NJPW PPV Results
Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 33 Results & Report! (7/15/23)
The G1 begins again!
Opening night goes to Blocks A and B!
NJPW’s greatest tradition, the G1 Climax, begins again! And starting things off this year, Blocks A and B, with IWGP World Champion, SANADA!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- G1 Climax 33, B Block: YOSHI-HASHI VS El Phantasmo; Hashi wins.
- G1 Climax 33, A Block: Chase Owens VS Gabe Kidd; Chase wins.
- G1 Climax 33, B Block: Tanga Loa VS KENTA; Loa wins.
- G1 Climax 33, A Block: Shota Umino VS Ren Narita; Time Limit Draw.
- G1 Climax 33, B Block: Kazuchika Okada VS Great-O-Khan; Okada wins.
- G1 Climax 33, A Block: Yota Tsuji VS Kaito Kiyomiya; Kaito wins.
- G1 Climax 33, B Block: Taichi VS Will Ospreay; Taichi wins.
- G1 Climax 33, A Block: SANADA VS Hikuleo; Sanada wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
G1 Climax 33, B Block: YOSHI-HASHI VS El Phantasmo!
The Head Hunter made it through back-to-back tag title matches and is still one half of the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions. But the Headbanga is looking for something to call his own. Will ELP get the 1-2-3? Or will Hashi have a strong start to the tournament?
Fans rally for ELP and ELP enjoys that. ELP then offers a handshake, and Hashi takes it. Fans applaud and the bell rings. The two circle, tie up, and ELP waistlocks. Hashi pries free, switches, but ELP switches to SLAM! ELP floats around and facelocks but Hashi slips free, and the two stand off. Fans cheer and the two reset. They tie up, Hashi headlocks but ELP powers out, to then headlock back. Hashi powers up and out, but ELP runs him over! Fans cheer as ELP flexes and kisses his biceps. Things speed up, Hashi hurdles and BLOCKBUSTERS! ELP bails out and Hashi rallies the fans. Hashi then builds speed, but ELP slides in to DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!
ELP keeps his cool and drags Hashi up. ELP suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! ELP drags Hashi up, ROCKS him with a forearm, then scoops him for a SLAM! ELP goes to the corner, hops up, lines up his shot, and drops the AX HANDLE! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Fans applaud while ELP checks his neck. ELP then stands on Hashi’s hand! The ref reprimands, ELP rallies the fans and he brings Hashi up. ELP snapmares and KICKS Hashi in the back, but Hashi stands right up! Hashi kicks low, snapmares ELP, but ELP gets right up to BOOT Hashi down! Fans applaud while Hashi checks his chin.
ELP drags Hashi up, CHOPS him, and Hashi falls right over! Fans applaud, ELP stands Hashi up again and whips him corner to corner. ELP howls and fans echo it. ELP then runs corner to corner, but Hashi dropkicks the legs out! Both men are down and fans rally up! ELP goes to a corner and Hashi crawls to the opposite. Hashi then runs in to clothesline! Hashi whips and CHOPS! And mule kicks! And turns ELP for the NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Hashi brings ELP up again. Hashi whips ELP to ropes, to back drop! Hashi watches ELP rise, and he runs in again, to clothesline ELP up and out!
Fans rally again as Hashi builds speed! Hashi FLIES to take ELP out at the ramp! Fans fire up as Hashi flexes now! Hashi drags ELP up, puts him in the ring, and Hashi climbs the corner. Fans rally again and ELP stands, into Hashi’s FLYING BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Hashi pounds the mat. Fans rally up again, and Hashi brings ELP up. Hashi reels ELP in, fisherman’s, but ELP blocks! ELP throws body shots, then NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO!! Hashi escapes and fans cheer again. ELP calls his shot and he drags Hashi up. ELP straitjackets and torture racks, but Hashi fights!
Hashi CHOPS ELP and ELP goes to a corner. Hsahi runs in but ELP goes up and over! ELP keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges, springboard CROSSBODY! And then somersault to LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives again but ELP resets with the torture rack! SPINNING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Hashi survives yet again and ELP grows frustrated. ELP drags Hashi up, reels him in, but Hashi fights free to CHOP! ELP snarls and storms up on Hashi, but Hashi CHOPS again! ELP goes to the corner, Hashi runs in, and CHOPS! Hashi rallies the fans and runs corner to corner, but ELP follows to DISCUS CHOP!
ELP keeps moving, Hashi follows, but into SUDDEN DEATH! ELP suckered Hashi in, and now he goes up the ropes! SPRINGBOARD THUNDER KISS 86!! Cover, TWO?!?! Hashi survives and everyone is shocked! ELP refocuses, and he rallies the fans up. ELP slashes his throat, drags Hashi up and reels him in, but Hashi trips him to a jackknife bridge! TWO!! ELP sunset flips it, TWO! Hashi sits on it, TWO, ELP has the ghost pin! TWO!!! Both men have to check real quick but the ref confirms, that was two! Hashi rushes in, ELP dodges and mule kicks! Then front kicks! Then ENZIGURIS! Hashi staggers, but he comes back with a SUPERKICK!
Hashi runs, and LARIATS ELP inside out!! Fans fire up with Hashi and he drags ELP up. CRUCIFIX DRIVER!! Cover, Hashi wins!!
Winner: Yoshi-Hashi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; ELP earns 0)
The old dog busts out a new trick! Will this be yet another resurgence for Yoshi-Hashi? As for ELP, that was a rough way to lose in the first round, will he be able to rebound?
G1 Climax 33, A Block: Chase Owens VS Gabe Kidd!
We may have seen Bullet Club VS Bullet Club before, but this is a new flavor all its own. Will the Crown Jewel show the new kid a thing or two? Or will this War Dog show Chase how savage he really is?
Wait, Kidd rushes out and CLOBBERS Chase on stage, with a chair! Kidd taunts the fans, then SMACKS Chase with the chair on the back! Kidd continues to taunt the fans as they boo, and the ref runs up to reprimand Kidd. Kidd stands Chase up to ROCK him with a forearm, and HEADBUTT him! Kidd reels Chase in, and wants to throw him off the stage! Chase fights up but Kidd CLUBS him down! And BITES his head! Kidd UPPERCUTS Chase and he goes tumbling down the ramp! Kidd stalks Chase all the way down, then ROCKS him with another shot! Fans boo but Kidd brings Chase up and headlocks.
Kidd brings Chase further along and HEADBUTTS him again! But Chase throws shots in return! Kidd UPPERCUTS Chase again! Kidd brings Chase around and through the gate to CHOKE him against the railing in front of the fans! And then Kidd pulls those railings apart! Kidd then snatches chairs and throws those around, and brings Chase over to SMACK him off other chairs! He even uses a fan’s umbrella to SMACK Chase, and CHOKE him! The ref reprimands, Kidd lets off, this isn’t even a match yet! Kidd brings Chase around to the other side of the aisle, rips those railings apart, and smacks Chase off those chairs!
Fans move aside and Young Lions help, and Chase fights back! Kidd ROCKS Chase, brings him around to yet another section and HEADBUTTS Chase down! Kidd then DECKS a Young Lion! And another! And another! Kidd has gone past savage and is just crazy! The ref makes him go to the ringside area, but then Kidd runs past to go back up the ramp! And then Kidd runs down the ramp to FLY!! And he takes out Chase and the Young Lions!! Fans are thunderous and the ref checks everyone. Kidd is up and he shakes the railing apart! Kidd then chases Chase to ringside, and claws his face!
Chase staggers away, and Kidd ROCKS him! Kidd headlocks to bring Chase around, and UPPERCUTS him down! Kidd tells English commentary, “You wanna talk? Let’s talk then!” Kidd heard what Chris had to say a few years ago about going out and banging a Japanese woman. Well guess what? Kidd’s gonna find him THREE! Then Kidd goes back to firing shots on Chase! And he tells commentary to shut up. Fans rally for Chase as Kidd puts him in the ring, and then Kidd flips them all off. Fans boo and Kidd goes into the ring. The bell finally rings, and this is finally a match! And Chase BOOTS Kidd down!
Fans rally as Chase finally has a chance to rest. Chase goes to ropes, drags himself up, and he watches Kidd flounder to the other side. Chase runs in and CLOBBERS Kidd! And again! Chase whips, Kidd reverses and runs in but Chase BOOTS him! And then CORNER BACK SUPLEX, to a SAIDO! Fans fire up with Chase and he hauls Kidd up. Chase tucks Kidd in, but Kidd powers out to swing. Chase ducks the lariat but Kidd elbows back. Chase RAMS Kidd into a corner, then LARIATS him down! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Chase paces around. Chase locks ‘n’ loads, aims and runs in, but Kidd dodges!
Kidd runs, Chase dodges! Kidd dodges! Chase dodges! Kidd dodges! And then Kidd CLOBBERS Chase! Kidd drags Chase up to a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Chase survives and Kidd is furious! Kidd glares at Chase while the fans rally up. Kidd stalks Chase to ropes, throws forearms, and Chase sits down. Kidd kicks Chase around, taunts him, and even SPITS on him! Kidd digs his boots in and shouts, “What’re you gonna do?!” The ref counts, Kidd lets off, and Chase stands. Chase CHOPS Kidd, Kidd ROCKS Chase! Kidd puts Chase up top, CHOPS him, and then climbs up after him. Kidd wants to bite again, but Chase slips out and under!
Chase trips Kidd! Kidd staggers, Chase BOOTS him! Kidd CHOPS, but Chase SUPERKICKS! Kidd rebounds, but Chase ducks the lariat to HALF ‘N’ HALF! And C-TRIGGER! And then the tuck and PACKAGE DRIVER!! Cover, CHASE WINS!!
Winner: Chase Owens, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kidd earns 0)
Gabe Kidd gave his Bullet Club senpai one hell of a shootout, but in the end, you can’t steal one from the Crown Jewel. Chase gives Kidd a Too Sweet after all, so is all good in the Bullet Club main branch?
G1 Climax 33, B Block: Tanga Loa w/ Jado VS KENTA!
The Silverback is back, and he wants his turn at revenge against Bullet Club! But will he be able to break the Fang Revived? Or will Kenta make him #GoToSleep?
The bell rings and fans rally as the two stare down. They slowly circle, approach, and tie up. Loa powers Kenta to ropes, but lets off as the ref counts. Fans applaud the clean break, and Kenta circles with Loa again. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Loa uses size to power Kenta back. They end up against ropes again, but Kenta turns it around. Loa turns it back, and they go around and around again. The ref counts as Loa has Kenta in the corner. Loa lets off, and the fans applaud. They circle again, but Kenta bails out. Kenta takes a moment but the fans rally up. Kenta comes back, tells fans to shut up, then steps inside.
Loa and Kenta circle again, and Kenta kicks the bad leg! Kenta headlocks, but Loa throws body shots. Loa powers out, they RAM shoulders, but Loa stays up. Fans rally, Kenta runs and RAMS Loa again, but Loa is still standing! Loa grins and applauds, and he eggs Kenta on. Kenta kicks the bad leg! Kenta runs, but Loa runs him over! Fans cheer and Kenta bails out again. Loa goes out after him this time, and Loa CLUBS Kenta on the back! Kenta staggers but Loa CLUBS him again. Loa keeps after Kenta and ROCKS him in front of English commentary. Loa smothers Kenta with a mic, then pushes him into the ring.
Kenta crawls away but Loa catches him first! Loa drags Kenta up, RAMS him against the ropes, and again! And again! The ref reprimands, Loa lets off and whips Kenta to ropes. Kenta holds ropes and bails out. Loa rushes out, Kenta slides in, then slides out to get the bad leg! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Loa falls to the floor and scrambles away! The ref checks Loa while Kenta paces. Kenta stomps Loa, and again, and then drags Loa up. Kenta puts the bad leg around the railing! Kenta traps the leg, and then DROPKICKS it! The ref reprimands and Kenta backs off, only to run in and BOOT the railing!
Loa falls over and Kenta stalks him. The ref wants this back in the ring, but Kenta drags Loa up to kick the bad leg again. Loa crawls away, Kenta refreshes the ring count, and Kenta stalks him to the corner. Kenta stomps the bad leg, KICKS it, then paces. Loa drags himself up and pushes Kenta away, but Kenta KICKS Loa in the chest! The count passes 10 of 20 but Kenta puts Loa in at 13. Fans rally and Loa pushes Kenta away. Kenta taunts Loa but Jado coaches him up. Loa sits up, but Kenta stomps the bad leg! Kenta drags Loa up, but Loa throws body shots! And uppercuts! But Kenta SOBATS!
Loa goes to a corner, Kenta runs in, and Kenta blocks Loa’s boot! Kenta kicks the bad leg! And puts it in the ropes, to DROPKICK it again! Loa falls over in a heap and Kenta soaks up the heat. Kenta mocks those booing him, then storms over to Loa. Fans rally for Loa as he crawls, but Kenta stalks him. Kenta talks trash on Jado, sits Loa up, and he stomps the bad leg again. Loa clutches the knee but Kenta keeps kicking it! Kenta kicks Loa around, stomps the bad leg, but Loa grits his teeth. Loa glares at Kenta, rises to his feet, and he blocks a kick! Loa throws body shots, UPPERCUTS, and then scoops, to SWINGING SIDE SLAM!
Fans fire up while Loa and Kenta are both down! Loa rises while Kenta rolls to a corner. Loa runs corner to corner and clotheslines! Then he whips Kenta in to clothesline again! And then GERMAN SUPLEX! Loa drags Kenta right up for the BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Kenta survives, perhaps Loa’s bomb wasn’t strong enough with the bad leg. Loa drags Kenta back up, reels him in, but then changes up to scoop. Kenta grabs at the ref! They all spin around, the ref goes down, and Kenta slips free to kick low! DDT! Both men are down and Jado checks on the ref. And Kenta sees his opening!
Kenta scrambles out of the ring, looks underneath, and he brings out a chair! Kenta gets back in, takes aim, and JAMS Loa, then SMACKS him! And SMACKS him again! Kenta kicks Loa over and fans boo, but Kenta isolates the leg! Kenta SMASHES the knee!! Fans boo but Kenta says he’ll go again! Another SMASH to the knee!! Fans boo even harder as Kenta kicks Loa down again. Kenta puts the chair on the knee, then goes up the corner! DIVING- NO, Loa moves! Loa avoids disaster, swings on Kenta, but Kenta dodges, only for the SOUTHPAW to hit! Fans fire up as Loa now has Kenta down! Jado gets the ref back in, too!
Loa helps the ref sit up, and he aims at Kenta. Kenta rises, Loa runs in, but Kenta drops! Loa has to hobble to a stop, but he won’t let Kenta deny him. Buti then Kenta cradles! TWO!! Loa gets free but Kenta rolls him! Feet on the ropes! The ref sees that and says NOPE! Fans cheer but Kenta is furious! Kenta corners the ref, Loa runs in, but almost hits the ref! LOW BLOW!! Fireman’s carry, but Loa slips free! Kenta URAKENS, then runs! INTO A SPEAR!! Fans fire up with Loa as he roars! Loa drags Kenta up, scoops him, and goes APE SHIT!!! Cover, Loa wins!
Winner: Tanga Loa, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kenta earns 0)
Now that’s how you return to action! Loa pins the DEFY Wrestling Champion and earns himself those crucial first points! Will this be the year the Silverback becomes an alpha male?
