Who comes away with the jackpot?

NJPW hits Sin City and puts up the gold! Will Tama Tonga still be NEVER Openweight Champion? Or will he fail to slay the LIJ Dragon, Shingo Takagi?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kickoff Match – Strong Survivor Match: Matt Vandagriff VS Buck Skynyr; Vandagriff wins.
• Kickoff Match – Six Man Tag: Team Filthy VS Baliyan Akki, Titus Alexander & Jakob Austin Young; Team Filthy wins.
• NJPW Strong Openweight Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Satoshi Kojima VS Fred Rosser VS Jeff Cobb VS Alex Coughlin; Kojima wins and will challenge for the title.
• Johnnie Robbie & Lluvia VS Zeuxis & Stephanie Vaquer; Zeuxis & Vaquer win.
• Tom Lawlor VS Gabe Kidd; Kidd wins.
• Atlantis’ 40th USA Anniversary 8 Man Tag: Atlantis, Atlantis Jr, Mistico & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Tiger Mask, Soberano Jr, Rocky Romero & Adrian Quest; Atlantis, Atlantis Jr, Mistico & Tanahashi win.
• NJPW Strong Women’s Championship: Giulia VS HYAN; Giulia wins and retains the title.
• NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: El Phantasmo & Hikuleo VS Lance Archer & Alex Zayne; ELP & Leo win and retain the titles.
• NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Eddie Kingston VS HENARE; Eddie wins and retains the title.
• SANADA & Yuya Uemura VS Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi; Time Limit Draw.
• NEVER Openweight Championship: Tama Tonga VS Shingo Takagi; Takagi wins and becomes the new NEVER Openweight Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

A video plays.

A man in cowboy boots walks into a bar. Old Westerns play on the TV. He takes a few shots, plays some arcade shooters, then throws darts at a picture of Toru Yano…? It’s JOEY JANELA!? The Bad Bad Boy is coming to NJPW,  for the Lonestar Shootout!

NJPW Strong Women’s Championship: Giulia VS HYAN!

The Beautiful Madness is just the second woman to hold this title, and she doesn’t plan on letting go of it just yet. Will Giulia have Lady Luck on her side? Or will The Renaissance Woman add being a champion to her skillset?

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

The bell rings and fans rally up already. They cheer Giulia and she soaks it up. Hyan shrugs it off as she and Giulia circle. They tie up, Hyan powers Giulia back but Giulia powers Hyan back. Giuliar throws Hyan down but they stay tied up. Hyan fights up to headlock, then she throws Giulia! Hyan eggs Giulia on and fans rally up. Giulia offers a handshake and fans applaud. Hyan is wary but fans chant to “SHAKE HER HAND!” Hyan accepts, and then Giulia kicks low! Giulia headlocks, but Hyan throws her away! Giulia runs up, Hyan sweeps and covers, ONE! Giulia sweeps and covers, ONE! Hyan headlocks but Giulia powers out, only to get run over!

Fans cheer Hyan as she aims and runs corner to corner. Giulia dodges, to then CHOP! Fans rally as Giulia wrenches Hyan’s hair, then TOSSES her across the way! Giulia storms up, stomps Hyan, then goes to the opposite corner. Fans fire up as Giulia runs in to ELBOW Hyan! Then she snapmares and basement dropkicks! Cover, TWO! Hyan hangs tough but Giulia brings her up. Giulia whips, Hyan reverses but Giulia reverses back, IRON OCTOPUS! Fans cheer as Hyan endures, and Hyan steps her way to the ROPEBREAK! But Giulia shifts to a sunset flip! TWO, and Giulia whips. Hyan LARIATS Giulia down!

Fans rally, Hyan whips Giulia but Giulia reverses. Giulia runs in at the corner but into a BOOT! Hyan then runs to KNEE Giulia, and reel her in, for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Hyan stays focused. Hyan goes to a corner, she tunes up the band, and Giulia stands. Hyan runs in, but Giulia dodges to waistlock. Hyan elbows free, reels Giulia in, but Giulia back drops free! And SHOTGUNS Hyan down! Fans fire up as Giulia goes up top. Hyan stands, into Giulia’s MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Giulia stays cool and she hammerlocks. But Hyan CLUBS free! Giulia ROCKS Hyan, but Hyan ROCKS Giulia!

Giulia ROCKS Hyan again, but Hyan ROCKS Giulia again! They go back and forth, fans rally up, and Hyan- NO, Giulia blocks the knee! But Hyan HEADBUTTS! Hyan suplexes but Giulia fights it! Giulia suplexes but Hyan fights it! Hyan suplexes but Giulia DDT counters! Cover, TWO!! Hyan survives but Giulia drags her to an STF! Fans fire up and Hyan endures! Fans rally as Hyan crawls and reaches out, for the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Giulia lets go at 4. Giulia has Hyan on the apron but Hyan RAMS into Giulia! Hyan slingshots up and over, but Giulia holds ropes to stop the Sunset! Giulia sits on the cover, TWO and Giulia is sent out of the ring!

Hyan builds speed! She DIVES and direct hit into the railing! Fans fire up with Hyan and she drags Giulia into the ring. Hyan goes up the corner, but Giulia stands up! Giulia UPPERCUTS Hyan, climbs up to fire forearms, but Hyan hits back! They brawl up top, fans rally up and Hyan gets the edge! But Giulia HEADBUTTS in return! Fans fire up as Giulia brings Hyan into underhooks! SUPER BUTTERFLY PLEX!! Roll back and Giulia drags Hyan up, but Hyan FALCON ARROWS!! Both women are down and fans are all fired up! “This is Awesome!” as the ref checks. Hyan and Giulia are both still in this so a standing count begins.

