The Rainmaker and Rampaging Dragon have a rematch!

As NJPW’s New Beginning ends, Kazuchika Okada defends the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against KOPW Champion, Shingo Takagi! Will we see the rise of a new two belt champion?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Toru Yano & Oskar Leube VS Great-O-Khan & Aaron Henare; Khan & Henare win.
• 8 Man Tag: Tomoaki Honma, Tiger Mask, Ryusuke Taguchi & Shota Umino VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; LIJ wins.
• Master Wato VS Taiji Ishimori; Ishimori wins.
• Hiroshi Tanahashi VS KENTA; Tanahashi wins.
• NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: The House of Torture VS Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado & Ren Narita; Suzuki, Desperado & Narita win and become the new NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions.
• Loser Leaves Japan: Jay White VS Hikuleo; Hikuleo wins and White cannot return to Japan.
• NEVER Openweight Championship: Tama Tonga VS El Phantasmo; Tama wins and retains the title.
• IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS Shingo Takagi; Okada wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: The House of Torture VS Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado & Ren Narita!

The King of Darkness, Tokyo Pimp and Murder Machine have held onto these titles by any means necessary, but they might’ve just run into the meanest trio yet! Will Evil, Yujiro Takahashi & Sho have no choice but to submit? Or will the House be the ones to torture Suzuki’s team?

The challengers come out first, and the House of Torture takes advantage! They all attack Narita as he was bringing up the rear! Fans boo and both Suzuki and Desperado finally realize what happened! They rush back out to the ramp but Evil and Yujiro intercept! The ref reprimands but the match hasn’t started so there’s nothing he can do! Evil stomps Desperado, Yujiro smacks Suzuki off the apron, and then Yujiro sends Suzuki into railing! Fans boo and jeer more, but Dick sits Narita up as Sho takes aim with his title belt. BELT SHOT for the Son of Strong Style! Sho laughs but fans boo, and they leave Narita down and out on the ramp.

Evil gets the mic to say, “Oi! How dare you say we’ll be stripped of our championships! Oi, Desperado, if you and your sensei want it that badly, then let’s go at it fair and square!” Big talk from the leader of the team that ambushed their opponents. But Suzuki and Desperado both attack Evil together! The bell rings and Yujiro and Sho go after Suzuki and Desperado! The 3v2 gives House of Torture the advantage as they stomp away. Fans boo as Sho digs his boot into Suzuki and Evil digs his into Desperado. Dick sits up on the apron as the House all “have a smoke.” Young Lions check on Narita but he’s still down.

Sho kicks out Suzuki and Evil stomps away on Desperado’s leg. Evil drops an elbow on the leg, CHOKES him on the ropes, and Sho digs his boot in, too! The ref reprimands them both, they both let off at 4, and then Suzuki gets a chair! The ref has to stop Suzuki, allowing the House to CHOKE Desperado more! Evil DECKS Suzuki, then Yujiro tags in to snapmare Desperado. Yujiro claws Desperado’s eyes through the mask! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Yujiro lets off to drop a leg, brother! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up for Desperado, but wait, the blue buckle pad is already gone! Sho tags in and he brings Desperado up.

Desperado CHOPS and CHOPS but Sho rakes eyes! Sho wrenches, whips, and Desperado hits bare buckles! The Bullet Club Special strikes already! Sho drags Desperado up again, rakes his eyes some more, and has him down at the ropes. Sho and Evil stand on Desperado, the ref counts, and they let off at 4. Desperado drags himself up but Sho kicks at him. Desperado snarls at Sho but Sho keeps egging him on with those toying kicks. Desperado CHOPS back! And CHOPS again! Sho rakes eyes and throws Desperado down! Fans boo but Sho just grins. Sho drags Desperado up, wrenches the arm, and makes Desperado kneel.

Sho KICKS, KICKS but Desperado blocks the Superkick! Only for Sho to rake his eyes again! The ref reprimands but Sho kicks, only for Desperado to block with forearms! A bit double-edged for Desperado. Sho runs in, Desperado scoops him for a BIG back suplex! Fans fire up while both men are down! Desperado rolls and crawls, hot tag to Suzuki! Fans fire up as Suzuki fires off forearms on Sho! Suzuki backs Sho down but Evil and Yujiro attack! They double whip Suzuki to a corner, then Yujiro runs in. But Suzuki dodges Yujiro to BOOT down Evil! And then Suzuki BOOTS down Yujiro! Sho runs in and kicks low, but then runs into a BOOT!

Fans are thunderous for Suzuki as he looms over Sho. Suzuki drags Sho up, fires off forearm after forearm, then DECKS Sho! Fans rally behind Suzuki as he drags Sho back up. But Sho bends the fingers! Suzuki kicks low, whips, but Sho reverses. Sho keeps the ref from seeing Dick trip Suzuki! Sho then stomps Suzuki out of the ring. Evil RAMS Suzuki into railing, then Evil rakes Suzuki’s eyes! Yujiro CLUBS Suzuki in the chest, and Evil RAMS Suzuki into the timekeeper’s area! Down goes Abe-san! Sho distracts the ref again so that Evil can CHOKE Suzuki with the microphone! Everyone can hear Evil shout at Suzuki to give up! Suzuki instead says he’ll kill Evil!

Fans fire up but Evil lets off of Suzuki. Fans rally for Suzuki and the ref reprimands Evil. Evil puts Suzuki in the ring, Sho covers, ONE!! Sho drags Suzuki up with a facelock, and he brings Suzuki over. Yujiro tags in, Suzuki throws body shots on Sho but Yujiro kicks low. Yujiro ROCKS Suzuki with a forearm, Sho & Evil hold Suzuki in and Yujiro BOOTS Suzuki! But Suzuki just scowls through the impact! Yujiro rakes eyes and Sho pulls on ears, but Suzuki just powers through it! Only for Evil and Sho to rake Suzuki’s eyes! The ref has to keep Desperado back, and Yujiro snapmares Suzuki to BASEMENT BOOT! Cover, ONE!!

