NJPW + FTR + UK = A classic in the making!

NJPW returns to the UK, and FTR is coming with them! Cash & Dax defend the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships against the NJPW Strong Tag Team Champions, Aussie Open!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Gabriel Kidd VS Dan Moloney; Kidd wins.
• Great-O-Khan & Gideon Gray VS Michael Oku & Ricky Knight Jr; Oku & Knight Jr. win.
• Kanji & Jazzy Gabbert VS Alex Windsor & Ava White; Windsor & White win.
• Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Suzuki-Gun; LIJ wins.
• Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii VS JONAH Zak Knight & Bad Dude Tito; Okada & Ishii win.
• 8 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tama Tonga, Hikuleo & Jado VS Bullet Club; Tanahashi, Tama, Hikuleo & Jado win.
• Will Ospreay VS Shota Umino; Ospreay wins.
• IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: FTR VS Aussie Open w Great-O-Khan; FTR wins and retains the titles.

PLAY BY PLAY

Will Ospreay VS Shota Umino

The Commonwealth Kingpin just retained his IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship against David Finlay, only to find Tetsuya Naito AND Zack Sabre Jr. are after him! Will Ospreay be able to keep his focus tonight? Or will #SHOOTER hit a bull’s eye and add himself to that title picture?

As introductions are made, fans fire up even for Red Shoes! Fans sing “OS-PREAY~, OSPREAY OSPREAY OSPREAY~! OS-PREAY~, OS-PREAY~!” but then chant “SHOOTA! SHOOTA!” and even “RED SHOES! RED SHOES!” The bell rings, Ospreay fires up and fans fire up with him. Ospreay and Shota circle as the singing returns. Ospreay smiles and he ties up with Shota. They are in a deadlock, Shota puts Ospreay on ropes but Ospreay turns that around. Ospreay slowly lets off on the break as fans duel, and Ospreay pats Shota on the head. Ospreay then dodges Shota’s clothesline and mocks how close that one came.

Ospreay starts up a mocking song, too. “How high~, do you want my hair? How high~, do you want my hair?” Shota shrugs that off, ties up with Ospreay and puts him on the ropes. Red Shoes counts, Shota lets off, and he pats Ospreay on the shoulders. But then he ducks the hook kick! Shota knees low, headlocks, but Ospreay powers out. Shota RAMS Ospreay, then runs again to run Ospreay over! But Ospreay kips right back up! Fans fire up, but Shota blocks the boot to ROCK and whip! Ospreay handsprings, Shota gets under, things keep moving, OSCUT- NO, Shota catches Ospreay and spins him around to underhooks!

Ospreay fights out of Death Rider and ducks the rolling elbow! Fans fire up and Ospreay swaggers again. Shota keeps cool and fans duel. “Here we go, Shoota, here we go!” “OSPREAY!” Ospreay and Shota circle, knuckle lock, and have a test of strength! Fans change the chant to, “Let’s Go, Red Shoes!” as Ospreay starts bending Shota back! Shota powers up, but Ospreay gives him a headbutt! Shota goes to a corner, Ospreay whips him corner to corner, but Shota goes up and over. Things keep moving, Shota ducks ‘n’ RANAS! Fans fire up and Shota scoops to TOSS Ospreay, then basement EuroUppers! Fans fire up with Shooter! Cover, ONE!!

Shota stomps Ospreay, fans sing and duel, and Shota CLUBS Ospreay on the neck. Ospreay goes to ropes, Shota whips him across the way, but Ospreay holds ropes. Ospreay FLAPJACK HOTSHOTS then he runs to BOOT Shota down! Fans fire up again as Ospreay wipes his boot off on the mat. Ospreay storms over to Shota, drags him up, and Ospreay CHOPS! Shota staggers and even Red Shoes felt that one. Ospreay says that was a juicy one, and fans want it “ONE MORE TIME!” Ospreay bumps Shota off buckles first, then he CHOPS! Shota gets in Ospreay’s face and fans fire up! Ospreay CHOPS Shota off his feet!

Ospreay kicks Shota around, talks some trash, and he JAMS an elbow into Shota’s head! Fans rally for Shota but Ospreay stomps him down. Fans rally up as Shota goes to a corner and Ospreay storms over. Shota kicks away but Ospreay stomps Shota down! Ospreay scrapes his boot on Shota but fans are torn between cheers and boos. Red Shoes checks on Shota, perhaps as both father and referee. Ospreay says Shota’s napping in the Crystal Palace when he’s in here with the best! Ospreay drags Shota up, reels him in, and has a cobra twist. Shota endures and fans rally, and Ospreay says Shota sucks! But Shota hip tosses free!

