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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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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NJPW PPV Results
Mitchell’s NJPW Road to Sakura Genesis Results & Report! (4/2/26)
The Junior Heavyweights take over again!
Will Direct Drive take the wheel?
As the Road to Sakura Genesis reaches the end, Yoh challenges Douki for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion in hopes of justice being served!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Shota Umino & Tiger Mask VS KUSHIDA & Masatora Yasuda; Shota & Tiger Mask win.
- Konosuke Takeshita VS Tatsuya Matsumoto; Konosuke wins.
- Six Man Tag: Yuya Uemura, Taichi & El Desperado VS Master Wato, Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma; Yuya, Taichi & Desperado win.
- 10 Man Tag: Hontai VS House of Torture; House of Torture wins.
- Six Man Tag: OSKAR, Yuto-Ice & Gedo VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
- Six Man Tag: Unbound Company VS United Empire; United Empire wins.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X VS Francesco Akira & Jakob Austin Young; Taiji & Robbie win and retain the titles.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: DOUKI VS YOH; Douki wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X VS Francesco Akira & Jakob Austin Young!
Things got #SuperExtreme when The Bone Soldier & Mr. X freed these titles from the House of Torture. But now, their first defense is up against the Nova Fireball & #DangerousJay! Will these titles stay Unbound? Or will they once again be conquered by the United Empire?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who’s really on fire!
The teams sort out and Taiji starts against Akira. The fans rally with the bell as the two circle. Taiji and Akira tie up, Taiji wrenches to wristlock, but Akira spins and wrenches back. Akira then slips around to waistlock, half nelson, then cravat and headlock. But Taiji slips right out to hammerlock! Akira fights up, switches the hammerlock onto Taiji, but Taiji drop toeholds. Taiji floats to the headlock, but Akira slips out to wrench back. Taiji rolls, kips up, cartwheels, then wrenches to WRING Akira out! But Akira UP KICKS him away! The two back off and the fans cheer. Akira mockingly applauds, and even pats Taiji on the head!
Taiji shoves Akira, Akira shoves back, then Akira trips Taiji. Akira runs, but Taiji drops down then hurdles. Akira leaps over Taiji, then Taiji bypasses Akira to RANA! Akira tumbles but Taiji DROPKICKS him out of the ring! The fans fire up as Taiji builds speed, but Jakob trips him up! The fans boo, but then Akira YANKS Robbie off the apron! Akira storms in, mockingly applauds again, and he tags Jakob. They stand Taiji up and Akira CHOPS! The Empire double whips but Taiji grabs the ropes. Taiji BOOTS Akira away, dodges Jakob, and sends him to Robbie! Robbie DUMPS Jakob out, then he and Taiji double whip Akira.
Super Extreme DOUBLE ELBOW Akira down, then Taiji gives Robbie help in the STANDING MOONSAULT! Akira bails out but Jakob returns, only for Super Extreme to kick him low. They double whip Jakob to the corner, then Robbie UPPERCUTS! Taiji ELBOWS Jakob, snapmares him, and he wheelbarrows with Robbie for the VICTORY SPLASH! The fans fire up as Super Extreme pushes the pace, but Taiji takes a moment to catch his breath. Taiji CLUBS Jakob, then cravats for the neck wrench. Taiji turns Jakob for the NECKBREAKER across the knee! Cover, TWO! Robbie steps in, he CHOPS Jakob, then Super Extreme double whip again.
Jakob slides out, but Taiji gives Robbie the boost! Robbie goes up, up, and he KICKS Jakob from the apron! But Akira shoves Taiji into Robbie! Robbie lands on his bobby! Akira whips Taiji for him and Jakob to DOUBLE ELBOW him down! Jakob adds a PENALTY KICK, Akira adds a STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Taiji toughs it out, but Jakob whips Taiji to the corner. Jakob stomps away on Taiji, digs his boots in, but the ref counts. Jakob stops at 4, argues with the ref that he has ’til 5, but this is so Akira can CHOKE Taiji behind the ref’s back! The fans boo, but Akira gets away with it all.
Jakob pushes Taiji out before he tags Akira. Akira goes to the apron, and he wraps on headscissors! Akira says take pictures now while you can! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Akira lets go at 4. Akira puts Taiji in the ring, steps on him for a cocky cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Taiji toughs it out, but Akira drags him up. Taiji fires body shots, and a CHOP! Akira eggs Taiji on but Taiji CHOPS again! Akira CHOPS in return, then bumps him off buckles. Tag to Jakob, he runs to BLAST Robbie, then he soaks up the heat. Jakob takes a bow, then flips off the fans that boo. Jakob stomps Taiji, but Taiji fires body shots.