Fans fire up as Suzuki just sits up with a frown! Yujiro pushes Suzuki down to drop a HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO! Suzuki snarls and sits up. Yujiro reels him in, brings him back and Evil tags in. They mug Suzuki, then Evil CHOKES Suzuki with his merch shirt! Fans boo but Sho distracts the ref again. But then NARITA returns! Dick kicks Narita, whips him, but Narita whips Dick into railing! Evil sees Narita on the apron and BLASTS him! But Suzuki is free to get around, to a SLEEPER! Fans fire up, but Sho and Yujiro rush in to attack! Desperado gets in but he gets mugged, too! Yujiro throws Desperado out and Evil brings Suzuki up.

Suzuki kicks low and headlocks! Evil powers out but Suzuki holds onto hair! Suzuki HEADBUTTS Evil! Evil rushes in, but Suzuki spins him around and DECKS him! Fans fire up and Suzuki points to Narita! Hot tag to the Son of Strong Style! Fans are thunderous as Narita rallies on the House! Narita throws his shirt at Evil, then KICKS, KICKS and KICKS Evil down! Fans fire up more and Narita drags Evil up. Narita whips Evil to the corner, runs in, and back elbows! Then HALF HATCH! Bridging cover, TWO! Evil escapes but Narita drags him back up. Narita clinches but Evil blocks! Evil throws elbows, runs, but into a clinch!

Evil fights free again, clinches back, but Narita escapes! Narita boots but Evil blocks! Evil rakes Narita’s eyes! The ref reprimands but then Evil hands him Narita’s foot and mule kicks Narita down! Evil tags Yujiro, he brings Narita up and puts him on ropes. Yujiro runs to BOOT Narita, then reels him in for the FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally but Yujiro calls the rest of the House in. Yujiro drags Narita up, he and Evil double whip Narita to a corner. Yujiro runs in but Narita BOOTS! Suzuki and Desperado drag Sho and Evil out! Suzuki gets in as Narita whips Yujiro to a corner! Narita elbows, Desperado clotheslines, and Suzuki BOOTS!

Fans fire up as Suzuki and Narita feed Yujiro to Desperado’s SPINEBUSTER! Desperado sits Yujiro up for Suzuki’s PENALTY KICK! Suzuki and Desperado then double whip Yujiro into Narita’s clinch! EXPLODER WITH BRIDGE! But Sho breaks it! Desperado throws Sho out and Suzuki keeps Evil out. Fans fire up with Narita and he brings Yujiro up, into the COBRA TWIST! But Yujiro BITES Narita’s hand! The ref reprimands, Yujiro swings, but into another COBRA TWIST! Dick distracts the ref, he misses Yujiro tapping! Sho and Evil get in to mug Narita! Yujiro crawls to get his pimp cane!

Sho and Evil stand Narita up, but Suzuki BOOTS Yujiro down! Desperado trips Dick while Suzuki BOOTS Sho! Suzuki whips Evil and wrenches, to have a COBRA TWIST! Sho returns, Desperado dodges his haymaker to roll him up, into a STRETCH MUFFLER! Fans fire up as he makes it NUMERO DOS! Narita catches Yujiro into his own COBRA TWIST! The House of Torture endures TRIPLE submissions, and Yujiro taps!! Narita’s team wins!!

Winners: Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado & Ren Narita, by submission (NEW NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)

The House of Torture has been torn down! Suzuki hugs Narita and Desperado, and then raises Narita’s hand in victory! This new trio is golden on their first try, will they soon elevate the spirit of Strong Style?

Wait, Suzuki gets a mic to tell the House of Torture, “To you, the former champions, please get the hell outta here!” Fans like the sound of that! Suzuki continues by saying, “I’m not alone. Inside me is El Desperado and Ren Narita. And we have all of you.” Fans also like the sound of that! They chant for “MI-NO-RU!” and Suzuki says that today, they took these titles. Suzuki has a present for Narita and everyone here. It’s a name for their new trio! This is to embody what Narita and his lineage brings, they shall be TEAM STRONG STYLE! Will anyone be able to dethrone this trio that carries such a banner?

Loser Leaves Japan: Jay White w/ Gedo VS Hikuleo w/ Jado!

The Switchblade was on top of the world, but he’s since fallen back to earth. And yet he blames the Young Gun for it all! Will White banish Hikuleo from the land of the rising sun? Or will his thirst for vengeance cost him everything he has left?

White mocks Tanahashi on commentary by showing off his abs. White and Gedo get the fans to join in on the “Tooooo… SWEET~!” The bell rings and fans rally up as White and Hikuleo stare down. The two step up, White says Hikuleo will never have a WrestleKingdom moment. White has had moments, and he’ll have one more as he sends Hikuleo home for good. The two circle, Hikuleo rushes forward but White slips away before he’s cornered. White taunts Hikuleo but Hikuleo storms up on him again. Hikuleo corners White, catches him this time, so White uses ropes as a defense while desperately shouting for the ref!

The ref has Hikuleo let off and White slips away to the outside. White spits at Hikuleo, but Hikuleo rushes out after him. White slips back in, Hikuleo hurries back to the apron, but White rushes over. Hikuleo catches White into a choke grip! Fans fire up as Hikuleo steps over the top rope, to TOSS White to a corner! White dodges the elbow, but Hikuleo BOOTS him down! White flounders, fans fire up and Hikuleo stalks White to ropes. Hikuleo grabs a leg to drag him back! Hikuleo puts White in a corner, throws body shots and forearms, then throws back elbows. The ref reprimands and counts, Hikuleo lets off with one more elbow.

