Will Tama Tonga’s revenge be Just Too Sweet?

The Good Bad Guy, Tama Tonga, ruined Jay White’s G1 run and now goes for the Switchblade’s IWGP World Heavyweight Championship!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: David Finlay, Robbie Eagles & Ren Narita VS Suzuki-Gun; Finlay, Eagles & Narita win.
• Dangerous Tekkers VS Bad Dude Tito & Shane Haste; Tekkers win.
• Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Ryusuke Taguchi & Hikuleo VS The House of Torture; Tanahashi, Taguchi & Hikuleo win.
• BISHAMON VS Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb; Khan & Cobb wins.
• 8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire; LIJ wins.
• Master Wato VS Taiji Ishimori; Wato wins.
• KOPW 2022 Who’s Your Daddy Match: Shingo Takagi VS El Phantasmo; Takagi wins and retains the trophy.
• Kazuchika Okada VS JONAH; Okada wins.
• IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Jay White w/ Gedo VS Tama Tonga w/ Jado; White wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

NJPW has a special presentation!

The King of Sports welcomes Takami Obari to make this announcement. “Everyone, thank you for coming out tonight. We have a big, big piece of information. We are going to celebrate perhaps the biggest business partner NJPW has in our broadcaster, TV Asahi.” It is a new championship belt for NJPW! It is to commemorate the 50 YEARS of NJPW, and to look forward to the next 50. So NJPW and TV Asahi would like to celebrate that relationship as they present the NJPW World Television Championship! It will represent the growing future of NJPW, NJPW World and TV Asahi!

Every title match will have a FIFTEEN minute time limit, and encourage high speed, fast paced competition. So NJPW would like to make this a consideration for the younger wrestlers, the future of NJPW, and will be especially focused on the venues that don’t get big matches. A tournament will be held in the near future to crown our inaugural NJPW TV Champion. And with his own comments is the head of TV Asahi Sports, Hiroyuki Mihira. Mihira knows that as Obari-san explained, this is about the 50 years together. That has led to this moment and this title. This new belt will be a new challenge, a new chapter and a new start for NJPW.

From TV Asahi to NJPW World, this title and its matches will all be seen for free through NJPW social media! Fans applaud to hear that! And without further ado, the belt is revealed!

The tournament starts next time NJPW is live, October 14th, to kick off Battle Autumn! More information to come, but it will culminate with THE NJPW World Television Championship being crowned as part of WrestleKingdom 17! Who will win this historic and exciting new title?

KOPW 2022 Who’s Your Daddy Match: Shingo Takagi VS El Phantasmo!

KOPW has given rise to some very unique and original stipulations, but this one might be the most humiliating! Will the Headbanga be Daddy ELP? Or will he have to call Shingo Takagi, “Papa Dragon?”

The introductions are made, the trophy is raised, and we see who is the Father of KOPW!

Takagi takes off his jacket, and surprise! He’s wearing a “Shingo is my Daddy” shirt! Well it’s only fair since ELP has his own “ELP is my Daddy” shirt! ELP shoves Takagi so Takagi throws forearms! The bell rings to get this on the record and fans rally as they go back and forth! ELP knees low, headlocks, but Takagi powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, and then shout at each other, “You’re the baby!” ELP runs, RAMS Takagi, but Takagi rebounds to RAM and then ELBOW! Takagi runs but ELP follows to RANA! Fans fire up and ELP struts around, only for Takagi to run him over! Takagi mocks ELP’s rock ‘n’ roll, then takes off his shirt.

Fans rally, and Takagi wraps the shirt around his hand. Takagi ROCKS ELP with a right, but the ref can’t really reprimand about closed fists with the shirt wrapped around it. Takagi DECKS ELP, then drags him back up. Takagi whips corner to corner, runs in but into a BOOT! ELP BOOTS again, but runs into a back drop! Fans rally and Takagi hurries to SPANK the baby! ELP scrambles away but Takagi steps on his head. The ref reprimands and counts, Takagi lets off. Fans rally up, Takagi stands ELP up to KNEE him low against the ropes. Takagi whips and knees ELP again, then runs, only for ELP to send him out!

Fans rally as ELP builds speed, but he fakes Takagi out, to then DIVE! Direct hit into the railing! ELP CLUBS Takagi, drags him up and CHOPS him, then takes off his shirt. ELP CHOKES Takagi with the shirt! The ref reprimands and counts, ELP lets off to smack Takagi off the apron. ELP CHOPS Takagi, then goes up the corner! ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Direct hit and down go the daddies! ELP drags Takagi up as fans rally, and he ROCKS Takagi! ELP ROCKS Takagi again. ELP has a mic, he has Takagi in a headlock, and ELP tells him to say it! Takagi refuses so ELP BOPS him with the mic!