Ospreay gets up, Shota throws forearms but Ospreay knees low! Ospreay runs, but Shota ELBOWS him down, then basement dropkicks! Fans fire up with Shota now and he grits his teeth. Ospreay is in a corner, Shota runs in but into a BOOT! Shota roars and runs in again, into another BOOT! Ospreay runs in, but into a back drop! Fans fire up while Ospreay hobbles to the corner. Shota runs in to UPPERCUT, and then he reels Ospreay in. Ospreay fights the suplex but Shota kicks, KICKS and KNEES low! Shota runs to SHOTGUN Ospreay, and then FISHERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO! Ospreay escapes but fans fire up with Shota!

Shota stands and fans duel. Shota drags Ospreay up, goes to gut wrench but Ospreay blocks! Ospreay CLUBS Shota, Shota CLUBS Ospreay! Shota whips, Ospreay handsprings and NEURALIZERS! Fans fire up while Shota bails out, Ospreay slingshots to PLANCHA! Fans fire up and Ospreay strikes the United Empire pose. Ospreay drags Shota up to put him in the ring. Fans duel now, “F him up, Ospreay, F him up!” “SHOOTA!” Shooter stands while Ospreay aims from the apron. Springboard, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! Ospreay argues but Red Shoes defends that was fair. Ospreay gets the fans to fire up again and he drags Shota up.

Ospreay reels Shota in but Shota fights the lift. Ospreay gives Shota some Kawada Kicks, then CHOPS him! Ospreay runs, but Shota ROCKS him! ROLLING- ROUNDHOUSE from Ospreay! Ospreay whips, Shota reverses but Ospreay avoids the dropkick to STANDING SHOOTING STAR onto knees! Shota whips Ospreay to ropes, and RAN- NO, POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Shota survives that miscalculation and fans are thunderous! Ospreay feeds off the energy and calls his shot. But Shota reels him in! Ospreay elbows free, runs in, but into a POP-UP KNEE! Shota suplexes, but Ospreay hits STUN-DOG MILLIONAIRE!

Shota staggers, Ospreay springboards, OS- SHOTA CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives Shota’s counter, and Shota drags Ospreay up. Shota scoops but Ospreay slips off! Shota ducks the hook kick to UPPERCUT! Shota runs, into a STANDING SPANISH FLY! Fans fire up again while both men are down. Fans are chanting and singing any number of things, and Ospreay sits up. Ospreay grits his teeth but he applauds Shota. Shota throws a forearm, fans rally up, and Ospreay throws a forearm back. Shota throws another, so Ospreay throws another forearm back. Ospreay eggs on Shota, so Shota ROCKS Ospreay!

Ospreay growls, “OI! OI! OI!” and he gives Shota more Kawada Kicks! And a CHOP! And more Kawada Kicks! And a CHOP! And then MORE Kawada- NO, Shota blocks one! To DECK Ospreay! And Shota gives KNEES, forearms, KNEES, repeat! Shota fires a strike fest and he DECKS Ospreay again! Fans are fired up, but Ospreay SLAPS Shota! They go forehead to forehead, Shota fires off another strike fest, and ROLLING ELBOW! Shota drags Ospreay up to dragon sleeper, reverse suplex, but Ospreay slips out! Ospreay dodges, springboards, and OSCUTTERS!! Cover, TWO!?! Shota survives and shocks Ospreay!

But Ospreay winds up his arm. Fans rally as Ospreay goes to a corner. Shota sits up, Ospreay runs in, FRONG FACING- NO, BACKSLIDE! TWO, and Shota hooks an arm, La Magistrol! TWO! Ospreay swings, into a CROSS RHODES!! Shota holds on, to hit SAVING GRACE!! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up with Shota as he aims from a corner! RUNNING NECKBREAKER!! Cover, TWO!!! Ospreay survives and Shota is raging! Fans fire up again as Shota underhooks, DEATH- NO, Ospreay slips out to POP-UP ELBOW! And then LIGER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! Shota survives again! But Ospreay just rains down forearms!!

Fans boo the savagery, and then Red Shoes stops Ospreay! Red Shoes even throws up an X! This match is DONE!

