Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/27/23)

This road’s paved with gold!

Published

1 year ago

April 27, 2023

Steven Mitchell

Will the Ticking Timebomb make it through the Heel Master?

Hiromu Takahashi wants to be on top of NJPW, but he must defend his IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship first! Will he survive the Road to Wrestling Dontaku?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Boltin Oleg & Oskar Leube VS Aaron Henare & Great-O-Khan; Henare & Khan win.
8 Man Tag: Chaos VS The House of Torture; Chaos wins.
Six Man Tag: Tama Tonga, Hikuleo & Master Wato VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
Six Man Tag: TMDK VS The United Empire; TMDK wins.
8 Man Tag: Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii, Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma VS Shota Umino & Team Strong Style; Shota & Team Strong Style win.
Shingo Takagi & BUSHI VS SANADA & Taichi; Sanada & Taichi win.
Tetsuya Naito VS DOUKI; Naito wins.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Catch 2/2 VS Intergalactic Jet Setters; Intergalactic Jet Setters win and become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Hiromu Takahashi VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Hiromu wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

NJPW announces the Best of the Super Juniors 30 field!

In A Block, it’s Kushida, Ryusuke Taguchi, Lio Rush, DOUKI, Titan, TJP, Taiji Ishimori, SHO, “Speedball” Mike Bailey, and Hiromu Takahashi! In B Block, it’s El Desperado, YOH, Master Wato, Kevin Knight, Bushi, Robbie Eagles, Francesco Akira, Dan Moloney, Clark Connors, and Yoshinobu Kanemaru! With the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship on the line, which block will have the champion in it?

Tetsuya Naito VS DOUKI w/ Just5Guys!

The Uncontrollable Charisma has been on a bit of a roller coaster lately. He lost at WrestleKingdom and in the New Japan Cup but the real loss was Sanada leaving LIJ. Will Naito rise back up against Japones Del Mal? Or will this road be anything but tranquilo?

Douki attacks Naito during his introduction! Naito falls out of the ring, the bell rings, and Douki builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit into the railing! Fans fire up as Douki puts Naito back in the ring. Douki runs to DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! But Douki has the wrists to bring Naito into ITALIAN STRETCH #32! Naito endures, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Douki holds on until the ref counts 4! The fans rally and duel as Douki drags Naito to a drop zone. Douki climbs up to DIVING- NO, Naito dodges the stomps! Douki runs back in but Naito alley-oops him into the buckles! Douki then staggers into a kick and GUILLOTINE!

Douki fights with body shots, but Naito turns him for a NECKBREAKER! Douki bails out and Naito finally takes off his elaborate entrance attire. Fans rally while Taichi checks on Douki. Douki stirs as the ring count starts, and Naito is finally free of the pants. Naito goes out to fetch Douki at 8 of 20, and whips him into railing! Naito goes back into the ring at 12, then goes back out. Naito brings Douki up to whip him into more railing! Douki falls and fans rally while Naito goes back into the ring. Taichi and the others check on Douki again as the ring count climbs. Douki stirs but the count reaches 10 of 20.

Douki sits up at 13, rises at 15, and he slides in at 18! Fans applaud and Naito storms over. Naito brings Douki up, whips him to ropes, then hip tosses into a NECKBREAKER! Douki writhes and Naito kicks him around. Douki pushes Naito then fires forearms. Naito rakes the eyes! The ref counts, Naito lets off at 4, and he whips Douki to a corner. Naito runs in to JUMP KICK! Leg sweep! COMBINACION CABRON! Fans cheer Naito’s pose, then he covers. TWO but Naito drags Douki up by his mask. Fans rally, Naito dragon sleepers for a NECKBREAKER into PLUMA BLANCA!

Douki endures, flails, reaches out, crawls his way over, but Naito drags him back! Douki crawls forward again to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, the ref counts, and Naito claims he needs help. The ref pries at the hold while Douki continues to suffer, and Naito finally lets go. Naito drags Douki up, but Douki fires forearms! Naito ROCKS Douki, waistlocks, but Douki fights with elbows. Douki goes to run but Naito reels him in. Douki breaks free but Naito ducks the enziguri! Naito runs, but Douki JUMPING HEADBUTTS! Fans fire up while both men are down! Naito sits up in a daze while Douki shakes out the cobwebs.

Douki fires forearms on Naito, whips, but Naito reverses. Douki RANAS and then takes aim. Douki runs in at the corner to clothesline, and he keeps moving to springboard back elbow! Douki stands Naito up to DDT him back down! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and duel, and Douki puts Naito back in a drop zone. Douki climbs up and DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Naito survives and fans fire up again. Douki shakes his head, and he roars as Naito goes to a corner. Douki runs corner to corner, blocks the boots and pops Naito into the Gory Especial! Naito fights, sunset flips, but Douki rolls through!

Naito back elbows but Douki comes back, into a SPINEBUSTER! Both men are down again as fans rally back up! Naito brings Douki to a corner, goes up the corner, and then he reels Douki in, for ESPERANZA! Douki writhes and fans rally up more. Naito aims from the corner as Douki slowly rises. Naito runs in, but into a wheelbarrow! Douki arm-drags, then CALF KICKS! Naito bails out and Douki builds speed to slide. Naito ducks, Douki comes back, and Douki handsprings off the apron to DDT Naito to the floor! Fans fire up while both men are down! The ref checks Naito, he’s somehow okay to continue.

Fans rally and duel, “NA-I-TO!” “DO-U-KI!” as both men stir. The ring count begins, Naito drags himself up with the railing, and we’re past 10 of 20! Douki stands at 14 and drags Naito up at 16 to put him in at 17! Fans cheer and Douki aims from the apron. Naito stands, but avoids Daybreak! Naito spins Douki, goes for ropes, but he slips off! Douki wrenches out and swings, but Naito wrenches Douki into the heavy back elbows! Douki drops to his knees and fans rally up. Naito stands Douki up for more of those heavy back elbows! Naito stands Douki up again but Douki eggs him on now! So Naito ENZIGURIS!

Naito drags Douki up again, wrenches, but Douki spins through to backslide! TWO, into ITALIAN STRETCH 32! Naito fights, drags Douki along, and reaches out, only for Douki to roll him away! But Naito slips free to jackknife bridge! TWO and Douki sunset flips! TWO, but Douki body scissors and rolls Naito to another sunset! TWO!! Naito pushes Douki but ends up in ITALIAN STRETCH 32!! Naito endures, fights to move around, but Douki pulls on the arms! Naito is fading, his face is really red! Fans rally and duel as Douki thrashes Naito around! Naito gets a second wind, and he gets the ROPEBREAK!

Fans applaud while Douki lets off quickly. Both men are down and exhausted but the fans rally and Just5Guys coach Douki up. Douki goes to the apron and he aims again. Naito slowly rises, Douki shouts at him to get up, and Naito finally stands. DAYBREAK!! Cover, TWO!?!? Naito survives and Douki can’t believe it! The fans are thunderous and Douki roars again! Douki gets Naito’s legs, reels him into the wheelbarrow, SUPLEX DE- NO, Naito fights with elbows! Douki ENZIGURIS! Naito staggers into a torture rack! Douki swings, but Naito hits DESTINO!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Douki survives and fans are thunderous again!

Naito hurries to get Douki up, wrenches and tilt- NO! Douki drags Naito down into the JORGE RIVERA SPECIAL! TWO!!! Wheelbarrow, SUPLEX DE LA- NO, Naito keeps fighting it! Fans fire up, Douki CLUBS away on Naito’s back, but Naito spins around! Suplex, VALENTIA!!! Naito drags Douki back up, wrenches and tilt-o-whirls, DESTINO!!!! Cover, Naito wins!!

Winner: Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall

The roller coaster is rising back up! Naito got one hell of a fight out of Douki, but he still came out on top! Will Naito soon fight his way back up to the top of NJPW? Naito gets a mic to throw it back at Sanada that since Naito won, they all need to get outta his ring! Sanada nods, seeing turnabout is fair play. But will NJPW still belong to Just5Guys?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Catch 2/2 w/ The United Empire VS Intergalactic Jet Setters!

TJP & Francesco Akira have held onto these belts for over 310 days, surviving quite a few close calls. But Kushida & Kevin Knight are looking to use speed to close that gap and finally overcome the champs! Will the United Empire lose gold on the Road to Wrestling Dontaku? Or will Kushida & Knight not catch Catch 2/2?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see which team takes flight on this Road to Wrestling Dontaku!

The teams sort out and after the United Empire throws the crowns up, The Public Enemy starts against the Time Splitter. Fans rally and duel, “T J P!” “KU-SHI-DA!” The two circle, then Kushida rushes in. TJP avoids the drop toehold, he and Kushida feel out the knuckle lock, but then Kushida uses his leg guard. The two reset and circle again. They knuckle lock, then Kushida spins and goes for a leg. TJP stays up, they knuckle lock again, and Kushida bends TJP back! Kushida sweeps the legs to make it a cover, ONE as TJP gets a shoulder up! TJP then slips through the grapple to spin and trip Kushida to a toehold!