Jakob ROCKS Taiji, stalks him, then puts him in the corner. Jakob whips Taiji corner to corner, runs in, but Taiji BOOTS back! Taiji clinches to BUCKLE SHOT! The fans fire up while Taiji crawls his way over! Hot tag to Robbie! The fans cheer as Mr. X BOOTS Akira, then fires off on Jakob! SOBAT and the fans fire up again! Robbie whips, Jakob reverses, but Robbie handsprings to SOBAT again! Robbie then suplexes, but Jakob lands out. Jakob shoves Robbie but Robbie goes up and over at the corner! Robbie handsprings then WHEEL KICKS! Robbie kips up while Jakob falls and the fans fire up again!
Robbie kicks Jakob, but Akira CLOBBERS Robbie from behind! The fans boo while Akira wags his finger. Akira CHOPS Robbie, whips him, but Robbie stops himself. Robbie TOSSES Akira, then cartwheels to dodge Jakob! Jakob is on the apron, Robbie NO HAND HANDSPRINGS Jakob down! Then he PLANCHAS to take Akira & Jakob down! The fans fire up with Robbie, and he drags Jakob up and into the ring. Robbie aims from the apron, springboards, and he DROPKICKS Jakob down! Cover, TWO! Jakob toughs it out but the fans are with Robbie. Robbie drags Jakob up, reels him in, but Jakob fights the lift!
The fans rally for Robbie, he Kawada Kicks then CHOPS Jakob, and he tries again. Jakob wrenches out, ducks a roundhouse and SUPERKICKS! Then Jakob suplexes for ANARCHY! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Robbie survives! Jakob drags Robbie up, fireman’s carries, but Robbie fights free! Jakob ducks the roundhouse but not the ENZIGIRI! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Robbie and Jakob crawl, hot tags to Akira and Taiji! The fans fire up as Taiji dodges Akira, fires forearms with him, then fires as flurry! Akira ROCKS Taiji, whips him to ropes, but Taiji handsprings for the NEURALIZER KICK!
The fans fire up as Taiji keeps going, DOUBLE KNEES in the corner! Then ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, and a basement SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Akira survives but the fans rally for Taiji. Taiji gut wrenches but Akira blocks! Akira CLUBS Taiji again and again, but Taiji wrenches the arm for an ELBOW BREAKER! Taiji chicken wings, then he tucks Akira and hooks a leg, modified SHOULDER BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Akira survives, but Taiji holds onto an arm. Taiji hammerlocks Akira, aims for a corner, but Akira blocks! Akira fires body shots to get free, but Taiji ELBOW BREAKERS! Taiji hammerlocks Akira again, but Akira sends Taiji into the corner!
Akira runs in, LARIATS, then keeps going. Taiji BOOTS Akira again! Taiji runs, but Akira LARIATS again! Akira fires up, runs, but Taiji follows! Akira drops down to ENZIGIRI! Akira runs again, slides to trip Taiji, and he goes to the corner! TRIANGLE MOONSAULT! The fans are torn but Akira hits Taiji with SPEEDFIRE! Cover, TWO!! Taiji survives and the fans fire up again! Akira is frustrated, but he drags Taiji up and tries again. Akira hooks a leg, lifts, but Taiji fights the rest. Akira KNEES Taiji low, talks trash, then tries again. But Taiji flips through the suplex to gut wrench! But Akira turns taht around, to steal CIPHER UTAKI!
Taiji sputters while Akira goes to the corner! FIRE- NO! Taiji ducks the Fireball to hit LA MYSTICA! But Akira flips through! Only for Taiji to ghost pin! TWO, but into BONE LOCK!! Robbie intercepts Jakob to tie up the arm, and DARK SACRIFICE!! Jakob scrambles away while Akira fights around! Taiji rolls him away from the ropes in the BONE LOCK!! Akira endures but Taiji bends him back! Akira CLAWS Taiji’s eyes, then gets the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as both men are down again. Taiji rises up, says BANG, and he drags Akira around. BLOODY- NO, Akira fights free! Taiji KNEES, whips, but Akira reverses.