Giulia and Hyan stir at 4 of 10, crawl after each other, and go forehead to forehead. Hyan SLAPS Giulia! Giulia SLAPS Hyan! They SLAP back and forth as they stand, and fans fire up as the shots go faster and faster! Giulia ROCKS Hyan, Hyan shoves Giulia, they both run, and Hyan FLYING ELBOWS! Hyan drags Giulia up to scoop and BACKBREAKER! Then she flips Giulia over, reels her in, and POWERBOMBS! High stack, TWO!! Giulia survives that power combo and Hyan can’t believe it! Giulia sputters, Hyan storms up on her, and Hyan drags Giulia up in chicken wings! GLAM- NO, Giulia arm-drags free!

Hyan runs up to BOOT Giulia, but Giulia comes back! Hyan gets around the lariat to back suplex, but Giulia lands on her feet! And GERMAN SUPLEXES in return! Fans fire up, Giulia brings Hyan in, but Hyan shoves back. They DOUBLE FOREARM! And DOUBLE FOREARM! And again! Giulia ROCKS Hyan this time, then fires off more forearms! Wind up, ITALIAN RIGHT HOOK! Fans fire up again and Giulia runs, into a SPEAR!! Cover, TWO!!! Giulia survives but Hyan just drags her back up! But then Giulia SAIDOS!! Hyan sits up, into a G-TRIGGER!! Cover, TWO!! But Giulia doesn’t stop, she scoops and NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB!!! Cover, Giulia wins!

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

Giulia aces this match and walks away with the jackpot! But she still shows her opponent respect and the fans cheer that. Will Hyan look to come back around some day? Who is next for the #DangerousQueen now?

NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: El Phantasmo & Hikuleo VS Lance Archer & Alex Zayne!

The Headbanga & The Young Guerilla took these titles off those nasty Bullet Club War Dogs, and now have their first defense on their hands. Will ELP & Leo show they’re not just a fluke? Or will they get burned by the #MonsterSauce?

Well, as is Archer’s pre-match ritual, he DECKS a Young Lion! And then another! And then another! Zayne figures whatever helps him get in the groove, that’s fine. Wait, where are the belts? Oh, “Bert & Ernie” bring them out for ELP & Leo. Well, it is almost Halloween. OH NO~, Archer CLOBBERS Bert & Ernie! Zayne says this is too far! Leo & ELP retaliate, then ELP puts Zayne in the ring. The bell rings, Zayne headlocks but ELP powers out. Zayne runs ELP over, things speed up as ELP hurdles and Zayne handsprings. They keep going and Zayne RANAS, but ELP handsprings through! Fans fire up as they keep going, and ELP DROPKICKS!

ELP kips up, fans chant for him, and he ROCKS Zayne! And CHOPS Zayne! And CHOPS again! ELP CHOPS Zayne in the corner, then tags in Leo. Leo storms up to- NO, Zayne dodges the chop! Archer reaches out, fans fire up, and Zayne tags him in! Fans fire up seeing the big, big men in here! Archer fires up, too, he’s been waiting to pick on someone his own size! They RAM shoulders, and neither falls! They RAM shoulders again, and again! They throw forearms, go back and forth, and fans chant “HE’S GOT GENES!” for Leo! Leo ROCKS Archer, ROCKS him again, and has him in a corner. Leo whips corner to corner, but Archer dodges!

Leo bounces off buckles, Archer kick slow, and reels him in?! Fans fire up and Archer wants them to get louder. The fans get louder, but Leo suplexes! Archer fights that to suplex! Leo fights that, swings but misses, and Archer CLOBBERS Leo! Fans fire up and Leo goes to a corner. Archer tags Zayne and gives him a boost, HIP TOSS SENTON! Then Archer BACK ELBOWS! Leo staggers, Zayne reels him in, but Leo CHOPS first! Zayne sputters, Leo runs in but Zayne dodges. Leo scoops, Zayne slips free and ENZIGURIS! Leo drops to a knee, but he still gets a leg! Zayne fires boxing elbows, then a mule kick!

Zayne runs, but into a HUGE back drop! Tag to ELP and he runs in, dodges Zayne and BLASTS Archer! Zayne runs in, ELP goes up and over, ducks ‘n’ dodges and CROSSBODIES! PLANCHA on Archer! Then SWANTON BOMB to LIONSAULT on Zayne! Cover, TWO! Zayne is still in this but fans rally for “E L P!” ELP reels Zayne in but Zayne Alabama Lifts! ELP fights that to get Zayne up, SITOUT BOMB! Cover, Archer breaks it! Leo kicks Archer and tosses him out. Leo then ROCKS Archer against railing! ELP knuckle locks and wrenches, but Archer sends Leo into railign! ELP goes up, up, kicks Zayne in the face, then tightrope walks!

ELP kicks Zayne again, keeps going around the corner, but then Archer has Leo to do the same!? They tightrope walk to the middle, ELP CHOPS! And CHOPS! Archer doesn’t flinch! PURPLE NURPLE! Archer just CHOPS ELP down, onto Zayne! But then Leo shoves Archer down onto ELP! Zayne BLASTS Leo off the apron, and Monster Sauce regroups! Archer ROCKS ELP, Zayne scoop, BAJA BLAST! Cover, TWO! ELP is still in this and fans rally up. Zayne drags ELP up, tags Archer, and they set ELP up. Kick, ROLLING AX KICK and LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives and fans rally up. Archer tags Zayne and Monster Sauce coordinates.