G1 Climax 33, A Block: Shota Umino VS Ren Narita!
Two young upstart stars clash to start off this year’s G1! Will the Roughneck continue to bring about the Paradigm Shift in NJPW? Or will Narita show us all why he’s the Son of Strong Style?
Shota may be a student of Jon Moxley, but taking off his elaborate entrance attire is rather Naito of him. Narita is patient, though, as a student of Katsuyori Shibata and Minoru Suzuki. The bell rings and the two rush in! Narita BOOTS Shota, but Shota’s right up to CLOBBER Narita! They stare down face to face and fans fire up. Shota throws a forearm, Narita gives it back! Shota throws another, and so does Narita! They go back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans rally up with every shot. Things keep going faster and faster, and then Shota eggs Narita on! Narita fires off a flurry, then eggs Shota on. Shota stares Narita down, then fires heavy shots!
Narita comes back with another forearm of his own, and he eggs Shota on. Shota throws a shot, Narita shakes his head. Narita throws a shot, and Shota scowls. Shota winds way back to throw a forearm! Narita shakes his head and fires another. Shota fires another, Narita fires another, and then Shota throws a flurry! Narita fires a strike fest! Shota wobbles, Narita stomps him into the corner! Narita rains down forearms and stomps but the ref counts. Narita runs but Shota follows fast to ELBOW! Shota fires off a flurry now, and even some UPPERCUTS! The ref reprimands, Shota lets off and runs, but Narita follows to BOOT!
But Shota stays up and shoves Narita! So Narita UPPERCUTS Shota off his feet! Fans fire up while Shota goes to the corner. Narita storms up to dig his boot in. The ref counts, but Narita just adds more pressure! The ref reprimands, counts, and Narita finally lets off. Fans cheer the intensity and Narita drags Shota up. Narita CLUBS Shota on the neck, CLUBS him again, then whips him to ropes. Shota holds ropes, dodges Narita and arm-drags! And elbows! And basement dropkicks! Fans fire up with Shota, and then he dusts himself off. Shota paces around, stomps Narita, and brings him up with a cravat.
Narita endures the neck wrench, but then Shota CLUBS him down. Shota kicks Narita around and eggs him on. Shota whips Narita to a corner but Narita reverses! Narita runs in, into a BOOT! And another boot! Shota runs, into a leg scissor throw! KNEEBAR! Shota endures as Narita has his leg! Shota crawls, drags Narita along, and backstrokes to the ROPEBREAK! Narita gets up to drag Shota from the ropes to reapply the KNEEBAR! Fans rally and duel while Shota endures! Shota reaches out, and gets the ROPEBREAK again! The ref counts but Narita keeps on the hold until 4.
Narita drags Shota back from ropes again, and has a standing toehold! Shota CHOPS from below but Narita holds on! Narita leans on the hold, then drags Shota around again. Narita steps through to put more pressure on, and then does it again! Shota endures, even as Narita hits another spinning toehold, into the FIGURE FOUR! Fans cheer while Shota endures more! Shota fights to turn things over, but Narita powers him back down! Shota keeps fighting, drags Narita along towards ropes, but Narita pushes up! Shota still reaches out for the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, but again Narita holds on until 4.
Narita grabs at the legs but Shota kicks at him. Narita lets go, but he stomps Shota! Shota eggs Narita on so Narita stomps him more! And more! Narita drags Shota up but Shota throws forearm after forearm! Narita kicks the bad leg! Narita whips, Shota reverses and scoops to THROW, then run and SLIDING UPPERCUT! Fans fire up as Shota now has control. Shota hobbles over to Narita in the corner. Shota whips Narita corner to corner, runs in and UPPERCUTS! Shota then FISHERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but fans still rally up. Shota goes out and climbs the corner!
Shota reaches the top, Narita stands, and Shota MISSILE DROPKICKS! Then Shota steps through to an STF! Narita endures and reaches out, even as Shota pulls back on the hold! Narita claws at the mat, powers his way forward, and gets the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Shota holds until 3 as a little payback on Narita. Shota then drags Narita up, clinches, but Narita resists the lift. Shota snapmares, then throws down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Shota got that from the BCC! Shota then hauls Narita up, but Narita fights the clinch with elbows! Shota knees low, runs, but into a WHEEL KICK! Fans rally up while both men are down!
Shota crawls to a corner, Narita goes to the opposite. Narita runs corner to corner to BACK ELBOW! And then HALF HATCH BRIDGE! TWO!! Shota escapes but Narita clamps right on with a SLEEPER! Shota fights up, RAMS Narita into buckles, and is free. Shota kicks low, whips Narita but Narita reverses, to hip toss! Narita then brings Shota up, clinches, but Shota slips free! CROSS RHODES! Shota holds on to drag Narita back up, another CROSS RHODES! Shota drags Narita up again, hooks a leg, SAVING GRACE! Cover, TWO!! Narita survives and Shota is shocked! But Shota hurries to a corner as fans rally up.
Narita staggers up and Shota runs in, but Narita avoids the swing! Narita knees low! Narita runs, into a scoop! HOTSHOT and UPPERCUT! Shota then slingshots in, ONE FINAL BEAT! Fans fire up after the slingshot DDT and Shota aims again. Narita rises, Shota kicks low and underhooks! But Narita fights Paradigm Shift to EXPLODER! Fans fire up while both men are down again! Shota and Narita stir, Narita stands first and he brings Shota up. Narita hits an BLIZZARD SUPLEX BRIDGE! TWO!!! Fans fire up as Narita clamps on with another SLEEPER! Shota fights up, arm-drags free, but Narita gets the leg!
Narita drags Shota down to a HEEL HOOK! Shota reaches for ropes, but Narita shifts, rolls and has the TEXAS CLOVERHOLD!! Shota endures, fights back up and moves toward ropes! But Narita sits deep! Shota still powers his way to the ROPEBREAK! Narita lets go in frustration but the fans rally up. Narita calls his shot and drags Shota up. Shota fights the Belly2Belly! Narita BOOTS Shota, but Shota stays standing! Shota shakes his head, so Narita BOOTS him again! Shota is still standing, so Narita runs and BOOTS him again! Shota wobbles but he’s still standing! Narita runs, to BOOT Shota down! But Shota’s right back up!?
Shota clinches to EXPLODER! But Narita’s right back up! Narita hits an EXPLODER! Shota roars as he rises! Shota dodges a boot to GERMAN SUPLEX! But Narita’s right up to GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans are thunderous as both men rise again! Shota staggers around, Narita storms up, both men DECK the other with a palm strike! Fans are thunderous again as they duel for these young stars! Shota and Narita each crawl to the other. Shota throws a forearm, but Narita throws it back! But there’s only THREE MINUTES left in the time limit! Narita throws another forearm! Shota eggs him on!
The two stand, fans fire up again and the forearms go back and forth! Shota UPPERCUTS, UPPERCUTS and UPPERCUTS! Narita fires a strike fest and UPPERCUTS! Shota forearms, back elbows, then boxing elbows! Shota spins, into a kick! And ENZIGURI! Narita roars, runs, but Shota DROPKICKS! Fans keep rallying as Shota stalks Narita to a corner. Two minute warning, and Shota hits a TORNADO DDT! Shota aims from the corner as Narita rises! Shota runs in, IGNITION!! Cover off the swinging neckbreaker, TWO?!?! Narita survives but Shota won’t stop there! He drags Narita up and picks him up! ELEVATED DEATH RIDER!! Cover, TWO!?!?
Narita survives again and no one can believe it! But Shota won’t stop here! We hit the LAST MINUTE, and Shota underhooks! But Narita slips out to COBRA TWIST! Shota fights to get free but Narita just clamps on tighter! We’re at THIRTY SECONDS! Shota reaches out, Narita shifts, GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!!! Fans are thunderous as the seconds tick away! Narita hurries as we hit TEN! Clinch and- NO, Shota fights it! POP-UP UPPERCUT!! TIME’S UP!!!!
Time Limit Draw, both men gain 1 point
How long has it been since there was a DRAW in the G1? This match could not only make the difference in both men’s first run, but this could have just solidified the future of NJPW! Will we see Narita and Shota fight again and again in the coming years?
G1 Climax 33, B Block: Kazuchika Okada VS Great-O-Khan!
The Rainmaker is a former G1 Climax Champion, and he’s currently NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champion. Meanwhile, The Dominator is still Rev-Pro Wrestling’s British Heavyweight Champion. But only one can start off their G1 with a win, so will Okada make it rain? Or will Khan conquer the leader of Chaos for The United Empire?
The bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally up for “O-KA-DA!” but Khan corners him. The ref has Khan back away and Khan eggs Okada on. They tie up, Khan gets a leg and then a waistlock but Okada counters with a facelock. Khan pushes through but Okada avoids the cover. Khan shoots in, Okada sprawls to block but Khan scrambles to the back. Khan pushes Okada back down, cover, TWO! Khan keeps on Okada with a facelock, then shifts to a waistlock and roll. Cover, ONE! Khan wants an armlock but Okada fights it. Khan facelocks but Okada fights to his feet, only for Khan to throw him down. Cover, ONE!
Okada keeps on Khan now with a waistlock. Okada drags Khan up, but Khan swings an elbow. Okada ducks it to back drop! And sits on the cover, TWO!! Khan escapes and fans fire up! Okada eggs Khan on, Khan rushes back in and tackles Okada! Khan clinches Okada to a HEAD ‘N’ ARM TRIANGLE! Okada endures as Khan leans his weight on the hold! Fans rally, Okada moves around and reaches out, but Khan squeezes tight! Okada’s turning red as Khan puts all his weight into it! Okada gets one last gasp to the ROPEBREAK! Khan lets off, and he then shifts around to a KIMURA! But they’re still in the ropes!
Khan grabs Okada’s leg and adds it to the hold for a modified bow ‘n’ arrow! Okada endures as he’s caught head to toe! Khan lets off to drop knees on the arm, and then SPLASHES the arm! Khan keeps on that arm with an elbow digging into the shoulder. Khan stands on Okada’s shoulder, pulls the arm back, but fans rally as Okada endures. Khan stomps Okada down! Khan drags Okada up, whips him hard into the corner, then turns him around for Mongolian Chops! Fans rally up as Khan sits up on his throne! The ref reprimands, Khan hops down at 4, and he then drags Okada back up.
Khan suplexes Okada high and hard! Cover, TWO! Khan clamps back onto Okada’s arm and traps it with a leg scissor! Khan bends the fingers and twists the wrist, digging his elbow into Okada’s ribs. Okada fights around, but Khan grabs that leg! Okada fights around to get the ROPEBREAK after all! Khan lets go quickly and looms over Okada. Khan kicks Okada around, CLUBS him, and CLUBS him again! Khan stands Okada up but Okada ROCKS Khan with a forearm! And again! Khan eggs Okada on so Okada throws another forearm! Khan ROCKS Okada in return! Khan whips, Okada ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Khan!
Fans rally as Okada rises again. Okada runs in to rally with forearms and elbows! Okada whips, Khan reverses but Okada kicks low and DDTs! Fans rally up, Okada drags Khan up, but Khan grabs an ear! And CLUBS it! Khan runs, but into Okada’s FLAPJACK! Cover, TWO! Okada drags Khan up by his arm and paces around. Okada wrenches and wraps Khan up in the MONEY CLIP! Khan powers Okada back but Okada sends Khan into the corner! Okada then puts Khan up top, to DROPKICK him to the floor! Khan tumbles into railing while fans fire up! Okada catches his breath, then goes out to fetch Khan.
Okada drags Khan up, and whips him into railing! Okada then BOOTS Khan! Khan gets caught up but he still falls to the other side! Okada fetches Khan from No Man’s Land and brings him along by his ponytail. Okada uses that to pull Khan onto the railing, and drags him out, DRAPING DDT to the floor! Fans cheer Okada striking like a viper but the ref starts a ring count. Okada paces, brings Khan up at 8 of 20, and puts him in at 12. Fans applaud as Okada steps in to bring Khan up. Okada goes to gut wrench but Khan fights it! Okada CLUBS Khan down, Alabama Lifts, but Khan fights that, too!
Okada knees Khan low, CLUBS him on the back, then UPPERCUTS! Okada runs, dodges Khan’s lariat, but Khan hits a NECKBREAKER DROP on the return! Fans rally while both men are down and crawling to corners. Khan runs in but into a BOOT! Khan comes back, into another BOOT! Okada BOOTS but Khan Mongolian Chops! And again and again and again! Machine Gun Mongolians?! Fans fire up as Okada drops to his knees! Khan then gut wrenches Okada for the suplex! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Khan hauls Okada up. Okada fights the back suplex with elbows, but Khan powers through to ATOMIC DROP! HITSUJIGOROSHI!!
Fans rally as Okada endures the Sheep Killer! Okada throws clubbing shots but Khan thrashes him around! Okada keeps fighting, but Khan drops MARINE! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives but Khan says he’ll finish it now. Khan drags Okada up, reels him in, but Okada fights the suplex! Khan throws body shots, CLUBS Okada then stomps him down! Khan drags Okada up, but Okada shoots around! GERMAN SUPLEX! Okada holds in, brings Khan up, but Khan fights with elbows! Khan runs, into the DROPKICK! Fans fire up and Okada gut wrenches, LANDSLIDE! Okada isn’t done there, he drags Khan back up!
Okada ripcords, but Khan ducks the lariat to IRON CLAW SLEEPER! Okada reaches out, but he’s fading fast! The ref checks on Okada, but Okada gets a second wind! So Khan brings Okada around, ELIMI- NO, Okada fights with elbows! Okada wrenches Khan’s arm, brings him around, but Khan SAYANAGIS in return! Khan holds onto Okada’s wrist to drag him up, IRON CLAW SLEEPER, into F G O!! Cover, TWO!!! Okada survives and fans are thunderous! Khan roars with the monster rage and he clamps the iron claw back on! He drags Okada up, ELIMIN- NO, Okada arm-drags free! Khan rushes back in but Okada avoids the boot!
Okada wristlocks and ripcords but Khan boots the lariat away! Khan reels Okada in, scoops, but Okada slips free! Okada inverted suplexes, but Khan slips free! IRON- NO, Okada ducks the iron fist to ripcord and RAINMAKER!! Cover, Okada wins!
Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Khan earns 0)
In the end, Khan wasn’t able to avoid the signature lariat, and Okada has a big win to kick off the G1! Will Okada become a back-to-back G1 Climax Champion?
G1 Climax 33, A Block: Yota Tsuji VS Kaito Kiyomiya!
What does the G in G1 stand for? Well, that could be determined right here and now! Will it be GENE 1 for LIJ’s newest recruit? Or will it be GREEN 1 for Pro-Wrestling Noah’s Supernova?
Wait, while Kaito is preening for the NJPW crowd, Tsuji builds speed! Tsuji DIVES onto Kaito and sends him into railing! Fans fire up with Tsuji and the bell rings to get this on record! Tsuji stomps Kaito against railing, then drags him up. Tsuji gets Kaito’s jacket off and puts him in the ring. Fans fire up for Tsuji, this is definitely a NJPW crowd. Tsuji stalks Kaito, stands on his head, and grins as he scrapes Kaito around. Tsuji sits Kaito up, but Kaito swings, into the BACKBREAKER and SLAM, and STOMP! Fans fire up for Tsuji as he stomps a mudhole in the center of the ring! Tsuji eggs Kaito on and Kaito slowly rises.
