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Mitchell’s NJPW Anniversary Show Results & Report! (3/6/23)
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Mitchell’s NJPW Anniversary Show Results & Report! (3/6/23)

Will the Dream Team reign?

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NJPW Anniversary 51st

Will The Rainmaker become a double champion?

Kazuchika Okada already reigns atop NJPW, but he wants more! Will he and Hiroshi Tanahashi be a dream team IWGP Heavyweight Tag Champs?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita VS KENTA & El Phantasmo; Kenta & ELP win.
  • Six Man Tag: Tama Tonga, Toru Yano & Satoshi Kojima VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
  • Six Man Tag: Team Strong Style VS The House of Torture; Team Strong Style wins.
  • Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
  • YOH & Lio Rush VS BUSHI & Hiromu Takahashi; Yoh & Lio win.
  • New Japan Cup 2023 Opening Round: Shota Umino VS Yujiro Takahashi; Shota wins and advances to the next round.
  • New Japan Cup 2023 Opening Round: David Finlay VS Tomohiro Ishii; Finlay wins and advances to the next round.
  • IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Bishamon VS Kazuchika Okada & Hiroshi Tanahashi; Bishamon wins and retains the titles.

PLAY BY PLAY

New Japan Cup 2023 Opening Round: Shota Umino VS Yujiro Takahashi w/ Pieter!

The Roughneck has been waiting for a chance to break out since he’s been back home in NJPW, but his first match in the cup is against Tokyo Pimp! Will #SHOOTER get his shot? Or will Yujiro be serving Pimp Juice in the cup?

The moment Shota’s in the ring, he SHOTGUNS Yujiro down! The bell rings and Shota drags Yujiro up to fire off forearms. Shota whips, ELBOWS Yujiro down, then basement dropkicks him! Fans fire up and Shota finally takes off his entrance attire. Shota teases using his belt on Yujiro, but throws it aside. Shota brings Yujiro up but Yujiro pie faces him away. Shota glares at Yujiro, and ROCKS him! Yujiro ROCKS Shota! Shota ROCKS Yujiro, Yujiro ROCKS Shota, repeat! They go back and forth, Shota gets the edge, but Yujiro rakes the eyes! Shota shoves Yujiro, blocks his boot and ROCKS him again!

Shota whips but Yujiro holds ropes. Shota runs in, into a FLAPJACK HOTSHOT! Yujiro gets Shota’s fancy entrance attire pants off, and LASHES him with them! The ref reprimands, Yujiro hands over the pants, then he stomps Shota. Shota goes to a corner, Yujiro storms up to throw back elbows. Yujiro brings Shota out to snapmare, then drops a leg! Cover, ONE!! Shota is tougher than that and fans rally up. Yujiro paces, drags Shota up by his hair, then throws Shota down with a FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer but Yujiro eggs Shota on. Yuijro drags Shota up, scoops him, and SLAMS him!

Yujiro watches Shota writhe, and Shota pounds the mat in frustration. Yujiro drags Shota up but Shota throws forearms! Yujiro knees low, CLUBS away on Shota, then follows him to a corner. Yujiro sets Shota against ropes, and BOOTS him! Fans do cheer that hit, and Yujiro brings Shota off the ropes. Yujiro fisherman’s a leg, but Shota fights the suplex! Fans rally but Yujiro kicks low. Yujiro whips, Shota reverses and scoops to DROP Yujiro, then runs to UPPERCUT! Fans fire up again as Shota roars! Yujiro crawls to ropes and Shota whips him corner to corner. Shota runs in to back elbow, then brings Yujiro out, to FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!

Fans rally while Yujiro flounders. Shota stalks him to a corner, brings him up, and then hops up the corner. TORANDO DDT! A rough landing but Shota gets Yujiro right back up, another DDT! Shota wants Yujiro to stand up now! Fans rally, Yujiro stands, and Shota kicks low. Shota underhooks, but Yujiro wrenches out and BITES Shota’s hand! Fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Yujiro lets off. Shota runs in but into a BOOT! Yujiro hits the REVERSE DDT! Fans rally up while both men are down. Yujiro drags Shota up and fisherman’s, but Shota fights, to wrench and BITE the hand! Turnabout is fair play!

The ref still reprimands and Shota lets off. Yujiro swings, but into a TWISTING NECKBREAKER! Shota holds on, he brings Yujiro up for a SAVING GRACE! Cover, TWO! Yujiro survives but Shota aims from a corner. Yujiro slowly rises, Shota runs in, SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Shota fires up but here comes the House of Torture! Fans boo as Sho bangs his favorite wrench on the post. The ref tells him to go, and Shota runs Sho off. But Yujiro sneaks up on Shota! LOW- NO! Shota blocks the uppercut! Shota tells Yujiro off, but Yujiro reels him into the INCOLLE SLAM! Fans rally up as Yujiro hurries to get Shota up, PIMP JUICE!! Cover, TWO!!!

Fans fire up and Yujiro is beside himself! Shota survives and fans rally up. Yujiro drags Shota up, reels him in, BIG- NO! Shota fights it, wrenches out, swats Yujiro and ROLLING ELBOWS! Then pop-up UPPERCUTS! Fans fire with Shota as he roars again! Shota drags Yujiro up and underhooks, but Sho gets back on the apron! LOW BLOW!! Yujiro gets away with it this time while the ref is busy with Sho! Yujiro gets his pimp cane! Sho keeps the ref distracted, but Shota dodges the cane! Shota kicks Yujiro, kicks off Sho to hit the TORNADO DDT! And then DEATH RIDER for Sho!!

Fans are thunderous and Shota is all fired up! Yujiro rises, Shota kicks him for DEATH RIDER!! Cover, Shota wins!

Winner: Shota Umino, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Shooter took his shot and hit the mark! And now he’ll be facing Zack Sabre Jr. in the second round! Will Shota prove he’s the Ace of the Future by taking down last year’s cup winner?

 

New Japan Cup 2023 Opening Round: David Finlay w/ Gedo VS Tomohiro Ishii!

The Rebel ruined the Switchblade’s final NJPW moment in San Jose, and he is warning EVERYONE that he’s coming for the top spot. Will Finlay fight his way to the cup? Or will the Stone Pitbull take a bite out of Finlay’s new ego right from the start?

The bell rings, and Finlay fires off on Ishii! Fans boo but Finlay throws Ishii out of the ring. The bell rings, Finlay goes out but Ishii slides in. Ishii throws his shirt at Finlay, but Finlay gets back in and the forearms start flying! Fans rally, Finlay knees low and CLUBS Ishii. Finlay throws Ishii out again, goes out after him and kicks him around. Finlay whips Ishii into railing, but Ishii comes back to ROCK Finlay! Fans fire up and Ishii whips Finlay into railing! Finlay comes back to shove Ishii! Ishii shoves back, Finlay shoves again. Both men get in the ring and fans applaud. The forearms start flying again, back and forth, faster and faster!

Fans rally and Finlay gets the edge! Finlay flips Ishii off, runs, but Ishii ROCKS Finlay! Finlay eggs Ishii on, then dodges his forearm! Finlay ROCKS Ishii, runs, and runs Ishii over! Fans applaud as that was impressive, but they rally for Ishii. Finlay covers, TWO! Finlay rains down fists, the ref reprimands and fans boo, but Finlay stops at 4. Finlay gets in the ref’s face but the ref tells him to back off. Finlay stomps Ishii, but Ishii eggs Finlay on. Finlay kicks Ishii in the head but Ishii just eggs him on. Finlay kicks and kicks but Ishii keeps rising up! So Finlay throat chops him! Fans rally for “I-SHI-I!” but Finlay grinds the armlock.