Hikuleo then kicks White low and White sputters. Hikuleo drags him up, throws him to the corner, then THROWS him across the way! Fans fire up while White writhes at the ropes. Gedo gets on the apron but Hikuleo backs him down. Hikuleo drags White up, whips him, but White holds ropes! Hikuleo runs in but White dodges to dump Hikuleo out of the ring! Hikuleo hits apron hard then tumbles to the railing. Gedo likes what he sees but Jado coaches Hikuleo. White goes out but Hikuleo CHOPS him! Fans fire up as White falls right down! Hikuleo paces to walk off the soreness, and then he CHOKES White on the ground!

The ref reprimands and counts, Hikuleo stops at 4, and then he stands over White. Hikuleo drags White up by his hair, and he has cameramen move aside. Hikuleo TOSSES White over the railing, and he tumbles off the commentary table to hit the second railing! Fans fire up for how close the action is getting, and Hikuleo watches White stir in the wreckage. Hikuleo goes out and moves things aside while White crawls into the crowd! Hikuleo drags White up, and RAMS him into the blue railing! White flops down and the ref reprimands, but Hikuleo says he’s getting White back to ringside.

White crawls, but Hikuleo scoops him! Gedo begs for mercy but Hikuleo tells him to get away. White rakes Hikuleo’s eyes! White then POSTS Hikuleo! White flounders his way back into the ring while Hikuleo sits up in a daze. White goes back out, brings Hikuleo up, and SMACKS him off the apron! And again! And again! And again! And again! White brings Hikuleo around, CLUBS away on him, then SMACKS him off the apron again. Now White has cameramen move, and he RAMS Hikuleo into the railing! Hikuleo tumbles over and out and lands hard on the floor!! Fans fire up while both men are down in No Man’s Land!

White crawls away from Hikuleo and demands the ring count. The count begins, White gets in at 5 of 20 but fans rally for Hikuleo. Hikuleo sits up at 8, crawls his way around at 10, and slides in at 14, only for White to stomp away on him! White drags Hikuleo up in a corner, RAMS his shoulder in again and again and again! The ref reprimands, White laughs but lets off. Hikuleo CLUBS White down! Fans rally up as White flounders. Hikuleo storms up but into a kick! And DDT! Cover, ONE!! Fans fire up but White grows frustrated. White shows the Too Sweet, and he CHOPS! Hikuleo doesn’t budge! White Too Sweet CHOPS again, but Hikuleo just brushes it off!

White kicks low, Too Sweet and kick! White whips but Hikuleo blocks, and he sends White into a corner hard! White falls from hitting buckles face first! Hikuleo storms up on White, drags him up, and scoops. White slips off, to CHOP! Hikuleo shakes his head, but White dodges his chop. Hikuleo UPPERCUTS on the return! Hikuleo scoops White to SNAKE EYES! And then LARIAT! Fans fire up and Hikuleo goes to a corner. White stands, Hikuleo runs in to SPLASH! White staggers, Hikuleo scoops him, and hits a POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! White survives but Jado coaches Hikuleo to keep on him.

Hikuleo readies his hand and fans rally up. White rises, but he sees the hand and scurries to ropes! Hikuleo storms up and drags White up from the apron, only for White to HOTSHOT him! White is in a corner, Hikuleo runs in but White dodges! The boot gets caught up, and White CHOP BLOCKS the other leg! Gedo fires up and Jado checks on Hikuleo while White crawls away. White goes to the opposite corner, runs back in, and UPPERCUTS! White brings Hikuleo up, but Hikuleo suplexes! Only for White to slip free, and CHOP BLOCK again! Fans rally as Hikuleo crawls to the corner. He rushes back in but into a COMPLETE SHOT!

White says he’s gonna cradle Hikuleo like a baby. White drags Hikuleo up, waistlocks, but Hikuleo’s a big baby! Hikuleo swings an elbow, but into the SAIDO!! Fans fire up while White drags Hikuleo up again! White suplexes, for a BLADE BUSTER! Cover, ONE?!? Hikuleo shocks everyone and White is beside himself! White sits Hikuleo up, aims a finger gun at him, and clamps on a sleeper! But Hikuleo elbows free! Only for White to CHOP BLOCK on the rebound! Hikuleo falls into a corner and White grins. Fans rally up as White watches Hikuleo drag himself up with the ropes. White runs in, but into a BOOT!

White staggers back up, comes back, and he dodges to boot for a KNEE JAMMER!! And then he gets the other leg, KNEE JAMMER!! Jado and the ref check Hikuleo but White is on him with stomps! The ref reprimands, White digs his boots in, but White lets off. White sits Hikuleo up to dribble him off the buckles! The ref reprimands again, he gets White to stop, and White backs off. To then stomp Hikuleo down again! Hikuleo sputters, and White unties part of the buckle pad! The ref sees that and stops White. White and Gedo argue with the ref but then White grabs a chair! White SMACKS away on Hikuleo with the chair!!

Fans boo but White wears that chair out! White then calls for the ref, drags Hikuleo up, and he hooks a leg, KIWI KRUSHER!! Cover, TWO!!! Hikuleo survives and White is speechless! Fans rally up for Hikuleo but White sits him up. White takes Hikuleo’s vest off, to Too Sweet CHOP! Hikuleo falls over but White isn’t done with him. White sits Hikuleo back up, Too Sweet CHOP! Fans rally up, White grins and sits Hikuleo up again, Too Sweet CHOP! Hikuleo growls and fans fire up! Hikuleo glares at White but White CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Hikuleo just rises up! White CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS, but Hikuleo tells him, “F YOU!”

