NJPW PPV Results
Mitchell’s NJPW Resurgence Results & Report! (5/21/23)
Long Beach is NJPW Strong!
The Golden State is truly golden tonight!
NJPW is in Long Beach, California, and there’s treasure inside the Walter Pyramid! A one-night tournament crowns an inaugural Strong Women’s Champion!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff Match: BATEMAN VS The DKC; DKC wins.
- Kickoff Match: Alex Coughlin VS Christopher Daniels; Coughlin wins.
- Zack Sabre Jr. & Bad Dude Tito VS Bárbaro Cavernario & Virus; Barbaro & Virus win.
- NJPW Strong Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Mercedes Moné VS Stephanie Vaquer; Moné wins and advances to the main event.
- NJPW Strong Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Willow Nightingale VS Momo Kohgo; wins and advances to the main event.
- Street Fight: Fred Rosser VS Juice Robinson; Juice wins.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Hikuleo VS KENTA; Kenta wins and becomes the new NJPW Strong Openweight Champion.
- Six Man Tag: Chaos VS Blackpool Combat Club; The BCC wins.
- IWGP United States Championship #1 Contender’s Tournament, Opening Round: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Will Ospreay; Ospreay wins and faces Lance Archer at NJPW Dominion.
- NJPW Strong Women’s Championship Tournament Finals: Mercedes Moné VS Willow Nightingale; Willow wins and is the inaugural NJPW Strong Women’s Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
Fred Rosser heads to the ring!
Mr. No Days Off has a grudge match later tonight, but here’s on the kickoff show to address the fans! “Long Beach, you know what time it is! NJPW is celebrating its 5th anniversary at the LA Dojo, and NJPW Academy has been working hard. Let’s take a closer look at what NJPW Academy is all about.” Video rolls to advertise the 2023 season of the academy, starting July 24th. And Rosser says you know what time it is: It’s time to go to work! Will you get yourself going in pro-wrestling and the NJPW system this summer?
NJPW Strong Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Mercedes Moné VS Stephanie Vaquer!
The CEO of Wrestling has quite the historic resumé, being a WWE Women’s Grand Slam Champion, as well as being the second-ever IWGP Women’s Champion. But now, she looks to add even more history to her name! Will Moné make it through the Dark Angel to go for the gold?
Fans are thunderous already just to see Mone in person, especially in her Cleopatra cosplay. The bell rings and fans rally as Mone stares down with Vaquer. They approach, tie up, and go around. Mone puts Vaquer in a corner, the ref counts, but Mone lets off. But then Vaquer kicks low and rolls Mone to a bridging cradle, TWO! Vaquer gets around Mone, waistlocks and SLAMS, then floats to a facelock. Mone spins free to wrangle Vaquer to a cover, TWO! Mone keeps on the arm but Vaquer arm-drags her. Vaquer trips Mone, rolls her, but Mone arm-drags back! Mone sweeps the legs, rolls Vaquer up, but Vaquer trips Mone to a cover, ONE!
Vaquer kicks Mone, headlocks for the takeover, but Mone keeps her shoulders up. Mone headscissors but Vaquer kips free. They go again, Mone hits another headlock takeover. Vaquer headscissors again, holds tighter, but Mone still kips free. Then double dropkicks cancel out! Fans fire up as the two stare down again. Mone and Vaquer reset, circle again, and fans rally up. Vaquer calls for the knuckle locks, Mone obliges, but then Vaquer throws Mone by her hair! Fans boo, things speed up, and Mone hurdles. Vaquer drops on the dropdown, TWO! Mone gets the Samson Clutch, TWO! Mone whips Vaquer but Vaquer reverses. Mone goes up to FLYING ARM-DRAG!
Vaquer comes back but Mone tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! BANK STATEMENT!! Vaquer flails, drags Mone along as she crawls, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Mone lets go to stomp fingers! Fans fire up as Mone ROCKS Vaquer, then knuckle locks. Money goes up and up and FLYING ARM-DRAGS again! Fans fire up as Mone goes corner to corner to elbow Vaquer! Mone keeps moving, but Vaquer follows to clothesline in the corner! Vaquer runs corner to corner but Mone clotheslines her! Mone puts Vaquer up top, but Vaquer blocks the haymaker for a HANGING ARMBAR! Mone almost goes up and over the ropes!
The ref counts, Vaquer lets Mone go and Mone scrambles away. Mone clutches the arm, Vaquer SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO!! Mone survives but Vaquer mule kicks! Mone sputters while fans rally up, but Vaquer snapmares and wraps on the headscissors. Vaquer dribbles Mone’s head into the mat! That move looks familiar. Vaquer lets off to cover, TWO! Vaquer is frustrated but she drags Mone up. Vaquer wrenches, whips Mone to ropes, but Mone sunset flips! Vaquer stays up to STOMP Mone, then runs to drop the leg, brother! Fans rally up and Vaquer kicks Mone to a cover, TWO!
Mone goes to a corner, Vaquer storms up to bump her off buckles. Vaquer whips corner to corner, runs corner to corner, but Mone BOOTS her! Vaquer grabs the legs, puts them in the ropes, and DRAPING DRAGON SCREWS! Fans fire up while Mone writhes and clutches a knee. Vaquer drags Mone from the ropes, gets her legs and has a stump puller cover, TWO! Mone is still in this but Vaquer is after her. Mone YANKS her into ropes! Then she shoulders in from the apron, steps up to KNEE, but Vaquer comes back. Mone moves and Vaquer tumbles out to the floor. Mone aims to METEORA to the floor!
Fans are thunderous again and Mone nods. Mone fires up and fetches Vaquer to then TORNADO DDT to the floor! Another heavy impact and Mone puts Vaquer back in the ring. Cover, TWO!! Vaquer survives but the fans still rally behind Mone. Mone brings Vaquer up, whips her but Vaquer reverses. Vaquer runs in, but into DEADLY NIGHTSHADE! METEORA! Cover, TWO!! Vaquer survives and shocks Mone! Mone refocuses and the fans rally up. Mone says it’s over, and she drags Vaquer up. But Vaquer fights the backstabber to RAM her into a corner! Vaquer fires off headbutt after headbutt after headbutt!
Fans boo but Vaquer lets off to go corner to corner, but Mone dodges! Vaquer’s knees hit buckles, and Mone comes in, BOOT WASH! Fans fire up and Mone fires up again! Vaquer staggers, Mone climbs, and Mone CROSSBODIES! But Vaquer rolls it through! TWO!! But into the CROSSFACE!! Vaquer is using the same hold Mone loves to use!! Mone flails, the fans rally up and she crawls forward! Mone turns, ROPEBREAK, then jackknife! TWO!! Mone has the BANK STATEMENT!! Vaquer endures the crossface now, scoots as best as she can, reaches out and gets the ROPEBREAK! Vaquer survives by a foot!
Mone lets off in frustration, but Vaquer runs in! Mone gets around her, Gory Especial, but Vaquer fights free! Spin, DDT, and victory roll, TWO!! Mone survives but Vaquer keeps on her! Tuck and PACKAGE BACKBREAKER! Vaquer drags Mone to have the cross-leg clutch, TWO!! Vaquer grows frustrated as Mone is still in this! Vaquer drags Mone, suplexes, but Mone cradle counters, TWO!!! Vaquer escapes, blocks a right and DECKS Mone! Cover, TWO!! Vaquer runs to drop the leg but misses! Mone hooks the arms, rolls sideways to Gory Especial, but Vaquer fights it. So Mone RAMS her into the corner! And RAMS her again!
Mone turns around, BACKSTABBER! And then the Gory Especial, for the MONEY MAKER!! Cover, Mone wins!
Winner: Mercedes Moné, by pinfall (advances to later tonight)
Mercedes is on the money! She is going to the title match in the main event, will she be THE NJPW Strong Women’s Champion?
NJPW Strong Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Willow Nightingale VS Momo Kohgo!
We know one half of tonight’s historic main event, now to learn the other half! The Babe with Power has been going strong in both AEW and ROH, but has yet to taste gold. Will she get her hands on the prize tonight? Or will she taste bitter defeat against the bright young Stardom star?
The bell rings and fans rally for Willow. She and Momo tie up, Willow powers Momo to a corner, but lets off. Willow flexes and fans fire up. Momo comes back, ties up with Willow, then shoots around to a waistlock. Willow pries free, switches, lifts, but Momo fights it. Momo pries free, wrenches and wristlocks, but Willow spins through and breaks free to then run Momo over! Fans fire up as Willow flexes again. Willow runs, things speed up, Momo hurdles and then dodges. Momo ducks the lariat, leaps the dropdown, and fans fire up as the two stand off. Willow and Momo rush in, Momo ducks the elbow but Willow blocks the whip!
Willow whips Momo to a corner, Momo goes up and over but Willow blocks the arm-drag! Willow drags Momo up to them SLAM her! Momo writhes and fans fire up. Willow stalks Momo to a corner, brings her up and CHOPS her! Momo is stinging, Willow runs, and Willow BASEMENT CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Momo is tough but Willow keeps on her. Mom dodges the clothesline, tilt-o-whirls, but Momo blocks again! SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO! Momo survives again but Willow ties up Momo in a GROUND OCTOPUS! Willow even kicks away on Momo! Momo endures, pushes back to a cover, TWO!
Willow lets Momo free, storms up and ROCKS her with a forearm! Willow runs in to back body block, then clothesline! Willow whips, scoops, and carries Momo for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Fans fire up, Willow fires up, and Momo flounders in a corner. Willow runs in, but into a DROPKICK! Momo runs corner to corner but Willow puts her outside. Momo avoids the haymaker, goes up top and leaps, to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Momo keeps on Willow, brings her around, but Willow swings. Momo dodges, tilt-o-whirls and RANAS! Willow is on the ropes, Momo dials it up! 619!!
Fans fire up, Willow staggers around and Momo goes up the ropes, springboard MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!! Willow survives and shocks Momo! Momo hurries to bring Willow up and reel her in. But Willow fights the fisherman to scoop! Momo slips free, waistlocks, but Willow throws elbows free! Willow runs, but into a SUPERKICK! Momo tries to scoop Willow, but Willow scoops Momo! Momo slips free, to FISHERMAN SUPLEX!? Bridging cover, TWO!! That wasn’t perfect but it sure was awesome! Fans fire up, Momo goes to a corner and runs in, CRUCIFIX- NO, Willow blocks!
Willow pops Momo around, to a POWERSLAM! Fans fire up while both women are down! Willow crawls over to Momo, brings her up, and Willow ROCKS her with a forearm! Momo shakes it off to ROCK Willow! The two stand, and Willow ROCKS Momo again! Momo ROCKS Willow! Willow ROCKS Momo, Momo ROCKS Willow, and then Momo gets the edge! Fans fire up as Momo keeps throwing shots! Willow reels Momo in for a short arm LARIAT! And then another short arm LARIAT! And then a third- NO, Momo gets around to waistlock! Willow elbows free, reels Momo back in, snap suplex!
Fans fire up and Willow aims from a corner. Momo goes to the other, Willow runs in to CANNONBALL! Willow drags Momo to a cover, TWO!?!? Momo survives and Willow can’t believe it! Willow drags Momo up and reels her in, for a gut wrench and- RANA!!! Momo covers, TWO!!! Willow barely gets outta that and fans are thunderous! Willow goes to ropes, Momo gets to her feet, and Willow runs in, but into a SUPERKICK! Momo hurries to TORNADO DDT!! Cover, TWO!!! Willow survives again and Momo is beside herself! Momo goes to a corner, roars and runs in, CRUCIFIX DRIVER!! ROPEBREAK!?!
Fans can’t believe it! One little miscalculation and Momo can’t believe it, either! Momo drags Willow up, runs in, but into a SPINEBUSTER!! High stack, TWO!?!? Momo survives and Willow is losing her mind! The fans are loving this, though, and Willow brings Momo back up. Willow winds up to LARIAT! But Momo fires up?!? Willow doesn’t believe it! Willow dodges Momo, fireman’s carries, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO?!?!? What is Momo made off!? Willow says that’s it, and she brings down the straps! Willow roars, the fans fire up, and Willow hauls Momo right up, BABE WITH THE POWERBOMB!!!
Winner: Willow Nightingale, by pinfall (advances to later tonight)
Momo fought her heart out, but Willow had heart, body and spirit! Will Willow use all those to take that title?
Street Fight: Fred Rosser VS Juice Robinson!
Mr. No Days Off may be a teacher at the NJPW Academy, but he apparently didn’t learn his lesson to keep Toni Storm’s name out of his mouth. He called out Rock Hard and his wife again, and this time ups the ante with this No Disqualification style match! Will Rosser get revenge everything Juice’s done? Or will The Booster finally make Rosser take time off?
It seems this is a step up from the normal Street Fight, as the ring is already without buckle pads! And in their place, a door in each neutral corner, and a chair in each man’s corner. Juice makes his entrance, and he’s already got a kendo stick for himself. Juice gets impatient waiting on Rosser, but wait, here come some NJPW Academy students! They’re surrounding the ring like lumberjacks, raising the ante again. Rosser makes his entrance now, the arena bathed in red light! Rosser’s got a chain around his neck! Is Rosser about to unleash the junkyard dog inside him? He has the students stand down, but he knows he has their support.
The bell rings and Juice swings, but Rosser TACKLES him! Rosser rains down fists, but Juice turns it over to rain down fists of his own! Rosser turns it back on Juice to hammer away! Juice kicks Rosser away but Rosser uses the NUT CLAW!! Even The Nature Boy would be blushing! Rosser CHOPS Juice, then HEADBUTTS him! Rosser whips Juice to a corner, Juice reverses, and Rosser hits against a chair! But he comes right back to CLOBBER Juice! Fans fire up, Juice staggers up, and Rosser runs to clothesline Juice and himself out of the ring! Fans fire up with Rosser and he shows off the claw.
Rosser storms back after Juice, he talks trash on Juice, but Juice claws Rosser’s eyes! Juice brings Rosser up to whip him, but Rosser reverses! Juice hits railing hard, and right next to commentary! Juice staggers forward, into a LARIAT! Rosser is all fired up and he’s high fiving the crowd in the back section. Rosser TOSSES a chair, but Juice narrowly avoids it! Rosser throws more chairs, Juice narrowly dodges those! Juice crawls up the ramp and for the entrance, but Rosser catches up to him. Rosser CLUBS Juice, CLUBS him again, and again! Rosser talks trash and fans fire up again.
Rosser brings Juice up, reels him in, but Juice fights the piledriver! Juice backdrops Rosser on the floor! Fans fire up and Juice grits his teeth. Juice drags Rosser up, scoops him, and then SLAMS him on the floor! Juice roars, the fans fire up more, and Juice goes back for Rosser. Juice stomps Rosser around, then drops a SENTON! Rosser sputters and flounders but Juice brings him up. Juice scoops again, to SNAKE EYES off railing! Rosser clutches his chin and throat and the ref checks him. Rosser seems okay to continue, but Juice takes off his belt. Juice drags Rosser up and whips him into the POST!
Rosser clutches his face now, but Juice shows no mercy. Juice wraps the belt around Rosser’s neck! Juice CHOKES Rosser, while raining down headbutts! Juice pulls on the strap to CHOKE Rosser more! Rosser can only endure as this is all allowed! Juice uses the belt to drag Rosser into the ring! Juice pulls back to CHOKE Rosser more! Fans boo but Juice lets go. Rosser sputters, but Juice takes the belt off. Juice then rips Rosser’s shirt off, blows his nose in it, and even wipes his butt! Then he throws that shirt to the fans! Free souvenir…? Juice gets his belt again, and he tells Rosser, “Keep my wife’s name outta your EFFING mouth!”
Juice LASHES Rosser! And LASHES him! And LASHES him again! Again, and again, and again! Fans count along, Juice gets TEN lashes in before he stops! Rosser writhes and sputters, fans are torn, but Juice blows a kiss to his wife via the camera. Juice whips Rosser, and then DECKS him with a leather fist! Fans fire up as Juice positions a door. They chant “DOOR DOOR DOOR DOOR!” And Juice makes sure the other door is positioned just right, too. Juice then brings out a fistful of silver dollars! Juice is looking to revisit Rumble on 44th Street and how he cost Rosser the Openweight title! But Rosser dodges!
