El Desperado and Jon Moxley, one last time!

NJPW Strong Independence Day was wild last night, but just you wait! The Rogue Luchador and The Maniac have ONE FINAL DEATH… match!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kickoff Show – Ryusuke Taguchi, Master Wato & Boltin Oleg VS Takahiro Katori, Dragon Libre & Rekka; Taguchi, Wato & Oleg win.
• Satoshi Kojima VS Oskar Leube; Kojima wins.
• Catch 2/2 VS Homicide & Ryohei Oiwa; Catch 2/2 wins.
• Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney VS YOH & Rocky Romero; Connors & Moloney win.
• Lance Archer & Alex Zayne VS Bad Dude Tito & Kosei Fujita; Archer & Zayne win.
• Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tomohiro Ishii & The DKC VS Team Filthy; Tanahashi, Ishii & DKC win.
• NJPW Strong Women’s Championship: Willow Nightingale VS Giulia; Giulia wins and becomes the new NJPW Strong Women’s Champion.
• IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Bishamon VS Alex Coughlin & Gabe Kidd; Bishamon wins and retains the titles.
• NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: KENTA VS Eddie Kingston; Kingston wins and becomes the new NJPW Strong Openweight Champion.
• FINAL DEATH: El Desperado VS Jon Moxley; Moxley wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

NJPW Strong Women’s Championship: Willow Nightingale VS Giulia!

The Babe with the Power has been a great first champion, but she could be running into her toughest challenge yet! Will the Beautiful Madness add more gold to her collection? Or will Willow return to the states still on top?

The introductions are made, the NJPW belt is raised, and we see who really has the power!

Willow offers a handshake like she did yesterday, but Giulia just gets in Willow’s face! Fans rally up already as the bell rings and Giulia SHOTGUNS Willow! Willow stays up so Giulia fires off forearms! Giulia ROCKS Willow, whips, but Willow holds ropes to block! Giulia CHOPS, then whips! Willow reverses, but Giulia reverses back. They dodge each other, but Willow smothers the arm-drag! Willow whips but Giulia tilt-o-whirls, only for Willow to block! Fans fire up and Giulia manages a sunset flip, ONE! Fans cheer the standoff and both women glare at the other. Willow and Giulia reset as fans duel.

Willow and Giulia feel things out, and Giulia wants a test of strength. Willow says okay then! They knuckle lock and Giulia kicks low! Giulia waistlocks, Willow switches, but Giulia fights the lift to get under and trip Willow! Giulia then turns Willow with the legs to get a headlock, but Willow gets the ROPEBREAK! Giulia lets off, but she kicks Willow. Giulia runs, but into a CHOP! Willow whips, then SPINEBUSTERS! High stack, TWO!! Giulia survives but Willow keeps her focus. Willow short arm LARIATS, then drags Giulia up again. Short arm LARIAT! Willow huffs and puffs and fans rally up.

Giulia ELBOWS Willow then fires up! Giulia scoops Willow, but falls over! Willow covers, TWO! Fans rally as Giulia goes to a corner. Willow runs corner to corner to back body block! And clothesline! And then another clothesline! Willow keeps on Giulia in the corner with clothesline after clothesline, then she fisherman suplexes! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but fans fire up all the same! Willow drags Giulia up by her hair, lifts her up, and wraps her in a BEARHUG! Giulia endures, and fights back with a GUILLOTINE! Willow drops to her knees, but she powers back up to CLUB Giulia on the back!

Willow suplexes but Giulia SATELLITE DDTS out of it! Fans fire up and Giulia rises. Willow sits up, Giulia brings her around to CHOP! Willow frowns and CHOPS back! Giulia CHOPS again and Willow scowls. Willow swings, misses, Giulia trips her to an STF! Willow reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Giulia lets off at 4. Giulia goes up the corner and fans rally up. Giulia aims, MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Willow is still in this and fans rally and duel again! Giulia stomps Willow, but Willow throws body shots. Giulia ROCKS Willow with a forearm, then runs to RAM Willow!