White says, “You want it? You think you can take me out?” Hikuleo CHOPS White off his feet!! White gets up in a huff and eggs him on again, so Hikuleo CHOPS him down again! White stands up again, but Hikuleo CHOPS again! White wobbles but he stays up. White storms up into another CHOP, and he falls back over! Gedo is getting worried but Jado coaches Hikuleo on. White drags himself up, Hikuleo storms up to CHOP again! White stays up, so Hikuleo CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS!! White just keeps coming back for CHOP after CHOP after CHOP! White is slowing down, but he still comes back for a CHOP!

White SPITS at Hikuleo, so Hikuleo just DOUBLE CHOPS him down!! Fans fire up and White grins like a madman as he drags himself up. Hikuleo waits on White and dares him to bring it! White dodges the chop, but runs into the POWERSLAM! Fans fire up again and Hikuleo stands up. Hikuleo raises his hand, and clamps it onto White! But Gedo gets on the apron! Only for Jado to YANK him down! White claws at Hikuleo’s eyes, so Hikuleo shoves White away, but he falls back into the ref! White LOW BLOWS Hikuleo! Fans boo but White calls to the ref. The ref staggers up, White tells him to not mess this up!

But Hikuleo LARIATS White back down! Hikuleo drags White up, whips him to ropes, and then POWER- BLADERUNNER OUTTA NOWHERE!!! White turns things around at the last possible moment, then crawls over. Hikuleo turns onto his side to keep White from pinning him! White pushes him back over, drags him back up, but that’s a lot of dead weight to lift. White uses ropes to help, BLADE- NO! Choke grip! Hikuleo grins, but White clubs away on the arm. White kicks the legs, too, but Hikuleo uses both hands! POP-UP- NO, White throws hands! But Hikuleo still POWERBOMBS White!! Cover, TWO!?!?

White survives and fans are thunderous, but Hikuleo can’t believe it! Fans rally up again and White crawls to a corner. Hikuleo stalks White but White flops over. White crawls over to Hikuleo, Hikuleo choke grips him again. White feebly tries to fight free, but then offers a Too Sweet. Hikuleo gives him the Too Sweet, to then give him the CHOKE SLAM!!! Cover, HIKULEO WINS!!!

Winner: Hikuleo, by pinfall (Jay White must LEAVE Japan)

King Switch has truly fallen from grace! He wanted to ruin Hikuleo’s future, but has now doomed his own! Hikuleo gives White a Too Sweet good-bye, will White have to settle for being NJPW Strong?

NEVER Openweight Championship: Tama Tonga w/ Jado VS El Phantasmo!

Tonight has not been a good night for Bullet Club, and that’s exactly how the Good Bad Guy likes it! Will he add on to their woes by keeping this title from the Headbanga? Or will ELP be the silver lining in Bullet Club’s New Beginning?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if this ends in Sudden Death!

The bell rings and fans rally up. Plenty of fans chant “E L P!” as he circles with Tama, and ELP makes sure Tama knows it. They tie up, go around, and ELP headlocks. Tama powers up but can’t power out as ELP holds tight. Tama tries again but ELP holds tighter. ELP grinds Tama down but Tama fights up. Tama throws body shots, powers out this time, and they RAM shoulders. Fans applaud as neither man falls. ELP dares Tama to try, so Tama runs, and they RAM shoulders. ELP says okay, and he winds up his arms, only to knee low! Now ELP runs, but Tama hurdles, hurdles and DOUBLE CHOPS! ELP stands up, into a DROPKICK!

Fans fire up as ELP ends up in a corner. Tama waits on ELP and ELP stands. The two reset and tie up, and Tama headlocks. ELP powers out, things speed up, and ELP hurdles, drops and DROPKICKS! Fans fire up as Tama goes to a corner now. Tama stands and fans rally up again. ELP and Tama circle, ELP applauds “Good job” to the fans. ELP then gets around Tama to waistlock but Tama standing switches and slams ELP down. Tama floats to a headlock, hits a takeover, but ELP headscissors. Tama kips free, ELP headlocks for a takeover, but Tama headscissors! ELP handsprings free, and dropkicks cancel out!

GUN- NO, ELP throws Tama away! SUDDEN- NO, Tama ducks the kick! Fans fire up seeing the exchange! Tama and ELP reset, and ELP offers a Too Sweet. Will Tama take it like Hikuleo? Tama doesn’t, so ELP SLAPS him! Tama fires off forearms, uppercuts, and then he clotheslines ELP up and out! Then Tama PLANCHAS! Down goes ELP and fans fire up! Tama stalks ELP, stands ELP up and ROCKS him with a right. ELP staggers, but he throws hands in return. Tama fires off hands, whips ELP at railing, but ELP leaps up and over! Fans fire up as ELP lands safe in No Man’s Land! But then Tama LEAPS over! ELP moves and Tama crashes into railing!

The front row is getting a lot of the action tonight as Young Lions and the ref check on Tama. Tama is okay to continue, but he is clutching his hand. ELP SLAMS the bad hand against the blue railing! ELP then drags Tama around to SLAM the hand off the table! ELP tips that table over, puts it on top of Tama’s hand, and STOMPS it! The ref reprimands and ELP moves aside. Fans rally up, ELP comes back to bring Tama up, and he knuckle locks the bad hand. ELP brings Tama over to put him in the ring, but he keeps the hand on the apron. ELP drops a knee on the hand! And again! And again! The ref reprimands as ELP digs his knee in.