Rosser fireman’s carries, to CORNER DEATH VALLEY through a door!! Fans fire up and Juice writhes! Rosser then sees Juice’s belt…! Rosser grabs the strap, storms over to Juice, and rips Juice’s shirt off! Rosser then holds up the strap and fans are loving this! Rosser LASHES Juice! And again! And again! And again! Rosser LASHES Juice from the other side now! And then Rosser CHOKES Juice with the belt!! And fishhooks his face! And then Rosser drags Juice around by the strap! Juice fights up but Rosser tosses him over the ropes! Rosser is trying to HANG Juice!! Juice sits on the apron just a bit, but Rosser shoves him down.
Fans are thunderous and Rosser goes out to fetch Juice. Rosser sees a trash can, and figures why not! Rosser brings the can to ringside, and dumps the trash all over Juice! And then SMACKS Juice with the can! Insult to injury! Rosser puts the can in the ring, the fans are thunderous again, and Rosser grabs a chair. Rosser smacks the chair off the floor and fans are thunderous. A bloodied Juice wants mercy but Rosser JAMS him in the back! And SMACKS him on the back! Juice staggers around, but then Rosser CLOBBERS him, chair to head!! The crimson mask is pouring down onto Juice’s chest!
Rosser wants more plunder, and he finds a stop sign under the ring!? STOP SIGN TO THE FACE!! Did that stop sign just stop Juice? Rosser drags Juice up by his pants, brings him around, and crotches him on the railing! Juice’s fruit is getting crushed! Rosser gets Juice’s kendo stick, talks some smack on Juice and Toni, and then SMACKS Juice in the face! And on the BACK! And in the CHEST! Juice falls to the floor and Rosser throws the stick down. Juice goes looking for more things under the ring! Juice is sprinkling blood on the floor as he stands up and leans against railing. But Rosser bends him back against the railing! And ELBOWS him in the face!
Juice clutches his nose, but Rosser throws hands right to that bloody forehead! Rosser HEADBUTTS Juice, then drums his chest, letting the blood paint him. Rosser keeps looking for a certain something while Juice drags himself back to ringside. Juice finds a LADDER! Fans fire up as Rosser wears it around his neck, and walks with it to where Juice is. Rosser leans the ladder against the ring, kicks Juice and brings him over. Rosser trips Juice, to CATAPULT him into the ladder and post!! Juice falls back and Rosser dusts his hands off. Fans are thunderous as Rosser drags Juice up again. Rosser makes Juice eat the garbage!!
Rosser puts Juice in the ring while fans almost lose their lunch. Rosser drags Juice up, and digs his forehead against bare buckle!! Juice can only suffer the steel, but Rosser lets off to HEADBUTT him again! Juice goes back to a trash can, puts it around Juice, and Rosser gets his chain! Fans fire up as Rosser wraps his fist with it! Rosser PUNCHES the can! And again! And again! And again!! Rosser then gets a chair, raises it up, and fans fire up. Rosser SMACKS the can with the chair! Then SMACKS the very top!! Juice crawls while inside the can, and Rosser smacks the mat with the chair. The fans are thunderous as they join in, before another SMACK to the can!!
Juice falls out of the can, completely dazed. Rosser drags Juice up, hoists him onto the top rope, and then has him in a Tree of Woe. Rosser stomps away on Juice again and again, then CHOKES him in the Tree! Rosser rains down fists over and over, then lets off to grab the chain. Rosser uses the chain to bend Juice back towards the corner post!! Fans boo, but Rosser wants to hurt Juice! Rosser lets off and Juice flops out of the Tree. Juice crawls away, begs for mercy, but Rosser says that’s not happening. Rosser wraps the chain around his hand again. Rosser storms up on Juice but Juice wants him to stop!
But wait! TONI STORM is here!! She’s actually here and she’s getting in the ring! Toni LOW BLOWS Rosser!! But it doesn’t work? Rosser pulls out a SPORTS CUP!! He was prepared! So Toni SLAPS him instead! Fans cheer Toni on as he tells him off while fans are losing their minds! Rosser dares her to come closer then. Rosser starts stepping closer, Toni starts stepping back, but then Rosser takes her head in his hands and KISSES HER?! Fans can’t believe Rosser is using the lip lock on Toni! Rosser stops, says her kiss tastes gross, so Toni winds back! Rosser ducks her punch, and fireman’s carries her!
Rosser spins and spins and spins Toni, but Juice LOW BLOWS Rosser! No more cup, so now it hurts! And then STORM ZERO!! Juice covers, TWO!?!? Rosser survives and Toni is pissed at the ref! The ref says the count was fair, so Juice and Toni work together. Toni gets a chair, Juice drags Rosser up, and Juice chicken wings Rosser. Toni puts the chair underneath, but Rosser kicks it away! SLEEPER! Storm CLUBS away on Rosser! And kicks him! Rosser keeps holding on, shifts his grip, CROSSFACE CHICKENWING! But then Storm gets the kendo stick! Rosser shoves Juice into Toni! And then fireman’s carries Juice, GUTBUSTER DROP!!
Rosser steps over, STF CHICKENWING!! Juice endures, reaches around, flails, but Storm is back! She has a BOTTLE!? She SMASHES the bottle on Rosser’s head!!! Storm then positions a door in a corner, and she shouts to Juice to finish this. Fans rally for “DOOR! DOOR! DOOR!” Juice runs in, CANNONBALL through the door!! Juice gets right out of the wreckage, and he has the stop sign in place! He calls to Storm, she says “KISS THIS!” Storm runs in, SWEET HIP MUSIC into the stop sign and into Rosser’s face!! Juice drags Rosser up, reels him in, Toni places a chair in the right spot, FULL METAL JUICE IS LOOSE!! Double cover, Juice wins!
Winner: Juice Robinson, by pinfall
Juice may’ve started it, but Rosser pushed it too far and he’s the one who pays for it. Storm hugs her hubby, his blood getting on her nice white shirt. Juice & Storm stand tall over Rosser, will they both be all the stronger for this?
Kyle Fletcher is here!
Fans cheer the Aussie Arrow, who is looking sharp for not just having two tag titles, but for being in a great looking suit. Kyle gets a mic as fans chant “AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE!” “OI OI OI!” Kyle says, “Could not have a NJPW event in the United States, let along Long Beach, without at least one half of your first-ever dual NJPW Tag Team Champions. Ahem, and also, the best tag team in the woooorld~!” Fans cheer that! Kyle says he is of course here alone, and he is here not dressed to wrestle. So then why is he here? It’s not about Orange Cassidy, the longest reigning International Champion in the world.
The reason Kyle is here is… not so happy. “As you all know, Aussie Open has been on the tear of a lifetime this year. We have literally the hardest schedule in the entire world, and we have done that because we have proven we wanna be the best of all time, mate. However, with a schedule that hectic, you pick up a couple bumps, a couple bruises here and there. Both myself and Mark Davis have.” But it would seem Davis picked up a bigger bump… Davis came back, got checked out, and he cannot wrestle right now. Fans boo but Kyle says we don’t know how long it’s gonna be for. One thing we know for sure is that Aussie Open can no longer defend their tag titles at Dominion on June 4th.
Fans boo out of disappointment but Kyle says that after they’ve spoken so much about how the IWGP Heavyweight Tag titles are the most prestigious titles in the entire world, it would be pretty disingenuous to hold onto belts they aren’t able to defend. So today, Kyle is here to announce that Aussie Open must vacate both the IWGP Heavyweight and NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships. Fans boo out of further disappointment, but then chant “AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE!” “OI OI OI!” in support. Kyle continues to say that those close to him know how much both belts mean to him.
“The IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships were literally the picture on my lock screen for four years straight, that’s how much they mean to me, so holding them are a dream come true. And we wanted this title reign to put us with the best to ever hold them, because they are the most prestigious tag belts in the entire world.” Fans cheer that, and Kyle says from the bottom of his heart, he is sorry that he cannot give the world the reign we all deserve. The fans again chant “AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE!” “OI OI OI!” in support. Kyle says next, Dominion will see a match to between “House of Bore-ture,” and Bishamon, in a DOUBLE TITLE MATCH!
But Kyle makes one thing clear to whoever wins that match and thinks they’re gonna keep those belts. “Aussie Open will be back in a NJPW ring sooner than you think.” Fans cheer that! And Kyle says by God, they will stop at absolutely NOTHING to get these back!! Even if it means practically killing the rest of the roster. And when Aussie Open get the belts back, they will continue the legendary run, “and Aussie Open will continue to run, the, world.” A hard moment for Kyle, but a golden opportunity for the House of Torture’s Evil & Yujiro Takahashi and Bishamon, Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi. Who will take the place of the best tag team today?
NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Hikuleo VS KENTA!
In quite the shocker at Wrestling Dontaku, the Young Guerilla shot down Fang Revived and took his title! Kenta wants a rematch, but will he be able to make Hikuleo #GoToSleep? Or will Hikuleo ruin Kenta’s resurgence?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly NJPW Strong!
Wait, Kenta grabs the belt! He rushes Hikuleo, but Hiku BOOTS him down! Deja vu, anyone? The bell rings and Hiku goes to Kenta. Kenta might be playing possum like he was last time, so Hiku just drags him up to put in a BEARHUG! Kenta BELL CLAPS free, but Hiku UPPERCUTS him! Hiku whips Kenta to ropes, but Kenta holds ropes to bail out. Fans cheer the savvy but Hiku watches Kenta stagger around the outside. Kenta fires up the fans, but then Hiku reaches down to grab him with both hands! Hiku drags Kenta up, but Kenta HOTSHOTS him away! Hiku staggers, Kenta runs in, but into a CHOP!
Kenta drops to his knees! Kenta sputters, fans “WOO~!” and Hiku CHOPS Kenta on the back! And CHOPS him in the chest again! Kenta staggers up, Hiku DOUBLE CHOPS! Kenta falls from Hiku’s Grizzly Magnum, and Hiku waits for him. Kenta crawls to his corner, he grabs something, but Hiku drags him up. Kenta has his own shirt, and then chokes himself with it?! He’s framing Hiku!! The ref falls for it, Hiku argues it was all Kenta, but then Kenta knocks Hiku into the ref! And LOW BLOWS- NO, Hiku blocks it! Hiku is pissed, but Kenta claws the eyes! Kenta runs, but Hiku UPPERCUTS! And then clotheslines Kenta out!
Kenta crawls around the outside, Hiku picks up the shirt! Fans fire up, but then Hiku drops the shirt and fans boo. They wanted to see him actually choke Kenta! Hiku stalks Kenta, CHOPS him, and follows him to the ramp. Kenta crawls but Hiku drags Kenta up. Kenta throws body shots but Hiku DECKS him! They go closer to the entrance, but Hiku CLUBS Kenta on the back! Kenta staggers around, Hiku says this is HIS title. Hiku ROCKS Kenta and Kenta goes through the curtain. Hiku goes back there after him, and something’s going on. There’s someone hitting someone, but who is winning the brawl?
Kenta returns first! Fans cheer but what’d he do to Hiku? Kenta puts the ref in the ring, tells him to start counting, and Hiku is back. Kenta shoves the ref down again! Hiku hobbles, Kenta rushes him and ROCKS him with a forearm! Kenta KICKS the legs, throws haymakers, but Hiku gets mad. Hiku hobbles, but he blocks the kick to the leg! Hiku spins Kenta to CHOP him again! Hiku stalks Kenta around the way, but Kenta throws body shots. Hiku ROCKS Kenta, then scoops him, and SNAKE EYES off the railings! Fans fire up and want that “ONE MORE TIME!” Hiku drags Kenta up, scoops him again, and SNAKE EYES off more railing!
The ref is back, he wants this back in the ring, but Hiku pats him on the head. Hiku drags Kenta up, they go further to the back, and fans want it “ONE MORE TIME!” But Kenta JAWBREAKERS! Kenta throws hands and kicks! Hiku sputters, Kenta drags him even further back. Kenta kicks the bad leg, then reels Hiku in. Hiku RAMS Kenta into railing!! The railing pops off where they’re secured! Hiku drags Kenta up, to RAM him into the railing again! Fans fire up, the ref tells them to get back to the ring, but Hiku instead opens railing up to look under the bleachers. Fans fire up, and Hiku brings out a TABLE!!
Fans are loving this but the ref tells Hiku not to do this. Hiku sets the table up and he drags Kenta up. Hiku choke grips, the ref says no but the fans say yes! But then Hiku DECKS Kenta, technically doing what the ref wants. But then wait, Hiku is bringing Kenta into the stands!? Hiku ROCKS Kenta, they go up the steps and fans move aside for them. Hiku drags Kenta up at the railing! The ref tells Hiku to definitely not do this! Hiku shoves the ref away, and he goes tumbling into Young Lions! Hiku lifts Kenta, but Kenta fights for his life!! Kenta gets back down, but Hiku choke grips him again! So Kenta LOW BLOWS him!!
Hiku leans against the railing, and Kenta sees the table is down below. Kenta hoists Hiku up?! Fans freak out, Hiku goes up and over and falls through the table!!! Fans lose their minds even more than during the Street Fight! The ref checks Hiku while Kenta crawls his way back down the steps. A ring count finally starts, but can either man even make it? We’re at 7 of 20 as Kenta crawls on the floor! Hiku drags himself from the wreckage at 11! Kenta has a head start but he’s still a long way’s away! Kenta slides in at 17! What about Hiku!? Hiku is still out, Kenta wins!!!
Winner: Kenta, by count-out (NEW NJPW Strong Openweight Champion)
There’s no Champion’s Advantage in this scenario, so Kenta takes the title BACK!! But if this is what it took just to survive Hikuleo, will Kenta have to make sure Hikuleo never, ever, EVER challenges him again?
Six Man Tag: Chaos VS Blackpool Combat Club!
From Dream Team to Dream Trio, Kazuchika Okada and his friends took the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships from Team Strong Style! But #SHOOTER immediately called The Rainmaker out and said he was bringing some friends. With The Ace busy later tonight, Rocky Romero steps in alongside Okada and Tomohiro Ishii, will they be able to stop the Paradigm Shift? Or will they be beaten down by Shota Umino, Wheeler Yuta & JEEEEEON~ MOXLEY?
Just as they do in AEW, the BCC make their entrance through the crowd, and Long Beach loves it! But of course, Rocky, Ishii and Okada make traditional entrances from the ramp. Fans are fired up for everyone in this match already as the trios sort out. Shota steps up and wants Okada! Fans fire up for that, but Okada says no thanks. Ishii starts and the bell rings. Fans rally as the Roughneck ties up with the Stone Pitbull. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Shota uses height as leverage to put Ishii on ropes. The ref counts, Shota lets off, and then feints a chop to pat Ishii’s shoulder instead. The Okada move!
The fans fire up as Shota stares Okada down but Ishii steps in the way. Shota throws forearms but Ishii doesn’t back down. Ishii then throws a forearm, and the forearms start going back and forth! Fans rally up as they go faster and faster! Shota shows no signs of slowing, but then Ishii ROCKS him! And ROCKS him! And whips, but Shota uses that to DECK Okada! Ishii rushes in, Shota dodges and DECKS Ishii! Okada gets up but Shota hits him again! Shota eggs Okada on, so Okada tags in! Fans fire up as Okada grabs Shota by the neck! Shota breaks free to fire off on Okada! Shota whips, Okada reverses and BOOTS Shota!
Okada drags Shota up while fans fire up, and Okada throws Shota out. Okada fires off on Shota, then whips him hard into railing! Shota staggers, Okada borrows a fan’s drink to throw it at Shota! Okada then puts Shota back in the ring, kicks him around, but mostly toys with Shota. Shota gets up so Okada slaps him around. Shota stands to fire forearms! And an UPPERCUT! Shota runs, but Okada gets him for a FLAPJACK! Fans fire up and Okada tags in Rocky. Fans fire up for Azucar as he CHOPS and ROCKS Shota! Rocky whips, Shota reverses and clinches to scoop and DROP! Then BASEMENT UPPERCUT!