TJP sits back for a heel hook but Kushida stands up to get an ARMBAR! TJP fights around, traps Kushida’s legs and floats over to waistlock and rolls Kushida, but Kushida slips free to get around to a hammerlock. TJP rolls, stands, Kushida maintains a wristlock but TJP rolls and wrenches and cartwheels to twisting headscissor! Fans cheer the technical exchange but it keeps going as Kushida sits up, breaks free and floats to a headlock! TJP bridges up and spins Kushida around to a headlock takeover! Kushida headscissors but TJP moves around to headstand. Fans cheer the balance, and TJP turns Kushida over.

TJP traps Kushida’s legs again but Kushida does a push-up. Kushida gets free and both men handspring up! Fans cheer this exchange as the two stand off. TJP and Kushida back away to tag in Akira and Knight. They run in and Knight runs Akira over! Knight flexes, things speed up, and Akira hurdles but Knight leaps over. Akira arm-drags, Knight headscissors but Akira kips free. Roles reverse as Knight arm-drags but Akira headscissors! Knight kips free, scoops, and swings, but Akira slips free! Akira shoves Knight to ropes, dodges Knight’s clothesline on the return, then runs to RANA, but Knight handsprings through!

Fans fire up for that fast ‘n’ furious exchange while Knight mocks the Empire’s crown! Akira rushes in, he blocks Knight’s boot, but Knight catches the clothesline into a backslide! TWO, Akira dodges the boot and things speed up again. Knight leaps but into a SHOTGUN from Akira! Red Shoes checks, that dropkick got low but not below the belt. Fans rally up, “A! KI-RA!” “KEV! IN KNIGHT!” Akira bumps Knight off buckles, tags TJP, and Catch 2/2 double whip. SOBAT! KICK! KICK! SHOTGUN! Fans fire up again and TJP BLASTS Kushida for good measure. TJP says it’s not Kushida’s time.

Knight shoves TJP, but TJP fires forearms! Knight gives those back, they go back and forth, then Knight gets the edge! Knight UPPERCUTS, whips, but TJP Spider-Mans in the ropes! Knight runs in, Akira helps TJP move aside, and Knight gets stuck in the ropes! Catch 2/2 DOUBLE DROPKICK SANDWICH! Knight flops to the floor while fans fire up. Catch 2/2 high-five, then they drag Knight up. They double whip but Knight hurdles the railing! Akira runs in but Knight ROCKS him! TJP runs in but Knight ROCKS him, too! Knight hops up onto the railing to DOUBLE CROSSBODY them both!

Fans fire up with Knight and he puts TJP into the ring. Knight tags Kushida and they wrench and CLUB the arm. Kushida CHOPS TJP then wrenches the arm. Kushida CHOPS TJP off his feet! Kushida stands TJP up, to CHOP him off his feet! And again! Then a wrench and tag to Knight. Knight takes the handoff to wrench, then tag Kushida. They hand off the arm again and again, then double wrench to double snapmare, and double knee drops on both arms! Fans rally, Kushida clamps onto TJP with an armlock and chinbar. Then Kushida wrenches the arm, tags Knight, and Knight holds TJP in place.

Kushida runs corner to corner to DROPKICK the arm! Knight brings TJP up, wrenches and clamps onto the arm, but TJP RAMS him into the corner! Kushida tags in while Knight holds onto TJP. Kushida rolls TJP up, ONE! Kushida BUZZSAWS the arm! Kushida wrenches but TJP shoves him away. TJP runs in but into a boot! Kushida flips up and over to the apron, blocks a punch to GAMANGIRI, but Akira runs in to dropkick the legs out! Knight runs in but into a double hip toss, TU LO SABE! Fans fire up and clap along, “CATCH! NI NI!” TJP gives Akira the boost to the top rope, SUPER SWANTON! Direct hit and fans fire up!

Akira brings Kushida up, puts him in the ring, and TJP tags him in. Catch 2/2 bring Kushida up to double whip, then double atomic drop! Wrench and clinch, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP NECKBREAKER COMBO! Akira covers, TWO! Fans rally and Akira drags Kushida by his leg. Akira drops an elbow on the knee again and again and then has the toehold! Kushida endures, throws elbows, but Akira pulls back harder! Kushida scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Fans applaud as Akira lets off quickly. They clap for “A! KI-RA!” but Kushida throws forearms, and then a KICK into the arm! Akira goes to a corner, Kushida runs in, but into a TARANTULA!

Kushida endures, Red Shoes counts, but Akira lets go at 4. Akira drags Kushida back up, snapmares, and tags TJP. Akira runs, TJP gives him the boost, “Take pictures! Take pictures!” for the LEANING TOWER SENTON! Cover, ONE?! TJP drags Kushida around, twists the foot, but Kushida endures. Fans rally, but TJP turns Kushida over to trap his arm and grab the leg, to YANK it! Kushida writhes and TJP stalks him to the corner. Kushida throws body shots and haymakers! But TJP KICKS the leg out! TJP then scrapes his laces off Kushida’s face as the fans rally up. TJP runs side to side, but Kushida gets up to FAST-

NO, TJP dodges the fastball! TJP mule kicks, runs, but into Kushida’s hip toss! Kushida handsprings to basement dropkick! Fans fire up and Kushida crawls to his corner, but Akira trips Knight off the apron! The tag was denied! TJP runs in at Kushida but into an elbow! Kushida runs in to sunset flip, but TJP rolls through to push Kushida. Kushida slips out of the high stack, goes to a corner, and TJP runs in. Kushida clinches TJP into a BUCKLE SHOT! Fans fire up while both men are down! Kushida crawls, Knight is back, hot tags to Akira and Knight! Knight springboards but Akira gets under!

Knight turns around and he LARIATS Akira! And again! TJP runs in, waistlocks, but Knight switches! TJP ducks but Knight blocks the superkick! Knight hands the foot to TJP and then Knight SUPERKICKS TJP! Akira runs in, whips, but Knight reverses to scoop and SLAM! And then STANDING SPLASH! Knight kips up and fans fire up! Kushida is back, he hoists Akira up in the Electric Chair Lift! But Akira slips free and shoves Kushida into Knight. Akira then whips Knight to ropes, but Kushida is there to help Knight springboard, HUGE CROSSBODY!! TJP kicks Kushida, whips, but Kushida reverses.

The Jet Setters keep TJP going side to side, then Knight DROPKICKS TJP down! Knight hurries to PLANCHA TJP down! Fans fire up with Knight as Kushida Electric Chair Lifts Akira! TIME2FLY!! Cover, TWO!!! Akira survives and Knight is beside himself! But Kushida WRECKS TJP with a dropkick! Knight aims at Akira, runs in, but no Satellite! Akira runs, rolls, but Knight puts him up top! Knight CHOPS Akira, then says it’s time! Knight jumps up to the top rope, but Kushida slips underneath! Akira trips Knight, TJP is there, ALLEY-OOP FACEBUSTER!! Akira covers, TWO!! Knight survives and fans fire up!

Catch 2/2 coordinate and Akira goes up top. TJP drags Knight up into the dragon sleeper, DOUBLE STOMP ELBOW DROP COMBO! Cover, TJP intercepts Kushida, TWO!! Knight survives but TJP throws Kushida out. The fans rally up again, “CATCH! NI NI!” TJP stomps Kushida as Akira brings Knight up. But Knight spins out to roll Akira up, TWO! Akira swings, Knight catches him to a waistlock, but Akira ducks and TJP’s SUPERKICK connects! The champs run, but Kushida trips up TJP! Knight ducks Akira’s knees, scoops him, BACKBREAKER! Fans fire up as all four men are down!

Akira and Knight crawl, Kushida ends up at the wrong corner! He hurries around the way, hot tags to TJP and Kushida! Kushida DIVING AX HANDLES TJP! And KICKS and KICKS and whips. TJP reverses but Kushida CROSSBODIES! TJP takes a swing but Kushida ducks it to PELE! TJP ends up in a corner, Akira runs in, but into a SHOTEI! Kushida runs in to SHOTEI TJP! TJP flops down and Kushida PENALTY KICKS his arm! Kushida says it’s time, and he waits on TJP to stand. Kushida jumps on but TJP shoves him away. TJP goes up and over in the corner but Kushida denies the tornado DDT!

Kushida rushes in, blocks a kick, but TJP uses that to roll and bring Kushida down into a KNEEBAR! Akira hurries in to intercept Knight with a RANA! Kushida endures, crawls, reaches out, but TJP drags him back! FIGURE FOUR KNEEBAR GRAPEVINE!! Fans rally as Kushida endures and crawls forward. But TJP pulls Kushida back again! Kushida uses that to bridge back for a cover! TWO!!! TJP lets go, swings, but Kushida spins him around into a HOVERBOARD!! TJP fights back to his feet, clasping hands behind his back! Akira runs in to CLUB Kushida! Kushida just gets Akira’s arm!