Winner: Will Ospreay, by referee stoppage

Perhaps this is because Red Shoes is Shota’s father, but he couldn’t let Ospreay brutalize another opponent like he did to Sanada. The Commonwealth Kingpin is a vicious tyrant, will anyone be able to take this throne?

IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: FTR VS Aussie Open w/ Great-O-Khan!

This one has been a long time coming! Music City Mayhem saw the United Empire win a Six Man Tag, but they pinned Alex Zayne. Can Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis beat Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood 2v2? Or will the #ForeverTripleReign continue for the joint ROH, AAA & IWGP Tag Team Champions?

The introductions are made, NJPW’s top tag titles are raised, and we’re about to see the difference between #TwoBeltAussies and the #FTRipleChamps!

The teams sort out and the fans are dueling already. Khan waves the Empire’s flag while the teams stare down but Red Shoes gets them to stand down. The Crystal Palace is thunderous as we finally get Dax and Kyle stepping up. Red Shoes rings the bell and Khan gets fans to chant, “AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE! OI OI OI!” Kyle and Dax stare down, slowly circle, and tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Dax pushes Kyle back. Kyle turns that around to put Dax in a corner, but he lets off to then shove Dax. Fans boo but Dax smirks. Dax and Kyle reset, circle, and tie up again. Dax waistlocks, Kyle switches but Dax arm-drags.

Kyle headscissors, Dax kips free and hits a headlock takeover. Kyle headscissors again, Dax kips free again, and fans cheer the standoff! FTR talks and Cash tags in. Fans rally as Cash circles with Kyle and they feel things out. They tie up, Kyle headlocks and grinds Cash, but Cash lifts. Kyle fights, Cash wrenches out and Cash headlocks now. Cash grinds Kyle down and gives him a noogie. Kyle powers up and puts Cash on the ropes, and Red Shoes calls the break. Kyle lets off, but gets the headlock. Cash powers out but Kyle runs him over! Kyle flexes, fans are torn but things speed up. Cash goes to hip toss but Kyle blocks to scoop.

Cash slips out, waistlocks, and pushes Kyle to ropes. Kyle bucks the O’Conner Roll but turns around into a fireman’s carry takeover. Cash arm-drags Kyle and has an armlock! Fans fire up for that technical exchange, but Kyle fights up. Kyle scoops and SLAMS Cash! Fans sing, “Who, are, FTR? I said, who are FTR?” as Kyle tags Mark. Mark runs in but Cash drop toeholds! Cash wrenches Mark and tags in Dax. Mark breaks free and gets away. FTR stands down and Dax circles with Mark. They tie up, Mark uses his size to put Dax into a corner. Red Shoes calls the ropebreak, Mark lets off to CHOP! Mark looms over Dax, then CHOPS again!

Dax leans against ropes but Mark turns him around to CHOP again! Mark eggs Dax on, having split the skin on Dax’s chest! Fans see the blood and fire up! Dax snarls, and he CHOPS Mark! Mark CHOPS again! Dax staggers to the corner and Mark drags him up. Mark CHOPS, stalks Dax, then CHOPS him again! Dax CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS in return! Mark scoops to SLAM, and SENTON! Fans fire up, and now Mark has a bloody spot! Cocky cover, ONE! Mark drags Dax over, tags Kyle in, and Aussie Open mugs Dax! Kyle stomps Dax, fans duel again, and Kyle stomps Dax more. Dax turns things around to CHOP away on Kyle!

Dax snap suplexes Kyle, drops a leg, then covers, TWO! Dax stomps Kyle, drags him over, and he tags in Cash. FTR whips, drop toeholds and elbow drops on Kyle! Cover, TWO! Cash drags Kyle up to CHOP him down! Cash EuroUppers Kyle and Kyle flounders against ropes. But then Kyle powers Cash into the Aussie Open corner! Aussie Open mugs Cash, Red Shoes reprimands but Mark tags in. The mugging continues but Cash fights back! Cash ROCKS Kyle, ROCKS Mark, bumps Mark off buckles, and then CHOPS Mark! Cash whips corner to corner, runs in, and back elbows Mark down!