ELP puts Takagi in, climbs up the ropes, and SWANTONS! Then LIONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Takagi is still in this and ELP is frustrated. Fans rally up, “TA-KA-GI!” “E L P!” ELP puts Takagi in a corner, JABS him, CHOPS him, repeat! ELP is copying Takagi but Takagi turns things around! Takagi JABS and CHOPS to show ELP how it’s done! But ELP turns it back around to CHOP! Takagi turns it back around, but ELP blocks to PURPLE NURPLE! The ref counts, ELP CHOPS and goes up, up and FLYING ARM-DRAGS! Fans rally and ELP brings Takagi up. ELP ROCKS Takagi to a corner but Takagi eggs him on.

ELP throws forearm after forearm but Takagi just stares him down. ELP CLUBS Takagi, throws more hands, but fans rally up. Takagi blocks the whip by holding the ropes, but ELP CHOPS him again. ELP whips corner to corner, Takagi reverses and runs in, but ELP goes up and over. ELP ducks ‘n’ dodges to CROSSBODY, but into Takagi’s arms! Takagi pops ELP up, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Fans fire up while both men are down. Takagi crawls to a corner and takes aim. ELP rises, Takagi runs in and runs him over! And then scoops to SLAM! Takagi drags ELP back up, reels him in, suplexes, but ELP slips out!

ELP CLAWS Takagi’s back! But Takagi LARIATS and SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Takagi skips saying “There’s more to come!” because he knows ELP is lurking. Takagi ducks ELP’s haymaker to reel him in, but ELP throws headlock punches. Takagi still back suplexes high and fast! NOW Takagi says, “There’s more to come!” Fans fire up and Takagi encourages them to get louder. They get louder and clap along as Takagi rains down elbows! Takagi runs, ELP ducks the sliding lariat, but he runs into the ELBOW! ELP MULE KICKS! Takagi JABS! ELP hits a RIGHT HAND, but then Takagi fakes the Yukon Lariat to DDT!!

Fans fire up but ELP rises? Takagi likes that, and he fires off boxing elbows! ELP ROUNDHOUSES, runs, but into a LARIAT! He stays up to BOOT! Takagi comes back to PUMPING BOMBER! ELP springs up to SUPERKICK!! Both men are down and fans rally up again! ELP sits up first and he mocks the “OI! OI! OI!” Fans clap along as ELP throws off the elbow pads. ELP fires boxing elbows! Takagi wobbles, ELP runs, PHANTASMO BOMBER! But Takagi stays up! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And again! Takagi runs, but ELP ducks to PHANTASMO BOMBER!! Takagi goes down and fans are thunderous!

ELP straitjackets, torture racks, and spins for the NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Fans rally up while ELP is beside himself. ELP goes to a corner, he climbs up to the top, but Takagi ROCKS him first! Takagi climbs up after ELP, clubs him then drags ELP up. Fans fire up for the fireman’s carry, but ELP fights free! ELP CLUBS and CHOPS Takagi, then jumps up to SUPER STEINER! ELP hurries right back up for the THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives and fans are thunderous again! ELP has a wild look in his eye as he slashes his throat. ELP reels Takagi in, tucks the arms, but Takagi resists.

ELP CLUBS Takagi but Takagi back drops, only for ELP to sunset flip! TWO, ELP tucks the arms for C R II!!! Cover, TWO?!! Takagi survives again and ELP can’t believe it! Fans rally, ELP drags Takagi up and tucks the arms again. Takagi fights the lift, wrenches out, but ELP SLAPS him! And SLAP, and SLAPS and kicks, but into MADE IN JAPAN!!! Cover, TWO!?!? ELP survives and Takagi can’t believe it! Takagi and ELP crawl up to each other, Takagi SLAPS ELP but ELP SLAPS back. They both stand, Takagi ROCKS ELP with a forearm. Takagi eggs ELP on but ELP comes back with a forearm. The fans rally as the forearms go back and forth!