Zayne suplexes but ELP slips free! ELP shoves Zayne into Archer! Then Leo runs in to clothesline Archer up and out! Zayne CHOPS Leo but ELP wrenches, straitjackets and torture racks! Leo runs to BOOT, and ELP spins around for the UFO NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Zayne survives and fans fire up again! ELP pounds the mat, fans rally with him, and ELP goes up the corner. Zayne scrambles up, Archer runs in and STEP-UP KNEES ELP! Zayne then runs corner to corner to NO HANDS RANA!! Archer drags ELP up to the CHOKE SLAM!! And then CHOKE SLAM SAULT!! Cover, LEO BREAKS IT!

Fans fire up as Archer grabs Leo! “This is Awesome!” as Leo now grabs Archer! The giants fight claw for claw, Archer breaks free to ROCK Leo! Archer runs, but into the POWER TRIP SLAM! And then GODSEND!! Fans are thunderous as Leo gets Zayne! GODSEND- NO, Zayne slips free to ENZIGURI! SUDDEN DEATH from ELP! ELP DIVES to take out Archer, and Leo hits another GODSEND!! Leo helps ELP get up, SUPER THUNDERKISS!!! Cover, ELP & Leo win!

Winners: El Phantasmo & Hikuleo, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)

But wait, WEST COAST WRECKING CREW rushes out!? And they DOUBLE LOW BLOW the champs!! Fans boo as Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs beat down on ELP & Leo! Jorel then calls for a mic, and he is given one. The fans boo more as Jorel tells Vegas to listen. “In case you forgot who built this brand, let us remind you. In case y’all forgot who built this tag division, let us remind you! And in case you forgot who the best GADDAMN tag team is here, let us remind you, that that is the West Coast Wrecking Crew!”

Jorel gives Royce the mic, and Royce says he is sick and tired of random, thrown together, fly by night tag teams getting the opportunities he and Jorel deserve! They threw together two people, put them in World Tag League and give them these NJPW Strong Openweight Tag title matches, and now they’re the Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions right now. Well Jorel & Royce are not waiting, they’re taking! So GoD better learn to P R A Y. November 10th, Lonestar Shootout, you are looking at the NEW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions! That’s #WreckingCrewShid! But will the WCWC really run NJPW?

NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Eddie Kingston VS HENARE!

The Mad King knows Jay Lethal is after his ROH World Championship, but his fight with the Face of Fury goes back to their instant classic in the G1 Climax! Will Eddie hold onto this title? Or will he be conquered by the United Empire?

The introductions are made, the NJPW belt is raised, and we see who is truly NJPW Strong!

The bell rings and fans rally for Eddie as he stares down with Henare. They step up, feel things out, fans sing “F him up, Eddie, F him up!” Henare ignores that as he ties up with Eddie. They’re in a deadlock, then break. Henare flexes but Eddie just circles with him again. They tie up, Eddie puts Henare on ropes, but Henare turns that around. The ref counts, Henare lets off slowly, to CHOP! Eddie swings but Henare dodges and strikes a Maori stance. Eddie and Henare tie up but Henare kicks low! Henare headlocks, Eddie powers out but Henare blows through the chop to BOOT! Eddie gets up to CHOP Henare down!

Henare gets up, feints one kick to SPIN KICK! And SLIDING KNEE! Eddie tumbles out of the ring while fans fire up with Henare. The ref checks Eddie but he’s okay to continue so a ring count starts. Henare goes out after Eddie before 3 of 20, and he CLUBS away on Eddie! Henare throws body shots and HEADBUTTS, then insults the fans! Henare digs his boots into Eddie against railing, but the ref counts. Henare lets off, Eddie gets up and stumbles while Henare eggs on the fans. Henare SMACKS Eddie off the apron, RAMS him into the apron, but Eddie CHOPS in return! Henare eggs Eddie on, so Eddie CHOPS!

Henare shoves Eddie, storms after him, and then KICKS him in the leg! The ref starts the ring count again, Henare whips Eddie into railing! But Eddie comes back to LARIAT Henare down! The count is 8 of 20 but Eddie puts Henare in. Henare goes to a corner, Eddie storms up but Henare body shots first! And again! Eddie sputters, Henare runs, and he runs Eddie over! Eddie goes to ropes but Henare CHOKES him! The ref reprimands, Henare lets off at 4, and fans start to duel, “Let’s Go, Eddie!” “HE-NA-RE!” Henare drags Eddie up to KNEE him in the head! And again! Eddie eggs Henare on!? Henare KNEES Eddie down!

Eddie is dazed but still conscious, so Henare drags him up. Eddie CHOPS the legs, CHOPS the chest, then CHOPS again! Henare nods and eggs Eddie on. Eddie CHOPS, Henare ROCKS Eddie, then whips. Eddie reverses to kitchen sink knee! Eddie underhooks but Henare blocks the suplex, to Eddie gives some Kawada kicks. Henare still blocks the underhooks, wrenches out and HEADBUTTS Eddie down! Fans fire up and Henare slaps sense into himself. Henare sits Eddie up to KICK him in the back, and SENTON! Cover, TWO! Eddie grits his teeth as he stays in this, but Henare keeps cool and the fans duel again.

