Time to lift the trophies high!

NJPW’s double tag tournament series finishes as World Tag League and Super Jr. Tag League finally have their finals! Who wins their golden tickets to WrestleKingdom 17?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Alex Zayne & El Lindaman VS Ryohei Oiwa & Kosei Fujita; Zayne & Lindaman win.
• KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight VS Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls; Shane & Mikey win.
• 8 Man Tag: Tiger Mask, Robbie Eagles, Alex Coughlin & Gabriel Kidd VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
• 8 Man Tag: Suzuki-Gun VS The House of Torture; Suzuki-Gun wins.
• 8 Man Tag: Toru Yano, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Ryusuke Taguchi & Clark Connors VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; LIJ wins.
• Six Man Tag: Kazuchika Okada, Tama Tonga & Master Wato VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
• NEVER Openweight Championship: Karl Anderson VS Hikuleo; Anderson wins and retains the title.
• Super Jr. Tag League 2022 Finals: YOH & Lio Rush VS Ace Austin & Chris Bey; Yoh & Lio win and will challenge for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships.
• World Tag League 2022 Finals: Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI VS Aussie Open; Goto & Hashi win and will challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships.

PLAY BY PLAY

After Suzuki-Gun’s victory, Minoru Suzuki himself gets the mic.

“Why are you applauding? 2011, me, Taichi and Taka Michinoku started Suzuki-Gun. Lance Archer quickly joined. The four of us were going at full force. Now it’s 2022, and we’ve gone through an awful lot. Taichi, you used to be nothing, and now look at tough he’s become. You were an idiot, but you’re experience and your knowledge has come in so helpful for all of us. I understand that and I acknowledge that. Lance, I first met you in an indie, and now look at you. I was the first Japanese person to wrestle Lance Archer. And you’re my brother and you’ll always be my brother.

“Desperado, you are not nothing. You are the Junior Heavyweight Ace in NJPW. Kanemaru, with his in-ring, there’s no one more reliable. Douki, we always talk about Heel wrestlers having to eat dirt, but he did it and really pulled himself up from the dirt floor and through hell to be where he is today. And Zack, he isn’t here today, but I am so glad that I went to the UK and plucked you up to be a part of Suzuki-Gun. And I want to test you and to stretch you in the ring.

“Oh, now you’re applauding? Suzuki-Gun was born 11 years ago, and you guys have done nothing but taunt us, yell at us, boo us. Sometimes, you’ve thrown trash at us. Calling us scum, telling us to go off and die. But that’s us, that’s Suzuki-Gun. And now look at what we’ve become. You all love us. In 2023, Suzuki-Gun will go on a new voyage. We will all go on our own individual journeys, and at the end of 2022, Suzuki-Gun will be no more. Thank you.” Fans applaud but this is truly shocking news! What does this mean for the future of NJPW’s meanest faction?

NEVER Openweight Championship: Karl Anderson VS Hikuleo w/ Jado!

The Machine Gun may be with his Good Brothers in WWE, but he’s back in Japan to settle scores! This was meant to go down for Battle Autumn, but will all that time waiting make the Young Gun even more determined? Or will the bright lights still shine on “Hollywood” Karl Anderson?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if title stays home or goes back to the US!

The bell rings and Karl rushes in! Hikuleo clinches him for a CHOKE BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Karl survives and fans fire up as Hiku stays on him. Hikuleo whips but Karl holds ropes! Karl bails out, hurries to No Man’s Land, but Hikuleo is in pursuit! Hiku CLUBS Karl, drags him up, CHOPS him, and then stalks him along the way. Fans applaud as Hikuleo scoops Karl, for SNAKE EYES off the railing! Hikuleo says he’s been waiting two months for this! He stomps Karl back to ringside, but Karl goes up the ramp. Hikuleo CLUBS Karl down! Fans fire up as Hikuleo RAMS Karl into railing!

The ref reprimands but Hikuleo sits Karl up to CLUB him in the chest. Karl staggers away to get in the ring but Hikuleo pursues. Hikuleo keeps Karl from bailing back out, to RAM him into a corner! Fans applaud and Karl bails out again. Hikuleo pursues as Karl goes back to No Man’s Land. Hikuleo CLUBS Karl, drags him up, and CHOPS him! Fans applaud that while Karl curses under his breath. Hikuleo digs Karl’s head into the floor! The ref reprimands, starts a ring count, and Hikuleo lets off. Hikuleo slaps Karl around as he heads for ringside. Hikuleo whips Karl at 10 of 20, right into railing!

Hikuleo storms up as the count reaches 15, but puts Karl in at 16. Fans applaud and Hikuleo steps in, but Karl kicks the ropes! Hikuleo gets jammed up, and then Karl grabs a leg for a DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Hikuleo falls to the floor and Karl goes out after him! Karl waits for Hikuleo to sit up, and then he stomps the bad leg. Hikuleo goes to the railing, stands up, and Karl mule kicks the bad leg out! Karl grabs that leg, puts it around the railing, but the ref counts. Karl lets off, but then BOOTS the railing! Karl goes to the ring and fans applaud while Hikuleo clutches a leg. Fans rally up as the ring count climbs, and Hikuleo stands at 10 of 20.