Robbie sneaks the tag, Taiji slips around Akira, and they pop him up, but Akira fights free! Akira SHOVES Robbie into Taiji! Akira then blocks Robbie’s chop to BITE the arm! Akira SOBATS, runs, but into the TIGER WALL KICK! But Akira ENZIGIRIS! Robbie PELES! The fans are thunderous as Robbie checks the neck and powers up! Handspring and- NO, Jakob joins in! The Empire hits the DOUBLE BOMB!! Cover, but Taiji breaks it! The fans fire up as Taiji fires forearms on The Empire! Akira ducks, Jakob SUPERKICKS, TIGER FIRE GERMAN! The fans rally but Akira tags in Jakob! Jakob storms over to Robbie and vows to end this!
Jakob cravats Robbie, goes to the corner, JAKOB’S- NO, Robbie pops free! Akira runs up, Robbie puts him on the apron! Jakob runs up but is sent into Akira! Akira falls, Robbie O’Conner Rolls, but Jakob rolls through it and holds tights! TWO, Robbie dodges, handsprings, LETHAL- NO, Jakob catches Robbie to shove him. Robbie dodges the lariat, but not Akira’s SLINGSHOT CUTTER! Then JAKOB’S LADDER!! Cover, TWO!!! Robbie survives and the fans are thunderous! The Empire is furious but the fans rally as hard as they can for Robbie. Jakob vows to end this, and he drags Robbie up. Akira anchors Taiji as Jakob hooks the arms!
Taiji fights free of Akira to JUMP KNEE Jakob! HANDSPRING KICK on Akira! Robbie has Jakob, Taiji gut wrenches, and Robbie helps for a BOOSTED CIPHER UTAKI! Then the LETHAL INJECTION X!! The fans are thunderous as Super Extreme keeps it going! They hoist Jakob up, for the BLOODY KILLER!! Robbie hurries up top now, and with Jakob in the drop zone, we hop on the X EXPRE- NO, Jakob bails out! Robbie lands on his feet, Taiji gives him the boost, SUPER MOONSAULT! Down goes The Empire, but Robbie puts Jakob back in! Taiji 450 SPLASHES! And then the X EXPRESS!!! Cover, Super Extreme wins!!
Winners: Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
Akira & Jakob brought the fire, but they just burned themselves out! Robbie & Taiji keep it Super Extreme, but who will be next? Well, Kosei Fujita makes his way out here, so that might be a clue. The fans cheer the Japanese Young Punk as he steps to the apron. Taiji invites him in so Fujita obliges, and he grabs a mic. Fujita tells Taiji & Robbie, “First of all, congratulations on your first defense. And maybe I’m a little rude in my challenge here, but I’d hardly say manners are on the champions’ side. So, I want to stand opposite you as an official challenger, and I expect an appropriate response.” Fujita tosses the mic over for Taiji to pick up.
Taiji says, “We’ve already done this before, but fine. Fujita, if you wanna go, I think you know, we’re a tough team to beat. We gladly accept facing you and Robbie Eagles again.” The fans cheer as the Ichiban Sweet Boys are coming back for a rematch! Will Fujita & Eagles make these titles mighty again? Or will Taiji & X make sure the mighty finally kneel?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: DOUKI VS YOH!
Japones Del Mal is growing desperate after losing the tag titles, but his Road to Sakura Genesis has run across Direct Drive! Will Yoh finally stand atop the Junior Heavyweight Division? Or will Douki stack the deck too high to overcome?
In quite the role change, YOH attacks Douki first! He CLAWS the eyes and THROWS Douki into the ring! The fans cheer as the bell rings and Yoh goes for EVERY- NO, Douki slips free! Yoh dodges and clinches again! EVERY- NO, Douki slips free again! Douki CLAWS the eyes, runs the ropes, but Yoh goes to the corner to RUN Douki over! The fans cheer as Yoh continues to copy Evil to a T! Douki bails out, Yoh pretends to be an airplane, then he fakes the plancha, only for Douki to trip him up! Douki drags Yoh out, then tells fans to move! Douki wrenches and whips, but Yoh reverses! Yoh BOWLS Douki into the chairs!
The fans cheer as Yoh lets Douki flounder in the mess, and even takes a lap around the ring. Yoh checks on the title belt, and even pats President Ace on the head. Yoh goes back for Douki, then drags him up to SMACK off the apron. Yoh goes looking under the ring, and he brings out several chairs! In another shoutout to Evil, Yoh puts a chair around Douki’s head! Red Shoes stops Yoh from using the other chair, but Yoh SHOVES him down! Douki CLOBBERS Yoh with the Death Pipe! Then he uses the pipe in the HALF CRAB! The fans boo but Yoh can only suffer! Douki lets Yoh go to drag him up and bring him around the way.