Tsuji kicks Kaito around, eggs him on, and Kaito stands up. Kaito throws a forearm, but Tsuji gives it back. Kaito throws another forearm, so Tsuji CHOPS him! Tsuji brings Kaito around, suplexes him up, but Kaito slips free to CHOP BLOCK a leg! Kaito runs, but Tsuji scoops him for a BACKBREAKER! Fans rally behind Tsuji as he pushes Kaito to a cover, TWO! Kaito hangs tough, seeing as he is a former GHC Heavyweight Champion. Tsuji keeps smiling and the fans continue to cheer him on. Tsuji brings Kaito up but Kaito CHOPS! Tsuji shrugs that off, though, and eggs Kaito on. So Kaito CHOPS again!
Tsuji eggs Kaito on more, so Kaito CHOPS! Tsuji felt that one! Tsuji BOOTS, but Kaito blocks! DRAGON SCREW! Fans rally as Kaito evens things out. Kaito drags Tsuji around by that leg and drops elbow after elbow on the knee! Kaito then runs to drop a FLASH ELBOW! Kaito drags Tsuij to a corner, and right to the post! Kaito SLAMS the leg into the post! Tsuji flops out to the floor while the ref reprimands Kaito. Kaito kicks Tsuji around, brings him up, and puts him in the ring. Fans cheer as Kaito then steps in, to jumping stomp! Kaito stomps Tsuji more, drags him up, but Tsuji ROCKS him with a forearm!
Kaito goes to a corner, Tsuji runs in but Kaito elbows him! And springboard FLYING FOREARMS! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Kaito drags Tsuji around by a leg. Kaito throws knees into the thigh, and then basement dropkicks the leg! Tsuji goes to a corner but Kaito storms up. Kaito gives almost toying stomps in the corner, but Tsuji just grins through it. Kaito slaps Tsuji around but Tsuji stands up. Tsuji goes forehead to forehead with Kaito, then fires off a flurry of forearms! But Kaito DROPKICKS him! Kaito puts the bad leg on the ropes and pulls! The ref counts, Tsuji CLUBS Kaito, but Kaito knees the knee!
Kaito runs side to side, but Tsuji BOOTS him! Kaito comes back, blocks the boot, but Tsuji brings Kaito down, and STOMPS him down! Fans fire up as Tsuji walks off the pain. Kaito stands int he corner, and Tsuji runs in to STINGER SPLASH! Tsuji keeps going, and he ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl RANA!? And then he runs Kaito over! Fans fire up as Tsuji scoops, for the RUNNING POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Kaito is still in this but fans rally as Tsuji rises. Tsuji waits on Kaito, then he runs, but Kaito dropkicks the leg! Kaito storms up, blocks another boot, and DRAGON SCREWS again!
Kaito steps through, ties up the legs, FIGURE FOUR! Tsuji endures the classic, even as Kaito puts more pressure on. Tsuji pries the hold open, but Kaito fights it back on tighter! Tsuji endures, reaches out, but Kaito pulls on the main leg! Tsuji pries at the hold again, grits his teeth, and works to turn the hold over! He succeeds! But then Kaito turns it back over, only for Tsuji to get the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, helps undo the hold, and Tsuji is free. Kaito stands and fires up! Fans are torn as Kaito goes to the corner and climbs up. Tsuji stands, Kaito MISSILE DROPKICKS! Kaito keeps on Tsuji by bringing him back up.
Tsuji swings, Kaito gets under, GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Tsuji survives but Kaito keeps his cool. Kaito vows to end it now and he brings Tsuji back up. Kaito chicken wings, but Tsuji fights the Tiger Plex! Kaito UPPERCUTS Tsuji in the back! And then chicken wings again, TIGER SUPLEX! But Tsuji lands on his feet?! Kaito storms up to UPPERCUT again and again! Kaito runs, ROLLING ELBOW! Tsuji stays up to ROCK and then HEADBUTT!! Fans are thunderous as both men fall! And Tsuji sits up with a grin! Tsuji’s enjoying this like he did the world title match with Sanada!
Kaito slowly rises and Tsuji brings him around. Tsuji suplexes, Kaito slips free and shoves to DROPKICK again! But Tsuji’s right up to BOOT! SUPERKICK! Tsuji hurries to get Kaito back up, suplexes him, FALCON BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?! Kaito survives but fans are thunderous for Tsuji! Tsuji gets his legs working and he waits on Kaito. Kaito slowly rises, Tsuji runs, CURB STOMP! And then Tsuji roars! Fans fire up again as Tsuji drags Kaito up and hooks him up in the Inverted Gory Especial. But Kaito slips free! RANA! Cover, TWO!! Tsuji escapes, Kaito goes to a corner but runs in, JUMP KNEE!!
Fans fire up and Kaito roars! Kaito hauls Tsuji up, chicken wings, TIGER PLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO!?!? Kaito actually smiles, too, because he can’t believe Tsuji escapes! Kaito drags Tsuji up, chicken wings again, and then flips Tsuji for the TIGER DRIVER 23!! Kaito then goes to a corner and waits on Tsuji. Kaito roars, runs in, EVOLVED SHINING WIZARD!! Cover, Kaito wins!!
Winner: Kaito Kiyomiya, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Tsuji earns 0)
Tonight, G stands for green! Kaito gets a truly huge win over Tsuji, will the Next Generation Ace be the first man to win a NOAH Global League/N-1 Victory and a NJPW G1 Climax in his career?
G1 Climax 33, B Block: Taichi VS Will Ospreay!
The Holy Emperor is KOPW Champion while the Aerial Assassin is the NEW IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion. It’s another golden battle in B Block, who proves they’re the stronger champion?
The entrance attire and belts are put aside, and the bell rings. The fans rally as the two stare down, and it seems the “Let’s Go, Taichi!” and “Let’s Go, Ospreay!” are evenly matched. Taichi and Ospreay circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. They break and stare down again. Taichi CHOPS! Ospreay applauds, then ROCKS Taichi with a forearm! Taichi CHOPS again, so Ospreay fires another forearm! Another CHOP, another forearm! Taichi kicks a leg, Ospreay runs to forearm again! Taichi rebounds to BOOT! Ospreay rebounds to forearm! Taichi rebounds to BOOT, kicks but Ospreay blocks! Ospreay CLUBS the leg but Taichi ducks the heel kick!
Taichi SOBATS Ospreay, runs and BOOTS Ospreay right out of the ring! Ospreay gets right up but Taichi BOOTS him back down! Fans rally while Ospreay steadies himself at the ramp. Taichi goes out after him but Ospreay knees low! Ospreay CLUBS Taichi, whips him hard into railing, and then brings Taichi around. But Taichi blocks the chip to choke grip! Ospreay headbutts free, and then whips Taichi into railing hard! Taichi tumbles up and over! Ospreay goes out after Taichi, drags him up, and runs him to the back section. Ospreay stomps Taichi around, brings him up, and ROCKS him! Taichi takes a seat in the open chairs.
Ospreay drags Taichi up, Young Lions have fans move, and Ospreay BOWLS Taichi into the chairs! Strike! Ospreay then moves chairs aside to drags Taichi back up. Ospreay ROCKS Taichi, Taichi leans against the railing and almost brings it down. Ospreay drags Taichi up again, to DDT to the floor! Taichi writhes and Red Shoes reprimands but fans rally up. Ospreay leaves Taichi behind, fans rally for “TAICHI! TAICHI!” and a ring count starts. Taichi stirs at 4 of 20, sits up at 6, and drags himself up at 10. Taichi hobbles his way back to ringside, and slides in at 16. But Ospreay springboards, COAST2COAST!
Ospreay drags Taichi out to the apron, for a DRAPING CUTTER to the floor! Ospreay gloats and fans cheer while Red Shoes checks Taichi. Ospreay waits on Taichi to get back up, but the ring count climbs. The count is 10 of 20 as Ospreay eggs Taichi on. Ospreay rolls into the ring, Taichi sits up at 14. Taichi drags himself up at 17, and slides in at 19! Fans cheer but Ospreay is aimed and ready again. Ospreay springboards in, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO!! Taichi survives but Ospreay drags Taichi up. Ospreay whips corner to corner but Taichi falls over before he makes it. Ospreay taunts the fans, ‘This your boy?”
Ospreay goes out, checks the time and it’s just been six-and-a-half minutes. Ospreay promises that with this 20 minute time limit, Taichi is gonna suffer. Ospreay taunts Taichi, tells him to fight for the fans, and then kicks Taichi in the back! Ospreay stomps Taichi around, eggs him on more, and drags him up. Ospreay scoops for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Taichi is hanging tough but Ospreay drags him up. Ospreay scoops for the SPIN OUT BACKBREAKER! Taichi writhes, Ospreay covers, TWO! Ospreay is annoyed but he did say he’ll make Taichi suffer. Fans rally for Taichi but Ospreay shows off with jumping jacks.
Ospreay kicks Taichi around and Taichi sits up. Ospreay drags Taichi up to ROCK him with a forearm! Taichi CHOPS, but Ospreay doesn’t budge. Taichi CHOPS again, but he still doesn’t have much. Taichi kicks, but Ospreay slaps him around. Taichi CHOPS again, but Ospreay DECKS him with a forearm! Ospreay looms over Taichi at the ropes, eggs him on again, and tells him time to wake up. Ospreay whips corner to corner but Taichi reverses! Taichi runs in but into a BOOT! Ospreay whips, but Taichi reverses, only for Ospreay to handspring! Into a SAIDO- NO, Ospreay lands on his feet! And PENALTY KICKS Taichi down!
Fans rally as Ospreay drags Taichi up. Ospreay suplexes, holds him up, and hits a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Taichi is still in this and fans rally up. Ospreay grins, he knows they’re not even at ten minutes yet. Taichi stirs as fans continue to rally, but Ospreay drags him up. Taichi is dead weight, but Ospreay gets him up and underhooks. Ospreay lifts, but Taichi fights it! Taichi powers out of the underhooks and he Alabama Lifts, only for Ospreay to fight that! Ospreay gives one Kawada Kick, and then CHOPS! Taichi goes to a corner, Ospreay runs in, but Taichi dodges to GAMAN- NO, Ospreay blocks it! And CHOPS Taichi down!
Fans rally while Ospreay leans against ropes. Ospreay shakes out his ear, that gamangiri still made some kinda contact. Ospreay goes to the apron, but he has to sit down! Did that kick rattle him more than he thought? Ospreay tells Red Shoes he can still continue, but he’s careful as he climbs. Ospreay wobbles and he drops to the second rope! Red Shoes checks with Ospreay, but Ospreay tells him to not even dare calling this. Ospreay gets Taichi up, but Taichi SAID- NO, Ospreay fights that to a DREAM SMASHER ELBOW! That much Ospreay can still do, dizzy as he is. Ospreay slaps himself and prepares the elbow.
Ospreay aims from the corner, Taichi sits up, but the inner ear problem is still bothering him. Taichi flops back down, so Ospreay takes a bit more time to steady himself. Ospreay storms up on Taichi, slaps him around and eggs him on. Ospreay gives more Kawada Kicks, but almost mockingly. Taichi stands up to stare Ospreay down, and Ospreay even positions himself for Taichi. So Taichi gives him Kawada Kicks! Ospreay then gives real Kawada Kicks! Taichi wrenches and HOOK KICKS! And off come the pants!! Fans fire up as Taichi aims, but Ospreay blocks the buzzsaw to short arm LARIAT!
Fans rally up as Ospreay staggers around. Ospreay is determined to finish this out, and he waits on Taichi. Taichi rises, Ospreay runs and springboards, OS- NO, Taichi blocks and Alabama Lifts! But Ospreay fights it so Taichi back drops him away! Ospreay lands on his feet, springboards again, OSCUTTER!! Direct hit and fans fire up! Ospreay pushes Taichi to a cover, TWO!! Taichi survives and Ospreay is frustrated, but he gets back to his feet. Ospreay still shakes out the stars going around his head, and he prepares the elbow again. Taichi sits up, Ospreay runs in, but Taichi ducks the Hidden Blade to ENZIGURI!
Fans fire up as we hit 15 minutes! Ospreay elbows the gamangiri away, to HIDDEN BLADE!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Taichi survives by a miscalculation on Ospreay’s part! Ospreay refocuses, brings Taichi up and underhooks, Canadian Rack for- NO, Taichi slips free and O’Conner Rolls, into GEDO CLUTCH!! TWO!!! Ospreay escapes but Taichi hurries! Ospreay blocks the lariat to HOOK KICK! But Taichi still AX BOMBERS! Ospreay stays up to ROLLING ELBOW! Taichi falls and Ospreay shakes out the stars again. Ospreay calls his shot, fans rally up, and Ospreay goes up the corner! SUPER- NO, Taichi CLUBs him first!
Taichi goes up after Ospreay but Ospreay CLUBS away on Taichi! Taichi CLUBS Ospreay in return, throwing down ridge hands! Taichi brings Ospreay up to SUPER DANGEROUS SAIDO!!! Fans are thunderous and Taichi rises! Taichi runs, AX BOMBER!! But he isn’t done there! We’re at three minutes left, SAIDO BRIDGE!! TWO!!! Fans are thunderous again as Taichi roars and brings Ospreay up! Alabama Lift, but Ospreay slips free to steal DANGEROUS SAIDO! HIDDEN- SUPERKICK!!! Taichi hits first, then Alabama Lifts, for BLACK MEPHISTO!!! Cover, TAICHI WINS!!
Winner: Taichi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Ospreay earns 0)
The entire arena is fired up as the KOPW Champion trumps the IWGP US Champion! Will Taichi look to take Ospreay’s title after the G1 Climax?
G1 Climax 33, A Block: SANADA VS Hikuleo w/ Jado!
Speaking of champions, the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion naturally gets the main event. Will the Cold Skull prove his dominance, even against this giant Guerrilla of Destiny? Or will Hikuleo get the biggest win of his career?
The bell rings and Hiku BOOTS Sanada down! Hiku whips Sanada to ropes but Sanada holds ropes. Sanada then baits Hiku in, O’Conner Bridge! TWO!! Hiku gets free, CHOPS Sanada, and Sanada drops to his knees. Hiku drags Sanada up and brings him around, to RAM him into a corner! Sanada flops out of the ring, Hiku goes out after him, and drags Sanada up. Hiku RAMS Sanada into the apron! Sanada sits down, but Hiku stands Sanada up to CHOP him! And CHOP him again! Sanada staggers away and Hiku says one more! Hiku brings Sanada around, and CHOPS him again! Fans rally as Hiku then scoops Sanada and carries him around!
Hiku aims, but Sanada slips free and POSTS Hiku first! Then RAMS him into railing! Sanada paces while fans rally up. Red Shoes says to get this in the ring but Sanada drags Hiku up to bring him around, and whip him, only for Hiku to reverse! Sanada hits railing hard and tumbles over! A ring count starts, Hiku storms out to fetch Sanada, and brings him up at 11 of 20. They go back to ringside, Hiku puts Sanada in at 14. Fans applaud and Hiku steps in. Hiku CHOPS Sanada and Sanada goes to a corner. Hiku storms up to whip corner to corner, run in, but Sanada dodges! Sanada comes back, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Hiku back drops him away! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally more and Hiku drags Sanada up. Hiku suplexes Sanada but Sanada slips free! Sanada dodges the elbow to dropkick the leg! Hiku stays up so Sanada DROPKICKS him! Hiku runs back in but Sanada dumps him to the apron! And DROPKICKS him down! Hiku gets up in a rage, but Sanada PLANCHAS him back down! Fans fire up and Sanada encourages them to get louder. The fans oblige but Sanada insists they get louder and louder still. The fans chant for “SA-NA-DA!” and that pleases him. Sanada then brings Hiku up, puts him in, and fans applaud. Cover, TWO! Hiku is still in this but Sanada stays cool.