Karl goes out to kick Hikuleo’s leg out again! Karl stomps the bad leg, slides back in at 13 of 20, and lets the count climb. Fans rally up as Hikuleo staggers up at 18 and slides in! Karl stomps Hikuleo’s leg, stalks him to a corner and stomps him more. Karl says he’s the greatest NEVER Openweight Champion ever, then he stomps Hikuleo down. Karl digs his knee in, but he lets off as the ref counts 4. Karl drags Hikuleo into a toehold but fans rally as Hikuleo endures. Hikuleo CLUBS Karl, Karl holds on, so Hikuleo drags himself and Karl over. Hikuleo reaches out to the ROPEBREAK! Karl lets off and mockingly applauds Hikuleo’s toughness.

Karl gets the fans to rally up, and he runs the ropes, but Hikuleo avoids the senton! Jado rallies the fans for Hikuleo and he drags himself up. Hikuleo storms up but Karl throws a forearm! Hikuleo throws one back! Karl kicks the bad leg! Hikuleo staggers, he ROCKS Karl, but Karl kicks the bad leg again! Hikuleo CHOPS in return! Fans fire up but Karl fires off forearms! Karl eggs Hikuleo on, and Hikuleo DECKS him! Fans fire up and Hikuleo runs in to elbow Karl at the corner! Hikuleo throws a forearm, CHOPS, then whips corner to corner! Hikuleo runs and SPLASHES, then scoops Karl for SNAKE EYES!

Hikuleo keeps moving, he LARIATS Karl down! Cover, TWO!! Karl survives again but Hikuleo drags Karl up. Fans rally, Hikuleo scoops, but Karl slips off. Karl shoves Hikuleo to the corner, runs in, but Hikuleo dodges! Karl bounces off buckles, Hikuleo scoops Karl, and he hits a POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! Karl continues to survive, but Hikuleo choke grips! Hikuleo drags Karl up but Karl throws elbows. Hikuleo CHOPS, runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Now Hikuleo survives and Karl is frustrated! Fans rally up, Karl stalks Hikuleo, and then he pounds the mat. Fans drum along as Hikuleo rises. GUN- NO, Hikuleo fights off the Gun Stun!

Hikuleo shoves Karl to the corner, Karl bounces off buckles, and Hikuleo hits a SPINNING POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! Karl survives again but Hikuleo choke grips again! But here comes GEDO! Jado manages to anchor Gedo at the apron, and Hikuleo choke grips him! Hikuleo CHOKE SLAMS Gedo onto Karl! Fans fire up and Hikuleo waits on Karl to get back up! Karl staggers over, into another choke grip! CHOKE- GUN STUN!! Cover, KARL WINS?!

Winner: Karl Anderson, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Champion)

The only one not stunned by this is Karl himself! The bright lights are still shining for the Machine Gun, will no one keep him from traveling the world with this belt?

Wait, Karl gets the mic to talk! First in Japanese, “Sendai, I’m sorry. It’s been a long time.” Then in English, “Sendai loves Karl Anderson! I know that! The world loves Karl Anderson. What did I say? I was coming to NJPW to defend the NEVER Openweight Championship because Karl Anderson is the greatest NEVER Openweight Champion of all time! Karl Anderson sugoi legend. Sugoi kakui legend.” That is to say, Karl is an awesome and cool legend. Karl vows to be NEVER Openweight Champion FOR ALL OF ETERNITY! He will be the champion forever!! FOR-E-VER! But wait! Here comes Tama Tonga, the man he took the title from!

Tama and Karl get in each other’s face, and then the forearms start flying! Fans rally, the timekeeper is ringing the bell, Tama ROCKS Karl, but Karl fights off the Gun Stun to GUN STUN Tama!! The Good Bad Guy took his shot but got shot down, and Karl gets the mic to tell him, “I will see you at WrestleKingdom, bitch!” The Machine Gun understood this was Tama making a challenge and he has accepted it! If Karl really is the greatest NEVER Openweight Champion, will he make 2023 the Year of Bright Lights?

Super Jr. Tag League 2022 Finals: YOH & Lio Rush VS Ace Austin & Chris Bey!

Chaos’ Men of the Hour and Bullet Club’s Impact boys have battled already, and it was Direct Drive & The Bad Child who came out on top! But the #InevitableFinesse claim that was just dumb luck! If so, will Yoh & Lio get lucky again? Or will Ace & Bey have an impact on WrestleKingdom 17?

