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Mitchell’s NJPW Destruction Results & Report! (9/24/23)

Is Kobe ready for Destruction?

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Will the Aerial Assassin survive the Gene Blast?

On a night of United Empire VS Los Ingobernables de Japon, Will Ospreay defends the now IWGP United Kingdom Championship against Yota Tsuji!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Tiger Mask & Kevin Knight VS Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Connors & Moloney win.
  • Six Man Tag: Just5Guys VS The House of Torture; J5G wins.
  • 10 Man Tag: El Phantasmo & The Guerrillas of Destiny VS Bullet Club War Dogs; ELP & GOD win.
  • YOH & Lio Rush VS Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI; Yoh & Lio win.
  • Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Bad Dude Tito; ZSJ & Tito win.
  • KOPW Championship Handcuffed Cornermen Match: Taichi VS SHO; Sho wins and becomes the new KOPW Champion.
  • IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Bishamon VS TMDK; Bishamon wins and retains the titles.
  • Shingo Takagi VS Great-O-Khan; Khan wins.
  • IWGP World Heavyweight Right to Challenge Contract match: Tetsuya Naito VS Jeff Cobb; Naito wins and retains the Right to Challenge.
  • IWGP United Kingdom Championship: Will Ospreay VS Yota Tsuji; Ospreay wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

KOPW Championship Handcuffed Cornermen Match: Taichi VS SHO!

The Holy Emperor, and pretty much everyone, knows when you face one member of the House of Torture, you face them all! That’s why he prepared something very special for this match. Just5Guys and the HOT boys will be allowed ringside, but must all be handcuffed together! Sanada, Douki & Taka Michinoku just beat Evil, Yujiro Takahashi & Dick Togo, will they and Taichi completely topple the House? Or is this gamble going to backfire on Just5Guys?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and the refs begin to secure the faction members together with the handcuffs. Sanada is cuffed to Evil, Douki is cuffed to Yujiro and Taka is cuffed to Dick. Fans applaud seeing this, but Evil is reluctant being literally stuck with his old tag partner. The feeling is mutual but these are the rules. Evil keeps stalling, Red Shoes tells him to sit down already, and Sho is getting anxious. All the cuffs are secure, the bell rings, and the technically 1v1 battle begins!

Fans rally up and Taichi eggs Sho on. Sho stays by ropes, begs the ref to do something, but the ref tells him he can’t. Sho bails out and he runs to where Dick and Taka are seated! Sho tries to uncuff Dick but he can’t, so he goes looking under the ring. Sho goes to Douki and Yujiro, then to Evil and Sanada, but no, he can’t free any of them. Sho then goes to Abe-san for help. Abe ain’t gonna do anything after all HOT has put him through! Then Taichi attacks Sho! Taichi whips Sho hard into railing! Fans fire up as Taichi looms over Sho. Taichi puts Sho in the ring, Sho wants mercy, but too late for that.

Taichi kicks Sho around, fans rally up behind him, and Taichi kicks Sho more. Sho goes to a corner and Taichi digs his knee in! The ref, Kenta Sato, counts but Taichi drags Sho out to then KICK him in the back! Sho writhes but Taichi stalks him to ropes. Taichi drags Sho up but Sho bends fingers! The ref reprimands, Taichi kicks low, but then Sho uses the ref as a shield! Sho CLAWS Taichi’s eyes, then throws him out so Evil can attack! This is almost a Lumberjack match as Sanada has to drag Evil away and Douki has to keep Yujiro back! Fans boo but J5G get the HOT boys away from Taichi.

Taichi complains about that but the ref missed it all. Taichi gets back in and Sho is scared again. Taichi tells Sho he’s gonna get what he deserves, then runs in, only to get bare buckles! Sho switched up the Bullet Club Special by making it a neutral corner! Taichi sputters as he staggers back and Sho SPEARS him down! Sho grins and he drags Taichi around. Sho kicks Taichi out, pursues, and then wrenches the arm to whip Taichi in to railing. Sho opens the gate and he brings Taichi to the back rows, to BOWL Taichi into open chairs! Fans rally for Taichi, but Sho CHOKES Taichi with a chair! J5G and HOT keep each other back while the ref reprimands.

Sho goes back and “apologizes,” then he diverts the ref’s attention to the ring for a count. Taichi sits up as the ring count begins, and Taichi stands at 5 of 20. Taichi makes his way back to ringside at 10, slides in at 15, but Sho distracts the ref and Yujiro attacks! Douki tries to drag the Tokyo Pimp back and the ref sees this! The count continues, though!? Taichi fights Yujiro, Evil works to keep Sanada back, but Douki pries Yujiro off Taichi! Taichi slides in at 19!! Fans fire up while Sho is furious the plan failed! Sho shouts at the ref but stomps Taichi down. Sho CHOKES Taichi, the ref reprimands, and Sho lets off at 4.

Sho then CLAWS Taichi’s eyes! The ref reprimands again and Sho lets off at 4. Cover, but the ref says no! Sho asks why! Isn’t it obvious? Sho shrugs that off and talks some trash as he circles around Taichi. Sho gives Taichi some mocking kicks, but Taichi stands to CHOP! And HAYMAKER! And CHOP! But Sho claws the eyes! The ref reprimands, Sho stops and whips, but Taichi stops from hitting buckles! Sho runs in to SPEAR, but Taichi blocks it! But then Sho bends Taichi’s fingers! Sho wrenches, whips, and Taichi hits bare buckles! But Taichi comes back to AX BOMBER! Both men are down and fans fire up!

Taichi stands first, and he gives Sho some Kawada Kicks. Sho goes to a corner, and Taichi runs in to BOOT him down! Taichi brings Sho out to DANG- NO, Sho fights the saido! Sho throws elbows but Taichi wrenches to HOOK KICK! Evil argues with the ref but Taichi storms out. Evil kicks at Taichi, but Taichi and Sanada both RAM Evil into the timekeeper’s area! Sorry, Abe! Seems he suffers no matter what when Evil is around. Taichi goes back for Sho in, Sho runs in but into a DANGEROUS SAIDO! Fans fire up even more, and OFF COME THE PANTS! Taichi aims, but Sho dodges the Tensho to run. But into a SOBAT!

Fans fire up and Taichi drags Sho up. Taichi reels Sho in but Sho fights the lift. Sho bends fingers again, then wrenches to bring Taichi to his knee. Kick, KICK and SUPER- NO, Taichi blocks that kick! But Sho claws the eyes again! The ref reprimands but Sho whips, only for Taichi to reverse! Sho suffers the bare buckles! Then GAMANGIRI! Cover, but Evil distracts the ref! Sanada yanks Evil away and wrenches the arm while Taichi goes back for Sho. Taichi lets the others know to be ready with their own HOT boys, as Taichi BUZZSAWS Sho back down! Taichi roars and slashes his throat as the fans fire up again!

Taichi drags Sho up, reels him in, but then Yujiro sends his pimp cane in! The ref reprimands, Taichi is mad, but Sho shoves Taichi into the ref and the ref hits bare buckles!! Down goes Sato, and Dick uses POCKET SAND on Taichi!! Sho LOW BLOWS, then he RAMS Taichi into bare buckles! Fans boo as the House still pulls out their tricks! Sho scurries to his corner to get his “Murder Tool!” Dick CHOKES Taka while Sho takes aim at Taichi. Fans boo more but wait! The FIFTH GUY is here! Heel Master Yoshinobu Kanemaru slides in and snatches that wrench away! Fans are thunderous and Sho wants mercy!

Yoshinobu tosses the wrench, and gets his whiskey! Yoshinobu takes a big swig, and WHISKEY MISTS TAICHI?!? WHAT?!? Then he BOTTLE SMASHES Taichi!!! Yoshinobu RIPS the J5G shirt to reveal a House of Torture shirt!!! The Heel Master is living up to his name by joining the other side!!! Then he hauls up Taichi, to give him a BRAINBUSTER!! Fans boo and the rest of- Well, Just FOUR Guys, is shocked! Yoshinobu puts the ref back in, Sho drags Taichi up and in, to tuck and lift, SHOCK ARROW!!! Cover, SHO WINS!!!

Winner: Sho, by pinfall (NEW KOPW Champion)

Why, Yoshinobu, why?!? Now the azure belt belongs to the Murder Machine! And then to “celebrate,” Yoshinobu BOTTLE SMASHES Taka!! And then he CRACKS Douki with it!! He just betrayed his oldest friends in NJPW, and for what?!? Wait, he also has the key! Yoshinobu frees Dick, Yujiro and Evil while Sho holds the belt over Taichi’s prone body. Evil stomps Sanada and puts him in next to Taichi. Yujiro and Dick do the same with Taka and Douki, and they’re all cuffed to ropes now! They can only watch as Taichi gets stomped by Yoshinobu and the HOT boys! Sho talks trash on Sanada, Douki & Taka to help their friend.

Sho then gets the mic, and he mockingly asks what’s wrong. It looks like these guys will be crying tonight! You can all go back to your hotel room and figure this out together. This belt is now Sho’s, he is this year’s good luck charm! Evil then takes the mic to ask “Just Five Guys-” Well first, shut up, fans! But then Evil laughs that Just Five is now Just Four! The Heel Master is now House of Torture! And Sanada, you wanted a Lumberjack match for the world title? Well then, The House of Torture now has the numbers advantage, so let’s do it! The House of Torture has five guys and Sanada’s group will have to rebrand again. But will the Cold Skull be able to deny the King of Darkness his prize?

 

IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Bishamon VS TMDK!

Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi went back and forth with Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls during this year’s G1 Climax, and those Mighty victories earned the “Young Punks” this match. Will Hilarious Haste & Mad Mikey bring more gold to the group? Or will the Fierce Warrior & Head Hunter prove they are the ones who don’t kneel?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who is the mightiest team in NJPW!

The teams sort out and Hashi starts against Mikey. The fans rally up as the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Mikey powers Hashi back step by step. Mikey puts Hashi on ropes but Hashi turns things around. The ref counts, Hashi lets off cleanly, and even Mikey applauds. But then Hashi blocks the cheap shot to CLUB the leg and clamp on a headlock. Mikey powers up but can’t power out as Hashi holds on tight. Mikey fights up, claws at an eye, then throws body shots. Mikey powers out and RAMS shoulders with Hashi! Neither falls so Mikey eggs Hashi on. Hashi runs and they RAM shoulders again!

Neither man falls so the forearms start flying back and forth! Fans fire up, Mikey gets the edge and he ROCKS Hashi! Hashi CHOPS back! Hashi runs, but Mikey ELBOWS back! Mikey runs but Hashi UPPERCUTS! Hashi runs but Mikey runs him over! Fans fire up more and Mikey tags Shane. Shane drags Hashi up, TMDK double whip, and then DOUBLE ELBOW! FIST DROP SENTON but Hashi moves! Hashi tosses Mikey, grabs Shane but Shane powers Hashi back. Goto tags in, Hashi whips Shane away and Bishamon DOUBLE SHOULDERS Shane down! Then ZANMAI, the hip toss senton! Mikey runs in but Goto kicks him, to snap suplex him onto Shane!

Fans rally up as Bishamon drags Shane up. Se-no, WAR DRUM FISTS! Shane falls and fans fire up more. Goto stomps Shane, Shane hits back, but Goto fires forearms and knees! Goto whips, Shane reverses and Mikey trips Goto so Shane can sliding boot! Then Shane BLASTS Hashi while Mikey SLAMS Goto! Mikey whips Goto hard into railing! Shane waits as Mikey drags Goto up to put him in the ring. Shane stands on Goto, tags in Mikey, and Mikey stomps Goto! Goto CHOPS back, but Mikey CHOPS! Shane tags in, TMDK double whip to DOUBLE ELBOW, and then FIST DROP SENTON COMBO! Cover, TWO!

Shane keeps on Goto with a wristlock. Shane KICKS the arm! Goto writhes and Shane shakes his leg. Shane bumps Goto off buckles, UPPERCUTS and ELBOWS and repeat! Shane brings Goto in for a HALF HATCH! Cover, TWO! Shane drags Goto over, tags in Mikey, and they wrench to put Goto on the ropes. Mikey BLASTS Hashi, Shane throws Goto down, and then Mikey drops a knee on Goto’s head! Mikey stands Goto up to CHOP again! Fans fire up while Goto is stinging, and Mikey tags Shane. TMDK coordinates, but Goto boots free! Goto throws elbows and forearms on everyone, but TMDK kick low!

TMDK runs, Goto follows to DOUBLE LARIAT! Fans fire up while all three men are down! TMDK go to opposite corner and Goto fires up! Goto clotheslines Mikey, Shane runs in but Gotos ends him into Mikey! Goto then runs to MURAMASA them both! Fans fire up as Goto then DOUBLE BULLDOGS! All three men are down again and fans rally up. Hashi is back and he reaches out! Goto crawls over, hot tag to Hashi! The Head Hunter runs Shane over! Then kicks low, to whip to a corner! Shane reverses but Hashi comes back to CHOP! Hashi mule kicks, turns Shane, but Mikey CLUBS Hashi first!

TMDK double whip Hashi, but he holds ropes! Hashi BOOTS Mikey, DUMPS Shane, then TOSSES Mikey onto Shane! Fans fire up as TMDK regroups in a daze. Hashi builds speed and FLIES out onto them both! Fans are thunderous as Hashi roars! Hashi drags Shane up and puts him in the ring. Hashi climbs up, aims and BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Shane hangs tough but Hashi calls to Goto. Goto slides in, Bishamon double whip Shane corner to corner. Goto runs in to clothesline! Hashi runs in to CHOP! Hashi feeds Shane to Goto’s fireman’s carry but Shane slips free and shoves Goto into Hashi!

Hashi falls over, Goto staggers back, and Shane hits Goto with a BIG back suplex! Goto flops out of the ring, Hashi runs in but Shane spins him, X PLEX! Shane crawls for his corner while fans rally up. Mikey is still down so Shane goes after Hashi in the open corner. Shane hoists Hashi up top, CHOPS him, then climbs up after him. Hashi fights back with forearms and Shane staggers away. Mikey is back and he’s after Hashi up top! Hashi fires more forearms and now Mikey falls back. But then Mikey gives Shane a boost, POWERBOMB SUPERPLEX COMBO!! Mikey drags Shane onto Hashi for a cover, but Goto barrels in to break it!

Fans fire up while all four men are down! Mikey gets Goto out of the ring, then he regroups with Shane. Mikey tags in, TMDK drags Hashi up. Hashi fires off forearms on them, but Shane UPPERCUTS, Mikey lifts, ATOMIC UPPERCUT! TMDK double whip, but Hashi dropkicks their legs out! Fans fire up and Goto rises! Hashi crawls over to the corner, but Mikey DECKS Goto first! TMDK HIGH LOW LARIAT on Hashi! TMDK then coordinates, and Mikey fireman’s carries Hashi. Hashi slips out, shoves Mikey at Shane but TMDK stops from colliding! Shane blocks Hashi’s kick, spins him around, BACK SUPELX NECKBREAKER! Cover, Goto breaks it again!

Fans fire up but TMDK stomp Goto. They get Goto up but Goto fires forearms now! Hashi BOOTS Goto, TMDK both run but Goto follows! TMDK dodge, fake Goto out, and Mikey hits a MIKEY BOMB!! Scoop and TANK BUSTER! Goto flops out of the ring and TMDK focuses on Hashi. They drag Hashi up, Shane climbs and Mikey scoops. But Hashi slips off to shove Mikey into Shane! Schoolboy bridge, TWO!! Hashi hurries to his feet, runs in, but Mikey BLCOKS the lariat! So Hashi spins to CHOP! And SUPERKICK! Shane returns to DROPKICK! Shane calls the shot, then Mikey fireman’s carries. HIGHWAY TO HELL!! Cover, TWO?!?

Fans are thunderous as Hashi survives! Shane and Mikey fire up and go for the classic! Mikey scoops, Shane hops up the corner, but Goto anchors Shane! Hashi fights free to hit ITADAKIKARI!! Cover, Bishamon wins!!

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

The Head Hunter made “Easy Pickings” out of Mikey, proving to be the MVP of this match-up! Bishamon holds onto the gold, will they always #GetBackUp as we enter the Fall?

 

Shingo Takagi VS Great-O-Khan w/ Callum Newman!

The unofficial best of three series between Los Ingobernables de Japon and The United Empire begins as the Rampaging Dragon once again collides with The Dominator! Takagi won last time with the KOPW title on the line, will he do it again? Or will Khan conquer Takagi for the glory of the Empire?

Khan holds out his United Empire shirt as if to offer Takagi a spot on the team. But then Khan throws the shirt onto Takagi’s head, tackles him, and rains down forearms! The ref reprimands, the match hasn’t started yet! Khan throws fists now then shoves the ref down! Khan CHOKES Takagi with the shirt! The ref reprimands, Khan tells him to shut up and he shoves the ref away. Takagi gets up and the bell rings, then Takagi runs in! But Khan picks Takagi up to DUMP him out! Khan goes out after Takagi but Takagi fires off shots! Takagi CHOPS, whips, but Khan reverses. Takagi hits railing but just gets angry!

Fans fire up as Takagi runs and RAMS shoulders with Khan! And again! And again! Khan runs Takagi over! Fans rally, but Khan grabs a chair! The ref reprimands but Khan shoves him away again! Khan then JAMS Takagi! And SMACKS him on the back! Takagi falls over while fans rally up again. Khan drags Takagi up and into the ring, calls for the ref while he kneels on Takagi’s neck, but Takagi pushes him away. Kahn drags Takagi up to SAYANAGI! Cover, TWO, but Khan clamps on the ARM ‘N’ HEAD TRIANGLE! Takagi endures as Khan leans his weight on the hold. Takagi fights around, and has the ROPEBREAK!

The fans cheer, the ref counts, and Khan lets off. Khan scuffs Takagi against ropes, eggs him on, but Takagi fires a forearm! Khan just puts his arms behind his back. Takagi CHOPS, but Khan shakes his head. Takagi CHOPS and CHOPS but Khan CHOPS! Takagi ends up in a corner, Khan ROCKS him then CLUBS him! Khan then goes up the corner to sit on his- NO, Takagi slips free! “BAKA! <IDIOT!>” DOUBLE CHOP! Takagi fireman’s carries to DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Fans fire up while both men are down! Takagi rises first while Khan goes to a corner. Fans chant for “TA-KA-GI!” as he runs in. Takagi blocks Khan’s boot to clothesline!

Takagi runs, Khan dodges, but runs into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKON LARIAT! Fans fire up as Takagi drags Khan up, suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Khan hangs in there but Takagi wants them to hold on. “OI! OI! OI!” Fans clap along, and then Takagi says IT IS TIME! Takagi has the fans all fired up, and he kicks Khan around. Takagi then hauls Khan up, pump handles, but Khan fights the lift! Takagi knees low, snapmares and runs, but Khan catches the sliding lariat into an armlock! Takagi fights free, JABS, JABS, and JABS! Khan Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian Chops! And then powers up, but Takagi blocks to steal the Mongolian Chops!

Takagi Mongolian CHOPS again, but Khan HELL STABS! Khan runs, but into the SAIDO! But Khan rises!? Khan BOOTS Takagi down! But Takagi rises! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Double monster rage! Takagi SWATS Khan’s haymaker to wrench and ELBOW BREAKER! Takagi JABS and ENZIGURIS! Khan staggers, runs back in but Takagi blocks the boot to then reel Khan in for MADE IN JAPAN! Cover, TWO!! Khan survives but Takagi stays focused. Takagi fires up again and the fans are with him. Takagi drags Khan up, pump handles, but Khan fights the lift! Takagi LARIATS point blank, but Khan stays up!

Takagi LARIATS point blank again, and Khan drops to his knees! Fans fire up as Takagi pump handles and torture racks, but Khan slips free! IRON SLEEPER, into Grapple Feint O-Khan PLEX! Both men are down and fans rally up again. Khan snarls as he crawls after Takagi. Takagi goes to the corner, Khan runs in, and he BLINDSIDE CLOTHESLINES! Then he torture racks to bring Takagi around, ARGENTINE BACKBREAKER into HERCULES NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up as Takagi hangs in there but Khan stays on him. Khan drags Takagi up, reels him in, and scoops, but Takagi slips free!

Takagi waistlocks, Khan throws elbows, but Takagi BLINDSIDE LARIATS! Khan staggers, but he LARIATS Takagi down!! Fans fire up again as Khan looms over Takagi. Khan watches Takagi drag himself up with ropes, then clamps on the IRON CLAW! Takagi CLUBS the arm, then fires ridge hand chops, but he can’t break free! ELIMI- NO, Takagi slips free to ELBOW! JAB! YUKON- NO, Khan catches Takagi with the left hand, for an ELIMINATOR!! High stack, TWO!?! Takagi survives and fans are thunderous! Khan is rather stunned, but he drags Takagi back up. IRON SLEEPER! Fans rally as Takagi endures!

Khan drags Takagi up, squeezes tighter, and Takagi is fading! Then Khan shifts to right hand ELIMI- DDT!! Takagi turns things around and both men are down again! Fans fire up as we pass ten minutes, and Takagi crawls over to Khan. They junkyard dog headbutt, then start throwing forearms! Takagi fires up and fans are with him. Khan eggs Takagi on and the forearms continue! Takagi CHOPS! Khan CHOPS! Takagi forearms! Khan forearms! Khan fires forearm after forearm, but Takagi just roars! Takagi fires boxing elbows! Takagi winds up but the IRON CLAW returns! Takagi CLAWS back!

Khan grabs the waistband but Takagi breaks free! JAB! HEADBUTT! But Khan IRON STRAIGHTS!! Takagi falls and the monster rage boils up! Khan IRON CLAWS, then he drags Takagi up! ELIMI- NO, Takagi slips out to DRAGON SUPLEX! SLIDING FOREARM!! Cover, TWO?!?! Khan rises but staggers around! Fans are thunderous again as these two run. Takagi dodges to PUMPING BOMBER!! Fans are electric as Takagi hauls Khan back up. “OI! OI! OI!” echoes out and Takagi pump handles, LAST OF THE DRAGON!! Cover, TAKAGI WINS!

Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall

Another epic battle, and another epic victory for the Rampaging Dragon! Will Takagi use this momentum to fly back up and fight for a title? What does Khan need to finally get up and over that hump?

 

IWGP World Heavyweight Right to Challenge Contract match: Tetsuya Naito VS Jeff Cobb w/ Callum Newman!

Speaking of colliding once again, this is the second time this year the Uncontrollable Charisma battles the Imperial Unit! Cobb won their G1 Climax match but Naito won the whole tournament, will Naito lose that Right to Challenge during a Tour of the Islands? Or will WrestleKingdom still look tranquilo?

Wait, what’s that canvas tote bag Naito is carrying? Wait, THAT is the “briefcase” Naito is carrying the contract in? And he’s written “Kenrisyou” on it, both in Japanese katakana and ABCs. Well, then, who will be left holding the bag, but in a good way?

Cobb is patient as Naito takes off his elaborate entrance attire. After all, he’s seen this a few times already. The bell rings and fans rally up as the two stare down. Naito has the strong majority of the crowd but Cobb shrugs that off as he and Naito circle. They approach but then Naito backs off. They circle more, tie up, and Cobb holds firm as Naito pushes. Cobb puts Naito on the ropes, Red Shoes calls for the break, and Cobb steps just to get Naito to flinch. Cobb raises his fist to mock LIJ, but Naito SPITS at Cobb! Cobb runs in but Naito dumps hm out! Naito knocks Cobb off the apron then baseball slides him into railing!

Fans rally for Naito as he CLUBS Cobb around the way. And CLUBS him again! Naito cravats to then CHOKE Cobb on the railing, right in front of Hiroshi Tanahashi & Toru Yano on commentary. Naito puts Cobb in, Cobb rushes up but Naito catches him for a TORNADO- NO, Cobb blocks that to then suplex! Naito slips free, waistlocks, but Cobb switches and clinches, to OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Fans fire up while Naito flounders away. Cobb storms up on Naito, drags him up, and ROCKS him with a right! Naito goes to a corner, Cobb throws body shots, then throat chops! Naito kicks back but Cobb eggs him on.

Naito kicks more but Cobb blocks, to CHOP! Cobb CLUBS Naito down, then paces around him. Naito sputters but Cobb pulls hair. Red Shoes reprimands and Cobb lets off. Cobb taunts Naito, brings him up, and whips him to a corner. Cobb runs in, clotheslines, then clotheslines again and again and again! Red Shoes counts, Cobb lets off and runs to JUMP KICK! Leg sweep! SWINGING DROPKICK! Combinacion Cobb-ron! Fans are torn as Cobb mocks Naito’s posing, then Cobb covers. TWO, but Cobb covers again. TWO, but Cobb keeps his cool. Cobb looms over Naito, drags him up, and hoists him up into a BEARHUG!

Naito endures the squeeze, he CLUBS Cobb but Cobb just thrashes Naito around! Naito throws more elbows, gets free, but then Cobb HEADBUTTS! And short arm LARIATS! Then GACHIMUCHI FLOPS as Naito moves! Naito dropkicks the legs out! Fans rally while both men are down! Naito stands, throws forearms and kicks, then whips. Cobb reverses but Naito FLYING FOREARMS! Cobb staggers into an atomic drop! Naito ELBOWS Cobb down, then basement dropkicks him in the back! Fans rally as Naito has Cobb in a corner. Naito whips corner to corner, runs in to JUMP KICK! Leg sweep! SWINGING feint and then the dropkick!

Fans fire up as Naito poses for his Combinacion, then he goes back to cover. ONE!! Naito almost goes flying out of the ring there! Naito drags Cobb up, has a cravat for the neck wrench, but Cobb throws body shots. But Naito throws those heavy back elbows! Then he turns Cobb, for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Naito stays focused and he stomps Cobb around. Naito drags Cobb up, hammerlocks then half nelsons, but Cobb clubs free! Cobb then hits an atomic drop, and a DROPKICK! Fans fire up while both men are down! Cobb rises while Naito goes to ropes. Cobb storms over and he drags Naito up.

Cobb waistlocks and deadlifts, but Naito fights with elbows! Cobb hops down to HEADBUTT Naito, then has him at the corner. Cobb climbs up to then deadlift SUPERPLEX!! Fans are thunderous while both men are down! Cobb crawls to the cover, TWO!! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Naito survives consecutive crashes and Cobb is beside himself! Fans rally as hard as they can for “NA-I-TO!” but Cobb stands first. Cobb whips Naito to ropes, but Naito holds ropes. Naito BOOTS back, runs in but Cobb gets around to shove Naito to a corner. BACK ELBOW! Cobb then hoists Naito up!

Cobb goes up the corner, but Naito slips under! Cobb holds the corner and he punches Naito away! Naito comes back to ROCK Cobb! Naito fires more forearms, then climbs up, to the very top! Naito CLUBS Cobb, but Cobb gets Naito up! Naito still SUPER STEINERS! Fans fire up as Naito BOOTS again, goes back up and reels Cobb in, ESPERANZA! Fans rally and Naito aims from the corner. Cobb stands, Naito tilt-o-whirls, but Cobb turns Destino into ATHLETIC PLEX! Naito staggers around, into a fireman’s carry! ONE ARMED F5 THOUSAND!! Fans rally up and Cobb covers, TWO?!? Naito is somehow still in this after all that spinning!

Fans rally, Cobb rises again, and he drags Naito up. Cobb reels Naito in, but Naito fights free! Naito throws those heavy elbows! Cobb wobbles, Naito comes back, but into another fireman’s carry! But Naito pops up to POISON-RANA!! Cobb gets spiked, yet he starts pushing himself up! Naito wrenches and tilt-o-whirls, but Cobb stops Destino into a TOUR- NO, Naito victory rolls through! TWO!! Naito eggs Cobb on, catches him, and TORNADO CRADLE! TWO!! Cobb escapes and runs in, into an ELBOW! And ENZIGURI! But Cobb GERMAN SUPLEXES! Naito roars and rises up!? But Cobb LARIATS him back down!!

Cobb hauls Naito up, whips and scoops, TOUR OF THE- DESTINO!! Naito tastes blood in his mouth but he just fires up! Wrench and tilt-o-whirl, DESTINOOO~!!! Cover, NAITO WINS!

Winner: Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall (retains the Right to Challenge)

Cobb may have conquered him in the G1 Climax, and may have been parodying him ever since, but the real deal Tetsuya Naito takes back that loss and holds onto his contract! Then is it all but a given that the Uncontrollable Charisma will main event WrestleKingdom 18? As for Cobb, where does he go from here, having fallen short?

 

IWGP United Kingdom Championship: Will Ospreay w/ Callum Newman VS Yota Tsuji!

Los Ingobernables is 2-0 on the night with Takagi conquering Khan and Naito denying Cobb. And now, the Gene Blast goes after the rebranded championship around the Aerial Assassin’s waist. Will LIJ be 3-0 and golden here tonight? Or will Ospreay bring about the Destruction of this Reiwa era Musketeer?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who feels like smiling after it’s all said and done!

