Will the UK tranquilo? Or will someone #JustTapOut?

After the banger that was night one, night two of NJPW Royal Quest II has a lot to live up to! Can Tetsuya Naito VS Zack Sabre Jr. come through?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• DOUKI & El Desperado VS Robbie X & Michael Oku; Douki & Desperado win.
• SANADA & Hiromu Takahashi VS Luke Jacob & Ethan Allen; Sanada & Hiromu win.
• IWGP Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Jazzy Gabert VS Ava White; Gabert wins and advances to the next round.
• 10 Man Tag: FTR, Shota Umino, Gabriel Kidd & Ricky Knight Jr. VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
• Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tama Tonga & Hikuleo VS Bullet Club; Tanahashi, Tama & Hikuleo win.
• Kazuchika Okada VS Bad Dude Tito; Okada wins.
• Tomohiro Ishii VS Yota Tsuji; Ishii wins.
• Tetsuya Naito VS Zack Sabre Jr; Naito wins and will challenge Will Ospreay for the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

IWGP Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Jazzy Gabert VS Ava White!

The Alpha Female is back in wrestling, and she has a golden opportunity! NJPW is expanding to have a Women’s Division, will the Alpha Female be THE alpha female? Or will she be struck down by #WhiteLightning?

The bell rings and fans rally as the two circle. Jazzy and Ava get in each other’s face, Ava shoves Jazzy and they circle again. They tie up, Jazzy shoves Ava back, and fans rally up. Ava and Jazzy circle, tie up, and Ava shoves Jazzy his time! Fans continue to rally as the two tie up again. Jazzy powers Ava back but Ava powers Jazzy back. Jazzy shoves Ava, Ava gets heated and they get in each other’s face again. Jazzy dares Ava to run, and she does, and they RAM shoulders! Jazzy stays up, Ava runs and RAMS her again! Jazzy stays up, Ava runs but Jazzy dodges to then run Ava over! Fans fire up, Jazzy throws a forearm! Jazzy grins and ROCKS Ava!

Fans fire up as the forearms keep going back and forth, faster and faster! Ava fires off a flurry and then throat chops! Jazzy snarls, runs, but Ava handsprings and kicks! Ava pushes Jazzy to a corner, knees low then ROUNDHOUSES! Jazzy staggers, Ava goes up and out to CLUB Jazzy in the ropes. Ava reaches her leg up for an AX KICK! Fans fire up with Ava while Jazzy tumbles to the floor. Jazzy gets up, Ava runs in, but Jazzy blocks the Penalty Kick to trip Ava! Jazzy steps inside, drags Ava around and rains down fast hands! Fans fire up as Ava can only guard! The ref counts regarding closed fists so Jazzy lets off. Cover, TWO!

Jazzy drags Ava around and CLUBS Ava down. Jazzy has an ANACONDA VICE! Ava endures, moves around, but Jazzy pushes up to put on the pressure! Fans rally, Ava still fights around, and Ava uses a leg to get the ROPEBREAK! Jazzy lets go at 4 and is a bit frustrated, but she stalks Ava. Jazzy brings Ava up, but Ava ducks the Uraken to kick and kick and gut wrench! But Jazzy is too much to lift! Jazzy lifts Ava to RAM her into a corner! Jazzy RAMS into Ava again and again, then lets off to bring Ava around. Jazzy cravats for a neck wrench but Ava endures. Jazzy snapmares and clamps on again, to CLUB away on Ava! Cover, TWO!

Ava is showing some heart but Jazzy clamps back on to CLUB her more! Jazzy shoves Ava down, covers, TWO! Jazzy looms over Ava, drags her back and hooks the legs, then Jazzy SLAPS Ava around to get the arms. Up, up and away into the ROMERO SPECIAL! Ava endures and fans fire up, Jazzy shifts into a chinlock variation! Ava still endures, pries at the hold but Jazzy throws her down. Fans rally as Jazzy stalks Ava to ropes. Jazzy drags Ava up, whips her to a corner, then runs in, but Ava moves! Jazzy hits buckles, Ava ROCKS her! Ava ducks the Uraken again to ROCK Jazzy! Ava blocks a lariat to HOOK KICK!