Henare paces around, Eddie sits up, and Henare KICKS him! Eddie just snarls! Henare likes that, and he KICKS Eddie again! Eddie growls and grits his teeth again as he stands back up. Henare KICKS Eddie down! Cover, ONE!! Henare glares at the ref but his cover was a bit lax. Eddie goes to the corner, Henare runs in, but Eddie dodges the knee! MACHINE GUN CHOPS! The fans fire up, Eddie reloads to MACHINE GUN CHOP again! Eddie tops it off with one more CHOP, and then an EXPLODER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Henare sits up first as he clutches his neck, but he and Eddie head for each other.

Fans duel as Henare and Eddie rise to their feet. Eddie CHOPS! Henare staggers, but he comes back to CHOP! Eddie seethes, but he CHOPS again! Henare grits his teeth and CHOPS! Eddie brings down the straps, and CHOPS! They go CHOP for CHOP, but Eddie gets the edge! Eddie starts giving ridge hands! Eddie runs, into a JUMP KNEE! Eddie is dazed again, and Henare wants the full nelson! ULTIMA- NO, Eddie fights the lock! Henare tries, Eddie powers up, but Henare gets him for a FULL NELSON SLAM! The kneepad comes down and Henare fires himself up with a Haka! Eddie flounders to a corner, drags himself up, and Henare runs in to SHINING WIZARD!

Henare shoves Eddie out, runs back in, RAMPAGE!! Cover, TWO!! Eddie survives but Henare doesn’t stop, he PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Henare is shocked but the fans fire up again! Eddie reaches out in a daze, but Henare has his Monster Rage boil up! Henare drags Eddie up and in, fisherman and- NO, Eddie fights out to URAKEN! Henare JUMP KNEES! URAKEN! HEADBUTT! URAKEN!! Eddie falls on the cover, TWO!!! Eddie almost had a repeat of their G1 match! Fans are thunderous as Eddie and Henare stir. Eddie and Henare rise up, the fans hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” but this has to end somehow.

Eddie CHOPS, but Henare CHOPS! Eddie CHOPS again, so Henare fires a forearm! Eddie checks his face, and then CHOPS! They stand, Henare forearms! Eddie CHOPS! Forearm! CHOP! Repeat! Henare gets the edge and then KICKS, but Eddie blocks to URAKEN!! Henare swings, but into a SAIDO!! Henare roars to his feet, swings again, but into a HALF ‘N’ HALF!! And then the BACKFIST TO THE FUTURE!! TWICE!! Cover, Eddie wins!!

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

Somehow, someway, Eddie survives another instant classic! The sequel was even better than the original, but will we get a trilogy out of the Mad King and Face of Fury?

But wait! Here comes Satoshi Kojima! He won that Fatal 4 Way #1 Contender’s match earlier tonight, so he wants to look Eddie in the eyes. Kojima gets a mic so he can also say in person, “Congratulations, Mr. Eddie Kingston. You are very strong. But I love bread.” Fans chant for “BREAD! BREAD! BREAD!” Kojima says next time, NJPW is in Dallas, Texas. And one way or another, Kojima will kick Eddie’s ass! Fans fire up for that! Eddie steps to Kojima, but Kojima smiles and hands the mic over. Eddie tells Kojima, “I’ll see you in Texas, motha-” Fans cheer that! The Mad King or the King of Bread Style, who will truly be NJPW Strong?

NJPW has even more in store for Lonestar Shootout!

Friday, November 10th, Garland, Texas, NJPW brings along not just the NJPW Strong Openweight and Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships, but they’re roping in David Finlay, Jon Moxley, Mistico, Ultimo Guerrero, and Kenta! Tickets on sale now, and streaming on NJPW World, get ready to get wild in the Wild Wild West!

SANADA & Yuya Uemura VS Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi!

The Cold Skull is set to face the Uncontrollable Charisma at WrestleKingdom 18, the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship on the line! So as both sides build momentum, can the Heat Storm help Sanada stay sharp? Or will the Ticking Timebomb help Naito have more, more, MORE fun in Las Vegas?

The fans rally for “NA-I-TO!” as he takes his time taking off his entrance attire. Then the fans chant for Sanada, for Hiromu, and for Yuya, until they decide to cheer on “All These Guys! All These Guys!” Naito finally puts the pants away, the teams sort out, and after LIJ fist bumps, Naito starts against Sanada in a preview of WrestleKingdom. Fans rally up with the bell, and the two circle. The chants duel, “SA-NA-DA!” “NA-I-TO!” The two mirror each other, Sanada knowing Naito’s tricks. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and fans cheer. Sanada powers Naito back a step at a time and has him on ropes, but Naito turns it around.

The ref counts, Naito lets off slowly and he pats his old teammate on the shoulders. Then SPITS at him! Sanada blocks the kick, CLUBS the leg, and tosses Naito out! Sanada cleans himself with the ref’s shirt, then builds speed, but Sanada tumbles up and out as Naito slides in! Naito BLAST Sanada off the apron, builds speed himself now, but Yuya trips him up! Sanada must’ve taught Yuya Naito’s tricks. Fans are torn but Sanada thanks his teammate for that. Sanada stomps Naito, tags Yuya, and now Yuya brings Naito up and around. Yuya CHOPS and Naito stumbles. Yuya CHOPS again, then CHOPS again!