The bell rings and fans rally up as the two stare down. There seem just as many “OSPREAY! OSPREAY!” fans as there are “YOTA! YOTA!” fans.  The two circle, feel things out, then back away. Fans applaud them both being wary, then the two tie up. They’re in a deadlock but Ospreay wrenches and wristlocks. Tsuji rolls, powers through to wrench Ospreay, but Ospreay spins, slips through, waistlocks, then spins Tsuji to a cravat. Fans applaud the technical exchange, but Tsuji rolls and wrenches to wrangle Ospreay down! Tsuji has a cording hold but Ospreay fights up, waistlocks, but then Tsuji switches.

Ospreay pries the hold open, switches back but Tsuji facelocks. Ospreay wrenches out, hammerlocks, but Tsuji reaches back to headlock. Tsuji grinds Ospreay, but Ospreay endures. Ospreay powers up and powers out, but Tsuji runs him over! But Ospreay kips right up! Fans cheer and Tsuji grins. Ospreay smirks, talks a little trash, then eggs Tsuji on. Tsuji runs, Ospreay drops to hurdle, but then Tsuji leaps over! Ospreay arm-drags, Tsuji headscissors, Ospreay kips free and avoids the arm-drag! Ospreay stands on Tsuji and flexes, perhaps a shot at Chris Jericho. Ospreay then brings Tsujhi up but Tsuji arm-drags him away!

Ospreay goes to a corner, Tsuji runs in and jumps up to MONKEY FLIP, but Ospreay lands on his feet! Tsuji runs in but he flips through the hip toss! Tsuji arm-drags, then ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl arm-drag Ospreay out of the ring! Fans fire up and Tsuji builds speed! Tsuji DIVES and Ospreay hits railing! Fans fire up with Tsuji, and he brings Ospreay up. Tsuji puts Ospreay in the ring then runs, to run Ospreay over! Cover, ONE! Tsuji was a bit lax there but he just smiles. Tsuji drags Ospreay up, cravats, but Ospreay pulls Tsuji’s hair. Red Shoes reprimands but then Tsuji snapmares Ospreay into body scissors!

Ospreay endures, reaches out, but Tsuji hooks an arm to keep him down. Tsuji squeezes tight and Ospreay endures, to then reach out for the ROPEBREAK! Tsuji lets go quickly enough, but Ospreay fires a forearm! And another! And another! Tsuji just CHOPS back! Ospreay sputters and fans applaud as Tsuji brings him up. Tsuji ROCKS Ospreay to a corner, then whips him corner to corner. Tsuji runs in but Ospreay dodges the splash! Ospreay runs back in but into a BOOT! Tsuji goes up but Ospreay CHOPS him down! Tsuji tumbles to apron then floor, and Ospreay aims to PLANCHA! Direct hit and down goes Tsuji!

Fans fire up as Ospreay rises and shouts “IKU ZO! <LET’S GO!>” Ospreay stalks Tsuji, drags him up, and brings him around to ROCK with a forearm. And then ROCK him again! Tsuji staggers around the way but Ospreay pursues. Ospreay wrenches and whips, but Tsuji reverses! Ospreay leaps over the railing! Ospreay then ROCKS Tsuji, jumps up and FLYING FOREARMS! Fans fire up and Ospreay apologizes to the front row. Ospreay drags Tsuji up, puts him in the ring, and drops a knee on Tsuji’s chin! And again! Ospreay paces around Tsuji, drags him up, and CHOPS! Ospreay paces around Tsuji again, then bumps him off buckles.

Ospreay CHOPS again and Tsuji sits down, chest stinging. Ospreay digs his boot in, scrubs and scrapes Tsuji’s face, and Red Shoes reprimands. Ospreay “apologizes” before he brings Tsuji up and scoops, for a BACKBREAKER! Ospreay pushes Tsuji down to cover, TWO! Tsuji hangs tough and fans rally up but Ospreay keeps his cool. Ospreay stalks Tsuji, drags him up, and shoves him to ropes to then CLUB him on the back! Tsuji grits his teeth, then grins through the pain! So Ospreay CLUBS him on the back again! And again! Tsuji turns around to smile right in Ospreay’s face! Fans fire up as Ospreay fires off forearms!

Tsuji grins as he fires forearms in return! Ospreay CHOPS again! Ospreay whips, Tsuji reverses but Ospreay holds ropes. Ospreay BOOTS back, runs, but Tsuji scoops to BACKBREAKER! Fans fire up while both men are down! We pass ten minutes as fans rally and the two men stir. Tsuji rises first, then fires off forearms! Tsuji whips, Ospreay reverses, but Tsuji blasts through to FLYING RANA! Ospreay bails out and Tsuji grins. Tsuji builds speed to FOSBURY FLOP! Fans are all fired up seeing a man that big do a move that agile! Tsuji is also fired up and he does a full lap around the ring.

Fans fire up as Tsuji puts Ospreay in the ring, and he brings Ospreay up. Ospreay swings, Tsuji blocks and spins him, inverted Gory Especial for the INVERTED GORY BOMB! Cover, TWO! Ospreay is still in this but he isn’t champion for no reason. Tsuji keeps on smiling, and the fans rally up again. Tsuji brings Ospreay up but Ospreay fights the suplex. Ospreay wrenches, Tsuji forearms, and Tsuji whips but Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! Fans rally as Ospreay goes to the corner and he gets an “OI! OI! OI!” going. Not quite Takagi’s “Oi” but still. Ospreay springboards, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO!

Ospreay stays focused and stretches out his sore back. He drags Tsuji up, reels him in, but Tsuji fights the lift. Ospreay fires Kawada Kicks! But Tsuji blocks the chop! And catches the lariat to BACKBREAKER, COMPLETE SHOT and STOMP! An even more lethal combination, and Tsuji suplexes. Ospreay slips out but Tsuji elbows him! Tsuji whips, Ospreay reverses but Tsuji BOOTS him away! Tsuji tries again, Ospreay blocks but Tsuji brings him down to DOUBLE STOMP! Tsuji suplexes, but Ospreay STUN-DOG MILLIONAIRES! Both men are down again and fans fire back up!

Ospreay sits up and shakes out the stars. Tsuji crawls to a corner and Ospreay wants him to rise. Ospreay then runs in corner to corner to BOOT! That was a hell of a kick, but Ospreay just goes up. We pass 15 minutes as Ospreay BLINDSIDE FLYING FOREARMS! Fans fire up as Ospreay roars “OI! OI! OI!” and prepares that elbow. Tsuji sits up, HIDDEN- NO, Tsuji ducks it! Tsuji kicks, runs, but Ospreay flips through the lariat! But Tsuji slips out of the bomb! FALCON BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!? Ospreay survives and now Tsuji gets the “OI! OI! OI!” going. Fans rally up, Tsuji aims, and Ospreay slowly rises.

Tsuji runs in to GENE- KNEE!! CHOP! But Tsuji ROLLING ELBOWS! Tsuji runs but Ospreay Tiger Wall Kicks! Tsuji ducks the enziguri, Ospreay dodges the stomp to ROCK and ROLLING- JUMP KNEE! Tsuji runs, into a SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO!! Both men are down again and fans are thunderous! Ospreay sits up while Tsuji flounders. Ospreay dares Tsuji to sit up, so he does. They stare down, and then Ospreay ROCKS Tsuji with a forearm! Tsuji shakes his head while fans fire up again. Tsuji ROCKS Ospreay, but he shakes his head. Ospreay ROCKS Tsuji and he almost falls over!

Tsuji sits back up, and he throws another forearm. Not enough to Ospreay! Ospreay stands Tsuji up to ROCK him! Tsuji wobbles but he grins and fires another forearm. Ospreay ROCKS Tsuji again, Tsuji hits back, and they’re picking up speed! Ospreay eggs Tsuji on while giving him shot after shot! Tsuji leans on ropes, but he just smiles again! Tsuji comes back as Ospreay eggs him on again. Tsuji and Ospreay trade shots fast and furious! Fans are all fired up as Ospreay wobbles! Tsuji ROCKS Ospreay keeps on him, and DECKS him!! Fans are thunderous as Tsuji finally clutches his jaw. But then Ospreay rises up!

Ospreay snarls and winds up, to ROCK Tsuji! And CHOP! And CHOP on the back! And HOOK KICK! Tsuji bails out to the apron, and Ospreay goes out to join him, Ospreay goes up and up and- NO, Tsuji stops the cutter! Tsuji POSTS Ospreay, SUPERKICKS him, but Ospreay fires up! Only for Tsuji to HEADBUTT! Flashbacks to that Elimination Tag! Both men wobble, Tsuji runs in, but Ospreay moves! Tsuji’s curb stomp falls to the floor, and Ospreay goes up to SUPER OSCUTTER to the floor!! We pass 20 minutes as Red Shoes checks both men. They’re both somehow okay to continue, and fans rally back up.

A ring count starts and Ospreay slowly sits up. Ospreay grits his teeth as he stands, and he slides in at 12 of 20. Tsuji stands at 14, hobbles over but flops down at 16! Tsuji still pushes himself up, and he slides in at 19! Ospreay COAST2COAST DROPKICKS!! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up with Ospreay and he calls his shot. Springboard, but no Oscutter! Tsuji shoves and scoops to BLUE THUNDER BOMB, then KNEE THRUST! CURB STOMP to the FACE!! Both men are down again and fans are fired up behind Yota more than Ospreay! Ospreay is dazed but he makes his way to the neutral corner.

Tsuji pounds the mat and the fans rally behind him. Tsuji storms up to Ospreay, stomps him, then stomps him again! Tsuji drags Ospreay up to CHOP! Ospreay shouts in pain but Tsuji puts him up top. Tsuji shouts and fans rally again. Tsuji climbs but Ospreay fires forearms! Tsuji throws shots back, then goes up to the very top! Tsuji brings Ospreay up to join him but Ospreay starts throwing headbutts! Ospreay switches positions to SUPER SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO?!? But Ospreay just brings Tsuji up, SIT OUT BOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! Fans are electric, Ospreay is furious, he BUZZSAWS and HEEL KICKS! OSCUTTER!!! Cover, TWO?!?!

Fans are electric because they are shocked, and Ospreay is just fuming! Ospreay vows to end this, and he hauls Tsuji up. Underhooks, Canadian Rack, STORM- STUNNER?!?! Tsuji brings that outta nowhere! TO GENE BLAST!!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!!! Ospreay survives by a literal foot!! We pass 25 minutes, time is not on Tsuji’s side, and yet Tsuji smiles all the same! Fans are on Tsuji’s side, though, and he rises up again. Tsuji calls his shot, and goes up, up and FLYING STOMPS!!! Tsuji reels Ospreay in to underhook, Canadian Rack and STEALS STORMBREAKER!!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! Now even Tsuji’s shocked! Ospreay flips Tsuji off but Tsuji just grins.

Tsuji roars and powers up! Fans are thunderous as Tsuji aims, to GENE- HIDDEN BLADE?!?! that back elbow came outta nowhere!! Ospreay is seething, almost foaming at the mouth! “OI! OI! OI!” Ospreay aims, runs back in, and steals GENE BLAST!!! Cover, ONE?!?!? WHAT?!? Ospreay tries again, calls his shot, STORM DRIVER!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! HOW?!?! Is Tsuji even human?!? Ospreay doesn’t care if human, robot, alien or more, but Tsuji’s roar does make him hesitate! Tsuji stands, grins, even laughs. He backs Ospreay down with that stare! Ospreay just HIDDEN BLADES anyway!! Ospreay hooks arms, to STORMBREAKER!!! Cover, OSPREAY WINS!

Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (still IWGP United Kingdom Champion)

Tsuji pushed Ospreay to over 27 minutes, showing us he has resilience beyond expectations, but Ospreay still comes out the victor! Ospreay applauds Tsuji’s efforts, and even fist bumps him. Did tonight prove Tsuji proves to be a Reiwa Musketeer?

As for Ospreay, fans clap and chant along with his song, and he picks up both his belt and the mic. “Kobeee~!” Fans cheer the shoutout, and Ospreay says in Japanese, “Good evening. Did you have fun?” The fans cheer but he wants to ask again, did they have fun? The fans cheer even more! Ospreay continues by telling Tsuji, “You are amazing.” Tsuji grins and fans cheer, and Ospreay says the future of NJPW is in good hands with Tsuji, thank you very much. Ospreay then says that this is a beautiful place, he loves coming to Kobe. As a kid, he’d… Oh hey! It’s Zack Sabre Jr! These two are very familiar with each other.

The NJPW World TV Champion joins the IWGP UK Champion in the ring, gets a mic of his own, and then says, “Ospreay-chan, otsukaresama. <Lil’ Ospreay, thank you for your hard work.>” Fans cheer that, and Ospreay thanks ZSJ for the same. These two Englishmen continue with Japanese as ZSJ says that was a really great match and that Ospreay is really amazing. Ospreay asks if ZSJ really means that, and ZSJ says yes, he does. ZSJ says one thing, though. What is that belt? What is it called? The IWGP UK Heavyweight Champion. Oh okay. Then that belt… He wants it. ZSJ then asks if Ospreay knows enough Japanese to keep this going.

Ospreay says to give him a second while he thinks. ZSJ says good luck, you can do it. Ospreay takes a moment, the fans cheer him on, and Ospreay comes back with, “Eto… <Um…>” Challenge? Yes, maybe. “Okay desu.” Fans love that! ZSJ then tells Ospreay-chan that he has his next opponent. When is good for Ospreay? Ospreay apologizes that he’s running thin on his Japanese. ZSJ says that’s okay, but then let’s go to English. ZSJ says Ospreay still did good, though. But next month is Royal Quest III, October 14th. And ZSJ knows Ospreay knows that they are the two best British wrestlers in the world. Time to find who is THE best, with the UK title on the line.

Ospreay asks the fans if they like the idea of a match at Royal Quest. The fans cheer that! Ospreay considers it… And then he says okay, ZSJ is on! ZSJ thanks Ospreay and Ospreay thanks ZSJ. But do they bow or shake hands? They slowly reach out, and shake hands. Fans applaud as these two rivals have one more on the books. But neither wants to let go of the shake first. They agree, same time. Three, two, one, done. Then Ospreay yoinks ZSJ’s belt off him! Ospreay plays dumb but ZSJ lets that one slide. Until Ospreay rushes in! Then ZSJ dodges to scoop! Ospreay slips free and fans cheer the standoff!

Ospreay says a Zack Driver after all this? C’mon! He’s just trying to give you the belt back. Sure, sure, mate. ZSJ bails out and takes his leave, having to get ready for AEW WrestleDream and Bryan Danielson before Royal Quest. Ospreay chuckles and tells ZSJ he’ll see him at the Copper Box Arena. Ospreay tells Kobe that before they go, he needs to know the answer to one question: Who is the best pro-wrestler in the world? “OSPREAY!” Hmm… Who is the best pro-wrestler int he world?! “OSPREAY!!” That’s right! He is THE best pro-wrestler in the world, because he is Will Ospreay, and he is on ANOTHER LEVEL! ARIGATOGOZAIMASHITA!!

Ospreay waves the Empire’s banner while the streamers fly! The IWGP UK Champion is also going to Seattle for WrestleDream in a stacked Six Man Tag Match, but will he survive one more Don Callis Family feud to make it home to London?


My Thoughts:

An awesome night for NJPW on this large Destruction tour, even though I still skipped things. Well, I did skim, pretty good stuff but the first half was filler/build matches as this tour continues into October. Great stuff out of the KOPW Championship match with a unique take on the lumberjack match. But the last time (I watched) these two factions interact, something made me think the Heel Master was going to turn on his guys, and here we are! Yoshinobu now gives the House of Torture even more of a numbers advantage, really putting the pressure on Sanada and Just Four Guys when it comes to the rivalry. But as such, I would think Sanada retains in Ryogoku.

Great tag title match, but I figured Bishamon would retain. Goto & Hashi are a great team, NJPW knows they can depend on those two. Though nothing against TMDK, it probably just isn’t their time yet. NJPW probably wants to give Aussie Open time doing stuff in AEW/ROH before they resolve things between Aussie Open and Bishamon since Aussie Open never truly lost the titles. Then we got great stuff out of all the LIJ VS United Empire singles matches. Going in, I definitely figured it was all going to go this way. I lost it laughing at Naito’s canvas tote bag being his contract briefcase. And while Tsuji looked absolutely incredible tonight, I had no doubt Ospreay was going to retain.

WrestleDream is also a big part of his and ZSJ’s schedule, so Ospreay wasn’t going to lose momentum going into that Six Man Tag, and ZSJ wasn’t going to lose going into his true dream match with Bryan Danielson. And now, Ospreay VS ZSJ one more time around for the now IWGP UK Championship, that is going to be amazing stuff. Though with ZSJ still the inaugural NJPW World TV Champion, I don’t see the need for him to win Ospreay’s title. Perhaps they give these guys like 30+ minutes to put on a Match of the Year candidate so that no one can complain about ZSJ losing.

My Score: 9/10

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Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW WrestleDynasty Results & Report! (1/5/25)

Time to make history!

Published

on

The most ambitious crossover in wrestling history!

NJPW brings the best of AEW, ROH, CMLL and Stardom to the Tokyo Dome for the ULTIMATE wrestling crossover of all time: WrestleDynasty!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Kickoff – International Women’s Cup Fatal 4 Way: Willow Nightingale VS Athena VS Persephone VS Momo Watanabe; Momo wins and earns a future title opportunity of her choice.
  • Kickoff – ROH World Tag Team Championships: Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru & SHO; Dustin & Sammy win and retain the titles.
  • International Lucha Gauntlet: Taiji Ishimori wins.
  • Special Exhibition: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Katsuyori Shibata; Time Limit Draw.
  • NJPW Strong & Rev-Pro Undisputed British Women’s Championships, Winner Takes All: Mercedes Mone VS Mina Shirakawa; Mone wins and is the new dual champion.
  • David Finlay VS Brody King; Finlay wins.
  • Shota Umino VS Claudio Castagnoli; Shota wins.
  • NEVER Openweight & AEW International Championships Double Title Match: Konosuke Takeshita VS Tomohiro Ishii; Konosuke wins and retains the titles.
  • Vacated IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships Triple Threat: Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb VS The Young Bucks VS Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi; The Bucks win and are the new IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
  • IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Jack Perry; Yota wins and retains the title.
  • Kenny Omega VS Gabe Kidd; Omega wins.
  • IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Ricochet; ZSJ wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Kickoff – International Women’s Cup Fatal 4 Way: Willow Nightingale VS Athena VS Persephone VS Momo Watanabe!

AEW’s Babe with the Power, ROH’s Fallen Goddess, CMLL’s Black Widow, and Stardom’s Big Match Peach all battled the best around the world to make it here. But there can only be ONE Best in the World! Who wins the Cup and heads for a golden opportunity?

The bell rings and Momo runs up on Willow, but Willow dodges to then BOOT Momo! Athena hangs back while Persephone runs up. Willow ducks the leg lariat but then Persephone elbows Willow away. Persephone goes after Athena, but Athena TOSSES her up and out! Momo runs up, Athena dodges to then ROCK Willow! Momo CLUBS Athena, TOSSES her onto Persephone, but Willow rolls Momo up! TWO, and Momo CLAWS Willow’s eyes! The ref reprimands, counts, and Momo stops at 4. Momo whips but Willow blocks! Momo ROCKS Willow, whips, but Willow cartwheels and ENZIGIRIS!

The fans fire up and Willow back body blocks Momo in a corner! Then LARIATS! Then snapmares, and BOOTS! Momo is down but Willow stands her back up. Willow straitjackets and torture racks Momo into a RACK DROP! Momo flounders away to ropes, Persephone backslides and BRIDGES Willow, TWO!! Willow escapes but Persephone knees her low. Persephone whips, Willow reverses, but Persephone goes up and over. Willow runs up but Persephone goes Matrix! And then she spider-walks and it spooks Willow a bit. Persephone stands, then gets around Willow to ripcord and scoop!

The fans fire up as Persephone carries Willow around, then FALL AWAY SLAMS! Persephone kips up and the fans fire up, but Athena returns! Athena ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ tilt-o-whirl FACEBUSTERS! Athena keeps moving, and she sliding FOREARMS Persephone! Then NECKBREAKER into snap suplex! Persephone flounders and Athena kips up while fans fire up. Athena runs, handsprings and forearm SMASHES in the corner! Athena snapmares Persephone, runs, and PENALTY KICKS! Athena stomps Persephone around, but Momo returns, armed with her baseball bat! The ref stops Momo, Athena runs, but Thekla trips her up!

Athena storms out to argue with Thekla, they were teammates just the other day at the Stardom New Year event! Momo lets go of the bat and goes after Persephone. Momo blocks Persephone’s shot, then fires off a strike fest! Momo then Alabama Lifts Persephone, tucks her in, but Athena returns to LARIAT Momo into a SUNSET BOMB from Persephone! The fans fire up but then Willow SPLASHES Persephone! Cover, Athena breaks it! Athena and Willow meet, rivals from fighting over the ROH Women’s World Championship. Athena runs up, Willow dodges to then tilt-o-whirl RANA! But Athena handsprings through! Only for Willow to BOOT her down!

The fans fire up as Willow fireman’s carries Athena. DEATH VALLEY- NO, Athena handsprings through, then SUPERKICKS! Athena brings Willow in, but Willow suplexes! Willow holds Athena up while she fights off Persephone and Momo at the same time! But Athena slips free to waistlock, only for Willow to pry free and standing switch. Willow feeds Athena to Persephone’s SPEAR! The Black Widow mask is off but Persephone just seems stronger for it! Only for Momo to ROUNDHOUSE Persephone down! The fans rally, Momo brings Willow up, but Willow fights the suplex! Persephone joins in!

Willow fights off both Momo & Persephone to DOUBLE SUPLEX Momo & Persephone! Then she DOUBLE SPLASHES! Cover, but Athena SENTONS it all apart! All four women are down and the fans rally up! Athena rises, sees the others have gone outside, so she builds speed. Momo returns to DROPKICK Athena! Momo goes to the apron to METEORA Willow to the floor! Momo hurries to get Willow up, but Athena climbs a corner! Athena SUPER CANNONBALLS them both down! The fans fire up with Athena, and she shakes the railing! But wait, Persephone is up top! And she SUPER SKY TWISTERS!

The fans fire up but Willow avoided the attack! And she CLOBBERS Persephone! The fans fire up as Willow roars, and she puts Persephone in the ring. Willow goes up a corner, Persephone stands, M ISSILE DROPKICK! Willow runs corner to corner to CANNONBALL, but only gets buckles! Persephone has a wild look on her face as she builds speed! Persephone runs an extra length to then FLY! Down goes Willow and the fans fire up! Persephone puts Willow in, but Willow comes back to kick! Persephone blocks that and spins Willow for a LEG TRAP GERMAN! Bridging cover, but Momo breaks it!

The fans fire up again and Momo storms up on Persephone. Persephone fires forearms first, then whips, but Momo reverses to smack Persephone off buckles! Momo then suplexes Persephone into the Tree of Woe! Willow runs up, but Momo sends her into Persephone! Then Momo KICKS Willow in the back! Momo PENALTY KICKS Persephone, then lifts Willow! B DRIVER!! Cover, but Athena breaks it! The fans rally up while all four women are down again. Athena and Momo stare down, then start shoving! Momo blocks a shot to ROCK Athena, but Athena ROCKS Momo! Momo comes back but Athena ducks the kick!

Momo jumps over the sweep, gets around Athena and full nelsons. Momo lifts but Athena victory roll FACEBUSTERS! Athena has the legs but Momo BOOTS her away! The two get up and start shoving again. But Persephone and Willow run up! Momo dodges Persephone to ROUNDHOUSE her down, but Willow CLOBBERS Athena! Momo runs at Willow but into a SPINEBUSTER! Willow hauls Athena up and whips her into a corner, but Athena goes up! Athena hits Willow and Persephone with a FLYING CODE BREAKER! Athena fireman’s carries Willow for a WASTELAND SLAM!

Athena Alabama Lifts Persephone! And ALABAMA SLAMS her ONTO Willow! Double cover, TWO!! The fans fire up but Athena is frustrated. Athena drags Persephone up but Persephone shoves her, and Willow POUNCES! PERIOD! Persephone and Willow trade shots, then Willow DECKS Momo for good measure. Willow gut wrenches, BABE WITH THE POWER- RANA!! Persephone covers, TWO!! Willow sunset flips it, TWO!! Both women stand, Persephone gets under to NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO!! Willow escapes and Persephone can’t believe it! The fans fire up as Persephone rains down fists on Willow!

Persephone roars, goes to the apron, but Athena is there! Persephone ELBOWS Athena, but Athena blocks a kick! Athena slips under, to then APRON CHOKE SLAM!! Both Athena and Persephone land on the outside, and Momo fires off KICKS on Willow! ROUNDHOUSE! Willow wobbles, Momo vows to end it! Momo reels Willow in but Willow fights free. Momo ROUNDHOUSES again! Momo runs, into a wrench and fireman’s carry! Willow roars for the CORNER DEATH VALLEY!! The fans fire up and the ref checks Momo. Willow brings down the straps, but Athena is up top! O-FACE!!! Cover, THEKLA pulls the ref out!!

The fans boo and Athena is pissed again! Guess Thekla’s really on Team Stardom. Because then Momo HOMERUNS Athena’s face!! And then Momo half nelsons and pump handles Athena, for the PEACH THUNDER PLEX!! Bridging cover, MOMO WINS!

Winner: Momo Watanabe, by pinfall (Inaugural International Women’s Cup Winner)

The Big Match Peach comes through in this big match, but not without that assist from the Toxic Spider! Will Momo use the Cup’s golden ticket to finally get the World of Stardom Championship? How will the rest of the best rebound from this chaotic start to the New Year?

 

Kickoff – ROH World Tag Team Championships: Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru & SHO!

The Sons of Texas made it through their most brutal challenge at ROH Final Battle, having overcome The Righteous and taken back Dusty Rhodes’ cowbell. But now, the Heel Master and Murder Machine want to ruin the fun! Will they turn ROH into HOT? Or will the Natural & The Spanish God bring down the House of Torture?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if there’s any honor in WrestleDynasty!

Kanemaru SPITS on the belts, and Dustin storms up! The ref keeps everyone back, and the teams sort out. Dustin starts against Sho and Sho thinks that’s not fair. Sorry, no weight classes in ROH! The bell rings and fans rally up while Dustin offers the Code of Honor handshake. Sho says fine, and he shakes Dustin’s hand. But then he holds on so Kanemaru cdan attack! The fans boo as the House mugs Dustin, then they double whip. But Dustin DOUBLE LARIATS them! And he arm-drags Sho! Dustin bends fingers and Sho apologizes, but Dustin brings him over to CHOP in the corner. Tag to Sammy, and Sammy CHOPS!

The fans cheer as The Sons of Texas then DOUBLE SUPLEX Sho! Sammy spins and STANDING MOONSAULTS! Dustin runs to SHINING WIZARD! Sammy covers, TWO! Sho toughs it out but Sammy goes to a corner. Sammy climbs up, takes aim, and CROSSBODIES! Direct hit, but Kanemaru runs in! Sammy DUMPS Kanemaru out, then baits Sho into the corner! Sammy RAMS Sho, KICKS him away, then ASAI MOONSAULTS Kanemaru down! The fans fire up for Sammy, and he counter punches Sho. Sammy springboards, but Sho steps back and pulls hair! Sho TOSSES Sammy, BLASTS Dustin, and Kanemaru sends Sammy into railing!

The fans boo but then Sho unties the blue buckle pad! The House Special is in play, and Kanemaru puts Sammy in the ring. Sho wrenches and whips Sammy into the bare buckles! The fans boo as Sammy falls back! Kanemaru tags in, he and Sho double whip, then DOUBLE ELBOW Sammy! Sho sucker punches Dustin again! Dustin storms in, but The House mugs him, then whips him into the bare buckles! The fans boo more while both Sons of Texas are down. Sho goes out and Kanemaru whips Sammy, to then BACKDROP Sammy! Kanemaru stomps Sammy while Sho grabs the title belts! The ref reprimands, but Kanemaru hits a big suplex! Cover, TWO!

Sammy stays in this but Kanemaru stays on him. Kanemaru scoops and SLAMS Sammy, then tags Sho. The fans rally for Sammy but Sho covers, TWO! Sho covers again, ONE! Sho gets mad at the ref but the count is the count. Sho drags Sammy up, the fans rally, and Sammy reaches for Dustin. Sho keeps Sammy from Dustin and sends him into the bare buckles! Tag to Kanemaru, and Kanemaru trips Sammy to turn him over, BOSTON CRAB! Sammy endures while Kanemaru sits deep on the hold! Sammy fights his way over to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Kanemaru lets go, and Kanemaru tags Sho.

Kanemaru stomps Sammy, and Sho steps in with the title belt! The ref reprimands, so Sho drops the belt, to step on it! The fans boo the disrespect, but then Sho kicks the belt out of the ring. But Sammy ENZIGIRIS Sho! Both men are down and the fans rally up again. Sho and Sammy crawl, but Sho keeps Sammy from Dustin! Sho whips Sammy, but Sammy BLASTS Kanemaru! Sammy BOOTS Sho, then DUMPS him out! Sammy crawls as fast as he can while the fans rally up, but Sho runs in! Sammy dodges to CODE BREAKER! Shoutout to Sammy’s first mentor, Y2J. But then Kanemaru gets in to stop Sammy!

