Will The Front Man keep “season one” going?

NJPW is on the Road to Destruction in Kobe, but Zack Sabre Jr. defends his NJPW World TV title against Young Lion, Ryohei Oiwa!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• YOH & Ryusuke Taguchi VS DOUKI & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Douki & Kanemaru win.
• 8 Man Tag: Shota Umino, Yuji Nagata, Master Wato & Oskar Leube VS Tomoaki Honma & Team Strong Style; Honma & Team Strong Style win.
• Six Man Tag: Chaos VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
• 8 Man Tag: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tomohiro Ishii & Yuto Nakashima VS Tiger Mask, Togi Makabe, Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan; Double Disqualification.
• 8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire; LIJ wins.
• NJPW World Television Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Boltin Oleg Ryohei Oiwa w/ Kaito Kiyomiya; ZSJ wins and retains the title.
• SANADA & Taichi VS EVIL & SHO; Evil & Sho win.

PLAY BY PLAY

NJPW World Television Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Ryohei Oiwa w/ Kaito Kiyomiya!

The Front Man of TMDK was meant to face Oleg Boltin, but a wrist injury changed all that. However, the Young Lion on excursion in Pro-Wrestling Noah is here! New look, new attitude, but will Oiwa become the NEW star of NJPW World? Or will “season one” make it past “episode 13?”

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if 13 turns out to be a lucky number!

The bell rings and we’re on the clock! The two rush in and ZSJ BOOTS Oiwa! Oiwa fires forearms in return, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS! ZSJ headlocks, Oiwa powers out and they RAM shoulders! Oiwa eggs ZSJ on, ZSJ runs and they RAM shoulders again! ZSJ wobbles, Oiwa runs, but into a BOOT! Oiwa rebounds to run ZSJ over! ZSJ bails out and fans rally up. Oiwa goes out after ZSJ, kicks low and then brings him around to whip into the railing! ZSJ hobbles and drops to his knees, but Oiwa is on him again. Oiwa CLUBS ZSJ, brings him around the way, and then whips him into more railing! ZSJ drops to his knees again as Oiwa storms up.

The ref reprimands and wants this in the ring but Oiwa stomps ZSJ. Oiwa stands ZSJ up to whip him again, but ZSJ reverses and now Oiwa hits railing! Oiwa comes back to run ZSJ over! Fans fire up and Oiwa scowls as he storms back up to ZSJ. ZSJ sits up but Oiwa puts him in the ring. Fans rally, Oiwa stalks ZSJ and drags him up to scoop and SLAM! Cover, ONE and ZSJ goes to ropes. Oiwa stomps ZSJ, drags him up, and ROCKS him with a forearm! ZSJ eggs Oiwa on so Oiwa throws more shots! Oiwa ROCKS ZSJ, stomps him in the corner, then whips him corner to corner. Oiwa runs in to DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally as Oiwa drags ZSJ up with a gut wrench! ZSj fights free and scrambles to the apron. Oiwa runs up to ROCK ZSJ again! And again! And again! Oiwa then stands ZSJ up to suplex, but ZSJ fights! ZSJ has the arm over the ropes! The ref counts but ZSJ drags Oiwa over to have an APRON ARMBAR! The ref counts, ZSJ lets go and Oiwa scrambles away. ZSJ gets space, runs and PENALTY KICKS from the apron! Down goes Oiwa and fans fire up! ZSJ catches his breath while Oiwa flounders to railing. The ring count starts, ZSJ drags Oiwa up and wraps the arm around railing. ZSJ BOOTS the railing to jam up the arm!

The ring count is 8 of 20, but ZSJ wrenches the arm to an ELBOW BREAKER! ZSJ then brings Oiwa around, wraps the arm around railing, and BOOTS! ZSJ slides in at 14 of 20, Oiwa gets his arm free and hurries over, to slide in at 18! Fans cheer but ZSJ kneels on Oiwa, TWO! ZSJ twists Oiwa’s arm, isolates it, and STOMPS the elbow! Oiwa writhes but ZSJ clamps on with a hammerlock using his legs, and TWISTS the arm! We’re at the five minute mark already, and ZSJ KICKS Oiwa! ZSJ eggs Oiwa on, KICKS him again, and then KICKS him again! Oiwa snarls, pushes ZSJ, but ZSJ SLAPS him!