Akira wrenches out to ENZIGURI! Knight UPPERCUTS Akira! TJP SUPERKICKS Knight! Kushida ROLLING ELBOWS TJP! TJP ROUNDHOUSES Akira! DOUBLE LARIATS collide!! Fans are thunderous as all four men are down again! TJP and Kushida stir as fans rally up. Both men crawl, hot tag to Knight! Akira isn’t there, Knight coordinates with Kushida. They run at the corner, SPLASH ENZIGURI COMBO! Knight puts TJP up top, and says it’s time! But Akira anchors TJP to stop the Super Steiner! TJP hits MAMBA SPLASH!! TJP sits Knight up, Akira joins in, 2 BY 2!!! Cover, KUSHIDA BREAKS IT!!!

Fans are electric as Kushida keeps things alive! Akira throws Kushida out, TJP pushes Knight to the corner and tags Akira in. TJP Electric Chairs, Akira is up top, but Kushida HANDSPRING KICKS Akira! Knight slips free but TJP JUMP SOBATS! TJP runs, but into a SATELLITE DDT!! Knight hits the JUMPINGN SUPER STEINER on Akira!! Kushida gives Knight a lift, victory roll, CULTURE CRUSH!! Knight covers, JET SETTERS WIN!!!

Winners: Intergalactic Jet Setters, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

Catch 2/2 just got caught! Kushida & Knight end the Empire’s almost year long reign, and Knight has his first title in NJPW! Will the Intergalactic Jet Setters take these titles to new heights?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Hiromu Takahashi VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru w/ Just5Guys!

The Ticking Timebomb has always been a wild one, but he is also wildly ambitious. He is aiming for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, but he wasn’t going to get a shot without giving a shot. Will the Heel Master take advantage of this shot and bring more gold to Just5Guys? Or will Hiromu prove he’s still the Best of the Super Juniors?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Hiromu can keep the dream alive!

The bell rings and fans rally up for “HI-RO-MU!” already. Hiromu and Kanemaru circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. They break, and the two reset as fans applaud. They tie up again, are in another deadlock, but Hiromu finds a point of leverage to put Kanemaru on the ropes. Kanemaru turns it around but Hiromu turns it back around, and Red Shoes calls the break. Kanemaru turns it around again, but he lets off slowly as Red Shoes counts. Kanemaru then kicks the leg! And again! And again! Kanemaru runs but Hiromu dodges the dropkick to the legs, only for Kanemaru to dodge Hiromu’s dropkick.

Kanemaru kicks, whips, but Hiromu reverses. Kanemaru still dodges Hiromu’s low dropkick, but then Hiromu dodges back. They both go for a leg, but then tell the other to let go. They agree to let go at the same time, but they both fake the other out! They argue again, and then actually set the other’s foot down. Fans applaud as the two reset again. Fans rally as the two circle, then they tie up. Kanemaru headlocks, Hiromu powers up but Kanemaru holds tight! Kanemaru grinds Hiromu down but Hiromu fights up. Hiromu pries the headlock open, but Kanemaru clamps it on tighter! Hiromu tries again, but Kanemaru still holds tight!

Fans rally while Kanemaru grinds Hiromu down again. Hiromu endures and fights back up. Hiromu throws body shots, powers out, but Kanemaru runs him over! Kanemaru runs, but he fakes Hiromu out and gets the headlock back! Kanemaru pulls back on the hold but Hiromu endures. Hiromu fights up but Kanemaru hits a takeover to bring him back down! Hiromu tries for headscissors but Kanemaru shrugs that off, so Hiromu rolls Kanemaru to a cover. ONE, and Kanemaru holds onto the headlock. Kanemaru again denies the headscissors, so Hiromu fights up to his feet to throw more body shots.

Hiromu powers out, reels Kanemaru in, and now he has the headlock. But Kanemaru powers out, reels Hiromu in, and gets the headlock back! Hiromu powers out and he dropkicks Kanemaru’s legs out! Fans fire up as Hiromu hurries to get Kanemaru up. Hiromu puts Kanemaru’s legs in the ropes to dropkick the leg! Then Hiromu does the same to the other leg! Kanemaru flops in the corner but Hiromu pushes him around. Hiromu gets a leg to SMASH it on the mat! Hiromu then steps through to FIGURE FOUR! Hiromu uses Kanemaru’s favorite hold! Fans rally up as Kanemaru endures! Kanemaru keeps his shoulders off the mat but Hiromu puts on the pressure!

Kanemaru reaches out, and he works to turn the hold over. Kanemaru turns it over, but then Hiromu turns it back over! But Kanemaru uses that to get the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Hiromu lets Kanemaru go. Kanemaru flops out of the ring and clutches his knees. Red Shoes has the guys stay back while Hiromu taunts Kanemaru. Hiromu waits on Kanemaru and he stands up. Kanemaru hobbles and tells Hiromu to back off. Hiromu stays away from the ropes while Kanemaru walks it off. But then Hiromu rushes out, kicks Kanemaru’s legs, and puts him in the ring! Fans applaud while Hiromu slides in, but then Kanemaru slides back out.

Kanemaru hobbles a bit but he tells Hiromu to back off. Hiromu taunts Kanemaru, goes out after him again, but Kanemaru hurries around the way. Kanemaru slides in, Hiromu goes to the apron, and Kanemaru dropkicks the legs out! Kanemaru then joins Hiromu on the apron, to dropkick the legs out again! Kanemaru gets Hiromu’s leg, to SMASH it to the floor from the apron!! Hiromu hobbles and stumbles all the way into No Man’s Land! Red Shoes checks him but he’s okay to continue. Fans rally up for “HI-RO-MU!” while Kanemaru slides into the ring. The ring count starts and Kanemaru waits on Hiromu.

Hiromu sits up at 8 of 20, tries to stand up but struggles until 13 of 20. Hiromu hobbles his way back, and he slides in at 18! But then he hurries back out to give himself more time. The ring count restarts as Hiromu rests at the ramp. Kanemaru still waits, and the count passes 10 of 20 again. Hiromu stands at 13, hobbles his way back, and slides in at 19! Kanemaru stomps Hiromu right down! And stomps the leg! Kanemaru drags Hiromu up, whips him to ropes and dropkicks the legs out! Hiromu flops out of the ring again and clutches his knees. Kanemaru watches Hiromu, goes out after him, and gets the leg around railing!

Kanemaru BOOTS the railing to jam the leg! And then he drags Hiromu down, to SMASH the knee on the floor again! Hiromu writhes and clutches the knee again, and the ring count returns. Hiromu is down until 10 but fans rally up. Hiromu manages to stand at 14, he hobbles and stumbles around, but hops his way into the ring at 17! Fans applaud and Kanemaru brings Hiromu up. For a SHIN BREAKER! Kanemaru then trips Hiromu and drops an elbow on the leg! Kanemaru has the toehold, but Hiromu claws at Kanemaru’s face! Red Shoes reprimands, the fans rally, and Kanemaru turns Hiromu over for a HALF CRAB!

Hiromu endures, reaches out, but Kanemaru sits deep on the hold! Hiromu still claws forward, reaches out, but Kanemaru drags him back! Kanemaru pulls on the leg while fans rally up! Hiromu still endures, still fights forward, and still gets the ROPEBREAK! Kanemaru lets go but he stands on the bad leg! Red Shoes reprimands, and Kanemaru stomps the leg. Kanemaru stomps Hiromu more, then grabs the leg. Kanemaru drags Hiromu from the ropes to drop another elbow on the knee! Kanemaru has the toehold back and Hiromu endures all over again. Hiromu crawls, dragging Kanemaru with him!

Fans rally, Hiromu reaches out as Kanemaru pulls harder, and Hiromu gets the ROPEBREAK! Kanemaru lets off quickly, but kneels on the knee. Red Shoes reprimands, Kanemaru plays dumb, but he lets off before 4. Kanemaru kicks Hiromu around, toys with him, but Hiromu eggs him on. Hiromu CHOPS, but Kanemaru kicks the bad leg! Hiromu CHOPS, Kanemaru rakes the eyes! Kanemaru runs, but Hiromu follows and RANAS! Fans fire up while both men are down! Hiromu clutches his bad knee while Kanemaru goes to a corner. Hiromu hobbles up, runs in, and clotheslines! Snapmare, but Kanemaru dodges the dropkick!

Kanemaru has the leg, he SMASHES the knee on the mat! Kanemaru turns Hiromu over and steps through to a FIGURE FOUR! Now Kanemaru shows Hiromu how it’s done! Kanemaru thrashes around to put on the pressure while Hiromu endures! Fans rally, Hiromu crawls and reaches out, and he gets the ROPEBREAK! Kanemaru lets off quickly, and he drags Hiromu back up. Scoop and BRITISH- NO, Hiromu lands out of the slam! Hiromu suplexes, but Kanemaru knees free! Kanemaru swings, into Hiromu’s FALCON ARROW! Fans fire up while both men are down! Fans rally back up as Hiromu clutches his knee again.