The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Sammy ENZIGIRIS Kanemaru! Hot tag to Dustin! The fans fire up as Dustin rallies on Sho with LARIAT after LARIAT! Dustin whips, Sho reverses, but Dustin says, “Not today!” UPPERCUT, then SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up as we get another SNAP POWERSLAM on Kanemaru! Dustin brings Sho up, but Sho bends fingers! The ref reprimands but Sho runs, only for the spear to bounce right off Dustin! Dustin runs, but Kanemaru KICKS him! Sho runs and the SPEAR takes Dustin down this time! Tag to Kanemaru and the House splits the wishbone!

Kanemaru whips Dustin to dropkick the legs! Dustin hobbles, Kanemaru trips him, and then he YANKS the leg! Kanemaru hurries to bring Dustin around by his leg, but Dustin BOOTS him away! Dustin then avoids the dropkick, but Kanemaru avoids the elbow drop! Kanemaru basement dropkicks Dustin in the face! Both men are down and the fans rally for Dustin. Kanemaru crawls, Sho distracts the ref, and Kanemaru gets his whiskey! Kanemaru takes a big swig, then aims, but Dustin smothers Kanemaru! And then whips him at the ref! Kanemaru and the ref dosido, and Kanemaru sends the ref at Dustin!

Dustin stops from colliding with the ref, and takes a deep breath! Dustin barks and the ref is spooked, and Kanemaru WHISKEY MISTS!! Roll up, TWO!! Dustin escapes but Kanemaru pushes him down! Kanemaru goes up the corner to MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Dustin survives and the fans fire up! Kanemaru hurries back up, and he leaps, but Dustin dodges! Sammy hits a CUTTER! Sho is back, but Sammy SUPERKICKS him! Dustin runs to hit Sho with a DESTROYER! Sammy distracts the ref so that Dustin can take a swig of whiskey! Dustin then brings Kanemaru around, WHISKEY MIST!! And then Sammy SUPERKICKS!

Dustin brings Kanemaru around for the FINAL RECKONING! Sammy goes up top, and he adds on the SWANTON BOMB! Cover, Sons of Texas win!

Winners: Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara, by pinfall (still ROH World Tag Team Champions)

DustinPool & Samverine give the House of Torture a taste of their own medicine quite literally! The Sons of Texas are still golden, and they bow in respect and thanks to the Tokyo Dome crowd! Will these two still reign the next time the Forbidden Door opens?

 

International Lucha Gauntlet!

As NJPW and CMLL keep their friendship going strong, each side sends four of their best into battle for the most fantastico eight man gauntlet possible! And bigger than that, entry after entry will be sent in every few minutes! Brand VS brand aside, who comes out as El Mejor Luchador (the best wrestler)?

First out is CMLL’s Alchemist of Lucha, Hechicero! Who does he start against? It is NJPW’s Japanese Young Punk, Kosei Fujita! The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two circle. They feel things out, knuckle lock, but then Hechi spins to wrench and wrangle Fujita. Fujita rolls, wrenches, and wristlocks back, but Hechi powers Fujita down to then get a leg! Hechi rolls and flips over to then trap Fujita’s legs in a modified Crab, and he makes it a cover! TWO as Fujita gest an arm up! Fujita uses his core to sit up then sunset flip, but Hechi knuckle locks and rolls Fujita into another cradle. Fujita fights up but the countdown is here!

Fujita wrenches and hammerlocks but Hechi slips through, and entry three is CMLL’s Soberano Jr! The fans fire up as Soberano walks out with the golden crown of thorns and hurries to the ring. Fujita and Hechi still grapple, but Soberano goes up! CROSSBODY gets Fujita! Then Soberano springboards to FLYING RANA Hechi! Soberano SUPERKICKS Fujita down, then runs corner to corner. Hechi puts Soberano on the corner, then Hechi blocks the gamangiri! Hechi wraps the leg around ropes, pulls, but lets off as the ref counts. Fujita runs up but Hechi ELBOWS him! Hechi victory rolls Fujita and has the legs!

Hechi grabs the arms, and he has Fujita in the MEXICAN SURFBOARD! Soberano adds a FLYING LEG DROP! Fujita is down, Soberano runs and hops on, but Hechi stops the Destroyer! Hechi swings Soberano but Soberano uses it to RANA Hechi out of the ring! Soberano runs to FOSBURY FLOP! Down goes Hechi, and the countdown is back! Entry four is NJPW’s Master Wato! Soberano welcomes The Way to the Grandmaster, but he has to GAMANGIRI Hechi first! Wato slides in, dodges Soberano and fires hands! The fans fire up as Wato and Soberano go CHOP for CHOP! Soberano then puts some stank on the CHOP!

Wato fires a flurry of CHOPS, then runs, but into a DROPKICK! Soberano runs, but Wato blows past him to RANA! Soberano tumbles out, the fans fire up with Wato, and Wato goes out to fire hands! Wato puts Soberano in the ring, stomps away, and the countdown returns again. Entry five is already on the way, and it is MASCARA DORADA 2.0! The fans fire up as Dorada builds up speed, slides in, and he dodges Wato. Dorada handsprings but Wato dodges! Dorada blocks Wato’s chop to knuckle lock and CHOP! Dorada goes up the ropes, pinballs around then ARM-DRAGS Wato away! Things keep moving, Dorada dodges Soberano to then SPIN RANA!

The fans fire up and Dorada runs, tilt-o-whirls on Hechi, and slips free of Hechi’s torture rack to waistlock! Dorada DROPKICKS Hechi into Fujita, then runs up to use Hechi to go up! RANA on Fujita, then a double knuckle lock with Hechi! Dorada pops up and swings around to RANA Hechi! The fans are thunderous as Dorada keeps moving, and he DIVES into Soberano! Then he DIVES onto Hechi! Entry six is here, and it is NJPW’s Taiji Ishimori! The Bone Soldier goes to the apron, springboards but Dorada gets under. Things speed up but Taiji fires haymakers! Taiji whips Dorada, but Dorada reverses.

Taiji handsprings to LETHAL INJECTION! The fans fire up and Taiji brings Dorada up. Taiji wrenches, hammerlocks, then scoops, for a SHOULDER BUSTER! Taiji then waits on Dorada, runs up to tilt-o-whirl, LA MYSTICA! FUJIWARA, into the BONE LOCK! Dorada endures, crawls for ropes, and has the ROPEBREAK! Entry number seven is here, and it is CMLL’s TITAN! El Inmortal represents both CMLL and Los Ingobernables de Japon, and Taiji is ready to test grace against grace! Titan runs up, blocks a shot, then springboards to CROSSBODY! Hechi throws Titan down but Titan kips up to PELE!

Taiji kicks and whips but Titan reverses! Titan goes Matrix to dodge, then he CALF KICKS! The fans fi reup as Dorada runs up, but Titan ripcords, knuckle locks, then CHOPS! Titan hurdles Taiji, mule kicks him, then ROUNDHOUSES Dorada! Titan goes up and up and tightrope walks before he MISSILE DROPKICKS Taiji! Dorada stands Titan up to whip, but Titan reverses to TORNADO DDT! And a roll through into the GOURD BUSTER, then SUPERKICK! The fans fire up with Titan, but the final countdown is here! Titan drags Dorada up to snapmare, and he wraps on a GROUND COBRA TWIST!

The final entry belongs to NJPW, and it’s EL DESPERADO! The NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion joining in really changes the dynamic of this! Could someone earn a title shot out of this gauntlet match? Titan CLUBS Dorada to keep him down, and all the other entries get in the ring to await the Rogue Luchador. Then Despy realizes the trouble he got himself into… Despy says okay, hold on! Hold on! Wato runs up, Despy dodges and fire shands, but everyone else rushes out there! It’s a 7v1 mugging on the ramp! Then Hechi leads the charge as the and the others bring Despy into the ring!

The fans rally for Despy but Dorada suplexes him high and hard! Hechi fireman’s carries Despy for a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Wato stands Despy up for a fireman’s carry and WASTELAND SLAM! Titan picks Despy up to YOYO BACK SUPLEX! Soberano brings Despy up to fireman’s carry and WASTELAND SLAM! Taiji drags Despy up to fireman’s carry and WASTELAND SLAM! Fujita brings Despy up to scoop, spin and SLAM! The fans rally for Despy but Hechi stands him up to CHOP! Then Hechi runs in for a STEP-UP KNEE! Cover, Wato breaks it! Titan SHOTGUNS Wato! Taiji JUMP KNEES Titan! Dorada KNEES Taiji!

Soberano SUPERKICKS Dorada! Fujita ENZIGIRIS Soberano! Hechi SHOTGUNS Fujita! Hechi goes back to Despy to hammerlock and swing! EL CONJURO BACKBREAKER! Cover, but Fujita KICKS Hechi ont he back! Hechi and Fujita fire off CHOPS, but then Fujtia bobs ‘n’ weaves to SLAP Hechi! Fujita runs but into a SLEEPER at the ropes! Taiji YANKS Hechi down, Fujita builds speed, and Fujita FLIES! Down goes Hechi! The fans fire up but Taiji builds speed to go up, up, and ASAI MOONSAULT Fujita! Soberano goes up top while Hechi goes after Taiji! Soberano hits a SKY TWISTER! Down goes Taiji and Hehci at the ramp!

The fans fire up as Titan builds speed, but Wato gets in to TOSS him instead! Titan lands on the apron to GAMANGIRI Wato, then he ARIHARA MOONSAULTS the rest! The fans fire up as Wato now fires up! Wato builds speed and he FLIES! Down goes the cluster, but then Dorada slides in! Dorada climbs the ropes to SUPER SHOOTING STAR PRESS! They’re all down on the outside, but Fujita goes after Despy! Deadlift and GERMAN- NO, Despy fights out, switches, EL ES CULERO! TWO!! Fujita SLAPS Despy, and GERMAN- NO, Despy victory rolls, then snatches the leg into a STRETCH MUFFLER!

Fujita throws Despy off, he gets Despy’s leg, QUEEN ANGELITO, into the KAMI SPECIAL!! Desperado endures the Surfboard of the Gods, but then Taiji THROWS the ref onto it all! Then he GEDO CLUTCHES Despy! TAIJI WINS!!!

Winner: Taiji Ishimori, by pinfall

The Bone Soldier uses an opportunistic approach, but he’ll just tell you it was by grace! Either way, Taiji not only won this wild gauntlet, he just pinned the champion! But now he has to get outta there because the others are mad! Will Taiji soon prove that he is the Best of the Super Juniors? Or will Despy make sure Taiji pays for everyone else ganging up on him?

 

Special Exhibition: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Katsuyori Shibata!

The Ace’s Final Road made it through WrestleKingdom and the House of Torture’s many tricks, but he still needed a save from those sore losers. The world was shocked to see The Wrestler back home in NJPW, and now we’re getting a rematch few thought we’d ever get! Will Tanahashi keep the momentum going in his final year? Or will Shibata prove he was always the stronger Musketeer?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. The two circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. They then break and the fans applaud. The two circle again, tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, and are in a deadlock! The fans rally as both men push with all their might! Tanahashi finds a point of leverage, but Shibata then pushes Tanahashi back! They go back and forth like that, until Tanahashi manages to push Shibata back step back step. But then Shibata powers up to push Tanahashi all the way to ropes! The ref counts the break, and Shibata lets off clean as the fans cheer. The two go again, and they’re back to a collar ‘n’ elbow.

But then Shibata CHOPS! Tanahashi CHOPS! The CHOPS go back and forth, and neither man is backing down! The clock is ticking, though! Shibata CHOPS, then eggs Tanahashi on. Tanahsahi CHOPS, CHOPS, but Shibata CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Tanahashi eggs Shibata on so Shibata CHOPS, CHOPS, and MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Tanahashi fires back with CHOP after CHOP! Shibata doesn’t back down, he just eggs Tanahashi on! The CHOPS keep going, but then Shibata CHOPS back! We hit the two minute warning already, and Shibata CHOPS Tanahashi against ropes! And CHOPS again! And CHOPS again!

Tanahashi turns things around to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP! The fans fire up as Shibata gets in Tanahashi’s face! Tanahashi HEADBUTTS! Shibata CHOPS! Shibata has Tanahashi in a corner for MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Last minute here and Shibata CHOPS! Tanahashi CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Both men are stinging red but Tanahashi full nelsons! Shibata breaks that, switches, then he spins Tanahashi just to CHOP! And CHOP! Tanahashi CHOPS, Shibata CHOPS, repeat! They’re not stopping with the CHOPS as we hit 30 seconds! CHOP, CHOP, CHOP, and the fans fire up! The CHOP fight just keeps going!

The fans rally as the CHOPS go harder and harder! TEN SECONDS LEFT, but the CHOPS are unlimited! TIME’S UP!

Time Limit Draw

The fans cheer as this special exhibition comes to a close. But this was just an appetizer for them, and Shibata shakes hands with Tanahashi. Will we get to see these two go at it for real before Tanahashi’s final year comes to a close?

 

NJPW Strong & Rev-Pro Undisputed British Women’s Championships, Winner Takes All: Mercedes Mone VS Mina Shirakawa!

The CEO has two belts, and technically so does the Fighting Gravure Idol. However, Mone is only putting up the lavender strap against Mina’s RPW gold. Will Mone go from two to three belts? Or will Mina not only be the Queen of Southside but also the Face of NJPW Strong?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who adds to their championship wardrobe!

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, go around, and end up in a corner. The ref counts, Mone lets off with a push, and then she does her CEO dance. Mina applauds, then ties up with Mone again. Mina waistlocks, spins Mone around and SOBATS! Mina runs, rolls over the dropdown, then eggs Mone on. Mone runs up but Mina dodges to dropkick a leg out! Mone avoids the next dropkick, but Mina avoids the Penalty Kick! Mina rolls Mone, Mone rolls through, but Mina dodges to slide and shimmy. The fans cheer, but Mone pulls Mina’s hair! The ref reprimands, but Mina whips, only for Mone to springboard and arm-drag!

Mone keeps the arm so she can drag Mina into a CROSSFACE! Mina crawls back, back, and has the ROPEBREAK! Mone lets go of the Statement Maker at 4, then runs to DROPKICK Mina to the floor! The fans rally and Mone builds speed to then DIVE! Direct hit on Mina and the Stardom Young Lionesses! Mone puts Mina in, the fans rally up, and Mone goes up the corner. Mina roars and rises, then she SLAPS Mone! Mina grabs a leg to SUPER DRAGON SCREW Mone down! The fans fire up as Mina runs up, and she dropkicks legs out! Mone flounders while the fans rally, and Mina grabs that leg.

Mina drags Mone to a corner, and then SWINGS the bad leg into the post! The fans cheer and Mina shouts, “WE WANT MINA~!” The fans cheer that, and Mina puts on the CORNER FIGURE FOUR! Mone flails, maybe even taps out, but it doesn’t count given the post is involved! The ref counts, Mina lets go at 4, and Mone scrambles away. Mina fires up and the fans are with her. Mina runs corner to corner at Mone, but Mone ELBOWS back! And BOOTS! And then goes up to DEADLY NIGHTSHADE! Mina staggers back, Mone hits a METEORA! Cover, TWO! Mina survives and hurries to her feet! She dropkicks Mone’s legs again!

Mone writhes but Mina storms up on her. Mina picks Mone up and ties up the legs, for a KNEE BUSTER! Mone clutches her legs, but Mina grabs them and fires the fans up! Mina blows a kiss to Mone before she drops an ELBOW on the knee! Then Mina hooks the leg up for a SHIN BREAKER! Mone writhes but Mina KICKS the bad leg! Mone clings to ropes but Mina stands on the leg! The ref reprimands, Mone kicks with her good leg, but Mina stomps Mone down. The fans rally as Mina brings Mone up. Mina hooks up the leg again, SHIN- NO, Mone sunset flips! But Mina rolls thorugh, only for Mone to METEORA!

Mone is frustrated but she fires back up! The fans rally, Mina runs up, but Mone blocks the kick to KNEE her back! Mone then spins Mina to BACKSTABBER! A bit double-edged given the bad leg, but Mone still stands. Mone somersaults to then ELBOW Mina! Mone fires off forearms in the corner, but lets off as the ref counts. Mone puts Mina in the ropes, CHOPS her, then climbs up for the STOCK DROP! Mone roars and the fans fire up with her! Mina is in the drop zone while Mone goes up the corner. Mina stands, so Mone METEORAS again! NO, Mina rolls through! Mina SMASHES the knee again and again!

Mina steps through, FIGURE FOUR! Mone scrambles and has the ROPEBREAK! Mina lets go but she brings Mone back up. Mina fires off slapping strikes, then runs, springboards, FLYING CHUCK! Cover, TWO! Mone stays in this but Mina stays focused. The fans rally up and Mina calls her shot. Mina drags Mone back up, scoops her, but Mone slips through! Mone manages to scoop Mina, for a CIPHER UTAKI! But again, double-edged because of the bad knee! The fans rally, the ref even pounds the mat to signal for the two women to rise. Mina and Mone grab at each other, and they start throwing forearms!

The fans rally as the shots go back and forth! Mina is having fun now as she ROCKS Mone! Mone ROCKS Mina! The forearms keep going, Mone gets the edge, but Mina shakes those off to fire back! Mina ROCKS Mone, ROLLING ELBOWS her, then URA- NO, Mone catches Mina not a Gory Especial! But the legs give out! Mina reels Mone in for a TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up again and Mina rises! Mina has Mone’s legs, steps through, but Mone BOOTS her away! Mina returns, but Mone rolls through the jackknife! Mina reels Mone in for a suplex! Una Amiga! Mone brings Mina up for Dos Amigas! And then for THREE AMIGAS!

The fans fire up and Mone roars again! Mone crawls to a corner and drags herself up the ropes. Mina stands, roars, and she blocks Mone’s shot to URAKEN! Mina then climbs up after Mone, and the fans rally as she CLUBS away on her! Mina goes to the very top, and she gives Mone a SUPER IMPALER DDT!! Both women are down and the fans rally up! Mina rises first, and she dares Mone to get up! Mone rises, Mina grabs the bad leg! DRAGON SCREW! Mone flounders around but Mina has her right up, and in an Electric Chair Lift! Mina spins Mone into a FALLING DRAGON SCREW! Then FIGURE FOUR!!

Mone endures and the fans are going wild! Mina thrashes around as much as she can, but Mone SLAPS her! Mina SLAPS back! Mone SLAPS again, but Mina pushes up on the hold! Mone CLUBS at the legs, works to turn this over, and then she has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Mina lets Mone go, only to follow Mone to a corner! Mina goes up top, and she hits Mone with a FLYING SLINGBLADE! Mina hurries to hit an IMPLANT DDT!! Cover, TWO?!? Mone survives and the fans fire up! Mina fires up, calls her shot, and has Mone in a dragon sleeper! GLAMOROUS DRIVER MINA!! Cover, TWO?!?! Mone survives and no one can believe it!

Mina is fuming, but she drags Mone up again. GLAM- NO, Mone slips free! Mina kicks a leg out, then runs, but Mone manages a CODE BREAKER! Mone roars, runs, and SWINGING CODE BREAKERS!! Cover, TWO!! Mina survives and Mone is beside herself! The fans fire up more while Mone pounds the mat. Mone drags Mina up, turns her and Gory Especial, but Mina flips up and over! Mina hooks Mone up in a GORY BOMB!! And then ANKLE LOCK!! Mina leans on that hold, then turns it around into a GLAMOROUS DEATHLOCK!! Mone endures, fights around, makes it a cover, TWO!! Both women stand, and run in!

Mone turns Mina to a backslide, TWO!! Mina trips Mone, but Mone cradle counters!! TWO!!! Mina kicks, Mone blocks! Gory Especial, MONEY MAKER!!! Cover, MONE WINS!!

Winner: Mercedes Mone, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Women’s Champion & NEW RPW British Women’s Champion)

A powerful battle of top stars in the world, but The CEO just keeps on stacking gold! The Queen of Southside belts comes with the RPW belt, Mone almost can’t carry it all! She still shows respect to Mina by offering a handshake, but Mina slaps it away! Will Mina have her revenge the next time she’s in AEW? Will Mone have even more belts by then?

 

David Finlay VS Brody King!

The Rebel no longer has his IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship after losing it to Yota Tsuji, but he can still fight for his pride as “Boss Dog” of Bullet Club. Will Finlay redeem himself from WrestleKingdom’s defeat? Or will the King of Death show that even in the Tokyo Dome, the House Always Wins?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. Brody and Finlay circle, tie up, and Brody powers Finlay back. Finlay turns things around and grinds his forearm in Brody’s face. The ref counts but Brody SHOVES Finlay away! Finlay comes back to fire more forearms, but Brody SHOVES him again! Finlay gets up, but Brody CLOBBERS him! The fans fire up and Brody swings. Finlay dodges, gets cocky, but Brody BOOTS him! Brody barks then storms up on Finlay, to TOSS him across the way! Brody tells Finlay to get up, then runs corner to corner. Finlay dropkicks the legs out! Brody hits buckles and Gedo cheers!

Finlay brings Brody around, reels him in, but Brody backdrops out with ease! Finlay flounders while Brody shakes out the stars. Brody storms up to DOUBLE CHOP Finlay down! Brody paces around Finlay, stands him up, and CHOPS him down! Finlay bails out to the apron but Brody asks where he thinks he’s going. Brody drags Finlay up by his hair, but Finlay HOTSHOTS him back! Finlay runs in and CHOP BLOCKS a leg out! Gedo cheers again while Finlay clamps on a SLEEPER! Finlay fires crossface forearms, but then Brody blocks ’em! Finlay stomps away on Brody’s legs, then he SMASHES a knee into the mat!

The fans rally for Brody as he stands, but Finlay runs up! Finlay LARIATS Brody and himself up and out of the ring! They both hit the floor, and Finlay grits his teeth as he stands. Finlay leaves Brody behind to then PLANCHA, but Brody catches him! Brody pops Finlay up, but Finlay slips free! Finlay POSTS Brody, and Brody goes to railing. Finlay runs up but Brody sends him crashing into railing! Brody grabs a chair, but he sits it up by the railing. Brody drags Finlay over and ROCKS him! Finlay takes a seat, and Brody CHOPS him against railing! The fans bark with Brody as he gets space, and Brody runs up, CROSSBODY against railing!

The fans are thunderous as the chair all but disappears under Brody and Finlay! Brody drags Finlay up and into the ring, then he SENTONS onto Finlay! Brody pushes Finlay to a high stack cover, TWO! Finlay survives but Brody looms over him. Gedo coaches Finlay, the fans rally, and Brody scuffs the “Boss Dog.” Brody sits Finlay up to CHOP him! Brody stalks Finlay to a corner, then CHOPS him again! Finlay falls down and the fans cheer. Brody drags Finlay up while Gedo protests, but Brody DECKS Finlay! Finlay crawls, Brody drags him up, and then CHOPS again! Finlay ends up in a corner and Brody paces.

Brody eggs Finlay on, then stands him back up. Brody whips corner to corner hard, and Finlay bounces off buckles to fall right to the mat! Brody hauls Finlay up to RAM him into more buckles! Finlay flops down while Brody talks trash. Gedo tells Finlay to get up, Brody dares Finlay to get up, and the fans rally up. Brody storms up, blocks a boot, and he CLUBS the leg to then ROCK Finlay! Brody puts Finlay across the top rope, to then CHOP him down! Finlay flops to the apron, but Brody goes out to meet him! Finlay fires forearms, but Brody ROCKS him with just one! Brody stands Finlay up again, but Finlay fires more shots!

Brody ROCKS Finlay again, and the fans fire up! Finlay fires more shots, but Brody ROCKS him, and clamps on the SLEEPER! The ref reprimands, but Finlay CLAWS Brody’s eyes! Finlay is free, and he runs up to CLOBBER Brody against the railing! Gedo is fired up and so are the fans! Brody sputters while Finlay leaves him behind. Finlay gets in the ring, climbs a corner, and he SUPER CROSSBODIES! Direct hit and Brody is sent into the railing! Finlay flounders back up to his feet, and he puts Brody back in the ring. Finlay then runs corner to corner to UPPERCUT! Finlay shoves Brody from the corner to go up, but Brody YANKS Finlay down!

Brody then fireman’s carries Finlay for a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Finlay survives and the fans cheer, but Brody snarls and grits his teeth. Brody stalks Finlay, talks smack, then stands Finlay up. Brody ROCKS Finlay, and Finlay staggers away. Finlay comes back but Brody ROCKS him again! Finlay staggers around more, but Brody ROCKS him a third time! Gedo coaches Finlay, and Finlay shakes out the stars. But then Brody DECKS him! The ref checks Finlay but Finlay is still in this, somehow. Finlay fires himself up, and he fires a flurry of forearms! Then an UPPERCUT! Finlay runs, ducks one lariat, but not the SOUTHPAW! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up, but Brody brings Finlay right into a PILEDRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives again, but now Brody is mad! Brody stands Finlay up, to POINT-BLANK LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Finlay is still in this and Gedo fires up again! The fans rally, Brody vows to end this! Brody drags Finlay right up, reels him in, and GONZO- NO, Finlay slips free! Finlay ducks ‘n’ dodges, and SPEARS!! Cover, TWO!! Finlay hurries to get Brody up, and runs to BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Finlay has to turn Brody over for the cover, TWO! Brody is still in this and the fans rally up again. Finlay rises up, and he vows to end this!

Finlay stands Brody up, but Brody fireman’s carries! CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Brody snarls again and the fans fire up! Brody barks, fans bark with him, and Finlay sits up in the corner. Brody runs in and CANNONBALLS! Brody drags Finlay up, hoists him onto the top rope, and then CHOPS! Brody climbs now, and he has Finlay on the top! Finlay fires body shots, then he climbs up to SUPER SUNSET FLIP ALLEY-OOP! Brody hits buckles, Finlay reels him in! Finlay manages to lift and POWERBOMB Brody!! The fans fire up, as Finlay hits OVERKIL!!! Cover, FINLAY WINS!

Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall

The saying might be cliche, but it really is about the size of the fight in the dog! Finlay overcomes big bad Brody with sheer determination and not a single underhanded tactic! But then, can Finlay use this as momentum on the road back to the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship? Or maybe even something bigger?

 

Shota Umino VS Claudio Castagnoli!

The Roughneck went 43 minutes with Zack Sabre Jr, and yet he could not take the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship for his own. But that’s secondary now with how The Death Riders are trying to take out Jon Moxley’s original right hand man! Will the Swiss Superman be more like a terminator? Or will Shota still bring about his Paradigm Shift?

Claudio doesn’t even wait for his entrance, he attacks during Shota’s! The fans boo as Claudio knocks Shota down from behind on the ramp! Claudio just looms over Shota while he takes off his jacket, then he sits Shota up to BOOT him! Claudio even TOSSES Shota’s replica world title belt, the one the fans gave him! The fans boo more but hopefully someone gets that back to Shota. Claudio stands Shota up to ROCK him with a forearm, CLUB him on the back, and then UPPERCUT him! They go to ringside, and Claudio pushes Shota in. Claudio then storms in and the bell rings as he stomps Shota some more.

Shota looks up at Claudio with defiance, so Claudio UPPERCUTS! Shota shoves Claudio, fires a flurry of forearms, but Claudio fires those in return! Claudio UPPERCUTS, Shota fires more forearms, and Claudio wobbles! Shota UPPERCUTS, but Claudio pokes Shota in the eyes! Claudio UPPERCUTS, runs, but Shota DROPKICKS! The fans fire up with Shota while Claudio bails out. Shota takes aim as Claudio goes around the outside, then he PLANCHAS! But Claudio catches Shota! Claudio runs Shota into the POST! And he holds on so he can SNAKE EYES Shota off railing! Then he RAMS Shota back into the railing!

Claudio opens the gate and he sends Shota into the lighting truss! And then into the railing in front of fans! Claudio ROCKS Shota, then looms over him. The fans rally for Shota but there are some Claudio fans. Claudio whips Shota back into railing, and DUMPS him over to ringside! The ref reprimands, this needs to be in the ring, but Claudio hauls Shota up to FLAPJACK off railing! Shota is stuck so Claudio DUMPS him into the commentary area! The fans are torn while Claudio paces in the ring. The ring count starts while Shota is down. Shota sits up at 5 of 20, crawls his way back to the gate, but is still outside at 10.

Shota hobbles at 13, reaches ringside at 15, and rolls in at 16. The fans cheer, but Claudio is on Shota with an UPPERCUT! Claudio gets the legs, trips Shota, but Shota fights free! Claudio comes back to DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Claudio scowls, and he deadlift GUT WRENCH PLEXES! Cover, TWO! Claudio clamps right on with a CROSSFACE! Shota endures, the fans rally up, but Claudio pulls back on the hold! Shota fights around, but Claudio fishhooks him! The ref reprimands, Claudio lets go, but then he fishhooks Shota in the ropes! The ref counts, the fans boo, but Claudio lets go at 4. To then fishhook Shota more!