The fans rally as Douki drags Yoh up into the crowd! The lights come up for the orange seats and the fans fire up. Douki reels Yoh in but Yoh fights the suplex! Douki kicks Yoh’s leg, then SMASHES it on the floor! Yoh clutches the leg but Douki swaggers around while he soaks up heat. Douki walks down the steps, leaving Yoh behind. Red Shoes catches up and checks on Yoh. Yoh manages to stand, and the fans cheer as he walks his way back to ringside. The ring count climbs, but Yoh rolls inside at 15 of 20. Douki KICKS Yoh, then bumps him off bare buckles! The fans boo but Douki uses the House Special! Then he wraps Yoh’s leg around the post!
Red Shoes reprimands, but Douki SLAMS the leg against the steel! And he SLAMS the leg again! Douki CLUBS the leg, then SLAMS it off the post again! The fans boo but Douki rolls into the ring to drag Yoh out of the corner. Douki grabs the bad leg, trips Yoh, and ELBOW DROPS on the knee! Yoh endures as Douki has the leg in a toehold! The fans rally as Yoh pushes against Douki but Douki pulls the leg! Yoh crawls back to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, but Douki digs his knuckles into the knee! Red Shoes counts and Douki stops at 4. Douki drags Yoh up, but Yoh SLAPS Douki! Yoh kicks at Douki, then rises to fire forearms and kicks!
Yoh whips but Douki avoids the dropkick! Douki traps the legs and rolls Yoh into a DEATHLOCK! The fans rally as Yoh endures again! Yoh fights around, even as Douki puts on the pressure! Yoh eggs Douki on but Douki CLUBS away on the legs! Yoh again drags Douki along to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer again, but Douki still holds on! Red Shoes reprimands, and Douki lets go to drag Yoh up. Douki has the leg, but Yoh fires elbows! Douki lifts but Yoh fires more shots! Yoh waistlocks but Douki ELBOWS free! Yoh still reels Douki in, but Douki uses the British Escape! But Yoh blocks the kick, hands it to Red Shoes, he mule kicks Douki for the DDT!
The fans cheer while both men are down! Yoh crawls to ropes, stands back up, and he runs at Douki to CLOBBER him! And CLOBBER him again! Yoh whips, Douki reverses, but Yoh hits FLYING FOREARMS! The fans cheer as Yoh pursues Douki on the outside, and RAMS him into the timekeeper’s area! Yoh wipes out Abe-san AND Hiroshi Tanahashi! The fans are stunned, Yoh might’ve taken imitating Evil too far…! Yoh copies Tanahashi now by saying, “Korakuen, ASHITEMAAASU~!” The fans cheer while Yoh drags Douki back into the ring. Yoh then suplexes Douki for a FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally as Douki survives, and Yoh shakes out the legs before he stands. Yoh tunes up the band and then fans cheer. But then Douki uses Red Shoes as a shield! Douki ENZIGIRIS, then runs, but into a wrench! Yoh suplexes, Douki slips free, and Douki shoves Yoh at Red Shoes! Yoh stops short, but Douki dropkicks the legs out! Yoh SMASHES the knee on the mat, then he steps through to tie Yoh up in a PARADISE DEATHLOCK! Yoh endures again while the fans cheer him on! Douki puts on the pressure but Yoh flails and reaches out! The fans rally harder and harder as Yoh crawls with his free arm! Yoh powers his way over, and manages the ROPEBREAK!
The fans cheer but Douki refuses to let go until Red Shoes counts 4! Douki huffs ‘n’ puffs while the fans duel. Douki drags Yoh up, then lifts, and he DOUBLE KNEE SMASHES! Douki steps through again, but Yoh CLAWS the eyes! Yoh runs up but Douki BOOTS and skins the cat in one go! Douki RAMS into Yoh, then slingshots, DAY- NO, Yoh stops Daybreak for a suplex, GHOST BUSTER! Both men are down again while the fans fire back up! Yoh and Douki stir, and they crawl to each other at center. They slowly stand back up, and Yoh fires a forearm! And fires another! Douki eggs Yoh on so Yoh fires forearms, UPPERCUTS, and repeat!
Douki dropkicks the legs! Yoh staggers away, but he rebounds to roll Douki up! TWO, and Douki blocks the superkick to HELLSTAB! Douki runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Yoh JUMP KNEES! The fans cheer as Yoh gets Douki back up, half nelsons, full nelsons, and DRAGON SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO! The bad leg may have held Yoh back on that, but he keeps his focus as the fans rally again. Yoh roars, rises, and brings Douki around. Yoh reels Douki in but Douki fights Direct Drive. Douki BOOTS Red Shoes down, then whips Yoh into the bare buckles! Both men are down, the Young Lions check Red Shoes, and the fans rally up.