Oiwa forearms, ZSJ SLAPS! Oiwa SLAPS! ZSJ wobbles but he still eggs Oiwa on! Oiwa SLAPS and SLAPS, but ZSJ blocks to ELBOW BREAKER, and then PELE the arm! Fans cheer as ZSJ catches his breath. ZSJ drags Oiwa up, bends the fingers, and bends the elbow! Another wrench, but Oiwa fires a forearm! ZSJ eggs Oiwa on more, so Oiwa throws another shot! And another! ZSJ wrenches, Oiwa slips through to SPINEBUSTER! The fans fire up while ZSJ goes to ropes. Oiwa storms up and fires off forearms! Oiwa ROCKS ZSJ, whips him, and ELBOWS him down, to then run and SPLASH! Oiwa nods as he gut wrenches and lifts ZSJ for the SUPLEX!

Fans fire up and Oiwa stays on ZSJ with another deadlift GUT WRENCH SUPLEX! Bridging cover?! TWO!! ZSJ escapes and fans rally up for Oiwa. Oiwa storms over to ZSJ, waistlocks and deadlifts, but ZSJ pries free to UPPERCUT the bad arm! ZSJ runs but into an arm-drag! Oiwa waistlocks again, GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! ZSJ escapes again and Oiwa grows a bit frustrated. Oiwa hauls ZSJ up, ZSJ fights the lift and wrenches an arm to UPPERCUT! Oiwa comes back, but ZSj catches him to spin him and PELE the arm! And then ZSJ jumps on, KIMURA! Oiwa is caught in the body scissors but ZSJ shifts! CLARKY CAT!

Oiwa endures and fans rally up! Kaito coaches Oiwa but ZSJ pulls that arm way back! Oiwa kicks around, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts and ZSJ lets off, and fans cheer as Oiwa survives by a literal foot. ZSJ taunts Kaito and then drags Oiwa up. ZSJ wrenches the arm, but Oiwa blocks the scoop! Oiwa scoops but ZSJ slips out, to get a  SLEEPER! Oiwa throws ZSJ away and CHOPS! Oiwa roars, runs, but ZSJ KICKS the lariat away! GERMAN SUPLEX! Oiwa rises!? Oiwa block the boot into a DRAGON SCREW! Step through, FIGURE FOUR!! Fans fire up as ZSJ now endures a hold Kaito loves to use!

ZSJ SLAPS away on Oiwa’s face but Oiwa SLAPS ZSJ down! We pass 10 minutes but that means time is still on ZSJ’s side! ZSJ SLAPS Oiwa again and again, but Oiwa just puts on the pressure! ZSJ scrambles tot he ROPEBREAK! Oiwa lets ZSJ go, then he drags ZSJ up, SINGLE LEG SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! ZSJ is still in this but Oiwa SMASHES a knee! And then steps through again, btu ZSJ kicks with the other leg! Oiwa staggers away, but blocks another kick to DRAGON- NO, ZSJ steps through to have the ARMBAR! Oiwa fights up to stack ZSJ, pops fere, but ZSJ trips Oiwa up into a TRIANGLE HOLD! #CheckTheseLegs!

But then ZSJ shifts around, DISARMER!! ZSJ gets both arms, JIM BREAKS SPECIAL!! Oiwa taps, ZSJ wins!!

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by submission (still NJPW World Television Champion)

Defense number 13 is in the books for The Front Man! The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but he does show Oiwa respect. However, Kaito gets in ZSJ’s face. Is the Noah Supernova gonna try ZSJ next?

SANADA & Taichi w/ Taka Michinoku VS EVIL & SHO w/ Dick Togo!

The IWGP World Heavyweight Champion and the 2023 KOPW Champion are the front men of Just5Guys, and are working together against the House of Torture that’s coming for them! Will the Cold Skull and Holy Emperor put the House in its place? Or will the King of Darkness and his Murder Machine prove they can beat the best to become the best?

The House shows off the belts they literally stole, they don’t actually own the world or KOPW titles just yet. The teams sort out and Sanada starts against Evil. Fans cheer and rally up for “SA-NA-DA!” as he circles with Evil. But then Evil tags out to Sho. Fans boo and Sho eggs Taichi on. Sanada drops back and he tags Taichi in, but then Sho bails out. Fans boo as Sho goes to the railing and then the entryway. Taihci stays in the ring, so Sho has no choice but to return. They circle, but then Sho scrambles right back out and goes to the other corner of the railing. Taichi goes out after Sho but Sho scurries around to slide back into the ring.

Sho eggs Taichi on, but Taichi takes his time going around the way. Taichi storms up into the ring, but then Sho slides right back out. Fans boo but Sho grins. But then Sho sees Sanada is there and is wary. The ring count starts, Sho checks the stop watch for how long this match has gone. Taichi storms out after Sho, and catches him! To then whip him hard into railing! Fans fire up as Taichi drags Sho up and around to whip hard into more railing! Sho goes down in a heap while fans rally for “TA-I-CHI!” Taichi puts Sho in, drags him up, and snapmares to KICK him in the back! Sho writhes but Taichi stalks him to ropes.