Yuya headlocks and grinds the hold, but Naito powers up and fishhooks Yuya’s nose! Naito sends Yuya to a corner but Yuya goes up and over to arm-drag! And DOUBLE CHOP! Fans fire up with Yuya and he covers, TWO! Yuya BLASTS Hiromu for good measure before he brings Naito up. Yuya wrenches, YANKS, then whips. Naito reverses, atomic drops, and Hiromu is in to dropkick the legs out! Naito basement dropkicks while Hiromu BLASTS Sanada down! Naito turns Yuya over for a Camel Clutch, and Hiromu fires up to basement dropkick! Fans cheer LIJ and Hiromu gets them to get louder in a very Sanada move.

Naito brings Yuya up, tags in Hiromu, and Hiromu brings Yuya around to CLUB him! And CLUB him again! Yuya CHOPOS Hiromu, ROCKS Naito, then fires off CHOPS! Hiromu CHOPS in return! Yuya sits down but Hiromu stands him up, to CHOP him down! Tag to Naito and Naito drags Yuya up. Fans rally, LIJ double whip, and they DOUBLE LARIAT! Cover, TWO, but Naito clamps on the leg scissor nelson! Yuya endures, fights around, and has the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Naito claims he needs help as always, so the ref has to pry the legs off Yuya. Naito tags Hiromu back in and Hiromu stomps Yuya at the ropes.

Yuya stands up but Hiromu CHOPS him! And CHOPS him! And then suplexes, but Yuya slips free! Yuya ducks an elbow to CHOP! And SAI- NO, Hiromu fights the suplex, runs, but Yuya gets around to hit a BIG back suplex after all! Both men are down and the fans rally up. Yuya and Hiromu crawl, but Hiromu hot tags Naito! Naito kicks and whips but Yuya reverses to SAYANAGI, and DRAGON ARM SCREW! Fans rally up and Yuya hot tags Sanada! Sanada storms up on Naito to YANK the bad arm! And YANK again! Sanada whips, Naito reverses but Sanada dropkicks the leg to then DROPKICK Naito down!

Sanada kips up and fans fire up! Naito is in the corner, Sanada runs in but he blocks a boot. Sanada trips Naito, and he has the legs! Fans fire up as Sanada ties Naito up, but Naito kicks free. Naito runs in but into a RANA! But Naito rolls through, only for Sanada to roll through! Sanada ties Naito up in PARADISE! Fans fire up and Sanada has them get louder. The fans oblige and Sanada likes that. Sanada then runs to DROPKICK Naito out of Paradise! Cover, TWO! Naito is still in this, but Sanada still has the fans. Sanada drags Naito up, fireman’s carries, but Naito fights free! Naito then spins Sanada and hits a NECKBREAKER!

Fans rally up for Naito again and he tags Hiromu. Hiromu brings Sanada up, whips him to ropes, but Sanada reverses to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Fans fire up and Sanada crawls for his corner, hot tag to Yuya! The Heat Storm fires up and he runs in at Hiromu, to SPLASH! And BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Hiromu stays in this, but Yuya drags him up to trap the arms. But Hiromu fights free and ROCKS Yuya! Hiromu then dodges Yuya but Yuya  follows to UPPERCUT! Yuya runs, but Hiromu follows to UPPERCUT! Hiromu runs but knows Yuya follows so he fireman’s carries! But Yuya fights free and shove Hiromu!

Yuya runs in, but into a BOOT! Hiromu runs but Yuya dodges to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Hiromu is still in this but Yuya pounds the mat. The fans rally behind him as Hiromu goes to a corner. Yuya runs in to ELBOW, then he fires up again. Yuya whips corner to corner, runs in, but Hiromu dodges the splash! Naito is there to hip toss! LIJ BASEMENT DROPKICK SANDWICH! Naito BLASTS Sanada and Hiromu covers, TWO! Yuya is still in this for his team but Hiromu drags Yuya up. FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Sanada and Naito scrap on the outside, and Sanada RAMS Naito into railing!

Hiromu drags Yuya up, but Yuya fires a forearm! Hiromu forearms Yuya, Yuya forearms back! Fans rally as the shots keep going! Hiromu roars, Yuya roars, and the forearms pick up speed! Hiromu ROCKS Yuya, then ducks Yuya’s forearm to fireman’s carry! But Yuya slips free and shoves again! Hiromu comes back, but Yuya traps the arms! KAMU- NO, Hiromu fights the suplex! And HEADBUTTS! But Yuya ROCKS him first! Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Yuya DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! The ref checks both men, they’re still in this, and “This is Awesome!” as both men crawl for their corners. Hot tags to Naito and Sanada!

Naito runs up, Sanada dodges to CHOP! Naito fires a forearm, so Sanada CHOPS! Forearm, CHOP, repeat! Fans rally up, Naito smiles and Sanada eggs Naito on. Naito fires a forearm, Sanada CHOPS, repeat! They keep going back and forth, and Naito gets the edge! Naito grins, but Sanada CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Naito just gets in Sanada’s face, to then throw a heavy back elbow! And another! And then he SPITS at Sanada again! Sanada reels Naito in for a BIG back suplex! Fans fire up while both men are down! Fans hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” but this match only has a 20 minute time limit!

Sanada calls Yuya in, they get Naito up to double whip and DOUBLE DROPKICK! Yuya then goes after Hiromu while Sanada sets Naito up for MAGIC SCREW! Cover, TWO! Sanada shakes his head and the fans rally up as he paces around. Sanada puts Naito in the dragon sleeper! And the SKULL SWING! Fans fire up for the SKULL END! Naito endures, flails, and Hiromu fights off Yuya! But Yuya anchors Hiromu on the apron! Naito fades but gets a second wind at the 15 minute mark! Hiromu reaches out for Naito, Naito kicks around for ropes, ROPEBREAK! The fans fire up and the ref counts, but Sanada lets off quickly and cleanly.