Kanemaru and Hiromu go to opposite corners. Fans rally for “HI-RO-MU!” and he runs in, but into a boot! Kanemaru runs, tilt-o-whirls, but Hiromu throws him away! Hiromu fireman’s carries Kanemaru and runs to ropes! Hiromu throws Kanemaru to the apron, then ELBOWS him! Kanemaru stays up, so Hiromu runs to SUNSET FLIP! But the bad leg gives out! Hiromu hobbles, Kanemaru leaps, DEEP IMPACT to the floor!! Both men are down on the outside and fans fire up! Red Shoes checks and both men are okay to continue. Kanemaru crawls away, the ring count starts, and Kanemaru slides in at 3.

Hiromu stirs, flounders, but is still down at 10 of 20. Hiromu drags himself up at 15, hobbles and falls! The count is 18, Hiromu springs in at 19! But Kanemaru is there to scoop and SLAM! Kanemaru goes up top to MOONSAULT! Hiromu moves but Kanemaru lands on his feet! Kanemaru runs back in, into a BOOT! Hiromu runs in, into an ELBOW! Kanemaru runs, into HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Fans fire up and Hiromu grits his teeth. Hiromu drags Kanemaru up to suplex, VICTORY ROYALE! Cover, TWO! Kanemaru is still in this but Hiromu fires up! Hiromu brings Kanemaru back up to fireman’s carry.

But Kanemaru fights free to roll Hiromu up! TWO, and Kanemaru is sent into Red Shoes! Kanemaru hurries to dropkick the legs out! Fans rally up for “HI-RO-MU!” while he clutches his knee. Kanemaru sees Red Shoes is out, so he gets his whiskey! The Heel Master takes a big swig, takes aim at Hiromu, but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Hiromu fireman’s carries to CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Hiromu then drags Kanemaru back up, another fireman’s carry, TIMEBOMB!! Red Shoes returns to count, TWO!!! Kanemaru survives and fans fire up again! Fans rally for Hiromu as he stands back up and tries again.

Hiromu dragon sleepers Kanemaru, suplexes, but Kanemaru slips out! Hiromu elbows Kanemaru, runs, but into another dropkick to the legs! SHINBREAKER to the mat!! Hiromu writhes again while Kanemaru catches his breath. Taichi gets Kanemaru some water but Red Shoes shoos him away. Kanemaru runs in to dropkick the legs again! Step through, FIGURE FOUR!! Hiromu endures again as fans rally up! Hiromu keeps his shoulders off the mat but Kanemaru keeps on the pressure! Hiromu reaches out, crawls, but Kanemaru turns him away from the ropes! Kanemaru flails but Hiromu pulls at his own hair!

Red Shoes asks if Hiromu gives up but Hiromu says NO! Hiromu fights his way over again, reaches out again, and roars as he gets the ROPEBREAK! Fans applaud while Kanemaru lets Hiromu free. Fans are thunderous as Kanemaru brings Hiromu back up. Hiromu fights the shinbreaker, but Kanemaru kicks the leg! SHIN- SUNSET FLIP! Hiromu stacks, TWO!! Kanemaru runs in, tilt-o-whirl DDT!! Fans fire up as Hiromu sits up in a daze then flops back over! Kanemaru puts Hiromu int he drop zone, goes up top, MOONSAULT!! Cover, TWO!?!? Hiromu survives and fans fire up again!

Kanemaru hurries back up top, takes aim as Hiromu stands, DEEP IMPACT!!!! Cover, TWO!??!? No one can believe Hiromu survives! Fans are thunderous and Kanemaru drags Hiromu back up. Kanemaru suplexes, but Hiromu fights free! Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Kanemaru comes back, into another SUPERKICK! Hiromu roars, fights through the pain to run, but into a BOOT! And ENZIGURI! Hiromu still stays up, and comes back, but Kanemaru dodges to LARIAT!! And then BRAINBUSTER!! Both men are down, Kanemaru crawls to the cover, TWO?!?!?! NOW no one can believe Hiromu survives!

Just5Guys coach Kanemaru up while the fans rally behind Hiromu. Kanemaru drags Hiromu up, reels him back in, and suplexes, but Hiromu slips free! Only for Kanemaru to trip Hiromu into the FIGURE FOUR!!! Kanemaru thrashes and Hiromu endures all over again! Hiromu shakes his head, pulls at his own hair, and begs Red Shoes not to call this! Hiromu crawls, works to turn the hold, and does! But Kanemaru turns it back over! Hiromu reaches out, though, as they’re closer to ropes now! But Kanemaru pulls back on the leg! Hiromu flails, Just5Guys want Red Shoes to call this, but Hiromu says don’t!!

Hiromu sits up, shakes his head, grits his teeth, and powers his way to the ROPEBREAK!! Kanemaru holds on but Red Shoes counts. Kanemaru lets Hiromu free, and Kanemaru fires up! Fans fire up, Kanemaru drags Hiromu to his feet and suplexes, but Hiromu fights it! Even with one leg, Hiromu blocks the suplex! Hiromu kicks around, reaches out, but Kanemaru keeps trying to suplex! Hiromu still resists, still reaches out, and he again gets the ROPEBREAK! But Kanemaru BOOTS the arm! Only for Hiromu to suplex and BRAINBUSTER!! Hiromu crawls over to Kanemaru now as fans rally up even harder.

Hiromu drags Kanemaru up, roars, and runs, HIROMU- NO, Kanemaru dodges the lariat, victory rolls, TWO!!! Cross-leg cradle, TWO!!!! Hiromu escapes, to HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! Fans fire up again and Hiromu grits his teeth. Just5Guys are going nuts as Hiromu looms over Kanemaru. Hiromu brings Kanemaru up, fireman’s carries, and DEATH VALLEY DRIVERS! Cover, TWO!!! Kanemaru is still in this but Hiromu hasn’t given up, either! Hiromu drags Kanemaru back up, roars, and runs, HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!!! But that’s not all! Hiromu dragon sleepers, suplexes, TIMEBOMB MK. II!!! Cover, HIROMU WINS!!!

Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)

And THAT is why Hiromu is a four-time BOSJ winner! Kanemaru still has another chance through this year’s BOSJ tournament, will he be able to earn another title opportunity this May?

As for Hiromu, after getting the belt and catching his breath, he gets the mic. He asks the crowd if they took his victory for granted. Hiromu brings up that now that he’s won, he’s going after the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. It’s been said that this was a must-win for him, but there’s no such thing as a guaranteed win! Fans applaud that, and Hiromu says that it wasn’t guaranteed because his opponent was Kanemaru! Hiromu says that since nothing was guaranteed, of course he was scared of losing! Guaranteed win? It’s more like the other way around! So for that, Hiromu THANKS Kanemaru!

Hiromu thanks Kanemaru for the timing of this challenge! Hiromu thanks him for giving Hiromu momentum! And he thanks Sanada for accepting Hiromu’s challenge! Hiromu promises to make his dreams come true! He hopes everyone looks at him. “Look at me. Look at me! LOOK AT ME!” Fans applaud as Hiromu keeps going, and says that he’ll show everyone that dreams DEFINITELY come true! So until that day, on May 3rd in Fukuoka, let’s have more… Fans echo, “More!” More! More! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE fun together! Will Hiromu go from the Best of the Super Juniors to the Best of all NJPW?

My Thoughts:

A great event for NJPW, especially on just a Road To series. A good field for BSOJ 30, especially seeing Mike Bailey and Dan Moloney in it. That’s a big opportunity especially for Moloney, who was part of NXT UK but never got that far. He could get a surprising push in the block, or he could just be the depth guy to give good wins to the bigger names. Naito VS Douki was a great match, and really surprisingly so. Naito gets a big win for it, and some poetic justice as he gets to tell Sanada to go away now. It feels like if Hiromu doesn’t beat Sanada for the top title, Naito should be next up to explore the dynamic of Naito facing yet another person who left LIJ.

And great title matches, of course. Catch 2/2 have had those belts so long, I forgot at one point that they had those belts. But this was the right time to have new champions to freshen things back up in the Junior Heavyweight Tag Division. Plus, TJP and Akira are each great solo, this could be someone’s opportunity to move up to the singles title through the BOSJ. Hiromu VS Kanemaru was awesome stuff, went the distance, and much like Douki, Kanemaru looked amazing even in losing. But Hiromu goes strong into his world title match with Sanada, though I don’t see him winning that. Honestly, I’m not sure Hiromu wins the BOSJ, either. He already has four trophies, and I don’t see him winning four in a row, that’s just too much for any wrestler.

My Score: 8.9/10

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!

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SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

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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

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Andrew’s IMPACT Results & Match Ratings: 4.27.2023

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Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (4/27/23)

Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (9/9/24)

It’s the Raw Season Premiere!

Published

1 hour ago

September 9, 2024

Steven Mitchell

WWE Week begins on USA Network!

For the next THREE weeks, WWE dominates USA Network, and it all starts with this Raw Season Premiere! But who wins big to face Bron Breakker for the Intercontinental Championship?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Mixed 8 Person Street Fight: The Wyatt Sick6 VS Team American Made; The Wyatt Sick6 win.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill VS Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn; win and
Dominik Mysterio VS Dragon Lee; wins.
Six Woman Tag: Pure Fusion Collective VS Zelina Vega, Lyra Valkyria & ???; win(s).
WWE Intercontinental Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Jey Uso VS Pete Dunne VS Ilja Dragunov VS Braun Strowman; wins and will challenge Bron Breakker for the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

This season premiere’s first hour will be COMMERCIAL FREE!