Finlay wrenches Ishii’s arm, bends the fingers, and JAMS them into the mat! Ishii clutches his hand, but Finlay stomps Ishii’s hand! Finlay digs his boot into the fingers, then he drops a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Fans rally but Finlay shakes his head. Finlay brings Ishii up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT again! Ishii sits down in a corner, Finlay stomps away on him! The ref counts, Finlay lets off, but Ishii eggs Finlay on. Finlay gets the leg to DDT it! And then he SMASHES the knee into the mat! Ishii snarls but Finlay stomps him more. Fans rally and Ishii CHOPS! And CHOPS! Finlay eggs Ishii on, Ishii CHOPS again, but Finlay knees him low.

Finlay whips Ishii to a corner, Ishii comes back but Finlay ROCKS him with a forearm! Finlay runs, but into a POWERSLAM! Both men are down and fans fire up! Finlay crawls to the ropes but Ishii stalks after him. Ishii CHOPS Finlay, CHOPS him, and CHOPS again! Finlay CHOPS back, but Ishii CHOPS again! And CHOPS, ROCKS, CHOPS, ROCKS, repeat! Ishii rains down forearms, but the ref counts. Ishii pushes the ref away! Finlay flounders but Ishii storms up to him. Ishii and Finlay slap each other back and forth, then Finlay throws a forearm! Ishii doesn’t budge and Finlay mockingly says, “So strong!”

Finlay throws more forearms but Ishii doesn’t budge at all! Finlay keeps trying but Ishii just leans into it! Ishii corners Finlay as Finlay throws forearms and headbutts! Ishii HEADBUTTS! Finlay comes back, the forearms fly again! Fans rally, Finlay ROCKS Ishii, and reels him in. Ishii slips around, and suplexes Finlay high and hard! Both men are down and fans rally up. Ishii stands, he stands Finlay up and whips, but Finlay comes back to TACKLE Ishii out of the ring! They both hit the floor and fans rally up. Finlay stands, he brings Ishii up, and he fireman’s carries Ishii to HOTSHOT him on the railing! And then SPEARS him into the railing!

Fans are torn but Finlay says that this is HIS ring. Finlay wants after Ishii but the ref wants him to get in the ring. Finlay drags Ishii up with a chinlock and brings him over, APRON BACK SUPLEX! Finlay pushes Ishii in, drags him around, and brings Ishii up for a BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! Ishii survives and shocks Finlay! Fans rally up but Finlay flips them off. The fans boo but Finlay soaks it up. Finlay drags Ishii up, reels him in, and gut wrenches to a Canadian Rack! But Ishii slips off, shoves Finlay away, only to run into a drop toehold into buckles! Finlay smirks while Ishii writhes!

Fans boo as Finlay fishhooks Ishii’s face. Finlay hoists Ishii up top, climbs up after him, and CLUBS him before standing him up. SUPERPLEX! But Ishii stands up!? And he CLOBBERS Finlay into the corner!! Fans are thunderous for Ishii while he and Finlay are down. Ishii stands again and fans fire back up. Ishii runs in to corner clothesline! Finlay wobbles, Ishii hoists him up top, and fans fire up as Ishii climbs. Gedo freaks out as Ishii brings Finlay up, for the STALLING SUPERPLEX! Both men writhe, but Finlay stands up!? Finlay staggers about, runs in, but Ishii SWATS the lariat! Finlay dodges Ishii’s lariat to SPEAR!

Gut wrench, Canadian Rack, CLIFFHANGER!! Cover, TWO!?!? Ishii survives but Gedo coaches Finlay. Finlay paces around Ishii and slashes his throat. Finlay drags Ishii up, reels him in, but Ishii suplexes! Finlay fights free, and catches Ishii to a BACKBREAKER! Finlay suplexes, Ishii knees free, but Finlay UPPERCUTS! Ishii GERMAN SUPLEXES! Both men are down and fans are thunderous again! Gedo coaches Finlay up while fans cheer Ishii on. Ishii stands, drags Finlay up, but Finlay throws haymakers! But Ishii ROCKS Finlay! Finlay rebounds to LARIAT, but Ishii stays up to DECK Finlay!

Fans are thunderous yet again as Ishii drags Finlay up. Ishii reels Finlay in, brings him up, and POWERBOMBS! High stack, TWO!! Finlay survives but Ishii roars! Fans rally, Ishii runs, but Finlay SWATS the lariat, ROLLING ELBOWS, and inverted suplexes, OSAKA STREET CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!!! Ishii survives and Finlay is beside himself! Fans continue to rally, but Finlay brings down his knee pad. Gedo wants Finlay to finish this, and Finlay brings Ishii up. Suplex, but Ishii fights free! Ishii fights off the stunner and ENZIGURIS! Both men are down and fans rally back up!

Ishii headbutts the buckles to fire up! Ishii waits on Finlay to rise, and he LARIATS him back down!! Cover, TWO!!! Finlay survives but Ishii roars again! Ishii stands Finlay up, suplexes, but Finlay slips free and rolls Ishii up! With tights! TWO!!! Ishii escapes, runs in, but Finlay spins him to a backslide! Ishii rolls through but Finlay suplexes, but Ishii fights free! Ishii KICKS the leg, and SHINING WIZARDS! And then SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, TWO!!! Finlay still survives but Ishii slashes his throat! Ishii drags Finlay up and suplexes again, but into STUN-DOG MILLIONAIRE! But Ishii keeps moving!? Finlay LARIATS him!!

Finlay drags Ishii back up, but Ishii HEADBUTTS! Finlay HEADBUTTS! Ishii HEADBUTTS! Ishii spins Finlay, Finlay hits TRASH PANDA!!! Cover, FINLAY WINS!

Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

The Rebel took out The Switchblade and took his spot in Bullet Club, and he took out the Stone Pitbull to take his spot in the tournament. Gedo gets the mic to officially announce that “Your winner is… David ‘The Rebel’ Finlay!” Gedo then says “Finlay is going to flip this entire scene on its head! So what if the Switchblade isn’t here, huh!? It doesn’t matter if Switchblade is here. You cut off one head, another rises to take its place. The Rebel’s gonna leave everyone like pigs in the dirt! We’re gonna take over EVERYTHING!” Gedo needs the Rebel, the Bullet Club needs the Rebel, and the WORLD needs the Rebel. The Blacksmith’s newest weapon is sharp, will David Finlay cut down everyone that enters his ring?

 

IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Bishamon VS Kazuchika Okada & Hiroshi Tanahashi!

Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi have faced and defeated many challengers, but never have they faced a good friend! The Rainmaker leads Chaos, and thereby leads the Fierce Warrior & Head Hunter. Will Okada still have their respect? Or will he and The Ace simply have their titles?

The introductions are made, the tag titles are raised, and we see if it will be a heavy reign!

Tanahashi shows off the muscles and fans cheer. The teams sort out and fans fire up as Okada and Hashi get in each other’s face! Hashi pushes Okada back, the bell rings, and the two circle. Fans rally hard for “O-KA-DA!” as he and Hashi tie up. They’re in a deadlock, and Okada pushes Hashi back to ropes. Red Shoes calls the break, Okada lets off slowly, but Hashi throws a forearm first! Okada throws a forearm, they go back and forth, then Hashi CHOPS! Okada kicks low, turns Hashi and hits a NECKBREAKER! Okada is still stinging, but he tags Tanahashi. The Dream Team double whip, then double elbow Hashi down!

Tana drags Hashi up but Hashi throws body shots and forearms. Tana throws forearms back and forth with Hashi, and Tana gets the edge! Tanahashi whips, Goto tags in and Hashi reverses, Bishamon runs Tana over! Then HIP TOSS SENTON! Okada runs in, but Goto kicks him, then suplexes Okada onto Tana! Fans fire up while Goto stomps Tana. Goto drags Tana up, suplexes high and hard, then covers, TWO! Fans rally, Goto drags Tana up, and he bumps Tana off buckles. Tag to Hashi, but Tana fights back with forearms and elbows! Goto & Hashi kick low, then they DRUM away on Tana’s back!