ELP gets the edge, he BOOTS Takagi, but Takagi eggs him on. ELP BOOTS and BOOTS but Takagi leans into them! Takagi then blocks to LARIAT in the corner! Takagi fires up to fire off boxing elbows and HEADBUTTS! The fans are thunderous, Takagi runs, but ELP boots him! YUKON LARIAT! JAB! HEADBUTT! ELP dodges but Takagi SUPERKICKS?! Takagi brings ELP in and tucks the arms?! TAKAGI R PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO!?!?! HOW?!? Takagi powers up, “OI! OI! OI!” and fans clap along! Takagi wraps on a COBRA TWIST! ELP endures but Takagi puts on a lot of pressure! ELP bites his thumb to ignore the pain!

So Takagi steps over to make it an IRON OCTOPUS! ELP endures more, but Takagi makes it a GROUND COBRA! Takagi twists ELP and ELP TAPS! Takagi is the daddy!!

Winner: Shingo Takagi, by submission (still Provisional KOPW 2022)

The trophy stays with the Dragon! And of course, we know what this means! Takagi gets a mic to say that since ELP lost his own stipulation, he has to say it! “Baby Phantasmo,” you have to keep your word. ELP doesn’t want to but Takagi tells him to say it! Takagi is daddy! Takagi even kneels to look ELP in the eye. There’s no running from this so ELP takes the mic. Look at the main camera, Baby ELP! ELP turns around and Takagi has the crowd hush so we can hear it. ELP is reluctant but Takagi tells him to speak up. ELP claims his throat hurts. They get him water, and now he’s fine, right? Say it! “Shingo is my… daddy…” Again! “Shingo… is… my daddy…”

Takagi makes ELP wear the shirt! The ref fetches it for Takagi and ELP throws a fit, just like a baby. But just like a daddy, Takagi helps ELP put it on. At least it goes with his colors. Now, Baby ELP, here’s your pacifier. ELP has no choice but to take it, and then sit with Daddy Takagi for the photo ops. Will ELP ever live this down? ELP asks, “Papa… Hug?” Fans cheer as Takagi is rather surprised by this. Takagi says okay. They hug! And then ELP DICK PUNCHES TAKAGI!!! ELP STOMPS the trophy into pieces! The baby is throwing a tantrum! Or is he in his rebellious teenage phase already? Will Daddy Takagi do a bit more than ground ELP for that?

Kazuchika Okada VS JONAH w/ TMDK!

The Rainmaker is the back-to-back G1 Climax Champion, poised to face the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion at WrestleKingdom 17! But will it be smooth sailing into the Autumn? Or will Okada be knocked off course by the Top Dog’s Torpedo?

The bell rings and fans rally up as these two stare down. Okada and Jonah tie up, and Jonah shoves Okada down! Okada gets up and keeps his cool. They approach, Okada kicks low and headlocks! But Jonah powers out and they RAM shoulders. Okada bounces off but stays up. Okada runs again and they RAM shoulders, but Okada bounces off again! Fans rally as Jonah eggs Okada on. Okada runs, RAMS Jonah, Jonah rebounds, only for Okada to drop toehold Jonah down! Okada drops a BIG elbow! Fans fire up and both men stand. Okada tries to scoop? Jonah’s too big! Jonah CLUBS Okada, whips him, but Okada holds ropes.

Jonah runs in, Okada dodge and Jonah tumbles out! Okada then PLANCHAS and takes Jonah down! Fans fire up for “O-KA-DA!” as he stands back up. Okada drags Jonah up, ROCKS him and CLUBS him, then whips. Jonah reverses and Okada hits railing HARD! Okada goes down in a heap and the ref checks on him, but Okada is somehow still in this. Jonah goes to the apron, and to the apron!? Jonah runs to FLYING SHOULDER Okada down! Fans fire up and Jonah says, “This is MY ring now. I’m the Top Dog.” Jonah brings Okada up, brings him to No Man’s Land in front of the fans, and he git wrenches Okada to a crucifix! Jonah runs at the corner to POST Okada with the Razor’s Edge!!

Fans are in shock and the ref checks Okada again. Okada is somehow still in this and fans rally up. Jonah leaves Okada behind to flex and fans do applaud his display of strength. The ring count starts, Okada is still down at 5 of 20, stirs at 7, but doesn’t rise until 13! Okada tries to get in but flounders at 15! Okada hobbles around and gets in at 17! Jonah STANDS on Okada at the ropes! The ref counts, Jonah steps off but won’t back away. Jonah drags Okada around, and drops a knee into the ribs! Jonah punches Okada in the stomach and digs his fist in. The fans rally but Jonah sits Okada up to CLUB him on the back.