Sanada drags Hiku up, but Hiku’s too big for the fireman’s carry! Hiku CLUBS away on Sanada, then CHOPS him! Sanada goes to a corner, Hiku runs corner to corner, but into an elbow! Sanada QUEBRADA, but Hiku catches him! And SNAKE EYES! Hiku runs to LARIAT! Fans fire up with Hiku and he drags Sanada up. Suplex for a BIG BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Sanada survives but Hiku keeps his cool. Hiku drags Sanada up, fireman’s carries, but Sanada fights free. Sanada then runs in, tilt-o-whirls, and manages to get the dragon sleeper! But Hiku powers through to suplex! Only for Sanada to turn it around and suplex Hiku!
Fans fire up while both men are down! Jado coaches Hiku but Sanada kips up! Sanada goes right up top, to ROUNDING BODY- NO, he has to last out as Hiku moves! Sanada tries another tilt-o-whirl but Hiku blocks it! Only for Sanada to still try the dragon sleeper! Hiku still POWERSLAMS! Cover, TWO! Both men are down and fans rally up. Hiku rises as Jado coaches him. Hiku drags Sanada up, whips, but Sanada clinches! Hiku fights out, shoves Sanada, SNAP POWERSLAM! Fans fire up as Hiku clamps on the choke grip! Hiku stands Sanada up, but Sanada kicks free! And SHINING WIZARDS! Cover, TWO!!
Hiku survives and Sanada grits his teeth. Sanada says he’ll finish this now and the fans rally back up. Sanada brings Hiku up and clinches, but Hiku slips free to a waistlock! GERMAN SUPLEX, but Sanada lands out of it! And RAN- NO! Hiku blocks the rana to get Sanada up! For a LAST RIDE!! High stack, TWO!?!? Sanada survives but Jado calls the shot! Hiku drags Sanada up with the choke grip as we pass 10 minutes. GIANT CHOKE- NO, Sanada fights free! Clinch and DEADFALL!! Cover, Sanada wins!!
Winner: Sanada, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Hikuleo earns 0)
The victory quite truly slips through Hikuleo’s fingers, but this is the difference between him and the world champion! Will the young star rebound in the next round?
As for Sanada, he goes out to get the mic to walk ‘n’ talk. “People of Sapporo… Just5Guys just won both the semifinal and main events tonight. And since we’re here, why don’t we call out the hometown boy to help wrap this up?” The fans cheer, and Sanada feels a “Taichi!” chant should do it. The fans chant for Taichi, and he appears! Sanada doesn’t see him yet, and wonders if “Taichi-nii” would’ve worked better. The fans join in on that, and Taichi hustles into the ring. Fans cheer as the KOPW and World Heavyweight Champs stand together.
Sanada brings up how, at the press conference, Taichi said he’d do both wrestling and YouTube. “Maybe the fans here can convince you to do a livestream?” The fans do like the sound of that! They now chant “LIVESTREAM! LIVESTREAM!” Sanada hands over the mic so Taichi can respond. “It’s been awhile since I’ve gotten a hometown win. Like Sana-nii said, I aim to succeed at pro-wrestling and YouTube. I want to be someone Hokkaido can be proud of.” Fans also like the sound of that. He wants people to say to him, “Keep repping Hokkaido well!” And if they don’t approve of how he represents them, please like and subscribe anyway.
Fans have a good laugh, and Taichi promises that they will do a livestream after this. Fans cheer that, and Sanada says before that, let’s do “that thing.” The lights go down, the fans use their phones to make the stars come out, and Sanada says, “You all know this. Let’s keep it simple. From all of Japan, I think Sappara-” Oh, oops. Wrong vowel. Fans boo and Taichi turns to leave! Sanada apologizes and asks for a second chance. Taichi says okay, and the fans chant “MO IKAI! MO IKAI!” Sanada says, “From all of Japan, I think I like Sapporo the best.” Fans cheer the correct name, and Sanada says, “OI, SAPPORO! See you next time.”
The IWGP World Heavyweight Champion and KOPW Champion stand tall as Just5Guys takes the night! Will they soon take over both blocks and guarantee this becomes the J5G1 Climax?
Here are the current A Block standings!
Sanada: 1-0, 2 points
Kaito Kiyomiya: 1-0, 2 points
Chase Owens: 1-0, 2 points
Ren Narita: 0-0-1, 1 point
Shota Umino: 0-0-1, 1 point
Yota Tsuji: 0-1, 0 points
Hikuleo: 0-1, 0 points
Gabe Kidd: 0-1, 0 points
Here are the current B Block standings!
Kazuchika Okada: 1-0, 2 points
Taichi: 1-0, 2 points
YOSHI-HASHI: 1-0, 2 points
Tanga Loa: 1-0, 2 points
Will Ospreay: 0-1, 0 points
Great-O-Khan: 0-1, 0 points
Kenta: 0-1, 0 points
El Phantasmo: 0-1, 0 points
My Thoughts:
A great start to this year’s G1, and with just two of the four blocks! Hashi getting the opening win was rather surprising, but I suppose ELP can’t pin a tag champ when he doesn’t have a tag partner right now. Kidd going after Chase that hard was also a surprise, but great comeback win from Chase. Great return win from Loa, and I love that they went with a time limit draw for Narita and Shota. Those two really are going to be the future of NJPW and perhaps even wrestling in general if they travel to NJPW’s partners like AEW. And of course Okada wins, but Khan had a great showing all the same.
Tsuji VS Kaito was a great match, but I’m rather surprised Kaito won. Tsuji has been impressive but he hasn’t really gotten that definitive singles win. And as I said, Kaito is going to make a run at the semifinals, teasing the history of being an N-1 and G1 winner in his career. He probably won’t do it, but that’s still something to tease. Honestly, it feels like they could give us Kaito as the A Block winner and Okada as the B Block winner so that they meet in the semifinals to have out their feud.
Great move for the Just5Guys members to both win tonight. Though honestly, Taichi VS Ospreay was the better match. Sapporo gets to cheer their hometown guy and their general favorite, but neither guy really needs to win the G1. Taichi can easily feud with Ospreay between their two titles, the KOPW and the US, and Sanada being THE champion, he of course faces whoever has the G1 Climax contract. Can’t wait to see how C and D Blocks start off tomorrow.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Will The Prince dispatch two challengers at once?
After retaining the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, Callum Newman offered a unique challenge. Can Shingo Takagi or Yota Tsuji secure a title shot through a tag match?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Ryusuke Taguchi & Taisei Nakahara VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Kanemaru win.
- Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS Toru Yano, YOH & Master Wato; Yano, Yoh & Wato win.
- Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Taichi & El Desperado; Taichi & Desperado win.
- Yuya Uemura & Masatora Yasuda VS Ryohei Oiwa & Kosei Fujita; Oiwa & Fujita win.
- Six Man Tag: Aaron Wolf, Boltin Oleg & Tiger Mask VS Ren Narita, Yujiro Takahashi & Dick Togo; Wolf, Oleg & Tiger Mask win.
- 10 Man Tag: The Unbound Company VS The United Empire; The Empire wins.
- Championship Stakes: Callum Newman & Jake Lee VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji; Takagi & Tsuji win, and Tsuji will challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
PLAY BY PLAY
10 Man Tag: The Unbound Company VS The United Empire!
Before the Knock Out Brothers clash with the Dominator & Mauler over the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, they lead their units into war! Will Oskar, Yuto-Ice, Gedo, Taiji Ishimori & Daiki Nagai be truly unbound? Or will Great-O-Khan, Henare, Francesco Akira, Jakob Austin Young & Zane Jay conquer them for the glory of the Empire?
The teams sort out, but Yuto and Henare egg each other on as they’re forehead to forehead. The ref has them back off, but they still start the match. The bell rings and the fans rally as Yuto and Henare step back up. They’re forehead to forehead again as they talk trash, then they fire forearm after forearm! The fans rally as Henare ROCKS Yuto, but Yuto fires a flurry in return! Henare fires a flurry of his own, then runs, but into a BOOT! Henare wobbles but he comes right back. Yuto laughs as he ROCKS Henare! Yuto runs, ROCKS Henare again, but Henare roars! Henare eggs Yuto on, Yuto runs the ropes, but Henare RUNS him over!
Henare sits Yuto up to KICK him in the back, then KICK again! The fans rally as Henare runs, but Yuto avoids the Rugby Kick! Henare still kicks low, whips to ropes, but Yuto reverses to BOOT Henare down! The fans fire up with Yuto, and he KICKS Henare in the back! And KICKS him again! Henare scrambles to a corner but Yuto swaggers his way over. Yuto KICKS, and KNEES, and SOBATS! Henare sits down, Yuto gets gangsta! “BOMBACLAT!” But Henare gets up to fireman’s carry! Yuto slips free, Henare dodges a lariat, but so does Yuto! Henare swats the boot, Yuto ducks the heel kick, and the fans cheer the standoff!
Zane has Henare calm down, and wants him to tag. Henare tags Zane, and Zane calls out Daiki. Daiki tags in, and these two still have to settle how they ended the Young Lion Cup. Zane eggs Daiki on, so Daiki ROCKS him! Zane fires back, Daiki fires another, and the fans rally as the two brawl! Daiki whips, Zane reverses, but Daiki redirects! Zane hurdles, drops down, but Daiki avoids the dropkick! Daiki runs to basement DROPKICK! Zane scrambles to a corner while the fans fire up. Daiki runs in, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Zane toughs it out but the fans rally behind Daiki. Daiki storms up on Zane but Zane wants mercy. Daiki says no and he ROCKS Zane!
Daiki runs in at the corner, but Zane counters the monkey flip to put Daiki up top! Zane DROPKICKS Daiki down, then the Empire BLASTS the Unbound corner! They all brawl on the outside and into the crowd! Oskar CLUBS Khan, Yuto fires forearms on Henare, but Henare BODY BLOWS and CHOPS! Oskar has fans clear out, then he whips Khan, but Khan reverses! Oskar tumbles into the chairs! Yuto CHOKES Henare, Henare shoves Yuto away, and Zane has Daiki in the ring. Zane bumps Daiki off buckles while Khan JAMS Oskar with a chair! Khan SMACKS Oskar on the back with it, too! The fans are torn as Khan roars.
Henare and Yuto return ringside, and Khan uses a chair to sit on Oskar! Khan taunts Oskar, then steps off. Henare uses a DEATH GRIP on Yuto! Henare THROWS Yuto into chairs, then he smothers a Young Lion for getting in the way! Henare even scares ring staff off before going to ringside. Zane CHOKES Daiki, the ref counts, and Zane stops at 4. Zane tags #DangerousJay and he UPPERCUTS Daiki. Jakob CHOKES Daiki in the corner, then brings him around. Jakob whips Daiki to ropes, ELBOWS him down, then covers, TWO! The fans applaud as Daiki toughs it out, but Jakob brings him back up. Jakob tags Akira, and he taunts Oskar!
The ref has to keep Oskar back, but this all lets Khan bend Daiki’s fingers! The Empire mugs Daiki in the corner, and Jakob even CLAWS Daiki’s eyes! Khan tells commentary to shut up, but Daiki fights back! Akira KNEES low, whips, and drop toeholds. Akira SMACKS Daiki off the mat again, then kneels on a cocky cover. TWO, but Akira taunts the Unbound Company. Akira bumps Daiki off buckles, tags Khan, and Khan dumps Daiki out. The rest of the Empire mugs Daiki while the fans boo. Zane puts Daiki back in for Khan, and Khan drags Daiki around. Khan steps on Daiki for a cocky cover, TWO! Daiki toughs it out but Khan soaks up the cheers and jeers.
Khan scuffs Daiki as Daiki tries to crawl away. Khan eggs Daiki on, offering a free hit. Daiki stands, but Khan dodges the hit. Khan laughs at Daiki for falling for his trap quite literally! Khan then drags Daiki up, but Daiki fires forearms after all! The fans rally as Daiki HEADBUTTS! Daiki whips, Khan reverses, and Khan runs up, only for Daiki to dodge! Hot tag to Oskar! The fans fire up as the giant German RUNS Khan over, BLASTS Henare, then whips Khan corner to corner! Zane runs up but Oskar BOOTS him away! Oskar runs up, DOUBLE ELBOW for Zane and Khan! Akira runs up to jump on Oskar’s back! Oskar RAMS Akira into a corner!
Jakob storms in, but Oskar guzels! Akira runs up, but Oskar guzels! Oskar gives them a meeting of the minds, then a DOUBLE LARIAT! The fans fire up with Oskar, and he goes back for Khan. Oskar drags Khan up, scoops, but Henare KICKS Oskar’s leg! The ref reprimands but Henare KICKS and KICKS and BODY BLOWS! Henare HEADBUTTS, then DEATH GRIPS! Henare HEADBUTTS Oskar, then he and Khan bring Oskar around. Oskar fights the lift, but Henare blocks the boot! But then Oskar guzels Henare! Henare can’t reach Oskar for the Death Grip! Oskar then guzels Khan, but they both break free! DOUBLE BODY BLOW!
The ref reprimands, but #Khanare double whip Oskar. He breaks their lariats, but the DOUBLE BOOTS hit! Yuto is in, he shoves Henare into Khan! Then he fires off fast hands on Henare, bobs ‘n’ weaves, then ROCKS Henare! Henare drops, Yuto ICE HIGHS! But Henare is up, LARIAT! The fans fire up while all four men are down! Oskar rises, he SWATS Khan’s haymaker to have the NIGHTMARE SLEEPER! But Khan BITES Oskar’s arm! IRON CLAW! But Oskar pries it away, only for Khan to KICK the leg, and BOOT Oskar down! The fans rally as both men crawl for their corners. Hot tags to Akira and Taiji!
The fans fire up as the two rush in! Akira dodges the boot to headlock, but Taiji powers up and out. Akira RUNS Taiji over, then keeps moving. Taiji drops, hurdles, but Akira shoves! Taiji RANAS! Akira tumbles, Taiji runs up, DOUBLE KNEES! Then a fireman’s carry, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, and a BASEMENT SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Akira is tougher than that but Taiji stays on him. Taiji gut wrenches, but Akira fights to turn it around! CIPHER- NO, Taiji lands out to whip Akira. Akira reverses, Taiji handsprings, but into a waistlock! Akira then spins Taiji around, SPEEDFIRE! Akira sputters, he can’t make the cover!
Taiji and Akira crawl, hot tag to Jakob! Jakob drags Taiji up, he and Akira DOUBLE SUPLEX, but Daiki makes the save! Akira & Jakob kick Daiki, then whip, but Daiki ducks ‘n’ dodges to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! The fans cheer the Unbound Young Lion as he flounders to a corner, and Taiji tags Gedo! Gedo JABS, JABS, and JABS! Gedo winds up, but Jakob CLAWS Gedo’s eyes! Jakob winds up, but Gedo UPPERCUTS! Then SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Jakob survives but Gedo stays focused. Gedo tells Jakob to get up, then he mule kicks the leg! Body scissors, GEDO CLUTCH! But Zane ELBOW DROPS Gedo down!
