Coverage

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

This road’s paved with gold!

Published

3 years 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

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Up Next

Andrew’s IMPACT Results & Match Ratings: 4.27.2023

Don't Miss

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

Coverage

Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (3/12/26)

Student VS Teacher!

Published

7 minutes ago

March 12, 2026

Steven Mitchell

Will the Fallen Goddess destroy Maya’s World?

The ROH Women’s World Champion has a bone to pick with her former trainee! Athena steps back onto the Proving Ground against Maya World!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

ROH Pure Championship: Lee Moriarty VS Josh Woods; wins and
Scorpio Sky w/ Christopher Daniels VS Bryan Keith w/ “Big Bill” Morrissey; wins.
ROH World Six Man Tag Team Championship Proving Ground: Shane Taylor Promotions VS QT Marshall, Aaron Solow & Nick Comoroto; win(s) and
Open Challenge: Sammy Guevara & The Beast Mortos VS ???; win and
Mixed Six Tag: The Premier Athletes VS ???
ROH Women’s World Television Championship: Red Velvet VS Hyan; wins and
ROH Women’s World Championship Proving Ground: Athena VS Maya World; wins and

PLAY BY PLAY

[Due to scheduling conflicts, coverage will be on delay]

About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

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

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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

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Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW New Japan Cup Results & Report! (3/12/26)

The second round heats up!

Published

2 hours ago

March 12, 2026

Steven Mitchell

A truly BIG main event for the New Japan Cup!

As the New Japan Cup continues on, the second round only gets bigger! Boltin Oleg battles Henare in a massive main event!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

OSKAR & Yuto-Ice VS Chase Owens & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Oskar & Yuto win.
“Drilla” Dan Moloney & Daiki Nagai VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa; ZSJ & Oiwa win.
Six Man Tag: Hontai VS House of Torture; Hontai wins.
Hartley Jackson & Kosei Fujita VS Callum Newman & Zane Jay; Hartley & Fujita win.
Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS The United Empire; The Empire wins.
Yuya Uemura & Tomoaki Honma VS Yota Tsuji & Shingo Takagi; Tsuji & Takagi win.
2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Ren Narita VS Satoshi Kojima; Narita wins and advances.
2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Boltin Oleg VS HENARE; wins and advances.

PLAY BY PLAY

2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Ren Narita w/ The House of Torture VS Satoshi Kojima!

The Souled Out Son of Strong Style cheated the Holy Emperor in the first round, but now he runs into the King of Bread Style in the second! Will Ren just keep stacking the deck? Or will the Cup be very cozy?

Kojima makes his entrance undisturbed, then Ren makes his entrance, already showing his hand with Don Fale, Chase Owens & Dick Togo accompanying him. The introductions barely finish and Ren attacks! The fans boo but Ren TOSSES Kojima out! Ren argues with the ref, which lets the House mug Kojima! They whip Kojima into railing, then they put him in the ring. Ren storms over to stomp away on Kojima at the ropes! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Ren stops at 4. Ren runs, BOOTS Kojima, then runs again to BOOT him again! Ren runs again, but Kojima dodges to then RUN Ren over! The fans cheer and Kojima makes the pecs dance!

Kojima fires up as he storms over to Ren in the corner. Kojima fires off MACHINE GUN CHOPS! The fans cheer but the ref counts, only for Kojima to unload the whole clip! Kojima whips corner to corner, but Ren grabs the ref! This lets Dick CLOBBER Kojima and TOSS him out! That lets Chase whip Kojima into railing! And then Fale BODY BLOWS! The fans boo but the House plays dumb. Ren goes out after Kojima, brings him around, and whips him into more railing! Kohima slumps against the railing, but Ren wraps the leg around them! The House distracts the ref from seeing Ren grab a chair! Ren SMACKS Kojima’s leg!

The fans boo but Ren SMACKS Kojima off the apron. Ren then whips Kojima into railing again! Ren puts the leg around railing again, and he pulls on the foot! The fans boo but the ref is too busy with the House. The ref finally sees Ren and counts. Ren stops at 4, kicks Kojima, then rolls into the ring. Kojima hobbles and falls but the fans rally behind him. The ref starts a ring count while Kojima clutches his knee. Kojima rises at 9 of 20, and rolls in at 12. The fans applaud but Ren stomps Kojima down! Ren then drags Kojima to the corner, and he bends the leg against the post! The ref counts, Ren stops at 4, but he SLAMS the leg into the post!

The fans boo but Ren stalks Kojima in the ring. Ren drags Kojima around, stomps away on the leg, then turns him over for a HALF CRAB! Kojima endures, reaches out, and makes the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Ren holds on until the ref counts 4. The fans boo Ren but he tells them to shut up. Ren then soaks up the heat before he drags Kojima up. Ren puts Kojima in a corner, and he wraps the leg around ropes! The fans boo again, the ref reprimands and counts again, but Ren stops at 4. Ren stomps the bad leg, then he goes corner to corner, only for Kojima to dodge! Kojima fires off MACHINE GUN CHOPS again!

