!

Winners: Kazuchika Okada & Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall

Fans get to cheer “GO ACE!” with the song as Tanahashi and Okada pull out the victory! Jonah warns Okada it won’t be like this 1v1. Come October 10th, will the Top Dog take a bite out of the G1 Climax 32 Champion?

As for the Rainmaker and Ace, fans enjoy cheering “GO ACE!” with the song while the winners catch their breath. Fans then cheer for “TAN-HA-SHI!” as he gets the mic. And it would seem the fact the fans can vocalize their support is making him a touch emotional. “Finally, this day has arrived.” Fans cheer that, too, because they know what he means! “It’s been two-and-a-half YEARS that you’ve been clapping and sticking with NJPW. Thank you so much!” Fans cheer that, too. “From match one, every wrestler’s face coming back to the locker room has been different. It’s all a result of your cheers. You all made this possible. You did that for us today!

“With just a little more patience, soon enough, we’ll take it all back again!” Fans cheer that, too! They can’t wait to be back at 100%! Fans now chant for “O-KA-DA! O-KA-DA!” as they want to hear from him, too. Tanahashi hands the mic over to Okada, and he of course thanks them for the “red hot support!” Okada’s “always fought with that support in mind. And there’s still more to come, right? Keep sending that red hot support to us! And we’ll keep on delivering the hot fights! I’m looking forward to it!” Fans cheer and chant “O-KA-DA!” again.

Okada then says, “I want to say we’ll make it rain, but you can all shout along with us, right? So it’s gotta be that guy’s catchphrase.” Okada hands the mic back to Tanahashi, fans cheer him on, and Tanahashi says, “Yosh! Okada, how about you do me a favor? It’s a special day, so how about we do this together?” Okada isn’t sure he can lift his arm, though. But the fans cheering him on gives him strength! Tanahashi continues with, “Thank you for today! We’ll do our best to make up for the past two-and-a-half years! Everyone here in Korakuen, and everyone watching on NJPW World…! AISHETEMAAASU~! <I LOVE YOU~!>”

Okada and Tanahashi raise their fists to the sky while the fans’ voices join in! Will the Rainmaker and the Ace keep things red hot all the way through the Fall?

My Thoughts:

Another great event for NJPW, especially with this one being free on NJPW World for the literal world to see, and hear! It is great that fans in Japan get to verbally cheer on the wrestlers again, and this was a really fun event for that. But of course, I did keep it to the final two matches as far as my coverage. LIJ VS Suzuki-Gun was a good Six Man Tag rematch from the previous 8 Man Tag, and of course LIJ wins this one to even things out. There’s going to be a lot more between these factions as they set up things like the Naito VS ZSJ rematch from the G1, so it really only matters when it comes down to the last couple of tune-ups.

Okada & Tanahashi VS Jonah & Shane was also great, but for many of the same reasons as LIJ VS Suzuki-Gun, Okada & Tanahashi win this match to turn things around from their Six Man Tag loss. Okada has momentum going against Jonah and Tanahashi has momentum going against Shane, but the back and forth will continue all through this tour. Great promo to end the show, with fans of course getting to verbally cheer everything Tanahashi and Okada said. This is a great sign for Japan as a whole, and hopefully they can return to full capacity by December to really get things going for Wrestle Kingdom 17 and its one night stand.

My Score: 8.5/10