Taichi stands on Sho at the ropes, Red Shoes reprimands and counts, and Taichi lets off. Taichi stomps Sho again, tags Sanada, and Sanada drags Sho up to whip him to ropes. Sanada ELBOWS Sho down, covers, TWO! Sanada keeps cool while fans rally up for him again. Sanada brings Sho around, reels him in, but Sho bends the fingers! Sho whips Sanada to the corner, and surprise! Evil pulls the buckle pad away! Sanada hits bare steel as the Bullet Club Special is in play! Taichi runs in but Sho sends him into the bare buckles! Fans boo as Evil drags Taichi out to whip into railing! And then out into the crowd!

Fans move aside as Evil drags Taichi up to the back row, to SMACK him off the east sign! Sho drags Sanada out the other side, but Sanada fights back! Sanada CLUBS Sho, but Sho bends fingers! Sho goes up the bleachers to wrap Sanada’s arm around railing! Sho then brings Sanada around to SMACK off the bench seat! Sho grins as he goes back to the ring and the count starts. The count passes 10 of 20 but neither Taichi or Sanada is up! Sanada hurries up at 15 and slides in at 17! Fans cheer, we pass five minutes, and Sho looms over Sanada. Sho wrenches the arm, and whips Sanada back into bare buckles!

Red Shoes reprimands but the damage is done. Evil tags in, distracts Red Shoes by angering Taka, and then Evil TOSSES Sanada out! Dick is there to sucker punch Sanada! Dick puts Sanada back in and Evil covers, but Red Shoes is still busy with the shirt Evil threw. Evil gets upset so he drags Sanada up. Sanada CHOPS Evil! And CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Evil whips, and Sanada again hits bare buckles! Sanada falls and Evil laughs as he tags in Sho. But Taichi storms up with a chair! Red Shoes stops Taichi but this allows the House to CHOKE Sanada! Taichi has no choice but to stand down and Red Shoes sees Sho standing on Sanada’s neck.

Red Shoes reprimands and counts, Sho steps off at 4. Sho stomps Sanada around, then clamps on a chinlock. Sho claws at Sanada’s eyes, then covers, TWO! Fans rally for Sanada but Sho and Evil talk trash. Sho scuffs Sanada while fans boo. Sanada stands to CHOP Sho! Sho eggs Sanada on so Sanada CHOPS again! And again! Sho rakes the eyes! Sho has Sanada in a corner, Red Shoes counts, and Sho lets off at 4. Sho whips corner to corner, runs in, but Sanada dodges! Sanada reels Sho in for a BIG back suplex! Fans rally as both men crawl, hot tag to Taichi! Taichi gives Sho some Kawada Kicks!

Sho goes to a corner, Taichi runs in to BOOT him down! Taichi reels Sho in but Sho fights the saido! So Taichi wrenches to DANGEROUS HOOK KICK! Evil runs in, but Taichi dodges! Taichi waistlocks, Evil switches, but Taichi fights the lift to PELE! Fans fire up as OFF COME THE PANTS! Taichi throws them at Sho, but Sho wants mercy! Taichi scuffs Sho and kicks him some more. Sho staggers up and Taichi KICKS him back down! Taichi reels Sho in, but Sho fights the lift! Sho bends the fingers, CLUBS the arm, runs, but Taichi blocks the spear! Sho bends the fingers again! Taichi kicks free, runs, but Sho uses Red Shoes as a shield!

Sho runs to SPEAR Taichi down! Tag to Evil as we pass ten minutes, and the House boys stomp away on Taichi! Red Shoes reprimands, but the House double whips Taichi. Taichi holds ropes, to then come back and DOUBLE AX BOMBER! Fans fire up as Taichi heads for his corner, hot tag to Sanada! Sanada whips Evil, Evil reverses but Sanada ducks ‘n’ dodges and dropkicks a leg out! Then he DROPKCIKS Evil outta the ring! Sanada aims to PLANCHA! Down goes Evil and fans fire up! Sanada gets them even louder, then he drags Evil up and into the ring. Sanadaa covers, TWO! Evil is still in this but Sanada looms over him.

Sanada fireman’s carries Evil but Evil claws eyes to get free! Red Shoes reprimands, but Evil blocks a kick, hands it to Red Shoes, and then mule kicks Sanada down! Sho swipes at Taka as he storms in, and Sho helps Evil put Sanada in a corner, They double whip corner to corner, then Sho runs in to forearm smash! Evil runs in to clothesline! FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Sanada’s tougher than that but Evil drags him up. Evil fireman’s carries but Sanada fights free! Feed to Taichi’s SOBAT! KICK! KICK! ROLLING ELBOW! ENZIGURI! Fans fire up and Sanada fireman’s carries! T K O!! Cover, Sho breaks it!