The teams sort out, Yoh & Lio high-three but then Ace has them stop that. Bullet Club Too Sweets, and then Yoh & Lio attack! They brawl, Red Shoes rings the bell and this is on record as Ace throws Lio out. Lio drags Ace out and he fires off haymakers on Ace! Yoh goes after Bey, but Ace tackles Lio and rains down fists! Ace stomps Lio, Yoh whips Bey, things speed up in the ring as Yoh sidesteps to drop toehold and basement dropkick! Fans fire up as Bey bails out and Yoh builds speed! Ace gets in to DROPKICK Yoh down! Yoh bails out, Lio gets in, he dodges Ace to springboard and RANA, but Ace handsprings through!

Fans fire up as Lio handsprings to dodge! Lio mule kicks and ENZIGURIS Ace down! Fans fire up more, and Lio whips Ace to a corner. Ace reverses, Lio slides to a stop and Ace runs in. Lio puts Ace on the apron, Ace slingshots up and around but Lio ducks under. Ace runs in but Lio dodges again. Ace slips through the ropes to the apron, shoulders into Lio, and Ace steps in to FLYING- NO, Lio ducks the roundhouse! Lio bobs ‘n’ weaves to avoid Ace’s haymakers, then Lio steps in. Lio whips Ace at Bey, Yoh runs in, NECKBREAKER to Bey that causes him to DDT Ace! Fans fire up as the Men of the Hour stand tall!

Yoh officially becomes the legal man, then he tags Lio in. Fans rally as they stomp Bey and bring him up. They double whip Bey, sidestep and kick low. Lio runs in but Bey avoids the scissor kick! Bey runs but into double elbows! Lio runs, wheelbarrows with Yoh, WHEELBARROW SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Lio stalks Bey to ropes. Lio stomps away, CLUBS Bey down, then CLUBS him some more. Lio rains down more fists on Bey, puts him on the ropes and CHOKES him, but lets off as Red Shoes counts 4. Yoh also has Lio cool off, and Yoh tags in. Fans rally but then Lio tags right back in! Lio fires off on Bey more!

Yoh drags Lio away from Bey and tells him to cool it! A disqualification will cost them. Yoh tells Lio to let him handle Bey. Lio accepts that, and he tags Yoh back in. Fans rally again, but then Bey shoves Yoh into Lio! Bey snapmares Yoh, stomps him, Lio gets in but Red Shoes keeps him back! This allows Ace to join in and stomp Yoh with Bey! Lio is furious but he has no choice but to stand down. Bey laughs and drags Yoh away. Tag to Ace and they double whip Yoh to a corner. Bey sets up for Ace’s POMMEL KICK! Then Ace sets up for FINESSE IN MOTION! Feed to the drop toehold and capoeria kick, and then DOUBLE STOMPS! Ace covers, TWO!

Ace drags Yoh away and DDTs a leg! Ace KICKS Yoh in the back, throws up the Too Sweets, then digs his knee into Yoh’s head. Fans rally but Ace drags Yoh up. Ace puts Yoh in the corner, digs his boot in, but Red Shoes counts. Ace lets off, he tags Bey, and Bey taunts Yoh. Bullet Club double wrench, double CLAW, then double drop toehold to Too Sweet CLAW! Fans applaud the shoutout to El Phantasmo while Bey taunts Lio. Fans rally, Bey stomps Lio, and then Bey drags Lio up. Bey suplexes Yoh high and hard, then glares at Lio as he covers. TWO, and fans applaud! Bey tags Ace, drags Yoh up, and they mug Yoh.

Ace arm-drags Yoh to a mounted armbar! Red Shoes checks with Yoh but Ace brings the ace up his sleeve out of his sleeve. PAPERCUT! Fans applaud and Ace hides the card. Ace then brings Yoh up to back suplex! Tag to Bey and he climbs up. Fans rally, Bey aims, and he jumps, to then land on his feet. And then he stomps Yoh hard in the chest! Fans applaud the trick but Lio and Bey talk trash again. Bey drags Yoh up, brings him around, but Yoh fires off forearms! Yoh CHOPS Bey but Bey knees low! Tag to Ace, they double whip Yoh to ropes, but Yoh holds ropes! Ace runs in but Yoh throws him out! Bey runs in, but Yoh dumps him out!

Bey holds Yoh’s arm to keep him from Lio! Bey shoulders into Yoh, slingshots up and over, runs but Yoh dropkicks the legs out! Fans fire up and Yoh crawls for the corner! Ace runs in to intercept! But Yoh back drops Ace away! Only for Bey to trip Lio off the apron! Bey RAMS Lio into the railing, Ace CLOBBERS Yoh from behind! Ace drags Yoh up and Bey slides in. DOUBLE SWEEP! Click, click, BOOM! The Moonsault and Leg Drop! Cover, TWO! Ace grows frustrated but the fans rally up for Yoh. Ace drags Yoh up, reels him in and puts him in a corner. Ace CHOPS, stomps, and then CHOPS again!