ELP steps into the ring, Jado coaches Tama and fans rally up, but ELP bends Tama’s fingers! ELP tortures Tama’s hand, then SNAPS the fingers! Tama clutches the hand but ELP grabs hold again. ELP knuckle locks, then stands Tama up to CHOP! ELP goes up and up and jumps around, to then FLYING RANA! Fans applaud the athleticism, and then ELP covers. TWO, and fans rally up again. ELP stands Tama up to ROCK him with a forearm, then whips him corner to corner hard! Tama bounces off the buckles, ELP covers, TWO! Fans applaud as Tama hangs tough, but ELP sits him back up. Tama throws back elbows, and then a haymaker! But that was his bad hand!

ELP BOOTS Tama to the corner, throws hands of his own, and he sits Tama down with haymakers. The ref reprimands, ELP backs off, then drags Tama up by his bad hand again. ELP knuckle locks, then ROCKS Tama. ELP whips corner to corner, but Tama comes back to CLOBBER ELP! Off comes the vest! Fans fire up and Tama elbows ELP, throws body shots, and then forearm after forearm! Tama whips corner to corner, runs in and STINGER SPLASHES! Then a clinch, to an EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Tama and ELP rise. Tama stands first, he brings ELP up, and whips him to ropes for a BIG back drop!

Fans fire up as Tama goes to the corner. ELP writhes, and Tama sits him up. Tama throws down elbows, then CLUBS away on ELP’s chest! Tama CLUBS ELP down, then paces as ELP rises back up. Tama dragon sleepers, but ELP snapmares free! ELP ducks ‘n’ dodges to then FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE! Both men are down and fans fire back up. Jado coaches Tama and he sits up. Fans rally, and ELP kips up! Atomic drop, then ELP DECKS Tama! Tama stands, but ELP scoops and SLAMS him! ELP goes up a corner, to DIVING FOREARM! Fans fire up as ELP tunes up the band in the corner. Tama rises, ELP runs in, SUDDEN-

NO, Tama dodges and fires off strikes! ENZIGURI! Cover, TWO! ELP flounders to a corner and Tama storms up to him. Tama CLUBS ELP, elbows him, then elbows him again! And again! Tama whips corner to corner, ELP goes up and over, keeps moving, and springboards to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! ELP rolls to LIONSAULT, but Tama dodges! Tama bails out but ELP DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp! Fans fire up while both men are down on the outside! The chants for “E L P!” return as he sits up first. ELP crawls over to Tama while Tama rolls his way to ringside. ELP steps up and over Tama to go up the ropes! ARIHARA MOONSAULT!! Direct hit!!

Fans are thunderous but ELP clutches his leg. That may have been riskier than he needed, but too late now. ELP drags himself up with railing and hobbles his way over. The ring count climbs, ELP makes it back to railing at 7 of 20. ELP drags Tama up at 10, puts him in at 12, and fans applaud. ELP stretches his leg out, gets on the apron, and steps in, but Tama gets the leg! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Tama gets the leg again, another DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! And then he SLAPS ELP, before a third DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! ELP flops into the ring, and fans rally up. Tama shakes out his bad hand and waits on ELP.

ELP hobbles up, Tama grabs the leg, and he trips ELP to DDT the foot! ELP writhes and fans rally up again. Tama stalks ELP, grabs the legs again, but ELP throws hands from below! Tama ROCKS ELP, steps through on the legs, but ELP throws more hands! Tama still steps over, SHARPSHOOTER!! ELP claws at Tama, endures, powers up and claws his way forward! But Tama sits on the hold! Fans rally up as ELP still endures, powers up again, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Tama lets go in frustration and ELP beats his bad leg into shape. Fans rally again, Tama brings ELP up, and Tama brings ELP into a fireman’s carry!

But ELP fights free, and CLAWS Tama’s back! Dragon sleeper, and ELP steals TONGAN TWIST! Both men are down, fans rally up, and ELP sits up. ELP shakes out the bad leg, and throws a forearm on Tama. Tama throws it back, so ELP gives another. The forearms continue as both men stand. Fans rally as the two step to each other. ELP throws a forearm, and Tama throws it back! ELP throws another, so Tama throws it back! ELP SLAPS Tama, SLAPS him, but Tama SLAPS! But that’s the bad hand! ELP fires off a flurry, but Tama knees low then fires off uppercuts! They brawl fast and furious, fans fire up, and the two slow down.

But then they start up again! Tama knees low, uppercuts, and uppercuts! Tama fires furious fists, and he has ELP on the ropes! The ref counts, Tama lets off, but ELP comes in with a BOOT! Tama ROCKS ELP in return, ELP rebounds into the fireman’s carry! SRC! Tama goes to the corner and fans fire up! Tama climbs, aims, SUPREME FLOW! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives and fans fire up again! Jado beats the apron, fans clap along, and Tama waits on ELP to rise. ELP stands, GUN- NO, ELP drops to fire off ELBOWS on Tama! Then ghost pin, but Tama rolls through it! Tama fireman’s carries again but ELP fights it off with more elbows!

Tama powers up again! TKO!! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives and fans fire up again! Tama stands, and he vows to end this. Tama drags ELP up, underhooks the arms, but ELP resists the lift! Tama CLUBS ELP, throws body shots, and underhooks again. But ELP back drops! Tama sunset flips, ELP rolls through and he tucks Tama in! CR STYLES CLASH!! Cover, TWO!!! ELP’s fake-out didn’t finish this! Fans rally back up but ELP aims his finger gun. ELP drags Tama up, reels him in and hooks an arm, BLOODY- NO, Tama fights out to GUN- NO! ELP holds that off, straitjackets and torture racks, and he throws Tama over! But Tama lands on his feet!