The ref tells Claudio to back off, and Claudio lets go again. Shota sputters against ropes while the fans rally up. Claudio brings Shota around and ROCKS him with a forearm! Shota staggers but he grits his teeth. Claudio ROCKS Shota again, but Shota just stares Claudio down this time! Shota fires a forearm, but Claudio fires UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT! Claudio runs to BOOT Shota down! Claudio soaks up the cheers and jeers, then he stands Shota up. Claudio CHOPS Shota, CLAWS his eyes and SMOTHERS him against ropes! The ref counts, Claudio stops at 4, to then UPPERCUT again! Claudio whips, Shota reverses and TORNADO DDTS!

Claudio ends up on ropes, and Shota hurries to slingshot and APRON DDT! Claudio gets stuck like ZSJ did last night, then flops to the floor! Shota fires up and he stalks after Claudio. Shota stands Claudio up to UPPERCUT, then he puts Claudio on railing! DRAPING DDT to the floor! Shota strikes like a Viper and Claudio clutches his head! The ref checks Claudio but Claudio is still in this. Shota stalks Claudio, puts him in the ring, then aims from the corner. Claudio sits up, into the COAST2COAST! Shota hurries to dragon sleeper and TRIDENT! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Shota runs, IGNITION!

Shota hurries to underhook, but Claudio RAMS Shota into a corner! Claudio runs up, Shota dodges, and Shota runs up! But Claudio puts Shota on the top rope, and UPPERCUTS! Shota wobbles, the fans rally up, and Claudio UPPERCUTS again! Shota leans way back, but Claudio climbs up to join him. Claudio drags Shota onto his shoulders for a fireman’s carry! Claudio stands to SUPER MILITARY PRESS SLAM!! Shota writhes and flounders around while the fans are thunderous! Claudio runs and LARIATS Shota down! Cover, TWO!! Shota survives and the fans rally up again. Claudio looms over Shota while the fans duel, and Claudio calls for “it!”

Claudio grabs the legs, for a GIANT SWING! The fans count along, and Claudio goes past ten, to go to FIFTEEN, then TWENTY! The fans cheer this special treat in the Tokyo Dome, and Claudio covers, TWO!! Shota survives, but Claudio drags him back to center! Claudio steps through, and he turns Shota over for a SHARPSHOOTER! Shota endures while Claudio sits deep on the hold! Shota powers up, but Claudio drags him away from ropes! Claudio sits deep on the hold again, but Shota refuses to give in! Shota powers up a second time, and he powers his way forward! But Claudio puts on more pressure!

The fans rally, Shota fights forward, and Claudio looses his footing! ROPEBREAK!! Shota survives, but Claudio looms over him. Claudio kicks at Shota mockingly, then he vows to end this! Claudio reels Shota in, Gotch Hold, but Shota fights it! So Claudio stands Shota up to UPPERCUT, and UPPERCUT, and UPPER- NO, Shota has the arms! Claudio fights the backslide, and he spins Shota for a KNEE down low! Shota sputters, goes to a corner, and Claudio runs in. Shota BOOTS Claudio, but Claudio fires off UPPERCUTS from all sides! Shota sits down and the fans fire up again. Claudio fireman’s carries Shota, and he goes up the corner!

The fans rally as Claudio takes aim, but Shota fights with elbows! Claudio sits down on the top rope, and Shota fires HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS from up there! Shota shows Claudio he can still Blackpool Combat Club with the Death Riders! The fans are torn as Shota fires off more shots, then dragon sleepers! SUPER TORNADO DDT!! Shota aims from a corner, powers up his arm, and he runs in to BLAZE BLADE!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio survives but the fans rally up! Shota underhooks Claudio, but Claudio wrenches out and UPPERCUTS! Claudio shoves Shota, then POP-UP UPPERCUTS! And then the straitjacket! RICOLA~ BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?

Shota survives, the fans are thunderous, but Claudio vows to end this! Gotch hold, but Shota wrenches out! Claudio UPPERCUTS, resets, but Shota slips free! Underhooks, but Claudio wrenches out! But Shota turns uppercut into backslide! Claudio rolls through, but into a DEATH RIDER!!! Cover, SHOTA WINS!

Winner: Shota Umino, by pinfall

#SHOOTER manages to outdraw Claudio in this shootout, and he comes away with that split-second win! Claudio is upset, but then he offers a handshake. Shota reaches out for it, but then Claudio signals for him to shove it! Claudio leaves, but Shota still shows respect with a bow to the crowd. The fans are still uncertain of this aspiring hero, but will Shota show Moxley what it really means to bring about a Paradigm Shift?

 

NEVER Openweight & AEW International Championships Double Title Match: Konosuke Takeshita VS Tomohiro Ishii!

The Alpha of the Don Callis Family only just won the NEVER title off Shingo Takagi to become a double champion, but the Stone Pitbull is coming for it all! Will Ishii take a bite out of Konosuke? Or will he learn firsthand why Konosuke is All Elite?

The introductions are made, both belts are raised, and we see who NEVER gives in!

The bell rings and the fans rally up already. Konosuke and Ishii slowly step up, tie up, and then break. Ishii CHOPS, Callis laughs as Konosuke just stares him down. Konosuke kicks and headlocks, but Ishii powers up and out. Ishii CHOPS but Konosuke keeps going! Konosuke RAMS Ishii, Ishii ROARS then ROCKS Konosuke! Ishii runs, and he RAMS Konosuke! They RAM, and RAM, and RAM shoulders again! They both run, RAM shoulders, then Konosuke rebounds to RUN Ishii over! The fans fire up while Konosuke dusts himself off. Konosuke eggs on Ishii, so Ishii gets up to CHOP! CHOP! And CHOP!

Konosuke winds up to ALPHA ELBOW! Ishii staggers, then drops to his knees! Ishii flounders to ropes while fans rally up, and Konosuke stalks Ishii to a corner. Konosuke stands on Ishii, but the ref counts. Konosuke steps off but Callis says no mercy! Konosuke stomps Ishii, drags him up, then ROCKS him again! Ishii goes to the corner, Konosuke ROCKS him again, and then ROCKS him again! But Ishii just eggs Konosuke on! Callis says go ahead, hit him again! Konosuke stomps away, but then Ishii CHOPS! Konosuke BOOTS Ishii down, Callis says they’ll hospitalize Ishii if they have to!

Konosuke runs to KNEE Ishii in the face! Ishii sputters, the fans rally, and Konosuke gives Ishii a kick to the face. Ishii gets mad and he rises up. Konosuke scuffs Ishii again, then BOOST him! Ishii snarls, Konosuke BOOTS him again, but Ishii stands right up! Ishii CHOPS up high, then puts Konosuke in the corner! Ishii CHOPS and CHOPS but the ref counts. Ishii tells the ref to back off, and then Ishii eggs on Konosuke with, “Doshita, champion? <What’s wrong, champion?>” Ishii CHOPS again, then whips, but Konosuke reverses. Ishii comes back to CLOBBER Konosuke! The fans fire up while Ishii storms back over.

Ishii stands Konosuke up, but Konosuke fights the lift with elbows. Ishii still SAIDOS! The fans fire up while Ishii rises. Ishii waits on Konosuke, then runs, but into a BOOT! Konosuke whips, Ishii reverses, then Ishii ducks the lariat! Ishii avoids the boot, avoids an elbow, and he ROCKS Konosuke! Ishii runs up at the corner, but Konosuke BOOTS him! Konosuke goes up, but Ishii avoids the senton! SLIDING- NO, Konosuke gets under the lariat and he deadlifts Ishii for a RELEASE GERMAN!! The ref checks Ishii, and he’s somehow still in this! Konosuke SLIDING ELBOWS! Cover, TWO! Ishii survives and the fans cheer!

Konosuke grows frustrated, but Callis coaches him. Ishii stirs while the fans rally again. Konosuke hauls Ishii up, BLUE- NO, Ishii slips free! Konosuke blocks a lariat, but Ishii SOUTHPAW LARIATS! Ishii runs up, but into a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives but Callis argues with the ref. The ref defends the count, so Konosuke powers up the arm. The fans rally again as Ishii rises, and Konosuke runs. Ishii SWATS the lariat, CHOPS Konosuke high again, then has Konosuke in a corner. Ishii hoists Konosuke up top, then climbs up after him! The fans rally, but Konosuke suplexes first! SUPER FALCON ARROW!! Cover, TWO?!?

The fans are fired up and Konosuke is shocked! Ishii stirs, the fans rally behind him, but Callis coaches Konosuke to end this. POWER DRIVE- NO, Ishii blocks the knee to fire boxing elbows! Ishii runs, but into a scoop! BASTARD DRIVER!! And then deadlift WHEELBARROW GERMAN! But Ishii rises?!? Ishii runs up, but into a LARIAT!! Cover, ONE?!?! The fans are thunderous and Konosuke is beside himself! Konosuke hauls Ishii up, reels him in, and suplexes for RAGING- NO, Ishii slips free and wrenches! Ishii gets around, GERMAN SUPLEX! But now Konosuke rises!? But Ishii LARIATS! Cover, ONE?!?!?

Both men rise, and then both men fall! The fans are thunderous again for this true battle of Strong Style! Callis fans off Konosuke, and tells the ref to worry more about Ishii! The fans rally up as hard as they can, and the two crawl to each other. They give junkyard dog headbutts, and then talk some trash. Konosuke and Ishii hold each other’s waistbands? And then they start firing forearms! The fans fire up as the shots go back and forth, and even at the same time! Ishii DECKS Konosuke!! Ishii wobbles but he nods as he storms back up on Konosuke! But then Konosuke ALPHA ELBOWS!! Ishii falls back and the fans fire up again!

Konosuke snarls and vows to end this. Konosuke drags Ishii up, hoists him to the top rope, then climbs up to join him. Konosuke drags Ishii onto his shoulder, but Ishii fires elbows! Ishii then turns things around to SUPER STEINER!! The fans are thunderous, who knew Ishii could pull that off? Ishii rises, and he headbutts the buckles! Ishii roars, Callis panics, but Ishii gets moving! LARIAT! Konosuke stays up!? HEADBUTT! ELBOW! But Ishii stays up to HEADBUTT, HEADBUTT, and HEADBUTT!! Ishii then shoves Konosuke to LARIAT! Ishii roars, the fans erupt, and somehow Konosuke stands! But Ishii LARIATS again!! Cover, TWO!!!

The fans are going nuts as Ishii roars and stands again! Ishii brings Konosuke up, but Konosuke suplexes first, to BRAINBUSTER! Konosuke uses Ishii’s move, then gator rolls him, only for Ishii to supelx! Konosuke knees free, but Ishii DECKS Konosuke! Ishii staggers backwards to a corner but the fans give him strength! SLIDING LARIAT! Ishii hurries to bring Konosuke up, suplexes again, but Konosuke slips free! And POISON-RANAS!! Callis is relieved as Konosuke rises, and Konosuke takes off the elbow pad! Just like with Takagi, Konosuke takes aim for a BONE- NO, Ishii ducks! But Konosuke blocks the enzigiri! POWER DRIVER KNEE!!

Ishii stays up!? POWER- NO, Ishii blocks that to ENZIGIRI! Konosuke stays up to BONE ALPHA ELBOW!! And then Konosuke roars, suplexes, RAGING FIRE!!! Cover, KONOSUKE WINS!!

Winner: Konosuke Takeshita, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight & AEW International Champion)

That was a battle truly worthy of the NEVER Division, of AEW, of NJPW, of Strong Style, and so much more! The Don Callis Family will be bringing both these belts back home, but will Konosuke prove he is The Alpha of Wrestling?

 

Vacated IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships Triple Threat: Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb VS The Young Bucks VS Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi!

Originally, this was meant to be The Dominator and the Face of Fury defending their gold against Matthew & Nicholas Jackson, but misfortune struck during the World Tag League. Henare is out for an indefinite time, so Khan called upon the Imperial Unit for help. But then in another twist, The United Empire decided it was only fair that the World Tag League winners should get their shot! So last minute as the change is, this is a huge opportunity for Los Ingobernables de Japon! Will Naito & Hiromu win these titles as they intended? Will The Bucks make these titles All Elite? Or will they all be conquered by the United Empire?

It seems Hiromu, in his own eccentric way, is trying to outdo Naito in the entrance attire department. His outfit is more like a mascot costume, if your mascot was an Eldritch horror Funko Pop. Hiromu even struggles getting out of it! The Young Bucks make their entrance last, with far less pomp and circumstance than expected from the highly decorated tag team turned AEW EVPs. But there is a lot of heat thanks to all that fire for their pyro. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and one way or another, we will crown the 106TH IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions!

The fans rally already, and they even cheer the Young Bucks just on the return to NJPW. The ref wants the teams to sort out, then he rings the bell. Khan CLOBBERS Hiromu and fires off on Naito! The Bucks back off, more than willing to let The Empire handle LIJ. Khan drags Naito out of the ring, so Hiromu and Cobb are legal by default. Hiromu fires CHOPS but Cobb ROCKS him in return. Khan stomps Naito at the railing, Hiromu CHOPS Cobb more and more, but Cobb ROCKS him again! Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS, but then he and Cobb notice The Bucks cheering them both on.

Cobb and Hiromu run up to BLAST The Bucks down! Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS, but then Cobb kicks and whips. Hiromu returns to RANA, but Cobb rebounds to CLOBBER Hiromu! Cobb stands Hiromu up to CHOP, then he whips. The Bucks trip Hiromu up, drag him out, and DOUBLE APRON POWERBOMB him! The Bucks then run in, dodge Cobb, and double kick! Matt gives Nick the boost to DROPKICK Cobb! The Bucks BLAST Khan off the apron, and Matt says, “This is what we freakin’ do, remember?!” The fans fire up, and The Bucks dosido before they DOUBLE DIVE! Matt tacks out Naito and Khan while Nick wipes out Cobb and Hiromu!

Nick puts Hiromu in, whips him to a a corner, then runs up. Nick blocks Hiromu’s boots to put him in the ropes, and then he hits a DRAPING NECKBREAKER! Nick holds Hiromu up, and Matt slingshots to DRAPING SENTON! The fans fire up, and then Cobb runs in! Cobb ducks Matt’s haymaker to shove him into Nick! Then Cobb DROPKICKS Matt! The Bucks regroup outside, and Cobb mocks the Bucks’ pose! Cobb runs, but The Bucks return to DOUBLE SUPERKICK! The fans fire up again, they missed seeing that live. Nick runs, Matt gives him the boost to RANA! Cobb tumbles out, Matt helps Nick goes up and up to SKY TWISTER!

Down goes Cobb and the fans fire up, but LIJ regroups to go after Matt! Hiromu kicks, he and Naito whip to then DOUBLE ELBOW, and DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Nick returns but LIJ kicks him now. They double whip but Nick ducks the double elbows. Naito drops down, Hiromu bypasses and CROSSBODIES! Khan returns but LIJ kicks him! They double whip, but Khan gets under the elbows to shove Naito into Hiromu! Khan then REVERSE STOs Naito! Hiromu kicks but Khan blocks, and Khan spins Hiromu to shove him. Khan then clinches for a BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up behind Khan as he goes after Naito.

Khan fires Mongolian Chop after Mongolian Chop, then feints to UPPERCUT! Naito ends up in the corner and Khan hops up onto his throne! But then Nick runs up, so Khan sends him into Naito! Khan runs, Nick dodges to SPINNING ROUNDHOUSE! Cobb is back to whip Nick to a corner and SPLASH! Cobb then runs at Naito to JUMP KICK, leg sweep, and COMBINACION feint to BOOT! The fans fire up as the “Cobb-y Cat” strikes again! Cobb then runs to JUMP KICK Nick, leg sweep, but Nick avoids the rest! Nick RAMS into Cobb, slingshot X-FACTOR, then he MOONSAULTS out onto Hiromu!

The fans fire up again as Matt drags Cobb into position! Nick goes up top, for some RISKY BUSINESS! Cover, TWO! Cobb stays in this but Matt mockingly applauds. Nick pounds the mat, the fans rally up, and The Bucks call for the Superkick Party~! The fans fire up as The Bucks aim at Cobb. But Cobb blocks Nick’s kick to send it into Matt! Then Cobb SUPERKICKS Nick! Naito is back, he dragon sleepers for a NECKBREAKER! Then he runs to basement DROPKICK! Khan returns to BOOT Naito! Hiromu dropkicks Khan’s legs out! Matt runs up but Hiromu BOOTS him! Hiromu runs up, into the NORTHERN LIGHTS!

Matt gets the Polar Express going with NORTHERN LIGHTS after NORTHERN LIGHTS! Naito runs up, but Matt gets them for a DOUBLE NORTHERN LIGHTS! Matt drags Hiromu up, puts him in the ropes, and Nick goes up! DRAPING SWANTON BOMB! High stack, TWO! Hiromu survives but Matt mockingly applauds again, and even says, “Sugoi, sugoi.” Matt drags Hiromu up and Nick climbs. Matt fireman’s carries Hiromu, MORE BANG, but Hiromu avoids Nick’s 450! Hirtomu then trips up Matt, and OVERHEAD SUPELXES Nick into him! Hiromu feeds Nick to Naito and gives him the boost on the TORNADO DDT!

Nick staggers up, Hiromu fireman’s carries for TIMEBOMB 1.5! Cover, but Khan breaks it! Khan gives Naito a BELLY2BELLY! And he gives Hiromu a BELLY2BELLY! Matt storms up, but into a BELLY2BELLY! Nick is up, Khan gives him a BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up as Khan then calls to Cobb. Cobb hauls Hiromu up for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Naito is up, Cobb gives him a GERMAN SUPLEX! Matt staggers up, into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Nick is up, Cobb says it is a suplex party! But Nick lands out of the German! Nick mule kicks, he and Matt both mule kick, then they get the wrists! But Matt says hold on, give him a second.

The Bucks catch their breath, to E V P- NO! Cobb blocks the knees to lift both Bucks! The Bucks CLUB free, but then Cobb ducks Matt’s lariat! Cobb waistlocks, Matt grabs Nick, but Cobb DOUBLE GERMAN SUPLEXES The Bucks!! The fans are thunderous and Cobb feeds Matt to Khan’s IRON CLAW! Khan has the Bow ‘n’ Arrow rack, and he spins around and around for the SWINGING SLAM! Cobb GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULTS! Cover, Hiromu breaks it! Khan CLUBS and TOSSES Hiromu, and the Empire brings Matt up. Cobb goes up a corner, but Matt CLAWS Khan’s eyes! Matt CHOPS Cobb, fires haymakers, then climbs up after him.

Matt brings Cobb up, but Cobb fights back with body shots! Matt falls, but Naito storms up! Cobb HEADBUTTS Naito right down! Hiromu CHOPS Cobb! Hiromu climbs and fans fire up, but Matt YANKS Hiromu down! Matt and Hiromu argue, but then they come to an agreement. They both go up to get Cobb, and the fans fire up as they manage to DOUBLE SUPERPLEX him! The fans fire up and then Matt offers a fist bump. Hiromu says this is a “new team!” But then Matt SUPERKICKS Hiromu! The Bucks then focus on Cobb, Nick SHINING WIZARDS, and Matt cravats, ASSISTED SLICED BREAD! SHINING WIZARD! Cover, but Naito breaks it!

Nick CLAWS Naito’s back, kicks him low, then The Bucks whip Naito to a corner. Matt sends Nick in but Naito puts Nick outside! Matt runs up, Naito dodges, Nick GAMANGIRIS Matt! Naito DECKS Nick, then runs up on Matt! CORRIENDO- NO! Matt turns the tilt=o=whirl into a gut wrench! Cobb anchors Nick, but Nick KICKS him away! Only for Hiromu to SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB Nick into Cobb! DESTINO!! Cover, KHAN BREAKS IT! The fans fire up as Khan clamps on HITSUJIGOROSHI! Hiromu runs up so Khan lets Naito go. Hiromu dodges Khan to kick, KICK, and Naito ENZIGIRIS! Cobb DECKS Hiromu!

Cobb JABS Naito, then wrenches and tilt-o- NO! SHOTGUN from Hiromu! Then a SUPERKICK! Naito’s up top to ESPERANZA! Cobb is down, Hiromu intercepts Nick! LIJ double whip, Nick goes up and over, Matt SUPERKICKS Hiromu! Nick backslides Naito, Naito rolls through, but into a E V P TRIGGER!! Cover, KHAN BREAKS IT AGAIN! The fans fire up as Khan proves to be an MVP defender! Nick CLAWS Khan’s back for it, though, and now The Bucks double whip Khan. Khan grabs ropes to avoid the kicks! Khan runs up, The Bucks dodge, and they DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Khan stays up on rage alone!

But then DOUBLE SUPERKICKS take him down after all! Matt scoops Khan, Nick goes to the apron, but then Nick ASAI MOONSAULTS Cobb and Hiromu! Nick resets for the MELTZER DRIVER!! Cover, THE BUCKS WIN!!

Winners: The Young Bucks, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

Despite their cocky attitude, The Bucks still back up their words with actions! And now Matthew & Nicholas are once again on top of tag team wrestling! Will The Bucks soon make NJPW All Elite?

 

IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Jack Perry!

The Gene Blast just took this title off David Finlay, but seeing as he has a bone to pick with The Scapegoat, he had to sweeten the deal. Will Yota knock Hollywood Jack Perry off his high horse? Or will he already lose what he fought so hard to get?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it’s time for someone to make a sacrifice!

The bell rings and Yota stares down Jack while the fans rally up. Jack steps up to Yota, and the two tie up. Jack waistlocks, Yota switches then headlocks. Jack powers up and out, but Yota runs him over! Jack gets right up, takes a swing, but Yota dodges to hit a headlock takeover. Jack fights up, powers Yota to ropes then powers out, to then drop down and hurdle. Yota turns hip toss into arm-drag, then sweeps the legs. Jack UP KICKS, then runs in at the corner. Jack blocks a boot but Yota reel shim in for a DOUBLE STOMP! The fans cheer while Jack sputters. Yota goes up, up, but Jack DROPKICKS him out!

Yota hits apron then floor, and Jack snarls. Jack builds speed while fans rally up, and Jack DIVES! Blindside attack and Yota is sent into railing! Jack grins now but the fans boo. Jack shakes the railing to knock Yota over, then he brings Yota up for a whip. Yota hits railing hard, then falls in a heap. Jack refreshes the count, SPITS at the fans, then stands Yota up. Jack CLUBS Yota, then hits an APRON BACK SUPLEX! The fans rally for Yota but Jack lets his hair down, just to flick the sweat at the camera. Cover, TWO! The fans rally but Jack smirks as he paces. Jack drags Yota up to CHOP! Jack whips Yota to a corner, then LARIATS!

Jack snapmares, runs, and basement DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Yota stays in this, but Jack mockingly claps along. Jack sits Yota up to KICK him in the back, then CHOPS him in the chest! And CHOPS again! Yota falls back but Jack eggs him on. Yota sits up, so Jack CLAWS Yota’s face! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, and Jack stops just to soak up more heat. Jack goes back to Yota, brings him up and suplexes for a cover, TWO! Jack clamps on a chinlock but the fans rally up. Yota endures, fights to his feet, and fires body shots. Jack CLUBS Yota, then runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER!

Jack writhes, the fans rally up, and Yota catches his breath. Yota storms up to then DECK Jack! And ELBOW him down! And then whip, only for Jack to reverse. But Yota BOOTS Jack down! The fans fire up and Yota hauls Jack up for a GUT BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Jack stays in this but Yota stays cool. The fans rally, Yota brings Jack up, and Yota whips Jack to a corner. Yota runs up, and he STINGER SPLASHES! Jack falls and the fans fire up! Yota then goes up, up, and MARLOWE- NO, Jack trips Yota up! Jack CHOPS Yota on the back, has him in a Tree of Woe, then runs side to side to basement DROPKICK!

Yota falls out of the Tree but Jack puts him back in the corner. Jack runs to DOUBLE KNEE in the back, and GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Yota stays in this and Jack tells fans to hush. Jack drags Yota up, CLUBS him, then brings him around to put him in ropes. Jack ROCKS Yota in the back, then KNEES him! Yota dangles in ropes, and Jack DRAPING ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Yota survives and Jack is annoyed but the fans rally up. Jack eggs Yota on, drags him back up, and then short arm LARIATS! Yota stays up, so Jack short arm LARIATS again! Jack tries again, but swings into the BACKBREAKER, FLATLINER and STOMP!

The fans fire up for the Gene Combination, and Yota catches his breath while Jack flounders. Jack goes to a corner and Yota hoists him up top. Yota climbs up to fire forearm after forearm, but Jack pokes Yota in the eyes! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Jack CLUBS Yota. Jack hushes the fans, CHOPS Yota on the back, but then Yota fights back! Both men go to the very top, and Yota has Jack for a SUPER SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO! Jack survives but the fans fire up with Yota! Yota aims from a corner, grins and runs up, GENE- KNEE!! Jack hits Yota first but both men are down! That “Glass Jawbreaker” knee might’ve gotten busted by the Gene Blaster!

The fans rally up while both men stir, and then both men stand. Yota fires a forearm, but then he staggers back. Jack fires a forearm, but Yota comes back to fire another. Jack CHOPS, the fans fire up, and Yota CHOPS back! The fans fire up more while Jack staggers back to ropes. Yota eggs Jack on while grinning, so Jack puts some stank on the CHOP! Jack pie faces Yota, but Yota stands to CHOP! Jack sputters and drops to his knees, but rises to fire a forearm! Yota gives that back, and they go back and forth! Yota ROCKS Jack, fires a flurry, but Jack knees low! Jack whips, Yota reverses, but Jack leaps to SATELLITE DDT! Cover, TWO!

Jack grows frustrated but the fans fire up! Jack torture racks but Yota slips free, to SUPERKICK! Jack goes to a corner, Yota runs in, but Jack ELBOWS him! And ROLLING ELBOWS! And CHOPS! Yota winds up, but Jack ducks and shoves him at the ref! Then LOW BLOW! The fans boo but Jack wrenches and torture racks, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives and the fans fire up! Jack is frustrated again but he rolls to a corner. Jack aims as Yota rises, “We all have to sacrifice!” But Yota avoids the knee! Then GENE- NO, Jack dodges Yota’s knee, and he GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Yota rises!

The fans rally up again but Jack BOOTS Yota! Jack runs, but Yota swings! Jack ducks ‘n’ dodges, but then so does Yota! GENE BLASTER!! Cover, YOTA WINS!!

Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (still IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion)

The Scapegoat tried the tricks he learned from The House of Torture, but he could not cheat the natural order! Yota’s superior size, strength and honor saw him through, but he also eyes The Ace on commentary. Will this Reiwa Musketeer look to challenge one of the Heisei Musketeers in the near future?

 

Kenny Omega VS Gabe Kidd!

After a frightening battle with diverticulitis, and after being outed as an EVP by the treacherous Elite, The Best Bout Machine also had to deal with a certain Mad Man calling him out. Though to Gabe’s credit, he got The Cleaner’s attention. Will Omega make him regret it? Or will the NJPW Strong Openweight Champion show he’s the best now?

Gabe has a new theme song that’s all his own, no more sharing the War Dogs theme with the boys. But speaking of Tanahashi, Gabe tells The Ace that the only one beating Shibata is Gabe! Gabe shows off his new tattoo, and his new ring gear! It has the NJPW Lion Mark right on the side! Gabe keeps saying he’ll revive the true Strong Style, will that happen here tonight? Well, speaking of new theme song, Omega has one specially made by Final Fantasy 14 & 16 composer, Masayoshi Soken, with vocals by Jason Miller and even special voice over by Nobuo Uematsu. We know this because Omega let us know on social media.

The bell rings and the fans duel between “GABU! GABU!” and “KENNY! KENNY!” The two circle, then Gabe rushes up. Omega avoids Gabe, but then the two feel things out. Gabe SLAPS Omega, talks smack, but Omega tests the waters with shots of his own. The two circle, keep throwing shots, but then Gabe says F Omega, let’s go! They scrap, clinch, and end up on the ropes! The ref counts as the two keep throwing shots, and Omega turns things around on Gabe. Gabe headlocks, Omega powers up and out, but Gabe RUNS Omega over! The fans are torn but things speed up. Omega BOOTS Gabe, but Gabe BOOTS Omega!

Both men get forehead to forehead, then Omega CHOPS! Gabe shakes his head and CHOPS back! Omega felt that one, but he nods. Omega CHOPS Gabe, Gabe shakes his head, and Gabe CHOPS back! Gabe eggs Omega on so Omega CHOPS! Gabe felt that one, and he CHOPS back! Gabe eggs Omega on so Omega fires forearms! Omega CHOPS in a corner, then JABS! The ref reprimands about closed fists, so Omega whips Gabe corner to corner. Omega runs up, ELBOWS Gabe, then brings Gabe around to fireman’s carry. “You! Can’t! Escape!” ROLLING SENTON, then MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!