Jonah drags Okada up but Okada pushes him. Okada throws body shots but Jonah isn’t bothered. Jonah HEADBUTTS Okada and Okada staggers all around the ring. Jonah puts Okada in a corner to CHOP! Jonah grins as Okada flops over. Jonah drags Okada up again, whips him corner to corner hard, and Okada bounces off buckles! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up while Jonah taunts Okada. Okada stands, he throws forearms, but Jonah eggs him on. Okada throws more but Jonah DECKS him with one! Jonah scoops Okada, for a BACKBREAKER! And he holds on to fireman’s carry and GUTBUSTER!

Okada writhes while fans rally up. Jonah drags Okada up, and CHOPS him off his feet! Jonah flexes again and fans applaud. Jonah then drops on Okada to wrap on a rear bearhug! Okada endures as fans rally, but Jonah leans his weight on the hold. Jonah thrashes Okada around but Okada throws elbows in return. Okada keeps fighting but Jonah CLUBS him! Jonah whips Okada into a corner, runs in, but Okada BOOTS back! Okada runs to ELBOW Jonah! Jonah stays up so Okada kicks low and DDTs! Fans fire up while both men are down! Okada and Jonah rise, and Okada fires off forearms!

Okada whips, Jonah reverses but Okada dropkicks the leg! Okada keeps moving, he dropkicks Jonah down! Fans fire up, and Okada starts dropping elbows on Jonah’s leg! Fans fire up as Okada scowls and drags Jonah up. Jonah shoves Okada away but Okada comes back with an uppercut! Okada stomps Jonah’s bad leg and Jonah exits the ring. Okada pursues, and he puts Jonah’s leg on the railing to PULL! The ref counts, Jonah CLUBS Okada, but Okada lets off. Okada KICKS the railing to jam the leg! The ref reprimands but Okada shakes the railing to mess with Jonah’s leg more. Okada then dropkicks the railing to really get at the leg!

Fans rally while Jonah gets his leg free. Jonah hobbles away into the ring but Okada pursues. Fans rally as Okada stands Jonah up. Okada still wants to scoop!? Jonah is still big but Okada kicks the bad leg. Okada runs, but into a SPEAR! Both men are down again and fans fire up! Okada and Jonah go to opposite corners, and Jonah runs in to SPLASH! Jonah whips Okada back in, to SPLASH again! Okada sits down and Jonah hobbles, but Jonah comes back to HIP ATTACK! Okada flops over and Jonah has to drop to a knee. Fans rally up, Jonah grits his teeth and he drags Okada back up. Jonah suplexes, and he still holds Okada up for the SLAM! Cover, TWO!

Jonah grows frustrated but fans rally up for “O-KA-DA!” Jonah gets to a corner and climbs up, even with the bad leg. Okada stands, Jonah leaps, into Okada’s DROPKICK! Fans fire up as both men are down again! Okada and Jonah stir, and Okada sits up first. Okada storms over to Jonah, and tries to scoop again! He still can’t, and Jonah scoops! Okada slips off and he CHOP BLOCKS Jonah! Okada gets an arm for the MONEY CLIP! Jonah endures but his bad leg makes it hard to fight up! Okada leans on the hold, fans rally, but Jonah fights his way over to a ROPEBREAK! Okada lets go and fans fire up again.

Okada drags Jonah around and puts him in a drop zone! Okada climbs up the corner, but Jonah stands! Okada jumps over Jonah and ends up in another corner. Jonah runs in but Okada dodges! Jonah hits buckles, and Okada SCOOP SLAMS HIM!! Fans are thunderous and Okada catches his breath. Okada goes up the corner, for the MACHO ELBOW! And then the Rainmaker Pose! Fans fire up and Okada brings Jonah around. Ripcord, but Jonah ducks to GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up and Jonah throws off his own elbow pad! Jonah stands Okada up, runs, and TOP DOG LARIATS!! Cover, TWO!!!

Okada survives and Jonah can’t believe it! Fans rally as hard as they can, and Jonah stands up. Jonah drags Okada up, reels him in, but Okada fights the lift! Okada wrenches out, and LARIATS! Jonah stays up and growls, so Okada LARIATS again! Jonah swings, but into the ROLLING LARIAT! Fans fire up again as Okada brings Jonah up to ripcord! RAIN- NO! URENAGE!! Jonah turns the tides again and drags Okada up, BLACK FOREST BOMB!! Okada is in a drop zone, Jonah goes to the corner, but the bad leg slows his climb! Fans are thunderous for the TORPEDO FLOP!!! Okada moves just in time to avoid disaster!