Mixed 8 Person Street Fight: The Wyatt Sick6 VS Team American Made!

Bo Dallas has been trying to get Chad Gable to see the error of his ways, but to error is human. So Uncle Howdy had to step in. He has brought back the family back to laugh, and now Sister Abigail, Ramblin’ Rabbit, Huskus the Pig Boy & Mercy the Buzzard shall bring a reckoning to Gable, Ivy Nile & The Creed Brothers! Will Gable’s “new family” survive the sins of their “father?” Or will being “American Made” not be enough to avoid the consequence?

American Made makes their entrance first, already armed with kendo sticks, chains, and a trash can. Of course, being so over the top with the American flag, Gable gets booed by the Calgary, Alberta, Canada crowd. But then, the lights go out, the piano plays, and the lantern sits waiting in the rocking chair. The Wyatt Sick6 walk out from the eerie late, Howdy picks up the lantern, and they continue down to the ring. Then the lantern is blown out as Howdy takes a seat. The masks come off, and Howdy sends Gacy, Rowan & Lumis. Naturally then, Nikki Cross will also be in this battle, and she TACKLES Ivy!

The fans fire up and the bell rings, the brawl is on! Rowan TOSSES Julius, Lumis TOSSES Gable, and Gacy CLUBS Brutus! Nikki SMACKS Ivy off barriers, there is brawling all over ringside, and Gable sends Lumis into steel steps! Nikki hits a FACEBUSTER on Ivy, then she brings out a trash can of her own! The fans fire up as Nikki puts that can around Ivy! Nikki grabs one of those kendo sticks, and SMACKS away on the can! The fans fire up for every shot! Meanwhile, Gacy and Brutus are on the apron! Nikki THRWOS Ivy into barriers, then sits her back up. Nikki DROPKICKS the can! The fans chant, “We Want Tables!”

Rowan SMACKS Julius off the apron, then Gacy suplexes Brutus on the apron! Lumis is in the ring, Gable goes up and leaps, into a BUBBA BOMB! The fans fire up while Gable flounders out. Lumis slithers back out, and Nikki clears off the desk! Nikki has a wild grin as she brings Ivy over. Nikki climbs up, drags Ivy up to join her, but Ivy trips Nikki! Brutus and Gacy brawl in the ring, Ivy FLAPJACKS Nikki on the desk! Gacy fires hands, Ivy TOSSES Nick, and she almost takes out Joe Tessitore! Gacy stomps a mudhole into Brutus, Gable SMACKS Lumis with a kendo stick! And again! And again! Rowan smothers Julius but Gable storms in after Gacy!

Gable SMACKS Gacy again and again! Gacy bails out, that stick is breaking, but fans boo. Brutus stalks Gacy and RAMS him into steel steps! Gable SMACKS Rowan, but now Rowan’s just pissed! Rowan grabs Gable to HEADBUTT him down! Brutus runs up, he and Julius mug Rowan! The fans boo but then Rowan DOUBLE SUPLEXES The Creeds! The fans fire up again as Rowan rises, to CLOBBER Gable! R0wan then goes looking, and Howdy nods as Rowan brings out a TABLE! Rowan clears some space, and he sets that table right up at ringside! Howdy continues to nod and rock in his chair as Rowan goes for Gable.

Rowan throws hands on Gable, brings him around, and then scoops. The fans fire up but Gable slips free! The fans boo as Gable retreats, but then Ivy BLASTS Rowan with a fire extinguisher! Gable JAMS then SMACKS Rowan with a chair! The Creeds DOUBLE POWERBOMB Rowan through the table!! The fans boo but American Made has turned the tide! They literally bury Rowan in wreckage and other items while the fans chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” American Made may have just made this 4v3! Gable sets things up in the ring, he SMACKS Lumis with a stick, and then whips him to drop toehold into the chair!

The Creeds SMACK away on Gacy, then they join Gable in the ring. They SMACK away on Lumis now, from head to toe! They CHOKE Lumis with the kendo stick, then Gable prepares another chair. Lumis sits up, but he avoids the chair! BIG back suplex! The fans fire up, Lumis kips up to LEG DROP! Gacy fights back, too, but that’s 2v1 with the Creeds. Julius throws Gacy into the ring, and SMACKS him with a stick! But Lumis brings out a new TABLE! The fans fire up, but The Creeds double whip. Gacy handsprings, into the UPSIDE-DOWN!! Both Creeds fall and the fans fire up again! Lumis has Gable, and “This is Awesome!” as Lumis puts Gable on the table!

Lumis rains down fists, Gacy goes after Brutus, but Julius SMACKS Gacy down! Lumis storms up to the apron, but Julius BLASTS him back down! Gable gets away from the table while Brutus and Gacy brawl. Julius SMACKS Gacy with a chair! Gable throws in a trash can and Brutus brings that over. Brutus puts Gacy in the can, and Julius SMACKS him! Gable, Brutus and Julius all SMACK away like Gacy’s a pinata! Brutus BREAKS his stick! The fans boo but Ivy throws some chairs in. But Nikki returns from under the ring! How does she look crazier than earlier!? Nikki SMACKS away on Ivy with the kendo stick!

Nikki SMACKS Ivy off the desk, then TACKLES her up and over! They tumble, but then Gacy RAMS Gacy and the can! A bit double-edged, but The Creeds drag Gacy up. They RAM him into a corner! Gacy is finally free of the can but The Creeds are not done yet. Julius brings out a THIRD TABLE! The fans are torn, they do love the tables but they aren’t happy American Made is on top. Even so, Brutus sets up the table while Julius puts Gacy in the ring. The fans chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” but The Creeds bring Gacy over. But ROWAN ERUPTS! The fans are thunderous and The Creeds freak out!

Rowan throws things aside, DECKS Julius, BOOTS Brutus, then rampages around. He RAIPS part of the barrier away!! And he RAMS the barrier into Julius! And then Brutus! And then Gable! Usually, it’s the other way around! Calgary is thunderous as Rowan puts Brutus in! And then a LARIAT! LARIAT! And LARIAT in the corner! Rowan snapmares Brutus, runs up and DROPKICKS him down! Julius returns but Rowan LEG LARIATS! Brutus is up, but he gets a SIDE EFFECT! Cover, Gable breaks it! American Made mugs Rowan and the fans boo again. Julius SMACKS Rowan with a stick, Gable wedges a chair into the corner.

Rowan fights the Creeds off, and Gable turns around to see it! Gable leaps onto Rowan, fires hands, but Rowan throws him back. Rowan ELBOWS Julius, then runs up, but drop toehold into the chair! The Creeds DOUBLE LARIAT Rowan up and out, for Gable to GERMAN SUPLEX into barriers! Brutus goes up, to SUPER BRUTUS BALL!! Down goes Rowan again!! Rowan rises, but Julius RAMS him with steps! But Gacy DIVES into Gable! Lumis FLYING KNEES The Creeds! The fans fire up as Gacy & Lumis get The Creeds in the ring. DOUBLE URENAGES! Gacy & Lumis coordinate, POP-UP BOMB SENTON on Julius!

Gacy goes out, and he puts Brutus on the table! The fans fire up as Lumis climbs! FOLLOW THE BUZZARDS!! SUPER LEG DROP down through the table!! Gable goes after Gacy, whips him, but Gacy goes upside-down in the corner! Look familiar? Gacy then comes back to LARIAT! Gacy hauls Gable onto the last table left, and he goes up top! But Gable gets up to go after him first! The fans boo, but we get a SUPER ANGLE SLAM through the table!! The fans chant “YOU STILL SUCK!” as Gable covers, TWO?!?! But ANKLE LOCK!!! Gable shows no mercy, and Ivy adds on with kendo stick SMACKS!! They bully Gacy, but then Nikki YANKS Ivy out!

Nikki waistlocks Gable, to GERMAN SUPLEX!! The fans are thunderous again as Nikki then DROPKICKS Ivy! Nikki brings Ivy over to the wreckage, for a PURGE onto chairs!!! The fans are losing their minds with all eight down around ringside! But then Gable looks up, and he sees Howdy! Howdy stands up, and Rowan CLOBBERS Gable! Rowan drags Gable up, IRON CLAW SLAM onto steel steps!! Gable writhes, Howdy says, “YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH~!” Rowan shoves Gable into the ring, and now the Wyatts gather together! Julius is back, but Howdy is there! SISTER ABIGAIL!! The fans fire up as Lumis goes up, DIVING SPLASH!! Cover, Wyatts win!

Winners: The Wyatt Sick6, by pinfall

There was a debt to be collected, and the Wyatts made American Made pay it! The Wyatts stand tall and they stand together, how high can they reach?

Finn Balor is here!