The fans fire up as Omega still pulls off the classic, but he does have to worry about his stomach. Omega’s fine so he sits Gabe up to KICK him in the back! Omega pie faces Gabe, stomps him around, then sits him up, for another KICK! Gabe writhes again and Omega stalks him. Omega CLUBS Gabe, stomps him, but Gabe glares at him in defiance. Omega stomps Gabe, but Gabe shouts, “KOI YA, ORA!” The fans cheer the use of Japanese, and Omega grins, before he CHOPS Gabe down! Omega watches Gabe rise, then winds up to JAB! JAB! JAB! The ref counts, fans actually boo Omega, and Gabe UPPERCUTS!

Gabe brings Omega over, “I’m a MAD MAN, y’know!” And as such, Gabe SUPLEXES Omega and himself up and out of the ring!! The fans fire up, the ref has Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney stay back, and the ring count starts. Gabe rises up, but Omega follows, and Gabe RAMS Omega into the apron! The count is 7 of 20, but Gabe whips Omega hard into railing! The ref again has Connors & Drilla stay back, but Gabe fires the fans up. Gabe drags Omega up, RAMS him back into railing, then UPPERCUTS! Gabe storms around to the timekeeper’s table, and he confiscates the table! And even the table next to it!

The ref tells Gabe that this is a regular match, win it in the ring! Gabe tells “AEW b*tch” Bryce to shut his mouth! Gabe then goes back for Omega, but Omega is in the ring! Omega WRECKS Gabe with a dropkick! Then he PLANCHAS! Down goes Gabe and the fans fire up! Omega has to catch his breath, and that impact hurts a bit more than he remembers. Omega puts the railing back in place while he stands, and he brings Gabe around to whip into railing! Gabe falls in a heap and the ref checks him. Omega again catches his breath, and again checks his stomach, but he comes back to fetch Gabe all the same.

Omega SMACKS Gabe off the apron, then SMACKS him again and again and again! Gabe flops over, the fans are torn, but Omega stands tall. Omega brings Gabe up and into the ring, then goes up to join him on the apron. Omega brings Gabe up, but Gabe SMACKS Omega! Both men wobble, but Gabe eggs Omega on. Omega hits back, so Gabe ROCKS Omega! Omega ROCKS Gabe, Gabe HEADBUTTS Omega! Both men wobble, but then Gabe fires up! The fans fire up, too, and Gabe reels Omega in. Omega fights the lift but Gabe CLUBS him! Gabe reels Omega in again, but Omega fights the driver, and he BACKDROPS Gabe!

Gabe ends up stuck on ropes, but then flops down to the apron and then the floor! The fans rally and duel, but Omega says, “Dying time’s here!” Omega hauls Gabe up, RAMS him into railing, and then SNAP DRAGON SUPLEXES Gabe to the floor! The fans fire up as Omega brings out his vicious side! Omega drags Gabe back up, then RAMS him into railing again! Omega reels Gabe in now, he gets the fans fired up, but there are plenty of boos, too. Omega feeds off both cheers and jeers to lift Gabe, and POWERBOMB him through the tables!! Gable writhes, hoisted on his own petard, and the ref calls for help!

Omega hops over railing while Gabe is still down on the floor. Connors & Drilla say this is all Bryce’s fault, but Omega stalks Gabe. Omega drags the wreckage out of the way, other refs finally show up to check Gabe, but Omega drags Gabe away before they can even start! But it’s plain to see that Gabe’s busted open! Omega stands Gabe up and leans him against railing. Gabe resists but Omega rains down fists, then CLAWS at Gabe’s wound! Fans boo but Omega just ignores them while he leaves Gabe behind. The refs finally do check Gabe, but then wait! Omega SPRINGBOARD SWANTON BOMBS!! Omega wipes out Gabe, the War Dogs, and the refs!!

The fans are thunderous, and again Omega finds that move hurts worse than he remembers. Gabe sputters, the crimson mask growing, but he still manages to talk some smack on Omega. Omega clutches his hip as he struggles to rise up. He perhaps went too hard for his first match back, but he still stands. The fans cheer, but then Omega has to sit down. Gabe sits up in a daze, and a Young Lion give Omega an icepack. Omega puts the pack on his hip, but then he kicks the Young Lion away! Omega is perhaps offended by the Young Lion’s assistance, but then he SMACKS Gabe with the icepack! Omega pretends to not know why the fans are upset.

But then Gabe attacks! The fans fire up as Gabe grabs a chair and he JAMS Omega! Then SMACKS him on the back! The fans fire up as the anti-hero paints himself with his own blood, and he sits the fallen hero up. Gabe ROCKS Omega with a right hand, then SMACKS him with another chair! Gabe drags Omega back to ringside, then POSTS him! Gabe hobbles, Connors & Drilla tell “G” to F Omega up! Gabe goes looking under the ring, and he brings out a TABLE! The fans fire up as Gabe is making this extra hardcore! Gabe BOOTS Omega, brings him around, but Omega tries to back suplex! Gabe fights back with elbows!

Gabe reels Omega in, “I’m a MAD MAN, y’know!” Omega grabs railing to fight the suplex, but Gabe CLUBS away on him! BRAINBUSTER through the table!! The fans are thunderous while both men are down! Gabe sits up cross-legged, calling out Shibata yet again! Gabe mockingly asks where Shibata went, then he busts up what’s left of the busted table! Gabe has a piece of wood, and he SMACKS Omega right in the head! The War Dogs are all fired up as Gabe stands tall, and even the fans are cheering! Gabe tells his boys to go find more furniture, and they all start putting chair after chair into the ring!

The fans are liking where this is going, and now we see Omega is busted open! Gabe BITES the bloody wound! Gabe spits and paces around, then he drags Omega back up. Gabe puts Omega in the ring, and he gathers up all the chairs the War Dogs fetched for him. Gabe kicks Omega, then he stacks chairs. Gabe JAMS Omega up with one, then adds it to the stack. But Omega BOOTS Gabe! And SLAM DUNKS Gabe on the chair pile! The fans rally as Omega, a deep red on his face already, makes his way to a corner. But then he flounders down, the blood loss already slowing him down. But then Omega roars and rises up!

The fans fire up, and Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe climbs up to get Omega, for a SUPERPLEX onto the chair pile!! The fans go nuts while both men take critical damage! Even so, The War Dogs are all fired up seeing Gabe do this to a previous leader of Bullet Club. Gabe rises first, and he dares Omega to get up. Gabe uses a chair to stand, and he brings it over to Omega. Gabe JAMS Omega up, then JAMS him again! Gabe runs up to JAM Omega again! But Omega grabs that chair! Omega HEADBUTTS Gabe! But Gabe swings! Omega dodges the chair shot to SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! And now Omega has a chair!

But Gabe HEADSHOTS first! And HEADSHOTS again! But then Omega HEADSHOTS back! And HEADSHOTS again! They’re even now and both men stagger back. The fans rally up as Omega and Gabe crawl towards center. Also, where’s a ref? Not just Bryce but any ref! Gabe and Omega crawl to each other, and Red Shoes hurries out here. Gabe and Omega stand to fire forearms! Red Shoes wants them to stop but they tell him to back off! The forearms keep going, faster and faster, harder and harder! Red Shoes focuses on clearing out the chairs, and Gabe fires shots from all sides! But Omega SLAPS back!

Gabe fires up, but Omega SLAPS again! Gabe gets pissed, but Omega ROCKS him, and then V-TRIGGER! Both men run, both men dodge, but V-TRIGGER hits first! Only for the COMEBACKER to hit last!! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! The “GABU! GABU!” is outweighing the “KENNY! KENNY!” Gabe staggers over to Omega, and he fires LARIAT after LARIAT from all sides! Omega staggers, but he CHOPS back! Gabe roars, runs, but Omega gets under! Gabe CLUBS Omega, CHOPS him, then runs, but into a SNAP RANA! Gabe tumbles out and Omega blinks the blood out of his eyes.

The fans fire up as Omega rises! The Terminator Drums return, and Omega builds speed! Omega FLIES! Direct hit and down goes Gabe! The fans are thunderous again as Omega staggers over that way. Omega stands Gabe up, brings him around, and puts him in the ring. Omega climbs a corner, takes aim, and BLINDSIDE MISSILE DROPKICKS! Gabe flounders, Omega takes aim, and he runs corner to corner, BLINDSIDE V-TRIGGER! Gabe sputters, Omega reels him in and puts him up top. Omega climbs up and vows to end this! Omega half nelsons, but Gabe resists the full nelson! The fans rally as Omega CLUBS Gabe!

Omega goes up to the very top, and he drags Gabe up to join him! Red Shoes don’t do it, Kenny! Omega doesn’t care, SUPER SNAP DRAGON!! Both men are down while the fans fire up! Omega crawls to a cover, TWO!! Gabe survives, the fans fire up again, but Omega underhooks! JAY DRILLER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Omega’s shoutout to #DemBoys doesn’t finish this, but the fans are thunderous all the same! Omega takes aim at Gabe and says BANG! Omega runs, V-TRIGGER!! And then Electric Chair Lift, but Omega’s core won’t let him! The War Dogs shout for Gabe to rise, and the fans duel as hard as they can!

Omega roars, vows to end this now, and he Electric Chair Lifts Gabe! ONE WINGED- NO, Gabe slips free to COBRA TWIST!! The fans go nuts as Gabe uses Inoki’s move! Omega endures, even as Gabe digs his elbow in and pulls as hard as he can! Gabe roars as he puts all he has into this hold, only for Omega to have the ROPEBREAK! But Gabe GERMAN SUPLEXES! Omega stands, LARIATS, but Gabe stays up! And he O-KNEES Omega down!! Then PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Omega survives and Gabe can’t believe it! The fans are thunderous all the same as Omega manages a wild grin on his face.

Gabe rises, roars, and the fans fire up with him! Gabe brings Omega up, reels him in, and POWER- NO, Omega fights the bomb, but Gabe stops the rana! TIGER DRIVER! And then LEG TRAP PILEDRIVER!! Omega bounces, Gabe covers, ROPEBREAK!!! Omega survives by a literal foot and no one can believe it! The fans rally up as Gabe pounds the mat! Gabe rises, seethes and snarls, and Tokyo Dome is more and more behind him as he goes! Gabe drags Omega up, suplexes, but Omega blocks! Gabe fires body shots, then suplexes, but Omega fights free! Omega wrenches, but Gabe ENZIGIRIS!

Gabe runs up, Omega BOOTS the lariat then KNEES Gabe down! Gabe sputters at the ropes, Omega reloads and runs up, V-TRIGGER!! Omega reels Gabe in, lifts him up, FALLING POWERBOMB!! V-TRIGGER!! Cover, ONE?!!? HOW?!? Fighting spirit is fighting spirit but Gabe is superhuman! He flips Omega off, so Omega grabs those fingers! Gabe says “DO IT!” KAMI-GOYE!! Omega then hauls Gabe up, Electric Chair, ONE WINGED ANGEL!!! Cover, Omega wins!!!

Winner: Kenny Omega, by pinfall

Whether you hated Omega leaving NJPW to create AEW, or you love Omega for being true to himself, we must all accept that he IS The Best Bout Machine! It seems even Tanahashi was moved to tears by this display of Strong Style. Omega rose like a phoenix to win, but Gabe proved he is NJPW Strong. Will we see these two run it back one day? And either way, what is next for both men in this New Year?

 

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Ricochet!

The Frontman made it through 43 minutes against The Roughneck, but now he puts the title on the line against The One & Only. Trevor Mann just showed the world his dark side on AEW Dynamite, but will now shine with gold? Or will ZSJ make him #JustTapOut?

Speaking of psycho Trevor, Ricochet BOOTS ZSJ off the apron during his entrance! The fans boo, but Ricochet DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp, the bell rings, and Ricochet puts ZSJ in! Ricochet then springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK! ZSJ tumbles back out, Ricochet builds speed and SASUKE SPECIALS! Ricochet puts ZSJ back in, to SPRINGBOARD 450 SPLASH! Cover, TWO! The fans are torn but Ricochet is all fired up! ZSJ finally gets his jacket off, and Ricochet stands him up to CHOP! ZSJ staggers, Ricochet storms up, and Ricochet CHOPS ZSJ in the corner. Ricochet runs corner to corner, but ZSJ puts him on the apron

ZSJ runs up, Ricochet RAMS him, but then ZSJ UPPERCUTS Ricochet! ZSJ traps Ricochet in ropes to KICK Ricochet in the head! Ricochet tumbles out and staggers away, but ZSJ pursues. ZSJ UPPERCUTS Ricochet down, then UPPERCUTS again! ZSJ UPPERCUTS Ricochet more, then whips him to railing., Ricochet stops himself, ELBOWS back, then uses the railing to QUEBRADA, but into a cravat! ZSJ puts Ricochet on the apron, then NECK TWISTS! The fans fire up while ZSJ holds on! Red Shoes reprimands, ZSJ lets go, and the fans rally up. ZSJ rolls in, brings Ricochet around, and he ties up the legs right into a DEATHLOCK!

ZSJ stands while Ricochet flounders! Ricochet CHOPS from below, but ZSJ just bridges back to put on the pressure! ZSJ then stands to sit Ricochet up, and steps over to add a KIMURA! Ricochet flails around with one arm, and finds the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go and the fans cheer. ZSJ sits Ricochet up to KICK him back down! Ricochet snarls as he sits back up, but ZSJ KICKS him again! Ricochet sits up, but ZSJ pushes him down to NECK TWIST! Ricochet writhes, and ZSJ brings Ricochet up. Ricochet UPPERCUTS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS in return! Ricochet sits down, but ZSJ brings him up to shove and HEADBUTT low!

Ricochet drops to a knee, but ZSJ brings him up, shoves him to ropes, and HEADBUTTS him in the lower back! ZSJ then UPPERCUTS Ricochet, shoves him, but Ricochet rolls off ZSJ’s back! Ricochet dodges to handspring and BACK ELBOW! Both men are down and the fans fire up. Ricochet goes to a corner, ZSJ runs up, and ZSJ blocks a boot. But Ricochet ENZIGIRIS! ZSJ runs back in, but Ricochet dodges! Ricochet RAMS ZSJ, goes out to ENZIGIRI, then he springboards to FLYING LARIAT! Ricochet keeps moving, SHOOTING STAR, then somersault and LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this and the fans rally up.

Ricochet grows frustrated, but he eggs ZSJ on. ZSJ sits up so Ricochet KICKS him in the back. Ricochet reels ZSJ in, ZSJ fights the lift, so Ricochet CLUBS him! ZSJ sits down, Ricochet CHOPS him! Ricochet reels ZSJ in, hoists him up, but ZSJ fights around to have a SLEEPER! ZSJ is a backpack, but Ricochet RAMS him into buckles! ZSJ still holds on, so Ricochet RAMS him in again! ZSJ still holds on, and Ricochet drops to a knee. Ricochet fights up, RAMS ZSJ into buckles, then runs corner to corner to BACKPACK CANNONBALL! ZSJ lets go and both men are down! TMDK coaches ZSJ from the corner but Ricochet sits up first.

The fans rally as ZSJ and Ricochet both rise up. ZSJ is on his knees, and Ricochet fires a forearm! ZSJ glares at Ricochet but Ricochet fires another forearm! ZSJ stands, Ricochet eggs him on, so ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Ricochet fires forearms and UPPERCUTS, but then ZSJ UPPERCUTS again! Ricochet UPPERCUTS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS Ricochet at ropes, runs, but into a TIGER WALL KICK! Ricochet fires fast hands, a SOBAT, and a KNEE! Then a DISCUS LARIAT! The fans fire up and Ricochet runs, to LARIAT again! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this but Ricochet fires up! “IKU ZO!” The fans rally and Ricochet runs up, to AX- NO! ZSJ blocks the kick!

ZSJ twists the leg, ANKLE LOCK! Ricochet rolls to throw ZSJ away, then he V-TRIGGERS! Ricochet then lifts ZSJ up, powerbomb to fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! ZSJ survives and the fans rally up again. Ricochet grows frustrated, goes to a corner, and the fans rally up more. Ricochet loads up, runs up, but ZSJ ducks Spirit Gun! UPPERCUT! Ricochet bounces off buckles and ZSJ fires up again! The fans are with ZSJ as he PENALTY KICKS! But ZSJ is too tired to make the cover! The fans rally for ZSJ as he hobbles a bit. ZSJ brings Ricochet up, full nelsons, but Ricochet fights free!

Ricochet switches, ZSJ switches, but Ricochet elbows free! Ricochet handsprings, but into the SNAP DRAGON! Ricochet’s right up!? But ZSJ ducks the discus to DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Both men are down and the fans rally up again. ZSJ stands, he brings Ricochet around, and the fans cheer ZSJ on. ZSJ sits Ricochet up for a KICK! Ricochet flops over, but ZSJ hauls him up. ZSJ scoops, Ricochet slips out and inverted suplexes! ZSJ slips out but Ricochet ROCKS him! ZSJ runs, leaps, but into a Gory Especial! Swing and KNEE! Ricochet then NORTHERN LIGHTS! Roll through and deadlift into a snap suplex!

Ricochet isn’t done, he drags ZSJ to the apron! APRON SNAP SUPLEX! But Ricochet still isn’t done, he holds on as the two go to the floor! The fans go nuts for the snap suplex to the floor! Ricochets an #OuttaThisWorld Three Amigos and Red Shoes checks ZSJ. ZSJ is somehow still in this, and both men slowly stir. The ring count starts, Ricochet rolls in at 11 of 20, but ZSJ is still down at 13! And at 15! 16! 17! ZSJ staggers up at 18, but leaps in at 19.5!! The fans fire up as ZSJ is safe! Ricochet realizes this and is frustrated again. Ricochet asks if ZSJ is really going to do this. Ricochet and ZSJ talk trash at each other, then head for center.

Ricochet SLAPS ZSJ! ZSJ SLAPS Ricochet! The SLAPS go back and forth, and both men stand up! Ricochet grins, and he ROCKS ZSJ! ZSJ nods and walks that off. The fans rally up and ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Ricochet staggers to ropes, and ZSJ eggs on “Hage <Baldie>.” The fans laugh and Ricochet says okay then. Ricochet flicks his sweat at ZSJ then UPPERCUTS! ZSJ says not good enough, and he UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! Red Shoes counts as Ricochet is in the corner, so ZSJ backs off. The fans rally up as ZSJ runs in, but Ricochet JUMP KNEES him down! Ricochet snarls and roars!

ZSJ is in a daze but Ricochet storms over to stand him up. Ricochet puts ZSJ in a corner, then puts him up top. Ricochet CHOPS, then climbs. But ZSJ grabs Ricochet for a KIMURA! Then he traps that arm to pull the other! Ricochet endures but Red Shoes reprimands, none of this will count! ZSJ shoves Ricochet down, but Ricochet GAMANGIRIS in return! Ricochet HEADBUTTS, then climbs back up. But ZSJ scoops Ricochet! Ricochet fights, but ZSJ still SUPER ZACK DRIVERS!!! Cover, TWO?!? But into an ARMBAR!! ZSJ has Ricochet’s head caught in a cravat using his feet, and he adds a MOUNTED ARMBAR!

Ricochet endures, fans rally up, and ZSJ shifts to go for the arms again. Ricochet scoots back to the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go, and he fires the fans back up. ZSJ isolates Ricochet’s arm to STOMP it! Ricochet writhes, but ZSJ stands on his hand! ZSJ isolates that arm, and STOMPS it! Ricochet clutches both his elbows, but ZSJ KICKS him in the chest! And KICKS him again! And KICKS again! Ricochet manages to grab the leg, and he CLUBS the foot! But ZSJ blocks the backhand to PELE the arm! Ricochet ROUNDHOUSES, then SUPERKICKS! ZSJ falls, Ricochet dragon sleepers! Inverted suplex, VERTIGO!! Cover, TWO!!

ZSJ survives but Ricochet hurries to a corner! The fans rally up, Ricochet goes up top, and Ricochet SHOOTING STAR PRESSES! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives and Ricochet can’t believe it! The fans fire back up while Ricochet vows to end this. Ricochet runs up to AX KICK! And then dragon sleeper for SPINNING VERTIGO!! Cover, TWO?!?! ZSJ survives again but Ricochet roars! The fans rally, but Ricochet calls for “that!” Ricochet climbs up the corner, takes aim, and RICOCHET 630 FLOPS!!! ZSJ avoids disaster, and runs to PENALTY KICK!! The fans are thunderous as ZSJ scoops, SABRE DRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?!?

ZSJ can’t believe it, but Ricochet survives! The fans rally, ZSJ hauls Ricochet up and hooks the leg, ZACK SAB- NO, Ricochet victory rolls! TWO! ZSJ BOOTS Ricochet! Ricochet DECKS ZSJ! But that’s a closed fist! Ricochet just DECKS ZSJ again! And then winds up, to DECK him again! TMDK and Red Shoes both reprimand, and the fans even boo. Ricochet doesn’t care, he wants to win! Ricochet loads up, SPIRIT- NO, ZSJ catches that arm into an omoplata! ZSJ wants the other arm but Ricochet fights around! He still ends up in CLARKY CAT!! ZSJ pulls on that arm, ZSJ scissors the arms, and Ricochet QUITS! ZSJ WINS!

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by submission (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)

Ricochet shot first, but he still got bent out of shape! Will The One & Only simply have to go back to AEW and watch out for Swerve’s House?

As for ZSJ, Red Shoes and Hartley Jackson secure the belt around ZSJ’s waist, and TMDK stands with their Frontman. ZSJ then gets the mic to tell Ricochet, “Hold on, wait. Hey, baldie. Ricochet, thank you.” The fans do cheer that respect, and ZSJ say she won again. But ending the same way isn’t the most fun, is it? What should he talk about? His Japanese is slipping. He goes with English for now, and hopes there are some English speakers here. The fans cheer, and ZSJ says he might even do a standup routine.

But ZSJ says that NJPW “is the best professional wrestling company on this round Earth!” The fans cheer that, even those who don’t know that much English. ZSJ says he loves this country, he loves this company, and the future of NJPW is very bright. But right now, that future is effin’ orange! The fans cheer that, and ZSJ continues to say that TMDK will be the top of NJPW for a very, very long time. The young Japanese men, Fujita and Oiwa, will be champions very soon. Oh, wait, Fujita just won the tag titles with Eagles. ZSJ did get kicked in the head a lot, he wasn’t really prepared for this standup routine.

That said, Hartley is still alive so that’s an achievement. Oiwa will be next, that ZSJ promises. ZSJ says that is enough for today, so ZSJ thanks the fans for giving NJPW a great two day weekend! The fans cheer that, and ZSJ says they are TMDK. They are The Mighty, and The Mighty Don’t Kneel! ZSJ drops the mic, the fans cheer, and TMDK sits together on the apron. Will 2025 be the mightiest year in NJPW history?


My Thoughts:

An awesome inaugural WrestleDynasty from start to finish, with only a few results being surprising and/or confusing. The International Women’s Cup was great stuff, especially as I was only a little familiar with Momo Watanabe and had barely seen anything of Persephone. I thought Athena was likely to win this cup, but I suppose that was still in the scenario where Athena wasn’t ROH Women’s World Champion. But great win for Momo, that probably builds her up towards something big in Stardom, maybe even a shot at the IWGP Women’s Championship so that she can end Mayu Iwatani’s epic 622 day reign.

Great ROH Tag title match from Sons of Texas VS House of Torture, and it was great for the fans and even Japanese commentary to have so much fun watching Dustin bust out his classic moves. But duh, Dustin & Sammy were winning. That Lucha Gauntlet was not what I expected. For one, it wasn’t purely “luchadores,” or as we associate it, “masked wrestlers,” it was just various guys not doing anything. Plus, it was more akin to AEW’s Casino Gauntlet where they kept adding people. But I loved how Desperado kinda stepped in it by entering last, and it was genius for someone to win off Desperado to set up an IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship match.

Tanahashi VS Shibata as a five minute “exhibition” that turned into a chop fest was good stuff. It was a good way to have them both interact without having there be a winner and a loser. Maybe we get a proper match for Forbidden Door London or something, especially with this being Tanahashi’s last year as a wrestler. Yota staring down Tanahashi after was an interesting detail, too. Yota VS Perry was a great match, but I figured Yota would win out to retain the title he just won yesterday. Finlay losing the title made me think Brody was going to win today, but I guess not. Finlay overcoming Brody would be the one of the odd choices to me, but I suppose this is still a NJPW event, not an AEW event.

Another odd choice would be Mone winning to be a TRIPLE champion with four physical belts to carry around. Granted, Mone is still doing great work in the ring and outside the ring as a Heel, but even this seems like a lot. Mina not wanting to accept the handshake was a good detail, though, because Mone just seemed condescending in the moment. But now, Mone is going to bring all that hardware to AEW, how is anyone going to beat her? And perhaps the third odd choice is The Young Bucks winning the IWGP Tag titles. Granted, this might’ve been the plan even when it was Khan & Henare, not Khan & Cobb, but it was even more surprising when Naito & Hiromu were added. I suppose The Bucks will be in NJPW to “wait out” the Death Rider stuff in AEW, but that seems even stranger.

Speaking of the Death Riders, great match from Shota and Claudio, and great win for Shota. If The Bucks are hanging out in NJPW, I kinda hope Shota shows up in AEW so that he can fight against Moxley’s Death Riders alongside Rated FTR and/or Darby Allin as Darby makes his “heroic return.” Omega VS Gabe was incredible, especially for Omega’s first match back period. The fans loving Gabe is rather surprising, but I suppose they just appreciate how he wants current NJPW to be more like old school NJPW. Tanahashi getting emotional watching that match was also incredible, I love that he was that impressed and that proud of Omega and Gabe. Honestly, that was worthy of the main event spot.

But speaking of the main event, awesome stuff from ZSJ and Ricochet. Ricochet didn’t bring out psycho Trevor Mann like he did on Wednesday, but this was definitely that super cocky Heel persona he was working on beforehand. Great win for ZSJ, though, and great closing promo. I suppose with Hirooki Goto winning the Ranbo yesterday, we don’t need “A challenger approaches!” happening to close a show, just let TMDK have the moment. Then Goto can confront ZSJ either tomorrow for New Year Dash or sometime else down the line.

My Score: 9.3/10

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Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW WrestleKingdom 19 Results & Report! (1/4/25)

Do dreams truly come true?

Published

on

Is The Roughneck mightier than The Frontman?

NJPW returns to the Tokyo Dome for WrestleKingdom 19! Shota Umino wants the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, but will he #JustTapOut instead?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Kickoff – New Japan Rambo: Hirooki Goto wins and is the #1 contender to the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships Tokyo Terror Ladder Match: Intergalactic Jet Setters VS Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita VS Catch 2/2 VS Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Eagles & Fujita win, and become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
  • IWGP Women’s Championship: Mayu Iwatani VS AZM; Mayu wins and retains the title.
  • NJPW World Television Championship Fatal 4 Way: Ren Narita VS Jeff Cobb VS Ryohei Oiwa VS El Phantasmo; ELP wins and becomes the new NJPW World TV Champion.
  • The Ace’s Final Road Lumberjack Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS EVIL; Tanahashi wins and will NOT retire.
  • NEVER Openweight & AEW International Championships, Winner Takes All: Shingo Takagi VS Konosuke Takeshita; Konosuke wins and is the new double champion.
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: DOUKI VS El Desperado; Desperado wins by referee stoppage, and becomes the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.
  • IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: David Finlay VS Yota Tsuji; Yota wins and becomes the new IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion.
  • Tetsuya Naito VS Hiromu Takahashi; Naito wins.
  • IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Shota Umino; ZSJ wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Kickoff – New Japan Rambo!

In quite the shocking move to close 2024, the definitive KOPW Champion, Great-O-Khan, decided to DISCONTINUE the KOPW Championship! As great as his victory was, he wants there to be more, so now this battle royal will instead crown a NEW #1 Contender to the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship! Who survives to then aim at the very top of NJPW?

Well speaking of, Great-O-Khan starts us off, determined to be the one and only #1 contender! And entry number two is… JOSH BARNETT! The War Master returns to NJPW! The bell rings and these two circle. They feel things out, the fans rally and duel between Khan and Barnett. They tie up, Khan gets a leg and he drags Barnett down. Barnett moves around, slips free and goes for a facelock, but Khan slips out to use a leg guard. The fans cheer as these two reset. They circle again, feel things out, then clinch. They go around, Barnett hits an arm-drag and goes for a lateral press. Khan stays up, and entry number three is here!

The fans fire up as BOLTIN OLEG makes his way out here! Khan and Barnett focus on each other, but BARS is ready to be more than just NEVER Openweight Six Man Champion! Khan gets a ROPEBREAK, Barnett lets off to circle with his former student. They go around, clinch, and Oleg hits that arm-drag! The fans cheer, the two go again, and they clinch. Barnett hits a headlock takeover, but Oleg headscissors! Oleg wants an arm but Barnett turns and slips out the back. Barnett has legs, but Khan CLUBS him! Entry number four is already on their way while Khan CLUBS Oleg. Khan blocks a kick but Oleg knocks him down!