Zane drags Gedo up, and he FALL AWAY SLAMS! Jakob gets Gedo back up, for the HAMMERLOCK DDT! Cover, The Empire wins!
Winners: The United Empire, by pinfall
Another bites the dust, and The Empire is control on this New Japan Road! Henare taunts Yuto with his tag title, but that just sparks a new brawl! Young Lions hurry to stop this, but easier said than done! The rest of the teams get in there, too, and Unbound Company must fall back, if only for now. But will things be different with their best in the main event?
Championship Stakes: Callum Newman & Jake Lee VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji!
It was just 48 hours ago that The Prince slayed the Rampaging Dragon, although with controversial and underhanded tactics. He’s so confident, in fact, he’s giving Takagi and Tsuji another chance! Will Callum cross off two names from the list for the rest of his reign? Or will someone from the Unbound Company have a golden ticket to the top title in NJPW?
The teams sort out, but Callum can’t help himself. He taunts Takagi and Tsuji with the belt, so they attack! They mug Callum, then Yota kicks Jake. Yota TOSSES Jake, the bell rings, and Unbound mug Callum again. They double whip then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans cheer while Takagi ELBOW DROPS! The fans rally as Takagi eggs Callum on. Callum goes to a corner, Takagi runs up, but Callum dodges. Callum runs back in, but Takagi puts him on the apron. Callum RAMS Takagi, slingshots up and over, then keeps moving. Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges but Takagi sidesteps to HIP TOSS! Callum staggers to his feet, Takagi LARIATS him up and out!
Callum stumbles into and then tumbles over the railing! Yota goes after Jake while Takagi hurries through the gate to fetch Callum. Yota whips Jake hard into railing, then stalks him around the way, while Takagi KNEES Callum low. Takagi brings Callum around to SMACK him off the timekeeper’s table! Takagi ROCKS Callum, follows him to another section of the crowd, while Yota DOUBLE CHOPS Jake out of a chair! Takagi ROCKS Callum again and the fans rally behind him. Callum wants to escape but Takagi stalks him. Takagi SMACKS Callum off some chairs, then HEADBUTTS him down! Yota brings Jake up to ROCK with a forearm of his own!
Jake stumbles around through the crowd, knocking chairs over as he tries to flee. Yota pursues as Jake begs young fans to help. Yota grabs that hand to SNAP fingers! The ring count finally starts as Callum SMACKS Takagi off a table! Takagi considers throwing that table but thinks better of it. Takagi pursues Callum as Callum heads back to ringside, but Yota BOOTS Jake out of a seat! The count is 15 of 20 as Callum and Takagi roll inside. Callum wants mercy, even apologizes, but Takagi CHOKES him! Red Shoes counts, Takagi stops at 4, and Callum clings to the ropes. Takagi kicks Callum into letting go, then brings him up.
Takagi JABS Callum and Callum falls against ropes. Takagi JABS again and Callum flounders. Callum calls to Jake but Takagi keeps him back. Callum fights the lift with elbows, then BODY BLOWS! Callum runs, but Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! But Callum trips Takagi and PUNTS him in the side! Just like in their title match! Jake BLASTS Yota off the apron, then goes out to stomp him down! Red Shoes reprimands but Jake drags Yota up and grinds him into railing. Callum pushes Takagi out of the ring while Jake fires body shots on Yota. Callum RAMS Takagi into railing, then brings him around to POST him!
Takagi staggers while Callum mockingly cheers him on. Jake POSTS Yota and does the same. Callum KICKS Takagi in the side, then flexes before he SPITS at Takagi! The fans boo but Callum ROCKS Takagi again. Callum puts Takagi in the ring, taunts Yota from across the way, then slingshots to stomp Takagi down. Callum dares Yota to reach out for Takagi, then he stomps Takagi. Callum digs his heel in, then he tags Jake. Jake swaggers and talks some trash, then he brings out the black glove! Callum KNEES Takagi before Jake takes Takagi’s shirt off. Jake shows off the bad ribs while he says it is picture time! Jake gives Takagi the DENTAL CHECK!
The fans are torn as Jake shoves Takagi down and takes off the glove. Jake mockingly applauds that Takagi passed his dental exam, then he stomps Takagi down. Tag to Callum and Callum clamps onto the arm. Callum traps the arm, kneels on Takagi, then digs his knuckles into the bad ribs! Yota BOOTS Callum, then backs off as Jake runs up. Callum calls BS, but he drags Takagi to stomp him down! Callum KICKS Takagi, then sits for a cocky cover, TWO! Callum clamps onto Takagi, wags his finger at Yota, then grinds Takagi’s bad arm. The fans rally for Takagi as he rises up and fires body shots! Callum KNEES low, then bumps Takagi off buckles.
Callum tags Jake back in and Jake again taunts Takagi. Callum CHOKES Takagi, and Jake KICKS Takagi in the side! The fans rally for Takagi as he rises again, and he rips away the tape! Takagi snarls as he ROCKS Jake again and again! But Jake kicks low, CLAWS Takagi’s face, then runs. Takagi blocks the boot to CLUB the leg! Takagi whips, Jake reverses, but Takagi blocks the knee! DRAGON SCREW! The fans cheer while both men are down! Hot tag to Yota! The fans fire up as Yota BLASTS Callum off the corner, then kicks and whips Jake. Jake reverses but Yota BOOTS him! Yota BLASTS Callum again, then DIVES! Direct hit and Callum hits railing!
The fans fire up for Yota and he slingshots into the ring. Yota then whips Jake corner to corner, runs up, but Jake dodges the splash! BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Yota is tougher than that, but Jake signals he’s taking his shot. Jake drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Yota tries to suplex but Jake fights the lift! They fight for control as the fans rally, and Jake suplexes! But Yota lands out! Yota ducks an elbow to FLATLINER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Takagi calls to Yota and Yota crawls over. Yota is a bit unsure, but he hot tags Takagi anyway! The fans fire up as Takagi powers up and LARIATS in the corner!
Takagi fires the fans up more, and he JABS, JABS, JABS in the corner! Then a CHOP! Jake roars, but Takagi ELBOWS him! Takagi runs, but into the KITCHEN SINK KNEE! It hit pretty high and Takagi falls. Jake tags Callum, Callum BOOTS Yota! Callum stands Takagi up for Jake to KITCHEN SINK KNEE! Then EXCALIBUR!! Cover, YOTA BREAKS IT! The fans cheer, and Yota TOSSES Jake! Callum kicks and TOSSES Yota! Callum is frustrated, but he still mocks Takagi’s pain. Callum kicks Takagi around, and mockingly asks if it hurts. Callum CLUBS Takagi, eggs him on, then ROCKS him with a forearm.
Callum eggs Takagi on, but Takagi SLAPS him! Callum DECKS Takagi for that! Callum sits Takagi up, mocks the prayer hands, then KICKS Takagi in the back! Takagi stays up, and he’s getting mad! The fans fire up as Takagi rises, but Callum BOOTS! And BOOTS! And BOOTS! Takagi just gets angrier! Callum fires knee after knee, but Takagi headbutts the buckles! The fans fire up but Callum BOOTS again! Callum runs, but into the ELBOW! SOBAT! JAB! HEEL KICK! Callum feints the run, but Takagi LARIATS first! Callum LARIATS in return! Both men stand but stagger, and Yota tags in! The fans fire up as Yota hurries to BLAST Jake!
Yota then goes back to Callum and ROCKS him with a forearm! Callum staggers around, Yota ROCKS him again, and again! The fans fire up with Yota, he whips Callum to ropes, but Callum grabs ropes! Yota runs up, Callum BOOTS him away, and Jake jumps in! Jake kicks and whips Yota to a corner, then runs up, but he blocks the boot. Yota reels Jake in for the STOMP! Yota runs up but Callum wrenches through, short arm LARIAT! The fans rally up again while everyone is down! Callum sits up, kisses the crown tattoo, and brings Yota up. Callum goes to fireman’s carry but Yota fights it. Callum powers through, but Yota slips free!
Yota feeds Callum to Takagi’s ELBOW! Yota BOOTS, Takagi BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and Yota GENE TRIGGERS! Then they DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Callum survives and Takagi has to sort out who is legal. Red Shoes and Yota explain that tag from earlier, but then Callum kicks them both! Callum runs, but into the ELBOW! BACKBREAKER! JAB! Then Yota pump handles, but Jake CLAWS Yota’s face! Takagi RUNS Jake over, Callum BOOTS Takagi down, but Yota scoops to BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while all four men are down again! Yota and Callum stir, and Callum flips off the fans cheering Yota.
Yota rises up, Callum wants mercy, and Yota hesitates. But then Callum SPITS at him! Callum fires a forearm, Yota fires back, and repeat! The fans rally up as the shots go back and forth, faster and faster! Callum fires a flurry, runs, but Yota follows to SPLASH in the corner! Yota runs but Callum follows to HELLUVA KICK! Callum runs, Yota follows, GENE TRIGGER! Yota keeps moving, but he dodges Callum to then GAMANGIRI! Yota puts Callum up top, climbs up, and SUPER STEINERS! Cover, TWO! Callum survives but Yota roars! The fans cheer Yota on as he pump handles, but Callum slips free! Callum shoves Yota at Red Shoes! Yota stops short, but Callum LOW BLOWS!
The fans boo but Callum turns around as Takagi runs in! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but neither man falls! They DOUBLE LARIAT again, and Callum flops against Takagi! Takagi fires boxing elbows on Callum, then winds up, but Callum ROCKS! ROLLING- JAB! Callum grabs at Red Shoes, uses him as a shield, but Takagi stops the low blow! Takagi shoves Callum at Red Shoes, REVENGE LOW BLOW! Yota SUPERKICKS! Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS! And they set Callum up for the PUMPING BLASTER!! Cover, Jake breaks it! KNEE for Takagi, then a ROUNDHOUSE! But Takagi rebounds, PUMPING BOMBER on Jake!!
Takagi tells Yota to finish this! Yota GENE BLASTERS Callum!! Cover, Yota & Takagi win!!
Winners: Yota Tsuji & Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (Yota Tsuji is the NEW #1 Contender to the IWGP Heavyweight Championship)
Callum got too cocky in his young reign, and now he’s the one staring up at the lights! But will he have a better game plan for when the title is on the line?
As for the Unbound Company, they catch their breath before Yota takes the mic. “OI, CALLUM! Too bad for you. To me, the path you forge is darkness. I won’t let NJPW go down that path. I will lead NJPW towards the light of hope.” The fans applaud that. Callum says see you at Dominion then! Callum leaves, and Yota continues by saying with Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement, the New Beginning, and now Dominion, NJPW has changed dramatically. But now, Yota meets Callum in a rematch for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in Dominion’s main event, carrying that responsibility and determination in his heart!
The fans cheer again, and Yota says, “OI, NJPW! And Callum Newman… ARE YOU READY?!” The fans cheer again, and Yota promises to be the one to carry NJPW on his shoulders! Mic drop from the Gene Blast, but will he dethrone the Prince already? Or will Callum solidify NJWP as his dominion?
My Thoughts:
A very good New Japan Road event as also a sendoff to Dominion. Really good tune-ups, and the 10 Man Tag especially for the build into the Heavyweight Tag title match. Empire winning here might show KOB wins when the time comes, but Best of the Super Juniors is next so there will be more and more tune-up filler matches first. And great tag match main event with the unique stipulation. As I said before, Yota losing both belts is so he can have his heroic journey back to the top. Yota getting the win here makes sense as it sets up the rematch from losing to Callum, and Dominion’s going to have a great main event that could honestly go either way.
My Score: 8.8/10
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NJPW PPV Results
Mitchell’s NJPW Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (5/4/26)
Wrestling Dontaku, Night Two!
Can the Prince slay the Rampaging Dragon?
Callum Newman won the New Japan Cup, won THE IWGP Heavyweight Championship, but can he survive his first title defense against Shingo Takagi?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Masatora Yasuda VS Taisei Nakahara; Yasuda wins.
- NJPW World Television Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Chase Owens; Konosuke wins and retains the title.
- Ryusuke Taguchi & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS Gedo & Daiki Nagai; Gedo & Daiki win.
- OSKAR & Yuto-Ice VS Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma; Oskar & Yuto win.
- 10 Man Tag: Hontai VS House of Torture; Hontai wins.
- Yuya Uemura & Taichi VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson; Yuya & Taichi win.
- 8 Man Tag: The Unbound Company VS The United Empire; Unbound Company wins.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita VS El Desperado & Mistico; Despy & Mistico win and become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
- NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Bishamon & Bolten Oleg VS Will Ospreay, Great-O-Khan & Henare; Ospreay, Khan & Henare win and become the new NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions.
- IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Callum Newman VS Shingo Takagi; Callum wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW World Television Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Chase Owens w/ Yujiro Takahashi!
Although the Alpha is preparing for his match with Kazuchika Okada at AEW Double or Nothing, he must still fulfill his duties as a champion in NJPW! But will Konosuke still be the star of NJPW World? Or will the Lonestar Outlaw steal the spotlight?
But as Konosuke reaches ringside, Chase runs up! Konosuke avoids his wrecking ball dropkick to then fire forearms! They go back and forth but Konosuke ROCKS Chase! Konosuke stalks Chase around the way, ROCKS him again, and again! Chase KNEES low, then whips, but Konosuke stops short of the railing. Konosuke pops Chase up to SMACK off the railing, then DDTS him on the floor! The fans cheer as Konosuke then drags Chase up and puts him in the ring. The bell sounds and we’re on the clock! Konosuke brings Chase up, headlocks, but Chase endures the grind. Chase pulls hair to power up and out, but Konosuke drops down on the dropdown!
Konosuke has the headlock again, and he grinds Chase down. The fans rally as Chase fights up, and he KNEES low! Chase KNEES Konosuke again, then headlocks in return. Konosuke powers up and out, then hurdles, drops down, and DROPKICKS! The fans cheer as Konosuke then hits another headlock takeover. Chase pulls hair but the ref reprimands. Konosuke grinds the hold but Chase rolls to a cover, ONE! They stand up, and Chase pulls hair again to put Konosuke on the ropes. The ref counts, Chase lets go slowly, but he BOOTS the ropes to jam Konosuke up! Konosuke sputters as he slumps outside, and Chase WRECKS him with a dropkick!
The fans are torn as Chase goes out to bring Konosuke up. Chase scoops to then HOTSHOT Konosuke off the railing! Konosuke coughs and sputters again, but Chase SMACKS him off the apron. Chase drags Konosuke up to the apron now, and he cravats for a SNAPMARE DRIVER on the apron! The fans applaud while Chase puts Konosuke in the ring, then covers, TWO! The fans cheer more as Konosuke stays in this. Chase argues the count but the ref defends it was fair. Konosuke sits up but Chase runs in at the corner for a forearm smash! Then a short arm LARIAT! Cover, ONE!! Konosuke shows his grit but Chase just grins.
The fans rally up again as Chase paces around Konosuke. Chase drags Konosuke up, fireman’s carries, but Konosuke fights free. Konosuke ROCKS Chase, but Chase ROCKS Konosuke back! Konosuke ROCKS Chase again, but Chase fires back! They go back and forth until Chase CLAWS Konosuke’s eyes! The ref reprimands but Chase runs, into a BOOT! Konosuke whips, Chase reverses, but the TAKESHITA LINE finds him! The fans cheer while Chase goes to a corner. Konosuke runs in and JUMP KNEES! Then clinch and EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Chase toughs it out, but Konosuke stays calm.