Fans rally up even harder, and Okada snarls as he brings Jonah up. Okada wrenches the arm for the MONEY CLIP! Jonah RAMS Okada into a corner, then comes back with a BODY PRESS! Okada is down and Jonah fires up! Fans rally as Jonah stands Okada up. Okada ducks the lariat to GERMAN SUPLEX!? Okada holds on, ripcords, but Jonah ducks to SUPERKICK!! Okada comes back to SHOTGUN! Jonah stays up but Okada ROCKS him! And BOOTS him! And UPPERCUTS him! Jonah still DECKS Okada! Jonah runs, into the DROPKICK! Jonah stays up, but Okada scoops to LANDSLIDE!! Ripcord, RAINMAKER!!! Cover, Okada wins!!

Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall

The back-to-back G1 Climax Champion proves just why he IS the back-to-back G1 Climax Champion!! It was a battle worthy of the G1, but now Okada continues on, unencumbered, towards WrestleKingdom! Will he give us a similar battle against whoever is IWGP World Heavyweight Champion?

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Jay White w/ Gedo VS Tama Tonga w/ Jado!

Speaking of that WK17 world title match, the Switchblade would love nothing more than to welcome the Rainmaker to his era. But could there be a major shift in the NJPW landscape? Will this finally be the Good Bad Guy Era? Or will Tama have no choice but to Breathe with the Switchblade?

The introductions are made, White takes his time with his jacket and the Too Sweet with Gedo. White takes a long look at the belt before handing it over to Red Shoes, is that the last time he’ll have it?

The bell rings and fans rally up. Then White goes to the apron. Fans clap for “GOOD BAD GUY!” and White gets annoyed. White steps inside, ties up with Tama, and they’re in a deadlock. Tama powers White to a corner and White shouts for the ropebreak. Tama lets off and fans applaud. White mockingly claps and he resets with Tama. They circle, tie up, and Tama powers White back again. White turns things around with a pull of the hair, but Red Shoes reprimands. White lets off slowly, then he SLAPS Tama! White eggs Tama and Tama storms up. Tama powers White to a corner but White turns it around again.

Red Shoes counts, White lets off and he smirks. Tama SLAPS White! Tama ROCKS White, puts him in the corner and he fires off body shots! The fans rally up but Red Shoes reprimands. Tama lets off, White bails out, but Tama goes out after White. Tama puts White in, but White headlocks. Tama powers out, things speed up and Tama hurdles to then arm-drag! And arm-drag again! Fans fire up as Tama back drops White! Tama looms over White as he goes to ropes. Fans rally, Tama keeps White from bailing out and he CLUBS White on the back. Tama throws hands, wrenches an arm, and he CLUBS the arm.

Tama whips White, White holds ropes, and Tama runs in. White boots but Tama blocks it! Tama swings, but into a clinch! EXPLODER up and out of the ring!! Red Shoes checks but somehow Tama is okay to continue. White grins as he gets fans to clap for “SWITCH! BLADE!” White does want them to cheer it but they’re not allowed. White tells Jado to back off. Then he whips Tama hard into railing! White flexes and fans do applaud. White talks himself up, “I’m so good.” White drags Tama up to whip him hard into MORE railing! White tells Jado that he is so good! White drags Tama back up, and then CHOKES him with camera cables!

Red Shoes reprimands, White lets off and claims Tama tapped out. Red Shoes says that doesn’t count in any way, shape or form. White questions why, but then he CLUBS Tama and puts him on the apron. White CLUBS Tama and then bends him against the edge, while clawing at the eyes! White tells Jado to get back and he undoes the apron skirt. White SMOTHERS Tama and mocks the fans, “Don’t forget to wear your masks!” Red Shoes reprimands, White stops and the Young Lions reset the apron. But White gets in the ring to ROPE GUILLOTINE Tama! Cover, but Red Shoes refuses because of the shenanigans! White is upset, he would’ve won by now!

White stomps Tama, covers, TWO! White clamps onto Tama with a chinlock but fans rally for the “GOOD BAD GUY!” White thrashes Tama around, but Tama fights up and throws body shots. White CLUBS Tama, reels him in, but Tama throws more body shots! White kicks the legs out, then throws Tama by his hair! Red Shoes reprimands but White rests in the corner. White says the claps are for “TOO! SWEET! TOO! SWEET!” White winds up to Too Sweet CHOP! Fans applaud as White wants Tama to stand again. Too Sweet CHOP! Tama goes to a corner and White stands him up again. White whips corner to corner, Tama comes back, but into a fireman’s carry!