Yoh eggs Ace on so Ace CHOPS again! Yoh keeps egging Ace on, Ace CHOPS him down! Fans rally, Ace drags Yoh up but Yoh fights the yoyo! Yoh wrenches out, ROCKS, CHOPS, CHOPS and CHOPS! Ace kicks low! Ace whips Yoh to the corner but Yoh uses that to BLAST Bey! Ace kicks, whips, but Yoh reverses to DROPKICK Ace down! Fans fire up as Yoh crawls for his corner! Ace drags Yoh away but Yoh ENZIGURIS Ace away! Hot tag to Lio! Lio rallies on Ace, then really fires off on Bey! Bey blocks a kick, flips Lio, but Lio lands on his feet! Lio ducks Bey’s haymaker, whips, but Bey reverses, only for Lio to go up and around to whip again!

Lio then HANDSPRING KICKS Ace! Bey comes back, back suplexes, but Lio lands on his feet! Lio ducks Bey to WRECK Ace with a dropkick, and then hit RUSH HOUR on Bey! All in one motion!! Fans fire up, Lio covers, TWO!! Bey survives and Lio can’t believe it! Lio says it is time, and fans fire up as he climbs. Ace storms over, slingshots and STEINERS Lio down! Ace calls to Bey, they drag Lio up. Bey spins Lio for a KNEE SMASH, but Yoh DECKS Ace! Yoh blocks a kick from Bey and flips him, but Bey uses that to go from headlock to dragon sleeper on Lio! Only for Yoh to JUMP KNEE him! Lio rolls Bey for the SPINNING KICK!

Fans fire up as Yoh drags Bey up. Lio goes to a corner and climbs while Yoh hits FALCON GOROSHI! Yoh rushes out after Ace! Lio is up top, FINAL HOUR!! But Ace returns, only for Lio to throw him right back out! Bey cradles Lio but Lio rolls it! The rolling cradle goes around and around, Lio has it at last! TWO!! Lio staggers up all dizzy, but he finds his way to Bey. Bey SUPERMAN FOREARMS! Lio SCISSOR KICKS!! Fans are thunderous as both men are down! Lio crawls for his corner, as does Bey, hot tags to Yoh and Ace! Direct Drive dodges to fire off forearms! Yoh whips, then FLYING FOREARMS Ace down!

Fans fire up with Yoh and he runs at Ace in the corner! Ace BOOTS Yoh, runs, but Yoh handsprings into dodge! Mule kick and NECKBREAKER! Yoh then hits a HALF HATCH SUPLEX with a bridge! TWO!! Ace survives but fans fire up behind Yoh. Yoh storms up to drag Ace up. Yoh tries the underhooks but Ace fights free. Yoh kicks, whips, but Ace holds ropes. Ace boots but Yoh blocks to put him on the apron! But Ace dumps Yoh out! Ace avoids the sweep to PENALTY KICK Yoh down! Fans rally, Bey builds speed now! Bey FLIES to take out Yoh at the ramp! Ace and Bey coordinate, but Lio builds speed! Ace jumps over Lio as he DIVES onto Bey!

Ace builds speed now, to FALL TO GLORY on Lio and Yoh! Fans fire up and Ace fires up! Ace drags Yoh up, but Yoh hits FALCON ARROW to the floor! Fans fire up while all four men are down at ringside! Red Shoes starts the ring count as the four men stir. The count reaches 10 of 20 before anyone sits up. Bey and Ace flounder but we’re at 15! Yoh and Lio stir at 16, everyone stands up and slides in at 19!! Fans rally as the match continues! Lio and Yoh help each other up, and they make their way over to Ace & Bey. Yoh & Lio throw forearms, but Ace & Bey give them back. Yoh & Lio throw more forearms, but Ace & Bey give them back.

Fans rally as the shots go back and forth, faster and faster as the four men stand! The shots go fast and furious, Ace throws knees on Yoh but Lio ROCKS Ace! Bey swings on Lio but Lio ducks, so Bey BACKHANDS Yoh! Lio kicks but Bey blocks, hands it off to Ace, but Ace ducks and the ENZIGURI hits Bey! Ace runs in to POMMEL KICK Yoh! Lio fires off fast hands and he ROCKS Ace! Lio and Yoh combine, STARSHIP ROLLING LARIAT! Fans fire up, Yoh SUPERKICKS Ace back down! Fans are thunderous as the Men of the Hour fire up! Yoh drags Ace up, Lio runs, RUSH HOUR hits Yoh as Ace moves!!