Willow comes back to ROCK Giulia! Giulia runs in, clinches, headlocks, but Willow powers out! Willow then runs the other way, to POUNCE! PERIOD! Fans fire up as Giulia goes to a corner. Willow runs in, CANNONBALL! Fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up again, Willow drags Giulia up by her hair, and gut wrench! But Giulia fights with elbows! Giulia trips Willow, jackknife bridges, TWO and Willow rolls to have the gut wrench! BABE WITH THE POWER- NO, Giulia fights and flails, so Willow BUCKLE BOMBS her instead! Fans fire up more, Willow pushes Giulia to a cover, TWO!!

Giulia is still in this but Willow is just getting mad! Willow climbs up the corner and fans fire up even more! Willow MOONSUALTS but FLOPS as Giulia moves! Giulia then runs in to tilt-o-whirl takedown into RINGS OF SATURN!! Willow endures and fans fire up! Willow powers through, but Giulia just gets her in a modified BIANCA STRETCH! Willow still reaches out, claws her way around, and ROPEBREAK! Giulia lets go quickly to get Willow up. Giulia hammerlocks for a DDT! Fans fire up while both women are down! The ref checks, and Giulia and Willow stir. Both women crawl to each other and go forehead to forehead.

Giulia throws a forearm! Willow throws it back! Fans rally up as Giulia throws another forearm! Willow huffs and puffs and comes back to CHOP! Willow eggs Giulia on, Giulia SLAPS! Willow SLAPS! The fans fire up for the SLAP fight! Giulia fires a flurry, then just paints Willow with those SLAPS! Fans are thunderous as Willow wobbles and staggers! Giulia runs, but into a LARIAT! Giulia roars and gets back up, but Willow LARIATS again!! Cover, TWO!! Giulia survives and the fans fire up again! The dueling continues as Willow crawls her way over. Willow drags Giulia up, reels her in, gut wrench and-

NO, Giulia fights it! Over the top, CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Willow survives and Giulia is beside herself! Giulia crawls after Willow as she rolls away. They both stand and Giulia wants to scoop! But Willow blocks, scoops Giulia, but Giulia slips out! Giulia avoids the mule kick to SAIDO!! Cover, TWO!! Fans continue to rally as both women rise again. Giulia throws hands but Willow blocks to DECK Giulia! Willow drags Giulia back up, to SUPERKICK! Giulia rises again!? Willow goes to the corner as Giulia staggers around. Willow climbs but Giulia CHOPS first! Giulia climbs up after Willow and CLUBS her!

Giulia fires up and the fans are with her! Giulia underhooks, for the SUPER BUTTERFLY SUPLEX!! Fans are thunderous as Giulia crawls to cover, TWO!?!? Willow survives and Giulia can’t believe it! Willow rises in a daze and Giulia brings her up. Giulia SLAPS her! Willow swings, misses, and Giulia comes back to KNEE! Scoop?! NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB!!! Cover, GIULIA WINS!

Winner: Giulia, by pinfall (NEW NJPW Strong Women’s Champion)

History has been made as the inaugural reign comes to an end! And now, Giulia shows Willow respect. Will the Beautiful Madness do NJPW proud as she carries the baton into Stardom?

IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Bishamon VS Alex Coughlin & Gabe Kidd!

Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi lost the NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships to the War Dogs just yesterday, but now they go another round! Will the Fierce Warrior & Headhunter hold onto their last bit of gold? Or is Bullet Club only going to become stronger?

Kidd & Coughlin rush Bishamon as they make their entrance! But Hashi JAMS Kidd with his Bo staff first! Goto stomps Kidd, but Coughlin attacks him! Hashi POSTS Kidd, Goto whips Coughlin into railing! Coughlin tumbles over, and Goto uses his robe to CHOKE him! Hashi ROCKS Kidd and goes after him among the fans! Hashi CHOPS Kidd, Goto POSTS Coughlin! Hashi whips Kidd hard into railing! Fans fire up as Hashi drags Kidd up and into the ring. The bell rings and Hashi goes after Kidd in the corner with forearms and CHOPS! Hashi CHOPS Kidd off his feet, and the fans fire up with him!