Fans rally and Shota stomps Rocky down. Shota bumps Rocky off buckles, tags in Yuta, and fans boo as Yuta CHOPS Rocky! Yuta snapmares Rocky to drop a big knee! Cover, TWO! Yuta pushes Rocky around, ties the legs up, and he brings Rocky into a BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Rocky endures, fans rally, and Rocky pops free to a cover! ONE, into the ARMBAR! Yuta flails and reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Rocky lets off to KICK Yuta! And CHOP! And ROCK! Rocky whips, Yuta reverses but Rocky slides under, keeps moving, and pop-up RANAS! Fans fire up and Rocky feeds off the energy. Rocky ROCKS Yuta, but Yuta ROCKS Rocky!
Rocky ROCKS Yuta, but Yuta ROCKS Rocky! Yuta eggs Rocky on, Rocky roars, and he fires off a flurry of forearms! Rocky then dodges Yuta to UPPERCUT! Yuta goes to a corner, Rocky runs in, and he starts up the Forever Clotheslines! Rocky gets two, then three, but Yuta rushes in! Rocky dodges Yuta, but then Yuta gets around Rocky to wrench and OLYMPIC SLAM! Fans fire up, Yuta drags Rocky up and lifts, to then put him on the top rope. Yuta climbs up, fishhooks Rocky’s face and BITES his forehead! Then he CLAWS Rocky’s back! Ishii and Okada protest, but the ref keeps them back. This allows Moxley to rush over and BITE Rocky’s forehead!
Rocky falls back into a Tree of Woe, and Yuta CLUBS away on the knees! Fans boo but Yuta tags Moxley. Fans fire up as Moxley slithers and watches Rocky. Moxley BOOTS Rocky to the corner, and throws point-blank clotheslines! Then he drags Rocky out to X PLEX! Cover, TWO! Rocky hangs tough but Moxley has a leg for a CALF KILLER! Rocky endures, moves around, but Moxley steps over into the STF! Rocky endures but Okada storms in! Okada stomps Moxley into letting go, but then Shota goes after Okada! Shota kicks Okada out of the ring, literally! But Okada comes back! Shota hits Ishii, Okada fires off on Shota!
Yuta rushes in to get his shots in on Ishii while Shota throws Okada back out! Things are getting rough, and Moxley KICKS Rocky in the chest! And again! And again! Moxley drags Rocky up, runs, but Rocky blocks a kick to trip Moxley and step through! SHARPSHOOTER, but Yuta DECKS Rocky! Fans are torn but Moxley throws Rocky out hard. The ref stops Okada from rushing in again, but that allows Yuta to get shots off on Rocky! Yuta whips Rocky into railing! Moxley goes out to fetch Rocky, and Moxley CROTCHES Rocky on the railing! Moxley then goes back into the ring and he tags Shota in.
Yuta fetches Rocky for Shota and Shota covers, TWO! Shota drags Rocky up, CLUBS him, then he DECKS Okada! Shota goes out after Okada and whips him into railing! And Yuta gets a shot in on Rocky! Shota then drags Rocky up for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, Shota tags Moxley back in, and Shota drags Rocky to trip him. Then Shota drags Rocky back up, for a HART ATTACK with Moxley! Cover, TWO! Moxley has the legs, TEXAS CLOVERHOLD! A shot at Tanahashi with this! Rocky endures and fans rally up. Rocky pushes up, crawls his way over, and gets the ROPEBREAK!
Moxley holds on until the ref counts 4. Moxley drags Rocky up, CHOPS him against ropes, then talks some trash right in Rocky’s face. Moxley flips off Ishii, but Rocky UPPERCUTS! Rocky springboards to TORNADO DDT! Moxley staggers around, hot tags to Yuta and Ishii! Ishii runs Yuta over, but Shota runs in! Ishii dodges Shota, waistlocks, but avoids the elbow. Shota dodges Ishii now, but comes back to get run over! Moxley kicks Ishii, whips him to a corner, but Ishii comes back to run Moxley over! Fans fire up and Ishii goes back to Yuta. Ishii drags Yuta up but Yuta throws forearms! Ishii just glares at him!
Yuta throws more forearms but Ishii leans into them! Yuta eggs Ishii on so Ishii ROCKS Yuta, and SAIDOS! Cover, TWO! Yuta is still in this but Ishii waits on him to sit up. Ishii then runs, but Moxley trips him up! Yuta hoists Ishii for an atomic drop and ENZIGURI! Tag to Moxley and he hits a CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives but Moxley rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Ishii falls over, Moxley wraps on a BULLY CHOKE! Yuta and Shota BLAST Rocky and Okada! Shota stomps away on Okada as Moxley pushes up on the hold! Ishii is fading! Fans rally as the ref checks, the hand drops once!
Ishii gets a second wind and the fans are thunderous! Ishii crawls around, reaches out, and gets the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Moxley lets go at 4. Tag to Shota, but Yuta also steps in. Moxley says they’re gonna finish this. Moxley drags Ishii up with Yuta’s help, and they set him up for Shota. But Ishii fights free! Ishii sends Yuta into Moxley then Moxley into Yuta! And then Shota into Moxley! GERMAN SUPLEX for Shota! BRAINBUSTER for Moxley!! They’re all down and the fans are thunderous! And Okada is back on his corner! Ishii crawls over, reaches out, hot tag to the Rainmaker! Okada storms right up on Okada to fire off forearms!
Okada whips, Shota reverses but Okada ELBOWS him down! Fans fire up again, Okada whips Shota corner to corner, then Okada runs in to ELBOW again! Kick and DDT! Cover, TWO! But Okada’s standard formula is working, so he drags Shota back up. Fans rally, Okada scoops, but Shota fights free! Shota clinches to OVERHEAD suplex! Fans fire up again and Shota goes to a corner. Shota runs corner to corner to UPPERCUT Okada! Then Shota goes out, slingshots in, DDT!! Okada staggers up, Shota kicks low and hooks the arms, but Okada back drops free! Shota runs back in, Okada pops him up to the REVERSE NECKBREAKER!
Rocky and Ishii go after Moxley and Yuta while Okada hauls Shota up. Scoop and SLAM, and then Okada goes to a corner. Okada climbs, for the MACHO ELBOW! And of course, that leads to the Rainmaker Pose~! Fans are thunderous, but Moxley is in to flip Okada off! Okada and Moxley glare, no one interrupts the money shot! Okada and Moxley start throwing forearms! The fans are thunderous as the shots go back and forth! Okada wobbles, but he winds up to ROCK Moxley! Moxley throws body shots and a forearm! Moxley runs, Okada gets around, DISCUS- FOREARM from Moxley! Moxley runs, into the DROPKICK!
Moxley falls out of the ring, and Okada flips him off! But Shota sneaks up to POP-UP UPPERCUT Okada! And SWINGING NECKBREAKER! And then the underhooks, but Ishii LARIATS Shota! Okada hurries to tag in Rocky, and Rocky runs in to JUMP KNEE! Ishii LARIATS! Okada BOOTS! Ishii suplexes to hang Shota out to dry, Rocky FLYING KNEES Shota down! Cover, TWO!! Ishii keeps Moxley out and Chaos fires up! They whip Shota to a corner, Rocky runs in to clothesline! Ishii adds a clothesline! Okada adds an elbow! Okada puts Shota up top for Rocky and Rocky is right after him, FLYING ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!!
Shota endures, fights, but Rocky has the DIABLO ARMBAR! But Yuta breaks it! Fans boo but Yuta whips. Rocky reverses, runs in, but Yuta catches the body block to a GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuta roars, runs, but into a JUMP KNEE! Yuta rewinds, and he blocks Rocky’s kick! Yuta ducks the enziguri but Rocky’s REWIND HEEL hits! Moxley’s back and he CLOBBERS Rocky! Ishii’s back and he blocks Moxley’s lariat! Moxley blocks Ishii’s lariat, but then Ishii dodges Moxley’s lariat, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men stay up, Ishii blocks a boot but Moxley ROCKS Ishii with a forearm! Ishii ROCKS Moxley with a forearm!
Both men roar, and Moxley KING KONG LARIATS Ishii! But Okada gets Moxley in a waistlock! Ripcord and RAINMAKER!! Fans go wild, but then Shota gets in and kicks Okada low! DEATH RIDER!! Rocky UPPERCUTS Shota, runs, but Shota DROPKICKS him a la Okada! And then DEATH RIDER for Rocky!! Cover, BCC WINS!!!
Winners: Blackpool Combat Club, by pinfall
The Roughneck sends a message right to the head of Chaos! Is the Dream Trio’s reign as NEVER Six Man Tag Team Champions already in danger? Is the Paradigm Shift coming for NJPW?
Backstage interview with Mercedes Moné.
Emily May is with The CEO ahead of the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship tournament finals. How does that all feel? Mone says one down, one to go. And who is it but none other than Willow Nightingale! Mone already told her once so she’ll say it again, Mone will get a pillow for Willow because she’s going to sleep! Willow will learn real quick who the CEO of NJPW really is. Because she’s ready to be the first-ever NJPW Strong Women’s Champion! #BankOnThat!
IWGP United States Championship #1 Contender’s Tournament, Opening Round: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Will Ospreay!
Two former IWGP United States Champions battle as part of the tournament to name Kenny Omega’s next challenge. On top of that, The Ace and the Kingpin have both faced The Best Bout Machine in the past. But waiting on the other side of the bracket is another former champion in Lance Archer. Who wins here to face the Murderhawk Monster in the finals?
The bell rings and the fans are thunderous already. Ospreay and Tanahashi encourage them to get louder so the fans oblige, and it is electric! Tanahashi and Ospreay tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, and are in a deadlock. Tanahashi manages to power Ospreay back, puts him on ropes, and the ref counts. Tanahashi lets off slowly but cleanly, and even Ospreay applauds. The two reset, fans duel, “TANAHASHI!” “WIL OSPREAY!” Tanahashi air guitars with the rhythm, but Ospreay air drums a wild solo! Tanahashi jams on the guitar, it’s a damn air rock concert! Ospreay then asks for a timeout, he’s running out of air.
The two go again, tie up, and Tanahashi waistlocks. Ospreay switches, Tanahashi switches, but Ospreay wrenches. Tanahashi wrenches back, wristlocks, but Ospreay rolls, handsprings, wrenches and hammerlocks to a headlock. Fans cheer the technical ability, but then Tanahashi slips out to headlock Ospreay. Ospreay powers out, Tanahashi runs Ospreay over, and Ospreay bails out. Fans fire up while Ospreay catches his breath again. The ring count starts, Ospreay returns, and the two circle. They apporach, Ospreay kicks and CLUBS and ROCKS Tanahashi to a corner. Ospreay throws more shots, and an UPPERCUT!
Ospreay whips corner to corner, runs in but Tanahashi elbows him! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! And more air guitars! Tanahashi throws the guitar away, and then he goes back for Ospreay. Tanahashi throws body shots and follows Ospreay to ropes. Tanahashi whips, Ospreay holds ropes to stop himself, and then Ospreay FLAPJACKS Tanahashi onto the ropes! And then Ospreay DROPKICKS Tanahashi off the ropes! Fans fire up, Ospreay aims, PLANCHA! Direct hit and Ospreay air drums again! A ring count starts, Ospreay goes back to Tanahashi and brings him up at 5 of 20. Ospreay SMACKS Tanahashi off the apron!
Ospreay puts Tanahashi into the ring after 7, and then looms over him. Ospreay scrapes the soles off Tanahashi’s face! The ref reprimands, Ospreay “apologizes,” and he brings Tanahashi up. Ospreay HEADBUTTS Tanahashi, bumps him off buckles, and then CHOPS him! Fans “WOO~!” and Ospreay takes a bite of that juicy fruit. Ospreay CHOPS Tanahashi again! Ospreay whips corner to corner hard and Tanahashi bounces off buckles. Cover, TWO! Ospreay keeps cool and fans rally up. Ospreay scuffs Tanahashi with his boot, gives him more toying kicks, then ELBOWS Tanahashi on the top of his head!
Ospreay drags Tanahashi up, scoops him, and gives him a SPIN-OUT BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Ospreay is annoyed by the count but the ref says it was fair. Ospreay slaps Tanahashi around while fans rally up. Ospreay eggs Tanahashi on, then drags him up. Tanahashi fires forearms! And forearms! But Ospreay knees low! Ospreay whips Tanahashi to ropes, but Tanahashi hits FLYING FOREARMS! Fans fire up with The Ace and he fires off shots on Ospreay! Ospreay staggers, Tanahashi gives him more body shots. Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Ospreay into the drop zone, then he goes up the corner!
Fans fire up for the SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Ospreay is still in this but Tanahashi keeps his cool. Fans rally up, Tanahashi runs, but Ospreay CHOPS! Tanahashi keeps moving, and Ospreay CHOPS again! Tanahashi shrugs it off, and then he fires off forearm after forearm! Tanahashi whips, Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Ospreay goes to the apron and he gets the fans to be even louder. The fans return to thunderous levels and Ospreay takes aim. Tanahashi rises, Ospreay springboards, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO!! That forearm was good but not quite phenomenal.
But Ospreay says he’ll finish this, and he adjusts his elbow pad. Ospreay drags Tanahashi up, turns him, and CHELSEA GRIN ELBOWS! But Ospreay isn’t done, he goes to the corner. Ospreay aims, runs in, but Tanahashi roars! Tanahashi dropkicks Ospreay’s leg! Fans are still rallying, Tanahashi runs in, but he blocks Ospreay’s boot! KNEE JAMMER! Tanahashi puts the leg in the ropes, to DROPKICK it! And then DRAGON SCREW it! Fans fire up while Ospreay clutches that knee, but Tanahashi gets both legs! Ospreay throws hands but Tanahashi still drags him around! Ospreay resists, but still ends up in the TEXAS CLOVERHOLD!
Fans rally as Ospreay still tries to fight this! Ospreay crawls, reaches out, but Tanahashi drags him back and sits deep on it! Ospreay still endures and fans rally harder! Ospreay crawls again, ROPEBREAK! Tanahashi lets go in frustration and perhaps some exhaustion. Tanahashi stomps Ospreay’s leg, then waits on him to rise. Fans fire up, Tanahashi runs, but Ospreay gets around to waistlock. Tanahashi elbows free, but Ospreay CHOPS! Tanahashi SHOTEIS! Tanahashi powers up, but Ospreay HOOK KICKS! Both men go down and fans are thunderous! A standing count starts as both men stir.
Ospreay shakes his bad leg and we hit 5 of 10. Fans rally up more, Ospreay rises and the count stops. Ospreay sits Tanahashi up, and he throws a forearm. Tanahashi fires up to throw a forearm! Ospreay fires up and he throws another forearm! Tanahashi fires up again and throws another forearm! Ospreay stands up in a rage and fans go wild as he shakes the ropes! Tanahashi also stands, and the forearms start flying! They go back and forth, again and again, and Ospreay wobbles! Tanahashi ROCKS him again, and again, and again! But Ospreay fires off Kawada Kicks! And a CHOP!
Tanahashi staggers to a corner, Ospreay runs in to BOOT! That was one hell of a kick and Ospreay pushes Tanahashi down. Ospreay goes up the corner and fans fire up. The bad leg makes it tricky but Ospreay still reaches the top. Tanahashi stands, Ospreay BLINDSIDE PIP PIP CHEERIOS! Ospreay then drags Tanahashi up, underhooks, lifts, STORM- SLINGBLADE?! Tanahashi turns things around and fans are thunderous! Tanahashi runs to SLINGBLADE again! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives but Tanahashi goes to a corner! Tanahashi climbs, Ospreay stands, HIGH FLY ATTACK! But Ospreay rolls it through, TWO!
Tanahashi ghost pins, TWO!!! Ospreay swings but Tanahashi catches him to a full nelson! Ospreay elbows free but Tanahashi dropkicks the leg from behind! Tanahashi gets that leg, DRAGON- NO, Ospreay spins through to STOMP 182! Fans are thunderous again as Ospreay calls his shot! Springboard, OSCUTTER!! Cover, TWO!??! Tanahashi survives but Ospreay goes right to a corner! Elbow pad ready, Ospreay takes aim, HIDDEN BLADE!!! But that’s still not enough!? STORMBREAKER!!!! Cover, Ospreay wins!!!
Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (advances to the tournament finals)
The Commonwealth Kingpin trumps the Ace of the Universe and wins big here tonight! But will Ospreay be 100% in time to face the Murderhawk Monster in Dominion?