Fans are stunned, as is Lio! Bey and Ace DOUBLE BUZZSAW Lio down! They shove Lio out and drag Yoh up! Bey says this is over! Gut wrench and Canadian rack, CLIFFHANGER DDT! Ace goes up, SWANTON! Cover, TWO?!? Yoh survives and Bullet Club can’t believe it! Fans fire up as Ace drags Yoh back up. Ace and Bey coordinate, A B C, One Two SWEET CUTTER!! And then LIO SPEARS ACE!! Bey doesn’t realize until he turns around to see Ace down! Bey glares at Lio but Lio glares back. Fans fire up as Bey fires forearms! Lio fires up to fire forearms back! Lio roars, but Bey BITES Lio’s hand! Bey HEEL KICKS Lio down!!

Bey drags Lio up, torture racks, Ace sets up on the apron! But Lio slips off, FLYING CHUCK hits Bey! Yoh SUPERKICKS Ace!! The Men of the Hour get ready, they drag Ace up and whip him to ropes! 3K!!! Cover, Bey drags Red Shoes back! Red Shoes reprimands but the damage is done! Bey flips Red Shoes off, but Lio DIVES onto Bey! Lio tells Red Shoes to get in the ring! Red Shoes obliges, Lio goes up top! FINAL HOUR onto Ace!! Yoh fires up and the fans fire up with him! Yoh drags Ace up for DIRECT DRIVE!!! Cover, Yoh & Lio win!!!

Winners: Yoh & Lio Rush, by pinfall (Super Jr. Tag League 2022 Winners)

It is truly their time! They took every card Ace & Bey had to play and now they have the jackpot! Red Shoes brings them the trophies, Yoh & Lio high-three before raising the trophies high! Will they soon be WrestleKingdom 17’s Men of the Hour when they go after those IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships?

World Tag League 2022 Finals: Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI VS Aussie Open!

Bishamon is going back-to-back as World Tag League finalists! But now, they run into the future of tag team wrestling! Will Mark Davis & Kyle Fletcher prove they’re the best by taking the trophies? Or will the Fierce Warrior & Head Hunter make history with back-to-back finals wins?

Gideon Grey accompanies Dunk-Zilla & The Aussie Arrow, and then gives the introductions. “They were handpicked to represent the United Empire. Collectively, they have held 19 tag team championships across the globe. England, Ireland, Germany, Australia, North America, where they were crowned the first-ever NJPW Strong Tag Team Champions! They have conquered every continent they have step foot on! Tonight, they will be World Tag League 2022 Winners! January the 4th, they will be your NEW IWGP Tag, Team, Champions! They are the Heart & Soul of Tag Team Wrestling! They are they greatest tag team to EVER LIVE!

“From Sydney, Australia and Brisbane, Australia respectively, they are THE AUSSIE ARROW, Kyle Fletcher, DUNK-ZILLA, Mark Davis…! This! Is! AUSSIIIIE~! OOOPEN~!” Fans applaud for that but Bishamon just stares Davis & Fletcher down. The teams sort out, and fans clap for, “BI! SHA-MON!” Davis shoves Goto, Goto throws a forearm back, and now the brawl is on! the bell rings, the brawl continues, and Aussie Open gets the edge! They whip Bishamon but Bishamon reverses! Aussie Open hold the ropes to KICK and LARIAT back! Fans fire up and finally, teams sort out. Fletcher tags Davis, and they drag Goto up.

Aussie Open double whip Goto, double ELBOW him down, then PENALTY KICK and SENTON! Fans applaud while Davis kneels on the cover, TWO! Davis drags Goto into an armlock and he grinds the shoulder. Fans rally as Goto endures, and Goto fights his way over to reach out. Davis grinds the arm more but Goto gets the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Davis lets off at 4. Tag to Kyle, and Kyle springboard stomps Goto down! And again! Goto crawls, Kyle drags him up to scoop and SLAM! Cover, TWO! Fans rally but Kyle tags Davis again. Davis fireman’s carries, POP-UP- NO, Goto blocks the kick!

Goto swings Kyle’s foot at Davis but he avoids it! Kyle staggers, Goto DECKS him and Kyle falls out of the ring! Davis ROCKS Goto, runs, but Goto follows to LARIAT! Fans fire up while both men are down! Goto crawls over, hot tag to Hashi! Hashi runs at Davis to CHOP! Hashi whips and CHOPS again, then he mule kicks! Hashi turns Davis but Davis elbows free. Davis runs but Hashi dropkicks the leg! Hashi then turns Davis for the NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! Davis is tough but Hashi stays focused. Fans rally, Hashi drags Davis up, and he CLUBS Davis on the neck. Daivs sits up, Hashi CHOPS him again!

Davis sputters and crawls but Hashi stands him up. Hashi whips but Davis reveres, and Kyle gets a cheap shot in! Davis runs in but Hashi sends him into Kyle! Hashi runs but Davis Complete Shots him to the ropes! Kyle GAMANGIRIS but Goto runs in! Davis fireman’s carries Goto for the POP-UP KICK! Davis drags Hashi up, scoops him, Kyle is up top! LAWN DART CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!! Hashi shows his toughness and fans fire up! Davis staggers over and brings Hashi back up. Davis throws down forearms, then soaks up the cheers. Davis then rains down even more forearms!