Number 4 is Hirooki Goto! The Fierce Warrior is determined to get back to the top of NJPW, could this be his moment? Oleg scoops Khan but Khan fights free to go after an arm. Oleg fights Khan off and clamps on a facelock! Goto storms in to run and LARIAT Oleg down! Goto then snap suplexes Khan onto Oleg! But Barnett WHEEL KICKS Goto down! The fans fire up as Barnett stomps Oleg to a corner. Barnett drops a knee, then he rains down forearms and elbows! Oleg fights around and rolls with Barnett into a double wristlock. Khan wants Goto’s arm but Goto fights free. Number five is now on their way!

Khan lifts Goto to RAM him into a corner, and here comes Yuji Nagata! The fans fire up for Blue Justice while Barnett has Oleg stuck on the mat and Khan digs his boots into Goto at the corner. Barnett lets off of Oleg so he and Nagata can go KICK for KICK! Khan fires Mongolian Chops on Goto, Barnett has a facelock on Nagata but Nagata fights out to go for an arm! Nagata and Barnett fire shots while Khan sits on his throne, aka Goto’s head! Oleg fires shots on Barnett but Barnett fires back! Oleg hits a BODY BLOW, then goes to scoop. Number six is on the way as Barnett fights off a fireman’s carry!

Barnett and Oleg are suck on the ropes, but Barnett is using an armbar takedown to drag Oleg over! They both go up, out and to the floor! DOUBLE ELIMINATION! By the way, number six is Togi Makabe! Oleg and Barnett shove each other as they finally separate, and Goto trades shots with Nagata. Nagata ROCKS Goto, fires off in a corner, and now the Uncaged Gorilla gets in to CHOKE Khan with that chain! The ref reprimands but Makabe lets off. Makabe then digs his boots into Khan, while Goto snapmares and KICKS Nagata! Cover, TWO! Nagata stays in this but Goto brings him up. Nagata ROCKS and stomps Goto again!

Khan CHOPS Makabe, Makabe ROCKS Khan, repeat! Makabe DECKS Khan, covers, TWO! Makabe keeps Khan down with a chinlock! Number seven is on the way, and it’s… KENTA! The DEFY Champion overcame Kenoh in Pro-Wrestling Noah, and he has an Absolute challenger eyeing him stateside, but he’ll still powerwalk his way to the ring if he can become #1 contender to the IWGP World title. Nagata stomps Goto around, Makabe has Khan down, so Kenta steps to Nagata. They fire forearms back and forth, then Kenta CLAWS Nagata’s eyes! Kenta BOOTS, Nagata BOOTS, and Nagata runs, only for Kenta to dodge!

Kenta fireman’s carries, Nagata fights against it, only to end up on the apron! Kenta fires hands but Nagata holds onto ropes! Nagata roars, Kenta ROCKS him, repeat! Kenta just wants Nagata to fall already, but Nagata ROCKS Kenta! Kenta fights the suplex, HOTSHOTS Nagata, then BOOTS him down! Kenta ELIMINATES Nagata! But now number eight is here, and it’s YOSHI-HASHI! Speaking of, Kenta goes after Goto, Hashi’s teammate! The Headhunter storms down the ring while Kenta rains down fists, then he hurries to help Goto! The forearms fly between Hashi and Kenta and the fans fire up!

Hashi CHOPS and Kenta sputters. Kenta goes to ropes, but he mule kicks! Hashi eggs Kenta on so Kenta CHOPS! Hashi CHOPS again and Kenta tries to ask the ref for help. The ref can’t do anything so Kenta just trades CHOPS! Then he CLAWS Hashi’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Kenta argues with him, and then Kenta stomps away on Hashi. Makabe has Khan in a SLEEPER, but Khan RAMS Makabe into buckles. Khan is free, but here comes number nine! It’s Tokyo Pimp, Yujiro Takahashi! Hashi goes after Kenta but here comes Takahashi. Makabe has Khan in a facelock while Hashi throws Kenta at ropes.

Kenta holds on, then whips Hashi, and Yujiro trips Hashi up! Bullet Club works together to whip Hashi to a corner. Kenta runs up to forearm SMASH! Yujiro BOOTS! Yujiro feeds Hashi to Kenta’s fireman’s carry! But Hashi slips free and shoves Kenta at Yujiro! Bullet Club avoids a collision, but Hashi SUPERKICKS Yujiro! Hashi then sends Kenta into Yujiro for real! Hashi THROWS Kenta at the ropes, but Kenta holds on! Hashi pushes Kenta, but Yujiro is after Hashi! Yujiro fires hands but Hashi fires back! Hashi whips, but Yujiro reverses, and Kenta holds down ropes! Hashi tumbles up and out, Bullet Club ELIMINATES Hashi!

Number ten is here, and it’s TORU YANO! Good thing the ramp is a long walk, Yano needs all his sponsors and endorsements read off in his intro first. Yano then hurries in, only to get mugged by Bullet Club! They double whip Yano, but he grabs ropes. Yano taunts Kenta, sends him into Yujiro, then SLAPS them both! Kenta runs up but Yano DUMPS him to the apron! Kenta stays up but then Yano sends Yujiro into him! Kenta falls, Yano rolls Yujiro up, THREE! Yano ELIMINATES Kenta and Yujiro!! The fans fire up and Yano smiles. Khan has Makabe in a Heel Hook, but Makabe has the ROPEBREAK!

The ref reprimands, Khan lets go, and here comes number 11! Everyone watches and waits, and it’s Hiroyoshi Tenzan! Another fan favorite makes his way out here, but Khan sits on Makabe as his new throne! Khan hops down to then HIP TOSS and cover, TWO! Makabe survives, Tenzan finally arrives, and he goes right after Khan! Tenzan CLUBS and stomps Khan, then HEADBUTTS! Tenzan eggs Khan on, and gives him Mongolian Chops! Or, uh, “Sweet Amashi Slammers,” since Khan won the rights to THE Mongolian Chops. Tenzan CHOKES Khan, the ref reprimands, and Tenzan lets off.

Tenzan stomps Khan to ropes, then drags him up. Tenzan HEADBUTTS Khan, stomps him in a corner, but Yano goes after Tenzan! Number 12 is here, and it’s Satoshi Kojima! The MLW World Champion is here, just in time to help his #TenKozy teammate! Yano brings Tenzan up to use the Mongolian Chops! Goto has Khan in a corner, Makabe watches and waits, but Kojima gets in to kick Yano! Kojima ROCKS Yano, Tenzan Mongolian Chops, repeat! Then Kojima uses the Mongolian Chops! The fans fire up as TenKozy mugs Yano, whips him corner to corner, but Yano dodges Tenzan to roll him up!

Kojima makes the save and fires off! Kojima sets Yano up, but then Yano ducks, Tenzan’s LARIAT takes out Kojima! Yano rolls Tenzan, Yano ELIMINATES Tenzan! Kojima fires off on Yano for it! Makabe goes after Khan while Kojima fires off on Yano, and here comes number 13, Tomoaki Honma! Everybody’s Kokeshi storms down the ramp while Goto and Makabe have DOUBLE ARMBARS on Khan! Khan manages to scoot into the ROPEBREAK, so Goto and Makabe let go. Yano turns things around on Kojima while Goto covers Khan, TWO!! Khan stays in this but Makabe covers, TWO!! Goto covers again, TWO!! Makabe tries, TWO!!

Honma CLOBBERS Yano! Then he fires up, runs the ropes, and KOKESHI FLOPS as Yano dodges! Yano flops out of the ring, Kojima brings Honma up, but Honma CHOPS Kojima! Kojima goes to a corner, Honma CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Honma CLUBS Kojima, then CLUBS him again. Cover, TWO! Makabe goes after Kojima, then he and Honma double whip Kojima corner to corner. Makabe LARIATS, Honma ELBOWS, then they double whip Kojima again. Makabe LARIATS, then feed to an ELBOW! Number 14 is here, and it’s SANADA! The Ranbo just got Cold Blooded!

Honma CLUBS Khan, he and Goto mug Khan, and Kojima keeps Makabe down. Sanada slides in but Kojima kicks him first! Koijma puts Sanada in a corner for MACHINE GUN CHOPS! The fans fire up and Kojima CHOPS again! Makabe says hold on, and he climbs up! Makabe rains down fists, and fans count all the way to TEN! Makabe laughs, then he and Kojima argue. Sanada runs up but they double kick him! They double whip, but Sanada gets under the lariats to send Makabe into Koijma! Then Sanada waistlocks Makabe, but Makabe switches. Sanada shoves the ref aside so he can LOW BLOW MULE KICK Makabe!

The fans boo but Sanada TOSSES Makabe! Makabe ends up going through the middle rope so he’s safe. Kojima goes after Sanada, Sanada gets around to waistlock, but Kojima switches back. Sanada MULE KICK LOW BLOWS Kojima, too! Number 15 is here, and it’s TAICHI! Sanada TOSSES and ELIMINATES Kojima, but one of the Just4Guys Sanada betrayed is on his way! Sanada waits on Taichi, and everyone else gives them room. The fans rally for Taichi while he takes off his entrance attire. Taichi storms in, but then Sanada slithers out! The fans boo but Taichi storms out after him! They brawl on the outside, all legal since they went under the top rope.

Taichi whips, Sanada reverses, and Taichi hits railing! Makabe and Khan copy them a bit as they slide out and brawl on the outside! Goto and Honma brawl in the ring, but the extra refs reprimand Sanada and Taichi. Goto snapmares and KICKS Honma, covers, TWO! Number 16 is here, and it’s Tomohiro Ishii! The Stone Pitbull already gets his shot at whoever is NEVER Openweight AND AEW International Champion tomorrow, but is Ishii working to become a belt collector? Khan slides into the ring but Goto goes right after him! Khan gets free, he stomps Goto, then he goes after Ishii! Ishii roars and ROCKS Khan!

Honma fires forearms but Ishii ROCKS Honma! Ishii runs, RAMS Honma, but Honma roars! Honma ROCKS and RAMS Ishii, Ishii rebounds, but Honma LARIATS! Honma runs, KOKESHI! The fans fire up and Honma suplexes, but Ishii fights it! Ishii suplexes, but Honma fights it! Honma wrenches, the forearms fly, but Honma roars! Ishii runs, Honma blocks a lariat to HEADBUTT! Then RUNNING KOKESHI gets ROCKED! And then Ishii suplexes for a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, Ishii ELIMINATES Honma! And now the last entry, number 17, is Alex Zayne! The fans fire up for The Sauce, could he really spice things up?

Sanada has Taichi in the ring, just to try and throw him out! Taichi lands safe on the apron, then slides back in! Ishii stomps Khan, Sanada fires shots on Taichi, Goto stays safe under the bottom rope. Zayne slides in, watches as Taichi DANGEROUS- NO, Sanada fights free! Sanada whips, Taichi reverses to DANGEROUS HOOK KICK! The fans fire up with Taichi as he runs, AX- NO, Sanada gets under to waistlock. Taichi switches, Sanada shoves the ref again, but Taichi avoids the low blow! Sanada FAKES a low blow from Taichi!! The ref gets fooled and he ELIMINATES Taichi by disqualification!! The fans boo and Taichi is furious!

Taichi glares at Sanada, Sanada jumps over the top rope just to taunt him, but then Taichi BOOTS Sanada down! Taich ELIMINATES Sanada after all! The fans cheer and Taichi goes after Sanada by sending him into railing! Meanwhile, Yano rolls Zayne up, TWO! Zayne ENZIGIRIS Yano! Khan ROCKS Ishii, Goto waistlocks Zayne. Zayne switches, Goto wrenches out, and he whips Zayne. Zayne ducks ‘n’ dodges, IMPLODER KNEES! STANDING CINNAMON TWIST! Zayne stands Goto up to whip, but Goto reverses. Zayne grabs ropes, Yano RAMS Goto with a buckle pad! Yano then runs up on Zayne, but Zayne DUMPS Yano and ELIMINATES him!

The final four brawl now, but we have to go to just one! Khan has Ishii in the IRON CLAW! ELIMI- NO, Ishii slips free to suplex! Khan fights that to scoop Ishii! Khan goes for ropes, he puts Ishii on the apron! Khan fires forearms, but Ishii ROCKS Khan in return! Ishii calls to Zayne, Zayne runs up, but Khan puts Zayne on the apron! So Ishii ROCKS Zayne! Zayne holds onto ropes, and he ROCKS Ishii! Ishii holds on, they brawl, Khan BLASTS Ishii down to ELIMINATE him! Zayne RAMS into Khan, slips into the ring, but Goto knees and hammerlocks him! Khan runs up, Zayne catches Khan, RANA SNAPMARE COMBO!

Zayne fires up with the fans, and he kicks Goto! Mule kick for Khan! Zayne runs to DOUBLE ROLLING AX KICK! Zayne drags Goto up, whips him to a corner, but Goto reverses. Goto runs in but he blocks boots! Goto puts Zayne on the apron, but Zayne catches Goto! Khan runs up, Goto gets free, Khan CLOBBERS Zayne! Zayne falls to the floor, Khan ELIMINATES him! Goto and Khan are the final two! The fans fire up and duel between “O-KHAN! O-KHAN!” and “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” They circle, tie up, and Khan ripcords to SAYANAGI! Goto flounders to a corner, Khan runs up and LARIATS!

Khan snapmares Goto, stalks him, and as Goto rises, Khan runs in! BOOT! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives and the fans fire up! Khan drags Goto up to Mongolian Chop! Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chop! Khan roars and runs, but Goto catches him! URA G T R! And then a TOSS! Khan holds onto ropes! The fans fire up as Goto snarls, and Goto runs up! Khan RAMS into Goto first! Khan drags Goto up and suplexes! Goto fights that, and he suplexes! Khan fights that, suplexes Goto again, but Goto fights free! Goto HEADBUTTS, runs, and LARITS Khan down! GOTO WINS!!

Winner: Hirooki Goto, by ring-out (NEW #1 Contender to the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship)

The Fierce Warrior has done it! He starts his 2025 by winning a guaranteed title shot! Zack Sabre Jr. and Shota Umino battle it out tonight, and then one of them is bringing that title to WrestleDynasty! Who will it be that Hirooki Goto battles for the top prize in NJPW?

 

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships Tokyo Terror Ladder Match: Intergalactic Jet Setters VS Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita VS Catch 2/2 VS Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney!

As if Kushida & Kevin Knight weren’t already raising the stakes by taking on the Super Junior Tag League winners, and the team that beat them during the round robin phase, and the former champions they beat to get these titles, they’re truly escalating things with these ladders! Who literally rises above to reign supreme in the Junior Tag Division?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised high over head, and for the first time in NJPW, a team must rise up to take them!

The bell rings and the brawl is on! It is chaos but the War Dogs stand tall being the biggest and meanest team! But then Knight springboards to CROSSBODY the War Dogs and Catch 2/2! The fans fire up, TMDK brings in a ladder! Knight hurdles the ladder, Kushida DROPKICKS TMDK down, and then Knight SPLASHES the ladder down on them! The fans fire up for that double-edged play, and the Jet Setters take the ladder. TJP runs in and kicks Knight, CHOPS Kushida, then takes the ladder for his own. He and Knight fight over the ladder, so TJP RAMS Knight into the corner. Kushida runs up but TJP sends him into the ladder!

Francesco Akira runs up and TJP gives him a boost to DROPKICK Kushida, ladder and Knight! The fans fire up while the Jet Setters fall out of the ring, but here come the War Dogs, with chairs! Drilla JAMS Akira, Connors knocks TJP over, and TJP’s hand is trapped under the ladder! Drilla SMACKS TJP on the back! Connors takes the ladder, but Akira uses it to RAM him into a corner! Drilla runs up, Akira sends him at the ladder, but Drilla stops shirt. Drilla blocks a kick, gives it to TJP then SUPERKICKS TJP! Drilla ROUNDHOUSES Akira, then Connors CLOBBERS Catch 2/2 with the ladder!

The War Dogs get the ladder up, Fujita returns but Connors JAMS him up! The War Dogs then HIGH LOW with the chairs!! Fujita flounders away, Connors goes out to CLOBBBER him and Eagles! Then Connors goes for a tall ladder! Connors slides that in, Drilla stands it up, and they both climb. But Kushida is back and he handsprings to TOPPLE the ladder over, the War Dogs going with it! Eagles and TJP climb the same corner, they brawl, so Kushida HANDSPRING KICKS them both down! And he WRECKS Akira with a dropkick! The Jet Setters regroup and bring a table around. Kushida then brings Drilla over and SMACKS him off the table!

The fans fire up as Kushida stands Drilla up while Knight goes up the corner. But Connors SHOVES Knight down! Drilla powers out of Kushida’s hold and THROWS him over railing! Knight returns, goes up the apron, but Connors CHUCKS a chair at him! Kevin crashes ‘n’ burns while the War Dogs take that table. They prop it up against railing, then drag Kushida up. Drilla reels Kushida in, gets him up, DRILLA KILLA on the edge of the table! The table doesn’t break but Connors barks at Kushida. Connors beats down Akira, too, and Drilla gets another table. Drilla drags Akira up and Connors climbs a corner!

The fans freak out as Drilla suplexes, but TJP SHOVES Connors down! TJP KICKS Drilla onto the table! Akira goes up, then goes up onto TJP! Take pictures for this one! SUPER SENTON down through the table!! Akira and Drilla are down in the wreckage while the fans go wild! Connors BLASTS TJP off the apron! Eagles gets Connors with an ASAI DDT! Knight FLYING LARIATS Eagles! The fans fire up as Knight stands that tall ladder up again. Knight adds a shorter ladder as a bridge, but then Connors CLUBS Knight! And SMACKS him off the ladder! Connors whips, but Knight hurdles the ladder!

Knight dropkicks under the ladder, taking Connors’ legs out! Connors SMACKS off the ladder bridge! Knight puts Connors on the ladder bridge, making sure it is in position. Knight CLUBS away on Connors, then gives Eagles the green light! Eagles SPRINGBOARD 450 SPLASHES Connors and the ladder!! Both Connors and Eagles bounce off and go tumbling away! The fans fire up and Knight hurries to climb. Fujita adds another tall ladder to the mix! Fujita YANKS Knight down, stands his ladder up, and now he climbs up! But Akira joins him! They both reach the top, reach for the belts, then fire foerarms!

TJP has Fujita in an Electric Chair! The fans fire up as TJP brings Fujita around, for the LEANING TOWER!! But Eagles is back, and he uses the ladder bridge to take a shortcut! TJP springboards to meet him there! Eagles fires hands, then grabs at the belts! But TJP BLOOD MISTS! Eagles flails blindly, and TJP slips around using Fujita’s latter! SUPER FINAL CUT down through the ladder bridge!! The fans go wild as Eagles writhes, but Akira climbs! Kushida hurries to stop Akira, and has him in an Electric Chair! Knight joins in, TIME 2 FLY! Knight hurries to get the ladders positioned just right before he climbs.

The fans rally, but Drilla grabs Knight! Kushida runs up but Drilla ROCKS him! Kushida gets him back with a BUCKLE SHOT! Knight grabs for belts, but maybe he miscalculated position. Connors runs up, Knight KICKS him away! So Connors goes for the ladder! But Kushida SHOTEIS Connors down! Knight changes position, and he says METCHA TSUYOI~! SUPER DUPER PERFECT TIMING!!! The Jet Setters risk it all just to take Drilla down! But they then use a ladder to keep Drilla down! Kushida climbs with Drilla stuck, but Fujita is back to drag Kushida down! Fujita climbs now, but Kushida goes after him!

Kushida has an ANKLE LOCK! Fujita tries to reach for the belts, but then Kushida THROWS him off the ladder! But Eagles traps Kushida in the rungs! Kushida fights free, and Knight takes Eagles to the UPPER ROOM! Knight hurries up, but Drilla powers up to bench press the ladder!! Knight falls onto the ropes!! Knight flops out to the floor and Drilla stands! Drilla repositions the ladder, climbs up, but TJP returns. Drilla kicks him away, so TJP just climbs up the other side! Drilla fires hands, but both men slip down a few rungs. TJP YANKS Drilla into the ladder again and again! Drilla falls hard, but Eagles is back!

Eagles SMACKS TJP! TJP hits back! They brawl up top, then wobble. Their tag partners get the other ladder and they climb up! Fujita is next to TJP, Akira is next to Eagles, and all four men meet at the very top! The fans fire up as TMDK and Catch 2/2 brawl left and right and across the way! Eagles gest the edge on TJP, then ROUNDHOUSES! TJP falls, but Akira BOOTS Eagles! Akira SMACKS Fujita off the top, then reaches for belts! But Fujita BODY SHOTS! Fujita reaches out, Akira BODY SHOTS! Akira tries again, but Fujita grabs a leg! Akira is stuck in a DRAGON SLEEPER on the very top! Fujita CLUBS Akira, grabs the belts, and TMDK WINS!!

Winners: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

The Mighty Don’t Kneel, and tonight, they stand tall above the rest! Eagles & Fujita won the Super Junior Tag League, so it is only fitting that they win the titles! Will 2025 be the Year of the Mighty?

 

IWGP Women’s Championship: Mayu Iwatani VS AZM!

The Sky Blue Hyper Technician and the High Speed Bomb Girl have a storied rivalry, and have even teamed with each other on occasion. But for the first time ever, they battle over this title, the bridge between NJPW and Stardom! Will Mayu continue to be the Icon of Stardom? Or will AZM turn the corner on a new chapter in her career?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, with a quick photo op, and we see whose star shines brightest!

The bell rings and the two run up to fire forearms! The fans rally as the shots go faster and faster! AZM gets the edge, but Mayu SOBATS! The fans fire up as Mayu whips AZM to ropes, but AZM trips her up! AZM runs to PENALTY KICK, then BASEMENT DROPKICK! The fans fire up as AZM kips up, and Mayu bails out. AZM goes corner to corner, then up and up and ESCALARA CROSSBODY! Direct hit on Mayu! The fans fire up with AZM and she throws off the gloves. AZM puts Mayu in the ring, then hurries to bring her up. AZM runs, tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA into a FUJIWARA ARMBAR!

Mayu endures, fights around, rolls, but AZM whips her to a corner. AZM Runs up, Mayu slips out to then roll her, and BASEMENT DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Mayu now while AZM flounders to ropes. Mayu runs and DROPKICKS AZM against ropes! Mayu drags AZM to a drop zone and fires up! Mayu climbs, aims, and FROG SPLASHES! Cover, TWO! AZM stays in this and the fans fire up again. Mayu drags AZM up, brings her around to waistlock, but AZM fires elbows. AZM whips Mayu to a corner, runs up, but Mayu SUPERKICKS! Mayu goes up and up, but AZM KICKS the legs out!

AZM goes up the corner, and she WOE STOMPS Mayu down! AZM kicks Mayu to center, then goes up the corner for a DIVING DOUBLE STOMP! Mayu writhes, AZM pushes her to a cover, TWO! AZM is frustrated already but the fans rally up. AZM drags Mayu up, but Mayu kicks! AZM blocks, Mayu ducks a kick, and they DOUBLE FOREARM! And DOUBLE ROUNDHOUSE! AZM ROUNDHOUSES again, runs, but into a SUPERKICK! Both women are down and the fans fire up! AZM flounders away while the fans rally. AZM goes to ropes, Mayu pushes herself up, and they end up in opposite corners. Mayu runs up to DROPKICK AZM in the corner!

The fans fire up as Mayu goes out to the apron. Mayu climbs the corner again, and she leaps for a MISSILE DROPKICK! AZM flounders away but Mayu hurries to put her in the drop zone. Mayu calls for the end! Mayu climbs, MOONSAULT FLOPS as AZM moves! AZM runs up, Mayu ducks the buzzsaw but not the RETURN! Mayu flops over and AZM hurries to get her back up. AZM’s teammates rally at ringside as she reels Mayu in. But Mayu powers out of the Destroyer! Mayu full nelsons, but AZM fights that off to DESTROYER!! AZM brings Mayu around, underhooks the arms, and ROLLING TIGER DRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?

Mayu survives and shocks AZM! The fans fire up as AZM drags Mayu into a drop zone. AZM goes up the corner, takes aim, and DIVING- BOOTS from Mayu!! Mayu turns things around and the fans fire up again! AZM and Mayu slowly sit up, and they grab at each other. They both stand, AZM breaks fere to dodge and LA MYSTICA, then AZM SUSHI! TWO!! Mayu escapes, BUZZ- NO, AZM blocks that, slips around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, ONE?!? Both women stand, run up, and Mayu gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, ONE!!! But Mayu holds on, tries again, and then shifts to a full nelson!

But AZM victory rolls! TWO!!! Mayu escapes with nanoseconds to spare! Both women stand, AZM runs up to LA- NO, Mayu stops the tilt-o-whirl, and brings AZM into a TOMBSTONE!! Mayu vows to end this, and she goes to a corner. The fans fire up more as Mayu climbs, MOONSAULT!! Cover, TWO?!?! AZM survives and shocks Mayu! Mayu roars as she rises up, and she hauls AZM into a waistlock. Then full nelson! HIGH DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, MAYU WINS!

Winner: Mayu Iwatani, by pinfall (still IWGP Women’s Champion)

A truly fast ‘n’ furious showdown, and it is the Icon that stands tall! Will Mayu continue to shine as her reign continues past 622 DAYS?

 

NJPW World Television Championship Fatal 4 Way: Ren Narita VS Jeff Cobb VS Ryohei Oiwa VS El Phantasmo!

The Souled Out Son of Strong Style was already in a sticky situation when it was just The Imperial Unit and The Mullet coming for him. But The Headbanga made an incredible return having overcome cancer, and is ready to make an even greater comeback! Will this title have a new “season” with the New Year? Or will this still be the Ren Narita Show?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s the real star of the show!

The challengers surround Narita, so Narita quickly bails out. But then Cobb goes out one side, Oiwa out the other, and Narita is again trapped! ELP DIVES onto Narita to take him out at the ramp! The fans fire up, the bell rings, and we’re still on the clock. Oiwa and Cobb hurry into the ring and they RAM shoulders! And RAM, and RAM! Oiwa kicks low, headlocks, but Cobb powers out. Oiwa RAMS Cobb, Cobb rebounds to RAM Oiwa! Oiwa RAMS Cobb again, the two talk trash, and ELP storms in, only for Cobb and Oiwa to run him over! Cobb and Oiwa then fire forearms back and forth!

The fans rally up, Oiwa dodges but DOUBLE FOREARMS hit! ELP runs up but Oiwa dodges in the corner! Oiwa HIP TOSSESS ELP high and hard! Cobb deadlifts ELP for a suplex TOSS! Oiwa TOSSES ELP, then he and Cobb RAM into each other. Oiwa runs, and he RUNS Cobb over! The fans fire up, Oiwa whips to YANK Cobb’s arm, and then he isolates that arm to STOMP it! Cobb writhes, but Oiwa clamps onto the arm, SHANKLY GATES! Cobb endures, and Narita storms in to CHOKE Oiwa! The ref reprimands then counts, and Narita lets go at 4. ELP gets in but Narita CHOKES ELP! The ref counts again and Narita lets go at 4.

Narita CHOKES ELP some more, but he lets off at 4. The ref reprimands, but here comes Cobb! Cobb fireman’s carries but Narita slips out to CHOKE Cobb! The ref counts, but Cobb powers out! Cobb sits Narita down, but Narita rolls to get a takedown! KNEEBAR! Oiwa SPLASHES onto Narita! Cover, TWO, but Oiwa hauls Narita up. Narita fights the Gotch hold suplex, and he CLAWS Oiwa’s eyes! The ref reprimands again but Narita whips. Oiwa reverses, Narita slips around, but Oiwa slips around! SLEEPER! They end up on ropes, the ref counts the break, so Oiwa GOTCH SUPLEXES Narita up and out!

ELP runs up to RANA Oiwa out! The fans fire up as ELP kips up, but then Cobb is in ELP’s way! Scoop and TOUR- NO, ELP slips free, rolls Cobb up, TWO! ELP STMOPS Cobb’s hands! ELP puts Cobb in a corner, knuckle locks, and CHOPS! ELP goes up, up, and tightrope walks to ARI- NO, Cobb keeps ELP from jumping away! Cobb ROCKS ELP, and ELP falls onto Oiwa and Narita! The fans fire up as all three men are down on the outside! But the clock is ticking, Cobb has to get someone in. Cobb thinks instead to build speed! The fans go nuts as Cobb FLIES! A massive tope conjilo wipes out ELP, Oiwa & Narita!

Cobb hurries to get Narita up and into the ring, then hits an URENAGE! FALLING HAMMER! Cover, ONE!! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Narita survives and we pass five minutes. Cobb hauls Narita up to fireman’s carry, but Narita slips free! Oiwa DROPKICKS Cobb into Narita! Oiwa whips, Cobb reverses, but Oiwa reverses again to GUT WRENCH PLEX! Cover, ELP DROPKICKS it apart! ELP ENZIGIRIS Narita off a corner, then he goes up! But Oiwa CLUBS ELP! Oiwa climbs up, he brings ELP around, but then Cobb CLUBS Oiwa! Cobb brings Oiwa off the corner but Oiwa throws hands!