Backstage interview with Willow Nightingale.
Emily is with the Babe with the Power now, and we’re just moments away from the finals for the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship! Willow says she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t a little nervous. Actually, even that’s a lie. She’s a lot nervous, but here we are. Willow trusts herself, trusts her training, trusts her heart, and honestly, the only thing she can do is be the best Willow she can be, and that is what she’s gonna do. Willow takes a deep breath, Emily wishes her luck, and Willow fires herself up before going to gorilla!
NJPW Strong Women’s Championship Tournament Finals: Mercedes Moné VS Willow Nightingale!
Finally, the moment of truth is here! Both women competed just earlier tonight, but one of them will close the night as a brand new champion! Who proves they are truly NJPW Strong?
Willow changes from purple to gold to show how optimistic she is about getting the gold. Earlier, Mone was Cleopatra. Now, because Long Beach is near Los Angeles and Disneyland, Mone is Snow White! The introductions are made, the shiny new belt is raised, and we see who is truly the strongest of them all!
The bell rings and fans are thunderous already for this historic moment. They then go past thunderous right into volcanic! Mone and Willow circle, both feeling the energy of this moment. “This is Awesome!” and both women appreciate that sentiment. Mone and Willow are just as fired up now, and they feel out the grapple. Willow then settles down, and offers a handshake. Mone smiles, considers it, and fans say “YES! YES! YES!” Mone says okay, and they shake hands! Fans cheer the respect, but then Willow uses her power to bring Mone to her knees! Mone SLAPS Willow back! And then headlocks!
Willow powers out, Mone slides under to sunset flip, ONE! Mone headlocks again, Willow powers up to back suplex but Mone lands on her feet! Mone rolls Willow, high stacks, TWO! Mone hurries to bring Willow up but Willow CHOPS! Mone goes to ropes, Willow whips her, Mone RANAS, but Willow blocks! Willow brings Mone up but Mone sunset flips, TWO! Willow hurries to sit on Mone, TWO! Willow looms over Mone, fans fire up, HIP DROP FLOPS as Mone moves! Mone hooks arms, rolls Willow like she did Vaquer, but Willow booty bumps free! Mone swings, Willow blocks, spins and ROCKS Mone!
Willow runs to POUNCE Mone into the ropes!! Fans are thunderous again as Mone flops out of the ring!! Willow is soaking it all up and she goes out after Mone. Willow runs in to LARIAT Mone back down! Fans fire up again, Willow rolls in and wants the count. After all, there’s no Champion’s Advantage when there’s no champion. The count reaches 9 of 20 but Mone slides in at 11. But Willow SPLASHES her in the corner! Willow brings Mone out, short arm LARIAT! Willow drags Mone up for another short arm LARIAT! Willow reels Mone in again, short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO!!
Willow has a frustrated smirk but she looms over Mone. Willow drags Mone up, scoops, and she SLAMS Mone down. Willow flexes, fans fire up, and Willow drags Mone up again. Another scoop and SLAM, and then Willow brings Mone up. Mone slips free to CHOP BLOCK a leg! Willow stays up and she ELBOWS Mone down! Willow is feeling it now and she covers, TWO! Willow nods, she knows Mone’s tougher than that. Willow drags Mone up, bumps her off buckles, and CHOPS! Mone scrambles away, stinging in her chest. Willow shouts at Mone, CHOPS her again, and Mone staggers away to another corner.
Willow storms up but Mone turns things around to CHOP, CHOP and WINDMILL CHOP! But Willow turns things around to ROCK Mone! Willow whips corner to corner, Mone reverses, but Willow handsprings and ENZIGURIS! Fans fire up again and Willow is having fun now. Willow drags Mone up in a facelock but Mone flails. Willow leans on Mone to keep her down and the fans duel. “LET’S GO, WILLOW!” “C E O!” Mone fights up, JAWBREAKERS, then runs, but into a LARIAT! Willow drags Mone up, short arm- NO, roll up! ONE, but Mone blocks a kick to KNEE back! Mone runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER!
Willow has the legs, and she turns Mone over, BOSTON CRAB!! And it’s deep!! Mone endures being bent back so far, but she reaches out for ropes! Willow adjusts, keeps on it, but Mone fights around! Mone flips Willow off, before the ROPEBREAK! Willow lets go, Mone goes to a corner, and Willow RAMS into her! Willow puts Mone up top and ROCKS her with a forearm. Willow climbs up but Mone fires off forearms! Willow hits back, CLUBS Mone, then hoists her up to the very top. STALLING SUPERPLEX!!! Cover, TWO!!! Mone survives and no one can believe it! The fans continue to rally while Mone crawls to a corner.
Willow refocuses, brings off the wrist tape, and she runs in, but Mone dodges! Mone comes back, Willow puts her on the apron but Mone bumps her, ROCKS her, and repeat! Mone fires off again and again and fans fire up! Willow staggers back and Mone goes up the corner. Willow SLAPS her first! Willow ROCKS Mone again, climbs back up, but Mone rains down elbows! Mone adjusts to HOTSHOT Willow! Mone hurries back in, he covers, TWO!! Willow stands first, she brings Mone up, and scoops to RAM her into a corner! And then corner to corner, but Mone slips free! Willow staggers back, into the BACKSTABBER!
Mone drags Willow up and over, into the BANK STATEMENT!!! Willow flails, crawls, drags Mone along, but then turns and rolls! Willow hauls Mone up and moves her around, gut wrench into the BABE WITH THE POWERBOMB!!! Cover, TWO!??!? Mone barely gets an arm up, and no one believes it!! Willow snarls, brings the straps down, and she hauls Mone up again. Willow brings Mone in, gut wrenches again, BABE WITH THE POWERBOMB AGAIN!!! Cover, WILLOW WINS!!!!
Winner: Willow Nightingale, by pinfall (INAUGURAL NJPW Strong Women’s Champion)
The Walter Pyramid erupts in celebration! Even Willow seems in shock that she won! Willow may not have won the AEW Women’s World Championship, she may not have won the ROH Women’s World Championship, but she IS the first-ever NJPW Strong Women’s Champion!!! And of course, as is NJPW tradition, she won the main event so she closes out the show! Willow gets the mic and takes a moment as fans chant “You Deserve It!” Willow says “OHHHH~ my goodness!” She thanks the fans for all of this love and support. “I have so much gratitude. Thank you. I have so much gratitude for all of you.
“I have so much gratitude and respect for everyone who was in the tournament, who performed tonight, who helped pave the way for a championship like this to be here. To have one award that is from four different companies. I’m just… I think an opponent like Mercedes…” Fans cheer and Willow encourages it as she gets emotional. “… is like the most prolific women’s wrestler of our generation. And to be able to share the ring with her is an honor. To be able to be in front of you guys is an honor. This is the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship!” Fans cheer that, and Willow says she fought for YEARS and YEARS to be on a stage like this, and to have a moment like this!
So it’s not lost on her what it took to get here, and what is ahead of her. Fans chant for Willow again, and she says, “This is amazing! GAH! But really, really, thank you to everyone. Momo, Stephanie, Mercedes, all frickin’ put it all out here tonight! So, honestly, thank you for believing in me, thank you for helping me get this far. And it’s only the beginning, folks.” Willow winks, drops the mic, and returns to celebrating! Willow makes history and shocks the world, will the world soon belong to her?
My Thoughts:
What an amazing night for NJPW, especially stateside. Technical difficulties aside, and some production quality stuff aside (too many cuts between the ringside cams, some audio quality issues given the acoustics of the arena), this was probably NJPW’s best night in the US so far. Now, there was a bummer moment where Kyle Fletcher revealed Mark Davis’ injury and how Aussie Open is out of action for the time being. As he said, they were on the cusp of ramping things up in the entire (non-WWE) world of tag team wrestling, but now that won’t happen. Bishamon VS House of Torture is happening because it was going to be a Triple Threat last I recall, so that’s fine. I would hope Bishamon wins, though, if only because House of Torture means more typical Heel cheating to retain titles.
I did skip the kickoff show matches because they were kickoff show matches, free on YouTube even, but of course Coughlin wins to have momentum going into facing Shibata. DKC winning was a great surprise, though. And I skipped ZSJ & Bad Dude Tito losing to Barbaro & Virus cuz I knew Tito was taking that finish. Insane Street Fight from Rosser and Juice, and great to see Toni show up here to be part of it. This almost felt like a Double Turn, where Rosser is Heel and Juice is now Face (at least in the NJPW scope of things, AEW is a different story). I mean, you don’t bring up someone’s spouse, then basically sexually harass them and stay the Face.
Really good NJPW Strong Openweight Championship match but I did not think they’d go so hardcore. But a count-out win is a great way to keep Hikuleo strong while putting the belt back on Kenta, though I feel like the title change itself is a letdown. Yes, Kenta is now a historic two-time Strong Openweight Champion, but I guess that just means when we eventually get Bullet Club VS Guerrillas of Destiny (and El Phantasmo, too?), the Faces will be underdogs who then earn title matches with their win. Feels almost like NJPW booked themselves into a corner again when it came to writing a Bullet Club Civil War style story.
The Six Man Tag was really wild and hectic but that seemed fitting since we’re talking Blackpool Combat Club. Also, the faction is called Chaos, there really should be more actual chaos with them. But Shota getting the pin here was also really great stuff. Okada VS Moxley is definitely a match a lot of people want to see, but obviously there’s a lot to get out of a Okada VS Shota match, too. Tanahashi VS Ospreay was also awesome, neither man can put on a bad match. Tanahashi being a NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Champion with Okada and Ishii, it makes sense Ospreay goes over. Ospreay VS Archer is going to be wild, I just hope Ospreay’s body holds together because he goes so hard in there.
And of course, what a great one-night tournament for the brand new Strong Women’s Championship. Mone beating Vaquer was rather obvious, she’s Mercedes Mone/Sasha Banks. Willow beating Momo wasn’t quite a given but it definitely felt mostly in Willow’s favor. Mone VS Willow was an awesome main event, and with Willow dominating so hard, I thought Mone was going to pull off the comeback win. Case in point, that supposed kickout after the first powerbomb. But then to everyone’s surprise, Willow still wins out! Kudos to Mone putting over Willow, and great promo from Willow to show respect back.
I don’t watch NJPW Strong, no real time in the schedule, but Willow will surely show that belt off in AEW and ROH, maybe make some cross-promotional matches to help get eyes on NJPW Strong and ROH.
My Score: 9.1/10
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NJPW PPV Results
Mitchell’s NJPW Wrestling Redzone Results & Report! (4/25/26)
Ice High? Or Lights Out?
Knock Out Brothers VS Bishamon in the main event!
Tonight in Hiroshima, Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi now have their chance to take back the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Tatsuya Matsumoto VS Taisei Nakahara; Matsumoto wins.
- 8 Man Tag: Shota Umino, Toru Yano, Master Wato & YOH VS Chase Owens, Yujiro Takahashi, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & SHO; Shota, Yano, Wato & Yoh win.
- Six Man Tag: Ryusuke Taguchi, Taichi & Masatora Yasuda VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
- 8 Man Tag: Boltin Oleg, Aaron Wolf, Tiger Mask & Togi Makabe VS Ren Narita, Don Fale, Douki & Dick Togo; No Contest.
- Yuya Uemura & Tomoaki Honma VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson; Oiwa & Hartley win.
- 8 Man Tag: The Unbound Company VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship: Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X VS Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita; Eagles & Fujita win and become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
- IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Knock Out Brothers VS Bishamon; KOB wins and retains the titles.
PLAY BY PLAY
In the closing moments of 8 Man Tag: Boltin Oleg, Aaron Wolf, Tiger Mask & Togi Makabe VS Ren Narita, Don Fale, Douki & Dick Togo…
Tiger Mask puts Douki back in the ring, only for Douki to bail out. Douki eggs Tiger Mask on, but TORU YANO runs down the ramp to throw Douki back in! Yano’s not part of the match, the ref already doesn’t like that. Tiger hits a SAYANAGI, but then Dick storms in and stomps him! Then the floodgates open and EVERYONE gets in the ring, even Sho, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Chase Owens & Yujiro Takahashi! One half of the House already lost to Hontai, they’re gonna get their revenge! It is so chaotic, the ref has no choice but to throw this out as a No Contest!
No Contest, interference
The House clears out the rest of Hontai while Douki CLAWS at Tiger Mask’s face and, well, mask! They all stomp away on the living legend, then stand him up. But Tiger SOBATS Douki! Douki blocks the next kick, and LOW BLOWS Tiger! Then Douki snatches the mask away!! Tiger drops down to cover his face while the fans boo Douki for this disgrace! Young Lions use their shirts to cover Tiger Mask, and out rush Shota, Wato & Yoh! The House retreats, taking the mask as their prize! Hontai helps Tiger Mask stand up, head covered in shirts. Tiger Mask then gets the mic to call out Douki!
Tiger Mask tells Douki, “Is this the only kind of match you can do? So, you can’t do it without using your teammates, you bastard?! I don’t know what to say, but if that’s what you want, then I’ll turn our title match into a LUMBERJACK MATCH!” The fans like the sound of that! Tiger Mask says Douki can choose how many to bring, because it won’t matter! Tiger Mask is gonna sink Douki in this ring, remember that! The fans cheer as the stakes have been raised, but will this gamble only work in the House’s favor? Or can Tiger Mask win the title and retire on top?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship: Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X VS Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita!
Team Super Extreme freed these titles from the House of Torture, but now the Ichiban Sweet Boys have come back around. Will the Sniper of the Skies & Japanese Young Punk once again be golden boys? Or will the Bone Soldier & Mr. X prove they’re still too sweet?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who wins the newest chapter in this storied rivalry!
Them teams sort out and TMDK rush Super Extreme! They DOUBLE DROPKICK the champs out, then the bell rings! Eagles builds speed and DIVES onto Super Extreme! The fans cheer as Eagles lands on his feet through his tope cannonball. Eagles puts Taiji in, then he and Fujita double wrench for the MAXXIE BOMB! Cover, TWO! Taiji survive but Fujita tags Eagles. Eagles whips Taiji into Fujita’s ENZIGIRI! Then Fujita springboards, MISSILE DROPKICK BACK SUPLEX COMBO! Bridging cover, TWO! Tag back to Fujita and he feeds Taiji to Eagles. But Taiji mule kicks Fujita away! Eagles knees and whips Taiji, but X tags in!
Taiji dodges Eagles to DECK Fujita! Taiji blocks a kick, X gives a kick, and Super Extreme double whip to DOUBLE ELBOW! Wheelbarrow, VICTORY SPLASH! The fans cheer as X stands Fujita up, and he SMACKS Fujita. X whips Fujita corner to corner, then Taiji runs up, DOUBLE KNEES! Feed to the DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Fujita stays in this. X drags Fujita up, bumps him off buckles, then CHOPS! X snapmares, steps over, and traps an arm to then trap the legs! X pulls Fujita into the BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Fujita endures, slips down, but X just CRANKS the arm! Fujita writhes but X covers, TWO!
The fans rally as X looms over Fujita. X bumps Fujita off buckles, tags Taiji, then Taiji fires elbows. Taiji wrenches and ELBOW BREAKERS, then hammerlocks for a scoop and SHOULDER BUSTER! Fujita writhes again but Taiji covers, TWO! Taiji clamps on with a double wristlock! Fujita endures, reaches out, and makes the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud while Taiji lets go. Taiji tags X and X runs to NO HAND HANDSPRING KICK Eagles! Eagles falls and X goes back to Fujita. X drags Fujita up while the fans rally. Fujita pushes X to fire a forearm, but X eggs him on. Fujita fires more shots, but X SMACKS Fujita!
X suplexes, Fujita slips free, but X elbows back! X whips, Fujita reverses and GAMANGIRIS! Both men are down and the fans rally up! Fujita crawls and hot tags Eagles! Eagles springboards, X dodges, but Eagles BLASTS Taiji! X runs up but Eagles ELBOWS him away, then RANAS! And WHEEL KICKS! Eagles kips up and the fans join in with “Robbie Robbie Robbie!” “OI OI OI!” “Robbie Robbie Robbie!” “OI OI OI!” “Robbie!” “OI!” “Robbie!” “OI!” “Robbie Robbie Robbie!” “OI OI OI!” Eagles KICKS X, and KICKS, and KICKS! Eagles runs, but Taiji KICKS Eagles at the ropes! The ref reprimands but Taiji steps inside.