The fans cheer as Kojima empties another clip! Kojima whips corner to corner, then runs up to FOREARM SMASH! “ICCHAZO, BAKAYAROU~!” The fans fire up as Kojima goes up, COZY ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Ren survives but Kojima stays on him with a flurry of forearms, then the ROLLING ELBOW! Kick and DDT! Kojima rises up, brings Ren around, and cravats. Ren fights with body shots, then ducks the lariat to leg roll and KNEEBAR! The fans rally for Kojima as he endures! Kojima reaches out, fights around, but Ren pulls on the leg! Then Ren drags Kojima from the ropes to KNEEBAR again! Kojima still endures as the fans rally up!

Kojima fights his way over, rolls and rolls, and he has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Ren lets go in frustration. Ren huffs ‘n’ puffs and drags Kojima up to BLIZZARD PLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Kojima survives and Ren is frustrated again but the fans cheer. Ren vows to end this now, and he goes up the corner. Kojima stands, but he avoids Hell’s Guillotine! Kojima kicks and cravats, COZY CUTTER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Kojima rises, and he throws off the elbow pad! The fans cheer as Kojima runs, but the ref is used as a shield! Then Ren SHOVES Kojima into the ref!

The ref tumbles out of the ring, and the fans boo as The House rushes Kojima! They mug Kojima at the ropes! Then they bump Kojima off buckles, whip him corner to corner, and Dick runs in for the ELBOW! Chase adds as forearm SMASH, then Fale SPLASHES! They snapmare Kojima, Dick goes up top, DICK CHOP! The fans boo but Ren stomps Kojima! Dick takes the timekeeper’s table?! Dick puts that in for Chase to set up in a corner! Ren stands Kojima up, and clinches again, but Kojima fights with elbows! Chase CLUBS Kojima, then Fale holds him up. Chase runs, but Kojima BOOTS him away! Kojima sends Fale into Chase!

The fans cheer as Chase falls, and Kojima RAMS Fale out of the ring! But Ren has his pushup bar! Kojima LARIATS it away?!? The fans fire up as Kojima kicks and BRAINBUSTERS! Cover, but the ref is still down! Kojima is frustrated, but he just powers up the arm! COZY- NO, Ren dodges, kicks, and DOUBLE- NO! Kojima stops the facebuster to then COZY LARIAT! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Kojima crawls, the ref is back, and we have a cover! But Chase YANKS the ref out! The fans boo again, but now Dick uses the SPOILER CHOKER on Kojima! The table is now repositioned to be in the drop zone!

The fans boo as the House puts Kojima on the table, and Fale goes up! DIVING SPLASH down through the table!! The fans boo but the House hides the evidence! Now they get the ref back in, and Ren hits the DOUBLE CROSSER!! Cover, Ren wins!

Winner: Ren Narita, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Another night, another way for the House of Torture to cheat. Ren adds Kojima to the growing list of names, but will the NEVER Openweight Champion never stop his evil ways?

2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Boltin Oleg VS HENARE!

The big man from Kazakhstan already has the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships, and the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship, but he’s on a roll here in the Cup! Will he be able to put the Mauler behind BARS? Or will Henare conquer Boltin in the name of The United Empire?

The bell rings and the big men RAM shoulders! And RAM again! And RAM again! The fans fire up as the forearms start flying! Henare ROCKS Oleg again and again, then runs to RAM Oleg! Oleg stays up to ROCK Henare! Oleg runs and RAMS Henare, but Henare stays up! So now both men run and they RAM shoulders again! The fans cheer as these two go forehead to forehead, then return to going forearm for forearm! Shot for shot, back and forth, and the fans rally up again. Henare gets the edge, but Oleg CHOPS him! Henare ROCKS Oleg, runs, but Oleg drops down, and jumps up to SHOULDER TACKLE!

Henare is down, Oleg runs the ropes, BOLTIN SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Oleg stays on Henare and RAMS him into the corner! Oleg RAMS Henare again and again, then CHOPS! Oleg winds up to CHOP again, but Henare just snarls. Oleg CHOPS again, but Henare puts him in the corner to CHOP and CLUB on repeat! Oleg fires forearms in return, but Henare CHOPS again! The fans applaud as Henare whips corner to corner, but Oleg reverses! Oleg runs in, Henare dodges, and Henare comes back to RAM Oleg! Oleg rebounds, but into a WHEEL KICK! Henare adds a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Oleg toughs it out, but Henare KICKS him in the back!