Tama ducks the haymaker, and hits BLOODY SUNDAY!!! Cover, TWO!?!? ELP survives Tama’s shoutout to the Prince! Tama beats the mat, ELP stands, and Tama runs in, SUDDEN DEATH!!! Cover, TWO!?!?! ELP can’t believe Tama survives and the fans are thunderous! Fans rally up again as ELP goes out of the ring. ELP goes to the timekeeper’s area, and he grabs the belt! ELP gets in the ring with it, but the ref tells him no. ELP stands up with the belt, but the ref tells him to put the belt down. ELP pushes the ref aside but the ref keeps telling him no. ELP gives the belt to the ref, and he brings Tama up, but Tama cradles! TWO!!

Tama rolls ELP up, TWO! Tama kicks the bad leg, hooks the arms, but ELP fights! Tama still gets the backslide! TWO!!! ELP escapes, hurries up, but Tama dodges to GUN- NO, ELP flips him through! CR2!!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! Fans are thunderous as Tama manages to survive! ELP goes to the corner, slaps himself to fire back up, and he retunes the band. Tama rises, ELP slaps himself some more, and gets the bad leg working. ELP runs in, but Tama blocks the kick to flip ELP! GUNSTUN!!! Cover, TWO!?!?!? Now ELP shocks everyone by surviving! Tama flounders to ropes, drags himself up, and fans rally back up.

Tama roars, drags ELP up and tucks the arms. But ELP BACK DROPS! Bridging cover, TWO! JAY DRILLER!!! Cover, Tama wins!!!

Winner: Tama Tonga, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Champion)

The Good Bad Guy finishes ELP off with the #DSD, and the Bullet Club continues to lose! Will Bullet Club continue to fall apart? Will Tama Tonga continue to shoot down challenger after challenger?

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS Shingo Takagi!

The Rainmaker may have invented the KOPW Championship that the Rampaging Dragon now holds. But he wasn’t as worried about winning it here tonight, wanting to make sure THE title in NJPW was taken seriously. Will Takagi make Okada take him seriously by taking the top title back? Or will Okada keep Takagi from becoming a two belt champion?

The introductions are made, the world title is raised, and we see who leads the way in NJPW’s New Beginning!

The bell rings and fans duel between “O-KA-DA!” and “TA-KA-GI!” The two circle, Takagi approaches but Okada backs away to a corner. Takagi backs away, and Okada comes back. They feel out a grapple, but back away. They tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, Okada waistlocks but Takagi switches and half nelsons to snapmare and headlock. Okada slips out to a hammerlock, and he tweaks it! Okada rolls Takagi to a cover, ONE! Takagi slips free to facelock but Okada puts him in a corner. Red Shoes calls the ropebreak and Okada lets off cleanly. Fans applaud and the two reset again. Takagi and Okada tie up, and Takagi wrenches to YANK the arm!

Takagi wrenches, wristlocks, then hammerlocks, but Okada drop toeholds. Okada waistlocks, pushes Takagi down, and he ties up the legs. Okada shifts to a headlock, but Takagi fights up. Takagi pries at the hold, but Okada clamps on tighter. Takagi keeps trying, wrenches out to a hammerlock then headlock for the takeover. Okada headscissors and Takagi kips free, and fans applaud the standoff. Okada and Takagi both catch their breath and go again. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and go shoulder to shoulder. Their test of strength is rather even, but Takagi gets a point of leverage. Okada turns things around with his height advantage!

Takagi drops to a knee, but he powers his way back up! Takagi gets under to BACK DROP Okada! And then run him over! Fans fire up while Takagi dusts himself off. Takagi looms over Okada, brings him up, and fans rally. Takagi CLUBS Okada, puts him on ropes, and knees him low! And again! Red Shoes reprimands, Takagi lets off and whips, to knee Okada against ropes! Takagi then runs Okada over again! Fans applaud while Takagi brings Okada back up, for a big suplex! Takagi stands and he drops an elbow! Cover, TWO! Takagi brings Okada up again, and bumps him off buckles. Takagi pushes Okada, but Okada throws a forearm!

Okada throws more forearms but Takagi stays put. Takagi JABS Okada and Okada sits back down! Takagi stands Okada, for a CHOP! And another CHOP! And another CHOP! And then a JAB! Fans rally as Takagi whips corner to corner. Takagi runs, blocks a boot, but Okada avoids the haymaker! Okada puts Takagi up top, blocks a boot, then DROPKICKS Takagi down! Fans fire up while Takagi tumbles to the floor! Okada goes out after Takagi, brings him up and around, to put through railing in front of commentary! Okada bends Takagi against the railing and Red Shoes reprimands! Okada lets off, to kick the railing! Fans actually boo Okada!

Takagi clutches the back of his head while Okada goes into the ring. Fans rally up for Takagi as the ring count climbs. Takagi crawls his way over, stands at 8 of 20, and slides into the ring at 10. Fans applaud but Okada snapmares Takagi, runs side to side, and basement dropkicks Takagi against ropes! Fans applaud, and Okada waits on Takagi. Okada storms over, brings Takagi up, but Takagi throws body shots! Okada knees low, turns Takagi, and hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! Okada clamps on with a chinlock, but Takagi reaches out for the ROPEBREAK! Okada holds on, Red Shoes counts, and Okada lets go at 4.