Davis drags Hashi up, stands him up, and CHOPS him down! Fans applaud a chop on par with Hashi’s own! Tag to Kyle, Kyle drags Hashi up and fans rally. Kyle scoops and SLAMS Hashi, then pats him on the chest. Hashi stands, Kyle scoops him and SLAMS him again! Kyle holds onto Hashi’s arm to drag him back around. Fans rally as Kyle stands Hashi up. Hashi throws body shots and a CHOP, but Kyle scoops and SLAMS Hashi again! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Kyle drags Hashi up again. Kyle bumps Hashi off buckles, then throws a hard body shot. Tag to Davis, Kyle throws more heavy shots and Hashi falls over.

Davis drags Hashi back up, CHOP LARIATS, and then CHOP LARIATS again! Davis CHOP LARIATS again and Hashi falls over! Fans fire up and Davis taunts Goto. Davis tags Kyle back in, fans rally up but Aussie Open lets Red Shoes check Hashi. Hashi is still okay to continue so Kyle drags Hashi back up. Hashi throws back elbows into Kyle, then ROCKS him with a forearm! Kyle knees low, but Hashi blocks! Hashi throws the leg away to SPIN KICK Kyle down! Fans fire up as Hashi crawls for his corner! Kyle tags Davis and Davis SENTONS onto Hashi! And SENTONS again! Davis runs to SENTON but misses this time!

Fans rally, Hashi and Davis crawl, hot tag to Kyle and he runs to CLOBBER Goto off the apron! Fans rally, Kyle drags Hashi up. Hashi throws shoulders into Kyle, then CHOPS! Kyle kicks low, runs, but Hashi SUPER- NO, Kyle blocks the kick and spins Kyle around to reel him in. But Hashi suplexes Kyle first! Fans fire up while both men are down! Hashi and Kyle crawl, hot tag to Goto! Goto CLOBBERS Kyle, BLASTS Davis, then fires up as he fires off forearms on Kyle! Goto whips Kyle to a corner, runs in and MURAMASAS! Then BULLDOGS! Cover, TWO! Kyle survives but Goto drags him back up. Fireman’s carry, but Kyle fights free!

Kyle kicks low, runs, but into the fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Fans fire up and Goto grits his teeth as he drags Kyle back up. Goto dragon sleepers, but Kyle fights free with haymakers! Kyle spins around but Goto fights the suplex! Goto tries to suplex but Kyle fights it! They fight for control, Goto suplexes, to a BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Goto almost had Kyle by borrowing from Tomohiro Ishii! Tag to Hashi, then Goto BLASTS Davis again! Hashi drags Kyle up, ROCKS him to the corner, then Bishamon double whip corner to corner. Hashi whips Goto in to clothesline! Hashi runs in to CHOP!

Hashi feeds Kyle to Goto’s fireman’s carry, but Davis runs in to BOOT Goto! Davis BOOTS Hashi, then DECKS Goto! Fans fire up as Kyle hurries and tags Davis in. Davis storms up on Goto but Goto throws him out! Kyle runs in but Goto TOSSES him out onto Davis! Aussie Open goes down and fans fire up! Goto calls to Hashi and Bishamon hurries after Aussie Open. They stomp Aussie Open at the ramp, drag them up, CLUB them a bit, then bring them around. Fans rally, but Kyle RAMS Goto into railing! Davis RAMS Hashi into railing, and then Aussie Open carries Bishamon around the way! They SANDWICH Bishamon in front of commentary!

Fans fire up as Aussie Open hit DOUBLE APRON BACK SUPLEXES! And then, DOUBLE SCOOP SLAMS to the floors! Fans fire up again as Aussie Open catches their breath. Fans rally as Davis confiscates the timekeeper’s table! Aussie Open brings that around to where they left Bishamon, and Kyle tells Red Shoes to leave them alone. Fans rally as Davis sits Hashi on the apron to CHOP him. Davis and Kyle then both go to the apron, and they drag Hashi up! Double pump handles, but Goto drags Kyle off the apron! Hashi fights free of Davis while Goto whips Kyle into the railing so hard that Kyle goes up and over into the spare timekeeper’s table!

Davis BOOTS Goto! Davis whips Goto hard into railing! Fans rally as Davis gets back in the ring after Hashi. Davis stomps Hashi around, drags him back up, and then puts him in a corner. Davis CHOPS Hashi and Hashi flops right down! Fans rally up as Davis drags Hashi up to whip corner to corner. Davis then fires himself up and runs in, but Hashi dodges! Hashi runs in to lariat! Hashi whips, Davis reverses, Hashi sunset flips! Davis stays up, but Hashi avoids the hip drop! Hashi runs to basement dropkick! Fans fire up and Davis goes to a corner. Hashi fires up, fans rally, and Hashi runs in, but Davis dodges! Kyle returns to LARIAT Hashi in the corner!