Oiwa grabs ELP, brings him up, and we get a TOWER OF DOOM!! The fans fire up for the Powerbomb Superplex combo, but Narita climbs up! Cobb turns around into HELL’S GUILLOTINE!! Cover, TWO!!! Narita hurries to cover Oiwa, TWO! Narita hurries to cover ELP, TWO!! And the ref is taken out at the same time! Narita grins because now he grabs his pushup bar! The fans boo as Narita storms in, but then Jado snatches the bar! The fans fire up for the Master Heater! Narita sees all his challengers are there! Oiwa CHOPS, Cobb ROCKS and ELP SUPERKICKS Narita down! The fans fire up as Narita flounders away.

Oiwa, Cobb and ELP fire up, and Oiwa fires forearms and CHOPS! ELP BOOTS Oiwa, Cobb HEADBUTTS him! Oiwa comes back, Cobb & ELP dodge! Cobb DROPKICKS, then SUDDEN DEATH from ELP! The fans fire up again as Oiwa is down! Cobb runs up, ELP goes up and over! ELP ducks ‘n’ dodges, springboards, but into Cobb’s arms! Cobb pops ELP around for an F5 THOUSAND!! ELP flounders, Cobb covers, but Oiwa breaks it! Oiwa deadlifts Cobb up with a gut wrench! Cobb fights free, Oiwa fires shots! Cobb dodges but Oiwa LARIATS Cobb down! Oiwa brings Cobb back up for a GUT WRENCH- NO, Cobb’s still too big!

Wait, Oiwa double clutches, DOCTOR BOMB!! Cover, but Narita YANKS the ref out! The fans boo but Narita gets his pushup bar back! But Oiwa dodges! Oiwa has the SLEEPER, then THE- PUSHUP BAR!! Narita takes out Oiwa, and now he aims at Cobb! But Cobb blocks the bar, TOSSES Narita, and he BREAKS the pushup bar!! The fans are thunderous, but then Narita LOW BLOWS Cobb! Narita shouts to the ref, and he DOUBLE- NO! Cobb stops the double crosser to take Narita on a TOUR OF THE ISLAND!!! Cover, ELP SWANTONS IN!! Then PLANCHAS Oiwa! Then he THUNDERKISS 86 on Narita!! Cover, ELP WINS!!!

Winner: El Phantasmo, by pinfall (NEW NJPW World TV Champion)

Right at the ten minute mark, The Headbanga seals the deal! ELP defeats cancer, and he defeats “the cancer” in NJPW that is the House of Torture! Will ELP make 2025 the best year he’s ever had?

 

The Ace’s Final Road Lumberjack Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS EVIL!

President Ace told the world that his plan would be ONE MORE YEAR as an in-ring talent, ending things with WrestleKingdom 20 in 2026. But the King of Darkness made it his mission to end Tanahashi’s career prematurely! Will tonight be the last night we can cheer “GO ACE?” Or will Tanahashi finally tear down The House of Torture?

Naturally, Evil’s lumberjacks are the House of Torture: Yujiro Takahashi, Dick Togo, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Sho. As for Tanahashi, he is bringing his NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championship teammates, Boltin Oleg & Toru Yano, but he also brings Tiger Mask and Master Wato! The bell rings and the fans all rally up for Tanahashi. Tanahashi and Evil circle, feel things out, but Sho grabs at Tanahashi! Evil attacks, then headlocks. Tanahashi endures, fights up and pries at the hold. Evil tries to power it back on, but Tanahashi still manages to put the headlock on Evil! The fans cheer while Evil endures.

Evil pulls hair, the ref reprimands, but now Tanahashi pulls hair! The ref reprimands them both, counts, but only Tanahashi lets go at 4! The ref reprimands Evil more, but Evil kicks Tanahashi. Evil whips Tanahashi to a corner, runs up, but into an elbow! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! The fans cheer while Tanahashi air guitars. Evil staggers up, Tanahashi kicks him low, then Tanahashi whips Evil to ropes. Evil grabs ropes, bails out, and the House of Torture brings out a chair for Evil to take a seat. The fans boo as Dick fans Evil off, and Tanahashi tells Evil to get back in. Kanemaru gets on the apron as a distraction for Evil to slither in!

Evil CLUBS Tanahashi, then TOSSES him to ropes! Tanahashi holds on, but Dick grabs Tanahashi. Tanahashi BOOTS Dick away, then skins the cat, only for Evil to grab his leg! Evil BITES Tanahashi’s thigh! The ref reprimands, Evil stops at 4, and Evil DRAPING DRAGON SCREWS! Tanahashi falls to the floor, and the House goes after him! Tanahashi’s team rushes over, the lumberjacks brawl, but The House sends Wato and Tiger Mask into railing! Evil goes out to fetch Tanahashi while Yano is also sent into railing. The House mugs Oleg while Evil POSTS Tanahashi! Evil brings out chairs, and he puts one around Tanahashi’s head!

The ref is too busy telling The House to stand down, and Evil hits the HOMERUN! The fans boo while Tanahashi falls, and Evil laughs. The House brings Wato over, and they give Evil a can of spray paint! Evil graffities Wato’s chest with a rather sloppy “H O T” for House of Torture! Sho & Kanemaru then throw Wato down while Evil goes into the ring. The fans rally for Tanahashi but Sho fetches him into the ring for Evil. Evil has a House of Torture merch shirt, but the ref confiscates it! Evil says fine, put the shirt away. He has the tag rope! Evil CHOKES Tanahashi with the rope, but lets off before the ref can see!

Evil hides the evidence, then drags Tanahashi up. Evil whips Tanahashi into the bare buckles of the blue corner! And then LARIATS him! Then FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! A third cover, TWO!! Evil is furious but none of the tricks have finished off Tanahashi yet. Evil paces, scuffs Tanahashi, and taunts him. Evil drags Tanahashi up, but Tanahashi fires forearms! Evil CLAWS Tanahashi’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Evil lets go, but then Evil blocks a kick! Evil hands that to the ref, but then Tanahashi blocks Evil’s kick! The ref lets go of Tanahashi’s foot, and Tanahashi DRAGON SCREWS Evil!

The fans fire up while both men are down! Tanahashi rises up and the fans rally behind him again. Evil goes to ropes but Tanahashi fires body shots and forearms. Tanahashi whips, Evil reverses, but Tanahashi WRECKS Dick first! Tanahashi then ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Evil! The rest of the House gets on the apron, but Tanahashi BLASTS them back down! The fans fire up with Tanahashi and goes back for Evil. Tanahashi brings Evil up to scoop and SLAM! Tanahashi then goes up the corner to SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Evil stays in this, but Tanahashi waits for him to rise. Tanahashi then runs, but Evil bails out!

Evil hurries away to the ramp, but Tanahashi has his lumberjacks go get him! Oleg stomps Evil, then fireman’s carries him back to ringside! The fans cheer as Oleg puts Evil in for Tanahashi! Evil wants mercy, but Tanahashi kicks him low! Tanahashi stands Evil up but Evil CLAWS Tanahashi’s face! Evil fireman’s carries, Tanahashi slips free, but Evil grabs the ref! That stops the suplex, so the ref SLAPS Evil! Tanahashi then turns Evil around for TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up and Tanahashi gives a thumbs up to the ref. Tanahashi then runs, but Evil uses the ref as a shield! The ref goes down and the House rushes in!

The fans boo but The House and Team Tanahashi brawl! Team Tanahashi is sent out and The House stomps away on Tanahashi! They set Tanahashi up for the NEW YEAR’S DICK CHOP! The fans boo but now Dick uses the SPOILER’S CHOKER on Dick! Yano CLUBS Dick! Yujiro BOOTS Yano! Tiger Mask runs in, Yujiro blocks the kicks to get the arms! But Tiger Mask ROLLING KICKS free! Sho & Kanemaru mug Tiger Mask! They double whip, but Tiger DIVES out onto Yujiro! Wato gets in but Sho & Kanemaru mug him now! Oleg runs up but they mug him, too! They double whip Oleg into the bare buckles!

Kanemaru & Sho then reel Oleg in, but Oleg fights the double suplex! Oleg DOUBLE SUPLEXES Sho & Kanemaru! The fans are thunderous, and now Wato rises! Wato builds speed to FLY out onto Sho & Kanemaru! The fans fire up again, and now it’s just Evil and Tanahashi! Tanahashi rises, a back-up ref gets in, and the fans rally up! Tanahashi roars and runs up, but Evil sends him into bare buckles! Evil LARIATS, but Tanahashi stays up! Evil LARIATS again, but Tanahashi stays up! Evil tries again, but Tanahashi dodges! Only for Evil to LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up while Evil seethes, and Evil vows to end this!

Evil drags Tanahashi up and spins him around, EVERYTHING- NO, Tanahashi fights to steal EVERYTHING IS EVIL! The fans are thunderous as Tanahashi hits a DRAGON SUPLEX!! Evil sits up in a daze and Tanahashi runs! SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO! Evil survives, but Tanahashi hurries up top! Evil stands, into the HIGH FLY ATTACK! Then Tanahashi hurries right back up! HIGH FLY- NO, Evil shoves the ref into the ropes! And Dick uses POCKET SAND! Wato goes after Dick but is sent into railing! Evil rises up to get Tanahashi! The fans boo but Evil goes to the very top! SUPER DUPER PLEX!!

Evil hurries to stand Tanahashi up! Fireman’s carry, DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives again, but Evil steps through! SCORPION DEATH LOCK!! Tanahashi endures, reaches out, but Evil sits deep on the hold! Evil even hooks the legs to pull on the hold even harder! Tanahashi endures, the fans are thunderous, but Evil lets off in frustration. Evil argues with the ref, surely Tanahashi was done for! The ref defends that Tanahashi is still in this, and Evil drags him up. Evil winds up to LARIAT, but Tanahashi SHOTEIS! Evil LARIATS again! Evil stands Tanahashi up, for EVERYTHING IS EVIL!! CRADLE COUNTER, TANAHASHI WINS!!

Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall (does NOT retire yet)

The fans are as shocked as anyone, but while Evil gets after the ref, the House attacks! The fans boo these sore losers, but wait! IS THAT SHIBATA?! The Wrestler has returned to NJPW and he scares off the entire House of Torture!! The fans are thunderous as Shibata, though signed with AEW, returns home to help President Ace! Shibata helps Tanahashi to his feet, and then asks for a mic. The fans fire up getting to hear from Shibata now! Shibata tells “Tanahashi-kun,” that if he’s not tired yet, how about they have a match for WrestleDynasty? The fans are losing their minds, and Shibata hands the mic over.

Tanahashi tells Shibata that he’s never tired! CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! The fans are going nuts as the inaugural WrestleDynasty gets even bigger! The Ace, the Wrestler, one more time, and perhaps the last time! Will Shibata give Tanahashi the fight of his life as only the Neo Three Musketeers can?

 

NEVER Openweight & AEW International Championships, Winner Takes All: Shingo Takagi VS Konosuke Takeshita!

The Rampaging Dragon didn’t get to meet The Alpha of the Don Callis Family in the G1 Climax, so he wanted this match as much as anyone. He also wanted Konosuke to pull his weight and bring that International Championship with him. Konosuke kept up his part of the bargain by getting past “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs at Worlds End, and now both titles are on the line! Who comes away as a true alpha of wrestling?

The introductions are made, both belts are raised, and we see who brings them both to WrestleDynasty!

The bell rings and the fans rally up already. Takagi seems to have the stronger support, and then both men run up! They RAM shoulders, RAM shoulders again, and again! They stare down for just a moment before Takagi fires a forearm! Takagi runs, RAMS Konosuke, but Konosuke RAMS him and BOOTS him! Konosuke whips, Takagi reverses, but Konosuke ducks ‘n’ dodges to TAKESHITA LINE! The fans fire up while Takagi goes to a corner. Konosuke runs up, Takagi dodges and HIP TOSSES! Konosuke gets up but Takagi RUNS him over! The fans fire up again while Takagi waits on Konosuke.

Takagi kicks Konosuke around, but Konosuke stands right up. Konosuke is taller so he literally looks down on Takagi. Takagi still fires forearms! Konosuke eggs Takagi on, so Takagi winds up to ROCK Konosuke! Konosuke shakes that off, winds up, and ALPHA ELBOWS Takagi down! The fans fire up as Konosuke looms over Takagi. Takagi is dazed so Konosuke goes up, to SUPER SENTON! Cover, TWO! Takagi stays in this and the fans rally up. Don Callis is stone faced at ringside as Konosuke clamps on a chinlock. Konosuke squeezes tight and grinds Takagi down. Takagi endures, fights up, and he fires body shots.

Takagi is free but Konosuke knees low! Konosuke runs, but Takagi blocks the boot to CLUB the leg! Takagi runs, but into a RANA! Takagi tumbles out and fans rally up as Konosuke builds speed! Takagi moves, but Konosuke changes to a PLANCHA! Takagi moves again, YANKS Konosuke off the apron, and then pop-up DEATH VALLEY DRIVER to the floor! The fans fire up while the ref checks both men. Somehow, Konosuke is okay to continue, and Takagi rises up. Takagi staggers a bit but he fires back up. Takagi brings Konosuke into the ring, then watches Konosuke go to a corner. Takagi runs up but blocks a boot, to then LARIAT through!

The fans fire up with Takagi, and Takagi puts Konosuke up top. Takagi climbs up and has Konosuke on the very top, for a SUPER DUPER PLEX! Then Takagi runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke stays in this but Takagi shouts to the fans, “TOKI GA KI-” NO, Konosuke waistlocks and lifts! Takagi fights free, ELBOWS, JABS, and YUKON LARIATS! The fans fire up again, and now “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans cheer, and join in on “OI! OI! OI!” Callis is worried while Takagi winds up. Takagi stands Konosuke up to pump handle, but Konosuke fights the lift! Konosuke fires elbows, but Takagi EXPLODERS!

Takagi runs up, but into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Konosuke runs up, into a clinch and SAIDO! But Konosuke’s back up to GERMAN SUPLEX! Both men rise, but then they flop over! The fans fire up for this fighting spirit, and then we see Tomohiro Ishii sitting by both belts! We all know Ishii gets the winner, so he wants to see it happen with his own eyes. Takagi and Konosuke both rise, and the fans rally up. Callis coaches Konosuke as he and Takagi go to corner. Takagi headbutts the buckles to fire up! He and Konosuke run in, DOUBLE LARIATS! Konosuke fires boxing elbows, then he eggs Takagi on! So Takagi gives back boxing elbows!

The fans rally, Takagi winds up, but another ALPHA ELBOW floors him! Konosuke runs, but Takagi follows to LARIAT! Takagi runs, but Konosuke LARIATS first! And then scoops Takagi right into the BASTARD DRIVER! And a deadlift WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! And then Konosuke aims from a corner! POWER DRIVE- PUMPING BOMBER!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Takagi roars as he rises, and he brings Konosuke up. Konosuke pushes Takagi but Takagi comes back with a SLIDING FOREARM! Then a pump handle and MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives and Callis is relieved.

The fans rally, Takagi starts up another “OI! OI! OI!” and then rises. Konosuke slowly stands, Takagi runs, but Konosuke dodges! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but neither man falls! Takagi runs, into a JUMP KNEE! A glancing blow that sends Takagi to a corner but the fans rally up. Konosuke storms up on Takagi, puts him up top now, and then Konosuke climbs. Konosuke has Takagi on the top rope, for a SUPER DUPER STEINER!! Takagi tumbles, Konosuke rises, POWER DRIVE KNEE!!! Cover, ONE?!?! HOW?!?! Konosuke doesn’t question it, he just attacks with BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!!!

The fans are thunderous again but Konosuke vows to end this! Konosuke suplexes, but Takagi scoops! Fireman’s carry, and LAST OF THE DRAGON!!! A rough landing for Konosuke, but Takagi can’t make the cover!! Callis is again worried but both men are stirring. Takagi sits up first, and he grabs at Konosuke. The fans rally, and that energy wills Takagi on! Takagi has Konosuke for a POINT-BLANK PUMPING! Konosuke stays up so Takagi LARIATS again! And DOUBLE CHOPS! Takagi runs, but into a BOOT! Konosuke goes up to POISON-RANA! And then TAKAGI POISON-RANAS??! But Konosuke hits a BLINDSIDE ALPHA ELBOW!!

The fans are thunderous and Callis is proud of his man for fighting this hard! Konosuke rises, takes off the elbow pad, but Takagi runs up! Konosuke ROCKS him, and ROCKS him again! Konosuke fires more forearms, then winds up, but Takagi fires a flurry! HEADBUTT! JAB! HEADBUTT again! POWER DRIVE KNEE!! PUMPING BOMBER??! Both men stagger around, ALPHA ELBOW!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Konosuke hurries to suplex! RAGING FIRE!!! Cover, KONOSUKE WINS!!!

Winner: Konosuke Takeshita, by pinfall (DUAL NEVER Openweight & AEW International Champion)

The Alpha slays the Rampaging Dragon, and now he brings more gold home to the Don Callis Family! But the Stone Pitbull is still stone faced. Will Ishii just take both those belts away from Konosuke at WrestleDynasty? Or will Konosuke continue to prove why he is All Elite?

 

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: DOUKI VS El Desperado!

Japones Del Mal has proved haters and doubters wrong again and again as he has overcome the best the Junior Heavyweight Division has to offer. But now, The Rogue Luchador is back and he wants to see if he is still the Best of the Super Juniors. Will these amigos still be on good terms after fighting on the biggest stage in NJPW?

As part of Douki’s entrance, he has a special guest in the famed kabuki actor, Shido Nakamura! Nakamura whips his wild white hair around, and then there’s pyro before Douki rises from under the stage! Douki fist bumps with Nakamura before continuing down to the ramp. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who best represents the fusion of lucha and puro-resu!

The bell rings and fans rally up already. Douki and Desperado hear the dueling as they circle. They step up, then speed up! Douki ducks ‘n’ dodges, Despy hurdles then does the splits! Douki leaps over, sidesteps, then he does the splits! Despy leaps over, things keep moving, and Douki tilt-o-whirl RANAS! Despy tumbles out, but he also hurries away before Douki can build speed. The fans cheer this opening exchange and Despy goes to the apron. Douki BLASTS Despy down, then he DIVES! Direct hit into railing and the fans fire up! Douki puts Despy in the ring, but Despy yoyos back out to RAM Douki into railing!

Despy hurries inside and he builds speed to DIVE!! Direct hit right into railing! The fans fire up and Despy goes out to get them even hotter! Despy then fetches Douki, and he whips Douki hard into railing. Despy tells media to move, then whips again, but Douki sends Despy into railing! Despy staggers away, the ring count is climbing, but Douki fetches Despy. They brawl at the ramp, but the count is 10 of 20! Then 13! The brawling keeps going, we hit 15, and Despy puts Douki in. The fans cheer as Douki takes a swing, but into Despy’s BIG back suplex! Cover, ONE!! Douki shakes his head, he’s tougher than that.

Despy shakes it off and he storms up on Douki. Douki CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Despy ROCKS Douki, Douki tries some misdirection, but Despy still blocks the uppercut! Despy ROCKS Douki, but Douki ENZIGIRIS Despy! The fans rally up and Douki brings Despy around. Douki whips, but Despy reverses to SPINEBUSTER! Despy talks some trash, but Douki catches him into the ITALIAN STRETCH 32! But Despy powers out to have the TEXAS CLOVERLEAF! Douki endures, crawls, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Despy lets go, and the fans cheer.

Despy catches his breath and nods as he stalks over to Douki. Douki BOOTS Despy, goes up and out to the apron, then slingshots for DAY- NO, Despy stops Daybreak to then pop Douki around for a suplex! Douki slips out, goes up, MYSTERIO RANA! Despy tumbles out, Douki builds speed, but Despy hurries away. Only for Douki to go up, up and SUPER SENTON into the railing!! Did Despy counter bomb at the last second?! The fans are going nuts, did Douki also bust his elbow? The ref checks while Despy gets himself to the ring. The ref talks with Douki, Douki points to his left elbow, and the ref calls it!! Referee stoppage, and Desperado wins?!?

Winner: El Desperado, by referee stoppage (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)

The Rogue Luchador is frustrated, because while he wanted to win, he wanted to beat Douki himself. Both men were going so hard, so fast, someone was bound to crash ‘n’ burn. Desperado checks on his amigo while also picking up the title belt. Desperado grabs the mic on his way back into the ring, and he tells Douki that when they go this hard, put everything you have, things like this tend to happen. Desperado apologizes to the fans that he won’t apologize for how this went down. “This is the inevitable result when you put your all into something. We will do this again, and I hope you’ll be there to see it. This is by no means over!”

Desperado does his best to keep the fighting spirits hot, with more WrestleKingdom and more NJPW to go! Will Douki rise up better than before to prove to himself that he IS the best in the world?

 

IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: David Finlay VS Yota Tsuji!

The Rebel may do a lot of underhanded things just to win, but he crossed the line calling the injured Yuya Uemura a coward for not answering the challenge. The Gene Blast stepped up for his friend and rival, and now he’s the one aiming for Finlay’s gold. Will Yota make Finlay regret having such a big ego? Or will no one take this title from Finlay ever again?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who has that dog in them!

The bell rings and the fans rally up for “YOTA! YOTA!” as he stares down with Finlay. They circle, feel things out, and tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but then Finlay pulls hair! The ref reprimands but they end up on ropes, then a corner. Finlay scuffs Yota with his forearm, even as the ref reprimands. Finlay thrashes Yota around, lets off slowly, but then Yota ROCKS him! Finlay fires back but Yota ROCKS him again! They go forearm for forearm, but Yota ROCKS Finlay again! Yota whips corner to corner, Finlay reverses, but Yota boots. Finlay blocks, but Yota reels him in for a DOUBLE STOMP! The fans cheer but Gedo is upset.

Yota brings Finlay up but Finlay CLAWS Yota’s face! The ref reprimands, Finlay runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Finlay flounders out of the ring but Yota takes aim. Yota builds speed, but Finlay hurries away! The fans boo but Yota just adjusts course! Yota DIVES, but Finlay manages to catch him! And RAM him into the apron! Finlay then fireman’s carries to run and LAWN DART! Yota manages to deflect off the post, but then Finlay CLOBBERS him into railing! The fans fire up while both men are down! Finlay grins and Gedo applauds while Yota writhes. The ref checks and Yota is able to continue.

Finlay drags Yota up, puts him in the ring, and Finlay stands on Yota for a cocky cover. TWO, but Finlay brings Yota up. Finlay scoops to BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Yota stays in this but Finlay grins. Finlay rains down fists on Yota, the ref reprimands, but Finlay stops at 4. Finlay paces, then flips off fans. The fans boo but Finlay just spits at them! Finlay goes back to Yota, clinches, but Yota fights with elbows! Finlay knees low, clinches again, but Yota arm-drags free! Yota gets Finlay for a BACKBREAKER, FLATLINER and STOMP! The fans cheer the Gene Combination while Finlay sputters.

Yota brings Finlay up and he fires forearms! Yota whips, Finlay reverses, but Yota CLOBBERS him! Yota keeps moving, BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and Yota stays focused. Finlay goes to a corner, Yota runs up to SPLASH! Yota keeps moving, and he RANAS Finlay out of the ring! The fans cheer while Finlay flounders, and Yota builds speed again! Yota FOSBURY FLOPS! Direct hit and the fans are thunderous! Yota paces around the outside while Finlay sputters. Yota brings Finlay back up, puts him in the ring, and the fans rally again. Yota drags Finlay up, reels him in, but Finlay fights the suplex!

Finlay tries to suplex but Yota fights him! Finlay wrenches out to ROCK Yota, but Yota ROCKS Finlay! Forearms go back and forth again, and Yota grins as he fires off a flurry! Yota ROCKS Finlay, then runs up, but Finlay dodges! Finlay returns to LARIAT Yota up and over, and ends up going with him! They both tumble to the floor while the fans fire up again. Finlay grins as he rises, and he staggers over to Yota. Finlay brings Yota up to fireman’s carry, and he gives him a LAWN DART into the post! Yota goes down in a heap and Gedo cheers, but the fans boo as Finlay opens the gate. Finlay goes to the timekeeper’s table and clears it off!

Finlay drags Yota up and over to the table, for an IRISH CURSE through the table! The fans boo but Finlay is all smiles as he stands over the wreckage. Finlay leaves Yota behind and the ring count begins. Finlay soaks up all the heat from the Tokyo Dome while flipping them off. The count reaches 5 of 20, then 10. Yota crawls from the wreckage but he has to get around the railing. The count is 15, Yota hobbles and falls, tripping over wires! Yota gets free at 18, and he slides in at 19! The fans cheer but Finlay is right on Yota with a suplex TOSS! Finlay grins and flexes while he aims from th ecorner.

Yota rises, Finlay runs up and UPPERCUTS! Finlay then reels Yota in, but Yota suplexes Finlay into the corner! The fans fire up while Finlay writhes. Yota stands, storms over to Finlay, and he drags Finlay up. Yota hoists Finlay to the top rope, then he climbs up. The fans rally as Yota goes to the very top, but then Finlay shoves him down! Yota tumbles, rises back up, and he GAMANGIRIS Finlay! Yota climbs back up, but Finlay fires body shots! Finlay gets under Yota for a SUPER POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Finlay is frustrated and he reels Yota in to Canadian Rack, CANADIAN HAMMER! And then another CANADIAN HAMMER!

And then another CANADIAN HAMMER!! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives that vicious hattrick, and Finlay is frustrated all over again. Finlay drags Yota up but Yota’s deadweight! The ref checks Yota while Finlay grins again. The fans rally for Yota while Finlay paces. Finlay drags Yota up, but Yota pushes him away, only for Yota to fall back over! Finlay drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota cradle counters! TWO!! Finlay escapes, ROCKS Yota, then LARIATS! Yota manages to stay up but Finlay LARIATS again! And LARIATS again! Yota fires a forearm but Finlay LARIATS! Yota rebounds, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then GENE TRIGGER!

Finlay rebounds, SPEAR but into a KNEE! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up for Yota as he roars and rises up! Yota drags Finlay to a drop zone, then goes to the corner. Yota goes up, up, and MARLOWE- NO, Finlay gets under the crush! And he gets Yota up for a POWERBOMB! Finlay brings Yota back up, to BUCKLE BOMB! And then another POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! Yota barely survives and Finlay is beside himself! Gedo coaches Finlay while the fans rally behind Yota. Finlay grins again as he stands back up, and he drags Yota by the hair. Finlay reels Yota in, gets him up, but Yota RANAS Finlay into buckles!

Yota runs up and he GENE TRIGGERS in the corner! The fans fire up as Yota roars! Yota goes up, up and MARLOWE CRUSH!! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives and Gedo fires up! The fans rally again and Yota goes to a corner. Yota powers up and Finlay rises, GENE- CUTTER!! Finlay catches Yota and suplexes, INTO OBLIVION! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives again and Finlay is pulling at his own hair! Finlay storms around, slashes his throat, and he drags Yota up. Finlay suplexes, but Yota slips out! Yota ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Finlay SPEARS! And then he suplexes for OVER- STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Finlay ends up staggering around, into GENE BLAST!!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!!

Finlay survives by a literal foot and Yota can’t believe it! The fans still rally behind Yota and he grins as he stands back up. Finlay sputters but still grabs at Yota. Yota drags Finlay up, then ROCKS him with a forearm! Finlay staggers to the ropes, comes back, and Yota ROCKS him again! Finlay staggers around more, Gedo coaches him, but Yota ROCKS him again! And again! And then HEADBUTTS! Finlay drops to his knees but Yota roars! Yota runs, CURB STOMP! Yota roars again and the fans are thunderous! Yota goes to a corner, takes aim as Finlay rises, and GENE- NO, Finlay gator rolls, OVERKILL!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?

Finlay cannot believe it but Yota survives! Finlay hurries to try again! But Yota suplexes! Finlay slips free, backslides, but Yota rolls through! But into OVER- NO, Yota powers out and KNEES Finlay! Then Yota hits a POWERBOMB!! Finlay flounders, staggers up, into GENE BLASTER!!!! Cover, YOTA WINS!!!

Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion)

The Tokyo Dome erupts as Yota proves NJPW doesn’t need The Rebel! Yota grabs the Global Heavyweight Championship for his own, but will this be just the beginning of Yota’s legend? As for Finlay, he has to fight again tomorrow night against AEW’s Brody King! Is the King of Death going to show Finlay who’s the real Boss Dog in wrestling?

 

Tetsuya Naito VS Hiromu Takahashi!

While it is unfortunate that Henare was injured during World Tag League, denying Los Ingobernables de Japon their shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, it did open things to a unique opportunity. The Uncontrollable Charisma and Ticking Timebomb were meant to battle as IWGP World and IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champions four years ago, if not for the pandemic. Now Naito and Hiromu can have their 1v1 on NJPW’s biggest stage, who proves to be the strongest in LIJ?