Sanada drags Naito up as the fans duel again. Sanada scoops to BACKBREAKER, and Naito is in the drop zone! Sanada goes up top, but Hiromu anchors Sanada now! The ref counts, Sanada and Hiromu pull each other’s hair, but Naito smiles as he CLUBS Sanada! And CLUBS him again and again! Naito turns Sanada around, fires forearms, and SPITS at Sanada! Fans want that “One More Time!” Naito SPITS again! Fans cheer, and then Naito goes up, but Sanada slips under! Sanada drags Naito off the corner with a waistlock but Naito fights. Naito RAMS Sanada into a corner, then reels him in for those heavy elbows!

Naito goes up the corner, reels Sanada in at the three minute warning, and hits ESPERANZA! Fans fire up and Naito aims from the corner. Sanada rises slowly as the fans rally up. Naito runs in, but Sanada DROPKICKS! Naito ENZIGURIS! Naito wrenches but Yuya DROPKICKS! Hiromu gets in, spins Yuya, but Yuya fights the suplex! Yuya dodges the haymaker, but runs into the HIROM-CHAN BOMBER! Sanada runs in, Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Two minute warning, but Hiromu helps with the SWING- NO, Sanada slips free to ENZIGURI Naito and DROPKICK Hiromu! SHINING WIZARD!! All four men are down and the fans are thunderous!

Naito and Sanada stir, slowly sit up and head for each other, and Naito throws a forearm! Sanada throws a forearm, and we’re at the literal last minute! Fans are thunderous as the forearms just keep flying! Naito roars, the forearms pick up even more speed, and Sanada roars now! Sanada gets the edge, fireman’s carries, T K O!! Thirty seconds at the cover, HIROMU BREAKS IT! Sanada TOSSES Hiromu and hurries to drag Naito into the dragon sleeper! SKULL END!! Ten seconds left as Naito endures! Naito flails, reaches out, is he tapping?! The bell rings first!!

Time Limit Draw

Sanada almost had Naito there, but Naito was essentially saved by the bell! If this is how intense it is in a tag match, how much more intense will it be when these two go 1v1 with no limits?

Wait, who is this rolling Hiromu up on stage? Danny Limelight! TWO, and Danny cradles Hiromu now, TWO!! Danny wants that DDT Pro Ironman Heavyweight Championship but Hiromu runs away into the night! Can Hiromu make it out of Sin City with that second belt of his? Or will someone get lucky before the night is over?

NEVER Openweight Championship: Tama Tonga VS Shingo Takagi!

The Good Bad Guy finally got this title back back Destruction in Ryogoku, and was the one who challenged the Rampaging Dragon to this fight! Will Tama be able to slay that dragon? Or will Takagi make things tranquilo here in Sin City?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Tama’s gamble pays off!

The bell rings and the two circle as fans rally. They approach, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Takagi pushes Tama back a step, but Tama pushes Takagi back a step. They go back and forth, but then Tama puts Takagi on ropes. The ref counts, Tama lets off slowly, and he pats Takagi on the chest. The fans applaud the sportsmanship and the two reset. Takagi and Tama feel things out, knuckle lock, and then go shoulder to shoulder in a test of strength. Takagi then knees one knuckle lock apart, wrenches the other arm, and hammerlocks. Tama moves around, switches the hammerlock onto Takagi then headlocks for a takeover.

Takagi headscissors, Tama kips free, and the fans cheer the exchange. Tama and Takagi reset as the fans duel. The two circle, feel things out again, and knuckle lock, but then Takagi drop toeholds. Takagi headlocks, Tama slips out the back to headlock in return. Tama grinds the hold but Takagi fights up and powers out. Tama RAMS shoulders with Takagi but neither falls! Takagi eggs Tama on, then he fires a forearm! Tama gives it back so Takag shouts, “OI!” The forearms go back and forth, fans rally up, and Takagi JABS! JABS! And JABS! Takagi whips, Tama ducks ‘n’ dodges and RAMS Takagi, but Takagi rebounds, only for Tama to run him over!

Tama stalks Takagi, CLUBS him in the chest again and again, then brings him up. Tama scoops to SLAM Takagi, and he goes from the elbow to JUMPING ELBOW DROP! Cover, ONE!! Takagi is tougher than that but Tama keeps cool. Tama brings Takagi up, ROCKS him with a forearm, then ROCKS him again! Takagi eggs Tama on, Tama throws a HEADBUTT! Tama scoops, Takagi slips free to waistlock, but Tama elbows free. Tama runs, into an ELBOW! JAB! YUKON LARIAT! Fans fire up while Takagi steadies himself. Tama stands, Takagi clotheslines him up and out! Fans fire up more as Takagi goes out to fetch Tama.

Takagi gives the fans a quick Jushin Thunder Liger pose, then he stands on Tama’s face at the railing. The ref counts, Takagi steps away, and he drags Tama up. Takagi fireman’s carries to SNAKE EYES off the apron! Tama flounders about, Takagi kicks and DDTS him to the floor! The ref checks but Tama is still in this, so the fans rally up. The ring count starts but Takagi takes his time bringing Tama up. Tama is a bit of dead weight but Takagi still stands him and puts him in at 9 of 20. To then slingshot knee drop! Takagi digs that knee in at the ropes, the ref reprimands and counts, and Takagi lets go of the ropes with his hands. Not the problem!