Kyle sits Hashi down, Davis SLIDING FOREARMS! Kyle then goes up and Davis drags Hashi up. ARIHARA MOONSAULT onto Goto!! Davis torture racks Hashi for the Airplane Spin! Davis spins and spins and spins, into the ALPAMARE WATERSLIDE!! Cover, TWO!! Hashi survives and fans are thunderous! Davis tags Kyle and Aussie Open storms up to Hashi. Fans rally, Davis underhooks Hashi and lifts, BUTTERFLY SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!!! Hashi survives and everyone is shocked! Fans rally up, Kyle tags Davis, and Aussie Open coordinates. They drag Hashi up, double pump handle, but Goto CLUBS Davis!

Goto DECKS Kyle, then catches Davis to URA GTR! Goto fires off on Kyle but Kyle ROCKS Goto! Kyle scoops and has Goto in position, but Goto kicks and flails! Goto lands on the apron, Kyle ROCKS him with forearms! Goto stays standing, Kyle shoulders in, but into a facelock! Goto drags Kyle out, DRAPING GTR through the table!!!! Fans are thunderous again as Goto and Kyle are down in the wreckage! Red Shoes checks on them and somehow, Kyle is okay to continue! Hashi and Davis are still in the ring, crawl for each other and are forehead to forehead. Hashi throws a forearm, Davis throws it back!

Hashi growls and the two stand up. Hashi throws a forearm, but Davis gives it back! Fans rally up as the forearms go back and forth, faster and faster! Davis ROCKS Hashi, wrenches and CHOPS! Hashi falls over, but Davis drags him back up! Fans rally, Davis CHOPS Hashi off his feet again! Davis drags Hashi up, CHOPS him again, but Hashi stays up this time! Hashi roars and ROCKS Davis with forearm after forearm! Davis drops to a knee, Hashi CHOPS him! Hashi fires up, runs, but Davis blocks the lariat! Hashi CHOPS in return! Then dropkicks the legs out! Hashi runs, to HEAD HUNTER! Fans fire up as Hashi waits on Davis!

Davis stands, Hashi runs again, LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Fans rally, Hashi brings Davis back up, and Hashi full nelsons to spin and pump handle! Davis fights with elbows, but Hashi holds on! Goto returns and Hashi feeds him to a fireman’s carry! Davis slips off, but storms up into a HIDDEN GAP! Davis wobbles, into the fireman’s carry! FIERCE FLASH!! Fans fire up as Bishamon calls their shot! Goto drags Davis into the dragon sleeper, Hashi has the legs, SHOUTO!!! Cover, KYLE BREAKS IT!! Kyle returns outta nowhere and blasts it all apart! Fans are thunderous again as the four men are down!

Goto drags Kyle up but Kyle spins Goto to a SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! Hashi LARIATS Kyle down! Hashi runs, but Kyle CALF KICKS Hashi down!! Fans are thunderous again as all four men are back down! Kyle and Davis stand, they drag Goto up, POWERBOMB UPPERCUT!! Kyle then feeds Hashi to Davis’ scoop. Fans fire up as Davis inverted crucifix lifts Hashi! Kyle runs in, SWINGING CRUCIFIX BOMB!! Davis covers, TWO!?! Hashi survives and fans are thunderous again! Aussie Open stand back up and Davis tags Kyle back in. Aussie Open throw off the elbow pads and go to opposite corners.

Hashi roars as he stands up, but Aussie Open runs in to DOUBLE LARIAT SANDWICH!! Aussie Open drags Hashi up, double pump handle, but then Hashi kicks Kyle away to hit a DESTROYER on Davis!! Kyle runs in but into a cradle! TWO!!! Kyle escapes but even he is shocked! Kyle hurries to scoop Hashi, but Hashi fights free! Feed to Goto but Kyle slips around. Kyle kicks, but Goto fights the scoop! Goto pushes Kyle, Kyle BOOTS but Goto HEADBUTTS! Fans are thunderous again as Goto calls to Hashi! Goto drags Kyle up and Hashi flounders over. Goto dragon sleepers Kyle, Hashi grabs the legs, but Davis ENZIGURIS Hashi down!

Goto and Davis DOUBLE LARIAT but neither falls! They DOUBLE LARIAT again, Goto roars! Goto runs, but Davis LARIATS Goto down!! Hashi gets around Davis, Davis fights the full nelson and then fights the waistlock! Davis throws elbows but Hashi holds on! Davis throws more elbows and is free, but Hashi shoots around to shove him to ropes! Goto LARIATS Davis from behind! SNAP DRAGON from Hashi! Kyle mule kicks Goto, ROCKS Hashi, CHOPS and ROCKS, but spins into the dragon sleeper!! But he kicks Hashi away! Goto shoves Kyle into the HIDDEN GAP! And then, SHOUTO!!!!