Fans fire up as Hashi flexes. Hashi drags Tana up, gets a leg and trips Tana, to then drop an elbow on the leg! Tana endures as Hashi has a toehold and pulls back on it. Hashi stands to stomp the leg, then he tags Goto. Bishamon splits the wishbone! Goto pushes Tana and grabs a leg to turn Tana over. HALF CRAB! Tana endures, but Okada runs in to kick Goto! Goto kicks Okada, throws him out, but Okada gets back in! Okada and Goto brawl, but Goto knees Okada and throws him back out. Goto stomps Tana, CLUBS him, then kicks him to the corner. Goto CHOPS, then tags Hashi. Hashi brings Tana out but Tana fires forearms!

Hashi ROCKS and CHOPS! Fans fire up while Hashi brings Tana around. Hashi hangs Tana out to dry, Goto holds Tana in place and Hashi runs to dropkick Tana down! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, Hashi looms over Tana and brings him up. But Tana fires off forearms! Hashi CHOPS again! Tana SHOTEIS! Hashi SUPER- NO, Tana blocks the kick to DRAGON SCREW! Fans fire up while both men are down! Tana crawls, hot tag to Okada! Okada fires off on Hashi, whips, but Hashi reverses. Okada ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Hashi! Okada DECKS Goto for good measure! Okada drags Hashi up and whips him corner to corner.

Okada runs in but Hashi dodges. Hashi runs in, Okada dodges! Okada puts Hashi up top to DROPKICK Hashi to the floor! Fans fire up while everyone is down! Okada goes out after Hashi, drags him up, but Goto runs in! Okada gets Goto, too, DOUBLE DDTS to the floor! Okada drags Hashi up while the ring count climbs, and Okada puts Hashi in at 5 of 20. Okada then scoops and SLAMS Hashi, then goes to the corner. Standard formula, but Hashi knows that! Hashi rushes over, Okada leaps over, but runs into a dropkick to the legs! Fans fire up again while both men are down. Hashi crawls, but Okada is on him. Hashi breaks free to SPIN BACK KICK!

Hashi continues to crawl, and he hot tags Goto! Goto fires off on Okada! Goto whips Okada corner to corner, runs in and MURAMASAS! Then BULLDOGS! Cover, TWO! Okada is still in this but Goto brings him up. Okada fights the fireman’s carry, he CLUBS Goto, then runs, but Goto follows! Okada UPPERCUTS, runs, but Goto follows again! Okada dodges, but Goto deflects the boot, only for Okada to catch the lariat into a wrench! MONEY CLIP! Goto endures and fans rally both ways! Goto RAMS Okada into a corner and gets free! Goto runs, but into the DROPKICK! And back to MONEY CLIP!

Tana BLASTS Hashi and Goto is isolated! Goto endures as Okada squeezes tighter! Fans rally, Goto fights up, but Tanahashi runs in! SLINGBLADE! Okada drags Goto back into the MONEY CLIP!! Tanahashi goes out to keep Hashi down, and RAMS Hashi into the railing! Goto reaches out, but he’s fading! Red Shoes checks on Goto as Okada leans all his weight on him! Fans rally, duel, and Hashi runs in to CLUB Okada! Goto is free but Tana throws Hashi back out. Okada crawls over to Goto, brings him up by a wristlock, and paces around. Short arm LARIAT! Fans fire up as Okada brings Goto up again, for another short arm LARIAT!

Okada roars, he drags Goto up and wristlocks. Goto RAMS Okada into a corner, then moves as Hashi runs in to clothesline! Hashi whips Okada to Goto’s fireman’s carry! Goto throws Okada into the dragon sleeper, Hashi goes for the legs, but Okada BOOTS Hashi away! Okada CLUBS Goto, runs, but Goto follows to LARIAT! Both men are down and fans are thunderous! Goto crawls to ropes and stands up. Goto brings Okada to the fireman’s carry but Okada slips free. Goto elbows free, runs, but into a FLAPJACK! Both men are down again, and Okada crawls to hot tag Tanahashi! Fans fire up as The Ace takes aim!

Tanahashi runs, Goto stands, into FLYING FOREARMS! Tanahashi stays fired up and Goto rises again. Tanahashi runs, but into a fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Both men writhe and fans rally up. Goto crawls, and he hot tags Hashi! The Head Hunter powers up and runs, but Tana blocks the lariat! Hashi CHOPS! Tanahashi kicks low, but Hashi reels him in! Full nelson, DRAGON SUPLEX! Hashi roars, runs, but swings into Tanahashi’s full nelson! Hashi breaks free but Tanahashi shifts to a straitjacket! STRAITJACKET GERMAN!! Cover, TWO!!! Hashi survives, but Okada runs in to BLAST Goto!

Okada goes out to keep Goto down while Tanahashi runs. SLINGBLADE!! Cover, TWO!! Hashi is still in this, but Tanahashi goes up top! Goto RAMS Okada into railing, and then gets in to ROCK Tanahashi! Goto fireman’s carries, Hashi stands, but Tanahashi slips free! Tanahashi shoves Goto into Hashi, then gets Goto’s leg for a DRAGON SCREW! Hashi gets Tana’s leg to DRAGON SCREW! Fans are thunderous again and Hashi powers up. Hashi runs, but Okada is there to DROPKICK! The Dream Team fires up together! They get Hashi up, Okada scoop SLAMS, and then they each take a corner!

Okada MACHO ELBOWS! Tanahashi HIGH FLY FLOW!!! ONTO KNEES!!! Hashi cradles, TWO!?!? Tanahashi survives and fans are electric! Someone throws someone into railing, but was it Okada or Goto? Fans are thunderous for Tanahashi as he and Yoshi-Hashi stir. Both men sit up, and Tana throws a forearm. Hashi throws it back, so Tana throws another. They go back and forth, faster and faster, and fans rally up with every shot! Both men stand but the forearms keep flying! Hashi throws body shots, then a CHOP! Tanahashi fires off a strike fest! Tanahashi runs, but Hashi gets around to waistlock! Goto runs in, feed to the fireman’s carry! But Tanahashi slips free!

Tanahashi has the waistlock but Goto ducks, HIDDEN GAP! Tana wobbles, Goto fireman’s carries! FIERCE FLASH!! Hashi BLASTS Okada and then calls his shot! The fans are thunderous as they get Tanahashi up, SHOUTO!!! Cover, OKADA BREAKS IT!!! All four men are down and the fans are electric! Goto drags Okada up to throw forearms, then whips him to ropes. Okada holds ropes, BOOTS Hashi, dodges Goto, but runs into the HIDDEN GAP! Goto and Hashi get Okada up, for the G Y W!!! And Bishamon goes back to Tanahashi! Hashi full nelsons, Goto gets the legs, but Tanahashi BOOTS Goto away!

Okada anchors Goto at the ropes! Tanahashi victory rolls Hashi, TWO!?!?! Hashi escapes by nanoseconds! Fans are thunderous again as Hashi stalks up behind Tana. Goto kicks Okada away, Hashi whips Tana but Tana dropkicks Goto’s legs out! Hashi mule kicks Tana! Hashi whips, Tana reverses, but Hashi turns Slingblade into full nelson! Pump handle, but Tana slips free to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tana runs, but Hashi gets around the Slingblade! Hashi traps Tana against the ropes, and Goto BLINDSIDE LARIATS! Tanahashi staggers, Hashi SUPERKICKS! Goto HEADBUTTS! Fans are electric as Bishamon drags Tana back up!

Full nelson, leg lift, NARAKU!!! Cover, BISHAMON WINS!!

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

The Fierce Warrior & The Head Hunter defeated the Dream Team, because they are THE team in NJPW! Will the Rainmaker have to just settle for being IWGP World Heavyweight Champion? And what will come of The Ace’s 2023?

As for Bishamon, they raise the belts in victory before Hashi gets the mic. “We have successfully defended our titles for the second time. And finally, though it was in a tag team match, I was able to get a win on Hiroshi Tanahashi!” Fans cheer that accomplishment. “Tanahashi once told me backstage that I better take a bite out of him while there’s still meat on the bones. But after today, it’s clear that he’s got a lot more to give. And he’ll continue to shine for years to come.” Fans applaud that, too.