Fans boo again at Okada bending the rules. Okada goes back to Takagi in the corner and brings him up. Takagi fires a forearm, but Okada just frowns. Takagi forearms and CHOPS, but Okada just stares Takagi down! Takagi forearms, CHOPS, but Okada DECKS Takagi! Fans fire up for that, and Okada stands Takagi up. Okada whips but Takagi reverses, then dodges the elbow! Okada blocks a kick, ROCKS Takagi, but Takagi roars! Takagi swings, but Okada catches the arm, MONEY CLIP! Takagi RAMS Okada into the corner and is free! Takagi runs in but Okada elbows him away. Okada runs, but into an ELBOW! JAB! YUKON LARIAT!

Fans fire up while Okada is down and Takagi drops to his knees. Fans rally up and Takagi stands. Takagi runs to run Okada over, and then scoops to SLAM him! SENTON! Okada goes to a corner, Takagi runs in but blocks a boot. Takagi clotheslines in the corner, then reels Okada in, BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! But Takagi says that’s not all! Fans fire up and Takagi brings Okada around. Takagi drives elbows into the shoulder, runs, but Okada avoids the sliding lariat! ELBOW! JAB! YUKON feint to the DDT! Okada staggers up, Takagi runs in to clothesline him up and out! Fans fire up again as Okada hits the floor!

Takagi goes out after Okada, drags him up, and whips him into railing! Okada staggers and Takagi says he’s not done there. Takagi whips Okada into more railing! Okada slumps down and fans fire up again. Takagi takes his time bringing Okada up again, to fireman’s carry and APRON SNAKE EYES! Okada staggers, into a POP-UP DEATH VALLEY to the floor!! Fans fire up again while both men are down! The ring count climbs, Takagi stands at 6 of 20 and rolls in. Okada is still down at 10, sits up at 12, but the count gets to 15 before he stands! Okada slides in at 18, and fans applaud. Takagi encourages the fans to get louder, so they do.

Takagi runs in at the corner to clothesline! Fans fire up with Takagi, and Takagi puts Okada up top. Takagi climbs up, brings Okada to the very top, for a SUPERPLEX! Okada writhes and fans fire up again! Takagi crawls over to Okada, sits him up, then runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Okada is still in this, but Takagi rallies the fans with “OI! OI! OI!” The fans echo the “OI! OI! OI!” and Takagi brings Okada up. Takagi pump handles, but Okada clubs free. Okada uppercuts, but Takagi CHOPS! Okada stumbles and falls in the corner! Takagi powers up, runs in, but Okada pops him up! REVERSE NECKBREAKER!

Both men are down again and fans fire back up. Fans rally, Okada crawls his way over, and he gut wrenches! Takagi CLUBS that off, throws more elbows, then DOUBLE CHOPS! Okada staggers then bails out. Takagi goes out after Okada, brings him up, and whips him into railing! Okada staggers, into a scoop! But he fights that to a gut wrench! TOMBSTONE to the floor!! Both men are down on the outside again and fans fire back up! Fans rally back up as the ring count returns. Okada sits up first at 6 of 20, then stands at 10. Okada hobbles over to bring Takagi up at 13 and put him in at 14. Fans applaud as this continues in the ring!

Okada brings Takagi up, wrenches, and wraps on the MONEY CLIP!! Takagi fights but Okada tightens the hold! Takagi RAMS Okada into a corner and is free, but Okada’s right on him with a BACK2BACKBREAKER! And then the MONEY CLIP!! Fans rally for Takagi as he endures and throws hands! Okada wraps on tighter but Takagi still endures! Takagi fights with fists but Okada squeezes as tight as he can! Takagi starts fading! Red Shoes checks, but Takagi gets a second wind, and the ROPEBREAK! Okada lets go in frustration while fans fire up. Takagi sputters but Okada brings him up. Okada scoops to SLAM Takagi in the drop zone.

Okada goes up a corner, to MACHO ELBOW! And of course, he hits the Rainmaker Pose! Okada stands Takagi up, ripcords, but Takagi dodges! Only to run into a DROPKICK! Okada stands Takagi back up, ripcords, YUKON LARIAT!! Takagi counters Okada but he still has to rest against ropes. Fans rally up, Takagi crawls his way over and scuffs Okada with his boot. Takagi gives Okada some kicks to the head, then a KICK to the back! Okada gets right up and in Takagi’s face! They chest bump, then Okada throws a forearm. Takagi throws a forearm, Okada hits back, fans rally with “OI! OI! OI!” for every shot!

They go fast and furious, then Takagi fires up! Takagi throws heavy shots but Okada just scowls. Okada fires a flurry, and an UPPERCUT! Takagi drops to a knee! Okada stands him up but JAB and HEADBUTT take Okada down! KNEE DROP on the back of the head! Takagi drags Okada up as fans rally. Okada is dead weight so Takagi has Red Shoes check him. Okada seems okay to continue, so Takagi stands him up for boxing elbows! Okada UPPERCUTS, Takagi DOUBLE CHOPS! Okada BOOTS, but Takagi puts that through ropes! And then DRAPING GTR! Pump handle, MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!?!

Fans are thunderous as Okada survives! Fans rally for “TA-KA-GI!” as he sits up first. Takagi brings Okada up, pump handles and torture racks, but Okada slips off to backslide! Takagi rolls through, short arm LARIAT! But Takagi doesn’t even budge! Okada swings again, Takagi spins him around, tucks the arms, TAKAGI PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! SLIDING FOREARM!! Okada is down and dazed but fans are thunderous for Takagi! Okada rises, Takagi runs in, PUMPING BOMBER!! Takagi roars and the fans are thunderous again as he pump handles and torture racks! But Okada fights free! Back drop, Okada sits on it, TWO!!!