The Prince heads to the ring, WWE World Tag Team Championship around his waist, but it is rather surprising he doesn’t have the rest of the team with him. Finn gets a mic to say, “It didn’t have to be this way, Damian. You see, you said that I screwed you. But really, you screwed The Judgment Day! You see, when I joined the group, I reached down, I reached down, and I tried to help you up! But the more I helped you up, the more you tried to hold me down. That’s right, Damian! You held me down! Your friend! I was your brother! I was the guy who had your back. I was the guy who made sure that you stayed champion!”

Finn paces, fans boo, but Finn says let’s not forget that FINN should’ve been World Heavyweight Champion a long time ago, if not for Damian lurking around with that briefcase every chance he could. Because every time Finn got close, it was Damian who screwed Finn! So Finn needs Damian to stop hiding and come on out, because he has things he wants to say to Damian’s face! And so, here comes The Punisher! Damian throws off his jacket, steps right into the ring, and says ever since FINN broke up “the REAL Judgment Day,” he’s been trying to get his hands on Finn. Finn’s run away every time!

So here’s what’s gonna happen: Damian will let Finn finish what he’s saying, and then he’s gonna drop Finn’s ass! The fans fire up but Finn says no no no, that’s not gonna happen! Damian doesn’t tell Finn what to do anymore, because Finn’s not his sidekick! This is FINN BALOR, and Damian made him into a sidekick!? NO! The Prince ain’t no sidekick! The fans chant “SIDEKICK! SIDEKICK!” Finn says Priest & Rhea fall on the same night, because Finn wants Damian 1v1 at Bad Blood! The fans like that idea! Oh, challenging Damian? CHALENGE ACCEPTED! Now, time to do what Damian came here to do.

Oh, no no no. Damian is forgetting one thing. Hasn’t he forgotten the playbook? Playbook!? Damian wrote that book! Damian is gonna explain something to Finn. And then he DECKS Finn! But here comes JD & Carlito! Damian DECKS them, too! The fans fire up as Damian throws more hands, but Dirty Dom stayed back! Dom LEAPS in, but Damian catches him! But now it’s a 4v1 mugging! The fans boo as JD holds Damian’s legs down so the others can stomp away! But here comes Rhea Ripley! She hobbles still, but Dom steps in her way. Because here comes Liv! Rhea JAMS Liv up with the crutch! But Dom snatches that crutch! so Rhea SLAPS Dom!

Rhea JAMS Dom, winds up, and SMACKS Dom on the back! But Liv CHOP BLOCKS the bad leg! The fans boo but Liv CLUBS away on Rhea! Finn SLINGBLADES Priest! The mugging continues, Liv CRACKS Rhea with her crutch! And again, and again, and again! The fans boo as Liv holds Rhea down with the crutch, and the boys keep dropping Damian! Liv winds up with the crutch, but Damian shields Rhea! So Liv just SMACKS away on Damian’s back! Then Dom gets a turn! The fans boo but no one can stop Judgment Day from beating Damian with the crutch! BUT NOW JEY IS HERE! Jey has a chair, he runs Judgment Day off!

The fans fire up with “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jay helps Rhea sit up and checks on Priest. Jey may have a battle in the main event tonight, but will he have a bigger part to play against Judgment Day?

Backstage interview with Braun Strowman.

Jackie Redmond is with The Monster of All Monsters, and says this is one of the more “miraculous” stories in this contenders series. The injuries Braun suffered at the hands of Bronson Reed would put most men on the shelf for months. Braun says it is no secret that he’s still banged up from that. But that said, he knew he had to step up. No offense to The Miz, he’s just no match for Bronson. And that match last week did Braun no favors. But he won’t use that as an excuse. For the better part of the last decade, he has shown the entire WWE Universe it takes way more than that to keep him down.

Braun may be wounded now, but he’ll show the world that a wounded monster is even more dangerous. But then in steps Bron Breakker. What does he want? Bron looks at Braun and admits, he’s a monster. Everyone knows that, but seeing it for himself, Bron admits again, Braun’s a monster. But Bron is going to prove to Braun, the WWE, and the world, that you don’t have to be some 7 foot tall, 900 pounds just to be a monster. Bron’s a dog, and the reason Braun is still standing is because he hasnt’ stood across from Bron. Oh is that what he thinks? Then this kid doesn’t know who he’s talking to.

Bron says he actually hopes Braun wins tonight. “See you around, you big SOB.” Oh, he will. Will we get a battle of Bron VS Braun to see who has the most brawn in WWE?

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill VS Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn!

The StrongEST Duo lost at Clash at the Castle but won at the Bash In Berlin, so now they and The Unholy Union need to put to R E S T who are truly the B E S T. Will Bianca & Jade prove that 2v2, there’s no two better? Or will there be one last spell to cast?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really stands atop WWE!

About Chairshot Radio Network

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

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

Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW Road to Destruction Results & Report! (9/8/24)

This road is paved with gold!

Published

21 hours ago

September 8, 2024

Steven Mitchell

Will Yota Tsuji have his 15 minutes of fame?

As NJPW heads for Kobe, we will be getting title match main event after title match main event, and Jeff Cobb VS Yota Tsuji will set the tone! But will the Imperial Unit’s season continue? Or will this become The Gene Blast Show?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Kickoff – Masatora Yasuda VS Daiki Nagai; Time Limit Draw.
Six Man Tag: The United Empire VS Tiger Mask, Shoma Kato & Katsuya Murashima; The United Empire wins.
Shota Umino & Jado VS Ren Narita & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Ren & Kanemaru win.
Tomohiro Ishii & Tomoaki Honma VS Gabe Kidd & Jake Lee; Gabe & Jake win.
8 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg & Ryusuke Taguchi VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS Taiji Ishimori & Gedo; Taiji & Gedo win.
Tetsuya Naito & BUSHI VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita; ZSJ & Fujita win.
Hiromu Takahashi & Shingo Takagi VS HENARE & Francesco Akira; Hiromu & Takagi win.
NJPW World Television Championship: Jeff Cobb VS Yota Tsuji; Time Limit Draw, Cobb retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Tetsuya Naito & BUSHI VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita!

While the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship will be on the line in Kobe, the Uncontrollable Charisma is willing to give a free sample of what could be! Will Los Ingobernables de Japon keep things tranquilo on this Road to Destruction? Or will The Front Man and Ichiban Young Punk prove The Mighty Don’t Kneel?

The teams sort out, and while LIJ fist bumps, TMDK, uh, start the fire? The fans applaud the low finger wiggling, but then ZSJ trolls Naito but letting Fujita start! Naito asks for ZSJ, “onegaishimasu.” ZSJ says alright and he steps in. The bell rings and the fans cheer as we get the showdown of World Heavyweight Champion and G1 Climax winner! The two circle, the fans duel, and it is already red hot in Korakuen. Naito and ZSJ slowly feel things out, but then Bushi attacks! Naito sucker punches Fujita, the fans are torn, but LIJ whips. ZSJ wrenches them both to DOUBLE PELE the arms! ZSJ UPPERCUTS Bushi out of the ring!

Naito catches ZSJ, spins him, but ZSJ dodges the lariat to BOOT Naito down! The fans cheer, and ZSJ tags Fujita in. Fujita brings Naito up, CHOPS, then whips. Naito reverses but Fujita ducks ‘n’ dodges, to RANA! Naito tumbles out, the fans fire up, and Fujita builds speed. Naito moves, but Fujita goes to the apron! PENALTY KICK! The fans fire up again while Naito falls! Fujita drags Naito up, puts him against railing, and CHOPS! Naito staggers away but Fujita follows, to CHOP him again. Fujita puts Naito in, waistlocks and deadlifts, but Naito fights with elbows! Fujita ducks an elbow to CHOP! Fujita runs, but Naito kicks low!

Bushi runs in and he sunset flips Fujita, and then rewinds him into Naito’s basement dropkick to the leg! Bushi dropkicks ZSJ’s legs out, too! Naito brings Fujita around by his leg, tags in Bushi, and LIJ splits the wishbone! Fujita writhes, but Bushi brings him up to bump off buckles. Bushi DOUBLE CHOPS, puts the bad leg in ropes, then DROPKICKS the leg! Bushi pushes Fujita over, covers, TWO! The fans applaud but Bushi drags Fujita up to snapmare, and KICKS him in the back! Fujita writhes but Naito tags in to grab the leg. Naito steps through, FIGURE FOUR! Fujita endures, the fans rally, and Fujita fights around.

ZSJ coaches Fujita on, but Naito puts on the pressure! Fujita drags Naito along to the ROPEBREAK! Naito claims he needs help, so the ref helps undo his figure four. Naito then drags Fujita up, but Fujita fires a forearm! It doesn’t do much, so Fujita throws more forearms. Then a CHOP! Naito SPITS at Fujita, then kicks his leg out! And kicks it again! Naito grabs the leg, but Fujita fights the lift with a headlock. Fujita throws elbows but Naito ROCKS him. Naito whips, Fujita reverses and GAMANGIRIS! Naito falls and the fans fire up! Fujita crawls over, hot tag to ZSJ! The fans fire up as ZSJ runs up to BOOT Naito!