Super Extreme double whip, but Eagles reverses to send X away. Eagles ROCKS Taiji, then sends X into him! Then Eagles dodges X, mule kicks, and he runs to BASEMENT DROPKICK LARIAT COMBO! The fans fire up with Eagles and he runs corner to corner to DOUBLE KNEE X! Eagles runs up again, but into an ELBOW! Eagles still basement 619s the legs out! Then METEORA! Cover, TWO! X survives but Eagles stays on him by grabbing the legs. Eagles CLUBS and KICKS and KICKS the leg! X writhes, Eagles goes up and out, and the fans rally as Eagles aims! WARP- NO, X dodges! Eagles runs up but into an UP KICK!
X skins the cat, ROCKS Eagles, then goes up again, only for Eagles to GAMANGIRI! Eagles steps outside and the fans rally up as he climbs! SUPER DUPER STEINER, but X lands out?!? Eagles and X have their own Ospreay and Ibushi moment! X dodges Eagles to SPIN KICK and LIGER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Eagles survives but the fans fire up again. X rallies the fans as he goes to the corner. X climbs up again, takes aim, and X EX- NO, X has to land out as Eagles moves! X hobbles but Eagles runs up! X dodges, sending Eagles into buckles. X then backslides and bridges, TWO! X SOBATS, but Eagles KNEES low! Eagles kicks, but X blocks!
X spins Eagles but Eagles SOBATS! Eagles runs, but into the Tiger Wall Kick! X hobbles again, but tries a roundhouse, only for Eagles to dodge! X PELES, but into a trap! RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Fujita GAMANGIRIS Taiji, then ASAI MOONSAULTS! The fans rally as X endures! Eagles puts on the pressure as X crawls around! X reaches out, and he manages the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while the ref counts. Eagles lets go in frustration, and then SMASHES X’s knee into the mat again and again! Then DEATHLOCK SMASH! Eagles goes to a corner, calls his shot, and HYPER- NO, X ducks the gamangiri!
Eagles drags X up, but X CHOPS back! Eagles ROUNDHOUSES, SUPERKICKS, and PEL- NO! X ducks the kick, backflips up and over, then deadlifts, but Eagles RANAS! Cover, TWO! X BOOTS Eagles, Eagles BOOTS X, then they each BLAST their partners! The Robbies BOOT at the same time! Eagles rewinds but X handsprings, LETHAL INJECTION X!! The fans fire up while both Robbies are down again! The Robbies crawl, hot tags to Fujita and Taiji! Taiji BOOTS Fujita, Fujita ROCKS Taiji, and the forearms fly! The fans fire up as Taiji fires a flurry! Fujita rebounds to CHOP! Taiji CHOPS! Taiji whips, Fujita reverses, but Taiji handsprings, into a catch!
Fujita slips through and has the legs tied up! NEMOS SPECIAL!! Taiji fights, reaches out, but Fujita powers those arms back! FULL NEMOS SPECIAL!! Taiji endures, pries free of the facelock, and has the ROPEBREAK! Fujita lets go in frustration but he vows to end it now! Fujita deadlifts Taiji, but Taiji fights the German Suplex with elbows! Fujita blocks one, flips Taiji up and over, but Taiji now fights the standard suplex! Taiji suplexes, to make it a gut wrench! CIPHER UTAKI! The fans fire up as Taiji takes aim, BANG! Taiji drags Fujita up, reels him in, but Fujita wrenches and RANAS! Cover, TWO! High stack, TWO!
Taiji ROCKS Fujita, X joins in, and they double whip. Taiji runs up, blocks boots, and he puts Fujita in the ropes! X ENZIGIRIS, Taiji SLIDING GERMANS! X STANDING SHOOTING STARS! Taiji goes up, 450 SPLASH! Cover, EAGLES CLOBBERS X ONTO IT! The fans fire up as all four men are down! X TOSSES Eagles, then regroups with Taiji. They call for the end and reel Fujita in. BLOODY- NO, Fujita arm-drags ‘n’ ranas free! Fujita DUMPS X out, wrenches and slips around on Taiji, GERMAN SUPLEX! Taiji tumbles while the fans fire up again! The fans rally as Fujita crawls, hot tag to Eagles!
Eagles storms up on Taiji, but Taiji fires body shots! Taiji CHOPS, but Eagles kicks him! Taiji fires more chops, but Eagles BOOTS him again! Taiji stands up to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP, but Eagles kicks a leg and ASAI- NO, Taiji turns the DDT into a ROLLING DEATH VALLEY and BASEMENT SUPERKICK! The fans fire up as Taiji roars! Taiji fireman’s carries again, and swings Eagles for a BLOODY FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up again as Taiji aims and Eagles rises. Taiji runs up, tilt-o-whirls, but Eagles stops it! Fujita is in, SWEET BUSTER! Cover, X breaks it! Fujita TOSSES X while Eagles drags Taiji to the drop zone.
Eagles goes up, out, and takes aim, but X breaks free of Fujita! X handsprings to PELE Eagles down! The fans fire up as Eagles dangles from the ropes! Fujita runs up but X BOOTS him! X runs up, Fujita wrenches to ROCK him! X CHOPS, Fujita CHOPS, then Fujita ducks a kick! X ducks the haymaker, Fujita blocks to CHOP! X handsprings up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Fujita swings, X handsprings through, PE- NO, Fujita blocks to WHEELBARROW GERMAN! But X is right up?! O’Conner and CHAOS- NO, Fujita elbows free! Fujita runs, but X follows! FLYING CHUCK! The fans fire up as X powers up and calls his shot!
X runs, handsprings, but Fujita stops the Injection! Fujita pops X up into the Electric Chair, spins him around, but almost loses his grip! Fujita powers X up and into position! Eagles is up top, cravats, SLICED BREAD BOMB!! The fans fire up again as the Sweet Boys have Taiji! Taiji slips free of a scoop but Eagles CHOPS, Fujita CHOPS, and they DOUBLE CHOP! The Sweet Boys double whip but Taiji tries to crisscross them! The Sweet Boys deny that and DOUBLE KICK COMBO! The fans fire up with the Sweet Boys again as they haul Taiji up. Double torture rack, but Taiji fights free! Taiji fires forearms and elbows, then a CHOP!
Eagles SUPERKICKS but Taiji ducks! Down goes Fujita! Taiji JUMP KNEES Eagles, then runs to handspring and LETHAL INJECTION X!! The fans fire up as Taiji then ripcords Eagles, LA MYSTICA! And BONE LOCK!! Eagles flails, rolls Taiji, TWO! Taiji smothers Eagles in a cover, TWO! Eagles slips around, roll and bridge, TWO! But step through, only for Taiji to cradle! TWO!! Eagles escapes, Taiji runs up, LA MYSTI- NO! Eagles powers through to SLAP, KNEE, clinch and TURBO BACKPACK!! Eagles crawls to the cover, TWO!! Taiji survives and the fans fire up again! Eagles and Fujita regroup, DOUBLE KICK COMBO!
The Sweet Boys DOUBLE BOOT X, then Fujita goes up, up, and SUPER CANNONBALLS! Down goes X, and now Eagles goes up! WARP 4.5!! Then the step through, RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Taiji endures, reaches out, but Eagles drags him back! Eagles puts on more pressure, Taiji flails, and TAIJI TAPS!! SWEET BOYS WIN!
Winners: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
Three times, these teams have fought 2v2. And three times, the Ichiban Sweet Boys come out on top! Will Taiji & X ever bring The Mighty down? Or do Eagles & Fujita just have their number?
IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Knock Out Brothers VS Bishamon!
Oskar & Yuto-Ice know everyone wants that wrestling high, so they let their challengers sort things out themselves. Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi conquered the United Empire on the Road to Wrestling Dontaku, but will they #GetBackUp to the top of the Heavyweight Tag Division? Or will the Fierce Warrior & Head Hunter get knocked out instead?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who leaves the Redzone with the gold!
The teams sort out, and while everyone is eager to fight, Yuto starts against Goto. The bell rings, and the fans rally already. The cheers for Ice have the advantage, so Ice takes a swing! Goto dodges, ROCKS Yuto, but Yuto comes back to ROCK Goto! They go forearm for forearm already, but Goto headlocks. Yuto powers up and out but Goto RUNS him over! The fans cheer while Yuto flounders away. Goto kicks and fires off forearms in the corner! The fans fire up with Goto as he whips Yuto corner to corner. Yuto comes right back to CLOBBER Goto! Oskar runs in and BLASTS Yashi! The fans fire up for KOB as they stand Goto up.
KOB double whips but Goto grabs the ropes! Goto DUMPS Oskar out, BOOTS Yuto, then Hashi WRECKS Oskar with a dropkick while Goto RUNS Yuto over! Hashi keeps moving, ZANMAI! Goto drags Yuto back up so he and Hashi can “SE~ NO!” BANG THE DRUM! The fans cheer as Yuto writhes! Hashi flexes while Goto stomps Yuto. Goto bumps Yuto off buckles, tags Hashi in, and they dig their boots in. Red Shoes reprimands, then counts, and Bishamon backs off at 4. Hashi drags Yuto up but Yuto ROCKS Hashi! And ROCKS him again! And again! Hashi spins through to CHOP Yuto! Hashi also SMACKS Oskar!
Oskar snarls but stays on the corner as Hashi CHOPS Yuto! Hashi tags Goto, Goto stomps Yuto, then Goto brings Yuto around to CLUB him down. Goto eggs Yuto on, then whips him to ropes. Yuto reverses, and Oskar catches Goto into a SLEEPER! Yuto BOOTS Goto down, then BLASTS Hashi! The fans rally and duel again as Yuto stands Goto up. Yuto bumps Goto off Oskar’s boot, then tags Oskar in. Oskar steps up and over, still impressive to the fans, and he CHOPS Goto down! Oskar circles Goto, drags him up, and CHOPS him back down! Oskar pushes Goto to the cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Goto toughs it out.
Oskar paces around Goto, drags him up, then THROWS him into the corner! Tag to Yuto and KOB mugs Goto. The fans rally as Yuto snapmares Goto, covers, TWO! Yuto sits Goto up to KICK him in the back! Yuto taunts Goto, kicks him around, and drags him up. Goto CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Yuto SMACKS Goto back down! Tag back to Oskar and he drags Goto around, into a CAMEL CLUTCH! Yuto BLASTS Hashi while Goto endures the stretch! Goto gets one arm free but Oskar keeps on the hold. The fans rally as Goto fights his way over, and manages the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Oskar lets go, and Oskar hauls Goto up.
Yuto joins in but Goto BOOTS him away! Oskar shoves Goto to the corner, runs up, but Goto dodges! Oskar hits buckles, and Goto crawls for his corner! Oskar runs up, but Goto avoids the leg drop, brother! Goto continues to crawl while the fans rally up, hot tag to Hashi! The fans fire up as Hashi runs up on Oskar, ELBOW! Whip and- NO, Oskar reverses to send Hashi into the corner! Oskar runs up, but Hashi dodges the splash! Hashi comes back to LARIAT, then he whips, only for Oskar to reverse again! Hashi sunset flips, but Oskar stays standing! Only for Hashi to avoid the elbow drop! Hashi basement DROPKICKS!
The fans fire up as Hashi BLASTS Yuto! Hashi roars, the fans cheer, and Hashi circles the giant German. Hashi brings Oskar up and reels him in, but Oskar fights the suplex! Oskar powers free, scoops Hashi, but Hashi slips free to CHOP! And ROCK! Hashi roars, runs, but Oskar reels him in! HUGE mat slam, then the ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Hashi toughs it out but Oskar snarls as he stands back up. Oskar stands Hashi up, and with both hands, HANGING NECK- DDT COUNTER! Hashi turns things around on Oskar and the fans rally up again! Hashi goes to a corner, then he runs up on Oskar, only for Oskar to scoop and SLAM!
The fans fire up while both men crawl, and Oskar hot tags Yuto! Yuto swaggers over to Hashi, stomps him down, then stands him up. Hashi fires body shots but Yuto DECKS him for it! Yuto drags Hashi back up, whips him to ropes, but Hashi DROPKICKS the leg! Yuto falls over and the fans rally again! Hashi crawls, hot tag to Goto! Goto RUNS Yuto over! And ELBOWS him down! And whips, only for Yuto to reverse! Goto still RUNS Yuto over! Goto runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Yuto is tougher than that but Goto brings him right up. But Yuto fights the fireman’s carry with elbows! Goto swings, Yuto fires hands in return!
Yuto bobs ‘n’ weaves to SMACK Goto with palm strikes! Yuto backs Goto down to a corner, KNEES him low, then SOBATS! Goto sits, Yuto gets gangsta! “BOMBACLAT!” DOUBLE KNEES! Yuto then drags Goto to the cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Goto toughs it out. Yuto stays close, and he sits Goto up. Yuto runs, ICE- NO! Goto blocks the kick! But Yuto ROKCS Goto! Yuto runs, but into the fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Hashi returns to BLAST Oskar! Hashi calls to Goto and they get Yuto up! Fireman’s carry, FIERCE FLASH! The fans rally as Bishamon brings Yuto back up, dragon sleeper and leg lift! But Oskar LCUBS Hashi!
Oskar kicks Goto, runs the ropes, but Goto follows! Goto LARIATS, but Oskar stays up! Hashi SUPERKICKS, but Oskar is still up! Bishamon double whips, but Oskar DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up as all four men are down! Oskar bails out, but Yuto and Bishamon are all still down. Red Shoes ushers Hashi out of the ring, and he checks as Yuto and Goto crawl to corners. The fans rally up as both men rise. Yuto runs up, but Goto puts him right up top! DRAPING GTR!! But Goto can’t make the cover! The fans rally as both men crawl again, and Goto uses the ropes to stand up. Goto roars, aims, and BUZZSAW!
But Yuto rises to his feet! Goto fireman’s carries, G T W! Cover, TWO! The fans rally again as Yuto survives! Goto dragon sleepers, but Yuto wrenches through. Goto ducks the haymaker, but Yuto blocks the saido, short arm LARIAT! The fans rally as both men are down again! Goto and Yuto crawl, reach out, and hot tag to Hashi and Oskar! They both run up, but Oskar RUNS Hashi over! Oskar motions to calm down, and he grins as he brings Hashi up. Oskar whips Hashi corner to corner hard, and Hashi bounces off the buckles before landing on the mat! Hashi writhes but Oskar storms over to him.
Oskar drags Hashi up, whips corner to corner again, and just as hard! Hashi again bounces off buckles and writhes on the mat. The fans rally while Oskar takes his time walking over to Hashi. Oskar taunts Hashi, stands him up, and whips, but Hashi rebounds to LARIAT! The fans fire up as Hashi and Oskar both wobble. Oskar CLUBS Hashi down! Oskar drags Hashi up, Yuto joins in, but Hashi BOOTS Yuto away! Hashi CLUBS away on Oskar, but Oskar blocks the lariat! Yuto ROCKS Hashi, then he and Oskar hit THE RUMBLING BOMB!! Cover, but Goto breaks it! Yuto fires off on Goto, TOSSES him out, then regroups with Oskar.
Yuto & Oskar call for the end, and they haul Hashi up! Feed to Oskar, but Hashi SHOTGUNS him first! Hashi stands but AMBITION RIGHT hits first! Then ICE HIGH! Yuto calls to Oskar and they try again. Feed, scoop, and- GOTO LARIATS YUTO! Hashi victory rolls Oskar! TWO!! Goto PENALTY KICKS Oskar down! The fans fire up as Bishamon still has life! Oskar rises in a corner, and Goto sends Hashi in for a LARIAT! Then Goto adds MURAMASA! Goto climbs, Hashi lifts, and somehow, they hit the DANGEROUS LIBRA!! Cover off the super bulldog, but YUTO BREAKS IT! The fans fire up as all four men are down!