Tama slips off, ducks the chop and he DROPKICKS White down! Fans rally up as Tama and White stir. White and Tama go to opposite corners, and Tama runs in to CLOBBER White! And LARIAT! And scoop SLAM! Fans fire up with Tama and he aims from a corner again. Tama runs corner to corner to STINGER SPLASH! White staggers into a scoop, but he fights free to spin and knee low. White whips Tama, Tama comes back with a LARIAT! OFF COMES THE VEST! Tama is fired up now and fans fire up with him! Tama scoops again, POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Fans rally for the “GOOD BAD GUY!” as he stands over White.

Tama drags White up, EuroUppers him down, and then stalks White as he crawls. Tama brings White up, EuroUppers again, and White flounders against the buckles! Tama still stalks White, drags him up again, and dragon sleepers. White fights, and he CLAWS Tama’s eyes! White suplexes, Tama slips off and shoves, but White dodges in the corner! DDT! Fans fire up while both men are down! Tama crawls to a corner while White tries to get fans clapping for him. White runs in at Tama to UPPERCUT! And then White brings Tama around, BLADE BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Tama is still in this and White grows frustrated.

White drags Tama around by his arm and stands him up. White clinches but Tama fights off the lift. White throws KNEE after KNEE, then brings Tama up. White fireman’s carries but Tama dragon sleepers! TONGAN TWIST! Fans fire up as both men are down again! Jado coaches Tama up and the fans rally. White drags himself to ropes, Tama crawls after White. Tama grabs White’s foot to keep him from getting away. White kicks at Tama but Red Shoes reprimands about the ropebreak. Tama slips out fast to drag White out, TONGAN TWIST to the floor! Fans rally up again and Tama staggers back up.

Tama drags White up, puts him in the ring, and covers, TWO! Gedo protests, Red Shoes shouldn’t have counted that to begin with! But Tama stands while White flounders around again. Tama brings White up, fireman’s carries, but White fights with elbow after elbow after elbow! But Tama still hits the S R C!! Tama goes to the corner and right up top, for a SUPREME FLOW onto knees!! Gedo applauds but fans rally for Tama. White thinks Red Shoes should call this, but Tama says he’s still able to continue. So White drags Tama up, throws body shot after body shot, then hangs Tama out to dry! Tama flops down and falls to the floor!

White goes out to fetch Tama and drags him up. White suplexes to GOURDBUSTER Tama on the apron! Tama flops back down to the floor and White sits on the apron. White tells Tanahashi on commentary that White is a genius! The ring count begins as White slides inside. We’re already at 10 of 20 but Tama is still down. Tama rises at 15, crawls at 17, and he springs up and in at 19.99! White is frustrated, and he doesn’t understand why Tama got back in. White RAMS his shoulder into Tama again and again and again and again! Red Shoes counts, Tama starts falling down but White keeps throwing his shoulder in!

White finally lets off as Tama sits all the way down. White asks if Tama gives up but he does not, so White drags Tama up, clinches, SWINGING URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Fans rally as Tama is still in this! White drags Tama around into a BOSTON CRAB! White shouts, “NEW JAPAN STYLE!” White wants to use a basic hold, a Young Lion favorite, to humiliate Tama! But Tama endures, crawls forward, but White drags him away! White then shifts to have a LION’S TAMER! Tama endures as White pretends to be the Lionheart, and Tama still fights his way over to the ROPEBREAK! Fans are thunderous as White lets go in frustration.

White drags Tama away into a SLEEPER, and then he drags Tama up! Gedo likes where this is going, but Tama is dead weight! White lets go and tells Red Shoes to check him. Fans rally up as Tama stirs. White shoves him around, tells Tama to just quit, but Tama refuses. White gets in Tama’s face, RAMS his shoulder in again and again, then digs his shoulder in! But Tama holds on with a gut wrench! Tama powers White back, only for White to RAM him in again. But Tama comes back, VENENO!! Fans fire up after that satellite DDT! Tama stands up, hurries to the corner and climbs up top! SUPREME FLOW!! It’s clean but Tama clutches his ribs! Cover, TWO!!!

White survives because of the damage he did earlier! But fans rally up behind the “GOOD BAD GUY!” as he stands again. Tama and Jado pound the mat, and the fans clap along! Tama watches White rise, GUN- NO, no cutter! White gets to ropes and Tama storms over. White RAMS into Tama, then rolls him up! Feet on the ropes!! Red Shoes sees that and KICKS the legs away! White is pissed and gets in Red Shoes’ face but fans applaud! White turns around, GUN- NO, White throws Tama into Red Shoes! LOW BLOW!! Tama drops to his knees and Gedo gets a chair! But Jado stops him! But then White goes out to CLUB Jado down!