Cash whips corner to corner again, runs in, but Kyle saves Davis! Cash hits buckles and Dax is pissed! Red Shoes tells Dax to stay by his corner but he doesn’t care, he rushes in! Only for Kyle to dodge and Mark to pick him up! Kyle then picks Cash up, and Aussie Open SANDWICHES FTR! Fans are torn but Kyle smacks Cash off the apron. Kyle CHOPS Cash, puts him in the ring, and Mark drags Cash up to whip him to a corner hard! Cash hits buckles then the mat. Fans chant and sing again as Mark CHOKES Cash at the ropes! Kyle mocks Cash, but Cash grabs at Kyle. Kyle ROCKS Cash, then Mark CLUBS away on Cash.

Mark bumps Cash off Kyle’s boot, then Mark tags Kyle in. Kyle sucker punches Dax! Kyle taunts Dax then stalks Cash to ropes. Cash CHOPS back! Then CHOPS again! Kyle RAMS Cash, waistlocks, but Cash switches to a BIG back suplex! Fans fire up while both men are down, hot tag to Mark! Mark stops Cash with a SENTON! Fans boo but Mark soaks it up. Mark SENTONS Cash again! Fans chant “AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE! OI OI OI!” as Mark drops another SENTON! Cover, TWO! Mark keeps Cash down with a chinlock but fans rally. Cash throws body shots, but Mark shoves, only for Cash to sunset flip!

Mark stays up, tags Kyle in, then Kyle drags Cash to CLUB him! Kyle rushes Dax but Dax stays up after the sucker punch! Dax hits back, Kyle hits Dax again, they brawl at the corner! Red Shoes reprimands but fans love it! But Mark runs around the outside to trip Dax up! Fans boo as Mark drags Dax up to RAM him into railing! Mark then grabs some water to take a drink. Fans rally and duel again, Kyle headlocks Cash and reaches out, but Cash back suplexes again! Fans rally up while both men are down. Kyle crawls over, tags to Mark, and Mark SENTONS but misses as Cash moves! Mark tries again but another miss!

Mark tags back to Kyle, he runs in to GAMANGIRI Dax! Fans boo and Red Shoes reprimands, but Kyle goes back to Cash. Kyle waistlocks, Cash switches, atomic TOSS to the ropes! Kyle rebounds off into another lift, and Cash puts Kyle up top! Cash CHOPS Kyle on the back, then calls to Dax! Fans fire up, but Dax is still down. Cash goes up top behind Kyle, brings him up, and hits a SUPER BACK SUPLEX! Fans are thunderous while both men are down! Khan shouts to Kyle and fans rally up. Cash crawls, but Mark trips Dax up again! Fans boo but Kyle BOOTS Cash! And then suplexes, for a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!!

Fans fire up and duel again. Kyle tags Mark, Mark stalks Cash and sits him up to CHOP! Mark CHOPS, then runs, but Cash UPPERCUTS! Mark goes down and fans are thunderous again! Hot tag to Kyle, and Kyle stops Cash! Cash hops and reaches out, but Kyle brings him back! Cash keeps hopping forward, and he gets the HOT TAG! Dax the Ax rallies on with fast hands! He DECKS Kyle, DECKS Mark, then whips Kyle. Kyle reverses but Dax hits a cradle! TWO!! Kyle stagger sup, Dax waistlocks to O’Conner Roll! TWO!! Dax goes up the corner to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!! Three close calls but not enough!

Fans are thunderous again as Dax brings Kyle up to CHOP! And EuroUpper! And CHOP! Mark storms in to kick and whip Dax. Dax reverses, wrenches, and short arm LARIATS! Mark stays up and snarls, so Dax LARIATS again! Mark is still up! Mark ducks the lariat, boots it, then BOOTS Dax! Dax LARIATS on the return!! Kyle runs in, Dax ducks to waistlock, but Kyle switches. Dax switches, Kyle switches, repeat, until Kyle cradles! TWO, Kyle whips but Dax reverse to get around and GERMAN SUPLEX! Dax holds on, and he GERMAN SUPLEXES again! Kyle is dazed, Dax drags him up again, but Mark grabs Kyle’s arms!

Fans boo, Red Shoes reprimands, but Cash leap frogs to break the link! Dax GERMAN SUPLEXES again! Bridging cover, TWO!! Kyle survives but fans are electric! Mark CLOBBERS Cash! Dax swings on Mark but then Kyle SHOTGUNS! Tag to Mark, fans duel hard as ever, and Mark fireman’s carries Dax. POP-UP KICK, to then scoop and LAWN DART CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Dax survives and Aussie Open is frustrated. Fans rally and Aussie Open tries again, but Cash saves Dax from the butterfly lift! Mark runs in but Cash dumps him out! Kyle runs in but Cash tosses Kyle out onto Mark! Cash builds speed!? AND DIVES?!?! DIRECT HIT AT THE RAMP!!