Hashi drags Kidd up, bumps him off buckles, tag to Goto. Goto stomps away on Kidd, fires off forearms, then whips him to ropes. Goto ELBOWS Kidd down, DECKS Coughlin off the apron, and then Goto whips Coughlin into railing! And again the other way! Fans fire up as Goto stomps Coughlin and goes back for Kidd. Goto kicks low, throws m ore forearms, then knees low. Goto CLUBS Kidd down, brings him up, but Kidd shoves Goto away! Coughlin trips Goto, Kidd BLASTS Hashi! Coughlin sends Goto into railing now! And more railing! Kidd CHOPS Hashi, and CHOPS him again! Hashi flops down while Coughlin puts Goto in.

Kidd CHOKES Hashi with a chair! Coughlin CHOKES Goto on the ropes! Red Shoes reprimands the War Dogs and fans boo, but Kidd puts Hashi back in. Coughlin finally lets off of Goto and Kidd flips off the fans. The fans boo more, Coughlin tags in. The War Dogs get Goto up, and Coughlin CHOPS! Kidd flips everyone off again and Coughlin drags Goto up. Coughlin CHOPS, but Goto CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Coughlin kicks low, whips him corner to corner hard and Goto bounces off buckles to hit the floor! Kidd then goes after Hashi and CHOPS him down! Coughlin stands on Goto’s head while fans boo.

Coughlin deadlift gut wrench SLAMS Goto! And then floats around, deadlift gut wrenches again, for another SLAM! Cover, TWO! Goto survives but Coughlin slaps him around. Coughlin drags Goto up, and SLAPS him! Goto CHOPS! Coughlin CHOPS! They CHOP back and forth, faster and faster! Coughlin fires a flurry then he ROCKS Goto! Coughlin brings Goto up to whip him, but Goto reverses! Goto runs in but into a BOOT! Coughlin roars and runs, but Goto follows! Coughlin dodges but Goto blocks the boot to DISCUS LARIAT! Coughlin flounders around and fans fire up! Hot tags to Hashi and Kidd!

Hashi rallies on “War Ready” Gabe with big elbows and shoulders! Hashi whips, Kidd reverses, but Hashi CHOPS! And mule kicks! And NECKBREAKERS! Hashi DECKS Coughlin for good measure! Kidd goes to ropes, and Hashi runs in to CHOP! Hashi then hangs Kidd out to dry, runs side to side, and DROPKICKS Kidd down! Fans fire up as Hashi covers, TWO! Fans rally up and Hashi brings Kidd up. Hashi suplexes, but Kidd fights it! Kidd throws body shots, but Hashi tries again. Kidd blocks the suplex, gets around and he claws the eyes! Red shoes reprimands, but Kidd runs, into the fireman’s carry from Goto!

But Kidd slips off! Goto RAMS Kidd into the corner, Hashi runs in to clothesline! Feed to the kick and clinch! Hashi runs, but Kidd grabs at Red Shoes! Coughlin CHAIRSHOTS Hashi in the back!! Red Shoes misses that, and Kidd CLOBBERS Goto! Fans rally up for Bishamon but the War Dogs regroup. They drag Hashi and want to “kill him!” They Too Sweet then haul Hashi up! DOUBLE MUSCLE BUSTER!! Cover, TWO!?!? Hashi survives and the War Dogs are upset with Red Shoes! Fans boo and Red Shoes exits for a breather. The War Dogs say THEY are gonna be IWGP Tag Team Champions, but fans boo more.

The War Dogs get Hashi up, Coughlin climbs, but Goto anchors Coughlin! Hashi victory rolls Kidd! TWO!! Kidd escapes, Coughlin clubs Goto but Kidd is sent into him! Roll up with bridge, TWO!! Hashi dropkicks legs out! Fans rally up, but Goto is in the wrong corner! Hashi still feeds Kidd to Goto’s forearm, and then Goto climbs! Hashi brings Kidd up, but Kidd fights free! Kidd sends Hashi into Goto! Then Kidd DECKS Hashi! Kidd falls over, sputtering for air. Fans rally up and Kidd rises. Kidd stands on Hashi, then brings him up. Hashi fights the lift to back drop Kidd away!