Even Takagi is surprised he escaped! But Okada gets around him, ripcord and RAINMAKER!!! But Okada is too tired to make the cover!! Fans are thunderous, both men stir, and Okada crawls after Takagi. Takagi goes to a corner but Okada brings him up first. Okada has hold of Takagi’s tights but Takagi resists. Okada grabs at the hand, but Takagi elbows free with the other! Only for Okada to GERMAN SUPLEX! Okada holds on, ripcords, but Takagi ducks! Takagi CLUBS the lariat, CLUBS Okada on the back, but Okada SHOTGUNS! Takagi is right back up! But he runs into a scoop and LANDSLIDE!!!

Okada fires up, ripcords, but Takagi ducks and torture racks! LAST OF THE DRAGON!!!! But now Takagi can’t make the cover!! Fans are thunderous as he crawls his way over, TWO!?!?!?! Okada survives because of the delay, and Osaka is electric!! Takagi and Okada stir, and Takagi crawls back over to Okada. Takagi drags Okada up, pump handles, but Okada CLUBS Takagi. And CLUBS again. Takagi clotheslines but there isn’t a lot of force. Takagi clotheslines again and he’s getting stronger. Then he clotheslines again and Okada falls! Takagi fires up, fans fire up, and Takagi torture racks! Okada slips off, RAIN-

NO, Takagi ducks! Takagi ripcords, but Okada ducks! Okada ripcords, to ENZIGURI! Fans fire up as both men are down again! Okada hurries to get Takagi up, scoops, but Takagi slips off to DRAGON SUPLEX!! Takagi runs, into a DROPKICK! But he’s right back up! Takagi swings, Okada blocks and spins Takagi to also spin, but into a PUMPING BOMBER!! Fans are electric all over again as Takagi drags Okada back up! Takagi runs, but Okada steals PUMPING BOMBER!!! Okada scoops, spins, EMERALD FLOSION! And ripcord, RAINMAKER!!!! Cover, Okada wins!!

Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)

Despite everything he was hit with, Okada was still able to slay the Rampaging Dragon! If Takagi fought this hard and still lost, what hope does anyone have of taking the KOPW title from him?

As for Okada, he puts on the belt and stands tall with the mic. “OSAKAAA~! Thank you for all your hot and passionate support, even though it wasn’t all for the champion. Takagi-san. Thank you for all that you’ve done to get NJPW to this point with this support. We finally fought an awful lot in front of live crowds, and now I know just how great you are, to fight you in front of this crowd. Let’s do it again.” Fans cheer on Takagi as he makes his exit, and Okada continues. “There is one thing I’d like to say here. Today, that was professional wrestling!” Fans cheer that! Okada says that was NJPW’s pro-wrestling!

Okada says that he know what is next for him: San Jose, California, defending the world title at Battle of the Valley! And he will show America how great NJPW’s pro-wrestling is, and come back as NJPW’s champion. When it comes to showing what NJPW is, Okada needs an appropriate opponent. Many years ago, Okada was here in Osaka, against TANAHASHI! Fans cheer that choice! Okada asks Tanahashi, “If you’re not tired, how about you face me in San Jose?” Tanahashi steps off commentary and he goes to the ring as fans cheer him on! Tanahashi steps in, Okada hands him the mic, and Tanahashi says, “I say, of course! I’ve never been tired a moment in my life.”

Tanahashi says that over a decade ago, the “Rainmaker Shock…” This time, he’ll make a shock for Okada! Fans like the sound of that! Tanahashi tells Okada, “Thanks for your hard work,” repeating what Okada said all those years ago. Okada takes the mic back to say that Tanahashi should consider this shot his last shot. He wants all Tanahashi has to give! Both men strike their poses, and we’re just one week away from an epic showdown! Tanahashi takes his leave, will the Once in a Century Talent be ready for one last shot?

As for Okada, he closes with, “So now, next week in America, we are going to have an unbelievable even with an unbelievable match in Okada VS Tanahashi. So sorry to those who don’t like it, but I’m coming back to Osaka still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. And we’ll be right here, with all of these sold out crowds all over Japan and the world, because that is what NJPW will keep on doing! So long as you’re still with us, so long as you still love us, I will continue to make it rain!” Okada goes from one powerful challenger to another, and the golden streamers fall! Will Okada prove this New Beginning is just the beginning of his next chapter?

My Thoughts:

A great event to wrap up the New Beginnings series, and it was great to see Suzuki’s new team take the Six Man titles. “Team Strong Style” isn’t that strong of a name, but I suppose it is the most fitting, and it makes all three men equals. They’re going to have a strong run with those belts, but also a lot of fun. Really good match out of White VS Hikuleo, and I was genuinely surprised to see Hikuleo win. Again, this is Loser Leaves Japan, not NJPW, so White can still be active in the company through NJPW Strong and the American events like we’re seeing with Battle of the Valley and Capital Collision.

At the same time, White’s NJPW contract is coming to an end soon, this could be their way to brace the fans for his full departure. Tama VS ELP was great stuff, especially each of them busting out former Bullet Club leader finishers. Tama retaining was the right call, as the Bullet Club needs to struggle to find itself again. White’s claim as leader will be weakened now that he can’t be in Japan, he might end up having to fight for it with guys like ELP and Kenta more than capable of stepping up. And finally, after thinking we’d get it the last few years, we could see that Bullet Club Civil War II, but now it’s about Bullet Club Japan VS Bullet Club USA.

And then hot damn that main event. Takagi had Osaka on his side, and if it were me, I might’ve given him the win just to hear Osaka go really nuts. But at the same time, Takagi has a belt, and it’s too soon for NJPW to have another double champion, as Okada said himself. Okada winning was the right move for NJPW as a whole, and now we’re getting a huge match in Okada VS Tanahashi to really elevate Battle of the Valley. Okada will surely retain the title there, too, but he and Tanahashi can definitely give us something on par with the main event here.

My Score: 8.9/10