Oleg writhes, but Henare winds up and KICKS again! The fans rally as Henare then runs to RUGBY KICK! But Oleg rolls through! Oleg ducks ‘n’ dodges, then CLOBBERS Henare right outta the ring! Henare stumbles into the railing then falls down! The fans fire up, and Oleg goes out to fetch Henare. Oleg CLUBS Henare, CLUBS him again, but Henare fires a body shot! Henare SMACKS Oleg off apron, then whips him into railing! The fans cheer while Oleg slumps down. Henare storms up on Oleg, wrenches and whips him again, but Oleg reverses! Henare hits railing! The fans rally up, Oleg storms over, and Oleg whips Henare, only for Henare to reverse!

Oleg hits railing, but he comes back! Only for Henare to fireman’s carry! SNAKE EYES off the railing, then Henare LARIATS Oleg up and over! The fans cheer while legs in front of the fans. Red Shoes checks on Oleg and he’s okay to continue. Red Shoes says to get this back in the ring, but Henare goes looking underneath it. Henare brings out chairs! Red Shoes reprimands but Henare tells him to shut up! Henare goes to Oleg, growls at the fans, and he CLUBS Oleg. Henare ROCKS Oleg in the back, then reels him in. But Oleg fights the suplex! Oleg tries but Henare fights the suplex. Oleg scoops Henare to SLAM him on the apron!

The fans cheer as Oleg huffs ‘n’ puffs, then he climbs up to join Henare. Oleg suplexes, but Henare lands safe in the ring! Henare RAMS down low, but Oleg ROCKS Henare back! Henare ducks the shot to full nelson! Oleg fights the nelson but Henare HOTSHOTS Oleg! Oleg wobbles, Henare runs, and Henare BLASTS Oleg off the apron! Oleg crashes into railing, as well as the chair pile on the floor! The fans rally for Oleg while he’s down, but Henare goes to fetch him. Henare fireman’s carries to WASTELAND SLAM and SENTON! The fans are torn as Henare snarls. Henare drags Oleg up and into the ring, but Red Shoes refuses to count the cocky cover!

Henare argues with Red Shoes but Red Shoes says it needs to be a serious cover. Henare drags Oleg up, but Oleg fires forearms! Henare CHOPS Oleg, then snapmares him. Henare runs to RUGBY KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Oleg toughs it out. Henare stalks Oleg, and has the half nelson! Oleg fights the full nelson, but Henare RAMS him into a corner! Henare runs up, but Oleg dodges the knee! Oleg scoops, but Henare slips free! ULTI- NO, Oleg fights the nelson again and RAMS Henare into buckles! Henare BOOTS Oleg, but Oleg scoops to SLAM! The fans fire up while both men are down, then rally up as they rise.

Oleg whips Henare to the corner, runs in and SPLASHES, then whips corner to corner. Oleg runs in again, and another SPLASH! Oleg goes to gut wrench but Henare CLUBS free. Henare ELBOWS Oleg, goes up, but Oleg catches his crossbody! Then Shake, Shake Shake, and THROW! Oleg kips up and the fans fire up! Oleg scoops Henare again, to SLAM him into the drop zone! Oleg goes up, up, and VADER BOMBS! Cover, TWO! Henare survives but the fans rally up again. Oleg drags Henare up, fireman’s carry, but Henare fights free! Henare has to catch his breath, so Oleg CHOPS him! Oleg then suplexes Henare, but Henare fights it!

Oleg still tries, but Henare slips free! Oleg again fights the nelson, but Henare ducks an elbow! Henare spins Oleg for the suplex! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Oleg rolls away to a corner, but Henare rises up. Henare runs in, LARIAT! Then a whip to the ropes, but Oleg holds ropes! Oleg BOOTS back, runs up but into the scoop, SPIN-OUT BOMB! Cover, TWO! But now Henare has the ULTIMA WEAPON! The fans rally up as Oleg endures the full nelson! Oleg fights up, up, but Henare puts on the pressure! The fans rally as Oleg is fading! Oleg gets a second wind to get the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Henare holds on!

Red Shoes counts, Henare lets go at 4, and Henare argues with the ref. Oleg sputters while Henare paces. Henare aims from a corner as Oleg stands, and Henare runs in for the- NO, Oleg fights the Rampage! FACELOCK GUILLOTINE! Oleg squeezes tight, but Henare wrenches out to ROCK Oleg! The fans rally again as Henare fires off fast hands from all sides! Then he SMACKS Oleg, and winds up to BODY BLOW! The fans for Oleg while he’s down, but Henare stands him up. Henare runs, LARIATS, but Oleg stays up! Henare runs again, and LARIATS! Oleg staggers to a corner, Henare runs in, and LARIATS again!