Hashi continues to say, “It’s the 51st year of NJPW. Nobody imagined it’d be me, not Tanahashi or Okada, who would be speaking now, am I right?” Fans applaud, then chant, “YOSHI-HASHI! YOSHI-HASHI!” Hashi knows he can never be Tanahashi or Okada, “but I do believe that if I keep improving on myself, I will evolve. And here I am standing today.” Fans applaud that, and Hashi says he has one last thing to say. “If you leave here with pep in your step and a smile on your face, that’d make my day.” Fans applaud that, they appreciate it. Hashi then says that with Bishamon winning, the fans all know what comes next, right?

“The last time we did this, people couldn’t shout out. But you can today. How about we do ‘that’ to celebrate?” Fans like the sound of that! And Hashi doesn’t just mean some regular Zanmai. He wants an EPIC one! He asks for help from Toru Yano and Milano Collection AT on commentary. And a real big “HAI!” at the cue. Okay, everyone, are you ready? The fans cheer, and Hashi says here goes! Hashi pounds the mat and fans clap along. Hashi runs, Goto helps him roll, clap and “HAIII~!” A great moment for NJPW, both the wrestlers and the fans! Will Bishamon lead the way as NJPW gives us more great moments like this?


My Thoughts:

A great event for NJPW’s 51st anniversary, especially with it having a slight deviation from previous anniversary shows. No Heavyweight VS Junior Heavyweight Champion showdown, but there were a lot of great match-ups. A little surprised we got Team Strong Style VS House of Torture so soon after their NEVER Openweight Six Man title match, and that this was a non-title bout anyway. The United Empire is rolling, there’s gonna be big things for them in NJPW and even AEW and ROH this year. And big win for Yoh & Lio, I believe Lio is going to be up next for Hiromu Takahashi and the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title.

Shota VS Yujiro was a good match but Yujiro’s pace is almost purposefully slow and plotting so it makes it hard for the fans to get excited. Shota winning despite Sho helping Yujiro was a good move, as it would’ve just been a disappointing par-for-the-course move with the House of Torture. But I don’t think Shota beats Zack Sabre Jr. ZSJ is the previous New Japan Cup winner, he is still the NJPW World TV Champion, he is not going to lose for some time yet. Finlay VS Ishii was an awesome match, even if Finlay looks like bootleg Jay White. Finlay of course wins because of his new chapter being Bullet Club, who knows how far he’ll go.

And of course we got an awesome main event for the Heavyweight Tag Team titles. So many times it looked like Okada & Tanahashi were going to win, but as I felt yesterday, it just wouldn’t seem fair if Okada had two top level titles. Bishamon wins by pinning Tanahashi, a great thing for Hashi as he said himself, and there are all sorts of possibilities for their next challenge. Perhaps they’ll wait until the New Japan Cup is further along, and maybe Sakura Genesis in April will give us another tag title match.

My Score: 8.8/10

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Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/22/25)

Round 6, B Block!

Published

on

Will the Rogue Luchador still be the Best of the Super Juniors?

As Best of the Super Juniors continues, B Block has round six! El Desperado is still in the thick of it, will he finally take over?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Dragon Dia & Shoma Kato VS Kosei Fujita & Hartley Jackson; Fujita & Hartley win.
  • Francesco Akira & Jakob Austin Young VS Robbie X & Gedo; Akira & Jakob win.
  • Hiromu Takahashi & Yota Tsuji VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Yujiro Takahashi; Hiromu & Tsuji win.
  • Six Man Tag: Master Wato, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Toru Yano VS Kushida, Yuya Uemura & Katsuya Murashima;  Wato, Tanahashi & Yano win.
  • Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS MAO; Mao wins.
  • Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Kevin Knight VS SHO; Knight wins.
  • Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Titan VS Robbie Eagles; Eagles wins.
  • Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Nick Wayne VS Taiji Ishimori; Taiji wins.
  • Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: El Desperado VS YOH; Yoh wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current B Block standings!

Nick Wayne: 4-1, 8 points
Titan: 3-2, 6 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 3-2, 6 points
El Desperado: 3-2, 6 points
SHO: 2-3, 4 points
Taiji Ishimori: 2-3, 4 points
Robbie Eagles: 2-3, 4 points
YOH: 2-3, 4 points
MAO: 2-3, 4 points
Kevin Knight: 2-3, 4 points

 

Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS MAO!

The Funky Weapon has kicked it into gear and is near the front of the pack while the Idol Warrior is near the back. Will Taguchi make things even funkier? Or will he be caught up in the Strange Love Connection?

The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two stare down. Taguchi and Mao circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Taguchi powers Mao to ropes, then lets off slowly. The fans applaud and the two reset. Mao and Taguchi circle and tie up again, and Taguchi hits a headlock takeover. Mao headscissors, Taguchi kips free, and then Taguchi arm-drags! Taguchi has the armlock, Mao fights up, so Taguchi headlocks. Mao powers up and out, Taguchi RAMS shoulders, but neither man falls. Mao runs, RAMS Taguchi, but again neither falls. Taguchi and Mao decide to both run, but Taguchi fakes Mao out! HIP ATTACK! But Mao rebounds and falls… into Ta-Gooch-i!

No one is sure what to make of this, and then Mao scrambles away. Mao comes back, blocks an arm-drag, but then Taguchi blocks Mao’s arm-drag, and it feels more like a dip in a romantic dance… Mao scrambles away again, then waistlocks. Taguchi ducks down, Mao leap frogs then slides under. Mao waistlocks, Taguchi switches, leap frogs, but then Mao breaks the sequence, only for Taguchi to still back up into him… Again, rather awkward, and the two reset. The fans have a good laugh at the awkwardness, but then Mao kicks low. Mao whips corner to corner, runs in, but Taguchi BOOTS him! Taguchi goes up to catch him for DEADLY BUTT SHADE!

Mao powers up?! And he PANTSES Taguchi! DEADLY BARE BUTT SHADE! Mao powers up, so Taguchi NO PANTS HEADSCISSORS, DEADLY NUT SHADE!! The fans fire up as Mao powers up, and he wiggles around. Taguchi says no, wait! HEADBUTT to the groin!! The fans cheer while Taguchi sputters. Mao then digs his boot into Taguchi, and the fans build up energy for the scrubbing! Mao runs side to side and BOOT WASHES Taguchi! The fans fire up and Taguchi sputters more. The fans want “MO IKAI! MO IKAI!” Mao stands Taguchi up for scrubbing! Mao runs side to side, but into the HIP ATTACK!

Taguchi still walks around with pants down, and he has the fans build up energy! Taguchi scrubs Mao with his cheeks! The fans cheer as Taguchi runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Mao sputters, Taguchi hoists his pants back up, then way up! “ORYA~!” KETSUYE! Cover, TWO! But into OH MY GAH ANKLE! Mao scrambles around, rolls, but Taguchi holds on! Mao endures, fights forward, and uses his free leg to reel Taguchi in! Float and JUST- NO, Taguchi slips free to OH MY GAH ANKLE! Mao reaches for the ropes but Taguchi drags him back. Mao drags Taguchi into a victory roll, TWO! Mao body scissors, JAPANESE LEG ROLL! TWO!!

The fans cheer as both men hurry to their feet. Mao says, “LOOK!” but Taguchi still ducks the punch! Taguchi says look left! Look right! Look below the belt!? GROIN ATTACK!! The fans fire up and Taguchi hurries to body scissors, JAPANESE LEG ROLL! TWO!! The fans fire up while both men check the count. Mao runs up, Taguchi bypasses, but then Mao returns to sunset flip! Taguchi pantses himself to sit down, TWO! Mao rolls but Taguchi rolls through to sunset flip, TWO!! Mao pushes forward but Taguchi catches him into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Mao endures, powers out the back, and he shovels under Taguchi’s hips!