Konosuke stand Chase up, but Chase fights the lift. Chase CLUBS away, then headlock punches! The ref reprimands, but Konosuke keeps Chase from running the ropes! Chase ROCKS Konosuke for it, then eggs him on. We pass five minutes as Konosuke ROCKS Chase! The fans rally up as Chase fires back! Konosuke staggers to ropes, but he comes back to ROCK Chase! Chase fires fast hands, but Konosuke fires boxing elbows! ROLLING- BACK ELBOW from Chase! Chase cravats but Konosuke powers out! Chase blocks a shot to C-TRIGGER! Then he avoids the boot to I HATE YOUR FACE KNEE! Cover, TWO! Konosuke stays in this but Chase stays on him.
Chase wrenches and hammerlocks, but Konosuke ducks High Noon to spin Chase for a BRAINBUSTER! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Konosuke roars as he rises, and then he gator rolls Chase into a suplex! Chase fights the rest, then bails out! Chase hobbles around the way but Konosuke pursues! HELLUVA KICK against the railing! Konosuke then brings Chase around to APRON BACK SUPLEX! The fans rally as Chase crawls, but Konosuke drags him back outside, for another APRON BACK SUPLEX! The fans cheer while Konosuke shoves Chase inside, but Yujiro gets a PIMP CANE CHEAP SHOT on Konosuke!
The fans boo Tokyo Pimp as he puts Konosuke in, the ref none the wiser! Konosuke drags himself up at the ropes, but Chase runs up for C-TRIGGER! Then he wrenches, hammerlocks, and HIGH NOON LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! The fans cheer as Konosuke survives! Chase is frustrated but he drags Konosuke up and tucks him in! But Konosuke wrenches free, slips around, only for Chase to grab the ref! Konosuke can’t suplex them both, and Chase sends Konosuke into the ref! The fans boo but now Yujiro storms in so he can stomp away on Konosuke! Yujiro then sets Konosuke up for Chase, but SHOTA UMINO is here!
Shota DECKS Chase, then ROCKS and ROLLING ELBOWS Yujiro! The fans cheer as The Roughneck has evened things up for The Alpha! Shota even cheers Konosuke on, only for the rest of the House to attack! Sho, Kanemaru, Ren, and Dick all stomp Shota, but Konosuke hurries to shield his ally! And then HONTAI rushes out here! Wolf, Yano, Yoh, Wato & Tiger Mask all go after The House! They’ve all got their match later tonight, so this ends up a rather interesting warm-up! The fans cheer as Hontai drags The House out of the ring, and even gets Don Fale, to then gather them all at the ramp side!
The fans cheer Konosuke as he builds speed, and Konosuke FLIES! Air Alpha brings down The House! The fans cheer again as Konosuke gets Chase in the ring while Hontai takes the rest of the House to the back! And we’ve finally hit ten minutes! Konosuke checks on the ref, and then deadlifts him into the ring. The fans cheer, but Chase is up to something! Konosuke ducks the punch, BLUE THUNDER- SPUR KNUCKLE PUNCH!!! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives but Chase hides the evidence quickly. Chase vows to end it now, and he drags Konosuke back up. C-TRIGGER POINT BLANK! Then he brings Konosuke around to tuck him in!
Chase lifts for LAST TES- NO, Konosuke fights the lift, BACKDROPS, but Chase sunset flips! Konosuke rolls through, WAGAMAMA KNEE!! Konosuke then aims from a corner, WAGAMAMA KNEE AGAIN!! Konosuke then hauls Chase up for RAGING FIRE!! Cover, Konosuke wins!
Winner: Konosuke Takeshita, by pinfall (still NJPW World Television Champion)
The House of Torture tried and failed to cheat this one away, this is still The Alpha Show! But wait, the lights go down! A video on the tron shows that same mysterious man in suit and mask from last time. He walks into the backstage area of this very arena, but who is it? Where are they going? What do they want? Wait, now they’re IN THE RING! And they CLOBBER Konosuke with some big satchel! WHO IS THIS?! They take off the mask, and IT’S SANADA! The Cold-Blooded Snake is STILL in NJPW! And he drags Konosuke right up for the DEADFALL!! Sanada leaves with a word, but his intent is now clear. Will he make himself the star of NJPW World?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita VS El Desperado & Mistico!
The Ichiban Sweet Boys only just took these titles back, but they’re already putting them back on the line! Will the Sniper of the Skies & Japanese Young Punk outdraw The Rogue Luchador & The Talisman? Or will these titles soon go internacional?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see which team is truly mighty!
The teams sort out, and Despy starts against Fujita. The bell rings, and the fans cheer as the two go forehead to forehead. They both talk some trash, Despy slaps Fujita around, but Fujita shoves Despy. Fujita eggs Despy on, Despy fires the fans up, then he CHOPS! Fujita snarls and fires the fans up, then CHOPS in return! The CHOPS go back and forth, faster and faster, harder and harder! The fans cheer as they CHOP and CHOP and CHOP, but then Despy says stop! Despy ROCKS Fujita, CHOPS him again and again, then eggs him on! Fujita swings, but Despy ducks to headlock. Fujita powers out but Despy reverses!
Despy drops down, then hurdles, but into Fujita’s DROPKICK! The fans cheer as Fujita says he’s smarter than that. Fujita drags Despy over but Despy gets away before the tag. The fans rally as Despy drops back to an open corner. Eagles says Despy can go on and tag Mistico, that’s who Eagles wants to face. Despy dry heaves as he tries to catch his breath, then tags in Mistico. The fans cheer as Mistico steps to Eagles, and Eagles pie faces him. Mistico CHOPS, Eagles CHOPS, and now they CHOP back and forth! The fans rally as they’re already fast ‘n’ furious! Mistico says look! Then he SOBATS! And front kicks!
Mistico whips but Eagles reverses to go up and around for the arm-drag! The fans cheer as things keep moving, and Eagles hurdles to then RANA! Mistico tumbles but rises up, only for Eagles to WHEEL KICK! The fans cheer while Eagles walks over to Mistico. Eagles kicks Mistico in the back, then stands him up to CHOP! Mistico wrenches and whips but Mistico grabs the ropes. Eagles kicks Mistico’s leg, then whips, but Mistico still blocks. Eagles KICKS the leg, then whips, but Mistico handsprings! Eagles dodges but Mistico comes back to springboard RANA! The fans cheer as Mistico then blocks a chop to CHOP!
Mistico knuckle locks, then goes up, up, steadies himself, and FLYING ARM-DRAGS! The fans cheer while Eagles tumbles, and Mistico tags Despy back in. Mistico kicks Eagles before he and Despy double whip for DOUBLE ELBWOS! Then they roll Eagles to whip again, DOUBLE BOOTS! They shake hands and DOUBLE ELBOW DROP! Fujita runs up, but into a mule kick and HAYMAKER! The luchadores double whip Fujita corner to corner, then Mistico sends Despy in. Fujita dodges to RANA Mistico! Despy kicks low, runs, but Fujita trips him! Eagles KICKS, Fujita SENTONS, then Eagles basement DROPKICKS!
Mistico is back but the Sweet Boys DOUBLE ELBOW, then split the wishbone! The fans cheer while Eagles goes to Despy. Eagles stands Despy up, puts him in the corner, then both Sweet Boys dig their boots in. The ref counts, the Sweet Boys stop, and Eagles tags Fujita. The fans rally as Fujita wrenches and whips Despy to the open corner, and CHOPS! Despy is stinging as Fujita snapmares then runs, PENALTY KICK! Cover, ONE! Despy is tougher than that but Fujita tags Eagles back in. Eagles ELBOW DROPS on the knee, then pulls on the leg for a toehold! Despy endures, claws at Eagles, then crawls back to the ROPEBREAK!
Eagles lets go, but he traps the leg for a TWIST! Fujita tags in, he brings Despy around to CLUB him on the back. The fans rally as Fujita suplexes Despy up and over! Cover, TWO! Despy is still tougher than that but Fujita stays cool. Fujita stomps Despy, brings him up, and bumps him off buckles. Tag to Eagles but Despy ELBOWS Fujita down while Eagles BLASTS Mistico! Despy fires off forearms on Eagles but Eagles DROPKICKS the legs out! The fans rally as Eagles then winds up and KICKS Despy! And KICKS! And KICKS! Despy eggs Eagles on, so Eagles runs the ropes, only for Despy to block the kick!
Eagles fires forearms and UPPERCUTS, then avoids a boot to KNEE low. Eagles whips but Despy reverses for a BIG back suplex! Both men are down and the fans rally up. Despy crawls his way over to hot tag Mistico! Mistico springboards to CROSSBODY! Fujita kicks Mistico, the Sweet Boys double whip, but Mistico ducks their double elbow to springboard and DOUBLE BACK ELBOW! Mistico keeps going, and he handsprings through the double hip toss to DOUBLE ARM-DRAG! Then Mistico runs up, slips around, and shoves Fujita into Eagles! Mistico 619s Eagles down! Then he springboards to FLYING ARM-DRAG Fujita!
The fans cheer as Mistico keeps going, and he FLIP RANAS Eagles! Eagles tumbles while the fans rally behind Mistico. Mistico runs up, but Eagles sidesteps, only for Mistico to springboard and CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Mistico hurries to LA MAGISTROL! TWO, and Eagles has to check. The fans rally again as Mistico hurries after Eagles. Mistico hushes the fans, and winds up to GAMANGIRI! Eagles wobbles, but Mistico puts him up top. Mistico rallies the fans again before running corner to corner. Mistico goes up, up, but Eagles fires body shots! Mistico falls and Eagles WARP- NO, Mistico dodges!
Mistico runs, tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! But Eagles rolls it into a ghost pin! TWO, and Eagles rolls, schoolboy bridge! TWO and the fans cheer again! Eagles SOBATS, BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and both men are down again! Eagles crawls his way over, hot tag to Fujita! Fujita runs up on Mistico, and he CHOPS! Then he snapmares Mistico to go up and out! The fans rally as Fujita springboards, MISSILE DROPKICK! Direct hit and Fujita covers, TWO! Mistico survives and the fans fire up, but Fujita vows to end this now. Fujita brings Mistico up, suplexes, but Mistico slips free. Mistico spins Fujita but Fujita ROCKS Mistico! Fujita runs, but Mistico SUPERKICKS him down!
The fans rally as both men crawl. Mistico hot tags Despy! Despy RUNS Fujita over, then scoops to SLAM! Despy hurries to suplex for the BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fujita stays in this but Despy stays on him. The fans rally up as Despy gut wrenches, GUITARRA- NO, Fujtia slips free! Despy REAR HEADBUTTS, but runs into a drop toehold! Fujita ties up the legs, NEMOS SPECIAL! Despy reaches out, but Fujita grabs his arms! The fans rally as Despy resists, powers up, and makes the ROPEBREAK! Fujita lets go in frustration but he hurries to waistlock. Deadlift- NO, Despy fights the German Suplex and reaches fo rropes!
Fujita drags Despy back, but Despy ELBOWS free! Fujita CHOPS! Fujita runs, but Despy SPINEBUSTERS! And then high stack, TWO! STRETCH MUFFLER! Fujita scrambles, Mistico runs in and intercepts Eagles! MISTI- NO, Eagles turns it into an ASAI DDT! Eagles then SUPERKICKS Despy down! The fans rally up as Eagles stands Despy up. Despy BODY BLOWS and HAYMAKERS! Despy whips, Eagles reverses, but Despy grabs ropes. Despy DUMPS Eagles out, then builds speed! But Eagles GAMANGIRIS first! Fujita goes up, up, and SUPER CANNONBALLS! Down goes Despy and the fans fire up!
But Mistico builds speed and he DIVES! Direct hit into Fujita at the ramp! Mistico helps Despy stand, but Eagles DIVES! The fans fire up as Eagles wipes the luchadores out at the ramp! Eagles & Fujita get Despy in the ring, then they rally the fans. Fujita feeds Despy to the scoop, SWEET BUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Despy survives and the fans fire up again! Fujita vows to end this now, and the Sweet Boys drag Despy up again. The fans rally as the Sweet Boys double torture rack, but Despy fights it! Despy flips through, SHOVES Eagles into Fujita, then Mistico runs up! He gets the boost for the DOUBLE SHOTGUN!
The Sweet Boys bail out, Mistico DIVES to take Eagles out again! Despy DIVES onto Fujita and they both crash into railing!! The fans fire up again as all four men are down around ringside! A ring count starts as the four men stir. We pass 5 of 20, then 10, but no one has even sat up! We hit 15 and the fans rally even harder! Despy stands, roars, and he puts Fujita in at 18! Despy hurries to then gut wrench and GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO! Fujita survives but Despy wags his finger. The fans rally up again as Despy brings Fujita up. Despy drags Fujita up, underhooks, but Fujita wrenches out. Fujita CHOPS, but Despy KNEES low!
Despy whips Fujita, Fujita reverses, and GAMANGIRI! Both men are down again as the fans continue to rally! Fujita roars, and he vows to finally end it. Fujita drags Despy up, brings him around, and suplexes, only for Despy to fight it! Despy RAMS Fujita to a corner, then ROCKS him! Despy hoists Fujita up top, then goes up to join him! The fans rally as Despy goes for the very top, but Fujita bends his fingers. Fujita HEADBUTTS Despy down, but Mistico runs up to GAMANGIRI! And GAMANGIRI! And GAMANGIRI again! The fans fire up as Mistico now climbs the corner. Mistico clinches Fujita as they go to the very top, SUPER SPANISH FLY!
The fans fire up again as Eagles springboards in! Mistico dodges, but Eagles comes back, DESTROYER! Despy runs up, Eagles dodges to ROUNDHOUSE, SUPERKICK, and PELE! But Despy rebounds to SPEAR! All four men are down in the ring now as the fans fire back up! Eagles and Mistico bail out while Despy and Fujita go to corners. Despy roars, runs in, and LARIATS Then he underhooks, PINCH- NO, Fujita fights the lift, then powers out to have the wristlocks. Fujita HEADBUTTS Despy! Fujita then roars as he brings Despy up, for another HEADBUTT! Fujita stands Despy up again, but Despy breaks free to ROCK Fujita!
The fans rally up as Fujita CHOPS! Despy swings, but into a takedown! FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Despy fights around, but Fujita shifts to a MOUNTED ARMBAR! Eagles intercepts Mistico, kicks away on the leg, but Mistico KICKS free! Both men run up, Eagles blocks a kick, but Mistico fights free of the backpack! Mistico runs, LA MYSTICA!! Despy powers through the armbar to then get the leg! GROUND DRAGON SCREW, into the STRETCH MUFFLER! NUMERO DOS!! Fujita flails, Eagles flails, NUMERO DOS PLUS!!! FUJITA TAPS, DESPY & MISTICO WIN!!!
Winners: El Desperado & Mistico, by submission (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
Just as The Ichiban Sweet Boys were on top of the world, they come crashing back down! Is this an ill omen on how the Best of the Super Juniors will go for Eagles and Fujita? As for Mistico, he is not just a triple champion but a QUADRUPLE CHAMPION! CMLL World Light Heavyweight, CMLL World Trios, PWR Heavyweight and now IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion! Will he and Despy dominate the 2026 BOSJ and beyond?