The fans rally already as Naito takes off his newest entrance attire. It’s still as elaborate and stylish as the other ones, but he actually starts with the pants first. Hiromu still knows to be patient, as he is familiar with Naito’s tricks. Naito puts the shirt aside, then offers the LIJ fist bump. Hiromu smiles, but leaves Naito hanging! The fans are surprised, but perhaps this is Hiromu playing mind games in return. The bell rings, the fans duel, and Naito takes his time stepping forward. Hiromu meets him, they tie up, and they’re in a deadlock. Naito slips around to waistlock, but Hiromu switches. Hiromu nelsons but Naito arm-drags free.

Things speed up, Naito drops down then dodges, to roll and tranquilo! But he avoids Hiromu’s basement dropkick to return the favor! Hiromu tumbles out of the ring but Naito rolls out the side. Naito storms up and kicks low! Then he CLUBS Hiromu, whips, but Hiromu blocks. Naito puts Hiromu in the ring and the fans applaud. Naito takes his time rolling back in, then he storms up again. Naito clamps on a cravat to wrench the neck, but Hiromu fires body shots. Hiromu is free, then runs, but into an atomic drop! Naito turns Hiromu for the NECKBREAKER, then clamps on the LEG LOCK NELSON! The fans rally while Hiromu endures.

Naito thrashes Hiromu around, but Hiromu still kicks his way over to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Red Shoes counts, and Naito claims he needs help. Red Shoes undoes the leg lock and Naito stands over Hiromu. Naito stomps Hiromu around, then brings him up. Hiromu CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Naito SPITS at Hiromu, then kicks low. Naito whips, Hiromu reverses and LARIATS in the corner! Then Hiromu snapmares and basement DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Naito stays in this, but Hiromu steps on his face. The fans applaud as Hiromu gives back the taunting, then Hiromu drags Naito up.

Hiromu fireman’s carries, Naito slips free and he shoves Hiromu to a corner. Naito runs up but into a BOOT! Hiromu runs, but Naito ducks to run, only for Hiromu to catch him and spin him! Hiromu suplexes, Naito knees free, but Hiromu takes a swing. Naito dodges, then Hiromu dodges back! Naito sidesteps to arm-drag, ELBOW, and basement DROPKICK! The fans cheer while Hiromu writhes. Naito catches his breath, drags Hiromu up, and whips him to a corner. Naito runs up to ELBOW Hiromu, then turn him, and hold him, and hold… for the NECKBREAKER! Naito poses and the fans cheer.

Naito crawls to the cover, TWO! Hiromu is tougher than that but Naito stays calm. Naito drags Hiromu up, but Hiromu fireman’s carries! Naito fights free, but Hiromu avoids the elbow to fireman’s carry again! Hiromu throws Naito over the ropes, then SUPERKICKS him! Then Hiromu runs to SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB to the floor! The fans fire up and Hiromu roars! Hiromu drags Naito up, puts him in the ring, then hurries to wrench and fireman’s carry again. TIMEBOMB 1.5! Cover, TWO! Naito’s tougher than that but Hiromu stays calm. Hiromu drags Naito back up, fireman’s carries again, but Naito sunset flips! TWO!

Hiromu and Naito hurry up, Naito runs up but Hiromu sidesteps to then GERMAN SUPLEX! Naito is down, the fans rally up, and Hiromu encourages them to get louder. Hiromu drags Naito back up, runs, but Naito ducks! Naito runs, but the HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER finds him anyway! Hiromu fireman’s carries again, TIMEBOMB 1.0!! Cover, TWO!! Naito survives and the fans rally up again. Hiromu drags Naito back up, dragon sleepers, but Naito turns around! Hiromu still suplexes but Naito fights it! Naito dodges, TORNADO- NO, Hiromu fights the DDT! Naito tries again, but Hiromu rolls through the DDT to have a cover, TWO!

Both men are down and catching their breath, but the fans rally up again. Hiromu waits on Naito, then SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Naito flounders but Hiromu brings him back up. Hiromu dragon sleepers, but Naito fights Timebomb 2 into DESTINO! Both men are down again and the fans rally up! Naito slowly sits up and he stands over Hiromu. Naito brings Hiromu up, and he fires the heavy back elbows! Hiromu stays up so Naito adds on a few more! Hiromu goes to a corner, Naito hops up and reels him in. ESPERANZA! Hiromu flounders, Naito goes back to the corner, and he takes aim.

Naito runs up, CORRIEN- NO, Naito has to duck a Heel Kick first! Then CORRIENDO SHIKI DESTINO!! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives and the fans fire up! Naito drags Hiromu up, wrenches and tilt-o-whirls, but Hiromu powers that into a TIMEBOMB 2!! Cover, TWO!! Both men are down again and the fans rally up. Hiromu sits up first and he pounds the mat in frustration. The fans fire up as Hiromu roars! Hiromu drags Naito up, facelocks, then dragon sleepers! But Naito fights free again, to ripcord and ELBOW! Naito fires more heavy elbows, but Hiromu leans on Naito. Naito throws more elbows, but Hiromu just fires up!

Naito fires even more heavy elbows! Hiromu eggs Naito on so the elbows keep coming! Hiromu drops to his knees, but he leans on Naito all the same. Naito stands Hiromu up for even more elbows! Hiromu gets fed up, but Naito ENZIGIRIS! And a wrench, but Hiromu wrenches back! HIROMU-CHAN CRADLE! TWO!!! Naito narrowly escapes, but Hiromu SHOTGUNS him into buckles! Wait, Hiromu wrenches and tilt-o-whirls? HIROMU DESTINO!! The fans are fired up as Hiromu hurries to get Naito up, for the dragon sleeper and TIMEBOMB 2!! Cover, TWO!??! Naito survives and the fans are thunderous!

Hiromu grits his teeth, and he roars again! The fans fire up as Hiromu has Naito’s arm, straitjacket and dragon sleeper, for TIMEBOMB- NO, Naito fights off MK 2.5! Naito KNEES free, then blocks a superkick! Naito SLAPS Hiromu, and Hiromu goes to ropes. The fans fire up as Hiromu’s rage boils over! Hiromu runs up, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Naito drags Hiromu up, wrenches, and DESTINO!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Hiromu survives, Naito’s plan to take advantage of his rage didn’t work! Naito drags Hiromu up, scoops and SLAMS him, then he goes to the corner! Fans fire up, but Hiromu anchors Naito’s legs!

The fans rally as Hiromu grabs hold of the leg. Naito drags Hiromu up, SLAPS him again, then reels him in to scoop and VALENTIA!! Naito wrenches, tilt-o-whirls, DESTINO!!! Cover, NAITO WINS!

Winner: Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall

The former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion beats the former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, proving that even now, Hiromu has a long way to go before he can get one over on him! Hiromu’s fighting spirit and passion were powerful, but Naito wins out for being tranquilo through and through. Naito puts his baseball cap back on, and he raises the LIJ fist. Hiromu slowly sits up, then stumbles around as he tries to stand. Hiromu leans on Naito in order to get to his feet, and though frustrated with himself, he bows to “Shishou,” and raises the fist! Will the 2024 World Tag League winners still look to go after the IWGP Tag Team Championships together in the future?

 

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Shota Umino!

The Front Man won the G1 Climax, then dared to shake things up and have his title match in Ryogoku. ZSJ won the title and put the target on his back, will the Roughneck hit the mark? Or will ZSJ prove it’s still too soon for Shota’s Paradigm Shift?

ZSJ has TMDK with him as he makes his entrance, but Shota is a lone wolf tonight. But Shota’s hair has returned to the hot pink he had before, perhaps a symbol of his renewed determination. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who reigns supreme in this WrestleKingdom!

The bell rings and the fans fire up already. ZSJ and Shota stare down, slowly approach, and they feel things out. They knuckle lock, go forehead to forehead then clinch. Shota puts ZSJ on ropes, Red Shoes calls the break, and Shota lets off slowly. ZSJ steps forward, silently daring Shota, but Shota pats ZSJ on the shoulders and backs away. The two reset, knuckle lock, and go around again. ZSJ steps over then hooks a leg before having the cravat. ZSJ shifts to a facelock but Shota wrenches out to wristlock. ZSJ spins, wrenches, and he hooks a leg again. Shota fights that off to wristlock, but ZSJ bridges, turns, slips through, and he wristlocks back.

The fans rally as ZSJ wrangles Shota to the mat. Shota moves around, rolls, wrenches through and wristlocks. ZSJ rolls, wrenches, rolls, wrenches, slips through and has the wristlock. Shota gets under to shovel ZSJ, but ZSJ kips up to break free! The fans cheer that opening exchange while ZSJ and Shota reset. Shota and ZSJ circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. ZSJ reels Shota in and stands on a hand! ZSJ turns Shota around to have a motorcycle stretch. Shota endures, even as ZSJ digs his forehead into the shoulder blades. Shota powers up to turn the stretch onto ZSJ! ZSJ powers up to turn it back, but Shota just spins through!

Shota stands on ZSJ’s back, but then reels ZSJ into a full nelson. ZSJ breaks, wrenches, but Shota slips around to full nelson again. ZSJ slips down, rolls back, but Shota stays back so he can full nelson again! The fans applaud but ZSJ is annoyed. ZSJ backs up into Shota but Shota keeps from being thrown over. Shota puts more pressure on the full nelson, but ZSJ uses his leg for leverage. ZSJ breaks free but Shota ducks the elbow. ZSJ ducks a haymaker but swings into a facelock! ZSJ fights the suplex, but then so does Shota. Shota wrenches free but ZSJ ducks the enzigiri! Shota avoids the Penalty Kick to then arm-drag!

ZSJ headscissors, Shota kips free, the fans rally up as this keeps going! ZSJ avoids a dropkick, Shota avoids the Penalty Kick to scoop and DROP, then basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Shota stands tall out of that fast ‘n’ furious exchange! Shota cools off while ZSJ sits up, then Shota brings ZSJ around. Shota CLUBS ZSJ, ZSJ goes to a corner, and Shota throws an elbow! Shota throws another elbow, then he stomps ZSJ down. Shota drags ZSJ up with a cravat, but ZSJ endures the neck wrench to chinbar in return. Shota puts on more pressure, but ZSJ goes for a leg. Shota still cranks the neck wrench, then fires shoulders into ZSJ!

Shota CLUBS ZSJ down again, then sits him up. ZSJ eggs Shota on, so Shota fires some HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! The Blackpool Combat Club special still lives in The Roughneck, and he brings ZSJ up. Shota suplexes but ZSJ blocks again. ZSJ has a facelock and cranks the hold, but Shota suplexes again. ZSJ wrenches out to WRING the arm! The fans rally up while Shota clutches the shoulder. ZSJ sits Shota up to then SNAP the fingers! The fans are torn over ZSJ acting like a Villain, but then ZSJ twists Shota’s wrist and wraps the arm around the ropes. Red Shoes counts, and ZSJ lets off with an apologetic bow.

ZSJ then drags Shota from the ropes, wrangles him, and has a mounted armbar! Then ZSJ isolates the arm to STOMP it! The fans cheer while Shota writhes and clutches the elbow. ZSJ paces before going back for Shota. ZSJ stands on the bad arm, and even the hand. Shota throws shots with the other hand, but ZSJ KICKS Shota in the side! ZSJ kicks Shota around but Shota eggs him on. ZSJ KICKS Shota in the arm again, eggs Shota on now, and then KICKS him again! Shota sits up but ZSJ kicks him to the ropes. Shota stands up and he fires a forearm! And another forearm! ZSJ eggs Shota on so the forearms keep going!

ZSJ wrenches the arm to an ELBOW BREAKER! Shota falls back to ropes but ZSJ UPPERCUTS him! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Shota staggers around, ZSJ whips, but Shota reverses, only for ZSJ to catch him into a COBRA TWIST! Shota endures, even as ZSJ puts pressure on the crossface portion! ZSJ practically flexes as he puts on the grip tighter, but Shota fights his way towards ropes. ZSJ grabs that free arm and adds a straitjacket variation to the hold! Shota still endures, even as ZSJ digs an elbow in! Shota almost falls into the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as ZSJ lets off, and then ZSJ KICKS Shota!

ZSJ runs, but Shota DROPKICKS back! Both men are down and we’re only ten minutes in. Shota rises and he fires back up! The fans cheer as Shota storms up to fire forearms on ZSJ in the corner. Shota whips corner to corner, then UPPERCUTS ZSJ! FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect, but Shota keeps cool. Shota paces, and he drags ZSJ up. Shota clinches but ZSJ wrenches out and then goes to the bad arm. PELE to the elbow! Shota goes to ropes and the fans rally up. ZSJ runs but Shota drop toeholds him into ropes! Shota slingshots, APRON DDT! ZSJ is stuck upside-down while fans fire up!

Shota clutches his leg while ZSJ finally flops to the floor. The fans rally up and a ring count starts. Shota rolls in at 3 of 20 while TMDK coaches ZSJ. ZSJ is still down at 10 of 20, but Shota goes out to fetch ZSJ. Shota has media clear out so he can whip ZSJ into railing! ZSJ slumps down but Shota brings him back up. Shota brings ZSJ around, cravats, and then whips again, but ZSJ bounces off railing to BOOT Shota! Shota returns to SHOTGUN! ZSJ is down again and Shota snarls as he rises up. The fans rally and duel, and now Shota wants TMDK to give him space. Red Shoes has TMDK back up a bit, and Shota puts ZSJ on railing!

DRAPING DDT to the floor! The fans go wild while ZSJ flops over! Shota is stone faced, and he doesn’t even care that the ZSJ fans boo him. Shota paces while ZSJ reaches out. Shota drags ZSJ up, brings him around, and then puts him in the ring. Shota goes to the corner, takes aim, and he goes COAST2COAST! Then Shota hauls ZSJ up to dragon sleeper, TRIDENT! Cover, TWO! ZSJ survives and the fans rally up! Shota waits on ZSJ, then runs, but ZSJ avoids Ignition to NECK TWIST! And basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up while both men are down! ZSJ stands up and paces around while Shota stirs.

ZSJ sits Shota up to KICK him in the back! Shota grits his teeth, but he sits back up! Shota eggs ZSJ on, so ZSJ KICKS him in the back again! The fans rally, Shota manages to sit back up, and Shota again dares ZSJ to hit him. ZSJ winds up, and he KICKS, covers, TWO! Shota stays in this but he rolls to the ropes for shelter. ZSJ waits on Shota as Shota has to beat him, not the other way around. ZSJ eggs Shota on, taunting him with how he wanted this main event. ZSJ kicks Shota around, but Shota sits up. Shota looks up with defiance, but ZSJ gets forehead to forehead with him. Shota rises, ZSJ eggs him on, and Shota fires a forearm!

ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Shota staggers around, and the fans rally up. Shota roars and comes back to fire a forearm! ZSJ UPPERCUTS again! Shota again staggers around, but he steadies himself and shakes his head. Shota goes back to ZSJ to fire a forearm, and another, but then ZSJ ROCKS Shota! ZSJ whips, Shota reverses, but ZSJ wrenches to ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Shota clasps hands but ZSJ shifts sides! Shota still holds on to fight the armbar! ZSJ pulls, uses legs for leverage, and has the ARMBAR! But Shota fights around, only to end up in an omoplata! ZSJ wants the other arm, Shota reaches for ropes, but ZSJ rolls him away!

ZSJ has the deep armbar! Shota endures, but ZSJ pulls on the arm! ZSJ shifts, CLARKY CAT! ZSJ uses his forehead to push on that arm, then he scissors the arms with his legs! Shota fights around but ends up in an TRIANGLE HOLD! ZSJ adds a double wristlock to it, and Shota is already fading! Red Shoes checks, and Shota’s turning red like his hair! ZSJ still squeezes, but Shota finds a second wind! Shota deadlifts ZSJ! But ZSJ slips around, DDT! Shota staggers back, rebounds, BASEMENT UPPERCUT! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Shota goes to a corner, takes aim, and ZSJ sits up into BLAZE- NO, ZSJ ducks!

ZSJ runs up to BOOT the lariat, but Shota SWATS the kick! Shota ROCKS ZSJ, ROLLING- NO, ZSJ gets under to GERMAN SUPLEX! But Shota’s right up! ZSJ LARIATS Shota inside-out!! The fans are thunderous and ZSJ roars! ZSJ then shouts, “IKU ZO!” Scoop and- NO, Shota slips free to CROSS RHODES! The fans fire up while both men are down! ZSJ crawls to ropes, Shota goes to the opposite side. Shota rises, he and ZSJ go to corners. They both run up, and ZSJ BOOTS Shota! Shota ROCKS ZSJ! Shota eggs ZSJ on, so ZSJ comes back to UPPERCUT! Shota staggers and the fans rally up again.

Shota scowls, comes back, and he UPPERCUTS! ZSJ wobbles and staggers back! ZSJ leans on ropes, Shota stares him down, and ZSJ returns to UPPERCUT! Shota staggers around, but he also comes back. Shota UPPERCUTS! ZSJ nods and shakes that off. The fans rally up more and more, and then ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Shota eggs ZSJ on so ZSJ UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! Shota UPPERCUTS and ZSJ falls! ZSJ gets right up and Shota stares him down. ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Shota UPPERCUTS, and ZSJ wobbles. ZSJ UPPERCUTS and Shota staggers! The fans continue to rally as neither man is backing down!

Shota UPPERCUTS, UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! ZSJ roars, but Shota UPPERCUTS him down! Shota roars, we pass 25 minutes, and the fans rally up again. Shota stands ZSJ up, catches his uppercut, but then ZSJ catches his! UPPERCUT, but then Shota clinches! EXPLODER, cover, ONE!! ZSJ KICKS Shota down, covers, ONE!! Shota SHOTGUNS ZSJ! ZSJ is right up to PENALTY KICK! But ZSJ drops to his knees, he can’t make the cover! ZSJ heads back over, brings Shota up, only for Shota to fight the scoop! Shota wrenches, ZSJ UPPERCUTS, then ZSJ whips. Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT!

Shota hurries to haul ZSJ up, but ZSJ scoops! ZACK DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Shota survives and the fans are thunderous! TMDK coaches ZSJ while he and Shota are both down. ZSJ rises, the fans rally up, and ZSJ roars again! ZSJ stands Shota up, reels him in, and Gotch Lifts! A shoutout to Suzuki-sensei, but Shota backdrops free! ZSJ rises, but into a pop-up, clinch, and EVOLVED DEATH RIDER!! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives but Shota fires up! The fans also fires up and Shota runs up, IGNITION! Shota then hurries to underhook, SWINGING DEATH RIDER!! Cover, TWO!!! ZSJ survives and the fans are thunderous!

Shota is back up, and he drags ZSJ back in! Underhooks and- NO, ZSJ traps a leg to TWIST, and TWIST! And then KNEEBAR!! Shota endures, even as ZSJ has the heel hook added on! ZSJ shifts the grip to put more pressure on, then he drags Shota away from ropes! It’s an INVERTED FIGURE FOUR! Shota endures as ZSJ twists the leg from knee to ankle! Red Shoes checks as Shota endures, ZSJ adds an ANKLE LOCK to it! Shota crawls for ropes, but ZSJ drags him back again! ZSJ tortures the leg with the different angles, but Shota claws at the mat! Shota grabs at Red Shoes’ shirt, but he refuses to give in!

ZSJ scissors the legs, the INVERTED FIGURE FOUR returns! HEEL HOOK on top! Shota flails, reaches out, and we pass 30 minutes! But that’s only the halfway point for an IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match! Shota endures as ZSJ puts all the pressure he can on the legs! Shota roars, pushes up off the mat, and he claws his way forward! The fans are thunderous, but then ZSJ leans way back on the legs! Shota shouts in pain, but he still makes the ROPEBREAK!! The fans all cheer while ZSJ lets go in frustration. ZSJ then stands on Shota’s legs, and STOMPS them! Shota clutches his legs, but he still looks up defiantly at ZSJ.

ZSJ storms up to STOMP the leg again, and Shota writhes again. Shota crawls away, but then sits back up. ZSJ storms up to STOMP the leg again! Shota goes to ropes, the fans rally and duel, and ZSJ waits on Shota to stand. Shota hobbles, but then he falls over, and he crawls to ropes. Shota still tries to stand, but his legs just won’t let him! Shota crawls after ZSJ but ZSJ soaks up the cheers from the fans. ZSJ brings Shota up, but Shota fires a forearm. There wasn’t much behind it, but Shota fires another, and another. ZSJ KICKS the legs out, but Shota gets right up! Shota fires forearm after forearm, and now there’s something there!

ZSJ DROPKICKS the legs out! Shota flounders around, but ZSJ waits to then run up. Shota dodges, and uses the corner to TORNADO DDT! Both men are down again and the fans rally. Shota crawls to a corner, ZSJ to the other, and they both drag themselves up with ropes. Shota shouts, “IKU ZO!” and then he runs in, BLINDSIDE KNEE in the corner! Shota puts ZSJ up top, climbs, but then flops down because of the bad leg! Shota still tries as the fans rally up, but ZSJ catches him to a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! Red Shoes reprimands but ZSJ drags Shota up top for a HANGING GUILLOTINE! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, but ZSJ puts Shota on the ropes!

ZSJ then tries to scoop Shota! Shota uses what he has left to fight that, and he fires elbows! Shota HEADBUTTS, but then he falls back! ZSJ wobbles up top and Shota rises again! The fans rally up as hard as they can, and ZSJ kicks Shota. Shota SHORYUKENS ZSJ! Shota goes to the very top, brings ZSJ up to join him, and fans go nuts already for the SUPER DUPER BUTTERFLY PLEX!! ZSJ tumbles away and both men are down again! The fans rally up and both men stir. Shota rises first, and he walks over to ZSJ. Shota stomps away on ZSJ in the ropes, the fans boo, and Red Shoes reprimands. Shota shoves Red Shoes down!

The fans boo because not only does Shota shove a ref, he shoves his own dad! Shota keeps stomping away on ZSJ, then he digs his boots in. Red Shoes tells Shota to stop, and Shota finally listens. Well, not really, as he sneaks stomps in! The fans boo more, Red Shoes knows what Shota is doing, and he has Shota back off. ZSJ rolls into the ring, Shota looms over him, and Shota scuffs ZSJ again and again. ZSJ flounders, but Shota brings him up. Shota ROCKS ZSJ, ROCKS him again, and ZSJ staggers to a corner. Shota winds up to UPPERCUT! ZSJ falls over, but Shota looms over him again.

ZSJ KICKS a leg! And KICKS! And KICKS! Shota doesn’t even care! Shota has the wrists and he DRAGON STOMPS! Shota shouts out Bryan Danielson but the fans boo! ZSJ endures as Shota digs his heel into his chest, then stomps him again! Shota brings ZSJ up, but ZSJ SLAPS Shota! Shota staggers and drops to his knees while the fans rally up! ZSJ looms over Shota, and he kicks him and stomps him over and over! We hit 40 minutes as Shota just looks up with defiance. ZSJ KICKS Shota in the chest! Shota grimaces and doubles over, but even ZSJ needs a moment to catch his breath. Shota crawls over to ZSJ, but ZSJ sits him up to KICK!

Shota grimaces again, doubles back over, but ZSJ brings him up. ZSJ stands Shota up, SLAPS him again, and has the wristlock to keep Shota close. Shota SLAPS, ZSJ SLAPS, it is a SLAP fight! The fans fire up as ZSJ gives as good as he gets! Shota and ZSJ SLAP, SLAP, SLAP! ZSJ ROCKS Shota with that last one, then DECKS him with the next! Shota is dazed but ZSJ stands him up. Shota ducks the roundhouse to pump handle, scoop, and POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Shota roars, takes aim, and BLAZE BLADE!! Cover, TWO!! Shota hurries to get ZSJ back up, underhooks, but ZSJ drops to get a leg! He ducks the enzigiri to have an ANKLE LOCK!

Shota rolls, victory rolls even, TWO!! Both men stand, ZSJ BOOTS! Shota roars! ZSJ SLAPS! ZSJ runs, Shota LARIATS! Both men are down but they hurry back up! They might be running on fumes but they’re still on their feet! They both run in, but Shota’s leg gives out! ZSJ DROPKICKS, then scoop for the SABRE DRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Shota survives and the fans are thunderous! ZSJ shakes his head, and he drags Shota back up! Gotch lift, PILEDRIVER!!! The fans are thunderous for the Suzuki shoutout! ZSJ then drags Shota back up, reels him back in, ZACK SABRE DRIVER!!! Cover, ZSJ WINS!!!

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)

At about 43 minutes and change, The Frontman finally downs his upstart challenger! ZSJ shows Shota respect in the end, because who knew he had it in him? But will Shota just have to shift gears and try again with the New Year? And what about his battle with Claudio Castagnoli tomorrow night? Can Shota refuel and hit The Swiss Superman with that Paradigm Shift?

As for ZSJ, he again shows Shota respect, and the fans applaud as Shota shows it in return. Shota is still down while ZSJ gets the mic, and ZSJ says, “I WON!” The fans cheer that! ZSJ tells Shota to hold on. Shota may not be an Ace yet, “but do your best to come back here. I’ll be waiting for you, do your best.” Shota slowly exits the ring, and ZSJ asks everyone, “How’d you like that?” The fans cheer, they loved it! ZSJ says there’s still tomorrow, so he’ll win then and talk to you all again. So mind if he keeps it short tonight? Happy New Year to everyone! Have fun tomorrow, too! This year will revolve around TMDK!

The fans cheer as ZSJ drops the mic, but is The Frontman already looking past The One & Only Ricochet? Or will ZSJ make this one mighty Tokyo Dome weekend?


My Thoughts:

An awesome night one in the Tokyo Dome with WrestleKingdom 19, but I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say get well soon, Douki. He and Desperado were going really hard, and that super senton, possibly powerbomb counter, that was a rough way for Douki to beat up his arm. But Desperado gave a good speech right after to address the injury happening and all that. So then the Junior Heavyweight Championship aside, I feel like the only real weak spot was that the Women’s Championship match barely being 16 minutes total from entrances to exits. I suppose if that is the real pace of a Stardom match, then good on them. Still a great match for what we got, but I would think for a big stage like WK19, they could’ve taken more time to really show what they can do.

Mayu retaining was fine, I obviously haven’t been watching Stardom’s programming so I don’t know what the build to this was. But she’s 100 days away from a two year reign, I would think someone takes that title off her at some point. Meanwhile, we got a lot of fun out of the Ranbo, and I don’t know if they meant for it to be only 17 entries or something happened to like three planned entries and they just didn’t replace them. They got a lot of stories involved at once, such as Sanada VS Taichi. Khan being the first entry and then being one of the final two was great, but per the unwritten rule, Khan had to lose since this was all his idea. Goto being the winner was a touch surprising, but he does make for a solid opponent no matter who is world champion.

Great ladder match, with the only weak spot being when Drilla didn’t smash Akira through the table with Drilla Killa. None of that was the right angle, but it was admirable that they even tried. Great win for TMDK, though, as they are the Super Junior Tag League winners and really should be the ones to win outside of the champs retaining. Great NJPW World TV Championship match, and I love that ELP won. ELP gets this as both a reward for sticking it out in NJPW, being a great talent in and out of the ring, and as a celebration of his overcoming cancer. Whoever didn’t want ELP winning this title must really be a fanboy for one of the others.

Also, awesome move in Cobb breaking the pushup bar, Narita’s gonna need a new weapon of choice. Great lumberjack match, too, and of course The House of Torture tried to do all the cheats they could. But at the same time, of course Tanahashi won to keep his career going for this final year. Shibata returning is a great move, as is Shibata VS Tanahashi for tomorrow, that is going to be a show stealer. Takagi VS Takeshita was awesome, definitely worthy of both titles, and I’m actually a little surprised Takeshita won. Takeshita VS Ishii tomorrow will be awesome, and could probably go either way. Maybe Takeshita wins so he can bring both belts back to AEW.

Finlay VS Yota was awesome stuff, and Yota winning makes sense given Finlay is facing Brody King tomorrow. Finlay with a title would’ve made that match really predictable, because Brody can’t go beating a champion and earning himself a title match. Plus, it was about time Finlay got his comeuppance as one of the top Heels in NJPW. To me, Naito VS Hiromu had a great start, lulled in the middle, but then kicked it back into gear going into the end. Hiromu looked great even in defeat, and I would think after WrestleDynasty, whoever are the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions will face Naito & Hiromu so that the World Tag League title shot doesn’t go to waste.

And of course, just an awesome main event. 43 minutes is WILD, but it helped give a great story arc to Shota from start to finish. There were many times Shota started to embrace the heat from the fans by not caring and just going after ZSJ how he wanted. It was similar to Kota Ibushi’s “Scary Mode,” too. But in the end, ZSJ winning is the right call. Shota still needs some time to perhaps work on either being a Face fans actually like or shifting into a Heel fans love to hate. Shota VS Claudio also didn’t need a title, the story of being Moxley’s Young Boy VS Moxley’s second in command works on its own. And while ZSJ VS Ricochet will now be for the title, I don’t see ZSJ losing just yet.

My Score: 9.1/10

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