The fans rally up as Goto brings Yuto around. Yuto DECKS Goto, kicks him out, but Hashi LARIATS Yuto! The fans fire up again as Hashi roars! Hashi runs at Oskar in the corner and LARIATS! Then he brings Oskar in, hooks a leg, but Oskar fights the lift! Oskar fires body shots, Hashi staggers back, but Hashi LARIATS again! And SUPERKICKS! Oskar wobbles but he roars as he runs back up! Hashi dodges a boot, and he LARIATS Oskar down! Cover, TWO! Oskar is tougher than that but the fans fire up again. Hashi feeds off the energy and he powers up like Goto would! SUPERKICK! Hashi roars, and he brings Oskar back up!
Hashi hooks the leg, and KUMAGOROSHI!! Cover, TWO!!! Oskar survives, with Yuto so close and yet so far because of Goto! Goto throws Yuto back out, then brings Oskar back up. The fans fire up as Goto dragon sleepers and Hashi lifts the legs! But Oskar flails and fights free of Hashi! Oskar powers out of the dragon sleeper, but Hashi HEADBUTTS him down! Yuto fires off on Goto, then runs, but into a fireman’s carry! Hashi is back, FIERCE FLASH into the dragon sleeper! Hashi has the legs, but Oskar has a SLEEPER on Hashi! Hashi is stuck in The Nightmare Hold while Goto fights Yuto off.
Hashi RAMS Oskar into a corner, Goto LARIATS! Hashi LARIATS! Then Hashi goes up while Goto clinches! SUPER GOTO GO TO HUNTER! The fans fire up again as Hashi SMACKS Yuto down! Bishamon roars as they get Oskar back up and in, but Oskar again kicks free! But Hashi CODE BREAKERS! Goto dragon sleepers, Hashi has the legs, and this time for sure! SHOTO!! Cover, YUTO BREAKS IT!!! The fans are thunderous as Yuto saves Oskar with nanoseconds to spare! Red Shoes checks all four guys as they stir, and the fans rally up again. Hashi sits up first, he calls to Goto, and Goto pushes up off the mat.
The fans cheer as Bishamon roars! They stand up, and Hashi brings Yuto around. But Yuto fires forearms and elbows! But then Hashi mule kicks! Goto clinches, Hashi runs, but Yuto sends Goto into Hashi! Then he ROCKS Goto! Goto ROCKS Ice, but Ice ROCKS Goto! The fans get fired up with every forearm! Yuto swings, but Goto spins him, URA GTR! Then Goto runs, but Yuto blocks the lariat to ROUNDHOUSE! Then he blocks the ridge hand! Oskar is up, Yuto sends Goto to him! Scoop and K O B DRIVER!! But they can’t make the cover! The fans are thunderous again as Yuto snarls and Oskar rises!
Yuto brings Hashi up, sends him to Oskar, but Hashi ROCKS Oskar first! Then he ROCKS Yuto! Hashi CHOPS Yuto, ROCKS him again and again, then DOUBLE CHOPS! Hashi runs, but Yuto dodges! Oskar scoops! Hashi slips free to SHOVE Oskar into Yuto! Half nelson, KARMA CRADLE! TWO!! CRUELLA!! The fans are thunderous again as all four men are back down! Yuto roars, he drags Hashi up, and the fans rally behind him! Goto anchors Yuto’s leg, then drags himself up. Yuto stares Goto down before he DECKS him! Red Shoes reprimands about closed fists, but Yuto just roars! Feed to Oskar for the scoop, K O B DRIVER!!! Cover, KOB wins!!
Winners: Oskar & Yuto-Ice, by pinfall (still IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
Goto & Hashi put up the fight you’d expect from former tag team champions, but they are still just former tag team champions! What will it take for them to #TurnItAllAround now that they’ve fallen behind?
As for the champs, it takes them a moment to stand back up, but they do stand for Red Shoes to raise their hands in victory. Yuto then sits back down before getting the mic. Yuto calls to Bishamon and asks they wait a moment. Yuto knows normally, the losers have nothing to say, but he wants them to hear this. He was fortunate to see their matches, and knows their philosophy of pushing forward, never giving up, and being able to turn things around. Yuto’s opinion is that even as a Young Lion in the black trunks, he thought of them as incredible strong, warm-hearted, and straightforward guys. The fans applaud that.
Yuto says if Bishamon felt the pure essence of pro-wrestling, then please come again, KOB will do this any time. The fans also applaud that, and Oskar helps Yuto stand up. Yuto continues by saying, “See you again.” Bishamon exits, and Yuto says his body aches and creaks from all that damage. But right now, being alive and being a pro-wrestler is the most fun he’s ever had! He is pretty sure pro-wrestling exists just so Yuto can live. Maybe, you guys who also love pro-wrestling feel the same. The fans cheer that, too! Yuto says he and they are all lucky, cuz pro-wrestling is an escape. If anything happens, they can always come back to wrestling!
Yuto is a huge fan of wrestling! He knows the fans cameramen, the staff, everyone in this company and in this industry in general, are all fans, too! So don’t worry, whatever your crappy reality is, pro-wrestling can save you from it. The fans cheer, that, too! Yuto promises that watching wrestling, you don’t have to think. A false version of himself is rubbish. Only raw emotion shows the real! Just feel! When you want to feel truly alive, watch pro-wrestling! The fans applaud again, and Yuto knows all you guys should just shut up and spend your time and money on Yuto & Oskar! You won’t lose anything, they ARE pro-wrestling!
The fans cheer again, and Yuto says it may vary from person to person. Whether it is work, school, home, or whatever else! As a reward, let’s share pro-wrestling together! Yuto has Oskar by his side, but also all of you “addicts!” The fans applaud, and Yuto says KOB is big money! They’re the best team in the world! And from now on, don’t think, just feel! LET’S GET HIGH! Tch tch, BIG UP! Oskar & Ice continue to reign, will there ever be a team that can keep up with their high?
My Thoughts:
A great Wrestling Redzone in the middle of the Road to Wrestling Dontaku, and I fully admit to forgetting about the first part of said Road to Wrestling Dontaku. Very good stuff in Tiger Mask escalating things for him and Douki, and I believe the House of Torture was also involved in NJPW’s previous Lumberjack Match, so maybe that tradition can replace the Bullet Club War Dogs’ Dog Kennel Cage Match. But it sounds like it’ll just be a reason to have everyone already ringside for when Tiger Mask loses his last chance at the title, because I don’t see NJPW changing tradition. Even so, it’ll be an awesome match with Tiger Mask giving it his all until the very end.
Speaking of, we got that out of the tag title matches tonight. I didn’t think TMDK would win the belts back already, but this adds to the great rivalry between them and Super Extreme. Super Extreme could make number four the one they finally win, it all just fits so well. And great match from KOB VS Bishamon. However, given it was Bishamon, who not only had their run as tag champions but are also Six Man Champions with Boltin Oleg, KOB was naturally winning here. Great stuff for them, and there are some good possibilities for who faces them next, so we’ll see where they go for Dontaku and beyond.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Will NJPW make way for a new king?
Callum Newman won the 2026 New Japan Cup, meaning he gets his shot at Yota Tsuji’s IWGP Heavyweight Championship in Ryogoku Sumo Hall!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – KUSHIDA & Masatora Yasuda VS Tatsuya Matsumoto & Taisei Nakahara; Kushida & Yasuda win.
- Master Wato & Togi Makabe VS Kosei Fujita & Hartley Jackson; Fujita & Hartley win.
- Six Man Tag: Unbound Company VS United Empire; Unbound Company wins.
- 8 Man Tag: Hontai VS House of Torture; Hontai wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hontai VS United Empire; United Empire wins.
- NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Bishamon & Boltin Oleg VS Chase Owens, Yujiro Takahashi & Ren Narita; Bishamon & Boltin win and retain the titles.
- NJPW World Television Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Shota Umino; Time Limit Draw, Konosuke retains the title.
- IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: OSKAR & Yuto-Ice VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa; Oskar & Yuto win and retain the titles.
- IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Callum Newman; Callum wins and becomes the new IWGP Heavyweight Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Bishamon & Boltin Oleg VS Chase Owens, Yujiro Takahashi & Ren Narita w/ Dick Togo!
It was on the Road to the New Beginning that Hirooki Goto, Yoshi-Hashi & The Man from Kazakhstan took these titles from TMDK, and now they bring them to the Ryogoku Sumo Hall to face the Lonestar Outlaw, Tokyo Pimp & Souled Out Son of Strong Style. But will Hontai put the House of Torture behind BARS? Or will Chase & Yujiro help Ren become the NEVER Double Champion?
The introductions are made, and then the House attacks! Ren kicks Oleg and tosses him out while Chase & Yujiro beat up on Bishamon! The House kicks everyone out of the ring, then go out after them. Ren CLAWS Oleg’s eyes, then holds him up so Dick Togo can get a shot in! The fans boo but Ren whips Oleg into railing! Yujiro puts Hashi back in the ring, but things are spilling into the crowd! The bell finally rings as Yujiro ROCKS and CHOPS Hashi! Yujiro runs, but Hashi ELBOWS him! Hashi runs and he RUNS Yujiro over! The fans fire up with Hashi while Yujiro bails out. Hashi runs, but Yujiro blocks the dropkick!
Chase helps out, and they hammock THROW Hashi into the railing! The fans boo more but Chase stomps Hashi. Yujiro drags Hashi up and into the ring, then tags Ren. Ren stomps away on Hashi, then drags him up to whip and ELBOW down! Cover, TWO! Ren clamps on with a chinlock to grind Hashi down. The fans rally while Hashi endures, but the ref has to keep Oleg back. Ren lets Hashi go just so he can DROPKICK Oleg’s leg! Oleg hobbles out of the ring while Ren goes back to Hashi. Ren bumps Hashi off Chase’s boot, then tags Chase in. The fans rally for Hashi but Chase snapmares and NECK SNAPS! Cover, TWO!
The fans applaud as Hashi stays in this, but Chase stands on Hashi’s hand! Chase mocks the fans cheering Hashi on while he slaps Hashi around. Chase whips Hashi, but Hashi dropkicks the leg! Chase falls and the fans fire up! Hashi crawls over, hot tag to Goto! The fans fire up as the Fierce Warrior CLOBBERS Chase then BLASTS The House! Goto whips Chase to the corner, runs in and hits MURAMASA! Then the SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Chase toughs it out but the fans rally for Goto as he stands. Goto goes to fireman’s carry but Chase fights it with elbows. Goto ROCKS Chase, but Chase ROCKS Goto! The forearms go back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans fire up!
Goto DECKS Chase, the fans fire up more, and Goto eggs Chase on. Chase comes back to fire fast hands! Chase winds up, but Goto catches him, spins him, and URA GTR! Goto runs but Chase blocks the lariat to C-TRIGGER! Chase runs but Goto follows, only for Chase to ENZIGIRI! Chase runs, but into a LARIAT! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Goto crawls, Chase does, too, hot tags to Ren and Oleg! The fans fire up but Ren dropkicks Oleg’s leg! Then he leg scissors for the cradle, only for Oleg to power right out! Oleg gut wrenches for the Shake, Shake, Shake, and THROW! Ren tumbles, Oleg kips up,a nd Hashi BLASTS Yujiro!
The fans cheer as Oleg has Ren to himself! VADER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Ren survives but Oleg drags him up. Ren CHOKES Oleg, the ref reprimands, but Oleg breaks free to CHOP! Oleg then fireman’s carries, but Ren CLAWS his face! Oleg still flips Ren over for the TORTURE RACK! DICK RINGS THE BELL! The fans boo as he pulls off that stupid trick! Ren CHOP BLOCKS Oleg, then reels him into the KNEEBAR!! Oleg endures, reaches out, but Ren puts on the pressure! Hashi and Yujiro still brawl, but then Hashi slips in and stomps Ren! Chase kicks Hashi then TOSSES him out! Goto fires off on Chase but Yujiro CLUBS Goto!
Chase & Yujiro double whip to mule kick, KNEE LIFT, then REVERSE DDT! I HATE YOUR FACE KNEE! Goto tumbles out of the ring, Chase distracts the ref, and The House sets Oleg up! Dick climbs for the DICK CHOP! Cover, TWO! But into the FIGURE FOUR KNEEBAR!! Oleg endures, reaches out, and the fans rally as he fights over! Ren lets go, just to drag Oleg back to center! KNEE- NO! Oleg rolls through and waistlocks! But Ren mule kicks the leg! Oleg still pops Ren up for THE VERDICT!! Both men are down but the fans fire up! Oleg and Ren crawl, hot tag to Hashi! The Head Hunter BLASTS The House to isolate Ren!
Hashi SUPERKICKS Ren, then runs to LARIAT! The fans fire up for Hashi and he half nelsons, but Ren spins through to THROW Hashi out! Ren practically tackles the ref so Chase & Yujiro can mug Hashi unseen! Chase JAMS Hashi up with a chair! The fans boo but Yujiro puts Hashi in while Chase hides the evidence. Ren tags Yujiro and Yujiro puts Hashi on the ropes. Yujiro runs up to BOOT Hashi! Then INCOLLE SLAM! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives and the fans cheer! Yujiro is upset, he drags Hashi up, but Goto LARIATS Yujiro! Chase runs up, Goto fireman’s carries him, but Chase slips free to SHOVE Goto into Hashi!
Chase runs up, but into the HIDDEN GAP! Hashi & Goto fire up, and Hashi LARIATS Yujiro in the corner! Feed to Goto for the fireman’s carry! FIERCE FLASH! The fans fire up again, and Goto dragon sleepers! Hashi has the legs, but Yujiro BOOTS free! And he FISHERMAN BUSTERS Goto! Everyone is down but the fans rally for Hashi! Dick coaches Yujiro as he and Hashi crawl. Yujiro and Hashi stand, and Hashi roars! Hashi ROCKS Yujiro, but Yujiro ROCKS Hashi! The forearms go back and forth, then Hashi CHOPS! And CHOPS! Hashi whips, Yujiro reverses, then Yujiro grabs the ref! Chase SMACKS Hashi with the chair!
Yujiro sits Hashi up, PIMP JUICE!! Cover, TWO!! Hashi survives and the fans fire up again! Yujiro staggers to his feet but he drags Hashi up. Yujiro reels Hashi in, for BIG- NO, Hashi fights the Juice to waistlock! Yujiro elbows away, then runs, but into the HIDDEN GAP LARIAT! Yujiro stays up!? Yujiro runs, but into HIDDEN GAP BOLTIN! Chase runs up, but Oleg feeds him to the fireman’s carry, G T W!! Hashi BLASTS Ren off the apron, and he drags Yujiro up. Oleg RAMS Yujiro into the corner! Hashi LARIATS! Then they feed to Goto for the fireman’s carry! FIERCE FLASH into the dragon sleeper!
Hashi has the legs, but Ren is back! He catches Oleg into a SLEEPER! Hashi SUPERKICKS Ren, and Oleg TORTURE RACKS him! Hashi gives Yujiro a CODE BREAKER! Goto dragon sleepers Yujiro for Hashi to get the legs! “SE~ NO!” SHOTO!! Cover, Hontai wins!!
Winners: Bishamon & Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)
Oleg also has Ren tapping out to his torture rack! A total victory for the champions! But with that, Oleg gets a mic to call out Ren! He just made the NEVER Openweight Champion tap, so how about a match for that title?! Ren’s in no shape to answer right now, but will Oleg soon become a TRIPLE Champion?
NJPW World Television Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Shota Umino!
The Alpha is ignoring the shade thrown by Kazuchika Okada in AEW as he does his job here in NJPW. Konosuke wants to settle the score with Shota from the G1 Climax, will he do it? Or will Shota’s Second Chapter turn this into The Roughneck Show?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is the Face of NJPW World!
Shota fires the fans up before he stares down with Konosuke. The bell rings, both men run up, and Shota dodges a boto! Konosuke dodges a lariat to ELBOW, then he runs, but Shota RAMS shoulders with him! Shota RAMS Konosuke again, they both run and they RAM shoulders again! Shota ROCKS Konosuke, then runs, but into a BOOT! Konosuke whips, Shota reverses, but the TAKESHITA LINE hits! The fans fire up and Konosuke nods while Shota goes to a corner. Konosuke storms over to ROCK Shota, ROCK him again, but Shota just brushes those off. Konosuke fires another forearm, but Shota turns things around to fire forearms in return!