Gedo hands White the chair and White thanks him. White paces around Tama like a shark circling blood. White tells Tama, “Too Sweet~!” CHAIR- LOW BLOW!! Tama evens the score and fans applaud! Fans rally up as Tama looms over White. Tama grabs the chair, and now Gedo wants Red Shoes to do his job! White tells Tama to think about Hontai, and the good guy path Tama is on now. Tama holds up the chair, White dares him to do it! But Red Shoes is back, and Tama hands him the chair! But he turns around into BLADE- NO, Tama slips through to roll White up! But Red Shoes is busy with the chair! Cover, ONE!!

Tama swings, into a COMPLETE SHOT! Both men are down again and fans rally back up! White drags Tama around and into a waistlock. White drags Tama up, but Tama throws elbows to get free. Tama storms up but White CHOPS him! Tama CHOPS back and White drops to his knees! White goes to ropes as fans applaud. White comes back to CHOP, but Tama CHOPS back! Fans applaud as White backs away a moment. White huffs and puffs and comes back to CHOP again! Tama snarls and White eggs him on with a grin. Tama CHOPS! White forearms! Tama forearms! Repeat! Fans rally as Gedo cheers on White.

Tama EuroUppers! And EuroUppers! And EuroUppers! Tama fires off fast hands, but White counters the superman forearm with a COMPLETE SHOT! White drags Tama into the deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans rally for Tama but White drags him up into the SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEX! White drags Tama around, slashes his throat, and BLADE- NO, Tama slips out! GUN- NO, White SLAMS Tama down! And then drags him up, BLADE- NO, BLOODY SUNDAY!! Cover, TWO!! Tama shouts out The Prince but White survives it! Fans rally as hard as ever, and Tama stands back up. Tama drags White up as Gedo freaks out!

Tama reels White in, underhooks the arms, but White wrenches out to BLADE- NO! Tama slips out to GUN- NO! White holds it off again! White shoves, Tama comes back, GUN- NO, crucifix takedown! White rains down hammering elbows!! #SharpSensation! Tama is still in this as White runs out of steam. But White grins as he drags Tama back up and fisherman’s the leg, LEG LOCK SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO!?!? Tama survives and fans are thunderous! White drags Tama up again, crossing the arms. White reels Tama in, BLOODY CROSS!! White slashes his throat, vowing to end this!

But White doesn’t drag Tama up? He doesn’t think that’ll work. Fans rally but White hushes them all so he can pound the mat! White is already signaling he wants to steal the cutter! Fans do clap along, but perhaps to rally for Tama rather than White. GUN STUN from TAMA!! Cover, TWO!?!?! White survives but fans are thunderous again as Tama rises. Tama drags White up, hooks the arms, but White back drops free! But Tama’s up! White CHOPS, Tama ENZIGURIS! White staggers, but he fights off Gun Stun! BLADE- NO, Tama slips out again, to a SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! A shoutout to both Tanahashi and Omega!!

Tama drags White up, underhooks those arms, D S- NO, White slips out, Tama GUN- NO, White shoves him! Tama SPRINGBOARDS INTO BLADE RUNNER!!!! Cover, White wins!!!

Winner: Jay White, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)

The Good Bad Guy put on the fight of a lifetime, but it was still not enough to dethrone Jay White! Is this the limit of Tama Tonga in the singles division?

As for White, he gets the title, a drink of water, and the mic. He gives the fans a chance to chant, but they can’t so they just applaud. White says, “If you’re not going to talk back, then I’m not going to talk to you. Tama Tonga! A couple months ago, I said you need to thank me. You need to thank me for all the success that you’ve had since I cut you from Bullet Club. And you did thank me. But Tama, also, I need to thank you. So Tama, I hope you’re watching this. I hope you got some sense to you. Thank you, Tama, for all of those years in Bullet Club.” Fans applaud that.

White thanks Tama for those years that taught him how to lead by example. Where White learned who he had to become, and what he had to do, to get here and to have this title! “This, Tama Tonga, you deserve this. Tama Tonga, you deserve this moment. You’re good enough for it. It’s just that life is unfair. And Tama, life is unfair for you in the way that you went after this in the Switchblade Era. You tried to make your mark with this at the same time as a once in a lifetime performer! It’s no knock on you, Tama. Life isn’t fair. But hey! Any other day, any other time, and this could’ve easily gone the other way and Tama Tonga would be your IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.