Taguchi fights to trap Mao in the tights! That’s dangerously close but Mao stacks Taguchi! TWO and Taguchi sits on Mao! TWO!! Mao and Taguchi roll, roll, and jackknife bridge! TWO as Mao bridges up!! He’s still trapped in Taguchi’s void! Taguchi walks around with Mao, then sits down for a cover! TWO and Mao sunset flips, then deadlifts Taguchi! Mao hooks the arms, for the lewdest STYLES CLASH ever!! Cover, MAO WINS!!!

Winner: Mao, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taguchi earns 0)

To say that was strange is an understatement. But now, Mao is moving up in the block! Will his Strange Love Connection continue to score? Can Taguchi reload his Funky Weapon and rise back up?

 

Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Kevin Knight VS SHO!

The Jet isn’t feeling #2Flyy at just 2-3, but that means he and the Murder Machine are in the same boat. Will Knight stay the course and continue his ascent? Or will Sho stack the deck too high?

Wait, as Sho makes his entrance, he goes to fetch… a dumpster? Sho loves talking trash but is he acting like he’s taking out the trash? Sho then waits around the corner from the entryway, but where is Knight? Everyone looks around, akd Knight sneaks up on Sho! Knight snatches the “Torture Tool” and plays keep-away! The fans cheers as Knight LEAPS the railing! Sho tries but he can’t do it like Knight! Sho crawls under, chases Knight into the ring, and then the bell rings. The ref wants the wrench but Knight runs outside. Sho follows, they go around the ring and around commentary! Sho is annoyed but he can’t keep up with Knight!

The fans cheer as Knight keeps away from Sho, and even goes to his dumpster. Knight puts the wrench IN the dumpster! Then he RAMS the dumpster into Sho! And then Knight BOX JUMPS the dumpster to LARIAT Sho! The fans cheer and Knight goes back to the ring. The ring count starts on Sho and he says wait! But then Knight takes his jacket back from Sho’s skeleton dummy. Sho wants his wrench back and he asks the ref to wait! The count passes 10! Then 15! Sho finally finds his wrench and runs in at 18! Knight is there, but Sho slides back out! Sho and Knight are at a standoff, but then Sho sneaks the ring hammer.

Sho lets the ref have the wrench, and runs up to JAM Knight with the hammer! The fans boo but Sho digs his boots in. Sho drags Knight up, brings him around and TOSSES him out. Sho stalks Knight to commentary, CLAWS Knight’s eyes, then brings Sho around to BOWL him into chairs! Not quite a strike but still good. Sho takes a seat to catch his breath while talking trash. Sho drags Knight up, puts him in the ring, and then covers, ONE!! Knight is tougher than that, but Sho clamps onto him with a chinlock. Sho CLAWS at Knight’s face but the ref reprimands. Sho focuses on just the chinlock and Knight fights around.

Knight fires body shots, fires forearms, but Sho CLAWS his eyes again! Sho THROWS Knight into buckles then kicks him out of the ring. Sho talks more trash and then stalks Knight back to the dumpster. Knight CHOPS Sho, but Sho CLAWS the eyes! The fans boo but Sho CLUBS Knight down. Sho reels Knight in, but Knight fights the lift! Knight lifts Sho and DUMPS him into the dumpster! The fans cheer as the trash is taken out after all! Knight leaves Sho behind, the ring count starts again, and Knight rolls in at 4 of 20. Sho flounders in the trash, manages to get out of the dumpster at 11, and he hobbles towards ringside.

Knight FLYING LARIATS Sho at 15! The fans fire up with Knight and he shoves Sho into the ring. Knight then runs corner to corner, but Sho dodges. Sho runs up, Knight stops the Monkey Flip to put Sho up top! Knight leaps into the UPPER ROOM! And then somersault for the UFO SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Sho survives but the fans rally with Knight. Knight drags Sho up with a fireman’s carry, but Sho CLAWS his eyes! Sho runs up, Knight dodges and SATELLITE- NO, Sho blocks the DDT and bends fingers! Knight kicks, runs, but Sho sends him into the ref! Then Sho THROWS Knight by his hair! And Yoshinobu Kanemaru is here!

The fans boo as Kanemaru SMACKS Knight with his whiskey bottle! Kanemaru shoves the ref in and tells him to do his job. Sho drags Knight up, reels him in, but Knight trips Sho! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Both men hurry, but Kanemaru distracts the ref! Sho then sets Knight up, and Kanemaru shoves the ref aside, but Knight ducks! WHISKEY MIST hits Sho! And Knight DROPKICKS Kanemaru! Then somersault and SATELLITE DDT! The fans fire up and Knight goes to the corner! Knight climbs, MOTHERSHIP UFO SPLASH!! Cover, Knight wins!

Winner: Kevin Knight, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Sho earns 0)

The House of Torture certainly did try to stack the deck, but The Jet flies too high to be caught! Will Knight soon be #The1ULookUp2? Will Sho just focus on winning as a good wrestler for once?

 

Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Titan VS Robbie Eagles!

El Inmortal is a step behind the lead, but the Sniper of the Skies is just a step behind him! Will Eagles fly over Titan to make them both 3-3? Or can Titan stay alive in the running?

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, Eagles waistlocks, but Titan spins to facelock. Eagles wrenches and wristlocks, but Titan rolls, bridges back, rolls to then handspring and arm-drag! Titan sweeps and covers, ONE! Titan avoids a sweep but Eagles ducks a kick! Eagles trips Titan, has the legs, but Titan kicks him away! Both men kip up and the fans fire up! Eagles and Titan reset, and Eagles starts up, “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” Titan trips Robbie, things speed up, and Titan cartwheels.

Eagles wrenches and whips, but Titan goes up and over to handspring away! The fans cheer, Titan runs back in, but Eagles hurdles. Eagles runs to RANA, and Titan tumbles. Eagles runs up to WHEEL KICK! Titan bails out, the fans rally and Eagles builds speed. Titan moves back, Eagles springboards to backflip, but Titan springboards in and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Eagles bails out, the fans fire up and Titan builds speed! Titan DIVES and sends Eagles into the Young Lions protecting the fans! The fans fire up and Titan rises up. Titan stomps Eagles, wrenches and fireman’s carries, to then SNAKE EYES off the apron!

Titan kicks Eagles around, KNEES him low, and puts him in the ring. The fans applaud while Titan stalks Eagles. Titan kicks Eagles, clamps on a GROUND COBRA TWIST, but Eagles endures. Titan lets go to KICK Eagles in the back! Titan steps through and has the legs for a TRAILER HITCH! Eagles endures but he knows this hold, and makes it to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Titan lets go, and Titan stomps Eagles in the corner. Titan snapmares and runs, but he fakes Eagles out to then blindside DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Eagles stays in this but Titan stays on him with a KICK! And a KICK! Titan fires up, but Eagles ducks the buzzsaw!

Eagles CHOP BLOCKS Titan, then runs to BLINDSIDE LARIAT! The fans cheer while both men are down. Titan and Eagles slowly rise, and Eagles hobbles over. Titan CHOPS, but Eagles KICKS! Eagles shakes out the bad foot to KICK again! And KICK again! Titan CHOPS, Eagles ROCKS him, then Eagles runs, but Titan blocks the kick for a DRAGON SCREW! The fans fire up while Titan brings Eagles up. Titan CLUBS Eagles, reels him in, but Eagles suplexes! Titan goes to the apron, drags Eagles out, and now they brawl on the edge! The fans rally, the CHOPS and forearms keep going, then Titan gets the edge. Titan winds up, but Eagles SOBATS!

Eagles brings Titan in, but Titan stops the Asai DDT! Titan shoves Eagles to the corner, Eagles stops himself, and then Eagles ELBOWS and BOOTS Titan! Eagles fires up, but Titan SUPERKICKS! Eagles falls over and the fans fire up! Titan skins the cat to the top rope! Titan aims at the apron, LA LANCER misses! Eagles basement 619s the legs out, then he DIVES! Direct hit with the somersault tope and the Young Lions keep Eagles from falling on fans! The fans fire up and Eagles drags Titan back into the ring. Eagles climbs, the fans rally, and Eagles springboards to SNIPER DROPKICK! Then he has the legs, and has the RON MILLER SPECIAL!!