The fans rally as Konosuke backs Shota down. Shota slaps the hand away, but Konosuke HEADBUTTS him! Konosuke runs, but Shota DROPKICKS! The fans fire up as Shota stands tall, then he gets a leg to SMASH it on the mat! Shota steps over for the STF! The fans rally as Konosuke endures, and he fights his way forward! ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Shota lets go cleanly. Konosuke bails out but Shota keeps an eye on him. Konosuke takes a moment while the fans rally, and he stays back as Shota rushes the ropes. Shota storms out after Konosuke, but Konosuke kicks low! And then SLAMS Shota’s arm off the timekeeper’s table!
Konosuke wrenches and lifts for an APRON BACK SUPLEX! The fans cheer while Shota writhes, but Konosuke pushes him into the ring. Konosuke then holds onto an arm as he stands on the apron, and he KNEE DROPS on the arm! The fans are torn while Shota clutches his elbow. Konosuke takes his time before rolling inside, then he looms over Shota. Konosuke drags Shota up, wrenches the arm, and hits an ARMBAR BULLDOG! Shota writhes again while the fans rally up. Konosuke then drags Shota up, snapmares, and clamps on with a top wristlock. Shota endures, even as Konosuke pushes him down, and the fans duel.
Shota fights with kicks but Konosuke puts on the pressure. Shota still kicks, but Konosuke isolates the arm to STOMP it! The fans rally while Shota scrambles away. Konosuke stalks Shota, but the ref has him stay back. Konosuke waits for Shota to sit up, and we hit five minutes. Konosuke wrenches Shota’s arm, hammerlocks it, and RAMS Shota into buckles! Konosuke hammerlocks the arm again, runs Shota corner to corner, but Shota stops short of hitting buckles! Shota fires forearms, but Konosuke eggs him on. Shota fires another shot, but Konosuke CLUBS the arm! Konosuke whips but Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down!
Konosuke and Shota rise up, and Shota stalks Konosuke to a corner. Shota fires off forearms and CHOPS on repeat, then whips corner to corner. Shota runs in and UPPERCUTS! Then he hooks a leg, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but the fans still cheer Shota on. Shota drags Konosuke up, reels him in, but Konosuke fights the lift. Konosuke powers up to BACKDROP free! The fans fire up again while Konosuke runs at Shota. Shota drop toeholds Konosuke onto the ropes! Then Shota slingshots for the APRON DDT! Down goes Konosuke, and Shota looks at the belt as it rests on the timekeeper’s table.
Shota nods before going back for Konosuke. Shota drags Konosuke up, then whips, but Konosuke reverses! Shota hits railing! Konosuke then BOOTS Shota down! Shota flops through the gate and Konosuke brings him up. Konosuke has Shota dangling off the railing, but Shota slips free! Shota fires body shots, then he RAMS Konosuke into railing! The fans rally as Shota then TORNADO DDTS to the floor!! Konosuke writhes and clutches his neck, but Shota fires up with the fans! Shota puts Konosuke in the ring, then runs in at the corner for a KNEE STRIKE! Shota then goes corner to corner again, STRIKE KNEE!
The fans fire up again as Shota brings Konosuke around, and puts him up top! Shota climbs up as we hit 10 minutes! Konosuke fires body shots, and he bends Shota’s fingers! Konosuke hits a SUPER HOTSHOT on the arm! Shota falls back and the fans rally harder as Konosuke steps back inside. Konosuke aims from a corner, WAGAMAMA- NO, Shota pops him up for a POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO! Konosuke survives but Shota roars! The fans rally, Shota runs, but Konosuke BOOTS the lariat! Konosuke full nelsons, then he spins Shota, but Shota wrenches free to swing! Konosuke gets under, BLUE THUNDER BOMB!!
But Konosuke doesn’t cover?! He powers up instead, and goes to the corner! Konosuke aims again, for the WAGAMAMA- NO! Shota blocks it! Konosuke fires hands, but Shota DECKS him! The fans are thunderous as Shota drags Konosuke back up. Shota reels Konosuke in, suplexes, but Konosuke fights that to hook a leg! Konosuke steals SECOND CHAPTER!! Cover, TWO!! Shota survives The Alpha using his own move! We hit the three minute warning, time is on Konosuke’s side here! Konosuke still wants to finish this himself, but the fans are split down the middle! WAGAMAMA- NO, Shota dodges!
Konosuke SWATS the lariat, ALPHA ELBOWS, but Shota spins to SOUTHPAW LARIAT! Shota aims now, STRIKE- NO, Konosuke counters knee with knee! Both men hobble, Shota LARIATS, but Konosuke just brushes it off! Konosuke runs, and he LARIATS Shota inside-out! We hit the two minute warning and the fans fire up again! A standing count begins, but Konosuke is already rolling to the ropes. Konosuke drags himself up at 6 of 10, Shota sits up at 8, but Konosuke stands at 9! Konosuke swings, but into a SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! But he’s right back up!? EXPLODER! But Shota’s right back up!
ALPHA ELBOW! ROLLING- FOREARM from Shota! ROLLING- ALPHA ELBOW!! Literally last minute here as both men lean on each other! Konosuke shakes his head, and he drags Shota up! RAGING- NO, Shota fights the fire to scoop! SECOND- NO, Konosuke slips free, INVERTED suplex, but Shota slips free of that! POISON-RANA!! Not the cleanest, but it got the job done! But we have only THIRTY SECONDS LEFT! Shota snarls, rises up, and he runs the ropes, ROUGH- NO, Konosuke dodges Shota dodges! DOUBLE LARIATS hit! They both rebound, ROUGHNECK LARIAT hits!! But Shota has to cover!! TIME IS UP!!!
Time Limit Draw; Konosuke Takeshita retains the title
It was a powerful battle, but nothing was settled as we end with a draw! Will these two look to make this a trilogy in the near future? Wait, wait, wait, who is this mysterious masked man? They wear a nice suit and bowtie, but then CHASE attacks from behind!? The fans boo as the Lonestar Outlaw beats up on Konosuke, then hammerlocks for the HIGH NOON LARIAT! And then a C-TRIGGER! Chase drags Konosuke up again, reels him in, and he underhooks the arms! But Konosuke fights the lift, and Shota runs back in! Shota chases Chase off, but what was up with tuxedo mask over there? Is it all smoke and mirrors so Chase can get his shot at this title?
IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: OSKAR & Yuto-Ice VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa!
The Knock Out Brothers may not have won World Tag League, but they thwarted the challenge from TMDK all the same! But that did nothing to deter “The Chin & The Mullet,” they want another shot! Will this be where Zack & Roy stand tall? Or will everyone in Ryogoku get that wrestling high?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who lights it up!
The teams sort out, and no question that Yuto and Oiwa start. The fans fire up already with the bell, and Yuto ROCKS Oiwa! Oiwa ROCKS Yuto! The forearms go back and forth, faster and faster, and Yuto ROCKS Oiwa again! But Oiwa dodges the boot, only for Yuto to buck the O’Conner. Oiwa dodges once but Yuto ROCKS him on return! Yuto whips, then he BOOTS Oiwa down! The fans fire up with Ice, but Oiwa gets mad. Oiwa wrenches and YANKS Yuto’s left arm, Yuto fires a forearm, and repeat! Oiwa lets Yuto go, then arm-drags him! And scoops to SLAM! Then SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! Yuto is tougher than that, but Oiwa arm-drags him again!
Oiwa has the armlock while the fans cheer. Yuto fights up, fights over, and has the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Oiwa lets go, but he tags in ZSJ. ZSJ takes the arm, wrenches, and wrangles Yuto to the mat. ZSJ bends Yuto’s fingers but Yuto kicks his way over to the ROPEBREAK! Oiwa tags in and he ELBOW DROPS on Yuto! Oiwa sucker punches Oskar, but Oskar stays up! Oskar steps inside but Oiwa DROPKICKS him down! Oskar is furious now but ZSJ BOOTS him off the apron! The fans cheer as TMDK stands tall. Oiwa drags Yuto up, ZSJ helps out, and they double wrench again and again and again!
TMDK wrangles Yuto down and isolates the arms, STEREO STOMPS! Oiwa steps on Yuto before he tags in ZSJ, and ZSJ steps on Yuto’s leg. ZSJ twists Yuto’s wrist but Yuto fires body shots. ZSJ wrenches, but Yuto fires more forearms! ZSJ wrenches, Yuto fires even more shots, but ZSJ wrenches again to trap the arm and TWEAK it! Yuto falls back while the fans cheer. ZSJ drags Yuto back up, whips, but Yuto reverses to KNEE low! Yuto runs to SLIDING KICK! Both men are down and the fans rally up! Yuto crawls, hot tag to Oskar! Oiwa runs in but Oskar CLOBBERS him! And he CLOBBERS ZSJ!
The fans fire up as the German Giant double guzels! But TMDK wrench and wrench and wrench! They double whip, but Oskar breaks the double lariat to DOUBLE LARIAT back! The fans fire up with Oskar as he storms around. Oskar talks trash on ZSJ, then whips him to a corner. ZSJ hits buckles hard and falls to the mat! The fans rally up again as Oskar stalks ZSJ. Oskar has ZSJ in the corner, whips him corner to corner hard, and again ZSJ falls to the mat! Oskar is right on ZSJ with a deadlift SLAM, and an ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! ZSJ survives being thrown around but the fans rally as Oskar fires up.
Oskar scoops but ZSJ slips free, and reels Oskar into the SLEEPER! Oskar flails, he THROWS ZSJ down, then he stands ZSJ up just to CHOP him down! Oskar then aims from a corner, runs up on ZSJ, but ZSJ blocks the boot! ANKLE LOCK! The fans cheer as Oskar hops around! ZSJ keeps him from the ropes, then UPPERCUTS the leg! ZSJ ducks a shot, UPPERCUTS the leg again, then has the ANKLE LOCK! Oskar still hops to the ROPEBREAK! Oiwa tags in, and he CLUBS Oskar’s leg! Oskar falls over while the fans rally up again. Oiwa drags Oskar to center to SMASH the knee off the mat! ZSJ grabs both legs, hooks them up, then STOMPS!
Oskar writhes but Oiwa steps through and ties up the legs, but Oskar BOOTS free! Oiwa tags ZSJ, ZSJ BOOTS Yuto, and Oiwa stands Oskar up. ZSJ storms up but Oskar fires forearms and elbows! Oiwa & ZSJ pinball Oskar with forearms, then LARIAT ENZIGIRI SANDWICH! Oskar roars as he stays standing! Oskar BOOTS Oiwa, but ZSJ blocks the chop! Oskar powers up and lifts for a BACKBREAKER! Yuto runs in and adds a KNEE! The fans fire up again as Yuto feeds ZSJ to Oskar, but Oiwa trips up Yuto! ZSJ fights free of the gut wrench to get the leg! ANKLE LOCK with the GRAPEVINE! Oskar endures while the fans fire up again!
Oskar pries at the hold, Yuto SMACKS Oiwa off the apron, but Oiwa keeps Yuto from saving Oskar! ZSJ shifts around, HALF CRAB! Oskar endures but ZSJ shifts again, DEATHLOCK! ZSJ hooks an arm as part of the hold, then the other arm! Oskar endures this modified surfboard, and he powers his way forward! ZSJ hurries to trap the arms again, but Oskar reaches out! ZSJ half nelsons while keeping the legs tied up, but Oskar powers up again! ROPEBREAK!! The fans cheer as Oskar survives and escapes! ZSJ rolls away to the opposite corner while the fans rally up. Oskar drags himself up with the ropes, but ZSJ runs in.
ZSJ blocks a boot, but Oskar just KICKS ZSJ away! Oskar runs up to ELBOW in the corner, then he shoves ZSJ down. Oskar runs, but ZSJ avoids the leg drop! PENALTY KICK! But Oskar uses that to stand back up! Scoop and- No, the leg gives out! ZSJ DROPKICKS Oskar down! The fans fire up while both men crawl, hot tag to Oiwa! Oiwa runs up to DROPKICK Oskar’s leg! Then CHOP BLOCK the other! Oiwa clamps on but Oskar CHOPS free! Oskar winds up, but Oiwa catches him to spin and sup- NO, Oskar’s too big to suplex! Oskar shoves Oiwa to ropes, then BACKDROPS on the return! Both men are down and the fans fire up!
Oskar crawls, hot tag to Yuto! The fans fire up for Ice as he stands Oiwa up. Yuto KICKS Oiwa, KNEES him, then SOBATS him in the corner! Yuto gets gangsta, “BOMBACLAT!” METEORA in the corner, then a cover, TWO! Oiwa survives but Yuto just fires up again. Yuto sits Oiwa up to run and ICE- NO! Oiwa blocks the kick! Oiwa stands, ROCKS Yuto again and again, then runs. But Yuto mule kicks! Yuto THROWS Oiwa down by his hair, then SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Oiwa survives but Yuto just fires up again. The fans rally as Yuto aims from the corner. Oiwa rises up, Yuto runs in, but Oiwa CLOBBERS Yuto! And SENTONS!
The fans fire up while both men are down again! Oiwa rises, he brings Yuto up, and he wrenches the arm. Oiwa whips corner to corner, but just to YANK the arm! And WRING it out! Yuto writhes, but Oiwa drags him back up. TENZ- NO, Yuto pulls hair! Yuto BODY BLOWS, then fires SLAP after SLAP! Yuto bobs ‘n’ weaves to SLAP again! Oiwa fires up but Yuto BOOTS him down! The fans are thunderous as Yuto then steps on Oiwa’s head. Yuto steps off to drag Oiwa up, but Oiwa clamps onto an arm! ARM SCREW! Yuto clutches his elbow while he falls over! Oiwa stomps away on Yuto, showing no mercy! The ref wants him to hold on so he can check that arm!
Yuto is able to sit up, but Oiwa wants the arm! Yuto ROCKS Oiwa, Oiwa CLUBS the arm! Yuto ROCKS Oiwa again, but Oiwa CLUBS the arm, and repeat! Oiwa then YANKS the arm to bring Yuto down! The fans rally harder and harder as Oiwa drags Yuto up. The ref has Oiwa hold on, Yuto’s a ragdoll! The arm is still working so Oiwa hauls Yuto up. Oiwa RAMS Yuto into the corner, then wraps the bad arm around the ropes! The ref reprimands as Oiwa pulls on the arm! Yuto suffers until Oiwa stops at 4, but then Oiwa DROPKICKS Yuto down! The fans continue to rally harder and harder, and Oiwa waits on Yuto.
Yuto SHOVES the ref, he’s not letting this arm stop the match! Yuto unwraps the elbow, SMACKS it into the corner, and he makes it work again! Oiwa nods as Yuto steps up. Yuto eggs Oiwa on, so Oiwa CLUBS the bad arm! Yuto fires a shot using that arm, but Oiwa doesn’t budge. Oiwa UPPERCUTS the arm, Yuto still tries to fire shots with it. Oiwa UPPERCUTS the arm again and again, then hits an ELBOW BREAKER! But Yuto DECKS Oiwa!! Yuto roars as the fans fire up! Yuto fights through the pain and dares Oiwa to get back up. Oiwa rises, and he ducks the buzzsaw! ARM SCREW! Yuto again falls back while clutching that arm!
Oiwa keeps the fans going as he runs corner to corner, but Yuto BOOTS him! Yuto SPITS at Oiwa, so Oiwa LARIATS in the corner! And LARIATS again, and again, and again! The ref has Oiwa back off while Yuto sputters. Oiwa nods, but then runs in, THE GRIP in the corner!! Yuto falls, Oiwa rises, and the fans fire up again! DIVING SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Yuto survives and the fans cheer him on! Oiwa stands Yuto up to ROLLING ELBOW! And ROLLING ELBOW! And then- ROUNDHOUSE from Yuto! Yuto roars, runs, and ICE HIGH! Cover, but ZSJ NECK TWISTS Yuto! The fans fire up for that sadistic save!