“And I have no shame in admitting that, because Tama Tonga, oh boy. He embodies everything that NJPW stands for! And he would be a great champion to lead this company. But it wasn’t any other day, it wasn’t any other time. It was this day, it was MY time! So whether it be luck, chance, fate, destiny, destino, Tama, life isn’t fair. BUT, at the end of it all, through the ups, downs, all the sh*t that we have to go through, one thing is true, one thing remains the same at the end of all, and that is that I am Switchblade, Jay White! Number one asset in all of professional wrestling! The Last Rock ‘n Rolla, singlehandedly sold out Madison Square Garden, AND the United Center.

“I’m King Switch, baby! I’m the first-ever, only and true Grand Slam Champion! I’m the leader of Bullet Club! The Catalyst of Professional Wrestling! The IWGP World Heavyweight Champion! And now, as always, the world BREATHES with-” Wait, here comes The G1 Climax Champion, OKADA! Fans rally for “O-KA-DA!” but White says this isn’t his moment. This isn’t his time! This isn’t Okada’s time to speak! But Okada snatches the mic to speak! Okada gives a quick tribute to the late, great Antonio Inoki, and he even quotes Inoki’s saying, “If you’ve got the heart, you can do anything.” But sadly, no one expected that great man’s passing on October 1st.

Inoki is no longer with us, and that means an era has come to an end. The question is, who leads this next era? These two will decide that at WrestleKingdom. White says he doesn’t understand Japanese. Also, social distancing. Okada says White should be the one to stand back then. Okada then tells White, “good luck” in holding onto that IWGP World Heavyweight Championship for the rest of this year, because the G1 Climax Champion is gonna be tearing it up going into WK17! White tells Okada to bring it then! White says this is his world, and the two look ready to throw here, but Okada takes his exit.

White shouts at the fans to shut up! “As I was saying, the world BREATHES with the Switchblade, because this is still my era, Okada! Forever and always, it will be the Switchblade Era!” White throws down the mic, holds up the belt, and the confetti and streamers fly. White gets to celebrate now, but will he be ringing in the New Year still our champion?

My Thoughts:

A great event for NJPW, and yes I did skip quite a bit. I feel bad for some of that, as this had NJPW’s tribute to Antonio Inoki, but also had a lot of great story developments. One big one is that in the LIJ VS United Empire 8 Man Tag. Helping LIJ win was CMLL’s Titan! And while he said he was joining LIJ, it would seem LIJ has accepted him, making Titan the first non-Japanese member of the faction. Titan might also be Bushi’s tag partner in the Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship story, as Hiromu got involved in the Junior Heavyweight Championship story. Wato wins, so he’s a contender. Hiromu and El Desperado also want in, it sounds like a Fatal 4 Way is in the works.

I did capture the historic unveiling of that brand new championship for NJPW. Now, it’s the NJPW World Television Championship not because it’s a world title. It is the midcard title representing NJPW World the streaming service, as well as TV Asahi. It’s basically bringing the classic concept of a TV title to NJPW. And yes, there is criticism to be had that NJPW is adding a new midcard title when they needlessly fused the Intercontinental Championship with the Heavyweight title to make a world title when they could’ve just added “World” to the name. But at the same time, NJPW has plenty of people, they can get a lot out of this title.

Anyway, a great KOPW match. I thought by the name, “Who’s Your Daddy?” was going to be an I Quit match where there’s no disqualifications and you’d have to say “You’re my daddy!” to end the match. But still, a lot of fun, especially the antics after. That is no less than the third time the KOPW trophy has been damaged, so maybe Takagi brings out something bigger and shinier for his KOPW trophy moving forward. Great match from Okada and Jonah, on par with their G1 Climax match, but of course Okada wins. The Right to Challenge wasn’t on the line, but even if it was, I don’t think Okada was gonna lose anyway.

And as we know from that big closing segment, Okada VS White is set in stone for WrestleKingdom 17. White VS Tama was awesome, and Tama got so, so close there. White gave Tama his praise, and White perhaps does have a point that many great names would’ve been champion, but there’s always someone greater in the way. White is that guy, for better or worse, love him or hate him, and this newest match of White VS Okada will surely be the best one yet. It could go either way, but I feel like this is another resurgence of Okada’s, and Okada wins the belt to light some kind of spark into the 51st year of NJPW.

My Score: 8.8/10