Titan endures, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Eagles lets go, but then drops a KNEE on Titan’s leg! Eagles pushes Titan down into the drop zone, goes up the corner, and the fans rally again. WARP- NO, Titan dodges! Titan runs up, but Eagles KNEES low! Eagles aims but Titan goes Matrix to avoid the roundhouse! Titan CALF KICKS, then he brings Eagles in! YOYO BACK SUPLEX! The fans fire up as Titan goes to the apron. Titan aims and springboards, DIVING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! Eagles survives, but Titan has the legs! He has the deathlock, and then LLAVE INMORTAL!!

Eagles endures, reaches out, but Titan tries to straitjacket the hold! Eagles powers up and tips Titan over, then he DOUBLE SMASHES the knees! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Eagles drags Titan up, but Titan CHOPS! Eagles fires a forearm, but Titan CHOPS again! Eagles SMACKS Titan, Titan CHOPS again! Titan then ducks to fire off a strike fest! But Eagles ROUNDHOUSES! SUPERKICKS! And PELES! Eagles then brings Titan up, ASAI- NO, Titan slips free, waistlocks, shoves, and TORNADO DDTS! Then he suplexes for a GOURD BUSTER! SUPER- NO, Eagles blocks the kick to hook Titan up! TURBO BACKPACK!! Cover, TWO!!

Eagles has the legs! RON MILLER SPECIAL!! The fans fire up and Titan crawls! Titan reaches out, but Eagles drags him back! Eagles KICKS away on the leg, but Titan rolls! Eagles tumbles away, comes back, but into Titan’s victory roll! TWO, and Titan has the legs! LLAVE- CRADLE COUNTER! TWO!! Eagles rolls with the bridge, TWO!! Titan SUPERKICKS Eagles to the corner! The fans fire up again as Titan fires up! Titan throws off his elbow pad and calls his shot! Titan runs in for the FRAME OUT LARIAT! Eagles falls, Titan clutches his leg but he powers up again. Titan climbs a corner, the fans rally, for LA LANCER!! NO, Eagles dodges!

Eagles drags Titan down for the RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Titan endures, reaches out, claws forward, and manages the ROPEBREAK!! Eagles lets go but then drags Titan up, REVERSE DRAGON SCREW!! And then back to the RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Titan TAPS, Eagles wins!

Winner: Robbie Eagles, by submission (gains 2 points; Titan earns 0)

The Soul of PWA brought out that fighting spirit! He moves up to 3-3 while Titan moves down to 3-3, so will this head-to-head make all the difference down the line?

 

Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Nick Wayne VS Taiji Ishimori!

The Prodigy may be 4-1 but he is still living up to that title. But the Bone Soldier is 2-3 and hungry to be champion again. Will Taiji win over the ROH World Television Champion #ByGrace? Or will he see he’s just living in Wayne’s World?

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, go around, and Nick puts Taiji on the ropes. The ref counts, Nick slowly lets off, and he pats Taiji on the shoulders. The fans cheer, the two reset, and they feel things out. They tie up, go around, and now Taiji puts Nick on the ropes. Taiji lets off, pats Nick on the shoulders, and the fans cheer. Nick and Taiji circle again, feel things out, and Nick goes for an arm. Nick wrenches and wristlocks, but Taiji wristlocks and wristlocks back. Nick reaches back to wrench again, then wristlocks to a hammerlock. Taiji reaches back to wrench Nick, but Nick has the ROPEBREAK!

The ref counts, Taiji ELBOW BREAKERS, and the fans applaud. Taiji whips, Nick reverses, and then Nick hurdles, bypasses, and UPPERCUTS! Nick kips up, the fans fire up, and Taiji bails out. Nick builds speed but Taiji goes around the way. Nick eggs Taiji on but Taiji dares Nick to come get him. Nick rushes outside but Taiji slides back in. Taiji grins and now dares Nick to get back in. Nick slides in, Taiji slides out! Taiji grabs Nick’s arm, wrenches and whips him into the POST! Nick falls in a heap while clutching his arm and the ref reprimands Taiji. Taiji just drags Nick up to SMACK him off the commentary desk!

The fans rally while Taiji leaves Nick behind. Taiji undoes the blue buckle pad while the ref checks Nick. Nick is okay to continue so the ring count begins. Nick rises at 3 of 20, shakes out the bad arm, and rolls in at 6. The fans cheer, but Taiji is right on Nick with a knuckle lock. Taiji wrangles Nick, stands on his face, and twists the wrist. Nick endures, but Taiji drops into the STRAIT ARMBAR! Nick fights up, stacks Taiji, TWO, and it is back to the STRAIT ARMBAR! Nick scrambles around, and he has the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts but Taiji drags Nick to the corner. Taiji SLAMS the bad arm against the post!

Nick writhes but Taiji drags Nick back over. Taiji has the bell hammer and he SMACKS Nick on the back of the neck! The ref reprimands and Nick clutches his neck, which is already taped up. Taiji drags Nick around, wrenches an arm, and hammerlocks it. Taiji RAMS Nick into the bare buckles! The ref reprimands but the fans applaud the Bullet Club Special. Taiji clamps onto Nick’s arm with a double wristlock but Nick endures. Nick fights up, fires body shots, but Taiji THROWS Nick down! Nick scrambles again, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts and the fans applaud. Taiji lets go to stand Nick up. Taiji whips, Nick grabs the ropes to stop himself, but even that hurts!

Taiji runs up, Nick ELBOWS Taiji away, and then Nick BOOTS him! Nick WRINGS Taiji into the buckles, then corner 619s! The fans fire up as Nick climbs up, and he DOUBLE STOMPS Taiji’s bad arm! Nick cravats, Taiji pushes him away, then Taiji runs up, only for Nick to TOSS him out! Nick then goes out and ASAI MOONSAULTS! Nick hits Taiji and the Young Lions are a buffer between him and the fans. The fans fire up with Nick, and he puts Taiji in. Nick waits, cravats, and ASAI DDTS! Cover, TWO! Taiji stays in this and the fans cheer. Nick shakes out the bad arm and he brings Taiji up. Nick CLUBS the arm, then wrenches for an ELBOW BREAKER!

Nick waistlocks, reaches up to the nelson, but Taiji breaks free! Taiji ELBOWS Nick, Nick kicks low! Nick whips, Taiji reverses, but Nick handsprings! Taiji dodges to handspring, NEURALIZER KICK! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Taiji and Nick slowly rise, and Taiji brings Nick around. Nick powers out of the elbow breaker to DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Taiji survives and the fans fire up again! Nick shakes out the arms while the fans rally again. Nick drags Taiji up and pump handles, but Taiji turns suplex into cradle! TWO, and Taiji tilt-o-whirls! Nick fights off La Mystica to ROCK Taiji!

Taiji ROCKS Nick, BOOTS him, then runs! Taiji ducks the roundhouse to JUMP KNEE! Ripcord and LA MYSTICA! BONE LOCK!! Nick endures as Taiji puts on the pressure! Nick crawls reaches out, but Taiji rolls him back! But Nick rolls Taiji to a cover, TWO!! Nick ROUNDHOUSES! Nick handsprings and STUNNERS! The fans fire up and Nick vows to end it! Nick brings Taiji up, hooks the leg, PRODIGY PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Nick is stunned but the fans fire up! Nick clutches the bad arm, huffs ‘n’ puffs as he rises back up, and he aims again. Taiji rises, into the ROUNDHOUSE! Nick goes up, up, and WAYNE’S- BACKSTABBER!!

Taiji drags Nick into the BONE LOCK!! Nick scrambles reaches out, but Taiji rolls him away again! And then reels him in, BLOODY CROSS!! Cover, TAIJI WINS!