ZSJ whips, Naito reverses, but ZSJ catches Naito to a COBRA TWIST! The fans fire up, Naito powers out to HIP TOSS! Naito grabs at ZSJ but ZSJ bridges up, snapmares, and NECK TWISTS! ZSJ dropkicks Naito, then mocks Naito’s pose, adding deuces to it. ZSJ taunts Naito as the champion, then UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! ZSJ scoops but Naito fights free! Naito arm-drags, then sidesteps ZSJ to ELBOW him down, and basement DROPKICK! Naito brings ZSJ around, holds on, and then NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up, but Naito kicks ZSJ around.

ZSJ stands, but Naito throws those heavy elbows! ZSJ shakes his head, and he dodges an elbow, but Naito avoids the Pele! ZSJ avoids the enzigiri and body scissors Naito into the JAPANESE LEG CLUTCH! TWO!! Naito escapes but ZSJ PENALTY KICKS! ZSJ whips, Naito reverses, TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Naito crawls, hot tag to Bushi! Bushi storms up to CLUB ZSJ. Bushi whips, dropkicks ZSJ’s legs, but Fujita is in! Fujita kicks, CHOPS and whips, but Bushi reverses to dropkick the legs out! Bushi BLASTS ZSJ off the apron, then builds speed! Bushi DIVES and ZSJ hits railing!

The fans fire up and Bushi encourages them to get louder. The fans do rally harder, and Bushi puts ZSJ in. ZSJ goes to a corner so Bushi whips corner to corner. Bushi runs up to ELBOW ZSJ, then FISHERMAN- NO, ZSJ spins through the screw to GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! Bushi endures, but he is caught in body scissors! Naito storms in to step on ZSJ’s face! ZSJ still holds on, and Fujita springboard MISSILE DROPKICKS! ZSJ drags Bushi up, scoops, ZACK- NO, Bushi slips free to backslide! ZSJ rolls through, Bushi avoids the kick to dropkick legs! Bushi trips ZSJ, ties the legs, FABLE, but ZSJ turns right over! BOW ‘N’ ARROW HYBRID!

Bushi endures, reaches out, but then ZSJ adds a CROSSFACE! Bushi TAPS, TMDK wins!

Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita, by submission

The Submission Master continues to innovate, even in a split second moment like this! Will such savage creativity ensure he becomes the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, no matter who meets him in Ryogoku?

Hiromu Takahashi & Shingo Takagi VS HENARE & Francesco Akira!

Speaking of coming title matches, The Ticking Timebomb is going to battle the Face of Fury for his NEVER Openweight Championship tomorrow night! Will the Rampaging Dragon help the Best of the Super Juniors build some momentum? Or will The United Empire show LIJ what’s in store for them this week?

LIJ fist bumps, the teams sort out, and Hiromu starts against Henare. The bell rings and the two run in to RAM shoulders! Hiromu staggers back but Henare gets moving! Hiromu ducks ‘n’ dodges to RAM Henare, but he bounces right off! Henare eggs Hiromu on but Hiromu just grins. Hiromu CHOPS, but Henare ROCKS him in return! Hiromu CHOPS again, Henare forearms again, repeat! Hiromu fires up, the fans rally, and Henare eggs him on. The CHOPS and forearms keep going, and Hiromu staggers back. Henare eggs Hiromu on, so the CHOPS and forearms just start again! Hiromu staggers, but he comes back for more!

Henare fires up now, and he ROCKS Hiromu! Hiromu CHOPS, Henare ROCKS, repeat! The two go forehead to forehead, then they BLAST the tag partners! Then they RAM into each other! Hiromu staggers to ropes while Henare flexes. Hiromu steps up to CHOP, but Henare ROCKS him again! The CHOPS and forearms keep going, and now Hiromu wobbles! Hiromu still CHOPS, CHOPS and CHOPS! Henare KICKS! The fans fire up while Hiromu staggers to ropes. Hiromu comes back to CHOP, CHOP and CHOP! Henare just snarls, then KICKS! Hiromu staggers around again, but he still comes back to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP!

Hiromu eggs Henare on now, and Henare grits his teeth. Hiromu blocks the kick, and the haymaker, to DRAGON SCREW! The fans fire up and Hiromu smiles as he hurries to tag Takagi. Takagi brings up Henare to put the bad leg on ropes. Takagi kicks that leg, then lets off to CHOP! And JAB! And whip corner to corner, for a LARIAT! Takagi snap suplexes, then drops a BIG elbow! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Takagi brings Henare around. Takagi facelocks Henare, tags Hiromu, then Takagi BLASTS Akira! Hiromu CHOPS, CHOPS, and Takagi JABS! LIJ double whip to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE!

The fans fire up as Takagi and Hiromu flex! Hiromu drags Henare up to CHOP! Henare goes to a corner, Takagi JABS him again. LIJ double whips Henare corner to corner, Hiromu runs in, but Henare dodges him! Henare RAMS Takagi, then fireman’s carries Hiromu! Henare SMACKS Takagi with Hiromu, then WASTELAND SLAMS and SENTONS! The fans fire up, and Henare drags Hiromu back up. Henare whips Hiromu hard into the corner and Hiromu bounces off buckles! Tag to Akira and the fans rally up. The clean shaven Fireball drags Hiromu up, but Hiromu CHOPS! And CHOPS! Akira CHOPS back!

Akira brings Hiromu up onto the top rope, puts him in a Tree of Woe, and while the ref reprimands him, he sneaks mule kicks! The fans are torn but the ref gets Akira to stop. Akira runs corner to corner to basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Akira dumps Hiromu out of the Tree. Cover, TWO! Akira drags Hiromu up while fans rally, and Akira tags Henare. Henare brings Hiromu up to fireman’s carry, and SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Hiromu stays in this, the fans rally up, but Henare DECKS Takagi! The ref reprimands but Henare goes to a corner. Henare aims, roars, and stomps the mat! Hiromu rises, Henare runs up, into a KICK!

Henare takes swings, Hiromu bobs ‘n’ weaves and mule kicks! Hiromu whips, Henare comes back, RAMP- DDT! Hiromu crawls, Henare drags him back! Hiromu dodges to wheelbarrow and COMPLETE SHOT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Henare and Hiromu crawl, hot tags to Akira and Takagi! Takagi runs up, Akira dodges to BOOT then ENZIGIRI! Akira runs to LARIAT! Then he comes back to UPPERCUT! Akira whips but Takagi blocks! Takagi breaks free, Akira fires forearms, but Takagi eggs him on! Akira mule kicks, whips, but Takagi blocks again! Takagi reverses, KNEES low, then runs.

Akira dodges Takagi to RANA! The fans fire up as Takagi bails out, and Akira PLANCHAS! The fans fire up again, and Akira puts Takagi in. Akira says, “Korakuen, IKU ZO!” The fans fire up as Akira goes up and up, to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up and Akira rises. The fans rally for “A! KI RA! A! KI RA!” Akira is copying Takagi as he looks around for cameras. He tells Korakuen, “Akira wa… TOKI GA KITA!!” The fans fire up but Takagi is mad! Takagi fireman’s carries, but Akira fights free! Akira CLUBS Takagi, shoves, follows, but into an ELBOW! JAB! YUKON feint and DDT! Hiromu runs in to BOOT Henare!

The fans fire up, Hiromu CHOPS Akira to a corner, and Takagi joins in. The fans rally as LIJ double whips Akira corner to corner. Hiromu runs in to LARIAT! Takagi runs in to LARIAT! Takagi feeds Akira to a SUPERKICK! Then Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS! Cover, Henare breaks it! Henare blocks a superkick, Hiromu ducks ‘n’ dodges haymakers, then SHOTGUNS! Down goes Henare and the fans fire up again! Takagi starts up the “OI! OI! OI!” and he powers up. Pump handle, but Akira fights the lift! Takagi knees low, but Akira victory rolls, STOMP 182! The fans fire up again and Akira sits Takagi up.

Akira roars, runs, but Takagi LARIATS! Takagi runs, but Akira slips around! Takagi stays up in the crucifix, but Akira shifts to SUNSET BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Takagi rises, into a SUPERKICK! ROUNDHOUSE! Takagi staggers back, swings, but Akira dodges! Only to run into a POP-UP DEATH VALLEY! And PUMPING BOMBER!! Cover, TWO?!? Akira survives and the fans fire up! Takagi roars and says “TOKI GA KITA!” Now it’s Takagi’s time as he pump handles and lifts, MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, LIJ wins!

Winner: Hiromu Takahashi & Shingo Takagi, by pinfall

The Rampaging Dragon was fireproof and he takes down Akira! But Henare still taunts Hiromu with the NEVER Openweight Championship. Who will stand tall with that belt in just under 24 hours?

NJPW World Television Championship: Jeff Cobb VS Yota Tsuji!

When The Imperial Unit finally took this title from Zack Sabre Jr, it proved that third time’s the charm. However, The Gene Blast has been on the doorstep of making history quite a few times already. Will this be when Yota knocks down the door? Or will Cobb make sure Yota’s 15 minutes of fame end with him?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and time to see who’s the star of the show!