Douki goes outside to look under the ring, and he brings out the Black Mirror! The fans boo but Douki SMACKS Wato on commentary!! Master Wato won’t be able to help his teammate and friend now! Douki then winds up, but Yoh blocks the shot! Yoh LOW BLOWS Douki, then he picks up the mirror! Yoh SMASHES Douki with the Black Mirror!! Yoh slashes his throat and he drags Douki up. Yoh fireman’s carries and DARKNESS FALLS!! Cover, TWO!! Douki survives but the fans are thunderous for “YO-OH! YO-OH!” Yoh steps through, for the SCORPION DEATHLOCK!! Douki endures, flails, but SHO arrives! And he rings the bell to trick Yoh!
Sho SMACKS Young Lions out of the way, too! Sho grabs the Black Mirror, threatens Yoh with it, but YOSHINOBU KANEMARU slithers in! He SHOVES Yoh into Red Shoes, sending Red Shoes into the mirror! The fans boo as The House stomps away on Yoh! Then Sho sets Yoh up while Kanemaru takes a swig. But Yoh breaks free and SUPERKICKS Kanemaru down! Then Yoh takes a swig, and he WHISKEY- NO, Sho smothers Yoh! But Yoh breaks free, to WHISKEY KISS Sho!! Yoh gives his former friend a kiss goodnight before he hits EVERYTHING IS EVIL!! The fans fire up, but Douki has Death Pipe!
Yoh BOOTS the pipe down, then he ROCKS, ROLLING ELBOWS, and LARIATS Douki down! The fans are thunderous as Yoh runs to LARIAT FROM HELL!! Yoh shouts for Red Shoes, but Marty Asami is here! EVERYTHING IS- NO, Douki SHOVES Yoh into Marty! LOW- NO! Yoh stops the low blow to whip Douki. But Douki reverses, Yoh hits bare buckles! Douki runs in, but into the SUPERKICK!! The fans are electric as Yoh vows to end this! Another ref appears, Yoh underhooks Douki, DIRECT- NO! Douki RAMS Yoh into the ref and bare buckles! Three refs down, and now Douki LOW BLOWS!!
Dick Togo appears, he and Douki combine for MAGIC KILLER!! The fans boo but Kanemaru passes a chair to Douki. Douki puts the chair around Yoh’s neck, and Dick hits the HOMERUN! The fans boo as hard as they can while Yoh is a sitting duck! Douki crawls, Dick forces a fourth ref to get in there! Douki hauls Yoh up, clinches, EVERYTHING IS EVIL!!! Douki covers, and TWO?!?! No one can believe it, least of all Douki!! But this is how important this title is to everyone! Douki wheelbarrows, SUPLEX DE LA LUNA!!! Bridging cover, DOUKI WINS!
Winner: Douki, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)
Yoh tried to be Evil, but he just wasn’t Evil enough to defeat the House of Torture’s endless bag of tricks! Will Direct Drive ever reach that next gear?
As for Douki, he gets the belt back, but he again demands Tanahashi put it around him as part of the celebration. But then surprise, Tiger Mask is here! Douki gets spooked, and Tiger grabs the mic! “Oi, do you really think the fans are satisfied with a match like this, ya bastard?!” The fans cheer Tiger there! Tiger says open your ears and listen carefully! HE’S NEXT! The fans fire up for that, and Tiger says that he may not have been a product of NJPW, but he IS the product of the ORIGINAL Tiger Mask, Satoru Sayama, and his Strong Style! That makes him more than capable of beating the crap outta the likes of Douki! Tiger Mask vows to retire as a champion!
The fans love the sound of that! Will Tiger Mask’s last go at the title not only send him off into the sunset, but mark him down as the historic 100th champion?!
My Thoughts:
A great night for Road to Sakura Genesis, and another great night where the Junior Heavyweights were the focus. Super Extreme VS United Empire was awesome, and for just a moment, it seemed like The Empire would win. But Robbie & Taiji making it through their first defense was the right move. Fujita challenging them while Eagles is still stateside is fine, and there’s time before the Best of the Super Juniors to fit in a tag title match. Awesome main event with Yoh copying Evil’s shtick, right down to sending his opponent into the timekeeper’s table. I kinda wish Yoh had won here, but Douki VS Tiger Mask being set as Tiger’s last chance at the title is some great stuff. I hope Hontai actually helps protect Tiger from the House of Torture, they hardly do that.
My Score: 8.8/10
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