Ava runs to clothesline in the corner! Ava keeps moving, she clotheslines again! Ava keeps going, but Jazzy dodges the scissor kick! Ava elbows the waistlock away, but Jazzy blocks the whip! Jazzy whips Ava to a corner, avoids the up ‘n’ over, but Ava kicks quick! Ava manages the GUT WRENCH SUPLEX! Fans fire up and Ava brings Jazzy up. Ava runs, to SCISSOR KICK! Cover, TWO! Jazzy hangs tough and Ava is beside herself! Fans rally again as Ava drags Jazzy up. Jazzy blocks the suplex to suplex back. Ava blocks, and she manages a snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Ava is growing frustrated but fans rally up again.

Ava drags Jazzy up, reels her in, Gotch holds but Jazzy back drops! Ava sunset flips, but Jazzy stays up to drag Ava up! Jazzy roars, Ava breaks free and HOOK KICKS again! Down goes Jazzy and fans fire up! Ava drags Jazzy up, fans duel, and Ava throws a forearm. Ava runs, into the URAKEN!! Jazzy hauls Ava up, for a PILEDRIVER!! Both women are down and fans fire up as a standing count starts! Jazzy sits up and crawls over to Ava as fans rally, and Jazzy covers, ONE!!! Ava springs to life and they’re both yelling at each other! The SLAPS start flying, Ava kicks low and reels Jazzy in! GOTCH PILEDRIVER! Cover, TWO!!

Ava tells Jazzy to just give up! Ava rains down forearms, then drags Jazzy back up. Ava throws more forearms, then swings, but into the hook! INOKI PLEX! Bridging cover, Jazzy wins!!

Winner: Jazzy Gabert, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

The Alpha Female proves her toughness, and now she’s on her way to Stardom’s Tachikawa event on 10/23 to face Kairi Hojo! Will Jazzy sink the Pirate Princess? Or will she fall short of the Historic X-Over?

Tetsuya Naito VS Zack Sabre Jr!

Okay, unofficially, this is the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship #1 Contender’s Match. It is an agreement that whoever wins here will have a clear path to challenge Will Ospreay for his title. Will Naito stay tranquilo to get his shot? Or will the Submission Master make Naito #JustTapOut and move on to face his old rival?

Fans sing “OH~ Zack Sabre Junior~!” while Naito takes his time with his entrance attire. Fans build up anticipation for the pants, Naito takes his time to milk it, but Red Shoes ushers him to hurry. Naito finishes taking off the pants! Fans chant “NAITO! NAITO!” The bell rings and the singing returns. Naito smirks but ZSJ isn’t amused. They circle, fans cheer Naito, and then they switch to singing for ZSJ. Naito enjoys the song, actually, and then he circles with ZSJ. They feel things out, Naito says this is a fair test of strength. But then he switches hands. ZSJ still isn’t amused, but then they tie up. ZSJ wrenches, wristlocks, and Naito gets to ropes!

Red Shoes calls the ropebreak but Naito turns it around onto ZSJ. ZSJ lets go, Naito lets off slowly, and Naito messes ZSJ’s hair. ZSJ rushes in but into a kick! Naito throws ZSJ out, runs and then tranquilos! Fans are thunderous already, and ZSJ is throwing a fit! These railings are pretty loose if ZSJ is throwing them down. ZSJ sets the railings back and gets in the ring. Naito rolls out to troll ZSJ. Fans sing for ZSJ but Naito sings along. ZSJ goes out after Naito! The chase is on and Naito hurries back inside. Naito sings it himself now! Fans chant “F THE TORIES!” at ZSJ but ZSJ goes into the ring.

Naito kicks and whips, ZSJ reverses and sends Naito out, and then ZSJ builds speed! But to mock tranquilo! ZSJ puts up deuces, which means a very different thing in the UK. But Naito applauds and gives thumbs up. Naito goes back into the ring and fans cheer. Naito says, “I am big fan.” ZSJ kicks his handshake away. ZSJ offers a handshake now so Naito slaps it away! But ZSJ blocks the kick to twist the ankle! But Naito claws ZSJ’s eyes! Naito puts ZSJ in the corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs in to JUMP KICK! ZSJ avoids the leg sweep and swings, but Naito ducks! Naito swings but ZSJ ducks! ZSJ gets a SLEEPER in the ropes!

Red Shoes reprimands as ZSJ puts on body scissors! ZSJ lets off at 4, just to switch to a HANGING ARMBAR! Red Shoes counts again and ZSJ lets go at 4! Naito flops down and fans fire up for ZSJ. ZSJ goes out after Naito, drags ZSJ up, and he double wristlocks to bend the fingers! ZSJ wrenches, hits an ELBOW BREAKER, and then eggs on the “dickhead!” ZSJ goes into the ring and fans fire up. ZSJ wants the ring count and the count begins. Naito is down but sits up at 7 of 20. ZSJ wants it faster, but Naito gets in at 9, so ZSJ drops on him! ZSJ has the arm, he bends the fingers, then isolates the arm to STOMP it!