Fans are electric as Bishamon fire up again! They’re not done with Kyle yet! They drag him up, full nelson and the lift, NARAKU!!!! Cover, BISHAMON WINS!!!!

Winners: Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi, by pinfall (World Tag League 2022 Winners)

Aussie Open may be the future, but the future isn’t here just yet as Bishamon completes the mission of going back-to-back! With as great a first run Davis & Fletcher had, will next year’s WTL be theirs for the taking?

As for Bishamon, Red Shoes brings them the trophies, and for another year, Goto & Hashi get to lift those high! And they put them together to make the globe and W! Yano gets some good pics of the moment, and then Hashi gets the mic. “We won the World Tag League again! And in this double main event, Lio Rush & Yoh won the first! And there was one thing that stuck out to me in this double main event, is that the main event winners get the right to speak. So Lio! Yoh! Since this is a double main event and you guys won, you should come out to speak, too!” Fans applaud that and they clap in anticipation. Yoh & Lio return!

Yoh & Lio bring their trophies with them, and all the tag tournament champions of Chaos stand together! Hashi congratulates Yoh & Lio, and says that if it was just Hashi & Goto here talking, it was going to be very awkward backstage. Hashi hands the mic over to Yoh, Yoh sets his trophy down and Lio puts his next to it. Yoh says “Chaos reigns supreme!” Fans applaud that. Yoh continues to say that he feels from the bottom of his heart that Chaos is the place for him and he is so happy to be in it. To be able to close out this event here with his senpai and in front of his hometown crowd, he is very grateful and proud.

Yoh thanks Lio and Lio thanks Yoh. Yoh says Lio can have a turn to speak now, and he hands the mic over. Fans applaud as Lio accepts, and says, “I have been wrestling for nine years. And this moment right now, and I’ve had a lot of great moments in my professional wrestling career. I’ve been everywhere, seen everything, and pretty much down everything at the age of 28 years old. But this, this moment, winning these trophies with my partner, Yoh, is by far the greatest moment in my professional wrestling career today.” Fans applaud that! Lio says, “Yoh, my friend. Chaos, my family. Thank you for accepting me.” Fans also applaud that!

Lio says this moment here will live on forever. “Arigato gozaimasu.” Fans applaud that Lio thanks them in Japanese, and then he hands the mic over to Goto. Goto says, “I really love Sendai, because we’ve gone back-to-back here. And now Hashi will speak.” Hashi takes the mic back and says, “So, here we go. We can only close this the traditional Chaos way, and the biggest way ever! Everyone here and watching at home on NJPW World, please join in.” Hashi explains that Lio & Yoh are gonna run the ropes, roll, and everyone will clap together. Yoh does his best to translate for Lio, and Hashi hopes everyone is ready to stomp, stomp clap.

The trophies are moved aside, and Hashi says they’ll go on Yano’s say. Fans applaud and Yano prepares for his part. Hashi says this is to the double main event winners! The fans clap and drum, Yoh and Lio build speed, they roll and CLAP!! “HAI!!” Perfect! The streamers fall for the tournament winners, and they pose together with their trophies! What will happen when Chaos comes to WrestleKingdom 17?

My Thoughts:

A great finishing event for this double tournament series, even though I did skip all those early matches. I did like seeing the combinations of heavyweight and junior heavyweight teams, especially Yano & Tanahashi teaming with Taguchi & Conners. That is a hilarious combo right there just on Yano and Taguchi. But luckily, I did see Suzuki get the mic as I was skimming. English commentary did their best to translate in real-time, so I hope I got the gist of what they said about what Suzuki was saying. Suzuki-Gun disbanding to end the year is really surprising, but I wonder if it’s a sign that Suzuki wants to retire sometime next year. I almost feel like they should just reform under like Taichi or Zack Sabre Jr, but maybe that won’t happen.

The NEVER Openweight Championship was a good match but what a surprise that Karl didn’t drop the title. At the same time, fans almost didn’t care about Hikuleo as he was beating Karl down. Karl retains but now he’s up against Tama again, and again a bit surprised Karl comes away from that standing tall. That makes me think that Karl will lose at WrestleKingdom 17 to let Tama carry the belt into the New Year.

Then we got awesome tag tournament finals. With Catch 2/2 kinda playing Heels, I figured the Face team would win here, and that is great for Lio Rush in particular. He had a great part of the closing promo, and that was definitely genuine after Vince McMahon wasted him on Raw and SmackDown while he only got to do so much in the crowded AEW field. Bishamon going back-to-back is awesome stuff, and there’s no real shame in losing here for Aussie Open. Aussie Open got to look incredible in the round robin, they made it to the finals on their first try, they will definitely be a return finalist next year. Catch 2/2 VS Yoh & Lio and FTR VS Bishamon will both be great tag team matches, and I feel like both matches could go both ways.

My Score: 8.8/10