The bell rings and we’re on the clock! The fans rally as “YO~TA! YO~TA!” grins at “COBBU! COBBU!” Cobb and Yota, circle, approach, and Yota dodges to kick. Yota whips, Cobb reverses, but Yota flips to RANA! The fans fire up as Cobb goes to a corner. Yota runs in, but Cobb avoids the splash! Cobb comes back, Yota BOOTS him, then goes up to FLYING RANA! Cobb tumbles out of the ring, the fans rally up, and Yota encourages them. The fans get a little louder, then Yota builds speed. Yota DIVES, and he sends Cobb into and over railing! The fans fire up as the front row gets Cobb in their laps! Yota takes a lap to get the fans even hotter!

Yota comes back for Cobb, drags him up and over, and then drags Cobb up to put in the ring. Yota fires up and the fans cheer, but Yota has to remember the time is running. Cobb BODY BLOWS at the ropes! Cobb frowns and he drags Yota up. Cobb suplexes but Yota slips out! Yota ducks ‘n’ dodges, tilt-o-whirls and arm-drags! Then he RUNS Cobb over! The fans fire up again and Yota paces. Yota covers, ONE! The fans applaud as Cobb stays in this, and Yota drags him up. Yota wrenches to wristlock. Yota YANKS the arm, then clamps onto the other arm for a motorcycle stretch! Cobb endures and the fans rally up.

Cobb powers up, but Yota pulls him into a BACKSTABBER! The fans rally while Yota paces, and he grins. Cobb eggs Yota on, and Cobb fires body shots! Yota ROCKS Cobb, and then drags him up. Cobb fights the suplex, Yota still tries, but Cobb suplexes Yota! To then TOSS him! The fans fire up at the feat of strength, but Cobb clutches his shoulder. That might’ve taken a bit out of him, too. Cobb goes to Yota, drags him up, and ROCKS him with a forearm! Then CHOPS him to the corner. Cobb pulls Yota’s hair, to then CLUB him down! Red Shoes reprimands but the fans rally up. Cobb drags Yota up, but Yota fires forearms!

We pass five minutes as Cobb knees low. Cobb whips, scoops, and ATHLETIC- ARM-DRAG! Yota turns things around, kicks low, then runs, but he fakes Cobb out! Cobb’s dropkick gets nothing but air, and Yota jackknife bridges! TWO as Cobb tips to one side! Yota pushes Cobb down, TWO as Cobb tips the other way! Yota powers him down again, TWO as Cobb bridges up! The fans fire up and Cobb spins Yota around to backslide! Yota rolls through, but Cobb blocks the knee! Cobb CLUBS Yota’s leg, then jumps up to DROPKICK! The fans fire up for the athleticism, and Yota tumbles out of the ring!

The fans rally up, Cobb goes out to fetch Yota, and he CLUBS Yota hard on the back! Yota staggers around the way but Cobb pursues, to CLUB him again! Yota barks in pain as he goes around the corner again. The ring count starts, Cobb HEADBUTTS Yota in the back, and then stands on Yota’s back! Cobb uses Yota to surf, and he says crowns up to Great-O-Khan on commentary. Khan applauds his teammate, and Cobb even crosses his arms like Khan. Cobb hears the count hit 13 of 20 and hurries back inside. Cobb then goes back out, refreshing the count. Cobb says he’ll get Yota in the ring, choto matte! <Just wait!>

Cobb puts Yota in, the fans applaud, and he drags Yota up. Cobb fireman’s carries, then he puts Yota up top. Cobb HEADBUTTS Yota in the side again and again, then climbs up after him! The fans rally as Cobb gut wrenches! SUPER GUT WRENCH PLEX! The fans fire up while both men are down! Cobb crawls his way over to cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Yota stays in this, and Cobb reminds Yota that he has to beat Cobb. Cobb stands on Yota’s hand, but lets off as Red Shoes reprimands. Yota still coughs and sputters, but Cobb steps up. Yota fires body shots, but Cobb HEADBUTTS him back down!

The fans rally while Cobb paces around. Cobb stands on Yota’s chest, Red Shoes says that’s not a cover, so Cobb steps off and apologizes. Cobb wrenches Yota, then short arm LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Cobb is annoyed so he wraps on a rear bearhug! We pass 10 minutes so time is on Cobb’s side! Cobb sits Yota up to KNEE him in the side, then he stands Yota up, only for Yota to fire forearms! Cobb ROCKS Yota back, eggs him on, and the forearms start flying! The fans rally up and Yota gets the edge! But Cobb fires a flurry in return! Cobb locks ‘n’ loads, but Yota catches him to BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER! CURB- NO! Cobb stays up!!

The fans fire up as Cobb denies the Gene Combination, but Yota KICKS Cobb in the face! Then Yota runs to basement dropkick! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Yota catches his breath, heads over and fires up. Yota reels Cobb in, and manages to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Cobb stays in this but Yota fires up more! The fans rally, but time is still ticking away. Yota storms back up to Cobb, brings him up, and puts him right up top! Yota CHOPS Cobb, then climbs, and the fans rally again. But Cobb fires body shots at the three minute warning! Cobb slips under Yota, to AWESOME- RANA!!

The fans are thunderous as Yota gets up, to GENE TRIGGER! And then fireman’s carry!? 17 CROSS! Cover, TWO!! The fans are thunderous again, and Yota drags Cobb over to a corner. Yota goes up and up for MARLOWE- Cobb catches him!?! ATHLETIC PLEX!! The fans are thunderous and Cobb stalks Yota. We hit the two minute warning and Cobb decides to go up and up, and steal MARLOWE CRASH!! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives Cobb’s take on his move, so Cobb tries the other! Cobb powers up, runs up, GENE- ROLL THROUGH! And deadlift into a Canadian Rack! But Cobb slips free, to GENE BLASTER!!

The fans are electric while both men are down again! Cobb crawls his way over, covers, TWO!!! Yota survives Cobb’s parody, and we’re under 60 seconds! Cobb whips, scoops, TOUR OF- CRADLE!! TWO!!! Cobb escapes, but Yota runs up! INTO A LARIAT!! Cobb hurries to drag Yota up! 30 seconds, Cobb whips, GENE- BOOT!! Cobb stops the blaster at the last second! But Yota rises!? 20 seconds!! POP-UP into F5 THOUSAND!!! TEN SECONDS!! Cobb crawls, covers, TWO?!?! AND TIME’S UP!!

Time Limit Draw; Jeff Cobb retains the title

The fans are still thunderous, even as this battle uses up all 15 minutes! Cobb survives, this is still his show, but he isn’t satisfied. Will he and Yota give us a sequel in the near future? WAIT, REN NARITA RUNS IN!! DOWN2DIE!! The wicked knee drop drops Cobb! The fans boo but this Souled Out Son of Strong Style continues to be an S O B! And he uses his pushup bar to CLOBBER Yota!! Ren ruins the moment, and he takes the mic for his own. “Oi, Jeff… I beat you in the G1, but you gave him a title match first? Don’t screw with me!” Ren picks up the NJPW World TV Championship and the fans boo more than before.

The fans now tell Ren to go away, go home, get outta here! But Ren tells Cobb, “Listen up. This belt rightfully belongs to ME, dumbass!” Ren drops the belt on Cobb, then “puts one out” before leaving. The fans boo more, but Cobb sits up. The fans cheer as Cobb grabs the mic, and Cobb says, in Japanese, “Yota… Happy Birthday.” The fans applaud, it’s the thought that counts. And then Cobb tells Narita, also in Japanese, “I will CRUSH you!!” Mic drop and the fans cheer that idea! When and where will the Imperial Unit take Ren on a Tour of the Islands?

My Thoughts:

Another great night for NJPW with… Actually, this is the second night of Road to Destruction, but the very first night was all just fun tune-up tag matches, and then they had Takagi’s 20th Anniversary night. But here, the real Road to Destruction begins as we get a title match and some more build. Good stuff in the matches I skipped, but very easy results to call. There are almost always “fall guys” in those matches, because they take the loss and all that. I probably could’ve made time for Douki & Taka VS Taiji & Gedo since that feeds the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship match in a few days, but even then, Taka was the “fall guy” and Taiji has momentum. Douki & Taka can probably even things in another tune-up, keeping us guessing on the math going into their title match.

Very good matches that followed, as well. ZSJ was of course winning to keep his momentum going from the G1 Climax win, but likewise, Naito can turn things around before he faces Khan in three weeks. Actually, I feel like we should be getting a rotation of such tag matches. Naito & Bushi VS Khan & Akira, then Khan & Akira VS ZSJ & Fujita. And speaking of Akira, he of course took the loss for his team, that keeps Takagi strong, and then Hiromu and Henare are fairly even going into tomorrow’s title match. It would be pretty big if Hiromu won the NEVER Openweight title, but it doesn’t feel like that’s happening here.

And great NJPW World Television Championship match. It was a great move to go with the time limit draw, that protects both guys and leaves things open for more later. After all, Cobb had a time limit draw with ZSJ and that only made us want more, which we eventually got. Ren of course had to interject, but I’m pretty sure Cobb wins within the time limit there. Though, the House of Torture probably throws as many cheats as they can in those 15 minutes and that’d oddly be a lot of fun.