Fans fire up as Hashi and Kidd are both down. Hashi and Kidd crawl, and both men drag themselves up with the ropes. They both run in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! But neither man falls! They go again, DOUBLE LARIATS! Still neither man falls, so thet DOUBLE LARIAT a third time! Kidd CHOPS! Hashi CHOPS! Kidd BITES Hashi!! He really is just a dog! Kidd lets off to run, but Hashi DOUBLE CHOPS him down! Goto returns, feed to the fireman’s carry! But Kidd slips free and shoves Goto into Hashi! Goto deflects the boot but Kidd avoids the lariat, only to run into HIDDEN GAP! But then Coughlin CLOBBERS Hashi!

Goto blocks Coughlin’s boot! SUPERKICK from Hashi! Fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI and Coughlin lands on Kidd! Bishamon gets Kidd up, SHOTO!! Cover, Bishamon wins!!

Winners: Bishamon, by pinfall (still IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

Coughlin & Kidd took one pair of titles, but they aren’t getting both! Kidd throws a fit about it, knocking down a Young Lion and kicking railing from the floor. Will David Finlay be disappointed in his War Dogs? Will Goto & Hashi personally make sure Bullet Club does NOT take over NJPW?

NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: KENTA VS Eddie Kingston!

The Fang Revived showed no mercy to Hikuleo at Resurgence to bring this title back to Bullet Club. But now the Mad King is coming for him, just ten days before the G1 Climax. Will Eddie be golden for the Summer? Or will he simply #GoToSleep?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who has the sharper fangs!

The bell rings and the fans rally up for “EDDIE! EDDIE!” Kenta is annoyed by that but Eddie just stares him down. Kenta and Eddie circle, the Kenta fans do show up, and Eddie mockingly applauds. Eddie and Kenta feel things out, tie up, and Eddie puts Kenta on ropes. Kenta calls for the break, the ref calls for it, and Eddie lets off. But then Eddie swings! Kenta blocks the chop! The two reset and fans rally up again. Eddie and Kenta circle, they tie up, and Eddie powers Kenta back. They end up on ropes, Kenta turns Eddie around, and Kenta lets off slowly. Then he SLAPS Eddie! Eddie swings, Kenta blocks and SLAPS again!

Eddie storms up, Kenta bails out but Eddie pursues! They go around the ring, and Kenta stomps Eddie as he gets in! Kenta stomps Eddie more and Eddie goes to ropes. Kenta whips, Eddie reverses to knee low and BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Fans cheer and Eddie winds up the arm! Eddie CHOPS Kenta down! Kenta bails out and Eddie pursues again. Kenta RAMS into Eddie, but Eddie CHOPS back! Kenta staggers to railing, kicks low, and throws haymakers! Eddie CHOPS again! Eddie swings but Kenta ducks, Eddie chops POST! Kenta stomps Eddie around, then puts the bad arm through railing to pull!

The ref counts, Kenta lets off, and Kenta hammerlocks that arm to RAM it into railing! Eddie falls and writhes, the ref reprimands, and Kenta KICKS Eddie in the back! And KICKS him in the side! And stomps the bad arm! A ring count starts but Kenta puts Eddie in at 6 of 20. Fans cheer but Eddie still clutches the bad arm. Kenta taunts Eddie, and Eddie CHOPS! But that just hurts the hand! Eddie still CHOPS, but then Kenta grabs the arm! FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Eddie endures, claws his way forward, reaches out, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Kenta lets go and Eddie clutches the elbow.

