Autumn has golden leaves and a golden tournament!

NJPW starts on the road to WrestleKingdom 17, and starts the tournament to crown an inaugural NJWP World Television Champion!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Ren Narita & Ryohei Oiwa VS Tomohiro Ishii & Yuto Nakashima; Narita & Oiwa win.
• 8 Man Tag: Rocky Romero, Master Wato, Tomoaki Honma & Togi Makabe VS Suzuki-Gun; Rocky, Wato, Honma & Makabe win.
• 8 Man Tag: Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Ryusuke Taguchi, Hikuleo & Jado VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
• Six Man Tag: Chaos VS The United Empire; Chaos wins.
• Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire; LIJ wins.
• Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins, by disqualification.
• NJPW World Television Championship Tournament, Opening Round: David Finlay VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Finlay wins and advances to the next round.
• NJPW World Television Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Alex Zayne VS Zack Sabre Jr; ZSJ wins and advances to the next round.

PLAY BY PLAY

NJPW World Television Championship Tournament, Opening Round: David Finlay VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!

To commemorate 50 years of partnership between NJPW and TV Asahi, a new title has been born! Celebrating NJPW World and TV Asahi, this title and this tournament will be a fast-paced, high octane new chapter for NJPW! Will the Rebel get this title after falling short of the IWGP US Championship? Or will the Heel Master use this title to become a star?

The bell rings and the 15 minutes start ticking down! Fans rally up and these two tie up. Kanemaru headlocks, hits the takeover, and fights off Finlay’s headscissors. Finlay fights up, powers out and things speed up. Finlay hurdles then drops to drop- NO, Kanemaru catches the legs! Kanemaru jackknife bridges, TWO! Finlay sunset flips, TWO! Kanemaru prawn holds, TWO! The two get up and Finlay EuroUppers! And EuroUppers, but into a backslide! TWO, Kanemaru ducks the haymaker to pull hair! Kanemaru makes Finlay kneel, and then he throws him down by his hair! The ref reprimands, Kanemaru runs, but Finlay stays low. Only for Kanemaru to drop onto him with a headlock!

Finlay endures, fans rally up, and Finlay fights back up. Finlay powers up but Kanemaru holds tight! Finlay is frustrated, he fishhook’s Kanemaru’s nose! The ref reprimands, Finlay fights for headscissors but Kanemaru fights that off. They stand up again, but again Kanemaru holds tight as Finlay powers up. Finlay rolls things to a cover, TWO! Kanemaru grinds the headlock but Finlay fights up to his feet again. Finlay throws body shots, powers out this time, and he headlocks in return! Kanemaru powers out and gets the headlock back, but Finlay back suplexes. Kanemaru lands on his feet and headlocks for the takeover!

Fans applaud this fast and technical exchange. Fans rally as Finlay fights the headlock again. They stand up, Finlay pulls hair to put Kanemaru in the corner. The ref calls for a ropebreak but Finlay throws body shots and HEADBUTTS! Finlay talks trash, headbutts then whips! Kanemaru reverses but Finlay elbows him away. Finlay runs but into a hip toss! Fans fire up, Kanemaru runs for a FLYING HEADSCISSRS! Fans cheer as Finlay endures the squeeze. Finlay moves around, but Kanemaru pushes up to put on the pressure! Finlay is turning red but Kanemaru shifts position for a tighter squeeze.

Kanemaru drags Finlay around and thrashes the hold. Finlay rolls and brings Kanemaru along with him to the apron! The ref calls for the ropebreak, but they fall to the floor! Kanemaru keeps on the headscissor squeeze! The ref reprimands but Kanemaru holds on. The ring count starts now as we pass five minutes. Kanemaru holds on past 10 of 20, and then lets off at 16! Finlay sputters, springs up, and slides in at 19! Fans applaud that this is still going, but Kanemaru stomps Finlay. Finlay throws body shots but Kanemaru CLUBS him. Kanemaru brings Finlay around to CLUB him again. Finlay staggers to a corner but fans rally up.