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Bishamon & Boltin Oleg VS Will Ospreay, Great-O-Khan & Henare!
Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi may have failed to take the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, and the big man from Kazakhstan may have failed to take the NEVER Openweight Championship, they still stand together as trios champions. But will these titles still belong to Bishamon & BARS? Or will Ospreay lead the Dominator & Mauler to victory for the United Empire?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who NEVER gives up!
The trios sort out and Henare insists he start. Henare wants Oleg, but Hashi insists he start, and the fans applaud. The bell rings, the fans rally, and Hashi and Henare circle. Khan distracts Hashi, Henare CLOBBERS Hashi for it, then Henare BLASTS the Hontai corner. Henare stomps Hashi, drags him up, and ROCKS him! Henare whips, Hashi BOOTS back, and Goto joins in! They RUN Henare over, then ZANMAI! Oleg runs, but Khan trips him up! Ospreay BOOTS Goto, Henare CLUBS Hashi, and The Empire tags things outside. Ospreay SMACKS Goto off apron, Henare sends Hashi into railing, and Khan drags Oleg around to SLAM his bad arm off the timekeeper’s table!
The fans rally as Henare CLUBS Hashi and puts him in the ring. Khan drags Oleg around by his bad arm while Henare stomps Hashi. Khan whips Oleg hard into railing! Henare bumps Hashi off Ospreay’s boot, then tags Ospreay in. The fans cheer as Ospreay CHOPS Hashi down! Ospreay drags Hashi up, scoops, and SPIN-OUT BACKBREAKERS! Cover, TWO! Ospreay drags Hashi back up, but Hashi fires body shots! Hashi CHOPS, Ospreay CHOPS, then Ospreay whips, but Hashi hits the BLOCKBUSTER! Ospreay scrambles to tag Henare, and Henare BOOTS Goto down. Then Henare CLOBBERS Hashi!
Henare drags Hashi up, fires forearms, then ROCKS him again. Henare fires off in the corner but Hashi fires forearms and CHOPS in return! Henare CHOPS Hashi down! The fans cheer while Henare roars. Henare then sets up, but Hashi avoids the senton! Henare hobbles but he stomps Hashi down. Henare whips, Hashi DROPKICKS the legs! The fans rally while both men are down. Henare and Hashi crawl, hot tag to Oleg! The fans fire up as Oleg and Henare RAM! And RAM! They both fire up, they both run, and they RAM shoulders again! Henare then ROCKS Oleg, runs, but into a scoop! Oleg Shake, Shake, Shake, and THROW!
Oleg kips up and the fans fire up! Oleg BLASTS Khan off the apron, DECKS Ospreay, then goes back to Henare for the VADER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Henare toughs it out but Oleg drags Henare up. Oleg torture racks, but Henare CHOKES him! The ref counts, but Oleg breaks free! Henare KICKS, and KICKS, then snapmares to KICK Oleg in the back! Then Henare KICKS Oleg in the chest! Henare runs, RUGBY KICK and SENTON! Cover, TWO! Oleg survives and the fans cheer. Henare BLASTS Goto for good measure before he goes back to Oleg. Henare HEADBUTTS, whips, but Oleg stops himself! Oleg BOOTS Henare, then fireman’s carries!
Henare fights free again, then CHOPS! Oleg CHOPS back! Henare CHOPS, Oleg CHOPS, repeat! The fans fire up as both men snarl, and Henare CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Oleg CHOPS again! And again! And again! Henare is stinging and he drops to a knee! The fans rally as Oleg storms up, but Henare fires fast hands! BODY BLOW! Henare then runs up to LARIAT in the open corner! Henare runs, but DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Oleg dodges, comes back, but Henare LARIATS him down! But wait, Oleg’s right up! And he LARIATS Henare! Henare’s right up, and dodges to then BERSERKER BOMB! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up as both big behemoths are down! Hot tag to Ospreay, and he PIP PIP CHEERIOS! Then an ELBOW for Goto! Hashi runs up, Ospreay dodges to put Hashi outside, ROLLING ELBOW! The fans fire up with Ospreay and he PLANCHAS to knock Hashi and Oleg down! The fans cheer as the Aerial Assassin still knows how to fly. Ospreay puts Oleg in, brings him around, ASAI DDT! Cover, TWO! Oleg is tougher than that but Ospreay calls his shot. Ospreay aims from the corner, runs up, but Oleg pops him up! Fireman’s carry, VER- NO, Ospreay lands out! PENALTY KICK! STANDING MOONSAULT, but onto knees!
Oleg whips but Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! The fans fire up and Ospreay aims again, HIDDEN- NO, Oleg catches Ospreay and THROWS him! The fans fire up while both men are down! Oleg and Ospreay crawl, hot tag to Goto! The Fierce Warrior LARIATS Ospreay, whips corner to corner, then runs up to MURAMASA! And SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Ospreay survives but Goto hauls him up for a fireman’s carry. Ospreay fights free but Goto ROCKS him! Goto whips, Ospreay reverses, but Goto puts Ospreay on the apron. Ospreay ROCKS Goto, goes up, and BLINDSIDE CHEERIOS! Then he lifts Goto to LIGER BOMB! Cover, TWO!
The fans fire up while both men are down! Ospreay checks his neck, then brings Goto up. Ospreay underhooks but Goto fights the lift! Ospreay CHOPS Goto, but Goto snarls. Goto ROCKS Ospreay, Ospreay CHOPS again, and repeat! Forearm for CHOP, but then Ospreay fires Kawada Kicks! And a CHOP blocked! Goto ROCKS, whips, but Ospreay handsprings! Goto catches Ospreay to GERMAN SUPELX! Ospreay lands out, but ends up in URA GTR! Goto runs, but Ospreay blows past him! Ospreay avoids Goto, and Henare hits the RAMPAGE! STANDING SKY TWISTER! Cover, HASHI BREAKS IT! The fans fire up but Henare whips Hashi to a corner.
Khan LARAITS, Henare & Ospreay LARIAT ENZIGIRI COMBO! Then they feed Hashi to Khan’s BOOT! Henare LARIATS Goto, fireman’s carries, SAMOAN DROP! Ospreay springboards, 450 SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Goto survives and the fans fire up again! Ospreay stays focused as the fans rally up, and Ospreay calls his shot! Ospreay springboards, OSCUTT- NO! Goto blocks, spins, but Ospreay avoids the lariat to HOOK KICK! Another try, but Oleg catches Ospreay to SNAP KAMIKAZE! But then Henare drags Oleg out and sends him into railing! And then more railing! And then- NO, Oleg turns things around, and now Henare hits railing!
The fans fire up as Oleg runs up, but Henare dodges! Henare KNEES Oleg up and over the railing! Both men are down in front of the fans while Goto and Ospreay rise up. Goto roars, runs up, and LARIATS! The fans fire up as Goto pushes Ospreay down. Goto climbs up, takes aim, but Ospreay GAMANGIRIS! Ospreay goes up, but Goto fires body shots! Goto ROCKS Ospreay, Ospreay ROCKS Goto, and repeat! Ospreay fires more forearms, but Goto HEADBUTTS! Goto then climbs up onto Ospreay for a SUPER KAI TEN!! Cover, TWO?!? Ospreay survives that super sunset bomb and the fans are thunderous!
Goto and Ospreay stir, then crawl, hot tags to Khan and Hashi! Hashi SHOTGUNS Khan to the corner! Hashi runs up to CHOP and DDT! Cover, TWO! Hashi brings Khan around to the drop zone and the fans fire up! Hashi climbs up but Khan scrambles to the far side. Hashi hops down, and Khan eggs him on, so Hashi goes outside. But Khan kicks and whips Hashi into railing! Khan then snap suplexes Hashi to the floor! Khan grins as he clearly suckered Hashi in. Khan drags Hashi up, puts him in, and calls to Henare. Henare joins Khan and they bring Hashi up. But Hashi fires forearms on them! And CHOSP! But then Khan clamps on the IRON CLAW!
Khan chicken wings Hashi for Henare’s BODY BLOW! Then the ASSISTED POWERBOMB! Double cover, TWO!! Hashi survives but the Monster Rage is boiling over! Henare fireman’s carries, Khan runs, but Hashi slips free! Hashi SHOVES Henare at Khan, then LARIATS Khan! Henare ELBOWS and whips Hashi, but Hashi LARIATS through! Ospreay returns but Hashi dodges, only for Ospreay to slip through the lariat! But Hashi slips free of the bomb to LARIAT after all! The fans are thunderous as Hashi has soloed the Empire! The fans rally up as Hashi crawls, and he roars as he rises again! Hashi brings Khan up and Goto joins in.
Bishamon double whips Khan corner to corner, then LARIAT and CHOP! Hashi sends Khan to Goto but Khan Mongolian Chops! Hashi mule kicks, Goto clinches, GOTO GO TO HUNTER! The fans fire up as Bishamon brings Khan up again! Dragon sleeper, leg lift, but Khan BOOTS free! Goto snap suplexes Khan, but Ospreay fires off on Goto! Ospreay runs, but into HIDDEN GAP! Henare ROCKS and CHOPS away on Bishamon, then runs, into HIDDEN BOLTIN!! The fans are thunderous again as Oleg waits on Bishamon. Bishamon hauls Khan up, has him in place, and Oleg RAMS Khan into the corner!
Oleg sets Khan back up, then DECKS Ospreay! Goto LARIATS, Hashi LARIATS, and now Goto climbs! Hashi hoists Khan up, DANGEROUS LIBRA!! Cover, HENARE CLOBBERS GOTO ONTO IT! The fans cheer as everyone is down around ringside! Goto drags Henare up, but he has a guzel! Guzel on Hashi, too, but Oleg CHOPS Henare! Henare holds onto Bishamon! So Oleg SHOTGUNS Henare! That alone is impressive! Bishamon regroups and they drag Khan up. They set Khan up in the dragon sleeper and leg lift, Oleg runs, but Henare is a step for Ospreay to leap from! HIDDEN BLADE ON OLEG!!
Henare DECKS Hashi, Khan IRON CLAWS Goto! Ospreay SUPERKICKS, then he TOSSES Goto! Ospreay goes up, up, and LEAP OF FAITH onto Goto & Oleg!! Henare waits on Hashi, for the RAMP- DDT!! Hashi turns things around on Henare and the fans are thunderous! Hsahi roars as he gets back up, and he drags Khan to his feet! But Khan BITES Hashi’s arm! The ref counts, but then Khan IRON CLAWS Hashi’s face! Hashi endures the iron grip, but Khan is pushing him down to the mat! Khan DRIBBLES Hashi’s head like a basketball! Hashi fades but is somehow still in this, so Khan hauls him up! ELIMIN- CODE BREAKER!! Cradle cover, TWO!!
The fans are thunderous again as Khan survives! Hashi hurries to his feet, but Osperay and Goto are brawling outside! Ospreay and Henare leave Goto and Oleg on the outside while Hashi aims, SUPERKICK blocked! Khan KICKS the leg, then BLINDSIDE BOOTS! The fans rally but Khan laughs maniacally! Khan calls to Henare & Ospreay. Ospreay climbs, Henare HEADBUTTS, and then Henare hauls Hashi up! Ospreay aims, HIDDEN BLADE ELIMINATOR BOMB!!! Cover, EMPIRE WINS!!
Winners: Will Ospreay, Great-O-Khan & Henare, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)
What an insanely overpowered combo move to finish Hashi! But in the end, the power of the Empire’s founding members shines even brighter now that they hold gold together! Khan grabs the mic to say, “Bow down, you peasants! We beat ‘Bishamontin,’ we have dominated the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions. So next… We shall conquer K O B and the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships. And if they want to see us directly, we will forgive them if they dare step in front of us.” In other words, Khan is daring Oskar & Yuto-Ice to appear. And after a moment, they indeed appear!
The Knockout Brothers swagger down to the ramp and into the ring, and they stare down Khan & Henare. Henare has the mic to tell Ice that Henare doesn’t care what anyone says! Those tag titles are theirs, now bring them your mana! Yuto laughs at that and tells Henare that if he wants the mana, Yuto will bring him that wrestling high! They can make some money together! Yuto tells the fans that if they wanna get that wrestling high, then you’ll wanna see Yuto fight Henare! They ARE KOB, and they wanna fight the strongest bastards there are! And that seems to be these two here. Go ahead, challenge them! Because everyone here will put their money down to see it!
You don’t have to think, just feel! Let’s Get High! TCH TCH, Big Up! The champions have spoken, and they’re ready to face fellow champions to prove they’re the best! But will Oskar & Ice make sure to knock out Khan & Henare? Or will the Empire continue to conquer the world?
IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Callum Newman VS Shingo Takagi!
From youngest man to win the New Japan Cup to youngest man to win this title, The Prince has proven himself as a powerful wrestler. But to prove himself as truly worthy of this title, he must make it through his first defense. A former heavyweight champion in his own right, the Rampaging Dragon has fought his way back to this moment. But will Takagi once again stand atop the mountain? Or will he suffer the Prince’s Curse?
President Hiroshi Tanahashi is here to make the formal introductions and raise the belt. And now, at the end of Wrestling Dontaku, we see whose heroic journey triumphs over the other’s!
The bell rings and the fans fire up for “TA-KA-GI!” already. Callum stays back, and has a smug grin as he does. Callum wants Takagi to stay back, and Red Shoes has him wait. Callum steps outside, which annoys Takagi. Takagi dares Callum to get in already. Callum taunts Takagi by stepping in, then out, then flipping off the fans. The fans boo, but Callum finally steps inside. Takagi runs up, Callum dodges and fires off forearms! Callum eggs Takagi on so Takagi fires off forearms! Takagi JABS, whips, but Callum reverses. Callum runs up but Takagi puts him on the apron. Callum RAMS into Takagi, then slingshots up and over.
Callum runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then BOOTS, but Takagi rebounds to RUN Callum over! Callum kips up to ENZIGIRI! Takagi rebounds, but Callum avoids the sliding lariat! Takagi ducks the haymaker, but Callum fights the waistlock. Takagi blocks the elbow, and a kick, but Callum ducks a lariat to then springboard, OSC- NO, Takagi denies Callum the cutter! The fans cheer the standoff as the two reset. Takagi and Callum circle, feel things out, but Callum backs off to a corner again. Takagi waits, but Callum just goes back to the corner. Callum and Takagi finally tie up, and Takagi powers Callum to the ropes. Callum protests, Red Shoes counts, and Takagi says clean break.
But then Callum pulls hair! Callum body shots, whips, and- NO, Takagi avoids the kick to RAM Callum! Takagi then blocks the boot to DRAGON SCREW! Callum tumbles out of the ring while the fans cheer. Takagi eggs Callum on while Callum clutches the knee. Callum shakes out the leg, hobbles around, then rolls in, just to roll back out. Takagi is annoyed again but Callum walks off the leg pain. The ring count starts and the fans rally for Takagi. Callum talks with Jake Lee on commentary. Callum says he has 20, so he’s gonna take his time. Callum hears 13 and rolls back in, just to roll back out. But Takagi pursues!