Oleg just fires up!? Oleg shoves Henare, LARIATS, then they DOUBLE LARIAT! They DOUBLE LARIAT again but no one falls! Oleg runs, but into the SAMOAN DROP! Oleg roars as he rises up! Henare ducks ‘n’ dodges, but runs into a clinch! BELLY2BELLY! Both men stand, and Henare hits a RAMPAGE outta nowhere! Cover, TWO!! Oleg survives and the fans fire up again! Henare is frustrated, but he watches Oleg crawl to the corner. Oleg drags himself up with the ropes, and Henare runs in! NATIVE KNEE! The fans are torn as Henare roars, and he brings Oleg back up. Henare puts Oleg up top, then ROCKS him!

Henare goes up, up, and SUPERPLEXES! The fans fire up while Henare crawls to cover, TWO! Oleg survives and the fans cheer again! Henare huffs ‘n’ puffs and stands Oleg up, but DROPKICKS him away! The fans fire up, and Henare returns to RUGBY KICK! Oleg rolls through, and he catches the Native Knee! POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO! Henare survives and the fans fire up again! Oleg shakes it off and stands back up. Oleg RIPCORDS Henare right up from the mat! Henare fights free of the fireman’s carry, and he CHOPS! Oleg comes back to CHOP Henare! The fans cheer as both men wobble. Henare comes back to CHOP!

Oleg CHOPS Henare! Henare drops to a knee from that one, but now Oleg eggs him on. Henare grits his teeth, stands up, and CHOPS! Oleg CHOPS, Henare CHOPS, repeat! Henare LARIATS but Oleg stays up! Henare LARIATS again, and then DOUBLE LARIATS! Both men lean on each other while the fans fire up! Henare and Oleg hold onto the other’s waistband as they throw LARIATS back and forth! The fans fire up as the shots keep going! Oleg gets the edge, then he stands Henare up to CHOP! Henare drops to his knees! The fans fire up as Oleg stands Henare up, but Henare HEADBUTTS! Oleg roars, but Henare LARIATS him down! Cover, ONE?!?

The fans are stunned but Henare just gets moving, and he BLINDSIDE LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Oleg survives another shot and Henare is beside himself! Henare hurries to drag Oleg up, but Oleg fights the lift! The fans rally but Henare’s own back won’t let him lift Oleg. Henare changes the plan with a HEADBUTT! And he roars as he reels Oleg back in! But Oleg fireman’s carries! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Henare survives and the fans fire up again! Oleg drags Henare up, fireman’s carries, and he goes to the corner. Henare fights free to be on the corner! Oleg ROCKS Henare, then he climbs up!

The fans rally, but Henare fires body shots. Oleg ROCKS Henare, then adjusts position! Fireman’s carry, but Henare fires hands! Henare slips back, and HEADBUTTS Oleg down! Henare now adjusts position, and he leaps into a fireman’s carry?!? POINT-BLANK KAMIKAZE! Then Oleg fireman’s carries again, runs and KAMIKAZE!! Cover, OLEG WINS!

Winner: Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

It was a battle of big meaty men slapping meat, but Henare was out-hossed tonight. What will it take for Henare to break through and reach that next level?

As for Oleg, he grabs the mic, and he tells Henare, “Thank you for your hard work!” The fans cheer that! Oleg tells Henare thank you, and he hopes they can do this again. Oleg then tells the fans, that to be honest, this was his first main event singles match. He will be sitting cross-legged for a moment, and he says for his first New Japan Cup, his first 1v1 main event, from the bottom of his heart, he is very happy right now. The fans cheer that! Oleg says especially today, the only thing that really matters is that he got to win in a NJPW ring, against a strong Māori warrior like Henare.

Oleg knows he hasn’t been doing this that long, just three years. But that’s amazing, isn’t it? He knows he has a hard time with Japanese, but for these three years, he’s been a professional wrestler! He’s been professional wrestling! It’s been a real fight in this ring, it’s always high risk in this sport, and everyone is fighting and doing their best. To be in the same ring as them, he is very thankful. The fans cheer that, too! Oleg says thanks for NJPW letting a man from Kazakhstan wrestle on this cerulean blue. “OGA! OGA! OGAAAA! <Oh, yeah! Oh, yeah! Oh, yeeeeah!>” Oleg is all fired up, but will he soon put the Cup behind BARS?

My Thoughts:

Another great night for the New Japan Cup, kicking off a very busy weekend for this tournament. Good tune-ups, but a lot of those matches had the same results as last time. Very good stuff from Narita VS Kojima, but naturally, the House cheated. Great match from Oleg VS Henare, and great win for Oleg. Oleg is getting a great push between having tow titles and now going into round three of the tournament. Given he has those titles, I don’t see Oleg going much further, and maybe the person he loses to gets their title shot.