Kanemaru CLUBS Finlay again, then whips him to ropes. Finlay reverses to DROPKICK! Fans fire up while both men are down! Kanemaru crawls to a corner but Finlay goes to the opposite end. Finlay wants Kanemaru to get up, and then he runs in to UPPERCUT! Finlay whips corner to corner, runs in and UPPERCUTS again! Finlay pushes Kanemaru, goes up top, and leaps for a FLYING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Finlay drags Kanemaru up. Finlay clinches but Kanemaru fights it. Kanemaru whips, Finlay reverses, SPIN OUT BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Kanemaru is still in this but Finlay smirks.

Fans rally up behind Finlay as he slashes his throat. Finlay vows to end this, and he drags Kanemaru up. Kanemaru slips out of the suplex but Finlay elbows him away. Finlay runs, Kanemaru follows, and Kanemaru tilt-o-whirl DDTs! Fans fire up again as both men are down! Kanemaru stands up first and he drags Finlay up. Kanemaru scoop SLAMS Finlay, then goes up the corner! MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Kanemaru is frustrated now but he drags Finlay back up. Kanemaru suplexes for a BRAINBUSTER! Fans fire up but Kanemaru has to crawl to the cover, TWO! Kanemaru goes up top and takes aim, DEEP- PRIMA NOCTA!!

Finlay and Kanemaru are down after that counter and fans rally back up. Finlay goes to the opposite corner and we hit 10 minutes! Time is running out, but Finlay runs in, into a BOOT! Kanemaru runs, tilt-o-whirls, but Finlay blocks to fling Kanemaru out! OSAKA STREET CUTTER! And then a waistlock for a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Kanemaru survives and fans fire up again! Finlay snarls and shouts, “The title is mine!” Finlay calls his shot, drags Kanemaru up and cravats, but Kanemaru fights off the Acid Drop to shove, victory roll, TWO!! Finlay SPEARS on the return! Finlay drags Kanemaru up, IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!!

Kanemaru survives again and fans are thunderous! Finlay slashes his throat again, and he suplexes, for TRASH PANDA!! Cover, Finlay wins!!

Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

With just a few minutes to spare, The Rebel finishes Kanemaru off! He vows to get that gold, but will his 15 minutes of fame run out before he knows it?

NJPW World Television Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Alex Zayne VS Zack Sabre Jr!

The Sauce and the Submission Master have held singles gold before, just not here in NJPW. This could be their chance to finally shine in the spotlight, but will Zayne be too hot to handle? Or will he #JustTapOut?

During ZSJ’s entrance, Zayne BLASTS ZSJ off the apron! And then Zayne builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit on ZSJ and now the bell rings! A truly fast start already, and Zayne puts ZSJ in. Zayne goes up top, but ZSJ rolls away. So Zayne hops down to run and MARIPOSA! Cover, TWO! Zayne keeps ZSJ from bailing out! Zayne scoops, ZSJ slips out to run and BOOT Zayne! ZSJ runs again, but into a DROPKICK! Fans fire up and ZSJ bails out this time. Zayne builds speed again but ZSJ moves. ZSJ finally takes off his jacket and catches his breath, but Zayne goes out after him. Zayne kicks ZSJ, and kicks him again, to then CLUB him down.

Zayne brings ZSJ up, wrenches, and CHOPS! ZSJ leans against railing while fans rally up. Red Shoes says to get back in the ring, but ZSJ EuroUppers! Zayne DECKS ZSJ, then drags him up. Zayne wrenches and APRON BACK SUPLEXES ZSJ! ZSJ writhes on the floor and the ring count starts. Zayne drags ZSJ up and puts him in the ring. Fans cheer this is continuing, but then ZSJ rushes Zayne at the apron! ZSJ BOOTS Zayne but Zayne DECKS ZSJ! Zayne drags ZSJ up and suplexes! ZSJ hooks the ropes to fight that, and then he has a GUILLOTINE in the ropes! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, ZSJ shifts for a HANGING CRAVAT!