Takagi CLUBS Callum, POSTS him, then CHOPS him! Callum goes to the ramp but Takagi brings him back around. Takagi puts Callum in, but Callum gets moving, only for Takagi to CLOBBER him! The fans cheer as Callum goes spiraling through the air! Takagi fires up, too, then drags Callum up. Takagi suplexes high and hard, and the fans applaud as he covers, TWO! Callum is tougher than that but Takagi clamps on with a chinlock. Callum endures as Takagi squeezes tight. Takagi grinds Callum down to the mat but Callum fights around, ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud as Takagi lets go, then Takagi KICKS Callum in the back!
Takagi KNEES Callum, then brings him up. Callum fights the back suplex with elbows but Takagi body blows in return. Takagi shoves Callum to then ELBOW, JAB, and- NO, Callum trips Takagi up, for the SLIDING KNEE! Callum gets Takagi in the side and Takagi rolls his way to the apron. The fans rally but Callum pursues. Callum kicks Takagi to the floor, then brings him up for an APRON BACK SUPLEX! Takagi writhes, Jake Lee certainly applauds, and Callum mocks Takagi’s pain. Callum stands Takagi up to whip him hard into the railing, then brings him around to whip him into more railing! Then they go out into the crowd!
The fans have to hurry out of the way as Callum pries the railing apart. Callum fires forearms, then he KNEES Takagi into taking a seat. Callum then gets space, and he runs up on Takagi for a DROPKICK through the chairs! The fans cheer that double-edged attack, but Callum manages to stand up from the pile of chairs. Callum then makes another section of fans clear out, just so Callum can sit next to Takagi’s new bride, Natsumi Maki, aka Natsupoi! The fans boo Callum trying to be friendly with her, but then Takagi DECKS Callum anyway! The fans cheer Takagi defending his wife’s honor, then he whips Callum into railing!
The fans rally behind Takagi as he storms over to Callum. Takagi drags Callum up and into the ring, and the fans cheer as Takagi storms up on him again. Takagi CHOPS, Callum CHOPS, and repeat! Callum scowls as he’s stinging from that last one, but he winds up to CHOP again! Takagi JABS, JABS, then swings, but Callum catches the arm! Callum hooks the arm, and he stomps Takagi in the ribs! Callum digs his heel in, then fires punches into it! Red Shoes reprimands, but Callum mocks Takagi with Takagi’s own prayer pose. Callum drags Takagi up, CLUBS him, then snapmares to KICK! Takagi snarls but Callum KICKS him again! Cocky cover, TWO!
Callum mockingly applauds Takagi while he stalks him. Callum stands Takagi up to fire knees. Callum mocks LIJ even, but Takagi fires knees in return! Callum fires a KNEE and Takagi goes to a corner. Takagi snarls and the fans fire up, but Callum kicks and snapmares. Callum runs, but Takagi blocks the kick! Callum CLAWS Takagi’s face, whips him to ropes, but Takagi reverses to then HIP TOSS! The fans fire up for Takagi again while he catches his breath. Callum goes to a corner, Takagi runs up, but Callum dodges! Callum kicks low, puts Takagi up top, but Takagi kicks back! Then TORNADO DDT! The fans cheer while Callum tumbles away.
Takagi waits on Callum to stand, then he LARIATS Callum up and out! The fans fire up again, and Takagi goes out after Callum. But Callum RAMS Takagi into the apron, then rolls into the ring. The fans rally as Callum builds speed, and Callum FLIES! But Takagi rolls inside! Callum manages to land out of his tope, but then Takagi TOPES onto Callum! The fans fire up as the Rampaging Dragon can still fly! Takagi stands, Natsupoi cheers him on, and he gives a thumbs up. Takagi goes back to Callum as the ring count starts, and he puts Callum in at 6 of 20. Callum staggers to his feet, but Takagi RUNS him over! Takagi scoops, SLAMS, and SENTONS!
The fans applaud and rally as Takagi winds up. Takagi runs up, blocks a boot, and he LARIATS through! The fans cheer as Takagi JABS and CHOPS on repeat! Red Shoes counts as Takagi JABS, JABS, JABS, then throws hooks from all sides! Callum takes a swing but Takagi spins him through, SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer Takagi on as he starts up the catchphrase, but Takagi dodges Callum’s dropkick to ELBOW DROP! And now “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans cheer and join in with “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi then hoists Callum up top, climbs up to join him, but Callum fires body shots!
Callum HEADBUTTS Takagi, but Takagi ELBOWS in return! Takagi ROCKET LAUNCHES Callum from the corner! Takagi then clamps on for HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! “OI! OI! OI!” SLIDING- NO, Callum dodges to BUZZSAW, HEEL KICK, then PUNT in the side! Both men are down while the fans rally up again. Takagi clutches his side as he goes to the ropes, but Callum is right on him. Callum pushes Takagi outside, brings him around, and RAMS him into railing! Callum has Abe-san and Tanahashi-kaichou clear out from the timekeeper’s area to then confiscate the table. But Takagi BODY BLOWS and KNEES first!
Takagi aims but Callum BODY BLOWS! Then BACK SUPLEX down through the table!! The fans boo Callum as Takagi is down in the wreckage. Red Shoes checks on Takagi while Callum leaves him behind. Takagi is able to continue, and the ring count starts. Takagi flounders at 3 of 20, rises up at 6, and hobbles his way to ringside by 10 of 20. Takagi needs a moment, but he fires back up as we hit 13. Takagi hears 15 and hobbles his way to the ring. But Callum is on him with FIREBOLT! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Takagi as he survives, but Callum continues to taunt the fans. Callum even SPITS at them! The fans boo more but Callum soaks up the heat.
Callum brings Takagi up, and he pump handles, but Takagi fights free! Takagi catches Callum to underhook, but Callum wrenches through! Takagi RAMS Callum into a corner, then ELBOWS him! Takagi runs, blocks a boot but not the ENZIGIRI! Takagi ducks the heel kick to ROCK Callum! Callum comes back to fire a forearm, then he eggs Takagi on. Takagi ROCKS Callum again, but Callum comes back to fire another shot! The forearms go back and forth, and Callum wobbles! Takagi HEADBUTTS, Callum ROCKS, then runs! But Takagi follows to LARIAT at the ropes! And SAIDO! But Callum’s right up to GERMAN SUPLEX!
Takagi’s up, he clinches, HALF ‘N’ HALF! Callum roars, but then he flops over! The fans fire up as both men are down again! Takagi rolls to a corner, Callum goes to the opposite end, and the fans rally up again. Takagi headbutts the buckles to fire back up! Both men run in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Callum BOOTS Takagi, eggs him on, so Takagi LARIATS! Callum staggers back but Takagi eggs him on. Callum BOOTS Takagi, so Takagi LARIATS! Callum stumbles to the ropes but Takagi waits on him. Callum storms up to wind up, but Takagi blocks the boot! BLINDSIDE LARIAT!
Takagi ELBOWS, Callum SOBATS, Takagi JABS, Callum HEEL KICKS! Callum feints the run to LARIAT! Takagi’s right up to LARIAT! The fans fire up as both men flop back down! Takagi rises with “OI! OI! OI!” and the fans join in! Takagi brings Callum up, pump handles, but Callum pulls hair! Takagi pulls hair in return! Red Shoes reprimands them both, so they both let go. But then they both grab hair again! Takagi ELBOWS, JABS, and YUKON feint for the DDT! But Callum handsprings through to springboard! OSC- TAKAGI CUTTER! And then Takagi steals PRINCE’S CURSE!! Cover, TWO!! Callum survives and the fans fire up again!
Takagi roars as he rises again, and he brings Callum up to run, PUMPING- NO, Callum falls down! The fans boo but Takagi just covers anyway, ROPEBREAK! Callum’s long legs save him, but Takagi waits on Callum to get up. Callum sputters in a daze but he reaches out. The fans rally, Takagi brings Callum up, but Callum is a ragdoll! Takagi drops Callum to let Red Shoes check. Callum is still dazed, but then he SPITS at Takagi anyway! Takagi storms up but into a BODY SHOT! And OSCUTTER 2.0!! Cover, TWO!! Callum’s trickery didn’t finish this off, but he hobbles his way to a corner as the fans rally. Callum takes aim, runs up, but Takagi dodges Excalibur!
Callum collapses, shouting about his knee! It may have jammed from going too hard on the stops! Red Shoes backs Takagi off and Zane Jay checks Callum. Callum says his knee, but Takagi kicks at him. Callum hobbles but he falls over again. Takagi says call it then! The fans boo, but Callum YANKS Red Shoes out! This WAS a trick after all! Zane Jay runs up and CLOBBERS Takagi! Daiki Nagai storms in and SPINEBUSTERS Zane! But JAKE LEE leaves commentary to CLOBBER Daiki! Takagi CLUBS Jake’s leg, but the KITCHEN SINK KNEE finds him! The Silent Jester laughs, but YOTA TSUJI is here! BACKBREAKER, FLATLINER,and STOMP!
Callum SUPERKICKS Yota! Callum runs up, EXCALIBUR!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives but Callum hurries to clamp on! Callum steals MADE IN JAPAN!!! Cover, TWO!!! Callum hurries again, PRINCE’S CURSE!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Takagi survives again and the fans are thunderous!! Callum is annoyed, but he drags Takagi up. Takagi grabs at Callum, but Callum fireman’s carries. Takagi flails free, but he drops to the mat! The fans rally for Takagi but Callum sits back and waits. Takagi reaches out as the fans rally harder, but Callum scuffs him. Callum scuffs Takagi again, then fires forearms. Callum is almost toying with Takagi at this point.
Callum winds up to KICK, but that just pisses Takagi off! Takagi sits up, and he takes the KICKS! Callum KICKS again, then SPITS on Takagi! Callum KICKS, but Takagi rolls through to LARIAT! Takagi roars, but Callum SOBATS! Both men sit back down, and Callum unwraps his wrist tape. Callum shows off the crown tattoo, and he hobbles over to Takagi. Callum stands Takagi up, winds up, but Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS POINT-BLANK!! The fans are thunderous again as Takagi stands Callum up! Takagi pump handles, Callum slips free, and he SHOVES Takagi at Red Shoes! Takagi stops short, and he blocks the low blow!
Takagi ducks the roundhouse to pump handle and MADE IN JAPAN!! Takagi isn’t done, he pump handles again, MADE IN JAPAN AGAIN!! Cover, TWO!! Callum survives but Takagi just winds up! Takagi runs, PUMPING BOMBER!! Takagi roars because he’s not done yet! Pump handle, torture rack, and BURNING DRAGON!! Cover, TWO!?! Callum survives again and Takagi can’t believe it! The fans rally as hard as they can as now even Ospreay is here to coach Callum on! Takagi rises first, he drags Callum up, and Takagi tells Ospreay to watch. Pump handle, torture rack, but Callum CLUBS away!
Takagi LARIATS! Callum staggers around but Takagi storms over to him. Takagi LARIATS again, and Callum rebounds off ropes. Callum slaps at Takagi, but he’s running on fumes at this point. Takagi fires boxing elbows, he has plenty of gas! But Callum ROCKS Takagi! Takagi JABS, then HEADBUTTS! The fans fire up for Takagi as he brings Callum up to DECK him! Takagi roars, the fans cheer, and Takagi drags Callum back around. Callum sputters but Ospreay coaches him up. Takagi brings Callum up to fireman’s carry, but Callum clings to the ropes! Takagi pries Callum free, but Callum grabs Red Shoes! LOW BLOW!! PRINCE’S CURSE!! Cover, TWO!!
Ospreay is conflicted. He wanted Callum to win, but not quite like that, so he’s relieved this is still going. Callum rises, as does Takagi, and the fans rally up again. Callum winds up, KISS THE CROWN!! Callum then brings Takagi up again, fireman’s carries, and he hits a GO TO SLEEP!! Callum watches Takagi rise up again, and he fireman’s carries for an F- NO, Takagi slips free to HEADBUTT and fire elbows! But Callum KNEES Takagi, then hops up! Takagi slips under, then Takagi hops up!? POISON-RANA!! Callum flounders to ropes, Takagi crawls to the other side! Callum and Takagi roar, PUMPING BOMBER TAKEDOWN!! Cover, TWO?!?!
Callum survives and everyone is shocked! This has passed 35 minutes, but Callum uses Red Shoes as a shield! LOW BLOW!!! And then MAKE WAY!!! Cover, CALLUM WINS!
Winner: Callum Newman, by pinfall (still IWGP Heavyweight Champion)
Yota protests as Callum again dirties up how he wins! Ospreay is still conflicted, but Zane says a win is a win. The rest of the United Empire makes their way out here to stand with their Prince, who still sits upon the throne. Is this going to be the last time Takagi gets a shot at this title? Or is there still hope with the G1 Climax this Summer?
As for Callum, he is handed the title by the Chairman of NUTS, and holds it up for the photo op. Callum then wants to add insult to injury, but Yota stands in his way. The Empire joins Callum in the ring, and Ospreay is the one calling they all stand down. But then Callum LOW BLOWS Yota and BELT SHOTS him down! The fans boo but then Jake sets Takagi up! But then Ospreay steps in! Ospreay says they won, that’s enough! Callum says okay, okay, he won’t do it. But Ospreay should! Ospreay says yeah, right, he’s not doing this BS. Is he with them or not? Yeah, but not like that! Oh, really? C’mon, “Death Rider Billy!”
Ospreay snarls, and he HIDDEN BLADES Takagi down! There, happy? The Empire applauds their former leader, then Callum gets the mic. “Daijobu?” Callum mockingly asks if they’re alright, and the fans boo. Callum then says hey, whether you like it or not, United Empire are the top dogs in this company now! And seeing as Unbound Company wants to ruin his moment ever single time, how about uh… Ignition to Dominion? In just two days’ time, they can settle it! Callum & Jake VS Yota & Takagi. And if the Empire wins, Yota & Takagi can NEVER challenge Callum for the title again. But if either of them pins Callum, then Dominion main event it is. Now F off!
Unbound Company exits, and Callum says the Empire is the best unit in Japan, in the world, and you will all make way for The Prince and Kiss The Crown! Callum leaves it at that, and the streamers fly for his victory. Callum with the top title, Andrade with the Global title, and the trio of Henare, Khan and a now reluctant Ospreay holding the NEVER Six Man titles, will nothing stop the United Empire from conquering the world? Or will this Empire fall apart from within?
My Thoughts:
A great second night of Wrestling Dontaku, with some rather surprising outcomes here and there. Konosuke was of course beating Chase in their match, but the surprise might be that Konosuke has Hontai as his allies here. I wonder if that will add to the dysfunction in Don Callis Family when you consider Andrade is United Empire, but then so is Ospreay, but then as Callum references, Ospreay is hanging out with The Death Riders, who they literally fought a few weeks ago. Meanwhile, I had not predicted Despy & Mistico winning those junior tag titles, and I was iffy on the Empire winning the NEVER titles, but those were great matches and great surprise wins.
Callum winning over Takagi wasn’t quite surprising, though Takagi looked awesome in this match. The fans all wanted Takagi, and they even got “Mrs. Takagi,” Natsupoi, in on the act, all to great effect. But Callum cheating to win helped protect Takagi in the loss while it helped build the dysfunction. I feel like the NEVER Six Man reign will be short given Ospreay can’t keep going back and forth between Japan and the States, but they are certainly going to give us Callum VS Ospreay so that Callum can truly establish himself as not just the leader of the Empire but as the best British/European/gaijin wrestler NJPW has today. We might even see more Empire VS Death Riders, but with a rather unique double turn where Death Riders are Face alongside Ospreay against an all Heel Empire.
My Score: 9.1/10
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