Takagi stands on Tama, then DOUBLE STOMPS as he lets off! Fans cheer while Tama sputters. Takagi drags Tama up, snapmares and runs, to then drop an elbow! Cover, ONE!! Tama is tough but Takagi wraps on body scissors! Tama endures as Takagi squeezes, but Tama fires off elbows! Takagi BELL CLAPS Tama for that! Takagi drags Tama up, reels him in and suplexes high and hard! Tama writhes but Takagi pushes him to a cover, TWO! Takagi keeps cool while the fans fire back up. Takagi steps on Tama, then SENTONS! Fans rally and duel as Takagi stalks Tama. Takagi eggs Tama on and Tama throws body shots.

Tama fires a forearm, then another body shot, but Takagi HEADBUTTS him down! Tama goes to ropes, fans duel, and they boo the one drunk going “Shingo sucks!” Takagi KNEES Tama against ropes, KNEES him again, then whips Tama to ropes for another knee! Takagi runs, but into a DROPKICK! Both men are down again and fans fire back up! Fans rally up as Takagi goes to a corner and Tama stands back up. Tama aims, runs in, and clotheslines! Tama fires body shots and forearms, the ref counts, but Tama fires off even more shots! Tama KNEES, HEADBUTTS, and CLUBS Takagi, but lets off as the ref counts.

Tama whips Takagi into the corner to then clothesline again! Fans continue to rally as Tama whips corner to corner, but Takagi reverses. Tama comes back to LARIAT! And OFF COMES THE VEST! Tama paces as he watches Takagi, and Takagi gets up in a corner. Tama STINGER SPLASHES, then POWERSLAMS! Cover, TWO! Takagi sputters but he’s still in this. Tama keeps cool and he paces around. Tama throws down fists, and the fans duel as Tama brings Takagi up. Takagi holds ropes to stop the whip but Tama fires off forearms! Tama whips, Takagi reverses and fireman’s carries, but Tama sunset flips, to step through!

Fans fire up as Tama has the SHARPSHOOTER!! Takagi endures as Tama sits deep on the hold! Fans rally and duel, Takagi continues to endure and fight around! Takagi reaches out, but Tama drags him from ropes! Fans fire up as Takagi continues to endure! Takagi powers up, moves around, goes to the side, reaches out and has the ROPEBREAK! Tama lets go quickly and the fans continue to rally. Tama paces around Takagi, then rains down forearms! Tama lets off to bring Takagi up but Takagi blocks the urenage! Fans duel as Takagi throws elbows! Then ELBOW! JAB! YUKON FEINT to DDT!

Fans fire up while both men are down again! Takagi rises, and he looks to a camera. Takagi lets us know, IT’S TIME! Takagi drags Tama up, reels him in, but Tama CLUBS the saido down! Takagi ROCKS and whips Tama, but Tama reverses to- NO, Takagi avoids the dropkick, to SLIDING PUMPING BOMBER! Fans fire up and hope these two “FIGHT FOREVER!” This is the main event, it might as well keep going! Takagi gives Tama toying kicks, then hauls him up in a pump handle. Tama fights the lift, then gets around, but Takagi snapmares free! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but neither man falls!

Takagi eggs Tama on, DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Tama drops to a knee but Takagi stays up. Only for Tama to EXPLODER! We hit 15 minutes as Tama clinches, but Takagi hits an EXPLODER! But then Tama hits another EXPLODER! But then Takagi SAIDOS! Takagi runs, but Tama swats the lariat, jumps, for VENENO!! Wait, Takagi deadlifts out of the DDT?! To TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!! Fans are thunderous again as both men are down! The ref checks, Tama is still in this and so is Takagi. “This is Awesome!” as Tama and Takagi stir. Takagi and Tama crawl after each other, and Takagi junkyard dog headbutts.

Tama throws a SLAP! Takagi CHOPS! Tama HEADBUTTS! Takagi CHOPS! Tama JABS! Takagi RIDGE HANDS! They stand, Tama fires a forearm! Takagi ROCKS Tama back! Tama ROCKS Takagi back! Fans fire up as Takagi wobbles, and Takagi comes back to fire boxing elbows! Tama PELES, then fireman’s carries! S R C! Tama goes up fast, to SUPREME FLOW!! Cover, TWO!?! Takagi survives the splash and fans fire up again! Tama watches as Takagi stirs again, and he pounds the mat. The fans clap along, Takagi stands, GUN- NO, Gory Especial for NOSHIGAMI! Takagi turns that around and both men are down again!

Fans rally, Takagi goes to a corner, and he drags himself up. The fans fire up as Takagi headbutts the buckle, to then PUMPING BOMBER!! Takagi isn’t done there, he pump handles, MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO?!? Tama survives and shocks Takagi! The fans fire up again as “Both These Guys! Both These Guys!” are still fighting. Takagi drags Tama up again, pump handles and torture racks, but Tama CLUBS free! Takagi LARIATS point blank, then tries again. Tama fights free again, to TONGAN TWIST! Both men are down again and the fans continue to rally! Tama rises first but Takagi follows.

Tama brings Takagi up but Takagi fights the suplex. Takagi throws body shots, powers out and ELBOWS! JABS! But Tama BOOTS the Yukon and ducks the discus to reel Takagi in for BLOODY SUNDAY!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives the shoutout to the Prince, but Tama vows to end this! Tama drags Takagi up, underhooks the arms, but Takagi fights the lift! Takagi wrenches out, but Tama dodges the lariat to GUN- NO! Takagi blocks to shove and GORY ESPECIAL BACKSLIDE! Tama rolls through but Takagi kicks low! Takagi reels Tama in, traps the arms, TAKAGI DRIVER 98!! Cover, TWO?!?!