Red Shoes reprimands and counts again, ZSJ lets off at 4 and Zayne sputters on the apron. Fans rally up and ZSJ drags Zayne in. ZSJ steps over for a deathlock with a cravat! Zayne endures and pries at the hold, but ZSJ pulls on the ears! Zayne gets the ROPEBREAK, but ZSJ still bridges! Red Shoes reprimands, ZSJ lets Zayne go, and ZSJ paces around. ZSJ brings Zayne up with another cravat and hooks a leg. But Zayne powers out to scoop SLAM! Fans fire up and ZSJ scrambles away to a corner. Zayne storms up, reels ZSJ in but ZSJ snapmares first. NECK TWIST! Fans applaud while ZSJ catches his breath.

Fans rally and ZSJ drags Zayne into a headscissors squeeze! ZSJ pushes up and moves around to put on the pressure! Zayne still endures, even as ZSJ keeps on the squeeze. Zayne reaches out with a leg but ZSJ gets that leg to keep it back! We’re past five minutes, ZSJ turns Zayne sideways but Zayne’s free leg gets the ROPEBREAK! Fans applaud and rally up again as ZSJ paces. ZSJ brings Zayne up, shoves and HEADBUTTS low! ZSJ EuroUppers hard, and EuroUppers again. And again! Zayne fires off elbows and down goes ZSJ! ZSJ bails out, Zayne slingshots, but ZSJ trips up his moonsault!

ZSJ gets in, gets the legs, and he hooks them up to STOMP the knees! Zayne clutches his left leg but ZSJ drags Zayne around for a toehold! ZSJ tortures the foot and even the toes, as Zayne has those special ninja boots. ZSJ then STOMPS the ankle! Fans rally up, “Z S J!” “AL-EX ZAYNE!” ZSJ stalks Zayne and KICKS at the bad leg. And KICKS again! And again! Zayne falls over but ZSJ drags Zayne up by an arm. ZSJ wants the leg but Zayne fights the lift with elbows! Zayne breaks free, ROCKS ZSJ and mule kicks! Zayne runs, ROLLING AX KICK! Fans fire up while both men are down. ZSJ crawls away to a corner while Zayne stands up.

Zayne runs in to back elbow! ZSJ sits down, Zayne shakes out the bad leg. Zayne stands ZSJ up, hoists him up top, and then Zayne climbs up. ZSJ grabs the arm to DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! He even bends a toe on the bad foot! Red Shoes reprimands, this is in the ropes. ZSJ shoves Zayne but Zayne backflips, rolls and kips up! Zayne runs in for a DRAGON RANA! Zayne hurries to scoop ZSJ, BAJA- NO, ZSJ slips out! Zayne ducks the Penalty Kick and rolls ZSJ, but ZSJ rolls through! ZSJ ducks the Eddy Gordo Kick to then body scissor and roll Zayne, JAPANESE CLUTCH! TWO!! Zayne escapes and fans fire up!

ZSJ is frustrated but he keeps focus. ZSJ and Zayne stands, ZSJ shoots in to get a SLEEPER! ZSJ then hooks a leg to get an IRON OCTOPUS! He bends the fingers, but Zayne powers out! BAJA BLAST! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives and fans fire up again! Fans rally up, “Z S J!” “AL-EX ZAYNE!” while both men stir. We’re at 10 minutes, so time is running out. Zayne rises and he drags ZSJ up. But ZSJ kicks the bad leg! Zayne goes to a corner, but he comes back, into another kick to the leg! Fans rally up as Zayne grits his teeth. ZSJ kicks the bad leg again, runs, but Zayne blocks the boot to SLAP and LARIAT! Cover, TWO!!