Fans rally for Eddie but Kenta stomps him! Eddie grits his teeth, sits up, and Kenta KICKS him in the chest! Eddie sputters and falls over, then Kenta KICKS him in the side! Eddie growls and sits back up, Kenta kicks the bad arm again, and Eddie goes to ropes. Kenta stomps the bad arm but Eddie snarls and glares at him. Fans rally for Eddie, and Eddie throws back hands! Then clinches to an EXPLODER! Kenta gets up, runs in, but into a SAIDO! Fans fire up while both men are down. Kenta is dazed and Eddie shakes out the bad arm. Eddie sits up first, fans rally up for Eddie more, and he stands.

Eddie drags Kenta up with one good arm, tries to half nelson but the bad arm makes that hard. Kenta fights with elbows, then hits an ELBOW BREAKER! But Eddie still gets a SLEEPER! Kenta moves around, grabs at the ref, but Eddie throws Kenta down. The ref also goes down and Eddie wants him to get up. Kenta grabs his shirt in the corner, hides it from Eddie and the ref, and then makes it look like Eddie’s choking him! The ref reprimands, Eddie defends his innocence, but Kenta shoves Eddie into the ref! And then kicks Eddie low to DDT! Fans boo but Kenta goes out to grab the belt! Fans boo as Kenta brings it into the ring.

Kenta holds up the title, mocks the fans, and he takes aim. Eddie rises, but he knees low first! Fans fire up, and now Eddie grabs the belt! Eddie says Kenta’s gonna pay, and Kenta wants mercy. Eddie decides to play fair and he puts the belt back. But Kenta gets a spare belt! He CLOBBERS Eddie with the Defy World Championship he won just a month ago! Kenta then slaps the ref awake, and gets him up to do his job. Kenta goes up a corner, fans boo, but Kenta just mocks them. Kenta aims to DIVING DOUBLE STOMP!! Cover, TWO!!! Eddie survives the coup de grace and Kenta is furious!

Kenta slashes his throat and drags Eddie up to a fireman’s carry! But Eddie slips free, and wants the dragon sleeper! Kenta endures, reaches out, but Eddie drags him back into the STRETCH PLUM!! Eddie goes after Kenta’s arm, chicken wings it, but Kenta moves around! Kenta fights against the bad arm and gets the ROPEBREAK! Eddie lets go in frustration but the fans rally, “LET’S GO, EDDIE!” Eddie shakes out the bad arm, spins, but Kenta blocks! Kenta URAKENS! Kenta cross counters again and again and again! Eddie drops to the mat but Kenta still ROCKS him again! Fans fire up as Kenta aims from a corner.

Eddie rises, Kenta runs in, but Eddie drops! Kenta stops, sits Eddie up, and runs in again, BUSAIKU KNEE! Cover, TWO!!! Eddie still lives and Kenta is furious again! Kenta drags Eddie up, fireman’s carries, and GO TO- NO!! Eddie blocks! Kenta fires off palm strikes! Kenta is free, but Eddie ENZIGURIS! Kenta wobbles, Eddie URAKENS!! Kenta stays up, so Eddie BACK FIST TO THE FUTURE!! Cover, TWO?!?! Kenta survives and Eddie is beside himself as he clutches his damaged arm. Kenta is dazed again but he manages to crawl away. Eddie grits his teeth, stands, and calls his shot. Eddie drags Kenta up and reels him in!

Eddie scoops but Kenta cradle counters! TWO!! Eddie escapes, Kenta runs in to BOOT! URAKEN! ROLLING LARIAT! Both men roar, both men run, Eddie LARIATS Kenta down!! Cover, TWO!?!? Kenta roars in frustration and the fans are thunderous! Eddie nods, Kenta nods, and they egg each other on. Eddie BOOTS Kenta! Kenta roars! Eddie BOOTS again! Still Kenta roars! Kenta flips Eddie off, but he gets an URAKEN for it! Eddie suplexes, NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB!!! Cover, EDDIE WINS!!!

Winner: Eddie Kingston, by pinfall (NEW NJPW Strong Openweight Champion)

A journey of 21 YEARS, and Eddie finally has a title in the company he’s admired in NJPW! The Mad King takes his throne, but will he keep this crown through the Summer?

FINAL DEATH: El Desperado VS Jon Moxley!