Tama survives and the fans are thunderous again! Takagi and Tama slowly rise, Takagi runs in to SLIDING D! And then HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Takagi then drags Tama up, SLEEPER! Then GROUND COBRA!! Takagi thrashes Tama around as he has him caught! Tama endures, fights around, reaches out with his free arm, scooting ever closer! Takagi thrashes Tama more and more, but Tama still fights over! ROPEBREAK!! Takagi lets go more in exhaustion than frustration, but he is a bit frustrated. Fans rally with Takagi as he drags Tama up. Tama is on the ropes, Takagi runs, PUMPING BOMBER!!! Cover, ONE?!?!? HOW?!?!

Takagi is shocked but now he’s mad! Takagi drags Tama up, reels him in, and he fires off boxing elbows! Takagi goes all the way to TEN, then he pump handles. Torture rack and LAST- GUN STUN!!!! Cover, TWO!??!? Now Takagi shocks Tama! At least, Tama would be shocked if he wasn’t so tired! Takagi stirs but Tama goes to ropes. Tama drags himself up, we pass 25 minutes and Tama storms up on Takagi. Tama reels Takagi in, underhooks, but Takagi blocks! Tama still tries, he CLUBS Takagi, then throws knees from all sides! Tama underhooks again, D- NO, Takagi BACK DROP BRIDGES! TWO!!!

Tama still has the arms! Tama drags Takagi up, but Takagi fights the lift with all he has left! Fans fire up and Takagi wrenches out. Tama swats but Takagi JABS! HEADBUTT! Tama HEADBUTTS back! Tama hauls Takagi up to D S- RANA??! Tama stands to SUPERMAN PUNCH! And GUN- NO, Takagi blocks and steals GUN STUN!?!? Fans are thunderous as Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS!!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! As if the last time wasn’t shocking enough, Tama is still in this! Vegas is electric and Takagi roars! Pump handle, torture rack, LAST OF THE DRAGONS!!!!! TAKAGI WINS!!!!

Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Champion)

Las Vegas can’t believe it, but they love it! Tama put the belt up for ante and Takagi went all in to get it! Will the Good Bad Guy ever live down losing his own bet?

As for Takagi, he gets the belt put on his shoulder by the ref, given he’s rather tired. Takagi then gets a mic so he can say a little something. “My time. MY TIME is coming. TAKETAKE TA! I am so happy. Tama Tonga is good, is strong, but! I won.” Fans cheer that! Takagi then says actually, this is his third time as NEVER Openweight Champion. Fans chant, “You Deserve It!” Takagi nods and thanks them. So next? What’s next? Who is next?! Takagi wants someone to come out! Takagi waits, points at the stage, and says c’mon, somebody! Please! Takagi even says in Japanese that someone’s gotta answer him. Well, no one does so Takagi moves on.

Takagi promises that he will come back to Vegas. So see you next time, see you again! And in Japanese, he promises that this rampaging dragon will fly to the top! But wait, the lights go down? Then there’s a video. Trent Beretta!? Trent tells Takagi, “You, me, NEVER Openweight Championship. November 10th, Dallas, Texas. What do you say?” Takagi nods and says, “You got it!” Fans fire up, but can #JustTrent slay this Rampaging Dragon?

My Thoughts:

A great NJPW event for being stateside, and it’s wild that they’re gonna go again with Lonestar Shootout in just two weeks. I know I skipped to the latter half but that’s really where the meat of this show was anyway. Joey Janela coming to NJPW is awesome stuff for him, he’ll get to have a lot of fun just going kinda wild. Plus, him calling out Yano, they’re going to have a hilarious time. Giulia VS Hyan was a great match for the NJPW Strong Women’s title, but I had a feeling Giulia was going to win. She’s the second champ ever, she should really have a good, strong reign before losing.

Great tag title match, and I figured ELP & Leo would retain since their reign hasn’t been that long, either. But also great bit with WCWC attacking. Those guys are great, Royce Isaacs himself is looking bigger than the last time I… watched one of his matches… But ELP & Leo VS WCWC is going to be great stuff, but I feel like ELP & Leo will retain again. Awesome match from Eddie VS Henare, we definitely need a rematch of those two to finish the trilogy. And Eddie VS Kojima is going to be a lot of fun, especially since they both use Machine Gun Chops. Maybe Kojima wins so Eddie can focus on his ROH World title but I’m still leaning towards Eddie retaining.

The world title tune-up tag match was really good and I like that they went to time limit draw. It doesn’t hurt Sanada or Naito, and Hiromu is IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, he can’t be taking losses. Yuya could’ve taken the loss but he’s also going hot since joining Just5Guys, this was a good move to keep his momentum up, too. And what an awesome main event from Tama and Takagi, and what a surprise that this is the belt that changes hands tonight! I did not see that coming, and I kinda feel bad for Tama, he only had that belt 20 days. But Takagi having the NEVER Openweight Championship back is still cool, and maybe Tama can springboard from here to the IWGP United Kingdom/States now.

And then Trent making that challenge? What a great surprise. He worded his video rather generically, so he was probably going to challenge whoever was NEVER Openweight Champion regardless. But Takagi VS Trent will be great stuff, and I would think Takagi retains before moving onto a really big defense for WrestleKingdom.

My Score: 9/10