Fans fire up but Zayne is frustrated. Fans rally, Zayne stands up again and he brings ZSJ back around. Zayne straitjackets but ZSJ slips around to TRIANGLE HOLD! Zayne stays on his feet but ZSJ squeezes tight! Fans rally up again, Zayne deadlifts ZSJ for a POWERBOMB! We’re at a three minute warning and fans rally back up! Zayne stands again, fires up, and shouts, “ITADAKIMASU~!” He’s thankful for the meal, and he heads up top! CINNAMON- NO, ZSJ moves and Zayne flops! ZSJ picks the leg to a DEATHLOCK CALF KILLER! Zayne reaches out but ZSJ hooks his arm! Zayne uses his free arm for the ROPEBREAK!

We’re at a TWO minute warning and ZSJ drags Zayne from the ropes. Fans rally even harder as ZSJ drags Zayne up. ZSJ wants the leg but Zayne CLUBS him! And CLUBS, and CLUBS! ZSJ lets go, but then CHOP BLOCKS the leg! And STOMPS it! Fans rally up as ZSJ gets the leg, but Zayne kicks him away! Zayne storms up with just ONE MINUTE left! The EuroUppers go back and forth, but Zayne hooks the arms! ZSJ spins through but Zayne ducks the roundhouse! Pump handle, but ZSJ rolls to get the KNEEBAR!! And he grapevines! But Zayne sits on a cover! TWO!! ZSJ still has the HEEL HOOK with just THIRTY SECONDS!!

Zayne endures, ZSJ moves around, he has a HEEL HOOK! TWENTY SECONDS! Zayne stands, ZSJ trips him, TEN SECONDS! ZAYNE TAPS, ZSJ WINS!!!

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by submission (advances to the next round)

With literal seconds to spare, the Submission Master snatches victory away from Zayne! That nail-biting finish is what this new title is all about! ZSJ does nod respect to Zayne, will The Sauce come back around once a champion is crowned?

As for ZSJ, he catches his breath and he gets the mic. He starts in Japanese, “Yabai de. <That was bad.>” ZSJ tells Zayne, “you saucy devil. Dekai! Junior janai de. <Big! He’s no Junior Heavyweight!> Omoi, omoi. <Tasty, tasty.>” ZSJ says he hasn’t had the best year. He won the New Japan Cup but couldn’t win the world title. He figured, “Will Ospreay is a giant dickhead,” so ZSJ went for the US title. Nope, didn’t work out. So ZSJ says this is good timing. “Atarashi title? <That new title?>” That new belt is ZSJ’s! Finally, five years in NJPW, ZSJ is going to be a singles champion! “That beauty’s mine. Zack Sabre Jr, NJPW World Champion? Do desu ka? <What do you think?>”

And ZSJ knows fans can’t cheer tonight but he thanks them for coming. It has been a long three years, but “you idiots” can make as much noise as possible in Niigata, so see you then. ZSJ drops the mic and heads out, will he use this new title to finally have what he’s always wanted?

My Thoughts:

What a great start to Battle Autumn. I feel a bit bad for skipping as much as I did when the tournament matches were only 15 minutes each. But I did skim, and we got great stuff out of those LIJ related matches. For one, good win for LIJ against the United Empire, Titan shows he and Bushi have great teamwork already against the Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, TJP & Francesco Akira. That will be a great title match, and maybe having Titan in LIJ now means they’re getting those belts. Also a really fun finish to LIJ VS Bullet Club, with El Phantasmo trying to pull an Eddie Guerrero but then Shingo Takagi blows that up by getting himself disqualified just to make a point. As I said for Declaration of Power, with the KOPW trophy smashed apart, maybe Takagi debuts a new one.

Great stuff out of those 15 minute tournament matches. Both matches pushed things in both pace and coming close to the time limit. I figured Finlay and ZSJ would win, but ZSJ and Zayne really got close to that 15 minutes, that was great stuff. With a stipulation like the 15 minute time limit, just about anyone can win, but I think it would be great if ZSJ did make it all the way to the end and win the title. He’s been so great for so long, he deserves a singles title of some kind, and I think now is the time.

My Score: 8.6/10