Fans are electric as Cash makes his way back to the ring. Khan is panicking but FTR drags Aussie Open up. Dax CHOPS Mark, Cash bumps Kyle off the apron. Dax sends Mark into railing but Kyle RAMS Cash into the apron! Dax POSTS Mark, then refreshes the ring count. Red Shoes is upset but Mark trips Dax! Mark CATAPULTS Dax into the girder! Dax is busted open on his eyebrow now! Mark staggers away, Khan fans him off, and then Mark goes back for Dax. The ring count is climbing, Mark puts Dax in at 10 of 20. Khan fans Kyle off while Mark drags Dax up. Dax throws body shots but he doesn’t have much power.

Dax CHOPS, and CHOPS, but Mark drags Dax up to DECK him! Mark drags Dax up, wrenches and torture racks, for a spinning RACK BOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! Dax survives, despite being a literally bloody mess! “This is Awesome!” as this is far from over! Mark huffs and barks, he tags in Kyle, and Aussie Open drags Dax up. Fans duel as Mark underhooks. Mark lifts Dax onto Kyle’s shoulders, but Dax fights that! Cash CROSSBODIES from the top to take out Mark! Dax lifts Kyle, SLINGSHOT POWERBOMB! STEREO COVERS, TWO!!! Aussie Open survives and fans are still thunderous as everyone is down.

Kyle gets to a corner as fans rally. Dax drags Kyle up, hoists him to the top rope, and then he CHOPS Kyle! Cash is on the adjacent corner as Dax climbs up. But Mark hurries to YANK Cash down! Kyle slips off to shove Dax onto the corner! Tag to Mark, and Mark moves Dax around. Aussie Open sets up like FTR did, SUPERPLEX for the POWER, Kyle FLIES, but onto knees! No Glory for Aussie Open! Cash LEAPS, but Mark gets his knees up! No Glory for FTR! Fans are thunderous, Mark runs and clotheslines Cash out! Mark runs at Dax but Dax dodges, so the clothesline sends Kyle out! Dax backslides Mark, TWO!!!

Dax reels Mark in, only for Mark to wrench out and ENZIGURI! Mark reels Dax in, Dax back drops but Mark sunset flips! Dax rolls through, rolls Mark and reels him in, and Cash tags in! Dax lifts Mark, Cash goes up, SPIKE PILEDRIVER!!! Cover, but Kyle breaks it!!! Khan and the fans are giving a standing ovation for this one! Dax crawls over to Kyle and brings him up, but Kyle SUPERKICKS him! Dax flops out of the ring and Kyle goes out after him. Kyle holds up one the IWGP Heavyweight Tag titles! Fans boo while Mark and Cash are stirring. Red Shoes tells Kyle to put the belt back, but then Dax grabs it!

Dax and Kyle tug-o-war, Mar hurries over but Cash O’Conner Rolls Mark up! TWO, and Dax lets go, the belt hits Cash!! But Red Shoes misses it while reporting the two count!! Mark covers Cash, TWO!!! Cash survives but Kyle goes up top! Kyle aims at Dax with an ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Direct hit at the ramp! Mark fires up, he tags Kyle in and Aussie Open drags Cash up! Underhooks, TIGER SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!?!?! Cash survives and no one can believe it!! Khan argues with Red Shoes but it was a two! Aussie Open regroups, Mark drags Cash back up. Mark scoops Cash, but Cash slips off and gets away!

Mark runs in, Cash BOOTS Mark! Kyle runs in but Cash gest around and hooks Kyle into a Gory Especial, GORY BOMB! Cash SHOTGUNS Mark down, covers Kyle, TWO!! Cash rushes in to DROPKICK Mark again! Dax rises up, bloody as he is, and fans rally up as Cash tags him in! But Kyle tags Mark. Cash runs in to BOOT Mark, Dax says they can slow this down. Mark returns and he has a bloody eyebrow! Mark sits up, Dax eggs him on. Mark manages to stand, and Dax ROCKS him! Mark drops to a knee, is dazed and confused, and Dax brings him up. Mark CHOPS and both men fall to their knees!