Winner: Taiji Ishimori, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Nick earns 0)

The Bone Soldier brings down The Prodigy, and that means everyone is that much closer to taking this block! But will Taiji be the one standing at the front? Or can Nick find a way to recover from this sudden losing streak?

 

Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: El Desperado VS YOH!

The Rogue Luchador may be behind the leader, but he is still THE IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, and vows to STILL be the Best of the Super Juniors. Will he continue forward towards his back-to-back trophies? Or will Direct Drive take him on a detour?

The bell rings and the fans rally up for “DE-SU-PEH!” Despy and Yoh circle, tie up, and Despy waistlocks. Yoh switches and SLAPS Despy the back of the head. Then Yoh headlocks, but Despy powers out to reel Yoh in. Yoh slips out the back to hammerlock, but then Yoh spins Despy around and slaps him again! Yoh headlocks, Despy pulls hair, and Red Shoes reprimands. Despy whips, Yoh RUNS Despy over, and the fans cheer. Things keep moving, Yoh rolls over the dropdown to arm-drag! And arm-drag! And then he avoids Despy’s arm-drag, and pats him on the head. The fans cheer, Despy frowns, but Yoh headlocks again,

Despy endures, fights up, and he powers up, only for Yoh to cravat. Despy fires body shots but Yoh cranks the neck wrench. Yoh snapmares, Despy gets up and things speed up. Yoh drop toeholds then basement DROPKICKS! Yoh wants the Anaconda Vice but Despy scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Yoh lets go quickly, and the fans rally. Yoh drags Despy up, brings him around, and CLUBS him on the neck. Despy shakes that off and Yoh hushes the fans. Or rather, he’s hissing, and he Mongolian Chops Despy! The fans cheer as Yoh gives further shoutout to Hiroyoshi Tenzan!

Yoh hisses more, the fans join in, and Yoh Mongolian Chops again! Yoh CLUBS Despy, headlocks, but Despy hits a BIG back suplex! The fans rally, Despy stands, and he drags Yoh up. Despy whips Yoh to the corner, runs up and LARIATS, then HIP TOSSES! The fans rally more, and Despy whips Yoh to ropes for another HIP TOSS! Yoh writhes, the fans applaud, and Despy checks his neck first. Despy slaps Yoh around, eggs him on, but Yoh eggs Despy on. Despy BOPS Yoh, gives him more slaps, but then Yoh stands to kick low! Yoh fires forearms, but Despy ROCKS him with an elbow! Yoh falls back and the fans applaud.

Despy whips, Yoh grabs ropes top stop himself, then he kicks low. Yoh turns Despy, Despy elbows free, then Despy comes back. Yoh catches his lariat for a wrench and spin, DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down. Both men rise, Yoh DROPKICKS Despy out, then rallies the fans. But Yoh changes the rhythm from “Y! O H!” to more “Y O H! Y O H! Y O O O O, O O H!” Despy is annoyed, runs up, but Yoh pokes him in the eyes! And now Yoh builds speed, to fake the dive! Then he PLANCHAS! The fans cheer Yoh while he walks that off, and he drums on the wall for another “Y O H! Y O H! Y O O O O, O O H!”

Yoh fires up, the fans cheer, and Yoh goes back for Despy. Yoh puts Despy in the ring, brings him up, and turns him for the NECKBREAKER! Yoh then takes a bow a la Despy, then drops an ELBOW! Cover, TWO and Yoh drops a KNEE! Cover, TWO and Yoh FLOPS as Despy moves! Despy grabs the leg, STRETCH MUFFLER, but Yoh scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Despy THRASHES the leg but Red Shoes reprimands so Despy lets go. Despy YANKS Yoh’s leg, the fans rally up, and Yoh crawls away to the corner. Despy runs in but Yoh dodges! Yoh turns Despy, Despy slips free and has a leg, SHIN BREAKER! Then STRETCH MUFFLER!

Despy has NUMERO DOS very quickly but Yoh still fights! Despy drags Yoh back, the fans rally, and Yoh claws his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Despy lets go, and Yoh clutches his knee. Despy drags Yoh back up, reels him in, and then suplexes for a BRAINBUSTER! The fans cheer, Yoh sputters and Despy covers, TWO! Yoh shows his toughness but Despy stays focused. Despy drags Yoh up, the fans rally, and Despy reels Yoh in. Yoh fights the back suplex so Despy KICKS his leg! Yoh falls but Despy is on him again. Yoh fights the lift, full nelsons, but Despy fights that. Despy reaches for ropes but Yoh powers on the COBRA TWIST!

Despy endures and the fans rally up! Despy fights but Yoh pulls him into a knuckle lock, and some HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Then an ANACONDA VICE! Despy stays on his feet, fires body shots, but Yoh keeps him from the ropes! Yoh squeezes tighter and tighter and Despy drops to his knees. Despy fights up as the fans rally up, so Yoh shoves and SNAP DRAGON SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!! Despy survives and Yoh grows frustrated but the fans rally more. Yoh fires up, brings Despy around, reels him in, but Despy fights the underhooks. Yoh lifts, Despy fights and wrenches, to have the SHIN BREAKER! And GROUND DRAGON SCREW!

The fans cheer while both men are down again. Yoh clutches a leg, Despy clutches his neck, and the fans rally more. Despy rises, hobbles his way over, and he grabs a leg. Yoh kicks at Despy again and again but Despy eggs him on! Yoh keeps kicking, but Despy hits another GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And then STRETCH MUFFLER! NUMERO DOS! Yoh scrambles reaches out, but Despy rolls him away from the ropes! Yoh endures, activates the core, and he sits up to then hit a DESTROYER!! Both men are down and the fans fire up! The fans rally while Yoh stirs, and he crawls his way back over to Despy.

Yoh drags Despy up by his mask, the fans rally more, but Despy pushes Yoh away. Despy growls and rises up, but into a SUPERKICK! Despy rises again, so Yoh SUPERKICKS again! The fans fire up and Yoh roars! Yoh hobbles over, brings Despy up, and underhooks the arms for DIRECT- NO, Despy fights the lift! Despy powers up, powers out, and he ROCKS Yoh with that elbow! Yoh staggers around, comes right back, but Despy DECKS him! The fans fire up and Despy roars! Despy brings Yoh up, underhooks, and PINCHE LOCO! Cover, TWO?!? Yoh survives and the fans are thunderous! Despy is frustrated, but he stands back up.

Despy drags Yoh up, reels him in, underhook and TIGER DRIVER! But Despy has to shake out his arms before he can underhooks and deadlift Yoh, for the PINCHE- NO, Yoh lands out! Yoh has Despy’s arms, kisses him on the forehead, then ducks the haymaker! Ripcord, but Despy blocks the knee! Despy swings into STANDING ANACONDA VICE!! Despy fires hands, reaches out, but he is fading! The fans rally harder and harder as Despy rises back up, but Yoh THROWS Despy down! ANACONDA VICE!! Despy flails, but Yoh CRANKS back! DESPY TAPS, YOH WINS!

Winner: Yoh, by submission (gains 2 points; Despy earns 0)

The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion just lost to the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion! Desperado said anyone can win any given match, is he starting to regret making that statement? Or will he make a push in the last three rounds to still make the semifinals?

As for Yoh, after getting his tag belt, he also gets the mic. Yoh rests on the mat while he says, “Oi. I have a question for the people of Osaka. What year is it this year?” The fans chuckle and a few say it is Year of the Snake. Yoh says, “That’s right, the Year of the Snake. The Year of the Anaconda. The Year of Yoh!” The fans applaud, and Yoh says he has the tag title, and he will have the BOSJ trophy, and then he will have the title Despy has. “I’ll get tangled up in all of it!” The fans cheer that! Yoh sits up and tells Desperado, “I… I always hated you, Desperado. Up ’til just now. We wrestlers are strange creatures. We come to an understanding by fighting each other.

“Desperado, I used to hate you! But now, Desperado…! Desperado…!! AISHITEMASU~!” The fans cheer the strange way to reference Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Yoh blows a kiss before he leaves. Will Yoh use all of his strangeness and all of his skill to become the ultimate Junior Heavyweight? Or does he still have a long way to go before he can have it all?