If you thought yesterday’s Exciting Encounter was brutal, bloody and insane, then… Well, you’d be correct. But you’re also about to see something that puts yesterday to shame! The Rogue Luchador and The Maniac go to the extreme one last time, who survives this Final Death?

Jun Kasai joins Japanese commentary for this one, he wants to enjoy the madness up close. There are already barbed wire boards of plywood in the neutral corners, and stacks of chairs in the red and blue corners, to parallel last night’s No Disqualification tag match. Desperado enters through the crowd a la Moxley, with a guitar and a bouquet of roses, just like his 2014 debut. Desperado even wears a special version of his mask so that his hair, and therefore entire scalp, can be part of the action. As for Moxley, he also makes his entrance through the crowd, still bringing nothing more than taped up fists and his love of violence.

Moxley’s forehead is stitched up, and he says a quick prayer for what is about to happen here. The bell rings and fans rally as the two stare down. They circle and each test the barbed wire. Yep, that’s sharp. The fans duel, the two tie up, and they try to push each other at those barbed wire boards! Moxley shifts around to a waistlock but Desperado switches. Moxley elbows free, ROCKS Desperado with a forearm, then whips! Desperado stops himself, dodges Moxley, and runs in, but into a kick! Moxley ROCKS Desperado, whips again, and Desperado slides out of the ring! But Moxley DIVES! Direct hit into railing and the timekeeper has to be careful!

Fans fire up as Moxley goes around the way. He’s got a FORK! Moxley aims at Desperado, but Desperado SMACKS him with a trash can lid! And again! And then Desperado dual wields lids to SMACK Moxley around! Desperado SMACKS Moxley in the butt! They go through the crowd, the fans watch out, and Desperado SMACKS Moxley around again! Desperado pulls up the skirt on the seating area! He brings out a TABLE! Young Lions have fans move back as Desperado props the table up against that stage. But Moxley fires off forearms! Desperado claws Moxley’s face! Desperado whips but Moxley blocks hitting the table!

Moxley fires forearms on Desperado, then sends him into railing! Moxley hops up onto the stage, takes aim, and FLYING AX HANDLES! Fans rally as Moxley pushes Desperado, but Desperado whips Moxley into railing! They go back to where the table is, and Desperado changes it up. Desperado has the table stand on its own, and thanks the Young Lions for their help. Then Desperado gets a second table, and that’s set up right next to the first! Desperado fires up and the fans are with him, but Moxley JAMS him with a chair! SMACK to the back! More fans have to move aside as Moxley makes Desperado take a seat. Moxley BOOTS Desperado over!

Moxley pushes chairs aside, lines up the shot with the tables Desperado set up, and then Moxley fireman’s carries! Desperado slips free, and they fight for control! Moxley HIP TOSSES Desperado off the stage, ONTO the tables! But the tables don’t break and Desperado just bounces off! Fans fire up while Desperado writhes on the floor. Moxley hops down, fetches Desperado, and then puts him on those tables. Moxley goes back up, fans fire up as Moxley ELBOW DROPS! The tables still stay strong and Desperado writhes! Maybe something in Desperado broke! But Moxley isn’t done, he AX HANDLES Desperado down!

Moxley drags the tables, tries to break them himself, but these tables are truly NJPW Strong! So Moxley just POSTS Desperado! Moxley then goes to that stack of chairs, sets them up in a nice square, and then brings Desperado over. FALCON ARRWO onto the chair square! Desperado writhes again while fans fire up! Moxley takes a lap around the ring, and then gets another chair. Moxley drags Desperado over by his leg, and puts that leg inside the chair! Moxley goes up to the apron, to STOMP down on the chair! Moxley may have just broken a shin or ankle! Fans rally up but Moxley drags Desperado into the ring.