Mark eggs Dax on, Dax crawls over and CHOPS! Both men lean on each other, Mark CHOPS Dax! Dax ROCKS Mark! Mark ROCKS Dax! Dax stands to ROCK Mark! Mark stands to ROCK Dax! The forearms fly fast and furious and fans are loving it! Dax trips Mark, steps through, and Cash intercepts Kyle! DOUBLE SHARPSHOOTERS!!!! Fans are thunderous as Aussie Opens endures! Kyle crawls but Cash drags him away! Mark crawls but Dax drags him away! The Sharpshooters are deeeep, but Kyle keeps Mark from touching the mat! Kyle SLAPS Mark, and SLAPS him and SLAPS him, and Mark fires up!!

Aussie Open powers up and they crawl forward! DOUBLE ROPEBREAK!! Fans are volcanic as this match- No, this WAR continues! “This is Wrestling!” Dax drags Mark up and slashes the throat before he whips. But Kyle SPEARS Cash! Mark sunset flips Dax, Dax rolls through but Mark whips, Aussie Open steals BIG RIG!!!! Cover, Cash pushes Kyle over to break the pin!!!! Fans chant, “FIGHT FOREVER!” but that’s what they’ve been doing! But this has to end somehow, and fans duel as hard as ever. The teams regroup and partners help each other stand. Aussie Open ROCKS FTR! FTR ROCKS Aussie Open!

Aussie Open ROCKS FTR! FTR ROCKS Aussie Open! The forearms keep going, FTR wobbles, but Aussie Open eggs them on. FTR ROCKS Aussie Open! The forearms fly again, Aussie Open get the edge, and they KNEE low! Aussie Open double whip, but FTR KICKS! Aussie Open LARIATS! Aussie Open has Dax up but Cash barrels through to stop Corealis! Kyle rushes in, Cash goes up and over, and then Mark rushes in. Cash HOTSHOTS Mark, Dax barrels in and tags. They whip, leap frog, drop down, and hit BIG RIG!!!!! Cover, FTR WINS!!!

Winners: FTR, by pinfall (still IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

The Crystal Palace gives another standing ovation, this was truly one for the ages! Aussie Open was so close and yet so far, will the NJPW Strong Tag Team Champions have a bright future ahead of them after this display of guts and skill? As for FTR, they still have three belts to their names, and if this is how hard they’ll fight to keep one pair, will anyone ever take the others away? But perhaps just as awesome as their match, it is the show of respect FTR gives the young Aussie Open! Dax has the mic to say, “Before this thing escalates real quick, thank you, sir. This is the first time we have been overseas since 2019, and we thank you!”

Fans cheer because they’re more than happy to have had this match. Dax says there are two things he wants to say. First: Tony Khan still can’t give FTR another shot at the Young Bucks. Second, and more importantly, as Dax has said, Aussie Open IS the future of tag team wrestling. But all egotism to the side, all self-preservation to the side, Dax will admit Aussie Open is perhaps the best tag team today. FTR offer handshakes and fans want to see it. Aussie Open stands, they have their Strong Tag titles, but then Khan steps in the way! The Dominator won’t let there be mutual respect. The United Empire holds onto their pride, will Khan & Jeff Cobb come back for their rematch from Forbidden Door?

My Thoughts:

Finally, two weeks later, NJPW gives us Royal Quest II via their On Demand. I understand why, they wanted to make sure there was a chance for the Japanese commentary team to watch this and, well, add their commentary. But I would’ve liked to have seen this much sooner, because hot DAMN those last two matches! Ospreay VS Shota was great stuff, with Shota looking great even in losing. There is even a good story element of how Red Shoes Umino is Shota’s legit father, and so of course a father would not want his son bludgeoned into oblivion by Ospreay. Ospreay stays spotless while waiting on the #1 contender’s match for Night 2, he’ll surely have a moment with the winner to close out Royal Quest II.

And wow, wow, wow! Words can barely capture just how amazing FTR VS Aussie Open was. That is a clear Tag Team Match of the Year candidate, if not the winner outright, and it is even up there for Match of the Year. I did not think they’d go 32 minutes but they did, and though I figured FTR would win, Aussie Open proved they deserve those NJPW Strong Openweight Tag titles, they proved they deserve to be tag champions of whatever kind, and just as FTR acknowledged, Aussie Open are the future of tag team wrestling, especially in NJPW. This is going to really raise the bar on any tag title match FTR has, it’s gonna take a 40 minute feature film of a match to take any titles off them.

My Score: 9/10