Yuto stands to SLAP! And he SLAPS ZSJ down! The fans fire up again as Yuto drags ZSJ up. Ryogoku is thunderous for “AISU! AISU!” But ZSJ PELES the bad arm! Oiwa RAMS Yuto into a corner, ZSJ ENZIGIRIS, Oiwa hits CHAOS THEORY! Bridging cover, but Oskar breaks it! ZSJ fires UPPERCUTS on Oskar, but Oskar just scoops and SLAMS him! Oiwa LARIATS Oskar, then reels him in for a SUPLEX! NO, Oskar fights free! But Oiwa dodges to LARIAT Oskar up and out! We hit 20 minutes as Oiwa has Yuto. Oiwa winds up, but Yuto blocks The Grip! He ducks the right, but the SOUTHPAW comes through after all!
Oiwa hauls Yuto up for the TENZAN PLEX! Cover, TWO! Yuto survives and the fans rally up again. Oiwa powers up, runs the ropes, and THE GRIP misses! Oskar scoops, but ZSJ saves Oiwa! ZSJ BOOTS Yuto, blocks Oskar’s kick, DRAGON SCREW into the SUPLEX! The fans are thunderous as Oiwa finally manages it! ZSJ coaches Oiwa, then runs to UPPERCUT Yuto! Oiwa LARIATS, then feed to the ZACK DRIVER! Oiwa deadlifts for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!!! Yuto survives and the fans are electric! ZSJ LEAPS onto Oskar for a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! ZSJ tells Oiwa to finish it! THE GRIP gets a KNEE!
Yuto fires up as the fans are electric again! But then Oiwa catches Yuto to a SLEEPER! SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEX!! Yuto staggers around, THE- AMBITION RIGHT!! And then CRUELLA!!! Cover, KNOCKOUT BROTHERS WIN!
Winners: Oskar & Yuto-Ice, by pinfall (still IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
As mighty as Zack & Roy are, they still couldn’t overcome the sheer strength of will inside Oskar & Yuto! Yuto makes sure Oiwa knows that before he tosses Oiwa out of the ring. The fans cheer Yuto on while he grabs a mic. Yuto says, “It feels damn good to beat the piss outta someone I really hate! And just like how I felt when I first set my eyes on pro-wrestling, pro-wrestlers are the best fighters on this planet! The toughest people there are! And there is nothing like feeling it live and raw! There is nothing like making money in this business! There is nothing like making money in pro-wrestling!” The fans cheer that!
Yuto continues by saying he and Oskar won’t change in the future. What they want is the toughest there is! The money, the fights, and that wrestling high! And whether you’re addicted to ’em or you hate ’em, there is no doubt you all get high seeing KOB! So the question is, who is next? Who do the people wanna see? Are there any teams left? The fans have some ideas, but Yuto wants to see for himself. He is calling out a team himself! BISHAMON! Get your asses out here! But wait, we get Great-O-Khan & Henare instead! The fans boo The United Empire, but the Mauler says no, no, no! NO Bishamon! Khan & Henare never lost those titles, so they’re next!
Henare & Khan will take that wrestling high as mana for the United Empire! Yuto says yeah, he likes that! He wants to hit that “mana” hard. But look, Bishamon shows up after all! Goto & Hashi step into the ring to join this conversation. Goto picks up a mic to say, “We were just feeling like we wanted that pro-wrestling high ourselves.” The fans like the sound of that! Goto says that this won’t be an easy high to get. So, Empire, how about they take you out first? Bishamon will prove THEY are the best! Yuto is loving this as much as the fans! He says THIS is the real wrestling high! They won’t hide, they won’t run, they’ll take whoever wins!
But just know that you don’t have to think, just feel! LET’S GET HIGH! Tch tch, BIG UP! KOB is ready for anyone and everyone, but will they be taking on one of the best in Bishamon? Or will the Empire fight their way to what they’ve been owed?
IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Callum Newman w/ The United Empire!
The Gene Blast is still a double champion, having defeated Andrade El Idolo back at the New Beginning in USA. But ever since taking over as the United Empire’s leader, The Prince has grown stronger and stronger, slaying giants on his way to taking the New Japan Cup. Will this truly be Callum’s crowning achievement? Or will Yota prove Callum is NOT ready?
The introductions are made by President Tanahashi, then he raises THE IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Callum tries his intimidation with the sword but Yota just grins. Everyone from the United Empire fist bumps Callum before taking their seats in the front row, but Will Ospreay stays as Callum’s cornerman. The bell rings and the fans are strongly behind Yota. Callum BOOTS Yota, whips, but Yota reverses, only for Callum to sweep the legs! Yota dodges Excalibur to scoop, but Callum slips free. Yota BOOTS Callum, then goes up, up, but Callum avoids the Marlowe Crush! Yota shows Superkick and Callum backs off!
The fans cheer, even as Callum bails out to cool things off. The Callum fans start getting louder as he steps back into the ring. Callum and Yota circle, feel things out, and tie up. Callum powers Yota to the ropes, Red Shoes calls the break, but Callum BODY BLOWS! Callum whips, Yota reverses, but Callum slides out. The fans boo while Callum swaggers around, but Yota DIVES! Direct hit and Callum is sent into railing! The fans fire up with Yota and he brings Callum up. Yota puts Callum in the ring, then storms up behind him. Yota CHOPS Callum, then puts him in the corner. Yota winds up to CHOP again, and Callum grits his teeth.
Yota RAMS into Callum again and again, then brings him around to run him over! The fans cheer while Yota pushes Callum down, ONE! The fans applaud as Callum shows his toughness. Yota stands Callum up, but Callum fires a flurry of forearms! Callum runs, but into the scoop BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud again as Callum toughs it out. Yota goes for the legs but Callum scrambles over to the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud again, but Yota stomps Callum as he lets go. Red Shoes reprimands but the fans rally up as Yota brings Callum around. Yota fires a flurry of forearms as he has Callum against the ropes.
Yota whips, but Callum reverses, and Callum sweeps the legs to then KICK Yota in the side! Yota clutches his ribs but Callum also has to sit back from the damage done. Callum brings Yota up, around, and stomps him down. Callum mocks the champ before he stomps him again. Callum clamps onto Yota with a chinlock and grinds him down. Callum KNEES Yota in the back, KICKS him again, but Yota grins?! Yota snapmares Callum to KICK him in the back! Callum brushes that off and snapmares Yota for a KICK! Callum shakes out his foot while Yota bails out of the ring. Yota walks off the sting from that shot while the fans rally up.
A ring count starts, and Callum waits as Yota stretches out his back. The count passes 10 of 20, then 15, but Yota rolls in at 16. Callum stomps Yota at the ropes! Callum then stands Yota up to fire forearms and egg him on. Yota fires a forearm, then a flurry, but Callum KNEES Yota in the head! Callum runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but the HIP TOSS finds him! The fans cheer while Yota clutches his back again. Callum slowly rises up and goes to the corner, but Yota is on him. Yota whips corner to corner, Callum reverses and runs in, but Yota pops him up to THROW him away! The fans fire up as Yota then puts Callum in a corner, climbs up, and rains down elbows!
The fans rally as Yota goes all the way to TEN! Then Yota reels Callum in for a BIG suplex! Cover, TWO! The fans continue to rally for Yota as he and Callum slowly rise. Yota CHOPS Callum, CHOPS him again, and CHOPS again! And again! Callum turns things around to KICK! And KICK! And KICK! Yota bumps Callum off buckles to fire off a flurry of forearms! Then Yota CHOPS! Callum sputters while he slumps down, but Yota stands him back up. Yota pops Callum up top, then climbs up after him. The fans rally for Yota as he SUPER STEINERS! Callum writhes, Yota covers, TWO! The fans cheer as Callum stays in this.
Ospreay coaches Callum up but Yota is already on him again. Callum fights the pump handle, elbows free, but Yota fires a forearm! Callum huffs ‘n’ puffs but comes back to fire shots with Yota! Callum fires a flurry, Yota ROCKS Callum, but Callum ELBOWS Yota! Yota winds up, but Callum catches him, to a full nelson. Yota breaks free, only to end up in double chicken wings! TIGER SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Yota stays in this, but Ospreay coaches Callum to focus. Callum drags Yota up, brings him in, and vows to end this already! PRINCE- NO, Yota fights the Curse to wrench out, clinch, and BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER!
But Callum avoids the stomp! Callum blocks a shot to ROCK, ROLLING ELBOW, but the GENE TRIGGER hits! Callum HEEL KICKS! Yota SUPERKICKS! Yota then dodges a lariat, but Callum dodges back! GENE TRIGGER! LARIAT!! The fans and even Ospreay fire up as both men are down! Callum shakes out his arm from hitting Yota that hard, then he slowly rises up. Callum brings Yota to the ropes, then the apron. The fans duel, the majority still behind Yota, but Callum calls his shot! Callum goes up the corner, but Yota anchors him! Yota puts Callum in the ropes, KNEES him in the back, then APRON WOE STOMPS!
The fans rally as Callum sputters. Yota aims again, then runs up, CURB STOMP from apron to floor!! Ospreay freaks out and checks Callum but Red Shoes wants him to stay back. Yota sits up and Callum stirs as the ring count climbs. Yota stands at 11 of 20, gives Yuya Uemura a nod on commentary, then puts Callum in at 15. The fans cheer as Yota brings Callum around, wanting to end this in definitive manner. Yota whips Callum corner to corner, but Callum barely makes it there! Yota runs up, and GENE TRIGGERS! Then he reels Callum in, ORANGE CRUSH! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Yota brings Callum up again.
Yota runs the ropes, and he LARIATS Callum inside-out! The fans fire up with Yota, he brings Callum up, but Callum is a ragdoll! Red Shoes checks on Callum, but Yota runs, only for Callum to make Red Shoes take the CURB STOMP!! The fans go nuts and Yota is stunned! The fans boo as Callum then KNEES Yota down! Callum then waves to the rest of The Empire, and Zane Jay hops the railing! But OSPREAY stops Zane! The fans cheer as Ospreay wants Callum to do this under his own merits. Callum grabs the chair, but Ospreay grabs it back! Ospreay tells Callum he is better than this! He can do this on his own! Don’t betray the code of conduct they’ve set!
Callum and Ospreay tug-o-war with the chair for a moment as Ospreay pleads with Callum. Callum lets the chair go, trusting Ospreay is right. But then Yota uses HIDDEN BLADE?!? Yota just sent a message to the Aerial Assassin with that! Yota loads up, Ospreay warns Callum, but too late! GENE BLASTER!! Cover, but Red Shoes is out cold! Yota would’ve won this twice over! Marty Asami hurries out here, he counts the cover, TWO!! Callum survives thanks to the delay! Red Shoes is carried away by a Young Lion while Marty takes over. Yota reloads, Ospreay warns Callum again, and Callum rises up. Yota runs in again, but Callum uses HIDDEN BLADE!!
Ospreay cheers Callum on while Callum and Yota are both down again! The fans rally and duel as Callum rises up. Callum goes to Yota, sits him up, and eggs him on. Yota fires a forearm and Callum sits back. Callum fires a forearm in return, but Yota manages a smile. Yota fires another forearm, and the fans rally up again. Callum wobbles as he stands, but he still ROCKS Yota! Yota stands back up to ROCK Callum! Callum stumbles but Ospreay coaches him up. The armbands come off, and Callum SPITS at Yota! Callum puts his hands back, Yota winds up, but Callum ROCKS him first! Then Callum fakes the Oscutter to LARIAT!
Callum hooks a leg, FIREBOLT! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives and the fans fire up again! Callum huffs ‘n’ puffs but Ospreay coaches him on. Callum goes back to Yota, drags him up, fireman’s carries, but Yota slips free! GERMAN SUPLEX! Callum comes back, Yota ducks ‘n’ dodges, DESTROYER!! Callum staggers, into a GENE BLASTER!! Cover, TWO!!! Callum survives and shocks everyone! Yota shakes it off to go back to his corner. The fans are thunderous as Yota roars, aims, and runs into EXCALIBUR!! Both men are down again as Callum intercepts Yota, and the fans are thunderous again!
Callum undoes his wrist tape to show off the crown tattoo. Callum stalks Yota, drags him up, and winds up the CROWNING LARIAT! But Callum isn’t done with one, he stands Yota back up and vows to end this! Fireman’s carry and MAKE- DDT COUNTER!! Yota will not make way just yet, and he goes to the ropes! The fans rally as hard as they can as Yota goes up the corner, MARLOWE CRUSH!! Cover, TWO!! Callum survives again and the fans fire up! Ospreay coaches Callum while Yota roars. Yota brings Callum around, pump handles, and URENAGES! Cover, TWO! Yota is frustrated his new move didn’t end this, but he goes back to the tried ‘n’ true!
Yota aims from a corner, runs in again, and GENE- NO, Callum snatches Yota in a roll-up, but Yota rolls through! CROWNING LARIAT!! High stack, TWO!! Callum hurries to half hatch, for the PRINCE’S CURSE!! Cover, TWO!!! The fans are electric and Ospreay argues the count, but Callum just seethes as he looms over Yota. Callum drags Yota up again, fireman’s carries, but Yota fights with elbows! Callum still fireman’s carries, MAKE- NO! Yota lands out to HEADBUTT! CROWNING LARIAT!! The fans are electric as Callum fireman’s carries again, MAKE- SUNSET FLIP! Callum rolls through, but Yota reels him in, JUMBO PLEX!!
Yota reloads, GENE- NO, Callum uses Marty as a shield! LOW BLOW!! Fireman’s carry, MAKE WAY!!! Cover, CALLUM WINS!!!
Winner: Callum Newman, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Heavyweight Champion)
Well, it wasn’t exactly a clean victory, but Callum still did it all on his own! Ospreay is just as excited and proud as anyone that Callum did it! His first New Japan Cup win translates directly to his first IWGP Heavyweight Championship victory! Tanahashi presents the belt to Callum personally, and Marty raises Callum’s hand in victory. Callum takes a moment to kneel on the lion logo with the belt as the moment starts to sink in. Ospreay then joins Callum in the ring to put the belt around Callum’s waist. The fans cheer as the passing of the torch is complete. The two hug it out, brothers in arms through this ordeal.
But wait, who is this dragging Yota out of the ring?! PILEDRIVER on the floor?!? GABE KIDD!?! This Mad Man has been in AEW this whole time, and he takes off his jacket to show off his AEW shirt! Shingo Takagi rushes out here to attack this traitorous dog, but Gabe SMACKS him down! The fans boo but Gabe tells them off. Gabe then DECKS Yota, and he snatches the Global Championship! Gabe CLOBBERS Yota using the belt! Gabe holds up the belt while he drags Yota away, seemingly claiming he owns both now! But back to Callum in the ring, the rest of the Empire joins him at ringside, but then Takagi rolls inside?
Callum tells Takagi to piss off, this is HIS moment! Takagi says okay, okay, sorry. Takagi steps out, but then Takagi steps back in! The fans cheer Takagi on, but then Takagi does slide back out, to snatch the mic first! “Dumbass! Like I’m gonna leave quietly! Callum, Callum, you really did it, huh? But I saw how you did it by the end! Is this how the United Empire does things now? That’s how you’re gonna take THE IWGP Heavyweight Championship? I’m not gonna forgive that! Callum, next, I challenge you! What do you say to that?
“Up until last year, I didn’t have a belt, I didn’t have a faction, and now I have the Unbound Company. Therefore… I have a family to protect! So all that’s missing is that IWGP title!” Takagi has staked his claim, but he hands the mic to Callum to respond. Callum smirks and says, “I have already beaten you once, and I will very happily do it again. For the IWGP title, let’s do it.” The fans applaud that, and now it is only a matter of when and where! Takagi looks to Ospreay, and the Rampaging Dragon nods to the Aerial Assassin, ready to take on his successor. Takagi finally leaves, and Callum gets to speak for himself.
“Oi, oi, oi. Callum Newman, the youngest New Japan Cup winner of all time, and now the youngest IWGP Heavyweight Champion of all time!” The fans cheer that! There are those that still boo, but Callum says there is nothing anyone can question him about now. He is at the top of NJPW, he’s at the top of British wrestling, he’s the reason Bullet Club died, he is the Kingslayer, the Prince of New Japan! You will make way for him, and kiss the crown! Callum leaves it at that, and the Empire joins him for the photo op, complete with the gold streamers and confetti. The Prince sits on the throne, but will he have to slay a Rampaging Dragon to still reign?
My Thoughts:
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