Moxley paces, but he brings out the fork! Desperado sits up, Moxley JAMS him in the face!! And again and again and again!! The ref checks on Desperado as Moxley lets off, and fans cheer as Moxley takes a taste. Then Moxley DIGS the fork into Desperado’s back! Moxley traps the arms, and he DIGS at the eyebrow!! Moxley lets off and puts his fork away. Desperado is bleeding from somewhere, and Moxley whips. But Desperado blocks, throws hands, whips, but Moxley reverses! Desperado goes into the barbed wire plank!! Desperado writhes and fans lose their minds! Moxley drags Desperado out of the wreckage, for a PILEDRIVER! Cover, TWO!!!

Fans fire up as Desperado survives! Moxley drags Desperado back up, to snap suplex! Cover, ONE!! But Moxley grabs the arm, KIMURA! Desperado endures, fights, but Moxley knees him outta the ring! Desperado crawls, and he finds his guitar! Moxley storms over, dodges the Smash Hit and kicks low! Moxley takes the guitar to SMASH HIT Desperado!! Fans go wild as Moxley “strums” the guitar. Not much of a tune anymore, but Moxley uses the guitar to DIG at Desperado’s shoulder and neck!! The fiberglass and wood is sharp! Moxley lets off, the ref checks Desperado, but Desperado fights with forearms!

Moxley DECKS Desperado! Moxley goes into the ring, and he soaks up the cheers and jeers from the fans. Fans rally, Desperado stands and gets back in. But Moxley JAMS him with the fork again!! And again and again! Moxley wants to take the mask and even hair with it! Moxley lets off and Desperado gets to the apron. Moxley drags Desperado up as fans rally. Moxley ROCKS Desperado, Desperado ROCKS Moxley, repeat! Moxley SHOTGUNS Desperado into a corner! Moxley paces, sees the one remaining board, and says let’s go again. Moxley goes back to Desperado, CHOPS him, but Desperado CHOPS back!

Moxley CHOPS and forearms and CHOPS again! Desperado fires elbows, but Moxley gives them back! Moxley whips, Desperado reverses, but Moxley stops himself! Moxley dodges Desperado, kicks and whips but Desperado reverses! Now MOXLEY goes into barbed wire plank!! Fans are thunderous and Desperado drags the wreckage out of the corner to put it on Moxley! And he SMASHES it down with a chair! And again! And again! And again!! Moxley writhes and fans are thunderous as Desperado clears out the wreckage. BIG back suplex onto wires! Desperado goes up a corner, aims, and salutes! MAD SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!!!

Kasai appreciates the shoutout and then Desperado gets his bouquet! Surprise! It was hiding a grater! Desperado GRINDS Moxley’s bloody forehead!! Desperado tosses the grater aside, goes out and fans fire up with him! Desperado looks under the ring, and brings out a new TABLE! Desperado sets that up at ringside, then gets a new barbed wire plank!! The plank is put on the table, and Desperado drags Moxley over. Moxley ROCKS Desperado and Desperado wobbles! Desperado RAMS into Moxley, brings him out, and then clinches! Moxley fights, but Desperado throws body shots.

Desperado steps inside to LOCO MONO! Moxley wobbles, he ROCKS Desperado back! Moxley suplexes but Desperado fights free! Desperado clinches to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! They both fall through the barbed wire plank and table!!! Fans are thunderously losing their minds as both men writhe! Desperado rises, fans chant “This is Awesome!” and he has a piece of wire in hand! Moxley has a piece of wire stuck in his wrist tape, and then Desperado wraps up his arm with that wire! Moxley does the same! Both men get in, and throw BARBED WIRE HAYMAKERS!! Fans fire up with every shot!

Moxley throws his wire away, Desperado does the same. Desperado brings out a little black bag? THE SKEWERS!! Desperado is a gentlemen, he gives Moxley half the stash. Moxley says okay, and they BOTH jam each other with the skewers!!!! We have double sadistic pineapples, and the brawl continues! Skewers fly with every forearm until no more are left! CUTTER from Moxley!! Cover, TWO!!! Moxley drags Desperado into HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS!! Desperado takes every shot but he’s fading! BULLY CHOKE!!! Flashbacks to their fight in Nashville! But Desperado isn’t done yet! Desperado moves around, flips Moxley off, but then Moxley BREAKS that finger!!