ZSJ puts the arms through the ropes and bends it more, but Red Shoes counts the ropebreak. ZSJ bends the fingers, then lets off at 4. Fans cheer as ZSJ bows in apology to Red Shoes. ZSJ stands on Naito but the ref won’t count the cover after the shenanigans. ZSJ wrenches Naito, steps over and hooks the arm for a standing armbar! Naito endures as ZSJ bends the fingers, then drags Naito down! Naito moves around to get the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go with his hands but “remembers” his legs. ZSJ lets off and Naito bails out. ZSJ goes out after Naito, puts him in the ring, but  Naito rolls away. ZSJ grabs Naito’s legs but Naito grabs ZSJ’s face!

ZSJ grabs that hand and he bends, bends, BENDS the fingers! Naito endures, but ZSJ isolates the arm. ZSJ stands on the arm, hammerlocks it, and TWISTS! Fans rally as ZSJ drags Naito around. ZSJ gives Naito toying kicks, then drags him up to wrench the arm. Naito ROCKS ZSJ with forearm after forearm, but ZSJ ELBOW BREAKERS! ZSJ whips, Naito reverses and kicks to turn and NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up with both men down! Naito and ZSJ slowly rise and fans rally up. Naito brings ZSJ around, ROCKS him, KNEES him, CLUBS him and whips him. ZSJ reverses but Naito holds ropes to BOOT!

Naito runs to RANA! Fans fire up and Naito runs in at the corner to kick. Naito whips corner to corner, runs in again, but he blocks ZSJ’s boot! And the other boot! Naito smiles, puts ZSJ in the ropes, and hits a DRAPING BACKBREAKER! And then another! And then the basement dropkick! Fans fire up while Naito covers, TWO! Naito puts on the LEG FULL NELSON! Naito slaps ZSJ but ZSJ eggs him on with, “Yeah, squeeze, dickhead! Squeeze, dickhead!” So Naito DOES put on the squeeze! ZSJ flails but endures! Naito gets the song going again! ZSJ moves around, turns Naito but Naito holds on! ZSJ gets the ROPEBREAK!

Red Shoes counts, Naito lets off with his hands, but ZSJ calls Red Shoes an idiot! Red Shoes pouts but he still scolds Naito. Naito claims he needs help, but then he lets off at 4. ZSJ goes to a corner and Naito gives him toying kicks! Fans sing for Red Shoes and Naito brings ZSJ up. Naito turns ZSJ but ZSJ turns that around to WRING Naito’s arm! And that was a hard one! ZSJ drags Naito up by his arm, to DRAGON SCREW the arm! ZSJ wrenches the arm, to DRAGON SCREW it again! And again! Fans applaud while ZSJ says they’re all cheeky bastards. ZSJ paces, he drags Naito up by that bad arm, and then wrenches again, to PELE, but Naito blocks!

Naito runs, rolling jackknife! TWO, ZSJ has a sunset! TWO! Naito hurries up, atomic drop SPINEBUSTER! Not the cleanest transition but fans still like it! ZSJ and Naito roll to opposite ends of the ring as fans sing for ZSJ. ZSJ runs in at the corner to EuroUpper! Naito blocks the suplex to turn it around, TORNADO- NO, ZSJ slips free and he lifts Naito with his legs! “SURPRISE, DICKHEAD!” ZSJ drops Naito into the ARMBAR! Naito moves around but ends up in a TRIANGLE HOLD! Naito endures as ZSJ squeezes tight! Fans rally, Naito moves around, ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets off fast but is frustrated as Naito stays in this.

Fans rally and duel, ZSJ drags Naito up and has the full nelson. Naito arm-drags free, then hits a clean SPINEBUSTER! Fans fire up while both men are down again! Red Shoes checks them both but they’re okay to continue. Fans build to a rally and Naito stands first. Naito brings ZSJ up, he throws those heavy back elbows! ZSJ flounders and fans fire up! Naito catches his breath and he goes to ZSJ in the corner. Naito stands ZSJ up for more heavy elbows! ZSJ falls over and fans fire up again! ZSJ goes to another corner, Naito storms over and drags ZSJ up. Naito puts ZSJ up top, climbs up, and he SUPER STEINERS!