Sho stomps Sanada again but Taichi drags him out of the ring! Sanada drags Evil up into the dragon sleeper! Evil flails, Dick creeps up but Taka trips him up! So Evil grabs at Red Shoes! They go to ropes and Dick suplexes Taka into Sanada! Evil is free, he fireman’s carries for DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Sanada survives and Evil is furious! Fans rally while both men are down, but Evil sits up first. Evil slashes his throat, determined to end this. Evil drags Sanada up, spins him around, but Sanada fights the STO! Sanada is free, he spins Evil around, STANDING CLICED BREAD into the dragon sleeper! SKULL END!!

Sho runs in but Taichi catches him! SEITEI JUJIRO! Dick gets on the apron but Taka again drags him down! Sho and Evil endure submissions, but Evil is fading! Evil reaches out but Sanada thrashes him around! Evil still fights his way to the ROPEBREAK! Sanada lets Evil go and Taichi frees Sho. Sanada drags Evil up as we pass 15 minutes, and Sanada puts Evil on ropes, MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down and fans rally. Sanada kips up! Sanada aims as Evil sits up, SHINING WIZARD! Sanada isn’t done there, he hauls Evil up, but Evil slips free! Evil waistlocks, Sanada elbows free, and then runs in, but Evil puts Red Shoes in the way! Down goes Red Shoes!

Dick has a chair! He CHUCKS it at Sanada’s head! Fans boo but Dick plays dumb. Dick then slides Evil the world title belt! Evil aims at Sanada with a sinister grin. But Taichi attacks Evil first! Taichi takes the belt, but Sho has his “Murder Tool!” Taichi turns around to back Sho down, but Evil LOW BLOWS! Then WRENCH SHOT!! Sho drags Sanada up for Evil to BELT SHOT!! Fans boo as the House still gets away with all their tricks! Dick gets Red Shoes up, Evil stands Sanada up, EVERYTHING IS EVIL!! Cover, The House wins!

Winners: Evil & Sho, by pinfall

The King of Darkness pins the world champion, but they’re not done! Sho drags Taichi up, tucks him in, SHOCK ARROW!! Then Evil CHOKES Sanada with a chair! Dick uses the SPOILER CHOKER on Tatka! Douki runs in to fight them but Evil JAMS him with a chair! Kanemaru has his whiskey! The House backs off now, they don’t wanna fight the Heel Master when he’s all liquored up. Kanemaru gets his guys outta there, but Evil still holds the world title like it’s his own. Evil takes a seat in the chair he was just using as a weapon, but fans tell him to go away. Evil has the mic to tell them to shut up.

Evil then says, “Oi, Sanada. Nobody thinks of you as the world champion. Look at me, look at you, and look at who has the belt. This belt belongs to me, this makes ME the champion and YOU the challenger!” Taichi is furious but the Young Lions keep him back. Evil says weaklings and scum don’t deserve to be champions! And we will all see the House’s power soon enough! There’s one month left until Evil actually challenges for the title in Ryogoku. Will he use every trick in the House to truly become champion again? Or will Sanada bring a Skull End to this farce?

My Thoughts:

Another good event for NJPW, but all Road to whatever events are mostly filler, so I skipped most of this stuff. Skimmed it, though, so we got good stuff from those other matches to add heat to what’s coming. Especially with that 8 Man Tag featuring the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag champions turning into just a brawl between Ishii and Tenzan before their title matches tomorrow. And there are a lot of singles grudge matches for Destruction in Kobe between LIJ and United Empire so great 8 Man Tag there, too. That Callum Newman kid is great, he moves so fast and without messing up the timing, he could be somebody in a few years.

A shame for Boltin, he hasn’t really gotten much for the bit of hype he came in with. But stepping up to have a great 10 minute match with ZSJ was a great opportunity for Oiwa. ZSJ of course won here, it’s still gonna be some time before someone takes this title off ZSJ. At this rate, ZSJ might make it to a one year anniversary, having this belt all the way to WrestleKingdom, the same event he won the belt at the end of the tournament. And WrestleKingdom would be a proper event big enough for taking this title off ZSJ, if they’re going to do that at all.

The main event was good, but I figured The House would cheat to win. Evil & Sho have momentum starting off this Road To series, they probably go back and forth with Sanada & Taichi or even go on a streak of sorts, but I would think Sanada beats Evil in the end. Sho is more likely to take the KOPW belt than Evil is the top belt, depending on what odd stipulation Sho can come up with, but even then I still favor Taichi. A little disappointed Douki & Kanemaru didn’t rush out there sooner, but maybe they’ll be more on guard next time.

My Score: 8.6/10