Moxley lets Desperado go, says he’ll end this now, and underhooks. DEATH- NO, Desperado spins out to SPINEBUSTER! Moxley tries another cutter but Desperado blocks to a SAIDO! Desperado underhooks, PINCHE LOCO!!! Cover,  TWO!??! Moxley survives and shocks us all, but Desperado is not giving up! Desperado drags Moxley up, underhooks, PINCHE PILEDRIVER!! And a roll through, to PINCHE- NO, Moxley spins out to DEATH RIDER!!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? HOW?!?!? The fans are electric and Moxley is furious! Moxley aims from a corner as Desperado sits up, CURB STOMP!!

Desperado stands back up?!? But into a KING KONG LARIAT!! And then DEATH RIDER!!! Cover, Moxley wins!!!

Winner: Jon Moxley, by pinfall

The Rogue Luchador and the Maniac went to hell and back, and maybe another time around again, but it is Moxley who comes out the victor. Even in defeat, was there something Desperado gained?

As for Moxley, he gets the mic as the fans cheer his name. “That’s right, I’m closing out the show tonight, because when I’m in Japan, I am the King of NJPW! But I feel like a peasant tonight, and all of you are the real kings and queens of professional wrestling. I don’t know if you know how special a thing that you’ve got going on here in Korakuen. How special it is for you to be here. This is the heartbeat of professional wrestling, Korakuen Hall.” Fans cheer that. Moxley says the world knows it, no matter what anyone tells you.

And he knows that Korakuen is special to him. He came here for the first time a few years ago, and was baptized by fire right here. He was made into a whole new person thanks to the fans here in Tokyo! What they’ve given him means more to him than anything you can buy. It’s hard to put into words but nothing is bigger or more important that that. This is the most important thing in the world to him, and a piece of his heart will always be here in Tokyo. And as long as his heart is beating, he will continue to come here to NJPW and bust his ass to repay them for what they gave him.

Moxley then tells Desperado that he has been in the ring with “the most sadistic, evil, gnarly, gruesome SOBs in death match wresting and professional wrestling all over the world. And El Desperado, after tonight, I can say you are at the top of that list.” Fans cheer that! Moxley tells Desperado that you can tell this to Kasai, too. It was also very special to be in the ring with him last night. Kasai was a childhood hero of Moxley’s friend, Danny Havoc, who is no longer with us. So in the ring with Kasai, even in a loss, made Moxley feel closer to his old friend. Moxley may lose, but he never loses twice. You may get the better of him once, but it never happens twice. Remember that!

Moxley drops the mic and fans cheer the flex. Will Moxley use this momentum to bring violence and pain back to AEW?

My Thoughts:

A great part two for NJPW Strong Independence Day, but yes I did skip more things again. I do like that Archer and Zayne are seemingly becoming a team, #MurderSauce could be a great team in the Openweight Tag Division, or even Heavyweight if Zayne fills out that frame and goes just over the edge of the 205 line. Great title matches tonight, and as I said yesterday, Kidd & Coughlin got their win with the Openweight Tag titles, Bishamon will carry the heavyweight titles for now. Giulia beating Willow was wild, but when you consider Willow won against Mercedes Mone because of injury, this was still a great ride for Willow. Now both the IWGP Women’s and NJPW Strong Women’s titles are in Stardom, so there will be a lot of great feuds and matches there to build their legacies.

Eddie dethroning Kenta was an even bigger surprise, really. Kenta had been doing so well as a character, and Bullet Club has been firing up again with the two tag titles wins yesterday. But Eddie is stateside more so he can do more things in NJPW Strong. Kenta might want a rematch, though, who knows how that goes. And mostly, Eddie’s gonna be holding onto this belt through the G1 so any loss he takes is a potential contender for the Openweight title. And then Final Death was pretty wild, but mostly in pace rather than what they were really doing. NJPW’s tables are now infamous for being hard to break, but the barbed wire worked just fine. Moxley winning makes sense, because Desperado go this win yesterday, and now Mox has momentum on the road to Blood & Guts in AEW.

My Score: 8.8/10