 

Here are the NEW B Block standings!

Nick Wayne: 4-2, 8 points
MAO: 3-3, 6 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 3-3, 6 points
YOH: 3-3, 6 points
El Desperado: 3-3, 6 points
Taiji Ishimori: 3-3, 6 points
Robbie Eagles: 3-3, 6 points
Titan: 3-3, 6 points
Kevin Knight: 3-3, 6 points
SHO: 2-4, 4 points


My Thoughts:

Another great night for NJPW, though I wonder if Yoh VS Despy could’ve been a more energetic main event. The crowd didn’t seem as hot for Yoh VS Despy as some of the other matches. But that main event did heat up by the end and that was a great finish for Yoh to have his win over THE champion. This block now parallels A Block exactly: one man at 4-2, one man at 2-4, the rest in the cluster of 3-3. Great win for Taiji over Nick Wayne to keep Taiji strong, but Nick could still get to those semifinals. This Saturday is going to be another 10 match card, and it will surely be an exciting one to push things into the homestretch.

My Score: 8.9/10

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Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 5.22.25

Is it a Go Away or Go Home show?

Published

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I avoided last week because when TNA starts making my IQ drop, I need time off to rethink how I make life decisions. And well…I have bad taste, just like with my women. The redder the flag, the better for me.

Explains so much about me and why I drink.

Ratings:

  • Mustafa Ali vs Ace Austin: Ali wins via Calf Killer – ***
  • Aztec Warriors vs Jabroni Losers w/Eric Young: Aztecs win via Drive Split – *
  • Eddie Edwards w/Lish vs Jake Painter: Squash match Eddie wins duh
  • Fir$t Cla$$ vs Sami Callihan & Mike Santana: KC wins via Blessing in Disguise – ***
  • Vipress & Mazzeratti vs Spitfire: Spitfire – 1/2*
  • Elijah & Joe Hendry vs Moose & Brian Myers: Elijah wins via Highwayman’s Farewell – ** 1/2

 

Results:

Mustafa Ali vs Ace Austin

Ali continues his more vicious approach, he attacks Ace’s leg with as few Leg Scissors attempts, a few quick strikes, a lot of Lucha Style counters into impact moves but nothing sticks. Kicks, Side Suplexes, Mustafa eats a few strikes, powders and Ace hits his apron dance counter spot hitting the PK. Back in ring Ace tries to continue but Ace just grabs the bad leg into a DDT, then a Chop Block and wraps Ace’s knee into the post. Ace tries to fight back, a few strikes, looks for Backwards Splash but Ali kicks Ace’s legs, Tree of Woe, Mustafa goes for the Baseball slide, but Ace sits up and crotches himself into the post. Ace tries his Backwards Splash again but Mustafa moves and goes for a Sharpshooter, Ace struggles but gets to the ropes.

Extra strikes before Mustafa gets the best of it, 450 attempt from Mustafa misses, Ace rock Mustafa, looks for a Hesitation Dropkick but Ali pulls Tasha in the ring to stop Ace, pushes Tasha at him, Ace tries to put her down and eats the Chop Block, then Mustafa pulls out the Calf Killer on the bad leg and Ace taps out.

Aztec Warriors vs Jabroni Losers w/Eric Young

Laredo and bald dork have a lame tie up, a generic rope  run Indy/AEW shit leap frog and headscissors dumb thing spot. Aztecs double baldo, but he tags out to Temu (pre-Tarrifs) Yuta, Octagon punks out the dweeb, Aztec Double Thrust kick and the crowd is actually vibing with Aztecs. Jabronis have a slow and stupid distract spot for Temuta to bite Octagon and do a corner double team as Baldo tags in. These two dweebs really make everything worse. I would rather listen to War and Peace read by a naked Cody Deaner than ever see these dweebs on a show anywhere, they are the definition of “never drew a dime”.

Eric Young about to beat up a fan is more entertaining than this entire match, also why the camera pays attention to it, Laredo screws up his Tornillo Drive and hits his head on the apron. Laredo Driver into Arabian Moonsault tandem finish, Aztecs win.

Eddie Edwards w/Lish vs Jake Painter

Eddie beats the hell out of jobber, Cody is on commentary since the have the Under Siege match. Lish is more entertaining than Cody and the match. Holy hell two useless matches in a row. I’ve seen scuba gear in the desert more useful than the last 20 minutes of this show.

Fir$t Cla$$ vs Sami Callihan & Mike Santana

AJ and Santana start, AJ clocks him with a lariat but he kips up, Dropkicks AJ and KC tags in, calming AJ first and then a small comedy spot that turns into KC into a pancake. Santana tags out, KC avoids a few Sami moves, Sami lets him do some taunts and then lights him up. AJ tries to slow down Sami but KC gets tosses outside, AJ catches him, rocks the baby, it’s a great spot. KC hits a Slingblade First Class has a few fun tag moves of AJ throwing KC, locomotion Sentons, they put stuff together well, Sami rocks AJ, simultaneous tag.

KC and Santana counter each other, Santana hits the Rolling Buck Fifty as he follows a KC roll. Quick spots that ends with an Outline in Chalk, AJ misses the Lariat, Santana knocks him to the outside. They look to set up a tandem finish but AJ grabs Santana and rocks him, Sami tries to intervene but AJ does enough to distract, KC hits the Blessing in Disguise and picks up the win! Good for my boy!

Vipress & Mazzeratti vs Spitfire

Another job match…they really suck at making good wrestling matches prior to bigger events.

Vipress is cute, but I think I slipped into a coma. Jody is a bad wrestler, and its a squash match. I couldn’t care less about this match existing.

Elijah & Joe Hendry vs Moose & Brian Myers

Elijah and Myers lock up first, old school Shoulder Tackle and Hip Toss into Headlock stuff. Myers retreats, tags out to Moose, Moose points are Hendry, and Moose wants a Test of Strength. Holy 1995 Batman…

Moose attacks the shoulder and quick tags as they isolate Hendry are strike the taped shoulder. Moose is legal, Hendry blocks the Suplex, Pump Kicks Joe in the chest, Hendry hits his stalling Suplex, tags in Elijah, rope walk Tornado DDT. Moose rolls into the tag to Myers and Elijah grabs Myers’ arm, wants another rope walk, but Dango shakes the ropes, Elijah crotches himself and Myers swarms. Elijah fires, tries to hit the ropes, but Baseball trip Raven pose from Myers as we go to commercial.

We come back, Moose hits a Backbreaker on Elijah and tags out to Myers who does the on the ground Front Facelock spot. Myers takes a cheap shot at Joe, Elijah catches him with a Knee Lift simultaneous tag, Hendry hits the Sack of Shit, Kip Up and turn. Wants the Standing Ovation, Moose rocks Joe, goes for the Escalara Crossbody, Joe Side steps it, Simultaneous Lariats, tag outs, Elijah ducks Myers and hits the Highwayman’s Farewell and they win.

Kaz attacks after the match, tries to urge Trick off of commentary, but Trick only cares about Trick. Hendry Uppercuts Kaz into Elijah’s waiting Guitar Shot. Ahh its old school TNA, Joe side steps and Guitar Shots.

 

Overall Score: 4.5/10

The Italian Debate was entertaining, the table was Japanese, the Opening and Closing matches we fun…the rest of the show was Hot Garbage. At least Mance Warner said match his freak, I enjoy that turn of phrase. But hot damn, TNA has had awful Go Home shows. They close decently well but when 80% of the show sucks, I can’t find myself caring.

This episode did nothing to push the B show app event. If anything it made Under Siege feel more irrelevant. I think Tommy Dreamer said something about bad storylines a few weeks ago, and that’s truly a lack of self awareness. These shows have felt like they’re written by a Kindergartener chewing on a crayon. Mostly awful, it was just bookended well.

About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling) 

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast 

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR


Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand


Powered by RedCircle


Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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