Fans fire up as ZSJ flounders again. Naito aims from the corner as ZSJ stands, and Naito runs, into a low headbutt! ZSJ swings, into an arm hook, and then heavy elbows! Naito suplexes for VALENCIA! Naito calls for it, he drags ZSJ up, wrench and- NO, ZSJ scoops, ZACK DRIVER!! But both men are down! Fans are thunderous as ZSJ clutches his neck and shoulder. Fans rally, ZSJ crawls and gets to the ropes. ZSJ eggs Naito on even now, and Naito rises. Naito and ZSJ stand, ZSJ EuroUppers! Naito CHOPS! ZSJ sits down and fans fire up again! ZSJ stands back up to EuroUpper! Naito CHOPS and ZSJ wobbles all the way to a corner!

ZSJ drags himself up, goes up to Naito and EuroUppers! Naito CHOPS, ZSJ EuroUppers, and repeat! Naito hooks, ZSJ slips free to shoot around, baits Naito in, EURO CLUTCH!! TWO!!! Naito escapes, ENZIGURIS, and then hurries as ZSJ wobbles! Naito whips, ZSJ reverses but Naito leaps, into a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! MOUNTED ARMBAR! FUJIWARA ARMBAR AGAIN! ZSJ is just going through all his moves, CLARKY CAT, then JIM BREAKS ARMBAR!! Naito endures as both arms are caught! ZSJ reclines as he uses just his legs, but Naito uses his legs to move! ZSJ grabs a leg, then the other! Naito crawls with his shoulder to get the ROPEBREAK!

Fans are thunderous while ZSJ lets go in frustration. ZSJ drags Naito away, isolates the arm and STOMPS! Then PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Naito survives and ZSJ is beside himself as we pass 20 minutes. ZSJ runs in at Naito, goes around for a TORNADO DDT! ZSJ roars, fans fire up and ZSJ scoops, but DESTINO OUTTA NOWHERE! Naito drags ZSJ up, wrenches, but ZSJ gest around, SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! But Naito is up, only to run into a EuroUpper! ZSJ kicks, and kicks, but Naito ducks to DESTINO AGAIN!! Naito wants the true, he wrenches for DESTINO!!!! Cover, Naito wins!

Winner: Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall (will challenge Will Ospreay for the IWGP US Championship)

The Crystal Palace is giving a standing ovation to Naito pulling off this one! Will Zack Sabre Jr. ever get some singles gold in NJPW?

As for Naito, Los Ingobernables de Japon’s Hiromu and Sanada go to the ring to join their charismatic leader. They get him an ice pack, some water, and his baseball cap. Fans cheer as Naito gets the mic to close the show. “Buenas Noches, LONDON~!” And in his best English, Naito asks, “Everybody, today enjoy?” “YES!” “Very enjoy?” “YES!” “No, very very very very very very enjoy?” “YES!!!” Naito tells everybody, “Me, very very happy. Thank you very much.” Fans like to hear that. Naito then says, “Everybody, understand? Los Ingobernables, de, ja, pon! Understand?” “YES!” “Okay. Say together, okay? Say together, okay? De, Ja, Pon.” “SI! SI! SI!”

Naito accepts that, and begins the roll call! “Bushi! Sanada! Hiromu! Takagi! Y Naito. Nosotros! LOS! Ingoberrrrrrrrnableeeeeees~! DE! JA! PON!!” Fans did it perfectly and Naito is satisfied. But will Naito have title satisfaction when he takes on Will Ospreay? Or will another avenue to WrestleKingdom 17 be blocked off?

My Thoughts:

A great night two, but man, FTR VS Aussie Open was a hard act to follow. Gabert VS White was really good stuff, but those piledrivers from each of them were scary. Gabert winning makes sense, and we’re going to get an awesome match from Gabert VS Kairi at Stardom’s event. I might have to remember Stardom next week to watch those tournament matches. The finals will be in November as part of Historic X-Over (as in crossover), and that will be awesome stuff no matter who is in the match. And of course, we got great stuff out of Naito VS ZSJ. But since this event was put on delay, it was clear Naito won by how he and LIJ have been going up against The United Empire. Naito VS Ospreay is going to be awesome stuff to go alongside Bushi & Titan VS TJP & Akira for the Junior Heavyweight tag titles.

My Score: 8.6/10