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